Tonka

Any other TERA denials? Approvals?

This is really disturbing... I would personally hold the program office that field this equipment responsible. How is it possible that they "tested" this and fielded it and now that they are testing it again there is a 100% failure rate. There is never enough time and money to do it right the first time, but apparently there is enough time and twice the amount of money to do it a second time.

You joined because you believe that it's the most amazing job in the history of jobs, that's true. Take time to enjoy that, seek the knowledge that makes you an expert in what you do, enjoy the walk to a dark aircraft on a dark field and the sunrise you see above the cloud deck while the masses below you curse the traffic on their drive to the desk job they've done for 30 years, realize that every person on that base you took off from is there to support you in your quest to slip the surely bounds and project that weapon in defense of freedom. Initially you will blindly follow, trusting that you are part of a well oiled, flawless machine. But slowly, one by one, you will all realize the stark truth that there is no Santa Claus: a few or maybe many of the very people and positions you put faith in to make smart decision, take care of you, and blindly follow will wreck that trust. It will become obvious to you that the very institution you initially placed on top of the high ivory tower is populated with many individuals only after self-interests, self-promotion, and self-gratification. Top cover for making tough decisions in a time sensitive environment will be reduced to witch hunting, adherence to 6900 pages of AFIs, and Monday morning quarterbacking by idiots that read about how to effectuate combat off a cereal box written by other idiots not adapt enough to make tough decisions in a time sensitive environment... You will become sully, you will realize the truth, and the dark pit in your stomach will make you ill. Realize you are not alone, your maturity is expected, & you will soon have to make a few of the biggest decisions in you life. Mainly, do you still believe you have the most amazing job in the history of jobs and is retaining that job worth the toil on your life, family, and other priorities in life? It sucks. When you do hang it up, you will miss it, because you will quickly forget the bad and only remember the good. You will realize that for every douchnozzle there are a dozen amazing Americans that you would gladly trust with your life. And regardless of what you hear, every American is indebted to you for your service regardless if they would rather reduce you to a number in a spreadsheet or an inexplicable cost that could better be used for steaks for those unwilling to earn it. But, the one thing you will always be able to control is your attitude, it will make all the difference in every situation you will face. Bloom where you are planted and don't let the bitterness of those around you affect the smile on your face when the gear comes up, the scarf whips back in the wind, and you leave the planet and all it's problems behind.

I didn't see it posted anywhere else: Ayotte Files Bill to Kill Retirement COLA Cut http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/01/28/ayotte-files-bill-to-kill-retirement-cola-cut.html?ESRC=airforce-a.nl Sounds like the big discussion is whether it is gone completely or if it will just be a grandfathered clause.

which, of course, is where you need it the most.

It's still as funny with CSOs.

Might be a stupid question but, does anyone know how to turn off the yaw axes when the J autopilot is on? Obivously there are buttons for turning off pitch and lat, but what if a guy wants to dance on the rudder pedals once in awhile... anyway to do that? thanks!

It was inevitable, the same thing happened to the Nazis when they brought back Hawaiian shirt day...

The 11-217 model seems to work well... If it's bold it's procedure, if not it's technique.

There in lies the rub, 15 years ago we absolutely policed ourselves with respect to the easy/small stuff. Now we have removed most decision making from lower ranks that they have no no perceived experience to be accountable (we have created a military of AFI following robots). Those that did make unilateral decisions got schwacked when their decision didn't perfectly match how the guy 3 positions up would have done it. However, i have no doubt that that skill set is still there it just needs a chance to be broken out... What better way but with insignificant, easily correctable rule changes that can be implemented/enforced at the lowest level.

I have it on good authority that these wars will be over by 2012.

Disregard, 15 year retirement is 35.6%

Has anyone verified the actual retirement % for early retirement? I know there is a 1% penalty, just want to make sure I'm understanding it right. At 15 years, retirement would be 32.5%?

I hate this iPad...

I've had a few tonight, so forgive me... But what the heck are you trying to say? "Literally"...you keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means. This sucks, we all know it, but... this too shall pass. Keep some perspective, play your best hand, prepare for the worse, hope for the best, and have the best scotch on hand when you hear a decision, regardless. You (we) are all more than what the AF currently thinks of us, don't lower yourself to that level. Edit, post buffoonery

In case you were as bored as I was waiting to find out if I have a job next year... another pilot replacement aircraft. http://www.tactical-robotics.com/category/2013

"Roll on" seems like a nebulous term for these systems, so far... Kind of like "mobile homes" and RVs, both are technically able to move about, but one typically stays in place it's entire life. I would imagine that the "roll on" 105mm going on the AC-W isn't going to roll off very often once it is fielded. Maybe that is the difference between "roll on" and palletized?

Money doesn't solve everything, should be an interesting year for that program. Flying next month? ...HA! So, the Army wants them, we steal them, we can't afford them, we give them back to Army in hopes we can steal them back when we're done sinking $ else where. Alenia has one heluva business model. At least with a roll-on gun you can show up without the obvious business-end sticking out the side... I think their version has the sensor mounted to the gun, a limited FOV but very non-descript until you need it. Edit:quoting errors

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/unwanted-air-force-c-27j-spartans-future-will-be-decided-soon/ Might as well put a gun on them! http://rpdefense.over-blog.com/2013/11/atk-alenia-to-integrate-c-27j-palletized-gun.html

Didn't step on the moon, but 45 years ago this month Apollo 8 got pretty close. Interesting insight: http://www.gizmag.com/apoll-8-45th-anniversary/29991/

How well does it work? What model? Just starting to look into them... we haven't really started flying with iPads yet, but would like to be able to use these receivers when we finally do. I guess I have to research the rules on them a bit more too.

Anyone flown with an ADS-B receiver? or something comparable?

That SAM operator is a horrible shot. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Forget the Airline hiring boom: Oh and.... $150,000!! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2522653/Hundreds-students-studying-fly-UAVs.html

http://www.army.mil/article/116793/Army_tests_vehicle_mounted_laser_against_multiple_targets/ More LASERs, this one takes out UAVs and mortars: