aeroplanez Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 http://www.beale.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5077 Just saw that AFPC isn't letting fighter and bomber guys apply for the U-2.. Dammit!!! Anyone know when this is gonna change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striper_WSO Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Check the CAF assignment page for better info. There is an entire folder on the selection process there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCan Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 My sq/cc was just at AFPC, he asked if I (11F) could apply for a possible PCS next summer. Answer = No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Call Maj Bartholomew at Beale: DSN 368.4447. He might have some info. We hired a few 11F's over the last 18 months, and with the "fighter pilot shortage", that community is off limits. In the past, I've seen it die off after a few months,... but this is significantly more "robust". Bombers: it started about 4 years ago when we tried to hire an Elsworth B-1 pilot, and got shut down. It got flag officer attention. Then we had a B-52 guy turned down by AFPC. Again, up the chain of command. I've been out of the Recruiting side of the house the last 2 years, and am not current on the latest... but that's some history for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stract Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 so how do you get guys who have flown T-38s (is that still a requirement?), if fighter and bomber pilots are off limits these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runnerdm6 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 FAQs: I didn't fly the T-38 in UPT. Can I still come fly the U-2? Absolutely! 75% of the U-2 pilot cadre did not fly the T-38 during UPT. I am or was a T-38 Instructor Pilot. Will I maintain or re-qualify as an IP? Depending on the needs of the 99 RS, you will almost undoubtedly serve as a T-38 Instructor. Several of our prior T-38 IP's and FAIPs served as instructors while waiting for their U-2 class start date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeroplanez Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 (edited) Call Maj Bartholomew at Beale: DSN 368.4447. He might have some info. We hired a few 11F's over the last 18 months, and with the "fighter pilot shortage", that community is off limits. In the past, I've seen it die off after a few months,... but this is significantly more "robust". Bombers: it started about 4 years ago when we tried to hire an Elsworth B-1 pilot, and got shut down. It got flag officer attention. Then we had a B-52 guy turned down by AFPC. Again, up the chain of command. I've been out of the Recruiting side of the house the last 2 years, and am not current on the latest... but that's some history for you. This sucks. Especially since they have no problem taking BUFF guys for RPA's. Thanks for the info. Edited May 16, 2012 by aeroplanez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 so how do you get guys who have flown T-38s (is that still a requirement?), Just to reiterate what runnerdm6 posted: NO T-38 experience required. This has been an "urban legend" and has caused a number of pilots not to apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jughead Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 but that's some history for you. Does the inability to hire 11F/11B types bode any changes for hiring old O-5s...? I know, I know.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wing Sweep Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 I'm probably getting too much into the weeds here, but even 11B/F dudes in white jet tours that currently have an 11K DAFSC can't apply? I'm just trying to think of ways around AFPC's trick fu*kery. Here's AFPC's next move --- "until further notice,11B/F pilots cannot apply for the U-2 or B-2 programs." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 (edited) g2s, Yes, that is what AFPC is saying: If you are 11B or 11F, we cannot interview you. That said... ... I've been around here long enough to know that this will change. Maybe in a month, maybe in six. But it will change. Nothing says you cannot apply. Maybe you will get your Wing CC's recommendation letter,... maybe not. But with or without it, you can still apply. Edited May 25, 2012 by Huggyu2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2012/05/28/153582693/vintage-spy-plane-gives-high-tech-drone-a-run-for-its-money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernmentMan Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 It looks like I will be at or near the hour requirement by the end of my current assignment. I really want to fly the U-2, but the timing might not work out. If it doesn't, I've been thinking of trying for an MC-12, then applying to the U-2 later. So here's my question: would it come off as kind of douchey to try for an MC-12, if my intent is to get a foot in the ISR door for a better shot at the Deuce? Are there other complications that this approach would introduce? Thanks for any advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Others have done the MC-12 thing to better align for the U-2. I cannot think of any reason anyone would object to that. The MC-12 is moving toward "normalization". Beale stood up the 427th RS two months ago: it is the "ops squadron" for the MC-12, as opposed to the FTU. You'll have to ask the MC-12 guys here whether the changes could cause you to get retained by the MC-12 community for more than the ~11 months that the "flow through" pilots stayed there. That's the only "complication" I can see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KState_Poke22 Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 As far as I know you can still go on the 11 month flow through which includes the one deployment and training or you can come here as an actual assignment where you'll be a permanent part of the 489th/427th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpetbagger Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 U-2 Application Any visibility on whether the Air Staff is going to lift the moratorium on ANG/AFRC applications? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Any visibility on whether the Air Staff is going to lift the moratorium on ANG/AFRC applications? As with everything... rather than get all of your info in the internet, call Maj Bartholomew at U-2 Recruiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernmentMan Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 If I went to MC-12 land, I think I would prefer a 3 year tour...seems like it would be easier on the family, but I could be mistaken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stract Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 MC-12 is at Beale. U-2 is at Beale. Big move for the family there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ucf_motorcycle Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 For the guys actually flying U2s is this a good assingment if you want to fly for your career and avoid queep or is it just like any other MWS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 (edited) Flying: Two different jets, good deployment locations. I'd say the flying is very good. Queep: The reality is that this is ACC, and you cannot hide from ACC queep. It's probably as bad here as anywhere else. I came here as a FAIP, so I can't compare it to another MWS (except for my 1 year in the MC-12), but it has it's own unique things about it. You are always welcome to come to the U-2 squadron on leave, TDY, AWOL, whatever... and spend a day with us looking around. If you are considering applying, you owe it to yourself. If you come to the U-2, and end up not liking it, you have only yourself to blame. No one forced you to apply. Edited July 12, 2012 by Huggyu2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingle Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 are guys right now typically sticking with the U-2 for the rest of their careers? are any transferring back to previous MWS's or is that even an option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 (edited) Are guys right now typically sticking with the U-2 for the rest of their careers? Are any transferring back to previous MWS's or is that even an option? Most make this their MWS, and stay. Some,... not many,... will move on elsewhere. However, very, very few go back to their MWS. I can't think of anyone in many years that has done so. About 4 went to the 89th, but not from Beale: they left Beale and went to Staff or ROTC, etc... then to the 89th. Usually 1 will go to TPS every 1-2 years. Many will go on to some interesting non-flying assignments (PhD program, Olmstead, off-the-wall-and-no-one-has-heard-of-it-PME in residence, NRO, etc... Ill say it again: this is not a cure-all for the evils of the Air Force. Many/most pilots would probably not like the U-2 program. Everyone has their own reason for volunteering. Apply because you want to be in the U-2,... not because you want to escape where you are. If you don't have a desire to be in the program, you probably won't like it. Edited July 12, 2012 by Huggyu2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelBuckle Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 (edited) A great photo posted by Beale AFB's Facebook... Beale AFB Facebook Edited August 23, 2012 by MichaelBuckle 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Bad ass!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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