HuggyU2

We regularly engage foreign fighters in Iraq. And we don't check their passports before going kinetic. He was in the wrong place as an enemy combatant, on a known battlefield that we have been fighting on for years. I hope for the sake of his family he had SGLI.

I'm a day late in posting this... But on 29 Dec 1845, The Great State of Texas allowed America to join it. You're welcome.

We had pm'd a few times planned to get together when he was coming out to visit relatives near me. I had no idea he was dealing with this. I will pray for him and for those that knew and loved him who have lost a treasured family member and friend. My condolences to those that served and flew with him. p.s. I never asked him what "Matmacwc" meant. Any idea, CH (or anyone)?

Yes, quite a few U-2 pilots have gone to TPS since at least the 1980's. In more recent years, one goal has been to get a TPS graduate that could eventually move up to run U-2 Flight Test at Palmdale. At least three U-2 pilots that are TPS grads are currently flying for NASA. Another (Mike Masucci) was one of the three people to fly in to space in Feb on the Virgin Galactic rocket. https://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-expects-rapid-conclusion-of-spaceshiptwo-test-flights-after-downtime/ Mike also taught for 3 years at TPS and was heavily involved in designing the U-2 glass cockpit. He retired from the AF as the squadron commander of the U-2 FTU. For those the remember Mark Graziano, he was a TPS student when he was killed in a T-38 mishap at Edwards. Can't believe that's been 10 years. I don't believe we have had anyone there for about 2-3 years.

I was at Beale going through initial training that day. We were in the squadron and the fog was so thick there was no way anyone was doing any flying. Then, we hear the KC-135Q's fire up and taxi. WTF? We couldn't see them... we couldn't see the buildings across the street... but could hear their takeoff roll. It sounded like they rolled the entire length of the 12,000' runway without climbing. They were obviously loaded to the gills and doing something real world. I was very glad I was NOT in one of those jets, rotating just in time to clear the departure end lights with no visibility. My hat was off to those crews. As it turns out, they were the tankers that refueled the F-117's... which I believe was the first time a -117 dropped a bomb in anger. Boomer, out.

I don't understand how FedEx and UPS do their trips (which I hear is great if you want to commute), but where I work, you will start out of your domicile with 2 exceptions: 1. If a trip comes available for the next day at another domicile, you can grab it from Open Time. I see this with pilots that live near a senior base, but cannot get domiciled there because they are still too junior. 2. It's rare, but sometimes a trip will begin with a deadhead from your domicile to the city you live in. You grab the trip, skip (and get paid) for the deadhead, and show up to your local airport in time for next leg. It's been said a thousand times before... but if you choose to commute rather than live in domicile, you forfeit a significant benefit to being an airline pilot. For the record, I commuted for 18 months from San Antonio to Chicago.

Amazing. Truly idiotic. As for the nursing room, I would like to see a commander state "unable... need MILCON dollars to create it", and give them the Johnny Cash middle finger (see above). I remember when the squadron building at Laughlin was opened up and new. Except for a few VIP spots, all perimeter parking stalls next to the building were for handicapped... and empty. I did enjoy using the handicapped parking spot at Beale for a number of years. It got a lot of laughs. The cops finally realized my handicapped sticker for my hip replacement expired about 2 years earlier and finally ticketed me. For those of you that are appalled by my actions: no, I didn't park in handicapped parking anywhere else. Only at the squadron. Please, continue to be appalled, however. Next up: condoms in the women's restroom in the squadron. Discuss.

No, having a full-time designated room that is solely used for that purpose is not "legit and reasonable" when the infrastructure we have is already inadequate for the day-to-day work the military does. Do we put one in Base Ops? How about each of the aircraft hangars? What about the fuels building that is about 400 sq ft in size and sits on a pretty remote section of the base? What would be "legit and reasonable" in this hypothetical situation: my wife comes to the squadron for something, brings along my infant child, and needs to breast feed. I find a solution. Briefing room, squadron bar, whatever. I don't know what "amenities" are now required, but women that are breastfeeding generally carry what they need. And if I couldn't find a private space that would work, I'd go ask someone with a private office like my DO or CC. You know what their response would have been? "You bet, Huggy. She can use my office." In my 28 years of working on the flight line, I do not remember one time where a women came in and needed to breast feed. I'm sure it happens. But not with the regularity that requires that we give up valuable space. Space we need. Space that the US govt has been unable to provide us through MILCON dollars. Here's a possible alternative: How about letting us find a solution to this "problem" on our own? A solution that isn't mandated though more regulation, govt mandates, or social justice warrior programs. Instead, I would rely on my mostly-male squadron mates to the be gentlemen that they are and to help out a nursing mother in need. In the end, we would do what we always did, and take good care of those that visited our squadron.

No. I am not aware of this anywhere in the US.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/aclu-tampons-mens-room-menstrual-equity Fake news?

It took a long time and a lot of effort by some great people to start a U-2 WIC... but it finally happened. And the initial cadre was Patched Thursday, and graduated tonight. A very HUGE congrats to Jester, Posit and Gump. Leading the way for the Brotherhood, they are great reps for the U-2 weapons system. I was able to attend Thursday's festivities, and the O'Club was mobbed with U-2 folks... Intel, Mission Planners, 9RW Chief, and all of the Drivers. It really was an epic evening. Thanks to all involved for allowing the Old Guys to show up and be a part of it. Hail Dragons.

At PCola, it is long enough that off-base law enforcement can get to the scene and kill the shooter before the on-base military folks can. WTF?! I've been to the range with military cops and contractor-cops. Not pretty.

Agree with the family... https://www.foxnews.com/media/family-josh-watson-pensacola-florida-attack-navy-hero-second-amendment

Agree 100%. This stupidity has got to change. The fact that military bases are soft targets is criminal.

He is a personal friend of mine. Please leave the bad jokes as the sole property of the author of the article.

Another great Thanksgiving last week: not a single person asked for the TV to be put on to watch football. Good riddance to the NFL, at least in my tiny abode.

Good. Adios.

You are correct. I should have stated "privately owned". It's hard to get accurate info for some reason, but it appears that El Salvador may be the only military operator left flying them, although wikipedia says there are quite a few in S.A. still flying as of 3 years ago. We had a former Salvadoran pilot show up at the jet too. Sounds like he had some good stories, but we didn't get any details.

It looks like no one here went to Nellis Airshow. However we got to bring in our A-37B (S/N 87921) after a 20 year restoration. It was the first public display of the aircraft, and it was a big hit. 1st photo is from the Nellis ramp this weekend. Two Vietnamese AF pilots that flew it stopped by and said hi... very interesting since the jet was delivered in '69 directly to the South Vietnamese AF. They flew it for 6 years and about 2200 hours of combat time. It has the 7.62 patches as a reminder. When Saigon fell 29 April 1975, it was captured by the North. We have pics of the NV crews with the jet 2-4 days after Saigon fell, and it actually flew combat missions against the South. The 2nd photo is of 87921 in NV hands. This is the only A-37B currently flying in North America. I think it is one of only 3 flying in the world. We are discussing having me fly an aerobatic routine in 2020 with it. However it will only be at a few select airshows on the West Coast. With full wing and tip tanks and 2 pilots, it weighs 9,000 lbs. The J-85's are putting out ~2750 lbs thrust each. Needless to say, for those of you that flew the T-37, there is no comparison. The acceleration is spectacular. The owner has done a fantastic job, and the cockpit is like new. The only additions are an Aspen unit and a new ADS-B and transponder. The ejection seats are cold. Side note: the Combined Arms Demo that the 57th Wing flew was unbelievable. ACC must have waived everything they've had in the AFI because for once I was blown away by an AF "display". The jets were puking flares like it was going out of style. Loud, fast, low. Nice job to Maj "Stranger" Davenport and the Nellis folks for a jaw-dropping display.

Who is going?

Good input. Thanks.

I don’t see any spoilers coming up at touchdown.

I need advice since my deployment to Afghanistan was 2011/2012. I recall that our squadron had more cookies, candy, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc... than we could shake a stick at. I also recall the military telling people that airlift and sealift was at a premium and their stuff was on a space available basis. My questions: - with the reduced presence now, are Care Packages still desired? Or are they still the unneeded/unnecessary pain in the ass that they were when I was there? - what do you advise people to send in a Care Package? I ask because people at church are going to send Care Packages. And if they are, I at least want to guide them with some suggestions from those of you that are/were downrange and that can help me advise what stuff to send that won't be a waste of space. Save the porn and lube jokes. Help me to help these folks that want to help you. Thanks.

Ghost of James Post? Hahaha!! I'm guessing there's a good story why you picked that.

They have RedHawks?? Diesel-powered C-172s? That’s surprising.