sketch2

Steve just to clarify, I don't necessarily think you're work as a journalist is toxic, I was more referring to the aviation newsphere in general. The Aviationist might as well be working for China. I admire your work, I own both of your Red Eagles books and sub to your channel. I just think it was a huge foul to mention specifics when you didn't have to. Even if its a poorly kept secret as you say why add to it? Why make our jobs harder? And I agree the bros you interviewed should be held accountable, but if I had heard the same details not once would I have even for one second ever thought to share them online. Happy to chat more offline if you want

I really wanted to reply with a perspective to this thread on my old account but never got around to it. I'm prefacing this as a long-time admirer of Steve's work, particularly covering the amazing history of the Red Eagles and his 10 percent truth channel, but I was absolutely appalled by this video when he released it and think it serves as a shining example of why the majority of current collection of aviation journalists & spotters are so toxic. Obviously, it goes without saying that the loss of Doc was tragic and his story/career should absolutely be highlighted, but what Steve did was literally the worst possible way to do it. Yes, he has every right to report what he wants and what his sources divulged (which was bad on their parts if they're credible), hes a journalist and we should celebrate free press. But the problem here is, like many of his counterparts (the Alex Holdings, Trevor Rogoways, David Cenciottis etc) they're obsessed with classified programs and getting the scoop for clicks while giving a big middle finger to OPSEC. These dudes likely don't realize the insane level of compartmentalization necessary to keep certain things from public eye, and they've literally created opsec briefings because of stuff they've reported (my buddys had to sit through several). Steve literally could've made the entire video without the single mentioning of a Flanker or any aircraft for that matter, but he used Docs' tragic loss as an excuse to tell the world "hey I know X&Y" about a black program, a program that I'm sure Doc was highly passionate about and spent much effort to help protect the integrity of. But journalists today are so obsessed with clicks and ad revenue that they almost forget the team they're playing for. Like Steve said, I know I'm probably not going to win any points with this post either.

Yeah there definitely was some untapped potential with the SLUF. I mentioned this before on my old account but we had a bunch of solid light attack/low end CAS platforms during the cold war (OV-10, A-37, A-4M, A-7D/E etc) that all went bye-bye in the early 90s when we really could've used them in OEF/OIF. They had great loiter time but more importantly would've saved flying hours on 4th gen and could've been a cockpit filler for dudes flowing into fighters like they did in the 80s... Also sidenote and this probably belongs in another thread but IRT the F-20 I remember reading that Chuck Yeager personally botched a high profile business deal with some foreign country when he was representing it. Feel free to fact check me on this but needless to say dude was not a good salesman for Northrop

Hot take but I think we should've bought the YA-7F with the afterburning motor and given it to the Guard. Maybe made a 2-Seat model for FAC-A. Would've still been cheaper than a Viper and came at a perfect time for COIN.

As if the Checkmate wasn't ugly enough...

Serious question, what kind of crazy FAA cert do you need to be able to shoot cannons? Did they have to lobby Congress or something? Awesome vid!

F that guy. Seriously. Literally give one of the worst testimonies to Congress I've ever seen by a member of the DOD.

This is beyond tragic. I can't claim to have known any of the crew but I'm confident I've crossed paths with atleast a few during my occasional trips to KEDW. I don't want this thread to dissipate so fast, like how the rest of the websphere has a ten second attention span. We need to keep these bros in our thoughts & prayers as long as possible.

In all seriousness, I think the issue is more with the insane bureaucracy of the EU whats the realistic timeline for the development of an NGAD/NCAP platform? They were still struggling with the EF while the F-22 went IOC as previously said on this forum; they've basically become a full generation behind the US post-cold war and would almost be two if it wasn't for the F-35. What capes do they need for a future night one war that Fat Amy couldn't give them? Do they even need a 6th gen?

Considering how great the Eurofighter program went this should end up being a winner!

This would be on the AD side, its the same waiver authority for everyone (AF Surgeon Gen), the key difference being whether or not a Guard/Res unit would be willing to push a package up for you. Like I said before the more chips you can stack in your favor, the higher the chance a unit would be willing to put in for a waiver or an ETP if you needed it. I have a friend in the USMC who got an ETP because she was shit hot and beyond persistent and had backings of some very high level people including a 3-star and a Senator.

Alots getting waived on the USAF side, atleast from what I've been told. My unit just sent a guy to UPT with partial color blindness and I met another guy going through IFF at 38. I say start working towards that goal now and in 3-5 years you could be in a prime spot to get picked up. If you can keep your record clean (both medically and judicially) with nothing new, start building hours and show leadership potential it could pan out. Nobody knows how the landscape will look by then but you can still stack the odds in your favor.

Cool quick story- I remember visiting the C-17 plant in Long Beach circa 2014 and there was a lady there whom had been an original Rosie the Riveter still building aircraft at 103.

Wonder if theres plans to slap AIM-9 rails on the wings like the Canadians did with their Hawks