sputnik

Hadn't heard that. Mil uses a lot of 7.62 as well, so I'd think they'd rise in tandom But as others have pointed out, you can get an AR in 22LR, which is pretty dang hard to beat price wise.

Cheapest I'm going with .223....but you can probably get 7.62 of AK variety for less Expensive I'm going with .50 BMG....but skies really the limit on the high end. I'm totally outclassed on this topic, just felt like throwing a vote in

What do you want to know? 2 planes, about 10 pilots. Part of 517 AS which also flies C-17s (switched from Hercs last year). Flies some awesome missions into some awesome places. Closest to FIXED WING bush flying I've seen in AF. As mentioned in 130 thread, an active duty associate unit is supposed to stand up in '11 to fly Guard Hercs. And there are a handful of AD Herc guys in staffs or random assignments up here that fly with Guard now. So don't rule it out. Edit for busted balls by rotary guys

There are people here who know way more than me so I'm not going to rank manufacturers. I have two Bushmasters though, both have been excellent. A Varminter that is a blast and an M4 for when the Russians come (as our governer pointed out, we can see Russia from here). Have a number of friends that have them, uniformly good reviews. I'd recommend Bushmaster to anyone. I have a bud with a couple Amalites, an AR10 and AR15. He had some problems with the 10 (extraction, incredibly bad groups). But he sent it back and they essentially replaced the entire thing with no harassment. I guess they had some manufacturing defect for a while there that is supposed to be fixed. At least they had good customer service. Damned expensive though.

F22s are Reserve associate, C-17s are Guard associate. 'Cause it makes absolute sense for a Guard unit (state defense) to have a strategic airlifter, whereas there is no clear state role for an F22 pulling actual alert. I digress. Far as the Herc's, here's what's facts (granted I haven't read BRAC in a while and have no intention of doing so) - Guard already flies Herc's at Kulis (on ANC Int'l), entire wing will be on Elmo in '10, Kulis handed over end of FY11 - BRAC mandated active associate unit to fly Guard Herc's - BRAC supposed to be done by end of FY11 - BRAC is law, no tinkering allowed - C17s moving buildings mid O9, building gets significantly enlarged for Herc unit (plus others), done some time in '10. Reality - As far as I can tell there's already been a ton of BRAC violations with no consequences so who TF knows. How's that Pope Army Airfield project moving along? Scuttlebutt - Start moving active duty ADVON in FY10 for an FY11 standup - Huge rumor that they'll bring enough guys to hand over a guidon, then hand it back over. Apparently BRAC only makes you stand up a unit, nothing prevents you from immediately standing it back down. Why would they do that? No idea, I just hear it a lot Interestingly, on the active side no one here talks about it at all, it's easy to forget it's even supposed to happen. Helpful? I didn't think so. I'd start watching assignments middle of 09. If it's going to happen that's when they'll drop.

Well as you can probably tell from what's written above, the bonus can change every year. Intent is to keep you in once your UPT commitment expires. Last several years there has only been one option, five years at $25k/year. You can only take it once (when it expires you stay in or get out, but no more bonus for you). Goes by fiscal year, can take a long time before they work out the details. Last year I think it was Jan before they offered something. In my brief career I've seen 1, 2, 3, 5, 20 and 25 year bonus options (last two options were to your 20 or 25th year of aviation service), plus you could sign a new one when existing one expired. I hadn't heard the $40k rumor, but good luck to everyone. I thought the max amount was set by congress (currently 25k) whereas individual services could determine what they wanted to actually give. Was the limit raised or would this pending legislation change that? I did notice the boards are coming fast and furious. Didn't bother checking O-6, sorry CH, but I did see the O-5's are quick

Because the AFI's don't allow wear of a rainbow flag tshirt that says "I like balls on my chin."

Probably shouldn't have said that, I was being sarcastic. I don't get off wearing any particular uniform, but I take a sincere interest in doing so correctly. I won't say I run out and buy a new ribbon rack every time the next piece of fluff falls, but I try to look correct.

I didn't say it was legal, just that I was going to do it. I saw an O5 walking around with 4 ribbons. At first I thought he must be a JAG or something, then saw he had wings. Never got the chance to ask him, but thought it looked good actually. Not like a south american dictator, for example. Until this fine thread, I actually didn't even know there was still a bus driver option out there. For some reason I thought that was a CSAF only option, if I even thought about it.

Well I was one of the suck it up and drive on guys so I guess this is my just desert. I find wearing blues annoying but ultimately not too much to ask (even if I'm lost on why I'm being asked/told). But service dress....ugh, guess I'm rewarded. This'll be fun. I think I'm going to wear my basic training ribbon. And that's it.

Just got the wing memo: Good news, here we will not be wearing blues on Mondays!! Bad news, we will be wearing Service Dress instead. MotherFvcker

In the 17 world it was always safety, though the wheel got recreated a lot. Far as I know reason is that AMC safety gives out the hours patches (the 5000 hour tag above AMC, etc), so since safety got those, they got the others. So if you got some buds in AMC, you could have them check with their safety guys. Helpful aren't I? Good luck.

I had a similar experience coming from Tweet to 17, I used to get so frustrated I'd almost want to cry. But it's a two way street, I truly can't imagine flying without a HUD. Nor can I really believe it's possible to, say, roll out on a heading without the aid of a flight directer... Learning a new plane will be a pain for me too. You'll get used to it. It'll click, then you'll grow to appreciate it.

No, Travis had only 5's and 10's. But as the west coast cargo hub nearly every westbound 17 mission through. Last year one of the 5 squadrons (21st?) transitioned from Fred.

Not a dumb question, there is an active duty squadron that shares 8 tails with a guard squadron. Last year the AF decided to open three new 17 bases (Elmo, Travis and Dover) just after conducting a long and very successful exodus of experienced C17 pilots through VSP. The solution was to not send anyone to Chucktown and McChord and to send huge numbers of Lts to all three bases. Now we're full up, won't start losing guys in any appreciable number for over a year. So, at a guess I wouldn't expect to start seeing Elmo C17 drops till maybe late in 09. Kind of like how you didn't see any Hickam assignments for a while, but are starting to trickle down again now. You never know what you never know, but we don't have any scheduled inbounds over the next year, and I don't expect that to change.

Received same Robo-mail. My favorite highlights-- "We are aggressively seeking volunteers in the ranks of Major or Lieutenant Colonel..." Not just seeking, or seeking intently, but seeking AGGRESSIVELY And "...provide a tremendous opportunity to gain valuable wartime experience in continued service to our nation. In addition, the Air Force provides several incentives, including short-tour credit, storage of household goods, possible movement of family while deployed, non-taxable federal income and additional pay. Holy shit, if I do a 365 TDY I get short tour credit?!? I don't have to take my household goods with me in my mobags? My family can "move?" Tax free? Shit I was thinking I'd go to OIF/OEF for a year, have to sell all my shit, store my family in a closet and have to pay taxes. Where do I sign?

Anything's possible, but as of right now there is no plan. Big problem is that all the aircraft currently owned or ordered are already spoken for. If they buy more, generally the way they get support in Congress is to reward key (i.e. powerful) Senators and/or Congressmen by putting them in their state. Which is how Hawaii and Alaska got them in the first place. If more are ordered, expect more guard/reserve units to get them--a la Wright-Patt, Stewart, etc--not already equipped units.

Typical disrespect to heavy drivers, AMLO's too. But you're correct, outside a mandatory formation I never saw any ALO/AMLO do it. Actually even at formation I didn't do it, but a couple possibly gay ALOs did. Me too

You guys lost me with references to flight boots, can we wear boots with blues? I'm with the abm'er (no offense, but words I never thought I'd type) how the fvck am I going to live in Alaska in winter in blues?

I saw the same brief, or a similar one. Here's what I'll tell you, if they're underfilling them to the point they say they are....well AF standard is rob Peter to pay Paul. Which means in about a year or so every swinging dick on the VML will end up with a staff RIP. Can't answer your larger question about who is making those decisions. Nav and Disgrunt, thanks for validating my decision making process. I took a long look and decided to forgo staff, accept the consequences, and go fly. It won't make you feel any better, but at least you're helping me rest easier with my decision.

I think it means that once you get it on you, you can never get rid of it. As seen with the guys who did their UAV tours, PCS'ed back to their MWS for all of a few weeks before getting snaked back. In your case, I think it would be a great idea. Well, other responses seem to imply you're thinking of switching units in or shortly after UPT to get a slot with real airplanes, which would be a fools game I think. However, seeing as you already have a flying job, you get a good side job, aviation related, and don't have to commute. I'd do it. But then again, I'm not you, do you want to do this thinking you can switch to a unit with manned aircraft?

From a wife point of view....she knows the area and already has her opinion set. Tell her life will be better married to an IP than a student...otherwise... For the pilot, tell him to grow up. There are a hell of a lot worse jobs out there, worse flying jobs too. If he doesn't want to be a FAIP, turn in his wings. Or SIE before getting them. He gets to fly, therefore it isn't a bad deal.

Happily it's been a long time since I was there so I'll admit my info is old. I rode quite a bit there. Never had a problem with vehicles. Mostly I stayed off the busy roads and hit ones where I'd see maybe a car or two an hour. I didn't much care for 90 doing towards the base or San Antonio, but going North out of town was no big deal. Big shoulders and not a lot of cars, turned off on some side road before the bridge but I seem to recall riding it a time or two. Biggest problem I had were the thorns, invest in kevlar tires or get real good at fixing flats on the road. There was a group in town that did regular rides. On weekends they'd actually ride into Mexico. Take the bridge early in the morning, go on a big loop, and come back over the dam. I never did it, couldn't tell you why. Actually used to run into a lot of Europeans (by a lot I mean more than one a year) on extended bike tours. There was some company that would plan the trip, maps, hotels, etc, then send them loose. For some reason they liked riding through southern Texas, not sure if that still happens. It's a horribly ugly place, and doesn't look much better on a bike. I knew there were a lot of deer strikes there but had no idea how many until I started riding along the highway. On a couple hour ride it wasn't unusual to ride past 4-5 rotting carcasses in the weeds. In Texas terms Wichita Falls is right up the road, you have to do the Hotter than Hell 100. Absolutely the single best organized athletic event I've ever seen. It really is hotter than hell, but man is it fun.

It's okay, the Guard fvcked up the two AD O-6's careers, minor damage to the 135. I'd say it evened out in the end. Whoever thought it was a good idea to have two O-6's in the seat.... Back to bashing the 20 yr old OG/CC at 'Died

Hell if I know, I had nothing to do with it. "You deployed! You must need a medal!" At least it was something I didn't already have. What are you doing at Youngsan, playing AMLO?