Hi Everyone!

I’m hosting a webinar this Wednesday on what you can expect when you *finally* return to your squadron after the months-long training pipeline: OTS, pilot training, survival schools, and initial aircraft qualification training. I was fortunate to have served as a squadron commander (Sq/CC) for a USAFR C-17 unit and would love to…

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This is a really big one…the original replacement plan for the KC-135 involved three separate competitions: KC-X, KC-Y and KC-Z. The winner of the (very contentious!) KC-X competition was the KC-46. It appears the Air Force has decided to skip the KC-Y competition and instead expand the KC-46 purchase. Hopefully, the AF has confidence in…

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defenseone.com

Air Force will buy more KC-46s, skip competition

The service is mulling whether to move away from fixed-priced on the next buy.

The ability to power project through air refueling is one of our military’s greatest strengths. With a little planning (and enough tankers!) we can project power to nearly anywhere on the planet. As a guy that took a 4 year break from military flying mid-career, I can attest that air refueling skills are “perishable” skills and important to…

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defensenews.com

Images show shredded KC-46 boom that led to emergency landing

Photographs that leaked online showed extensive damage to the KC-46's refueling boom, with its metal ripped and twisted and a chain hanging down.

No doubt everyone has read about last night’s strike on Iran. Here is an interesting run-down on Operation Midnight Hammer, employing 14(!) GBU-57 “Bunker Buster” munitions. As I understand it, it is one of the largest B-2 strikes in AF history.

airandspaceforces.com

7 Air Force B-2s Drop 14 Bunker-Busters on Iran

The U.S. military struck key Iranian nuclear sites June 21 in an operation that was intended to shut down Iran’s nuclear program.

An article that simply compares the Israeli and Iranian Air Forces…can’t overstate the importance of quality people, training, equipment and tactics…hopefully all employed with an effective strategy. It will be very interesting days ahead…

newsweek.com

How Israel's air force compares as IDF claims "air superiority" over Iran

Israel's air force achieved a "remarkable feat," said William Freer, a research fellow for national security at the U.K.-based Council on Geostrategy.

Huge congrats to Emeric on his awesome interview and successful hiring by the 174th ARS (KC-135) this past weekend!

Hi Eric–Great question! Generally, yes…each of these have their own distinct mission qualification, though the complexity of the qualification varies widely. Some, like airdrop, must be taught at the “schoolhouse” (Formal Training Unit, in AF-speak), while others are considered a “local upgrade”, i.e. taught by local instructors at each…

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I will be monitoring the BD feed all day if anyone has any questions!

Sam–sounds like you’re on a good path right now! Demonstrating flight ability/potential through a PPL (and beyond) is one of the best things you can do to be competitive. Beyond completing your 4-year degree, here are some additional things I’d recommend… 1) Start preparing for the AFOQT and TBAS. 2) Continue to hone your resume and…

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Hey everyone,

I’m just looking for some advice. I’m a 20-year-old in college who wants to get connected to the Air National Guard to hopefully join a unit […]

Worried about the spread of insect-borne diseases following natural disasters? Got a massive oil spill that needs attending to? The USAF Reserve’s 910th Airlift Wing (Youngstown, OH) has you covered. As much as I love to trumpet the C-17…the C-130 has THE most-diverse mission set in the USAF inventory…it’s not even close to close. Here’s…

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armyrecognition.com

Lockheed Martin Delivers First C-130J-30 Super Hercules with Aerial Spray Mission to USAF

Lockheed Martin Delivers First C-130J-30 Super Hercules with Aerial Spray Mission to USAF

The mighty C-17 has a pretty diverse mission set.

One of the coolest missions is supporting the National Science Foundation’s Antarctic research efforts. Every winter (Southern Hemisphere summer!) C-17 Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing ferry personnel and equipment between Christchurch, New Zealand and McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Very…

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mcchord.af.mil

Antarctic Airlift: Christchurch gateway to Antarctica

Team McChord, through Operation Deep Freeze, plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Antarctic airlift mission operates smoothly and efficiently. The 62d Airlift Wing and 446th Airlift Wing crews

I will be monitoring the BD feed all day if anyone has any questions!

It can happen. However, in my humble experience as a Sq/CC, the most-likely obstacle was simply a delay for acquiring a medical waiver, not an outright disqualification. Our medical pros on staff can probably provide specific information to your particular case.

I can’t stress enough the importance of documenting *everything* from your medical…

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Has anyone been turned down for attending their flight physical after selection? I am not in this boat yet, but a bit worried that it may happen. If so does anyone know if that is a […]

To all of our many clients who have interviews this weekend…good luck! You got this!!

One of the cooler C-17 videos out there…airdrop, air refueling, low level, short field landings…great demo of the Moose’s capabilities flown by USAF Reserve members of the 446th Airlift Wing!

Congrats to @GregLab on being selected to fly the mighty C-5 Galaxy (a.k.s. “FRED”) at Westover ARB, MA!

Huge congrats to one of our clients who was selected for a UPT slot at Rhode Island ANG’s 143d Airlift Squadron!! Have a blast flying the C-130J! Incredibly tough competition this year, I’m told. Sixteen interviewees!

I’m sometimes asked by non-military clients during Interview Prep about how to answer possible questions about UPT commitment when the candidate has a spouse, significant other, or a larger family with children. The concern is that they somehow feel like the need to bring their family to UPT would somehow be seen as a hindrance during the…

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aetc.af.mil

Graduating the Future of Flight: Class 25-01

Seventeen U.S. Air Force officers were awarded the coveted silver wings as a symbol of their hard work and training during a graduation ceremony held Oct. 11, 2024. Undergraduate Pilot Training

Great question…definitely recommend additional AFOQT-specific practice. Many of the subtests that factor into the AFOQT Pilot Component are not directly-related to your PPL study. We have several resources here at BogiDope, including an in-house AFOQT tutor, #Tutor-Gunboss, and a dedicated Military Test Prep discussion group with webinars and…

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I have a checkride for my Private Pilot License in 10 days, and I’m planning to take the AFOQT and TBAS soon after. For those who’ve taken the AFOQT, do you think my recent PPL […]

Congrats to our (multiple) clients picked up recently by the 156th Airlift Squadron at Charlotte ANGB, NC! You’ll love flying the mighty C-17!

Best of luck to everyone who has a package meeting the FY25 OTS 01 Board this week!

For everyone applying to the FY25 OTS 01 board, we have up until September 16 to get everything in! Spoke with my recruiter today, he confirmed […]

@Kyle_Barr my pleasure, Kyle!

Huge congrats to Capt Kyle Barr, U.S. Marine Corps, on his selection to attend UPT for the 108th Air Refueling Squadron at Scott AFB, IL. Another BogiDope cross-service […]

Something light for a Monday morning…

The 97th Air Mobility Wing is the “schoolhouse” for several USAF mobility airframes: the KC-135, KC-46, and the mighty C-17. Recently, the Wing hosted some interwebs personalities demonstrating the airdrop capabilities of the C-17. Though there are oodles of other “real world” C-17 airdrop videos, this was…

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Huge congrats to Capt Kyle Barr, U.S. Marine Corps, on his selection to attend UPT for the 108th Air Refueling Squadron at Scott AFB, IL. Another BogiDope cross-service success story–congrats Kyle!!

I’m down at Charleston AFB, SC to be part of the celebration for my best friend’s retirement from the military after 23 years. We had FOUR assignments together flying the C-17 all over the world. 

It’s been a great reminder of my 16 years active duty and 5 years in the reserve. I had a fantastic experience on both sides of the…

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Hi everyone…

I just wanted to share my Interview Prep trend observations so far this year from my humble corner of the BogiDope universe.

By all means, these are super generalized, not all-inclusive, and not directed at any one of the clients I’ve coached. The BogiDope Interview Prep courseware and content library discuss each of these with much…

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Welcome!

Excited to join the bogidope community

Toro–Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! To answer your questions, I would definitely say the PPL matters much more than the Master’s in this context. While hiring boards consider the “whole person”, relevant flying experience, particularly flying ratings/qualifications like PPL, are thought of as a particularly strong predictor…

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A quick shoutout to these clients who interviewed and were hired this weekend!!

Mike Fassnacht, 758th Airlift Sq, Pittsburgh USAFR C-17s

Lauren Bianco, 132d Air Refueling Sq, Maine ANG KC-135s (“The Maineiacs”)

Nicole Polanco, 732d Airlift Sq, McGuire USAFR C-17s (“The Rams”)

Great working with all of you!