Military guys' thread, aka, lets un-hijack this other thread

At the well placed request of a member in a tech thread:

I'm a retired AF MSgt. I worked B1s from 1996 to 2013, 2015-2017 AD, and now work for the AF again as AFETS. I provide technical service directly to the end user, and liaise between field level mx and System Program Office (SPO) for B1. I know there are more guys in here either still AD or DD214 holders, feel free to share stories because I shouldn't muck up someone else's thread aimed at actually trying to fix a car

While I was still AD, I was a Crew Chief for 9 years, then 4 years as a QA inspector, back to the flightline as a CC, then expediter and pro super before I got paroled (PCS'd) to Hickam (Hawaii) for a couple years. I was the Flight Chief for KC135 Iso dock (or was it phase?) and Aero Repair sections. We provided AD support for the 154th MXS, which is a Hawaii ANG unit. After the sequestration in mid/late 2013, the AF decided to do some shifting of money and man power, so my position was placed in jeopardy and eventually evaporated only 2.5 years after arriving. I should've been there 4 years.

Due to those things, I PCS'd again, this time to Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City, SD...in Dec 2015. Back on B1s...but I knew my time there would be short...I was coming up quickly for retirement eligibility and had been approached about an AFETS (Air Force Engineering and Technical Service) position. I knew most of our AFETS guys at Dyess for quite a while, I worked in the same building with them as a QA inspector and had deployed with them a couple times before-they were always the folks with the answers and if it wasn't immediately on the lips, they could find it with relative ease and speed. Needless to say, when that opportunity found me, I was quick to start making plans. I applied for retirement from AD and crossed my fingers that timing would line up amicably and I wouldn't be out of work for too long after my terminal leave elapsed.

All worked out well, and I've been with the AFETS program now for over 3 years, and look forward to every day. I don't dread coming to work, I don't have to worry about performance reports other than my own, I don't have 8 bosses bob, and I still get to keep my mind busy every day and assist in solving sometimes frustrating issues with everything from accessing engineering drawings (some older than me) to looking for sustainment solutions on secondary power subsystems. It's been good to me so far, and I'm sure it will continue to be.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand go!

lemosley1973 said:

I don't even know what to ask about a B-1 other than they look really awesome. I recall hearing when they were first delivered they could barely make it over Pike's Peak - was that true (and I assume has since been corrected?)

These were SAC assets right? What is their mission now?

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I can't say I've ever heard about that particular incident...however, little known fact, the first B-1B "delivered" was ship #2, 83-0065. It was scheduled to be delivered to Dyess AFB, TX, but in the days leading up to delivery of that aircraft, they ran into technical issues which forced them to prepare ship #3, 83-0066, for delivery...but with the noseart and tail number of the promised aircraft LOL

As far as altitude restrictions, I'll have to do some looking on that one-I do speak with a couple of folks who helped develop the aircraft to what it is today, and it was a tough road...the AF played a lot games with it, and congress quite honestly wanted it to fail, so funding was always an issue. We've deployed with the B1 to the middle east for over a decade and it's employment theaters are often in excess of 15K feet, so the aircraft can definitely operate beyond that altitude, but these engines are pretty worn out and GE, despite their best efforts, are having to band aide them quite a bit. The aircraft often fly into theater really heavy on gas and ordnance, so it requires elevated throttle settings to maintain altitude above 20K, but we do the best we can.

They were SAC assets until SAC was deactivated in the early 90s. After that, ACC (Air Combat Command) owned them and we played last fiddle to just about everyone until after 9/11...when they realized we could deploy and be employed to drop 80% of the muns tonnage with only abotu 5% of the sorties, they lit the fire under funding, but a good portion of it was siphoned off for none other than the B52...figures...AF (just like the Corps apparently) plays favorites.

At the end of 2015, right as I was PCS'ing into Ellsworth, B-1s came under control of GSC, Global Strike Command astride the B52 and B2. GSC is about as close to SAC as the AF will allow I think, and it's where bombers really belong anyway, but it still feels sometimes like we're singing for our supper. The B1 is supposed to carry on operations until 2040 according to what we're told, but with the implementation of the B21 sometime in the future, not sure when, our mission will eventually fade into dust and the aircraft will be retired to Davis-Monthan out in NM...it'll be a bittersweet moment for me I think because when I first arrived at Dyess in 96, the newest aircaft (86-0140) was only 8 years old and only had about 1600 hours...

lemosley1973 said:

What'sa 155 round weigh?

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google M107 HE round

LILCBRA said:

Formally a Corporal in the USMC. I was a forward observer and called for artillery and naval gun fire. Never actually had the opportunity to call for naval gunfire, but I did have plenty of opportunities to call for 155 rounds and watch things get obliterated. Just missed Desert Storm though - I was at the end of boot when it started and it was called off right after I was out of MOS school. Decided one enlistment term was enough, got tired of the "good ol boys" club mentality real quick. I was passed on different advancement opportunities because I didn't go drinking with everyone - because I don't drink. Pissed me off so I said f-off, I'm out! There are certain things I miss about my time in service though....

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I can relate to the GOB...just goes by different names. I never looked down on people who don't drink-they're better off than me...besides, those who didn't would be compensated for services as a DD...

that's fair man-

LILCBRA said:

If this helps, these are the same as the Howitzers my unit was firing.







I think that's why they were always holding back. I wouldn't go so they didn't have an automatic DD. Truth be told I had a real hard time being around drunk people. My dad was killed in a drunk driving accident right before my 12th birthday and that left a HUGE mark. I'm a lot more accepting now, but back then I just didn't know how to handle it.

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That's awful-and I fully understand why.

lemosley1973 said:

I'm amazed they're expecting to get another 20 years out of an already 30 year old airframe - figured the B-52 would be the last one they would do that with.

Seems like our command relearns these lessons regularly - bombers are old news...oh wait, we need to drop a s!#t ton of munitions on enemy positions. Who'd have thought that would ever happen again.

What's the deal with AF not wanting to resurrect SAC or anything like it? Threats that are arising 'in the East' aren't going to fade.

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Every so often, there's an upheaval and thought patterns shift based on the world events. I wish I had a link to the article I read from a retired Lt General. His position advocated for a strong and healthy bomber force that included the B1, B52, and B21. It may see odd, not really counting the B2, but there are only 21 of them left I believe and I wanna say the B21 is more in line with those capabilities...the B52 can stay high...the B1 can go fast if needed and lay off when desired to carry some munitions still under development, which is why they want to keep the platform viable for another couple decades.

As far as resurrecting SAC? Yeah, not gonna happen any more than ACC would revert to TAC or AMC to MAC. After the perceived end of The Cold War, everyone wanted to cash in on the "peace dividend" and the gov decommissioned a load of aircraft...I wanna say over 200 B52s were put out to pasture. To be fair, they were G models, but still mission ready aircraft.

The Bone is a much maligned aircraft and it's been plagued since inception by poor supply procurement and system sustainment. If the AF plays that stupid game with the B21, it'll be the same all over again. No one wants to pay up front for a new program that they want to last for 30 years...the price tag is enormous, but it's not JUST for the equipment and delivery...it's for lasting contracts that keep shelves stocked with good parts for that period of time, and engineers paid to solve problems incurred, and networks for innovation within the enterprise.