M2

Burrito No, it is not illegal any more than it would be for an O-3 living next to you being charged even more. I never lived in privatized housing on base, but from what I understand it is the same as the old base housing situation where you simply forfeit your BAH/VHA. As for the original post, there are many pros/cons to living on base. For one, you can pretty much commute via bicycle and save yourself the wear and tear on your car for the 1.5 ride into work. At Ramstein my second car, a lemon lot BMW, became the squadron car until one of the guys that used it the most offered to buy it from me when I PCS'd. I told him why wait, he was driving it more than I was! Plus, at some bases you are within walking distance of the BX and Commissary, plus at Ramstein we had the 24-hr shoppette and movie theater within a 5-minute walk. But, there are some down sides. We were in stairwells our last year at Ramstein, and for those who haven't been to Europe that is basically an apartment block. Despite the German winters, we never turned on the heat as the couple below us had theirs cranked and it heated up the entire building. As a matter of fact, we would crack the windows open (European windows are great!) to get some fresh air in. Secondly, in stairwells you know everything that is going on in the building as you hear it firsthand. But at UPT bases you will most likely be in individual houses or duplexes. They may not be the most modern or spacious accommodations but they will suffice for the year. Also, you are expected to abide by the base regs on how to maintain your house, such as the height of shrubs cannot exceed a certain limit and you must mow your yard so often; but usually that is not much more than what any homeowner’s association would require. Plus there is the added security of living on base…I don’t recall many burglaries happening on base while I was in but I am sure it has happened once or twice; but not nearly as often as they do off base. Considering what you would get renting/leasing a house off base for a year, I think it is a smart move for a UPT stud with a family to live on base. It makes life easier for everyone involved, and you still get the thrill of watching planes fly over your house. However, once you get to your primary base I would recommend living off base, especially overseas. For one, Stateside it is usually a good investment as compared to throwing rent away for 3-4 years (even if you lose a little money when you sell the place, it is nothing compared to the amount you toss when you simply rent. Consider at $1200/mo, in three years you lose $43,200 and get no tax breaks from owning). And overseas you get a much better cultural experience living on the economy. Sure, it may cost a little more; but that is why you get COLA! I wouldn’t trade our time off base in Germany or Belgium for the world! Cheers! M2

Neither do I; but I do know that could be interpreted two different ways. As you are a bud, I'd expect it was the more complimentary of the two, for which I thank you! As for fatasses, I live in one of the "chubbiest" cities in the US (San Antonio). Trust me, despite having added a few pounds since hitting middle age; compared to most of the folks around here, I am still thin. Not cocaine-era Rick James ("I'm Rick James, bitch!") thin, but still thin! Cheers! M2

OK, a fellow moderator closed this thread, and I can easily see why. But as it had some good info in it, I cleaned up the latest tangent and will re-open it. However, if it gets off-track again it will be closed permanently. Basically this is the last warning. No operationally-sensitive information please; and if you are not sure what that means feel free to email me the info you are going to post and I will ensure it is good to go. I can provide an OSIS (.GOV NIPRNET) or a SIPRNET address as needed. If you have some tasty tidbit of information you want to share, but are smart enough to realize that it shouldn’t be posted on an open forum such as this, then simply post a not saying you have a briefing or whatever and tell people to PM you with their official email addresses for a copy. I have done this several times with such things as the pics of the F-22 intercept of the Russian Bears and it is a tried and proven method of handing any ‘Official Use Only’ info. But be forewarned that some folks will still ask despite not having a .MIL or .GOV email address. It is better to just tell them sorry, and not provide the info. Learn a lesson from Dozer, even if the info you have is releasable it still doesn’t mean it is wise to post it on a public forum where anyone can access it. I have no doubt that BaseOps is monitored, not only by people looking for information on the US Air Force, but also by our own folks looking to see if any information is being given out that shouldn’t. The Dozer F-22 example is a classic case of someone being monitored. It is not a matter of him being able to post the information, for all accounts he only posted what had been released; but the question is whether it was a good idea to broadcast such a large amount of info to an unknown audience. It wasn’t. So, with that in mind, this is a good thread and can be beneficial in educating those of us who have a general interest in the U-28, as well as provide opportunities to those who are actually going to fly the mission with contacts to learn even more. But it all must be done under the watchful eye of OPSEC, as there are limits and “needs to know” that must always take precedence. Someone’s life may count on it. Cheers! M2

USAF party suits have been around since at least the Vietnam war...here are a couple of examples... Jolly Green party suit worn by the donor when the 37th ARRS at Da Nang AB, South Vietnam, took a break from the reality of war. Maj. Hatch flew "Jolly Green" helicopters and had five pick-ups to his credit -- an F-4 pilot and a crew from another "Jolly Green." The suit was donated by Maj. Emmett E. Hatch, Jr., USAF (Ret.) from Milipitas, Calif. The suit is on display in the Modern Flight Gallery. Major Gorman is shown here in his "party suit" while at Takhli; these were made by local tailors and outfitted to suit the pilot's personal tastes. The color varied from squadron to squadron - the 333rd chose red for their color.(Photo courtesy of Paula Bear) There is even a pic of the Fiends in their party suits...same unit the chicks in the above link are in... 36th TFS (1977) (36th Fiends Site) (SITE NOTE: Those party suits were mandatory for every USAF officer in Korea for years. Like the embroidered unit jackets garishly emblazoned with the unit's patches, these were intended to promote group cohesiveness and esprit d'corps during social events.) And no, I am not in any of the above pics! Cheers! M2

Careful, they even have their own version of the LPA... Fighter Chicks But I gotta admit, I kinda like it! Almost as good as the FBO Hotties web site! Cheers! M2

Well, I guess I was expecting that if someone knew they weren't suppose to be drinking, they wouldn't be drinking. Otherwise, they really don't have a leg to stand on. I work with an over-zealous Army LTC who is a bud but who also sometimes forgets that the other services have their own regs and don't follow the Army's. He tried to jack up a USAF guy having a beer off base at lunch and was promptly (but respectfully...and that's important) told that is was well within the regs. I certainly wouldn't argue against Toro's well-stated words of caution, and it doesn't apply to me anymore because I grew up and retired and now can tell anyone to piss off; but my point is that unless there is a reg that says you can't, technically you can. Now, that doesn't mean some over-zealous person doesn't try to bust your balls about it...and when that over-zealous person is in your chain-of-command, it can get tricky. It all depends on how much having a beer at lunch means to you. Cheers! M2

If it (or local regs) don't say you can't, then you can. I also looked through AFI 34-219 and didn't see it in there either, therefore it can't be prohibited as far as I can tell; but don't just take my word for it. Go to https://www.e-publishing.af.mil and do a key word search on 'alcohol.' Be sure to check all applicable publications. Then, if you are still worried about it, call you base Demand Reduction Office (or whatever it is called) and ask. They won't lie to you, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to jot down the name and number of the person you spoke to, as well as the date and time called. CYA... All that said, it would be a bad idea to drive afterward. Y'know they give medals to the sky cops for busting officers coming through the gates drunk, don't you? Well, that may not be true; but some days you'd think it was! Damn, folks shouldn't be damn paranoid about having a beer or two! Cheers! M2

Yeah, I read about this yesterday. This seems to be SOP for the Air Force as of late, renaming everything to protect the guilty. Seriously, what benefit can be derived from the name change? Cheers! M2

One, that link's fucked...I wonder if SAF/PA realized how stupid the report was and yanked it (gotta include a 'STS' on that!). Two, this article was completely useless without pics anyway! At least we got to see what the all-female Herk crew looked like. I remember one was kinda hot, in a 'Heidi of the Himalayas' sort of way. Anyone still got a link to that pic? Cheers! M2

Stupid fuckers would probably do it too! الله أكبر Cheers! M2

Interesting article in today's AFA Update, given the 4th's lineage to the RAF Eagle Squadrons... Cheers! M2

Did you look at the brief? Dozer may not have released any classified info, but he sure as hell was very communicative of information that should not have been released to such a large and anonymous audience as he did on that forum. As a Lt Col, squadron commander and someone involved in such a restricted access program, he should have known better. Dozer is not PA and should not be determining what needs to be released to the general public. Despite the controversy over whether the briefing should have gone public or not, what he did violates the very basic principles of operational security and he deserves all the "attention" he is getting for it...I have seen people fired for less. I would care less about his reputation than I would about the information he has passed to our adversaries in an attempt to "be cool" on an Internet forum. I will gladly arrange a visit to the Joint OPSEC Center for anyone who finds themselves in the San Antonio area. It is a part of the organization I now work for. If you want your eyes opened to the amount of information that can be garnered through open sources, these guys will show you; and trust me, once you've seen it you will be sure to take every opportunity to keep your mouth shut in the future! Cheers! M2

Again, consult the list... Cheers! M2

Not even his ability, all you really have to do is eliminate his will to fight. The problem is that people only see "airpower" as the ability to fly great distances to break things and kill people. We all know it is much more than that (but it is always good to be able to do that proficiently!). The general public needs to realize that "airpower" is the ability to extend US goals and objectives anywhere on the globe quickly and efficiently. It is just as much flying MREs to refugees as it is conducting CAS for ground pounders in Afghanistan and Iraq. To paraphrase Churchill, if you think winning a war with airpower is tough, trying winning one without it! Cheers! M2

No prob, PRK fixed that! Cheers! M2

OK, a little reality check here. That ain't the Texas Tech swim team! I suspect it is a 'Miss Texas Tech' beauty pageant or something, but those fine young fillies are not competitive swimmers. Trust me, I have scrutinized that pic for hours! (Actually, I have been told they are the 2003 Tampa Bay Storm Cheerleaders; and the TT logos were Photochopped on. But who cares?) Secondly, Mt Home was “only” an hour away from Boise but it wasn’t a drive I would want to make every day. We all can and do “embrace the suck,” but it bites when our families have to; and anyone who says that taking care of their family is not important will soon find they won’t have one to take care of! I have encountered that bozo mentality too many times, to include having a squadron commander who once told me “the Air Force cost me my first marriage.” Bullshit! He cost him his first marriage by putting the Air Force ahead of his family. I wish I could remember his name, but I once heard a very astute Army one-star speak who laid it out perfectly (which surprised me considering the color of his uniform). He said you first priority in life is to take care of family. If you didn’t do that, you were of no use to him; as he knew he wouldn’t have your full attention if you were worried about your wife and kids. You second priority should be to yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, than once again you are no use to him. The military comes third. Once you have completed the other two, then he knew you could focus on the mission and deliver him the 100% he needed from you. As much fun, exciting and rewarding my military career was; one day it was over. But my life wasn’t, and the reason for that was because I still had a wife and kids waiting for me when I came home and hung up the uniform for the final time. Like it or not, folks will go to Cannon and they will make the best out of it; but wanting better for your family is nothing to berate a person about. If anything, it is a commendable trait that more people should have. And the folks of AFSOC will go to Clovis and make it work, despite the attitude of the mayor and a few others. Why? Because they are professionals and that is what they do (and do a lot better than most of the Air Force). Also because they know if the Viper guys could survive there, they sure as hell can! And I’ve been to Lubbock, and I have no desire to go back! Cheers! M2

Somewhat related and I didn't feel like starting another thread, but there was a good article in this month's Air Force magazine titled "Why Airmen Don't Command" that's worth reading. And while your at it, also read "Beyond the F-22 Problem - Why, on an issue of supreme importance to the Air Force, does the Pentagon find itself unable to agree with USAF's leadership?," which highlights another key leadership issue within the USAF going on right now. Cheers! M2

Crog You are correct, Mr Burns had no combat time before taking over the helm at USAFE. He finally "got some" by scoring a ride on an RJ in SWA or something like that; but he had a big goose egg of combat time in the Viper...It was one of the many reasons he was considered a perfect assbag! As for his tenure at MSU, it turned out exactly as I expected it to! I guess now he'll return to Mingo County, WV and ruin it as well... Cheers! M2

Back when F-111s still ruled the universe, I was up at Mt Home. Many had bad things to say about it (I didn't, I liked Idaho!), but many more said "at least we're not at Cannon!" Whereas I am a strong advocate of making the best out of any situation, I also wonder why the USAF has to force everyone to "embrace the suck?" I can put up with it, but as CH so aptly stated none of us want our families to have to put up with it as well! The thing about Hurlburt was at least you knew your family was in a nice place. We all know the reasons the USAF chose Cannon, ain't no way you are gonna convince us otherwise. And watch what you say about Texas, junior! I think people would prefer even El Paso over Clovis! Cheers! M2

My philosophy towards chutes (and a lot of other things) is that 'it is better to have and not need, than to need and not have!' Having jumped from a few aircraft (for fun, of course!), I always thought it was a good skill to have. Honestly, there is nothing tough about it...all you have to do is remember to pull the cord! Other than that, all you are doing is falling... Cheers! M2

From AFA... I love the linked article, especially the comment "Crew members forced to evacuate in-flight aircraft with parachutes, for example, have much gentler impacts with the ground than those without chutes." Real funny. I know the Stratotanker has an excellent safety record, and the odds of actually getting out with a chute on are slim; but I would be curious as to what "real" crews thought and not the brainwashed gerbils that AF/PA gets to quote in their reports? Cheers! M2

Yeah, this sounds hosed. Your plan to go back to the ed office and ask about it is a good idea; but I would advocate talking with somebody different this time... Cheers! M2

Europe is a different animal. For one, the drive on the right side of the road, meaning you won't have to worry about new headlights or anything. Two, as there is more room on the Continent, roads are usually wider. Not always, you will still find some ancient cobblestone pathway that is being used as a road; but for the most part having a larger vehicle is not as much of a problem. I did a tour in Germany and Belgium, and although your minivan will stick out somewhat (they do have them over there, but they aren't as popular as they are in the States. And don't feel bad, we've got an Odyssey), you'll enjoy the hauling capability when you go shopping! Parts may be a problem, but if you find a good mechanic it shouldn't be an issue unless it is a piece of shit and breaks down all the time. As for motorcycles, most definitely bring one! It can go in your HHG and riding in Europe is a experience of a lifetime. A bud and I rode south through the Alps into Italy and it was the best motorcycle trip I have ever taken. Plus, you can haul ass on the roads over there, and drivers are much more motorcycle-friendly than they are in the States. All that said, as much as I like Aviano I would take Spang over it in a heartbeat. Driving/riding in Italy can be nerve racking, the Italians do deserve the reputation they have. However, Germany and especially the Eifel region around Spang is a lot less crowded and quite beautiful. We used to go there from Belgium all the time, it was a much nicer drive than going back down to Ramstein where we'd been stationed previously. Either place would be great, but given the preference I would chose Spang over Aviano. I am sure many would disagree with me; but if those are your options, then consider yourself quite lucky! Cheers! M2

All good advice. I was stationed in the UK and have been back there TDY on a few occassions. Even drove over from Belgium via the Chunnel on two trips. I gotta say driving a left-hand drive vehicle in the land of right-hand driving can be harrowing. For one, as HercDude said the hedges are scary, and I swear you can even see the groove in them cut out by the mirrors of passing vehicles. Secondly, you really have to pay attention at intersections when you turn, on numerous occassions I had think twice about what I was doing as I almost turned into on-coming traffic. I found driving a right-hand car to be a lot easier. Heck, if you like Jeeps (I own an LJ myself), go find a newer RHD TJ and take that with you! Or, as sugested, but a secondhand car while you are there. Although not as cheap as they used to be, you can still get a lot of your money back when you leave, as long as you take halfway decent care of it. I just think the Tacoma would be a lot to handle on the UK roads...and maybe even moreso for you wife. But I wouldn't let this one issue keep you from trying for an assignment there. I love the UK, the people, the culture and the countryside are all wonderful, and you haven't lived until you've done a real pub crawl! Even though things have changed a lot since I lived there (it was always expensive, but now with the even stronger Pound it is a lot worse), I still enjoy my trip back and if I ever had the chance to move there again, I would gladly do so. There is a lot to do and see, and a lot of history there! Cheers! M2