[SIDENET]

If it had been me, I would’ve used the two-seat model so I could pick up hookers.

[ElkGroveDan]

As the dungeon prisoner said in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, “You lucky, lucky, b*st*rd.”

[JRandomFreeper]

You want personal trips in fighter aircraft, look to NASA.

Not new. Fully expected for fighter jocks to coordinate personal business with 'training missions'.

If he abused it, he'll be cashiered.

And fighter jocks will be his judge and jury.

/johnny

[Thunder90]

Yeah, but Pelosi still gets free rides on a private jet.

[kbennkc]

Abused the compensato­ry time provisions of the Ala­bama National Guard Tech­nician Personnel Manual by accumulating excessive com­pensatory time and convert­ing it into additional flight training periods and increas­ing his annual salary;

Improperly used govern­ment property for personal use by flying a unit F-16 to Houston to visit family on numerous occasions during his first year in command.

Doesn't sound so bad. Not like he crashed three or four planes showing off trying to earn the nick-name Maverick, or blew up some refuse and filled his own arse with rock salt, and then accepted the fraudulently attained Purple Hurt. I hope he demands a Court Martial.

[justlurking]

I suppose they could have changed the regulations, but back in the 80's "personal" flights were allowed if they could be matched with training requirements or were needed to log minimum flight time.

However, it sounds like this guy may have worked the system to increase his flying time.

[bereanway]

Makes a guy feel a little sorry for the poor saps gettin the doors blown off their Gulfstreams.

[Bringbackthedraft]

I used a jeep to pick up pizzas off post for my men, I guess I’m a bad guy too.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

RHIP.Sounds political to me.These are all combat pilots so I will give a pass.I know one of these guys and they are some really strac troops.

[org.whodat]

Someone is getting fired. Nothing more than stealing from the tax payer.

[PGR88]

How does one fly an F-16 on “personal trips?”

Its not like you can land it anywhere, or take it down to the Bahamas on a whim.

[Ditto]

I got to fly in a corporate Gulfstream a few times, and I have to say that I was spoiled for ever. Who wants to get on one of those commercial cattle cars after that?

But damn, if I could have taken an F-16 --- I would have hated the Gulf Stream after that. ;~))

[Vendome]

I don’t see the problem.

[fso301]

Red Tails

[TaMoDee]

I was stationed at a “rarely used” Army Post and we were visited 3 or 4 times a year by a USAF Fighter AC who just happened to “stop” by.
(Somehow the pilot’s father would be driving by to pick
him up.) Who cares!

[achilles2000]

The F 16....The only choice when you need to get there in a hurry...

[The Cajun]

A fighter jock getting *stick time* (practice) in a F15 for *whatever reason* (flying somewhere) is a good thing by my way of thinking.

[RoadTest]

I wish that this were the extent of government corruption!

[2111USMC]

You can’t do this stuff unless you’re Speaker of the House.

[Alas Babylon!]

This is the officer in question:

Col. Smiley takes command of 187th Fighter Wing

I know the guy. Not personally but part of official business. Can't say he's a bad officer or not based on meetings I've been to with him there.