General Discussion

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

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

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…

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…

I did a search and I know that there has got to be some more info on this stuff but could not find it. So I thought I would jump start this again. For those in the know, what are some of the differences and likes of the Mc and HC 130? I know that there are more differences than what just meets the eye but I can't find them. It seems to me that they do alot of the same things. Plus, any Nav specific stuff would be appreciated such a deployment rates and specific duties. Thanks Oh man I probably should have put this some where else, this new design allows a high learning curve

It looks like there's a new member in the Muammar-Qaddafi-Batshit-Crazy-Muslim Club: Karzai to lawmakers: "I might join the Taliban" If this isn't a journalistic misquote, I think we need to have a Pred pilot earn a DFC for this idiot.

I tried the search function but to no avail. I am looking for a site where I can get the David Clark headset comfort kit. Its the one with the big ear pads. Mine took a fall and I need new ones. Does anyone have a site or a direction they could point me in? thanks.

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 …

I heard that they're starting to send heavy guys to instruct Phase III T-38s. Does anyone know if this is only guys with prior T-38 time or if they are taking T-1 guys as well?

i didn't want to hijack a thread, but scoobs (i think) advised someone in upt to fly fighters (they were undecided) because they could always go fly heavies later. and so i wondered if anyone has ever gone the opposite direction - heavies to fighters? i don't know of any, nor have i ever heard of any. how about you?

Since AF helicopter pilots attend the T-6A phase in SUPT, are they allowed to be T-6A IPs further along in their career? The Navy/Marines has this policy in place for their helo/VSOL drivers.

USAF teaching Iraqi's to fly airstrike missions. Iraqi crews ‘ready to go’ on mission Part of slow transition from Air Force reliance By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer Posted : Sunday Jul 12, 2009 9:42:57 EDT Airmen deployed to Iraq are teaching their Iraqi counterparts to fly airstrike missions. Today, after fewer than a dozen training flights, two Iraqi aircrews — a pilot and a mission-sensor operator make up an aircrew — are qualified to fire Hellfire missiles from AC-208B Caravans, a military version of the single-engine turboprop Cessna Grand Caravan utility airplane. A third aircrew is in training. “They are ready to go,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Spi…