General Discussion

Okay, looks like we are ready to pull the trigger if we get enough people. Cost will be 1500 for a titanium bracelet or 1300 for the kevlar bracelet. If you are interested, PM me. we are about 6 people short of getting the required 15. Tentative engraving will be wings on the back with your name/callsign, whichever you prefer. I can also provide more details for those interested.

https://youtu.be/YOrgYaa9EHw?feature=shared&t=1112 "I haven't read that policy." In 2015, while also serving in Congress, Gabbard became a major with the Hawaii Army National Guard. In 2020, she transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2021. Hahahahahahahahahahahah!!!

Might as well go ahead and get this party started. US STRATCOM Commander ADM Charles A. Richard : "This Ukraine crisis that we're in right now, this is just the warmup" "As I assess our level of deterrence against China, the ship is slowly sinking," he said. "It is sinking slowly, but it is sinking, as fundamentally they are putting capability in the field faster than we are. As those curves keep going, it isn't going to matter how good our [operating plan] is or how good our commanders are, or how good our forces are — we're not going to have enough of them. And that is a very near-term problem." "Undersea capabilities is still the one ... maybe the o…

Read this: https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/03/donald-trump-should-end-americas-defense-welfare-for-south-korea/ Not sure if a forward presence as KFOR is now is the right choice… not saying bring everyone and everything back but food for thought.

Other threads have touched on the actions of Facebook, Twitter and other big tech and social media companies as a result of their actions during the election. We have also talked about the pros and cons of eliminating the protections they enjoy from section 230. Twitter suspended a major news organization (NY Post), because they didn't like the Hunter Biden story and labeled it "fake news" when parts have now been proven to be true. Twitter and Facebook have also killed President Trumps accounts. Now Facebook is in a war with an actual country as the battle for control heats up. Facebook Unfriends Australia Interested in the thoughts of others.

I started a new topic for this to consolidate all of the 46 info since they will be coming on-line in the next three years. McConnell has been selected as Main Operating Base #1. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130522/NEWS/305220007/McConnell-AFB-selected-new-tanker-base Pease is in line to get the first for the ANG pending an environmental impact analysis. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130522/NEWS/305220012/Pease-get-new-line-refueling-tankers Still no word on where the school house will be.

Breaking reports - flipped upside down. Initial report say most people survived. 35-45 Knts winds at landing.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg1z42pkj8o

If Congress doesn't fix the U-2 divestment really soon, this will likely be the last Beale Airshow with a U-2 flying. Lineup is coming along well, to include TBirds, F-18 TACDEMO, USMC Osprey Demo, C-17/KC-135 Demo, Aarron Deliu, T-33 Demo, Vicky Benzing If interested in bringing a static to the party, drop me a note. It should be a large time.

Yes, I do believe she actually earned it; and yes, I do believe she is a badass! Air Force Names First Female SERE Specialist as Chief Master Sergeant Published Dec. 9, 2024 By Miriam A. Thurber Air Force Accessions Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas Tiffany Zaloudek became the first female survival, evasion, resistance, escape specialist to earn the rank of chief master sergeant, the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, Nov 1. Although not the first female SERE specialist, when Zaloudek earned her beret in 2007, she broke an eight-year dry spell in which no women had graduated from the specialized training…

MARSRADIO, the civilian HF service backup to HFGCS enjoyed communicating with Air Force One today. A member of their team, MSGT, was retiring and this was his last flight. Approximate 12 MARSRADIO operators briefly talked to AF1 with best wishes in his retirement after 20 years. “On behalf of Air Force MARSRADIO, we congratulate you on your retirement. We wish you blue skies and clear frequencies in for your future.” (MARSRADIO Squadron Commander) There is increased activity in the western Pacific supporting flights between Hawaii, Guam, Wake Island, Japan and Fiji. We are still optimistic that we will get a remote station in the Mariannas by the middle of …

As well as the CNO. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4074482/secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseth-statement-on-general-officer-nominations/ Lt Gen Razin Caine nominated to be next CJCS. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2942633/john-d-caine/

Wondering if we will see more of this with the rise of "Grey Zone" warfare: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/world/americas/colombia-airline-flights-venezuela.html?_r=0 There was no specific mention of a loss of separation but it was enough to get a "sharp diversion". China seems to be practicing this also: https://www.lawfareblog.com/chinas-harassment-civilian-ships-and-aircraft-south-china-sea-reminds-us-why-we-need-more-us-freedom This article and referenced speech imply they make no distinction or even attempt at distinguishing between civil and military traffic for interception or harassment. Could ICAO as a governing body respond? Su…

Today. Crew got out. Second EA-18 incident in recent memory.

New thread to show how it's all about as I say not as I do... Luxury and corporate jets to receive special exemptions from European Union aviation fuel tax - TheBlaze

I've been seeing a lot of articles the last few days with some shocking statistics. Looks like we may have to sub-contract the defense of our nation to foreign countries. https://www.army.mil/article/260969/secretary_of_the_army_christine_wormuths_remarks_to_the_2022_ausa_opening_ceremony_october_10_2022as_prepared https://warontherocks.com/2023/03/addressing-the-u-s-military-recruiting-crisis/ https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/4087630-recruiting-the-all-volunteer-force-requires-a-whole-of-nation-approach/ The one that really caught my attention was a Wall Street Journal article (behind a paywall) that suggests that Veterans are contributing to…

This is what is RIGHT with the Air Force, they get it correct sometimes, and this time, they got it so right it will give you chills. Kuddos to Luke AFB.

Zài jiàn, MFer. Go be fat somewhere else. https://x.com/AndrewFeinberg/status/1707788800577945927?s=20

Airbus released a 400 megapixel photo of the fires. Incredible. https://space-solutions.airbus.com/newsroom/satellite-image-gallery/pleiades-neo/wildfires-in-los-angeles/

Please baby Jesus...bring some justice to this douche canoe.

I'm a current AMC dude on the VML this cycle. I love my current airframe but I do not love how much I've been on the road this assignment and I'm looking to spend more time at home. I'm looking for input from any current Laughlin/Vance/Columbus IPs to share their qualities of life. How often you fly per week and typical/expected work hours. I have bros in my squadron who were former UPT IPs and I have spoken with them but I would like to hear from current IPs, if able. Not sure if it's still a thrash implementing the 2.5 syllabus or if it's a somewhat predictable work schedule at all now. Thanks.

About to start KC-10 training and was wondering if anyone had any good stuff for FTU? Ive seen a lot online for other aircraft but cant seem to find anything on the kc-10. Any MQF's or gouge on the plane would be awesome. Thanks for any help you can provide!

So enlightened and all knowing. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/01/military-officers-conscientious-objector-status-gaza https://www.laprogressive.com/defense/military-mindset

Don't worry, your piss and career are in good hands.... https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/11/14/piss-poor-inside-the-sloppy-practices-of-a-military-urinalysis-lab/#:~:text=A Marine Corps gunnery sergeant,Corps Court of Criminal Appeals “The Sailors and Marines who face the devastating consequences of a criminal conviction while being afforded diminished constitutional protections should expect, and this Court will require, substantial compliance with the Department of the Navy’s urinalysis program,” appeal judge Navy Capt. Brian Mizer wrote in the ruling overturning Hirst’s conviction. The gunny pleaded not guilty at trial …

Didn't make the news but a AFSOC OA-1K had an engine failure that resulted in an off-runway excursion. I am told the aircraft had a chip light the day prior. Maintenance changed the oil, did an engine run and signed it off to fly. The next day the crew was taking off when the chip light illuminated, followed quickly by a low oil pressure warning and the engine seized shortly thereafter. The crew did a great job of getting it down but ran off the end of the runway...no one was hurt. The thing is a beast, looks like they could bang the dents out, wash it off, bolt a new motor on and go fly. The bigger concern is the PT-6 failure, one of the most reliab…