hobbitcid

Just finished Any Weir's The Martian... Amazing book, could not put it down. Basically, (no spolier), an astronaut gets left behind on Mars when his crew has to evacuate due to a storm - to be fair they think he's dead and cannot find the body in the short amount of time they have left. The marooned astronaut comes to, finding himself alone and has to survive until the next mission that will take place in years... The book is part Robin Crusoe, part Gravity and all McGyver... Weir did some really outstanding research for the book. There is a movie coming out soon with Matt Damon in the role of the lost astronaut... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p7bgMxewxA

From aviation week - http://aviationweek.com/defense/lockheed-martin-offer-converted-c-130js-maritime-patrollers The article requires free registration. So excerpts from the article: Lockheed Martin To Offer Converted C-130Js As Maritime Patrollers " RNAS YEOVILTON, U.K. — Lockheed Martin is to offer a U.K-specific variant of its SC-130J Sea Hercules to Britain, as the U.K. looks to re-generate a maritime patrol capability." "The company says it could convert the U.K. Royal Air Force’s existing fleet of C-130J airlifters into SC-130Js, reducing procurement costs and technical risks, company officials told Aviation Week on the eve of the RNAS Yeovilton Air Day." "The company plans to formally announce its plans in the coming weeks. If selected, the British Sea Hercules’ would be fitted with the same mission system fitted to the Royal Navy’s AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin Mk. 2 helicopters, which were upgraded by Lockheed Martin as part of the U.K. defense ministry’s Merlin Capability Sustainment Program. Currently the Sea Herc is being offered to international customers with Lockheed’s Artamis mission system, which was developed for use on the P-3 Orion." I think the Herc may actually outlast the B-52...

From the weird side of aviation... According to the web site, the idea of an Amphibious C-130 was considered back in the early 70's... or is it fake? Can't tell these days... Anyway its an interesting diversion. http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/a-c-130-hercules-amphibian-makes-too-much-sense-to-be-t-1716610531

It just won't go away... even Sec Army is trying to put a fork in the idea :-) http://www.dodbuzz.com/2015/02/25/army-not-interested-in-taking-a-10-warthogs-from-air-force/

Hey there is an original available and apparently it only cost 1 million to restore... Dwight D Eisenhower's Columbine is apparently wasting away in Marana AZ. http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/02/16/original-air-force-one-wasting-away-arizona-desert

Looks like the USAF has decided to replace the current AF-1 VC-25 (B-747) with a 747-8... http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/air-force-one-boeing-747-8-114689.html

Update from BBC and NDTV - 10 dead (8 French, 2 Greek), 21 Injured (Italian and French) some with serious burns. The HAF F-16D hit 2 X ITAF AMX, 1 X FAF Mirage 2000 and 2 X FAF Alfa Jets. the Spanish said the Greek F-16 "lost power" and one of the two pilots performed a wrong manuever. Sad day for NATO and for TLP... http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30991950 http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/f-16-crashes-10-killed-during-nato-exercises-in-spain-654073?trendingnow

A Greek AF F-16 participating with the Tactical Leadership Program has reportedly crashed on the apron at Albacete AB Spain. Two reported dead and thirteen injured... A bad day at TLP http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150126/1017370197.html

C-145 makes a successful single engine landing at Talahassee. The news media of course is making a really big deal out of landing on just one engine in low cloud cover... Anyway, it ended well... http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Air-Force-Pilot-Makes-Emergency-Landing-In-Tallahassee-243414381.html

Interesting times... I got picked up for O-4 without AAD during a drawdown. I was lucky on that board, wrong place, wrong time but working for the right guy. The Gen went to the mats for me in the MLR and I came out with a DP - nice... Fast forward about five years, yet another drawdown - O-5 board would promote the minimum allowed by law (about 65%). I was again wrong place, wrong time and in this case, working for guy who really didn't give a s**t. But I had all the squares filled, AAD, PME, leadership (deputy CC)... Still no luck, not whining just going with it. On that board, we had 5 O4s competing for 2 DPs - 2 of the O-4s were C prefix CCs. Oh well s**t happens... OK fast forward another two years - suddenly the USAF is way down on bodies, its a freakin' disaster... The O-5 board goes to something like 85%... Anyone with a heartbeat is getting promoted. And to top it off, a whole group of guys who had been passed over for O-4 back in the day were back, and making O-5 on the first round... But its cool, needs of the USAF and all that... Fast forward three more years, now we are so short of O-4s that we are continuing all of them to 24 years. Later that year I'm having lunch with a now retired bud from my RTU. He was ahead of me by 2-3 years and was given a choice when he was passed over for O-5 first time - either take the early retirement or take your chances with an APZ promotion and no continuation. So out he went at 18... Basically we had people all over the place. So what did I tell the Lts? Basically its all about timing - control what you can, don't worry about what you can't and never assume the game is over until its really over. I suspect those officers pushed out ahead of their 20 will be found either in the Guard or Reserve or in about 2-3 years, back on AD wearing their O-5 oak leafs... Unless they decide to just quit, and thats a whole different case.

You guys are right, forget about the A-10 - someone needs to save Army Aviation... http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140123/DEFREG02/301230029

Once again the idea of passing the A-10 to the Army is making its appearance. Interesting review of the history of USAF-US Army agreements on fixed wing support aviation (Key West Agreement) and the claim that the USAf never wanted the warthog in the first place. I think the first time I heard this topic raised was in 92, after the Desert Storm when the concept was floated in QDR. I guess the increased cost of the F-35 makes keeping the A-10 difficult to justify. The question would be, does the Army really want it, and if so can they maintain it. I assume since WOs successfully fly and employ highly complex aircraft such as the AH-64, the MH-60 and the MH-47, they would probably have the ability to fly the A-10 effectively. Not so sure about their ability to maintain multiple squadrons (battalions) of ejection seat equipped fighter and their associated weaponry and targeting systems... Could be fun though... http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2014/01/22/save_the_a-10__give_it_to_the_army_107047.html

Hmmm... an intersting concept - especially since the USAF was the Army Air Corps through WWII. I'm not sure I fully agree with the notion of the USAF being created only to prosecute a strategic war... But there are certainly redundancies between the services. At any rate, its an interesting concept and given our current fiscal realities, one thast may not go away quickly. http://www.boston.com/opinion/2014/01/06/time-abolish-the-air-force/B1BQF31AkNjl0GcQS8msHO/story.html

Looks like the USAF is on the hook to support a French deployment to the Central African Republic (CAR). Currently its airlift (C-17s) burt Tankers and ISR will probably follow. Chrstmas time in Africa :-) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/us-to-fly-african-troops-to-central-african-republic-8994230.html

Looks like the Japanese and the South Koreans making a point of ignoring the Chinese ADIZ. If you are going to draw a line in the sand, you better be ready to react once its crossed. Not sure the Chinese had this in mind... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25133957

Apparently the decision to declare an ADIZ did not coincide with any kind of actual force planning. I appears that the Chinese did not expect the US to challenge them so quickly (or at all) by flying through the ADIZ unannounced, and with B-52s to boot... Somewhat embarrassing no doubt. Based on the statements from the Chinese they were aware of the B-52s and were monitoring them during their tour of so called Chinese airspace. The Chinese don't like to be embarrassed so I suspect the next US flight through the ADIZ will be treated much more aggressively. I suspect however, that they will not be hot-dogging around the US aircraft like they did with the EP-3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/chinas-move-to-establish-air-defense-zone-appears-to-backfire/2013/11/27/74313faa-5784-11e3-bdbf-097ab2a3dc2b_story.html

I retired and went to work for an international organization in Europe. We miss the states and get back fairly often but we could not find another job that has the same level of pay and benefits we have here. So we'll stay as long as they let us or until I reach mandatory retirement age. Here are some pros and cons based on my own individual experience: Pros: Great infrastructure, food and drink, awesome opportunities to travel and experience other cultures close by, low level of violent crime (no guns), medical care is decent though it’s a little bureaucratic. Cons: Much higher cost for everything except medical care (housing, energy, phone, cars, fuel, food, drinks, entertainment, etc.), rules for everything (bureaucracy on steroids), and International schools are pricey (22K for the American School, the DODDS school and nearly the same for the British school). Property crime is fairly high, the police don't even come out if your car is broken into and a call to report the incident is a pay line (1-900) at 10 Euro cents/minute. They get very testy if you use the local "911" to report anything but a violent attack or a home invasion in progress. Further, unless you are in the UK or Ireland, everything is in the national language, even if the locals all speak english (NLD, NOR, DNK, SWE, FIN, BEL Flanders). Also very limited options for spouse employment, limited options for additional education, limited options for sports clubs, liesure clubs, etc. Finally, its just not home - you are away from your extended family for what seems like an indefinite period. We've missed a lot of family events (graduations, birthday parties, anniversaries, weddings, etc) because it takes 10 hours to get home and almost 3K USD to get there. Essentially, it’s all about what you expect and what you are going to do. If I was "retired" I would not be living here permanently. It’s safe, clean and friendly but again, its not home. When I was stationed in the PI back in the '80s, we had a bunch of EXPATS who had married locals living in town. Most spent their days hanging out at a local bar getting pickled. The one guy who really seemed to thrive had a business (not a bar) and was doing OK but was up against the local government all the time. Renouncing citizenship is a radical step. I have two friends (1 X ex-USN and 1 X ex-US Army) who married locals in NLD and NOR then renounced to stay in the country with their wives. Both had to learn the local language and culture then take a test prior to being awarded their new resident cards before their citizenship. Unlike the USA most countries require new residents to speak the national language fluently. If you can't pass the test, you are gone... Ideally we would like to buy an apartment over in Germany and a condo someplace warm in the USA, and then be one of those bi-continental families. We met a couple of them in Tuscany a couple of years ago and they were having a blast - but... It’s more expensive to live that way. So on balance, there are benefits and drawbacks everywhere. For us the draw is the job and the benefits that go with it. For others it’s the culture or the cost or the location...

Loks like USAF is having trouble finding volunteers to fly their RPAs... The 13% lower promotion rate certainly does not help... They also feel largely unappreciated... "The lower number of promotions is also fed by a military culture that still does not fully appreciate the skills of drone pilots" http://mobile.defensenews.com/article/308210013

Hilarious video - as its not actually aviation related I thought it belonged here and not in the aviation videos. The moderator can move it if necessary. Great cultural contrast as well...

Interesting review of South Korean Airlines incidents, safety and the issue of culture - very CRM... http://www.voanews.com/content/aviation-experts-question-whether-culture-had-role-in-asiana-crash/1730757.html

My point exactly - Major Y would have either gotten out with his deferred retirement at 10 years or joined the guard or reserves so he could stay in one place, create a second career, build equity in his home and allow his spouse to develop a career. As to being stupid enough to buy a house four years prior to bailing, in some cases he has no choice - less base housing, poor and overly priced rentals options may leave Major Y with no choice. The 20 year retirement (actually retainer) is supposed to provide the cushion he needs to cover his mortgage, utilities and car payments while he gets re-booted into a new life.

Wow - quite a reaction...OK a couple of notes: First, yes I read the article; in fact I read several articles very much like it back in 84/85. Those articles also said military retirement was too expensive and too generous and a small reduction in the benefit will not significantly affect the force. They were wrong... Second - I never inferred the changes would affect those on AD or those who have already retired. I was on AD before ReduX kicked off and like pcola above, most of us didn't really care. There were a few old heads who did say that around the 5-10 year mark, more officers and NCOs would depart based on the reduced benefit. And damned if they were not right... The year groups between 86-92 were way short of bodies causing the inevitable bathtub. This isn't about now, its about the future... Third - the cost of retirement is directly associated to the requirement to pay out after 20 years of service. In the past options being discussed for 10 and 20 year retirement benefits were discussed in terms of deferred benefits. Example 1 - a captain stays in for 10 years, then decides to leave and go fly for the airlines, work for Goldman Sachs or become a teacher - whatever it does not matter. He can leave with a deferred option for 25% of his base pay starting at age 60 (conjectural). Unless you are on the fast track to O-7 and greatness that is a great deal! A guaranteed pension and medical care are set! Unless you are deadwood, cannot transfer your skills or have a financial, familial or health based reason to stay you would be stupid not to take the deal and run. So most of the best and brightest will bolt for the door at 10 years, I would not expect anything less. And oh by the way, because the pension is deferred, the US DOD will have to pay it when Cap X gets to age 60. So about 30 years down the line there will be an avalanche of retirees hitting the program. Example 2 - we have to assume that since the DOD is trying to save money, they'll defer the 20 year retirement as well. So let’s say the straw man is a Major required to retire by high year tenure with continuation at 20 years. He can't get his 50% until age 60 which is probably 15-18 years away. But... at age 42-45 he probably has 1-3 kids in high school and/or college, has lived in his last house for less than four years (no equity) and his spouse has not been able to start or maintain a career because they move every 3-4 years. Maj Y has to get out and support his family with what he's hopefully saved because he and his wife have to start over. Given the 10 year deferment vs the 20 year deferment, I'd say Maj Y is pretty stupid. Few people would willingly put themselves in such a tenuous position. So basically the 10 year deferred plan coupled with current up-or out policies for tenure will actually reduce the number of quality personnel at the field grade officer and mid-senior grade NCO level - and will increase the number and cost of retirees in the out years. For some these options will be great, for others not. But I personally believe the forces will suffer in the short term (10 years) and in the long term (30 years +). Of course I’m only able to look at this from the prism of the last 30 years - I've seen it before. It may work this time, but given the track record of most “business plans” when applied to the forces, I would not take any bets.

Excellent article on the book "The Great Escaper, the Life and Death of Roger Bushnell - Love, Betrayal, Big X and the Great Escape by Simon Pearson" a biography of Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, the leader of theGreat Escape From the article the following quotes stand out: "For all his charisma some found him arrogant, bad-tempered and self-centred." OK, he was a fighter pilot. What did they expect Dr Phil? "In the RAF's Fighter Command he could be an intolerant taskmaster to young recruits, one of them describing him as "rather unfriendly." Wow, "rather unfriendly"... must have been a real douche - actually in the Brit venacular, being rather unfriendly means someone is a real pain in the a** In his second escape attempt got as far as Prague where he had an affair with "attractive blonde Blazena Zeithammelova, whose family were in the Czech resistance." Hmmm... I don't remember this being covered in RT at Fairchild. If it had I'd probably have listened better could be a really good read http://www.express.c...e-great-escaper

Looks like Redux 2.0 to me... From the article: "A cost-saving option might be to offer active-duty troops full retirement benefits only after 30 years’ service with mandatory retirement at 40 years." Right and if the same high year tenure rules apply. A lot less officers and NCOs will be making it to full retirement... Here is how I think this will go... the DOD insitute the change and it will remain in effect for about 8-10 years - then whole "classes"or year groups of officers and NCOs will depart taking their valuable experience wit...h them. As a result, these classes will become so small that once again, the 20 yewar retirement will be reinstated, continuation will be automatically offered to officers and NCOs who are at high year tenure and contractors will take over the positions be left unfilled by the rapidly departing mid-level work force. History repeating itself once again - do thes guys actually think the military is Microsoft or IBM? http://www.stripes.com/news/new-retirement-options-for-servicemembers-could-save-cash-for-military-1.234889