The US Air Force made a point of issuing a press release reminding servicemembers that using marijuana is still illegal for them — even if the state in which they live just legalized it.
The state of Colorado voted to legalize marijuana Nov. 6, but its use is still against federal law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, even for service members stationed in or visiting the state.
“(Colorado’s) Amendment 64 does not change the UCMJ… Read more
An Air Force article provided an 8-step process to “solve problems like an Air Force pilot.”
When an Air Force pilot has to make decisions, he relies on a specific decision-making process that helps win wars and save lives. If you want to problem-solve like an Air Force pilot, follow these steps…
The well-intentioned article — written by a non-pilot enlisted Airman — drew Read more
The US Air Force took the unusual step of issuing a follow-up press release on the crash of a Tyndall F-22 last week. Normally, the initial announcement, accompanied by the ominous “a board of officers will investigate…” is the last word heard.
Despite initial media speculation, there are no indications that point to the life support system leading to this incident or playing any role in this crash. A thorough investigation is being conducted in accordance with standard Air Force and Department of Defense policy…
In this case, the Air Force appears to be a intentionally responding to speculation, apparently to squash possible connections to the recent “scandals” over F-22 safety.
An F-22 has crashed near Tyndall AFB, Florida. The pilot was reportedly able to safely eject, and no one on the ground was hurt.
As with all incidents, the Air Force will investigate it and report on it in some months. Notably, this one will likely draw significant attention, both due to recent “scandals” with F-22 safety and the relative cost of each of the less than 187 aircraft. Actually, make that 186.
The Associated Press penned a piece saying the US Air Force has been saddled by an aging fleet of aircraft thanks to “past inattention” and a “lack of urgency.”
For decades, the U.S. Air Force has grown accustomed to such superlatives as unrivaled and unbeatable. These days, some of its key combat aircraft are being described with terms like geriatric, or decrepit.
The article then details some of the aircraft the Air Force is flying, including the KC-135, B-52, and U-2 (1950s), and F-15, F-16, and A-10 (1970s). Modern era Read more
In an era of increased sensitivity toward the US military and politics (from Facebook to reprimand to discharge), it was unusual to read a report in which US Air Force Academy cadets participated in a debate on the presidential candidates, calling for the re-election of their Commander-in-Chief:
The event, held Oct. 29, in the heat of the run-up to the presidential Read more
You can’t say they’re not trying:
A three-year, $10 million study, to be funded by the Department of Defense and conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina, will test whether omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils can relieve the anxieties and quiet the suicidal thoughts plaguing many combat veterans…
Participants get to chug fish oils smoothies.
For all the criticism the US military has received over it handling of the epidemic of suicides in its rank, it at least appears to be trying, and to be fair, it’s not the only thing they’re trying.
Chuck Yeager’s relationship with the Air Force has been somewhat unique. Made a Brigadier General, there were rumors he retired in a huff after being denied a second star. Even after retirement, however, he continued to fly Air Force aircraft. For a time, he even worked as a “contractor” for $1 a year, which gave him access to such flights. He had a much ballyhooed “last flight” with the Air Force in 1997, 50 years after breaking the sound barrier.
Of course, he has continued to fly with the Air Force, including flights on virtually every October 14th to celebrate his 1947 flight in the X-1. Last year it was in an F-16. This year, an F-15 at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas on a Sunday romp to supersonic speeds: Read more