General Discussion

who's the guy or the FBO to contact in Little Rock about getting instrument, multi-engine, and commercial ratings? I finished pilot training a few months ago (shoulda knocked this FAA stuff out while outprocessing Corpus) and I'm here for the FTU. at Corpus and Columbus there were local dudes (sim instructors in both cases) who had this process as streamlined as it could be; anyone know of a similar great American here in central AR? thanks!

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…

pretty interesting... Full Story

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30614627 Cap-10

I'm putting down Space and Missiles as my first choice on my 53. I know most of the stuff on this site is flying related, but if someone has some insight in to the Space & Missiles field, I'd appreciate a little guidance. Things like what to expect for my first assignment, bases (good ones, not so good), training, lifestyle and such. Thanks a lot

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?

Keep others in mind during Thanksgiving By General Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) – Sacrifice has always been a hallmark of our great nation. Around the globe thousands of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are standing watch to ensure our freedom and way of life are preserved. Take time during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday to remember all those who serve in our armed forces. Our military embodies the American values of compassion, tolerance and courage. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our mission -- we couldn’t do it without your help. You provide t…

I just applied for the LEAP program and am waiting to hear back about it. Has anyone on here been involved in the LEAP program at all? Also, I have been looking into the Olmstead program, which looks awesome. On the official site it says that each service gets 10 people per year but it looks like the AF only selected 6 out of 61 last year. Anyone been involved with this as well and have some info on the process and how to get selected? Thanks!

Did a search and only found a couple posts from 5 years back or so regarding the time between UPT graduation and follow on training. I'll be graduating UPT here in June of 2013 and am planning on getting married shortly after (like the weekend after). I'm just wondering what the current average amount of time is between graduation and follow on training, i.e. SERE/Water Survival/MWS training/etc...? Any help would be appreciated.

So, I return from my 4-ship to the range today and read on my email that the AETC/CC has authorized the GWOT-S medal for *everyone in AETC* regardless if they have or have not directly participated in the Global War On Terror. WTF??? That is a slap in the face to those of us who have spent hours and hours flying CAPs for Operation NOBLE EAGLE. As if it wasn't bad enough that the GWOT-S was the only recognition ONE flyers are going to get...now it's pretty much just being given to *everyone*.

Still developing but looks like some Iranian agents were working up a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US on American soil. https://news.blogs.cn...iran/?hpt=hp_t2

Does anyone know if you can access GDSS from a non-.mil computer? I had heard that you can but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Thanks.

How cool is it that the very first jet there was also the same jet to fly the fini-flight? For once the AF gets it right!

Looks like Redux 2.0 to me... From the article: "A cost-saving option might be to offer active-duty troops full retirement benefits only after 30 years’ service with mandatory retirement at 40 years." Right and if the same high year tenure rules apply. A lot less officers and NCOs will be making it to full retirement... Here is how I think this will go... the DOD insitute the change and it will remain in effect for about 8-10 years - then whole "classes"or year groups of officers and NCOs will depart taking their valuable experience wit...h them. As a result, these classes will become so small that once again, the 20 yewar retirement will be reinstated, c…

I remember hearing that if you get stationed at Mildenhall or Lakenheath you have to put your pets in quarantine for X number of days/weeks. Is this still in effect? What's the story on this? I'm hoping to get stationed at Mildenhall, so I'm curious as to how this works (I've got 2 dogs). [ 09. April 2004, 18:39: Message edited by: backseatdriver ]

I was reading about the NH-90 and came across this TTH-90 info on globalsecurity 6th paragraph down: "Other features include weather radar, digital map, Obstacle Warning System, cable cutters , armoured pilot seats, defensive weapons suite, passive and active measures against the threat..." So Im thinking 'cable' as in a rescue cable lifting a person into the aircraft, and the necessary 'cutter' if something goes wrong or the helo becomes stuck on something below and needs cut away the cable. I look in a magazine with a picture of an MRH-90 and hook like blade labeled "cable cutters" above the windscreen and below the rotors, Im thinking WTF these are anti-…

I read a report recently in which an officer wrote that he graduated ENJJPT in the early 1990s and was designated a 'banked pilot'. He then did seven months of school cross-training to Intel. I don't know if he returned to the cockpit. Can anyone say whether such a categorisation was either common or permanent? Seems odd to spend so much money training someone who then ends up doing a completely different job.

https://www.stripes.com/news/juicy-bars-air-force-puts-squeeze-on-businesses-linked-to-human-trafficking-1.238446

I have UTFSF but haven't been able to pull up an old thread with any good info. I'm seeking some help from fellow Exec types, former Exec types, or casual UPT types that might be able to give a little input. I'm trying to find good/somewhat recent examples of Duty Titles that have been used for junior CGOs who are on casual for an extended period. We have several 2d Lts, 1st Lts, and a couple Capts that have been doing an administrative assistant type role and we also have a couple who have been assigned as the lead casual. I'm curious about what Duty Titles folks have had in the past or know of. Any input is much appreciated.

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…

Initial reporting says 10 shot (8 civilians and 2 police) and 3 shooters. Does not say any are fatal. https://www.washingto...b549_story.html

Trying to decipher DoD regs regarding Time-in-Grade (Lt Col) and retirement. Lets say I have 20 years, been an 05 for two years, and I put in paperwork to retire. Lt Col TIG requires 3 years to retire as a Lt Col...what does that mean? I understand that I can't wear a retired Lt Col hat to the BX but does it drastically effect benefits? Or...can I not even apply to retire until I hit 3-years TIG? As I read it, under the high-3 retirement, they average out your highest 36 months of service...so if you have 1-year of 04 pay and 2-years of 05 pay...thats the average, right? Not quite as much money as getting 3-years TIG...but better than never having been paye…

I'm down at training and I heard a rumor that they were going to stand up a gunship unit over in Mildenhall soon/sometime in the near future. Anyone know of any truth to this with any sources? Sorry ahead of time if this has already been covered... I promise I tried searching before I posted.

With this major shortage of pilots that the AF is currently dealing with, is there any hope of a FWQ course or equivalent ever returning? How about a transfer from Army C-12's? I know this topic has been covered before but info changes over time.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/articles/trump-secaf-heather-wilson-nominated President Trump intends to nominate Heather Wilson, a former New Mexico representative and a graduate of the Air Force Academy, to be the next Air Force secretary. Wilson is now president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota, a position she has held since 2013. "Heather Wilson is going to make an outstanding secretary of the Air Force," Trump said in a statement Monday announcing his planned nomination. "Her distinguished military service, high level of knowledge, and success in so many different fields gives me great confidence that she will le…