Leaderboard

Finally got word from the commander. Picked up for CSO. Not my first choice, but at least got word before the official release and an extra few days to make a decision. Good luck to everyone else that's still waiting!

I had 47 hours one year when farmed-out to a "fly-once-a-week" support job. Typically local training sorties were 4 hours. You do the math...

Too UN.

I just bought one, should be here this week. I'll try to PIREP when I get a chance. My setup is Fltplan Go with an android tablet. The form factor leaves something to be desired with the external antennas, and battery pack being strapped together with a velcro strap all bush league. But I just wanted the cheapest compatible ADSB-in for my EFB client, which this one is. For the past 6 years I've used an old single-band Skyradar puck with its dedicated software. It's wifi is only detectable by iCrap products and I got sick and tired of toting a second device (disconnected iphone 4S acting as a de facto ipod touch) in order to run the skyradar app when I need to play frogger with the weather. Can't believe the thing retailed for 700 bucks in 2012. Things have come a long way. My only interest in ADSB-in hardware is the FIS-B feed goodies; I couldn't care less about TIS or portable AHRS functionality, though I'm sure it's fine for it. Now, if you're asking about attempting to sneak one of these things for work as a "SA builder"? The form factor is a no-go for me. I'd want an all in one puck in order to keep everything simple and FOD-proof. But of course this is all hypothetical because we AETC warriors don't do EFB. We very much prefer to get violated while shuffling through reams of ripped apart charts and [crewdog-standard] hastily stuffed bible-page approach books at mach snot into DFW class B, busting headings and altitudes with a CAPster in the FCP, while everybody else taps on a glass screen and voilá. LOL

I just wanted to bump up the Palmetto State Armory name. I bought some ammo from them, and they email me their deals. They regularly have 5.56 ammo (XM193 or 855) that breaks the $.30/round threshold that I try to seek out, many times with free shipping. I just ordered the 420 round ammo can, 30 cents per round, including the ammo can and free shipping (Federal American Eagle, XM193). I won't post a link, because they constantly change, but it might be worth signing up for their email flyer if you buy a lot of ammo. I seem to remember a few weeks back they had a deal for 10 5.56 boxes of Federal, along with 10 MagPul magazines for $120 shipped - that's $6 per box of 20 rounds and $6 per MagPul magazine, which was a heck of a deal.

I understand that. I just don’t think he would be misleading and say he hasn’t received anything if he really did? Maybe the wing commander just hasn’t released it for some reason. I appreciate the insight though. Calms me down lol

There’s a sucker born every minute.

https://warontherocks.com/2018/02/air-force-crisis-part-pilot-retention-matters-right-now/

What difference does the cost of the sensor make if they are going to put the same sensor on the prop version? New sensors being developed are already being and tested for other platforms so that part is a wash. The difference is Scorpion can carry MORE...perhaps three with the option federating one or two back to the JOC. You are a bit off on the A-10 speed comparison, T/W is comparable but the Scorpion is slick as shit. The sensors can be retracted and when they are it can be difficult to slow down. The other piece is the design of the wing which is 40 years more advanced than the A-10 and the product of millions of hours of highly efficient biz jet flying. IMHO USAF totally missed the boat on what the speed and altitude capes do to the employment construct. Having an aircraft that can take off and climb to the high 30's, cruise at 400+ knots to the AO, then drop down with 4-5 hours on station (perhaps more depending on how you load fuel), is a game changer in reach and changes the lily pad construct. You can have the exact same (or less) response time from bases further away and have just as much if not more play time. I encourage folks to think differently about the pit on these aircraft. The original construct was to fly host nation folks so they could be trained to provide for their own defense. If employed in a USAF only construct, there is huge benefit to having another brain stem to run the extra one or two sensors...doesn't hurt from a seasoning perspective for multiple pilots. Bottomline, Lite Attack was meant to supplement not replace the A-10 and by all measures except landing in the dirt (when was the last time we did that in combat? What about security logistics etc... If you have a jet that has the range and refueling capability you don't need to land in the dirt), Scorpion is a revolution beyond AT-6C and the A-29. Unfortunately the requirement was written by A-29 guys and evaluated by A-29 guys.

Strictly responding to the "microaggression" apology at the Academy. Senior military leaders do not know how to respond to social media criticism and demands. The conventional thinking is to immediately appease to the younger generation and the social media witch hunts because it will win internet points and avoid online backlash. This method is effective in temporary quelling the social media faux outrages (often not the core audience), but in the long run it erodes good standard and discipline, esprit de corps, and effective military command and control. The correct thing to do is simple, everything in the military comes back to the standards/core values. Defend the standards and the core values and you will eventually be absolved from the internet accusations (whether or not the person has the courage to do this is a different topic for discussion). Mattis is the only person I've seen unaffected by the social media and traditional media attacks. He receives generally favorable supports from military members and civilian alike, because he stick to his core values/principles, simple and truthful with his answers, and his body of work gives him credibility. When I think of the SECDEF I think of lethality, he only cares about lethality (have stated many times) and it's my job to support his priority. I cringe when I see senior managers create selfies and mannequin challenges (Debbie James) or the NSA Director wearing t-shirt and mom jeans in Vegas (Keith Alexander) in an effort to connect with the younger crowds.

I’ve been doing a lot of running in boots lately. Highly recommend Lowa: https://www.gsaboots.com/footwear-brands/lowa/task-force-boots-shoes-mens.html that site has great prices if you have .mil email address.

Sorry man but my standard issue Bellvilles were like wearing a brick strapped to a barge on each foot. I'll stick with my Rocky Sv2's that actually perform like a boot should.... This same guy also threw a fit over people not wearing issued sun glasses.... Needless to say the morale within the T1 squadron on both the studs and IPs was horrid under this guy.....

Not bad but if Congress and the Navy get drunk and irresponsible, they should fund a modernized R3Y Tradewind Totally a valid requirement because if China gets cool new toys then damn it if we shouldn't also... but just another expeditionary capability to add to their mix.