General Discussion

Just watched the Shuttle Shuttle (NASA911) take off from KSKF on its way to KCBM. This is the first time I've seen it, quite impressive. Here's a pic (not mine) of its approach earlier this morning... And more pics from its blog... It was in El Paso earlier today... Cheers! M2

I saw Hueypilot's post about this in the MC-12 thread, but in the interest of separating the two incidents I'm starting a new thread. Crash: National Air Cargo B744 at Bagram on April 29, 2013, aircraft lost height shortly after takeoff... Godspeed brothers.

Final Report is out: https://afcommission.whs.mil/public/docs/AF%20Report.pdf

A nickel on the grass... F-15C Eagles from the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard from Fresno are participating in Clear Sky 2018. Additionally, a C-130J Super Hercules from the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., has arrived at Vinnytsia AB, Ukraine, to participate in the exercise.

https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/07/us-may-need-nationalize-military-aircraft-industry-usaf-says/166894/ Interesting proposal, or more so, the problem set. The F-15EX was highly argued for on grounds to keep Boeing in the fighter game but what happens if they drop out an LM becomes the only supplier?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17110079 Partial quote: The Nato commander in Afghanistan has apologised over reports foreign troops may have burnt copies of the Koran. Announcing an inquiry, US Gen John R Allen said any "improper disposal" of religious materials was inadvertent. Reports suggest the books were taken from prisoners after the US uncovered a secret Taliban message system. Rumours that a Koran had been burnt led to protests outside the US base at Bagram north of Kabul. One man was hurt when Nato troops fired rubber bullets. President Hamid Karzai condemned the reports that the Koran had been burnt, as did the Taliban who said the incident would…

NATO's Bomb Supply Is Running Short ..."Less than a month into the Libyan conflict, NATO is running short of precision bombs, highlighting the limitations of Britain, France and other European countries in sustaining even a relatively small military action over an extended period of time, according to senior NATO and U.S. officials"... Libya “has not been a very big war. If [the Europeans] would run out of these munitions this early in such a small operation, you have to wonder what kind of war they were planning on fighting,” said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a defense think tank. “Maybe they were just planning on using their air force for air shows.”…

Hey does anyone know if the hours you get as a Nav can be used towards a PPL and other FAA certifications?

What's goin' on guys and gals? I know it's been a while since I've posted but hey, I've been busy! Anywho, if anyone has any questions about the new UNT program (aka CSO training) fire away. I'm a little more than half-way through and if I haven't experienced it yet, I'm sure I know someone who has. ---------- Wxpunk

Anyone in the know on what the difference is between these in terms of aircraft operation? Do panel navs deal directly with the flight of the aircraft while a EWO only deals with jammers and countermeasures and such? Or is it more fluid?

Can anyone shed some light on how much the flying experience of a nav differs from that of a pilot? Will a nav ever experience visual stimulations similar to that of a pilot? Excluding future opportunities outside of the Air Force, if a civilian pilot applying to OTS really wants to fly, will they be disappointed as a nav?

I know that air warriors is supposed to be the forum for naval aviator questions but I could not find anything on this. I was wondering what aircraft the Navy is handing out during track selects, I assume they hand out a lot more helicopters than the AF does? Was curious how many fixed wing, non fighter aircraft that they drop or plan to drop in the next couple of years. I see that there's a big order of P-8A Poseidons for the Navy. Anyway, just weighing my options between the USAF and USN, which one might be better for a pilot slot? Thanks.

Has anyone tried this? Looks to be an Android equivalent of Foreflight. Is it worth a download?

I just submitted my package for the January AD UNT board, and am hoping for a F-15E WSO slot. Currently I'm a maintenance officer, and obviously I get feedback from my supervision on my decision to get a rated slot. They all comment on the fact that it is very difficult to get promoted as a navigator, although WSOs have slightly improved chances. My commander said today that I would make a greater impact on the Air Force as a maintenance officer, than as a WSO (meaning I'd likely be promoted to a higher grade). Luke is pretty much the worst flying base to speak with any navs...so could any of you give me your opinion on the topic...

All, Long time listener, first time caller. I've searched (and searched and searched) through this forum for while, but haven't quite found enough info to solve my little dilemma. I'm in nav training at Randolph, 3 weeks away from a/c drop, #1 in my class, and split 50/50 on B-52's or C-130's, specifically to Ramstein. I think I'd be thrilled with either mission, so "part" of my decision making does come down to what's better for my wife. She loves traveling and all that jazz, still unsettled by the ops tempo of flying, but I imagine every new AF wife is. Specific pros or cons to either assignment would be greatly appreciated. JSM

The services always hold the cards and play them anyway they see fit.

https://weartv.com/news/local/deputies-plane-crashes-near-magnolia-springs-home-catches-fire

Been listening here. At least one parachutist. "Two victims". Hoping for the best. https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/13160 EDIT: Police saying it's an E-2 and the "crew do not want to be treated."

All, I’m an active duty Navy helo dude that has been offered an active duty KC-135 slot. I’m an O-4 and if I switch I will have a 6 year comittment that will put me right over 20 years. What I am looking for is gouge on the tanker/KC-135 mission, deployments, homeguard work, family life, preferred duty stations, etc. What are realistic possibilities of keeping flying for those six years? Is it possible in the Air Force to volunteer for a DO job to stay flying or is the DO a screened position? I’ve searched but can’t seem to find any threads newer than a few years old. I’m trying to wrap my head around the Air Force as well as the tanker life…

https://www.switched.com/2010/12/27/navy-pilots-flew-helicopters-into-lake-tahoe-for-facebook-pictur/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYExH8hpgXI&feature=player_embedded

100 T-45 IPs are apparently refusing to fly because of fears over the safety of the jet's OBOGS. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/04/04/navy-instructor-pilots-refusing-to-fly-over-safety-concerns-pences-son-affected.html I am curious to know, is there something about the effects of this OBOGS issue that somehow makes it different to the Raptor's OBOGS issue? While I appreciate that one is a training asset, the other a front-line operational asset, it just strikes me that response from the two communities is startlingly different. In one case, an entire community refuses to fly, prompting a 3-star Admiral to publicly state that there is no policy of 'F…

Hello Everyone! I'm an ex navy pilot in the process of swapping from gold to silver wings. I remember when I graduated from navy SERE, the guy who handed me my graduation certificate told me to place a copy in a safety deposit box. Despite the fact I have all my SERE documentation in order, I was recently told I will have to attend air force SERE and would like to see if anyone has made the gold to silver transition without attending air force SERE. Or, if you haven't made the transition, do you know anyone else I can reach out to for clarification? I'll name my firstborn grandchild in your honor if you can help me get out of this. Thanks everyone!

So I've been seriously considering applying for a pilot/OCS seat within one of the service branches. I've narrowed it down between the Navy, Air Force , or maybe even the air national guard. I'm currently leaning navy but having second thoughts because I've heard that don't do too much flying. Can anybody attest to this? Any advice or how to choose between these three branches?

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.

Hello, I fly a jet equipped with an ejection seat. During a deployment, I started developing neck, back, and hamstring pain. I notified my flight doc and she attributed my pain to muscle soreness and suggested I wait to see if it heals on its own. Two months later, I woke up with excruciating pain. MRI results concluded that a cervical disc tore and my nerves are being “severely” pinched (annular tear, spinal stenosis, cervical radiculopathy are the medical terms). My lumbar spine has the same condition at a “moderate” level (which explains the hamstring pain). In addition, my pectoral and tricep muscles are not responding and are atrophying. The flight doc suggested…