General Discussion

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/11/05/hagel-says-cuts-to-pay-and-benefits-are-needed.html Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Tuesday that troops and their families will be asked to sacrifice on pay and benefits to preserve readiness in an era of tighter budgets. Hagel listed politically-charged changes to compensation and personnel policy as one of his top six priorities in reforming the military following the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as the department gears up to meet new challenges. "This may be the most difficult" to achieve among his six priorities, Hagel said of proposals to trim pay increases, overhaul TRICARE and review retirement benefit…

It's on the news right now... Discuss.

https://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130507/NEWS/305070032/Hagel-Troops-workplaces-will-checked-degrading-images-women Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a close-up and comprehensive inspection of all military offices and workplaces worldwide to root out any “materials that create a degrading or offensive work environment.” The extraordinary searches will be similar to those the Air Force conducted last year and prompted officers to scour troops’ desks and cubicles in search of photos, calendars, magazines, screen-savers, computer files and other items that might be considered degrading toward women. The inspections will now target soldiers, sailors…

So, there's a country starting to dissolve in our hemisphere, not far from our shores and I've been casually following the story. It's awful, it's becoming a problem spilling over its borders and starting to directly affect us vis a vis illegal immigration and becoming an ungoverned space that will become a base for illegal activities throughout the Caribbean and Americas. Do we intervene, stabilize and prevent the collapse of the state? I'm fairly cynical on the idea of nation building but I'm not for letting problems just build in our sphere and letting us be affected by them when we could prevent it. I'm not sure it's nation building we should do versus just pl…

Search function yielded no results... I'm blowing my wad (twss) and taking the whole family to the Hale Koa in Honolulu for a week this summer. Anybody stayed there before? For the first time (that I know of) they are waiving the two room limit per sponsor. I've got six rooms on the books...damn in-laws. Anyways, I'd like to take the clan to visit the USS Arizona memorial one day. I've heard there are special tours available for the AD military type. Can anybody confirm this or point me in the right direction? Also, any other advice on what to do, where to eat, which activities to book in advance, etc. would be much appreciated. Mahalo.

On the training side how much of the flying is actually done by hand as opposed to using the autopilot? Does the Tweet even have an autopilot? I am currently flying a Citation CJ2 and I'm trying to fly as many legs as possible without the AP so that I can keep up my instrument scan (as if there is one anyway in the Collins ProLine 21) for UPT.

Hey guys -- I'm pretty clueless about a lot of the GPS units available to pilots, let alone what kind of features would be specifically helpful for a military pilot. Anyone have any input? Specific things I'm looking for include: -Large, easily-readable, color screen -Battery life good enough for 4-5 hours of continuous use -Expandability -NAVAID database to include all US TACAN/VORTAC/VOR stations and airports -Ease of use in the backseat of the T-38 Any helpful input is a huge help. Thanks in advance, and Happy New Year.

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…

Time to do more with less, folks! (Pretty soon we'll be doing everything with nothing) https://www.military.com/news/article/af-to-jettison-3700-airmen.html?ESRC=airforce-a.nl My comments on the article WTF? We can't manage an extra 4000 people spread across the world? That's like more people at each base!?! As usual, the Air Force solution is to reduce the number of experienced, active duty experts in their fields while continuing recruiting efforts in the same manner. So we realized there was an experience gap and plussed up our forces. We have new missions in addition to the old ones...so we are cutting forces?!? Where's the logic in that?!?!

Hey everyone, Just wanted to say Happy Fourth of July. I hope everyone has a great day.

Surprised it wasn't posted yet, but happy 50th to the Eagle bubbas here. An amazing combat aircraft and a brilliant piece of American technology.

Since no one has posted it yet, I guess this crusty old retiree will... Happy 60th birthday, USAF! Cheers! M2

https://www.globenewswire.com/news.html?d=162962 The 50th anniversary of the first flight of the T-38 occurred earlier this month. Before any of you non-fighter dudes jump on this little statistic from the article, I'll go ugly early on it: Obviously this factoid neglects training under SUPT and everyone who has tracked to a TONE, UH-1, or T-44 since 1993.

The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron is the United States military's oldest flying unit, dating from 5 March, 1913. Organized for security along the U.S. and Mexico border, the 1st Aero Squadron went into action on 16 March 1916 as part of General Pershing's punitive expedition in northern Mexico. The 1st Aero Squadron thus became the first tactical aviation unit in American military history. Upon U.S. entry into World War I, the squadron departed for France and Lt. Stephen W. Thompson scored the squadron's first aerial victory on 5 February 1918, which was also the first air to air kill by a U.S. military member. Through the remainder of Great War, the 1st supported ground fo…

Happy Hanukkah to all my fellow Jewish Aviators. "May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind."

Wondering if we will see more of this with the rise of "Grey Zone" warfare: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/world/americas/colombia-airline-flights-venezuela.html?_r=0 There was no specific mention of a loss of separation but it was enough to get a "sharp diversion". China seems to be practicing this also: https://www.lawfareblog.com/chinas-harassment-civilian-ships-and-aircraft-south-china-sea-reminds-us-why-we-need-more-us-freedom This article and referenced speech imply they make no distinction or even attempt at distinguishing between civil and military traffic for interception or harassment. Could ICAO as a governing body respond? Su…

Dudes, anyone have any experience or advice on applying for hardship separation? I know it starts in vMPF just like any other separation app, but outside of that the afi doesn't really give info on who it gets routed to after your Wg/CC, approval time, who you need to payoff etc... Any insight or advice would be appreciated. I can provide more info on my specific situation if required. Thanks in advance. Duck

Just released across the AP Wire... HAVELOCK, N.C. — Rescuers are at the scene of a jet fighter crash near the Marine Corps' Cherry Point air station in eastern North Carolina. Officials at the base say there is no word yet on the condition of the aircraft's pilot. Cherry Point spokeswoman Gunnery Sgt. Reina Barnett told WNCT-TV in Greenville the crash occurred about 12:15 p.m. in some woods off a runway at the base. Base spokesman Mike Barton said he had been told the plane is an AV-8B Harrier, but had little additional information. The television station said a Marine helicopter is conducting a search and rescue operation at the scene, near the state's Cher…

I just saw this on another forum. I didn't know if it was brought up here before, so I figured I'll post it for your interests. https://www.big-boys.com/articles/harrierfalls.html

Short clip of Harrier GR7 doing tactical departure at Kabul, or wherever. Work safe if your speakers are turned-off. https://media.putfile.com/low-one

Sounds like he is banged up but alive. A PT-22 perhaps? Engine failure on takeoff, tried to turn back to the runway but could not make, crash landed on a golfcourse.

My wife and I are moving to Hickam on Friday, Just wondering if anyone has any last minute tips on housing/jobs. Thanks

I did a search. I love how this statement has to be posted before any questions asked. Anyone here flying the HC-130 now or in the past? How vastly idfferent is the mission from the traditional slick, besides the refueling of the whillybirds. Do you still stay current in airdrop, assaults, formation (with another -130 not a rotors)and normal airland stuff? PM me if you are currently flying them in the active duty world or the good world or just post the info for others to see. Thanks [ 31. July 2006, 19:34: Message edited by: Toro ]

I am a recent CSO grad and am starting the pipeline for the HC-130, I am going to the 71st Rescue Squadron at Moody. I have read through all the HC/MC threads I can find but would like to get more current info, plus any 71RQS specific info I can. Any helpful advice, info on what current deployments/deployment schedule is like, info about what type of stuff HC's are currently doing when deployed would be great! My RNLT Date is 28 Jun 2013 for moody, I start Little Rock next month, and do not yet have dates for SERE and Kirtland. so any tips for the pipeline would also be appreciated. current Moody info would also be appreciated. Everything I find is from when it wa…