Toro

Word

Will never happen.

Bu-bye

Too passive. I suggest one of two different responses. 1 - Slightly less passive. Create an Outlook rule that auto-forwards any message with CGOC in the title to the CGOC distro list. Get a buddy to do the same. First time you get an email it will ping-pong back and forth between the two of you with the entire CGOC as innocent bystanders. 2 - Much less passive: Respond. A dude I know took the same route of "Please take me off your emails" and got the same response of "You're a CGO and you need to receive these bla bla bla." So when the email came out letting all the CGOs know that the CGOC was going to be meeting at 3:30 for some cookies and punch in the club, he hit reply all and said, "Hey guys, this sounds awesome, I'll be there! Then he waited 6-9 minutes and hit reply all again with, "Oh darnit, I just got scheduled to fly, won't be able to make it." Then he waited another 6-9 minutes and replied all, "Hey, turns out the line got cancelled, I'll be there! "Gosh - I got put into a sim!" "Somebody else is going to take my sim!" "Crud, I have to close the vault." "Hey, we just closed the vault, are you guys still meeting?" He was removed the next day.

They must be cool. They play crud.

A PRF is a compilation of OPRs and any other official documents, so you can have multiple strats. If that one is not checked, then it’s not the only one that matters. Not unless you achieved something significant as an IP (strat amongst IPs) There are a couple folks in the Air Force who were promoted and weren't MWS IPs.

RB - I don't think they're out to get you, I think they're out to get the folks who try to scam the system by waiting to check in until a non-A is inevitable. If what you're doing is legit, have a talk with your Sq/CC. Explain to him your situation and ask him to explain it to the OG/CC. If what you're doing is legit, I don't think anybody would have an issue with you collecting the standard per diem rate for putting folks in lodging.

It’s completely legal – it even quotes the point that most finance/billeting offices will try to screw you with (you’re not required to re-seek government quarters once you’re given a non-A). If you read the letter, they’re not trying to prevent people from staying off base, they’re trying to save the expenses incurred from people staying off base at non availability rates. The on-base rate. Looks like $39 in this case. If you’re charging folks the same rate as on base, this should be a non-issue for you. The problem is when folks get a non-A slip and go off base when there are actual reservations available (this could occur if they don’t mention they’re in a class that has block reservations). The OG has arranged to ensure that lodging will be available for this recurring classes, and if rooms are left open while people are going off base, the AF is losing money.

General Welsh just presented the USAFE Medal of Distinction to a German doctor who saved the lives of two airmen on the bus from that day. Good read. COMUSAFE presents medal of distinction to German doctor Excerpt:

I just realized that after I tracked this info down and was able to put on a pretty bad-ass presentation for Donk last year, I never brought it back to the forum. We merged the narrative (below) with the citation (link on first page) and threw in the video Hoss provided along with some pictures of Donk (to include his gear in the AF museum). Most importantly, it drove home the point we were trying to make to the folks who had been working for him. This is the script for the speech that Donk and Coke (the BALO) gave after they were awarded the Silver Star. Thanks to everybody here who helped make this happen. ---------------------------- ADVANCE 33/DEMOB 71 NARRATIVE Sequence of Events: Coke: On 6 April 2003, Task Force 2-69 Armor began its attack into northwest Baghdad. Starting early that morning over 200 kilometers from our objective, we pressed north, becoming the spearhead for the 3rd Infantry Division. 40 kilometers from our objective we made contact with the enemy, taking sporadic, but accurate, artillery, RPG, and small arms fire. Fighting a running battle through the outskirts of Baghdad, we finally reached and set up hasty defensive positions in order to secure our final objective, a bridge crossing the Tigris River. We now represented V Corp’s northernmost push into Iraq, and sat square in the enemy’s backyard. Coke: We had been on the move for over 10 hours. We were waiting for our supply trains to move forward so we could refit with fuel and ammo-both of which we were very short of. Aware of our vulnerability, and based on the horrible visibility across the Tigris, I submitted a 1972-a request for Close Air Support-to recon the far side of the river. I was immediately passed contact information for Demob 71 flight, 2 x A-10s, and when they checked in, authentication was easy as I recognized the voice of my squadron DO. Coke: A little excited with the prospect of working with Lt Col Strasburger, I passed an AO update, a 9-Line Brief, and a “map” talk-on of the AO. Within minutes of our first radio contact, the Alpha company commander, our most-forward element on the western approach to the bridge, called me on Fox Mike, “Can I get some CAS in here, we’re taking heavy AT rounds from across the bridge and I can’t see them to shoot back”. Pinned down, taking direct fire, low on fuel and ammo, and unable to find the main element of the enemy force due to the poor visibility, the battalion was in dire straights. I jumped on the radio and told Demob: “We are taking heavy fire, and we need you in here now!” Donk: Demob 71 flight had launched on their second sortie of the day from Tallil AB, Iraq. I was the Flight Lead, and Captain Greg “Billy Bob” Thornton was my combat pair. Upon check-in with the ASOC, we were directed to contact a Ground Forward Air Controller (GFAC), C/S Advance 33, in the northern part of Baghdad. Upon check-in, we discovered that it was 1 Lt John “Coke” Blocher, one of our own Lieutenant BALOs. Donk: The situation on the ground appeared static at first, but when “Coke” made the call for help, Billy Bob and I knew that the situation was rapidly deteriorating. We immediately initiated a descent west of the target area, and determined that the weather was 4,000-foot ceilings with a mile to a mile and a half visibility. We continued toward the target area, and I briefed low-altitude tactics due to the weather. Donk: Unable to maintain continuous sight of each other, we used an altitude stack and a Target Engagement Zone (TEZ) to maintain positive deconfliction and mutual support. Coke: I briefed that the friendlies were on the west side of a bridge over the Tigris River, and were taking heavy fire from the east. I also restricted Demob’s attack axis from south to north or north to south in order to parallel the friendly position. Donk: The extremely poor visibility made a “hot” first-run attack impractical due the risk of fratricide. I also inquired about US Marine Corps forces on the east side of the Tigris River and Coke confirmed they were no factor. Donk: With Billy Bob maintaining cover to the west, I initiated the first pass into the target area. The goal of the first pass was to positively identify both the enemy and the friendly positions prior to expending any ordnance. I executed a low altitude ingress using the Tigris River as a lead-in feature to acquire the target area. While inbound to the target, I observed light to medium AAA firing on the flight. I visually acquired the bridge at a mile and a half, and attempted to mark the enemy force on the eastern bridge abutment with “Willy Pete” rockets; unfortunately, they hung. As I pulled off that pass, I dispensed a series of self-protection flares to “mark” the target area. Coke: I immediately confirmed that Demob had identified the correct target area with his “mark.” Donk: As a result of the reconnaissance pass, I determined that the separation between friendly and enemy forces was in fact 400 meters as opposed to 1.5 kilometers as briefed during the 9-Line. Donk: During the egress off the recce pass, I observed light to medium AAA firing on the flight. I initiated an immediate re-attack. Again, using the river as my primary reference, I attacked with the gun from south to north, strafing enemy positions under the bridge, and the lead enemy vehicle. Coke: I confirmed good hits on the targets under the bridge, but could not verify BDA on the vehicle due to poor visibility. Donk: I cleared to the west in order to provide my wingman with mutual support. Billy Bob executed his first attack and strafed a T-72 tank 500 meters from the friendly position with good secondaries observed. Donk: At this stage, it was getting pretty busy, but I felt as if things were going well and we were making a difference for “Coke” and his unit. That’s when I noticed my HUD had failed, and the only aiming reference I had was the Standby pipper. I reverted to my old-school training, used the Standby pipper, and continued to press the attack. Donk: Over the next 12 minutes, with the concentration of AAA firing on the flight increasing, we made 4 additional gun attacks, engaging tanks, BMPs, and utility vehicles from the east end of the bridge to a traffic circle 500 meters to the east. We observed multiple secondaries, and Coke indicated that the intense firing on the friendlies had begun to drop off. Donk: Now, with the situation stabilized, and “Coke” confident we had high SA, we adjusted our attack axis to ingress from northwest, “over-the-shoulder’ of the friendlies. Despite the heavy volume of AAA, we executed 3 more gun and maverick attacks, targeting BMPs, utility vehicles, AAA pits, and two small buildings from which the friendlies were taking fire. The attacks were effective, with multiple secondaries observed. Donk: As we egressed the immediate target area due to gas, “Coke” said: Coke: “You guys really took the heat off of us. We are not taking anymore fire from the enemy positions – we’ve got a very satisfied battalion commander down here.” Coke: Following this 33-minute engagement, the enemy completely broke contact from across the bridge, and the only enemy action for the remainder of the night was ineffective small arms and RPG harassment fire. Finally, 7 and a half hours later, we were re-supplied with fuel and ammo. I characterize this engagement as the “most serious” Task Force 2-69 Armor encountered during the entire war, and in this case, airpower turned the tide of the battle.

Whitney was mentioned in the WTF thread, but this bucket of shit deserves its own thread. NJ Governor lowers flags to half staff to honor Whitney Houston

Revival - this might get more expensive Shipping pets during PCS could cost nearly $4,000 under new rules

Received through numerous forwards ----------------------------- Subject: A 100% true story Fellow Warriors, The story I am a about to tell you is 100% true. If you don't want to hear an inspiring, moving account of out-shoeing a shoe, then delete. However, if you're ready to put on your black socks and fight the man, then read below. So I went to the gym yesterday to run. I just took off my running suit, changed my shoes, removed my life preserver belt, combed my hair, trimmed my mustache, put my socks to the proper level, folded my jacket the proper air force way, and prepared to run. There was only a spare few seconds of adjusting the treadmill when I spotted a nearby shoe eyeing me down. "Oh boy," I thought, "just give a damn second to get set up here and I'll do a thorough uniform check". Too late, the nerd got me. He said, "Hey, make sure you tuck that shirt in fully before you start. Just looking out for you". I swear, a tiny portion of my shirt was not 100% fully in and I just removed my jacket 10 seconds prior. Well, this is where my training kicked in. I did not get upset or flustered like I may have in the past as a newbie to war. Those days are over. I'm prepared, hardened, studied, and ready for the shoe enemy and his tactics. The first thing I did, as anyone should, is sarcastically laugh in his face and give him the "are you serious?" look. Then I slowly (and still sarcastically) tucked my shirt in extra high, pulled up my socks extra high, and (sarcastically) said "thank you so much for correcting my uniform appearance. I promise it will NEVER happen again". But I did not stop there. I knew a good defense was a strong offense. It was time to execute Operation Two-Shoe policy! I patiently hawked and observed this dork of nature looking for any violation I can think of. I had to peruse the list of shoe-rules on the wall just to refresh my memory. So as I'm doing sit-ups, I see what appears to be the same person riding the bike. But after careful observation (of which he is getting real nervous now), I see the shot I've been looking for! On his pasty white thin legs, next to the spot where his penis used to be, I notice this guy has short, grey spandex on under his shorts. Not the "dark air force blue or black" ones that are required as per AFSHOE 69.69 policy. I was no longer going to be victim. I was going to stand up for the long-forgotten combat pilot! I learned that how can I be trusted to lead a combat sortie if I have a logo that is too large on my sock. So I thought, how can I trust this guy to do my finances or clean my toilet if he can't follow simple regulations. But a dilemma entered my brain. Was war changing me? Was I becoming the evil shoe I fought so hard against? He looked different, and I was not 100% sure it was him. Was this even the same person...I didn't have 100% PID because I was so shocked and was laughing so hard during his attack. I began to sweat and panic. What had Shoe-War done to me? But then I went back to my training. "Have a plan", "don't be afraid of the Shoe", "he's just as afraid of you as you are of him". So I mustered up all my confidence and proudly walked up to him. "Hey, are you the guy that was running next to me? (giving myself an exit if he said "no). "Yes", his fat face mumbled. "Were you the one you helped me out with my uniform appearance?". "yes". Here was my shot. Here was the moment I've been waiting for so long... "Well, Buddy, let me help you out. You're wearing the wrong color spandex. It has to be black or blue. Good luck finding one too because they're hard to find. Just looking out for you, Bro". The little snail didn't know what to do. For once, the shoe was on the other foot, so to speak. It was Luke Skywalker turning the tables and making Darth Vader his b!tch. It was like watching the bully O'Doyle station wagon go flying over the cliff! He stammered, sputtered, got confused, tried to hide his shorts, "um, uh, well, the thing is, my laundry, uh actually, it's not technically a..., uh, ok, sure, I'll fix it next time" was all he could muster. I felt proud, similar to the feeling Robin Olds must have had returning from a successful mission from deep North Vietnam. Fellas, I don't use the word "hero" too often, especially when referring to myself. But Anchor, I think you have more than enough info here for a medal. Remember your training! Stand proud! Fight the man! Stick your black-socked foot in the mouth of the Shoe!

Cysts Tumors Waivers

Interesting interview on NPR (insert liberal hippy joke of choice): How The Glock Became America's Weapon Of Choice Link to article, but the interview is embedded in the page. Aside from the gun itself, it's a pretty great story on how Gaston Glock marketed the gun to the American public.

I didn't see a link to in the original post. If you haven't heard it (with subtitles, obviously), it's pretty damn good.

I guess the Army didn't want to get left out. Sheep beaten with a bat caught on video. Normally I would say PETA can suck it, but the video is pretty messed up.

That's the fault of the property manager. You signed a legal and binding contract which does not state anything about roommates. I would second the lawyer, and your CC, but before you get one, ask the property manager to pass along to the owner that you're also going to get your chain of command involved in the situation. Realize that the base JAG can spell out the law for you, but they cannot represent you and they can give you very limited legal advise. In the meantime, look up the law (or call the local court) and ask what the specfic rules are on eviction. I had to do this with some unruly tenants a couple years back. Bottom line is that there is a specific timeline that has to be followed, and if she wants to do it correctly, she has to get the law involved (she can't necessarily just tell you to be out next week). Until you are proven in the wrong, or you are served with a notice of eviction by a law officer, don't go anywhere. But you may want to start looking for a new place just to be safe....

I can't help you with #2 and it's been a while since I left, but here's some info for you Do NOT get base housing! First off, much of base housing is not actually on base - when we were there, there was housing that was as far as 10 miles from base. The houses in England are small, and the base houses are no excepion. The only real advantage to being on base is that the outlets are 110V. There was a fairly new set of houses in (I think) Thetford that were actually pretty nice, but once you're on the housing list, you have to take what they give you based on availability and your rank. If you turn down an on-base house, the clock starts ticking on how long you have to rent a house. If you do want to live on base, Lakenheath and Mildenhall share many facilities, so there shouldn't be any difference for housing priority in being stationed at one place over the other. Most importantly, living off base lets you experience more of England - being within walking distance from the god pubs is always a must! A couple pieces of advice: - Ship your car and pack out as early as possible. As soon as you think you can do without your car stateside and have your household goods packed, do it. It can take up to a couple months for that stuff to get over. You will be given three separate pickups - one for household goods, one for "hold baggage" (several hundred pounds that goes via air and arrives quicker) and the stuff you put in storage. As far as cars to bring over, don't listen to people who say that larger cars won't fit - not true. We brought over an SUV and there are plenty of folks who bring over F150s, Expeditions,etc. They're not a problem on the roads, but sometimes it is a tight squeeze in the parking lots. If you have a second car, that will be on your dime to ship it. - Measure your furniture. With the houses being smaller, you may look at houses that have rooms where your stuff might not fit. When you're looking at houses, also consider the doors and hallways (which are also small) to see if you can fit the larger stuff through. I've heard stories of folks who had to cut king-size box springs in half in order to get them up spiral staircases to a second floor bedroom. - Storage: If you can do without it for three years, leave it behind. -- Put your large furniture in storage. We put our guest bedset, formal dining room set, and entertainment center into storage and it was a good thing we did. As I mentioned, the houses are very small, and it's tough to find places that will fit large furniture. We have minimal room in our bedroom with the bedset and dressers. -- Put your extra clothes in storage. The British houses don't have closets, though you'll get a few shrunks from the furniture office (two for each military member and one per dependant). Each shrunk is only a few feet wide, so there's not a whole lot of room for extra. Definitely bring a couple warm jackets, though. -- Put your small 110V appliances (stuff that costs less than about $30) and appliances with motors (vacuums, washer/dryer, microwave) in storage. Anything that is not dual voltage needs to run off one of the bulky transformer that furniture office will give you. Even if it is dual voltage or running off a transformer, the difference in volts/amps will eventually burn out the motors. As far as the good and bad, we loved most everything about being over there, but particularly the travel. Take advantage of the cheap airlines (Ryan Air, Easy Jet) and see as much of Europe as you can. For living, Newmarket, Cambridge, and Bury St Edmunds were popular locations with nice towns and a good nightlife (Cambridge more so of the three). They're all roughly south of the bases, but the first two are closer to London and the airports. That's what I can remember off the top of my nugget, but if you've got any more specific questions, I may be able to think back a decade and give you some answers.

Ah yes, entirely logical conclusion. Is the Air Force also "forcing" you to pay for their travel to Maxwell? Are they "forcing" you to pay for your family's meals while they're there? For fucks sake, you're bringing your family on a TDY. Stop being a whiney little bitch and just get a place off base.

Nobody's forcing you to bring your family.

Super drink-off for bragging rights

It can't, and nobody is saying it can. Are you familiar with the coordination that is required for a TLAM shot? It is significantly more than coordinating for an F-22 that is already on station.