[F-35 Lightning info]

I'm not holding my breath when it comes to the F-35 being everything to everyone, but I think it'll find a niche. It blows that so much time and money are being thrown at it though. At least the USAF version has a gun, though.

Fck it, I'll fly it if no one else wants to.

They don't want it to find a niche. They want it to do everything for everyone. Hence, most of the problems.

And I wouldn't consider that piece of shit a gun, for all intents and purposes...

[Squadron deactivation/activation]

A downrange formal ceremony requesting the help of MAJCOM protocol.

Define downrange...

then choke yourself.

[Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)]

The next question is: what does AFPC think about it, and what are they going to do about it?

Anybody know what % they need to meet their projections?

The answer is they think retention is fine. I saw an AFPC road show recently where they said retention is on par or higher than expected. I think they based this idea on a higher than expected ACP take rate, but I don't really remember.

According to the brief I saw, there was an 11F shortage of about 9 pilots in 2012. It's projected to be over 300 short in '13 and continue on that trend for the foreseeable future. Their answer was to create more 11Fs (even though our squadrons and jets are going away). Another part of their plan is to have a blanket "no" to anyone seeking a release from 11F for any programs like Olmstead, White House fellowship, staff, exchange, etc.

I am betting that the pilot shortage will make the Air Force and AFPC react in such a way that in about 2-5 years,

Pilsung

[Flying VFR]

I've been gone for a bit and unable to respond, but I think it's hilarious how we have this whole conversation about how VFR is manly and what real pilots do. Aside from staying in the terminal area for pattern work, I haven't flown a flight plan below FL230 since UPT, so apparently that makes me a terrible pilot, because I don't go out of my way to practice something I never, ever use. Welp, guess I better go hand in these wings to the boss and tell him I'm just an imposter.

Dropping bombs, AR, FARP... those are things you shouldn't practice because you'll never use. If you don't know how to fly VFR, then yes, you should turn in your wings. That's day 1, basic PPL shit. You're not a pussy if you can't fly VFR. You're an idiot.

[Return of the orderly room?]

Thank the Lord! Maybe this logical thinking will become contagious!

Agreed.

It kills me that after several years, I STILL have to explain to people on the phone that I don't have a squadron orderly room or comm guy to help me. Happened again last month.

[Sh!t Fighter Pilots Don't Say - your additions]

"Yeah, I'm on Baseops all the time. My login is FallingOsh."

[AF discontinues ITDY dependent travel, transportation allowances]

Lesson learned: hurry up and volunteer for your 365-ITDY before 1 July 3 day opt.

[Syrian fighter pilot defects to Jordan]

However...

... my point stands...

Had a Syrian Army Colonel driven an old, irrelevant piece of hardware across the border, it should have made about as much of a stir as this equally less-impressive-piece-of-hardware MiG.

I think the kid could have walked across the border and it would've made news. The word "defect" by itself proves a point.

[F-22 Raptor info]

At RTU on the first couple rides. You guys didn't at RTU?

No touch and go's in the Hog, ever.

[The Jill Metzger thread]

Please please pretty please will somebody with more wit and computer skills make an xtranormal video of this mouth breather.

Entire bases get bitch slapped for an opinion letter these days. Can you imagine a viral video trash talking the Air Force's PTSD poster child? No thanks.

[Latest Movies]

So a movie about aliens invading Earth, and Earth responding with a billionaire playboy using military-grade technology, a giant green monster, a character from Norse mythology, and a 90-year-old WWII vet is believable...but a North Korean invasion isn't?

Yes, all of those things are more realistic than a stateside NoDAK invasion.

[Non Continuation for passed over Majs]

, but did say that making sure what happened last year doesn't happen again

You can't fix stupid.

[Strike Eagle Extreme; 69 F-15Es take to sky]

You're doing it wrong

I thought the same thing when I read that.

I feel sorry for the poor bastards who have to tally up the scores for 69 aircraft on different missions.

[Space & Missiles Flight Suits (GONE!)]

It's no different than other aircrew tradition and verbiage (coins, namings, "wingman concept", etc.) being pulled into the rest of the force. Everyone's a warrior.

I think it's actually entertaining to see shoes bitch about pilots and then take on our traditions.

[Worst/Funniest/Most Embarassing Tattoos]

Hopefully.

[F-35 Lightning info]

It was an honest question to falling.

An honest RHETORICAL question, mitch.

Actually mine was an honest question to you. I didn't intend to start a flaming of you or the -35. I just wonder what you see in her that none of us do. Like that chick who might turn out ok after a diet and a gym membership, but that's a lot of maybes and wishful thinking while she continues to shove footlong chili dogs down her gullet two at a time.

Maybe she's pretty on the inside. Auto piddle packs, Rip It holder, Shiatsu massage chair. Could be neat.

[F-35 Lightning info]

The only problem is that this is some of the most idiotic and horribly incorrect statement making I've seen in quite some time. Clearly Chuck Spinney et al have zero clue what they're talking about and the above is so retardly wrong its laughable.

We've started down this road before, but why do you always seem so defensive about the -35 program?

[Strike Eagle down, one KIA]

Makes me sick. Great dude. Great family.

Him Him...

War Eagle

[Viper Crash in Korea]

I was under the impression that it was "someone, somewhere is sick of F*cking her"

I think that's the one thing you woudn't get sick of.

[Lack of Flight Discipline]

What I'm hearing (and having a hard time believing):

So the low flybys for the troops is ok...but you lose style points if you crash your aircraft.

Flying low is ok if you're current, qualified, and the situation allows (airspace, threat, etc). And yes, you lose points if you crash an aircraft.

For all we know, the Apache was conducting a SOP of the FOB before departing...don't know, wasn't there.

Cheers,

Cap-10

Go easy on the ROE definitions in a public forum.

[Lack of Flight Discipline]

That totally depends on the situation though. My airplane is certified and verified to fly at 1mm above the ground in the instant right after takeoff and right before landing. That's lower than snakeshit! So is that my minimum altitude if I wanna do a flyby for some Army dudes?

Unless your LASDT category is 1mm, then no. Reference my last post about being trained.

Hyperbole yes but you get my point...

No. I don't.

even if you're allowed to fly low or high or fast or slow or whatever, it should be done for a mission-related reason.

If you're allowed to fly low and fast and you aren't, then fuck you.

[Safety of Flight/Crew Rest]

I love Guam. You ever dive at gun beach?

[Lack of Flight Discipline]

At what point does reckless/dangerous flying become (or not become) criminal? Also, how are we going to teach the young guys 'what not to do' if we can never show them concrete examples?

Flying as low as you're trained to fly is not reckless or dangerous. Even for a panel check. It's also within regs.

A hog at 100' is different than a BUFF at 100'.

If the return to target was illegal, then I guess that's not good.

[NATO apologises for Afghan Koran 'burning']

Miller Time.

2

[Need Some Help Here...]

Class G (uncontrolled airspace)

The ROZ

Not sure what kind of bar this is, but Gangload or Rolling Scissors might work for you. I keed, I keed.