General Discussion

Hi all. It has been a while since my last post of photographs and following a chat with Chris last night he was happy for me to share a few more images taken this year. 19 Squadron at RAF Valley, UK, were the first squadron to be equipped with the Spitfire for the Battle of Britain in 1938 and this year was the 70th aniversary of that historic event. After several months of negotiations with sponsors the squadron and I managed to get this Hawk painted in the original paint scheme of the Spitfire. I was fortunate to fly in formation with the Hawk and the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire a…

Heard about this through the grapevine, but didn't find anything about it on this forum. Looks like a FAC-A, but with a wescam MX-15Di FMV camera, similar to the MC-12. Anyone know more about this? https://www.airforce-technology.com/project...b-light-attack/

I think my squadron has an archaic way of tracking currencies. How does your Sqdrn track semi-currencies and the metrics associated with them? First aircrew fill out a GMAR or Flying MAR. Then our HARM puts everything into an excel spreadsheet, then in Training we MANUALLY transfer that info over to another Excel spreadsheet which we give to our schedulers. They in turn schedule people based on "beans" left. Weekly the Training Shop computes metrics from the currencies and briefs them in the Squadron meeting. And finally every other month we conduct a Training Review Board. I believe nearly all of the metrics the Training Shop produce can be automated through Ex…

What kind of pilots usually get to have their name printed on the side of the aircraft they fly ? I've noticed this on mostly fighter jets, and helicopter gunships, but do airlift pilots (c-17,etc) get to do that as well ? I've also seen names on trainer aircraft,like the T-6 Texan II--is it the name of the pilot that is being trained with that particular aircraft, or the name of the instructor ?

Would anyone know if the US Air Force ever adopted the "Hap Arnold" style service coat ?

So I was filling out my ADP today and low and behold there is a new (at least to me) AFSC for 11's.. DAFSC/Duty Type11SM--Spec Ops Plt/Air Commando (FID, LVA, Data Masked) This is in /addition/ to the 11XX - Spec Ops Plt / NSA (non standard aircraft) pilot So does anyone have any idea what this is all about?

An interesting read... talk about a PAR https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27600521

https://www.livescience.com/technology/0811...ghter-jets.html

NOTE: Search performed on the topic - Nothing Found - Please attach this to another rant or something if I somehow missed it, please. Am I alone in my frustration and down-right ANGER regarding people that don't stand up, nor place their hands over their heart while the National Anthem is played / sung at sporting events (or other locations, for that mattter)!? Look, I'm no old-head... I'm a young buck Captain that's only been wearing our nation's uniform for 9 years... but this is something that's bothered me since I was a ROTC Cadidiot. I had the privilege to serve on the Color Guard and present The Colors at many sporting events. I was amazed, shocked, and in awe…

I have a two-part question for you all: 1. I have heard on the enlisted side that there's an assignment swap program where you can swap assignments with another airman and you just have to pay for your moving expenses out of pocket. Does such a program exist on the officer side as well? Who would be the POC? 2. I have also heard that you can request a remote assignment to improve your chances of getting an assignment that's higher up on your dream sheet. How long do you have to remain at your current assignment before you can go remote? What are the remote locations? How long do you remain remote? I had heard roughly 18 months.

I have to give a briefing about active duty at LLAB but the problem is I am still a cadet and know very little. Listed below are some questions that I have received from cadets around my detachment. I was wondering if anyone could help answer some of these. Any information is appreciated and beneficial. Thanks. 1. What are steps that we should be taking now in order to prepare for our transition into the Air Force after graduation? 2. Are there any websites or helpful resources that we can use to research bases and other information on our own? 3. Will we receive a mentor/sponsor once on base or are we on our own to figure out what we need to do? 4. When do you rep…

Anyone been through this recently? Stories, advice?

Fellas, Curious if anyone has any info on this assignment. I remember it being a choice on the dream sheet at Corpus, but don't know much else. I desperately want to get to Alaska, and with the AD Herk's gone...it might be my only choice. Not to mention it was a blast to fly the C-12 at Corpus Thanks in advance for the help

We are in the process of expanding HeliTac and wanted to make an invitation to all members of the forum. We are expanding our writing ranks and would like to invite those of you who feel you can put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to join our editorial team. You dont have to be a Stephen King but as long as you can put all the information down, then we have a great team of sub editors who can knock it into shape. We are open to suggestions on topics and ideas so drop me an email with your suggestions. Maybe its something other military helo aviators can learn from or you want to write about some technical subject, the options are open. We are happy for you to…

https://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/1...bomb.truck.kvbc Bombs away...

Anybody know why they call it a Pave hawk? Is the pave short for pavement? For example, the Navy uses Sea hawks...becuase they are on the sea. And the Air Force likes to pave 18,000ft runways? Anybody.

From Inside Defense: Discuss. Edited to title correctly.

Not a huge fan of NPR, but I thought this was a nice article about the venerable 135. It was a nice airplane to fly. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...toryId=95484569

What would you say the feasibility would be of starting and running a business while on AD? Do you think I would have adequate free time? ...should I wait until i'm 32 and in the reserves/guard to start a business?

So the traditional Co-"Pirate" has an 11M2B DAFSC...but now the LR Schoolhouse is saying that all MPD PIQ grads, whether C-130J or not, are 11M3B. My C-130 PIQ training report says DAFSC = 11M3B. Anyone know of the reg covering this? My MPF classifications section is clueless and my squadron believes PIQ grad's are still 11M2B. I've checked 11-2C-130V1, the PIQ C-130E syllabus, and the Officer Classifications pub w/o success. I need a reg reference to straighten this out. Thx in advance, Swizz

I heard a rumor the other day that the AF is looking at hiring prior active duty pilots back on to active duty. Apparently mother AF has paid too many dudes to get out and is now a ton of pilots short (1k). Any other rumors out there? If so...what are your options (UAV, UAV, or UAV). I know they have done it in the past (2003)....even gave guys the bonus to come back in. Some of them got pretty sweet assignments. Could get intresting. Anyone in the know?

My jaw is on the floor. These are crazy. Anyone know the artist by chance? I want some prints! I mean seriously...damn! I just can't find a signature or any background on the pictures.

Maybe now they'll quit bugging us for pics of the inside of one of them... Cheers! M2

Story from California newspaper