General Discussion

40 out 110 AFSOC O-6's hit the eject button, including a few HPOs (at least one a multi-year BPZ sitting Wing/CC). Some might see this as a good thing, but that is still a lot of experience walking out the door all at once.

Just looking to see if any one else has gotten contractors from Decypher to tackle additional duties? The background story is: my squadron's rumor mill said that there was a contract written and the Ops Group would get some contractors to take care of the unkillable additional duties. Theory being this would free up bodies for the flying schedule. Word was that if they actually showed up they would be parceled out among the OG and we might get 1, with no timeline given. Well, 1 March rolls around and we get phone call at 0800 telling us all 3 rumored contractors are showing up today for our squadron, get ready. These guys show up after lunch without anything. …

Does anyone have any experience with the Stratux ADS-B puck? I’m looking into buying one because, from all appearances, it offers similar functionality to the Stratus 2S at 1/4 the cost.

I'm looking to see if anyone has heard or has any information on the Air Force possibly moving the 457th AS (C-21s @ Andrews AFB) back to Scott AFB. I had heard something about FY'19 but can't really confirm it beyond rumor status. Thanks in advance!

Looks like news is reporting pilot and wso ejected, but didn’t make it. Damn. https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/14/navy-fa-18-jet-crashes-off-key-west-official-tells-fox-news.html

US helicopter crash in western Iraq causes fatalities: Official https://abcnews.go.com/International/us-helicopter-crash-western-iraq-fatalities-official/story?id=53782732

So I just had a C-146 assignment tossed onto my plate. It’s not official but it’s a question as to if I want it. I’m not sure how much time I have to figure it out, so I’m looking for anyone who can speak intelligently about the program. - How’s the lifestyle? - Sq life? - Ops tempo? - Pros/Cons?

Reportedly a ground launched R-27. Gets real interesting at 1:34.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/29/retired-military-pilot-died-hero-trying-to-save-kids-from-drowning-at-florida-beach.html I didn’t know him, but I’m sure someone here did. rest easy

Ok so I still have a laptop that uses Windows 7 with Internet Explorer 11, Mozilla, AND Google Chrome. I'm doing ACSC by Correspondence, and apparently, not only can I NOT access my base email from home, but I can't access Air Force Portal, AND Air University. This just started happening literally this week. However, my wife's laptop has Windows 10, and I have zero problems accessing Air Force Portal. Apparently, the warnings I'm receiving from Google Chrome is that Air Force Portal lost it's Security Certificate on MY laptop. Is anybody else having this problem as well? Did a memo come out stating that Air Force Portal and all other Air Force sites requite Wind…

Tell me everyone is OK. https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/04/f-16-jet-crashes-at-nellis-air-force-base-outside-las-vegas-officials-say.html

So I know there is an entire thread on ADSC waivers associated w/ PC. Does anyone have any data points on waivers for retiring. I currently have 1 ADSC for the GI bill which takes me 6 months passed the period at which I am eligible to retire. Looking for any information on probably, or not, if getting a waiver to retire earlier. Thanks. Bode

SEOUL, South Korea — Search crews recovered the body of one of two pilots of a South Korean fighter jet that slammed into a mountain Thursday while flying home from a mission. https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/s-korean-f-15-crashes-body-of-pilot-recovered-search-for-co-pilot-to-continue-1.520517 Fly safe - this spike of incidents is troubling.

I plan on earning my PPL over the next couple of months so I can apply to AFR units by Fall. Likely C-130 units considering my location (Eastern OH). It seems worth it to purchase a headset in the long run, but wanted you guys to weigh in. Is it worth me spending the big bucks on an A20 or Lightspeed, or go for a mid-priced DC? I don't know if pilots ever use their own headset during training / in the reserve. Might be silly to buy a nice one then be gone for ~2-3 years OTS/UPT/whatever follows before I touch it again, not to mention depreciation. I did see another thread about getting a nice used pair of DC and just replacing parts as needed. I could also just work with …

This event continues to grow, and is a two-day event this year. 19-20 May, in Redlands, CA... about 1 hour west of Palm Springs. This not your father's airshow: it's a beer festival, concert, with an airshow component. And there is more craft beer at AirFest than at any airshow in the US. The Canadians are bringing the CF-18 Demo Team for one of their very few US performances, including a twilight performance on Saturday evening. F-16 Demo will be there too. The civilian performers are stellar. FYI: the Sunday show is going to be different. The planes will fly, but about half of the show will not be announced. Instead, the bands will pla…

Saw this on FB...have heard the pictures are legit but no other info... whatever the cause, it's going to be pricey!

I see this topic come up as "thread creep" in other threads, and figured I'd start a thread. A nice photo of an RV was recently posted. I figure there is a good brain-trust around here with the RV-line of aircraft, and others. I met a Captain building an RV-14. Sounds like the ultimate RV to me. Really interested in learning more. Do any of you have experience with one yet? https://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv14.htm

Just saw this. Implications could be huge, if Japan is willing to pay the tooling/restart cost for an F-22A while we bring online an upgraded F-22 as a result. The question is, will Congress/CSAF/DoD ever be able to tear their eyes away from the F-35 to seize the opportunity? Lockheed Should Restart the Raptor Line If Japan Wants An F-22-F-35 Hybrid Geopolitical trends, security concerns, and industrial and combat aircraft capability needs, could give birth to an American-Japanese Raptor 2.0. By Tyler Rogoway Osakabe Yasuo Reuters has published a report that came as little surprise to us at The War Zone regarding Tokyo's intere…

"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

Bibi lays out a pretty damning case. I'd say it will be hard for President Trump to recertify the JCPOA, and once that happens, I expect things to escalate rather quickly. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-april-30-2018/

I’m not saying for sure, but it appears to be out of the Charlotte ANG.

Hello, I was just wondering what a CSO would maybe major in. I am currently a Senior in High School and have received an AFROTC Scholarship. A CSO interests me and I’d really just like to know more about it. Any information or personal preference would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

When you have killed Bin Laden and wasted most of the top leaders of the Taliban, what else is there to do? https://news.usni.org/2018/05/03/10-seals-set-separated-service-failing-drug-tests-investigation-underway

I have no sympathy for Emirates. $46M per month... I'll bet they could pay their pilots a lot more, and still come in under that figure. It's a good time to be a commercial pilot. Article below: A couple of weeks ago, James wrote about how Emirates is reducing some flights due to a pilot shortage. In the past we’ve seen Emirates sometimes store planes briefly due to decreased seasonal demand. While parking planes isn’t cheap, it’s certainly more expensive to fly them at a significant loss, so it’s the best option in those cases. Emirates’ unprecedented pilot shortage Emirates is currently dealing with an issue in unprecedented numbers. Specifically, Emirat…

It's official, OCPs are coming. 2-piece flight suits for non-ejection seat aircraft and it sounds like they are going to eventually test the 2-piece flight suit for ejection seat aircraft down the road. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1520066/air-force-transitions-to-a-single-combat-uniform/