General Discussion

Retirement of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley DOD News Links 1 2 There were some rumors of who might replace Secretary Donley back in April shortly after he first announced his retirement, but it seems the last few months have gone by fairly quietly regarding this transition. Of moderate newsworthiness, as reported when he was previously appointed and now re-addressed as the new acting Secretary, Under Secretary Eric Fanning, is openly gay. I doubt this needs much, if any, discussion, though it is mentionable. Any opinions on his departure, rumors of change, or discussion of replacements?

I'm a UPT student hoping for T-44's. I have a wife, child, and a dog. Just wondering what the housing situation (on-base, rentals, etc.) is for AF Lt's going to Corpus for T-44 training? Thanks for any advice.

I did a search. I love how this statement has to be posted before any questions asked. Anyone here flying the HC-130 now or in the past? How vastly idfferent is the mission from the traditional slick, besides the refueling of the whillybirds. Do you still stay current in airdrop, assaults, formation (with another -130 not a rotors)and normal airland stuff? PM me if you are currently flying them in the active duty world or the good world or just post the info for others to see. Thanks [ 31. July 2006, 19:34: Message edited by: Toro ]

Considering putting the UK on the dreamsheet out of the FTU, and I'm having a difficult time finding the regs for importing a vehicle. I've found the UK customs website, but it's going to take some time to decipher that document. Does anybody have some good techniques or gouge for bringing in a newer vehicle? It's an 07 Tacoma if it matters. Cheers

This is just a general question that has bugged me for a while: when you see pilots wearing their A-2s, all you see is the command patch on the right chest and the nametag on the left chest. Why no squadron patch? To me the squadron patch would mean more than a command patch or even wing patch.

The pseudo-thread hijack that started in the no more position and hold thread got me thinking about the responsibilities and training involved with Air Traffic Control that few aircrew (unless you've been SOF) get to see. I'd like those familiar with the ATC rules and regulations to chime in here. I already know some of these answers, I'm asking mostly to get discussion started and answers from those who are qualified in the subject matter. 1 - Just like we train our pilots through UPT, IFF, and FTU, the controllers have a training upgrade flow. Where does that occur (are there primary initial training bases) and how long does it last? 2 - Just like we can be Q3'd, …

I pray the pilot got out! 6/28/2011 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- An Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon from here crashed June 28 about 5:30 p.m. PDT near Caliente, Nev. The F-16 was participating in an air-to-air combat training mission. One person was on board. The individual's condition is unknown at this time. As soon as additional details become available, they will be provided. The accident is under investigation. https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123261945

Hello all, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is 1LT Brogan Steele, and I am a United States Air Force Auxillary mission pilot. Our organization is also known as the Civil Air Patrol, and I'd love to talk to you all about some of the flying opportunities within the Auxillary. I've been very fortunate in my time in the CAP thus far. I am a member of a very aggressive SAR unit (Search And Rescue) that is on-call for operations 24/7/365. I am not too sure I'll release the name of my unit due to OPSEC (Operational Security) concerns, but lets just say we're one of the better-known units around the country. Because of the aggressive nature of our unit, the commitmen…

Discuss here.

I was hoping to get some input from the heavy pilots into the differences between the type of flying involved with airlift missions and air refueling missions and some pro/cons of each. Which is more interesting or fun to fly? I assume refueling is a lot of straight-and-level over long periods of time and airlift would involve a little more finessed flying but that’s just my impression as an outside observer. I’ve been submitting applications to both types trying to get a heavy slot. I’d like to know a little more about the ins-and-outs and the subtleties that people might not know about. What you like or dislike, etc. Thanks in advance!

Thoughts on these changes? Any idea when some of these things might get implemented? Hoping to head to OTS around November 2018.

Hearing there is an active shooter at Lackland as of this hour. Nothing to confirm other than local reporting...multiple victims reported and Bexar Co Sheriff's office is helping clear buildings reportedly. ETA: https://www.ksat.com/news/bcso-responding-to-shooting-at-lackland-air-force-base

Hey all: Leaving for 1 year remote in Korea soon. Any advice on what to send over early with the movers?

Light Fighters... interesting article and worth a read IMHO. https://warontherocks.com/2022/02/the-light-fighter-is-the-air-forces-manned-unmanned-team-solution/ Author leaves room for discussion for what I would call mission requirements vs platform requirements, that is what is the mission and then what is the platform required or capable of meeting those technical / performance requirements. How many UCAVs / UAVs would it need to control, at what distance, how resilient to EA to that supplied link, how much organic capability for offense/defense for this platform, etc... most of that I think would be a result of what the cognitive load is determined to …

O-8 loses command for using clout to help son

Hey guys, Goto Postgazette.com right now ( a pittsburgh newspaper website) and they have a photo on their front page of a "former" marine. Am I the only one finding something strange with his uniform?

1 of 8 can provide the correct WX required to deal with the crap WX at KCVS today and successfully land. Thanks to the FAIP Mafia for providing the CHAFF for filing requirements to KCVS... Grow a pear (!?)... CPs,, CSOs,.... even MPs... W. T. F.!? You're lost. How do you get to your first base!?

Hi all, I'm a C-17 pilot at McChord, and have recently authored a piece of software that lets military pilots load airspace, waypoints and PFPS routes into Google Earth. The software is free--I have written it purely for the benefit of my fellow pilots who may wish to use Google Earth to help with mission planning. If you're interested, I invite you to vist www.googleearthpilot.com. The software is available for download, as well as a quick PowerPoint that showcases what the product can do. The software is a beta release. I've done extensive testing myself, but I'm eager to get the product into pilots' hands for hands-on testing and feedback. Enjoy! If you d…

I have a specific question about the AF Tuition Assistance. I'm on a long casual stint, and I've started working on my master's. I was told at the education office that TA only covers TUITION, and that no fees whatsoever are paid for. When you fill out the online application, it even asks for REQUIRED fees and says they will be paid. I tried to input my required fees and the education counselor made me remove them before she would approve my TA request. I'm only taking one class and the fees are like $600 (TA only paid the $276 tuition), and I can't use MGIB since I haven't been in for 2 years yet. Every reference I can find about TA online says that it pays requi…

Quietly inserted into 10 USC 1370 (regular) and 1370a (reserve): TIG requirement for Maj is now 3 years for it to be held. It was 6 months, previously.

Article found on November 1 Drudge Report: https://www.wnd.com/2013/10/top-generals-obama-is-purging-the-military/ “There is no doubt he (Obama) is intent on emasculating the military and will fire anyone who disagrees with him” over such issues as “homosexuals, women in foxholes, the Obama sequester,” Brady told WND.They are purging everyone, and if you want to keep your job, just keep your mouth shut,” one source told WND. Not only are military service members being demoralized and the ranks’ overall readiness being reduced by the Obama administration’s purge of key leaders, colonels – those lined up in rank to replace outgoing generals – are quietly taking …

Hello, I fly a jet equipped with an ejection seat. During a deployment, I started developing neck, back, and hamstring pain. I notified my flight doc and she attributed my pain to muscle soreness and suggested I wait to see if it heals on its own. Two months later, I woke up with excruciating pain. MRI results concluded that a cervical disc tore and my nerves are being “severely” pinched (annular tear, spinal stenosis, cervical radiculopathy are the medical terms). My lumbar spine has the same condition at a “moderate” level (which explains the hamstring pain). In addition, my pectoral and tricep muscles are not responding and are atrophying. The flight doc suggested…

Just a quick question: Without going into classified information, at any given equivalent air-to-air configuration, would I be right to assume that an F-15C can outturn an F-16D at a given low speed and altitude? According to the USAF Fact Sheets (lol), The Eagle allegedly has a higher thrust-to-weight ratio 1.12/1.30 compared to the Block 30 Viper's .0898/1.012 (depending on powerplant) and lower wingloading (only 83%) than the Viper (Block 30, at least). I assume these figures are for an equivalent configuration, and I'm assuming they're not skewed. So if someone with some aeronautical knowledge could tell me if higher t/w and lower wingloading necessarily tra…

Osan lost a jet today. Pilot ejected safely. https://www.osan.af.m...sp?id=123294664

I was cross-country this weekend with a group of guys, and one of them is an ex C-model guy. We were discussing the merits of that plane and he told me that within a year the c models will start incorporating an air-to-ground role into their profile, albeit a very limited role at first while they catch up (presumably to Viper and Strike Eagle guys!). This makes sense (to me at least).....a strictly air-to-air role doesn't have that much use against the enemies we fight today (see the F/A-22), and the Eagle WAS originally designed to be a multi-role fighter (then along came the Viper). Anyone else heard anything else about this? [ 08. November 2004, 20:56: Message …