2loud:

I was in the Joint Program in the T-34C as an Air Force guy in a Navy squadron, and live in the area, so I have some perspective.

I've heard of the T-1 stand-up (nothing official), but not the T-6. Possible, but not sure it is necessary, as they have T-6s in the joint squadron. The rumor is for this to happen at mainside Pensacola, which is exclusively Nav training (Whiting Field does all the pilot training).

Lots of guys liked the joint op as it was shorter days and less hectic, and since it was Nav training, lots of stick-time. The Air Force brass didn't like it as Navigator students took longer to graduate (and cost more money) than UPT students!!

So, keep in mind, if they stand up an Air Force squadron, it will probably be just as time-line-intensive as any UPT base.

Pensacola is a pretty low cost-of-living area. Biggest downside for me is the threat of hurricanes 6 months out of every year (and yes, we get tornados, too).

On the flying side: I didn't like the "free-for-all-food-fight" for airspace. Having learned the USAF way (assigned airspace in a MOA), it was unnerving--and often a waste of time--trying to find a working space that someone else wasn't using. You would literally drive to someplace in the Alert area, announce your intentions on a common freq, and see if someone else had claimed it. There were days I spent 40 minutes just trying to find a place to work.

Then, I've had spins interupted by Delta MD-88s.

I can't see the USAF adding a MOA if they operate independently here, so it would be the same deal.