Okay, I am old Hornet, and you, I and everyone in the world knows it
, but at the same time, if a 22 comes down infrequently, how often do you think that plane comes down?
My point was and is:
1. Nobody with true knowledge will discuss the mission because that is classified.
It would be like Flieger or Bullet discussing their missions for Gulf I, ONW/OSW, Gulf II in full detail.
2. There are so many steps to clear before this is even a part of the equation. The biggest is:
TIMING
You may want to fly that airframe, but come assignment night you don't get to say I take the U-28, you pick from what is offered. No U-28 on the board, you will not get a U-28.
Finally, I think you would be the 1st one to say, when you applied to the AFA you had a career in mind, what you walked out of the AFA for 1st assignment was not even on your radar at 17/18. You grew, and utilized the time at the AFA to expand your horizons.
Again, that's my point. Goals are great, but life has a funny way of changing your goal. On the best day, they are looking at 5 yrs out (4 AFA, 1 UPT), I am old, old enough to remember how quickly the 117 entered and left the inventory. Old enough to remember that the A-10 was DOA (bone yard) prior to Gulf I, but lived many yrs because of their success in the Gulf.
Nobody here predicted the impact that UAVs would have back in 2000, but now they are a big player.
The variables are so large and so many that the best advice is to say...get into the AFA, graduate, get UPT and do well so IF it is on the table you can get it.
To discuss anything more is just pipe dreaming.