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Cool. This is not my bailiwick but concerns me in general for preserving a strong pilot culture in the center of the AF. The MAF having a finishing school after UPT but before FTU is where this idea really would be focused. Just as commercial operators look for minimum hours, experience levels and track records of success prior to hiring, the MAF needs that in the pilots it assesses. Again strong pilot culture. A first short assignment like the first job a civilian pilot lands, can start their careers, training and ultimately lead to a more capable MAF. I’m just day dreaming on BO but if a post graduate universal 1st assignment system (multiple steps) was synched up to MAF and other big wing / crew bound graduates, it could handle the intake and steadily produce better aviators prior to heavy FTUs. Would it produce the immediate mass they say is needed now? Probably not but methinks the cost of a glut of less than optimally trained pilots is greater than waiting a bit and getting the heavy customers accustomed to getting better pilots at a slower but steady cadence. My druthers would be for the AF to petition for a military B737 MAX 7 with reasonable mods and have this be a short assignment for all heavy tracked grads. The sequence would be a multi engine refresher and short experience builder course, all contractor provided. A short break for some leave then report for a contractor provided type course with additional sims, a type plus course. Then report to one of three units flying this jet, get about 25-35 sorties, then move on your way. This is fusing advanced training with operations, reducing the investment of the AF into training only aircraft but gaining new reliable, efficient, organic steady airlift capabilities.

Happy New Year! 5.49-5.625 depending on the scenario right now. Most of the refi’s have been for guys at 6.125+ but have done some 5.99s too. We pay the costs so no breakeven. Just a matter of the numbers work or not. 2026 isn’t forecasted to be a big rate decline year so might as well save money if you can then rinse and repeat as the opportunity presents itself. National VAs are at 5.9 right now. Feel free to text or call me if you want me to look at it and give you my thoughts. 850-377-1114

@raimius Yup that’s exactly what I mean, and I completely agree with you it’s not a real fix but unfortunately it will be the standard moving forward. It really isn’t too late to go back though, because all I hear is that the resulting pilots are bad and that it was better before. If the speed of the FTU isn’t going to increase anyway, why not replace the T-1 and go back to the way things were? Or like @Clark Griswold suggests, get something that the AF can actually use (light transport style) to work with in the meantime that kills 2 birds with 1 stone?

We are interviewing again. Two students start flying this week. Interested? Here's the official message that went out through AFPC: WANTED: Exceptional pilots ready to fly, fight, and win from the stratosphere wherever and whenever America needs flexible, versatile, and survivable reconnaissance and other effects on behalf of the Joint Force. Must meet, uphold, and demand uncompromising standards in an unforgiving environment, give effort worthy of the U-2’s history, and sacrifice worthy of America’s future. Flawlessly execute the U-2’s final fight, without regret. The 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB is accepting applications for a limited number of highly qualified and exceptionally motivated officers to join the selectively-manned cadre of U-2 pilots. At this time, U-2 operations are extended through FY26. Applicants must have 36 months TOS by RNLTD to be eligible to apply. Deadline to apply is 28 Feb 26. 1. PILOT APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS 1a. Minimum Flying Requirements*: • Possess at least 1200 rated hours (do not include student, civilian, or OTHER time) OR • 800 rated hours in a single-pilot type trainer aircraft such as T-6, T-34, T-37, T-38, T-45, etc OR • 500 hours in fighter type aircraft AND • At least 500 hours in fixed wing aircraft • At least 12 months or 400 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC), whichever is greater *** If you do not meet any of these requirements, reach out to the U-2 Recruiter and we may be able to work with you on a case-by-case basis*** 1b. Physical Requirements IAW AFI 48-123 V3: • Standing Height: 64” – 77” • Sitting Height: 34” – 40” (>38” will require cockpit fit test) • Buttocks to Knee: < 27” • IAW 1-U2RS-1 Weight: 126 – 238lbs 1c. Other Requirements: • Positive Professional Military Image/Passing PT Score • Possess a SECRET clearance • Possess or be eligible for TS/SCI clearance 1d. 9 RW/U-2S recruiting highly desires (in addition to above requirements): • MWS/AETC Instructor Pilot hours • Evaluator Pilot experience • Clean Flight Evaluation History (exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis) 2. PROCESS Act now – we’re racking and stacking applications for the next round of U-2 interviews. Before submitting an application, contact the U-2 Recruiting office at DSN 368-3010, commercial (530) 634-3010 or e-mail to U2Recruiting@us.af.mil. Prepare an application package containing the following required documents: • Letter of Recommendation from your Wing Commander or equivalent • Letter stating your PCS availability date and confirmation of assignment release by your Air Force Personnel Center functional • This is in addition to the Wing/CC letter and can be accomplished with a digitally signed e-mail from your core functional stating “You are released to apply for the U-2 Program for hire in FY 26” • Interview Package Summary of Documents • Letter: “I would like to fly the U-2 because…” (Explain why you want to fly the U-2 and why you would be an asset to this program. 1-3 paragraphs will normally suffice) • Official Photo (Torso, Color or Black and White, 5x7 or Larger) • Copies of all OPR/OPBs and any AF Form 475s (Annual performance reports and Education and Training Reports) • Individual Fitness Test Summary • 1 Page Officer SURF • Copy of AF Form 942. Highlight any Q-2 or Q-3 ratings in yellow. • Copies of all AF Form 8s to include reverse sides. Highlight all downgrades, discrepancies, re-training, failed evaluations, commendables, in yellow. • Flying History Report • MyVector/Talent Marketplace – Select 1st Choice Assignment preference Core AFSC 11R • "Anthropometric data" - Standard Form 600, or just a memo from Flight Medicine listing your: standing height, sitting height, buttocks-to-knee length Send the Application via DoD Safe: Please send documents to Maj Gray “Utah” Kaempf (gray.kaempf.1@us.af.mil), Lt Col Jeff “PESO” Monsalve (jeff.monsalve.2@us.af.mil), Vincent Lopez (vincent.lopez.8@us.af.mil). We will review your application as soon as it arrives and notify you of our decision within 2-6 weeks. If you haven’t heard something by then, please contact us. 3. SCREENING If selected for an interview you will come to Beale TDY for approximately 10-14 days. Your ability to enter the program will be assessed after Week One and after each of the three Acceptance Flights (AF). Week One: • Interviews with Squadron and Group leadership • Mission orientation • Mobile (chase car) rides • Flight physical • Egress Training • Many hours of briefing for your U-2 Sorties • U-2 full pressure suit sizing check Week Two: • AF-1 – 2.5 hour sortie consisting of flight characteristics, maneuvers, descent for an ILS and multiple patterns and landings • AF-2 – 2.5 hour sortie pattern only that consists of an instrument approach followed by normal, no-flap and simulated flame out patterns and landings • AF-3 – 2.0 hour sortie nearly identical to AF-2 however the pilot that drove the chase car on the first two sorties will fly and the pilot that flew the first two sorties will mobile. At the end of this sortie, determination will be made as to whether or not you will be offered a U-2 assignment. 4. POINTS OF CONTACT/MISCELLANEOUS POC Information: 1 RS/DOR POC: Maj Gray “UTAH” Kaempf DSN 368-3010 Commercial (530) 634-3010 U2Recruiting@us.af.mil

Most are aware of Flightaware, Flightradar24 and ADS-B exchange and now there is a new option that tracks in 3D. Tons of overlays including airspace. Air LoomAir Loom - 3D Flight TrackerReal-time 3D visualization of aircraft flight paths. Watch live flights with stunning ribbon trails across the sky.

I completely understand what you two are saying. It would be roughly $3,000/mo to purchase the adjacent property. It's within the budget. But I'm at a point where my priorities are changing. I don't want to work full-time anymore, I'd like to split my time between San Diego and N CA. Time is the only thing we can't make more of. If I can put that extra $3,000/mo towards the property I purchased, along with a couple decent big principal payments I can have it paid off in about five years and go fully part-time. My daughter is seven and son is two and I want to spend more time with my family while I have time and while they're young. I'll never get that back. I don't think there is any chance of there being a "neighborhood" around there. We have no mailboxes, no delivery options, no infrastructure for electricity or plumbing. Everything is completely off-grid up there and there is no industry, so little chance or development. Plus, I don't think many people want to live with bears on your back porch! Buying it would mean my chance of going part-time moves from a five year plan to 15+ which means I won't get to spend much time up there... Maybe I'll stop and pick up a few lottery tickets on the way to work this morning. Or just sell my home in San Diego.

Air Force general to retire after service overturns ruling by COVID review board clearing him of misconduct Brig. Gen. Christopher Sage has spent the last four years of his Air Force career quietly fighting to clear his name of wrongdoing, get back on the promotion list and stay in the service. Disciplined for decisions he made as a commander deployed to the Middle East during the coronavirus pandemic — such as reopening gyms and removing barbed wire surrounding quarantine areas — an Air Force board reviewing COVID-related adverse actions determined he faced retaliation for his views. A majority of the board agreed in November he should have the black mark removed from his record and have his fast-approaching forced retirement date extended to be returned to consideration for promotion to major general. However, an Air Force senior official disagreed and overturned the board’s decision six days later, and Sage will retire at the end of the year. The official, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Richard Anderson, said there was insufficient evidence for the board’s decision...