General Discussion

Because it's great to know about the awesome shit that happens out there! ------------------------------------- A-10 Pilots Honored For Ground Fight Rescues In Stormy Weather: https://www.airforcetimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013312220008

In the report, called “Global Horizons: United States Air Force Global Science and Technology Vision,” USAF Chief Scientist Maybury said that the Air Force’s manned air fleet is likely to shrink slightly by 2027. This is primarily due to increases in technology coupled with reduced costs for RPA development world-wide. During Allied Force in 1999 I sat in on a meeting at the CAOC then in Vicenza where the subject of equipping 1 RQ-1 Predator with a laser range finder had all the fighter pilots in the room up in arms. Gen Short the JFACC, told the group the laser range finder was only there to collect coordinates and not for target designation. Moreover, he said UA…

What's the deal with the Huey emergency landing up at Minot? Slow news time? Typically you don't read about them and no fatalities still leaves a lot to the imagination: https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2013/02/ap-minot-huey-makes-emergency-landing-north-dakota-022513/

Not sure how many folks visit the Aviation Medicine section, so I am including a link here to maximize visibility. Please go to and read. Cap-10

https://www.af.mil/mobile/News/tabid/252/Article/467284/20th-air-force-commander-relieved-of-command.aspx What goes TDY?

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Interesting WSJ on the downside to automation . https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304439804579204202526288042

I remember reading in some reg that aircrew aren't permitted to wear sunglasses with polarized lenses. Is this just something guys slough off, or is there an actual, viable reason not to wear them? The only thing I can think of involves distorting one's view of the HUD or something...who knows. Thanks!

BBC is reporting a crash in Zabul province killing 6 people, anyone have more details?

can any LZSO types tell me if your V1/V3 or a MAJCOM sup require periodic refresher training? Or is it a one-time thing with the guidance contained in AFI 13-217?

Retirement of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley DOD News Links 1 2 There were some rumors of who might replace Secretary Donley back in April shortly after he first announced his retirement, but it seems the last few months have gone by fairly quietly regarding this transition. Of moderate newsworthiness, as reported when he was previously appointed and now re-addressed as the new acting Secretary, Under Secretary Eric Fanning, is openly gay. I doubt this needs much, if any, discussion, though it is mentionable. Any opinions on his departure, rumors of change, or discussion of replacements?

Thoughts? https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-creates-new-air-defense-zone-in-east-china-sea-amid-dispute-with-japan/2013/11/23/c415f1a8-5416-11e3-9ee6-2580086d8254_story.html

Well this is awkward. Head of Air Force Sexual Assault at Pentagon arrested for.... Sexual Assault. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/06/air-force-sexual-assault-watchdog-arrested-for-sexual-assault/2139325/

Heard about this though the grapevine. Only reported injury was pride. Damage class B

https://www.newschann...ews-unconfirmed https://www.timesreco...ner=yahoo_feeds Glad they got out alright.

Looks like the USAF is on the hook to support a French deployment to the Central African Republic (CAR). Currently its airlift (C-17s) burt Tankers and ISR will probably follow. Chrstmas time in Africa :-) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/us-to-fly-african-troops-to-central-african-republic-8994230.html

https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/10/us/colorado-town-drone-ordinance/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 This is why I love 'murica.

Bands have been a part of military tradition and history since...forever, unlike TIB who is just a bunch of singing, dancing fags. Well done, USAF band for this performance at the Air and Space Museum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIoSga7tZPg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgIoSga7tZPg&app=desktop

The old girl is completing her final combat deployment...sad to see her go, but she is tired and it is time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRsYDYnv1rg

This is just a general question that has bugged me for a while: when you see pilots wearing their A-2s, all you see is the command patch on the right chest and the nametag on the left chest. Why no squadron patch? To me the squadron patch would mean more than a command patch or even wing patch.

Do these assignments come out of the T-1 or T-44 (or both) side of the house? Sounds like a pretty good deal. Anyone ever served on one of these tours before? Please PM with any details you can share. Thanks.

Just saw this... https://socialmedia.defense.gov/index.php/2010/02/26/dod-official-policy-on-newsocial-media/ Basic summary is that Social Networking Sites (SNS in the document) are to be opened up on NIPR to get with the times. Doesn't mean it will happen...maybe we can get BaseOps unblocked at Vance now...

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/12/04/heffron-of-wwiis-band-of-brothers-dies-at-90.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm Greatest generation ever, few left....

This is probably an odd question, but I was wondering about vacation time. I know you guys get 30 days a year, but do you really get to use it all? If so, can it all be taken at once? I guess I’m having “commitment” issues, and was just wondering how sold my soul would be to the government for ten years or so of flying. Thanks.

There is a topic discussing what's "Wrong with the AF?" Let's track the improvements... I recall when Welsh was nominated back in 2012, there was loud applause of pending changes that we all thought were looming -- mainly due his interaction with the CAF when he was USAFE/CC, etc. Welsh took command Aug 2012...and probably has a little over a year left until he's done. What improvements, if any, have you seen....?