General Discussion

She was recently promoted to 4 stars and will be the next commander of the Pacific Combat Air Command. What's interesting, her career started as a ABM and never piloted an aircraft. She should be in the running in being the 1st CoSAF without being a pilot. Interesting times for the future of the AF.

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-air-force-wants-to-junk-half-of-its-best-jamming-planes-3f16d164cac1 Thoughts? I personally think it's a big mistake. Does anybody else in the CAF care? Does the Air Force really understand what EW can bring to the fight?

Just saw the news that 19th Air Force Commander was fired (resigned, lol) for inappropriate comments made in an Air Force forum. Anyone know what he said? https://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/04/30/19th-air-force-commander-steps-down/26632917/

Anyone got the skinny on this program? I've got plenty of articles from google that speak of the program's greatness but these all have that Public Affairs flavor (spouting the company line). I was "unofficially" notified that I've been selected. 90% leaning towards 3-day opting out.

Over the past couple of days, A3 has hosted a webinar called the "Fighter Enterprise Redesign." I've been unable to attend. Can anyone provide a summary of what information was passed out? Thanks, V-man

Just wondering what type of Vehicles Fighter Jocks Drive?

I'm a LT awaiting UPT at Columbus (Class 06-07) I was wondering if anyone could steer me in the right direction as to where/how I can change my residency to a state that does not require taxes. (ie, TX, FL....some others I've heard, I'm leaning more towards FL though due to the proximity right now) What is involved in this process? Where do I go? Do I also need to get a new driver's license and auto plates? What's the cost involved? I have heard that all it takes to change your residency is to simply have an address (ie PO Box) in the desired state. Is it really that simple? As always, thanks a lot!

The course at Pensacola is Parachute Water Survival SV-86-A Fairchild's water surviavl is a different course. SV-90-A is non-parachute water survival and also dunker (For whirly crews). Most likely, you'll go to Pensacola as an aircrew member. PD

I was just curious for the guys who have an engineering degree/ or pursuing and engineering degree. Specifically aerospace/aeronautical I'm interested in the above: What exactly are they? What classes are involved? Experiences you had? What you thought? I'm wanting to give myself options once I graduate to possibly going into test flying. And after that possibly becoming an astronaut. But i don't want to set a trap for myself and get bad grades because before trying to become a test pilot/astronaut I have to get accepted for UPT. And I'm not even sure whether I would like the course or not, I think it looks real interesting. Any suggestions that you could…

The SQ/CC pulled aside the mayor last week and told him to pass along the WG/CC imposed ROE on songs, stories, and things that would be uttered in the squadron bar. We are to no longer sing songs that have 'girlie bits'. NSTFS - we can no longer preface our songs with "How does every good fighter pilot song start?" I can no longer sing to the world that I love my wife, yes I do, yes I do. Any stories that are told must conform to the same standards. I should hope that this frightening trend does not extend past Seymour Johnson. Please, young SNAPs, continue to sing the beautiful songs of dead whores by the roadside. Hold on to this tradition or soon we will a…

i know, picture doesn't really tell much (other than TR violation - guns inside 1000') ... still amuses me though. anybody know the details behind this pic? i've seen it floating around the net over the last week, if it's been posted here, i'll move along ...

I just found out that I will be on casual status at Travis. I will be completing my IFT there and I was wondering what is the good the bad and the ugly about being there. [ 04. April 2004, 15:50: Message edited by: gobucks ]

Where do the Coast Guard C-130 pilots come from? Is it possible to be an AF pilot and cross into the coast guard? If it is I'm guessing that your AF years/CG years both work towards 20? It just seems like a sweet gig if you love being near the ocean. Thanks!

In order to not derail a classic thread, but continue a rather good discussion, I'll pose this question here. What is so "dangerous" about a high speed abort on a long runway? I hear people brief over and over that they would rather continue the takeoff for "x" than do a high speed abort. Here is my take on it (keep in mind, all my experience is in the C-130 and we routinely take off and land with about 8,000' more than we actually need.) Say you're taking off full length on Runway 25 at LRF. You have 12,000' of runway in front of you. Say you get an abort call just before rotating, we'll call it 110 KIAS. Definitely a high speed abort. But you also have about…

I'm wondering what kind of holster people use for concealed carry while wearing a flight suit. The squadron issued me a cheap nylon shoulder holster but it's not comfortable in any way. I noticed a lot of guys have bought their own shoulder holsters to wear under the bag. I've looked at the Galco Jackass system, which I like because its modular, so I can get different holster components for my personal pistols and swap them out. So what do you guys use? What features should I look for?

Random question/probably not uncommon situation I just got picked up for OTS to be a pilot (hooray!) and my soon-to-be-wife is leaving for OTS to be a pilot in a couple of months as well. We’re both Prior-Es. We’re very optimistic we can both get the same base for UPT, so that’s not the issue, and even if it were, not the end of the world. More importantly, in all of yours guys’ experience, how does Join Spouse work for two pilots starting out? She’ll be ahead of me in the pipeline about 6 months. We’re *hoping* she gets an aircraft and then I can just get that same one at drop night 6 months later, but I’ve been in the Air Force far too long to get excited abo…

Just heard from a friend. Anyone confirm?

Just a new pilot musing here, but why wouldn’t the Pegasus have some form of winglets or raked wing tips? Although they would probably add some weight and development costs, it’s been done before on 767s and seems to be a cost-effective measure to increase fuel efficiency on all kinds of commercial aircraft. Given the thousands of hours these aircraft will fly, wouldn’t the extra cost be recouped in fuel saved quite easily? Is there something I’m missing here? Appreciate any input.

Currently at Vance about halfway through T-6s and recently hooked two flights in a row resulting in being put on flying CAP (commanders awareness program). Getting off altitude from poor trim and being task saturated in the pattern drove the unsats. I’m just hoping to hear some stories from guys that got their wings after struggling during UPT and what actions did you take to improve? I spend hours chair flying every day, but something just hasn’t clicked yet.

I'm a current AMC dude on the VML this cycle. I love my current airframe but I do not love how much I've been on the road this assignment and I'm looking to spend more time at home. I'm looking for input from any current Laughlin/Vance/Columbus IPs to share their qualities of life. How often you fly per week and typical/expected work hours. I have bros in my squadron who were former UPT IPs and I have spoken with them but I would like to hear from current IPs, if able. Not sure if it's still a thrash implementing the 2.5 syllabus or if it's a somewhat predictable work schedule at all now. Thanks.

The BBC is reporting a Su-25 was shot down in Syria. They're saying the pilot got out but was killed by rebels on the ground. BBC: Su-25 Down in Syria

Say there's a C-146 at drop night. What should one expect from that life? Is it under-discussed because of how cool and secret the missions are, or because it's not exciting enough to talk about? I've had a friend tell me it's the ugly step child of AFSOC.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/07/13/ordering-the-selected-reserve-and-certain-members-of-the-individual-ready-reserve-of-the-armed-forces-to-active-duty/ Is this a common thing? Seems odd they just wouldn’t use active duty

https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3674442/air-force-space-force-announce-sweeping-changes-to-maintain-superiority-amid-gr/ Worth its own thread to discuss. I see lots of new words and new places to park generals but 🤷‍♂️ IDK how this is all gonna work out when the rubber hits the road.

Can anyone share the procedure used to attain a type rating. Can an MPD C-130 co-pilot get one? My last qual check ride was a year ago, and I'm my next check ride is due in MAR 2010. Do I still qualify for a type rating with the FAA?