General Discussion

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…

Just out on Fox. More info coming.

I've heard from various people that PT is allowed during duty hours. Does anyone know where this is in writing instead of just "hearing that the CSAF allows me to work out during the day." Thanks.

Word just now flowing on CNN. No details on which base (Eglin or Tyndall).

I am surprised that this hasn't come up on here yet. Kosovo has declared it's freedom from Serbia. Russia has denounced the action and the US is calling for calm in the region and there are still 16,000 peacekeepers in-country. Thoughts? https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330951,00.html Kosovo Declares Independence From Serbia Sunday , February 17, 2008 ADVERTISEMENT PRISTINA, Serbia — Revelers fired guns into the air and fireworks lit up the skies over Kosovo on Sunday after parliament proclaimed independence, defying Serbia and Russia with a historic declaration as the world's newest nation. A decade after a bloody separatist war with Serbian forc…

Here is the question : Two aircraft, one heavier than the other, descending at the same airspeed. Which aircraft will have the greater VVI and why? The question came up today in a conversation with some friends and most agreed the lighter acft would have the greater VVI but couldn't agree on why. Excuse my ignorance on the subject. Thanks in advance for your input

Leadville, Colorado has the highest field elevation in the United States and the third highest in the world. It sits at 9927' MSL. I am thinking of taking an OST (off station trainer) there in mid march. I am curious if anyone here has been to the airfeild. I tried a search but turned up nothing. The webiste for the airport has some interesting info, but I'm looking for firsthand military experience. Thanks!