General Discussion

https://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/12/us.turkey/index.html The Turks are about to cross into Iraq to fight the Kurds, who have been fighting them. We oppose Turkey's doing so. In the midst of this really serious potential conflict, given that things in Northern Iraq have been going pretty well, the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs passed a not-so-serious (or helpful) measure labeling the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turkish forces during WWI "genocide" by 27-21 vote. The Turks oppose us doing so and have pulled their ambassador, and are thinking about kicking us out of Turkey (where most of our supplies and vehicles come into Iraq by), and are also considering p…

My husband's UPT class is graduating in August and we're looking for a good speaker for the ceremony. I know they provide a list of "reserve" speakers, but we'd like to find a really inspirational person to be the keynote for the event. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks! V.

I coulda SWORE there was a thread on this topic already, but TFSF is coming up dry. Anyway, They've started digging in Burma, and the initial look isn't so good. I'm hoping they find something, but even IF there were airplanes buried out there, we all know how well the jungle tends to treat metal.

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...

Last Friday, with very little fan-fare, the AF's first production F-35A arrived at Edwards AFB. We should start seeing one or two delivered a month through the end of the year, even more after wards. One down, 1762 more go to (if anyone still believes that number).

https://www.examiner.com/x-5411-NY-Military...One-The-Problem https://www.examiner.com/x-5411-NY-Military...wo-The-solution It's an interesting idea, not sure if it's be feasible.

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

Long story short: Prior service Marine Weather guesser. Spent the last 10 years trying to become a pilot. Was AFROTC in college, didn't get selected for field training. Applied to Marine OCS, contracted, but not selected for OCS 3 times. Enlisted, got numerous inter-service transfers approved but had recruiter troubles. Recruiter was negligent in submitting package before deadline and EAS'd before the following deadline without telling me, right before I was deploying. Started Navy OCS application during deployment. Was injured on deployment requiring surgery. Spent remainder of my enlisted contract recovering. Summer 2019. Applied to Active duty Air Force…

Anyone know the formula they use to get wind drift on the wiz wheel? I'm trying to make a spread sheet to calculate the wind drift on final for some approaches we shoot a lot. I already have one that can work the timing, just want to add headings too.

20 years ago today, on 31 Jan 1991, SPIRIT 03, an AC-130H from the 16th SOS was shot down by a MANPAD while providing close air support for Marines during the Battle of Khafji. All 14 crewmembers died. It was the single largest loss of Air Force personnel during the Gulf War. Please take a moment to remember their sacrifice... Major Paul J. Weaver - Pilot Captain Clifford Bland, Jr. - Co-Pilot Captain Dixon L. Walters - Electronic Warfare Officer Captain Arthur Galvan - Fire Control Officer Captain William D. Grimm - Navigator Senior Master Sergeant Paul G. Buege - Sensor Operator Senior Master Sergeant James B. May II, Gunner Technical Sergeant Robert K. Hod…

Are there any models of C-17's that have the stick located on the side instead of the center? I have heard that they are mounted on the side from several people but all of the photos that I can find show that it is in the center.

https://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3afd132b93-a775-4e88-bcd8-8a8067cafc0a And will be relying on us for gas.

Can you apply for a C-130 Type Rating after you complete the MPD (left and right seat qualification) at Little Rock?

Good Morning, I have been lurking here for a while. I am your typical stars in your eyes pilot select getting ready for OTS. Looking forward to flying. I am an accountant and have been in the professional world about 6 years, and no work is a 4 letter word just like Sh**. I read through the discussions here and read about some of the things you guys are going through. As someone who has a pie in the sky view of what flying would be it is a dose of reality about the lifestyle and that is healthy. Would you recommend for others to join the AF and fly? Would you do it all over again? What are some of the pitfalls that I will face as a young officer and how would you nav…

The VML came out recently and a few people didn't get assignments and were told to standby for more words. The story from the rumor mill is that AETC is doing some restructuring and that anyone with a AETC assignment is being told to wait for their assignment. Anyone else seeing this at their base or have any SA on the situation? Crate

Link

Hope everyone had a great 4th! Does anyone have an idea of what the future of JSTARS looks like? Seems like an interesting mission and wondering what would happen if I dropped E-8s. Would this be disadvantageous considering they're planning on retiring the E-8 in the coming years? Currently they have no plans/budget for replacement aircraft correct?

I'm a recent pilot-select waiting on a class date. I know I have a while before I even set foot into a UPT classroom but I'd like to get ahead if possible. From what I have read on here, the biggest obstacle to UPT studs is formation flying (correct me if I'm wrong). I have access to a couple T-28s and have the opportunity to do some practice formation work. Do you guys think this will benefit me in the long run? Is there anything I should do that would alleviate some of the newness of UPT flying? I'm not asking for any info that shouldn't be disclosed, just some tips or pointers on a way I can familiarize myself with the AF way of flying. Thanks.

Has anyone tried this? Looks to be an Android equivalent of Foreflight. Is it worth a download?

I'm in the market for a new watch and for those of you who have been through UPT, would you suggest a watch that has an E6B function? Is it more advantageous than than fumbling around with that gargantuan wizz-wheel in the airplane?

From the searching I've done on this forum, I've noticed a trend. "Good family life" tends to be associated with the KC10, and "gone all the time" seems to be associated with the C17. Can anybody confirm or deny this observation? Thanks in advance.

Colonel Robert L. Howard, age 70 and believed to be the most-decorated living American before his death, passed away Wednesday from pancreatic cancer in Waco, TX. Here's to him! Biography: Colonel Bob Howard is a native of Alabama, with his home record San Antonio, Texas. He entered military service on July 20, 1956 and was medically retired on September 30, 1992. He received a direct appointment from Master Sergeant to First Lieutenant in December 1969. His thirty six years of military service included over 33 years on airborne status. He participated in two movies concerning airborne and special operations missions, both featuring John Wayne. He made …

GUNNER PALACE reveals the complex realities of the situation in Iraq not seen on the nightly news. Told first-hand by our troops, 'Gunner Palace' presents a thought provoking portrait of a dangerous and chaotic war that is personal, highly emotional, sometimes disturbing, surprisingly amusing ... and thoroughly fascinating. Filmmaker Michael Tucker, who lived with 2/3 Field Artillery, a.k.a. "The Gunners" for two months, captures the lives and humanity of these soldiers whose barracks are the bombed-out pleasure palace of Uday Hussein (nicknamed Gunner Palace), situated in the heart of the most volatile section of Baghdad. With total access to all operations and activi…

Why in the hell is a picture of Maj Gilbert’s mother in a moment of extreme grief, on the Air Force website? https://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123035120 What are we trying to prove. Please tell me this is not some ploy to show the Air Force is taking losses too. These PA tools need a swift kick in the junk. Let me state for the record, if I ever buy the farm and AF.mil decides to place a picture of my parents grieving on the website, I am asking each and everyone of you to drive to the Pentagon and knock some common sense into someone. I’ve had far too many friends die trying to protect our way of life to have their sacrifice turned into a …

We had a TH-67 go down in Ft. Rucker today. 1 pilot is confirmed dead and the other was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. There are no further details as of now.