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If he did, that surgeon did a helluva job.

I really hope this is not M2 because dibs.

Did M2 transition 🤔..?

We are interviewing again. Two students start flying this week. Interested? Here's the official message that went out through AFPC: WANTED: Exceptional pilots ready to fly, fight, and win from the stratosphere wherever and whenever America needs flexible, versatile, and survivable reconnaissance and other effects on behalf of the Joint Force. Must meet, uphold, and demand uncompromising standards in an unforgiving environment, give effort worthy of the U-2’s history, and sacrifice worthy of America’s future. Flawlessly execute the U-2’s final fight, without regret. The 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB is accepting applications for a limited number of highly qualified and exceptionally motivated officers to join the selectively-manned cadre of U-2 pilots. At this time, U-2 operations are extended through FY26. Applicants must have 36 months TOS by RNLTD to be eligible to apply. Deadline to apply is 28 Feb 26. 1. PILOT APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS 1a. Minimum Flying Requirements*: • Possess at least 1200 rated hours (do not include student, civilian, or OTHER time) OR • 800 rated hours in a single-pilot type trainer aircraft such as T-6, T-34, T-37, T-38, T-45, etc OR • 500 hours in fighter type aircraft AND • At least 500 hours in fixed wing aircraft • At least 12 months or 400 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC), whichever is greater *** If you do not meet any of these requirements, reach out to the U-2 Recruiter and we may be able to work with you on a case-by-case basis*** 1b. Physical Requirements IAW AFI 48-123 V3: • Standing Height: 64” – 77” • Sitting Height: 34” – 40” (>38” will require cockpit fit test) • Buttocks to Knee: < 27” • IAW 1-U2RS-1 Weight: 126 – 238lbs 1c. Other Requirements: • Positive Professional Military Image/Passing PT Score • Possess a SECRET clearance • Possess or be eligible for TS/SCI clearance 1d. 9 RW/U-2S recruiting highly desires (in addition to above requirements): • MWS/AETC Instructor Pilot hours • Evaluator Pilot experience • Clean Flight Evaluation History (exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis) 2. PROCESS Act now – we’re racking and stacking applications for the next round of U-2 interviews. Before submitting an application, contact the U-2 Recruiting office at DSN 368-3010, commercial (530) 634-3010 or e-mail to U2Recruiting@us.af.mil. Prepare an application package containing the following required documents: • Letter of Recommendation from your Wing Commander or equivalent • Letter stating your PCS availability date and confirmation of assignment release by your Air Force Personnel Center functional • This is in addition to the Wing/CC letter and can be accomplished with a digitally signed e-mail from your core functional stating “You are released to apply for the U-2 Program for hire in FY 26” • Interview Package Summary of Documents • Letter: “I would like to fly the U-2 because…” (Explain why you want to fly the U-2 and why you would be an asset to this program. 1-3 paragraphs will normally suffice) • Official Photo (Torso, Color or Black and White, 5x7 or Larger) • Copies of all OPR/OPBs and any AF Form 475s (Annual performance reports and Education and Training Reports) • Individual Fitness Test Summary • 1 Page Officer SURF • Copy of AF Form 942. Highlight any Q-2 or Q-3 ratings in yellow. • Copies of all AF Form 8s to include reverse sides. Highlight all downgrades, discrepancies, re-training, failed evaluations, commendables, in yellow. • Flying History Report • MyVector/Talent Marketplace – Select 1st Choice Assignment preference Core AFSC 11R • "Anthropometric data" - Standard Form 600, or just a memo from Flight Medicine listing your: standing height, sitting height, buttocks-to-knee length Send the Application via DoD Safe: Please send documents to Maj Gray “Utah” Kaempf (gray.kaempf.1@us.af.mil), Lt Col Jeff “PESO” Monsalve (jeff.monsalve.2@us.af.mil), Vincent Lopez (vincent.lopez.8@us.af.mil). We will review your application as soon as it arrives and notify you of our decision within 2-6 weeks. If you haven’t heard something by then, please contact us. 3. SCREENING If selected for an interview you will come to Beale TDY for approximately 10-14 days. Your ability to enter the program will be assessed after Week One and after each of the three Acceptance Flights (AF). Week One: • Interviews with Squadron and Group leadership • Mission orientation • Mobile (chase car) rides • Flight physical • Egress Training • Many hours of briefing for your U-2 Sorties • U-2 full pressure suit sizing check Week Two: • AF-1 – 2.5 hour sortie consisting of flight characteristics, maneuvers, descent for an ILS and multiple patterns and landings • AF-2 – 2.5 hour sortie pattern only that consists of an instrument approach followed by normal, no-flap and simulated flame out patterns and landings • AF-3 – 2.0 hour sortie nearly identical to AF-2 however the pilot that drove the chase car on the first two sorties will fly and the pilot that flew the first two sorties will mobile. At the end of this sortie, determination will be made as to whether or not you will be offered a U-2 assignment. 4. POINTS OF CONTACT/MISCELLANEOUS POC Information: 1 RS/DOR POC: Maj Gray “UTAH” Kaempf DSN 368-3010 Commercial (530) 634-3010 U2Recruiting@us.af.mil

And young guys should take notice. Don't sacrifice your forever family for an organization that will drop you without a second thought. Work hard at your trade. Take care of your people. But remember none of your AF leadership will attend your funeral. It's not personal, it's just business. Treat it accordingly.

Cool. This is not my bailiwick but concerns me in general for preserving a strong pilot culture in the center of the AF. The MAF having a finishing school after UPT but before FTU is where this idea really would be focused. Just as commercial operators look for minimum hours, experience levels and track records of success prior to hiring, the MAF needs that in the pilots it assesses. Again strong pilot culture. A first short assignment like the first job a civilian pilot lands, can start their careers, training and ultimately lead to a more capable MAF. I’m just day dreaming on BO but if a post graduate universal 1st assignment system (multiple steps) was synched up to MAF and other big wing / crew bound graduates, it could handle the intake and steadily produce better aviators prior to heavy FTUs. Would it produce the immediate mass they say is needed now? Probably not but methinks the cost of a glut of less than optimally trained pilots is greater than waiting a bit and getting the heavy customers accustomed to getting better pilots at a slower but steady cadence. My druthers would be for the AF to petition for a military B737 MAX 7 with reasonable mods and have this be a short assignment for all heavy tracked grads. The sequence would be a multi engine refresher and short experience builder course, all contractor provided. A short break for some leave then report for a contractor provided type course with additional sims, a type plus course. Then report to one of three units flying this jet, get about 25-35 sorties, then move on your way. This is fusing advanced training with operations, reducing the investment of the AF into training only aircraft but gaining new reliable, efficient, organic steady airlift capabilities.

Happy New Year! 5.49-5.625 depending on the scenario right now. Most of the refi’s have been for guys at 6.125+ but have done some 5.99s too. We pay the costs so no breakeven. Just a matter of the numbers work or not. 2026 isn’t forecasted to be a big rate decline year so might as well save money if you can then rinse and repeat as the opportunity presents itself. National VAs are at 5.9 right now. Feel free to text or call me if you want me to look at it and give you my thoughts. 850-377-1114

Yup While I don’t agree with the premise the AF is apparently taking in a long term policy, that is to divest itself of all training aircraft save the T-7, I get why certain parts of the brain trust are advocating for that as there is only so much money, personnel, facilities, time and attention you can devote to training till while OTEing for ops. With that in mind and trying to meet the other side in the middle, both the CAF and MAF could use their ARC associated wings to build out new capabilities that still meet operational requirements but also serve as expanded training capabilities before new pilots report to their assignments. For the CAF, I’d argue for a light fight version of the T-7 with homeland defense, aggressor, training & exercise support as the raison d’etre(s). For the MAF, I’d argue for a reasonable fleet of transport category aircraft, probably replacing some older Herc and 135 tails. Adding airlift capability to the AF for regular personnel movement, light cargo, aero medical airlift, etc. Season and prepare new MAF bound pilots there before reporting to their FTU. There are costs and consequences to those ideas but you either want a strong pilot culture or not. You fly, train and focus on operating better than other Air Forces or not. You allocate the resources to build better aviators or not. I’m also not saying that those COAs are the only ways either but in a general sense an institution must have the honesty and character to change course when previous choices aren’t working as well as they thought they would. It must also think a bit creatively when resources are scarce, as Churchill said “Gentlemen, we have run out of money; now we have to think“ Think creatively, reasonably but also not timidly. The end goal is always a well trained, reasonably experienced and tested pilot graduate.

Maybe it's changed, but the "above 50%" was very loosey goosey as well.

@raimius Yup that’s exactly what I mean, and I completely agree with you it’s not a real fix but unfortunately it will be the standard moving forward. It really isn’t too late to go back though, because all I hear is that the resulting pilots are bad and that it was better before. If the speed of the FTU isn’t going to increase anyway, why not replace the T-1 and go back to the way things were? Or like @Clark Griswold suggests, get something that the AF can actually use (light transport style) to work with in the meantime that kills 2 birds with 1 stone?

By "fixed" you mean pushed more basic training on the FTUs? We cut an entire phase out of UPT to "fix" it.

8 months So much good, applicable and affordable training / experience / airmanship building could be done vs meaningless busywork Already posted this musing but whatever $175k ish would buy a good deal of tailwheel, acro, AMEL time and a type course in a transport category sim, travel costs included But… here we are. Somehow other Air Forces seem to figure out how to keep a multi engine trainer program going, not that only multi engine training is ailing in the Air Force Italians are getting the Piaggio 180 Key AeroModernising ITALY’S multi-engine trainingNew generation Piaggio P180s The Italian Air Force’s air transport...From the article: The typical course of Phase 3, for pilots aiming to gain their military wings for the multi-engine fleets, lasts about seven months and includes 60 flying hours, plus 51 hours in the simulator. This equipment is provided by Alsim which is representative of a generic multi-engine jet aircraft. As mentioned earlier, SATA will receive a new simulator from Piaggio Aerospace, representative of both the VC-180B and the VC-180C versions. If they can afford it we can too.

Dude I understand your frustration, things like that suck for everybody involved. That being said, you only can affect the things under your control and UPT & FTU delays aren't something you can control. They're also nothing new. Some guys in the 90s were on the banked program, where they did 1-2 year non-flying assignments before they even went to UPT. Wasn't uncommon for UPT selects in my ROTC Det to do 9-12 month casuals prior to going to UPT. I had a 5 month BIT between EWO school and the FTU. Guys that tracked fighters in my UPT class had a 9 month BIT (which was pretty average at that time, if you were even able to get a -38 slot since all the fighter FTUs back then were severely backed up). The BLUF of all that is delays like these have been going on for decades and all those pilots writ small and the AF writ large survived. Focus on the things you can control and realize you'll have a great time flying AF aircraft whether you're delayed or not.

This is objectively true. You only have to finish top 50% to continue to fighters. Getting a fighter on AD would take finishing in the top 10-25% (ish). Those who finish below that, but above 50%, are your huckleberries.

Guard dudes leave for OTS with set dates for all required training from OTS to their MWS (usually). It's not a fast track, they just do all their waiting prior to going to OTS. There's definitely an argument to be made that some guard babies get passed when they wouldn't have made it if they were AD, especially on the fighter side.

Nothing's wrong with them, they're just not currently executing the IPT syllabus.

Well just have to wait for the AIB

Could be two topics. Things appear to be ramping up on both fronts. First the DOW released video of an engagement that is clearly an AC-130J engaging a Narco Boat. The first round is the 105MM and it functions slightly low and aft. You can see a larger area in the center with most of the frag but it has "tails" off to the side which create the smiley face. You will note the sensor immediately offsets (two-shot) and begins engaging with 30MM from the MK-44 Bushmaster. The first 30MM round appears to hit a gas can or something flammable. Another 105MM prox with offset is a direct towards the end. AC-130-Narco_Boat_Strike.mp4 Next we have an engagement against what I would call a semi-submersible carrying drugs, my liberal friends would no doubt call it a fishing submarine. Oh no, it was a double tap... GMI_-_U.S._forces_operating_within_the_USSOUTHCOM_area_of_responsibility_ha..._lJgz6G.mp4 Finally - recent images show what appears to be 5 MC-130Js and 9 CV-22s operating out of Puerto Rico.

Concur...why invite the negative consequences.

It's crazy that we have about 10 billion dollars worth of aircraft sitting stacked together in the open in these areas now days. A couple half brains with 50k worth of drones and equipment could wipe out a squadron of F-35s.

Not when you HOB a prox round.

Doss may become an IPT location, depending on how the bids shake out and if they want to do it. IFS as currently designed will go away once the AF shifts completely to the new model.

Contract seaplanes The War ZonePentagon To Contract Fleet Of Seaplanes For The PacificThe lack of an American amphibious aircraft capability has become more glaring as the possibility of a conflict with China looms larger.

Most are aware of Flightaware, Flightradar24 and ADS-B exchange and now there is a new option that tracks in 3D. Tons of overlays including airspace. Air LoomAir Loom - 3D Flight TrackerReal-time 3D visualization of aircraft flight paths. Watch live flights with stunning ribbon trails across the sky.

210 RQS (AKANG) is still in conversion and *should* be the last(total force) unit flying Golfs.

Pretty crazy. Lots of videos that confirm this view.

My backyard...he was in full grunt. Local photographer got some great snaps.

I completely understand what you two are saying. It would be roughly $3,000/mo to purchase the adjacent property. It's within the budget. But I'm at a point where my priorities are changing. I don't want to work full-time anymore, I'd like to split my time between San Diego and N CA. Time is the only thing we can't make more of. If I can put that extra $3,000/mo towards the property I purchased, along with a couple decent big principal payments I can have it paid off in about five years and go fully part-time. My daughter is seven and son is two and I want to spend more time with my family while I have time and while they're young. I'll never get that back. I don't think there is any chance of there being a "neighborhood" around there. We have no mailboxes, no delivery options, no infrastructure for electricity or plumbing. Everything is completely off-grid up there and there is no industry, so little chance or development. Plus, I don't think many people want to live with bears on your back porch! Buying it would mean my chance of going part-time moves from a five year plan to 15+ which means I won't get to spend much time up there... Maybe I'll stop and pick up a few lottery tickets on the way to work this morning. Or just sell my home in San Diego.

They turn you into a missileer in which you spend the remainder of your ADSC telling everyone you didn't want to be a pilot anyways. And even though you think flying is lame, you could have flown fighters if you wanted to.

Indeed. It doesn't even have an internal ladder. And isn't stressed to be able to hang a ladder on the side, a la T-38. Nice job, Boeing. The T-50 was the obvious choice. But no... couldn't award another contract to Lockheed.

I agree 100% that pressure from on high is a factor. However, I've seen FAIPs of all ppl refuse to fold to this pressure and uphold the standard. If an Lt hoping for a fighter has the intestinal fortitude to do the right thing then I have little sympathy for O3-5s worried about their next assignment. These are officers we're talking about, not jr enlisted, they need to act like it. I agree UPT line IPs are younger/less experienced than ever. Which is why PIT has a large share of blame as well. PIT won't wash out IPs coming to their sq that have no business instructing young IPs, much less hold the line on UIPs they're sending to UPT. I have zero issue blaming leadership/congress/etc. for terrible priorities on retention and procurement. With that being said, how many times have I read dudes on here bitching about all these senior leaders that refuse to fall on their swords to make a point to leadership for the sake of their service, Wg, Sq, etc. Yet here we are making excuses for officers folding to pressure on grading standards. Hard to expect the Bobs to suddenly grow a backbone if it's never been required they have one in the first place.

Air Force general to retire after service overturns ruling by COVID review board clearing him of misconduct Brig. Gen. Christopher Sage has spent the last four years of his Air Force career quietly fighting to clear his name of wrongdoing, get back on the promotion list and stay in the service. Disciplined for decisions he made as a commander deployed to the Middle East during the coronavirus pandemic — such as reopening gyms and removing barbed wire surrounding quarantine areas — an Air Force board reviewing COVID-related adverse actions determined he faced retaliation for his views. A majority of the board agreed in November he should have the black mark removed from his record and have his fast-approaching forced retirement date extended to be returned to consideration for promotion to major general. However, an Air Force senior official disagreed and overturned the board’s decision six days later, and Sage will retire at the end of the year. The official, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Richard Anderson, said there was insufficient evidence for the board’s decision...