General Discussion

For those of you in the MAF (perhaps also the CAF), you may have noticed a significant increase in the amount of currency and continuation requirements. There are now specific requirements from AMC to perform large force exercises for airdrop units as part of currencies, among other new requirements. A lot of this stemmed from Ex Mobility Guardian in 2017 which, for those who were there know, was an absolute clown show. There were absolutely shortcomings with the C-17and C-130’s ability to integrate in a large force tactical environment. It was literally an international embarrassment. However, all of this comes at a time when we are undermanned, overworked …

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/world/990914/world-war-3-warning-donald-trump-news-nato-montenegro/amp Couldn't the same thing be said about Taiwan? Granted they never poke the Chinese and there is no NATO umbrella or an Article 5. Taiwan is equipped to fight alone according to one of their officers who spoke to us back in the AFROTC days. It was a female officer who gave us the go at it alone speech.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/07/20/so-you-wanna-fly-air-force-pilots-can-apply-to-new-aviation-only-program/ BLUF: Majors or Major-selects with 11-13 YOS can apply starting soon. Seemed like you only fly plus work stan eval, training or tactics. PME and AAD are optional. ALso targeting 5 years at one duty station.

Anyone know the validity of this? I don't see it anywhere outside of this FB page. If true...thoughts?

All clear has been given in one area Now reporting there was a training exercise and a possible negligent discharge...must have been someone's first desk pop https://on.whio.com/2KlOWs8 https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/08/02/active-shooter-incident-reported-at-wright-patterson-air-force-base/ *edit for more info

(Edit because it didn’t come off in flight) Apparently fell off a truck just outside ATL today:

For you U-2 guys that didn't know, Sooch did his first shot in the Virgin Galactic space ship last week. At 170,000', it was still a low altitude test and he doesn't get astronaut wings yet... but it's great to see him finally get into the saddle after 5 years of training. I guess this makes him the highest flyer within our community. Sooch was an '85 commission; came to the U-2 in late '89; U-2 Solo #544; then did the TPS thing and Palmdale U-2 Flight Test, before coming back as the 1 RS commander. Somewhere in the 90's, I recall him making it into a later round for Space Shuttle selection. The guy has mad pilot skills, and is brilliant. The AF in its…

Developing, but sounds like someone ( mechanic?) stole a plane from Sea Tac airport. Took off. Got intercepted. Did a barrell roll. Crashed. Horizon Q-400 These attachments show Sheriff airplane circling crash

"Maj. Gen. Andrew Toth, a fighter pilot who has flown hundreds of combat hours over Iraq, took command of the Air Force Personnel Center on Aug. 9." Hopefully this results in more transparency and less smoke and mirrors shoe clerkery. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/08/13/experienced-fighter-pilot-iraq-veteran-takes-command-at-afpc/

FY19 NDAA gets rid of flat rate per diem effective 13 Aug.

All, I’m an active duty Navy helo dude that has been offered an active duty KC-135 slot. I’m an O-4 and if I switch I will have a 6 year comittment that will put me right over 20 years. What I am looking for is gouge on the tanker/KC-135 mission, deployments, homeguard work, family life, preferred duty stations, etc. What are realistic possibilities of keeping flying for those six years? Is it possible in the Air Force to volunteer for a DO job to stay flying or is the DO a screened position? I’ve searched but can’t seem to find any threads newer than a few years old. I’m trying to wrap my head around the Air Force as well as the tanker life…

https://amp.timeinc.net/thedrive/the-war-zone/22988/us-air-force-t-38-talon-jet-trainer-crashed-into-a-field-in-oklahoma?source=dam

Hi all, I am trying to see if anyone of the 200 people who were at the IRR Muster at (Robins AFB) on August 4th has been paid yet. I spent an hour yesterday talking to ARPC and the Robins AFB pay office and nobody has any idea what I am talking about. I figured there were likely many others who were not receiving pay. If so PM me. Dfas

Looking to invest in a new Ipad Pro and Foreflight + Jeppesen, before I drop a far amount of money on this setup I was curious if anyone had some better options or advise on why to go this route or why not to go this route? Aircraft already has a GNS430 as primary so this is more big screen for pubs, flightplanning, weather, take out of the plane ease of use type function. Thanks in advance.

When deployed to a combat zone, does anyone simply . . . not have taxes taken out on your LES? I'm a traditional guard bubba deployed for the Nth time. Taxes are always taken out on our LES. They are repaid in the next month's LES. However, that next month's LES has taxes taken out, then reimbursed on the third month's, and so on. I don't know if that's how the system is designed to work, or that's how Guard finance works. Makes it a PITA to double check amounts are correct come W-2 time. May also be a case where every guard franchise unit does it differently.

https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2018/09/11/sheppard-afb-reports-aircraft-incident-few-details-released/1266598002/ https://www.ajc.com/news/national/jet-crashes-sheppard-air-force-base-injured/687LgwhFBP8IwG2YDHoK7J/ Sheppard Twitter:

Hey all - I've been on hold with the total force call center for 45 minutes now, so I figure it wouldn't hurt to reach out to you fine folks and see if someone here has the answer I need. I understand that if I were to transfer my benefits today, I would have to commit to another 4 years of service. I am eligible to retire in January 2021, and I was wondering if they'd make me extend my service beyond that date?

I'm an ancient one having trained in T-37's, T-38s and instructed in both. I'm just trying to learn a little about the present syllabus at UPT. Question: Do T-6 students/instructors practice SFO's or forced landings or is it taught to take the silk highway in case of engine failure.

What is the path from Bergstrom to a weapons system for these new pilots? https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/1593411/flying-training-reimagined-as-first-ptn-class-graduates/

Has anyone ever heard of pilots switching to Active duty from Reserve during UPT? Especially is such a thing possible if the dude is over age 30 and got a waiver to get to UPT? As Active Duty doesn’t do age waivers, potentially older dudes can finally end up in Active Duty if such a thing as joining the Reserve/Guard first and then transferring over is possible..

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/09/18/t-6-air-force-trainer-crashes-in-texas/

We know UPT is stressful. But it is stressful likely because the students are learning new stuff and have never done it before. I believe some of the stress can be taken off if you have prior training that is similar and therefore can perform well on rides. It is easy to do something that you have already done before. I am interested to fly formation, low level flying, maneuvers, tactics, etc with a private instructor and a private aircraft in order to prepare better for UPT. I live in New York city, and if anyone who is/was a fighter/aerobatic pilot and lives in the area is interested to teach few lessons, I am willing to pay out of pocket. Please PM me if anyo…

Another baseops guy asked me to share my experience/knowledge of the Career Skills Program. If you're looking to get out early and get setup as you transition to the civilian world the CSP is definitely a great alternative to Palace Chase and a lot less bureaucracy. Once you have a date of separation in the system you can apply for the CSP but at a minimum you have to apply 30 days prior to when you want to start. You can do the CSP for up to 180 days. You will work for a civilian company as an unpaid intern (some other unpaid options available too) while getting all your normal pay and benefits from the AF. Basically you're on PTDY to anywhere you want (and your CC…

I just saw this on the AFPC Facebook page. Has anyone heard much about it? Air Force Personnel Center Yesterday at 9:37 AM · If you’re an officer over 30, you may have thought you couldn’t apply for pilot training. Good news! Air Staff has granted a three-year extension to the limits for both Age and Total Federal Commissioned Service for the 2018 Undergraduate Flyi…

Hi All, Hopefully this is different enough to warrant not being a side discussion in the "what's wrong with the AF" thread. Obviously there's a decent percentage of Majors punching out due to reasons that have been adequately covered, but I was curious how long it takes new studs/Lt's to become disillusioned and want to get out as well. There's probably a decent spread, but does it seem like most become fed up towards the last few years or is it trending towards less and less time in? Does it seem like more and more pilots are becoming fed up with the fuck fuck games/general fuckery during/around their first ops tour? UPT/first ops seems likes some of the best ye…