General Discussion

https://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_SOUTH_SUDAN_US?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-12-21-07-08-38 AP Reports that it looked like an Osprey, 4 injured, one reported critical. Now they are saying a UN Helicopter was downed as well. Might have fit better under the operation deny Christmas '13 threads.

Has anyone finished the new SOS i-c? Everyone in my unit finished the old easy version years ago or hasn't even looked into starting it. How quickly can you finish it if you put a lot of focus on it?

BBC is reporting a crash in Zabul province killing 6 people, anyone have more details?

can any LZSO types tell me if your V1/V3 or a MAJCOM sup require periodic refresher training? Or is it a one-time thing with the guidance contained in AFI 13-217?

Interesting WSJ on the downside to automation . https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304439804579204202526288042

https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/10/us/colorado-town-drone-ordinance/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 This is why I love 'murica.

Looks like the USAF is on the hook to support a French deployment to the Central African Republic (CAR). Currently its airlift (C-17s) burt Tankers and ISR will probably follow. Chrstmas time in Africa :-) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/us-to-fly-african-troops-to-central-african-republic-8994230.html

The old girl is completing her final combat deployment...sad to see her go, but she is tired and it is time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRsYDYnv1rg

Bands have been a part of military tradition and history since...forever, unlike TIB who is just a bunch of singing, dancing fags. Well done, USAF band for this performance at the Air and Space Museum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIoSga7tZPg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgIoSga7tZPg&app=desktop

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/12/04/heffron-of-wwiis-band-of-brothers-dies-at-90.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm Greatest generation ever, few left....

Always lawyer up https://www3.gazette.com/projects/project/usafa-informant-program/

Has anyone heard of the Alsalam Aircraft Company? They have offered me a position as an ISR King Air 350 Instructor Pilot for the Royal Saudi Air Force with a pretty good total compensation package north of $250K a year. I would love to hear what anyone knows about the company, working with the RSAF & living in the Kingdom with a wife & 4 small children. Please feel free to PM me if you do not want to post on an open forum. Thanks!

There is a topic discussing what's "Wrong with the AF?" Let's track the improvements... I recall when Welsh was nominated back in 2012, there was loud applause of pending changes that we all thought were looming -- mainly due his interaction with the CAF when he was USAFE/CC, etc. Welsh took command Aug 2012...and probably has a little over a year left until he's done. What improvements, if any, have you seen....?

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.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/21/boeing-747-mistakenly-lands-at-small-kansas-airport/?intcmp=latestnews "A Boeing 747 jumbo jet mistakenly landed a tiny airport in Kansas late Wednesday, raising questions about how the pilots got off course. The jet landed at Col. James Jabara Airport, about 8 miles north of its intended target, the McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. Jabara's runway is just 6,101 feet long, much shorter than is ideal for an aircraft of that size. Roger Xanders, chief of the Wichita Airport Authority's police and fire department, told KMBC-TV that nonetheless the plane should be able to take off around noon Thursday. The plane, oper…

Discuss.

Received this little doozy, and I thought we had a pilot shortage.... From: ######### 147 ARS/DO Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 11:17 AM To: 171 ARW/Operations Group Subject: Hat/Uniform wear HI All, We have been reminding you about uniform wear and hats in the parking lot over the last few weeks, but it has officially hit its limit. The Wing/CC was eating out at a local restaurant and saw another member of the Ops Group not wearing their hat when they should have been. This seems like a small issue, but it has gotten out of hand. If we truly believe we are the best KC-135 unit we need to show it on and off the base. Effective immediately if you are…

Was curious if any folks on here have any experience with the E-4. I'm a tanker guy right now and wanted to know if there is a recommended "path" to the E-4. I'm assuming it's super competitive, but is there any other information out there? Thanks

Found this online; cannot confirm validity, but it sounds like something that should be on DuffelBlog. Edit: I found this online and I'm relaying it over here to see what your reactions and input is. This is NOT written by me,

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/11/05/hagel-says-cuts-to-pay-and-benefits-are-needed.html Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Tuesday that troops and their families will be asked to sacrifice on pay and benefits to preserve readiness in an era of tighter budgets. Hagel listed politically-charged changes to compensation and personnel policy as one of his top six priorities in reforming the military following the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as the department gears up to meet new challenges. "This may be the most difficult" to achieve among his six priorities, Hagel said of proposals to trim pay increases, overhaul TRICARE and review retirement benefit…

https://www.simhq.com/_air/PDF/NGNG.pdf Used search; couldn't find anything posted earlier about this. Found out about this after watching the Dogfights series on the History Channel, thought some of you might find it interesting, especially wannabes like myself. Thank you, -Vice

This is pretty cool... https://www.startribune.com/local/230375891.html SUPERIOR, Wis. — Two planes carrying skydivers collided in midair Saturday evening in far northwest Wisconsin, but no major injuries were reported. Mike Robinson, an instructor and safety adviser for Skydive Superior, said he and 10 others escaped relatively unharmed after one plane crashed into the other during what he said was a common tandem formation. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Roland Herwig said the collision occurred about 6 p.m. at about 12,000 feet. Robinson said he and four others were preparing to jump from the lead plane with the trailing plane hit their craf…

I'm currently at a well known undisclosed location close to the AG. All of the chow halls do ethnic food nights on any given day of the week; Monday=Taco Bar, Tuesday=Gyros, Friday=Pasta, etc... At the chow hall closest to ops someone has put up a white board welcoming people to the chow hall and then letting people know the menu of the day. No problem except recently there are drawings to accompany the ethnic menu nights. Taco Monday has included a Speedy Gonzalez and a luchadore mask. Italian Friday had Mario and Luigi with the words "you'sa welcoma to our-a Pasta night-a" and just yesterday the Curry bar had a picture of the Taj Mahal with the classic Apu/7-11 …

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 …

I need some help with supervision of a GS civilian. The background is that I am an Air Force O-4 at a Navy command. There is a civilian (GS-14) who has been in her position for about 8 years. It is known in the command that she is completely incompetent, but because she is a minority she is afforded specific privileges. Additionally, she has filed a EO complaint and has 'whisteblower' status which has made it significantly more difficult to give her honest feedback because it could be seen as retributional. She currently works directly for an O-6 and has three employees (GS-10, E-6, E-5). There is some discussion about her PD (position description?) that dictates…