Leaderboard

Y'all are gonna ruin the best thing about being a tanker pilot

The option should NEVER be taken away. Green pajamas is what we wear.

It will be a sad day if we aren’t allowed to wear flight suits; and I get all the “more comfortable” talk. But I’m an Air Force aviator, I didn’t join the Army. I want my green pajamas!

You should just call or send an email and ask. Worst they can do is say no, better to hear it from them than out speculation though.

It’s incredible how much fuckery has gone into this uniform fiasco the last 10 years. It’s seriously not that hard.

The ones I've seen are sent to WIC or eventually try to get into special programs like the U-2 or U-28. I've even known a guy to go to the CV-22. Generally more emphasis is placed on proficiency and systems knowledge in the -135. But I've been out of it for a while now.

You tanker guys sound like you have battered wife syndrome. There’s more to tactics than defensive systems, but there’s also plenty of room for improvement in the areas you mention.

WTF is the difference between the OCP and the A2CU?

Not ostracized, it’s just seen as a moot point in the tanker. We aren’t maneuverable, don’t have defensive systems, and for that reason are rarely placed inside any threat ring. Honestly, the most tactical thing tanker drivers can do is to do a thorough mission plan and brief, understand the threats, STFU, stop trying to sound like an airline pilot, and stick to the EMCON.

CAF heavy planes drop to T-38s. Some people are unlucky, some didn't do well enough.

I’m guessing Sept. Champ is right. Lack of PRFs and pushing guys for promotion with negative indicators bogged down the O-4 board. Don’t suspect that with the O-5 board.

Does anyone have any info on when the O-5 board results will be released? Last I heard was September. I hope I don't fall off of the AFPC career pyramid.

Point of order: Bendy IS a diva. Snickers won't help.

Some squadrons are pretty tight with their flight doctors. Maybe you are not accustomed to that relationship. At least two enlisted personnel have come to me because their symptoms were being overlooked by doctors due to them being young airmen. I texted our flight doctor and he rolled in on the doctors in the Medical Group to resolve the issues. Someone from intel needed to be cleared for a TDY and the Medical Group was dragging their feet on the paperwork. Texted the flight doctor and he rolled in once again to save the day. Flight doctors aren't always mentored properly just like any other career field. They probably have leadership that solely looks out for themselves. I was surprised when the doc asked me about his PRF. I actually had to call a Medical Group at a different base for the information. And I showed the doc on MyPers how to figure out when he will be IPZ for the Medical Corps. Bros taking care of bros, no matter the AFSC. If you aren't in the AF anymore, how can you call a flight doctor an idiot for seeking out mentorship? I don't think any idiots make it through med school. Bendy....have a snickers.

One of my class DGs was a Nebraska Guard KC-135 guy. The rest of us who got tankers were solid middle third. I got exactly what I wanted out of UPT and spent half my career flying the -135. When I was a young copilot the tactics consisted of spiral up, spiral down (dumb tactics) and eventually just morphed into “just fly wings level and brace for impact.” Why do I need to spend any seconds of my life studying the effective range of an SA-69 if there is literally nothing I can do about it? id just as soon trust that all the pilots in my squadron can fly to the CP on time and give an efficient offload.

Meh. I know where I, and about 75% of the other dudes in my guard squadron, finished in our UPT classes.

There are tanker squadrons out there that don’t have a classified space in the building.

What is this "vault" you speak of? Tanker clowns spend time in the vault, but it's not about learning how to stay out of a WEZ.

That’s been tanker standard for decades. If we wanted to be tactical we all would have done better in UPT.

We probably need a KC-46 first.

This could be fuel for the argument that's come up in a previous thread: the MAF doesn't know what to do with WOs. Well, here's their chance. You want to beef up training requirements to reflect the current threats out there and the integration required to mitigate them? You've got people on your base that can have your crews ready when shit hits the fan. You just need to let them develop and execute a training plan and leave them alone as far as the other jobs and queep Dream Big discussed above. And when your units are better off than they were before as a result of the hard work, reward the guy or gal appropriately (and I don't mean with a sweet exec "opportunity") and push them for leadership roles. This really is not that difficult.

I’ll play along.... why is this a bad thing? Squadron manning aside, there’s still a job crews need to be ready to do. Sounds like someone near the top of the mobility world thinks we suck at parts of it and want to fix it. I think that’s good.

Dusting off an old threat to highlight some journalism excellence. https://www.foxnews.com/tech/2018/06/25/massive-overhaul-to-keep-air-force-c-130-flying-for-80-years-into-2030s.html My favorite: Apparently C-17 engines are vulnerable to flying debris and uneven terrain, which highlights why C-130's are good at low level and propellers are somehow good at FOD reduction. Someone get that guy a Pulitzer. Outstanding journalism aside. It's good to see the H's get a solid upgrade.

Might as well. You have chicks out there trying to use Tinder as a legit dating site! "...if you're just looking to hook up, swipe left!" Go to match if you're not down!

More importantly, I've heard of people using Linkedin as a dating site for professionals. Anybody had any luck picking up hot business chicks on these sites? As an airline pilot, I think it's time to start looking for my first ex-wife. Bonus points if I can get alimony out of the deal.

I encourage you to read everyone post in this forum. I have recently completed my FC1 at WP AFB. I landed in Dayton on Sunday afternoon. I rented a car( very very useful if you can afford it, my unit would only approve taxi fare reimbursement). I drove from Dayton International, about 25 mins to WP AFB area a to the Wright Patterson Inns. If you have a military Id, you will go thru gate and check in. If you’re guard or reserve they will ask you to pay it with a credit or debit card. I was booked from Monday thru Friday. On Monday, i showed up to the USAFSAM building 840 at WP AFB area B. If you google “building 840 parking lot wright patterson it will take you close to the actual parking lot. Go ahead and park and enter the building on the north entrance. Immediately after you enter, there is a hallway. Make a right on hallway and go to room W100. ( that’s what was instructed). A technician then briefs you on what to expect and hands over a folder with your info. In the front of folder there is a list of tests. Every time a tech completes a test, they will initial it. Day one, they did an EKG( fasting required min 4 hours), checked my blood pressure, dental exam, some eye exams (amsler, red lens, pressure test, color, etc) they also took dental x-rays, optometry check up, hearing test, medical history interview. We went to lunch, then came back to a 4 hour psych assessment. There were like 5 sections but each came with a break in between. Next day, I started at the area a hospital across from Wright Patterson inns reception. You must fast like 12 hours. They has us do a urine test, blood draw (9 biles). Then, they had us do a chest x-ray. Then back to area b building 840. There were additional eye tests, dilate pupils, more eye tests. They did the body measurements and weight. You get to sit in a chair without shoes or socks. It simulates the T6 seat. They measure your sitting height, arm length, leg length. Takes like 5 mins. Once you’re done, you get to see a flight doc who confirms with you whether any new stuff from MEPS to this exam. We were then told to hang in until next day by 9 am. The main tech called us to let us know we were good or if she needed us to retest. Luckily for me, i was able to be released same day and i took a flight home. Now just waiting till i hear from the NGB to get my TFOT Dates and hope for UPT info too. Tip: Definitely make time to check the AF museum. Worth every second of your time. It’s free and they do close at 5 pm. Another thing. Attitude is, in my opinion, the biggest thing to be conscious of. These technicians and doctors are there to hep you. Do not feel intimidated by them at all. These are people and love to talk. if you have a good attitude, and may assist you with completing the tests or give you an idea if you have an issue and whether is waiver able or not. Overall, we had one guy dq for some issue with his eye, but he will be able to get waiver and fly for the US air force. The optometrist was very frank with him and initiated all waiver info. We also had an ROTC guy who thought couldn't go for manned aircraft due to his eye sight issues and was set for RPA. However WP people told him his condition was waiverable and now will pursue a manned airframe spot instead of RPA. Also, for guard and reserve, they won't have any lunch purchased for you. You will either buy something on the cafeteria (Starbucks) on the second floor of building 840 at WPAFB area B. This is one of the reasons it is good to have a car (rental) because you can go off site and pick up lunch. All in all a very good experience. Good luck to you all.

Huggy! Heard you on Tucson 104.1 today talking about the U-2, is that old? Podcast might be worth listening if people are interested. Show is called American Warrior.

With those scores? I'd be surprised if you didn't get picked up on the AD board.