posted 04-22-2003 09:59 PM            

This is how it works. Either TACC (Tanker Airlift Control Center) or JOSAC (Joint Operational Support Airlift Center) sends us missions based on the number of "open lines" we have.

We have a computer system called JALIS (Joint Air Logistics Information System) where we exchange information between JOSAC and our unit. A month out, we go into JALIS and "open lines". This means we tell JOSAC how many jets we're willing to let them use each day of that month. Normally, a small unit like ours only opens one or two lines a day.

JOSAC receives airlift requests from across the DoD (Dept. of Defense). They rank order these requests based on two factors: Priority and Rank. If two privates in the Army have a high priority mission to get somewhere, it actually trumps a high-ranking general or admiral. Anyways...anyone can request an airlift if it is for official travel. For example, if you were a Staff Sergeant, and had a conference to attend somewhere, you could put in an airlift request and have a JOSAC mission pick you up. Now, since a Staff Sergeant is fairly low on the totem pole, you may or may not be picked up. If JOSAC runs out of available airplanes for that day, then they will "regret" you, that is, deny you airlift.

Since we don't get many high-priority missions in, most missions are prioritized as "routine", which means that passenger rank is now the factor used to determine who gets supported and who doesn't. So it goes to reason that we do carry a lot of General Officers and Admirals. But we often do carry a lot of "regular guys" too.

So, using my flight tomorrow as an example, JOSAC got a request from two seperate groups. One group wants to fly from Ft. Knox to Wilmington NC. Another group wants to return home from Andrews to Barksdale. Their requested times line up, and JOSAC pairs the two "lifts" on one mission. Now they have to find a jet. So they search, and their scheduling computer tells them the jet from Maxwell would be the best fit.

So then they "write" the mission. They put it in official format, have it reviewed for things like operational factors (is the runway long enough? can the mission be accomplished within the maximum crew duty period? etc). Then the message is released via JALIS, where the unit scheduler here at Maxwell can view it and then schedule a crew against it.

So the schedule informs me that I'm flying that mission, and I go into crew rest (have to have 12 hours of pre-mission crew rest). Before I do that, though, I choose the actual routing myself. JOSAC dictates WHERE I go, but as the Aircraft Commander, I dictate HOW to get there. I choose the cruise altitude based on how high I want to go, and take into consideration how long or short the flight is. And I pick routing that's generally the most direct, if possible. I write all this down on a flight plan.

The next morning, I show up at the established show time (2 hours prior to takeoff), and I give the flight plan to the base operations staff and they enter the routing and altitudes into the FAA's computer.

posted 04-22-2003 10:23 PM            

I talk with you guys at Maxwell occasionally in regards to my AFROTC students...quite envious of them....defintiely wish I was on my way to flying with the "Air Farce." Do you ever flying into TLH? We get alot of the T-1's, T-37's, and T-38's from CB, as well as navy trainers and the occassional G-V or 757 air force bird doing touch and goes.

posted 04-23-2003 06:49 AM            

That's Mr. 4 years of college 1450 hour flying dood to you.

posted 04-23-2003 09:51 AM            

"If I were you, I would be doing nothing but trying to prove chemtrails.

If you successfully prove that the white lines you see above you are chemicals, and not ice crystals, then you will have mowed down every opponent that dares to oppose you.

You will be able to pass laws much easier, get the word out quicker, and be accepted more readily by others if you have undeniable proof that what you see is chemicals.

But, instead, all you do is rant at me."

PHX you don't know what I do besides "rant
at you".

One of the things I do is collaborate with a person you wanted to see on a video but not talk to on this forum, because he has scientific qualifications.

posted 04-24-2003 08:16 PM            

Often when we fly into smaller civilian airfields, it's usually to fly some Guard/Reserve folks somewhere.

Could have been a Herk you heard...but then again, Robins AFB is a C-5/C-130 depot maintenance facility.

I guess you teach IFT students. I used to know the guy who worked in the IFT office a few years back...it's just a couple of Lt's working in a small room in the back of the ROTC HQ building. I had to do IFT here, despite the fact I had a commercial helicopter license at the time...but I didn't mind the free SEL rating either.

As far as Florida and Georgia fields, we hit VPS, NPA, PNS, TPA, MCF, HST, MIA, HRT, JAX, SAV, WRB, MGE, ATL, FTY, PDK, ABY, and LSF fairly regularly.

I've been to ATL about 4-5 times...that's a busy airport. At least it's fairly compact, not like DFW or DEN, which are taxiing nightmares.

posted 04-24-2003 11:09 PM            

As I said, I will bring up the matter of posting here when I next see the person concerned.