General Discussion

So, the AF Times put together a list of all the CONUS bases ranking quality of life according to "everything from school quality to the local economy, crime rates to traffic, and climate to on-base amenities, such as commissaries". I don't agree with their list and am pretty surprised by where some of the bases ended up. I'm curious what everyone's opinion is of the best base. Here's the AF Times list.

Quick question. Its been a couple years since I've been at Bagram and I'm heading back soon. I was wondering if anyone there now has any idea what the internet situation is? Last time, you had to hand over your computer to some sketchy dude that messed with it for a few minutes and then you had to connect to a crappy wired system that sucked anyways. I'm asking because I would like to use an iPad or iPod touch and do the Facetime thing with my kids. Is there WiFi now and how is the connections for doing what I mentioned or skype, etc.? I tried finding older threads in the search and I couldn't find anything. If opsec stuff is an issue, then just send me a message. …

Going to be commissioning in a few years; I'll have a few years in already as a prior enlisted guy, but what can I expect as a new LT? How am I going to get messed with? What assumptions are people going to make of me? What are somethings I should definitely NOT do (besides make threads like this)?

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

Co-pilots coming to legacy herks are being re-routed to RPA/AFSOC and C-130H will become integrated with total force, any more info?

She was recently promoted to 4 stars and will be the next commander of the Pacific Combat Air Command. What's interesting, her career started as a ABM and never piloted an aircraft. She should be in the running in being the 1st CoSAF without being a pilot. Interesting times for the future of the AF.

New Vance Wing CC put the kaibash on Friday. I'm dumbfounded that is deemed to be out of regs.

https://m.kcra.com/news/plane-crashes-at-travis-afb-air-show-in-fairfield/25806746 Apparently this was the performer: https://www.eddieandreiniairshows.com

https://sploid.gizmodo.com/the-designer-of-the-f-16-explains-why-the-f-35-is-such-1591828468

So didn't find this anywhere else but am curious if anyone knows the answer to this question: Do T-38 (or T-1) compete against every other base for assignments? I only ask because I hear that the scoring is different between Columbus and other bases. At Columbus we grade phase 3 checkrides as upgrades, meaning a 12G (a good score for us) means that we got 12 Es on the whole gradesheet. This differs from our T-6 checkrides that downgrade, meaning a 12G is ok, everything but 12 are Es. I have heard that other bases do it the other way around (T-6 are upgrades and T-38s are downgrades). I am curious if we compete against every base if this is screwing us at Colum…

Anyone know the correlation between transiting an IRS approved CZTE area and logging AFTO 781 combat or combat support time? I recently overflew the Red Sea but didn't land in any of the usual AOR locales. Do I get to log this? I asked the SARM folks but they fed me a line about having to takeoff or land at an airfield in the combat zone. They also said there was a list of approved ICAOs but couldn't produce the list when I asked for it (big surprise!). I know their takeoff/landing line is bullshit since I've logged tons of combat time while overflying Iraq on the way from ETAR to OTBH or vice versa.

Would you use one?

Reported by UK news media... https://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-01-07/helicopter-air-crash-cley-north-norfolk/

Unmasking advanced education for promotions has always seemed like a bad idea to me. I finally decided to write an op-ed on the subject and it got picked up by the Baltimore Sun. I am wondering if anyone really thinks this policy is good for the Air Force and why it has not been changed if almost everyone I know thinks it's an abomination. Here is the article. https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-air-force-degrees-20140204,0,2245525.story

Thank you, gentlemen. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..."

Awesome...

BBC docu.that speaks for itself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hqbHAzja-k

Looking for some insight on flying ops on the African continent. Maybe some C21 guys out of ETAR have something or anyone else. PM me.

This just released... No injuries. I can't even imagine what it would be like sitting in the cockpit when that happens. No training or experience could prepare you for such a crazy situation like this when you're just chilling, parked at 0 knots. to these tow pilots.

Our SQ/CC told us that the CSAR-X will be announced tomorrow, and since there are a number of fellow -60 guys on here figured I'd start a thread about it. General feeling around our squadron is that it will be the -47, which has met with pretty general disapproval.

No other info Don't want to post a lot because the news is spouting bullshit. Sounds like flight from Seoul, declared emergency, crashed on landing. Fire department still fighting fire. See, now they are saying they did not declare emergency.

I just got a speeding ticket on base - not paying attention and doing 32 in a 25 zone. I told my flight commander yesterday and he didn't seem too pissed, but is this something that could affect my flight commander ranking when it comes time for assignments?

https://www.armytimes.com/article/20140620/BENEFITS06/306200073/Service-members-can-now-register-burn-pit-list direct link: https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/index.html#page/home though it's still "Loading" for me after 10 minutes... ETA: I hit refresh and it loaded immediately

Just a question for those of you in the know. How often does the USAF still lease training platforms for the flying qualities portion of the curriculum? I know the Calspan Lear 24 makes a living there, but was wondering: what other type of aircraft are used in this role?

How should we properly manage a lump sum check this sumer/fall? I'm expecting my CY14 AGI to be through the roof, so I'm switching the rest of this year's TSP contributions from Roth to Traditional. This should lower my taxable income by about 10K ($17,500 total max allowable Roth and Traditional TSP allowed this year, not counting combat pay contributions). What are some other moves to lower taxable income when expecting a lump sum? Also, where are some of the better places to park the separation payment, besides hookers and blow? Does anyone recommend a particular Vanguard fund or something similar?