HU&W

https://www.cnn.com/2015/12/17/politics/us-air-force-laser-fighter-jet-weapons-research/ " The commander of Air Force Combat Command, Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, revealed last May that a test is in the works involving an F-15 Eagle."

As a pile-on / slightly different perspective to this, I'll say that the debate isn't really over whether someone who is enlisted could perform the task - of course they could, and maybe they should. I do disagree that having enlisted drone operators is the panacea that internet message board comments abound would have us believe, though. The notion that they "couldn't hack" the mission is a red-herring. The real issue is that enlisted drone operators would have an even greater incentive for getting out than the currently fielded solution does (i.e. the officer core). The reason for this is because the work is the same, but the pay differential for the same skill set on the outside is even larger for TSgt Joe Schmo than it is for Maj Umpdenuts. Hence, in what universe does a TSgt S (who's being paid $42K/yr) look at that contract drone salary and decide he's going to stick it out for the long haul, but Maj U (who's paid > $100K/yr) decides the stress is just too great, and jumps out to increase his pay and QOL to a lesser extent than the TSgt? If anything, having enlisted drone pilots (may) would only exacerbate the current retention issues facing the drone fleet. If it was simply a matter of throwing flesh at the solution then the AF could send these motivated Es through OTS (for what, like $12K?), and probably have to deal with less "institutional" upheaval than "plan B"... Pile on. SO's have a tough time with recruiting and retention. Can you imagine how competitive recruiting for so would instantly become if with 1000 RPA hours, a clean record, an a BA, so's had a direct path to ots/18x? People would be falling over themselves to cross train.

One...hundred....dollas!!!!

https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-drone-pilots-20151210-story.html "The Air Force wants to add 75 Reapers to the current fleet of 175 Reapers and 150 Predators. It also would increase the number of flying squadrons from eight to as many as 17, and add up to 3,500 new pilots, sensor operators and other personnel. Officials said they anticipate sending most of the new drone pilots and crews to bases across the country. Those considered most likely include Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Joint Base Pearl Harbor – Hickam near Honolulu, and Langley Air Force Base near Newport News, Va."

Yes. NATO's become a solution in search of problems. The US would be much better off as an associate member, but NATO itself would crumble without its core member.

Only need a tailkit if you don't trust a ballistic release.

Best advice I ever got. Work together with your flight/class to make your own gouge. Old gouge will get you killed, or even hooked. Listen to the previous advice about BF/OL when you get them. The program's structured to give anyone that is smart enough to be there enough time to learn it. It doesn't get easier as you go on.

Could also be due to the changes in RPA ARP and the need to implement them quickly.

Funny how this year's board met almost four months earlier than last years, but the results will only be a month earlier. Based on increments for the current group, there will be some in the next with a very short wait for pin-on.

Just to add a quick datapoint to this one. It took us 3 years to sell ours, at a significant loss. Also, all the new construction on base has tanked the rental market, so it's really difficult to find renters.

Obviously incorrect. Everyone knows they'll be 150cm cannons!

Why can't people just wear the uniform that makes sense for the job they do?

Have you read this thread yet? It's the best gouge out there to prepare for any ANG interview, regardless of MDS. https://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/10562-standard-interview-questions/ Also, what do you mean by "leaving ANG for IMA?" Are you trying to get a guard job that you plan to leave shortly after?

Why not? It's not an uncommon second assignment for MWS guys.

Some interesting vice news analysis on Israel's F-35/F-15SE buy. https://news.vice.com/article/do-israels-new-fighter-jets-mean-stealth-is-going-out-of-style

Whenever I try to quote someone, the page quotes that person and also pulls a random quote from the user pcola from somewhere else in the forums and adds it to the quote.

docdro.id/kCINqTe? For real? That's not exactly catchy. Too bad the af doesn't have a website with an easy to remember URL.

Agreed. Cliff vesting is easily the most effective retention tool for mid-level members, both E and O. That said, what's to stop the bean counters from deciding that 20 years is the magic payback number for the privilege of being a pilot? Far fetched? It's really not that much more than 13, and people will still line up.

Best idea I've heard is to bump the 12 ANG bases up to 5-6 caps each, then stick an active associate squadron at each one. Almost too many benefits to list.

When the PFT stops being needed as a force shaping tool

Based on his callsign, I'm guessing that he flew a really long sortie in a really slow single seat fighter that's capable of air refueling.

Great argument for getting some 38's (or heck, anything) for all those atrophying pilots in RPA land.

3x answers, but they're probably not the ones you're hoping for. 1) Everyone has individual wants/needs. There are people who would cut off their left finger to do it, others who will take whatever fighter type assignment is offered, and still others who want to fly something that will easily segue into an airline job. 2) No. There are no guarantees. You are always beholden to the needs of the AF for 10 years after you earn those wings. That said, the AF is very good at MAKING promises. 3) Think about it. What do adversaries do? Do you think it would be safe to have someone out there that's never been introduced to fighter fundamentals in a dogfight with a bunch of other $100M+ fighters/pilots?

Here's this year's class (https://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/fellows/2015-2016). It's pretty similar to most years. Scrolling through the bios, and even just looking at the pictures, you can easily guess which selection criteria have priority.

This. Also, Really? Exactly what kind of training does this dude want to sell us with a corporate jet as an adversary? He's just fishing.