JeepGuyC17

I meant in reference to aircraft that either have no bunks, or fly around with basic crews all the time and don't have much time to use them. One of the good things about heavy aircraft in general, not just the '17.

I may have never done a landing to a dirt field, but here are some of the top reasons I enjoy flying the C-17: -Air conditioning even when the engines are off -Can log flight time while asleep in the bunk -Can take a crap on the aircraft without feeling like a homeless person Everything else is gravy.

And thus, the spectrum of poo flinging on this thread was broadened. Let's try to limit the sweeping generalizations about the quality of pilots in other communities.

I've been flying the C-17 for less than a year, but already I've seen that there's quite a variety of missions. When you're home, you'll do about a 10 day trip every month or two, which is mostly strat and ocean crossing type stuff, maybe with a few downrange trips thrown in where you'll fly from Ramstein, do a couple stops in OIF, then back to Germany. Then, on the deployment, you'll do 16 hour days flying four-stops to OIF or some OEF. While deployed, I can count on one hand the number of ILS's I've flown, but have lost track of the number of NVG tactical approaches to all manner of airfields in Iraq/Afghanistan. There's also a lot or airdrop going around these days too. As far as traveling and seeing the world and all that, yeah you'll go to Germany most of the time which might get old to some people, but there are also the occasional good deal trips to some neat places. From what I've experienced though, the "five star hotel" thing isn't as common as some people think. Still, it's nice to be able to fly into combat, do some tactical approaches, and then fly back somewhere where you can sleep in a real bed. In short, the C-130 probably does more tactical stuff than the 17, but contrary to popular belief, the C-17 is not 100% fed-ex, ILS trash hauling. There's a lot of variety in the mission.

"2". Go read the book, "Boyd"

While it irks me to see people deliberately disrespecting the flag/anthem, I don't think I would yell at someone or get into a fight over it. While there are guidelines for civilians paying proper respect to the symbols of our freedom, that same freedom gives them the choice to either abide by those guidelines or not. It's part of what makes this country great that you can't be arrested for refusing to salute the flag etc. In places like North Korea and the previous Iraqi regime, you could probably get arrested or beaten or worse for showing any sign of disloyalty. Politely informing people of the proper etiquete is one thing, but being confrontational with people is only going to make them act defensive and want to get into a fight.

Agreed, I don't get pissed off at the people who at least make an effort to pay respect to the flag and the anthem and just don't understand all the appropriate customs. It's only the people that flat out don't care that get my goat.

Wow, so it really IS manure, huh? Interesting. Well, at least I know my bullshit detector still works (literally)

A little off topic, but the other morning the entire base smelled like manure. I'm not talking about isolated areas like near the cadillacs or something, literally the entire base smelled like camel shit.

2 on that. If you stuck me back in a T-34 tomorrow and told me to fly a full procedure approach with some holding thrown in there for good measure, it would be an interesting sight indeed.

Yeah dude, don't fly. I've had some pretty severe sinus pain even just flying commercial when I was sick.

Hooray, I don't have to wear my blues until January! Because I'm at the Deid!... oh, wait a minute...

There are some plugs in the BPC mall as well. You might have to sit on the floor, but they're there. You will need a UK type plug adapter, the kind with the three square prongs.

1. This is a true statement. No comm wipe necessary, and WiFi is currently only available in the area surrounding the Bra and the BPC mall (works much better at the BPC, well worth the bus ride) 2. I'm not sure if comm is even still offering this service, but it will be neccessary if you want to use your personal computer on the internet in the dorms. I don't know if this makes you unable to use the WiFi or not. As far as computers in rooms, some have them (the only ones I know of are some C-130 guys) but most do not. Our squadron's rooms do not have computers.

The climb and cruise paychecks aren't bad either

Wow. "Um, Dad, I got in trouble at school today..."

Dude, you beat me to it!

Watched the first episode, and it wasn't bad but felt kind of corny. Not the best acting I've seen either. HBO has set the standard pretty high in the past for TV drama, this looks more like something you'd see on one of the networks in terms of production values. Then again, I only saw the first episode, so who knows.

So here we are, it's the 15th. Should we all continue to hold our breath on this WiFi thing, or does it actually work?

In case they haven't sorted all the wi fi stuff out by the time I get there, is there any other option on base for getting on the internet, i.e internet cafe or hot spot? (with the exception of letting comm f*ck with your computer)

Any word on Wi Fi? Hoping it will be up and running when I go out there in the Fall

Not a whole lot of actual flying, but there are some sweet vintage B-25's in "Catch-22"

Has anybody here worked with these guys before while TDY? How much $ did you actually save once everything was said and done after having the thing send back to the US and paying any applicable taxes?

I hadn't been issued gore tex yet, but I found some for cheap on Ebay, and it was worth every penny, especially during evasion phase where you may have to sit/lay down in the snow for an extended period of time. When your bros are crowding around the fire in the evening to dry off, you'll be nice and dry allready. Other things I was really glad I brought were a headlamp (get an LED one and spring for a couple sets of lithum batteries, the incandescent ones don't last a day in the cold) as well as squeeze tube face paint and a small pair of needlenose pliers if you go in the winter. The pliers are great for having to untie tiny frozen 550 cord knots without taking your gloves off.

Anybody catch The Daily Show last night? They ran a piece mocking these lunatics. [Video Link] Best line from the clip: Crazy Code Pink skank: "It's very important to protect free speech, so clearly we have the right to be here." Daily Show correspondent: "If only there were an organization that was sworn to defend that free speech!" Crazy Code Pink skank: "Wouldn't that be great?" Here's another gem: Numb nuts Berkely hippie: "Wars and violence on our streets would stop if we didn't have weapons" Daily Show correspondent: "So if we got rid of police we wouldn't have crime?" Numb nuts Berkely hippie: "Potentially"