ClearedHot

Teach Afghanistan the power of the Defensive Egg.

Yup...absolute fail!

How much longer will it be down?

Yes

The last thing I feel is "called out". "Pointy Talky CAS" is a loose construct floating around in my pea-brain based on having done CAS once or twice in my mediocre career and having used an iPad to surf porn...err do market research. CAS can be the best of times or the worst of times. More often than not it is confusing, chaotic, frightening, and did I say confusing. When the bros on the ground are getting shot through no malice of their own, they tend to speak fast, come in broken, send bad coordinates, keep their nuggets down, spend considerable time fighting back....rather than talking...I would certainly do the same. In my mind an iPad or some similar device that can present what the guy on the ground sees AND what the guy in the air sees in a COP that is interactive to both parties, offers hope in eliminating confusion. I certainly like the idea of sticking my claw up to the window with an IR pointer to circle and confirm a target location, but if environmental, urban, or combat factors preclude such a thing I think it would be nice to go John Madden and circle a part of the image like a telestrator that both parties can see. A "shoot here" capability that both parties can view/agree upon/manipulate does move the art of the possible a little further down the field and maybe helps us kill bad guys and more importantly save good guys a little bit better. Just my .69c and not something I am going to get all butt hurt about if folks disagree. If someone has a better way, lets move out, but I see no harm in at least thinking about ways to do things better.

Sadly, it will only get worse. Is the Westboro church distasteful, abhorrent, sickening...yes. Was the Supreme Court decision the correct one, yes. "If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences that can invite the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use; the freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." George Washinton “Free speech is intended to protect the controversial and even outrageous word; and not just comforting platitudes too mundane to need protection.” Colin Powell

Story developing on CNN. Fox actually has a little more detail... Shots Fired at Bus Carrying U.S. Soldiers in Germany

With Russia's $650 billion rearmament plan, the bear sharpens its teeth The graying bear is getting a make-over. Russia's military is launching its biggest rearmament effort since Soviet times, including a $650 billion program to procure 1,000 new helicopters, 600 combat planes, 100 warships, and 8 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines...

Different strokes for different folks, I DO want to do pointy talky CAS or have any additional assets possible to improve SA and effectiveness. IR pointers don't work during the day, in urban situations, or in some environmental conditions. I certainly would not want the iPad to be the primary reference for CAS, but as another tool in the cockpit (aside from myself), I would welcome it. Perhaps it won't work in a fighter cockpit, but I don't have room for MFP's (or funding for them). It would be a very simple and economical fix to put an Ipad with velcro on a thigh strap, which should solve the issue of a wayward iPad surfing around the cockpit during a defensive maneuver. What you should really be wary of is the day we get X-Box controllers instead of a stick (yoke) and throttles.

There are SOOO many ways we could use this, but yes I would want it somewhat ruggedized. Aside from takeoff, approach, and landing think about the tactical uses. If it was integrated you could use it as an electronic knee board or put it on the link and commence "John Madden" style pointy talkie CAS...

Mentions in the article Alaska Airlines is running a test program with 200+ pilots.

The dude is offer his rocker...I read something over the weekend where one of his "porn star" encounters was telling the reporter about the last time she saw him...paraphrasing, but she felt sorry for HIM! Said when she left he was sitting in bed with his pipe. I say we start a death pool...I am picking 1 June 2011.

FAA OKs iPad for Pilots’ Charts

WTF are you looking at his pics?

Soldier impersonators target women in web scams Happened to a very close friend two years ago as he was finishing up command downrange. His name was in the papers which led to a scammer stealing and using his identity to solicit money from women around the country. More egregious than the stolen valor issues just don't know if it is receiving any extra attention from law enforcement/legislators.

And that kind sir is why you are the Ol Patch...

Military's prized "challenge coins" become copycat fad among agencies, politicians, companies

DV lift missions typically hire from other airframes...get some experience and ask around, there will be plenty of advice on how to get there once you have the hours. The RC-135 community is smaller than others but they do drop on occasion. I am not in AETC, but from past posts on this board it has always been suggested to let your Flight/CC know you are interested. If he/she is worth their salt they will ask the question higher and see if they can get one in the drop.

FAIL, Did you read your own link? On July 16, 2010, a federal judge in Denver ruled the Stolen Valor Act is "facially unconstitutional" because it violates free speech and dismissed the criminal case against Strandlof who lied about being an Iraq war veteran... There is a similar case in California under appeal, USA v. Xavier Alvarez, case No. 08-50345 in the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals.[23] This case was decided on August 17, 2010, when the panel also ruled the Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional.[24] The federal appeals court panel in California says people have a right to lie about receiving military medals.

Marines fight faker with online campaign

"Two"

Washington Post article on $500 Million for Military Bands Radio-Info.com article on Corporation for Public Broadcasting (NPR/PBS) $451 Million budget

Read an article today saying the military spend $500 Million a year on military bands...that is more than the budget of NPR and PBS....combined.

Great weapons but is it the F-22 of Army small arms. $35,000 per gun and $1,000 per round, how many can we afford. I hope the cost goes way down as they ramp production.