ClearedHot

Exactly - while I give credit to Biden for taking the shot, homeboy was taken out in downtown Kabul while standing on a balcony. It does show the Taliban were in violation of the agreement they made to not harbor terrorists. If you are a professional and invest time in reading the intel you will see there is a SERIOUS resurgence building since we left. It is time to test the "over the horizon interdiction CONOP this administration promised.

Yes. IDIQ contracts are more flexible and have a ceiling which is at the high end. As conditions change on the battlefield over the next 7 years the this allows the government to change/add options/weapons/capabilities which may cost more (or less), without re-neogtiating the entire contract. In a recent exercise Sky Warden flew a 9 hour sortie and landed with 600lbs. As Danger pointed out the mission dictates a different CONOP more akin to rapid reaction austere employment. It will fit in a C-17 or C-130 which can rapidly deploy it to the other side of the world in less than 24 hours. Four hours after landing (or less), it is ready to conduct combat operations off dirt or grass strips. Three sensors (which can be federated to the ground party or others), a metric crap ton of weapons (APKWS, Hellfire, Gun, GBU, and CLT delivered munitions), it will offer a smorgasbord of options to the warfighter.

A toast to all who helped find and pop this son of a bitch. 🥃 Well done all!

You might get a new guy. https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3112446/

Biden tests positive for COVID in 'rebound' case, doctor says Double vaccinated and double boosted...got the Rona and Rebound Rona...

Chinese Media is suggesting they should shoot down Pelosi's plane if she visits Taiwan. I wish her no harm and I hope she doesn't back down. I wonder if they will send an escort?

Come on brother, man up.

The annual Congressional Baseball Game which raises MILLION for charity and it supposed to be a "unification event" has AGAIN been tarnished by the DNC. "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the coach for the Democratic team, said in an interview with Fox News’ Chad Pergram that comradery and the players’ love for baseball was the reason the congressional members continue to set aside their differences for the game." Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) showing her true colors.

Reading the Air Force AMN/NCO/SNCO page on Facebook is both comedy gold and shocking at some of the BS so called leaders are doing. In the latest installment when have warrant-less phone searches en mass.

I think they kept it on the down-low and had a private celebration with their crew chiefs.

How gunship guys eat popsicles...

Valid...I am biased. Know them both and I know how hard Welsh tried and what he was up against. I think I've posted the story before but I recall a conversation with Boomer about an ongoing ugly AF issue, he took a sip of his drink and replied "you would be surprised how little power the CSAF actually has." As per the design of our Constitution civilians get the final say and those "appointed" to be service secretaries often have other political agendas. I've known Mini for 28 years but have not spoken with him in a few years. As a captain/IP he was a great pilot and a solid bro who took care of folks, I never saw a single act of careerism. When he was the Wing/CC at Andrews I reached out for helping hiring one of my former Flight Engineers and Mini went to great lengths to help the guy who was eventually hired. Others may have other data points but my observation so far is he is trying to break some of the dogmatic thinking. Also, interesting Welsh and Minihan were at Moody at the same time (Welsh was the OG, Mini was an IP). We shall see...at least it's not CZ or Rat.

USAF Open to sending A-10s to Ukraine

I wonder who they will black ball if this comes to fruition - USAF Autonomous Cargo Operations

Dogmatic thinking...It takes leadership. If USAF senior leaders can go to the mat for new programs and weapons, do the same for your Fing people. Having worked on the hill I know what you are saying and trust me I understand the NDAA, go FIGHT for your people.

The fact that single pilot KC-46 pilot operations was even suggested and staffed up to Mini demonstrates just how broken the USAF is. There are only two possible reasons to allow this moronic idea to see the light of day. The first option is they know the big-wing tankers are gonna get whacked in a fight with China, so lets keep the body count low. After showing a ray of hope with the KC-Y discussion, they quickly defaulted to dogma and signaled intent to buy more of the same...Fing brilliant...not. The second option is they know the pilot shortage is worse (and accelerating), than they are saying in public. Sadly, this option is a solvable problem. If they want to try out of the box solutions then give up one freaking KC-46 and dump that $170M into pilot retention. Figure out what the actual number is to get a pilot to stay until 20 and PAY them. Seriously, we spend a $1M to put an ejection seat in a jets to save pilots, why not spend a million dollars to keep them on active duty. I know not everyone wants to stay for 20 years and the nonsensical queep of the past 15 years has made it even less desirable but money speaks and so does messaging. Congress gave authority to pay more bonus but the shoes chase the curve rather than lead turn it with a long-term view. If USAF never uses the full allocation, what message does that send to the force. COVID saved this clown show...but that little respite is over and it is time to get serious. I am using old numbers but as I recall USAF makes approximately 1000 pilot a year and needs an approximate retention rate of 60% at end of initial commitment to break even. In recent years that number has fallen to the around 37-39%. I wonder how the calculus would change if they swallowed their pride and put real money on the table. Realistically they need 200-250 pilots to stay each year...offer each one $1M and see if your retention rate changes. Pay it lump sum, pay a portion each year, pay it however the pilots want to receive it and you will see a difference. $250M is decimal dust to the Air Force and if it solved one of the toughest problems it would be money well spent.