ClearedHot

What gives is a law that protects local and small businessmen around military bases. The stipulates that AAFES gas station prices cannot be more that a certain percentage lower that an average of local gas stations. In some ways it sucks for us, but in general protects the community and local economy.

I saw a wedge go from defensive to offensive in 6.9 seconds. A bro in my UPT class is getting his formation check in the T-38. At the end of the flight we taxi clear and open the canopies. Suddenly a puff of smoke comes out of lead’s # 1 engine. Lead shuts down in place and we taxi to park nearby. When I get out of the jet I look over the check pilot is yelling at my bro. My bro tells me later that the Mx folks pulled a checklist out of the engine and the check pilot was giving him the jones… ‘ “You busted this ride, I can’t believe you let your checklist go down the intake”, at which point my bro responds.” Ah sir…, I have my checklist right here…where is yours?” Wedge

Yes Ma'am!

Join the Navy.

The washout rates varries for multiple reasons. When I went through UPT they were well over 30%, most of them in the T-37 phase. That being said, my class did not lose ANYONE. Don't go to UPT with a percentage in your melon. You will have other things to worry about. Go there with a good work/study ethic, a great attitude, and use the desire that go you in the program, to get you to your wings.

Nice...

Bozz, You better hurry, isn't KSHV to KSPS about a 6.0 in the Hog?

OFDA “gates” are governed by AFI 11-401 (which was directed by congress). The gates are basically a measuring posted established by congress to make sure that only deserving people collect flight pay. There are basically three gates, all assume you remain medically qualified even if not flying; Gate 1. If you accumulate 96 OFDA months by your 12th year of aviation service, you are guaranteed to receive flight pay until your 18th year of aviation service. Gate 2. If you accumulate 120 OFDA months by your 18th year of aviation service, you are guaranteed to receive flight pay until your 22nd year of aviation service. Gate 3. If you accumulate 144 OFDA months by your 18th year of aviation service, you are guaranteed to receive flight pay until your 25th year of aviation service. There are waivers but they can only be pursued when you are within one year of losing your flight pay and they can be difficult to get. In my case, I will be pursing a waiver because I did the ASG program followed by an Airstaff tour. [ 23. February 2006, 12:53: Message edited by: ClearedHot ]

Hoser you are too lucky! Back at Moody the SQ/DO had the personality of a fence post and he was a stickler strict interpretation of the rules. One of his rules was using VCSL callsigns out of the book for cross-country trips. I was taking a plane to the desert and what do you think the book puked out…Fairy-69. I tried to convince the command post to give me the alternate, but the DO had already called the Command Post and ordered them not. So there I was crossing the pond, flying through Europe, and into Saudi using Fairy-69. It was the most depressing 4 days of my life.

Classic Scooter

Personnel Exchange Program (PEP)

Dropping the Boystown reset yesterday reminded me that we used to have a SID out of Laughlin called the Boystown Three. I always wondered how they got away with it for so long. I am checking the NIMA site right now, but I don't see the SID anymore (and the site is painfully slow). I did however find the ILS RWY 36 at Hurlburt Fld which still has Sammy has the IAF. For those not familiar, Sammy’s is the local strip club three miles east of the base (So being sent to Sammy and hold is not necessarily a bad deal). Anyone have any other examples? [ 22. February 2006, 12:05: Message edited by: ClearedHot ]

I thought CATS was more of an airdrop thing and it was the place to go for herk dudes back in the early 90's. The 130 WIC turned into a chocolate mess in 2001 and left the weapons school domain as a result. If CATS is focused on adding tactical knowledge, I am all for it, regardless of crew position or airframe.

AWACKER Pilot at CATS? I understand sending the ABM to WIC, they are managing the fight (or trying to), but why do we send an E-3 pilot to CATS? Are we trying to teach him or her how to run away if someone gets through the HAVA CAP.

Lots of old dudes go through the FSO couse. They like to send folks through the school then make them cheif of Wing Safety prior to taking a squadron. As for places to go, Gardunos (spelling), is a good mexican place down by the mall, but I have heard there are some new places that are even better. I think there is a Macaroni Grill across the parking lot from Gardunos. I am not sure if the area around the base is still bad, but I stayed at a hotel just off base on the main strip and one of the dudes that was out there with me got robbed in the 7-11 acrosss the street. [ 19. February 2006, 09:10: Message edited by: Clearedhot ]

"2"

Figher guys = Shorter...No Fighter guys = Smaller Penis...yes

The "renting it from the bank" argument is nonsense. Buying a house offers many benefits (and risks), but paying a mortgage allows you to build equity and claim a large tax deduction. Hanging on to property as an investment can be beneficial to your taxes as well, but there are a few things to be aware of. As an example, I purchased a house in South Carolina in 1991. I left in 1994 and rented it out. On my taxes I was able to deduct not only the mortgage interest and property taxes, but a depreciation value. By deprecating the house I got another large tax deduction. HOWEVER, there is a catch. If you depreciate you may have to pay capital gains on the profit if you sell the house in the future. The tax code used to say that if you lived in the house two out of the last five years you could recapture the depreciation and not pay capital gains. As I recall the law recently changed and M2 posted about this not to long ago, I think the time period has extended especially for military. It is a bit of a risk, as in my case I have no intention of returning to South Carolina so when I sell the house I will have a large capital gain penalty to pay (a great problem to have). Bottomline, if you are in a weapon system where you think you might have multiple assignments at the same base, then I would buy a house and rent it while I was away. Each time you return you will be able to “recapture the depreciation” and basically enjoy an extra tax break each year.

I bought a house as a 2Lt and it has paid HUGE dividends. I had a roommate and it worked great. Yes it is a commitment you might not feel ready for. Yes it is a pain when something breaks and you have to pay for it. More importantly, Yes it is a huge tax break and if you get lucky like I did, one day you will wake up and realize the 15 year mortgage is almost paid off and the house is suddenly worth $300,000, when you only paid $92,000 in 1991.

Nope, it will fly again.

The Refueling probe on the prowler is fixed. the probe on the Typhoon is hydraulically actuated and is "stowed" when not refueling to reduce drag. I wonder if is has to do with inerting the fuel system. In the Block 10-15 Viper certain emergencies related to hydraulics called for the refueling door to be opened prior to landing.

Ouch...