brickhistory

Both. FAA and Air Force Flight Standards Agency based at OKC. It is a joint (not sure if in the traditional, joint job meaning) agreement between FAA and USAF. FAA does most of the CONUS stuff, AFFSA does some CONUS and all the overseas stuff- ensuring/recommending airfields and associated procedures meet DoD needs. Edited to add: I wouldn't have wanted to do the Honor Guard thing either, but the gayness factor disappears when you see this captain presenting the folded flag to the young wife or the mom of a guy who paid the full tab for Uncle Sam. It is a gut-wrenching thing to watch, I couldn't imagine doing it every day.

BTDT. First gig as a Reservist was as an 84; like most AF jobs, it was 80% queep, but bits of it were very interesting. Also, almost all AD slots have/are being converted to civilian. Most AD slots are/were for enlisted as well.

I'm not advocating any of these except for the Olmstead thing; that is a seriously good deal for the rest of one's life..... Just adding to the 'weird jobs' database.

Air attache (couldn't figure out the special character to put the gay French-ification over the last 'e'). Some require a rated officer (and you get some flying time), some do not. You can get some kick ass language training prior to the posting at Monteray. Some great countries, some not so much..... Olmstead scholarship (not a 'job' exactly, but a damn good 2-3 year assignment) - been way too long since I knew the details but - you get sent to play student at almost any university in the world with language training ahead of time if req'd, then back to the States to get a US equivalent. Exchange officer with a multitude of countries - usually, but not always, for rated types Liaison/exchange with most of the other US Government Departments. Imagine being an exchange bro at State - "F*ck 'em, drop on 'em! That'll speed up the negotiations!" Air Force Honor Guard CC 'Football' carrier for the Pres Just some that spring to mind.......

Looking at post-USAF retirement spots. St George or Kanab look awesome, asking if anyone has spent time at either place? No, I am not basing my decision on any info gathered here, but a few data points will be useful as I can't get out there for several more months to see for myself. Anyone been there?

Umm, isn't that what the U-2 does? Couldn't resist..................

Huggyu2, Outstanding pics! Thanks for sharing; a very different perspective there. Re astronaut wings; I believe 50 miles up is the line to earn those wings. Besides those riding rockets, a couple of the X-15 guys won them that way. I stand to be corrected on the altitude limit by someone doing a google search, however.

Very cool pic!

Just finished writing a thing for the USAF/HO on the American Volunteer Group aka "Flying Tigers" Without going into the mercenary aspects, these guys just lived to fly and shoot things down or strafe. They'd try their best to gain the altitude advantage, throttle to the wall dive into the Japanese, then zoom climb for another go. Officially at something like 297 to 12-ish.......

Do you remember that the IRA actively solicited money and weapons from many US citizens? They were very successful with their pitch and raised a boatload of American dollars that they used to do their terrorism.

The Korean War F-51 was put to use because the equivalent of the 'pointy nose mafia' of the day did not want the P/F-47 in their arsenal. Air to ground was not something they wanted to devote their share of the defense budget. Jets doing air to air was where the glory and Congressional funding was. Most P-, later F-, 47s had been junked by the time of Korea unlike the F-51 in mostly Guard squadrons that USAF took back. That was a case of the pilots making up for the deficencies of their equipment and senior leadership (nah, it'll never happen again......). Aussies and RoKAF also used them effectively. The P-47's R-2800(?) took a lot more punishment than did the liquid-cooled Mustang's Packard-built Merlin. Also, F-47s 8 x .50s vs 6 x .50s for the Mustang. Still believe any new COIN aircraft will be for the current/last war (as well as too late to test/field in time) and not a toe to toe weapon for the next war.

From last year, my info: Patch - compact base, EUCOM's HQ. If you've ever been to Osan, it reminded me of that. Yes, there are DoD schools on Patch - one of each (or was as of last May). To me, Patch was too condensed and crowded, but the family housing, from visiting with a friend and family, seemed pretty nice and newly renovated. Typical PX/Commissary/gas station/food court stuff. Gym closed at 2200 M-Th, 2000 on F-S. Library was pretty good. Easy bus transportation to train station then into Stuttgart itself. Lots of suburb towns from gate almost all the way to Kelley (see below). Advantage is a 5 min walk to work and back. Panzer - new PX complex was being built, understand it's pretty mondo-sized now. There's at least an elementary school there. Don't know of other grades. Easy 10 minute drive to Patch. Kelly - where I billetted in their hotel. Tiny commissary, decent gym, and that's it. It is primarily all family housing with lots of renovation going on at the time. Quite area for family with lots of hiking/walking/biking trails. Small villages nearby, airport as well. If I were going to live on base, I'd pick there. About a 20 minute drive from Patch. Upscale entertainment complex about 1/4 mile away - casino, Irish pub, nice restaurants, theatre, shopping, etc. Mercedes World HQ is there; their museum is downtown. The Museum is way cool However, if I were to PCS there, I'd live off base. As noted above, some great houses available for rent around the area. The area is also big for horses if you're into that (sts). Robinson Barracks is/was also in the area, but across town. Never went there. Edited to add: The Schwabian food is fantastic; it is meat and potato or dumpling heaven. Discovered German red wine there as well. Obviously, the whites like Reisling, etc are well known, but the local red wine is amazing. If you like a sweeter wine, try it, it rocks!

Did an AEF (YGBFSM!) to EUCOM last winter. Except for the weather which was 99% wet and gray during Jan - Apr, it was great! Lots of places to live, both on and off post with advantages to both. Buds stationed there did both options. As noted, way easy to travel anywhere from the airport which is 15 mins from Patch Barracks. EUCOM is very Army-centric from their staffing to their treatment of people, however, except for the special ops guys, the staff hours were bankers's hours. Between Ramstein and Stuttgart, I'd pick Stuttgart.

Great Topic! Concur on the F-4! Perhaps that's why I like this one: The Bristol Beaufighter. Jack of all trades, master of none, it was the most heavily armed fighter on either side during WWII - 4 x 20mm, 6 x .303MG. We used them as night fighters in the Mediterranean and North Africa from 1943 until 1945 borrowed from the RAF, mainly because our night fighter, the P-61 wasn't ready until early 1944 and the AAF couldn't get enough of them. Great ground and ship attacker, pretty decent night interceptor. Rugged as hell. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd like to greedy and jump on the F-86 as well, but that's for someone else to do.

- Showcased AF physical fitness capabilities: two time marathon champion, E & E subject matter expert - Demonstrated ability to generate much-needed publicity for AF diversity; 75% increase in pyscho-chick recruitment - Model for junior officers and enlisted; self-improvement efforts capped off by ability to think on her bare feet - A 'shack' for further challenges; a must for squadron command and SDE in-residence; Air Staff next!

1. One gets to pre-empt responses here now? 2. So if it's not witty or sarcastic, you're ok with a reply? I'm just askin'..........................

I hate you.....................................

"pre-saluting?" If the junior guy is arms full of stuff or doing something, then common courtesy is to just pass on by. If it's low SA, then yes, the 'pre-saluting' method can be an effective reminder of customs and courtesies without being a d1ck. If it's an obvious challange, then a one way conversation should ensue. As for saluting 2Lt to 1Lt, way back when, I did it. Mainly because we're supposed to set an example (as addressed by the earlier post re SNCOs). If I was the 1Lt and a 2Lt didn't, who cares? But my personal technique was/is to salute those entitled to one provided it's not inappropriate to do so (i.e., 'shoot him first, Mr. Sniper guy....') Concur on reflective belts.............

Disagree.

2

It's great to be 'right,' but it would suck as you experienced that thought as the hood ornament of a B-1 who didn't see you.

Sad it is, but a retired F-4 driver who works for BAE in the QF-4 program stated probably the best, "I'd rather see them go out in a blaze of glory than rotting away in the desert or on a stick." Random memory at your mention of F-86s. One of the coolest sights I've seen in my career was a five ship entering the break at Kadena. F-86 DART tow leading a four ship of F-15s with absolutely superb, crisp breaks, that streamed wingtip vortices in the humid air from all five. Outstanding!

The aircrews at the Dets at Holloman and Tyndall do it as their fulltime job. The maintenance is civilian contractor. The current crews had F-4 time (ok as of a couple of years ago, anyway) in their background. However, a new guy can be checked out in house. I know the guy who was the last USAF guy to check out in the F-106. He did it at Holloman in the '90s while assigned to Det 1. Not a 100%, but I believe the only USAF fullscale drones are QF-4s. There's enough of them to support the program into the 2010s time frame. As a side sad note, the last F-4G not in a museum was splashed into the Gulf of Mexico during a WSEP several years ago as a Q.

That's the one, thanks!

After BAE installs the drone gear/telemetry gizmos, they are flown to Tyndall and Holloman. They stay 'man rated' since they do have to be flown with a meat servo for various routine testing/maintenance or in the event an unmanned jet has a problem and is recovered, then it has to have a manned FCF. There is a pretty good spoof video done by the Det CC and co at Holloman about 'old warriors.' If I can find it, I'll post it.