General Discussion

I'm an officer, pilot-type, who for 17 years, never had the good fortune of directly supervising any enlisted troops. In my current job, I am the OIC of a particular function, and I have one NCOIC who works directly for me. He is a SSgt pinning on TSgt in the near future. The kid is a fast-burner, (already working on his Masters), and makes my job really easy. I feel like I should do more than just pat him on the back and say congrats for the promotion. So my question is two-fold. Is it appropriate to give him a gift of some sort, and what's an appropriate gift? Anyone else ever been in a similar situation? I have a few ideas, but wanted to hear some advice from t…

https://www.airforcet...ling-pt-032013w

Maj. Garrett Knowlan was struck by a boat and killed during the single man raft isolation exercise. https://www.pnj.com/a...text%7CMilitary

To USAFE Fighter Pilots- Thought I'd pass this along and see what ya'll thought. I need your help. During a recent 4-star meeting, we talked about what appears to be a pending fighter pilot shortage. The AF's rated personnel management folks are projecting a 300 fighter pilot shortfall in FY13 that could grow to over 1000 by FY21. They also told us that the fighter community's bonus "take rate" is 10% lower than the rest of the rated community. Obviously, many of you are leaving, or thinking about leaving, the Air Force for other opportunities. If you've already made the decision to do so, then please accept my sincere thanks for your service and best wishes fo…

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?

So a little while ago we had a WG/CC call. Part of the show for the day was the presentation of two Bronze Stars. Both to LRS types. In neither citation did I hear one mention of enemy fire. The closest thing I could discern was that one guy might have been present in a mortar attack. This is not the first time I've seen and heard of the BS being awarded to guys who were not under fire from the enemy. Am I missing something, or is the BS becoming less of a medal for actual achievement, and more of another "thanks for playing" feel-good medal, similar to the Air Medal?

I have a totally random question for the c-130j ip/ep types out there. On annual aircraft commander checkrides in the simulator do evaluators give guys 2 engine out scenarios? For example, engines 3 and 4 inop, vectors to an ils, home station, in the wx. I assume there is no 2 engine inop work done in the plane. E/H guys please feel free to provide input as well. Any info would be apprieciated. I am curious about other 4 engine communities as well. Thanks. Is the checkride standard 2 engine inop work for an aircraft commander checkride? What about co-pilot checkride? One engine inop?

A friend asked me a good question today that I didn't know the answer to. If you PCS to another part of the country and your cell phone doesn't have service there, do cell phone companies let you out of your contract? I figured this has had to happen to someone before. I would think they wouldn't, but I thought I would ask.

This is probably a question for finance guy. When you elect to take a pay advance when you PCS, when would you be taxed on the income? I will be deployed all 12 months in 2012 so I have zero taxable income. I’m trying to figure out if I can take 3 months of advance pay in December while it’s tax free, then pay it back next year resulting in essentially 9 months of taxable income in 2013? Any help is appreciated.

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…

Short interview with a former Air Force officer who's releasing a book entitled Bleeding Talent: How the U.S. Military Mismanages Great Leaders and Why It’s Time for a Revolution. It think he's spot on in many ways. Some significant quotes: "In my ideal Navy, Maverick would still be flying his Tomcat. Today, he’s either working on a spreadsheet or PowerPoint in the Pentagon basement, or he’s flying a 747 out of Hong Kong as a civilian pilot for United Airlines. and: "More to the point, Ike would have been rotated out of his role as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe in 1943 to give someone else a turn." Read more: https://nation.time.com/2013/01/21/why-cant-th…

https://news.msn.com/world/afghan-leader-alleges-us-taliban-are-colluding

A recent post with the Shangri-la nose art got me goin, so if any of you have some swingin nose art pics, post away. I want dames with nice sets of wheels, patriotism that fills my young little heart, and humor that busts the gut. Cheers, Stuck

Is that a C-21 with a landing gear problem on Fox right now?

Not much more to say, but "throw a nickel on the grass, save a fighter pilot's ass." THE quintessential USAF fighter pilot, as far as I'm concerned, and a great loss to the fighter community.

I saw this elsewhere. Is this legit? For service as set forth in the following: CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major X, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a KC-135R Instructor Pilot, 913th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 384th Expeditionary Operations Group, 384th Air Expeditionary Wing, deployed to a classified location in the United States Central Command's area of responsibility on 13 January 2003 in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On that date, …

Got a buddy flying the Hawg out in Korea who needs a hand with his Masters. Following survey needs inputs, esp from the heavy world. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Aircrew_Sim_Satisfaction

Apparently they took a little sight seeing trip around Guam. Nice little "show of force." I have a hard time believing they were armed with "nuclear tipped" missiles though. https://www.foxnews.c...territory-guam/ The Air Force confirms that two Russian bombers on Tuesday circled the U.S. island territory of Guam, prompting U.S. jets to scramble and respond. Two U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter aircraft, operating out of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, intercepted the Russian Tu-95 bomber aircrafts, which left in a northbound direction, said military spokeswoman Capt. Kim Bender. Bender said no further action was taken but declined to give more details, citin…

Hey guys/gals, I'm trying to get a handle on the terminology with respect to 'boards." I just got a C5 slot at my home base, and I am a civilian applicant. The next pilot boards are in June or July I believe, so pending good news there, I should expect dates for OTS some time after that. I have read a lot, and hear the term OTS boards/applicant. I that term just used for AD guys? If not, are the biannual pilot boards the same thing? Thanks!

Just curious, what would everybody prefer to fly the Galaxy or Globemaster? (I only ask because I saw a program comparing the two heavy lifters) I know the C-17 is to replace many of the C-5's but let's say that they were both equally wanted/needed. And to spice things up, let's say the C-5 'rarely' breaks down. Anybody have time in both? Thanks

Just saw this: https://www.8newsnow.com/story/13516891/alaska-military-base-says-f-22-fighter-overdue

"What outsourced company would be so stupid as to not bolt down seats?" Oh, gee, I dunno. Contract depot maintenance has such a sterling record.... Things don't seem to be looking too good for American. They're on the downswing while their major competitors, especially Delta seem to have righted the ship. If I were a betting man I wouldn't be putting money on American right now.

I know there is a 15 page thread on overall AF seq. that has been discussed ad nauseam. Not talking about all of that. I'm just looking at SUPT ops and it's possible suspension. Below's diatribe is on the AETC web site as of friday (just read it today). I hadn't heard anything this specific. Concentrating on "suspending advanced and instructor training on 1 Apr." It sounds like they are referring to RTU and PIT. That would be huge. Anyone read it differently or has anyone heard/been briefed on this? Any unit plans in the making if this really happens? "2/8/2013 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Cuts to flying and technical training, Professional Mi…

This is absolutely hilarious. Check this out. Gold Bond Powder - a breathmint for my b*lls [ 23. June 2006, 05:47: Message edited by: Toro ]

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.