ClearedHot

Copy cat...

Yup, also mainly a civilian plane so a bit harder to turn of the parts train because of a political issue. The U-28 community has some of the most dedicated Americans I've ever met, but I think most of them would acknowledge they need a better plane to accomplish their mission (faster, can lift more, RANGE). Interestingly, Scorpion would be an incredible fit as a replacement.

Not smart...why buy a foreign built airplane when there are far better options. I sure hope we never fall out of favor with Brazil and they turn of the supply train.

0.0

Also a lot of RUMINT about the Navy wanting out of the F-35 business...trying to give them all to the USMC and buy a big lot (148), of Super Hornets. I guess a long-term play to skip to 6th Gen.

All valid points and I won't even pretend to defend his comments. I would not have threatened no-notice check rides, not the place on a DOV guy. On the other hand if I was the SQ/CC and my IPs were sitting in a circle talking about the airlines at work I would justifiably not be happy. We all bitch about the bullshit queep that keeps us from flying and focusing on the mission, shouldn't that apply both ways? "Good Dude" in this context...really means good leader. I know many people on here know who he is, but I will still attempt to preserve his anonymity. Let me give some examples of what I am talking about. He is MOST certainly NOT part of the management club, on multiple occasions I saw him say no to STUPID shit from above. The Command wanted to deploy someone to a useless position...NO, he stopped it and took the heat. Being told his wing needed to perform some dopey make-busy tasks on a weekend..."Fuck NO" was his answer. Performing and tracking bullshit queep tasks that had nothing to do with mission..."Don't fucking do it." He hates the career model and is straight up PROUD he was never an exec and never did a pentagon tour. One final example, THREE days after met him he pushed a set of G Series orders for the Wing across the desk and told me he was leaving for almost a month. The Wing ORI was going to kick off four days later so I asked "what is your guidance"...his response was "don't fuck it up...they know what to do." He didn't call during the ORI, no second guessing, no micro-managing...zip. When it was over I called him and he said how did it go? I answered "we got an Excellent" and he replied "those fuckers should have given us an Outstanding...anyway here is what is happening down range." For those who think we need the second coming of Robin Olds (and we do), please remember Olds was fucking his wing secretary and was not exactly easy on those around him when he was drinking which was often...even the great ones have warts. I am sure none of this is translating, I am too close and truly respect the guy. I have other stories I can't share. Also, if he came back to read this he would be pissed to see me defend him.

He has very strong beliefs and I fully understand the negative reaction to his statement above. That being said he is straight up a combat leader and and on MANY occasions and in MANY ways he fought for the line guy...on his own authority he simply ended queep and took the heat from above. Not a single one of us is perfect but I am telling you I would follow that dude into combat any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Management buddies? Liquid is a good dude, he has been promoted again and I think his job and circumstances keep him away from this forum...I am assuming. We are friends but I don't discuss this place with him. As for other senior folks, I wish I had a better answer. I am admittedly disillusioned having run in those circles and I am truly sad to say many are sycophants that could care less what you post on here because they believe alternate realities and nothing you can say (even the facts), will convince them otherwise. When you try to tell the MAJCOM/CC there is a retention train wreck coming and his response is "they will stay because they are patriots"...you reply, but sir they have done their duty over and OVER again...then he replies "fuck them, we will just make more." Some of these assholes made it worse out of pure malice...one in particular REALLY fucked some good people over and they got out. One dude had a life-long dream to fly the B-2, the now 2-star select refused on principle (our manning would have allowed it), so a Great pilot bailed. The same guy then stopped another guy from going to TPS (another life-long dream), because he was a CV-22 flight lead and we were short...so they guy got out and now flies for Delta. Much of our senior leadership is septic...the only reason they are pretending to care is because we are indeed 1920 pilots short and it is only going to get worse...MUCH worse.

STOP trying to use logic.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/11/09/air-force-leaders-were-going-to-break-the-force/

Stop Loss Cometh...

So it was just reported he was denied a Texas CCW (presumably because he was dishonorably discharged from the USAF) and he had a domestic violence conviction.

I hear what you are saying and I get it, your points are very valid. My first time in real combat was an eye opener, the adrenaline was flowing, things happened fast and with extreme violence, I immediately fell back on training and it saved my life. Most people have no concept how psychological and physiological impacts will shape a fight. In the end, I do not intend to "go up against a determined killer," I sole intent is to protect my family and if I can generate some space and time, even if it is minimal, it may make the difference. To your last comment, I would like to see the facts, if there was no mental illness or other mitigating factor how do we as a society propose to stop this without taking away weapons? Question for another day. Prayers to the victims.

When I carry I prefer the M&P 9 with a Sticky Holster, but like you after 15-20 minutes in the car It bugs me so I put in the gap between the seat and the center console, stick up just enough to be a fast grab but easily concealed by my legs. I have no illusions about stopping a shooter in one of these situations but if there is merit to brief suppression in order to allo my family to escape, regardless it is better than fighting back with a chair or dying like a sheep.

So the douche was an ex-USAF type who was Court Martialed and discharged. Of course he was using an AR-15...let the politicization begin. For those with CCWs how often are you carrying? I am to the point I feel naked without mine, even at my son's soccer practice.

Any more details? Assuming 9MM? Cost? Their website is HORRIBLE.

Stop loss Cometh...

That is an animated gif not a meme you n00b.

USAF in full damage control mode...CSAF twitter has a link to a statement released earlier today saying they don't "intend" to recall retired pilots.

MV-22 is NOT a CV-22, not even close.

I could give a rats fucking ass what some douche in A1 says...take your intent and use it to choke yourself. The only “fact” we know at this point is what is written in the order and that order delegates authority to SECSEF and SECAF to INVOLUNTARILY recall up to 1,000 pilots. Our intent...give me a fucking break...how many times have they lied already?

Told you so...

Again it was about accomplishing the mission not stealing $ for CV-22's. It takes a LONG time to go deep in a 60...

Huh...Are you new? When Gen Brown was the SOCOM/CC he basically forced AFSOC to divest all helos, besides the 53's were TIRED. To understand the CV-22 you have to understand SOCOM and AFSOC were born because of the failure at Desert One and a helicopter even today can not execute that mission in one period of darkness but the CV can. I was never a CV lover...in fact I hated, it killed two very good friends...then I flew it...then I commanded it in combat. It is a game changer that has had its hands tied by a manning shortfall driven by decisions from above. Is it perfect, nope, but on the battlefield today it IS the platform of choice of the high end users. I've heard the internal discussions about CSAR at AFSOC and not a single word of stealing assets or $...just how can we do this better. Sadly the CSAR O-6's will never listen because they have Stockhom Syndrome and still believe their ACC puppet masters will do the right thing.