AC&W

Probably is too high, just lazy maths. Using more liberal assumptions of 5k per hour fuel burn, and 5k landing fuel, only adds 10k total offload capability for a one hour sortie. 6.9k for both assumptions, gets you 6.2k additional offload...so 1x Viper.

I suspect the "modification in the previous baseline" is hypothetical. I don't believe Embraer has actually modified the C-390 beyond its advertised specifications. The boom attached to the cargo door is hypothetical, and the Embraer engineer I spoke with used the 79,090 max fuel capacity when I queried. Anything beyond 79,090 would require engineering rework making a product with an "off the shelf solution" too big to fit on the shelf.

Per their website the max internal fuel is 52,690. Up to three auxiliary fuel tanks with individual capacity of 8,800 can be loaded in the cargo compartment, which brings the maximum fuel capacity to 79,090. I had the opportunity to chat with an Embraer C390 engineer at a trade show. I've since lost my notes on what he informed me was the fuel burn per hour and minimum landing fuel. But if you assume 10k per hour and 10k landing fuel, the hypothetical best case is about a 50k to 60k offload, assuming a one to two hour flight. I didn't get an as detailed explanation on how they plan to fit a boom on it, but he did mention the magic included some flexible and collapsible hoses and couplings. The 50k to 60k offload and boom sacrifice any cargo capability. My takeaway was this could be useful as a companion to a small fighter detachment. Remove the internal fuel tanks, leave room for six pallets and 36 maintenance troops. One pallet for bags, one pallet for boom equipment, four pallets for MX equipment. Land somewhere, reconfigure the cargo door to install the boom, have about a 30k offload capability, assuming one hour flight and landing gas (50k internal, 10k flight time, 10k land). Is the juice worth the squeeze?

No, but I used to live there. Canadian hockey fans booing the US national anthem is not unprecedented. Hockey to them is a cultural identity, borderline religion. They are also very proud of their whiskey (and maple leafs, and Timmies), American Bourbon will likely not cause a stir. I admire and respect our northern neighbors; political winds shift from time to time.

Would like to see some stats ranking senior leaders fired by MAJCOM. Anecdotal memory seems like AFMC experiences a high proportion of love games sackings.

I had the opportunity to work with a couple of Boeing line engineers on a project over a period of time. It was eye opening to work with some great motivated dudes who faced the same bureaucratic hurdles, and lackluster upper management we face in the AF.

When I began reading your post I thought you were referring to J6 of the Joint Staff and wondering what I was missing.

I'm not 100% certain, but I suspect accounts associated with a minor are required to issue paper statements. I experienced the same until my kids turned 18.

I know. The videos are what motivated my statement above.

Looks staged, despicable if in fact it was.

The structure is there, the incentive is up for debate. In a peacetime environment who has the most to benefit in advertising USSTRATCOM assets within the DoD? Is the leader of an organization with proximity to middle America included in the the answer? When you can't advertise the other two, the airborne asset is the lead singer, readiness and morale be damned.

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2452910/space-force-personnel-to-be-called-guardians/

Not bad for a sub $100 watch, nice find.

Swatch Moonswatch, mission to the moon, is a genuine, affordable replica of one of the most iconic aviation watches. Seiko, Sports 5 GMT, is likely the most affordable, quality automatic GMT movement on the market. I recently saw one at the BX so you can probably find it tax free. Casio is always an excellent choice, particularly if a model catches your eye. Citizen is an excellent choice above Casio. Both brands have some great options that offer a combined digital/analog face with solar charging and radio freq time synch. My must have in a watch for work is a date and GMT function, and I prefer automatic/mechanical movements. I have never used the E6B on a watch I own, however if that's your thing it can be a cool feature.

Biff's soccer commentary is clear and concise. Just the right amount to stay engaged without too much commitment.

Speaking for the MAF...as long as MAF pilots expect centralised flight management, but are unwilling to staff flight management duties with pilots, or unwilling to direct flight management standards, then continue to expect current excellence in planning products. Centralised flight management makes sense for inter theater assets/missions, less so for intra theater missions. AFGSC is worse than the MAF, but current GEO & Functional CCMDs nuances don't always play well with each other.

Until the KC-46 came on board. Unfortunately, government contracting and Boeing QA fails the platform in other areas beyond the director lights.

Do you recall the airspeed by any chance? Curious if toboggan was required. Also looking at some photos, with the probe and external fuel lines it gave an appearance of a snorkel and goggles. Do you know if the AAR equipment was configurable, could it be added or removed per mission? Again, the external appearance hints that it could potentially be a straight forward configuration swap.

CCDR reports to SECDEF, Service Chief reports to Service Security. In most cases, probably safe to assume the higher on the food chain has more influence to throw around, which appears to have happened here.

These problems are not unique to airline pilots. What is unique are unionized jobs that can earn six figures working part time.

Did the manifesto shed any light on the decor? Haha.

Opportunity is limited to Airmen with requisite skills in IT and cyber. More likely facing the economy of losing IT & cyber talent to the free market than embracing specialization. Bombs Away LeMay axed the WO program due to change in public law establishing the SNCO corps. "The approval was also economical, using E-8 and E-9s to fill superintendent positions was significantly less expensive than utilizing warrant officers to perform similar duties, the introduction did not Eliminate WOs, just their procurement." https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3735263/flashback-return-of-the-in-betweener/

Optics. The USSF is trying hard to establish a cultural identity. The press on, "the first" nearly anything in the military is what really excites the ambitious. Influence from high enough in the food chain can get anybody into a training program. No spear at the particular individual in this case, well earned and timing was in his favor.

Reader beware, the article promotes thought crime. Back when people used to bootleg their music albums from the radio, and read newspapers, I still remember the first time I discovered NPR and being fascinated by listening to something other than pop songs and car salesmen...I mean car dealer advertising.

The rabbit hole went pretty far, lol.