How do you feel about your airframe and mission?

[Biff_T]

33 minutes ago, tac airlifter said:

US troops or citizens are on the ground with ISR overhead, that ISR should ALWAYS be armed.

This

[MechGov]

Even if those guys had armed overwatch, there was a political calculation to not arm the overwatch on that AO at that time.
 
If US troops or citizens are on the ground with ISR overhead, that ISR should ALWAYS be armed.  How many times do we have to learn the same lesson?  A deliberate decision to take hellfires off an MQ9 or other assets when that aircraft is headed to support a ground team is criminal command malfeasance in my opinion.  If a politician orders it, GOs should resign in protest but the ugly truth is that many GOs issue those restrictions without ever asking to launch aircraft armed. 

Does anybody here know what the OA-1s role would look like in a future near-peer conflict? I can’t imagine it will have a super big one in that case

Because ops, even low intensity ones, won't stop elsewhere in the world because of the Taiwan strait

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

[H_G]

Any update for Slick Herks? 

[Polar Bear]

On 6/15/2024 at 3:24 PM, brabus said:

The guard is definitely better. But long days still happen for upgrade rides, bigger events, etc. The queep seems very dependent on leadership - generally it was much worse on AD. Overall, there’s a reason a majority of the high performers punch from AD to ARC at their UPT commitment (e.g. why you see a shitlod of patches in many ANG FS)

Are those hours required or is there that much work that needs to be done daily?

[brabus]

23 hours ago, Polar Bear said:

Are those hours required or is there that much work that needs to be done daily?

Generally we do not work for the sake of work/“punch a time card.” You’re there to get the job done, then go home (or hang out in the bar, gym, etc.) Nobody should be working long days unless that’s what is required to get the mission done. 

[dream big]

On 8/3/2024 at 9:07 PM, H_G said:

Any update for Slick Herks? 

We are practicing landing on highways now! 
 

[SurelySerious]

We are practicing landing on highways now! 
 

[lilyelliott4]

On 8/6/2024 at 12:51 AM, brabus said:

Generally we do not work for the sake of work/“punch a time card.” You’re there to get the job done, then go home (or hang out in the bar, gym, etc.) Nobody should be working long days unless that’s what is required to get the mission done. 

Agreed. The focus should always be on achieving the mission rather than just clocking hours. Productivity and efficiency are more important than simply being present. Long hours should be the exception, not the norm, reserved for when the situation truly demands it. Otherwise, it’s about working smart, not just hard.

[BingoMorale]

Does anyone have Compass Call updates? I’m a UPT student dropping in a couple months and it’s my #1 choice but it doesn’t look like they drop many anymore. Or is the EC-37 anywhere near coming online?

[Bumpass Ball]

No more init quals for the -130, only upgrades or returning prior Compass Call peeps. Init quals for the -37 "should" open up sometime next year, but I wouldn't bet anything on the timeline.

[Rose21check]

Current post T-6 student, dropping out of T-1s in ~January looking for some heavy insight. Join spouse w/ an 11F follow-on FAIP that drops a couple of months after. Leaning HC-130s, EC-130s/E-37 (if they are around). Any take would be very appreciated.

[Beaker16]

4 hours ago, Rose21check said:

...HC-130s, EC-130s/E-37...

For HCs, it's a great community with an awesome mission set. Moody and DM are the only AD locations, Guard units are at Elmendorf (AK), Moffett (CA) and Gabreski (NY) and Reserves are at Patrick SBF (FL). I was at Moody for five years and got to DM in early '24. I've been gone a bit amount between 4 deployments, LFEs and TDYs. Upgrade timelines depend on ops tempo, I upgraded to AC ~2.5 and IP 4 years as a pipeline guy.  Our community has a lot of leeway in our operations between sitting CSAR/PR alert and collateral support missions, conducting airdrop, AAR tanker, AAR receiver, airland, NVG LL, FARP. Deployments are 4-6 months, with a 1:2 dwell. Units are tasked with IRF (short notice deployments) and there have been activations for various reasons. 

As for joint spouse cross MDS, the A-10 is leaving DM and Moody. AFSOC is planning on moving multiple MDSs into DM, the F-35 is headed to Moody. While DM is the preferred location, Moody is good for family life and relatively close to a lot of major cities for day trips/weekends away. 

DM me for more specifics or questions, more than happy to chat. 

Edited October 19 by Beaker16

[Rose21check]

1 hour ago, Beaker16 said:

For HCs, it's a great community with an awesome mission set. Moody and DM are the only AD locations, Guard units are at Elmendorf (AK), Moffett (CA) and Gabreski (NY) and Reserves are at Patrick SBF (FL). I was at Moody for five years and got to DM in early '24. I've been gone a bit amount between 4 deployments, LFEs and TDYs. Upgrade timelines depend on ops tempo, I upgraded to AC ~2.5 and IP 4 years as a pipeline guy.  Our community has a lot of leeway in our operations between sitting CSAR/PR alert and collateral support missions, conducting airdrop, AAR tanker, AAR receiver, airland, NVG LL, FARP. Deployments are 4-6 months, with a 1:2 dwell. Units are tasked with IRF (short notice deployments) and there have been activations for various reasons. 

As for joint spouse cross MDS, the A-10 is leaving DM and Moody. AFSOC is planning on moving multiple MDSs into DM, the F-35 is headed to Moody. While DM is the preferred location, Moody is good for family life and relatively close to a lot of major cities for day trips/weekends away. 

DM me for more specifics or questions, more than happy to chat. 

Thank you for your response. DM'd.

[Flev]

On 10/19/2024 at 4:02 PM, Beaker16 said:

For HCs, it's a great community with an awesome mission set. Moody and DM are the only AD locations, Guard units are at Elmendorf (AK), Moffett (CA) and Gabreski (NY) and Reserves are at Patrick SBF (FL). I was at Moody for five years and got to DM in early '24. I've been gone a bit amount between 4 deployments, LFEs and TDYs. Upgrade timelines depend on ops tempo, I upgraded to AC ~2.5 and IP 4 years as a pipeline guy.  Our community has a lot of leeway in our operations between sitting CSAR/PR alert and collateral support missions, conducting airdrop, AAR tanker, AAR receiver, airland, NVG LL, FARP. Deployments are 4-6 months, with a 1:2 dwell. Units are tasked with IRF (short notice deployments) and there have been activations for various reasons. 

As for joint spouse cross MDS, the A-10 is leaving DM and Moody. AFSOC is planning on moving multiple MDSs into DM, the F-35 is headed to Moody. While DM is the preferred location, Moody is good for family life and relatively close to a lot of major cities for day trips/weekends away. 

DM me for more specifics or questions, more than happy to chat. 

Kirtland (NM Air National Guard) also has HC's as part of the 188th Rescue Squadron, but they're shared with the schoolhouse. From my visit with them they seemed fairly low-key, and everyone at the unit is good peoples.

[Bumpass Ball]

On 10/19/2024 at 11:30 AM, Rose21check said:

Current post T-6 student, dropping out of T-1s in ~January looking for some heavy insight. Join spouse w/ an 11F follow-on FAIP that drops a couple of months after. Leaning HC-130s, EC-130s/E-37 (if they are around). Any take would be very appreciated.

Compass Call probably isn't in the cards for you. The -130 pipeline is closed and its highly unlikely that the -37 will be dropping by January, plus like Beaker said the A-10 is leaving DM so the 11F join spouse opportunity won't be here much longer. For anyone else reading this in the near future however, this will be a pretty good gig in a couple years once the last few herks get towed across the street to AMARG and the EA-37B is fully stood up. Tucson/DM is an awesome location, and since we are already a GSU tenant the AFSOC takeover hasn't really affected us. From the pilot perspective, the actual flying itself is pretty mundane. We don’t fly low level, form, or nvgs and the new plane isn’t AAR capable, so if you are looking for something that will challenge your stick and rudder skills you won’t find it here. However mission wise there are a lot of really cool things you can and will do with electronic attack that have an outsized impact on the big picture fight. I'm still a herk guy so I can't talk in depth to the EA-37B, but those who have made the swap all love flying the gulfstream.

Timing & stability wise, right now is kind of a low point of the transition in terms of both tail availability for both types and manning. A lot of stuff is in flux so it is difficult to say how things like PCS/crossflow opportunities and deployments will be in the future. Personally, I have spent a significant amount more time at home station than my friends in other MDS's, but a lot of that can be attributed to the -130 divestment and variations in luck/timing. 

Edited October 29 by Bumpass Ball

[ConfidentlyIncorrect]

On 10/20/2024 at 4:25 PM, Flev said:

Kirtland (NM Air National Guard) also has HC's as part of the 188th Rescue Squadron, but they're shared with the schoolhouse. From my visit with them they seemed fairly low-key, and everyone at the unit is good peoples.

I personally would not recommend NM ANG for anyone just getting out of UPT/off the street. It's definitely more of a chill role but geared towards dudes that have been around already- much moreso than the other guard units. Most of the sorties there are canned due to the nature of being at a schoolhouse. You'll get much less actual mission experience. Also, you'll likely get less flight hours in general because they have a contingent of active-duty HC guys there that primarily run the schoolhouse. I've heard that the guys they get that are pretty fresh (i.e, off the street hires) they typically have to send to other units to get their seasoning done in a timely manner. 

[Fred_breaker]

On 4/25/2024 at 6:21 PM, StoleIt said:

I separated back at the end of 2023, but it still sounds busy over there. Demand exceeds capacity, so it'll always be busy.

As for hiring, I believe a lot of functionals aren't releasing people. If you actually get the in person interview invite then you have a pretty good chance of getting hired. At that point, it's more timing (provided you don't bomb the interview)...some people have to interview twice just for timing.

I am once again asking for gouge. Also an open question to anyone in the know for the 89th.

I know the minimum requirements for application, but what highly desired or unwritten mandatory requirements are there? I'm a first assignment MAF IP and considering applying. Writing on the wall seems to be that they want guys with 2 assignments under their belt, but obviously not a written requirement. Is there a specific amount of IP time they're looking for? Are first assignment guys ever hired?

Planning on reaching out to the hiring POCs but thought I'd ask strangers on the internet before doing so... lol.

[StrikeOut312]

13 hours ago, Fred_breaker said:

I'm a first assignment MAF IP and considering applying.

If you make IP on your first MAF assignment, your ticket is at least halfway written for wherever you want your career to go. Apply to any and all programs that interest you. Costs nothing to apply and you’ll get something out of the process, even if it’s just feedback on what to improve.

You have to be in the AF for at least 10 years after UPT, so do what you can to influence your career. I know of my copilots made IP at his first base and is now at the 89th—you could end up there too. DM me if you want. I think you’re in a decent position to apply.

[StoleIt]

On 12/6/2024 at 9:24 AM, Fred_breaker said:

I am once again asking for gouge. Also an open question to anyone in the know for the 89th.

I know the minimum requirements for application, but what highly desired or unwritten mandatory requirements are there? I'm a first assignment MAF IP and considering applying. Writing on the wall seems to be that they want guys with 2 assignments under their belt, but obviously not a written requirement. Is there a specific amount of IP time they're looking for? Are first assignment guys ever hired?

Planning on reaching out to the hiring POCs but thought I'd ask strangers on the internet before doing so... lol.

Definitely apply!

IMO, there are no more "mandatory" requirements for the 89th. There used to be a no fighter rule and now they have hired two 11F's (but only 1 actually made it there). Worst they can say is apply again later.

[Standby]

On 10/19/2024 at 2:30 PM, Rose21check said:

Current post T-6 student, dropping out of T-1s in ~January looking for some heavy insight. Join spouse w/ an 11F follow-on FAIP that drops a couple of months after. Leaning HC-130s, EC-130s/E-37 (if they are around). Any take would be very appreciated.

Prepare for a ton of long distance. I haven’t seen a lot of cross-MAJCOM relationships where the couple was colocated. I remember a couple coming through PIT (tanker and fighter couple) and they said they had it pretty rough. 

[LiquidSky]

47 minutes ago, Standby said:

Prepare for a ton of long distance. I haven’t seen a lot of cross-MAJCOM relationships where the couple was colocated. I remember a couple coming through PIT (tanker and fighter couple) and they said they had it pretty rough. 

Even our same airframe same squadron couples barely see each other. They're often high fiving as one gets back from a mission and the other hits the road. Rated + non-rated seems to be the best.