General Discussion

U.S. Coast Guard Grounds Fleet of C-27J Aircraft The Coast Guard guys and girls get little press but this is a bit concerning. "The Alert Service Bulletin issued by Leonardo calls for inspections looking for cracks in the area where the horizontal and vertical stabilizers attach to the aircraft’s fuselage."

Anyone have any information on the new AF helicopter only training program? Are they scheduled to use the Bell 505 in replacing the TH-1H now being used? How long is the new course? Is the obligation still 10yrs after winging? Happy Holidays all.

I just finished reading Charlie Wilson's War, about the Texas Congressman and his efforts to support the Muj during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (it's a great book if you are interested in the subject), and it got me to thinking that we could get a thread going on some recommended books. I know we've touched on this before, I just want to revive the topic. I just got my paperback copy of Tommy Frank's American Soldier and can't wait to start that, but I am also trying to finish Tom Clancy's Shadow Warriors--Inside the Special Forces (great insight into the development of US SF during VietNam, many of the lessons learned there parallel today's challenges in…

People often asked me if there is anything to do at an overseas base if you could not get off-base. They were surprised that there were restaurants and clubs to go to, I guess they assumed that that it’s something like Full Metal Jacket. I joked that at Ramstein the Belgiums sole purpose in NATO was to run a night club! Apparently I’m not alone in my belief that they are the black sheep of NATO! https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/09/shared-threats-unequal-efforts-belgiums.html

https://www.laughlin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1377774/media-release-downed-aircraft-in-del-rio/ "LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- An Air Force T-38 Talon assigned here at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, crashed at approximately 4 p.m. today approximately 14 miles northwest of the base near Spur 454 and U.S. 90 in Del Rio, Texas. At the time of release, Laughlin emergency response personnel and local responders were on scene to assist in recovery efforts. A board of officers will investigate the accident. Additional details will be provided as information becomes available."

I am an "other" service guy who is going some place where I need brown desert boots. I have been told that there are some specific brown desert boots approved for aviation duties and these are not the normal grunt boots. My unit must MIPR purchase these and my flight suits from the AF supply system. Can anyone give me some boot names or NSN's or some info I can provide to my S4 type? Do they come in hot weather and cold weather types? Thanks.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-military-aircraft-crashes-mediterranean-sea-after-training-mishap-no-indication-hostile-activity Interesting that they haven’t even released which aircraft it was. They usually get that info out fast. Is it me or is the military being “tight lipped” a little out of the ordinary? Anybody have unclass intel on this?

Apparently some Danish F-16s recorded this damage to the Nordstream pipeline after three underwater explosions were detected: https://www.forsvaret.dk/da/nyheder/2022/gaslakage-i-ostersoen/?fbclid=IwAR3c3zuQW7yg8FfkE4sq4HMsOT1DW-CZec4zGmOTA4ba0LCa9YAlYVKQOuE

what's up guys, sorry for the surplus amount of questions. to keep it short, i'm trying to decide if I should pursue a BS in psychology or a BA in psychology. I am planning on applying for the guard and I know GPA weighs heavier than major, but there are a few factors that are in play. I am confident if I pursued a BA that I could graduate with a decently higher GPA than a BS as a result of less math, physics and science classes. However, a BS instead of a BA would challenge me more, improving studying skills and work ethic. ultimately my question is, would it be worth it in the long run if I pursued a BS, improving my studying skills and possibly preparing mys…

I recently filled out the TSP form and decided to put all 10% of my pay in the C-fund. My reasoning for doing this is that I was shown how the different funds did in the past 10 years. The C-fund led at just about 12%. Is this a good idea to put all my eggs in one basket so to speak, or should I diversify my pay into all the funds? (I am a brand new 2nd Lt, planning to be in for 12 years.) Thanks

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2012/04/ap-air-force-axes-a10-f15e-f16-air-show-demos-042012/

As a former FE in the AF as well as civilian life I never had the pleasure of flying an aircraft with wings the size of credit cards so this video was very informative. I never realized that the T-38 was a category E approach aircraft but it should have been obvious since the wings are essentially scaled down from an F-104. The author states that we have been crashing T-38’s on circling approaches for 50+ years so I have to ask, is this type of training really that necessary on the T-38? https://youtu.be/huYvrZm_Y_M?si=UnqokXrEaumim5Mi

Any of the more seasoned folks on here ever heard of this Colonel? https://ambaker9.wixsite.com/vdpcc/2022grandmarshall?fbclid=IwAR2KGTZa_g7M3v63qi5XkjU0dWSuaTKnT_OnJL56l5IQyLnbdZG7We9r_w4 Bunch of possible flags on this one. 1975 as a female flight engineer? Have been told they didn't exist yet. Then on to 'OCS' and eventually F-16s. Made Major as a 16 driver but crossed over to helicopters. Flew three different airframes to include the huey (not the flight school model), the 53, and finished in the 60. Many deployments to Desert Storm, Afghan, and Iraq. Even got shot down in a 60 as a full bird flying misssions in Afghanistan rescuing a bun…

Army aviators, ready to leave the military, are told they owe 3 more years instead

They claim it can be flown manned or unmanned. There goes the Per Diem. Oh well.

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https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/02/politics/john-kelly-donald-trump-us-service-members-veterans/index.html

Are there any facts or rumors regarding where the CAA mission will be headed in the future? The last I heard is it is totally discontinued with no official plans for reinstatement. https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/ready-fire-aim-great-power-competition-without-combat-aviation-advisors Can anyone with experience there comment on their time there? From the outside, it seems like it was a good time: unique deployments, lots of cool training for skills outside of the plane, and doing meaningful work.

Has anyone on here started and/or finished the ACSC OLMP? (https://www.au.af.mil/au/dlmasters.asp) If so, a few questions... - What kind of work is it? A lot of reading, followed by discussion boards and paper writing? Any tests? - What's the workload of the classes? How many hours a week is required, etc? - How flexible is the program around our work schedules? I am specifically looking at the Leadership Concentration. I'm an O-3 w/ SOS in Res complete, but I'm just getting going on an AAD and it wouldn't be the end of the world to start over if it was worth it. They tried to sell it to us at SOS, but it was in the middle of a lot of other…

So my daughter *may* be headed to GK, I've already looked up the German pet requirements for them, but a quick question: Anybody have any suggestions on pet travel to Germany? I know Lufthansa has a good pet program, as does my employer. I'd love to hear any gouge or recommendations anyone might be willing to share. Leave the vehicles and purchase through the exchange? I separated from active duty before my daughter was born but she still thinks I know everything about everything so any help here is appreciated. Thanks!

https://www.edwards.af.mil/Units/USAFTPS/ Does anyone here have experience with the space test course? The website is pretty vague, and doesn't really explain who its targeted for or what its like beyond "college academics". It seeming to be a sister school to TPS makes me intrigued that it might be more hands-on than just college classes in the desert.

What's up y'all. had a question about tattoos and the regulations. I did a search and did find a thread back In 05 and was wondering if they're still the same. my situation: been hoping to get a tattoo for awhile, but wanted to wait till after BMT to get it. Long story short, I was DQ'd at MEPS for the most menial thing ever a few weeks ago and have been waiting to get my waiver approved. I also was hoping to get shipped off after the Hollidays so I can have family time and finish up my 1st semester of college. this gives me about a 2 month window to get a tattoo and let it heal. When going through the medical process I was quite frequently asked if I had tatto…

As a civilian I saw this video and thought the topics were interesting. What are your thoughts about retention? Mission Readiness? Political leadership? take it away

Military retirees to be booted from bases in Turkey. Who’s next? Turkey now, Italy and the PI next.

Gents, Time to figure out my next assignment, seeking insights. First tour was as slick nav, 2nd has been in flight test. Will be moving right at my 10 year mark, 9 months or so after Major's board. Mobility mission I knew is pretty much gone. Could go to Pensacola, AFSOC, or ACC to keep flying, but I know staff is coming sooner or later. Considering option of instructing at ROTC. I think it'd be rewarding (in a different way), fun, stable, and conducive to family time & hobbies. Anyone know what happens to aviators after a tour instructing? If it means never returning to cockpit, that might be a deal breaker.