busdriver

The pred community is already short manned, there is no way they could support two aircraft.

Despite the super secret squirrel nature of the PC-12, they do in fact have routine training flights, keep in mind they've got lots of new guys showing up these days.

I don't understand why new AF badges have to "me too" wings. Spwings, now these. If anything, making other badges look like wings degrades their significance. If you're a space and missile guy, having the pocket rocket sets you apart, Spwings makes it seem like you're a wannabe which is hardly true. I'll also add that if I was going to sit around in an office (essentially) all day the last "utility" uniform I'd want is a flight suit. I'd want a two piece uniform that was light weight and soft. I'm thinking a BDU type uniform made of something like a dacron/cotton blend, no boot blousing though so you could wear a low cut boot.

So it's more a logistics/MX supply issue than a concern for the operator?

What's the deal with different engines on the same airframe?

Buddha, great points.

Fair enough, keep in mind using terms like "SEAL basic" sounds a bit off. Sort of like I was going to be a SEAL but decided to fly the Raptor instead, the Air Force recruited me for a new special ops F-22 unit.

SEAL basic?

Adding to what stract had to say, I have more important things to be doing than watching the PJs leave the aircraft like an adoring fan.

of course they can fix it, different pot of money....

Laser beams would probably not be an optimal solution for our fictional space force. There are limits to the amount of cooling you can get through radiation.

The reporter got confused over the HH designation. To my knowledge the HH-60M is an Army MEDEVAC bird.

For shooters on a budget, go with a used Glock in 9mm. They're not sexy like a 1911, but they always work and they'll last for a very long time. The benefit of this is you can buy one used for a reasonable price and be confidant it will perform as advertised.

If you weren't in the AF and lacked the history behind this swill, why would you drink it? In other words, do they still make this crap just for us?

The military doesn't just calculate an average housing cost, they decide what kind of accommodations you should be living in and then average the rental cost for that. So as a single captain they figure you should be renting a two bedroom apartment and a married captain with dependents should be living in a house. Now this example doesn't apply too well for the current housing market as housing costs are inflated, but over history mortgage payments and rental rates should be pretty close. So dependent BAH should pretty much cover the mortgage payments on a house. This allows the married captain to buy a house and build equity, while the single captain is stuck renting. In the long run the dependent BAH pays a lot more than the single rate.

I know what you're saying and intellectually I agree 100%. There's just a part of me (not the logic using part) that wonders....

Interesting way to look at it. I guess I'm just cynical. It may be that the IG is what saves the whole program.

Boeing may be able to save themselves if they can prove that that change didn't impact their proposal. It does seem unlikely you wouldn't need an FCF after rebuilding the heads like that though.

Reviving this long dormant thread. This doesn't look good for us getting anything in my career: DOD IG is looking into KPP change

I think I know where he's getting these ideas. He's incorrectly applying fourth generational warfare ideas. I'm thinking this since he keeps harping on tactical outcomes being irrelevant. The idea is best shown by the first intifada. The Israelis attacked with tanks, helos and guns; and the Palestinians responded by throwing rocks. By all tactical accounts the Palestinians got run over, but in the court of public opinion the Israelis were turned into monsters. The idea is an insurgent attacks his enemy's moral credibility, if successful the world's and even his enemy's people's opinion favors the insurgency. He is confusing tools with tactics/strategy. Ground troops, airpower, armor, and ships are tools no more, no less.

M2, I consider my M9 a last ditch weapon that I only plan on using if I'm stuck in my cockpit and hadji is rushing me (ala Mogadishu) so I would prefer a chest mounted holster. I have a feeling in this case though, he carries in the manner shown only wandering around base since a drop holster gets annoying after awhile.

Drudge didn't break the story, some shitty little rag from Australia that deals in celeb news did, drudge just compiles crap from around the world. But as said, good on the UK news for having some integrity. And ###### the shit heads who broke it (the crappy little Aussie rag) or made it big time news (Drudge, etc.). I remember hearing tales of Vietnam, where journalists would be told classified information so they had the whole picture so they could write things correctly; and be trusted to keep the classified bits to themselves. What the ###### has happened to the integrity of mass media? They protect their "sources" but don't consider the military/DOD/the government a source? Stop trying to be the next Woodward&Bernstein.

Jacko, I don't think a layout that just says: "Computer with fancy shit here, and here and here" is a big deal and if that's all you're looking for I'm sure the USAF PA system could get that for you. That said, once you start describing what each of those stations usually does you start getting into the realm of throwing out the puzzle pieces that when put together can build a pretty good picture of classified capabilities. Even as I type this, I can see how number of crew stations could be in that realm. Think of it this way, if you know generally speaking what the RJ's capes are and you know how many crew stations there are, worst case they can all do every job, now you now how many different tasks a single crew can manage and you've built a pretty good picture of what an RJ brings to the fight. The problem is the enemy can use this data against us, and they haven't used anything more than Google to get that info. You're probably thinking we're being paranoid or unrealistic or just overly sensitive and you may be right. The thing is our lives depend on OPSEC, and being overly secretive makes us seem like weirdos, but at least we know we've done everything we can to keep our brothers and sisters in arms alive. But you being a military specific journo tells me you're probably an enthusiast as well, so you already know all that. So like I said, talk to PA you may get what you want and you may not, but people on this site would be out of their lane to give you info that isn't available from them anyways.

M2, you can't draw from a leg holster when you're mounted in a vehicle.

There's no point arguing with that guy, you can throw down all the facts and sound theory you want and he won't listen. He thinks he knows everything and you can't change his mind. As Matt Damon said, set him to ignore.