Yeah all of the old VF-27 are spread out or gone. I came over from the AW FR to AH back in 2000/2001. I came over in the RTC but that quickly fell apart. Did we have cross country talk back then? I can't remember. Often that 'milk running' you describe was organized events at least on our side. We would set up a large bomb run and then hope to get intercepted. I thought it was great, but apparently others did not. I like the structure personally.
I look forward to more organized activities. Particularly in this upcoming scenario. Imagine a sky full of buffs and p47s and you in a 262. drool..... (and knowing full well there will be no 262 jumping you).