General Discussion Thread

[Poohbah]

Well, I requested an appointment with CINCSAC yesterday. Offered to fly down from FaIrchild via Space A (when you have two gongs and a (P) after your rank, Space is always A).

Instead, he arranged to called me back this morning, and we had a most agreeable Career Development Conversation (I was sitting on the deck overlooking FDR Lake and casting for trout, he was sitting in his favorite comfy chair, both of us were savoring a freshly brewed cup of coffee), and we realized that, while either position proposed was a very good fit for me, they were both too good a fit, in that I wasn't being stretched enough. I've been living in the plans world for two years at 20th AF, I was in the 24AF A-5 shop back when I was at McConnell, and there's not a whole lot left for me to learn in that field.

He offered me the Deputy A-3 slot at March--it comes with a seat on the Joint Strategic Targeting Planning Staff, as well. I rotate to my new assignment in October.

I even caught a couple of decent-sized trout for dinner. They were delicious.

[jemhouston]

Good choice.

I'm halfway hoping you get a Mjöllnir for your office wall. Over it a sign saying, "We must stay worthy to wield this."

[Wolfman]

Good choice.

I'm halfway hoping you get a Mjöllnir for your office wall. Over it a sign saying, "We must stay worthy to wield this."

Jem, Mjollnir is embedded in Poohbah’s very soul.

[jemhouston]

Good choice.

I'm halfway hoping you get a Mjöllnir for your office wall. Over it a sign saying, "We must stay worthy to wield this."

Jem, Mjollnir is embedded in Poohbah’s very soul.

I thought it was his right hand, but that works also.

[Poohbah]

This week, CC 20AF will be giving the commencement address to the Patrick Henry High School Class of 2023. She will also participate in the traditional Calling of the Roll of Honor by the AFJROTC members of the graduating class.

[Matt Wiser]

Some details on the F-15EX have been forthcoming: this is the definite F-15C/D/E replacement (the ANG will have their C/Ds replaced, and this will also replace the E in Active and AFRES units). The initial wing will be the RTU at Luke, with the 405th TFTW. The E "Schoolhouse" will move to the 333rd TFTS at Seymour-Johnson in the meantime, (40 aircraft on strength instead of the usual 24), with the first combat wing expected to be the 20th TFW at Shaw, followed by the 27th at Cannon. No word yet on who's after that, but the 4th, 366th and 48th (Lakenheath) are the other active-duty E wings. The 419th, of course, would likely be last, due to AFRES. (Unless Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitt Romney have anything to say about it)

[Poohbah]

Some details on the F-15EX have been forthcoming: this is the definite F-15C/D/E replacement (the ANG will have their C/Ds replaced, and this will also replace the E in Active and AFRES units). The initial wing will be the RTU at Luke, with the 405th TFTW. The E "Schoolhouse" will move to the 333rd TFTS at Seymour-Johnson in the meantime, (40 aircraft on strength instead of the usual 24), with the first combat wing expected to be the 20th TFW at Shaw, followed by the 27th at Cannon. No word yet on who's after that, but the 4th, 366th and 48th (Lakenheath) are the other active-duty E wings. The 419th, of course, would likely be last, due to AFRES. (Unless Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitt Romney have anything to say about it)

For what it's worth, I heard that the depot at Robins has been tasked with doing additional inspections for F-15Es across the force to make sure that the remaining airframe life is properly assessed and managed.

[clancyphile]

Some details on the F-15EX have been forthcoming: this is the definite F-15C/D/E replacement (the ANG will have their C/Ds replaced, and this will also replace the E in Active and AFRES units). The initial wing will be the RTU at Luke, with the 405th TFTW. The E "Schoolhouse" will move to the 333rd TFTS at Seymour-Johnson in the meantime, (40 aircraft on strength instead of the usual 24), with the first combat wing expected to be the 20th TFW at Shaw, followed by the 27th at Cannon. No word yet on who's after that, but the 4th, 366th and 48th (Lakenheath) are the other active-duty E wings. The 419th, of course, would likely be last, due to AFRES. (Unless Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitt Romney have anything to say about it)

OOC: Surprised that it isn't a F-15CX/F-15DX/F-15EX, just spread the tech around on all versions.

[Wolfman]

Thanksgiving was a good one this year: two of our three kids were home (Eric is in Poland now with the 52nd TFW at Zagan-a former Soviet AF Fencer base, ironic, no?). Kelly Ray, Brad (no, they're still not married), Kara, Kacey (who is now stationed at McChord and still flying C-17s), were all here as well. Plenty of good food, good football on TV, and unlike one thanksgiving, we didn't have to worry about somebody giving birth on my Den's couch!

What’s Zagan’s USAF tail code?

[Poohbah]

Thanksgiving was a good one this year: two of our three kids were home (Eric is in Poland now with the 52nd TFW at Zagan-a former Soviet AF Fencer base, ironic, no?). Kelly Ray, Brad (no, they're still not married), Kara, Kacey (who is now stationed at McChord and still flying C-17s), were all here as well. Plenty of good food, good football on TV, and unlike one thanksgiving, we didn't have to worry about somebody giving birth on my Den's couch!

What’s Zagan’s USAF tail code?

ZG, hence one of the tactical call signs used is "Ziggy."

[Wolfman]

Thanksgiving was a good one this year: two of our three kids were home (Eric is in Poland now with the 52nd TFW at Zagan-a former Soviet AF Fencer base, ironic, no?). Kelly Ray, Brad (no, they're still not married), Kara, Kacey (who is now stationed at McChord and still flying C-17s), were all here as well. Plenty of good food, good football on TV, and unlike one thanksgiving, we didn't have to worry about somebody giving birth on my Den's couch!

What’s Zagan’s USAF tail code?

ZG, hence one of the tactical call signs used is "Ziggy."

Thanks for the info, Poohbah.

[Poohbah]

Boss-Ma'am isn't especially happy.

Both of the technology demonstrators for low-signature missile transporters need to go back to the drawing board, because they were shedding RAM all over the Wendover Range missile box. (We've recovered all of it, but it took most of two weeks walking every inch of the tracks taken by the transporters.)

Apparently, the good folks at both Boeing/Goodyear and United Technologies/Kenworth didn't get a good read on how the adhesives used to bond the RAM to the vehicle structure would behave at high temperatures, and it was significantly warmer than usual last month at Wendover.

She's not angry; this is what technology demonstrators are for, to find the problems and get rid of them...but they'd been performing like champs otherwise, and she was hoping we could pass Milestone B and go to the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase before she leaves for the Delta Charlie Zone this fall.

[jemhouston]

Slightly dumb question, would it be possible to put something like shrink wrap or plexiglass over the RAM to protect it? How well does it stand up to UV or blowing sand / dirt?

[Poohbah]

Slightly dumb question, would it be possible to put something like shrink wrap or plexiglass over the RAM to protect it? How well does it stand up to UV or blowing sand / dirt?

That's getting into realms where silence must reign...

[Wolfman]

Slightly dumb question, would it be possible to put something like shrink wrap or plexiglass over the RAM to protect it? How well does it stand up to UV or blowing sand / dirt?

That's getting into realms where silence must reign...

Otherwise known as finger-breaking territory… and you do value your unbroken fingers, Poohbah…

[Poohbah]

Slightly dumb question, would it be possible to put something like shrink wrap or plexiglass over the RAM to protect it? How well does it stand up to UV or blowing sand / dirt?

That's getting into realms where silence must reign...

Otherwise known as finger-breaking territory… and you do value your unbroken fingers, Poohbah…

Can't type the revisions to A Fiery Gospel and Burnished Rows of Steel with broken fingers

[Wolfman]

[jemhouston]

Slightly dumb question, would it be possible to put something like shrink wrap or plexiglass over the RAM to protect it? How well does it stand up to UV or blowing sand / dirt?

That's getting into realms where silence must reign...

Once they figure out the high temperature end, have them check the low end. Once upon a time, the South Texas Nuclear Plant had to shut down when it went below freezing 32F / 0C.


Maybe they should try Corbomite.

[Bernard Woolley]

Bit of a sad day for me. I was due to hand over my division to my sucessor in the New Year, however, due to my ill health, it was brought forward to this week. My sucessor took over acting command while I was in hospital, but we had the official change of command ceremony at Balhousie Castle in Perth today.

At least I'm not on the scrapheap quite yet. I've been appointed General Officer Commanding (Designate) of the 9th (Highland) Infantry Division (Mechanised). The 9th ID is a cadre mobilisation division, which is the 'duplicate' of my old division, the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division (Mech). It currently consists of about 100 soldiers assigned to divisonal H.Q for planning purposes.

If full mobilisation ever came, we'd take on cadres of key personnel from the 51st HD and the Regular Army Reserve. The rest of the division would be filled up by volunteers/conscripts. Equipment would come from stockpiles. Lead time for mobilisation is around six months.

There are two types of general who command mobilisation divisions:

- Those on their way up, who are waiting for a higher command to become available - e.g. a corps command, and need to briefly mark time, or who are serving as deputy commander of an active division.

- Those heading on their to retirement, but who still have a year or two left to give.

I'm pretty sure that I'm in the latter category.

[Poohbah]

Bit of a sad day for me. I was due to hand over my division to my sucessor in the New Year, however, due to my ill health, it was brought forward to this week. My sucessor took over acting command while I was in hospital, but we had the official change of command ceremony at Balhousie Castle in Perth today.

At least I'm not on the scrapheap quite yet. I've been appointed General Officer Commanding (Designate) of the 9th (Highland) Infantry Division (Mechanised). The 9th ID is a cadre mobilisation division, which is the 'duplicate' of my old division, the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division (Mech). It currently consists of about 100 soldiers assigned to divisonal H.Q for planning purposes.

If full mobilisation ever came, we'd take on cadres of key personnel from the 51st HD and the Regular Army Reserve. The rest of the division would be filled up by volunteers/conscripts. Equipment would come from stockpiles. Lead time for mobilisation is around six months.

There are two types of general who command mobilisation divisions:

- Those on their way up, who are waiting for a higher command to become available - e.g. a corps command, and need to briefly mark time, or who are serving as deputy commander of an active division.

- Those heading on their to retirement, but who still have a year or two left to give.

I'm pretty sure that I'm in the latter category.

Still, those troops are fortunate to have a decent bloke like you in charge.