[C-17 Lands at Wrong Airport]

I caught a ride on a C-17 not to long ago. I was a PAX but the AC asked me if I wanted to ride up front. Having never been in a C-17 before I jumped at the opportunity. There were two Loads and they both stayed down stairs for the take off. I'm not sure what there Vol 3 says about monitoring PAX, but as soon as we where wheels up one of them hit the bunk. Everything went pretty smooth except one moment when the IP took the jet. There wasn't a headset for me so I didn't here the ATC transmission, but what I could make of it the Co dialed in the wrong heading, IP took the aircraft and corrected, no big deal, it happens.

When we were getting ready for the decent I gave up my seat so one of the young Airmen could sit for the approach and landing, I see it all the time so it's not that big of a deal for me. There was a second MX guy who sat in the other seat because he hadn't seen it before either. I thought nothing of it because I figured he would get kicked out once the Load got up there. That never happened. The Load was woken up and went straight from the bunk back downstairs and stayed there.

After talking to a few Loads I found out that this wasn't something out of the ordinary. They aren't taught how to read approach plates and they don't spend much time up front. I think that's a CRM fail. Having an extra set of eyes can never be a bad thing. Especially if its been a long day and a pair of those eyes can be rested.

[Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness]

Ours are beginning to be issued. They bought OtterBoxes for all of them, so we're looking at approx. $700 per iPad.

They only have epubs on them. The epubs are not current.

They currently have no way to update them (apparently our comm folks won't allow iTunes on any .gov computer, regardless of network status).

They're trying to get a secure wifi setup in the building for updating them, but $$ is a major factor.

There's more, but I'm tired of thinking about it...

Ours are issued the same way with the otterbox. As far as updating e-pubs. Each Sq has a dedicated tough book laptop that is dedicated only to iPad e-pubs updates. It's not connected to the network and e-pubs is updated by Stan/Eval via spinning hard drive.

[C-17 Lands at Wrong Airport]

I understand that flying a military aircraft is different from a civilian aircraft, but airmanship is the common thread & there have to be some operational improvements we can develop and share (at least in non-tactical envirinments for mil). Here are a few other "wrong airport" scenarios from around the world in recent years.

No, my wrong airport landing in the mighty C-182 isn't on this list. Neither is NWA landing @ Ellsworth, having intended to land in Rapid City in 2004

Dude care to cite anything better than 2006? For ###### sake look out the window. The runway markings alone should have told these guys it was the wrong airport.

[AFI 1-1 (AF Culture/Standards)]

The metric ton of bullshit that is written into AFI's is exactly that, bullshit. Unfortunately the great leaders of the AF decided that this is the bullshit that needed to be put into writing to be enforced . Agree with it or not , it is what it is. This stuff comes from the top , higher than any E9 and put into motion by the leadership that demands it. If you have a problem with it kindly part ways or make enough rank that you can do something to change it. Now I think we all know if you are going to get into any place that can change it you are going to have to take a big old swill of the big blue grog bowl.

When I was in Japan we had Wing CC, Brig Gen (frocked), that held an all call. One of his things he spoke about was how he had, for the past few years walked around with his uniform ######ed up waiting for someone to correct him. Every time he was corrected on the self induced infraction, he would coin them. 90% of the corrections came from SrA or below. This guy was a Viper pilot, he encouraged it. He made it very clear that everyone, down to the lowest ranking airman was expected to uphold standards.

[AFI 1-1 (AF Culture/Standards)]

TSgt yelling across the chow hall at an FGO is bullshit.

The TSgt should have pulled him aside and said something about the sunglasses. Anyone shouting across a chowhall to correct somebody is wrong. At that point it's not about correction and more about "chest pounding'. With that said, do you think it's even plausible that the TSgt was egged on ny the higher leadership he was eating with? I only ask because I have seen it.

the Major's argument with the Lt Col was not about sunglasses but rather the unprofessional "correction" by the TSgt. the situation escalated unnecessarily after that to the point where eventually SF was summoned and IDs were confiscated. the "punishment" was horseshit as well - the situation had absolutely nothing to do with flying or evaluator duties. the OG at the time was known for those kind of decisions unfortunately.

While I agree with the Majors argument as you state it. How else do you expect the LtCol to handle it? You can scream all day until you are blue in the face for someone to give their ID card. If they don't do it, what other option do you have?

the biggest problem is people don't mind their own f*cking business. if i have my sunglasses on my head, it's none of that TSgts god-damned business unless he works directly for me or is otherwise in my chain of command. this "correction" atmosphere needs to change.

Seriously dude? How does that look to everyone else that sees you? How can the TSgt explain to the A1C that he can't wear his sunglasses on his head in the chowhall when he sees some Maj do it? Leading by example and all that good stuff. Just because you wear a bag doesn't mean people don't look at you, even if you aren't in their chain of command. They look at you even more than the officers that lead them.

that being said, staying within regs is an easy way to avoid this crap and focus on the important stuff.

F^&king truth right here. You don't want to be called out, then have your shit straight. Lead by example , not what you want.

[AFI 1-1 (AF Culture/Standards)]

I didn't say you didn't see that particular example. The point I was making was on the leap you made from that one egregious story to saying that "I know more officers who will go out of their way to avoid it than enlisted." Which is total bullshit and you know it.

Copy you changed your story. But you're really saying it's based on "the number of enlisted vs officers?" Really? With a straight face? Come on dude. So you are suggesting a vast conspiracy on the part of officers to avoid being saluted so that we don't have to return the salute? Why would that be exactly? Come to think of it, it makes sense. Along the same lines, I actually prefer to avoid all verbal conversations with enlisted so that they don't have to worry about calling me "sir". That's way too uncomfortable for everyone.

Oh, wait, you changed your story back again. In the very same post even. So first it was more officers who don't want to salute. Then it was enlisted (but only because of the numbers). Now it's officers again. Nice.

Like I said, I have no doubt there are some clown officers that avoid salutes. But that's not even remotely common let alone the majority in this stupid O/E game that you're trying to start here. The one that doesn't exist in real life except for with those who are bitter and/or have no self confidence whatsoever.

I never said it was some big conspiracy. I don't even think it's that common. I simply stated that I, me personally, know more officers than enlisted who will play the dodging game. Looking back I'm not even sure why I brought it up. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the logic that a Lt shouldn't have to salute a Capt.

[AFI 1-1 (AF Culture/Standards)]

I hear this all the time from NCOs but I've never in my entire life seen an officer go out of his way to avoid a salute. Not even once. And I've been around quite a while. I believe that it happens, but I don't get why. How ######ing difficult is it to lift your arm up?

I have been around a while myself. While it might not be the majority of officers I have seen it happen on more than one occasion. I watched a Capt cross the street when an enlisted guy was approaching. When the enlisted guy crossed the street the Capt crosses the street again and continues on his way. Now I don't know for sure why he did that but it sure as hell gave the impression that he was trying to avoid it. I don;t get why either, it's not hard. The only thing that I can think of is they are tired of constantly having to salute.

[AFI 1-1 (AF Culture/Standards)]

Yeah, it's super-draconican. I mean, this whole saluting thing? Way outdated, we should just be able to give fist-bumps and be on with our day. And calling people "sir" is SO Civil War, when "Bro" or "dude" or "dawg" conveys the same meaning.

Listen: If I walk into may commander's office to talk to him about something, I start at attention until he tells me otherwise. Same for my DO. Do I expect a Lt to stand at attention for a Capt? Not really, unless there's some sort of disciplinary action taking place...but generally I don't expect Lts to salute Capts either. I do expect that this is an EXCELLENT way for officers to exert their authority over the enlisted troops who suddenly feel like they outrank everyone on the base because they work for the OG/CC or WG/CC. It's not something I enforced on a regular basis, but it was handy to have it written into a regulation so when you really needed a way to deal with a REMF, you had one that was entirely within the bounds of the regs and you could defend yourself when he cried to his O-6 boss.

Saluting? You seriously want to bring that up? I know more officers who will go out of their way to avoid it than enlisted. There are many enlisted who will track you down just so you have to salute. You do realize it's a sign of MUTUAL respect right?

If you go to the commander or DO and start at attention good for you. Most people don't unless it's disciplinary. You as an officer have the option of putting someone at attention if you desire. Hell, a SSgt can put an A1C at attention if he wants. You don't need an AFI for that.

You don't expect a Lt to salute a Capt? You can't be serious. I guess you don't think the Major should salute the Colonel either. I think you painted a pretty clear picture that you look at the enlisted as second class citizens and that's sad.

[AFI 1-1 (AF Culture/Standards)]

I'm a little disappointed that it no longer explicitly states that the junior member will stand at attention when addressing a senior officer.

I'm curious to know why you think this. If a junior member stand when addressing you that is a sign of respect, for the rank at least. Why does it have to be at the position of attention? Does it give you some sort of hard on? Do you stand at attention when you speak with your CC? I doubt you do. Do you expect a Lt to stand at attention when talking to a Capt? The military is kinda draconian in it's ways now compared to modern times.