WheelsOff

Not great in the past. What many would have considered a "good" follow on assignment would have been a T-6 to UPT. Word on the street though is that the pendulum is about to swing the other direction again, at least temporarily, and we should start to see more ops-ops tours again. The problem primarily stems from (IMO) the fact that the C-17 has been the AF's go-to airframe to absorb extra pilots to give AFPC a good pool of folks to draw from for those "bad deal" assignments. As with everything in the AF though, it's all about timing and luck.

This:

2, and I'd probably say the same for TCM. I'd avoid both like the plague if I could, but it sounds like you don't have that option unfortunately. Single squadron C-17 bases are much better from what I hear, but based on your limited choices, I'd say KC-10s are the way to go. Edit: Wanted to reiterate what others have said below...pick your jet based on the mission. However I still stand by my statement regarding superbase politics; I feel that UPT guys should have fair warning on the matter (it WILL affect you). But all that queep aside, both jets are deployed/TDY frequently, go cool places, and have good missions...just pick based on what type of flying appeals to you more. Best of luck!

Went through OTS with the guy...awesome story, real awesome dude. Well done!

Coinforce is cool but 95% of their business is coins...they can custom make patches in orders of 100 or more, but no dice on individually sold morale patches there. Anyone know of somewhere else in the area?

Anyone know of a good place similar to Jeans Alterations by Randolph (that sells pen tab patches), but up in the McChord/JBLM area? There are a few alterations type shops near the JBLM main gate, but they sell only Army stuff...

True. Happened at Diego. Saw a pic of the nose of the C-5 that got torn up. We flew the crew involved back to their home station just 2 days ago.

My favorite Manas memory: A group of us walking back to the dorms from the chow hall in our PT gear, we nod as we pass a gaggle of Army dudes going the other way, and after we pass we hear one of them turn over his shoulder and snidely remark "good day to you too, Airman!" Everyone keeps walking while one of the Captains stops and turns around to see what this dude's problem was. Turns out to be an ate up O-5, who gets in this Captain's face to lecture him on not forgetting our customs and courtesies and that "this is a joint base, etc, etc". He calmly responds that AF regs don't require us to salute in PT gear, but snaps to attention anyways and gives him the biggest Gomer Pyle salute you've ever seen and does an about face and walks off. Classic. I definitely won't miss the Army thinking that they run that base, and guys like that O-5 who would rather police other branches than his own privates that don't render their customs and courtesies to other branches in uniform.

The IP that disseminated that letter got fired from his leadership position for doing so, but nonetheless, quite a good read! I wonder where the kid the wrote this is now...?

They filmed the scenes of the outside of the White House last summer on a set right next to the CenturyLink arena in Bossier City, LA, just down the road from the main gate at Barksdale. Saw them filming one night as we drove past heading to the in-laws' place. Seems like it should be pretty good.

Really? I would think that quite a few fighter dudes make up a decent portion of the U-2 cadre...I guess that's not the case? Any reason in particular these guys can't apply right now?

The only caveat I'll give about Abilene is that if you try to get plugged in to various churches, kids in schools, etc... they aren't overly welcoming unless you are 1) born and raised in Abilene (lots of good 'ol boys), or 2) are a college student attending one of the universities in town. This was my wife's observation/experience living there for 5 years as an AF brat at one time in her life. I lived there for 4 years as a student at one of the local universities and didn't have the same outlook (ref #2 above). YMMV (edited for my .02)

Copy, but I'd seriously like to know too. I don't know how easy it would be to get into a fighter, but what about bombers, say the B-1? (I'm in the exact same position as Jackal...)

Been noticing that a fair amount of T-38 studs in the last couple of classes that got C-17s are mostly going to Charleston/McChord more than any other base (however T-1 studs seem to be spread out more evenly amongst the bases)...any idea as to why that could be? Just purely an observation...

I believe there were only 7 -38s?

I'm really just looking for a nicer/newer/safe area to live in (that 1LT BAH can cover) that is within a reasonable commute to the base...

T-38 side was: F-16 Kelly (yes, he was AD...they run a B course there too) B-1 Dyess AC-130 Hurlburt C-17 McChord T-6 FAIP MC-12 Beale x 2 Of the 4 C-5s on the T-1 side, one was guard and one was reserves. Everything else was AD.

married. is base housing good or can anyone recommend good off base rental options?

...thanks? anyone that can give some good insight, i'd appreciate it

Just got a C-17 to McChord...can anyone talk about what the current ops tempo is like there, where's a good place to live, etc?

XL 38 drop (sorry I don't have the Toner's drop): F-15E F-16 MC-12 U-28 C-17 2 Singapore F-16s as well

I'm putting in my dreamsheet soon and was curious about the B-52... what is life like for a new co-pilot? How many hours a month will you get to fly once you're in an operational squadron? How about the amount of flying on deployments? Anyone highly recommend the jet or no?

As for dudes who are getting MC-12s out of UPT now as a "permanent" assignment (i.e. no follow-on aircraft assignment)....is it truly a "permanent" assignment to the MC-12 or can you expect to crossflow into another ACC or AMC asset after your first or second tour?

Also an MC-12 w/no follow-on. Oh the shenanigans...