General Discussion

I found an interesting article that shows the poor funding US has ran into for the fundings of the F-35 and F-22. It touches on how the F-16 and F-15's are in some situations not usable for battle and more than the "ok" amount would be lost. I find it interesting how it talks about we will fall below the estimated "safe" amount of fighter jets to have on hand around 2013. It also touches on how are goal of over 200 F-22's a year was cut short by the Bush administration because of the wars in the middle east. Idk... just check it out. Post your opinion. I'm interested on some outside opinions rather then of those in the article. https://www.airforce-magazine.com…

How cool is it that the very first jet there was also the same jet to fly the fini-flight? For once the AF gets it right!

I'm interested in knowing how many of you out there run a side business while being a Mil member whether it as small as rental property to something much more extensive like a franchise. My plan is to buy houses and rent them out while on active duty and with the wife's help maybe something more. So those of you who are on active duty, Guard or Reserves please chime in and share your experience with us.

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Just a curiosity item - I know it's been discussed before, but we were told a few weeks ago that the CAF has basically had its fighter pipeline shutdown. Story is that the 16 schoolhouse has a minimum 12-13 month wait for the forseeable future. Does anyone else have the latest word on A-10s, 15Cs, etc? I know a few 10s dropped across the bases last time around and I've been told that there are about 30 dudes chilling at Tyndall as we speak still waiting to start Eagle RTU. A few of us were just wondering if we should just expect more of the same out of 38s in the next few months as we've been seeing.

https://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123091878 Glad the pilot is ok. That poor poor GAU-8. =( but does anyone else see the humor in this picture? https://www.edwards.af.mil/shared/media/pho...F-3817W-002.jpg

The GAO report (https://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08388.pdf) on the F-35 program that came out this month is hitting more headlines as people start doing some simple math. $300 billion (The GAO total cost figure that they think is more realistic) divided by the expected total buy of 2,458 aircraft comes out to around $122 million per copy. A Defense Acquisition Board meets today to give it the go ahead for low rate initial production 2. Should we be surprised if they give a pause until the program office recalculates its projected cost with more up to date and realistic numbers like the GAO report recommends? And would the following affect their decision? - Cost p…

Does anyone know the method behind the number designations of air forces, wings, groups, etc? There have been wing, such as the 3800th Air Base Wing, that have very large number designations. Where the heck do they come from?

Kinda a new view of the tragedy Here it is

It is with great sadness to tell you that we have lost a Special Tactics Warrior deployed from 21 STS yesterday in Afghanistan. TSgt William Jefferson (WJ) was killed when the vehicle in which he was riding was struck by an IED. TSgt Jefferson is survived by his wife Kristy and daughter, Tyler. I ask you to join all of us here at Hurlburt and our deployed locations as we come together to provide support and love for the families, friends and teammates of our fallen warrior. Will was a great CCT and true Patriot. Blue Skies.....

https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123090557 Way to go, big blue.... More change, just for the sake of change. I wonder how much the total cost will be to ditch all of the existing "CENTAF" patches and produce the new "AFCENT" patch. At least all the shoe clerks will have another uniform discrepancy to gripe about as you come into the chow hall with the "old" patch.

All-female -135 crew Sounds like 4 empty kitchens to me! Kidding, of course. Seriously though, Saudi controllers treat everyone that way...not just because you are a female.

I was wondering if Al Dhafra had internet available, either wireless or land line. I heard rumor that they were installing wireless but have nevere gotten this rumor confirmed or denied. Someone who has been recently please let me know. Just wondering if I'll be able to talk to my wife using Skype or if will be emails only. Thanks.

Saw this for sale on eBay............... https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-T-43-7...tem170201044910

While I certainly agree that OPSEC is tremendously important, the MilitaryTimes article cited as reference seems to indicate that LtCol Shower did nothing wrong. Further, take a look at the (very long) reply to the original article here: Defense for Dozer You have to scroll down past the original article. To add one further....we received a 2nd briefing today at work that seems to back up some of the comments in the article. Namely, that the briefing wasn't a multi-agency investigation, as the shield emblems on the front of the brief suggest, and that OSI might have violated a number of their own rules in releasing a brief that publicly identified an active …

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

F-16 Crashed this afternoon at Luke. I don't have a link handy, nor should I really throw any details up here ... so check the internets for details.

Interesting link: https://www.otbeach.com/news/airlines-and-a...world--418.html

Any of my fellow FAIPs here can assure you: Becoming a FAIP means a few extra kicks to the gonads. It's a fact of life. "Ah...2Lt Xxxxxx...you're going to need another 'fuge ride before you can become a T-3X IP...since you're not a MWS guy..." "Ah...2Lt Xxxxxx...we don't have any SERE slots available right now...so you'll have to wait until one opens up..." "Ah...1Lt Xxxxxx...still no SERE slots available in the near future...so maybe you'll just have to go at the completion of your FAIP tour." "Ah...Capt Xxxxxx...we finally have a SERE slot for you! Aren't you happy now?" "Ah...Capt Xxxxxx...are you ready for your THIRD 'fuge ride? This one will be fun…

From AFA... I love the linked article, especially the comment "Crew members forced to evacuate in-flight aircraft with parachutes, for example, have much gentler impacts with the ground than those without chutes." Real funny. I know the Stratotanker has an excellent safety record, and the odds of actually getting out with a chute on are slim; but I would be curious as to what "real" crews thought and not the brainwashed gerbils that AF/PA gets to quote in their reports? Cheers! M2

Hey all: Leaving for 1 year remote in Korea soon. Any advice on what to send over early with the movers?

Considering putting the UK on the dreamsheet out of the FTU, and I'm having a difficult time finding the regs for importing a vehicle. I've found the UK customs website, but it's going to take some time to decipher that document. Does anybody have some good techniques or gouge for bringing in a newer vehicle? It's an 07 Tacoma if it matters. Cheers

I have a specific question about the AF Tuition Assistance. I'm on a long casual stint, and I've started working on my master's. I was told at the education office that TA only covers TUITION, and that no fees whatsoever are paid for. When you fill out the online application, it even asks for REQUIRED fees and says they will be paid. I tried to input my required fees and the education counselor made me remove them before she would approve my TA request. I'm only taking one class and the fees are like $600 (TA only paid the $276 tuition), and I can't use MGIB since I haven't been in for 2 years yet. Every reference I can find about TA online says that it pays requi…

So the other day I was talking to this guy, he's one of those guys who reads wikipedia in his basement all day, and he said that the importance of air power is a myth. I completely disagreed with him, but due to my lacking knowledge of war in terms of air power, I couldn't really give him any concrete evidence against his view. This is the link to the thread where he's arguing with some people about it. I was just wondering if anyone has anything to throw into the discussion. *Edit* His name on that forum is uebernerd.

Hey guys, Just want to get your opinion on an ART job that was offered to me recently. I'm a 1LT 30 years old. I guess I'm trying to decide whether it is best to run with the offer or remain a trougher. If I remain a trougher I would probably shoot for building airline time. However, with the ART job it seems as if it's more of an AF reserve career move. I've never been dead set for the airlines (especially now with the low hiring rate and the potential for no retirement or guaranteed salary). My goal was to fly for the Air Force the airlines are only interesting for the seemingly easy job it is and the money. I'm looking for advice from airline guys and fro…