General Discussion

Interesting design...Hella big!

Came across these articles while while doing some thesis research, thought i'd share. Cliff Notes: 1. Beijing asking Russia for Su-35 Super Flankers due to an inability to use the word engineer without using reverse in the same sentence: https://the-diplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2012/03/04/china%E2%80%99s-sukhoi-submission/ 2. China's fighters suck and will get their ass handed to them by the USAF (surprise!): https://the-diplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2011/03/10/chinas-fighters-wont-match-us/

Wall Street Journal December 6, 2010 Pg. 1 China Clones, Sells Russian Fighter Jets By Jeremy Page ZHUHAI, China—A year after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a cash-strapped Kremlin began selling China a chunk of its vast military arsenal, including the pride of the Russian air force, the Sukhoi-27 fighter jet. For the next 15 years, Russia was China's biggest arms supplier, providing $20 billion to $30 billion of fighters, destroyers, submarines, tanks and missiles. It even sold Beijing a license to make the Su-27 fighter jet—with imported Russian parts. Today, Russia's military bonanza is over, and China's is just beginning. After decades of import…

Apparently China has been conducting military drills and exercises on their northeast border with Russia. China and Russia have always been “frenemies” ever since the Soviet-Sino split which peaked with Zhenbao Island incident that resulted in a brief armed conflict between the two countries in 1969. Nixon adroitly exploited this rift with his visit to China in 1972. https://www.theklaxon.com.au/home/china-russian-border-drills

Thoughts? https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-creates-new-air-defense-zone-in-east-china-sea-amid-dispute-with-japan/2013/11/23/c415f1a8-5416-11e3-9ee6-2580086d8254_story.html

https://www.wsj.com/articles/fedex-pilot-detained-by-police-in-southern-china-sources-11568906801 This whole situation really smells bad. Best wishes for Col Hohn and his family. I fear he is being used as a political pawn of convenience.

Thoughts?

China Unveils New Killer Drones, Aims Them at Russia

China urges U.S. to halt surveillance near its shores By Lucy Hornby BEIJING (Reuters) - China called on the United States to reduce and eventually halt air and sea military surveillance close to its shores after a series of territorial disputes this year. The request was made during a special session on maritime safety between the two countries' militaries on Wednesday and Thursday, Xinhua news agency said on Thursday, citing China's Defense Ministry. Five times this year, Chinese vessels have confronted U.S. surveillance ships in Asian waters, the U.S. Defense Department said in May. China said the U.S. vessels had intruded its territory. There has since be…

China, Russia Conduct Military Exercises By BURT HERMAN VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AP) - Russia and China launched their first-ever joint military exercises Thursday on a Chinese peninsula jutting into the Yellow Sea - an eight-day event that symbolizes the two countries' bolstered ties since the end of the Cold War. Moscow and Beijing will stage a mock intervention to stabilize an imaginary country riven by ethnic strife. But they insisted the ``Peace Mission 2005'' exercises - which started Thursday and include some 10,000 troops from land, sea and air forces - were not aimed at a third country. ``Our exercises don't threaten any country,'' Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky…

Discuss- Chinese Spies May Have Put Chips in US Planes

Gen. Mark Milley was interviewed by CBS Sunday Morning about the Chinese Spy balloon. Apparently the flight was never intended to fly over CONUS and the sensor equipment was never activated. What was really interesting is that he was never asked (or it got left on the editing floor) about the other balloons/dirigibles that were shot down as well!

Anybody know the guy who bombed the chopper?

Whitney was mentioned in the WTF thread, but this bucket of shit deserves its own thread. NJ Governor lowers flags to half staff to honor Whitney Houston

https://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/07/16394159-first-thoughts-hagel-a-man-without-a-party?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=1 Thoughts? I think this isn't a bad move for the Sec Def. A lot of people say he is too tough on Israel and not tough enough on Iran but the truth will come out in the confirmation hearings and I would bet he gets confirmed.

Is Chuck broke or does he really have a case against Airbus? https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/international-business/article-the-wrong-stuff-chuck-yeager-who-broke-sound-barrier-sues-airbus/?fbclid=IwAR1nqqAaKdOr09sYfypdvv-tK7ccHkyFUjl6D3UihDDOSHdtnWeg2CokfzU

Hello I'm a danish citizen born in united states. I've just failed the flying school in the RDAF, and I'm now considering applying as a pilot in the USAF. I don't have a high school degree, but I have what compares to that in Denmark. What is the view on that when you apply? I passed the tests to get on the RDAF pilot training, but failed in the selection on flying school. Will this affect me if I apply? In the RDAF they select only aspirants which have the skills to become a fighter pilot, I know that's not the case in USAF.

All, I am married to a German citizen who only hold German citizenship and I won't ask her to change that. Our daughter holds dual US/German citizenship. She would like to apply for an ROTC scholarship or an academy appointment. As a prospective officer, does she have to give up her German citizenship to make these things possible?

Saw a trailer for this movie this morning. It's apparently getting people pretty riled up. We had just watched "Leave the World Behind" a couple nights ago. There were some thought-provoking concepts, but the movie sucked ass. Dystopian and disaster flicks are nothing new, but it's unsettling to see these plots and storylines using current events, then pulling on what seems to be a short thread. The movie plans to fill people's heads with this stuff next Spring as the election heats up. Just curious as to others thoughts. Think it'll be good?

What is everyone's take on the new policy at Dafra? How long do you think this policy will last? Warriors, Effective immediately, civilian clothing is authorized for all Al Dhafra personnel in the Phantom East and West compounds while engaged in off-duty leisure or physical fitness activities. Members are required to be in uniform during any official duty (including in/out processing) and on all other US portions of the installation including MOTOWN, Munitions Storage Areas, Patriot Battery Compound, etc. Clothing worn off the US portion of Al Dhafra AB must still comply with AEWI 36-2903, Community Standards, Chapter 3, para 3.1.1. This policy consider…

Does anyone know anything about civilian contract aviation postions (preferably pilot but I'd be interested in avionics-that's my major) with the military (or its contractors)? I'm asking because I might have a medical condition that would prevent me from becoming a military pilot (or nav), but I could still get a 1st class medical- no problem. I know a lot of these jobs require previous military experience- I have none. I've always been very interested in military aviation and I'm just trying the see if I can be still involoved and do what I enjoy. Thanks!

Just curious how a stud. in UPT goes about getting his/her equivalent civilian ratings? Is this done before graduation? Do you do it on your own on a weekend or as a class etc? Just curious from anyone that has any insight..thanks!

Anybody know if a student pilot in UPT, while on leave away from training, can pilot a civilian aircraft? In what regs would something like this be? I've heard it can go both ways, so I'm not too sure. I've got some Christmas leave coming up and have really been looking forward to taking some friends on a ride in the 'other' cessna type. ...So... am I allowed?

Well, just when you think you've seen it all... Yesterday, I was driving on base. As I pulled up to the gate, I saw a man with facial hair (a mustache out of regs with the military) wearing BDUs. He looked like an overweight, beer belly, slug. I couldn't believe my eyes! This guy was in the AF BDU with the service tape saying Military Civilian or something like that. Now, I can understand maybe why civ's would need to wear BDU's in forward operating areas...but here in the states? Come on! WTF is our government thinking! This just makes us look bad. I think that if they are going to wear our uniform...they better damn well be clean-shaven and in weight…