General Discussion

Finally, an AIM Point worth looking at! Air Force Pararescue in Helmand Province, Afghanistan Some select pics from Michael Yon... Cheers! M2

Any guys on the forum flying for these guys? Is it a full time gig? I.e. are guys also flying for the guard / airlines? How's the quality of life? Looks like Draken has a location in Nimes France - anyone fly out of there? Thanks.

Saw this article this morning. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/21363/usaf-reveals-timelines-and-basing-plans-for-its-huge-adversary-support-contract

I am a 2014 VSP recipient and recently started flying for a Major Airline. I could not be more happy with civilian life and love the airlines, but as a former T-6 FAIP I recall a couple guys in my squadron that were AD recalls who received a substantial bonus to return to AD to fly the T-6. Considering instructing in the T-6 was by far the most rewarding and fun experience for me in the AF, my wife is from a UPT town, and the first year or two at the Airlines come with a bitch of a commute and schedule I could think of worse things than to take a nice chunk of change to go fly T-6's again for a couple years in my wife's hometown while my seniority number continues to tick…

Anyone been through this recently? Stories, advice?

I don't have any and apparently I need them here. Where can I get them with the least amount of hassle? Can you just order them online someplace? Or is there some hidden shop on most bases that will make/issue them to you?

Anybody got a squadron car? Post specs and pictures here. [ 27. July 2005, 21:49: Message edited by: Beaver ]

Hello, I am a CSO student and I want to be an EWO. I would like to get as much information as possible about being an EWO/air crew on the RC-135 and B-52. Thanks for the help

Getting ready for a DITY to UPT, and I've come across several regs over government travel. There's a bit of ambiguity and overlap between them, so I wanted some clarification. Mostly, what's the difference between the JTR and JFTR? Both title pages say "for uniformed servicemembers," even though the JTR also says "and DOD civilian employees." Is there a primary reference that Finance and TMO uses for active duty travel? Are there any other regs you'd recommend skimming through for getting the most $$ out of a DITY? Thanks.

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…

Can anyone tell me what type of lifestyle a pilot flying an AWACS, JSTARS, or RJ usually lives? I have a rough idea of the missions of these jets, but not the crew lifestyle. Long deployments, amount of flight time compared to the KC's or C-type jets? I searched, but didn't find much to answer my question. [ 31. August 2006, 17:23: Message edited by: robot_chicken ]

https://www.foxnews.c...test=latestnews Him, Him

Twenty-five years ago today, I found myself in the Saudi Arabian desert near the Iraqi border with NVG's on watching a steady stream of traffic headed northbound and downtown. It was a very impressive sight. I mentioned this in the office today and guys were amazed that it was 25 years ago. Of course some said they were in grade school then so I gave them a quick history lesson.

I've heard a lot about work days typically running to the 12-hour mark. That's all well and good, but when do you AD guys find time to go to the gym?! I'm not even commissioned yet and I find it a struggle to fit in an 8-hour work day, all of my daily responsibilities AND an hour or two at the gym. When do you guys work out? (And if this has been answered before, searching the forum didn't reveal a single post that contained the word "gym.")

FG, Wanted to take moment to formally recognize you and say thanks for your participation and input on this forum. Unfortunately, this forum highlights the often negative relationship between Ops and Support. You are definitely in the business of taking care of folks as demonstrated by the number and depth of questions you answer. How in the world you found your way to a forum full of prima dona aviators is a mystery, the fact that you stayed and have contributed and helped so many people is a testament to the type of professional you are. On behalf of all the folks you have helped on this board, thanks! CH

https://www.tehachapinews.com/news/edwards-air-force-base-pilot-dies-in-san-antonio-crash/article_bd4f2c2c-e423-11e6-aad2-0bf8c6e8a090.html To SWAB

Thankfully the pilot is fine. standby for a safety down day? “ A U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper assigned to the 49th Wing crashed during landing at Holloman AFB at approximately 1800 MDT today. The sole pilot on board successfully ejected and is currently being treated for minor injuries. Emergency responders are on scene; additional details will be released as they become available.”

I know the F-16 does and most heavies I have flown on.....but what other fighters have air conditioning. Does the herky bird have it? How bout the hog?

Air Force to Field Autonomous Cessna Caravan Supposedly the system will eventually be airframe agnostic. Guess those side jobs flying Caravans for FEDEX to the Carribean days are numbered.

Just taking a shot in the dark to see if anyone else has done this. I'm getting ready to load up PFPS on my intel-based macbook and was wondering if anyone knew of issues, drivers, etc. that I might run into. Also, if anyone has used Parallels vs. Boot Camp and can make a recommendation as to which would be better for this purpose, that would be helpful. JSM edit: Realizing that this will apply to a very small group of people, witty and sarcastic responses are welcome

SEAL charged with killing an insurgent that was being treated medically, steroid use, obstruction of justice. https://taskandpurpose.com/navy-seal-war-crimes-charge-sheet/ Two SEALs and two MARSOC Marines charged with killing a Green Beret, obstruction of justice, hazing, and burglary. https://taskandpurpose.com/charge-sheets-seals-raiders-green-beret/

Since there are a lot of flyers on this board, and a lot of good stories out there that need to be told, anyone have any good stories of being recognized in public/community? Also, any good stories on when you were the most proud of yourself for being a military pilot? I'm just wondering how it is being a military pilot in the public/community view and what it's like behind closed doors with yourself and family. I’d like to hear some of the joys and satisfaction of being a pilot outside of the cockpit.

The usual knee-jerk reaction… Based on the above guidance, caffeine and laxatives are illegal as well! However, Red Bull and Monster Energy drinks are still OK… Cheers! M2

Hello Everyone! The Warfighter's Edge (WEdge) Team at USAFA has taken ownership of Mark Jacobson's Google Earth Pilot software. . . it's now called the WEdge Viewer and the BETA is available to you. Just send me an email. . .Email me Check out our website at www.wedge.hpc.mil. We've got a slew of certified and accredited software applications built by Warfighters for Warfighters. We've already made many enhancements to Mark's original software. By end of CY 2010, we hope to release an upgraded version of the WEdge Viewer that increases DAFIF rendering times tenfold (through the use of a spatially enabled database). The software is GOTS (government-off-the-shelf) …

Anybody else have their Services Squadron merging with the Mission Support Squadron into "Force Support Squadron" "The new squadron will have five flights: Force Development, Manpower and Personnel, Airmen and Family Services, Sustainment Services and Community Services." Great, so now we can have the limited hours of the MSS combined with the daily e-mail spam of the Services squadron. It's the best of both worlds!