General Discussion

I've lived OCONUS collectively for over five years now and I just found out about these discounted APO/FPO flat rate boxes. It's (nearly) too late for this Christmas, but the USPS offers Flat Rate boxes for shipping to APO/FPO that are a couple bucks cheaper than normal flat rate large boxes (11.95 vs 13.95). For those stationed overseas who have relatives sending them stuff, let them know about these. Your folks may be able to get the boxes from their local post office, but they can also order them online (in packs of 10 or 25) and there are no shipping costs to order them. The link to USPS is here, but you can get them through a number of other sites (like stamps.c…

I am a medical officer with 3 years in and want to switch fields to become a pilot. I am already commissioned before my 29th birthday (I'm 28 now). Can anyone assist? I have called AFPC and my functional and they either say they've never heard of it, or that I'd lose rank (don't mind)--and still no help after that. I am seeing if anyone knows anything else in order to help me out and if it were even worth my while with only a few hours of pilot training and ground school knocked out. Phone numbers, e-mails, or contacts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

ALL, I've been DNIF for a few years and the docs are saying I can return to fly. The way the classification AFI reads, it seems that if my current community will release me back to the rated world, the community that needs a pilot from my year group can claim me. I no longer have a RDTM and would like to stay at my current location to fly it's aircraft. Has anyone experienced this to know how it would be handled?

From the BBC

Is there a crossflow program in place where bomber dudes can crossflow into the fighter track and visa versa?

Yeah they weren't military but they were there helping us out. Cheers to the fallen! https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101118/BREAKING/101119779/-1/living?Title=Plane-crash-kills-3-in-Avon-Park

Found this online; cannot confirm validity, but it sounds like something that should be on DuffelBlog. Edit: I found this online and I'm relaying it over here to see what your reactions and input is. This is NOT written by me,

For those of you that wander to the "other" (political) side of the Dynamic Truth message board, beware. There's a guy over there that's getting a bit carried away. Because I support the war in Iraq, he started posting photos of wounded Iraqi kids and saying he'd like to shoot my kids. And this same guy supposedly looked up personal info (name and address) of another poster. A few quotes from this guy (ToddFortuar): https://www.dynamictruth.com/cgi-bin/ultima...=9;t=010605;p=4 So be careful over there. I already brought it up to a moderator over there. [ 15. November 2004, 23:32: Message edited by: HueyPilot ]

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2020/03/06/air-mobility-command-ends-flying-only-career-track/ “The bottom line is, there just wasn’t the appetite there for the program” Seems like it was a great deal. Only have to maintain tactical proficiency with zero chance for a non-flying assignment or PME. Only two C-17 bubbas took that deal... What went wrong? Is there something we’re just not hearing about?

Hello everyone, I have considered starting a podcast related to aviation, however I am coming to this forum for advice as to whether or not it would be a good idea before even securing any sort of military pilot slot. I would aim for my podcast to be somewhat informational and entertaining, but I don't want it to come across or be perceived that I am doing the podcast to show my ownself, rather the aviation professionals I would be interviewing. The absolute last thing I want to do is create a podcast, broadcast my face and make it to where, even if get past the commissioning phase, that I am viewed as some know-it-all asshole, even if I do my best to not portray b…

I've been thinking that a large, upcoming problem will be the downsizing of the Military with a weak economy. Expectations are a million folks in the next few years will transfer from Military life to Civilian life. Here's one of the efforts to help with education/housing/jobs, etc. https://www.gotyour6.org/ It's spearheaded by the entertainment industry- not normally our biggest supporters. Good on them though. I do find the comment on helping our service members return to be "assets" rather than "liabilities" offensive.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Paul Tibbets, who piloted the B-29 bomber Enola Gay that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, died Thursday. He was 92 and insisted almost to his dying day that he had no regrets about the mission and slept just fine at night. Tibbets died at his Columbus home, said Gerry Newhouse, a longtime friend. He suffered from a variety of health problems and had been in decline for two months. Tibbets had requested no funeral and no headstone, fearing it would provide his detractors with a place to protest, Newhouse said. Tibbets' historic mission in the plane named for his mother marked the beginning of the end of World War II and eliminated the need fo…

This is totally ridiculous.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/21/air-force-general-wife-killed-in-small-plane-crash-near-williamsburg/?test=latestnews Maj. Gen. Joseph Brown of NDU

In keeping with the recent spate of threads about flight flight suit pockets and the like, I thought I'd take it to the next level and post this little gem from Flight International: So, spill the beans. What are you guys finding in your MWS that you're throwing out the door?

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

A few questions regarding the rotary wing world. Firstly, does the 23d Sq have their full complement of TH-1H aircraft at Ft Rucker? Lastly, must ALL AF CV-22A pilots attend the Helo pipeline?

3 of 5 crew listed as "stable" https://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/22/navy-helicopter-crashes-in-red-sea-5-onboard/

Reportedly a ground launched R-27. Gets real interesting at 1:34.

According to AF Times: "Gen. Arthur Lichte, who officially retired in January, now sits on the board of directors of EADS North America. A division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., EADS North American announced Lichtes confirmation to the board Friday." And I thought this acquisition bullshit couldn't get any worse. Hey Art, did it ever cross your mind that this might not be the best time to run off and join the EADS board? I mean the whole improper contract award did happen under your watch at AMC. You didn't make the decision but I'm sure you argued the case for your boys. Did the thought even cross your mind that it might be good to sit this …

I am trying to put together a list for an acquaintance who is selling their house near Randolph due to a job relocation. They wanted to know if there are any web sites specifically targeting military personnel looking to buy a home. I've heard of Military Homes For Sale and Military By Owner, but after that point I am out of Schlitz. Can anyone suggest any others? By the way, I've got no gouge on this particular home; but if anyone is interested I can get some contact info for ya! Thanks! M2

Hope he is ok. https://twitter.com/388fw/status/1582893659044708352?s=20&t=MTVQd_0vTp_NncTjHMj3aw

I need advice since my deployment to Afghanistan was 2011/2012. I recall that our squadron had more cookies, candy, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc... than we could shake a stick at. I also recall the military telling people that airlift and sealift was at a premium and their stuff was on a space available basis. My questions: - with the reduced presence now, are Care Packages still desired? Or are they still the unneeded/unnecessary pain in the ass that they were when I was there? - what do you advise people to send in a Care Package? I ask because people at church are going to send Care Packages. And if they are, I at least want to guide them…

ON A MAD HUNT FOR SOME 20MM PGU-27 SHELLS. Does anybody have any or know where to find some? It is for a gift for a pilot. Thanks to someone else's idea... I want to cut the shells down to be used as shot glasses. Can anyone point me in the right direction... P.S. If so, please talk in civilian language.

So I PCS'd overseas, and got an APO address ahead of time from my sponsor. I forwarded all my mail, mailed myself some things and even ordered a few things online to my new address. I had been on station for about 2 weeks (3-4 weeks after I started forwarding), and repeatedly asked the mail clerks why I wasn't getting mail. They just laughed and said it takes a while. After the third week I forced them to examine my box (yeah, I said it), and it turns out the previous owner's name was on it...they changed it and the next day I ended up getting a mailbox full of mail...but none of the stuff I ordered. I had ordered around $500 worth of stuff from various companies …