General Discussion

I was reading about some of the Thud pilots in Vietnam having specialized "party suits" and wondered where they all went? I saw this post but I have not really seen any pilot wear one. Has the PC-Shoe influence caused the party suits to fall by the wayside? Seems like it would be a good way to show that bit of rebellion in the AOR while still maintaining that "professional" appearance.

My Dad recently told me that it was tradition to to turn you squadron patch upside down the week you leave for a PCS, PCA, etc. He never could tell me where or why this got started just that it was "What was done". (Much like party suits) I have seen it done in a couple of places, but was wondering if anyone knew where this tradition got started and what the significance of it is? Maybe some of the old-heads on here can help me out so I can justify bringing it back. Anyone else out there do this the last week? Edit: Spell'in

This rocks! For those of you who don't know MG Gorenc, he is one of the nicest and most personable guys you will ever meet. I had the pleasure of working with him at SHAPE, and I am extremely glad to see he continues to do well. He is currently ACC Director of Air and Space Operations, and those of you working for 3AF will have one of the best as your new NAF commander! Cheers! M2

Just looking for some information on flying C-37s in Belgium. How big the unit is, how much flying, where most live near Chievres, etc. I might have an opportunity to go out there, but have never lived in Europe. I haven't heard too many people say they hated their time overseas in Europe, but just want to make sure the fam is happy there. Thanks! Techsan

I am wondering if this is just a local thing or is there an airforce wide movement among leadership in the flying community wearing abu's to "blend" with the rest of the troops ?

Heard through the grapevine about this just now. Allegedly an Iraqi pilot in training, no word if it was dual or solo though. Hoping everyone is alright...

To him. And prayers for his family. https://www.ktnv.com/news/one-dead-after-aircraft-crashes-during-training-mission https://www.youcaring.com/julieschultz-943161

All,I am starting to apply for UPT positions and I have a few questions. I amcurrently an AGR TSgt and if picked up for a UPT position I understand that atleast to begin with for most units it will be a part time job. I want to beready for the temporary financial change etc. My questions are as follows:1) How much does a typical member fly in a tanker, C-130 or fighter unit?2) How much opportunity is there to guard bum? Can you deploy to augment otherunits that may have pilot shortages as long as it is the same airframe?3) After completion of UPT you obviously have limited flying experience &hours, what kind of pilot jobs could you qualify for with that?

https://www.dodbuzz.com/2017/09/07/air-force-taps-l-3-develop-future-ec-x-compass-call-gulfstream-550/

Anyone else going? Drop me a note.

Thoughts and prayers for the crew. ***Update is "Hard Landing." One injured but will survive. Marine Aviation is hurting.

I don't know why this is an issue every time I attempt it. I get told 18 different things by 16 different people. Attempting to go from LHR>JFK>ORF. Langley is my TDY location. Then am going to book my own (miles) to Tucson for a couple days leave. Optimum would be to fly home (LHR) from Tucson. Attempted to do that and CTO said the following FLIGHT COMMENTS: CANNOT FLY ON GOV RATES FROM A LEAVE LOCATION DELTA WILL ALLOW A STOP IN JFKAmended my tickets to pickup the Heathrow return from JFK. Then they kicked back for this.** CANNOT FLY OUT OF JFK YOU MUST HAVE A ROUND TRIP FROM ORF THE AIRLINE WILL ALLOW A FREE STOP IN JFK BUT YOU MUST FLY ORF JFKSo basically they a…

I recently volunteered for a UPT assignment after receiving an email from group leadership saying they were looking for volunteers. I told my Sq/CC I was thinking about it. Before volunteering, I emailed my functional to ask some questions about the assignment (timing, ADSC obligation, etc.). The functional asked how interested I was. I said I was, and would think about it. She said to let her know if I wanted the assignment. I emailed her back a couple days later, saying that I was volunteering, and that she should hear about it through my chain of command soon. I emailed my Sq/CC and let him know I wanted to volunteer. He said ok. Well, today he pulls me aside…

The discussion of moving CSAR from ACC to AFSOC is alive and well again at HAF. I am curious what the actual customers of our “insurance policy” think about this move. I would also love to hear from the AFSOC folks in the room if this is actually a mission you want to execute?

I'd like a template of a lineup card for formation flying. Something from the T-38 or T-6 is probably the best for what I need, but I'll take anything. I'd rather not reinvent the wheel. It needs to be editable. PM me for an email address to send it. Thank you.

Any Time, Any Place! https://www.buzzfeed.com/danvergano/how-a-us-raid-on-an-afghan-village-went-wrong?utm_term=.dg8KPpkmM#.daNk1nrE3

"We anticipate that the Secretary of Defense will delegate the authority to the Secretary of the Air Force to recall up to 1,000 retired pilots for up to three years," Navy Cdr. Gary Ross, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement. @HuggyU2 @Hacker @ClearedHot et al, back in the game! Although I think just means the VRRAD will be expanded. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/10/20/air-force-recall-many-1-000-retired-pilots-address-serious-shortage/785344001/ Text: WASHINGTON — President Trump signed an executive order Friday allowing the Air Force to recall as many as 1,000 retired pilots to active duty to address a sh…

Anyone here have any knowledge of how easy it is/was to go from say an Intel officer position to a rated pilot etc position? I’m looking to see what the chances are of jumping ship from non rated to rated positions.

CSAF / SecAF say reduce/resize regs... Informal poll: Should 11-217 stay or go? Should it just be 11-202 and the AIM (Navy style)? Any and all thoughts appreciated.

My wife was recently offered a job at the pentagon and isn’t sure about taking it. Her hesitation is she doesn’t want me to stop flying. So, with a C17, T6 and C208 background and a few bases In the area what’s the possibility of flying attached to one of those units while working the the HAF? I know I’m probably going to get laughed out of the park on this one since flying staff job are a dying breed. However I️ have to ask and am looking for people that have good intel before we make a decision. Any info would be appreciated. If I’m missing something let me know.

https://www.laughlin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1377774/media-release-downed-aircraft-in-del-rio/ "LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- An Air Force T-38 Talon assigned here at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, crashed at approximately 4 p.m. today approximately 14 miles northwest of the base near Spur 454 and U.S. 90 in Del Rio, Texas. At the time of release, Laughlin emergency response personnel and local responders were on scene to assist in recovery efforts. A board of officers will investigate the accident. Additional details will be provided as information becomes available."

Quick question and I apologize if this had been covered before.... We are being told the "New" definition of a stop over point now forced you to get Per diem for where the jet is at midnight not where you crew rest... In point we have a trip where we drop into Guam to pick up pax, etc (cross midnight while doing so) and them go on to Hawaii for crew rest. Our good idea fairy in the FM shop wants us to get Guam Per diem instead of Hawaii where we are crew resting... Are we missing something here? Is this happening to other squadrons? To us it doesn't make any sense......we should be getting Per diem based on where we pay for a hotel, food, etc?

Who has the skinny on the F-16 RTU students who never flew in Phase III at SUPT and just did sims? I hear there are 2 at Kelly, certainly we have a UPT or Kelly instructor on here to verify. There is more to the rumor but it’s hard to believe. It certainly would increase production quickly.

The Air Force MARS Phone Patch Net has been operational since the Vietnam War. Hundreds of patches daily were handled through the early 80’s when bases starting closing their MARS stations. Today the net is tasked to handle DoD patch requests in support of transports, tankers, bombers and other aircraft and ground units handling routine weather, ETA/Customs, maintenance, etc. calls as well as emergency support. Morale calls are still happily handled. For more information see the website below. In the fall of 2014 the Chiefs of AF & Army MARS approved joint operations with AF and AR MARS stations participating. Chief Air Force MARS has approved a re-d…

Anyone heard of this?