General Discussion

Dan's plane crashed in Little Rock last week during his ATP check ride. He is recovering from skin graft surgery at the burn center in Little Rock. The High Rollers are in the process of setting up a fund with a local credit union, one of the spouses started the Gofundme. Please check it out and give what you can. https://www.gofundme.com/Howsure-Danshure

Curious what the most popular choices are these days? When I did mine 5-7 yrs ago it was Touro/Trident, AMU, and some others. So if you wouldnt mind, who are you or your co-workers using these days?

What airframes usually attend? Obviously the fighter/bomber guys go, but I've also seen Helo guys wearing the patches. (CSAR guys I figured). Do Tac Airlift crews ever go? Just wondering..... Thanks!

Will the F-22 ever have capability to carry stuff outside the internal bay (i.e. on hardpoints on the wings)? I thought I read something to this effect early on in the program. Like they would only use the internal bays during the first days of the war, then once we had blown up all the radar sites, and the stelath was no longer needed, they would hang weapons out on the wings to be able to bring more firepower to the fight.

Doing a little research. Can you guys give me examples of what your WG/CC has defined as the "local area" for leave purposes? If you could point me to where I can download your wing supp to AFI36-3003 or the written policy letter that would be even mo betta. Thanks all.

I just saw something on C-130.net about a downed Herk in Afghanistan. Here's to hoping for any shred of good news.

ATD-X makes its first appearance as Tokyo's warplane plans advance A little bit more on Japan's home brew fighter. Timeline for IOC is a ways off but I am sure Japan could speed that up if things got even more tense in their neighborhood.

Concerns the Navy, but how long until the Air Force needs it? The Navy restored the Aviation Command Retention Bonus...a bonus Navy Commanders receive once they assume command. Looks like 36K for agreeing to serve a set period of time, or at least until they are fired. Is the Navy losing too many O5 command potential/promotable officers, or is command just that undesirable that the Navy has to shell out the dollars to get some interested? Not a good sign to have to compel/pay officers to serve in a command position. Don't get me wrong, I am all for bonuses in attempt to shape the force and keep critical skills (pilot, enlisted specialities), but command has always…

I'm not one of those people who are 100% sure they want to fly for the next decade. Reading on this forum motivates me to fly though... other things don't, like being a left coast tree-hugger. Regardless: what are the consequences of SIE from UPT? $? Retrain? FWIW I start in January so I have time. I signed my assignment RIP a couple months ago now. (aslo, usafa '05 so the $ part might be different). Flame me through PM's. THey'll be more fun.

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

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?

Anyone been to Osan on a command sponsored accompanied tour. My husband and I just got orders and are trying to find out info about going together. Any info from people who have been to Osan would be appreciated.

This is pretty messed up. Just found out an old classmate lied on his resume. He is a civilian pilot who listed he had a bachelors degree on his resume, but in fact did not. The guy got hired by a major. How does he fricken sleep at night? Thankful for him, only a few people know about this.

Worth a read https://warontherocks.com/2016/03/stuck-on-denial-part-i-the-u-s-air-force-and-stealth/

Nothing at all turned up when I searched for "kc-46" strangely enough. Has anyone heard anything about when they will be out and start dropping to UPT classes? Also are they replacing the 135 or the 10? I've always heard the 135 until recently. The argument was that the AF wants to shut down the kc-10 and flow those guys into the 46 since they're used to taking gas.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/us-air-force-16-crashes-afghanistan-pilot-safely/story?id=38008450

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L972M2H Created a survey for my research paper at ACSC. If you are a rated officer Lt-Lt Col or have recently separated (past 5 years) and you have 15 spare minutes, I would appreciate all the help I could get! Thanks in advance.

I know a lot of it is probably classified, but I do not know a whole lot about SERE other than what I've seen portrayed in Hollywood. Is it really as much of a haze as I've heard that it is? Is there a high attrition rate? Just generally trying to get some information and ask for other resources that any of you may have. Thanks a lot!

I have a few questions for anyone that has been issued this jacket for the AOR. 1. Was it a huge improvement over the standard issue one regarding survivality? 2. Was it comfortable to wear in the cockpit (pointy nose types)? 3. Did you get the pants as well? Thanks.

I read on the AF rag (online, I rarely pay for that crap) that Gen Welsh is taking over USAFE. I remember he was the first commandant of cadets in a long time (since Olds?) that we all liked and truly respected. That's a huge deal for a bunch of cynical and bitter college age kids at the Zoo. I remember his speech. Usually speakers were ignored or worse by a bunch of disrespectful jack asses, this time everyone left the auditorium in dead silence. In any event, congrats USAFE I think you have a great new commander. Link below to the transcript: Gen Welsh's speech

I am a 2014 VSP recipient that separated on Dec 31, 2014 and subsequently entered the IRR. I recently received a letter from AFRC informing me that I would be receiving orders soon to report to Patrick AFB for a "Mandatory Muster" in May. What is this all about? Has anyone else out there who has received the VSP been forced to attend one of these "Mandatory Musters"?Will I be paid for this? If I have to drop a 3-4 day trip at my airline job to attend this I will definitely lose a lot of money.

Perfect point defense weapon when an F-35 is doing LOWAT. https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/man-who-shot-crop-dusting-plane-18-times-sentenced#.VsTmF8p4t08.twitter

I saw they put out new force management opportunities for FY '14. I'm an ATC officer and have been considering getting out to jump over to the FAA and this seems like an opportunity which may finalize that decision if the terms are correct. I know this is an ops forum but I was hoping that someone might have more SA. If I apply for this program under the Limited Active Duty Service Commitment (LADSC), does that entitle me to separation pay or is the "benefit" merely the reduction of your required service commitment? If there is no separation pay I'd probably just wait out my PCS ADSC which ends late next year anyways. Thanks

Has anyone who took the 2nd round of VSP in 2014 heard about what needs to be done to receive a VSP W2? Most of those in the 2nd offering received that pay in Jan 2015, therefore it was not reflected on our final Active Duty W2. I still have a MyPay access password, but it does not list VSP W2's in the schedule.

Twenty-five years ago today, I found myself in the Saudi Arabian desert near the Iraqi border with NVG's on watching a steady stream of traffic headed northbound and downtown. It was a very impressive sight. I mentioned this in the office today and guys were amazed that it was 25 years ago. Of course some said they were in grade school then so I gave them a quick history lesson.