General Discussion

Apparently China has been conducting military drills and exercises on their northeast border with Russia. China and Russia have always been “frenemies” ever since the Soviet-Sino split which peaked with Zhenbao Island incident that resulted in a brief armed conflict between the two countries in 1969. Nixon adroitly exploited this rift with his visit to China in 1972. https://www.theklaxon.com.au/home/china-russian-border-drills

https://siouxlandnews.com/amp/news/local/second-south-dakota-air-national-guard-f-16-crashes-at-sioux-falls-airport Rough month for the SD bubbas. Glad the pilots are walking away from the accidents.

Hope everyone had a safe Memorial day. I'd like to do a shot for each one that I knew, but I can't drink that much anymore. So, a toast to our brothers and sisters

As I am posting this, I’m watching this video by Peter Zaihan and only about twenty minutes or so into this video but there is a ton of information that I have not seen or read anywhere else. This should be shown at intel briefings for an insight into what it going to happen in the next few months with the conflict in Ukraine!

I was asked a question today by a fledgling aviator regarding instrument approaches. Instead of shooting from the hip, I decided to fire up my iPad and open up the AFMAN 11-217, but alas, it (the AFMAN 11-217) was not there. I went on to e-publishing and it’s not there either. I found a copy from 2019 on the Columbus AFB site via Google, but what am I missing here?

Primarily by combat arms users in the army. But doesn't 3M also make some of spongies we as aircrew use? This might be a case to follow if you have hearing loss....

Hey all, LM is looking to hire a weapons integrator at the F-16 SPO at Hill. Fighter types (pilots and WSOs) and B-52 patches would be a perfect fit. AFAIK, this job will mostly be on-site (not telework/remote), there will be travel involved, and LM Aero is a great company to work for! Let me know if you have any questions. https://www.lockheedmartinjobs.com/job/hill-air-force-base/senior-aircraft-systems-engineer-weapons-integration-level-4/694/26713588176

Propagation is improving our worldwide coverage. Recent patches include Iraq, England, North Africa and South Korea. We recently created a video describing the basics of doing an Official and Morale phone patch including setting up the radio. Hope you find it useful. https://youtu.be/s_67j_VP8NA

Well, they finally did it. ,

So for a couple years they've been releasing rated folks to go teach at ROTC Dets. 2 slots just popped up in a location we want to retire so I'm not considering it. Has anyone been through this board/process? I have to write a 500 character narrative/recommendation but there is not guidance about what should be in as far as I can tell. I'm currently sitting at 21 years with a DOS of 2025 (passed over O4). So the 2 year ROTC gig would almost take be to 25 years. I'm going to apply either way... but what are the odds I get picked up? What can I do to increase those odds?

So apparently certain members of the Armed Forces stationed in Germany are being taxed by various local German authorities. They say if your job is not essential to the defense of NATO you are there voluntarily and not only are they taxing you on you base pay but also consider the on-base gym, commissary, BX, shoppet, clothing sales, etc. an additional benefit to your tax liability! https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2022-04-12/tax-germany-us-troops-eucom-pentagon-5661053.html

Air France Boeing 777 suffers control problems on approach to Paris

Wondering what is the usual throughout MDS in regards to downgrades. Are they common in your MDS or are they debriefed unless they rise to the Q3 level?

Hey everyone, I'm a Navy guy making the short trek over here from AirWarriors, thanks for having me! I recently found out I'll be headed to Vance to be a T-6 IP. Vance is usually pretty rare on our options list, and since none of us go through training there anymore and we have a small IP footprint there, no one really has much gouge. I used the search function a decent amount, but haven't found much regarding what life is like as an IP. I've chatted a bit with a navy guy who's currently there, but just wanted to get some more data points. Just trying to get a general feel for overall job satisfaction, how the flying is, how the squadron culture is, and what th…

I'm nearing the end of my MEB process and will be medically retired in the next few months. Unfortunately, I probably will never fly again (my MEB condition is Bipolar, and after the Germanwings incident in 2015, I don't think the FAA will grant a waiver). I applied for grad school this fall, doing a total career change in my thirties, and although my retirement paycheck is nice, it isn't enough to live on. So far I've gotten the following advice from a variety of folks: - Use the VR&E program to pay for school since it has an expiration date and save the GI Bill for later - Get the following three documents while still AD: Memo rating (done), civil service …

So I'm kinda alone and (un)afraid in the job I'm in. None of my leadership are aircrew. I am in a flying air advisor position. When I ask for flight gear (like boots) they want me to provide justification as to why I need them. I had to explain how AFE 11-301 reg talks about unit procuring items like boots and other flight gear. But they want me to provide additional justification, as the 11-301 gives examples but no list of such approved items. For example, Apple pencils and watches have been issued to me at previous bases, but the 11-301 does not cover that stuff. Then, when I provide justification, they look at it through their ground officer lens, and make their…

Got a weird one. I applied for a ADSC waiver (personal hardship) for retirement. The request was denied, however, due to manning (11M), the request was changed to “best interest of the AF” and the waiver was approved for 9 months off ADSC. My question, if it’s Best interest of the AF, does that still qualify me to keep the final bonus payment? TIA

I volunteer to smoke russians.

Another Air Force legend has gone west!

NASA X-59 undergoing tests No sonic boom, interesting looking bird.

Glad the pilot got out safe… https://coffeeordie.com/arizona-red-air-crash/ https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fox10phoenix.com/news/fighter-aircraft-crashes-while-on-routine-mission-near-luke-air-force-base-officials-say.amp

Light Fighters... interesting article and worth a read IMHO. https://warontherocks.com/2022/02/the-light-fighter-is-the-air-forces-manned-unmanned-team-solution/ Author leaves room for discussion for what I would call mission requirements vs platform requirements, that is what is the mission and then what is the platform required or capable of meeting those technical / performance requirements. How many UCAVs / UAVs would it need to control, at what distance, how resilient to EA to that supplied link, how much organic capability for offense/defense for this platform, etc... most of that I think would be a result of what the cognitive load is determined to …

Any truth to this? Thoughts? Many of you have seen the topic of the recent F35 crash being discussed, along with statements supposedly made by the pilot right before he ejected that he was having chest pains. As skeptical of everything that has to do with the vaccine as I am, even I thought the reporting on this was BS hyperbole. Until about 30 minutes ago, that is. . . I commanded an F/A-18 squadron in the 2007-2010 time frame, and a good friend of mine who was also a Hornet squadron commander and Airboss afterwards just called to tell me that he heard the unedited PLAT tape with his own ears, and before ejecting the pilots says: "I'm experiencing sudde…

Delta airlines is the latest in not requiring a 4yr degree. It's preferred but no longer a requirement. The major airlines are pulling away all the stops in finding pilots to fill the vacancies for the foreseeable future.

I'm just curious... When I went to UPT, we did a winging ceremony on Friday in the base theater with family, and a mess dress dinner at the Club. It was a large time. I've heard that has changed quite a bit. What is being done now for UPT graduation? And how did it look 2 years ago before the Wu-Flu changed things? (I asked this elsewhere but no reply.)