Wing Sweep

CH, I haven't been able to do the drive from VPS to HRT in under 25 minutes since '02. Traffic is way too bad. I do drive like a grandma though, so that could explain it. Hellenback in FWB and KJs in Destin are good local hangouts. Linda, you should be getting familiar with KJs very soon, if not already. One can also go a little further east to Sandestin and there's a bunch more bars. In P-Cola, Mcguires is awesome. Who can forget Syphilis (I mean Seville) Quarter and the surrounding downtown area. You can always catch a hockey game too at the P-Cola civic center.

True, true Zip. I'll compromise with you and bump it up to 4!

Can't really call it a deployment because it was too good of a deal. During OEF's kickoff, X-base, Oman took the cake. Some Herk crews were staying in some sweet 5 star resorts with lots of Brit flight attendants and free all-you-can-eat steak and lobster buffets. Oh, did I mention we were beach front? Any of you Herk guys remember this? Of course it didn't last long. They moved our asses to a tent city inside the base, at which point it officially became a deployment (due to the suck factor of living in tents). I can't think of anything that's come close to that since. Agreed about bomber "deployments." If you're living cush, please just call it a TDY. [ 21. February 2006, 23:02: Message edited by: g2s ]

Okay, so my Turbomentor doesn't pull a lot of G's. I'm just curious though, how many G's do you 6, 37 and 38 guys pull in loops and immelmans. We do a hole 3.5 on our plane. Yee-haw, great balls of fire! Thanks.

Phlash, Your question can't be answered because this only happens with rescue, not SOF. Even though rescue falls under AFSOC, they're different in this and many other regards. Sounds like rescue is doing this program and I guess its working for them. The SOF side of the house handles things in a different way when it comes to manning. [ 12. February 2006, 21:33: Message edited by: g2s ]

In my opinion, it's one of the best gigs possible. Attitude is very different (in a good way). They have a different perspective on things (i.e. their lives don't revolve around the military as much as us AD guys). Most importantly, they get much better TDYs(excluding OIF/OEF). I'd volunteer for an ANG/AFRC tour in a heart beat.

What does an average day include for you operational pilots? The light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear here at ENJJPT (unless ENJJPT IP has his way and I get three years in the mighty tweet) and haven't completely decided on my order for the dream sheet. As such, I'd be interested in hearing about what you do on an average flying or non-flying day. For people outside the fighter/bomber community, I'm sure other studs would like your input as well. Thanks.

I flew in both AMC and AFSOC Herks (Slicks and MC-Papas). Both cultures are pretty laid back. AFSOC Os tend to hang with their E's a lot more on and off duty, at home and TDY. IMO, AFSOC treats all crewmembers more as equals vs AMC where there is more of the O vs E seperation (with few exceptions). I personally liked the AFSOC culture a lot more. Small communities (though it seems that's rapidly changing in the CONUS), where you know everybody and there's little to no whining about deployments, no notice directed missions from above, or being gone all the time to get a mish done. Operationally, the biggest thing for me was that in AMC I always lived with a slight fear that I might get Q-3 for some bullsh!t reason or that I might actually have to use my own discretion while TDY and get a Q-3 because I did something that might be considered "unsafe" or wasn't totally by the book, all the while I was just trying to hack the mish. In AFSOC, you have waaaaaaaaaaay, waaaaaaaay more leeway (did I make it clear enough) to use your brain and get the mish done. Safety is always at the top of our scan; however, on real missions (by this I mean other than training) it was like, "Okay, X mission HAS TO BE DONE. We're doing WHATEVER it takes to get the mish done." Our leadership always backed us up 100%. I don't remember of one time they ever questioned the crews integrity or reasoning as to why we bent or broke a reg to get the mish done. NEVER! In fact, they would commend us for using our brains and figuring out what needed to be done. We weren't reckless or trying to break rules. It was just the nature of the beast. In AMC Herk world, that kind of sh!t just didn't go, though I do remember at the kickoff of OEF the slick world had that kind of leeway. It went away after a few months. This is based on my experiences. AMC was my first assignment,so things may have changed a little, but I doubt it. In my opinion, AETC/ACC/AMC = Big Blue = Big Brother = I'm watching your every move. Don't know much about the OCONUS commands, so maybe someone else can shed some light on that matter. I think certain personality types are better suited for certain commands. Some people can adjust easily to various types of cultures and mentalities, while others will just be miserable. I'd say the majority of people do adjust and enjoy whatever culture they're in and end up thinking theirs is the best command. Okay, no one would think that about AETC, but..... you guys know what I mean.

On average, they flew 4-5 times a month and deployed once a year. AFSOC is so small (though rapidly growing), you'll end up at one of the operational squadrons again soon enough. If you don't help out, people remember. [ 15. January 2006, 23:09: Message edited by: gabe2surf ]

Most slick-to-AFSOC guys/gals I've known go from an operational AFSOC squadron to a Group/Wing job. After that, they either punch out or stay in. If they stay in, they go fly at the schoolhouse or get into "other" AFSOC opportunities. After that, career options vary based on rank, career blocks filled, job openings available, etc... A lot of people end up doing the old PCS-around-the-world tour too. This is when you get stationed at all the AFSOC locales (Hurlburt, Kadena, Mildenhall and Kirtland). Just as an added note, guys that go straight into AFSOC can normally expect two operational tours before being tagged for the schoohouse, never after only just one tour. This is all for the MC-130 world. I can't speak for the AC-130 or helo world. [ 15. January 2006, 07:41: Message edited by: gabe2surf ]

Excellent. More to add to the collection! Yes! BTW, what the heck happened to the ACM and ICM replacing the GWOT-E medal?

I guess here's the USAF medal great giveaway catalog: SAM + defensive = Silver star SAM = DFC Bomb on target = DFC PI Drop = DFC Drop bomb = AM Off DZ drop = AM AAA = AAM RPG = AAM New medals to the catalog are always welcome! Remember it's not what you do, but how well written the citation is. Definitely need to revamp the awards system, otherwise we'll be hearing jokes like this and all the previous posted one's for years to come.

I competed in May 05's JMAC at Maxwell. You start practicing two weeks prior during your normal PT time. You won't fall behind in your curriculum or classes. It's a good deal whether you host or are visiting, so take advantage of it. FCI is right. Only USAF, USN, and USA active duty compete. [ 30. December 2005, 19:32: Message edited by: gabe2surf ]

Oh wait. Just remembered some more retarded medals given out. 1. DFCs to the C-17 guys who airdropped the Army in Iraq (off DZ). 2. DFCs to the Bone crew who "almost" got Saddam. 3. UAV pilots. Someone please tell me they're not getting air medals. Aerial achievement maybe, but certainly not an air medal. 4. I know of countless stories where the pilots got the big medals and the rest of the crew got a lesser medal. It really depends on the mission and complexities that arise, but this situation isn't always fair for all crew members. I guess the AF really is a pilot's world, but it shouldn't be taken advantage of at the expense of others not getting medals they deserve. BTW, this is my opinion. Please don't go throwing bricks at me. If you disagree, fine. I guess we win some and lose some. [ 30. December 2005, 12:47: Message edited by: gabe2surf ]

Agreed 100% on all accounts. There are many unnecessary and/or redundant medals. For example... (and this is only off the top of my head. I'm sure there's more.) 1. Air Force Expeditionary Medal and also an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal? Seems redundant. Someone obviously wanted more flair. Get rid of one or the other. 2. A freaking bootcamp medal? Please! I've got a stinkin' cluster on my boot camp medal now. Sheesh!! Oh yeah, real proud of that one! 3. A boot camp honor grad medal (or whatever they call it)? Please! Boot camp has no relevancy to the rest of our careers other than telling stories at the bar about your T.I. or telling your kids/friends how you got yelled at because your underwear was not a perfect square, etc... 4. Good conduct and AF Good conduct medals. Why two? Redundant. Every 3 years of no article 15s they give you an AFGCM (on the E side). Come on! Why two medals? Still haven't figured that one out yet. Why even give an AFGCM out? Aren't we dedicated to our core values which by default make us act in good conduct? We need to practice what we preach and quit patting our own backs for stuff we should be doing already. 5. Longevity medal. I thought this was an all volunteer force?! I don't need a ribbon to tell me I've been in for so long. Other service branches use the stripes on their sleeves to show longevity, but I really don't see the need for the additional flair. The way I see it, people will know your longevity in service based on maturity level, gray hair, rank, and other ribbons your wearing. 6. Combat Readiness Medal (my all time favorite). Why the F*%k are we getting medals for being combat ready. Isn't that our freaking job!? Oh wait, no. Our job is to give sovereign options to fight in cyberspace. Well sh!t! No wonder they gave me a CRM! I knew the whole "medals" thing was a joke when I was a SrA with 14 ribbons. Heck, by the time I went through OTS, the only person with more flair than myself was BG Carpenter. I wasn't counting or anything, but it was pretty obvious because they started calling me "the Mexican General." I feel like I've earned most of my medals, but a few are just a joke. CH and you guys who may have a say in this much sooner than myself, please get rid of a few of these medals. I've always brought this up in the annual AF climate surveys. Thanks CH for bringing up a great subject. Redundancy in medals pains me as much as redundancy in pubs. BTW, are they getting any closer to making the 3-3 replace the Vol.3? I'm not sure about other commands, but there was a lot of talk about it in Hurlburt before I left.

Fury, I never gave footprints prior to starting training. Is the footprint thing standard at AF UPT bases?

Dang! Big Blue in full effect! Telling you what freaking pocket to wear your dog tags in. At least it doesn't say "shall." Falcon, Yes, all officers (and enlisted) recieve dogtags. At least they're supposed to. You're only required to wear them while at boot camp, some exercises, while performing flight duties and combat zones. There most certainly isn't 100% compliance with this 100% of the time. Why? People forget them at home, don't care about the rules, don't want to follow rules, etc... a million reasons I guess. When I was operational, I'd always keep them in my leg pocket even if I wasn't scheduled to fly. You never knew when you'd get that surprise flight. It happened on occasion. Remember, always on alert, always crew rested, never DNIF, right?! [ 22. December 2005, 22:15: Message edited by: gabe2surf ]

How far a drive are the beaches from Yokota?

1. Definitely a good attitude is #1. If you can't figure something out but show a good attitude, the IPs are more than willing to work with you. 2. Various forms of studying including: group study, study by yourself, study with the TV on while eating, study while playing PS2, study with as many distractions as you can handle. Basically learn to think while being distracted. 3. Talk to others ahead of you in the program. You'll get tons of valuable info. 4. Make sure you and your classmates work as a team. NO ONE makes it through as a lone ranger. 5. Patience. 6. Stay in the books. Hope this helps. [ 10. November 2005, 20:17: Message edited by: gabe2surf ]

Here's a few classic things I did as an old Load toad. 1. While TDY with rookie Co's or Navs, I'd put one or two 10k chains into their luggage bags. Heading to the hotel, they'd complain about how their bag seemed much heavier only to realize once they got to the hotel that indeed it was heavier from the extra weight of the chains. 2. (I think every seasoned Herk crew has done this). While dropping guys at Lawson AAF, bringing empty beer cans and throwing them down the flight deck steps so the Army guys think the pilots are drnking and flying. Just make sure your Load tells you if there's high brass jumping out the back or not. You only do this antic when you have the regular Jumpmasters in the back who've seen the trick a million times before. 2(a). While dropping guys at Lawson AAF, having one Load fill up a puke bag with chunky beef stew (while pretending he's throwing up). The"puking" Load then gives the bag to the other Load who then proceeds to eat the "puke" which in reality is tasty chunky beef stew. This in turn, creates a domino effect of Army guys puking!! Good times!!! 3. When I was a slick guy, our crew chief asked one of our new navs at Lawson AAF to ask the Jumpmasters for some prop wash. Being a new nav, he wanted to be helpful. The JM's referred the nav to some helo warrant officers who gave him a 5 gallon closed container filled with water. They nav carried the 5 gallon container from the big hangar where they keep all the students all the way back to the plane (at least 1/4 mile). The crew chief then pretended to do the smell test to the "prop wash" and then threw it all out. He told the nav, "where the F did you get this prop wash from? This sh&t smells old!" The disgruntled nav at this point tried to pull rank on me and make me go get some prop wash, to which I replied, "You've been punked!" Not really those exact words, but you get the drift. 4. I know of a disgruntled crew chief leaving pubes on officer's boom mikes. This crew chief had a issues! Heck, I wouldn't even trust him to go buy me lunch. I was always worried after he told me that story he might try to "hook me up." [ 29. October 2005, 08:45: Message edited by: gabe2surf ]

Thanks Rico and DC

Does anyone know what the latest change to the T-34 NATOPS manual is? I'm headed to VT-3 in a week (from API) and want to know if I need to add/delete/change anything on my flashcards. I have all changes up to Change 39 (Change 39!!! I guess they've never heard of a T.O. revision in the Navy). Also, anyone at VT-3 know how long the wait is after ground school? Our API class has been hearing a ton of rumors (varying from 4 up to 10 week wait rumors), but nothing 100% confirmed. Thanks for the help. [ 24. September 2005, 11:10: Message edited by: gabe2surf ]

Great story Remy. You slick guys definitely put up with a whole lot of BS. Keep up the good work! Four fans of freedom winning the war one poorly made pallet at a time! In ATOC's defense, there are some really good ones out there, but they are the exception. 2T2's think LM's are dumb, but as a prior LM, I can say without hesitation that we are the smartest, most common sense kind of folks around. Well, maybe FE's have us beat, but not by much.

Beaver, Maybe this will help clear up my point. In 7 years, I have never experienced religious intolerance in the AF. Most of these circus stunts we hear about in the news are all happening at the USAFA with 20 year old kids who have not served in the military in any real capacity (with a few exceptions). The Zoo is not the real AF, just like ROTC or OTS is not the real AF either. Yet things that occur there are shaping policy in the real AF?!?! What gives? Just becasue I don't take kindly to a sexual orientation, religion and/or political system doesn't make me a bad person or doesn't mean I'm bashing them. It just means I choose to not associate with people whose lifestyles and ways of thinking I disagree with and there's nothing wrong with that. I can say I disagree with those things or I can be spineless and say the old "as long as they're not hurting me, they're okay" line. Would you rather me be fake and spineless or stand up straight and tell you exactly how I feel? I don't care if people think or act a certain way. Thats fine with me, but don't tell me I can't think a certain way, because at that point you (whoever it may be) would be the intolerant one. PC in the AF is way out of hand and unfortunately MEO and similar agencies have been given an inch and taken way too many miles in this respect. My old unit had to have "sensitivity training" from some MEO non-combatant about how perception is reality and how Maxims might offend someone. There is a place for MEO, tolerance, etc... but please don't take it to the PC extreme becasue God forbid we may offend someone.