ClearedHot

I wonder who they will black ball if this comes to fruition - USAF Autonomous Cargo Operations

Dogmatic thinking...It takes leadership. If USAF senior leaders can go to the mat for new programs and weapons, do the same for your Fing people. Having worked on the hill I know what you are saying and trust me I understand the NDAA, go FIGHT for your people.

The fact that single pilot KC-46 pilot operations was even suggested and staffed up to Mini demonstrates just how broken the USAF is. There are only two possible reasons to allow this moronic idea to see the light of day. The first option is they know the big-wing tankers are gonna get whacked in a fight with China, so lets keep the body count low. After showing a ray of hope with the KC-Y discussion, they quickly defaulted to dogma and signaled intent to buy more of the same...Fing brilliant...not. The second option is they know the pilot shortage is worse (and accelerating), than they are saying in public. Sadly, this option is a solvable problem. If they want to try out of the box solutions then give up one freaking KC-46 and dump that $170M into pilot retention. Figure out what the actual number is to get a pilot to stay until 20 and PAY them. Seriously, we spend a $1M to put an ejection seat in a jets to save pilots, why not spend a million dollars to keep them on active duty. I know not everyone wants to stay for 20 years and the nonsensical queep of the past 15 years has made it even less desirable but money speaks and so does messaging. Congress gave authority to pay more bonus but the shoes chase the curve rather than lead turn it with a long-term view. If USAF never uses the full allocation, what message does that send to the force. COVID saved this clown show...but that little respite is over and it is time to get serious. I am using old numbers but as I recall USAF makes approximately 1000 pilot a year and needs an approximate retention rate of 60% at end of initial commitment to break even. In recent years that number has fallen to the around 37-39%. I wonder how the calculus would change if they swallowed their pride and put real money on the table. Realistically they need 200-250 pilots to stay each year...offer each one $1M and see if your retention rate changes. Pay it lump sum, pay a portion each year, pay it however the pilots want to receive it and you will see a difference. $250M is decimal dust to the Air Force and if it solved one of the toughest problems it would be money well spent.

That spot has tuned into a pilgrimage for some who go there and relive that wonderful event.

I think they fly them occasionally for test but that's about it. That would be very interesting and a complete abortion since the AT-6 doesn't meet several of the objective requirements (it actually failed part of the assessment).

It shows just how broken the system is. "Big thinkers" like Starbaby corrupted the critical thinking and analysis that would have allowed for an honest assessment. Instead, Starbaby had the ear of the chief (for once in his life), and he brainwashed them into thinking it had to be a prop. I guess that is what happens when you let a WSO pick the airplane. Sadly, I saw far too much of this during my time in the five sided dumpster fire. Real analysis is usually overcome by flawed group think, service rice bowls and personal agendas. A part of me believes they down-selected to props knowing it would marginalize the capability so they could wait out McCain and the others pushing for Lite-attack. Had they gone with Scorpion Jet and followed their own rules of analysis we would have a couple hundred on the ramp right now providing deep options for the COCOMs...AND they would have had the legs and capability to support some of the peer/near-peer fight (albeit outside some of the threat rings).

Anyone ever purchased series I bonds? Limited to $10K but they are paying 9+% right now. Going to buy $10K for everyone in my family for a little pocket change.

If someone from the GOP said this the liberal media would howl louder than Georgia when Sherman marched south.

Inflation just hit a 40 year high at 9.1% and is likely remain high for the foreseeable future, but thankfully no mean tweets.

So much no I can't even begin to explain.

Which is the lesser of two evils?

100% you can't force U.S. refineries to take it but it never should have been released because it is for emergencies, not correcting poll numbers. Also, 100% oil is a global commodity, but releasing that small amount had no impact on the market, it was simply a gift to China because it was sold at a discount. Regardless, the bigger point is the moronic policy that says taking oil from other countries somehow helps global warming?

No "edgy" meme just a COME ON MAN...of course U.S. based refineries will shy away from sour crude, but in an EMERGENCY the U.S. could still use it...that was supposed to be the purpose of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, to provide for U.S. energy needs in emergencies and to protect against import issues. In the history of the SPR it has never been used as a tool to garner votes until our dear leader took over. You know very well that petroleum prices rely on a series of factors some of them being emotional and perception, Joe's release from the SPR was an attempt to sway the emotional variable and calm his poll numbers. Even if your argument had merit and we couldn't use this oil in the U.S. during an emergency, why would you make things easier for China? It makes ZERO sense, it was a political play with a strategic asset and it is failing. And I guess you don't great irony in the fact that the oil went to the same Chinese company Hunter had a sake in, I can only imagine the coverage if any member of the Trump family had ownership. The bottomline is we have a completely disconnected energy policy driven by the extremists in the DNC, "Do not drill here in the U.S., that will solve climate change"....instead, release from the SPR, go to Saudi hat in hand to increase production, work with Iran behind the scenes so they can get more oil on the world market and kibitz with Venezuela to do the same. In short, surrender U.S. oil self-sufficiency because the oil that comes from overseas doesn't count towards climate change. Come on Man.

Sad they never gave Scorpion Jet an honest look. The wing is very modern and extremely efficient versatile allowing high altitude dash speeds then slow down and sit on station for 6-8 hours which would double or triple the range ring of the other players.

So the meat bag in the Oval Office decided to release oil from the U.S. Strategic Reserve to help ease prices here at home (not the intent of the reserves). 5 Million Barrels of that oil was then sent to Europe and CHINA! I know I know...at least we don't have mean tweets from the orange man. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-us-reserves-head-overseas-gasoline-prices-stay-high-2022-07-05/

? I am not a fan of extremism on EITHER side of the aisle, we have got to find a way to get back to the middle.

The continuing impact of uber liberalism is dystopian. I thought the actions of Los Angeles County DA George Gascon was insanity, but New York clearly said hold my beer. A career criminal comes into a store with his girlfriend and tries to buy some chips but his card has no money. Angered he goes behind the counter and starts to beat up the owner saying he wants the chips for free. The owner fights back and stabs the thief who ultimately dies. George Soros funded Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charges the owner with murder and sets a $250,000 bail. The thief's girlfriend stabs the owner five times and she is not charged with anything. WTF is happening to this country?