General Discussion

F-35C carrier-variant test aircraft CF-3 has made its first catapult launch today (July 27) using the land-based steam catapult at NAS Lakehurst, where the U.S. Navy's version of the JSF is undergoing carrier suitability testing. Source: https://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3aad00342f-3d8c-47ea-b3b3-afbfe02c64e2&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest I wonder if it has the autopilot hands off take offs like the F/A-18's...probably does since that seems to…

FAA Shutdown So does this mean they have no governing authority during the shutdown? Also scary, other things are probably next. (Like us)

I had the honor of meeting GEN Shalikashvili back when he was the Chairman and I was a young captain. I was in Slovakia at the time on a military liaison team, and he and Madeline Albright rolled into town. We helped the embassy with the arrangements, so we were at the location where he was meeting the Slovak military leaders. He saw us from across the room, and made his whole entourage take a detour so he could walk over and meet the team. He was very friendly, and made time for us to take photos with him. Actually, we all got two pics each with him, as he made an excuse for the second picture with each individual but we realized he did that just in case the first p…

Ninety-years ago today Billy Mitchell dropped a bomb that at least indirectly started the Air Force. “It is a very serious question whether airpower is auxiliary to the Army and the Navy, or whether armies and navies are not actually auxiliary to airpower.” General William 'Billy' Mitchell Surface area view of the captured German battleship Ostfriesland after it was attacked by Martin MB-2 bombers of the U.S. Army Air Service’s First Provisional Air Brigade, led by Brig. Gen. William “Billy” Mitchell, on July 21, 1921.

I keep hearing the ANG/AFRC is under a hiring freeze but I just don't see it here or other locations, anyone can attest?

The two leading members of the Senate Armed Services Committee have formally requested an estimate of the cost of terminating the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, according to a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta today. The letter comes from Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI) and John McCain (R-AZ), the chairman and ranking member of the committee, respectively. McCain has been especially critical of the F-35 program in recent months and failed in an effort to cancel the program during the committee's recent mark-up of the fiscal year 2012 defense authorization bill. In their letter, Levin and McCain request more information from the Defense Department about …

The script at the front gate of Nellis, "home of the fighter pilot" has been taken down. WTF.

I recently graduated this past May with a degree in Electrical Engineering and I'm awaiting my EAD on 1 Oct. So, I've been sort of bumming it out and relaxing. The 10 hours of sleeping each day, drinking, watching showtime, working out, and gaming is getting pretty old (I know this actually sounds pretty awesome)... and I decided that while my months off have been chill, I might as well make use of the time I have left. My UPT is set to start sometime in February, so I'll have an additional 4 months of casual down at Laughlin and I've been advised by a few buddies to start taking grad classes before/after UPT... as I will eventually need my masters to make Maj. 1. W…

I've been reading a lot on here lately about non-continuation for passed over majors in the flying arena, and this is a topic addressed to the rated community only. I would love to see the reaction and hear the great stories of individuals who choose to be the best in the jet, and forego all the queep. A few questions to consider. - How did this individual affect morale in the squadron, and were they actually credible? - Would they have been better leaders if they had promoted based on flying ability and officership instead of exec strats and PME completion (in-res selection, etc...)? - Would it have been better for these individuals to help "run the company" f…

I will give them credit for cnx ASBC. CGO PME undergoes transformation

Anyone know the details or have the video for the latest shine my ass incident?

Searched the forum and google but can't find the answer to my question... We just PCS'ed to Pensacola and did a full DITY move. My wife drove my truck behind me and I drove a 26ft Penske truck with her car on a car trailer. I weighed my rig on the way down at a certified scale, etc with her car on the trailer (3 axles total). We are staying in a hotel so all of our stuff is still in the truck. Do I need to get the Penske truck weighed without the car trailer and her car on it or can I just have it weighed empty with her car on it and TMO does the difference in weight? Seems logical but I don't want to get hosed. Hopefully someone knows the answer as I need to know…

Ive done this before but this time I'd like to add a limit on classes. Please post the oldest guy you can remember attending UPT in the last 4 years. Search function has not been helpful with this inquiry. Thanks for the info. Cheers

My link Pilot ejected and is safe following a QF-4 crash near Hope, NM. The crash started a rapidly spreading grass fire that is currently 100 acres.

Japan Temporarily Grounds F-15 Fleet

Thank you, gentlemen. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..."

Just an invite for all Rotorheads to enjoy the launch issue of our new mil helo mag. Digital edition is online for everyone to read. Cleared HOT - Issue 1

https://www.military.com/news/article/female-special-operators-now-in-combat.html?ESRC=eb.nl Interesting concept, I guess. Though I'm sure the equality crowd doesn't like the comment about not wanting them to fight their way in.

I pray the pilot got out! 6/28/2011 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- An Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon from here crashed June 28 about 5:30 p.m. PDT near Caliente, Nev. The F-16 was participating in an air-to-air combat training mission. One person was on board. The individual's condition is unknown at this time. As soon as additional details become available, they will be provided. The accident is under investigation. https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123261945

NY Man Busted Pretending to be Soldier for First Class Upgrade Diaz -- who sources said never served in the military -- also had a black POW patch on his sleeve, which an actual soldier would never wear in that spot, the sources said. His dog tags were comically engraved with the words, "USA Marines Corp."

Austin Hatch in critical condition Quote from a friend about the first crash that killed his wife and 2 kids (Doctor pilot and his son survived): Guess this guy never learned what unusable fuel was. The only time it is ever used, is in a post crash fire. Why does the FAA keep giving pilot licenses to Doctors?

I am a medical officer with 3 years in and want to switch fields to become a pilot. I am already commissioned before my 29th birthday (I'm 28 now). Can anyone assist? I have called AFPC and my functional and they either say they've never heard of it, or that I'd lose rank (don't mind)--and still no help after that. I am seeing if anyone knows anything else in order to help me out and if it were even worth my while with only a few hours of pilot training and ground school knocked out. Phone numbers, e-mails, or contacts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

https://us.cnn.com/2011/US/06/21/north.dakota.flooding/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 Is this affecting the base at all? These spring/summer storms are starting to get out of hand!!

Obama to announce plans to begin withdrawal of 30,000 troops Wednesday night. Stay tuned. I won't miss the B-huts one bit but then again I think some of us are still gonna be there for a long time. Maybe he had this on his mind...

Big first story is the 747-8 just landed there a few hours ago. U-S-A, U-S-A!