FourFans

Open source speculations are always fun. https://www.combataircraft.net/2017/06/23/how-did-a-30-year-old-su-22-defeat-a-modern-aim-9x/ Also a neat quick read about the red eagles from an embedded link on that page (where did Steve Davies go?): https://aviationweek.com/blog/we-didn-t-know-what-90-percent-switches-did

Clearly you meant flight engineer.

$2 for mis-use of the Walken Comma.

Does this count? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/06/14/isis-drones-are-attacking-u-s-troops-and-disrupting-airstrikes-in-raqqa-officials-say/?utm_term=.5042b8070eee

An RQ-4 has been dispatched to continue the search for survivors.

Azimuth, thanks for being candid and honest. Rare to find these days when hearing about one's deeds and misdeeds. Regardless the story (there are always two sides), even if half of this tale is based on miscommunication and misunderstand, it still sounds like the USAF's "fact finding" investigative capabilities haven't improved much since Mollygate. A caution: Please be careful how much info you tell about these other people in a public internet forum. Right or wrong, it wouldn't be difficult for an average joe to figure out exactly who all of them are with what you've given...yourself included. (for example, no need to tell who's a swinger and who does camera porn...completely irrelevant to your story). I know it's your freedom of speech right to do so, but we also have a moral responsibility. Please don't disregard that. Tell the story, but protect the people. There are serious wack jobs on the internet these days looking for EXACTLY this kind of info.

FML. Here's the link. Bender beat me to it. https://www.jqpublicblog.com/bonus-shenanigans-expose-air-forces-lack-progress-pilot-retention/

True. No amount of worry can impact your future assignments, but it can easily distract and detract from current performance. There is only one plane phase one studs should think about: the T-6 Sent from my iPad using Baseops Network Forums

One small step for man, on giant leap for Skynet. Sent from my iPad using Baseops Network Forums

BQZip following in his mom's footsteps? https://www.whiteman.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1209105/stronger-for-it-offutt-airman-shares-her-journey-with-support-of-command-team/ This also belongs in the What's Wrong With the AF thread. We're in trouble.

Hey look, the USAF brass is trying to hide their efforts to get rid of the A-10 again. https://www.dodbuzz.com/2017/06/09/air-force-mulls-cutting-three-a-10-squadrons/?ESRC=airforce-a_170614

Well then. That pretty much caps off my horrific imagined sensations quota for the day.

Sometimes the truth hurts.

Awesome. The lead class of millennials will hit squadron command with the least ops experience, the most entitlement in the ranks, and a decade of leadership crisis paving the way for them. I know several great '06 folks. God be with you gents, I'll be looking for other employment. Sent from my iPad using Baseops Network Forums

This.

In no way will I ever depend on the USAF to provide me a way out. All that trust is gone. Correct about seniority though, which makes the whole argument difficult. My major difficulty is putting a whole lot of faith in a system when the gravy train is going full steam. It goes against a keep investment concept: "When others are greedy, exercise restraint. When others are restrained, be greedy." Sent from my iPad using Baseops Network Forums

Definitely a good read, but the massive unspoken assumption in all that is continued economic prosperity. Jump ship at 17 years service chasing the promise of those extra millions, get hired, then get furloughed in 2 years in the face of an international crisis and what are you left with? Not sure if anyone here watches world events, but there are currently more than enough boiling cauldrons of stupidity across the globe waiting for the right impetus. No one here can tell the future, it simply doesn't seem wise to pass up a secure retirement check like that. Sent from my iPad using Baseops Network Forums

https://futurism.com/lockheed-confirms-secretive-sr-72-hypersonic-plane-will-be-made/

Indeed. If there's one fix that needs to happen tomorrow, it's keeping some pilots at FP, AC, wingman, or 2 FLUG because sometime...just sometimes...they will never be ready for more than those levels, and upgrading them because "it's their turn" is straight dangerous. Sent from my iPad using Baseops Network Forums

They'd have to make entry into that track very competitive event with an interview required, mission flying eval, instructor capability eval, and a significant bro check. They'd have to make the selection process on par with that used for WIC applicants. Put one bad apple in that basket and you ruin the whole thing.

F'n A Cotton

This would be aviation by congressional committee. It would take the 10 flight engineers three days to agree on TOLD. Heaven help you if the runway changed.

That's gotta be tough to do seeing the last few feet of wing are so stylishly curled up...were they inverted?

I feel your pain. I only had the option for a 5 year bonus that I took 2 years ago, and it only takes me to 17 YOS as well. Later, they offered extension to 20 years flying service but I didn't take that because I frankly don't trust the USAF and I really don't want to go 365. Right now, if you can punch out at your 10 year UPT ADSC, take the bonus that best matches but doesn't overrun your ADSC and then I'd pull the handles ASAP. I have sneaking suspicion that my failure to commit to the company line and sign for the extended bonus may have contributed to being passed over this year as a career ops pilot/WO. I'm already seeing the writing on the wall. No chance for further bonus, and I'll be lucky if I get back to line flying. Right my best outcome is to become the grumpy squadron WO in the squadron and ride out my last 3 years without a bonus. You don't want to be in this boat. Either take the full bonus and accept that you'll be getting a 365, or get out as soon as you can.