General Discussion

Just thought I'd remind everyone that the new BAH rates came out today. Got a nice increase (almost $300) for my duty zip code duty station. Here's the direct link to the calculator. https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm

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RR won the contract over GE and PW. With the engine and some other upgrades, sounds like the old gal will get a new designation to B-52J and fly well into 2050s. Would be cool if it made it to 2061 to make it 100 years on some of those models. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42517/rolls-royce-will-provide-long-awaited-new-jet-engines-for-the-b-52-bomber-fleet

Linky

https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123011984 This is the first chain of command of this position since I've commissioned. Anyone care to discuss if they ever saw any significant changes after the position changed from one person to another in the past? I know that he is the President's top military advisor, and commands no troops, but I was wondering if things could change a whole lot, and if so, how quickly they could take effect. Just some food for thought (Better than flaming each other and listening to the trolls from the "other" side b*tch & moan about their forum closing) [ 01. October 2005, 10:59: Message edited by: PhlashNU04 ]

Looks like the new dorms at the Deid are open https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/379thAirExpeditionaryWing/News/Display/tabid/298/Article/583408/bpc-phase-ii-dorm-facilities-open.aspx Only took like 3 years, so does this mean the CC is closed, or are they still going to use them for tanker dudes? Anyone there with insight?

If it's a repost feel free to delete, but saw this on AF news and figured it deserved it's own topic. Source Twice-a-year PT tests will start in January Guess we'll all be having fun busting our a$$ twice per year now. Plus, couldn't they have called the new assessment guys something other than FACs??

I haven't seen this posted yet. It looks like the AF might be getting some new choppers. https://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/c...;modele=release

11/7/2005 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- TH-1H Huey II is the latest aircraft to join the Air Force inventory. It will serve as the undergraduate pilot training platform. This new helicopter is in position near the west control tower here for the base open house event Nov 5 and 6. Some major exterior differences from its predecessors are an enlarged nose, wider main rotor blades and the tail rotor is now on the starboard side for better performance. Inside it has undergone an extensive refurbishment including upgraded components and a new avionics suite with a glass cockpit. Current plans call for 24 of these former Army UH-1H helicopters to be upgraded. New Hue…

Anyone got eyes on the new JTR? Any big picture changes?

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/new-mexico-dairy-concerned-about-air-force-contamination/1605588769 CE - "It's not our problem." Who hires the people in CE?

Hey All, Just a heads up for everyone here that in September we are launching a brand new military aviation industry publication. Wont give away too much other than to say we will be giving away a bunch of freebie subs to members of BaseOps :D Have attached below the launch issue cover and would welcome your input on what you think we should include in each issue. Remember it covers ALL areas of military aviation from fighters, to maritime, to transport, UAVs etc so feel free to comment away. Thanks for your feedback. Ned

Champ Kind has been lurking the board for more than a decade giving good advice to the young 'uns, so he has been upgraded to moderator.

New Guidance Memorandum for AFI 36-2406. New AF 910, AF 911, and AF 707 (EPR and OPR forms). All available at e-pubs ( https://www.e-publishing.af.mil ). Highlights:

Have uploaded another batch of over 200 photos from the last couple of visits to Afghanistan. They include both action shots as well as images showing the scenery and people of the country. Please stop in and check them out and also pass on the url to those who might be interested in seeing them. URL is https://www.heliopshelitacforums.com/forums...hp?showforum=25 Cheers Ned

Gotta put in the shameless plug... Air Force Times article

Looks like Redux 2.0 to me... From the article: "A cost-saving option might be to offer active-duty troops full retirement benefits only after 30 years’ service with mandatory retirement at 40 years." Right and if the same high year tenure rules apply. A lot less officers and NCOs will be making it to full retirement... Here is how I think this will go... the DOD insitute the change and it will remain in effect for about 8-10 years - then whole "classes"or year groups of officers and NCOs will depart taking their valuable experience wit...h them. As a result, these classes will become so small that once again, the 20 yewar retirement will be reinstated, c…

Last update from Apr 16 said candidate locations would be identified by summer 16.( https://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/719458/af-releases-criteria-for-basing-new-rpa-units.aspx) Does anyone here know anything new or is it still shutup and color? With the first few batches of 18xers ready to punch soon I thought maybe there would be good sourced rumors as to what to expect.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/articles/trump-secaf-heather-wilson-nominated President Trump intends to nominate Heather Wilson, a former New Mexico representative and a graduate of the Air Force Academy, to be the next Air Force secretary. Wilson is now president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota, a position she has held since 2013. "Heather Wilson is going to make an outstanding secretary of the Air Force," Trump said in a statement Monday announcing his planned nomination. "Her distinguished military service, high level of knowledge, and success in so many different fields gives me great confidence that she will le…

Virtual Town Hall today w/ new SECAF. This ought to be interesting. Let's hope there is enough bandwith to accomodate everyone. https://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/467898/afs-top-leader-to-host-online-town-hall.aspx WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force’s newest and most senior leader will hold a service-wide, online town hall meeting Jan. 9 at 3:30 p.m. EST, addressing issues relevant to today’s Airmen. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James will answer questions from Airmen at the Pentagon, and also speak to her goals and priorities as the service’s 23rd secretary. Viewers can live stream the town hall at www.af.mil/live.aspx, and a…

Can't believe this hasn't been posted yet. www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/22/eric-fanning-air-force-secretary_n_3483390.html Opinions?

Anyone else a little worried that a former Boeing exec has been nominated to be the SecDef? Beware the military-industrial complex! Trump Nominated Shanahan

Has anyone finished the new SOS i-c? Everyone in my unit finished the old easy version years ago or hasn't even looked into starting it. How quickly can you finish it if you put a lot of focus on it?

USAF (# 15/17) is better than TSA (DHS # 17/17)...barely... https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/overall/large It's science...must be true, and it's a strat!!!...the USAF understands those. This one is bottom third, aka monitor for Command!! https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/detail/AF00

My squadron CC had his class picture at PIT in front of the new grey and black schemed plane. The final shade of grey will be similar to the light grey on the T-38's and it will have black on top of the cowling (like it does now) and on the leading edges of the wings. It looks pretty cool. He said AETC is still deciding the final shade but it should be approved and on the T-6's in the next year.