General Discussion

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)?

I've had one now for about 3 years, and see them all over the military. If you have one or are planning on buying one, please submit the name and brief history of the hero. Here's the history and background of Cpl John C. Keiper - who's name is engraved on my silver bracelet. ************************************************* Name: Keiper, John Charles Rank: Corporal/E-4 Branch: United States Marine Corps Unit: HAMS 16, MAG 16 Date of Birth: 18 September 1945 Home of Record: Renovo, Pennsylvania Date of Loss: 15 November 1966 Country of Loss: South Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 162535N 1074619E (ZD150045) Status: Missing In A…

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.

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

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

so headed to the sandbox for the first time. Looking to make it my version of fatcamp..loose a little weight..work out etc. Anyone have any good tips for losing some weight over in the des. while flying? How do I eat healthy at the DFAC? Do they cook plain chicken breasts etc? I know a lot of guys end up losing a good amount of weight. Any tips/ eating plans appreciated!

Anybody got any bright ideas of stuff to do at Kef while you're waiting for a part? We've been here for days with one bad "rescue part" already.. Trip was supposed to be a quick out-n-back the same day.. yeah.. that didn't happen exactly as planned. I think we've checked in and out of billeting 2-3 times now.. the maids are getting to know us by name, and we've bowled so many times that our thumbs are gonna be sore for a week. I've read the OCONUS gouge thrown together by Mr. BaseOps, himself.. looks like a new rescue is in the works again, so we probably won't head out on the town.. Headin' this way? Give us a yell when you get here. Cheers! Linda

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.

The British are way worse. OUCH!

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 was fortunate enough to go on a base visit to Tyndall not too long ago and couldn't help but notice some of the QRF-4's on the flightline and some painted in a camo similar to SEA style. I asked one of the pilots if they were drones as well, but turns out they are used for pilots to maintain currency according to him. I guess my question would be under what circumstances would you get to use the phantoms for proficiency? Is it a thing for the Eagle/Raptor guys? ... Or a weapons testbed for different missiles/weapons? Phantom Phantom Take Off Phantom landing roll

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.

Praying for good news... https://m.tucsonnewsnow.com/tusconnewsnow/db/348830/content/Waae7UyR

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.

Hydro mentioned something that I haven't seen since the first page of posts. What exactly are the PHOENIX programs. I've heard very little about them and was wondering what they are all about. I'm still pretty new to the Herk, but the more I know about career progression and the T-ODP the better. Also, any of you exchange types, how early did you start asking for that? What assignments did you have previously? Thanks [ 30. May 2006, 03:10: Message edited by: hockeymv ]

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."

Airmen Learn Army Skills Re the new "Air Force" centric term, I vote for the C-130 term of "Howdy". That term has always brought fear and trepidation to all who hear it in the cockpit.

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?

Ladies and Germs, While we in the SOF community bid farewell to one of the most reliable and requested platforms in the Air Force inventory, I invite you to take a moment to glance behind the curtain... Kind regards to you all. Et Shado Sancti Linda

I have a general question about flight training with the military translating into the civilian world. If someone enters UPT without a license and works their way through flight school, do they earn instrument ratings, multi engine ratings, etc. just like they would in the civilian world? How would that be applied if they don’t have a PPL? Are they automatically applied to their civilian ratings or would a pilot have to sit for a written/oral/practical exam as a civilian as well? I’m assuming the knowledge is the same or very similar. Military pilots have to know how to fly instrument approaches and multi engine aircraft. As a follow-up, does a mi…

I’m looking for some instrument approach procedures that are difficult or challenging or unique so we can needlessly beat ourselves up. Take a look at the approach I attached, for example. The TACAN Y 13R at KNGP is much more complicated than it needs to be, just so they can use it to teach their students. Have any of you come across any interesting approaches in your career? ngp_vor_dme_y_or_tacan_y_rwy_13r.pdf

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

I want to port our paper ORM worksheet into the digital world and dont have a lot of coding skills. Looking for a single product that allows pilots to quickly complete ORM with a database back-end for safety data analysis. Anybody currently use this process in their unit or have files they could send me to poach from?

Full size pick-up question: My truck exceeds 20 measurement tonnes. Do I get stuck with the difference in cost to get up to my shipment size, or do I pay the entire shipment fee? Port and TMO are both out to lunch on this. Literally, I can't get anyone after 11 am in most places.