Bergman

Afghanistan, Nov 09:

As always, a perfect SHACK in 7 words or less.

It is encouragement like this that leads to A1Cs thinking they can jack up a field grade officer for having an untucked shirt. How about..."Finally, don't be afraid to respectfully approach those...." instead? Whether you outrank someone or not, just a little common courtesy and a friendly attitude (even if you are correcting them) will go a long way. This E-9 has clearly missed that point.

I was more irritated that the title of the story was, "AF names best fighter squadron" and the award itself was for air defense only. I should have posted this in the "Shitty public affairs" thread. Probably. Find something and start a thread.

Aw c'mon man, it was only two of our guys. Plus, the President has already apologized...since it was our fault. http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/23/world/asia/afghanistan-burned-qurans/index.html WTF??!?! We've lost our G-D minds. We need to get the hell out of there.

I didn't get your meaning at first...thought it was a subtle dig on the mighty Stratotanker. And I'm cool with that...anyone that knows me knows I love flippin' shit. Even if I'm "only" a tanker guy. Caught yourmeaning after a second read. Agree completely, thus my highlighting of the fact that they got the award for supporting exercises and were somehow lauded for "only" taking 3 weeks to deploy. Someone remind me...how long did it take to kick off OUP last spring?

Nice accomplishment! I do take a litle umbrage with using the term "Best Squadron" when only air defense units were included, as IMHO the best fighter squadron in the CAF today has got to be someone actually fighting. I've highlighted a few lines that I found interesting.

I'm fairly certain everyone in the A-10 community (does Mc***** count?) knows who Rainman is. Mentioned the good candidate from AZ to a former A-10 patch wearer type (now -135 guy) tonight and his response was priceless..."She's a f*cking c*nt...nothing else to say." Hilarious. And speaks volumes without saying a thing.

Will depend on what airframe you are flying. In the KC-135, haven't noticed a reduction yet.

NO SHIT! Her page loaded and I actually swore out loud when I saw who it was. Will the madness ever end?? It's people like her who we have to thank for the current crop of "you don't get promoted...your record does!" management/douchebag/non-leaders that are in the O-5/O-6 roles today. Beginning of the end, that one was.

FACT. Unfortunately, she'd be a perfect fit in congress. Here's hoping karma finally comes around and someone else wins. As a quick example, read the below article. Ask yourself, "What currently-serving officer in the USAF would A) SUE THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE and B) GO ON 60 MINUTES TO WHINE ABOUT IT?" I actually think she was right about parts of the issue but she went about it allllll wrong. http://www.cbsnews.c...ain324757.shtml

Well, not any more. I'm not certain it was ever integrated...so maybe just ADS? http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23841

This isn't whining at all. These guys provided the best customer satisfaction survey ever. The fact is that they were 100% spot-on with their jokes, and honestly after 10+ years at AUAB there is no reason in the world that the majority of that stuff hasn't been fixed long ago. Oh, and thanks for the lesson in officership. I'll keep it in mind the next time I'm having trouble earning respect from people in the squadron. You're probably right on this one. Here's hoping he's only got a few months left before retirement or a 4-star sponsor somewhere. I'll send him an email tomorrow to see what the fallout has been so far.

Damn, I think I've said most of those things this week. Well done. Festivus?

SHACK!! Back on topic...why is this news?? I am sure some bad-ass airmen did some pretty cool shit in the AOR today. Where is the story on that?? Instead we are treated to a full spread on the whereabouts of Ray Nitchske's long lost son. Having said that, the comments on the af.mil story are hilarious..."A couple of observations on reading her bio and seeing her official photo I find it interesting that it's possible to achieve the highest grade in the Air Force without ever being deployed and to have been assigned to the same base albeit different organizations and assignments for more than half of a career." and "Congrats to her...quite the honor if confirmed. But how does an active-duty officer spend 24 consecutive years going back and forth between DC and Ohio Apparently creative had nothing for her." Lastly...

I think they are trying to share the wealth. Depending on which Herk unit you are referring to, it is likely that the state losing the Herks will still have another flying unit. I agree that it doesn't make much fiscal sense.

Well there is always drinking. And bowling. And ice fishing.

Nice work. That Mustafa idiot is lucky as hell the redneck didn't bring a gun to work that day.

Glad you got it figured out. We used to paint that symbol on the side of our RC-135 just to give the Ruskies a sincere "F U!" when they intercepted us. Must have been taken from an E-model -135! Wish I had a case of beer for every time we shut one down only to find out the "fire" was a false indication.

Steve, I finally made time to read Red Eagles after picking it up at EGUN en route to the desert last month. Have you ever resolved the "curious pentagon-shaped emblem" riddle, as pictured on "Red 49" on page 241?

Don't you think that's just a bit of hyperbole?

I like the mention of it being commercially available in 2016. As in, from concept to flying the line within 5 years. Remind me again how long the F-35 has been under development. Uncle Sam could use remedial acquisition training IMHO.

Cool. Just making sure you "get it" (sts). Excellent. Glad you realize that! No shit! I really would like to meet these folks and find out WTF they were thinking. Reference my earlier T-37 example....chances of doing this maneuver properly on the first go are slim IMHO. IIRC he had in the neighborhood of 30,000 flying hours when he did the barrel rolls. His autobiography is a good read. http://www.amazon.co...23751178&sr=1-3

No it shouldn't. The Navy has operated with that mindset for many, many years and they seem to get the job done well and safely enough. Beyond that, the narrow minded viewpoint that if someone hasn't told you specifically when or how to do something, that it can't be done is the same attitude of many of the worst pilots I know...Guys that lock up the first time they find themselves in a scenario that they haven't read about in the regs or have seen previously. "Now what?" and then just sit there until the situation is OBE. Not good, IMHO. I would much rather fly with folks who know the rules, know their jet, and can operate safely within the meaning of the regs, not bend any metal, and get the job done. Even if they aren't necessarily following the letter of the law. I agree with you here. Although the thought of doing a barrel roll in a C-12 would probably cross my mind at some point, especially after boring holes in the sky for 6-9 months, I think the 'ol barrel roll would be out of bounds. I don't know about you guys, but it took more than a few attempts to perfect it in the T-37...can't imagine having to get it perfect the first time.

Good call. Can you at least give us an overall judgment of "legit" or "shenanigans"?