GreenArc

Thanks so much the rec's! I've got a lot of time on the road for drill this weekend so I'll get started on those audio books if they have 'em! (BTW: Fun fact: If you've never heard of Libby, download the app! If you have a DoD number you can access the DoD library for free, and there's a TON of digital and audio books. I really only use my Audible app now for books I had downloaded but not listened to yet, or to buy audio books on sale if they're not on Libby) And those are truly sobering numbers. Rightfully so, the losses our Marines suffered in the Pacific (and the conditions and enemy they fought against) get a lot of focus, study, and unquestioned respect, but it's amazing how many folks don't realize how many Airman we lost in the air, and in such awful ways. Bullets, shrapnel, flack, freezing, burning, parachutes on fire on the way down (or not pulling at all), even German pilots shooting at them in the air while in their parachutes...it's hard to comprehend how those guys--all volunteers to be in the air--again, and again, and again got into those airframes and got to work against the Luftwaffe.

I enjoyed that as well! Not sure if this one has been mentioned, but "The Men Who Killed the Luftwaffe" is a fantastic read. It takes you all the way from the early 1900's and our essentially lack of a real, remotely modern Air Force to the philosophy behind the design of long-range bombers like the B-17, iterations of the P-47 to support bomber escorts, introduction of P-51, fighting the ME-262, etc. to finally absolutely grinding down and killing the Luftwaffe. I loved the insight into the different strategies/philosophies between the US and Brits (day-time raids vs. Britains strictly nighttime (and inaccurate) bombing), and it did an excellent job of highlight the specifics of many big missions like the raid on Ploesti, the Luftwaffe's Bodenplatte, etc. Also, the American logistical might as well as training apparatus at the time was fascinating to learn about throughout the book. Finally, it highlights what absolute warriors all of those aviators were. If I didn't misread (well, mishear, I did the audio book), we lost over 34,000 airman over the skies of Europe, fighting several miles above the earth at often times -40 degree temperatures, flack all around them and German fighters who continued to fight tooth and nail even after it was beyond clear that the Nazi cause was lost. You won't regret reading this one!

Copy that—thank you for the correction!

I may be mistaken, but I believe Houston has MQ-1 Predators now, but yes, Tulsa, OK has Vipers.

Really, really awful stuff. We had just finished a P-51 ride in Gunfighter for my dad and were headed to a post-flight lunch when we saw the news hit—our hearts dropped out of us and it’s been a very solemn ride back home. The CAF folks are such wonderful people, and they treated us like royalty through our flight experience. My deepest condolences to their families, as well as my most fervent prayers for them.

Nothing on this end brother!

TBTN from Duluth as well. I had what I felt was a really, really solid quote I was going to throw into an interview from Michelle MacKay--Duluth's very own favorite tutor from D2: The Mighty Ducks--primed and ready to go, too. But in all seriousness, I get it: it always sucks to get a TBTN, but hey, we're still the fight y'all! Keep grinding fellas, it's gonna pay off. All the best to each of you!

Right on—thank you for the intel and congrats on taking a step forward there! Hopefully they haven’t finished phone screens yet, so we’ll see what the rest of the week brings. Best of luck!

Right on man, thanks for letting me know! And yeah the board is Sept. 10-11, so hopefully we’ll be hearing back soon!

What up y’all! Anybody apply to the 327th AS and hear back? I know the deadline was only a week ago but figured I’d ask since the board is in 3 weeks. Thanks for any intel!

Also, anybody hear anything back from the 176th FS or the 179th FS? Thanks for any intel you may have!

Right there with you brother. Not even going to lie: I had to take a little moment to myself after getting that email. The 175th is a great group of guys on an awesome platform, and man…yeah, just a huge, huge bummer! But as disappointing as it was, that’s all a part of this process with so many qualified, competitive applicants, and I’m sure we’ll both land somewhere soon and be in a great situation—gotta keep that chin up, keep getting better, and keep applying! Many before us have had to have to absorb more “no’s” than they’d have liked before getting that one “yes!”, but that journey only makes that first “yes” that much sweeter. Keep focused on that! Hang tough y’all, and all the best to you—it’s gonna work out, just stay at it!

Right on brother—thank you so much for the intel! I think I can swing 10AM; hope to see y’all there!

Would anybody happen to have any details on the Cheyenne C-130 open house this weekend they could share/PM me? This weekend is a bit crazy for the fam and I on the prior obligations front, but I'm trying to get specifics on timing so I can try and move some things around/cancel some stuff and try to swing this as I'd love to get out there (but also want to be sure I can swing it before reaching out to RSVP). Thank you so much in advance to anyone who may be able to help!

Anybody hear anything from the 179th FS, by any chance?

100% worth it bro. All it takes is one, and you never know just who might think you're exactly what they need. Never stop improving, never stop applying. Stay at it, and it will work out man!

Nothing here from the 175th FS!

TBNT's went out today too, just as a final confirmation. Best of luck to those interviewing!

Got it—thanks man! Looks like I wasn’t on that list then, but best of luck to those who were!

Just a head's up: It looks like the 175th FS will be having the Zoom interviews be via video submission instead, with a few prescribed prompts/questions for us to answer; we should find out on July 15th if we've been selected for submission of said video. Best of luck to all of you; hopefully we can all get some good news next week! EDIT: Fighter SQUADRON, not Fighting WING, my sincerest apologies for any confusion there guys, and edited to correct!

Sorry brother, I can't say that I do! I've never done an initial phone/Zoom interview before, but I've figured I'd prepare for it just like I would a "final interview", if that makes sense, if I were selected for one. Something tells me it's more of a lightweight screening to whittle things down even more for squadrons that likely see 150+ applicants, perhaps based on a few key questions and responses and maybe even personality/energy once matching a real person with the application package. But yeah, that said, I'd say prepare for it like it's for all the marbles and I'm sure you'll do great if put in that position! And on a slightly different note... Anybody hear anything from the 158th AS or the 175th FS this week?

Same--no word here yet! May carry over a bit into early next week, but best of luck to you all and hopefully each of us can share some good news here soon!

Copy that brother—thank you! Best of luck to you!

My apologies for the lack of specificity there; the 158th Airlift Squadron out of Savannah, GA—C-130’s! That could easily be confused with the 158th FW out of Vermont, too, I’m sure and duly noted for the future.

Anybody hear from the 158th re: in-person interviews?