MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Verizon will continue to waive all long-distance charges for calls made to Haiti through Sunday, according to a news release. That includes military base resident...
Military
-
Stars and Stripes
-
Verizon continues free calls to Haiti
9 Feb 2010 | 8:00 pm -
Grateful children bring satisfaction to Haiti aid mission
9 Feb 2010 | 8:00 pmUnlike in other locations where aid has been delivered in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, there was no mob scene when the soldiers arrived at the orphanages with rice and cooking oil. -
EUCOM pens ‘bill of rights’ for mental health patients
8 Feb 2010 | 8:00 pmA plan that calls for combining mental health care clinics and primary care clinics to reduce the stigma of seeking help for psychological problems has been approved by U.S. European Command's top leaders. -
Continued care hard to find for Haitian patients discharged from USNS Comfort
8 Feb 2010 | 8:00 pmOf the roughly 400 patients on the USNS Comfort, around 150 are ready to be discharged to a less sophisticated facility, if only they had some place to go. -
Facing apathy and the gulags: Ex-North Korean inmates struggle to raise concern in South
8 Feb 2010 | 8:00 pmAfter speaking recently to a group of young South Korean soldiers about North Korea's harsh labor camps, former prisoner Jung Gyoung Il — himself once a soldier in North Korea's massive army — was stunned by the questions from the audience.
-
Wired: Danger Room
-
Darpa’s ‘Transparent Earth’ Plan Will Find You Underground
9 Feb 2010 | 8:50 amThe Pentagon’s science fringe has been trying to lord over the natural elements for years now. They’ve talked about planet hacking and screwing with enemy climates, and they still want to harness the power of lightning. This year, military science has more of an “all-encompassing” goal for global mastery. As part of its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Pentagon extreme research agency Darpa is launching the “Transparent Earth” project. They’ll invest $4 million into the creation of real-time, 3D maps that display “the physical, chemical and… -
Haiti Relief’s Secret Weapon: Google Earth
9 Feb 2010 | 7:31 amPORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI — Days after the Jan. 12 earthquake, a group of Haitians set up a small tent camp in an open field not far from the U.S. Embassy. In theory, this small community was well situated to receive aid: It was in spitting distance of a helicopter landing zone. And right nearby was the World Food Program’s consolidated warehouse, where relief agencies store all their goods shipped from the Dominican Republic. Join Reddit’s Haiti relief fundraising drive with Direct Relief International. Contribute to Haiti Rewired, a community for discussing tech, infrastructure and… -
NATO to Afghans: We’re Invading Your Town. Don’t Leave!
9 Feb 2010 | 6:55 amPlease, please, pretty please don’t leave the warzone. That seems to be today’s message from NATO headquarters in Afghanistan to the residents of central Helmand province. For weeks, NATO forces have been telling anyone who’ll listen that they’re about to roll into the area in a “major offensive.” And now that “Operation Moshtarak” is just about underway, many locals are taking the perfectly-understandable step of leaving town. NATO is asking them not to go. “Combined force commanders are encouraging civilians to remain in the safety of… -
Why the Army Doesn’t Train on Xboxes
9 Feb 2010 | 6:08 amRight now, every military command post and every training center is packed with PCs. In the future, many of those machines might be replaced with game consoles — if the armed forces can ever work out their disagreements with the console-makers. Why consoles? For starters, it’s a tool that young recruits are very familiar with. The military — especially the Army and Marines — has turned to videogames because live training is often complicated and expensive. Surveys show that young people now spend more time gaming on consoles than on PCs. It’s the older (well, at… -
How To: Smuggle Secret Information with VOIP
8 Feb 2010 | 12:15 pmIn the 5th Century BCE, the Greek tyrant Histiaeus devised a clever new way to send hidden messages. He shaved the head of one of his servants, tattooed the missive on his head, and waited for his hair to grow back before sending the messenger out. When the courier arrive, his head was shaved and the message was read, giving information about upcoming Persian attacks. Though Histiaeus may not have known as much, he was one of the early practitioners of steganography, the practice of hiding one message inside another, innocent-looking message. Later on, secret inks were used, and Morse code…
-
ProPublica: National Security
-
Administration Signals It Won’t Push Legal Limits of Terrorism Detention
4 Feb 2010 | 2:46 pmby Chisun Lee, ProPublica - Feb. 5: This post has been corrected. The five-page letter (PDF) that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder issued this week defending the decision to treat the Christmas Day bomber suspect as a criminal suspect, rather than as a wartime captive, offered new insight into the Obama administration's view of the limits of preventive detention. The letter suggests that the administration sees virtually no legal foundation for holding terrorism suspects arrested on U.S. soil in preventive detention and has very little interest in trying to create any. He didn't confine his… -
DHS Asked to Investigate Air Marshal Allegations
3 Feb 2010 | 8:56 amby Michael Grabell, ProPublica - The chairman of the House oversight committee has asked the Department of Homeland Security for an independent investigation into allegations of discrimination and retaliation in the Federal Air Marshal Service. In separate stories, ProPublica and CBS News reported Monday that dozens of air marshals say they’ve been treated unfairly by an "old boys club" of supervisors who target employees who speak up or don’t fit a certain mold. The Transportation Security Administration is investigating allegations that supervisors in the air marshals’… -
Gitmo Judge Urged to Recuse Himself After ProPublica Interview
2 Feb 2010 | 12:31 pmby Chisun Lee, ProPublica - A federal judge who spoke at length with ProPublica about his experience working through about a dozen constitutional challenges mounted by Guantanamo prisoners is being asked by a detainee’s lawyer to remove himself from a pending case based on quoted portions of his interviews. In one comment, Chief Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., said, "How confident can I be that if I make the wrong choice that he won’t be the one that blows up the Washington Monument or the Capitol?" In a recusal motion (PDF) filed Friday,… -
Air Marshals Dogged by Discrimination Complaints in Field Offices
1 Feb 2010 | 7:39 amby Michael Grabell, ProPublica - Since the attempted bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight on Christmas Day, Congress and the Obama administration have reviewed many aspects of aviation security, and Janet Napolitano, the secretary of homeland security, has called for increasing the number of federal air marshals. But one area that hasn't received much scrutiny is the atmosphere inside the Federal Air Marshal Service, where some in the rank and file say discrimination and retaliation distracts them from their mission of stopping terrorists and protecting passengers. Air marshals have long… -
Why Obama’s Plans for N.Y. Terror Trials Unraveled
29 Jan 2010 | 1:36 pmby Dafna Linzer, ProPublica - For anyone wondering how one of President Obama’s signature pledges seemed to unravel between Monday and Friday, here’s a look at the week that was. Savvy readers of The New York Times may have noticed a letter to the editor in Tuesday’s edition, co-signed by three city council members including the speaker, the chairman of the Public Safety Committee and the chairwoman of the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Committee. One month after the Christmas Day terror plot aboard a Detroit-bound flight, all three city officials came out against trials for…
-
Op For
-
LTC Paul Yingling Hits It Out of the Park
9 Feb 2010 | 3:53 amIn this months Armed Forces Journal International, LTC Paul Yingling in an article entitled "The Founder's Wisdom" writes eloquently on the relationship between the Constitutionally defined powers of Congress and the President regarding the military and recent United States History. Many shan't agree with his prescription for restoring the balance, but it should be read nevertheless. As the U.S. commits additional forces to Afghanistan, Americans would be well-served to return to our constitutional system of war powers. The burdens of fighting in Afghanistan cannot and will not be shouldered… -
Murtha Assumes Room Temperature
8 Feb 2010 | 11:45 amI just saw the delightful Megyn Kelly on Fox News report that an individual known as Rep Murtha (D, PA), reputedly once a US Marine, has shed the mortal coil. Somewhere, a cricket chirps. -
Lejeune and more Lejeune
6 Feb 2010 | 3:19 amDay 4 in Camp Lejeune: in the BOQ, enjoying the first quarters that I haven't shared with at least one other person in several months. I understand there's massive snow throughout the mid-Atlantic but here it's all rain. Many thanks to all of you who logged welcome-home comments. I appreciate all of them. (BR Doc H: the first beer was a FREE Warsteiner on Lufthansa from Kuwait to Frankfurt; I have since switched back to Sam. Sgt B: good point on the .45! But I need to get back to it.) More to follow. -
Feet Dry in CONUS
3 Feb 2010 | 2:12 pmAm now in Charlotte Airport, waiting on the flight to Lejeune. I am freaking exhausted. And I stink. But I have had beer. -
SHORN
1 Feb 2010 | 8:37 amShorn am I of two constant companions since mid-August of last year-- my 9mm and my M4. I turned both in today, duly cleaned (and with a small net gain of ammo, to boot). I feel oddly under-dressed without them. I also removed the tourniquet and IBD that had been in my sleeve pockets for six months. Again, it doesn't feel quite right not to have them on board. In about 24 hours or so I'll be airborne (!) back to the States, and this whole thing will be nearly done. That is the strangest feeling of them all.
-
Honor, Duty, eMail
-
U.S. Military's Top Stories - Helping Haiti
15 Jan 2010 | 7:15 amU.S. airmen load gear onto a C-130E Hercules aircraft departing for Haiti, Jan. 13, 2010. U.S. airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing will be part of a U.S. humanitarian relief mission to the earthquake-stricken country. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Top Stories Obama Makes Haiti Response Top Priority WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2010 – President Barack Obama said today said he’s made helping Haiti in the wake of a crippling earthquake the top priority of every U.S. government agency. Story | Video | Transcript Richmond Supply Center Prepares to Help WASHINGTON, Jan. 14,… -
USS Carl Vinson Arrives in Haiti to Support Humanitarian Operations
15 Jan 2010 | 6:07 am100113-N-4774B-935 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 13, 2010) Bridge watch standers observe SH-60F Sea Hawks assigned to the Red Lions of Helicopter Squadron (HS) 15, land aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 have received orders from U.S. Southern Command to render humanitarian assistance to the Caribbean nation of Haiti, following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake Jan. 12. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker/Released)By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Thompson, USS Carl Vinson Public… -
United States Deploys Troops to Haiti
15 Jan 2010 | 5:58 amGUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA (Jan. 13, 2010) Navy hospital staff members rush an American U.S. Embassy worker into the U.S. Naval Hospital at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. The worker was one of four Haiti earthquake victims received for evaluation and treatment. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill Mesta/Released) By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (NNS) -- President Barack Obama said Jan. 14 he's made helping Haiti in the wake of a crippling earthquake the top priority of every U.S. government agency.Speaking from the White… -
Happy New Year
4 Jan 2010 | 6:43 pmWelcome to 2010!It's a brand new year and a fresh start. What will you be doing this year to show your support to our troops?At eMail Our Military we make it easy for everyone to support our military from the comfort of their computer chairs. Even if you only wish to take a few minutes a day to show your support we'll help you find the project that's right for you - like email.Have nothing but time on your hands? Perfect! Become an eMOM volunteer, community relations leader or writing correspondent.However you choose to support our military we hope you'll do it with eMail Our Military! If… -
Update - 8th Annual Holiday Love Campaign
31 Dec 2009 | 4:15 pmUPDATE 2: We're almost there!We're 57% of the way there with just $220 left to go. Big thanks to the following Postage Patriots:$300 Total - Thanks To:Kimberly D.Kimberly J.Phyllis M.Wendy R.Kim H.Michael T.$980 Total - Thanks To:Deborah M.Joe P.Beth C.Craig O.Karen E.Michael D.Denny G.Rich T.Desiree K.Carol M.Amie S.Latichia B.Celeste R.Linda D.Bonnie R.James H.Amy Michelle B.Terry A.Kathy D.Robert S.Tara D.Richard M.Michelle L.Pomela M.Leslie U.Todd J.Gloria B.Todd B.diane b.James S.Dana s.Robert L.Emily N.James H.Charles S.Mary j m.Loraine H.Mary R.Renee J.Barbara B.Corinne FSusan K.UPDATE…
-
BLACKFIVE
-
"The Quiet Professionals" - Lara Logan not so Quiet or Professional?
9 Feb 2010 | 8:07 am60 Minutes' Lara Logan reports on ODA 7125 in Afghanistan. First, watch it. The first five minutes of Logan's reporting made me laugh out loud (who gives a @#$% how much a team member can bench press...unless he's throwing dumb bells at the Taliban). Watch CBS News Videos Online Then go read Tim's assessment over at Free Range International. I think it's safe to say that most of you guys will agree with the majority of Tim's write up. -
Phyllis Diller Photo Contest Closes Today
9 Feb 2010 | 8:01 amWhile fundraising for Cooking with the Wounded will continue, the contest to win one of the autographed photos donated by Phyllis Diller closes today. To be in the running, go to the Cooking with the Wounded page and make a donation there. Anything sent by mail and received by close-of-business today will be in the running as well. Now's your chance to own a piece of history, and help a program to help the troops get off the ground. LW -
Battle of Wanat in the Washington Times
9 Feb 2010 | 6:51 amThe latest report on the Battle of Wanat had been finished and apparently calls for adverse action against the Company, Battalion & Brigade commanders of the unit. I have a piece in today's WashingtonTimes that looks at the major issues about the battle and whether they were failures of command or friction of war. I also discussed this while guest hosting Frank Gaffney's show Secure Freedom Radio. The Battle of Wanat, Afghan istan, in July 2008 was a tough pill to swallow. We lost nine men and 27 wounded at a remote outpost in Nuristan province when a platoon from the 2nd Battalion… -
Rep John Murtha, 1932 - 2010
8 Feb 2010 | 2:21 pmRepresentative John Murtha, the first Vietnam veteran to be elected to congress, died today.It is said it is impolite to speak ill of the dead, so I will just end there. -
Stolen Valor in action- BG Poseur McSoulPatch goes to court
8 Feb 2010 | 12:33 pmUPDATE: Since Friday when Mr. McManus was arrested much as come to light including the documents charging him and as it turns out this is not his first round of playing dress up.There is a lot to this and my advice, as always in these cases, is head to This ain't Hell and keep scrolling.MCMANUS was previously convicted in U.S. Federal Court in California in 2002, arising out of federal criminal charges originating in Louisiana, for impersonating a U.S. “Air Marshal” and also impersonating a U.S. Army Major, both in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 912, He received a…
-
Defense Tech
-
Jack Murtha Hall of Fame
9 Feb 2010 | 8:15 amAll right folks, you’ve had your “cricket” dance with Murtha’s death, now it’s time to look back at his career. I’d like our readers to list their top three most influential DEFENSE-RELATED things Murtha has done or championed in his more than three decades on The Hill. Here are mine: 1.) Beating the Soviets: Murtha was a Scoop Jackson Democrat who championed the cause of freedom against communist aggressionand supported the Muj in Afghanistan against the Soviets. He was also in the tiny minority of Democrats who voted in favor of Ronald Reagan’s $100… -
Murtha Dead at 77
8 Feb 2010 | 12:58 pmJust now posting a story to Military.com on the death of one of the most influential defense lawmakers on Capitol Hill ever. I’ve had my beefs with Rep. Jack Murtha in the past, but I truly am shocked and saddened by his death. He was a tireless advocate for Pentagon programs he believed in and forced them down a left-leaning Congress in years where defense spending was less than a priority. And despite our sometimes butting heads over the Haditha incident, he and his staff have always treated me with respect and professionalism. We’ll slice and dice his record tomorrow, but… -
Sea Drones in the Works
8 Feb 2010 | 5:53 amI guess it was inevitable. The Air Force has its Leer Jet-sized drones flying circles around the globe, taking snap shots of Iranian nuke plants, Chinese sub pens and Haitian wreckage. So what about the Navy, huh? Well a tipster sent us an interesting story the other day about a DARPA project looking into producing unmanned frigates to locate and shadow enemy subs. The three main objectives of the program are to build an “X-ship” that operates without anyone stepping aboard at any point in its operating cycle, secondly to demonstrate the technical viability of the system under “sparse… -
The Keating Report (Where is it?)
5 Feb 2010 | 10:34 amDon’t expect much folks… Our boy Greg Grant got his hands on the investigation report into the incident at COP Keating and true to form, the Army redacted 90 percent of it. Here’s an example. This is the “Recommendations” page: Keating Recommendations Granted, this is the recommendation page, but to wholesale redact the entire thing is retarded. Also, notice the only thing left in is the praise for the medical training. So there was nothing else in there like that? Also, here’s another section — the Findings. Keating Findings Look at page 9 which asks… -
COP Keating Report Complete
5 Feb 2010 | 7:21 amThe ISAF public affairs office said today that the coalition investigation into the Oct. 3 attack on COP Keating has been completed. We’re pinging them for a complete copy or executive summary, but the release accompanying the announcement says the complex attack by nearly 300 Taliban against the Soldiers of B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cav suffered from a lack of intelligence fusion, apathy and poor defenses. The report determined that commanders must continue to assess the value and vulnerabilities of each COP throughout the rugged terrain of Afghanistan, and made several…
-
Army Strong Stories
-
ROA Conference continues, despite weather
9 Feb 2010 | 1:44 pmThis week has been quite interesting to say the least. I am on day two of the conference and I missed the entire morning portion... I tried to stick it out yesterday all day but my fever got the best of me so I slept in today. If I wasn't five months preggo right now I'd probably try to get up but I get nervous with the little one. Anyway, at least I'm here!! This picture is a view from my hotel near Dupont Circle in downtown. I reached the hotel at 2 a.m., Feb. 8th and then slept until 6 a.m. Unfortunately many of the speakers couldn't get into the city to do their briefings,… -
Diversions
9 Feb 2010 | 11:53 amAs I look back at some of my recent posts, I realize I've talked a lot about my thoughts on leadership sparked by various events here, but I've been pretty lean on offering a glimpse of the lighter side of life here at the Grad Course. So today I'm taking a look at the last week -- here are a couple of the recent events keeping me from finishing my research paper... (I apologize for the quality of the first couple photos -- blame my BlackBerry.) Here are some photos from the recent OBC Dining In. Our newest crop of Judge Advocates graduated last week, and before they did they held… -
Welcome to the Army JAG Corps and Ft. Lee
8 Feb 2010 | 11:09 pmWhat's up peeps?! I've been here at Ft. Lee (Prince George, VA) for about two days and it has been full go from day one! We have been filling out a ton of paperwork and (for those of us with no prior service) trying to learn Army courtesies and customs on the fly. I'm meeting alot of my classmates and it seems we are a very diverse group. Dont hold me to this number but its about 110 of us from all over the country and from all practice areas. The weather is grea....horrible! lol. It's C-O-L-D cold out here in Virginia but we are getting through it. I find myself inspired by some of my… -
Snow Day
8 Feb 2010 | 1:42 pmWashington DC recieved one of the biggest winter storms this past weekend. The storm started Friday and continued through Saturday. By the time it was done my house had received 24 inches of snow (the record is 28 inches). They released us early on Friday and Monday ended up being cancelled also. Depending on the location, the military/government will react to inclement weather differently. There is no set standard to how snow will impact day to day operations. At my last to assignments we watch the news station in the morning, and receive our update about… -
Clinic update
8 Feb 2010 | 1:35 pmThursday I had several interesting cases - buccal space infection that came in on sick call - lots of puss - forgot my camera though :( For the day I delivered 2 crowns on 2 individuals ( 1 was on an implant), had another all-ceramic crown to deliver - but the color was off so I sent it back to be remade, 2 extractions and an incision and drainage, 3 exams, 1 two surface posterior composite, smoothed down a chipped tooth, and 1 post operative complication - guy had had surgery done somehwere else, and things needed to be opened back up and cleaned out. Tooth appeared too dark - sent the case…
-
Michael Yon - Online Magazine
-
Entrega Especial
7 Feb 2010 | 7:08 pmTranslation by J. Dale Kandahar, Afganistán8 de Febrero, 2010 Tropas Estadounidenses estan desplegadas extensamente a través de Afganistán. Ciertas zonas son remotas y la accesibilidad es difícil. En el 2008, yo estuve con seis soldados en la Provincia de Zabul que ni siquiera recibieron correo por tres meses. No tenian correo electrónico. Ellos estaban en la Luna. Seis hombres valientes, en el medio de la nada, y su relevo más cercano era un pequeño equipo de Fuerzas Especiales a cinco horas de camino. El reabastecer para estos pequeños campos aislados es crucial, difícil, y… -
Special Delivery
7 Feb 2010 | 7:08 pmKandahar, Afghanistan08 February 2010 American troops are spread widely across Afghanistan. Some are remote and accessibility is difficult. In 2008, I was with six soldiers in Zabul Province who didn’t even get mail for three months. They had no email. They were on the moon. Six courageous men, in the middle of nowhere, and their nearest backup was a small Special Forces team about five hours away. Resupply to these small outposts is crucial, difficult, and would require major effort by ground. Enter the United States Air Force. Tonight’s mission was to fly from Kandahar… -
Spitting Cobra
15 Jan 2010 | 6:04 am15 January 2010 Cobra Battery at FOB FrontenacArghandab, Afghanistan Artillery is called “The King of Battle.” When it comes to the delivery of force, probably nothing outside of nuclear weapons can outmatch the sustained delivery of extreme brutality. Cannons also can deliver small atomic weapons. Aircraft and missles have range and other profound advantages, yet on a tactical battlefield these guns are like a force of nature. They can fire in any weather that man dares to stand in. American artillery can destroy a parked car with the first shot from twenty miles away. No sniper… -
Into Thine Hand I Commit My Spirit
30 Dec 2009 | 8:15 pmArghandab, AfghanistanNew Year's Eve, 2009 On this small base surrounded by a mixture of enemy and friendly territory, a memorial has been erected just next to the Chapel. Inside the tepee are 21 photos of 21 soldiers killed during the first months of a year-long tour of duty. The fallen will belong forever to the honor rolls of the 1-17th Infantry Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and they will join the sacred list of names of those who have given their lives in service of the United States of America. The symbol of the 2nd Infantry Division is the Indian Head. At night,… -
Arghandab & The Battle for Kandahar
12 Dec 2009 | 7:12 pm13 December 2009Kandahar, Afghanistan People are confused about the war. The situation is difficult to resolve even for those who are here. For most of us, the conflict remains out of focus, lacking reference of almost any sort. Vertigo leaves us seeking orientation from places like Vietnam—where most of us never have been. So sad are our motley pundits-cum-navigators that those who have never have been to Afghanistan or Vietnam shamelessly use one to reference the other. We saw this in Iraq. The most we can do is pay attention, study hard, and try to bring something into focus…
-
The Long War Journal
-
Pakistani military claims success in Bajaur
8 Feb 2010 | 9:51 pmTaliban control in northwestern Pakistan. Click map to view. The Pakistani military is claiming success in one of the Taliban's strongholds in the tribal agency of Bajaur. The military is advancing through the Mamond region in Bajaur, an area that has served as the headquarters for Faqir Mohammed, the leader of the Taliban in Bajaur and the deputy leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. Mamond has also served as a safe haven for al Qaeda and the Swat chapter of the Taliban. Two of the three recorded Predator airstrikes in carried out by the US in Bajaur targeted senior al Qaeda… -
Shabaab calls for jihad against Kenya
8 Feb 2010 | 10:09 amA senior leader of al Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia has declared jihad against neighboring Kenya for supporting the weak Somali Transitional Federal Government. The declaration of jihad against Kenya came from Sheikh Hussein Abdi Gedi, the deputy leader of Shabaab in the strategic southern port city of Kismayo. During an interview on Al Andalus Radio, Shabaab's radio station, Gedi accused Kenya of arming and training Somali's disorganized military. "Kenya has prepared troops that comprise of Kenyans and Somalis, who are trained to attack and take over the regions," Gedi said, according to… -
Iranian-backed Shia terror group kidnaps US civilian in Baghdad
6 Feb 2010 | 7:43 amIssa T. Salomi, a US civilian contractor, behind a flag that reads “League of the Righteous, Imam Ali Regiment.” Associated Press photo. An Iranian-backed Shia terror group that claims it seeks reconciliation with the Iraqi government has kidnapped a US civilian in Baghdad. The US recently released the top leader of the group under the guise of a reconciliation program, but the release actually was related to a hostage exchange. The Asaib al Haq, or the League of the Righteous, kidnapped Issa T. Salomi, a US civilian contractor, in Baghdad in late January. Salomi went missing in Baghdad… -
Bombings kill 41 Shia pilgrims in Karbala
5 Feb 2010 | 6:36 amForty-one Iraqis were killed in bombings today in the city of Karbala as Shia pilgrims gathered for the last day of a religious festival in the holy city. The mode of the attack is still unclear. Some reports indicate that two car bombs were detonated outside one of three entrances to the city, but the governor of Karbala province claimed that a mortar struck a crowd of Iraqis outside the city. "A mortar round was launched from fields northeast of the city," Governor Amalheddin al Hir told AFP. "I accuse al Qaeda who are being supported by the Baath party." Another 144 Iraqis were wounded in… -
Inside job suspected in suicide attack on US soldiers in Pakistan
4 Feb 2010 | 11:38 amYesterday's attack that killed three US soldiers who were traveling in a convoy in northwestern Pakistan was carried out by a suicide bomber, and was not caused by a remotely detonated roadside bomb as first reported. The suicide attack suggests that the Taliban, who took credit for the attack, had inside information on the presence of US troops in the convoy. The three US soldiers, who have been described variously as Special Operations Forces and civil affairs troops training Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps, were killed when a suicide bomber driving a car rammed into their convoy as…
-
Mudville Gazette
-
Reviewing the battle of Wanat
9 Feb 2010 | 10:39 am"What once was a hunt for lessons to be learned has turned into a search for scapegoats." Because unlike most human endeavors, scapegoat hunts never fail. -
Happy Birthday Mrs G
9 Feb 2010 | 8:58 amOne reason I can't possibly be the grandfather of milbogs: she's still too young to be a grandma*. However, she's spending her birthday working on yet another project to expand the ever-growing milblog world, which you can join. (She'd consider that a nice birthday present, in fact.) *And no, she won't be releasing her birth certificate to "prove it." ;) -
In this case I'm pro-abortion
9 Feb 2010 | 7:31 am...but it's too late. Uncovering the birther movement's birth certificate: "The far right and the far left can be equally insane, and the extremes end up echoing each other." I suppose the realization that Democrats founded the birther movement could surprise some of the newer advocates - but it's more a reminder than a shocking revelation. Most people have probably forgotten there were birther-type charges floating around against McCain, too. Here's one version in the New York Times from February, 2008 - pre-dating the "early summer of '08" launch of the Obama Birther movement among Clinton… -
Legalize crime!
9 Feb 2010 | 5:29 amWell if nothing was illegal we wouldn't need lawyers: Stolen Valor Act facing legal challenges. I would say this is timely in light of the McManus story, but there's always someone trying to pass themselves off as a "decorated veteran." For example, our old pal Rick Strandlof makes an appearance in the story. -
Sometimes a hero
8 Feb 2010 | 3:36 pm...suffers an ironic fate. A team from SOUTHCOM went to Haiti for a disaster relief conference - and one member was killed in his hotel when the earthquake struck that day:A search team on Sunday found the body of the Air Force major killed in Haiti after his hotel collapsed during the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, his family said. Maj. Ken Bourland had not been heard from since the Jan. 12 earthquake after he sent an e-mail to his wife from his hotel room minutes before it hit. He and six other members of U.S. Southern Command had flown to Haiti on the day of the earthquake to attend a disaster…
-
MilBlogs
-
How things look from the Twilight
9 Feb 2010 | 5:22 amA report from the twilight - things look OK. I was at the Illinois National Guard Domestic Response Sourcing Conference this weekend, and what I saw was a vast relief to me. I guess, by way of some background information, I should explain... When I (and my co-bloggers, CSM Bones and the Inner Prop) left Afghanistan, I was almost frantic - I had offered to stay a bit longer to help with our replacement unit's transition. I was convinced they were not ready and events, sadly, showed this to be so. US Soldiers, Afghan civilians and others paid the price. When I got home I was crushed down by… -
Vigilance: The Good Kind
5 Jan 2010 | 9:19 amOver at PBS - Point of View, I blog about the necessity of being vigilant in protecting the warrior legacy: It is important for all of us -- citizens who truly support the troops and who honor our veterans -- to become active and remain engaged in protecting the warrior legacy. As we head into a new year, I implore everyone in the military, veterans, their families and the general public to learn about proposed and pending legislation and to be energetic in communicating their opinions to their Senators and Representatives. This is important not just at the federal level, but at the state… -
Stretching the Silence here
16 Dec 2009 | 12:49 pmIt's been a bit inactive on this site lately - but here is a good reason for at least the rest of the week. -
After Pearl Harbor
14 Dec 2009 | 2:50 pmDid you know that most of the battleships sunk or damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor came back to fight again? See here. Thank the salvors. -
Veteran's Day 2009
11 Nov 2009 | 6:55 amEvery year, this day has meant more to me.
-
Counterterrorism Blog
-
A Downward Spiral in Latin America
8 Feb 2010 | 8:31 amSeveral developments over the past week add to my growing sense of pessimism over certain parts of Latin America. The first is the decision of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez to bring on board a senior Cuban official with a long time specialty in internal security and torture to act as a consultant on Venezuela's energy crisis. What Ramiro Valdes, one of the four remaining "originals" of the 1959 revolution, can bring on the electrical side is open to question, given that Cuba is not a model of electrical efficiency and management. What he can bring is a strong sense of how to control the… -
Bloody Friday: Anti-Shia Terror Violence Hit Karachi Again!
5 Feb 2010 | 9:49 amOn the Chehlum day (40 days after the day of Ashura), Pakistan’s port city Karachi has witnessed twin bomb explosions that killed almost 25 people and scores of them injured, mostly from the monitory Shia community. The first explosion occurred in the afternoon when a remote controlled VBIED (Vehicle borne Improvised explosive device) exploded near a passenger bus carrying 30 to 40 Shiite mourners. Initial reports suggested that the blast was a suicide attack and the biker’s suicide jacket contained 15-20 kg of explosive material. However, later officials played down it as remote… -
Terrorist Dropouts
3 Feb 2010 | 8:39 amI had a piece in Foreign Policy yesterday on the subject of why some seemingly committed jihadists have left terrorist organizations. This piece is drawn from my recent Washington Institute monograph, entitled "Terrorist Dropouts: Learning from those who have left." Here is an excerpt from the Foreign Policy piece: When I served on the staff of the 9/11 Commission, one of our primary tasks was to assemble the story of how al Qaeda's plot developed. One of the aspects of the plot on which we focused our attention was, therefore, the movements, activities, and associations of the 19 hijackers. -
Assessing the Militant White Separatist Movement
28 Jan 2010 | 11:40 amToday the militant white separatist movement faces leadership and organizational challenges: after the deaths and arrests of significant movement leaders over the past decade, it is fractured and appears poorly led. Further, the movement’s recruitment and training capabilities appear relatively crude, and it lacks a unified ideological outlook. However, it would be a mistake to conclude from this that the American white separatist movement will remain incapable of orchestrating violence on a large scale. A confluence of factors producing discontent with the status quo are likely to bolster… -
Ft Hood's Terror: The US failed by its own experts
27 Jan 2010 | 8:37 amFt Hood Terror Act: A Jihadi operation The Pentagon's review of the act of Terrorism committed at Fort Hood by Major Nidal Hasan deserves national attention not only regarding its important conclusions but also what it missed in terms of analysis. In this piece, I'll address major points made public in the media and raise issues about the bigger picture regarding the terror threat America is facing today. Jihadi Penetration: Part of a War As announced by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, the report "reveals serious 'shortcomings' in the military's ability to stop foreign extremists from…
-
washingtonpost.com: Faces of the Fallen
-
Sgt. 1st Class Matthew S. Sluss-Tiller
2 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmSgt. 1st Class Matthew S. Sluss-Tiller -
Staff Sgt. Mark A. Stets
2 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmStaff Sgt. Mark A. Stets -
Sgt. 1st Class David J. Hartman
2 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmSgt. 1st Class David J. Hartman -
Pfc. Zachary G. Lovejoy
1 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmPfc. Zachary G. Lovejoy -
Capt. Daniel . Whitten
1 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmCapt. Daniel . Whitten
-
Blogs of War
-
Video: Russian Combat Robots
9 Feb 2010 | 8:02 am -
Need to Know: 02/09/2010
9 Feb 2010 | 7:03 amDepartment of Homeland Security Wants Your Feedback The agency just launched a new Web tool that allows the public to submit ideas and suggestions on how the agency can improve transparency, participation and innovation while saving taxpayer money, according to a statement released Monday by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. ‘Don’t Be Evil,’ Meet ‘Spy on Everyone’: How [...] -
Need to Know: 02/08/2010
8 Feb 2010 | 8:03 amNation States and the Web To start, it’s ironic that Internet technology was devised and developed to protect the state, but is now being used to dismantle it. There are countless examples of this, from formal protests organised via Facebook, informal actions collected on Flickr, to international calls for action as a result of Twitter communication. [...] -
Video: Marine Corps Body Bearers
8 Feb 2010 | 6:24 am -
DoD Video: Training Afghans
5 Feb 2010 | 12:05 pm
-
In Iraq, sex is like snow
-
The Hurt Locker vs Avatar
5 Feb 2010 | 4:14 pmAvatar and The Hurt Locker are going to go head to head next month for the Best Picture and the Best Director in what looks to be one of the most interesting Oscar battles. In one corner we have the box office dominating, big budget Avatar and in the other the gritty and critically acclaimed The Hurt Locker. The Hurt Locker is nominated for 9 Oscars, won Best Director andBest Picture LAFCA Award and Critics Choice Award while Avatar is nominated for 9 Oscars,won 6 Critics Choice Awards and 2 Golden Globe Awards. And let's not forget that filmmakers James Cameron, the director of Avatar, and… -
It's barbaric, but hey, it's home!
19 Jan 2010 | 4:54 amI love this song! :)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPUAhSGZtvU&feature=related Oh I come from a land, from a faraway placeWhere the caravan camels roamWhere they cut off your earIf they don't like your faceIt's barbaric, but hey, it's homeWhen the wind's from the eastAnd the sun's from the westAnd the sand in the glass is rightCome on downStop on byHop a carpet and flyTo another Arabian nightArabian nightsLike Arabian daysMore often than notAre hotter than hotIn a lot of good waysArabian nights'Neath Arabian moonsA fool off his guardCould fall and fall hardOut there on the dunes -
My Broken Foot
3 Jan 2010 | 3:56 pmIs there a better way than to receive the first day of the year and your foot is broken? That's what I got here! A broken left foot!At the evening of the 1st of January, I was coming down the stairs to fetch my cell. When I was on the 3rd lat stair, I decided to skip the last two stairs and I jump. Stupidly, I fell off the stairs on the left side of my left foot. I felt a terrible pain and I knew I broke some bone there but I tried to deny that and stand again on my feet. I pulled myself together and stood again but I couldn't hold it to stand on my injured foot. I quietly went to my bedroom… -
Welcome, Twenty Ten!
28 Dec 2009 | 1:12 pm'm sorry, fellas, for being lazy and idle. I didn't have the chance to publish many posts this year as it has been one busy task. I hope that the good Lord keep you in good health and spirits all through the year. This moment, I wish the best for you and everything that surround you. May God bless you.Happy New Year, everyone!Now I will leave you with some cartoons.. I hope you like them. -
Another Day in the Countryside
10 Oct 2009 | 12:47 amLast week i was visiting the countryside in Anbar, the birthplace of my father and grandfathers. It was my first time there since March 2005. I was invited to my cousin's wedding who he's 19 years old only. Many reasons forced me not go there to the countryside earlier and the most important reason that the whole Anbar governorate was dominated by Al-Qaeda and other terrorist armed groups who terrorized the local citizens there and excuted many of them. My other cousin told me that it was a knightmare for him when a bunch of gunmen attacked him in the middle of the road and forced him to stop…
-
Military Top Stories Center
-
NATO: Afghans Have Big Role in Offensive
8 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm -
Al-Qaida Deputy Surfaces After Airstrike
8 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm -
Rep. John Murtha Dies at 77
8 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm -
Iran Wants West to Supply Nuclear Fuel
8 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm -
Pakistan Arrests Bombers Targeting US
8 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pmAuthorities arrested six suspected Taliban militants with a suicide vest and hand grenades allegedly on their way Monday to attack a five-star hotel and kill Americans in Pakistan's cultural capital, police said. Police seized 26 hand grenades and five detonators from the militants, including a 14-year-old boy and a prayer leader.
-
A Soldier's Perspective
-
McManus Goes to Court, Jockstrap and All
8 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pmPlease note: This story on Michael Patrick McManus is rapidly developing. Please check the Michael Patrick McManus tag for the most up to date information. We here at ASP love the American justice system. It really is a great thing. I think it is safe to say that a small tear comes to our eye when we see criminals being lead into court house showing us such a fine example of the walk of shame with a. . .jockstrap on their head? No, it really isn't a jockstrap. Wait? Could that be? It's General Douchy McChinPubes! Michael Patrick McManus had his first day in court! Well! Isn't… -
Jakson Adams Is A Fraud
8 Feb 2010 | 9:21 pmI've been writing about the military dating scams for far too long. Far too long. I've recently decided to stop just talking about it and actually get involved. I have a little extra time on my hands since I'm alone in this here garage for a few months. So, I've started to converse with these morons. Interestingly, they're starting to disappear. It's amazing what happens when you challenge them. The key is to stick to one of just three questions to assure yourself that the person you're talking to is a fraud: 1. What is your AKO? 2. What unit are you in? 3. -
A Little Military Humor
8 Feb 2010 | 4:36 pmI told some Officer vs. NCO stories over on the You Served Blog and wanted to tell a quick joke here along the same lines. It's Monday – SMILE!! The Company Commander and the First Sergeant were in the field. As they hit the sack for the night, the First Sergeant said, "Sir, look up into the sky and tell me what you see?" The CO said, "I see millions of stars." 1st Sgt.: "And what does that tell you, sir?" CO: "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Theologically, it tells me that God… -
Veterans at risk for mesothelioma cancer, among other illnesses
7 Feb 2010 | 2:06 amAmerica is proud of those who have had the courage and made the sacrifices to serve in the United States Military. Unfortunately, as we know all too well, many veterans today still deal with mental and physical disorders as a result of their military service. These diseases range from mild to extreme and some are better known than others. One example of a lesser-known ailment that veterans encounter is related to toxic exposures. During the course of all United States conflict, and even in peacetime, military servicemen and women have often been exposed to harmful substances. One of the more… -
BREAKING: Douchey McChinPubes Arrested
5 Feb 2010 | 8:35 pmPlease note: This story on Michael Patrick McManus is rapidly developing. Please check the Michael Patrick McManus tag for the most up to date information. I got word this evening that Michael Patrick McManus was arrested this evening by the Houston FBI on charges related to the Stolen Valor Act. This is a huge victory for every single person who has served in the military. A big thanks goes out to ABC 13 in Houston for pushing this. Please visit their site for their full coverage. People who claim to have served, especially those whom wear our awards for valor, are have a special place in…
-
Secrecy News
-
Senate Holds, Filibusters, and the “Nuclear” Option
8 Feb 2010 | 10:23 amLast week, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) placed a “hold” on all of the Obama Administration nominations that are pending before the Senate, thereby preventing a vote on their confirmation. There are said to be at least 70 such nominations awaiting Senate action, including those of several senior defense and intelligence officials. Sen. Shelby, a man of flexible principles who has served as both a Democrat and a Republican, reportedly adopted the blanket holds in an attempt to compel the Administration to award certain defense contracts to his home state of Alabama. Shelby’s… -
Congressional Profiles
8 Feb 2010 | 10:19 amSeveral recent reports from the Congressional Research Service provide descriptive profiles of the present and past composition of Congress by race, ethnicity, gender, education, religion and occupation (all pdf). “Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile,” February 4, 2010. “Women in the United States Congress: 1917-2009,” December 23, 2009. “Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress,” February 1, 2010. “African-American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009,” February 2, 2010. -
CRS on Al Qaeda Affiliates, Rum Taxes
8 Feb 2010 | 10:17 amNew reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following (pdf): “Al Qaeda and Affiliates: Historical Perspective, Global Presence, and Implications for U.S. Policy,” February 5, 2010. “The Rum Excise Tax Cover-Over: Legislative History and Current Issues,” January 20, 2010. -
Limiting Knowledge in a Democracy
5 Feb 2010 | 7:18 amIn testimony this week before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair declared unequivocally that Al Qaeda would attempt to attack the United States within the next six months. “The priority is certain, I would say,” he told the Committee. This recalls nothing so much as the startling August 6, 2001 item in the President’s Daily Brief (PDB) that was entitled “Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in US” (pdf). But the 2001 warning to President Bush was classified at the highest possible level and remained secret for years… -
Twitter in Congress, and More from CRS
5 Feb 2010 | 7:16 amSome new reports from the Congressional Research Service that have not previously been made available to the public include the following (all pdf). “Social Networking and Constituent Communications: Member Use of Twitter During a Two-Month Period in the 111th Congress,” February 3, 2010. “Metropolitan Transportation Planning,” February 3, 2010. “Veterans Health Care: Project HERO Implementation,” February 3, 2010.
-
Stryker Brigade News
-
Photos: Soldiers Watch the Super Bowl
8 Feb 2010 | 9:12 amvia dvidshub.net Soldiers with 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division stay up late to enjoy some camaraderie and watch Super Bowl XLIV in the brigade conference room, Feb. 8. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Bryce S. Dubee) -
1-38th Commemorates 138th Day 'boots on Ground'
8 Feb 2010 | 9:01 amStory by Sgt. 1st Class Kristina Scott BAGHDAD – For Soldiers who are in the habit of patrolling the streets of Baghdad up to eight hours each day, meeting with key Iraqi leaders and training members of the Iraqi Security Forces, taking a day off now and then comes as a much-welcomed break. For Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, that day arrived Feb. 5. But the idea was not simply about taking the day off. Leaders decided that tying the numeric designation of the unit into the 138th day of "boots on ground" –… -
3-17 FA Transports Howitzers to FOB Price by Helicopter
8 Feb 2010 | 8:59 amStory by Pfc. Nathan Booth KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, completed the transfer of two M110 Howitzers from Kandahar Air Field to Forward Operating Base Price Jan. 16. It may seem like a routine task, but when the transfer takes place by two CH-47 Chinook helicopters, things get a little more interesting. "Well the first thing is that it enables us to keep the guns off of the road, so we won't be hit with [Improvised Explosive Devices] and become non-mission capable," said… -
Stirring Up Justice: 4-2 Field Artillerymen Turn Paper Plates Into Targets
8 Feb 2010 | 8:49 amStory by Sgt. Samantha Beuterbaugh BAGHDAD– A 20-foot high dune rises from the sand at Contingency Operating Location Justice, partially masking the bustling life of Baghdad in the distance. Soldiers hike to a quiet corner of the lifeless landscape. "Let's go!" a Soldier shouts. "The faster we get the range set up, the sooner we get out of here." Soldiers spring from the right and left sides of the mound, equipped with two-by-fours, large pieces of cardboard, thumbtacks, tape, paper plates and plastic bottles. Their intent: to construct a rifle range. With limited resources, the Soldiers… -
From My Family to Yours
8 Feb 2010 | 8:46 amStory by Pfc. Adrian Muehe DIYALA, Iraq – The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season in the United States is a popular time for donating and reaching out to those less fortunate families. However, for U.S. Soldiers stationed in Iraq, the giving season extends to all year around. It is very rare to find a Soldier in 4th Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, without candy or pens in their cargo pocket to hand them out to the hoards of children that tag along during community patrols or whom gather around during…
-
An Army Wife's Life
-
Valentines for Veterans 2010 to Benefit Sew Much Comfort
8 Feb 2010 | 6:18 pmOur veterans have done so much for our country. They give of their time, energy, and talents and sometimes they make the ultimate sacrifice. These men and women travel far from their loved ones, not just to fight wars, but to build roads and repair sewers, to rescue victims of natural disasters…to stand strong for those who are unable to defend themselves. My husband is a veteran of the war in Iraq. He has served as an Active Duty Field Artillery officer and currently commands a National Guard Battery. I am incredibly proud of him and all of those who have served with, before,… -
Interview with Lorrie Nichols of The Journal of An Army Wife
1 Feb 2010 | 8:49 amLorrie Nichols, who blogs at The Journal of an Army Wife, answered our questions about her life as an Army Wife. What topics do you write about on your blog? I generally write about what is going on in life at the moment. A big part of that is the journey my husband and I are on while he is getting his commission. Share a favorite post of yours: Just a Small Setback, I wrote it today after I got the news my husband is coming home from OCS early. This is just a small setback for us, a bump in the road, but not the end of the road for our journey. Tell us a little bit about your military… -
Call for Blogger Volunteers
29 Jan 2010 | 8:15 pmMy good friend, Debbie, and I have launched a new project, Bloganthropy (non-profit, 5013c pending). Bloganthropy combines the power of social media with the resources of corporate giving. The organization will support the volunteer projects of our fellow bloggers, publish posts about social media and non-profits, and implement 6-12 Bloganthropy charitable projects a year. We’re currently looking for volunteer bloggers to make Valentines for Veterans and help earn a donation of clothing for Sew Much Comfort. Click here to read more details and volunteer! And while you are there,… -
I Want You (for a blog interview)!
29 Jan 2010 | 11:22 amLet’s get to know more of the Military Spouse bloggers out there! If you are a military spouse (past or present, any branch, active duty, reserves, or national guard) and you have a blog where you at least occasionally write about your life as a military spouse, I would like to profile you and your blog on my site. Please e-mail me for the questions at candace [at] armywiveslives [dot] com. -
Absentee Landlords
30 Nov 2009 | 12:41 pmLike a surprising number of military families, we own more than one house. No, I’m not talking a lakeside summer retreat or a getaway at some tony ski resort. We have the home where we live now, and the house we purchased when we were stationed in Texas. When it was time to ETS, there was not much of a market. Base reorganization and frequent deployments meant that people were more interested in renting than in buying. Since then, the housing market has completely tanked, making selling even more difficult. Renting out a house in a military area is also complicated given the…
-
AF.mil Top Stories
-
MQ-1 Predator crashes in eastern Afghanistan
9 Feb 2010 | 9:07 am -
Kirtland munitions squadron decertified
9 Feb 2010 | 9:00 amThe 898th Munitions Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base was decertified Jan. 27, according to Air Force Materiel Command officials at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Decertification means temporarily suspending maintenance activities in order to complete corrective actions and ensure operations comply with the highest standards. Decertification was at the request of Brig. Gen. Everett H. Thomas, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center commander at Kirtland AFB. more... -
March C-17 crew completes mission to Haiti
9 Feb 2010 | 7:53 amA March Air Reserve Base C-17 Globemaster III aircrew returned home Feb. 1 after flying a five-day humanitarian mission to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The nine-member crew from the 729th Airlift Squadron took 171,400 pounds of cargo and 25 Army and Air Force servicemembers into Haiti and airlifted 263 evacuees and aid workers out in a C-17. March ARB officials have sent six missions and 40 Airmen to help move cargo into and evacuees out of Haiti since Jan. 15 as part of Operation Unified Response. They have evacuated more than 900 American citizens and legal aliens to the United States and… -
Feb. 8 airpower summary
9 Feb 2010 | 7:35 amCoalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air Operations in Afghanistan: Close-Air Support Bagram Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter anti-Afghan forces activity. more... -
Airmen provide intelligence needs for Red Flag
9 Feb 2010 | 7:10 amAirmen of the Core Intelligence Cell here are making sure every pilot who flies a Red Flag 10-2 mission is prepared to accomplish their goals and come home safely. For every mission a pilot at Red Flag flies, the CIC briefs them three times, and the briefers adopt a special mentality to do it. "We have to try to outsmart the bad guys," said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Dyck, the Red Flag CIC night NCO in charge deployed from the 48th Operations Group at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. "We try to figure out what they're going to do next so the pilots know what to expect. If we've done our…
-
This Military Mama
-
Hello Baby Boy!
26 Jan 2010 | 6:19 amJustin and I are expecting a baby BOY in May! Meet Liam :) His precious little face [since I didn't want to flash you his boy parts]We couldn't be more thrilled! Justin is thrilled to have one of each but he would truly be happy as long as the baby is healthy. It was such a joy to be able to have him with me to find out the sex of the baby. His joy is contagious and made the moment even better. -
Sneak Peek!
6 Oct 2009 | 9:39 amEvery Fall I feel the winds of change. Fall is my favorite time of year and it brings joy and fun and so much celebration. I feel the chance for change and new beginnings just tingling in the air.This fall though, I felt the winds of change deeper in me. In my heart and in my soul. I'm looking forward to whatever God has in store for me. God has been good to my family, blessing us in many ways, -
Review: Paper Culture Stationery
5 Sep 2009 | 8:05 amThere is nothing like a good old fashioned letter. I live for checking my mail. I love getting letters and invitations. I enjoy the ways people express an occasion through pen and paper, through designs of invitations and cards.I was thrilled when asked to be apart of a review for Paper Culture. It’s an eco-friendly very cool stationery and some amazing designs. I received a sample pack showing -
Wordless Wednesday: Meeting Tim Gunn
19 Aug 2009 | 5:42 amBecause it was just so AWESOME!Photo taken by the awesome @DarryleP -
Blog Anxiety
18 Aug 2009 | 4:09 amI have anxiety about my blog. I have anxiety about my writing. I just get so nervous... *sigh*I know! I know! It’s just a blog. My blog. And yet...There are tools counting your blogging worth all over the internet and at times I am frozen in place because of it. My fingers just sitting on the key board. My over thinking brain can go into over drive and give me every reason in the world not to
-
USO Girls
-
Happy Birthday USO
4 Feb 2010 | 3:30 amToday the USO is 69!H/T JodiA few things have changed since then.......but the love and support for our troops continues. I don't see that changing any time soon. Thanks for letting us be a part of your wonderful organization. No really, thank you for letting us in, past security and all. We really appreciate it. Happy Birthday USO, here's to many more! -
Nueva Casita Night!!
2 Feb 2010 | 7:49 amWe haven't been in forever, but it is the first Tuesday of the month and you know what that means... We will have to force ourselves to partake in margaritas, fajitas and sopapillas for the USO. Nueva Casita graciously donates half of every check on the first Tuesday every month to the USO. It's a hard job, but we are willing to take one for the team! If you reside in the greater DFW area come on out and join us. Nueva is at 75 and Northwest Highway directly behind the giant Half Price bookstore. Jamie even said she was going to sing tonight, I promise you won't want to miss it! -
Meet the New Contestants...
1 Feb 2010 | 8:29 amSo after some delicious gorgonzola sauce and 2 glasses of wine Jamie and I decided that we would make awesome Amazing Race contestants. She has endurance, and a competitive edge; I bring....ummm....a unique outlook on the world and a willingness to eat the weird stuff as long as it doesn't have mayonnaise on it. I think we would be entertaining to watch, it would be Mary and Rhoda travel the world...most likely we'd get out first round because the meanie player would manipulate us into feeling sorry for him...or we'd get lost because I refuse to accept that geography is a science...We started… -
Official USO Girl Anouncement!
28 Jan 2010 | 9:22 amJamie and I will be hitting DC again this year for the 2010 Milblog Conference. We love going and meeting all our blog friends. We don't consider ourselves serious milbloggers by any means but we love that for a weekend we can pretend like we are. Somehow last year we ended up in a meeting at the pentagon when we thought we were just getting a tour! Our previous excursions to the conference have been fun and exciting and we are hoping this year is no different. We look forward to seeing everyone again and who knows what exciting shenanigans this year may hold. -
Team Rubicon
21 Jan 2010 | 5:42 pmBadger Jake is back in the blog world and doing it for a cause that will save lives, organizing a team of former Marines, Soldiers and medical professionals to help with relief efforts in Haiti. Please check out Team Rubicon's site and make a donation, any amount, if you can. They have more teams willing and ready to head to Haiti, just need the funds to get there. You can actually see on a daily basis what your donations will fund by following their blog. Another reason why I love our military! And seriously, if I had to come back reincarnated as a dude it would be Jake. Reading about his…
-
The Sandbox
-
SHORT
5 Feb 2010 | 7:23 amSHORTName: Six Foot SkinnyPosting date: 2/5/10Stationed in: IraqHometown: Minneapolis, MNMilblog: Lost in the DesertIt’s gotten cooler here. I guess it’s “winter.” I hesitate to call it winter when back at home we occasionally have air temperatures (that means the temp without the wind-chill, to those of you in southern climes) in double digits below zero. I don’t miss that, but I promise I will do my best not to complain about it when I get home. Which is soon. We welcomed the change in weather here, because it means it’s just that much closer to the end. We won’t have to… -
PEOPLE: THE DIFFERENCE
4 Feb 2010 | 3:32 pmPEOPLE: THE DIFFERENCEName: KPosting date: 2/4/10Returned from: AfghanistanMilblog: Embedded in Afghanistan"It's not where you are but who you're with."The ANA tend to move around a fair bit. Some of the areas where they work are considerably "different" from others, so everyone moves around to give everyone the chance to experience the different places. The ETTs don't move around with the ANA; most of our guys have stayed in the same place for their whole tour. I'm one of the few that's moved around a lot, having been stationed at three different… -
BLASPHEMY
1 Feb 2010 | 5:46 pmBLASPHEMYName: Old BluePosting date: 2/1/10Returned to: AfghanistanMilblog: Afghan QuestThe idea’s being kicked around -- probably not by anyone who is capable or motivated to make a change in the policy -- but it has been heard by these ears plenty, and from plenty of people. Most of them have “been there, done that.” They have the little knickknacks on their apparel to show it. The idea itself is about the knickknacks; the badges. “Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges!” … -
COMFORT
28 Jan 2010 | 8:14 pmCOMFORTName: RN Clara HartPosting date: 1/28/10Stationed in: a civilian military hospital in the U.S.Milblog: From Our Perspective Email: clarahart2@yahoo.com I’d like to bring to your attention the military personnel now deployed to Haiti. Unlike those deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan, who frequently know they will be leaving at least a month, two months or even three months ahead of time, the personnel sent to Haiti were given minimal notice. My coworkers and friends deployed on the Navy’s hospital ship USNS Comfort had only four days notice. After they arrived off Haiti’s… -
FLIGHT OF TEARS
25 Jan 2010 | 9:11 amFLIGHT OF TEARSName: America's 1st Sgt.Posting date: 1/25/10Returned from: Iraq Milblog: Castra Praetoria Email: castrapraetoria1@gmail.com Flight of Tears and A List Of Countries That SuckSome months ago I recounted the tale of The Longest Day in which we couldn't possibly conceive of a flight to a combat zone being more arduous or lengthy. At the time we didn't consider the fantastic possibilities of our epic return flight from said combat zone.It all began with our ejection from the trailer park we were billeted in for seven months and transition into the…
-
The Stupid Shall Be Punished
-
Weekend Reading
6 Feb 2010 | 9:54 amCheck out this report on the Submarine Race in the Pacific, posted at The Heritage Foundation. (Disclaimer: A post from here is listed in the footnotes! I don't think I've ever been a footnote before.) -
Changing CO/XO Tour Paradigm?
6 Feb 2010 | 7:22 amWord on the street is that the Submarine Force Flag Officers are going to be discussing (at an upcoming "Clambake") the desirability of changing the current model whereby a submarine officer serves as XO on a boat for less than 2 years, then goes to shore duty, thence to PCO training and then a 2-3 year CO tour on a different boat. They're looking at the SWO/Airdale model, where a guy goes through PCO training, then shows up as XO, does that for 18 months, then relieves the CO and stays in command for another 18 months. The theory is, I suppose, that this could help reduce the number of Class… -
A Call For Civility
6 Feb 2010 | 7:15 amAs anyone who follows the news has seen, we've seen an uptick in incivility in the political discourse over the last several years in this country. Lately, though, it seems to have gotten even worse -- now you've got U.S. Senators calling political opponents "Tea Baggers" (I wonder if they'd mind if their opponents started calling progressives "Rim-Jobbers" because of their new focus on jobs), and you've got a former Congressman wanting to bring back voting literacy tests because he thinks there are too many "multicultural" people voting. Nothing pisses me off more than people who try to take… -
Duty Van Breakdowns
4 Feb 2010 | 5:59 amA reader sent in a picture of the Pasadena's duty van broken down on the side of the road yesterday outside of West Loch: My best story involving a duty van was previously recounted here. Do you have any good stories about trying to get out to (or back from) liberty? -
USS Flier Found
1 Feb 2010 | 3:26 pmSUBPAC announced today that the final resting place of USS Flier (SS 250) has been located and verified. Flier was sunk by a mine in the Philippines in August 1944; eight of 86 crew members survived the sinking to be rescued later that month. Hopefully this news can provide comfort to the families of the Submariners lost on this boat.
-
Army of Dude
-
Rocksteady Restrepo
2 Feb 2010 | 9:12 amMy ex girlfriend's best friend and former roommate had an odd, expensive and time consuming hobby. She would collect magazines, dozens of them, and clip out pictures she liked. I'm not sure what she did with them, but I couldn't help but see the consequences of it. Copies of Cosmopolitan and Vogue were littered across the living room and stacked onto bookshelves. Back issues of People were stuffed into drawers. I couldn't help but pick up an occasional magazine and flip through the cut and torn pages. A copy of Vanity Fair caught my attention with the words "Into the Valley of Death," a sharp… -
On Getting By
13 Jan 2010 | 12:21 amIn my previous post, I outlined some basic principles needed to successfully navigate the murky waters of education under the GI Bill. The challenges in dealing with the VA for education benefits are considerable, yet veterans new to college face an unfamiliar, unpredictable and strange environment on campus. If taken all at once, these hurdles can quickly overwhelm a student veteran and distract from the overall goal: to finish a degree on time with benefits to spare. Next week I will be in class for my fifth semester of higher education, and in my time I have tinkered with a system of how… -
Here to There: Tips and Tricks for the Student Veteran
29 Dec 2009 | 1:51 amFor many student veterans across the country, the first semester under the Post 9/11 GI Bill is in the books. Some of the smarter folks opted to stay with the old Chapter 30 until the new bill, Chapter 33, was fully worked out. Others chose to put their faith into the VA and went with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, much to the chagrin of bill collectors and landlords. It is not clear what the VA has learned since the Great GI Bill Kerfuffle of 2009, but it is evident that problems will continue into the new year. Its fully automated system won't be in place until December 2010, so for the next year… -
The Guns Fall Silent
16 Dec 2009 | 2:47 pmAfter a long hiatus I was set to post something today, but I caught wind of Blackfive leading a blackout of all milblog posting for today and in some cases, the rest of the week or more. The blackout is a show of solidarity for CJ Grisham, the founder of A Soldier's Perspective who has come under fire from his command after having the audacity to challenge PTA rulings at his children's school. Take a moment to read his story, and after you are sickened, donate to his legal fund:Grisham Legal Fundc/o Redstone Federal Credit Union220 Wynn DriveHuntsville, AL 35893This is a terrible thing that… -
The Thing I Carried - Special Edition
16 Nov 2009 | 11:25 pmA few weeks ago I had the pleasure of hearing Tim O'Brien speak at Texas State University about the art of writing. He read from a recent magazine article and entertained a few questions. During his book signing I presented a copy of "The Things They Carried" that I literally did carry in Iraq. Its edges were torn and bent, the pages browned by dust and sand. I brought an edited copy of an old favorite entry on here, The Thing I Carried, thanked him for the reading, and handed over the copy. The version I gave him is reproduced here. Enjoy.The Thing I CarriedOut of the Army and into school.
-
Defense Industry Daily
-
Rapid Fire: 2010-02-10
9 Feb 2010 | 8:00 amRussia’s top military officer says US missile defense in Europe should be curbed in new arms control treaty. Russia is developing the T-50 stealth fighter to rival F-22, but can aircraft... [summary] -
$48M to SSI for USAF Space Launch Services
9 Feb 2010 | 4:34 amSSI launch facilities (click to view full) Spaceport Systems International (SSI), a Lompoc, CA-based division of ITT Corp., received a $48 million contract to provide launch services for the Launch... [summary] -
Rapid Fire: 2010-02-09
8 Feb 2010 | 12:20 pmRussia’s revised official military doctrine to include preemptive nuclear strikes. France expects to decide in the coming weeks whether to sell 3 additional Mistral class amphibious... [summary] -
BAE Settles Charges With UK Fraud Office, US DoJ
8 Feb 2010 | 10:53 amBAE’s Hawk: over the top (click to view full) The UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has spent the last 6 years chasing BAE systems over allegations that bribes were paid to secure foreign... [summary] -
Russia to Order French Mistral LHDs?
8 Feb 2010 | 9:19 amFS Mistral (click to view full) France mulls approval of 3 more Mistral LHDs for Russia, amidst political pressure from Russia over Georgia, and concern by French allies. (Feb 8/10) In August 2009,... [summary]
-
Doc in the Box
-
Remember when..
22 Jan 2010 | 7:25 pmI got my first cell phone in 1999 through Quest and they immediately lost all of my information and every couple of weeks or so, I would call asking for a bill and to be moved to a higher minute plan and they would say my number wasn’t on their system and they couldn’t help me. This went on for almost a year till eventually I got a monstrous bill for a couple thousand dollars. I had been -
Chillin’ in Fallon
10 Dec 2009 | 11:05 amI drove out here last Friday and the skies were clear and blue, I arrived stopping by the commissary picking up my normal Det fare of sandwich makings and top ramen. My squadron trains F/A-18 pilots on how to fly and Fallon is one of the check-off blocks in the student pilot syllabus, my job was to provide medical support to the people we have deployed out here and side job, work on what -
I might be in love
20 Oct 2009 | 11:58 amWith something other than my bride, the new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV just came out. Over the past year or so, DSLR cameras have included the ability to shot video and I saw this video shot by the Mark IV back story can be found here. Wow, for someone who's taken some low light videos, color me impressed, the video was taken just using street lights, it sees better in the dark then the human eye. The -
Sear's Heroes at Home
15 Oct 2009 | 2:14 pmThis is a pretty good deal for active duty military, I did it last year and got a Sear's gift card in the mail.Sears invites all active military members to register for the Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry program. The Heroes at Home Wish Registry allows America to thank our military heroes and their families by donating to the program. All donations will be evenly distributed in the form of -
El Centro
15 Oct 2009 | 1:54 pmOne thing about medical, when business is slow, it means everyone is doing alright. I’m currently in El Centro this week and having a hard time finding gainful employment which is good but hate feeling like a slacker. El Centro is much like the base I was in Iraq would feel like if it had potable water and cable TV or how it would look like in a decade from now. Otherwise the countryside looks
-
From the Halls to the Shores
-
Sigh...
4 Feb 2010 | 6:29 pmAnd my Grandad - old sea salt that he was - continues to spin in his grave. He patched up wounded Marines on Peleliu so that he could have a personage as august as the President of these United States... well, just click.UPDATE: Oops... missed one. Hey, when somebody pulls off the trifecta ya gotta give 'em their due. -
Closing the book... at least awhile...
27 Jan 2010 | 3:11 pmTheo has the screen shot. I've been to Iraq twice - neither time being exceptionally taxing, mind you - but I'll happily never set foot there again all my live-long days if they'll let me. So this is a good thing from a multitude of viewpoints.But remember: a few years ago, the Corps was out of the Afghanistan business too. Now... not so much.And let this one blow your mind: most young Marines -
Truth in advertising
9 Jan 2010 | 7:31 am -
Old school, new year
31 Dec 2009 | 6:28 amWell folks, it looks like I'm gonna have to do it and pay for the "upgrade" to the comments. Brian suggested his commenting system, but I just can't find a way to fit it into my template. After six years, Blogger has gone through a great many changes, and I - being a creature of habit, or at least one who likes what I like - have not changed a thing. As such, the recommendations for what to -
Well, merry f***ing Christmas
23 Dec 2009 | 1:24 pmFor a while now, I've seen this thing called "Echo" pop up when I go into Haloscan to moderate my comments. See, I've had Haloscan on this blog since before Blogger had a comment feature (six years!) and it's done two things for me: worked just fine and been free.Now, "Echo" - whoever the hell they are - have bought out Haloscan and have given everyone two weeks notice to fork over 10 bucks
-
Miserable Donuts
-
The view from the Twilight Zone...looks OK
8 Feb 2010 | 4:49 pmA report from the twilight things look OK.I was at the Illinois National Guard Domestic Response Sourcing Conference this weekend, and what I saw was a vast relief to me. I guess, by way of some background information, I should explain...When I (and CSM Bones and the Inner Prop) left Afghanistan, I was almost frantic - I had offered to stay a bit longer to help with our replacement unit's transition. I was convinced they were not ready and events, sadly, showed this to be so. US Soldiers, Afghan civilians and others paid the price. When I got home I was crushed down by feelings that are hard… -
Asymmetric Warfare...at the Beginning
29 Jan 2010 | 8:57 pmThen Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, roseup early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of theMidianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too manyfor me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselvesagainst me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoeveris fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. Andthere returned of the… -
I've Signed Up for Another Tour
26 Jan 2010 | 7:36 pmOf Rugby I mean. I talked to the president of our local Rugby Club (DII Lake County Men's Rugby Club) yesterday and told him that I could go to practices and most likely all the games this season.The club was on it's last legs (they are down to 19 committed members before I said I'd go) and there was a chance they would disband.I figure this is the first full year that I have no Guard, family committments or FRG on weekends, so really in the 25 years I've been playing Rugby (Yes, Jac and I started in Feb of 1985) this will be the first year I don't have something that stops me from going.I… -
Help. Now.
15 Jan 2010 | 5:57 amGo here and help. Please.I had been waffling about where to donate - was probably going to go to the Salvation Army since I have worked with them twice before (1993 Mississippi Floods and Katrina Relief). You can still go there too!Since CSM Bones and I went to the orphanage in Charikar, Parwan Province, Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005 I have not looked at orphanages the same. Even moreso since I know two wonderful people here in the US that were adopted as kids and had a loving family, stable home and opportunity that kids in Haiti or Afghanistan, etc., will almost never get. -
FOB Chapman Hit
2 Jan 2010 | 11:35 amThis is bad. How did he get in there?I always thought that base was a waste of resources, what with Salerno so close by. I don't know why they didn't just combine the bases, but I guess all the secret squirrels didn't want to rub elbows with us regular Joes.I am really sorry to hear about this and send condolences to the families of the fallen. I hope they fix whatever shortfall was in place that allowed this to happen.LTC JOHN ADDS: See here for further.
-
LT Nixon Rants
-
Artistic License in War Movies
5 Feb 2010 | 1:14 amKate Hoit, aka GI Kate, an Iraq vet and internet buddy has an article about The Hurt Locker in Huffington Post that has solicited 400+ comments. She criticizes the film for lacking authenticity, being over the top, and its inability to get simple details correct like rank and uniform. It's tough to go up against a movie with a tomatometer rating of 97%(and the tomatometer don't lie), and the competition in the genre of Iraq/A-stan movie is really crappy, so that fact alone makes this movie look like Citizen Kane. Coincidentally, I saw the movie last night and thought it was pretty… -
Much Like Religion in General, Pope's Website Remains a Mystery
25 Jan 2010 | 6:22 amApparently, the "Pope2You View" Plug-In Has some BugsI'm not religious, but I'm not anti-religious or anything, so I decided to give the Pope's website (Pope2you.net) a look after Il Papa called for a new Christian Army of bloggers on Saturday:“Who better than a priest, as a man of God,” the Pope said, “can develop and put into practice, by his competence in current digital technology, a pastoral outreach capable of making God concretely present in today’s world and presenting the religious wisdom of the past as a treasure which can inspire our efforts to live in the present with… -
Unfathomable Hubris
21 Jan 2010 | 6:04 amMost amazingly lame and self-serving comment of the day comes from this Senate staffer who writes in to Talking Points Memo:My background is like probably the majority of staffers I know. I came to DC, from a far superior climate and quality of life, because I wanted to save the world.If only they had been given more money to dole out than the $787B in the stimulus monstrosity (which was too small of course), we could have really recognized how the new aristocracy in Washington had our best interests at heart. -
Some Non-Phonies For a Gloomy Sunday
17 Jan 2010 | 1:11 amOne of Those Days (Borrowed from Oddlyspecific.com)Anyone else bummed out about the so-called Tea Party Nation convention taking place next month in Tennessee? Charging over 500 bones to take part in a "populist" movement is about as appropriate as a Massachusetts Democratic Party campaign ad. The whole "We're Just Being Capitalists" argument doesn't really cut it, as politics is supposed to be about what's good for the country, not what's good for your pocketbook. The fact that money gets so involved both in DC and the grassroots leads to a whole slew of corruption and cronyism both at the… -
Who Would've Thought That a Public Official Would Be So Incompetent?
7 Jan 2010 | 9:56 pmFile Photo of Janet NapolitanoPresident Obama's national security team and the folks that keep America from getting blowed up has been, thankfully, a pretty decent bunch of individuals. However, one official stands out worse than a turd on the Thanksgiving table, and no Marueen Dowd puff pieces on Janet Napolitano's "determination" are going to prevent her from getting inevitably axed for gross incompetence. Here's the latest embarrassing statement to the press, which Jim Hoft has a transcript of, saying that the lone suicide bomber concept was something that caught Homeland Security with its…
-
The Captain's Journal
-
Covering for the Rules of Engagement?
8 Feb 2010 | 9:43 pmIt is important to recall the incident in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan that occurred approximately five months ago in which three Marines and one Navy Corpsman were killed in an Ambush. They twice requested air support and artillery, only to be twice denied it from hundreds of miles away because noncombatants may have been in the area. Taking a slight detour back to General McChrystal’s tactical directive, the new rules place a premium on protection of the population, even to the extent of backing away from fire fights if it is possible that noncombatants will be involved. In… -
Second Guessing the Battles of Wanat and Kamdesh
7 Feb 2010 | 7:42 pmThere are still lessons to be learned from the Battles of Wanat and Kamdesh in the Kunar and Nuristan Provinces of Afghanistan, respectively. The Executive Summary of the AR 15-6 Investigation into the complex attack at COP Keating has been released. It begins: On 3 October 2009, Soldiers of Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry, repelled an enemy force of 300 Anti-Afghan Forces (AAF) fighters, preserving their combat outpost and killing approximately 150 of the enemy fighters. US forces sustained eight killed in action and 22 wounded, all but three of whom returned to duty after the… -
Honoring the Navy Corpsman
4 Feb 2010 | 9:41 pmEvery Marine infantryman and parent or spouse of a Marine infantryman knows the value of a Navy Corpsman and the high esteem in which they are held by the Marines. They are technically in the Navy (while the Marines are only part of the Department of the Navy). They have had extensive medical training, and essentially serve as the doctors for the Marine infantry. But these doctors aren’t just there for medicine. They carry a rifle, they engage in combat, and they do all of the things that Marine infantrymen do. When the Marines go on twenty mile humps with full body armor,… -
Announcing the Marja Offensive
3 Feb 2010 | 8:57 pmFrom the WSJ: In a rare break from traditional military secrecy, the U.S. and its allies are announcing the precise target of their first big offensive of the Afghanistan surge in an apparent bid to intimidate the Taliban. Coalition officers have been hinting aloud for months that they plan to send an overwhelming Afghan, British and U.S. force to clear insurgents from the town of Marjah and surrounding areas in Helmand province, and this week the allies took the unusual step of issuing a press release saying the attack was “due to commence.” Senior Afghan officials went so far as… -
Afghanistan Logistics: It Isn’t Too Late To Do The Right Thing
2 Feb 2010 | 9:03 pmThere is more logistical trouble with the supply lines through Pakistan (lines which supply approximately 85% – 90% of our needs in Afghanistan). The first report has to do with a bridge near Peshawar. Suspected terrorists on Thursday blew up a bridge on a link road connecting Peshawar’s Badbher village to Khyber Agency’s Bara town, officials and locals said. A police official said the blast took place at around 1:30am. The bridge over the Frontier Road was blown up as police personnel travelled through the area, the official said, adding that the terrorists escaped the scene. He…
-
Afghan&Military Blog
-
Hey ABC News, give the credit where it is due
9 Feb 2010 | 8:38 amIf you read http://abcnews.go.com/WN/stolen-valor-challenges-fake-medals-met-criticism/story?id=9779478&page=1 you are led to think that the local ABC station in Houston are the ones who broke the store on McManus (Stolen Valor Douche). Myself and many other milbloggers are amazed that not only did the local station, KTRK not give any millbogs credit for bringing this to their attention or the FBI’s attention, but they also used the “Wanted” poster that was created by a milblogger in their broadcast. Now the National ABC news website is running a variation of the story… -
One Child at a time
9 Feb 2010 | 6:00 amU.S. Army Staff Sgt. Paul D. Ballesteros, with Bear Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, passes out colored pencils to Afghan children during a population engagement in a village in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on Jan. 28, 2010. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Francisco V. Govea II, U.S. Air Force. -
More Imposter Mcmanus updates; Affidavit filed in Federal Court
8 Feb 2010 | 10:21 amThanks to other milbloggers who sent this to me, I am posting below the Federal Affidavit that was filed in criminal court this morning against the Stolen Valor Imposter, Michael Patrick McManus. I have taken the liberty to highlight some key facts and surprises in the complaint. I have BOLDED them in the complaint for easy identification. If this is your first time reading this blog and have no idea what I am talking about, just keep scrolling down or click on the link category above that says “Pitchfork Brigade” AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF CRIMINAL COMPLAINT I, Christopher… -
Video of the Day: Imposter McManus being led into Federal Court
8 Feb 2010 | 9:53 amH/T to my bud over at the blog This ain’t Hell, but you can see it form here for turning me onto the video below. It shows this douche being led into court this Monday morning for his first court appearance. Also note he has his head wrapped up with what looks to be a diaper (or Jockstrap as TAH points out). He probably hurt himself in jail over the weekend banging his head into the wall while yelling “I am sooo STUPID, STUPID, STUPID” and hoping that he can claim police brutality or something. Lord knows he is not above lying or making up any store he can. -
Another Update on Stolen Valor Imposter; what his real rank was
8 Feb 2010 | 8:39 amBelow is a great article from the Houston Chronicle about McManus whom I have blogged about HERE and HERE. They highlight what his real rank was….he was a Private First Class. Yep, he never even breached the NCO corps. A Houston man was charged on Friday with allegedly impersonating a U.S. Army general by wearing a uniform decorated with more military honors than earned by famed Gen. George Patton. The FBI charged 44-year-old Michael P. McManus with five federal misdemeanors, accusing him of unlawfully wearing an unauthorized uniform embellished with some of the U.S. military’s…
-
WW1: Experiences of an English Soldier
-
Major Jono Wood 1956 - 2009
4 Feb 2010 | 12:58 amFollowers of the blog will be familiar with Jono's contributions. If you look down the left -hand side you'll see links to maps of the Italian campaign. There is a whole series of maps and images charting Harry's progress through Italy. They were all Jono's work. He picked up the blog quite early on and, with his own military background, quickly engaged with Harry and his activities.He volunteered to work on the maps. As Harry's battalion shifted location in Italy, he would email the annotated map for inclusion on the blog. He was the only person in the world who knew Harry's movements in… -
Constance Wilkinson Lamin (Connie) 1910 -1929
29 Jan 2010 | 12:52 pmClick any image to enlarge it.Connie appears regularly in Harry's letters. He obviously has a great deal of affection for this little girl.When I started the blog, I knew nothing about her. I hadn't really looked at the two or three photographs in the "bits & bobs" box. She'd certainly never been mentioned in any family conversations that I could remember. Sister Anita knew nothing about her. But, as she was frequently and affectionately mentioned in Harry's letters, there was research to be done.Connie aged three.The official facts;The Birth Certificate tells us that she was born on the… -
Harry's Song
19 Jan 2010 | 10:30 amAs the first "extra", I'll post Harry's Song.It may not be a masterpiece, but after being told all my life that music wasn't my forte, (thank you Nottingham High School) I'm extremely proud of producing something that Harry's experiences initiated. Thanks to Shaz Adams, the singer.Anyway, you don't have to listen. Turn the sound down and watch the slide show of images from the book and blog.Positive comments would be astonishing. Next week, Constance Wilkinson Lamin (Connie). BL -
Harry's Home. The last letter, 12th January 1920
11 Jan 2010 | 8:32 amJan 12th/ 192019 Mill StreetIlkestonDear JackJust a line to let you know that I have got home at last for good. I got demobilised on Thursday, and got home at 9 0 clock on Friday morning from Ripon. Ethel thanks you for the 10/- you sent. We are all in good health except for me I have just a bit of a sore throat but I hope it is well in a day or two. the weather is very wet just now. I dont know whether I shall start at Trumans or not, they seem to be quite busy just now. I will write again soon and let you know what I am going to do.With best Love to youboth … -
Card to Jack, 6th January 1920. On the way!
5 Jan 2010 | 11:53 pmJan 6/1920Dear JackJust a line to let you know that I am alright. We have left Marseilles after having three days their. We were allowed out. its a fine big city and you meet all sorts of people. At present I am in Calais and hope to be in England by Thursday at Ripon if good luck. Hope to be seeing you soon. With love HarryNearly home! I would think that a train from Marseilles, retracing the route he took in November 1917, is the most likely method of travel. 3 days in Marseilles, 24 hours in the troop train - that about accounts for all the time. I wonder what "all sorts of…
-
Acute Politics
-
Remembering
8 Feb 2010 | 8:18 amTo Absent Companions!It's been three years now, and I can still taste the dirt, still feel the loss, and still remember watching my platoon slowly inching home. Rest in Peace: SGT Jim HoltomSGT Ross ClevengerPFC Raymond Werner~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SSG Nickel almost died 3 years ago, too, and he's fighting his own battle back here at home now. We could use you to write letters and lend support. Go read Badger 6 for the background. " So the issue for those of us interested in Staff Sergeant Nickel's treatment is this, can we get the prosecutor to be more flexible and… -
Winter Reading
14 Jan 2010 | 4:36 pmI had one heck of a hectic semester of school this term. By the end of November, I was devoting a ton of time to keeping ahead in my classes- more than I have since I've been back to school after Iraq. I did well, though, and I only have one more tough semester ahead before I graduate. This term will be fairly easy- some light math, physics, and a little American history to keep my mind active (and fufill those wonderful core requirements). I've been blogging somewhat regularly about what I've been cooking. I know that's not why a lot of you come to this blog, but if you find that sort of… -
The 11th hour...
11 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pm...of the 11th day of the 11th month...Happy Armistice Day, everyone. May someday all war actually cease.To the veterans among you, thank you, and to the rest, thank you for supporting us.I was walking from class today. The air was crisp, and the flag in the quad fluttered gently at half mast. In that moment, I felt more melancholy than I have all week as I remembered a few veterans.Staff Sergeant George Nickel. He's still in jail, looking at a possible plea deal being offered by the prosecutor (I refuse to speculate that she has realized she has an unwinnable case).The combat wounded, combat… -
The Continuing Story
13 Oct 2009 | 2:29 pmThe VA jumped in to try to right the problems faced by thousands of veterans who switched over to the "Post-911 GI Bill" who then experienced delays in getting their money. This is now called the VA GI Bill Emergency Payment process, and it pays out a $3000 advance to anyone enrolled in college with post-911 active duty service. Unfortunately, it sounds like it can be hard to get banks to take the emergency checks.Rock, meet hard place.I'm so glad I didn't switch over this year.In the time I save not having to worry about my GI Bill coming through, I read. I've got Children of Dust coming in… -
Et tu, VA?
25 Sep 2009 | 8:12 amThe Washington Times reports that thousands of veterans have been approved for GI Bill funds but have not received their money:The Veterans Affairs Department blamed a backlog of claims filed for GI Bill education benefits that has left veterans who counted on the money for tuition and books scrambling to make ends meet. (clip)Out of more than 277,000 veterans who have filed for the college tuition benefits this semester, more than 200,000 claims have been processed and approved, but fewer than 11 percent of the veterans have received the funding, according to the Iraq and Afghanistan…
-
ArmyWifeToddlerMom
-
you do realize it is 11:26 pm
7 Feb 2010 | 9:26 pmI am sitting here with a towel on my head letting my hair color cook, and boiling 8 eggs for breakfast, and it is 11:23pm. Frankly I should be doing my Wii Fit Plus, because the cold, and the winter, and my love of comfort foods has caught up with me. I just need to move. So I will work on scheduling this in. tomorrow night will be easy. Everyone in the house but me will go to Boy Scouts. I can do it then. And now I have to figure out where to schedule it in to every day. My brain misses my Yoga. My body misses my pilates. WE have just been seriously busy, and well work. I work about 3o hours… -
Just you shut your mouth.....(China Girl~ David Bowie)
3 Feb 2010 | 9:49 pmPsychologist visit was confusing, but ok. I think the Dr. is on the same page, and he will come with us to school, and help advocate for a different academic program, and try to help the teachers with the behaviors. I do not think he HAS to do this, but he agreed. He sees the school year as we do, a FAIL. The discrepancies in paperwork are the problem right now. On the paperwork the school filled out, well you would think we had an out of control situation. However, when I take in the communication with the school, including report cards, and mentor reviews his behaviors meet school… -
I do not think it is Asperger's....
1 Feb 2010 | 9:18 pmTomorrow is visit 3 with the Psychologist. First visit, the Dr. met with Dad and I, second visit the Dr. met with SR. WE have filled out all sorts of paperwork test fill in the dot thingys, one of those was for ADHD, one for Giliam Asperger's syndrome. We were not the only people to fill these out, school filled them out as well. (I am unhappy about that). Tomorrow is visit number 3, which I am guessing is diagnosis day. I am pretty sure I know what this Dr. will say, and I am prepared to go to a different Dr. if that is the case. 3 years ago, I would have said possibly Asperger's. Now, not… -
student of the week
1 Feb 2010 | 8:51 pmPN was made student of the week by her art teacher today. She has been waiting ALL YEAR for this, and did not understand why she did not get it months ago. She listens, follows directions...everyday. MY guess is all students eventually get it, but why it took so long, I have no idea. However PN was thrilled, and proud. Let me note this is the same teacher that engages my 2nd grade son in arguments, and frankly I think she would rather not have my son in her class. A personality conflict, I think that is what they call this. I am guessing SR will not get student of the week in her class. About… -
A song for Sunday
30 Jan 2010 | 10:29 pmOne of PN's favorite songs to sing...
-
Bullet Wisdom
-
Bullet Wisdom is changing
25 Jan 2010 | 3:26 pmNot all at once, but slowly. I plan to gradually shift the content of my blog over towards my writing efforts. While I was on hiatus from the blog since last April, I got bored and wrote a book. That touched off a mad obsession that took up the rest of my free time during my stay in Iraq. The result is two YA novels completed, a third underway, and plans for a fourth.I joined the Online Writing Group at KelleyArmstrong.com and entered my first novel in the Amazon Breathrough Novel Award and plan to participate in another contest over at Kidlit Contest. So bear with me if I begin to bore my… -
Watched Hurt Locker... again.
24 Jan 2010 | 7:11 amI want to like Hurt Locker. I tried to like Hurt Locker. I bit my lip and sat on my profession and gave the film another chance. People tell me it's well written, well directed, and well acted. This time, I watched the film with a collection of non-military family and friends. I gave it an honost try.However... HURT LOCKER SUCKS.This remains the single-most unrealistic and unprofessional portrayal of Soldiers in Iraq to date. The Sergeant in this film would have gotten totally burned by his chain of command five minutes into the film. The problem is I'm too close to this and have way to much… -
Sitting Around a Map
19 Apr 2009 | 6:28 amAnother crowded, smoke-filled room with forty or so people gathered around another long table with a projector at the end throw up a picture of a map on a too-small screen. From my position, the whiny fan on the aged Canon digital projector obscures the voices coming from the other end of the long, rectangular room. Today at the command center, many of the provincial players from nearby Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) gathered at our weekly meeting. Normally used to discuss the previous weeks SIGACTS, or Significant Actions, the agenda from this week was to highlight the impact of the ISF ongoing… -
Being There is Easy, Not Being There is Hard
3 Apr 2009 | 4:56 amWe sat in a long conference room staring at a projection of our counterparts' planned mission. It was a brigade level sweep of a nearby area, plagues of late by an increase in violence and insurgency. A few weeks back, insurgents targeted and successfully assassinated a local Sheik and his family with a roadside bomb. Two weeks later, gunfire killed his chosen successor. The pattern was clear: assassinate influential Sheiks with ties to the Coalition and the Sons of Iraq. Reestablish a stronghold for the insurgency in a rural area where Coalition Forces rarely travel.Different interpretations… -
Sons of Iraq
22 Feb 2009 | 5:41 amLast week, my team travelled to Tikrit to sit in on a transition meeting between the Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces and contractors representing almost 10,000 Sons of Iraq contractors from our province. On March 1, the process for transition supervision and responsibility for Sons of Iraq (SOI) formally begins in the Salah ah Din province. There are over 2,000 alone in my area, and over the next several months, the Prime Minister ordered all to transition to the employ of either the Ministry of Defense or Interior (Army or Police) or to a position somewhere with the Government of Iraq.So who…
-
Gazing at the Flag
-
Korean War Memorial Under Snow
8 Feb 2010 | 8:45 amKorean War Memorial, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010,AP Photo/Jacquelyn MartinSnow covers the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. AP Photo/Charles DharapakWhen you read about or hear stories about the Korean War,there is always discussion of the sleet, the snow, the bitter cold.I think the statues look like I think of the Korean War in these pictures.Previous Korean War Memorial Posts:Visiting the Korean War Memorial with an Iraq Vethttp://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2009/07/visiting-korean-war-memorial.htmlKorean War Armistice ~ 56 Years… -
Face of Freedom ~ Capt Scott Smiley Takes Command ~ Blind Warrior Excels
3 Feb 2010 | 10:08 amTiffany Smiley holds her youngest son while watching her husband Capt. Scott M Smiley salute the colors during the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Unit change of command ceremony Feb. 1, at West Point, N.Y. Capt. Scott M. Smiley speaks briefly as his cadre stand in formation after he accepted command of the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Unit at West Point, N.Y.Capt. Scott M. Smiley grins while passing the guidon back to 1st Sgt. Deon E. Dabrio during the change of command ceremony Feb. 1, for the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Unit at West Point, N.Y. Photo Credits: Tommy Gilligan.WEST POINT, N.Y. -
Special Forces in Agfghanistan
1 Feb 2010 | 12:08 amU.S. Special Forces are extracted from a mountain pinnacle in Zabul province, Afghanistan, by a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade after executing an air assault mission to disrupt insurgent communication.U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Aubree CluteClick Picture to EnlargeSome things these guys do are just too amazing for words! -
Face of Freedom ~ Dr. Anil Menon, Oregon National Guard
31 Jan 2010 | 8:36 amDr Anil Menon is in the center of this group.Oregon Air National Guard Flight Surgeon, Dr Anil Menon,is in Haiti with a team from Stanford Medical CenterTo follow his journey - the dispatches are brief and interesting: 1/16/2010 - Stanford doctor's first person account of helping in Haiti1/16/2010 - Another Haiti Dr. Dispatch1/17/2010 - Dr Menon is in Haiti1/17/2010 - People with Broken Limbs were so Numb They Don't Cry1/17/2010 - My Day Was Horrible1/18/2010 - Today Was More Hopeful1/19/2010 - You Were Here when We Needed You, And I Love You1/20/2010 - Aftershock - Reporter Jumps Out of… -
Oregon Doctor Heads to Landstuhl ~ Meet Dr David Street
29 Jan 2010 | 12:01 amDoctor Heads to Landstuhl to Volunteer His TalentsA Medford, Oregon vascular surgeon, Dr. David L Street, is leaving for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, to volunteer for two weeks treating wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan."I don't know what I'm walking into," he said. "I look at it as a chance to help guys that help us out. It will be vascular and a lot of general surgery. I don't know the need or opportunity, but will figure it out and be willing to go again if needed."In a news release from his clinic, Street said, "There's a time in your life when it's just time to…
-
One Marine's View
-
Never take it for granted
2 Feb 2010 | 7:03 amShit happens fast and before you know it things have changed for certain that cannot be changed back. You must never take for granted what you are doing. For, what you are doing is consuming resources that you only get a limited supply of. Stop and look at what you are doing. Is it really what you should be doing? Are you doing what you really want to do or have to do at this time? When we lose a warrior, a part of you goes with them. You may not have known everything about him or known his favorite color but you do know he is a Marine and willing to sacrifice everything to make something bad… -
Al Qaeda blamed for Quran burning
30 Jan 2010 | 5:01 amGang- Below is an article of yet another attempt by the enemy to action a desperate tactic against us. It didn’t materialize as we mustered locals, silenced crowds and educated locals to ensure they understood that the enemy is desperate and apparently has no respect for their holy book or religion as they destroy it during lies against their own people. Your Marines continue to take the fight (daily) to the enemy despite dozens of planted pressure plate IEDs and ambushes. The winter hasn’t slowed any attacks, only the high tempo is squashing the enemy’s actions. You would be very… -
Making a difference
25 Jan 2010 | 10:26 amAre we making a difference? We have been in country for some time now. We have seen the area go from bad to good in weeks. Local nationals defending what is theirs against an intimidating enemy, which is a huge step for the evolution in the area. To have a local populace stand against an armed enemy and defend what is theirs is a key step in victory as it was in Iraq. The enemy is getting desperate and now with a visible surge in effect, many enemy are wondering what to do next. Your Marines are relentlessly hunting down the enemy and defeating them where they thought they owned the area. … -
An update from Afg.
20 Jan 2010 | 3:05 amGang- It’s been a very busy couple of weeks around our neck of the woods. Bad guys getting froggy, temperatures dropping, and ill tempered mice massing in large groups! …It’s all good, no worries. Your Marines are doing great things around the area. With continued operations that pin the enemy back into unmaneuverable positions we continue our progress forward. Many people ask me, “Are we really making a difference here?” Being the second go around for me here, I can tell you it’s 100% better than the first time I was here. In a more closer look to the area, I can tell you that… -
Your Navy docs Rock!
14 Dec 2009 | 3:32 amThe other night as we concluded the day, two patrols were under attack and fought off a small group of enemy. Relentlessly pursuing the enemy when we find them they continue to realize we are a force to contend with. With the kinetic operations being conducted on one hand, a surgeon gets notified that a local national is suffering from a separate unrelated injury and is losing a lot of blood. The weather is past deteriorating and is now terrible. Fog so bad you couldn’t see 10 feet ahead of you with drizzle. The docs worked their magical touch and was able to stabilize the local national…
-
The Life of the Wife
-
Odds n Ends
6 Feb 2010 | 1:00 pmOk, I'm going to give y'all an earnest post.I just bought some new knives and I am super pumped! I got a set of J.A. Henckels Twin Pro S to replace the set of Henckels Stylus I got for a wedding present. I use "I" because...my darling hubby does not cook. Ever. :) The Stylus set just didn't hold the kind of edge I wanted. I had to sharpen them about once a month, which is way too often in my opinion. I called my dad, a knife guru, to ask which set of Henckels to buy. Twin Pro S it was. And thank you Macy's for having insane sales.My parents have also informed me that we will be spending a… -
Okay, I hope this is the last depressing one
30 Jan 2010 | 12:24 pmOkay, I am slowly coming to grips with my injury. I have devoured as much reading material as I can on the subject and have learned that if I don't take strict rest now, I could wind up with a hip replacement in less than a year. Putting me on bedrest has been discussed in which case I would want to curl up and die. I believe I said, "Bedrest?! But I'm not even pregnant! BALLS"A small part of me thinks that because the pain isn't horrible that I must surely be getting better. Yeah, about a bazillion people on athletic forums thought the same thing and then they really broke their hip. This… -
27 Jan 2010 | 3:05 am
27 Jan 2010 | 3:05 amGuess what this post is about??Well, I was given crutches to use all the damn time on Monday. I hate them. I already have huge welts on my arms and rib cage. Oh and bruises.Have you ever tried using crutches on ice/snow? It sucks.I went to a "doctor" on the economy today. Maybe I don't understand German medical approaches, but I thought he would want to see my MRI and maybe examine me. Or ask me what kind of pain I was in. You know, the basics. Here's what happened: I come into the exam room and discover that my appointment was made with the "hand surgeon". So I guess the "hip" man comes in. -
No...it really is
23 Jan 2010 | 1:29 amThere is something about the phrase "stress fracture" that makes people think you don't really have a broken bone. I found myself explaining repeatedly last night to my husband that I am 25 and have a broken hip.I'm going to be honest with you--I'm bummed about it. I won't be allowed to run or do any leg based cardio for between 4 and 6 months. Yes, I don't have to have surgery (as we know right now). I did research on my injury last night and it is more serious than I thought. It is not like a stress fracture in the foot. It is an indicator of other more serious diseases. This fracture could… -
Diagnosis Day
22 Jan 2010 | 4:19 amWell, my MRI was barely 12 hours ago. The doctor called all of my phone numbers trying to get a hold of me. I was excited at first because I had never received such treatment from Tricare! Then I thought about it...if they really want to get a hold of me, they probably don't want to tell me it was all in my head.Anyway, the diagnosis is a severe stress fracture on the femoral neck (top part of the "leg bone") inside my hip joint. If I heal within a reasonable amount of time (a few months), they won't have to do surgery! The bad part is that I will have to refrain from most exercise. No…
-
Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys..
-
Today's Medal of Honor Moment for 9 February
9 Feb 2010 | 4:12 amThere are four Medals awarded for actions on this day, three of them posthumous, all of them from the modern era.World War II. A rough day in the fight for Manila in 1945. Three Medals to the same battalion, two of them to a very dangerous BAR team. Three Privates, the likes of which make winning wars that much more likely, if their efforts aren't squandered by the folks senior to them.*CICCHETTI, JOSEPH J. Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Place and date: South Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 9… -
West 2010: General James Cartwright
8 Feb 2010 | 7:20 am"We are a nation at war," GEN Cartwright said in preface to the meat of his speech, "And it is killing our young soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines...and that must be the center of our budget planning decisions." -
Today's Medal Of Honor Moment for 8 February
8 Feb 2010 | 5:10 amThere are two Medals awarded for actions on this day, both during World War II. One was posthumous.World War II. Two tough small unit leaders.HUFF, PAUL B. Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion. Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 8 February 1944. Entered service at: Cleveland, Tenn. Birth: Cleveland, Tenn. G.O. No.: 41, 26 May 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, in action on 8 February 1944, near Carano, Italy. Cpl. Huff volunteered to lead a 6-man patrol with the… -
The Militaria Show - in which I (supposedly) put myself in Great Peril...
8 Feb 2010 | 4:32 amAs KCSteve noted in the comments to one of Saturday's double-posts about the Fort Leavenworth Militaria Show, he made it there and took some pictures. Click this link to go see them. A couple of points - the pistols KCSteve believes are mine, are not - they belong to my buddy Beau, who had the most Kewl Stuff there of the four of us (Charley, Beau, Jim and myself). For you M1911 fans, Beau had a Singer and a Union Switch and Signal, just to tease a bit. He also had a M1903A4 sniper, Johnson M41, and a registered DEWAT Thompson M1928A1... -
A good start
8 Feb 2010 | 4:04 amMy state representative, Melanie Meiers, is back from her deployment to Iraq and has resumed her seat. This post isn't about Melanie, her deployment, or her political leanings (she's a Democrat) - it's about the state budget, based on information Melanie put out.Kansas has a balanced budget requirement. In times like these, that causes some real pain. Which is okay. Leviathan (even a relatively small-l leviathan like Kansas state government) should feel the pain their constituents feel - in ways that many state, and the federal, gov't employees do not.I like…
-
Neptunus Lex
-
Come out of Charity
9 Feb 2010 | 8:23 amSticking with today’s Euro theme our gaze turns to Ireland, the land of my mother’s people. It seems like only yesterday that the Irish punt gave way to the euro, but time has run on and now the hand of distant Brussels reaches over to Eire: THE EUROPEAN Court of Human Rights is considering a case that could lead to the end of the current system of jury trial, The Irish Times has learned. However, the Government has robustly defended the Irish jury system in a document submitted to the court. This follows a decision last year from the human rights court, in a case against Belgium,… -
Free Speech
9 Feb 2010 | 7:59 amCitizens of the Netherlands have no enshrined, constitutional right of free speech, which has led to the travesty of a man being tried for speaking his mind. In the US, of course, people do have a nearly unlimited right to spout off in the face of government, a fact that the US media has often happily turned to advantage. So it’s a more than a little ironic that while the Geert Wilders trial unfolds in Holland, so little is being said over here, either about the cultural issues in play, or the underlying and dominating issue of the state’s smothering an inconvenient citizen. This… -
Evropa
9 Feb 2010 | 7:34 amFor many of us here in the colonies, the Old Europe became gradually less interesting after the Berlin Wall came down, except as a tourist destination. German reunification was an interesting blip, as was the experiment of the single monetary policy. The apparent trend was of a peaceful, settled continent whose future would look much like its recent history did, with quaint local twists adding flavor to a genial, cradle to grave social democracy. Interesting things were now happening in more dynamic regions like the Pacific Rim, in South Asia and Brazil. But Europe may be getting… -
Bad Old Days
8 Feb 2010 | 4:04 pmIt was sometimes easy for veteran Cold Warriors to miss the old days, when at least we had a clear vision of who the enemy was, and that the enemy – although objectively on the wrong side of history – at least wore a uniform and was rational. Strategic deterrence was founded on a “MAD” principle, but we had the satisfaction of knowing that the adversary made cost-benefit analyses whose math you could follow, and potentially even influence. Farewell to all that in the GWOT, and worse yet, the Bear hasn’t tired of making himself a nuisance: As France finalizes deal… -
De Mortius
8 Feb 2010 | 12:33 pmNil nisi bonum. But sometimes it’s hard.
-
Murdoc Online
-
Turbo Tax and the Ask a Tax Expert Rip-Off
9 Feb 2010 | 4:59 amTurbo Tax:Choose EasyBut look very closely before doing so. They may be trying to trick you. Murdoc has used Turbo Tax Online for many years now, and he’s always been happy with the service. Until last night. While going through a few things, I saw that I had been charged for their ‘Ask a Tax Expert’ offer, even though I had not wanted it. After wading through hundreds of complaints on their forum, I just sent a message in directly stating that I had not wanted to sign up and that it looked like users were unable to get out of it without starting completely over with a new… -
Boy Scouts Turned 100 Today
8 Feb 2010 | 8:27 pmAlmost forgot to mention this: Boy Scouts Celebrate 100 Years of Camping, Service Like Jim Kirk, Murdoc was never a Boy Scout. But my son is in Scouts and it is a great program. Happy Birthday, Boy Scouts. Also see: After 100 Years, Are The Boy Scouts Still Relevant? A lot of people say no. Probably not coincidentally, most of the people I know who say that are the people I know who I disagree with the most strongly on political and societal issues. I believe that a number of items in the “The Case Against Scouting” section of the linked article are misstated or just plain wrong. -
Murtha
8 Feb 2010 | 12:21 pmSomeone just emailed me to say that John Murtha has died. UPDATE: Story. -
Green Police
8 Feb 2010 | 11:20 amHaven’t had time to look around for commentary on it, but is Murdoc the only one who didn’t think that “Green Police” commercial [was all that] funny? UPDATE: First, Smallest Minority is talking about it. Second, here’s the commercial: Third: Somewhere I saw this: Buy guns not Audis -
Old-School Sniper Takes Some Cracks
8 Feb 2010 | 6:05 amIn today’s Shooting Wire (scroll down to Jim Shepard’s feature): It was a simple question 84-year old Ted Gundy put to the guys at Shooting USA’s Impossible Shots: “How is it possible for snipers today to hit targets from such long ranges?” From most of us, it would have been a gee-whiz kind of question, the kind that gets a polite “thanks for watching, snipers use….” kind of form letter response. But Ted Gundy wasn’t just another TV fan. Gunday was asking about today, based on his own experiences from yesterday. Gundy was a sniper in WW2…
-
instapinch.com
-
John Murtha has died.
8 Feb 2010 | 12:20 pmNews here. It is considered impolite to speak ill of those who have passed away, so I will refrain from any comments at this time. -
Don’t You Eat That Yellow Snow…..
8 Feb 2010 | 8:07 amWe had a bit’o weather this past weekend. We ended up with just under 21″ of snow. For some of you out there, that might be a light dusting, but for us it is in the Top Ten of all time for this area. Add that to the 16″-plus we had in December and the expected 5-10″ forecast for tomorrow evening/night and you have the highest snowfall in the DC area since Moses was a little kid. Poor Sarah…she’ll be going to school, this her senior year, into July probably. Al Gore…Mr. Al Gore…please pick up the courtesy phone in the lobby of the Hotel… -
Retired Whiskers
6 Feb 2010 | 7:53 pmLate, but as promised. -
U2 Carrier Landings
3 Feb 2010 | 1:13 pmBack in the 60’s a test program was established to see how US aircraft would/could operate off aircraft carriers. USS America (CV-66) was used, as was USS Ranger (CV-61) and Kitty Hawk. This film shows that you can land almost ANYTHING on a carrier, if you wanted to/needed to. From Aerospace Web: The idea started in the late 1950s when the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was looking for a way to overcome the range limitations of the U-2. Possessing a useful range of about 3,000 miles (4,800 km), the U-2 simply could not reach every location of interest to the CIA given the locations… -
Sunrise….Start of a New Day, 2 Feb 2010
2 Feb 2010 | 8:09 pmVirginia Beach. Cold and snowy. The last time it snowed this much there I was climbing into the backseat of F-14s. They have this HUGE statue of King Neptune down there on the beach – pretty neat. Only bad thing is the beast was cast in…yep, you guessed it…China. Some cool reflections of the sunrise on the hotel…double click it to enlarge and you can see a boom box inside the room made into a sort of redish ghost. One last one….called solitary.
-
SpouseBUZZ
-
Homefront Team
9 Feb 2010 | 6:00 amI already mentioned I liked Etsy, and I know I am not alone in this. But did you know that Etsy sellers have the ability to form teams? They do and there is one for milspouses. I think that is awesome!The Homefront Team is made up of milspouses stationed all over the world and selling all different kinds of homemade goods. Searching etsy with 'homefront team' will pull up all items tagged by milspouse sellers. Happy browsing!As if that wasn't enough they also have a blog and a facebook fan page to keep up with. If you have a shop or know… -
Perspective, Revisited
8 Feb 2010 | 11:04 amOn Thursday I went in for my 36 week appointment. I had a month left until my due date and my husband had finally gotten permission to come home in two weeks or so. Life was working out perfectly.And then the nurse told me I was very dilated and effaced and to expect the baby any day.I'm sorry, what? I called my mother who immediately started packing a bag to come be with me early. I called a friend to come stay with me through the night. I called my friend's mom, a nurse, and we decided I would put myself on bed rest.And then the phone rang and it was the… -
What to Wear
6 Feb 2010 | 5:42 pmToday's subject is totally frivolous, yet consumes so much energy: What to wear when your spouse is coming home? I really thought that we had covered this here at SpouseBUZZ, but I can't find it in the archives, so there won't be any links to other people's crazy homecoming wardrobe mishaps.My husband is coming home sometime soon and I was thinking that I should probably figure out what I'm going to wear. I've never been much of an outfit planner - last deployment, I just grabbed a pair of pants and a t-shirt. Of course, I had just had a… -
Feather Weight Challenge - Weigh In 3
5 Feb 2010 | 12:18 pmToday I went out and braved the approaching Snowpocalypse to do my weekly weigh in and to make sure I got in a kick-boxing class before holing up with some movies, a stockpile of cheese, and my latest book of choice. But before I get to my weigh in results... I have to say I nearly lost a week of workouts. I went to my regular boxing workout on Monday, then decided to run on Monday night while Daughter #2 was at swim team practice. Actually, the running kind of hurt. The running REALLY hurt on Tuesday morning when I figured out that I had somehow strained a muscle… -
"Dear John"
5 Feb 2010 | 5:00 amToday the movie “Dear John” comes out in theaters. I read the book a couple of months ago and had mixed feelings about the ending. As a military spouse, any movie that might involve anything military automatically catches my attention. Nicholas Sparks? Double check. Channing Tatum in a military uniform? Triple check. Although as tempting as the trio was, I didn’t think I would want to see the movie based on the book’s ending but now that I can’t turn on the tv without coming across a commercial for it and hearing, "Two weeks, that's all it took for me to fall for…
-
ArmsControlWonk
-
Seibersdorf!
9 Feb 2010 | 5:17 amJosh Pollack happened upon this amazing video of Safeguards Analytical Laboratory at Seibersdorf. Some briefs shots of what looks like Tuwaitha, Yongbyon (inside) and Pelindaba. Which got me thinking that the IAEA must have a spectacular video library. It turns out the IAEA has a channel on YouTube, including a video on an inspection of imported fuel assemblies at the Kundankulam reactor in India. -
N. Korea: Deadly in a Snowball Fight [4]
7 Feb 2010 | 3:28 pmPart Two of a two-part series on the 2010 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. See Part One. Well, it’s been a long, snowbound weekend here in the Nation’s Capital and its general vicinity. There’s not much to do while waiting for the Super Bowl commercials — assuming that your home has power this fine evening — so why don’t we take a few minutes to consider the views of the U.S. Intelligence Community on North Korea’s military capabilities? According to the IC’s Annual Threat Assessment, the North Koreans now have three… -
Yes, It's the Other Area [5]
6 Feb 2010 | 10:32 amOh, shut up already! Some enterprising Belgian military spokesperson has decided to announce to the entire world that of the two sets of 11 hardened shelters at Kleine Brogel Airbase, the activists were in the one without nuclear weapons: A similar stunt occurred last November, according to Ingrid Baeck, a chief spokeswoman for the Belgian Ministry of Defense, who sought to minimize the danger. “I can assure you these people never, ever got anywhere near a sensitive area,” Baeck said in a telephone interview Friday. “They are talking nonsense.” [snip] But Baeck… -
Iran’s Missile (Development) Trajectory [45]
5 Feb 2010 | 2:11 pmIran’s aerospace program has been so active in the last few years it should be possible to say something about their development philosophy: the technological arc or trajectory they are following. For instance, why did they “jump” from SCUD-type missiles to the Shahab-3-type? Why didn’t they put a higher priority on clustering engines in order to achieve greater ranges before moving on to the Shahab-3? Many of my friends believe they should have. A large portion of their argument is centered on the fact that they believe Iran would have established a missile capable of hitting Israel… -
Iran Space Launch [9]
5 Feb 2010 | 1:25 pmAs you undoubtedly noticed, Iran launched a rocket on February 2. And released pictures of a space launch vehicle. Which may not be the same thing. As some of you may know, Geoff Forden is going through some personal stuff right now, which is why we are missing his usual detailed commentary on Iran’s space launch. (He has something coming, but I am inclined to be patient.) So, in honor of Geoff, I am just going to create an open thread for the Iranian space launch. Here are images from IRNA, ISNA and Mehr to get you started. Have at it.
-
Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog
-
The South Africa/Mining Indaba trip
9 Feb 2010 | 2:59 amThis one was logistically grueling, but incredibly well set-up by Jenn. The locals were fabulous, as it was one well-run conference, and I performed about as well as ever, given the discombobulating distance (e.g., more word flubs than usual but overall a very strong performance). Mining Indaba (South African indigenous phrase meaning "meeting") is a huge (several thousand attendees) event held each year at Cape Town. It is THE gathering of mining companies regarding Africa (about one-third of world's mining resources), so every huge global mining company was there. For me, it was a… -
South Africa photos
9 Feb 2010 | 2:58 am -
Everybody wants to rule the world
9 Feb 2010 | 2:07 amOP-ED: We need a new capitalism to take on China, By Anatole Kaletsky, (London) Times, February 4, 2010 As analysis goes, a bit backasswards. Politics derives from underlying economics, not vice versa. So it's not a matter of choosing your politics to facilitate your economics, but maturing your politics in response to your economic trajectory. Two undeniable data points kill this guy's argument: 1) Once an economy matures (shifts from extensive to intensive growth), democracies consistently outperform authoritarian regimes on annual GDP growth; and 2) there are no rich, large-scale economies… -
Beatles infographics
9 Feb 2010 | 1:22 amPROJECT: Charting the Beatles, By Michael Deal Interesting. The break point is roughly Epstein's death. Lotsa collaboration before, much less after. -
Taking the "east" out of Eastern Europe
9 Feb 2010 | 1:20 amEUROPE: "'Eastern Europe': Wrongly labeled; The economic downturn has made it harder to speak sensibly of a region called 'eastern Europe,'" The Economist, 9 January 2010. Nice opening line: It was never a very coherent idea and it is becoming a damaging one. The notion basically refers to those states caught behind the Iron Curtain but not trapped within the USSR itself (although, now, the three Baltic states seem to be casually included while a Ukraine is not). Within that crew, as the article argues, we saw planned economies, the softer "goulash" version (Hungary) and the self-managed sort…
-
Ask June!
-
Smart Second Career Savings Strategies
8 Feb 2010 | 5:08 pmQ: I am a retired (17 years) service connected disabled veteran (80%), recently married, and have one daughter living with us along with her new born twins. I am with the exception of my home mortgage (which is less than 1/2 my retirement) completely debt free. I own and operate a reasonably successful small business and am now looking to the future (financially speaking) and wondering - where the heck do I start? I have six months living expenses in the bank. I have Tricare (so health insurance is not a concern). I have been looking into stocks and mutual… -
College Savings Choices
1 Feb 2010 | 8:09 amQ: My husband and I have been discussing investing money for our children's college. We have a 9, 6, and 3 year old. We do not plan on funding their full tuition. We both were responsible for paying our own ways through college and feel that it made us more responsible with money and made us value our education a little more since we were paying for it and not on a free ride from our parents. With that said, we would still like to have funds available to help our kids pay for books, food, etc. As a military family, would a 529 college fund be appropriate for us? Isn't that a state run… -
Divorce, Social Security, and Military Retirement
25 Jan 2010 | 12:47 pmQ: I am a retiree with 23 years [military] service. After I retired I went through a divorce. I was married 20 years. My ex-wife gets 35 percent of my retired pay and I also agreed to continue SBP coverage for her. I have since remarried (2 years). My questions: 1. If my ex-wife predeceases me will I be able to name my current wife as the beneficiary on the SBP? 2. Related to the first question, if my ex predeceases me can she in her "will," will the 35 percent retired pay to someone else as "property" or does it revert back to me? 3. In regards to my social security… -
SBP and Social Security
22 Jan 2010 | 12:49 pmQ: I will soon be entitled to my own Social Security benefits as I have worked most of my adult life. And I am currently receiving Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) benefits. Once I start receiving Social Security, will it affect my SBP? -Janice, Port Royal, S. C. A: I love being the bearer of good news. Sometimes my days are filled with “no you can’t retire,” “save more and maybe you’ll make it,” “quit spending,” and so on. In your case, the great news is that your SBP benefits will not be impacted by Social Security. Up until a… -
Capital Gains on Home Sale
18 Jan 2010 | 7:23 amQ: I understand you can sell a house tax free if you've lived in it for 2 of the last 5 years. But I also read that if you were in the military and received orders to another location, that time doesn't count in the 5 year total. My question is this: I lived in a home for 3 years, and then was transferred out of state. During that time I rented out the house. Later I retired from the military and chose not to return to our former house. If the time I was stationed elsewhere does not count, does this mean I have 3 years from the time I retire to sell the house without paying…
-
The IAVA Blog: All
-
WATCH: A Different Kind of Storm
7 Feb 2010 | 10:20 pm<!--break--> A second storm is about to hit Washington, D.C. The first one left behind 20 inches of snow, but this one will leave an impact on the lives of millions of veterans. This week, dozens of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from across the country are in Washington for IAVA's 5th Annual Storm the Hill trip. These vets are the best of their generation - smart, squared-away, and committed. And they need your support. Watch this short video, then Make Your Mark to help these vets pass IAVA's top legislative priority for 2010 - disability reform. Throughout the week, we'll be posting live… -
Casey's Story: War Was Half the Battle
7 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmFormer Army Specialist Casey Elder is trapped in a story without a conclusion. It began in 2004, the moment an IED struck her Humvee in Baghdad, slamming her hard enough to dislocate her shoulder and cause permanent joint and nerve damage. After returning home, Casey began suffering from balance problems, short-term memory loss, and severe migraines. After a series of misdiagnoses, her local VA was finally able to pinpoint the source of her injuries: Casey had a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). She responded by filing a disability claim with the VA in January 2009, assuming that a diagnosis from… -
IAVA Daily Brief 2.8.10
5 Feb 2010 | 8:01 amHere are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA. Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom or subscribe to receive the brief in your inbox each morning at www.iava.org/dailynewsbrief. <!--break--> STORM THE HILL 2010 UPDATE Vets face complex and frustrating enemy: red tape Combat veterans returning to the U.S. often find themselves facing a new, complex and frustrating enemy: red tape. That is the assessment of IAVA’s new report “Red Tape: Veterans Fight New Battles for Care and…
-
American Forces Press Service News Feed
-
Gates: Afghan Strategy Bears Fruit, Iraq on Track
8 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmNoting signs that the new strategy in Afghanistan "is beginning to bear fruit," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also said during an interview that the effort to build up Iraq's security forces and move forward with the U.S. drawdown plan there remains on track. -
Gates Remembers Murtha as Champion of Troops
8 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmDefense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he will remember U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania as a patriot and long-time champion of the nation's men and women in uniform. -
Face of Defense: Aviator Nears 3,000 Combat Flight Hours
8 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmAsk Army Chief Warrant Officer Anthony Potter what it takes to reach more than 2,000 combat flight hours and he'll say the support of a loving family and fellow soldiers. -
Haitian Leader Visits USS Bataan
7 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmHaiti's prime minister visited the USS Bataan to take a firsthand look at the ship's capabilities and express his country's gratitude for the crew's support after the earthquake last month. -
Guard Responds in Record D.C. Snowfall
7 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmMembers of the District of Columbia National Guard have been on the job through an historic snowstorm and post-storm cleanup in the nation's capital.
-
AFCEA SIGNAL Scape
-
Cool App-titude: White House App
9 Feb 2010 | 5:00 amKeep up with our country’s most important pile of bricks with the White House app, available for iPhones and iPod Touch. The free app lets government junkies have 24/7 access to dynamic content from WhiteHouse.gov. Features include live video streaming, the White House blog and the Briefing Room. For more information, visit the Web site, or download the application on iTunes. These sites are not affiliated with AFCEA or SIGNAL Magazine, and we are not responsible for the content or quality of the products offered. When visiting new Web sites, please use proper Internet security… -
Bytes Overtaking Hulls as the Foundation for the U.S. Navy
4 Feb 2010 | 6:32 pmThe 21st century U.S. Navy is building around information as it reshapes its force for new challenges, according to the chief of naval operations. Adm. Gary Roughead, USN, told a packed luncheon audience on the last day of West 2010 that information will be the guiding force for the Navy in the coming years. “Our way forward must be centered on information and how we use it,” Adm. Roughead declared. A key to that information exploitation is unmanned vehicles and systems. The admiral noted that the Navy has deployed a vertical takeoff unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a ship… -
Are Assembly-Line Apps the Future?
4 Feb 2010 | 1:20 pmIndustrializing the production of software will provide a huge improvement in capability, said an adviser to OPNAV. Thomas Hone, Naval War College Liaison with OPNAV, was addressing solutions to Navy needs at West 2010 in San Diego, but his perspective applies across the spectrum of information technology users. “We don’t have software that can make software,” he observed, and he drew a historical parallel to how the automobile became ubiquitous after Henry Ford automated its construction to mass-produce millions. Great achievements can take place when software is mass-produced,… -
Great Leadership Requires Forward Thinking
4 Feb 2010 | 11:10 amBooz Allen Hamilton's chairman and CEO Dr. Ralph ShraderDr. Ralph Shrader’s speech was the last of this blogger’s coverage of events at WEST 2010. It was well worth the wait. Shrader’s focus was on leadership and its importance to a successful future. Unlike characters in science fiction tomes, today’s leaders do not have the advantage of traveling to the past to change decisions that led to trouble in the future. Instead, they must be forward thinking enough to predict the future and take control of their organizations lest the future decide their fortune…or lack thereof. -
Naval Ops for Info Dominance Plans Revealed
4 Feb 2010 | 1:08 amIt’s rare that an audience of industry and service members at all ranks get the chance to hear first hand from the first of a kind. But that was the case after eating lunch on Wednesday of WEST 2010. Vice Adm. Jack Dorsett, USN, the Navy’s first N2/N6 may have begun his speech by wondering why he was among other high-ranking military experts at the conference, but he followed through with revealing the latest approaches the Navy is taking to achieve information dominance. The Navy is developing new mini-road maps of sorts that address nearly a dozen topics, including undersea dominance,…
-
Air Force Blues - Updated weekdays
-
Years of experience
8 Feb 2010 | 4:01 pmThis all goes for the BX, too. Again, thank you to everyone who has contributed to the ChipIn fundraiser! -Farva -
Lame, I know…
7 Feb 2010 | 4:01 pmOk, I know it’s a lame joke, but tomorrow’s a down day here, and I kind of forgot I had to do a comic. I’m minutes from leaving for a Superbowl party, so needed to do something quick. Hey, I was asked to share this and I couldn’t say no. Eric Sheppard, who I believe is an Air Force NCO, put together this version of the Airman’s Creed. Play it in your car on your way to work, and if you don’t get arrested for running people off the road, you’ll memorize the creed in no time. It’s awesome, and I don’t even like metal! Now someone… -
Make mine a double standard
4 Feb 2010 | 4:01 pmJenny’s guest appearance continues. A few of you (I think two) commented yesterday that Jenny and her DH are stationed far from Alaska and her presence there is… questionable. To tell the truth, while there are clues in her comic, Jewls has never definitively said where they’re stationed. However, while I never intended to include it in the story, I will tell you Jenny’s husband flies a plane that Elmendork has. Additionally, Kaitie and I visited the real Elmendorf AFB no fewer than three separate times while we were stationed in Texas. Sooooooo, y’know,… -
Cola wars
3 Feb 2010 | 4:01 pmHey look - it’s Jenny! Anyone who’s familiar with my friend Julie Negron’s comic about life as a military spouse will see a different side of that strip’s leading lady here, all with Jewls’s permission, of course. You know what I completely forgot to announce/recognize? AFBlues’s three-year anniversary. I’m not too sure of the exact date, to tell the truth. The metadata for the first strip says it was created Jan. 28, 2007. I bought the AFBlues.com domain Feb. 5, 2007. I had purchased airforceblues.com a week or so before that, but before I… -
The killing fields of the frozen food aisle
2 Feb 2010 | 4:01 pmShow of hands - how many of you have seen this: http://www.usafa.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123187157 Opinions? Make sure you read the comments. Some of them are pretty shocking. I seriously don’t understand why some people put so much stock in everyone else’s personal beliefs. Get a freaking hobby, please. Personally, I don’t give a crap what religion the guy working next to me practices, if any at all. As long as they get their work done and don’t try to use their faith to get out of doing things the rest of us have to, I see no reason why it should ever even…
-
Broadside Blog
-
Bob Bowl
9 Feb 2010 | 3:00 amTo clear the air, apparently I’m not allowed to use the actual title of the – you know – championship game for professional football. I’m not sure I can even say the official name of the league. You often hear advertisers use “The Big Game” as an analogous phrase, in an attempt to say it without really saying it. I’m tired of that. So I’ll call it Bob. I thought the Bob Bowl was a great game. The two teams deserving to be there were there: the Indianapolis “Rhymes-with-Golts” and the New Orleans “Rhymes-with-Zaints.”… -
Broadside of the Week – Feb 8, 2010
8 Feb 2010 | 12:00 amVisit the Broadside Archives! (click here) -
Chuck Norris Facts
5 Feb 2010 | 3:00 am(USAF Photo) “Chuck Norris once roundhouse kicked someone so hard that his foot broke the speed of light, went back in time, and killed Amelia Earhart while she was flying over the Pacific Ocean.” (From “100 Chuck Norris Facts“) An article caught my eye the other day. It was titled, “Visiting Maj. Nidal Hasan’s Hospital.” The author? Chuck Norris. This intrigued me. It’s an excellent story about his visit to West Point and Brooke Army Medical Center (in San Antonio) after the tragic attack at Ft. Hood. As I did a little research, my interest… -
Forty years – Sergeant Major Leon Caffie
4 Feb 2010 | 3:00 amSgt. Maj. Leon Caffie Where were you in 1970? I was in junior high school. Sergeant Major Caffie was in Vietnam. When he first flew in, “It was 10 p.m. at night. You would see the tracers coming in, you could see the tracers going out. It makes you think ‘this is the real deal.” (From DefenseLink) He survived Vietnam. eventually left active duty and went to school on the G.I. Bill while staying on the rolls in the inactive reserves. But he soon discovered that he missed the camaraderie of military service and joined the active reserves – officially the U.S. Army Reserves… -
Greenside of the Week – Feb 3, 2010
3 Feb 2010 | 3:00 amVisit the Greenside Archives! (click here)
-
The Long War Journal
-
Pakistani military claims success in Bajaur
8 Feb 2010 | 9:51 pmTaliban control in northwestern Pakistan. Click map to view. The Pakistani military is claiming success in one of the Taliban's strongholds in the tribal agency of Bajaur. The military is advancing through the Mamond region in Bajaur, an area that has served as the headquarters for Faqir Mohammed, the leader of the Taliban in Bajaur and the deputy leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. Mamond has also served as a safe haven for al Qaeda and the Swat chapter of the Taliban. Two of the three recorded Predator airstrikes in carried out by the US in Bajaur targeted senior al Qaeda… -
Shabaab calls for jihad against Kenya
8 Feb 2010 | 10:09 amA senior leader of al Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia has declared jihad against neighboring Kenya for supporting the weak Somali Transitional Federal Government. The declaration of jihad against Kenya came from Sheikh Hussein Abdi Gedi, the deputy leader of Shabaab in the strategic southern port city of Kismayo. During an interview on Al Andalus Radio, Shabaab's radio station, Gedi accused Kenya of arming and training Somali's disorganized military. "Kenya has prepared troops that comprise of Kenyans and Somalis, who are trained to attack and take over the regions," Gedi said, according to… -
Iranian-backed Shia terror group kidnaps US civilian in Baghdad
6 Feb 2010 | 7:43 amIssa T. Salomi, a US civilian contractor, behind a flag that reads “League of the Righteous, Imam Ali Regiment.” Associated Press photo. An Iranian-backed Shia terror group that claims it seeks reconciliation with the Iraqi government has kidnapped a US civilian in Baghdad. The US recently released the top leader of the group under the guise of a reconciliation program, but the release actually was related to a hostage exchange. The Asaib al Haq, or the League of the Righteous, kidnapped Issa T. Salomi, a US civilian contractor, in Baghdad in late January. Salomi went missing in Baghdad… -
Bombings kill 41 Shia pilgrims in Karbala
5 Feb 2010 | 6:36 amForty-one Iraqis were killed in bombings today in the city of Karbala as Shia pilgrims gathered for the last day of a religious festival in the holy city. The mode of the attack is still unclear. Some reports indicate that two car bombs were detonated outside one of three entrances to the city, but the governor of Karbala province claimed that a mortar struck a crowd of Iraqis outside the city. "A mortar round was launched from fields northeast of the city," Governor Amalheddin al Hir told AFP. "I accuse al Qaeda who are being supported by the Baath party." Another 144 Iraqis were wounded in… -
Inside job suspected in suicide attack on US soldiers in Pakistan
4 Feb 2010 | 11:38 amYesterday's attack that killed three US soldiers who were traveling in a convoy in northwestern Pakistan was carried out by a suicide bomber, and was not caused by a remotely detonated roadside bomb as first reported. The suicide attack suggests that the Taliban, who took credit for the attack, had inside information on the presence of US troops in the convoy. The three US soldiers, who have been described variously as Special Operations Forces and civil affairs troops training Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps, were killed when a suicide bomber driving a car rammed into their convoy as…
-
TacOps Security
-
Man Shot During Robbery Spree
2 Feb 2010 | 3:51 pmLos Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are investigating a series of robberies and shootings that occurred in the Van Nuys and North Hollywood areas over a one hour span. On Jan. 27, 2010, at about 1:00 a.m., LAPD Van Nuys Division officers were dispatched to the 14400 block of Sherman Way where a 45-year-old man was robbed of his wallet and shot. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics also responded to the incident and transported the victim to a local hospital where his condition was listed as extremely critical. The suspects were seen entering a silver Hummer… -
Man Threatens Officers with Brick
2 Feb 2010 | 3:05 pmLos Angeles: On January 26, 2010, at around Noon, Rampart Patrol Division Police Officer I Robert Ruiz, and his partner responded to a request to assist personnel from the Los Angeles County Psychiatric Evaluation Team (PET) at a board and care facility located in the 1400 block of James M. Wood Boulevard. When the officers arrived they were confronted by a 35 year-old male, who had in his hands pieces of bricks and threatened to throw them at the officers. At one point, the male jumped on top of a police car with the bricks in his hands. Officer Ruiz drew his TASER and… -
Man Points Pistol at Officers
2 Feb 2010 | 2:42 pmLos Angeles: On December 31, 2009, Metropolitan Division uniformed Police Officers III Oscar Ontiveros, nine years with the Department, and his partner were working crime suppression in the 77th Street Area. At around midnight, while in the area of Florence and Central Avenue, Officers Ontiveros and his partner heard numerous gunshots. The officers proceeded to the area where they believed the gunfire had originated and while traveling west on 71st Street from Hooper Avenue they saw an individual, later identified as Antonio Razo Jr., 29 years of age, walking north across the… -
COMPSTAT Citywide Profile
2 Feb 2010 | 10:08 amCrime Statistics January 30, 2010VIOLENT CRIMES 2010** 2009** % ChgHomicide … -
Brotherhood of Warriors: Behind Enemy Lines with a Commando in One of the World’s Most Elite Counterterrorism Units (Hardcover) tagged “terror” 5 times
1 Feb 2010 | 4:55 pmBrotherhood of Warriors: Behind Enemy Lines with a Commando in One of the World's Most Elite Counterterrorism Units (Hardcover)By Aaron Cohen 57 used and new from $3.34 Customer Rating: Customer tags: military(11), israeli(7), terror(5), idf(5), special forces(4), intelligence(3), iraq war(3), spies(3), jewish(2), sayeret duvdevan, duvdevan
-
DoD Buzz
-
Dicks ‘Sure Thing’ For HAC-D
9 Feb 2010 | 10:18 amRep. Norm Dicks, Boeing supporter extraordinaire, is the "closest thing to a sure thing you get in Washington" to ascend to chairmanship of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, says defense sage and consultant Loren Thompson. I asked Thompson if Dicks' ascension would mean that Boeing would have undue influence on the decisions of the House spending body. "They say that becoming chairman has an effect on the way one behaves I guess we are going to see if that's true," he said. -
HAC-D Chair Murtha Dies
8 Feb 2010 | 1:17 pmCongressman John Murtha, one of the most powerful and influential Democratic lawmakers on defense issues in the House for more than three decades, died today in Arlington, Va., at the age of 77. For the last two years, Murtha had served as the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s defense panel, which determines where and how much of the Pentagon’s money is spent. In his position as the chairman and earlier as the ranking member of the so-called HAC-D, Murtha steered hundreds of millions of dollars to defense programs in his district, prompting accusations of sweet-heart deals… -
Payton Slams Space Firms’ Quality
5 Feb 2010 | 9:44 amThe makers of America's rockets and satellites "are still stumbling on fundamentals too often," said Gary Payton, former astronaut and the top Air Force man on space acquisition. Payton's comments seem to indicate a continuing trend of shoddy quality control among those whose toughest job is turning out top quality parts and software and making sure they work and fit well. -
Army’s Pouring $7B Into GCV
4 Feb 2010 | 12:54 pmThe Army plans to spend at least $7 billion over the next five years to develop its new Ground Combat Vehicle and is determined to get a jump on the project, with $934 million slotted for work in 2011 and nearly $2 billion the next year in what is clearly an accelerated development. The GCV will replace the FCS manned ground vehicles, cancelled last year, as the base model for future combat vehicles; the Army has said the initial vehicle will be an infantry carrier -
QDR Garners Poor Reviews
4 Feb 2010 | 8:32 amReviews of the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review are pouring in from Washington’s defense cognoscenti and so far they come with a strong tilt towards disappointed. The lack of any real news or major program or policy shifts has led a number of defense wonks to question the value of the whole QDR process.
-
Popular Science - Technology
-
Marine Corps' Unmanned Programmable Copter Passes First Major Test
9 Feb 2010 | 8:29 amThe difficulty of supplying remote outposts across rugged terrain has contributed to many of the deadliest moments in the Afghan War, by preventing the delivery of weapons and ammo to engaged soldiers, forcing supplies to travel over dangerous roads, or turning helicopters into vulnerable targets. Last June, the Marines put out a call for a helicopter UAV to solve those problems. Now, with a successful demonstration at Utah's Dugway Proving Grounds, the Marines might have found their robocopter. In the demonstration, a modified K-MAX helicopter moved 3,000 pounds across 600 miles, in under… -
Wonder Material Graphene Becomes Lighting for Future Devices and Homes
8 Feb 2010 | 2:30 pmNew light-emitting electrochemical cells could replace OLEDs Graphene may brighten the future more literally than we had originally anticipated, besides merely revolutionizing electronics and Silicon Valley. Swedish and American researchers have transformed the one-atom-thick carbon material into a new, inexpensive lighting component that could give organic light diodes (OLEDs) a run for their money. An OLED simply consists of light-generating layer of plastic sandwiched between two electrodes, one of which is transparent. This provides an ultra-thin, power-sipping technology for everything… -
New Armored Wall System Assembles Like Legos, Could Replace Sandbags in Afghanistan
8 Feb 2010 | 2:00 pmAttention recruits. Those of you landing in Afghanistan in coming months may not have to engage in the sandbag stacking and trench digging usually associated with lowly grunt-dom. An $800,000 investment in an armored wall system known as McCurdy's Armor could have Marines rapidly erecting 6.5-foot-tall mortar-, RPG- and bullet proof fortresses in less than an hour, saving the days it can take to fortify an area by conventional means and making forward-operating units more nimble. Named for Ryan S. McCurdy-a Marine killed in Iraq in 2006 while hauling a wounded comrade to safety-the system is… -
Car Navigation Systems Could Show Available Parking Spots
8 Feb 2010 | 1:17 pmLooking for open parking spaces in the city is one of the more teeth-grinding rituals for drivers, but researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey may have hit upon a relatively low-cost solution. They combined ultrasonic sensors with GPS to create digital maps of available parking spaces for Web-based navigation systems, according to Technology Review. As much as 45 percent of traffic in Manhattan comes from cars wearily circling the blocks and looking for parking spaces, according to a New York City transportation advocacy group called Transportation Alternatives. That problem has… -
Google's Handheld Translator Seeks to Cross Language Barriers
8 Feb 2010 | 11:02 amGoogle's vision for a better world involves removing those pesky language barriers that keep people apart, and so the Internet search giant has begun development on a voice recognition and automatic translation system for cell phones. Such technology could either herald a new era of fruitful international collaboration or usher in new grievances and conflicts, depending on your viewpoint. The Times makes the obligatory reference to the Babel Fish of Hitchhiker's Guide that spawned bloody interstellar conflicts. Experts remain divided over whether Google can accomplish its goal within several…
-
News Releases RSS Feed
-
Real-World Anthrax Scare Proves Readiness
27 Jan 2010 | 9:00 pmThe Joint Project Manager Guardian (JPMG) Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear Installation Protection Program (CBRN-IPP), aimed at preparing U.S Military Installation First Responders to respond to chemical and biological threats, was put to the test during a Jan. 6 incident at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon/Hawthorne Army Depot, Nevada, when an employee discovered a white, silt-like substance in an envelope, Pentagon and Army officials said. -
JLTV Prototype Builds Underway
26 Jan 2010 | 9:00 pmThe Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV Technology Development phase industry teams have begun to build government prototypes, engineering an unprecedented blend of mobility, payload capacity and survivability -- building a light tactical vehicle that will withstand IED attacks, drive quickly through diverse terrain and transport beneath a CH-47 or CH-53 helicopter. -
Army bringing high-tech help to Haiti earthquake relief effort
20 Jan 2010 | 9:00 pmThe Army's PEO-EIS has called upon its technological expertise to help with relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti by setting up a disaster-information Web site, ensuring satellite communications reach damaged areas and making contingency arrangements to deploy additional units if called upon. -
Communication technologies could prove to be vital assets in ongoing military operations
18 Jan 2010 | 9:00 pmThe U.S. Army's Acquisition Executive said communication technologies slated to field in the next several years, such as Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) and Warfighter Information Network - Tactical (WIN-T), could prove to be vital assets in the ongoing war in Afghanistan -- speaking to an audience of industry and military professionals on Jan. 14 at the ninth annual "Army IT Day" put on by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association of Northern Virginia. -
Army Releases December Suicide Data
14 Jan 2010 | 9:00 pmThe Army released suicide data today for the month of December. Among active-duty Soldiers, there were ten potential suicides: one has been confirmed as suicide, and nine remain under investigation. For November, the Army reported 11 potential suicides among active-duty Soldiers. Since the release of that report, three have been confirmed as suicides, and eight remain under investigation.
-
You Served
-
HBO Series to Portray WWII Pacific Theater
8 Feb 2010 | 9:54 pmThis looks pretty interesting. HBO’s The Pacific, is an upcoming miniseries about the Pacific Theater of WWII from Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman. The Pacific premieres on HBO Sunday, March 14th. I watched the trailers and it looks as intense as Saving Private Ryan was. I hope it comes out in DVD since I don’t have HBO. Iwo Jima Preview -
Officers and NCOs
8 Feb 2010 | 4:34 pmThere is a huge difference between Officers and NCOs in the Army. Because of these differences, I decided against my Commanders’ advice and remained within the enlisted ranks. It’s hard to put into words, so let me tell you a few stories. Eleven people were dangling below a helicopter on a rope. There were ten Officers and one NCO. Since the rope was not strong enough to hold all the eleven, they decided that one of them had to let go to save all the others. They could not decide who should be the volunteer. Finally the NCO said he would let go of the rope since NCOs are used to… -
Soldier of the Week – SSG Matthew Groppi
8 Feb 2010 | 10:22 amAfter sitting in classrooms for many semesters learning about endangered species preservation and wildlife regulation enforcement, Matthew Groppi had the chance to apply his knowledge in the great outdoors working for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. However, just months into his job, the Army Reserve staff sergeant was called to serve his country and apply the lessons learned in school during a deployment in Afghanistan. “Being that I am a recent college graduate, I wanted my role in the military to be applicable to my civilian job. I wanted my employer to benefit from my… -
Soldier Sentenced to 20 Years for Killing AQ Leader
6 Feb 2010 | 12:54 amThis churns my gut. Our military is under assault from outside and within the military. We can’t take them alive because then they get rights and trials that violate Geneva Conventions and we can’t kill them because we’ll be tried, convicted, and sentenced for murder! These guys are the same people that are killing our troops in Iraq and are the same people that killed 3,000 Americans on 9/11. Absolutely insane and you MUST listen to this interview between Michael Savage and Army Ranger 1st Lt. Michael Behenna’s mother. PART I PART II Check out the story associated… -
Current worldwide security levels
5 Feb 2010 | 3:15 pmThe English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to a “Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was during the great fire of…
-
Now Serving Quantico: Forum
-
Soccer World Cup 2010
Have you heard about the soccer World Cup 2010 which will be held in Cape Town? Everyone around the world especially Europe is excited to witness the said event. South Africa is given a chance to host this awesome event that would surely boost not just the tourism but also gives work to the people of Africa. -
Study Abroad
International students, language learners, professionals, volunteers are now studying and working abroad. My brother wants to persue his higher study and do job abroad. He is learning his French and Gernman from Sprachkurse London who are the best team of teachers to teach international learners. Infact they are serving the globe. -
Do You Have Baby Girls Clothes etc. To Donate To A Needy Family?
I am currently trying to help a needy family who is expecting a baby girl in June. If you know anyone or you yourself have any baby girl items that you would be willing to donate to this family please contact me via my email at familiaperezfk@hotmail.com Thank You In Advance:) -
A PCS Celebration
In Okinawa, we have a great tradition called the Olympics. No, this does not involve javelins or lap pools, balance beams or 50-meter dashes. But it’s definitely NOT a spectator sport. The Olympics is the whirlwind of events preceding a PCS that usually involves trips to as many Okinawan hot spots as you can squeeze into a 2-week period. Said PCS-er determines what restaurants, hikes, scuba spots, and tourist destinations they absolutely must see before they leave the island for good, and then all their friends make it happen. Ironically, I believe the term Olympics found its origin because… -
Sports & Health In Dale City GREAT 4 FAMILIES!
I recently discovered the Sport & Health gym in Dale City. It has been a lifesaver since we moved here. It is hard in a new area when you have little ones. You do not know anyone to use for babysitting for alone time with your spouse much less even think about getting to the gym. Joining this gym has taken care of all of that for our family. They have a fantastic place for kids in the gym called the Kids Klub. It looks like a small indoor park with the tubes and climbing nets etc. The caretakers are amazing and do a really good job with the kids. I go to the gym, sign my little one in and…
-
America's North Shore Journal
-
American donations for Haitian earthquake relief – Feb 8
8 Feb 2010 | 6:01 pmU.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jay Wamsley holds a Haitian toddler during a humanitarian visit to one of many small villages outside Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, Feb. 2, 2010. Wamsley, an environmental health and safety officer, is temporarily assigned to Port Security Unit 307. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers Individuals $211,512,806 I Corporate $101,424,159 C Foundations $28,385,000 F $341,321,965.00 NGO $45,855,000 N Governments $488,199,100 G $875,376,065 RC Dioceses in the United States $5,599,119 16 The pace of contributions continues to slow. There are lots of local… -
Women working in Army helicopters
8 Feb 2010 | 10:00 amWhile carrying two machine guns, Spc. Bernice Garcia, a Houston native and Chinook door gunner with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, finally exits the Chinook after a long shift. Photo by Sgt. Samantha Beuterbaugh Females are becoming more and more prevalent in military flight crews. Being a woman in a male-dominated field can be an intimidating obstacle for many to overcome. However, Staff Sgt. Katie Replogle and Spc. Bernice Garcia have managed to find a way to to fit in with their comrades on the flight line. “I never… -
Liberian warlord re-arrested by U.S. Immigration
8 Feb 2010 | 8:01 amGeorge Boley is once again in the news. Boley, a former staffer at the Rochester City School District and long time upstate New York resident, is accused of being a Liberian warlord and being responsible for war crimes and atrocities during the civil war and various dictators that have afflicted Liberia. As noted here in the past. Boley was arrested and then released in 2006. We speculated at the time that the ease with which he moved in and out of the United States coupled with the dismissal of charges against him suggested he had friends in high places. The current charges are… -
The best job in the Air Force
8 Feb 2010 | 8:00 amStaff Sgt. Ana Maria Martin, 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron watch supervisor, directs traffic from the air traffic control tower, Jan. 21. Martin directs the inbound and outbound air traffic for the Air Force pilots as well as the Iraqi air force pilots being trained here. She was recently recognized as the 506th Air Expeditionary Group's Warrior of the Week. Martin is deployed from the 22nd Operations Support Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Photo by Staff Sgt. Tabitha Kuykendall For some, it takes years to discover what they want to do with their lives. For others,… -
Tagab valley in Afghanistan gets new sports stadium
8 Feb 2010 | 6:00 amLocal Afghans from the Tagab valley watch the volleyball competition at the new sports stadium in the valley, Feb. 4. The new stadium was funded by Task Force La Fayette and the Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction team, and employed more than 50 workers throughout the province to complete the project. (Photo by French Army Master Sgt. Sylvain Petremand, Task Force La Fayette – Public Affairs Joint Staff) Brig. Gen. Marcel Druart, Task Force La Fayette commander, visited the Tagab valley with members of the Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction Team to open the new sports stadium in the valley, Feb.
-
Okinawa Hai Society
-
Teeth Whitening
A healthy smile is happy smile and everyone desires beautiful ,white and sparkling teeth . You’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re doing something good for yourself. I you have been looking for brighter and whither smile Teeth Whitening may be the perfect solution .Your smile is with you all day and everyday .A beautiful and healthy smile is one of the first thing that many people notice and making a good first impression is just as important .having a smile that is brighter and whiter can improve your self esteem and help you to feel better about yourself Teeth whitening is the… -
Contemporary CHurches?
I was wondering if anyone goes to a Contemporary Style Church in the area? We used to go to one back home, Baptist...I saw there was a service in one of the chapels in Kadena? Has anyone gone and do they like it? Is there a nursery class etc? Thanks for any info... -
Mount Nago, and House Hunting
I have added a couple of posts to my blogs, one about a hike up in Nago City, and another about house hunting. I included some information about off-base housing agencies for those who are interested. http://okinawaoutdoors.blogspot.com/ http://anuninterestinglife.blogspot.com/ -
GRR!!! Snow please go away!!!
So here in the states at least where I am on the east coast it has been snowing for 3 days non stop!! It's completely crazy the first night we got at least a foot and now on the third day it's all the way to my waist and I'm a good 5'10"!! Needless to say I like snow but this much is ridiculous!! Which is made worse by the fact that I do not have a snow blower..lol. So for all of you guy out there missing the east coast,I just wanted to let you know there's prolly not that much to miss, other then frigid temperatures, non stop snow, and sore muscles.( unless your the lucky one with the snow… -
Just thinkin
I am currently at home watching my son play with his little pile of legos, and as I sit and think to myself about all of the things that have happenend in my life with in the past few months I am blown away. Just a year ago I was floating around in college not knowing what I wanted to do with my life and now I am going to be living in Okinawa, Japan. Never in a million years did I think I would ever leave the east coast let alone be moving to the completely oppisite side of the world. Needless to say I am freaking out. I have a million questions bouncing around in my head. I'm nervous,…
-
okinawa hai!
-
PhotOkinawa - Photography meet up
8 Feb 2010 | 2:54 pmLove photography? Like to Mingle? Then you will want to know about the PhotOkinawa Ning group.Back when I lived I San Diego, I joined a photography meet up group. My first meeting that I RSVPed to with them was a carpooling trip to the Anza Borrego Desert. Yes, I was a little nervous. Will they be friendly, snobby or just plain weird? It all ran through my mind. We met up in some car park near downtown San Diego, allocated cars and off we went. I do realize that I could have been taking a trip to the middle of nowhere with 20+ virtual strangers who could have been serial killers, but you have… -
To See - Cloud
7 Feb 2010 | 2:53 pmGet an eyeful of all the past Okinawa Hai TO SEE submissions HERE...and check out our PhotOkinawa group feed (left hand side, scroll down...)I am featuring the three images posted for cloud this week. If you haven't arrived in/on Okinawa yet, you are in for a wonderful treat when it comes to clouds. There are some absolutely amazing cloud formations out here.Thriveoutdoors is back after a long day of paddling near Onna point...BijoD captured this image on their way to the hidden cave over on Hamahiga Island (one of Okinawa's outer islands)... and Louisadestreza brought the day to an… -
Out of the Archives: Miyagi Minshuku
6 Feb 2010 | 2:00 pmThis post was originally published on Okinawa Hai on May 5, 2007. We're pulling it out of the archives for our newer readers to experience. Enjoy! Miyagi Minshuku rainy day dining room, originally uploaded by okinawa hai. CONTRIBUTED BY ICHIYO IWATA If you are up for an adventure, I highly recommend THIS Minshuku. A Minshuku is a Japanese Bed & Breakfast. It is located in Kunigami Village in the northern tip of Okinawa island, about 65 km from the Kyoda highway exit. The name of this Minshuku is MI YA GI - it uses the Chinese characters for Ocean, Mountain and Tree. They have been in… -
Japanese Corner - How to say "I love you"
5 Feb 2010 | 3:51 pmWhile holidaying in New Zealand recently, I was visiting with a friend whose daughter is currently studying Japanese in high school, and her daughter began asking me how to say certain Japanese phrases including, “I love you.” I had to think about it for a moment, because although it would seem to be a fairly easy phrase to translate, it’s not something that typically comes up in everyday conversation. I eventually recalled something along the lines of “ai-shi-something-or-rather,” and was able to later learn from my daughter that “ai-shi-teru” is the phrase I was looking for… -
Pick Your Own Strawberry Fields
4 Feb 2010 | 1:00 pmIt's strawberry season in Okinawa!Sure, you could go to the store and buy a package of the sweet red fruit that may have been shipped over from somewhere else, OR you could seek out the local Blue Sky & Green Field Farm. Located in the northern part of the island, this strawberry farm lets you pick your own. We went last weekend, and sampled the offerings. We planned to make strawberry shortcake with them, but let me tell you, the delicious perfectly ripe berries didn't even last the ride home!The farm charges 1,300 yen for each adult and 800 yen for each child (500 yen for…
-
War On Terror News
-
Al-Qaida Group in Yemen Reaches out to Somali Rebels
9 Feb 2010 | 10:30 amA Yemen-based al-Qaida group is calling for regional coordination with rebels in Somalia. The governments of both countries are facing powerful insurgencies from Islamist forces. VOA Alan Boswell | Nairobi 09 February 2010 The deputy commander of the militant group known as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, Said Ali al-Shihri,... -
541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Soldiers Spin the Battalion's Crest
9 Feb 2010 | 10:02 am13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Story by Sgt. Matthew Cooley 02.08.2010 CAMP TAJI, Iraq - In early November the Allied Trades section of the 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), began to make a copy of the battalion's crest for their dining-in and to celebrate... -
NATO Warns Afghan Civilians: 'Keep Your Heads Down'
9 Feb 2010 | 9:59 amNATO's top civilian representative in Afghanistan is urging villagers in Helmand province to "keep your heads down" when coalition forces launch a major offensive on a southern Taliban stronghold. VOA News 09 February 2010 Britain's Mark Sedwill Tuesday issued the warning to civilians who do not flee before a NATO... -
Soldier Teaches Ft. Lewis, Wash., Company Hand-to-hand Combatives
9 Feb 2010 | 9:39 am13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Story by Sgt. Matthew Cooley 02.08.2010 JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Spc. Jeffery Putnam, a Raleigh, N.C., native and ammunition specialist for 63rd Ordnance Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) from Ft. Lewis, Wash., and completed what only a small percentage... -
Together As a Family
9 Feb 2010 | 8:17 am115th Fires Brigade Story by Spc. Matthew H. Oda 02.08.2010 There are no greater bonds than the bonds shared with a mother and her children. That certainly holds water with Josh and Kimberly Ramos and their mother Dawn VanHeuveln. Their family has always been close to each other. As Dawn's...
-
Navy CyberSpace
-
Concurrent Receipt in 2011?
1 Feb 2010 | 2:13 pmLast year, in his budget, President Obama proposed “to expand concurrent receipt of military retired pay and Veterans Disability Compensation to all retirees receiving disability retired pay.” We tracked the progress of the Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009 closely, and we were disappointed when we found the bill failed, even with overwhelming support, because, from what it boiled down too, the bill did not meet the “PAYGO” rules. This year, a similar proposal is in the 2011 budget – this year, unlike last year, the verbiage actually states, “The 2011… -
Average 4.2% Increase in 2011 BAH
1 Feb 2010 | 8:26 amPresident Obama’s 2011 budget request for Department of Defense, released officially today, requests an average housing allowance increase of 4.2 percent, as well as a variety of monthly special skill-based payments, enlistment and reenlistment bonuses, and other benefits. Family support programs grow over 3% – some of the main increases are $87 million, to expand availability for affordable, high-quality child care services at over 800 child development centers both in the United States and overseas – $37 million, for expanded counseling and assistance services, from… -
No Sea and Sub Pay Increase for 2011?
26 Jan 2010 | 6:15 amCongressman Jerry McNerney (D)(CA-11) introduced H.R. 4440, Combat Operations and Medical Benefit Authorization for our Troops (COMBAT) Act, on Jan. 13, 2010. The bill is to amend title 37, United States Code, to increase the maximum amount for the military special pays known as hostile fire pay, imminent danger pay, hazardous duty pay, family separation allowance, and “to increase other special and incentive pays to recognize the service of members of the Armed Forces and encourage recruitment and retention.” Currently, the bill has one cosponsor: Rep Hall, John J. (D)(NY-19) The… -
Navy SRB Guidance as of 22Jan2010
22 Jan 2010 | 3:15 pmThe latest Selective Re-enlistment Bonus (SRB) guidance, NAVADMIN 028/10. R 221611Z JAN 10 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// BT UNCLAS//N01300// NAVADMIN 028/10 MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/JAN// SUBJ/SELECTIVE REENLISTMENT BONUS (SRB) UPDATE// REF/A/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/271331ZAUG09// REF/B/DOC/OPNAV/30JAN07// REF/C/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/091648ZJAN09// NARR/REF A IS NAVADMIN 250/09, FY10 SRB AWARD PLAN. REF B IS OPNAVINST 1160.8A, SRB PROGRAM INSTRUCTION. REF C IS NAVADMIN 006/09, SELECTIVE REENLISTMENT BONUS POLICY CHANGE.// RMKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN… -
New Minimum Weight Standard
22 Jan 2010 | 9:12 amThe Navy has now decided to use the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a method of determining the minimum weight for an applicant who is joining. Prior to this change, a person would have to meet or exceed a minimum static number for their height. I have updated the height weight chart to reflect the current change and also provided a link to the BMI calculator that the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) will use. 2010 Military Pay Chart 2011 Military Pay ChartNew Minimum Weight Standard
-
Army Household6
-
Moral Support
3 Feb 2010 | 12:05 amcourtesy of http://ihasahotdog.com -
And the winner is …
31 Jan 2010 | 12:18 pmSpecial thanks to all those that entered and of course Borders that sponsored the contest! Stay tuned another contest coming in February !! : ) -
Who Dat Say?
29 Jan 2010 | 8:21 amUPDATE — Ah the power of social media and the WHO DAT Nation ..The NFL has backed off “WHO DAT ” ownership — Read about it here A couple of days ago , I came across a news article about the NFL requesting that non- NFL licensed merchandise with the WHO DAT slogan be removed from stores. At first , I didn’t think much of it as I’m not up to speed on the happening in New Orleans. . As I looked more closely at the article and tweets surrounding it , I realized there was a lot more to it. For those that don’t know, I grew up in New Orleans. I attended my… -
Busy Busy Busy
28 Jan 2010 | 8:46 pmpicture taken by Beck This is pretty much the scene that you will see for me lately — always busy working! Our internet went down for a few days but was still able to do some work thanks to my awesome Blackberry phone! Of course BIG THANKS to our local Starbucks and my friend Sara for letting me use their WI-FI! Business is booming so I’m busy with client projects and blogging projects these days (what recession? LOL ) Of course, I’m also busy getting ready for Sgt Daddy’s R&R which is not too far off. How have you been? What have you been up to ? Don’t… -
Dachshund not Weenie Dog
26 Jan 2010 | 11:56 pmpicture courtesy of loldogs.com
-
Manatee's Military Moms
-
Super Bowl-Snowpocalypse Sunday
7 Feb 2010 | 4:15 amSnowpocalypse! Winter Powerhouse! Snowmageddon!While we’re preoccupied with the white stuff falling in copious amounts around the country, folks in the military are worried about a whole different kind of stuff raining down on them.They may be dodging rubble in Haiti, or freezing rain in Afghanistan while some are peppered with a possibility of other potentially fatal falling objects.One thing we will share today; Super Bowl fever.Troops around the world will have the opportunity to watch the Super Bowl live, with one big change—no commercials!"The only thing the overseas viewers won’t… -
Cartwheels in Heaven with Jesus
3 Feb 2010 | 4:48 amWhen the children were babies, I used to tell her with ridiculous certainty that I didn’t believe in spankings. She would just giggle and shake her head with a demure smile. She knew I didn’t have the faintest clue about raising children, but she never criticized me—she taught by example. She used to tuck a five or ten dollar bill into my pocket, or put a casserole dish into my hands, or loan me any other thing we were in need of when the children were small. She was a true, decent Southern lady. She loved Jesus, her family, and everyone else. Every summer she would pack up my kids in… -
Inspired care packages...any ideas?
31 Jan 2010 | 6:12 amThe dog days of deployment.Past the halfway mark, but not close enough to homecoming to start planning any visits. Even when I do have a return date, those plane tickets better be changeable; the military loves to throw curveballs at the last minute.This is when the care packages start to feel obligatory. Not that I don’t want to send great stuff; I’ve just exhausted the fake mustache/easy button that spouts bad language/do-it-yourself S'mores creative juices.Ideas! I need ideas to round out this deployment on a high note!Hmmm…It’ll come to me, the perfect care package idea. Until… -
Pray for the ones the heroes left behind
27 Jan 2010 | 4:25 amAnother one, gone. A father, brother, friend, son.“The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Daniel M. Angus, 28, of Thonotosassa, Fla. died Jan. 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Angus was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.”In an online guestbook, Sgt. Rodriguez of Riverview posted a poem -- John Donne’s “Death, be not proud.”Death, be not proud, though some have called theeMighty and… -
Choosing a useful life
24 Jan 2010 | 5:11 amImagine: a soldier carrying a large gun, hand encased in a glove, tenderly holds the hand of a small child. A visual dichotomy--but it is the epitome of the modern American warrior.Battle-trained and hardened; our warriors embody the definition of humanitarian as well: committed to improving the lives of other people, compassionate, caring, and gentle.The inner strength of these men and women who fight our battles and respond to the scenes of disaster at a moment’s notice must be immeasurable.They live a life composed of incredible extremes--our sons and daughters--and every day they make a…
-
Defense Update News
-
Iran Unveils New Space Launcher
2 Feb 2010 | 9:07 pmIran has successfully launched a home-produced satellite on the Kavoshgar 3 (Explorer) satellite launcher. The Kavoshgar has already been used for the launch of the first Iranian satellite, the Omid launched a year ago (Feb 2009). The payload on the satellite being launched today included live animals carried in the satellite capsule - a rat, turtles and worms. Iran's space program is considered to provide a coverage for Irans ambitions to develop, test and, eventually field long range and, potentially intercontinental missiles, having the range and payload capacity to carry nuclear warheads… -
Singapore Airshow - Signaling Aerospace Market Rebound?
1 Feb 2010 | 10:30 pmThe Singapore Airshow 2010 is opening today, could signal the rebound in Asian aerospace market, after a difficult year. 800 exhibiting companies from over 40 countries have gathered for the event, among them 62 of the top 100 global aerospace companies. More than 85% of the 2008 exhibitors are back this year although some big names have skipped this year's event. The organizers are reporting an increase in the number of national pavilions from 18 in 2008 to 22 this year, as New Zealand, Switzerland, Romania and Russia have joined as national group displays. -
Maiden Flight for Russia’s New Stealth Fighter
29 Jan 2010 | 10:30 pmSukhoi T-50 PAK-FA made a successful 47-minute maiden flight on Friday 29 January 2010, taking off from Komsomolsk-on-Amur Airfield in Russia’s Far East, adjacent to the manufacturer’s site. -
Airborne Laser Conducts First Engagement with a Target Missile
25 Jan 2010 | 2:07 pmThe Airborne Laser (ABL) research and development platform successfully fired the onboard High Energy Laser (HEL) to engage an instrumented target missile, This test was not intended to lethally destroy the missile but demonstrate the full functionality of the ABL system to acquire, track, and engage a boosting target. -
Russian Security Forces Negotiate for Israeli UAVs
23 Jan 2010 | 11:32 pmAfter the Russian military has ordered Israeli drones last year, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is negotiating with Israel for the sale of another short-range UAV system - the Orbiter electrically powered miniUAV. The systems are produced by Aeronautics Defense Systems and are currently operated with a number of military forces, including the Polish, Irish, Serbian and Azerbaijan armies and the Mexican police. The value of the current program has not been published.
-
Armor Links
-
M-ATVs Trickle to Afghanistan despite Production Surge
12 Jan 2010 | 3:33 pmDespite the publicized arrival of M-ATV in Afghanistan, most of the vehicles delivered by Oshkosh are still being prepared for shipment. “Come this spring, we’ll be sending over about 500 a month,” Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said. According to the Stars and Stripes, as of last week, more than 400 M-ATVs had been delivered to Afghanistan, but only 164 have been fielded to the troops. -
Namer ICV Expands Merkava into a Family of Combat Vehicles
12 Jan 2010 | 3:32 pmThe 13th Infantry Battalion of the Golani Brigade was the first Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unit to convert from the T-55 based Achzarit armored infantry carrier to the new Infantry Combat Vehicle – the Namer. With the Merkava tank and new Namer ICV, the IDF is expanding the Merkava platform into a family of combat vehicles, to include a tactical support vehicle, armored MedEvac, an Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) and, potentially, future weapons carriers. -
U.S. Army Outlines Ground Combat Vehicles Priorities
12 Jan 2010 | 3:31 pmGeneral Peter W. Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army describes the new Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) "the most important combat development and acquisition decisions we will make over the next seven years". Indeed, the Army is taking this program seriously, and is doing its best to safely conduct it to successful completion. Top Army officials gathered in October and November 2009 have outlined the program to a group of experts from industry, research and development community to introduce the program set to dominate the market through this new decade. -
Despite Massive Acquisition, More Armored Vehicles Are Needed to Protect Brits in Afghanistan
5 Jan 2010 | 1:47 pmAfghanistan is taking a heavy toll on the military resources of U.S. and NATO allies sharing the ISAF missions in that country. According to a recent report published by the Times of England, despite the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) investment of over two billion US$ acquiring hundreds of protected vehicles in the past two years, about half of the armored vehicles used by the British Army in Afghanistan are 'unfit for operational use'. The report refers to all the armored vehicles used by the Brits, from the lightly protected British built Land Rover based Snatch patrol vehicles to the… -
TMV 6x6M Designed for Extreme Off-Road Mobility to Debut at London's International Armored Vehicles Event Next Month
23 Dec 2009 | 8:12 amTMV will debut the new vehicle at the upcoming International Armored Vehicles exhibition the new 6x6M Total Mobility Vehicle' - an armored vehicle designed for extreme off-road performance, employing a unique chassis offering effective protection and highly adaptable flatbed for different configurations. Over 90 companies have already registered as sponsors and exhibitors for the event that will take place in London, February 1-5, 2010 at the Excel Exhibition Center.
-
U.S. Pacific Fleet
-
PacificFleet: WJHL To Broadcast Hour-Long Program On U.S.S. Greeneville - http://bit.ly/byWQ1D
8 Feb 2010 | 5:41 pmPacificFleet: WJHL To Broadcast Hour-Long Program On U.S.S. Greeneville - http://bit.ly/byWQ1D -
PacificFleet: Interesting article on China & South Korea naval growth. http://bit.ly/bcQ7Oe
8 Feb 2010 | 5:38 pmPacificFleet: Interesting article on China & South Korea naval growth. http://bit.ly/bcQ7Oe -
PacificFleet: Multi-nation exercise Milan concludes successfully in Andaman - http://bit.ly/9BKYQt
8 Feb 2010 | 5:35 pmPacificFleet: Multi-nation exercise Milan concludes successfully in Andaman - http://bit.ly/9BKYQt -
PacificFleet: USS Ronald Reagan pays respect... http://bit.ly/coohLD
8 Feb 2010 | 5:29 pmPacificFleet: USS Ronald Reagan pays respect... http://bit.ly/coohLD -
PacificFleet: RT @thejointstaff: Saddened to learn of the passing of Rep. John Murtha. Extending ourdeepest regret and...http://tinyurl.com/yfjraan
8 Feb 2010 | 5:17 pmPacificFleet: RT @thejointstaff: Saddened to learn of the passing of Rep. John Murtha. Extending ourdeepest regret and...http://tinyurl.com/yfjraan
-
Navy Reads
-
Life in Mr. Lincoln’s Navy by Dennis J. Ringle
7 Feb 2010 | 7:03 pmReview by Bill DoughtyPresident Abraham Lincoln barely makes an appearance in Life in Mr. Lincoln’s Navy. The stars of the book are the average individual Sailors who populate the book.Sailor stories in letters, diaries and reports are used to show life aboard ironclads and wooden steam ships in the 1800s. The minimum age for Sailors was 12, in the lowest rating: “Boy.” Photos in the Ringle’s book clearly show young uniformed boys serving.In 1864, monthly wages started at $10 for Boy; $16 for Ordinary Seaman; $20 for Coal Heaver; $25 for Coxswain, Quartermaster or Gunner’s Mate; and… -
Honor by Fire
2 Jan 2010 | 3:29 pmReview by Bill DoughtyHonor, courage and commitment in the face of prejudice, fear and disenfranchisement: This book shows the story of triumph of American democracy over small-mindedness and bigotry as its author introduces us to a special group of service members from World War II.Lyn Crost correspondent for AP, Star-Bulletin and Honolulu Advertiser, documented this important slice of history just three years prior to herdeath in 1997at the age of 80.One hundred years ago Imperial Japan considered Okinawa a stepchild. Okinawans were treated as second-class citizens. Many emigrated to a land… -
Dec. 7 Survivors: Favorite Authors, Books
7 Dec 2009 | 8:40 pmBy Bill DoughtyHistory tells us that many Sailors who were awake on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 7 – 68 years ago – were eating breakfast, heading to religious services, writing letters or reading.Pearl Harbor Survivor Ed Johann was 17 years old on Dec. 7, 1941, young enough to have just gotten his tonsils out. On the morning of the Pearl Harbor attack he was working on a motorboat, getting ready to shuttle Sailors from ship to shore.Before the war he’d read mostly westerns by Zane Grey and stories by Louis L’Amour. After the war he read military history books. “I have over 100 books… -
UPDATE: Halsey’s Typhoon II -- Integrity
15 Nov 2009 | 7:28 pmBy Bill DoughtyFor former chief petty officer (retired lieutenant commander) Archie DeRyckere, the leadership lessons of Typhoon Cobra -- “Halsey’s Typhoon” -- are personal and last a lifetime.We linked DeRyckere’s website, Typhoon Cobra 1944 on our last blog post. He sent the following email to Navy Reads:Sir,That is interesting.The heroism by Captain Plage and hisship should be interesting to patriots.I have been earnestly attempting to have Captain Plage awarded the Medal of honor for his performance as he definitely saved the life of myself and 54 others.President Gerald R. Ford… -
Typhoon Cobra - Nimitz & Leadership '...Lessons of'
8 Nov 2009 | 11:16 pmIf you don’t read the entire review that follows, do yourself a favor and read Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet ADM Nimitz’s confidential letter of Feb. 13, 1945. It’s a thoughtful, reasoned and balanced treatise on accountability in time of war. It shows why Nimitz was such a great leader -- a man whose emotional intelligence matched his analytical abilities.Fleet Admiral Chester A. NimitzHalsey’s Typhoon by Bob Drury and Tom ClavinReview by Bill DoughtyTheir decks, already top-heavy with armaments and equipment, were pushed nearly vertical in mountainous seas. Sixty-five years…
-
Military Embedded Systems
-
Eurotech Expands Executive Team With New COO and CFO, Adds Focus on Systems Business
8 Feb 2010 | 2:20 amCOLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Eurotech, a leading supplier of embedded technologies, products, and systems, announces today the company has named Ben Roderique as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Leann Zawodniak as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Eurotech Inc. The new appointments position the company for a strong 2010 as the company continues to design, develop and produce application-ready embedded computers and systems to serve the North American market. With these additions to the executive team, Chris Houghton, former COO, assumes the role of COO - Systems for Eurotech Inc, to… -
Peratech's QTC sensor technology licensed to Samsung Electro-mechanics
7 Feb 2010 | 7:54 pmRICHMOND, North Yorks., England – 8 February 2010 -- Peratech Limited, the leader in new materials designed for touch technology solutions, has signed a major licensing agreement for its Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) technology, which will be included within a new range of pressure sensing components from Samsung Electro-mechanics (EM). The license is for the use of Peratech’s innovative QTC switches in 5-way input devices, or Navikeys, made by Samsung Electro-mechanics that are used for menu navigation and interaction on mobile phones. Until now, these devices are usually… -
IBM Scientists Demonstrate World's Fastest Graphene Transistor
7 Feb 2010 | 5:17 amYORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. - 05 Feb 2010: In a just-published paper in the magazine Science, IBM (NYSE: IBM) researchers demonstrated a radio-frequency graphene transistor with the highest cut-off frequency achieved so far for any graphene device - 100 billion cycles/second (100 GigaHertz). This accomplishment is a key milestone for the Carbon Electronics for RF Applications (CERA) program funded by DARPA, in an effort to develop next-generation communication devices. The high frequency record was achieved using wafer-scale, epitaxially grown graphene using processing technology compatible to… -
Magma Schedules Third Quarter Earnings Call and Webcast for Feb. 25, 2010
4 Feb 2010 | 5:24 amWHAT: Magma(R) Design Automation Inc. (Nasdaq:LAVA) will conducta live webcast and conference call to review financial results for its third quarter ended Jan. 31, 2010.WHEN: The webcast and conference call will be Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, at 2 p.m. PST. Magma will release third-quarter financial results after Nasdaq trading closes on Feb. 25, 2010.WHO: Rajeev Madhavan, chief executive officer; Roy E. Jewell, president and chief operating officer; and Peter S. Teshima,chief financial officer, will host the call. WEBCAST: The live webcast will be available online at… -
Empress Embedded Database Crowns Google's Nexus One: Empress Embedded Database Java Client Gives Users Direct Access to Data
4 Feb 2010 | 12:57 amEmpress Software, home of the Empress Embedded Database, an advanced and agile embedded database engine, announces an Empress Java Client application that gives Nexus One smartphone users the power to control and manipulate data residing in Empress databases. Conveniently “create”, “insert”, “select”, “update” and “delete” data in an Empress database right from a Nexus One mobile device. The Nexus One is powered by Google’s Android 2.1 operating system. Nexus One users can use an Empress Java Client application on their mobile…
-
At War
-
Chuck Norris and Henry V in Port-a-Johns. With Armored Penguins.
9 Feb 2010 | 7:53 amChuck Norris killed Zarqawi. -
A Well-Written War
8 Feb 2010 | 7:45 amA new group of soldier-writers explore the futility of war - but wars that they for the most part support. -
Video: A Front-Seat View of the Highway
7 Feb 2010 | 5:58 pmDriving through Afghanistan's Pashtun heartland - a front seat view. -
Iraqis: Adjusting to America, or Not
5 Feb 2010 | 11:49 amMy Iraqi aunt makes faces when we order pizza, and calls it tasteless bread. -
Bring Back the Draft
4 Feb 2010 | 5:00 pmThe all-volunteer military has placed an enormous burden for the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan upon the shoulders of a tiny sliver of the American population.
-
Military Boots Blog
-
Weekly Drill Down: Stolen Valor Arrest, Bouhammer’s “The Hurt Locker” Review and More
8 Feb 2010 | 11:47 amThe FBI arrests a man for wearing army medals that aren’t his. Can you blame them? (A Soldier’s Perspective) Bouhammer’s scathing review of Oscar-nominee The Hurt Locker has gained imitators and other media attention. (Bouhammer) And here’s another take on The Hurt Locker. (Defense Tech) Oh boy! The Pentagon wants to create a real-life Spider-Man crawler. (Danger Room) Instead of blogging, Abu Muqawama is tweeting his little heart out. (Abu Muqawama) The Army’s 2011 shopping list looks like a big one. (Kit Up) Don’t get into fight or go to a party without… -
5 Pink Military Boots
4 Feb 2010 | 8:30 amBoot colors like desert tan and sage green help maintain low profiles on the battlefield. However, some might have a different strategy on their boot-wearing missions. Perhaps they’d rather turn heads instead of blending into the background. Sure, they might tip off the enemy, but maybe that’s part of their strategy. Or maybe they have no strategy at all. If that’s the case, then they probably own a pair of pink combat boots. (We kid, we kid!) While none of these boots are military grade, they certainly make a statement. And, of course, pink military boots go quite well with… -
Magnum Donates Boots for Haiti
1 Feb 2010 | 9:25 amFrom major celebrities to average joes, it seems like just about everyone has pitched in to help Haiti recover from the 7.0-magnitude earthquake. Magnum Boots is lending a helping hand, too. The manufacturer donated 900 pairs of boots and shoes to Soles4Souls, an organization that is distributing footwear to earthquake victims, helping to fulfill a basic safety need. “Our hearts go out to our Haitian neighbors as we struggle to comprehend the magnitude of this disaster, and we cannot forget how important basic necessities — such as shoes — will be in the ongoing rescue and… -
Weekly Drill Down: SHOT Show Swag, milBook’s Social Networking Secrets and More
27 Jan 2010 | 9:34 amGuess what the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen does to stay in tune with young soldiers … he tweets! Watch him talk about Twitter in the video above. (Milblogging) ITS Tactical holds another reader appreciation contest, and it’s a doozy. Find out how to get your hands on some SHOT Show swag. (ITS Tactical) Ever see a $40,000 gun? Now you have. (Gun Values Board) There’s a new satellite Internet service for military personnel in Afghanistan. (Bouhammer) Heard of milBook? Take a peek at the Facebook for DoD folks. (Not Your Average Brooklynette) Top 10… -
Miss America Contestants Wear Military Boots for Charity
26 Jan 2010 | 8:08 amIt doesn’t take much to get beautiful women in combat boots: All you need is a good cause … and probably boots that match their outfits. Rocky SVU Boots At least that’s all the requirements for Miss America 2010 contestants. The 53 beauty pageant participants laced up last Thursday for When They Come Back (WTCB), a national awareness campaign suiting up public figures to celebrities in military boots. The ladies wore Rocky’s SVU combat boots to show their support. The notion behind the WTCB campaign is that everyone should take time to put themselves in the shoes of those…
-
LIFE, LOVE & TRUTH
-
Haiti – Shock, Awe & Burning Questions
17 Jan 2010 | 8:36 amIn the aftermath of Haiti's horrifying earthquake, let's talk about tough questions that trouble many of us when disasters strike. But let's not overlook what we can do to help Haiti find hope for the future. -
1984 Redux – Lessons for Terrorists
14 Jan 2010 | 8:49 amWhat's ahead for Afghanistan - and other oppressed people of the world? History gives us some clues. So does a haunting message from classic literature... -
The Promise of 2010 – Is Enough Finally ENOUGH?
1 Jan 2010 | 10:09 amAs we enter a new year and a new decade, it's the perfect time to rethink our priorities. It's time to demonstrate that we love people more than things. It's time to simplify. -
A Very Muslim Christmas – Why Not?
29 Dec 2009 | 10:34 amThe Christmas holiday may be behind us. But that doesn't mean the spirit can't live on. And it doesn't mean we can't share it with Muslims - or anyone else who seeks a more peaceful, loving world! -
The Gift of Christmas – Way Beyond a Birthday
25 Dec 2009 | 8:26 amIn Christian theology, what concept makes the most difference in our lives (or ought to)? One word: Incarnation. Let's discuss.
-
LIFE, LOVE & TRUTH
-
Haiti – Shock, Awe & Burning Questions
17 Jan 2010 | 8:36 amIn the aftermath of Haiti's horrifying earthquake, let's talk about tough questions that trouble many of us when disasters strike. But let's not overlook what we can do to help Haiti find hope for the future. -
1984 Redux – Lessons for Terrorists
14 Jan 2010 | 8:49 amWhat's ahead for Afghanistan - and other oppressed people of the world? History gives us some clues. So does a haunting message from classic literature... -
The Promise of 2010 – Is Enough Finally ENOUGH?
1 Jan 2010 | 10:09 amAs we enter a new year and a new decade, it's the perfect time to rethink our priorities. It's time to demonstrate that we love people more than things. It's time to simplify. -
A Very Muslim Christmas – Why Not?
29 Dec 2009 | 10:34 amThe Christmas holiday may be behind us. But that doesn't mean the spirit can't live on. And it doesn't mean we can't share it with Muslims - or anyone else who seeks a more peaceful, loving world! -
The Gift of Christmas – Way Beyond a Birthday
25 Dec 2009 | 8:26 amIn Christian theology, what concept makes the most difference in our lives (or ought to)? One word: Incarnation. Let's discuss.
