Red Fox

My opinions only, but the ideas of maxing TSPs, Roth IRA vs. traditional, etc. are moot if one isn't actively involved and up to date with their investments. I believe the days of buy and hold are long gone. It may return some day when our economy again has a thriving manufacturing sector (meaning more people employed in manufacturing vs. the government) and our asset values are not artificially propped up by the Feberal Reserve. Those of you who invested in bonds, I would say you've done well if you bought them when interest rates were high. But, if you have bought recently, watch out. I don't know when, but sometime in the future, interest rates will rise and when they do, I believe the market will be flooded with investors tying to dump their "paper". You risk a big capital loss. Also, if you are looking to buy a home, again, watch out (depending on where you are buying). Once interest rates rise, home prices/values should decrease. People won't be able to buy as much house because of the larger payments. Markets where the major home builders (like Polte, Toll Bros., etc.) build are risky. The home builders have to build to make money and have flooded certain areas (like Vegas) with new homes - making it difficult for homeowners who need to sell. Also, if you are looking to buy as an investment property to rent, again, be careful of the area. Some large investment firms (like Blackrock) have been buying up distressed properties as rentals and then creating REITs. You may be competing with them. A strategy that has worked for me recently is to buy futures in a certain sector and sell covered calls against them. Or if you think a sector has topped, sell call spreads against it. Again, my thoughts only (based on 20+years of investing). Good luck, RF.

Steve, I would say that most are not retards (except maybe the congressman who thought Guam would tip over if overpopulated with American military), but elected by retards. McCaskill was trying to win points with her dumbed-down constituents. IMHO, we have a very uninformed electorate that elects politicians who don't offer real solutions to our problems, but instead, tell them what they want to hear. Maybe it's that way in the UK also. Regards, RF

East St. Louis at night - suggest you make it last on your list. If that doesn't float your boat, then, if you like Scottish history, visit Edinburgh, Stirling, Falkirk, Flodden, and Culloden. If you go to the mainland, I suggest Munich (already mentioned) with a side trip to Dachau. Then rent a car and drive to Lucerne or east to Salzburg (if you like the Sound of Music and/or salt) Have a good time. Regards, RF

My understanding is that she was below the zone to major (I might add at a time when I saw a lot of good pilots passed-over), but that she wasn't a four-ship flight lead yet. Is that true? If so, did she ever qualify as a four-ship flight lead, IP, or mission commander?

When I first attended RF in 1990 (stayed at that dump called the Rainbow Vegas) as a C-130 AC, there were 6 to 8 exercises per year with two two-week phases to each exercise. Now there are only three Red Flags at Nellis and three in AK. At Nellis, two of the three are watered down (tier 3). I think in some ways, at least in the MAF, the WIC has replaced Red Flag as the main venue to get LFE exposure. Red Flag AK is better for MAF integration also. I also remember during my 1st RF how impressed I was with the CAF - they were full-up, IMO. I believe that part has not changed. Regards, RF.

Lockheed had Kelly Johnson in the 50's and 60's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Johnson_%28engineer%29

Tebow to the Jets - horrible situation for both. IMO, no way this will work. Its a shame because he seems like a good kid. But that throwing motion - ugh!

I gathered from the article that this occured at a CC's call. IMHO, CC's calls are to recognize superior performers, brief the latest obligatory queep, and to give direction to the unit - meaning tell the unit what is expected and what needs correcting (only if necessary - don't oversteer a ship that's on proper course). Giving guidance on how/what to believe is inappropriate in that forum (and I consider myself a Christian). Again, save it for the prayer breakfast. The General's job is to give direction and to ensure those who work for him have the necessary tools to adhere to that direction, not proselytize. Maybe I've been in too long, but I'm tired of being a captive audience to people who want to spew forth about themselves or topics that have nothing to do with mission accomplishment. It strikes me as vain and vapid. Regards, RF.

A captive audience is not the appropriate forum for espousing one's faith. Save it for Sunday school, prayer breakfasts, Bible studies, etc. Causes me to doubt this GO's common sense. Hoss, I still owe you a reply to your PM from several months ago (about faith/Bible). I haven't forgotten - been busy.

A lack of endorsements from her peers could be telling - or even better, a letter endorsing her former USMC opponent signed by many of her peers. From what I saw from her interview (it was difficult to watch), she is ill-prepared for a campaign. I didn't hear much substance in her answers.

I've never respected commanders who made "it" about themselves (like radical uniform changes, excessIve AFN commercials, etc.). The ones I respected cared about the mission and looked after those doing it. The focus was never on them unless they were out front leading the mission. I've never met McChing or whatever she is called, but it seems to me that with her law suit and other things attributed to her, she put herself above mission accomplishment and those doing it. I could not support any political candidate with that history, regardless of political affiliation.

In the South, Christianity follows a close 2nd to football as the most popular/followed religion. From my many years of living in the SE, I've observed the two do operate closely through organizations like Athletes in Action, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, etc. I've seen several professional football players give their personal testimony about their faith. Watch the field after an NFL game and you will see a large group of players from both teams kneeling in prayer. The late/great Reggie White was an ordained minister. Emmit Smith and Barry Sanders were very devout. Sanders raised eyebrows after giving 10% of his bonus check to his church. I prefer Sanders method after scoring a TD - pitch the ball to the Ref. A true test of a Christian is how they behave during adversity - not when things are going well. What does Tebow do when he throws an interception. Does he thank God for having that opportunity? Haven't seen it yet (doesn't mean it doesn't happen). A few athletes who I respect and who were open about their faith was the Scottish sprinter and gold medal winner Eric Liddell (died as a missionary in Japanese occupied China near the end of WWII and truly lived his faith), the Olympic runner Jim Ryun who had bad fortune during the Olympics but still gave thanks, and this Olympian and F-105 pilot, Clifton Cushman "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Cushman" (KIA in 1966). Change of subject: Rainman, I'm guessing you preferred Joe Kapp over Fran Tarkington. I was a Browns fan and still remember Kapp, while running the ball, putting "the hurt" on one of the Browns linebackers (I think during the NFL championship) that put the linebacker out of the game. He was a tough hombre. Regards, RF.

But sadly, there is only one A-10 squadron in the theater vs. how many in the late 80's? I think Bentwaters/Woodbridge had at least 4.

Being an Auburn grad, I'm an SEC homer, but I think a team has to be their conference champ to be a ligitimate national champ. How many times have the Yankees and Red Sox been considered the two best teams in baseball? They don't get to play each other in the World Series. I'd like to see LSU vs. OK State and Bama vs. Oregon or Boise State. I think both would win, thus confirming the dominance of the SEC in football. If it is LSU vs. Bama, it will be the 1st time an SEC team will have lost in the BCS championship game. Regards, RF.

Steve, Yes, my Dad is still around - hanging in there. His health isn't that good. Thanks for the offer. I was hoping to buy the book for him on Amazon. Still not in stock according to the web site. Do I need to use the UK website? RF.

Steve, my dad was in the 2nd 4-ship of strikers (Possum Flight) of the 1st wave of the attack on the Thai Nguyen steel mill on 10 Mar '67. He was awarded a DFC for the mission and his flight lead received the Silver Star. Its one of the missions he would talk about. I think this is the same mission that Merlyn H. Dethlefsen was awarded the CMOH. Is that true? Look forward to reading the book. If it has Ed Rasimus' (of There is a Way fame) approval, its got me sold. Good luck with it. Regards, RF.

Hacker, thanks for the info. My Dad flew Thuds with the 34 TFS at Korat. He was like me in that he flew airlift/multi-engine aircraft and had been a training command IP. He was in a staff job when he got orders to fly the F-105 in Vietnam. He had about 80 hours in the plane before he went to war in it. He was shot down (had over 60 counters) and was a POW for nearly 6 years. I've always admired what he did and those he flew with. RP-6 was a bear and I can't imagine what it must have been like - therefore I read about it as much as I can. I had the pleasure and honor of taking him to a 34 TFS reunion several years ago and meeting other Thud pilots. I am in awe of what they did. I look forward to reading the book. Regards, RF.

Wasn't that the quote on the sign that the aircrew would walk under at Ubon RTAFB during the Vietnam War? As an example of how things have changed since; When flying C-17's from Rhine-Main AB to downrange locations (2002-04), the last sign we would see when leaving the ops building (which was near the flight line) reminded us to don our cover and to salute. I haven't been downrange or to the Deid since 2004, but it seemed to me at that time we were trying to prosecute a war(s) with a peacetime mentality - not those on the ops side, but practically everyone else. From what I read, things haven't change much.

The USAF under McPeak conducted a RIF (pilots excluded) and also restricted entry into the AF and into UPT and UNT. I was a T-37 IP back then and I remember how small some of the UPT classes were. I moved to PIT at Randolph and the PIT and UNT classes were very small. After McPeak retired and before I left Randolph, the USAF realized it would be short aviators and suddenly reopened the flood gates and asked RIF'd navs to come back into the AF. I specifically remember an AFPC major being quoted when asked about how does the USAF have the gall to ask RIF'd officers to return with "We will ask them to remember Service Before Self". The USAF also created an officer year-group bathtub. But, instead of promoting a higher % of officers on a normal promotion schedule, it accelerated the board cycle. I've know several very fine aviators/officers who are passed-over. I got out of the active duty as a 14 year major and joined the AFRES. I took a cut in pay, but gained much more control of my life and career. In the AFRES, a TR (traditional reservist) pilot can focus on flying/staying current and if one gets their PME complete, getting promoted to O-4/5 is pretty easy. I absolutely have no regrets joining the AFRES. It was a great part-time job. I still got to fly and be associated with a fine organization and with fine aviators, but had control over where I lived and my participation level, and my family and I were much happier. It is an excellent way to transition to civilian life, which we all are faced with eventually. Hueypilot, good luck with the transition. I'll truly be surprised if you regret your decision. I never heard a reservist pilot lament about not being in the AD. To all facing the promotion boards, good luck. If you are passed-over, I hope you are able to see that it is not a reflection of you, but a poor reflection of the USAF and of those who are responsible with the force structure. Regards, RF.

That was one man I wish I could have met. It would have been an honor. In my opinion, he represented the finest qualities of a leader, officer, and American. RIP.

In my opinion, no way in hell the military will keep very many trained professionals if the retirement age is changed to 57. Making a career change while one is in their early 40's (usual 20 year retirement age and when many have kids to support) without the safety net of a retirement income is risky business. I would bet most pilots would punch as soon as their commitment has expired in order to start a new career before they start a family or before their kids are older. Braces, college, etc. adds up fast. I know that is what I would do if faced with that choice. To those with less than 15 years AD - good luck, I hope the plan isn't enacted. Regards, RF

hindsight2020 wrote earlier: "AD cats are just blowing smoke, yall make crazy money for the risk of getting blown out of the sky, more likely die in training for the majority. ...but y'all gotta step away from the "FU I got mine" for a second and concede military and civil service retirements ARE out of line from the eroding trend of civilian pay and retirement vehicles. ...we got Air Force wings and science and math degrees out the ying ya too bra'... " My questions for him/her are: Did you take your bling off before typing this nonsense? Where did you learn to communicate? Look, I'm not perfect (there are probably grammatical/spelling mistakes in my post), but I respect the audience. This blog is populated by professionals and therefore, I try to communicate like a professional out of respect for them and myself. I don't recall knowing anyone in the military in my 25 years of serving in the USAF/AFRES that came from a wealthy family (I know that is a relative term). In my opinion, the poor and middle class bear the burden of protecting our country. We deserve to be paid well for doing a job that the majority of our country are not willing to do. Military entitlements should be the last thing cut. If that means the wealthiest in our nation have to pay more in taxes - so be it. About our huge national debt: I think our government will deny it, but our monetary officials are trying to devalue the dollar. I believe we are trying to inflate our way out of debt. If the dollar is devalued by 50%, then our debt in a sense is decreased by 50%. There are significant consequences with this, like inflation, high interest rates, etc. I believe our currency will eventually no longer be the "safe haven" and will have a status similar to that of an emerging market economy. Our saving grace so far is that much of Europe (can you say socialism/entitlements)is worse off than us and because China manipulates its currency. In my opinion, the USA and Western Europe are on the downward slope of greatness. We have spoiled our populace to the point where we can't return to the values that made us great (unless there is some sort of drastic event/catastrophe). The wealthiest in our nation (top 1% own/control over 30% of our nation's wealth) will continue to get richer (by looking to the Far East) while the rest of us will get poorer. This is not class envy, but realism, IMHO. Regards, RF

I've seen good and bad in my 25 years. I know "Moondog" Jackson - good guy. I flew with the AETC/CV when I was a PIT instructor. Once again, good guy - though the squadron CC did QC my briefing board. Also kudos to Gen "Tex" Brown the 354 FW/CC. He would fly without special handling (at least during Cope Thunder). I've also seen the bad - a C-130 Wing/CC who wrote "Intentionally Left Blank" on the additional endorsement of an IP's OPR, because he taxied the plane to the wrong spot when picking him up for a local sortie. I personally went through the currency with another Wing/CC prior to an ASEV and he told me he had never filled out a currency sheet. Most Wing/CC's I've experienced in the MAF needed a seeing eye IP (different than the TAF and AETC). One more story; The AETC/CC from the early 90's demanded a form 70 that had all the ATC frequencies listed in order of sequence, even for X-country. I remember seeing IPs scheduled to fly with him flipping through the charts to find all the possible freqs. The guy was a real "Asheyhole". Ah the memories! It is what it is.

Why does the AF have most of the sacred cows it has? Can't deal with the political backlash if they were cut. Fraud, waste, and abuse - Has anyone tried to get a PPR to Peterson Field during an Academy football weekend? When I was an AETC instructor pilot, the ramp would be full of DV planes. So even if there was a valid syllabus flight - no way we could plan on C-Springs. Or, there was the time when the AETC/CC's exec tried to get all AETC MWS types to Randolph AFB for a photograph with the Randolph AFB Base Ops Bldg and Taj Mahal in the background. This photo was meant to be a parting gift for the retiring AETC/CC. According to an associate, who was the airfield manager, the exec and staff spent nearly a day trying to figure out a parking plan that would work. (We're talking a C-5, KC-135, C-141, C-17, MC-130, F-15, F-16, etc.). This kind of entitlement/waste (and I include TIB in this) is ingrained within the USAF culture, is supported by those who progress to command positions and is therefore propagated by them.

When I joined the USAF, Reagan was still POTUS (still miss him), and we were still in the midst of the Cold War. Narcissism was abound in our GO's like it is today, IMO. But, I don't remember multitudes of uniform changes, motto changes, reg changes (they were regulations before they were instructions, does anyone remember 35-10 or 60-16?). Maybe I was too busy getting through UPT and then becoming MR to worry. Our GO's had a high intensity conflict to stay prepared for. They had the "Evil Empire" to focus on. It seems to me after Desert Storm and the ending of the Warsaw Pact and when "He who shall not be named", the epitome of a narcissist, was the CINCAF, the reg changes, command changes, uniform changes, etc. began and has not stopped since. CINCs institute changes and their successors change or rescind them - never-ending. It seems that some our GOs (I believe there are many with good intentions)are looking for relevance and since there is no "Evil Empire" to prepare for, they look to change the USAF to meet their desires. It may be my imagination, but it also seems to me that not all of our current AF leadership are that interested in our current operations overseas. Maybe its not an intense enough conflict for them to give their full attention. In my opinion, if our current leadership were appropriately focused on the war, we wouldn't be having all of these changes. With that written, I'm not going to waste my too few brain bytes to fret about it much. It is what it is and I can't change it. I am glad to see Aim High again. Regards, RF