sputnik

Whatever you say about the UCP, it's a billion times better than the ABU.

I've had varying opinions of patches. But I had the general impression that patch=competence. Hopelessly naive?

"As he was being escorted from the grounds by security staff, he fell to the ground, causing abrasions to his face" Oops

Saudi paid better than Del Rio. Also, better living conditions

I have a few buds that did the Saudi UPT gig. In general they liked it. I think it could be fun, the pay is nice. But it isn't something I'd do long term, and I don't think job hunting from Saudi would be fun or easy.

Liquid, I'm not going to argue the point about 69, but don't forget the big picture--banning a number? There is no way to do that and not seem like an idiot. Making yourself the only one who can approve callsigns (fighter traditions aside) shows you have zero faith in your DO/ADO/Flight CC's. Micromanagement in the extreme. You can do the right thing without making yourself look like a moron. Or you should be able to. The stupidity of putting that in a written memo brings back memories of the MAF OG's letter about t-shirts and scarves.

Current AMC CC? Or the last one?

So where the hell are we on the light attack anyway? Is the AF buying the Tocano?

Yeah...that's what it is.

Ah, the Army https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/17/dog-porn-north-carolina_n_3940844.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Valid

Great post. I'll give you fear and ridicule....but sarcasm? Gonna have to disagree with you on that one.

To a degree that's true. The program is pretty similar to IFS, minus the consequences. Stated intent is to motivate cadets towards aviation. There are also officers flying with the gliders, the Otter, and a few luckless souls at Peublo with IFS (the drive sucks)

I teach as faculty and fly as attached guy in Powered Flight. Drop me a PM Completely untrue if you're a full time flyer. They deploy 100% in their AEF bucket--which is nothing different than anywhere else. If you're faculty....you're pretty safe (except from 365s).

How do you log time in a KC-10 or U2 as a weapons guy? I get that he got a ride but....

That's a little scary coming from you.

FIFY Sexist pig.

I've read the 50 slots number a few times, but never anywhere remotely official so I'm not sure I believe it. Generally there are about as many slots as people who want them. There seems to be a feeling among cadets that being an AF pilot isn't fun. And/or worth the 10 year commit. The issue has become a concern institutionally, it's a big part of why the powered flight program exists. They are also adding more airmanship programs. For example, as in days of old everyone will take at least a few glider rides. Everyone will get a few T53 rides, etc. Total aside, but I recently came across an old program, they used to have T33s (and later 37s I believe) over at Pete so that cadets could go fly during their free periods. That would've rocked.

While I probably would have signed a 15 year commitment, I see cadets today who aren't going to UPT. When I ask why, the 10 year commitment gets a lot of comments. It's not huge numbers, but it is surprising (to me anyway). Oddly, many of them have flying experience and enjoy flying, just don't want to be AF pilots.

Awesome idea. Then we can start losing wars.

They used to be Qatari pilots with AF Advusors. Bud did first wave, awesome deal. Villa downtown. Full per diem. Made a fortune.

Breath deep Huggy, watch that blood pressure spike.

Coming up on my 20th year in the AF, I have no real idea of WTF the SECAF actually does. The last one I heard speak was Roach, and all I could do was stand and marvel at the two largest desert flight suits ever made. That were ruthlessly torn apart and reconstructed into this massive tan thing covering Jabba the Hut as he tried to motivate we merry few occupying that small bit of Afghanistan. I was further distracted by the smaller folk getting closer and closer before I realized he was generating his own gravitational field, and starting throwing rescue ropes to help out. Seriously, civilian control, yadda yadda yadda, WTF does the SECAF do?

No one who knows anything

It is on, as they say, like Donkey Kong. Strange man.