General Discussion

Actually, officers can sell back leave. You can only sell back 60 days of leave in a career. This becomes a player when transitioning to the ANG/AFRC. When you do a month MPA tour, you accumulate 2.5 days of leave, which will automatically get sold back at the end of the tour. If you sold back all 60 days at the end of Active Duty, you're SOL, so they say. I sold back 30 days at the end of AD and took the rest as terminal leave before joining the ANG. Nowhere else are you going to get this much paid vacation time this quick. And if you start UPT in November, let's say, and you get 2 weeks off in December for Xmas break, they'll let you "go in the hole" or car…

I want some good puke stories. I have only experienced some aerobatics upside down/zero G pukes, and was wondering if you'd all share your most humerous yakking adventures. (ie: puke on IP/the scope/canopy/etc) Cheers.

https://thediplomat.com/2014/04/us-philippines-enhanced-defense-cooperation-agreement-bolsters-pivot-to-asia/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/28/remarks-president-obama-filipino-and-us-armed-forces-fort-bonifacio The President (or somebody from the US government) signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines yesterday. I glanced through the brief 10 pages of the agreement, and it does not stipulate the number of personnel, aircraft, vessels, or locations, but that certainly will follow in the next few years. FYI for anybody with memories of Clark AB, the former installation now has some 50K residents and is a sizable inte…

Hey just looking for some input regarding the landing fees from people who have been into some of the larger airports on XCs. We've got two T-6s looking to head up to Chicago this weekend and it looks like the DoD contractor at KMDW has shut down, meaning we have to head into O'Hare if we want to make it. I guess most city airports (JFK, LaGuardia, LAX, etc) charge a fee or tax for landing. Signature quoted $350 for a Pilatus landing there (no handling or ramp fees for Mil) but I'm wondering if the city waves that fee for us. They're not entirely sure at Signature so I'm wondering if any of you all have flown into O'Hare or other city airports and what you've found…

I was wondering how most units assign STATESIDE callsign numbers, i.e., Speedo 60, Pogo 21. Do most folks get a choice in the matter or are they just assigned one? If you get a choice, are there any cool stories associated with how people chose their numbers? And if there are any OPSEC issues with this tread, please delete is ASAP.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/f-16-jet-crashes-gulf-mexico-crews-searching-pilot-n243011 Here's to hoping the pilot is ok. Update here: Wreckage found. https://www.mypanhandle.com/story/d/story/f16-loses-contact-with-tyndall-air-force-base/12899/39JZdLsPnESY7jdYTqodoA

I hear a lot of talk about military traffic patterns with fixes and all kinds of stuff. What does a military traffic pattern actually consist of? Is a VFR pattern more like an approach or is it just a general procedure?

Just saw a video on Facebook, Mass ANG F-15D had a backseater depart the jet on the ground via the ACES II. Heard it was a incentive or FAM flight. Not 100% sure on details. https://www.facebook.com/reel/4192170774392209/?app=fbl

When the grunts in my office give me shit about the tiger-stripe BDUs (spit), I fire back with this... If anyone wants to **** with the Army....errrr....look more into this fine program, then go to https://www.goarmy.com/btg/index.htm and fill out the Operation Blue to Green Information Form. It does top out at O-3, so I am SOL. So are you, AirGuardian! Plus, they'd probably want me to cut my hair! Cheers! M2

https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/379thAirExpeditionaryWing/News/Display/tabid/298/Article/643030/farewell-b-1-the-b-1b-lancer-sets-rotational-records-before-leaving-aor.aspx Who is going to replace them? Or are we just curtailing the bomb dropping for 6 months?

The new name has been chosen, Pegasus.

I've come to a time in my life where I have to decide what I want to do for myself and my girlfriend. I'm wanting to apply for Marine PLC air program, but I realize that Marine Pilots do get deployed on ships, and they don't have as many fixed winged aircraft. I've never even considered the Guard til now. Not that I was being close minded, I just always thought the Marines was the place for me. I like the idea of being able to fly, which is what I want to do, and being home with my wife. She has a career and I have to appreciate that. I'm not married. I've been with this girl for almost four years, and I want what is best for the both of us. While I can't give up my d…

this is just a random question. but i realized i've never seen any officers with dog tags before in real life. do all O's get dog tags? or is it just certain positions? just curious. thanks

In the pointy-nose world, how often do over-G's happen? What are the ramifications for the pilot? The beer to the MX guys goes without saying...

Look at the newest gem the AF is hinging on to force us into the roach motels (attached and copied below in case the attachment doesn't work): So now we can't stay in Airbnb/crash pads because they weren't booked in DTS nor are they fire compliant. Who the $%*& is leading this push against us staying in decent places? Anybody else getting this letter in an email accompanied with the statement that the Air Force has to reimburse you but you will now be punished by your commander if you elect to stay in these places? MEMORANDUM FOR ALMAJCOM-FOA-DRU COMPTROLLERS AFIMSC/RM ALL WING AND SQUADRON COMPTROLLERS FROM: SAF/FMFC (AFAFO) …

This is a question that I do not have the experience to answer and I was wondering what other people thought about it. As far as demonstrations teams go, are the Blue Angels more skilled than the Thunderbirds or the other way around? I've seen the Thunderbirds perform a couple of times and I got to say they are pretty tight

According to this report both ejected safely. Stay safe out there. https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/23/air-force-training-jet-crashes-in-mississippi-pilots-ejected-safely.html

I’ve heard it’s possible but rare to switch to an airframe in another command. For example, switching from Air Mobility Command to Air Combat Command. I’m interested in flying fighters at some point in my aviation career: any fighter or being an instructor in the T-38 or T-7 when that comes out. But, I tracked T-1s. I’m happy and excited to fly heavies but it’s always been my dream to fly fighters for a little bit of my career at least. Would it increase my chances of switching over to a fighter if I dropped a special operations aircraft or an aircraft in Air Combat Command like the EC-130 which is switching to the E-37 soon, MC-130, HC-130, RC-135, etc? I’d also be in…

From the weird side of aviation... According to the web site, the idea of an Amphibious C-130 was considered back in the early 70's... or is it fake? Can't tell these days... Anyway its an interesting diversion. https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/a-c-130-hercules-amphibian-makes-too-much-sense-to-be-t-1716610531

I was scrolling through my MP3s and found an old forgotten favorite of mine from college. Its an Irish folk song by a guy named Christy Moore. Its called Lisdoonvarna, and I can attest that its a great drinking song especially when all in the place of drink is singing and there is someone playing a spoon and a cookiesheet. Great times. What are your favorite drinking songs?

Link Looks like the Air Force Global Hawk is being canceled in favor of retaining the U-2. This is interesting that a manned airplane is actually beating out a UAV. I wonder what this means for all the people recently hit with a GH gig but haven't PCSd yet.

Thunderbird crash in Co...He got out. Blue Angel Crash in Tenn...He did not get out.

I just read this article in the Air Force times by two SSgts at Kirkuk. It further proves the Air Force demeans medals by giving a commendation medal to some A1C who helps clean up after a holiday party while guys who are putting their lives on the line can't get valid recognition. ------------- Integrity and awards In mid-November, an Army re-supply convoy was attacked by the enemy using an improvised explosive device. A second IED, spotted 50 feet ahead of them, left the remaining vehicles trapped in the “kill zone.” An Air Force explosive ordnance disposal team responded to clear the IED in order for a vehicle to be recovered and to allow the convoy mission to c…

F-16 Crashed this afternoon at Luke. I don't have a link handy, nor should I really throw any details up here ... so check the internets for details.

Greetings all, Does anyone have any info regarding Banzai Flight at Vance? I was recently informed that I'll be in Banzai Flight. Any info will be greatly appreciated.