General Discussion

I think my squadron has an archaic way of tracking currencies. How does your Sqdrn track semi-currencies and the metrics associated with them? First aircrew fill out a GMAR or Flying MAR. Then our HARM puts everything into an excel spreadsheet, then in Training we MANUALLY transfer that info over to another Excel spreadsheet which we give to our schedulers. They in turn schedule people based on "beans" left. Weekly the Training Shop computes metrics from the currencies and briefs them in the Squadron meeting. And finally every other month we conduct a Training Review Board. I believe nearly all of the metrics the Training Shop produce can be automated through Ex…

https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/trump-freezes-hiring-of-federal-workers/2017/01/23/f14d8180-e190-11e6-ba11-63c4b4fb5a63_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop&utm_term=.576b451a82de He says specifically that the military is exempted from this, but the reach of that exemption isn't clear. Does anybody know how this will affect civilian positions in military units?

Current Army C-12 aviator here. Since the demolition of the Air Force FWQ, I'm assuming that on occasion you get some high hour Army fixed wing bubbas and/or prior helo guys in upt. I was just curious if they go through the exact same curriculum/same hours/etc as the regular students (Seems silly that I'd need the full academic curriculum/the full flight hour load if I already had 1000+ hours in a C-12 and 500+ in a Hawk). Also curious how many guys you all see going through UPT above age 30. Thanks!

I am unfortunately in the process of being medically disqualified from flying related duties. I finished three months of training but had to be removed because of my medical problem. I am currently preparing my reclassification package and was wondering if anyone with experience can tell me the proper protocol to ask someone for a letter of recommendation when you are no longer in their chain of command? Most of the people going to the board commissioned through ROTC and received really good LORs from their leadership at ROTC. I am prior service that commissioned through OTS so that avenue is not available for me. I am hoping to get LORs from my past leadership but mo…

Okay my question might be a little dull but my question is genuine. I have been doing research but I am kind of stuck on a point. So my question is what are your suggestions for schools for flight training and particularly ones that offer a bachelors degree? UND, Embry Rittle, and Bridgewater is all out of my state and I don't see the point of going out of state, if I can find a college in state that would be much more affordable. Im in Virginia. Also another thing I have been researching is whether I should join first then go to college or join later out of college? And will they still pay the tution? What are my options cause I can't seem to make up my mind on thi…

The rumor is one IAF MIG-21 was shot down and one PAF F-16 was shot down in this little air-to-air engagement? F-16 Was Used By Pakistan, IAF Displays AMRAAM Missile Part As Proof; All About The Evidence Presented by India (See Photos And Video): https://www.latestly.com/india/news/f-16-was-used-by-pakistan-iaf-displays-missile-part-as-proof-all-about-the-evidence-presented-by-india-see-photos-and-video-669605.html

Could someone please write something interesting on this topic? Anything. I'd really like to learn something. Just please don't write anything about flightsuits, hats, or ROTC, and try not to turn it into a pissing match. Or you could also write about how important the FE is...(just beginning to realize that myself) Not a Herk guy? Feel free to write something cool about your airframe. Thanks! Just trying to swing General Discussion back towards intelligent commentary. [ 14. September 2005, 18:26: Message edited by: Rocker ]

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/05/...mmander_050708/ The fun police at Salem is now the Wing King.

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.

"According to the United States Air Force, an F-16C aircraft assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona diverted and attempted to land at the Lake Havasu Airport around 10:30 a.m. Officials say the aircraft departed the prepared surface and the pilot ejected. The pilot is in good condition and expected to be OK." Link to Article

I was just watching an interesting documentary on the Military Channel about life on a deployed aircraft carrier but they didn't talk much about the origin of the personnel. Anybody know how the makeup of the carrier works in relation to an AF deployment? AF deployed bases are pretty much made of individual squadrons from different AFBs. It seemed like everybody on the carrier was from the same location, but they never really specified. And how is the carrier commander chosen (somebody who is already a commander)?

Hey guys, I was thinking about taking some aerobatic training just to help build my situational awareness while upside down and in rolls and loops etc. I was wondering if that is at all beneficial to UPT aerobatic training, or if you guys would recommend spending the money on some other type of training? Thanks

I did a Google search this morning and this came up. A guy posting on a Warcraft board telling people to ask him any questions they want to know because he is "a F-22 Raptor pilot." I didn't read the whole thing (I'm at work right now), but in one part it says he's at Elmendorf. Here's the link: WoW Page - link updated Go sick 'em boys.

I'm rushing Guard/Reserve units and I'm trying to decipher the difference between USAF and USMC quals without having to ask too many dumb questions in person. Specifically I'm interested in what exactly an IP can do that a 2/4 ship lead can't in the A-10/F-16 communities. Is it just the ability to give initial X's, or can your flight leads give X's? Also I've never seen anyone's bio that lists Instrument or Annual(we call it NATOPS) instructor. Are those stand alone quals or is that rolled into IP? Thanks

Ive done this before but this time I'd like to add a limit on classes. Please post the oldest guy you can remember attending UPT in the last 4 years. Search function has not been helpful with this inquiry. Thanks for the info. Cheers

This is a question I've always had: I know a guy who is a retired Air Force pilot. He has his old helmet (complete with oxygen mask) on display in his office. Does the Air Force typically allow you to keep your helmet or at least let you buy it or is this not done anymore?

I keep hearing the ANG/AFRC is under a hiring freeze but I just don't see it here or other locations, anyone can attest?

With no bags and no AR, how long can the eagle and viper stay up, sts? For instance...the single-ship demo guys and T-birds. How much gas do they have left after the routine?

https://www.kens5.com/mb/news/local/plane-crash-reported-in-mckinney/381002833 Lt Col (Ret) Gregory "Spanky" Barber, a U-2 pilot, and C4C Tim Barber died when their aircraft was struck by another allegedly doing aerobatics immediately after takeoff.

A nickel on the grass... F-15C Eagles from the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard from Fresno are participating in Clear Sky 2018. Additionally, a C-130J Super Hercules from the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., has arrived at Vinnytsia AB, Ukraine, to participate in the exercise.

Following SECDEF's speech/proposal to end F-22 production as of FY2010 with small buy, SECAF and CSAF have co-authored an article supporting the same position.

https://www.navytimes.com/article/20140117/NEWS/301170009?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter "The Pentagon is considering sending U.S. troops back to the Middle East to help train Iraqi forces, defense officials said Friday."

Interesting design...Hella big!

What is your perception of the fighter lifestyle versus the heavy lifestyle? I.e. time spent TDY, length of the workday, attitude of guys in the squadron, etc. I ask because I know there are a lack of fighter guys in tweets and texans, and maybe there are some misconceptions about fighters out there.