FourFans

Sad that people forget we're all on the same team. They'll boo their buds at a christmas party but god forbid you should talk poorly about TCN intel collectors that cook our food. In the spirit of poking ourselves in the eye, the last I checked C-130's never blew up and fragged aircraft on their home ramp. That explains a bit...

Point of interest: The avionics are not the only thing that rock about the J. Just performed a couple yoke-in-the-lap takeoffs in the sim and got airborne at 40 kts and roughly 400-500 feet. We had to adjust the rotation speed up to 50 knots in order to not drag the tail. I thought that trick was reserved for super cubs. Thank you mister Lockheed. I love the new toy. FF

Concur with most of the above. Alright. No one ever says it but they should. If you have doubts about your stick and rudder skills, PLEASE stay out of the herk. I know that ain't the PC thing to say, but I don't care. I'm sick of having 'those' ACs and IPs in the squadron. You know, the ones the schedulers have unwritten rules about flying with seasoned CPs. Seriously. That AF won't wash out the ones that need to be washed out. If there is one airplane in the that is unforgiving to bad rudder riders, it's the herk. If you don't think you've got it, sack up and admit it. As for the rest of the decision, pick the mission not the airframe. You'll love whatever airplane you end up in. Lots of good info above as well as in the prior ops IPs, in your squadron. From my point of view, it seems like you can go everywhere from the herk but it difficult to get into the herk from somewhere else. If you want a lot of options after your first assignment (NSA, AFSOC, crossflow, etc) go for the herk. The Air Force is always in need of good prop and rudder pilots, even if it's not always advertised that way. FF

Great book.

Does anyone have any experience with Stag Arms Model 2? I've got a dealer offering me $850 for a lefty model (damn you left eye dominance!). No hits for any Stag Arms weapons with the search function. I'm looking for any reviews or input I can find. Thanks. FF

LEEEEROOOOOY! JEEEEEENNKINNS!

Recovery? Simple: Bring back the fulton recovery system.

Playing "what if" with history asside. I think this is an awesome idea, even if we only get a technology demonstrator. Imagine the possiblilities of world wide power projection within 4 hours. The REST of the world won't like us being able to do that, but since when has politics actually been about doing what other people want you to do? On the flip side, they'll have to make tac airlifters a LOT faster if they expect the resupply chain to keep up with troopers like that. I hope they go for it. FF

Starship Troopers anyone? (the book, not the movie) Sign me up! FF

The Air Force is officially no longer at war. Welcome to Northern/Southern Watch Part II. Sad, seeing every other service is still in the fight. Unsat. FF

Thanks for setting me straight. Sorry if I threw anyone off. FF

I thought HD would have shut this down, but he probably passed out a mile ago.

From the horse's mouth. If it were up to me, it would be a different story. I don't know how much input he has into who comes to the squadron. Right now it sounds like we're sitting at roughly 30-50% prior E/H dudes and the rest from white jets, UPT, FAIPs, and crossflow. Talking to some of the dudes who think they're "ready to be and AC," based on the fact they were and AC in the C-17 or KC-10, it's kinda scary. But it's sorta good too, because this airplane is a whole new animal. It takes a new type of herk driver, but it's still a herk. Right now everyone seems to identify with their prior aircraft as opposed to identifing with the J. We'll see who it pans out. FF P.S. FWIW our CC is a prior KC-135 dude.

For all those wanting the J-model, now is the time for you...unless you're a C-130E/H dude. The 41 AS/CC has made it clear that he doesn't want any more E/H guys transitioning into the 41st. Sounds like white jet, t-one, t-44s, and faips have the best chance, if the CC has anything to say about it. FF

Slow down a second folks... Are you all saying that with new equipment like the F-22 we have to get rid of old equipment like the F-15?! I don't care who you are, that's just WEIRD! Ditching the F-16s I can't really speak to, but it seems like we've got enough that there are STILL squadrons that haven't been to the desert yet. (please correct me if i'm wrong) Ditching 9 A-10s? Right. Those were probably the ones that couldn't accept the C-model upgrade. We need the A-10 and it's not going anywhere. The Air Force is trying to save money. We've been doing this for years (around 60ish). They've slated the A-10 to go away, what, 4, 5, 6 times now? The C-130E's were supposed to be all in the boneyard by FY0X...yeah some of those are probably holding right now, at Balad. It seems like all the -135 varients have been in the process of getting "replaced" by the KC-X or some other platform for the past 10-15 years...but -135s are still ALL over the world supporting the fight. Unfortunately, in the AF, change is 10% need, and 90% politics. If this projected plan actually happens as it's written right now, I'd be very surprised. As for UPT dudes, of the 1% of the population that answers their nations call to serve the greater good, you have been commissioned into the leadership cast that encompasses only 20% of the total force. Of that sliver of the military, only 20% become military pilots. That's 20% of 20% of 1% of the US population. Like it or not, the 11X AFSC is an elite club. IF you make it. So stop crying like my newborn, accept the fact that LUCK and TIMING are 75% of your assignment future, and start acting like men that should be leading the world's most powerful military. Please? FF

So do UAV pilots flying OIF missions from Creech have to wear blues in the box on mondays? If so, that is setting horrible precedent.

Tower: "Crome 23, confirm you shut down engines before Charlie?" Us: "Affirm" Tower: "Veeeeeery lucky! You pay big bill if not shut down!" FF

LOGIC FAULT: "Good Quality" and "ABU" used in same sentence.

Better yet, make The Manual a tyvek fold out integrated into the belt itself...printed in powerpoint 4 to a side of course. I feel the need to kill myself now. FF

While we're at it why don't we bring back the experience stars for the flight suit sleaves (ok...so I actually do like that idea) and shinny plastic covered rank too. For that matter, lets get back to brown instead of blue. I find it to be much more reflective of the combat mentality where we're operating right now. Speaking of reflective, can they make the belt for blues reflective? Kill three birds...keep my pants on, keep me safe, AND keep me combat minded while supporting my fighting brothers. Ugh. Where the F*** is Lemay when you need him? FF

The OG/CC here at Yokota flies the line AS an IP. He's cash money...a hardass...but better that then the alternative. FF edit: Crog I can't wait to hear ALL about this wonder of aviation.

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So who is this woman? I'm moving the Little Rock and I wanna know what I'm in for...

I'm glad someone appreciated that literary nuance. FF

Sounds like that just about sums up all I needed to ever know about this "thing."