JVBFLY

RJ's, in theory, are going back to 60 day deployments, probably twice a year. RJ is very structured deployments. Cobra Ball and Combat Sent are a litte more "on the hook" type lifestyle, but not 120 days per year TDY. And heck, you can rely on the nav always, so you don't have to do anything as a co-pilot! Gear up, yes sir, done... ;)

DITTO KD! Come on guys...flight hours and experience being related to safety? Refer to our recent C-5 accident as a perfect example. It is not the experience, or lack of experience that kills, it is COMPLACENCY! Experience is vital when dealing with mechanical/aircraft issues, but experience doesn't mean shit if you aren't paying attention!

But, but, then someone would have to go all the way out to the jet every WEEK to post a supplement or change!

ummm....yeah. IMHO AETC made the right move, but the follow-on airframes need to change the job/duties as well. I really can't say about all the airframes, but RC community has been to slow to morph from old ways to more technologically advanced MO.

I have had this done, also broken nose fixed at same time. No waiver was required for AD flying purposes. It was annotated on my FC1, but no further questioning. My FC1 was also approved by NGB. PM if you have other questions.

Rainman - I agree with all you have said. I will not deny that just because it is not on your shoulder means you forget it. It is more this mentality than a unit history feeling. This community is actually huge on tradition and many things about it will live forever. Bring in "outsiders", (not always a bad thing) including intel and fighter/bomber types to run your wing and you should expect things to change. The CFIC patch was also banned - another patch with a noteworthy history. I agree that a patch is only a piece of cloth, and it will not win the war. So why then do we wear them at all? For tradition? Then should we not truly represent the traditions for which we teach/instruct/fight/train for every day at our desks? It will be interesting to see in the next few months if the weapons school grads give up their patches, including those in leadership roles, because the wing patch is now the standard, until the next person comes along...

So we have discussed BOOTS and FLIGHT GLOVES, let's talk patches. A group here at Offutt was recently told by the new OG to remove the American Flags from our flight suits. His words, "I know why you all are wearing those, given the events a few years ago. Well, it is time to get over it and become standardized (i.e. wear the wing patch)." As we approach the five-year anniversary, those words infuriate me. I was deployed at the time fighting the "old" Iraqi containment war (OSW). This is the exact attitude that will continue the loss of focus on these bastards! They almost got us again with their clever "liquids". When are we going to wake up and realize these folks are never going to quit? We as a nation can't ever stop or we will lose our way of life. 9/11 documentaries should be played non-stop to remind everyone this enemy will do anything to kill us. Sure by removing a patch alone does not mean we will forget, but what does it hurt to wear it?

11-301 6.2.5 specifies the item number boots you are to wear. I don't see anything about steel toe in there, but check up those item numbers and surely none of them are steel toe boots.

And if you get his picture to post here...well, we will think of a great prize for you!

BTW, I called Mr. Gillis today. He works in "Aircrew Training" and sounds like a very serious individual. Perhaps some of our navling to be's can stop by and wish him a fine day. And heck, remind him he gets paid the same as a civilian whether he polices our lounge or not.

Ditto! Thanks BASEOPS, you run the finest "crew lounge".

Mr. Gillis, Please, please, please don't make us start using our CAC's for this site! And while you are at it, send the terrorists an email as well to make sure they never ever steal our e-pictures. Otherwise, common folk might be fooled into thinking those arabic sites are sanctioned by BIG BLUE. And by the way, are you using your governement computer for official business or are you surfing the net while on duty??

AFI 11-301...it is a life support regulation. See paragraph 6.2.4. No specification on color, just Nomex

ummmm....they no longer produce NAVs actually. So that should at least answer your question. To facilitate this movie watching fiesta, the AF changed the rating/name to CSO...pronounced "cheese-OH!". And you ask what kind they are, the names fits well. Most coming from the new program are not navigators, they are truly systems operators.

only one student is the "lead" nav at a time. This used to be divided by different phases of flight. It is an old airplane, and you are there to learn the basics. Most advanced INS and FMS training comes at a later date in the FTU. There are a couple of windows, but no time to look out them as a student. Sleep on the job in an airplane? Certainly possible once you are qualified and know what is going on. But as far as I remember, as a student, there is hardly time to eat and drink, let alone sleep. Low level is done in the T-1.

There is no such thing as a "completely useless" aware in the Air Force. And everything, everything, everything goes on your "permanent record". But yeah, there are a lot of awards like spelling bee trophies.

I never knew Herks were LD/HD...HD maybe, but no way on the LD. How many Herks does the AF own? I would guess they are probably HD/HD.

No. Anyone can submit an application. The unit will filter those they do not wish to consider.