General Discussion

~~~~~~~~~~~Please share the message next under~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On March 20, 2012, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will expand their trusted traveler program known as Pre✓™ to Service members flying out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Service members, active drilling Reservists, National Guardsmen, and members of the Coast Guard, who present a valid Common Access Card (CAC) at security checkpoints will receive expedited security screening. To participate, members must go to the TSA Pre✓™ lane at the security checkpoint in terminal B (gates 10-22), and present their CAC to a TSA officer who will scan the card…

https://www.afcgoc.org/ Holy fuck, there's a CGOC in charge of all the base CGOCs? Mind. Blown.

Does anyone know if anybody sells the screw-in NVG Battery Pack counter weights? I've only been able to find counter weight bags...

Are the pilot jobs at this squadron for TPS grads only? I'm unfamiliar with their mission other than what can be found online. Thanks for the help.

I am at a GSU to a GSU currently, and was wondering if anyone here knew what this year's DP allocation rate was for the LAF O5 board. Thanks.

Pretty neat bird! https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/6836386475/sizes/o/in/photostream/

It appeared in the inbox today - but links to a .org address...but it's not like they ask you about the Raptor OBOGS. It uses an individual PIN, so forwarding isn't going to work.

The Wall Street Journal has a subscribers' only article about the Afghan Air Force using aircraft to transport drugs. Here's Reuters' take: https://www.reuters.c...E8270DU20120308 Who knew that the Afghanis had C-5s?

Came across these articles while while doing some thesis research, thought i'd share. Cliff Notes: 1. Beijing asking Russia for Su-35 Super Flankers due to an inability to use the word engineer without using reverse in the same sentence: https://the-diplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2012/03/04/china%E2%80%99s-sukhoi-submission/ 2. China's fighters suck and will get their ass handed to them by the USAF (surprise!): https://the-diplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2011/03/10/chinas-fighters-wont-match-us/

I remember seeing in some pics in a post of Bagram before the shoe clerks invaded. Does anyone know where these were posted? I used the search function, but no such luck. Thanks!

"Air Force Official Says 9/11 Remains in Landfill Did Not Include Shanksville Victims" https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/us/air-force-official-says-9-11-remains-in-landfill-did-not-include-shanksville-victims.html?_r=1&ref=us

All, I am married to a German citizen who only hold German citizenship and I won't ask her to change that. Our daughter holds dual US/German citizenship. She would like to apply for an ROTC scholarship or an academy appointment. As a prospective officer, does she have to give up her German citizenship to make these things possible?

Doubt it'll pass as it has to be approved by Congress. I'm all for cutting the defense budget back a bit as the wars end but this may go a little too far if the Pentagon wants to maintain some resemblance of the increasingly scant military benefits everyone was entitled to when they signed on. https://freebeacon.co...ashing-tricare/

Greetings, Anyone in or around HRT/AFSOC hear a rumor about the 1 SOW OG/CC recently putting a CV-22 into the trees about 200m short of the LZ, then throwing the copilot in his seat, jumping off the bird while the crew continues the mission, and then handing out Q3s to everyone for it all? Plus, we haven't heard anything about it at any safety meetings. Im sure I dont have all the facts but it sounds pretty lowball to me.

Looks like all the canucks made it out safe https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1135032--fire-breaks-out-on-military-aircraft-all-nine-crew-evacuate-safely?bn=1

Nice accomplishment! I do take a litle umbrage with using the term "Best Squadron" when only air defense units were included, as IMHO the best fighter squadron in the CAF today has got to be someone actually fighting. I've highlighted a few lines that I found interesting.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17110079 Partial quote: The Nato commander in Afghanistan has apologised over reports foreign troops may have burnt copies of the Koran. Announcing an inquiry, US Gen John R Allen said any "improper disposal" of religious materials was inadvertent. Reports suggest the books were taken from prisoners after the US uncovered a secret Taliban message system. Rumours that a Koran had been burnt led to protests outside the US base at Bagram north of Kabul. One man was hurt when Nato troops fired rubber bullets. President Hamid Karzai condemned the reports that the Koran had been burnt, as did the Taliban who said the incident would…

US Aircraft Crashes in Djibouti, Four Fatalities :beer: :beer:

Whitney was mentioned in the WTF thread, but this bucket of shit deserves its own thread. NJ Governor lowers flags to half staff to honor Whitney Houston

Apparently certain year groups in the MX Officer career field have significant short falls at my base and they are asking aircrew to help back-fill AMU OIC and MX Ops Officer (MOO) positions. The deal is that the rated folks would be allowed to continue flying and maintain currency but their main job would be MX for a given period. I was essentially offered such a position and since I am a former MX officer thought it might be a good fit/opportunity. My understanding is that in my case it would be to take over a MOO position. Apparently, also, It's an initiative that the WG/CC is a big proponent of. Does anyone on here have any experience with this sort of situation …

Okay, looks like we are ready to pull the trigger if we get enough people. Cost will be 1500 for a titanium bracelet or 1300 for the kevlar bracelet. If you are interested, PM me. we are about 6 people short of getting the required 15. Tentative engraving will be wings on the back with your name/callsign, whichever you prefer. I can also provide more details for those interested.

Kim Jong Un assasinated.....maybe.....probably not.

Just thinking out loud, looking for some opinions. I'm up for assignment, not soon, but soon enough to begin thinking about it. I have nothing to weigh me down and have pretty much decided that I want to go OCONUS. I'm not a flyer but Intel, and will not be restricted to just AF billets - wouldn't mind joint billet. Thoughts on different locations in terms of quality of life, things to do, cost, mission etc etc.? Wouldn't mind a beach..

I'm currently in an MBA program (after about seven years active duty and now a dirty Guard guy on the side) and am in the summer internship search process. I got an email today from Pratt and Whitney about their summer internship program, and am going to talk to someone in their HR department hopefully this week to get the what's what on the job. Anyone around here have any experience working with/for/against P&W? Know anyone that has? I'm planning on doing the school alumni database search, but I'd love to get a bro's perspective if there's one out there. Also, bigger picture for anyone who has gone down this road before--I'm not wedded to the idea of s…

another stellar piece of USAF R&D news.... https://defensetech.org/2012/01/30/usafs-big-penetrator-needs-to-be-harder/