HeloDude

Can't be dual qualified unless there is specific guidance (regs, waiver, etc) to let you do so. I lost my qual in the Huey once I had a FM 8 saying I was qualified in the Mi-17. When I got back I was given a CC's directed requal to get back in the Huey.

I knew Dave from Rucker as well as hanging out with him during initial qual while at Kirtland in 04'. God Bless him and his family. Thank you Dave for giving your life to our country.

Dude--nothing has changed...they were never really good. My take on it after flying with them for a year is that a few of the older heads are pretty decent pilots and can actually somewhat lead their folks...but generally, these guys are few and far between. I had one of them tell me a story of their invasion of Kuwait...somewhat like 120 Mi-17's from Basrah to Kuwait (not very far) and they lost around 30-40 of them due to hitting power lines, hitting each other, being shot down, etc. Flying to a lot of the Iraqis means they get in the aircraft, start it up (FE does that), and they fly the aircraft from point A to point B (that is if they can flnd B)...and that's about it. Most of them have no concept of mission management, CRM, navigation...you name it. That's what we were there to teach them. But to piggy-back on what HueyPilot said--the key to the Iraqi Air Force is with their younger guys. Most of them speak pretty decent English and are much more motivated to learn 'Western' ways. I could go on and on, but to get a real idea of how it is, you just need to sit down and talk to someone that's worked with them. Having said all of this, the Iraqis are the nicest people you'll ever meet and I very much enjoyed working with them for a year.

Why would the Air Force care about making this a 'non-shitty' 365? They haven't cared about all the others they've tasked. And as for volunteers, again, Big Blue in the end doesn't care if they have volunteers--they'll gladly non vol anybody they can. When I did my 365 2 years ago about 25% or so were non vol'd and with the latest group of guys who just recently left for Iraq or Afghanistan to fly Mi-17's, I'd say 50% to 75% of them were non vol'd. Also, I met 2-3 fighter guys (O-4 types) that were non vol'd to the CAFTT staff gig, so again, nothing new.

Interesting decision that has been made on where next to put UAV's...and 'the hits just keep on coming'. Another fine 2 gem locations. Ellsworth, Whiteman to host UAV units

God Bless those who have fallen to save others. It was a sad day for the rescue and helo community.

I think you need to study up on the UCMJ my friend. Unless I'm mistaken, you can not be 'legally' punished in the Air Force unless you are found guilty in a court martial or you ACCEPT an Article 15 from your CC, which is 'Non-Judicial' punishment. Thus, this Gen or anyone else for that matter, will not be punished until such a process has taken place. As for being kicked out of the AF, that is not punishment. The Air Force 'force shaped' and separated how many thousands of E's and O's a few years ago and are getting ready to do the same thing this time around. If the Air Force has to give the boot to someone to get their numbers right, it only makes sense to get rid of the trouble makers first.

I know I commented on this earlier, but just wanted to say that Randy was a great guy and a great instructor. He and the others will surely be missed.

That's the funniest thing you've ever said on here.

Found out today that one of my old Rucker IP's was one of those killed. To him and and as his family along with the others lost and their families. Thank you for your service and paying the ultimate sacrifice.

Dude, you're joking right? We have pages upon pages of half naked chicks on this forum (which are awesome) and other posts where guys say 'choke yourself', 'kill yourself', etc and you think that we should act 'differently' here? If she doesn't like what she's reading she has the right to not come back on here--same to you for that matter.

News flash...Big Blue doesn't care about what its members want period.

You can't trust anybody around here....oh, and is it bad that I kind of like that song?

He was talking about staying in for the additional 8 years after his commitment until retirement. Assuming living 80 years (close to the average life span), 8/80 equals one-tenth. Edited for poor public math skills

Take that Hacker! Just kidding…but seriously.

Recently heard that after you have ten years in, you no longer receive additional ADSC's for any type of flying related training.

I imagine the one benefit of allowing openly gay dudes serve is that we'll all be better dressed.

Seriously dude? If someone graduates from UPT they are awarded the aeronautical rating of 'Pilot' and thus those are the wings they wear.

Yes, because 60's can't be air refueled by: Shadows, Talon II's, or Marine KC-130's. I believe the new MC-130W is also in the list if I'm not mistaken.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you're referring to 'IDE'. SOS is the classical form of BDE. Also, assuming you meant 'IDE select for SOS grads is virtually 100%'...I don't know where you're getting that info from? I agree that more than half the time a DG out of SOS will be a select on his Major's boards but I have seen it not happen...on this board for example I personally know of someone who was an SOS DG and was not a select (did not have a masters). Talking to my buds that got picked up this round and who were selects--ALL of them has their masters complete but not all were SOS DG's. Also, talking to one of our prior wing exec's, he said our wing king here reserves his DP's for guys with their masters degree and those are the ones he also pushes for IDE in-residence. Like ClearedHot said, it may not be right, but it's the system--get your masters degree. Fortunately I'm finishing up my last class! Can't wait to be done with this sh!t.

Being that I'm a rotor wing guy with drgagging knuckles and a tail...I have the upmost respect for backenders. They've saved my ass definitely more than a few times. Having said that, sorry Outbreak, this thread thus far had nothing to do with mil aviation. It's all about the fatties that take up more than their one seat when flying commercially.

Having been reading/posting on this forum for almost 5 years now, I would like to say welcome back Rainman. I look forward to reading your insightful and humorous posts once again. I for one was taught to respect my elders--question is, who's the oldest guy on here? Brick has to be up there.

The reason I came up with 200 lbs is because that's what we use for the 'standard' weight of a crewmember/pax on our aircraft--just an easy number for me to remember. In all honesty, I don't care what the number is as long as it's reasonable. But to play devil's advocate here--the airline spends more money flying you somewhere than they do flying me (disregarding our bags) to that same location. And just to the stir the pot even more, according the BMI scale, you're considered 'overweight'. Now for all I know you can run a 5K in 18 min and bench 350 lbs in which case I would say you're in awesome shape, but I don't know if that's true or not. So if it makes you feel better, we can say the max weight without paying a surcharge can be 225 lbs--always willing to help a brotha out (oh, and just in case you're getting upset, I'm just messing with you bud).

First off, the guy in Toro's post is only just obese--he's a big boy in terms of height and bone structure. I don't see a problem at all with charging extra for a person above X amount of pounds. Most airlines now charge an extra fee for bags and their reasoning was due to the added weight coupled with higher fuel costs. So why should I have to pay an extra $30 or whatever for a 40 lb bag when I only weigh 155 lbs? What I think they should do is either charge a surcharge per X amount of lbs after 200 lbs or say that everyone gets to board with 250 lbs (yourself including your bags) and anything more is an additional surcharge. I'm not all about the airlines nickel and diming everyone but I am about people paying their fair share--and also not having to sit between two, let's just say 'huge' individuals, that would be nice too. By the way, how come I never get to sit next to the hot chick that I see waiting in line to board?

Not sure if it's been mentioned in this thread or not (didn't feel like reading through the 4 pages) but guys taking their mid-tour leave on a year or longer deployment are 'supposed' to be in uniform until their final destination. That's at least what was briefed to us when we left Kuwait for our mid-tour leave. Sure it's nice getting to jump to the front of the line, getting some hook-ups on food/drinks at times, and getting thanked for your service--but there's something to be said for being comfortable on a flight. On the rotator no one really cares when people take their boots and ACU/ABU blouses off, but I don't think that would portray the best image on a civilian flight. I for one am happy they don't make us wear our uniform when traveling somewhere TDY--besides, I'd rather wear one of my Ohio State shirts and get into a conversation about college football.