General Discussion

I was wondering how most units assign STATESIDE callsign numbers, i.e., Speedo 60, Pogo 21. Do most folks get a choice in the matter or are they just assigned one? If you get a choice, are there any cool stories associated with how people chose their numbers? And if there are any OPSEC issues with this tread, please delete is ASAP.

I know that a PPL is not necessary, but most people say that it is very beneficial to increasing your chances of getting a pilot's slot in the Air Force. I am thinking about taking the Air Force ROTC route and attempting to get a slot that way. Has anybody else here got their PPL before trying to get a pilot's slot? If so, how much did it help you? Is a PPL enough, or should a person also get an Instrument rating (which usually takes longer than getting a PPL and is very expensive)? I have talked to many people involved in Air Force ROTC and they say that the major you take is not a force at all, just as long as you get a bachelors and a good grade. Considering thi…

I was a little off on my prediction on how long they would be held before they were swapped back. I said a month. It looks like it will be less than two weeks. A Russian named Igor Sutyagin is coming over to the US, and part of his trouble was in co-writing a book I bought on Russian strategic nuclear forces. It's a very interesting read if you can get through 700+ pages of technical writing.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/05/nasa-chief-frontier-better-relations-muslims/ NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a recent interview that his "foremost" mission as the head of America's space exploration agency is to improve relations with the Muslim world. Though international diplomacy would seem well outside NASA's orbit, Bolden said in an interview with Al Jazeera that strengthening those ties was among the top tasks President Obama assigned him. He said better interaction with the Muslim world would ultimately advance space travel. "When I became the NASA administrator -- or before I became the NASA administrator -- he charged me with thr…

Hey there folks, I am one of the earliest members of BaseOps, I think I was member number like 70 something back in 2002 , when we had the old format, hoping to find some of old friends like MajorM2, Bishop, etc... Got deployed, got into flight school etc, I lost touch with most and now realized my account got deleted due to inactivity ... So drop me a note if you remember me, I am going to try to be more active here now that I am an officer too :) Happy 4th of July...

Article Here's how the USAF could make this a not-shitty 365 for Viper IPs: put a CAFTT det in Dohuk, supply a nice apartment, and a car. Send no support personnel over the rank of E-6. Make the detco an O-4. I guarantee there would be volunteers.

Hey all, I was wondering what you guys thought some pros and cons of being in an Airlift Squadron opposed to an Air Refueling Squadron were. I am looking towards that division of the air force, but I dont exactly know which one to pick

I’m pretty clueless when it comes to stuff like retirement, investing, and so on. But I’m starting to get concerned and want to make sure I’m going to be okay at retirement. I want to start to learn this stuff so can anyone recommend an on-base service that might help me with this? Would USAA be a good source to get info? I have a brother in law who was in the Army and is now a banker so he can probably help me decipher the specifics of programs but he will probably first ask me what programs are available (if any). I’m just looking for something stable and relatively low risk to start putting money away for the golden years. I have no idea yet if I will be in f…

Disclaimer: Like a good forum goer, I used the search function, with not good results. Anyone got any good info on what to expect at AATTC (?Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center?) at St. Joe? Thanks. FourFans [ 30. March 2006, 09:08: Message edited by: FourFans130 ]

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

MOH PSA Just wow.. (watch the long version - it's just a couple of minutes)

Greets all, Standard disclaimer--long time listener, first time caller... For anyone who is familiar with the rescue of Marcus Luttrell in July 2005 as part of Operation Redwings, there is a foundation that he is helping to launch next weekend that will provide a rehabilitation, rest, recovery, and reintegration facility in Texas for wounded and returning warriors-- Lone Survivor Foundation and the Lone Survivor Ranch. My involvement with that mission 5 years ago started by flying Hogs as one of two Sandy Ones that we had deployed with the 74th EFS. There's stories aplenty in that vein, but that's not the point of this post. In looking for more info about the miss…

Air Force Reserve to form F-15E associate detachment I'm sure this is old news for the Mudhen guys, but it seems like a good deal to me.

Just got handed a MC-130W nav/fco position. Been awhile since I been through Little Rock. What is the pipeline training for the W? 1 Month at the rock? Or do I do the full 5 months there? Then to Kirtland? Or.....?

Linkage A cut/paste from the article that concerns me: This struck me as pretty bad. How many people have had their boss tell them "if you can't get a ride or your plan falls through, call me and there will be no questions asked"? Granted calling the boss isn't exactly plan A, but the option DOES exist, and I DO know dudes who have called leadership because they were in a bad spot and out of options. The fact that this is being used to bury this guy seems like a dangerous precedent. Granted there is plenty of other stuff that seems to be going on here, but that one particular incident was highlighted. I know some of you guys are in leadership positions, an…

Anyone know how behind the 62nd is at LR? When I went for PIQ I graduated 2.5 months late due to those shitty E models. I may be heading that way for the full MPD PCO checkout. Any updates would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone know a good link to find historical TAF/METAR reports for a location from less than a year ago? Also, looking for a link that would show a historical radar picture. Thanks

Haven't heard anything defenitive yet...stand by.

Fatal Shooting outside MacDill AFB Highlights -

Picture and article at: Link

Apparently USAA needs our help. This seems like it could be very gay. New Legislation

I really didn't want a PhD in CBRNE, so does anyone have any decent gouge? That or if there is a "blank" certificate running around, or someone good with photoshop...beers on me.

Gentlemen (and Ladies) I am about to select a subject for my dissertation for my English Language and Linguistics degree, and am considering a linguistic analysis of spoken discourse in Aviation English (i.e. the words and phrases that are used everyday on the radios). At the moment, I am trying to establish whether or not there are areas that I could look more closely at with a view to researching them in detail. If I get lots of shoulder shrugs to these ideas, I'll have to start again! I wondered if anyone had any observations they could share about problems, issues or general observations related to following: The choice of words used to communicate certain…

Hello everyone! Does anyone have any experience or know someone with experience with crosstraining from a loadmaster to a pilot or navigator? I am pretty sure I am about to take a loadmaster position with the 136th Airlift Unit in Fort Worth, but at the same time not losing my dream of becoming a pilot or navigator. Thanks for your insight and opinions! Justin

Does anyone foresee a replacement for the C-21 in the next 5 to 6 years ?