What is an AOS?
Congratulations you got hired at your dream guard or reserve unit and you’re back flying your dream aircraft. Everyday you train for the real thing but now it’s time to go do it. How do you get there?
It’s called an AOS movement. Your unit is assigned specific planes and times that you’re slated to get your cargo, folks, and jets where they need to go. Long lines and hurry up and wait is the name of the game.
If you’re lucky enough to fly a jet vs ride, you won the lottery! You’ll typically get there faster and with all your gear!
Ah yes, the ole AOS Oregon Trail. Or Trail of Tears. What's funny is that of all the flying we do, the funniest things usually transpire during AOS movements. Lots of fighter pilots with callsigns associated with a Coronet someplace.
100% true statement that some of your most memorable flying/stories happen during the AOS. We called it the ROTR (Ride of the Raptor) as opposed to the mainbody shuttle bus. There was an old and crusty Air Force Reserve Lt Col who didn't take his role as "air spare" very seriously, and he got pulled into the formation when another jet had an issue. That happened to by my longest Air Force flight, Alaska to Lajes Airport in the Azores (11.7 flight hours) and this dude didn't pack food, change of clothes, water, or piddle packs. To his credit, he never complained about it...but when we landed and told the stories of what was going on in his cockpit, we couldn't stop laughing!
On the bright side, Coronets can be quite the boost to the Flying Hour bank... Much needed for a Fighter guy/gal with airline aspirations, usually logging 1.5s at a time.
