ClearedHot

I hear what you are saying and I get it, your points are very valid. My first time in real combat was an eye opener, the adrenaline was flowing, things happened fast and with extreme violence, I immediately fell back on training and it saved my life. Most people have no concept how psychological and physiological impacts will shape a fight. In the end, I do not intend to "go up against a determined killer," I sole intent is to protect my family and if I can generate some space and time, even if it is minimal, it may make the difference. To your last comment, I would like to see the facts, if there was no mental illness or other mitigating factor how do we as a society propose to stop this without taking away weapons? Question for another day. Prayers to the victims.

When I carry I prefer the M&P 9 with a Sticky Holster, but like you after 15-20 minutes in the car It bugs me so I put in the gap between the seat and the center console, stick up just enough to be a fast grab but easily concealed by my legs. I have no illusions about stopping a shooter in one of these situations but if there is merit to brief suppression in order to allo my family to escape, regardless it is better than fighting back with a chair or dying like a sheep.

So the douche was an ex-USAF type who was Court Martialed and discharged. Of course he was using an AR-15...let the politicization begin. For those with CCWs how often are you carrying? I am to the point I feel naked without mine, even at my son's soccer practice.

Any more details? Assuming 9MM? Cost? Their website is HORRIBLE.

Stop loss Cometh...

That is an animated gif not a meme you n00b.

USAF in full damage control mode...CSAF twitter has a link to a statement released earlier today saying they don't "intend" to recall retired pilots.

MV-22 is NOT a CV-22, not even close.

I could give a rats fucking ass what some douche in A1 says...take your intent and use it to choke yourself. The only “fact” we know at this point is what is written in the order and that order delegates authority to SECSEF and SECAF to INVOLUNTARILY recall up to 1,000 pilots. Our intent...give me a fucking break...how many times have they lied already?

Told you so...

Again it was about accomplishing the mission not stealing $ for CV-22's. It takes a LONG time to go deep in a 60...

Huh...Are you new? When Gen Brown was the SOCOM/CC he basically forced AFSOC to divest all helos, besides the 53's were TIRED. To understand the CV-22 you have to understand SOCOM and AFSOC were born because of the failure at Desert One and a helicopter even today can not execute that mission in one period of darkness but the CV can. I was never a CV lover...in fact I hated, it killed two very good friends...then I flew it...then I commanded it in combat. It is a game changer that has had its hands tied by a manning shortfall driven by decisions from above. Is it perfect, nope, but on the battlefield today it IS the platform of choice of the high end users. I've heard the internal discussions about CSAR at AFSOC and not a single word of stealing assets or $...just how can we do this better. Sadly the CSAR O-6's will never listen because they have Stockhom Syndrome and still believe their ACC puppet masters will do the right thing.

PJ was your tablemate...damn you ARE old...Like me.

ACC "IS" terrible about helping the CSAR guys and for some reason (Stockholm Syndrome), the senior CSAR guys remain loyal to their ACC puppet masters. On MULTIPLE occasions ACC used CSAR TOA to pay for other things, how do you think the CAR folks ended up with the oldest C-130s in the Air Force? Another HUGE issue that is always pushed under the rug is the amount of CSAR capability that is in the reserve and guard (50+%). I am not saying the guard and reserve doesn't pull their weight because in this community they most certainly do, but the active component ends up eating a lot of deployed alert because of activation limitations. When you have a low density high demand capability, putting 50% in the guard or reserve causes some second and third order effects. I would disagree with your assessment that AFSOC does not care about "ACC" assets, the minute they become AFSOC assets they will most certainly care as long as the TOA is moved over with them. The HC-130J (long overdue), has about 90% commonality with the MC-130J, but the last 10% is all the special sauce that is equally applicable to SOF or CSAR missions, ACC could care less if you get those capabilities which is a terrible shame. The politics of this potential move are complex and it is not being driven solely by the services or altruism on the part of AFSOC. The genesis was an effort by OSD to save money, SOF is almost always in the same places (and more), as the conventional folks and they have executed many of the recent CSAR events, why not find some synergy. The main sticking point form the CSAR rotor types is the deal would almost certainly drive a reduction in the CRH buy, which I personally think is a good thing. Why in the hell are we buying a 140kt helicopter to conduct long-range CSAR in today's world...seriously? If I were king for a day I would move CSAR to AFSOC (that comes with some doctrinal changes and direction to SOCOM). I would put some of the CSAR forces back in the active component (75%-25%). All 29 HC-130Js (if they get 29, reading the latest NDAA USAF is trying to cut the buy to 26...yeah ACC loves you guys), would be modified to MC-130J configuration (MCTF, SMP, RFCM). CRH buy would be curtailed to 100ish and 30 CV-22s would be added to AFSOC with at least two CSAR units becoming CV-22 equipped.

You might ask "actual customers" like Lt Col Dale Zelko or Lt Devon Jones.

Eagle Driver Commemorative Watch

I hear what you are saying but I doubt it went down like that. I was in a hotel for three days last week and kept the do not disturb sign on the entire time, I don't like people in the room around my stuff, he could have easily done the same. Also, you are assuming he used gun cases...this guy obviously planned this out and I am betting he was smart enough to pack and transport stuff in nondescript containers, luggage, or boxes. This guy was smart enough to find a perfect ambush overlook sight and install a bump fire stock. I don't think it takes a great leap of imagination to think he could package his weapons to look like anything but weapons and make a several trips over the course of three and a half days to get his weapons unobserved into his room. I know I could. Unless you are advocating we search every person entering every building in the country you won't stop this type of situation from occurring when there is a determined madman.

Really? On family trips I've had baggage carts loaded with all kinds of stuff (including weapons), and no one has ever said a word. He was there for a few days, I would bet he used a push cart a few times and it looked like bags or boxes.

Turns out it was a bump fire stock, I am guessing much of the confusion is from echos. The Mandalay Bay has a very unique shape and he was moving back and forth between two shooting positions in the suite.

Thoughts and prayers for the crew. ***Update is "Hard Landing." One injured but will survive. Marine Aviation is hurting.

Cancelled my NFL Ticket today. ATT/Directv are granting waivers if you cite the player protest as a reason. The agent asked me why I wanted to cancel and I told him I was a veteran and opposed to the players protesting during the National Anthem, he actually replied "Sir we are not allowed to talk politics on the phone but WE AGREE WITH YOU, your NFL Ticket is cancelled and we are processing a refund, thank you for your service!"

Him Him