General Discussion

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?

Did a search and all that came up was MC-12 info. I'm looking for current and specific info on C-12's. The following are my questions: 1) What's the ops tempo like? 2) Are they all short tours? 3) Where are they located and where do I find current locations that are open? 4) What are the pros and cons with this gig? 5) Does this assignment make you eligible for a non-vol MC-12 tour? Mobility dude here looking for some "change". Considering C-12 as an option for next assignment or short tour. Thanks!

I've run into a bit of trouble processing ICM/AFGM/GWOT-Es and hoped some of the wiser folks out there might be able to help me out. For the last two years I've been submitting people for these medals as they reach the magic 60 non-consecutive days in or over country required by the regulations. Because we (C-17s) don't stay in country we've been counting dates for each medal as we visit either Iraq or Afghanistan. We, of course, don't count the same date twice but if we go to Iraq during one CDD/FDP and to Afghanistan on the next CDD/FDP we've been giving credit for both. I figured this was totally legit; we're fighting a two front war and eventually amassing 60 da…

Today I was browsing the web pages for a lot of Air Force bases around the world. I noticed that many (over half) of the bases were commanded by a Col. or Gen. who was a graduate of the Academy. I looked around for about 10 min trying to find just one ROTC grad that was a base commander before I found one. I was interested in this trend then went searching all of the bases I could think of and found a ratio of about 70% base commanders and wing commanders are Academy grads and about 50% of all major commands and up are Academy grads. I was wondering if anyone had and explanation. I am a new LT ROTC grad and I am trying to figure out why the semi socially challenge…

What kind of pilots usually get to have their name printed on the side of the aircraft they fly ? I've noticed this on mostly fighter jets, and helicopter gunships, but do airlift pilots (c-17,etc) get to do that as well ? I've also seen names on trainer aircraft,like the T-6 Texan II--is it the name of the pilot that is being trained with that particular aircraft, or the name of the instructor ?

https://www.airtrafficmanagement.net/2014/07/malaysian-b777-crash-reported-in-contested-airpsace/

i know, picture doesn't really tell much (other than TR violation - guns inside 1000') ... still amuses me though. anybody know the details behind this pic? i've seen it floating around the net over the last week, if it's been posted here, i'll move along ...

I've done a bunch of searching, and haven't found to much out there. I realize it is hard to tell because not many people have flown both air frames, but is there any opinion as to what the lifestyle is like? Do both tend to be very relaxed? Also with tankers vs. cargo/transport what is the difference in where they fly? Which one will travel to more countries? Lastly, what do the deployment cycles look like for each. I've heard 6 months on 6 off for the C-5B/M but that seems like a lot for a reserve unit. Are these typical cycles in addition to monthly flights?

From AFA... I love the linked article, especially the comment "Crew members forced to evacuate in-flight aircraft with parachutes, for example, have much gentler impacts with the ground than those without chutes." Real funny. I know the Stratotanker has an excellent safety record, and the odds of actually getting out with a chute on are slim; but I would be curious as to what "real" crews thought and not the brainwashed gerbils that AF/PA gets to quote in their reports? Cheers! M2

I'll just leave this here. The erosion continues

Help - I need confirmation of a rumor I just heard. I heard (indirectly from the current Fall class at ACSC) that the ACSC syllabus is changing soon. The course will be more involved and include writing of papers, etc. (and take more time) -- BUT, if you take it by correspondence (in the future), you WILL GET CREDIT FOR YOUR MASTERS too! Anyone have any details and/or facts to add to this? I just came back TDY and you can be sure I will be calling down to Maxwell to find out more...

What's the purpose of a numbered Air Force? Are they each tasked with a specific mission or geographical area?

FY19 NDAA gets rid of flat rate per diem effective 13 Aug.

Search function yielded no results... I'm blowing my wad (twss) and taking the whole family to the Hale Koa in Honolulu for a week this summer. Anybody stayed there before? For the first time (that I know of) they are waiving the two room limit per sponsor. I've got six rooms on the books...damn in-laws. Anyways, I'd like to take the clan to visit the USS Arizona memorial one day. I've heard there are special tours available for the AD military type. Can anybody confirm this or point me in the right direction? Also, any other advice on what to do, where to eat, which activities to book in advance, etc. would be much appreciated. Mahalo.

Snowbirds jet down around an hour ago it seems. The video is awful to watch , doesn’t look like chutes had time to deploy.

Boeing wins Air Force contract for NGAD next-gen fighter, dubbed F-47

I may not get a response to this question. Pilots normally don't give a sh t. Does the Major service cap have the farts and darts or is it for Lt Cols and above.

I know this is an old article. Just wanted to obtain everyone's perspective. https://www.airforcetimes.com/articles/race-and-the-air-force-the-truth-about-how-minorities-get-promoted I read Michael Jordan worked his butt off in the gym to become the GOAT. I have always carried that type of mindset playing basketball and aspiring to become a pilot. It paid off, but working ten times harder than others will burn you out at some point. Especially attempting to do it for 20 years.

Does anyone know anything about civilian contract aviation postions (preferably pilot but I'd be interested in avionics-that's my major) with the military (or its contractors)? I'm asking because I might have a medical condition that would prevent me from becoming a military pilot (or nav), but I could still get a 1st class medical- no problem. I know a lot of these jobs require previous military experience- I have none. I've always been very interested in military aviation and I'm just trying the see if I can be still involoved and do what I enjoy. Thanks!

I just received an email from finance that because of my entry date I am eligible for a $30,000 Career Status Bonus (CSB) because I am entering my 15th year and I entered the service during the REDUX years (40%x High3) I have the choice to turn down the Bonus and be on the High 3 plan (50%xHigh3). Ordinarily, I would opt for the High 3 plan and reject the bonus...that said... If the AF decides to non-continue twice passed over Majors like they did in 2011, (which I think is about a 30% possibility in 2013-an educated guess only, I have nothing to back this up) and I reject the CSB then I am basically giving up 30000 that I could use for any number of th…

After SUPT I was recently asked some questions about the Reserves (Post SUPT) and I didn't know the answers. Can someone fill me in? 1. How does one support themselves and family (if applicable) when one finishes UPT? Do you just try your best to find a job where you can leave for days at a time with no recourse? 2. When you graduate SUPT and it's time to move back to your hiring unit (or whereever), do you get reimbursed for the move or are you S.O.L.? I'm actually curious about the whole process of what happens after SUPT and how one manages to continue putting food on the table. What happens to your spouse?

A P-8 Poseidon slid off the runway and into the water in Hawaii, possibly due to WX. No injuries reported and from the photos the damage looks minimal, but an inspection might reveal a hull loss if there is major damage to the MLG trunnions and engine pylons and wing spars.

Does anyone have or know where I can get a video called "Eagle Rage?" One of my ROTC instructors who was an Eagle maintainer showed it to my class. Is was shit hot.

For the first time in the Air Force (10+ years now), I have to go to Finance to certify my dependent status by taking them marriage certificates (and/or birth certificates for those who were issued spawn). Apparently, this is an AF-wide move, and they won't take email copies... you have to see them in person. Who has the story on why we're going through this dance of inefficiency? Obviously, there was either some colossal fraud or somebody ordered an AF-wide investigation. @Finance Guy... where are you?

No this is not a VSP question. I have a couple questions after digging through AFI36-3207 on Officer Separations. My ADSC ends on 1 Sep and I'm looking to start a full-time MBA program when I separate. I found this section in the AFI about going to school. If I'm reading that correctly, if the school I get accepted to starts the fall semester on 25 Aug I could separate under this clause and start the semester even though my ADSC isn't complete until 1 Sep. Is that correct? Assuming I'd been enrolled and pay the tuition. If not, my other question is how far out can you request a separation date into the future? Throughout the reg I keep seeing that you mus…