General Discussion

Going to be leaving AETC and going to the real operational Air Force this year, and was wondering how difficult it is to take leave with constant missions. Especially in AMC where crews seem to be gone more than they're home. How difficult is it to grab a couple days of leave? A whole week? Does it routinely get canceled last minute for a mission? What if it's something I can forecast months in advance, does that help? Are any bases/MAJCOMs/airframes notoriously good or bad for this? Things like a wedding/honeymoon are on the horizon for me, and just looking for general info. Thanks in advance.

As the title suggests, I’m curious how much the Sq/CCs in the various communities fly? In my part of the world, they don’t seem to fly that often. I’m wondering if it’s similar elsewhere or if they all tend to minimally fly?

I guess since I let the cat slip out of the bag in the VA Loans post, y’all are due for an update. For those who care read on... For those of you who don’t know my story, the short version is came back from a deployment to find out my wife of over 10 years and high school sweetheart had been cheating on me. Once she got caught in the 2nd affair (I know now that there were more than just the two I caught her in) she filed for divorce but let me take the kids and move out of state. I swore then that I would never get married ever again. I did the single parent thing for a while and then randomly her and the boyfriend decide they are going to move to the city I and the k…

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/myanmar-coup-united-nations-biden-china-russia/ They need help and it's up to us provide it. Bangkok would be the logical place to stage out of. Patpong road is open for business. Would be nice to have a little war in a place that doesn't suck.

Hey all, I am early in my first assignment and have begun looking at (online) masters programs to start. I have an undergrad in aero engineering and wanting to improve my application to TPS/U2/B2 programs down the road. After reading AFI99-107 and talking to others, it seems that a technical masters is desired for having a shot at the TPS board. My question is there any specific masters or schools that would stand out? I am leaning towards Embry Riddle's MS Aero program but curious on other degrees such as MS Flight Test Engineering, etc... Also planning on tuition assistance to help max extent possible. And I will take any gouge on recent TPS boards, haven't seen any rec…

(Probably more of a vent than looking for solid advice from the green screen) So here I sit into my 21st year of service without any ADSCs, a position i was planning to retire from prior to COVID. Now i have been given an unexpected opportunity to attend ASAM for IDE in my third look. So now I’m super torn. On one hand, I know it comes with basically comes with a service commitment to 2025, 1-2 years of staff and 3 PCSs within 3 years. It also would give me a Masters in Operational Mgmt. It’s something I always wanted in life, to make Lt Col and hopefully become a commander. It also provides a ton of long term financial stability for my family. On the other hand th…

I've been browsing these forums for a few years now and I've seen several pilots talking about the "military way of flying". I've seen posts about how people with a lot of civilian aviation time can potentially be at a disadvantage because the "military way of flying" is very different. I've seen other posts of young guys heading to UPT without any flight time asking whether they should go out and get some hours and being told not to because they will be taught the "military way of flying" and not get mixed up with civilian training. I've been recently hired and still working on getting through MEPS. I have about 150 hours TT and working on getting my instrument rating. I…

Other threads have touched on the actions of Facebook, Twitter and other big tech and social media companies as a result of their actions during the election. We have also talked about the pros and cons of eliminating the protections they enjoy from section 230. Twitter suspended a major news organization (NY Post), because they didn't like the Hunter Biden story and labeled it "fake news" when parts have now been proven to be true. Twitter and Facebook have also killed President Trumps accounts. Now Facebook is in a war with an actual country as the battle for control heats up. Facebook Unfriends Australia Interested in the thoughts of others.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/02/18/air-force-t-38-trainer-jet-suffers-landing-gear-mishap-no-injuries-reported.html 18 Feb 2021 Military.com | By Oriana Pawlyk A U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon trainer jet out of Beale Air Force Base, California, experienced a landing gear mishap when touching down at Sacramento's Mather Airport, the service said Thursday. The two pilots aboard sustained no injuries during the accident, base officials said in a release. The aircraft, which took off from Beale for routine training, belongs to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, the release adds. The twin-engine jet came down at the airport with…

I was just tagged (phone call) for a 179 stateside COVID vax distribution deployment. I was in the process of working a different 179 or 365 PCS. Would the 365 trump the 179 tasking? Im an 11M TIA

CBus T-38 crash—2 fatalities. Damn—RIP. https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2021/02/19/columbus-t-38-jet-crashes-montgomery-killing-two/4516708001/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/02/22/no-more-nannies-the-chinese-air-force-is-finally-training-its-fighter-pilots-to-match-the-americans/ As China works to reduce a key US air power advantage by providing pilots better training and more decentralized control, the USAF works in the opposite direction by reducing requirements to graduate training, slowly eroding the era of presumed US air dominance.

https://www.airforcemag.com/usaf-considering-pilot-school-changes-to-curb-flight-accidents/ I hope it's not just lip service. I went through in '16 and was directly affected by numerous issues to include: break in orders in the middle of UPT (which led to pulling me off the flying schedule, baby kicked out of daycare, wife CAC card no longer working and stuck off base, etc), as well as 8 month break between wings and B-course (during which time I pursued my civilian CFI rating just to keep my hands warm), multiple 40+ day breaks in training at FTU (several of my peers experienced the same or worse) and other issues. Reality is you suck it up and press but big blue sh…

Hey guys if you get the chance let's try to save a piece of aviation history. This is for the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum out of San Diego: https://chng.it/TBDPBZQNcc https://flyingleathernecks.org/ Edit: Sorry posted earlier in wrong thread Sent from my SM-G973U using Baseops Network mobile app

Extremism 'Has Reared Its Head' in Air Force Special Operations, General Says I am a few years removed from service but in my 26 years I never encountered a single case. Obviously this type of thinking has no business in the military, just wondering if anyone has actually seen anything like this or is it yet another over-reaction witch hunt?

Good afternoon, anyone have a good ADSC waiver template for retirement? I submitted my application in myPers but the request was returned because I didn’t provide justification in a separate MFR. however the Retirement PSD clearly states separate memorandum OR add justification in the comments section. Anyone else run into this problem? TIA

I've never been. If you have experience recently there, any advice on getting there? - TPA and MCO are the best bet for flying in commercial? I found a hotel about 4 miles from the airport. Better suggestions? Anything else of note?

'We're going to lose fast': U.S. Air Force held a war game that started with a Chinese biological attack Meanwhile, a leading Chinese think tank recently described tensions in U.S.-China relations as the worst since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, and it advised Communist Party leaders to prepare for war with the United States.

Is the exchange policy still in affect in the first half of SUPT? I imagine Pensacola is somewhat better than Del Rio, Columbus or even Vance.

From the early 1960s to the early 1990s, AF UPT consisted of a 1 track system of T-37/T-38. Helo only training from 1971 to the early 1990s. In the 1980s the military was focus on Jointness between the services. The AF decided on the Naval track system in which you could have exchange student pilots in the early 1990s. I was informed the days of the exchange program for flight students is in the history books. That being the case, should the AF return to the 1 track system regardless of EXPENSE in the T-6A/T-38C or future T-6A/T-7A? What is your opinion?

Greetings, I'll start with a disclaimer: I feel absolutely blessed to have the opportunity to fly with the Air Force, every unit is different, and I want to fly as much as possible with my unit for the next few years. Question for the Reserve guys who have been around and have some experience with TDARTs vs ARTs vs TRs. I'm coming up on PIQ and will then go on to fly Hercs, and not sure if I should sign up for the TDART program or not. I really like the flexibility of orders (and money) as well as the retirement points. Am I wrong in assuming that TDARTs get limited retirement points similar to ARTs? I will also have my ATP coming out of PIQ so I could potenti…

So I’ve been debating with a buddy about this theory.... I am weary as to whether the US government will be able to pay the military retirement in the next 30-40 years. My concerns are led by the fact our debt is growing drastically and we continue to pass bills which we can’t pay. Numbers Govt tax revenue / spending 2021-3.86T / 4.83T (not counting the two multiple trillion dollar bills) 2020-3.71T / 6.16T 2019-3.46T / 4.448T 2018-3.33T / 4.09T We keep printing money and spending out of control. At what point do we start cutting spending in some way or form and what takes the hit? He thinks I’m overly paranoid about not having a future income or it being worthless. …

MPF at my duty location won't pick up any of their phones. MPF here at my TDY location basically said I'm not their problem. So I'm just looking for general guidance/advice as I rethink my life plans. I got the call from my CC yesterday saying I won't be making Major. I didn't get a DUI or harass anyone or get any other type of paperwork. Just didn't make the cut. it happens. Any input on the following questions would be greatly appreciated: 1. Is there any point in requesting a records review? 2. If passed over twice, will I still have to fulfill my ADSC or will my Date of Separation be set to 6 months after the second board passes on me? 3. Will I b…

Does anyone have any new info on when they expect to retire the T-1? Most recent article I found said 2023-2025, but I’m wondering if anyone in AETC land has better gouge. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm in the middle of UPT at Vance just barely keeping my head above water. Hate pulling Gs with a passion. Wondering if anyone here can speak to the C-146 or any other AFSOC MWS; things you didn't know going in that you wish you did etc. I got to talk to a crew who stopped through Vance a while ago. Really cool guys and very appealing mission.