General Discussion

I recently volunteered for a UPT assignment after receiving an email from group leadership saying they were looking for volunteers. I told my Sq/CC I was thinking about it. Before volunteering, I emailed my functional to ask some questions about the assignment (timing, ADSC obligation, etc.). The functional asked how interested I was. I said I was, and would think about it. She said to let her know if I wanted the assignment. I emailed her back a couple days later, saying that I was volunteering, and that she should hear about it through my chain of command soon. I emailed my Sq/CC and let him know I wanted to volunteer. He said ok. Well, today he pulls me aside…

"According to the United States Air Force, an F-16C aircraft assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona diverted and attempted to land at the Lake Havasu Airport around 10:30 a.m. Officials say the aircraft departed the prepared surface and the pilot ejected. The pilot is in good condition and expected to be OK." Link to Article

Just saw this. Implications could be huge, if Japan is willing to pay the tooling/restart cost for an F-22A while we bring online an upgraded F-22 as a result. The question is, will Congress/CSAF/DoD ever be able to tear their eyes away from the F-35 to seize the opportunity? Lockheed Should Restart the Raptor Line If Japan Wants An F-22-F-35 Hybrid Geopolitical trends, security concerns, and industrial and combat aircraft capability needs, could give birth to an American-Japanese Raptor 2.0. By Tyler Rogoway Osakabe Yasuo Reuters has published a report that came as little surprise to us at The War Zone regarding Tokyo's intere…

Anyone have any quick math equations they use in the cockpit like the ones below? 1) Degrees off nose + 20 = crosswing percentage Example: 40kt wind 30deg off nose = 20kt crosswind component 2) Ground Speed / 2, add a zero = 3 degree descent rate Example: 120kt / 2 = 600 fpm vsi 3) 50% of wind gust = Addition to final approach speed Example: Winds gusting 20 = add 10kts to final speed 4) Add 2 subtract 2 rule for reciprocal headings and runways Example: 327 recip = 147. If add 2 to first number, subtract 2 to second number. 1st number is always opposite 2nd number. Third number is unchanged.

SEOUL, South Korea — Search crews recovered the body of one of two pilots of a South Korean fighter jet that slammed into a mountain Thursday while flying home from a mission. https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/s-korean-f-15-crashes-body-of-pilot-recovered-search-for-co-pilot-to-continue-1.520517 Fly safe - this spike of incidents is troubling.

The British are way worse. OUCH!

Heard through the grapevine about this just now. Allegedly an Iraqi pilot in training, no word if it was dual or solo though. Hoping everyone is alright...

I plan on earning my PPL over the next couple of months so I can apply to AFR units by Fall. Likely C-130 units considering my location (Eastern OH). It seems worth it to purchase a headset in the long run, but wanted you guys to weigh in. Is it worth me spending the big bucks on an A20 or Lightspeed, or go for a mid-priced DC? I don't know if pilots ever use their own headset during training / in the reserve. Might be silly to buy a nice one then be gone for ~2-3 years OTS/UPT/whatever follows before I touch it again, not to mention depreciation. I did see another thread about getting a nice used pair of DC and just replacing parts as needed. I could also just work with …

Ok so I still have a laptop that uses Windows 7 with Internet Explorer 11, Mozilla, AND Google Chrome. I'm doing ACSC by Correspondence, and apparently, not only can I NOT access my base email from home, but I can't access Air Force Portal, AND Air University. This just started happening literally this week. However, my wife's laptop has Windows 10, and I have zero problems accessing Air Force Portal. Apparently, the warnings I'm receiving from Google Chrome is that Air Force Portal lost it's Security Certificate on MY laptop. Is anybody else having this problem as well? Did a memo come out stating that Air Force Portal and all other Air Force sites requite Wind…

https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/29/retired-military-pilot-died-hero-trying-to-save-kids-from-drowning-at-florida-beach.html I didn’t know him, but I’m sure someone here did. rest easy

I'm looking to see if anyone has heard or has any information on the Air Force possibly moving the 457th AS (C-21s @ Andrews AFB) back to Scott AFB. I had heard something about FY'19 but can't really confirm it beyond rumor status. Thanks in advance!

Reportedly a ground launched R-27. Gets real interesting at 1:34.

C-5 landed without nose gear extended at LERT. No other details other than it appears to be an aircraft malfunction

Looks like news is reporting pilot and wso ejected, but didn’t make it. Damn. https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/14/navy-fa-18-jet-crashes-off-key-west-official-tells-fox-news.html

Just looking to see if any one else has gotten contractors from Decypher to tackle additional duties? The background story is: my squadron's rumor mill said that there was a contract written and the Ops Group would get some contractors to take care of the unkillable additional duties. Theory being this would free up bodies for the flying schedule. Word was that if they actually showed up they would be parceled out among the OG and we might get 1, with no timeline given. Well, 1 March rolls around and we get phone call at 0800 telling us all 3 rumored contractors are showing up today for our squadron, get ready. These guys show up after lunch without anything. …

Hangar 24 AirFest is going to be a two-day event for 2018 (19-20 May). It's in Redlands, CA... Airport is KREI... runway is 4504' x 75'. https://www.airnav.com/airport/KREI Can a T-6 get a waiver to land there? They would really like one since military support is big deal with Hangar 24. This is will be a cool event. PM me if interested.

As part of my graduate capstone project, I have decided to analyze part of the USAF's broken personnel management system. Specifically, I am exploring the potential long-term effects of TAMI-21 (being a victim of this dirty whore myself) on pilot retention. Below, are links to surveymonkey.com for either RPA TAMI dudes or AFSOC TAMI dudes. The survey is one page and should take less than 2 minutes. Most of the TAMI guys that I know are in AFSOC and have already completed the survey. I am really seeking more surveys from the RPA community. Any help that you guys can provide in either completing the survey, or forwarding it to TAMI victims will be much appreciated. Afte…

@HuggyU2 gear up for a blue suit job. The USAF will provide Government Owned Contractor Operated (GOCO) T-6As and T-38Cs. No toners. This is just a RFI and not an RFP but it's just a matter of time. https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=4f69cd28bca0a8c07e21486897f2f83e&tab=core&_cview=1 Of note it looks like they want a desirable location. So the AF knows that they need a good location to attract retired/separated mil IPs

40 out 110 AFSOC O-6's hit the eject button, including a few HPOs (at least one a multi-year BPZ sitting Wing/CC). Some might see this as a good thing, but that is still a lot of experience walking out the door all at once.

Anybody got any bright ideas of stuff to do at Kef while you're waiting for a part? We've been here for days with one bad "rescue part" already.. Trip was supposed to be a quick out-n-back the same day.. yeah.. that didn't happen exactly as planned. I think we've checked in and out of billeting 2-3 times now.. the maids are getting to know us by name, and we've bowled so many times that our thumbs are gonna be sore for a week. I've read the OCONUS gouge thrown together by Mr. BaseOps, himself.. looks like a new rescue is in the works again, so we probably won't head out on the town.. Headin' this way? Give us a yell when you get here. Cheers! Linda

Interesting things going on at MHAB...

Ran through my old stomping grounds the other day: Kelly Field in San Antonio (KSKF). Word on the street from the AD folks running the airfield is 2 AD F16 squadrons (AETC Tails) are inbound that will fall under the guard WG to bolster F16 B-course production. Apparently Holloman isn’t working out as planned. And it’s happening...my old unit is literally fighting their “eviction” from their current building to make way for the new tennants. Anyone else hearing this?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/officials-probe-first-possible-drone-130500520.html

Doh! https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/cc408092-a77c-35c8-8bab-6070a14962aa/ss_f-16-lands-safely-at-phoenix.html

While everyone has their panties in a wad arguing about Trump and Russia, the Syrians just shot down an Israeli Viper...Massive response launched. The plane made it back to Israeli territory before it crashed, the pilots was recovered and taken to the hospital, one in serious condition. Another Iranian Drone launched from Syrian entered Israel...this could get ugly.