Eeyore

I'd like to thank Nate and Pete for the boycott Clovis video. The EMS company I work for wants to station a EMS helo there from Lubbock. The town sucks big time. The video my help change a few minds. I was stationed at Hurlburt and Kirkland while in AFSOC and a remote tour is warranted for Cannon.

I smell a serious rat who is about to get smacked. Another AF AQ mess with Boeing.

letter to Berkeley. Open_letter_to_Berkeley_City_Council.doc

In reading several different news paper articles the Marines currently have no intention of moving. The 1st amendment works both ways. A thought, a letter campaign of thanks from those who support and defend our great nation to the city council Berkeley.

:bash: I'm so glad to be retired. Wish we had Leadership focused on the mission during my tenure. Nothing seems to change. Looking good sure does win battles, wars, and chicks at the bar. EE

Shack for Curt22!! Those old helo folks all know why the 55th SOS and 20th SOS exsisted!!!

Interesting new words. I wonder if AFSOC desires the HH-47G to compete against the dreaded Army foe at Ft. Campbell. I'd wager that is the case since there are no -53's. Why did we not build aircraft to meet the need?? Another example, UH-72 is EC-145 and was designed for civilian use not military. When the dust settles where the AF CSAR program be?? My bet is still in the DO Loop.

Curt22, Perhaps I was the one who misspoke regarding the Air Staff. I find it ironic that the IOC for CSAR-X is 2014 or later. I would think it would not take 20 years to develop a new helicopter. I was involved with the evolution of the 55th SOS Eglin Blackhawks to the Pavehawks. This evolution was to meet changing mission requirements and in doing so we witnessed the oil canning of skin above the FE window with probe install, cracking of both windows frames with minigun mounts, the overstressing caused by external hoist mount, etc. This being said, it would have been nice to have a mission specific design. So does the Air Staff and JROC requirements meet the need? My last experience with both involved Air Force Blue Force Tracking and both neither could agree to disagree. As for future necessary equipment, Air Conditioning is a must. I'm now spoiled flying EMS with A/C. EE

Curt22 Valid points. You mentioned the Air Staff crafted rquirements. This group of senior officers I feel can not think outside the box. They believe that they know what is best may not be the case. They feel they know the political winds and craft requirements to meet political goals (new POTUS helo). IMHO. The competition between contractors is not truely competition if not starting from the drawing board. Each contractor is trying to sell a product based on existing designs. I feel true competition should be from the drawing board. A case in point is the AF's the latest fighter. Boeing and Lockheed designed totally new aircraft and then competed against each other in a fly off. The Air Staff gave them the requirements but allowed each contractor to pursue different approaches. Why then did the Air Force and Air Staff not do the same for CSAR-X??

Well, yes SHOOTING someone or multiple someones though makes one feel good. Solves little. I'd say the problem does belong to the CSAF. He is the one whom the AirStaff work directly for. He needs to clean house. This why we need LEADERS not mere entrenched managers. Again, I'd wager that the AirStaff pushed the cutting of mod funding to keep the F-22 or other projects viable. It will be sad day when the threats become so aggressive that CSAR will not be able to rescue the down aviator. Then things will change. Until that day those in the field must apply constant pressure to get funding restored for mods. Additionally, thinking outside the box MUST occur on new selection of CSAR-X. What is CSAR mission?? Rescue? Infil/Exfil of overt/covert operators?? HLS?

The latest posts are thought provoking by curt22 and jorry21. This is the homework the source selection team should be doing once the AF managers or Leaders decide when to release rebid for CSAR-X. I'd reread rotorhead's latest post to glean further food for thought. I understand the AF needs to streamline cost (Ops/trng/mx) and getting AFSPC to honor new helo commitment (only if it can be built to launch a ICBM or a GPS satellite ) is a long shot. As the AF restarts the bid process, those in the field should still push mods/upgrades to HH-60 for it will be years before the new CSAR-X is in the field. Hell the AFSPC huey's, 1. will still be in service when new CSAR-X is operational; 2. get NVG cockpit; 3. still be the workhorse for AFSPC. After working the last six months in civilian EMS; DOD, AF please purchase an aircraft that does the job and is not a political solution. I'm flying the political solution and it does not meet the need.

I believe Pres. Eisenhower warned of the military industrial complex creating weapon systems with more capabilities but costing more, thus we will purchase fewer numbers. So leadership is faced with a crisis started in the late '50s. Reducing personnel end strength is a shell game replacing AD with contractors will not fix the problem. Air Staff is very slow to change and therefore looking at short term solutions and not long term fixes. Why?? Politics of our elected officials. Looks like a solution is the Old Army Air Force. Oh we tried that once. JorryFright21 I feel your pain as retired helo bubba

Bulldog, Congrats on going helos. As for CV-22, you'll need to pay some dues first in Huey's and think about CV-22 after first assignment. Though strange things do happen at AFPC and you might get CV-22. Go to the main page and click on helos to get Ft Rucker gouge. Stay in the books and listen carefully reference helo aerodynamics. Best piece of advice is relax your right forearm on your thigh and move the cyclic with just thumb and index finger to develop your control touch. Lastly, thinking about moving the controls is all one must do to move a foot at a time in the hover. EE

Yes, I have an AM for single event. It was for mission in Aug 1989, searching for Congressman Lelend's aircraft in Ethiopia while assigned to 55thSOS. My MH-60G crew found the crash site.

Well two chinooks down in afghanistan in two days. Hats off to the crews. Now when is the AF going to wake the f... up? I still believe the-47 is still old and too large a target. Oh, I forgot that the AF is run by managers not Leaders. One wonders what does it take for common sense to prevail.

It is only human nature to want to find the cause of mishap/accident. As professional aviators we want to become better pilots. Speculation on cause is not helpful to anyone. Let us let the safety board convene and hopefully find cause of mishap. In the AF this process takes 30 days and then the briefing is brief up the change of command and finally published. Additionally, then an AIB is held to determine who's responsible and can asset blame and punishment. You are allowed a lawyer at AIB but not at Safety board. I have lived through a Class A and it is no fun having everyone try and guess what happened. Lastly, :beer: for a fallen aviator.

AFSO 21 strikes again. Brilliant !!!!

Yes, talk to Lt Col Tom Humphries in the 512th at Kirtland. Started in HC-130s on active duty, then went to Oregon (Portland) and transitioned to H-60 after unit lost HC-130s and now is back on active duty.

Ah the joys of politics!!! I wonder who is on the payroll??

Well, round two has begun. The political follies abound. The AF must get this one correct this time. The HH-47 is a nice large airframe for CSAR but the design is 40 yr old technology. So selecting it over new designed S-92/US 101 was odd. I believe CSAR is facing a dilemna of size and internal capability for the PJs. Sure it is nice to carry more equipment and have room to work but what about speed. I would think with some lessons learned speed is life and having it helps negate the foe. Recent news reports from Iraq suggest small arms and RPGs are doing the damage. I'd wager a year or longer in review of all weapons systems based on recent losses. A self inflicted gunshot for the AF once again.

C-21, I know that officers are allowed one time sell back of leave at retirement. Enlisted I believe could still sell back leave as they reenlist. Unless rules for enlisted has changed. Hope this helps. EE

WOW!! Lt Gen Regni decided to restrict everyone to academy for this weekend to discuss and find solution for cheating problem and of course measure the solution. Sounds like elementary school punish all for the sins of the few. I'd boot out the cheaters as an example. I'm sure most will just get 1 year probation and tours to march.

The trash!!! Taco Gilbert Chief of AFSO 21 office in Pentagon from USAFA for screwing up the place. "Brilliant"

Jane you ignorant slut! When will you learn. Oh thats right can't teach an old dog new tricks. Where did they find a 12yr that is so political aware?? I must have been a slow learner many moons ago watching "Combat".

What a crock of stool!!! I'm not surprised though. Hell, I'm sure the article and 10 points got them promoted. We need more BOMB GIRL ASAP!!!