HiFlyer

As I recall from my Vietnam days, this was the exact reason our guys kept the Red Cross on their Dustoffs. With the cross on the side, they couldn't carry grunts, guns and ammo; if they took it off, the Aviation Bde leadership saw them as just another bird to carry stuff.

Published: 1 January 2009 Air & Space Power Journal (Excerpt) One of the many reasons for the success of these weapon systems is their overall utility to the ground commander. Unlike some Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAVs) that simply transmit the video or still picture signal from their sensor to one location on the ground, USAF CONOPs for Predator/Reaper UAS employ Remote Split Operations (RSO) in which a very small forward-deployed Launch-Recovery Element (LRE) is responsible for launch, recovery, and maintenance of the aircraft on the ground in the AOR. Once the aircraft is launched and its systems are functioning, it is handed off to one of several units in the Continental US (CONUS), currently either the 432 AEW, 27 Special Operations Wing, 163 RW, 119 Wing, 147 RW, or 214 Reconnaissance Group to employ it for the next 20-22 hours of its mission. Using ACC, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force Reserve Command, and ANG units for these missions is truly a Total Force success story. Once handed off, the LRE then either launches another aircraft for another CONUS squadron or recovers one that is waiting to be handed off to it for landing. The LRE repeats this cycle continuously in their forward location, again making maximum use of people and equipment forward. This RSO concept results in a much more efficient use of equipment and personnel resources than deploying the entire unit forward to fly locally. Only the LRE rotates in and out of the AOR on an Air Expeditionary Force cycle. The vast majority of personnel remain at their CONUS base, flying continuous combat operations without the need to reconstitute after deployment, retrain in tactics, or work up for their next deployment. The GCSs and other equipment are much more efficiently used as well, since they are in continuous use, flying whatever aircraft are assigned by the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) in theater, under the command and control of the Combined Force Air Component Commander through the 432 AEW. For instance, if weather is bad in Iraq, or an operation in Afghanistan requires the additional sorties that day, more aircraft can be launched in Afghanistan, creating more missions for ground commanders there. The crews simply arrive on shift in the CONUS for a mission brief, are informed that on that day they will fly in Afghanistan, and proceed from there. The inherent flexibility of RSO is impressive. If the crews and equipment were located in theater and dedicated to one local area in the above scenario, they would simply go unused. But with RSO, the USAF puts more assets into the fight.

The standard time is one day, because P'cola is only a hundred miles or so from Maxwell. If you talk to the personnel people early, you may be able to get some enroute leave added to your orders between OTS and P'cola..

Ohhh...Boxer 22. I was there for that. I didn't directly participate in the SAR on-site, but my det would operate in our OV-10s about 40 miles southeast and act as a "traffic controller" feeding in-country aircraft in and collecting info when they left..Spads (A-1s) and Gunfighters (F-4s) from Danang, more F-4s from Phu Cat (Cobra ??) and Cam Ranh (Boxer), F-100s (Icon ??) from Tuy Hoa, and Marine A-4/F-4s from Chu Lai. An incredible couple of days!

Last I saw they weren't cancelling the whole program, only buying the last dozen or so airframes. Either the AD force or the ANG would continue to fly those already in the pipeline (25 or so out the AF's currently planned 38?). I think that's what the summary said.

In this case, I think its less about him "assuming the rights of a resident" (I assume you mean citizen), its about whether or not the process of applying the law was appropriately done. His lawyer says the rightful process of the arrest (due process, illegal search and seizure) was not applied, and that is a requirement regardless of the nationality of the individual. Whether the court buys that arguement is certainly open to question, but the overall issue is not dependent on his legal or illegal status...its strictly a case of whether the arresting officers correctly followed the law when they made the stop and subsequent arrest. Oh, and I'm not a lawyer, I just stopped at a Holiday Inn Express last week.

Because those rights, as instantiated in U.S public law, apply to anyone on U.S territory...not just U.S. citizens. Similarly, U.S. citizens in a foreign country are subject to their laws, not ours (in the absense of something like a Status of Forces agreement which allows us to take control of the individual and subject him/her to U.S. legal proceedings).

Like many things we buy, I suspect that most of the money was used in the pre-production R&D process...figuring out how to design the body to penetrate and survive, how to protect the fuse componants during penatration, what proportion of case and explosive was the best option, etc. Actual production was probably a fairly small percentage.

Old test & training range. Lots of tracked vehicle activity. Looks like vehicle storage sheds (two 24 garage buildings) mile or so to the WSW (from the original point with the MiG 19s (?) in the middle) Possible sensor calibration grid, but they usually have multiple sets of highly defined and graduated structures or grids...these look too erratically built for that, but possible if very old and for very low res systems). There's a bluish square concrete pad to the ENE that looks like it was used to document impact patterns from incoming sub-munition dispensors. Possible tank firing circuits farther east. God only knows what the wierd geometric shaped tracks were used for, but they show evidence of multiple cratering in spots...possible outline of an urban area for training purposes? Farther west looks like a commercial salt brine operation (flow in salt water, let it evaporate, scoop out the salts (see south San Francisco Bay area and Death Valley for similar "mining" approach to recovery).

The technically correct answer is yes, the age 30 rule applies in all cases. However, if your organization is willing to go to bat for you, there are cases of waivers in the past. How far beyond 30 and whether they will waive the age at all are difficult to estimate, as it probably depends on who is supporting it (an O-6 or an O-9?) and how badly they need people/pilots (both the unit and the AF as a whole). Right now, I'd say the probability of an age waiver for UPT is very low for a waiver at age 33 or 34, but in four years, if retention plummets, who can say.

Well, whenever the govt raises the rates, the tuition costs go up by the same amount. So, I expect the colleges to lower their prices to keep the business. Right??

Thanks all.

Question from another site. Anybody have an answer?? "Anybody know if permanent retainers (metal bar cemented to the back of your teeth) are an issue with the flight physicals?"

Especially old when you remember driving along the perimeter fence at Boeing when they were all lined up just like that except brand new, waiting for the crews to fly them out. I was about 9-10 at the time...1955 or so. Trust me, in the summer the dirt is harder than the asphalt!

Actually, I believe its only a Lockheed proposal right now. The DoD hasn't bought any of this. They'll have to prove to both the DoD and the Congress that its a money saving option...which may be a little difficult. But, we'll see what the come up with.

Confusion of terms. Medical Flight Screening (MFS) is required for all pilot candidates, but it is not a flight physical (FC1). It is a separate set of tests given at W-P on a one time basis to collect data...probably some long-term study they're doing at the School of Aerospace Medicine (used to be at Brooks, now at W-P). Only those who have passed the FC1 are sent, so its done later (unless you do your FC1 at W-P...it might be given after the FCI while you're there).

The Attorney General says it is, so it is until the court says it isn't.

Yeah, but they're not. They are standing on the pier beside the vaunted "domestically built warship". So...

You start out with contact, instruments, and navigation for the basic qual. The local training areas are available just like UPT, so you can go there first and acro yourself silly before returning to the pattern. Later, as you have time and interest, and the wing has sortie availability, you may check out in formation. The last time I looked, there were only about six-eight sorties a month in the program so staying proficient in formation (given repeated absences when deployed 2+ months several times a year) is tough at first. As you advance to other positions that keep you home more (FTU IP, Group/Wing staff) you have more time (or more consistency) to maintain enough proficiency to fly formation. It depends on the individual.

Well,.. 1) The official AF position is still to close the U-2 program by 2015, but there are two outstanding Congressional requirements for the GH that must be complied with and, frankly, the GH doesn't look very good right now in terms of satisfying those requirements (won't go into them here). Not sure what will happen if the AF can't meet them, but Congress has said "no meet, no retire"! The requirements aren't necessarily black and white, so there's some wiggle room to argue over. 2) There is lots of PR about the new and exciting things the GH can do, like the Japanese support, that are loudly pushed. Not so much in public about what it turns out it can't do (that it was supposed to do). 3) With all the budget woes, the GH is a big ticket program that is being considered for the chopping block (with some others). We'll see where the FY13 budget goes. 4) As for the T-38s, no, they aren't available for your personal vacation trips. Not to say that they aren't occasionally used for cross-country trips (basic navigation proficency training), but they try to mesh them in with official business (airshows, "business trips" to other bases, recruiting visits to other bases, briefings to UPT bases, etc.). Sometimes if there is no official needs, an aircraft or two might go out on a weekend training trip, usually to/near T-38 capable bases so you can get fixed easily if you break, Its a nice break form the home field routine, but closely controlled by the Wing as part of the continuation training program. You're right about the program (not just Beale's, but the whole companion trainer concept) being a magnet for FWA reviews, so the Wing staff keeps a close eye on it. Like any other program, the Wing is allocated a fixed amount of flying time based on the approved training requirements and the number of authorized aircrews in the program, so you can't just fly anytime you want. You have to be careful about who should fly and how much time each pilot gets. As for Lt Col Thomas's comments, well, Rick's the front man for the AF and is properly selling the AF's position. That's his job, and he does it pretty well (given what he has to work with). As for MKopak's comment, I guess I agree...the "non-functional manager" probably has an easier job...there's just so much more available ammunition to work with!

Don't think the Guard is threatened (as much). Different budget catagory, similar capability is cheaper, and cutting guard slots is more politically sensitive for Congress.

Let's see... Underpowered, unpressurized, loud enough to piss off every dog, cat, and neighbor within a mile while simultaneously destroying your hearing, engine technology from the 40's (real easy to find repair and parts facilities), short range, practically no luggage capacity, 1960's avionics... Why wouldn't they love it???

Here... http://www.dossifs.com/docs/task1/Arrival_Guide.pdf About two thirds of the way thru the guide.

FYI, because of all the gang wars, Mexico is now completely off limits to all DoD personnel. No more partying in Acuna, no more margaritas at Crosby's.

My son just graduated from Laughlin in April. He lived on base and preferred that option. They gave him what they called a "two-bedroom" house (which was really three, but one bedroom was called an office). He could sleep at least an hour longer each day compared to living downtown (which was very much needed in some cases!) and later in the program when he had a little more freedom it allowed him to come home when he had a break. If he forgot something, he was only five minutes from the flight room or the house (depending on which direction he had to go). Less travel time meant more time available to study/sleep. The downside was the 25 minute drive to Walmart on the far side of Del Rio, but that was easy to deal with. It is true that they take all your housing allowance, but he didn't consider that a huge factor (saved a lot of gas money!). Eating on-base is a real challenge...not many places open outside weekday working hours, so be prepared to cook at home or drive into town (mostly on the middle to far side of town). As for the lawn issue, the contractor takes care (mowing) of all "non-fenced" yard areas, but if your unit has a fenced yard (some do, some don't), inside the fence is yours. You still have to water, fertilize, seed (if required) but the contractor will provide the materials. He didn't consider it much of an issue...they aren't looking for a lush lawn, just a tidy one. My wife and I visited several times and (considering the location) thought it wasn't a bad setup. The houses have been refurbished in the last few years and are in moderately good shape.