Daesungdong Elementary School, which lies amid the heavily armed DMZ, is visited twice a week by English-teaching U.S. soldiers even amid the recent political posturing by North Korea.
-
Stars and Stripes
-
Kids at DMZ school get English help from soldiers
4 Jul 2009 | 9:00 pm -
Americans, Iraqis get together for Fourth of July celebrations
3 Jul 2009 | 9:00 pmDIWANIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi sheiks, politicians and schoolchildren mingled with U.S. soldiers and civilians in a July Fourth celebration Friday that included red, white and blue streamers, a Stars ... -
Army identifies soldier found dead at Bamberg
3 Jul 2009 | 9:00 pmArmy officials have identified the soldier from the 54th Engineer Battalion who was found dead Thursday outside Warner Barracks in Bamberg, Germany. Spc. Levi Clark, 20, was found outside... -
What Congress can and can’t do for troops, families
3 Jul 2009 | 9:00 pmFor the last eight years, lawmakers have loaded annual defense authorization bills with new pay and benefit initiatives to support troops and their families and to show the nation's appreciation. -
Americans in Italy urged to carry paperwork as G-8 summit nears
3 Jul 2009 | 9:00 pmTroops and civilians stationed at Aviano, Vicenza and Camp Darby are urged to avoid large gatherings in cities and advised to carry passports and residency permits with them.
-
Wired: Danger Room
-
China Looks to Undermine U.S. Power, With ‘Assassin’s Mace’
2 Jul 2009 | 1:32 pmCould China wipe out an American military advantage with a simple black box? Joshua Cooper Ramo’s thought-provoking book The Age of the Unthinkable challenges all kinds of conventional thinking about everything from venture capital to military strategy. One section caught my eye in particular, about how the Chinese might neutralize American air superiority, using a type of weapon known an “Assassin’s Mace.” The specific device in question is an unassuming little case; how worried should we be? U.S. airpower depends on the ability to overcome surface-to-air missile… -
Bomb-Detection CEO Named New Darpa Boss
2 Jul 2009 | 11:12 amMechanical engineer and defense entrepreneur Regina Dugan has been named the new director of Darpa, the Pentagon’s premier research arm. Dugan will now be in charge of more than $3.2 billion of high-risk science and technology projects — everything from thinking computers to shape-shifting machines to soldier telepathy. “Regina Dugan is precisely the dynamic leader Darpa needs to open new technology frontiers and transition revolutionary technologies to serve our nation’s interests,” Zachary Lemnios, director of Defense Research and Engineering, says in a statement. Back in mid-May,… -
Video: Pentagon’s Robo-Hummingbird Flies Like the Real Thing
2 Jul 2009 | 10:33 amMilitary-backed researchers have built a tiny drone that looks and flies like a hummingbird, flapping its little robotic wings to stay in the air. So far, the mock bird, built for Pentagon mad-science division Darpa, has only stayed aloft for 20 seconds at a time. But that short flight was enough to show the potential of a whole new class of miniature spies, inspired by nature. Darpa just handed AeroVironment, makers of the winged “nano air vehicle,” another $2.1 million to build a hummingbot 2.0. Ultimately, Darpa program manager Todd Hylton says in a statement, he’d like… -
Is North Korea Prepping Fourth of July Fireworks?
2 Jul 2009 | 7:01 amNorth Korea fired off a pair of short-range missiles today — Reuters is now reporting a third — and speculation now centers on whether Pyongyang is planning a more dramatic test of a long-range missile that could, in theory, reach Hawaii. Three years ago, North Korea ratcheted up tensions in the region with a series of missile tests, including the launch of a long-range Taepodong-2 ballistic missile. That Taepodong-2 launch was a failure: The missile cracked up less than a minute after launch, but the North Koreans continued to pursue intercontinental ballistic missile technology. So can… -
Five for Fighting 7/2/09
2 Jul 2009 | 6:32 am* Double-drone attack in Afghanistan * Jones: no more troops this year * How to: build an Air Force from scratch * “Spanish boffins develop bat-like sonar-vision superpower“ * Cell phone vigilantes strike
-
ProPublica: National Security
-
Obama Seems to Rule Out Executive Order on Indefinite Detentions
2 Jul 2009 | 4:00 pmby Dafna Linzer, ProPublica - President Obama appeared to rule out issuing an executive order to establish indefinite detention Thursday, nearly a week after White House officials first acknowledged that it was an option. In an interview with The Associated Press, Obama said that if he goes ahead with indefinite detentions for terrorism suspects that he would ask Congress to approve it by law. "It is very important that the American people and Congress, in conjunction with my administration, come up with a structure that is not only legitimate in the eyes of our constitutional traditions, but… -
White House Is Drafting Executive Order to Allow Indefinite Detention; Move Would Bypass Congress
26 Jun 2009 | 2:25 pmby Dafna Linzer, ProPublica, and Peter Finn, Washington Post - -
Review of Gitmo Detainees Has Been Slow and Complex
26 Jun 2009 | 2:24 pmby Dafna Linzer, ProPublica - In a little-noticed brief (PDF) filed in U.S. District Court on May 13, Matthew Olsen, who is leading the Guantanamo Review Task Force that is sorting through the files of detainees, said that the review process has been painstakingly slow. Olsen wrote that by late April, the task force database had been loaded with 1.8 million pages of information on the 240 detainees still at Guantanamo and contained a total of 400,000 unique documents, including intelligence reports from the CIA, the Pentagon’s intelligence agency, the National Security Agency and the… -
News Analysis: Broad Agreement That Workers’ Comp Program for War-Zone Workers Needs Fixing
23 Jun 2009 | 2:10 pmby T. Christian Miller, ProPublica - Congressional hearings generally follow a script. Lawmakers publicly vent their outrage, administration officials offer plausible defenses, and the outcome is inconclusive. But last week's airing of complaints about the government's system for taking care of civilian workers injured or killed while on the job in Iraq and Afghanistan was notable for its unanimity. Republicans and Democrats, Obama administration officials, private insurance companies and injured contractors all agreed that there are serious flaws in the Defense Base Act, a 70-year-old law… -
Foreign Workers for U.S. Are Casualties Twice Over
19 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmby T. Christian Miller, ProPublica - Rey Torres dreamed of a better life for his wife and five children when he left a neighborhood of wooden shacks and burning trash piles to drive a bus on a U.S. military base near Baghdad. He hoped to send his children to college and build a new home with the $16,000 a year he earned in Iraq — four times what he could make in the Philippines. Then, in April 2005, Torres, 31, was killed in an ambush by Iraqi insurgents. His widow and children were supposed to be protected by a war zone insurance system overseen by the U.S. government. They were…
-
Op For
-
Tactical Arms: New Season
3 Jul 2009 | 12:16 pmYet more good news on the guns-on-TV front. Tactical Arms, the successor to Tactical Impact, is airing now on the Sportsman Channel. Looks to be even better than its predecessor. The first episode (see clip here) was outstanding. -
Operation KHANJAR
2 Jul 2009 | 5:51 pmToday, nearly 4,000 U.S. Marines and Sailors of Task Force Leatherneck, partnered with Afghan National Security Forces and supported by Task Force Pegasus, the Combat Aviation Brigade of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, conducted a near-simultaneous heliborne and surface insert into the central and southern Helmand River valley. These efforts, combined with closely coordinated UK and Danish operations to our immediate north, will dramatically change and positively impact the security of the Afghan people living in this long-held Taliban heartland. Richard S. Lowry is the author of… -
The Best Defense: Survival
1 Jul 2009 | 5:26 pmFans of Outdoor Channel's outstanding Best Defense series, listen up: The new season is up and running, focusing on survival, or "prepping" if you prefer. I'm watching Episode 1 right now. Good stuff. -
Strike Of The Sword
1 Jul 2009 | 5:18 pmMarines wield their terrible swift sword in Helmand Province: WASHINGTON — U.S. Marines and Afghan security forces moved into Taliban-infested villages Wednesday evening in one of the Obama administration's first major military operations in the previously forgotten war in Afghanistan. ... Dubbed Operation Khanjar, or "Strike of the Sword," the military push was described by officials as the largest and fastest-moving of the war's newest phase. British forces last week led similar missions to fight and clear out insurgents in Helmand and Kandahar provinces. Looks like they're aiming for the… -
Colonel Kenneth Reusser, USMC; 1920-2009
29 Jun 2009 | 5:34 pmA three-war Marine and double Navy Cross recipient died recently-- Colonel Kenneth "Kannibal Ken" Reusser. He was an archetype of the hard-fighting hard-flying Marine aviator, as his two Navy Cross citations will attest. The action in which he and his wingman "ate" the Jap plane is memorably illustrated in LtCol Alex Durr's painting. Towards the end of his life it looks like he got a bad break, and then a raw deal on top of it. I wish the guy who swindled him could get his ass chopped off by a Corsair prop. But, if he's serving time, that might not be far from the truth... It's been a bad…
-
Honor, Duty, eMail
-
Burn That Flag, Just Ask Permission
3 Jul 2009 | 8:30 amBurn That Flag, Just Ask PermissionWritten by Tom Adkins (7/1/98)What do we do about people who want to burn the American flag? Those folks who want to stomp all over it, or spit on it to make some sort of "statement." Some say the first Amendment gives us the right to desecrate the American flag. Others want to make it illegal. This is a tough one. What should we do? I can solve this one easily. I believe we should have a simple requirement. Let flag desecration be legal, but you have to have three sponsors who will give you written permission. Those sponsors should be from a panel of… -
Welcome to July
3 Jul 2009 | 7:59 amWelcome to July eMOM friends, family and fellow troop supporters!We hope you're having a wonderful summer and we're so glad you're here with us supporting our troops. We've got plenty for you to do this summer to keep you busy and having fun while giving a little something back to those who serve.June was great but July is going to be even better as we bring you great stories, discounts and deals, patriotic projects and tons more.We're encouraging everyone who's getting together with family and friends over the 4th of July weekend to make your celebration a service event as well. Have your… -
Action Alert - We Still Need Your Help
2 Jul 2009 | 12:30 pmWe still need your help! Your vote does make a difference.More and more military service members are using the internet to stay connected with friends and family back home. Through social media eMOM is able to connect with and support U.S. Troops. By taking a moment to gt involved you can help us win a Social Media Makeover through CommuniCause.com. There are 2 basic ways to help and each counts as a vote.Vote with your eMail address Vote with your twitter accountWinning is nice but it isn't everything. Making it to the top 10 means more people will learn about who we are and what we do. That… -
Musician Joe Colledge Offers Troops Free Music
2 Jul 2009 | 11:00 amJust in time for Independence Day, Singer/Songwriter Joe Colledge Partners with eMail Our Military to Offer Troops a Free Download of His Single “American Dream”.eMail our Military and Joe Colledge are partnering to offer active duty service members “American Dream” free, along with a heartfelt letter of thanks and appreciation.Though the song is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, and most major digital distributors through BFM Digital, LLC. Military service members can now receive it for free and are encouraged to do so through eMail Our Military.Using their military email… -
Fun Flag Facts For 4th of July
2 Jul 2009 | 7:25 amThe 50-star flag of the United States was raised for the first time officially at 12:01 am on July 4, 1960, at Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore, MD. The 50th star had been added for Hawaii; a year earlier the 49th, for Alaska. Before that, no star had been added since 1912, when New Mexico and Arizona were admitted to the Union. The true history of the Stars and Stripes has become so cluttered by myth and tradition that the facts are difficult, and in some cases impossible, to establish. For example, it is not certain who designed the Stars and Stripes, who made the first such…
-
BLACKFIVE
-
Liberty and Patriots on the 4th of July
3 Jul 2009 | 10:37 amUh, nope. This won't be an entry like you're thinking about from the title above. This one is about...cars.Like my bio in the right-hand column states, I'm an avowed gearhead. Motorhead. Bleed Signal-orange 10-weight Valvoline. Permanent grease under the fingernails. It's the one diversion I have that doesn't involve semi-legal activity (depending on where you live, of course). I can shop for cars the way women can shop shoes or clothes. ALL DAY LONG. Debating value or cost of a car purchase with a salesman is as much fun to me as an economic debate can be at Harvard or… -
Morality, Counterinsurgency, and Wishful Thinking
3 Jul 2009 | 6:46 amRobert D. Kaplan examines the successful COIN effort by Sri Lanka and concludes that, yes, it "represented the culmination of a counterinsurgency campaign that the U.S. could only dream about," but that we should draw no lessons from it. Why? Because it was immoral. The Sri Lankan government fought through human shields (which isn't necessarily immoral -- St. Thomas Aquinas' doctrine of double effect explores the question in depth). They took aid from regimes that didn't mind their brutality. They killed journalists who generated negative publicity. America couldn't do that, he… -
Military Motivator - Independence Day (Part 1)
2 Jul 2009 | 11:17 pm -
freefly- independence day w/ kev in iraqistan
2 Jul 2009 | 3:16 pmfor the many kev fans who have been asking for updates. (lack of caps per his demented request)kev is celebrating independence day by showing his independence from my editing. he has learned himself how to edit video with titles, music and credits. It's been too long since we had a freefly so here is kev solo on many topics. feel free to note how buff he has become, he is quite vain. oh and he is not juicing, just has nothing better to do than lift weights. -
Hopey Changey and The Strike of Our Sword...
2 Jul 2009 | 1:22 pmNEWSFLASH: Mother Green and her Killing Machine are loose in the South of Afghanistan... NAWA, Afghanistan – U.S. Marines hiked through searing heat and took fire from small pockets of militants Thursday after landing in this Taliban-controlled southern region of tree-lined fields, mud homes and crisscrossing waterways in the first major operation under President Barack Obama's strategy to stabilize Afghanistan. They moved into Helmand sometime in the last 48 hours and have been on the move since they hit the ground. The operation is called "Khanjar" or "Strike of the Sword But as I…
-
Defense Tech
-
Kang Nam 1 Mystery Trip
2 Jul 2009 | 4:28 amUnderway for two weeks now, North Korea's unimposing merchant ship Kang Nam 1 continues her mystery trip through the South China Sea at a sedate 10 knots. I expect this is for better fuel economy but not because her captain or Kim Jong Il want to be green. According to the Associated Press, anonymous U.S. intelligence sources said on Tuesday that she altered course back north and is now about 250 miles south of Hong Kong. Kang Nam 1 is believed by some Western authorities to possibly be bound, or at least originally have been bound, for Myanmar with an export shipment of conventional arms --… -
Iraq: Que Sera Sera
30 Jun 2009 | 10:17 amThe withdrawal of American troops from Iraqi cities today marks a turning point for the war in Iraq, and leaves me with mixed feelings about the current situation and the war overall. I see it as a success that the security situation has improved so much that US forces basically aren't needed to protect the urban populations anyway. Whether it was an arbitrary date or not, it sort of turned out to be an event-driven one -- at least in terms of security. I can't express the pride I feel for the sacrifice and adaptability of the troops who made this success possible. I remember being at a small… -
Submarine Numbers at Issue
30 Jun 2009 | 5:54 amThe U.S. Navy plans to begin constructing two nuclear-propelled attack submarines (SSN) per year beginning next year -- Fiscal Year 2010. For the past decade the Congress has authorized SSNs at an average of one a year. However, in response to the Newport News/Northrop Grumman and Electric Boat/General Dynamics shipyards reducing construction costs for submarines of the Virginia (SSN 774) class to $2 billion per submarine in then-year (FY 2005) dollars, the Department of Defense and Congress have approved the doubled construction rate. Now some in DoD and Congress are having second thoughts… -
Farah Hit Shows Need for COIN Plane
29 Jun 2009 | 11:27 amI know it's been out for a while, but I thought I'd give the recently released investigation report on the air strikes in Farah province Afghanistan a chop and post the entire report here. You might remember this was the latest high-profile close air support strike on a village that allegedly killed as many as 140 civilians -- but probably killed more like 60 (still a WAY too high number) during a day-long battle in Farah province in May. I'm not going to get into the whole idea of using CAS in villages against an enemy that may (or may not) be deliberately hiding amongst civilians, the… -
NSA Edges Out Others in Cyber Command Control
29 Jun 2009 | 5:02 amLast week Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered U.S. Strategic Command (StratCom) to deliver a plan to stand-up a new command to oversee information technology security and attack – what would be known as "Cyber Command." This is in addition to President Obama's announcement last month that he will establish a new cyber security office at the White House. The historic event took place on Tuesday, June 22nd. As one could imagine, this is no small task. StratCom has just a little over sixty days to accomplish this mission. The plan to create this new entity operating within the Department of…
-
Michael Yon - Online Magazine
-
Lithuanians on the Moon
30 Jun 2009 | 6:00 pmLithuanians on the MoonandSpeaking the Language01 July 2009Chaghcharan, Ghor Province, AfghanistanLithuanian Lieutenant Marius Varna walked me around the perimeter of the small camp and we scanned the massive desolation of Afghanistan. The expanses, the dust, and the overwhelming sensation of brown and near-absence of refreshing green, under blue skies and squinting-bright sun. Only a handful of scrubby trees to be seen. One mountain wore a tint of green, as if it had been spray-painted from too far. Varna said it had sprouted after a rain a few weeks ago.Nearby homes, mostly those… -
Iraq Braces for U.S. Pullout
30 Jun 2009 | 4:26 pmPlease Click Here to view the entire interview with Michael on AMNY.com.{loadposition user8} -
Sean Pillai interviews Jeff Mellinger
26 Jun 2009 | 8:20 pm27 June 2009Kabul, AfghanistanThe clearest sign that I am back in Afghanistan is that the electricity is out again. Other than that, the day is bright, shiny and cool in Kabul.While reading/listening through the morning news, this excellent interview with Command Sergeant Major Jeff Mellinger popped up. The interview was conducted by Sean Pillai.CSM Mellinger has spent about 37 years in the United States Army. He was the single most knowledgeable soldier I ever met when it comes to the ground war in Iraq. He's a walking encyclopedia who spent more time on those hot, dangerous streets… -
The Road to Hell: Part II
26 Jun 2009 | 7:05 pm27 June 2009AfghanistanWith so many contractors, journalists, and even tourists floating around Afghanistan, some are bound to be kidnapped. The recent escape by David Rohde provides a happy conclusion, though these things often end up with a bullet in the head, or a head sawed off for all to see. Kidnappings are so common in Afghanistan that most barely make the news.The New York Times and big media outlets are being blamed for suppressing the story and thereby giving special treatment to one of their own. It’s clear that they did give special treatment to one of their own. In… -
Michael Jackson
26 Jun 2009 | 3:56 amNews of Mr. Jackson's death is sweeping around the world. Having worked for Mr. Jackson at his Neverland Ranch, I had the feeling that he was a hostage to his success. Finally, the King of Pop will find peace that he might never have gotten in life. -- Very Respectfully,Michael YonDubai{loadposition user8}
-
The Long War Journal
-
13 Taliban fighters killed in US airstrikes in Pakistan
3 Jul 2009 | 5:37 amThe US killed 13 Taliban fighters in a pair of airstrikes in Baitullah Mehsud's territory in Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agency of South Waziristan. Unmanned US Predator strike aircraft struck a Taliban training camp in the village of Kotat Khel and a madrassa, or religious school, in the Mantoi region. The 13 Taliban fighters were killed at the Kotat Khel camp, according to reports. The madrassa in Mantoi was reported to have been empty. A senior trainer of suicide bombers was reported to be among those killed in the Kotat Khel strike. "The missiles hit an office of Mufti Noor Wali… -
US sanctions Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades and Qods Force adviser
2 Jul 2009 | 3:46 pmLogo for the Hezbollah Brigades from a propaganda video released on the Internet. The US Treasury Department designated the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades and a senior aide to Iran's Qods Force as insurgent and militia entities that threaten to destabilize the security of Iraq. Treasury designated Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and the Hezbollah Brigades under Executive Order 13438. Earlier today, the US Department of State also designated the Hezbollah Brigades as a terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224. Both executive orders allow the US to block financial transactions, freeze assets, and prosecute… -
Haqqani Network captures US soldier in Afghanistan
2 Jul 2009 | 11:23 amThe Haqqani Network has captured a US soldier who was based in the eastern Afghan province of Paktika. The soldier, who has not been identified, had reportedly been captured after walking off of his small outpost. The US military has confirmed a solider has been missing since June 30 and believes he has been captured by the Taliban. "A US Soldier, who has been missing since June 30 from his assigned unit, is now believed to have been captured by militant forces," US Forces Afghanistan said in a press release. "We are exhausting all available resources to ascertain his whereabouts and provide… -
US sanctions Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba and al Qaeda leaders
1 Jul 2009 | 10:05 pmThree senior operatives in the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and an al Qaeda leader have been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department. The designation was made just one day after a leaked Pakistani report described how Lashkar-e-Taiba and other terror groups are thriving in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders Arif Qasmani, Mohammed Yahya Mujahid, and Nasir Javaid, and al Qaeda operative Fazeel-A-Tul Shaykh Abu Mohammed Ameen Al Peshawari have been designated as terrorists under Executive Order 13224. The designation permits the US to freeze their assets, prevents them from… -
Pakistani Army rejects North Waziristan operation
1 Jul 2009 | 12:29 pmThe Pakistani military has announced it does not intend to take on the Taliban in North Waziristan even though the Taliban recently dissolved the 16-month-old agreement and killed 27 soldiers in an attack on a military convoy last weekend. The Pakistani Army dropped pamphlets in Miramshah, the main town of the Taliban-controlled tribal agency, announcing that it "does not want any operation in the area," according to Geo News. The Army signaled that it would only retaliate for attacks against its forces via punitive strikes, and blamed the violence on a small segment that wanted to sabotage…
-
Mudville Gazette
-
Palin resigns
3 Jul 2009 | 12:53 pmANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sarah Palin will resign her office in a few weeks, she said during a news conference at her Wasilla home Friday morning.Stealing Scott Ott's line from Facebook message: "Sarah Palin Steps Down as Governor to Spend More Time with Charlie Gibson, Katie Couric" -
The "R" stands for recall
3 Jul 2009 | 10:38 amFor those who keep a few MREs stashed at home, Stars and Stripes alerts to a recall:A militarywide recall has been issued for Dairyshake powders found in Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs) and Unitized Group Rations-Express (UGR-Es). Plainview Milk Products Cooperative in Minnesota issued the voluntary recall after a Food and Drug Administration inspection found salmonella contamination on some of the facility's equipment, according to an FDA news release dated June 29. Plainview sells its products to distributors and manufacturers who may then use them in their own products, and not to the general… -
Travels With Joe
3 Jul 2009 | 9:10 amGeorge Stephanopoulos updates from "just outside" of Baghdad*:Biden spent a couple of hours this morning getting briefed by the Commanding General here in Iraq, Ray Odierno, and the new Ambassador, Chris Hill. After the meeting he told me the reports were more optimistic than he expected.*In keeping with the SOFA, Victory Base Complex will no longer be reported as "Baghdad". Previous entry here. -
Coming Soon:
2 Jul 2009 | 3:05 pmSo, will NBC TeeVee execs gets to pick the bad guys for this new reality show? Or someone else?On Monday, July 20, join NBC News for a groundbreaking television event when it sets forth on an international hunt for an accused terrorist with "The Wanted" at 10 PM ET. "The Wanted" brings together an elite team with backgrounds in intelligence, unconventional warfare and investigative journalism. The show focuses on real operators, in search of real targets -- all in an effort to see individuals brought to justice. "We hope this program sheds light on an overlooked story," said David Corvo,… -
Missing Soldier Update
2 Jul 2009 | 2:28 pmI've added multiple updates with quotes from news reports as they become available to the original story below. As you read, bear in mind that first reports are always wrong. Rumors and scuttlebutt are frequently passed on as news - they may or may not turn out to be completely (rare) or partly (often) true. I'll add only that a soldier can't just accidentally wander off a military installation in Afghanistan or Iraq. In fact, one shouldn't be able to exit without authorization for a specific mission. Determination or duress could overcome that obstacle. But any speculation as to how one…
-
MilBlogs
-
This is not good...
2 Jul 2009 | 9:28 amU.S.: American Soldier Captured in Afghanistan Details as known HERE Prayers for this soldier and his family. Sources in the know tell us that the family of this soldier has been notified. Every parent's (and spouse's) worst nightmare. Maybe -- just maybe -- this one will turn out differently... To those who are searching, good hunting. -
Coup ... or Constitutional act?
29 Jun 2009 | 7:31 amLike Major John, this weekend I have been waiting for this to gel in my nogg'n. My first reaction was, "A coup in Latin American, oh, it must be the end of the month." Then it dawned on my that if my memory served me right, this would be the first coup in Central America since the Cold War. Then I went to my primary Latin American counter-indicator, Hugo. Why are we sounding like we are in alignment with Hugo and Fidel? Is everyone, at least initially, having a knee-jerk response? Well, things are a little more complicated than they look - or more simple. Over at the WSJ, they start to build… -
A Mythical Sea Battle
28 Jun 2009 | 12:06 pmReally. Mythical. -
Honduran Army...coup?
28 Jun 2009 | 11:02 amThe stories I am seeing about Honduras call the removal of their President by the Army a coup. But as I read more stories, I keep seeing: "The country's Supreme Court last week came out against Zelaya and ordered him to reinstate fired military chief Vasquez. The court said on Sunday it had told the army to remove the president." or "Zelaya, a leftist allied with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, was arrested shortly before polls were to open in a referendum on whether to change the constitution. The Supreme Court ruled the referendum illegal and everyone from Congress to members of his own… -
MOH - Rep. Hunter (R-CA) is taking point
22 Jun 2009 | 7:40 pmAt last ... it is about time. I just hope he can find a Democrat with seniority to back him.A California congressman who served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan convinced the House Armed Services Committee to order a full review of the criteria used for giving awards for gallantry and valor after a senior defense official said technological advancements and new combat tactics might be the reason fewer of the highest medals are being issued. At the urging of Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-Calif., a Marine combat veteran elected to Congress in November, the armed services committee has asked…
-
Counterterrorism Blog
-
Honduras and the Bolivarian Revolution
3 Jul 2009 | 7:17 amOnce again an outside power is meddling in the internal affairs of a small, poor Central American country and threatening military action if its preferred candidate is not restored to office. The irony is that it is not Uncle Sam interfering in Honduras-which has happened often enough-but Venezuela's Hugo Chávez, who has made a career of railing against foreign intervention. Chávez's belligerent threats of military action to restore his ally, ousted president Manuel Zelaya, to power are supported by Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, Bolivia's Evo Morales and the Castro brothers in Cuba. The… -
Lashkar-e-Taiba's Terror Tentacles in the Gulf
3 Jul 2009 | 2:25 amI just published one article on the Lashkar-e-Taiba's gulf based cells and operatives who have masterminded series of recent attacks against India. The article titled,"Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Financial Network Targets India from the Gulf States" in Jamestwon Foundation's Terrorism Monitor, Vol. 7 (19), July 2, 2009. Here is an excerpt: An impending threat from the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist group has prompted security establishments to raise an alert along India’s western sea-coast. According to intelligence sources, the LeT’s marine wing is planning a Mumbai-type… -
NEFA Foundation: AQIM Threatens Attacks on France over Veil Controversy
2 Jul 2009 | 1:37 pmThe NEFA Foundation has obtained a new communique from Al-Qaida Committee in the Islamic Maghreb threatening to carry out terrorist attacks against France in revenge for the recent decision by the French government to ban the niqab (a full body veil worn by some conservative Muslim women). According to the statement, titled "France: the Mother of All Evils," "the mujahideen in the land of the Islamic Maghreb have sworn an oath to Allah, not to keep silent in the face of this provocative repression, and we will avenge the honor of our sisters and daughters, targeting France and its interests… -
Hizb ut-Tahrir America Conference Update: HTA Books Grand Ballroom at Chicago Area Hilton
1 Jul 2009 | 5:35 pmHizb ut-Tahrir America (HTA) has booked the Hilton in Oak Lawn, IL for the "Fall of Capitalism & Rise of Islam" conference, according to an update on their Khilafah Conference web site. HTA was forced to find another venue at which to hold their conference after the original venue, the Aqsa School in Bridgeview, Illinois canceled. The Aqsa School's business manager told a CBS News reporter that the representatives of HTA had "misrepresented themselves and the event" and the school did not "want to be in the middle of something like that." According to the announcement on the HTA conference… -
How the FBI Broke Saddam - Part 4 (Epilogue)
1 Jul 2009 | 3:38 pmThree months into interrogating Saddam Hussein, the FBI had heard no bombshells. There had been no startling boasts by Iraq’s ousted president of ordering the Kurds in northern Iraq to be gassed, nor had he bragged of sending his thugs to slaughter Shi’a in the south to quash the uprising that followed the first Gulf war. But the more the FBI confronted him with its painstakingly-gathered evidence - documents, videos, witnesses and interrogations of other regime detainees - the harder it had been for Saddam to lie, spin or obfuscate. By May 2004, he was still defiant - but the chinks in…
-
washingtonpost.com: Faces of the Fallen
-
Pvt. Steven T. Drees
27 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmPvt. Steven T. Drees -
Pfc. Peter K. Cross
25 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmPfc. Peter K. Cross -
Spec. Joshua L. Hazlewood
24 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmSpec. Joshua L. Hazlewood -
1st Lt. Brian N. Bradshaw
24 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pm1st Lt. Brian N. Bradshaw -
Spec. Casey L. Hills
23 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmSpec. Casey L. Hills
-
Blogs of War
-
Archibald McIndoe’s Guinea Pig Club
27 Jun 2009 | 7:19 amThere’s more on Archibald McIndoe and the Guinea Pig Club over at the BBC. -
Twitter Reschedules Server Maintenance to Support Iranians
15 Jun 2009 | 5:20 pmA noteworthy moment in social media history: A critical network upgrade must be performed to ensure continued operation of Twitter. In coordination with Twitter, our network host had planned this upgrade for tonight. However, our network partners at NTT America recognize the role Twitter is currently playing as an important communication tool in Iran. Tonight’s planned maintenance has been rescheduled to tomorrow between 2-3p PST (1:30a in Iran). The folks at Twitter/NTT were initially reluctant to back off from the scheduled down time but phone calls and the #nomaintenance hashtag… -
General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s D-Day Speech
6 Jun 2009 | 5:49 am -
Continental Express Pilot Reported “Missile or Rocket” Near Miss on Friday
3 Jun 2009 | 4:28 pmThis is the second time this type of event has been reported by a commercial pilot in this area. The latest occurred on Friday: A pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration that at about 8:15 p.m. Friday, an object passed within 150 feet beneath the aircraft, sheriff’s officials said. The aircraft was near the southern edge of the county, flying at about 13,000 feet, officials said. “The pilot, from what we understand, was former military. He was able to get the coordinates down real quick,” said Cpl. Hugh Bishop with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department. 13,000 feet is… -
Video: National Moment of Remembrance
25 May 2009 | 7:34 am
-
Last-Of-Iraqis
-
Crossroads
28 Jun 2009 | 1:16 pmI strongly doubt that any person with the slightest interest in the politics don't look at these days as a very important crossroads and a milestone. The US troops will withdraw from the Iraqi streets and be deployed in their bases and Iraq will gain its "sovereignty" as they say in the next few days, but what is behind the news? What is really happening on the ground? And what are the possible -
Watch the kids
23 May 2009 | 9:50 pmFew days ago we were getting back home at night from a visit to a relative of us, when we reached our neighborhood; two blocks away from my house, we noticed a gathering of people at the door of one of the houses, it was clear from the faces of the people and the way they were acting that something unpleasant happened. I stopped the car and got out to offer my help in case they needed it. -
Statistics
14 May 2009 | 2:59 pmYesterday, I was chatting with my colleague about the situation in Iraq and specially regarding the social aspect…we both reached an agreement that we would witness a social crisis or a disaster…the Iraqis' ethics and manner have really changed in the years after the war…so many people lost the good sides of the Iraqi manners. And since he is much older than me, he said that after each war -
Back home
7 May 2009 | 10:10 pmIt has been more than a week since the three of us came back to Baghdad, I know I haven't posted for a long time now but parents knows why and singles should try being a parent and I'm sure everyone would excuses me. I haven't been able to follow the news closely since I came back but I think now I can because my Looli is older she is 8 weeks now and she cries a bit less and sleeps a little more -
The myth of Freedom statue
21 Mar 2009 | 3:52 pmWhen a man closely observes the recent history of Iraq, he would easily notice that there is something really wrong that causes such unfortunate events and catastrophes, I personally think the reason behind it is the Iraqi society itself combined with the riches of the Iraqi land which became a curse on Iraqis rather than a fortune and many other reasons combined together to make the dangerous
-
Military Top Stories Center
-
Lockheed Snags Anti-Ship Missile Award
2 Jul 2009 | 5:00 pm -
Captain America Returns
2 Jul 2009 | 5:00 pm -
Marines Push Deeper in Afghan Assault
2 Jul 2009 | 5:00 pmMarines pushed deeper into Taliban strongholds today after suffering the first fatality of their massive offensive against Afghanistan's hardline Islamist militia. Marines are on the ground in Helmand province's districts of Garmsir and Nawa, and have helped Afghan forces take Khanishin, towards the border with Pakistan. -
Navy Investigating Gay Sailor's Death
2 Jul 2009 | 5:00 pm -
Biden in Iraq to Visit Troops, Leaders
2 Jul 2009 | 5:00 pm
-
Great Baghdad
-
the Fragile situation
25 Jun 2009 | 6:26 amLiving in the buffer zone or what you may call no man’s land between Baghdad’s Sunni -dominated Adhamiyah district and the Sadr City area dominated by the Mahdi Army, which is a Shia militia, I know how bad tensions between the two sides can get. I remember a couple of years ago when sectarian fighting – one might even call it civil war - was at its peak. At the time, mortars and Russian-made Grad artillery missiles flew back and forth between the two areas in north Baghdad. Whenever there was a bombing in Sadr city, the Mahdi Army would retaliate, lobbing mortars into Adhamiyah. The… -
Iraqi Count Downs
1 Jan 2009 | 7:50 amFew days ago I noticed that there is couple of count downs and one count up (if there is such a thing as a count up) on the Iraqi TV stations. The first count down is at Al-Diyar TV one of the Many Iraqi satellite TV stations which emerged right after the war. The count down if for the Iraqi provincial councils’ elections, due for Next February 2009. This election is one of the Major Mile stones n Iraqi politics and the election campaign is really starting strong and the results are really highly anticipated. Even though, the Iraqi people are really frustrated from the performance of both… -
HOW TO DO BUSYINESS IN BAGHDAD
28 Nov 2008 | 11:14 amOne night, few years ago I fancied a hand watch at a store in Baghdad. Few days later, I took a friend of mine who was, unlike me, good in Bargaining and went to the store to get that watch. The guy at the store did not budge off his position regarding the price of that watch which was really cheap. My Friends efforts went in Vain, but it was I who actually managed to get that watch in a price less than the asked price. No, I did not “Make him an Offer that he can’t refuse” in Marlon Brando’s tactic at the Godfather. I simply talked to him in the manner that every Iraqi understands. I… -
THANK YOU AMERICA
6 Nov 2008 | 1:19 amSince the start of the presidential election campaign I had some reservation on Barak Obama, especially on issues like Iraq. I was more of a Clinton supporter. But once Clinton wasout of the picture , it became obvious whom I would rather see at the white house.Probably you would think that this is only because I’m an Iraq and electing a new president at the white house who would have a direct effect on my country and that is why I’m concerned. It is true to an extent. One morning as I was driving to work, had the radio on BBC Arabic. They had a talk show and they were receiving calls and… -
HISTORY LESSON
1 Jun 2008 | 12:45 pmFor the past 2 days, I have been watching a DVD called “ Hitler- the rise of Evil”. It talks about the rise of the most notorious dictator that the world ever known. As an Iraqi, who lived in Iraq for the past 3 decades, I could not help but notice the remarkable resemblance between the realities I lived, and still living in this little country called Iraq. I still remember the striking resemblance between the German dictator and our own home grown dictator, Saddam Hussein. The police state he created and the Militarized society and the wars that brought disasters to Iraq and to the…
-
A Soldier's Perspective
-
You Served Radio Show – 2 Jul 09
2 Jul 2009 | 3:22 pmHey, everyone. I hope you'll join Troy and me for tonight's You Served radio show. We have a great group of guests and military-related news items that will be covered tonight. Before I tell you about the show, head on over to our Ebay Store and look at this week's offerings. You may not know that 100% of money from winning bids goes directly to Fisher House, a military charity that provides "a home away from home" that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time — during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury. Check… -
One Step At A Time
29 Jun 2009 | 10:36 pmFor those that listen to our You Served Radio Show each Thursday evening, you probably missed an announcement I made at the end. Our interview with General Chiarelli went long so those listening live probably didn't catch it unless they went back and listened to the archives. I've been noticeably missing the past week or so for a number of reasons. Not the least of which is Army business, but I can't blame it all on work. At the end of the show, I publicly admitted that I'm having issues dealing with life. Not in the sense of ending it, but just coping and interpersonal… -
One Night With the King – Maj Chad Gibson as Elvis
25 Jun 2009 | 5:45 pmOver time I have met many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines that have left a lasting impression on me. Each have something unique about them that make them stand out in my mind. But I have to say that Chad Gibson is one that I will never forget. I met Major Chad Gibson, Chief of Public Affairs, with the USAFR when I did the Hurricane Hunters Blogger Flight back in May. At that time he mentioned that he had an alter ego….ELVIS! I have to say that I was intrigued by this and made my mind up that I had to see his show at the Hard Rock in June. I invited an ole high school classmate and… -
Attention all Pro-Military Supporters
25 Jun 2009 | 12:49 pm(Crossposted at The Snake Pit) The Troopathon 2009 event starts at 4pm EST. Move America Forward (MAF) is the largest pro-troops grassroots organization in the United States committed to supporting the brave men and women of our military and their efforts to defeat terrorism. As a not-for-profit charitable organization, we are dedicated to preserving America’s heritage of freedom and liberty. MAF was formed in early 2004 by the Honorable Howard Kaloogian and acclaimed media personality, Melanie Morgan. Since its inception, MAF has organized several national tours, hosted dozens of rallies… -
What do we make of "plume crud"
25 Jun 2009 | 9:49 amThis story is surfacing due to an amendment that is being brought forth today on H.R. 2647 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. See a summary of that legislation here. Undoubtedly, there is an issue with some of the private contractors willingness to allow "bad things" to happen with our trips. Something about burn pits and harmful situations where are troops are utilized to do some very nasty, unhealthy things. "The same private contractors and military brass that brought our soldiers death by electric shower and contaminated water are able to…
-
Secrecy News
-
Reducing Government Secrecy: Finding What Works
29 Jun 2009 | 8:31 amAlthough people have been complaining about abuse of the national security classification system for decades, such complaints have rarely been translated into real policy changes. More than half a century ago, a Defense Department advisory committee warned that “Overclassification has reached serious proportions.” But despite innumerable attempts at corrective action over the years by official commissions, legislators, public interest groups and others, similar or identical complaints echo today. What is even more interesting and instructive, however, is that a few of those… -
House Report on Intelligence Authorization 2010
29 Jun 2009 | 8:29 amThe House Intelligence Committee last week filed its report on the FY 2010 intelligence authorization act, including many interesting and potentially important intelligence policy provisions. Perhaps the most significant measure is the proposed creation of a statutory inspector general for the intelligence community. Other steps include a requirement to report on the number of Federal Government employees who hold security clearances (remarkably, a number that is not readily available today, even within the government); cautious endorsement of a limited role for the Government… -
Other Resources
29 Jun 2009 | 8:24 amBill Leonard, the esteemed former director of the Information Security Oversight Office and the principal overseer of the government secrecy system, now has his own blog where readers may look for his views and his insights on secrecy policy as the process of classification reform gets underway in earnest. The House Judiciary Committee rebuffed a Republican proposal for a “resolution of inquiry” to require the Administration to produce documents concerning the use of Miranda warnings given to detainees captured in Afghanistan. The Committee’s adverse report, dated June 26,… -
Judge Sotomayor: A CRS Analysis of Selected Opinions
25 Jun 2009 | 12:16 pmMore than anything else, Judge Sonia Sotomayor is a judicial conservative who has hewed closely to established precedent, according to a new analysis by the Congressional Research Service of appellate court decisions authored by President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court. “Perhaps the most consistent characteristic of Judge Sotomayor’s approach as an appellate judge has been an adherence to the doctrine of stare decisis, i.e., the upholding of past judicial precedents,” the 59-page CRS report (pdf) stated. In several important areas, however, the Judge’s… -
Public Input Sought on Classification Reform
25 Jun 2009 | 12:12 pmAt the request of the National Security Advisor, a public meeting has been scheduled for July 8 to solicit public comments and recommendations concerning proposed revisions to executive branch classification and declassification policies. The meeting was announced in a June 23 Federal Register notice. The Public Interest Declassification Board, which is hosting the July 8 meeting, will also launch a new blog next week to solicit public recommendations online. The blog will sequentially consider four areas: declassification policy, creation of a National Declassification Center,…
-
Stryker Brigade News
-
Land Warriors
2 Jul 2009 | 10:14 amWired magazine takes a look at some of the high-tech Land Warrior gear the 5/2 SBCT will be deploying with soon. The soldiers of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division are shipping out to Afghanistan this month — equipped with a controversial array of infantryman gadgets: electronic maps, GPS beacons, wearable computers, and digital radios. The troops are wondering just how useful the eight-pound, $48,000-per-soldier “Land Warrior” gizmo collection will really be, and whether the benefit will really be worth the extra weight. It’s not the first time G.I.s have expressed concerns about… -
Double Deployment
2 Jul 2009 | 8:54 amThe News Tribune profiles a military family with two children as both parents prepare to deploy at the same time. If Tara Schneider can steal a few minutes during her lunch break, she’ll rush to her Steilacoom home and fire up her webcam. On the other end are her two daughters, 3-year-old Autumn and 6-month-old Teagan, both now living in Miami. Schneider, an Army sergeant at Fort Lewis, admits this bit of bonding can’t compare with hugging them and talking in person. “It can be kind of tough,” she said. “I miss them, and the webcam really just isn’t the same.” But with yearlong… -
Stryker Brigade Trains on Unmanned Aircraft
2 Jul 2009 | 8:48 amStory by Pfc. Victor Ayala, 49th Public Affairs Detachment (Airborne) Nearly a mile in the sky, a 400 lb. bird of steel flies in deliberate, careful patterns, watching the world below with an unblinking eye. It can tell the living from the inanimate, the friendly from the enemy, and relay that information back to its controllers instantly without ever giving up its position. Armed only with its camera, the unmanned aerial surveillance vehicle, Shadow, is a weapon of intelligence, and it's giving Soldiers with Fort Lewis's 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, the edge they… -
Transition in Diyala
2 Jul 2009 | 8:38 amAccording to The New York Times the transfer of certain combat outposts to Iraqi control in the Diyala Province did not happen as smoothly as expected. In Diyala Province, where the Americans closed 11 of 18 bases or outposts before Tuesday’s deadline, the transfers did not go entirely smoothly. An official in Mr. Maliki’s office showed up early at a camp near Baquba and complained that the Americans had not left behind generators and air-conditioners for the Iraqis — something the American commander in the region said had never been part of the agreement. The dispute on Sunday delayed… -
Update on Injured Stryler Soldier
2 Jul 2009 | 8:33 amThe Carlsbad Current-Argus has an update on a soldier with the 56th SBCT, SSG Michael Leach, who was injured recently in Iraq. CARLSBAD — For Staff Sgt. Michael Leach, an army reservist fighting in Iraq, June 17 was a day both lucky and unlucky. It is also a day that will be forever burned into his memory. Leach, who in civilian life serves as director of surgical nursing at Carlsbad Medical Center, was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with al-Qaida suicide bombers. They were flushed out by the Iraqi army during a raid on a house where al-Qaida insurgents were believed to be hiding. Leach…
-
FOB Tacoma
-
McChord welcomes new No. 1
26 Jun 2009 | 2:27 pmNews Tribune reporter Adam Lynn files this story after interviewing the new top airman in the Puget Sound area Friday: ------------------------------------ The new commander of McChord Air Force Base will have his hands full as the Obama administration moves to draw down troops in Iraq and increase operations in Afghanistan. McChord and its 4,600 military and civilian personnel and 43 C-17 cargo jets certainly will play a central role “if a decision is made to shift forces anywhere in the world,” Col. Kevin J. Kilb said Friday. “Obviously, we’re focused on doing our… -
Slowin' down
23 Jun 2009 | 8:16 pmPostings will be a tad more erratic the next couple weeks. I'll be on vacation, but I'm confident others back at the TNT will update this when news breaks. -
What's the problem with telling the Iraqis' side?
23 Jun 2009 | 10:15 amAnd since I'm posting about Stars and Stripes, I should give the paper credit: It has the best coverage of Iraq by a Western media outlet today. It receives funding from the Department of Defense but is editorially independent -- no S-2 folks poring over each story before it goes out. Its reporters certainly don't envision themselves as stenographers for guys with stars on their shoulders. But apparently they're doing too good of a job for the military's taste. From today's edition: Asserting that Stars and Stripes "refused to highlight" good news in Iraq that the U.S. military wanted to… -
Stripes: 'National Guard is key in Afghanistan'
23 Jun 2009 | 10:12 amAttention, National Guardsmen: The military wants you for Afghanistan. Stars and Stripes has a story today about the importance of the National Guard soldiers -- specifically ones with civil affairs-type expertise -- in Afghanistan. From the story: Gen. David Petraeus, head of Central Command, has already suggested they could use more of the agribusiness development teams — manned by National Guardsmen from rural areas — that train Afghans in modern farming techniques. Thirteen already are in place. An expansion of the State Partnership Program, which links state National Guard… -
Photo gallery on Land Warrior
23 Jun 2009 | 9:35 amIf you haven't checked it out yet, look at Peter Haley's slideshow of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment training with the Land Warrior system. We spent a day with the soldiers from 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division last week, and I turned out this story.
-
Training for Eternity
-
D-Day Remembered
6 Jun 2009 | 9:23 amAmerican Cemeteries on Foreign SoilAisne-Marne, France- 2,289 interred, 1,060 missing rememberedArdennes, Belgium – 5,329 interred, 462 missing rememberedBrittany, France – 4,410 interred, 498 missing rememberedBrookwood, England – 468 interred, 563 missing rememberedCambridge, England – 3,812 interred, 5,127 missing rememberedEpinal, France – 5,255 interred, 424 missing rememberedFlanders Field, Belgium – 368 interred, 43 missing rememberedFlorence, Italy – 4,402 interred, 1,409 missing rememberedHenri-Chapelle, Belgium – 7,992 interred, 450 missing rememberedLorraine, France… -
Doing the Math
13 May 2009 | 9:23 amToday began like every other day in this vacation spot known as Afghanistan. My alarm went off, like normal. I hit snooze, like normal. It screamed at me again, like normal. I turned it off, like normal. And like normal, I rolled over to take a few well earned moments as I slowly made the transition from hating my alarm clock to laying there a little too long and on into actually being awake. It was just about this point in my day, roughly 2 minutes old at the time, that "normal" took a detour.As I lay there, almost waking up, with the morning light breaking into my window,… -
Catching a Buz
23 Apr 2009 | 3:08 amI think Robert Di Nero explained it rather well as Al Capone in 'The Untouchables' when he said in his thickest, 1920ish, prohibition-like, Mafioso accent, Enthusiasms! What are mine? What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball! A man...A man stands alone at the plate. This is the time for what? For individual achievement. There he stands alone. But in the field, what? Part of a team.Baseball. Our national pastime. What could be better than sitting in (or if your 10 years old, under) the bleachers, eating a hot dog, and watching the big game? The smell of freshly cut… -
A Box Of Non Stop Half Time Time Out!
10 Mar 2009 | 8:11 amTransitions are never easy; especially when they are related to deployments. Because war is an ongoing event you can't just call a time out so the guys that have been here can pack up and go home while the guys that will replace them get unpacked and set up shop. Still, that is exactly what must happen but without actually calling a time out. Imagine a basketball game where each side had not 5 players but about 43. And imagine that they were required to switch players, all of them, at half time. And imagine that only one team took half time while the other team continued to play. Wouldn't be… -
Providential Coincidence
19 Feb 2009 | 8:18 amCoincidence? Providence? Something else? For the last week I and a number of traveling companions have been working our way around the globe to the place we will call home until Uncle Sam tells us we can go back to Alaska. Our trip has been tiring, boring, frustrating, and any number of other "ing's". But the time and effort it took was worth it when we reached our final destination earlier today. The "coolness" is not to be had in the completion of an arduous trek or in the ultimate destination. Rather, it is in the arrival itself. Since my early days as a chaplain in an infantry battalion I…
-
AF.mil Top Stories
-
Dreams of freedom: The essence and beauty of America
3 Jul 2009 | 6:43 amIndependence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by our Founding Fathers. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks and a reason to fly the American flag. This week, as we celebrate the country's 233rd Fourth of July, most of us will be enjoying festivities alongside friends and family. I'd like to honor all those who cannot be home to celebrate this important holiday due to our combat operations overseas. They are there in harm's way, not just to protect our… -
Air Force Week in Photos
3 Jul 2009 | 6:39 am -
Air Mobility Command's 'Rodeo 2009' just weeks away
2 Jul 2009 | 2:57 pm -
Chairman recalls Lincoln in Independence Day message
2 Jul 2009 | 2:12 pmIn his annual Independence Day message to members of the U.S. armed forces worldwide, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recalls a speech Abraham Lincoln delivered in Chicago in 1858. Here is Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's holiday message: The Fourth of July in America perpetually binds us to the birth of our nation, and the spirit of a revolution. Eighty-two years after Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence, another future president, Abraham Lincoln, eloquently defined the Fourth as an annual celebration of his listeners' enduring connection with their previous,… -
Chief McKinley bows out
2 Jul 2009 | 1:54 pmAfter more than 30 years of service, the Air Force's top enlisted leader said his goodbyes to fellow Airmen in a June 30 ceremony in Washington, D.C. Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley told the gathered throng that his father took him and two friends to the Military Entrance Processing Station that day 35 years ago. "I had never flown in an aircraft and didn't fully understand the significance of how my life was changing. The Vietnam War was winding down and it was still unpopular to wear a military…
-
Boots In Baghdad
-
To Our Troops: Thank You!
3 Jul 2009 | 9:58 amVideo from Fox News -
Did toxic chemical in Iraq cause GI's illnesses?
29 Jun 2009 | 4:48 pmFrom the St. Augustine Record:By SHARON COHENAP National WriterPublication Date: 06/29/09Larry Roberta's every breath is a painful reminder of his time in Iraq. He can't walk a block without gasping for air. His chest hurts, his migraines sometimes persist for days and he needs pills to help him sleep.James Gentry came home with rashes, ear troubles and a shortness of breath. Later, things got much worse: He developed lung cancer, which spread to his spine, ribs and one of his thighs; he must often use a cane, and no longer rides his beloved Harley.David Moore's postwar life turned into a… -
Life after U.S. pullout brings worries for Iraqis
28 Jun 2009 | 12:51 pmFrom Reuters:Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:48am EDTBy Daniel WallisBAGHDAD (Reuters) - Sitting in his small room in northern Baghdad, a pistol nearby and assault rifles stacked under the bed, Khalil Ibrahim is worried over Iraq's future.Six years after the U.S. invasion, Iraqis are contemplating the reality of life after a major milestone -- Tuesday's withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from urban centres.Glancing at his seven-year-old son playing a war game on a computer in the corner, Ibrahim, a chain-smoking former military intelligence officer, said he has two main worries."Iran has good relations… -
Ed "Too Tall" Freeman
25 Jun 2009 | 5:33 amRemembering a HeroFrom an e-mail I received this morning:You’re a 19 year old kid. You’re critically wounded, and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley, 11-14-1965, LZ X-ray, Vietnam. Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8–1, and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in. You’re lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you’re not getting out. Your family is half way around the world—12,000 miles away—and you’ll never see them again. As the world starts… -
Iran's Post-Election Crisis
23 Jun 2009 | 12:58 pm"The United States must seek out opportunities for resolving the increasingly urgent impasse over Iran’s nuclear program and addressing the broader array of concerns about Iranian policy. The elections have not changed the fact that negotiations represent the best of a range of unappealing options available to Washington. However, as a result of the increasingly arbitrary actions by Iran’s leadership, the American diplomatic approach has become more complicated and a successful resolution of the three-decade long estrangement becomes unfortunately less likely."-Suzanne Maloney, June 14,…
-
This Military Mama
-
Momfluence Summer Guide!
3 Jul 2009 | 9:15 amphoto by G VicianoLooking for some great products to make your summer that much more fun and enjoyable? Looking to pamper yourself while the kids are off at camp? Or maybe you're dealing with summer bumps and bruises. Momfluence has collected some reviews of great products that you need to know about! Check out what our reviewers had to say about these great summer finds. And don't forget to -
More Of My Birth Mother Story
20 Jun 2009 | 9:15 pmLast November I told you I am a birthmother. There is much of the story I didn't tell you. So many layers. So many details. I didn't give birth in my home state. When I look back I think that was a good thing. I can't really explain it but the world changed for me after I left the hospital, after saying my good byes. The state I gave birth in though only had closed adoption laws [at the time, -
Wednesday Weigh In!
10 Jun 2009 | 12:39 pmSo who has noticed that awesome Shrinking Days of Summer button on the right side of my blog? Oh, did you see the Team Lime button too? Aren't they pretty?That's right! I am apart of Team Lime [GO TEAM LIME!] over at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans Shrinking Days of Summer challenge. I have got 5 awesome team members and we have been doing great. Today is weigh in day and I amazingly gained -
Melt My Heart.
8 Jun 2009 | 7:13 pmToday I was going through some things, trying to de-clutter and be more organized. I found a notebook that I used last summer to write down posts, ideas, quick notes and such. I found some thing that just warmed my heart that I wanted to share. 8/13/08I heard my husband say this today...To Emma: "I love you. Though I left before & I will leave again, I love you. I will always love you."He said it -
Submarine Collision, I Can't Shake You.
10 May 2009 | 11:07 amI’ve been trying to type for weeks now.I sit down and type and type and type. I type about topics or just let it free flow but it all ends up the same, right back to my husband’s sub collision.It’s frustrating. As much as I want to write about the collision a lot of it I can’t write about. Yeah know…the whole national security thing and all.Dealing with this has been tough. My husband’s shore
-
USO Girls
-
Ladies and Gentleman, You Better Come Prepared!
29 Jun 2009 | 8:21 amI know most of you added our little shin dig to your calendars on Friday, but for you few hold outs we have just sweetened the deal! Sure we'll have our celebrity milblogger appearances by Uncle Jimbo and TSO, but we're going to do you one better!The official Huggin' and Kissin' Grandmas are going to be for the first time in history giving hugs for donations to the Warrior Legacy Foundation! These aren't your average grandma hug, their hugs simoltainiously fill you with joy and make you feel like the most special person in the world. Their hugging reputation spans the globe! So Friday for a… -
If You Love America You'll Come!!
26 Jun 2009 | 9:59 amJoin us for happy hour from 4pm - 7pm next Friday July 3rd, at the Tap In, on Main Street in Grapevine TX!This event will benefit the Warrior Legacy Foundation , their website states very eloquentlyThe Warrior Legacy Foundation is a non-profit organization that is committed to the protection and promotion of the reputation and dignity of America’s Warriors. Across every generation, at war and at peace, America has asked her citizens to protect liberty and defend freedom at all costs. No matter the terrain or political climate, America’s Warriors have met every challenge and made every… -
Faces of the Front
23 Jun 2009 | 10:20 amSunday was very eventful. The Air Force found a mechanical problem on the plane and our outbound flight was delayed for a few hours while they fixed it. We had extra time to ouu and ahhh over all the proud new dad's baby pictures. (there were quite a few this week.) One of the soldiers donated some cookies to us saying his wife had given him way too many. Which is how we met SFC Huffine's, they were his favorite!SFC Huffine is from Copperas Cove, TX and works overseeing vehicle mechanics. He and the grandmas had fun giving each other a hard time so it was only fitting that I started my hard… -
Wordless Wednesday Evening
17 Jun 2009 | 6:27 pm -
Cuteness Deathmatch
16 Jun 2009 | 7:00 pmUSO Girl Jamie (not that long ago) VS Uncle Jimbo (Born in the dark ages)Ok readers, someone over at Blackfive thinks he might be cuter than a USO Girl. Let's put him in his place. Although, this is hardly fair since you can barely see my face.
-
The Sandbox
-
I.E.D.
26 Jun 2009 | 8:06 amI.E.D.: WAR IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQName: SANDBOX DUTY OFFICER David StanfordPosting date: 6/26/09Excerpts from some of the posts on the Sandbox have been included in a fascinating new book, I.E.D.: War in Afghanistan and Iraq, by photographer David Levinthal, recently published by Powerhouse books. Here is Levinthal's introductory essay, along with some of the images: OSCAR MIKE (On the Move)This book is an examination of how we are looking at war. It is about how and perhaps why the wars that we are now engaged in have been miniaturized and abstracted right before our eyes. We are faced… -
MY NON-DINNER WITH STEPHEN
24 Jun 2009 | 6:53 amMY NON-DINNER WITH STEPHENName: Chaplain CPT Dr. Father Tim Posting date: 6/24/09Stationed in: IraqMilblog: Curmudgeon: An Unlikely Army Chaplain You know, pronounced "Koal-Bare".So there SFC McG and I were, on our way into a palace to say Mass. It happens quite a lot for us. It was our fourth Mass of the day, and it was well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (again, still, already), so it might as well be in a palace, nicht Wahr?We saw lots of military types lined up, as if cattle, according to last name presumably, as we neared the rather impressive entrance to the edifice. (But… -
THE LAST BURNING EMBERS
23 Jun 2009 | 8:53 amTHE LAST BURNING EMBERS OF AN ENLISTMENTName: The Usual SuspectPosting date: 6/22/09Returned from: IraqMilblog: Stop-Loss, and a Wakeup? This brings us to the last light of a strange and vile journey. Nearly every loose end is tied and the frayed ends are melted down with a buddy's lighter (armyfags will understand this one).All the hoops, every last ring of the despicable circus, every detail, every mission, every CQ shift, every 3 AM drunken stagger through the barracks, every broken washing machine, every formation, all neatly categorized in a fat thick filing cabinet labeled "NO… -
TO THE STRONG AND WONDERFUL WOMEN!
19 Jun 2009 | 4:45 amTO THE STRONG AND WONDERFUL WOMEN!Name: Vampire 06Posting date: 6/19/09Stationed in: AfghanistanHometown: Folsom, CAMilblog: Afghanistan ShruggedHow does one say “Thank You” for such an incredible debt owed?This is a post that I’ve struggled to write many times during my deployment and each time it seems that I’ve failed. At the end I’m always left with the feeling that I didn’t quite describe their hardship, give them their true credit or convey our true gratitude. I’ll try; but am afraid I shall fail them.I’m talking about the women that stand guard at home, support us,… -
AN OPEN PLEA TO MILBLOGGERS
17 Jun 2009 | 10:06 amAN OPEN PLEA TO MILBLOGGERSName: Old BluePosting date: 6/17/09Returned from: AfghanistanMilblog: Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan AdventureThere is a disturbing trend among milbloggers; they fade away. So many who have written during their deployments come home and eventually shut down their blogs.The groundswell of on-the-spot literature detailing the experiences of so many and giving unique insights into the minds of America's fighting few is as temporary as a Facebook profile or a Yahoo Personals ad. That's a loss, because we few, we happy few, we band of bloggers, are writing…
-
The Stupid Shall Be Punished
-
MCPON Awards Dolphins In Japan
3 Jul 2009 | 8:19 amI just got an E-mail from a Sailor aboard USS Michigan (Blue) (SSGN 727) that says in part:We are in Yokosuka doing a port call right now and the MCPON came down for lunch yesterday. After the tour it was pre-arranged for him to give one of our new guys his fish. So everyone lines up on the decks like normal and just as he is ready to pin the kid he stops short, tosses the new pair of fish on the table and takes his own off and pins them on this guy. He then had the newly pinned guy pin the new fish on him. You could tell it was totally spur of the moment, I almost wanted to cry... A very… -
Navy Website Has Boomer Picture!
2 Jul 2009 | 1:25 pmFor the first time in 3 months, the official Navy website had a picture of an SSBN; here it is:It's a picture of USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) returning to Kings Bay from a patrol. Another picture of the boat returning is here.Should the Navy do more to publicize the SSBN force? Or should they wait until we need funding for an Ohio-class follow-on? -
Using Lasers To Find Submarines
29 Jun 2009 | 1:20 pmCheck out this story about how a scientist from the Naval Research Laboratory is investigating the use of lasers for finding or communicating with submerged submarines:The shock wave created by either method can travel several miles and can be used for several purposes. One would be for one-way communication with underwater vessels. Triggering pressure waves in a specific order could allow a plane to communicate with underwater vessels via basic Morse code, or, more likely, says Jones, with a complex, encoded pattern of pulses.Another use for laser-induced sound waves would be for mapping the… -
Navy Working Uniform Now Allowed Out In Town
26 Jun 2009 | 5:12 pmI haven't seen the NAVADMIN yet, but the MCPON reports, on his Facebook page no less, that the CNO has approved the wearing of the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) out in town in some circumstances:Today our CNO approved a revision to the policy that governs the wear of the Navy Working Uniform. Effective immediately, Sailors in most locations can now wear our newest uniform outside the lifelines of our bases and our ships. They can wear it for short routine stops and even at restaurants out in town as long as it's during working hours.This is a big win for our Sailors and for our Navy. The… -
Good Ship Topeka Deploys
25 Jun 2009 | 5:52 pmMy first boat, USS Topeka (SSN 754), left on deployment earlier this week; here's a picture:According to this story, Topeka was featured in the new movie "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen". Even when we first got around to San Diego in 1991, the Topeka was kind of the "go-to" boat when it came to media availabilities. With her recent appearance on "24", along with this movie, it looks like they're still using her as the local Media Darling. (I won't see the movie until Saturday, but from what I've heard from some family members, who went to the midnight showing Tuesday night, the boat…
-
Army of Dude
-
The most entertaining movie review ever
29 Jun 2009 | 2:13 pmIt was inevitable. For all the reviewers that threw a temper tantrum when an Iraq movie had political undertones, there had to be one guy that goes further and laments a lack of the right kind of political undertones. That (dubiously) brave man is Alexander Marlow, a Breitbart.com columnist whose review of The Hurt Locker is serious deadpan masquerading as high-satire.If you get past the use of the word "bromance," Marlow beclowns himself by not actually talking to someone in the military before he rushes to conclude what they must feel about war at the physiological level. He takes issue… -
Father and Son
26 Jun 2009 | 8:01 amClick out of that Michael Jackson retrospective and read about the life and death of someone who mattered.(Thanks Sal for the link.) -
The Baqubah Dilemma
25 Jun 2009 | 10:14 pmWhile Mosul is getting a lot of press lately (thanks Stars and Stripes), the residents of another smorgasbord of insurgent activity are rethinking the June 30 pullout deadline. Baqubah is still a tangled mess of weapons trafficking, cross border movement and militia activity (the bad kind, not the sometimes-good kind). As of late 2007, they had the most shoddy, unprofessional and lazy Iraqi units I saw from Nineveh to Baghdad. Mosul and Baghdad won't be the cities to look at when June 30 rolls around. All eyes will be on Baqubah and the ISF there. The locals don't seem to have a vote of… -
Spoiler Alert!
25 Jun 2009 | 2:44 pmSometimes I hate war movies. Mistakes in uniforms, rank, SOPs and military vernacular that should have been caught by technical advisers are left staring at you in the face (the spec-4 master sergeant in Basic comes to mind). I hope the upcoming Iraq movie The Hurt Locker is generally free of errors, but I could not help but notice the nametape switcheroo from this clip:For the uninitiated, the U.S. Army goes on the left side of your chest. Last name on the right.Hey, Hollywood. I'm looking for a job, and you guys need some help. Just sayin'. -
First Cav and MND-N show their ass in Mosul
24 Jun 2009 | 10:16 amThis is everywhere, as it should be:In a story on its Web site, the newspaper known as Stripes said the military violated a congressional mandate of editorial independence by rejecting a request to embed reporter Heath Druzin with the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division, which is attempting to secure the city of Mosul.Public affairs officer Major Ramona Bellard denied the request of Heath Druzin, a Stripes reporter, to embed in Mosul after "various problems" in his reporting. Major Bellard injected herself into the paper's editorial process after Druzin reported "many Mosul residents would like…
-
Defense Industry Daily
-
July 4th Holiday
3 Jul 2009 | 7:34 amDID does not publish on July 4th, or on the associated civic holiday when July 4 falls on a weekend. We hope our readers in Canada and the USA have enjoyed the period from Canada Day on July 1st to... [summary] -
EMALS: Electro-Magnetic Launch for Carriers
1 Jul 2009 | 11:35 amEMALS Components (click to view full) As the US Navy continues to build its new CVN-21 Gerald R. Ford Class carriers, few technologies are as important to their success as the next-generation EMALS... [summary] -
France’s Future SSNs: The Barracuda Class
1 Jul 2009 | 9:32 amSSN Barracuda cutaway (click to view full) In December 2006, France’s Defence Ministry awarded a contract for nuclear-propelled fast attack submarines to state-owned warship builder DCN and... [summary] -
Roll Call: 10 US Armed Services Staffers to Know
1 Jul 2009 | 8:43 amIn Washington, knowing “who” is usually more important than knowing “what.” Roll Call magazine offers a valuable feature for industry and government personnel alike, as it... [summary] -
Up to $172.4M to 3 Companies for DISA NECC Support
1 Jul 2009 | 7:33 amThe Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific awarded 3 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts with a potential value of $172.4 million to provide Net-Enabled... [summary]
-
Doc in the Box
-
Dropping like Flies, Jeff Goldblum too?
25 Jun 2009 | 5:26 pmFarrah Fawcett was expected any day, Michael was a quite a shock but Jeff Goldblum? Unconfirmed reports are saying the he died falling from a cliff in New Zealand shooting a movie. Rumor? Yes it was a hoax (or so I hope, there are pictures of him in New York a couple of days ago with Rachel McAdams). Maybe but it is sobering hearing of the other two, June 25th is turning out to be a strange -
House
23 Jun 2009 | 12:01 amWe’re moving into housing this weekend, after being without a home for 2 months, I’m missing my own bed. Growing up, I never imagined that I would have lived so many places nor move around as much as I have since joining the Navy. Three years here and four years there, it’s definitely kept me on my toes but at the end of the day, I’m wondering where I’m going to end up at. Five more years and I -
Hoodlums
21 Jun 2009 | 10:37 pmLast Saturday night my wife took me into San Francisco to go to a clubbing, she was the designated driver. We had a great time but when we got to our cars parked on 10th Street between Harrison and Bryant, there was a pile of glass in the sidewalk outside of the back door of our friends car. My wife immediately went to her Beetle and checked all of the windows but everything was intact.We -
Talk about a Bad Day 12/21/12
18 Jun 2009 | 9:34 pmI just saw the Trailer for 2012 here, if you don't know the back story about 2012. Back in the day a couple thousand or so years ago, the greatest civilization in the New World, the Mayans developed an amazingly accurate calendar which we call the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar and on December 21, 2012 or the last day of the of a 13th b'ak'tun, the fourth world ends and the fifth begins. Well -
Where every body knows your name
18 Jun 2009 | 9:01 pmI was at Naval Hospital Lemoore today, doing a meet and greet to talk over some of the policies of the OpSide clinic that I’m working out of and was walking down a hall way and was recognized as the corpsman with a blog by one of the chiefs. I then gave the Master Chief a heads up that I‘m “that“ guy, which really isn‘t that bad of a thing. Guess I haven’t fallen too far off of the radar.Most
-
From the Halls to the Shores
-
The return of the revenge of the Little D
30 Jun 2009 | 3:00 amHE'S TWO!And dear lord he's gettin' big...Happy Birthday, Little D! -
Fair winds and following seas
23 Jun 2009 | 6:13 pmSemper Fi, Colonel Ed McMahon.6 Mar 1923 - 23 Jun 2009 -
Freaking. Classy.
22 Jun 2009 | 7:48 pmThey want to have the Iranian regime celebrate Independence Day after brutally repressing a freedom movement in Iran? Sickening.--------------------------... a gesture of solidarity per our two nations’ shared interest in life, liberty, and shooting women in the heart on the street, I guess.--------------------------UPDATE, 24 June: No tofurkey dogs for the Mahdi's boys. How bold!Yesterday’s -
Keep on their ass
22 Jun 2009 | 3:20 pmThe headline is what grabs the attention. "Al Qaeda says would use Pakistani nuclear weapons." We all know it's true - it's not like it's a secret. But in the west, this is what gets play."God willing, the nuclear weapons will not fall into the hands of the Americans and the mujahideen would take them and use them against the Americans," Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, the leader of al Qaeda's in -
Well no $h!t...
20 Jun 2009 | 7:56 amThe fate of three of nine foreigners abducted in Yemen last week is known — their bodies were found, shot execution style. The whereabouts of the other six — including three children under the age of 6 — remain a mystery.But terrorism experts say their abductors and killers are almost certainly not a mystery. They say the crimes bear the mark of Al Qaeda, and they fear they are the handiwork of
-
Miserable Donuts
-
Bad News From BAF
21 Jun 2009 | 11:20 amThese type of attacks happened several times while I was at Bagram - we never had fatalities, although we did have wounded.Damn. -
Father's Day
21 Jun 2009 | 6:39 amHurray for Dads everywhere (and everywhen): -
As seen on Army Knowledge Online
18 Jun 2009 | 4:00 pmSoldiers of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, intercept illegal timber as it is smuggled through the Narang Valley in Afghanistan's Konar province. Donkeys are the primary way that timber smugglers are able to export the timber without detection over the rough terrain of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. (Photo by Courtesy photo ).When I saw this, all I could think was "those poor donkeys..."Reminded me of one I saw in Charikar in late 2004: -
Your Business-Speak Example of the Day III
17 Jun 2009 | 11:11 am"The D&RM launch was supported by the *********** philosophy,the ******* approach which defines enhanced processes to promote greaterconsistency and streamline distributor interactions. The now flourishingorganization started out as – and remains focused on being -- the sales force toexecute business strategies utilizing this underlying philosophy. "The "philosophy" and company names have been redacted to save them shame (and me trouble).Translation: We told our sales people to do things a certain way. We make sure that they do what we told them to do. -
Queen of the Blues Has Left the Building
4 Jun 2009 | 6:21 amKoko Taylor died yesterday at 80. I didn't know her work well enough, and in truth (I'm ashamed to admit it as a Chicagoan) I only started appreciating Blues a few years ago. I guess you do have to live before you can sing the Blues.Well, I will be making a trip to the library today and get some of her albums in tribute.
-
LT Nixon Rants
-
US Media Finally Coming Around (maybe)
1 Jul 2009 | 10:15 pmAfter the US media's disgracefully biased PrObama coverage during the campaign season and the first 100 days, they maybe realizing that the government subverting a supposedly independent press might not be a good thing. Well at least the reporter who's been covering the White House since the Taft administration recognizes this. From CNS news:“Nixon didn’t try to do that,” Thomas said. “They couldn’t control (the media). They didn’t try.“What the hell do they think we are, puppets?” Thomas said. “They’re supposed to stay out of our business. They are our public servants. We… -
The Light At the End of a Longass Tunnel
30 Jun 2009 | 6:58 amIPs in Basra (photo NYTAfter their entire means of enforcing law and order was dismantled in a poor decision by Bremer, the Iraqis are finally in charge of their own security. It's a bit odd that the New York Times chooses to cast the "celebratory" tone of this Iraqi accomplishment in a bad light:In the past few weeks, nationalist sentiments have spread within the Iraqi government and military, with officials all but boasting that Iraq is ready to handle the security situation on its own.Speaking as a military parade marking the event was held deep inside the heavily fortified Green Zone,… -
Power To the People
29 Jun 2009 | 6:41 amFrom the always on-point Attack CartoonsLest we forget about the plight of Iranians during a barrage of croaked celebrities, it's very difficult to exercise any rights when the government has the ability to overpower its citizens with force. The Second Amendment enables the government to be perpetually afraid and mindful of its people and not the other way around. Certainly, non-violent demonstrations (MLK, Gandhi) are ideal, but in some cases, the people may have no other options. Shit, our country chucked the king out on his ass with violence for taxes that would seem benign nowadays. Look… -
Big Banks To Start Some Weird Astroturf Campaign
25 Jun 2009 | 8:33 amDue to your 401K going poof and a potential worldwide economic collapse, large banking conglomerates are rightfully concerned about that you don't feel enough sympathy for them. That's why they've hired a bunch of skeezy politico types to boost their public image. Bloomberg has the scoop:The internal papers call for using regional securities firms, many of which have escaped notoriety in the financial crisis, to push the industry’s message with their local members of Congress. The plan notes that brokers across the country can also be used.“The foot power of the private client group has… -
Karate Kid Turns 25
24 Jun 2009 | 9:11 amJoe Esposito's inspirational, cheesy, yet surprisingly upbeat 80s tune superimposed with The Karate Kid is the cure for what currently ails our society of apathy. After all, aren't our lives just one big battle against the Cobra Kai dojo? Big Hollywood has more on this culturally significant movie. They don't make 'em like this anymore.
-
The Captain's Journal
-
Marines Feel the Love from Huffington Post
2 Jul 2009 | 9:09 pmThe Huffington Post links our Operation Khanjar category in their coverage of the most recent Marine Corps operations in the Helmand Province, as well they should. We have extensively covered, analyzed and commented on the campaign in Afghanistan for several years now, including detailed coverage of Marine Corps operations in Garmser and Now Zad for about a year (and beginning with reports that couldn’t be found in the MSM). One Twitter post is interesting: “It is cool that the new Afghan operation is named “Khanjar“, an Arabic word. Anyone else think this will drive… -
Scenes from Operation Khanjar
2 Jul 2009 | 8:34 pmPrior to launch of the operation: U.S. Marines from 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, RCT 2nd Battalion 8th Marines Echo Co. run to a new position as they take enemy fire during the start of Operation Khanjari on July 2, 2009 in Main Poshteh, Afghanistan. -
U.S. Marines Launch Large Scale Operation in Helmand Province
1 Jul 2009 | 9:55 pmAbout 4000 U.S. Marines have been unleashed from Camp Leatherneck into the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The Marines have been in the Helmand Province, home of the indigenous insurgency, for more than a year, in both the districts of Garmser and Now Zad. But Operation Khanjar - “strike of the sword” - is the largest one time systematic deployment of U.S. Marines since Vietnam. There are various (perhaps slightly conflicting) narratives. On the one hand, “Our focus is not the Taliban,” Nicholson told his officers. “Our focus must be on getting this… -
What Now Zad Can Teach Us About Counterinsurgency
30 Jun 2009 | 9:16 pmWe have been covering and analyzing U.S. Marine Corps operations in Now Zad, Afghanistan, for nine months, ever since our friend Major Cliff Gilmore (USMC) sent us a direct and unpublished report on his visit to Now Zad. Three months ago we observed that Now Zad was abandoned, and questioned the strategic significance of holding it. More than two months ago we got our answer: the Marines were working to shape the battle space by moving insurgents into disposable positions. Insurgents are there even though the population isn’t. There is major combat action in Now Zad as… -
Leaving Fallujah Better?
29 Jun 2009 | 8:56 pmGraeme Wood at The Atlantic pens a piece that questions what Fallujah will be like when the Marines leave Anbar. A dispatch by Rod Nordland of the New York Times asks whether the violence in Fallujah — lately viewed as a model of an Anbar city pacified and handed over to the Iraqis — is really in remission. His excellent report, filed from Fallujah and from the even more restive nearby town of Karmah, where I just spent two days, leaves the question unanswered but suggests a reality darker than the version the Marines describe. Stop there. Let’s go take a look at the New…
-
Afghan&Military Blog
-
U.S. troops remember beloved Afghan worker
3 Jul 2009 | 12:19 pmOur soldiers don’t hate the Afghan people. Far from it, and this is a classic example of such care that we have for mankind, regardless of background or citizenship. They called him "Abdul No. 1." But the quiet cafeteria worker at Forward Operating Base Salerno was far more than a number to the U.S. troops enduring near-constant Taliban attacks along Afghanistan’s eastern border. Over the past year in Khost province where the base is located, dozens of suicide bombings, rocket-propelled grenade attacks and mortar fire have taken the lives of scores of U.S. soldiers… -
Marines in the Fight Photo of the Day
3 Jul 2009 | 4:10 amA U.S. Marine from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 1st Battalion 5th Marines takes cover in a farm fields after landing by helicopter in an overnight night air assault near the Taliban stronghold of Nawa in Afghanistan’s Helmand province Thursday. -
Don’t Let Them Die in Vain
2 Jul 2009 | 9:57 amApparently we never learn our lessons. Take a look at www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529788,00.html and you will see that thanks to McChrystal’s new “fight friendlier” campaign we are not utilizing our combat multipliers like close air support and indirect fire. Somehow this has become a positive talking point. The Marines have used no indirect fire as they move into position — meaning no artillery and no bombs have been dropped from the air — all part of an effort to avoid civilian casualties, Pelletier said. I guess the military leadership has forgotten the lessons of Operation… -
MIA-UPDATED
2 Jul 2009 | 6:37 amThe Army likes to keep us on our toes by changing up their acronyms every once in a while. I also think they do this to distance themselves from history when acronyms are linked with certain parts of history. Today the army calls is DUSTWUN and it stands for Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown. They can call it whatever they want, but it is MIA, Missing in Action. And that is what we have this morning, an American soldier who has been missing in action since Tuesday in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan (Bouhammer’s old area of Operation). Missing In Action, it is not a term of Vietnam, it is… -
Photo of the Day
2 Jul 2009 | 5:54 amThe M777 Light Towed Howitzer in service with the 10th Mountain Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Logar Province, Charkh District, Afghanistan
-
WW1: Experiences of an English Soldier
-
Well here it is, on sale.
2 Jul 2009 | 9:23 amI called in the local Waterstones bookshop in Truro, Cornwall as I'd signed a load of copies there last week. They'd promised a display in the shop entrance. I'm very proud to see it there.I'm still sending out signed, dedicated copies from this website. They make an ideal, personally dedicated present!Click on the picture to enlarge. BL -
Letters to Kate and Jack, 1st July 1919
29 Jun 2009 | 10:40 pm32507/ 9th Y+L attach /Royal Munsters Fusiliers A.P.O. Box R, L 1 I.E.F Italy July 1 Dear Kate Just a few lines to let you know that I am alright and in good health I dont think I shall get leave yet a while well I am sure not, there are so many men with 18 months without a leave, I expect one before Christmas anyway now that peace is signed I hope it will not be long before we are all at home. I am still doing officers servant and cooking and we are still sleeping in the open field so we get plenty of fresh air night and day. I am pleased to hear that they are all going on alright at home,… -
Treaty of Versailles signed
27 Jun 2009 | 11:22 pm"Peace" - as Harry referred to it in his letters - was signed on June 28th 1919, some 6 months after the fighting stopped. This treaty was between the allied powers and Germany. The other parties involved signed their own separate agreements at different times and places.Negotiations to decide on the terms had been extensive. Germany had to accept the blame for the war and agree to pay reparations to the aggrieved allies. For a detailed analysis, click here.Maybe removal of another obstacle will clear the way for Harry to go home? We shall see.A blog follower has reported "sighting" the book… -
Letter to Jack 22nd June 1919
20 Jun 2009 | 11:09 pm22nd June1919 was a Sunday, generally a rest day with time to catch up with letters. Harry's last letter was 1st June, also a Sunday..Click on the letter for a large image.June 22/19Dear Jack Just a line to let you know that I have received your letter and the towel you sent it is very good of you to send it. Ethel and Annie wants me to try and get home on leave for August, but its no use me asking from this end there is some men here now with 18 months in without leave although they are going on leave from Fiume with eight months if they write for leave they want to send to the war office as… -
Does the Book Work?
14 Jun 2009 | 3:38 amI just have to put in a few wonderful comments from readers. Gradually, I'm beginning to believe in the book. There are a few lovely reviews on Amazon.co.uk and several journals and newspapers have reviewed it and said some very nice things about it. I think it's O.k. (phew!) BLMarcy said...I finished it today. You did a fabulous job and your grandad would be proud. This is definitely a book that can be used by scholars, not just interested persons. Kudos to you, Bill, you have a winner here.Linda said...Yes... I know I said I would not read to the end, but The Book has been sitting and…
-
A Soldier's Mind
-
Wounded Soldier Inspires Others Through Motivational Speaking & Acting
28 Jun 2009 | 7:18 amIt’s been awhile since I’ve interviewed one of our American Heroes, but I think our readers will be pleased with the Hero that I recently interviewed. J.R. as many of our readers know is a retired Soldier, who was severely injured in Iraq in April 2003, with severe burns over more than 40 percent of his body. J.R. now is acting in the daytime soap opera All My Children, I the role of Brot Monroe. His character served in the Army in Iraq and was injured in combat. He had fell in love with a fellow Soldier while deployed. Due to the severity of his injuries, he decided to allow her to think… -
Is It Really Possible To Eliminate Sexual Assault In The Army?
15 Jun 2009 | 2:39 pmOver the past year or so, the Army has worked diligently to increase their focus on the prevention and response to sexual assault. Their eventual goal is to completely eliminate sexual assault from the Army altogether. The Army is engaged from the top down to do what they can to educate Soldiers about sexual assault, teach them how to reduce their risks of becoming a victim, and get them engaged in the prevention aspect of it, by intervening if they see something happening that shouldn’t. I often wonder though, if leadership at all levels are really engaged and willing to do what is… -
Remembering Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives On D-Day
6 Jun 2009 | 12:00 am65 years ago today, an event took place that was a turning point in World War II, on a beaches of Normandy, France. The landings took place on a 50 miles stretch of the Normandy Coast, as 160,000 Troops landed on June 6, 1944. According to the D-Day museum, the Allied invasioin tok place with several overlapping operations. “The armed forces use codenames to refer to the planning and execution of specific military operations. Operation Overlord was the codename for the Allied invasion of northwest Europe. The assault phase of Operation Overlord was known as Operation Neptune. Operation… -
Swapping Stories Of War
31 May 2009 | 9:15 amFor service members, the legacy of those who served before them is one that is rich in history, pride, tradition and similarity of experiences. To be able to get the opportunity to sit down and visit with veterans many of whom served in previous conflicts and hear their stories is something to be treasured. They are a wealth of information and a great resource. Members of the 82nd Airborne Division were able to do that, when they visited the Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sanford, N.C. on Memorial Day, and spent time with veterans who live there. The administrator of the… -
Boot Camp 101
30 May 2009 | 7:30 amIf you ask children of service members what their parent does for a living, you’re likely to get various responses. Some may tell you that their dad/mom is simply a Soldier. Others may tell you that their parent fights ‘bad guys’ in the Army or whatever branch of service their in. Some may be able to tell you in detail what their parent does for a living. Middle school students in Heidelberg, Germany recently were able to gain first hand knowledge of what it means to be a Soldier, when they attended “Kids Boot Camp” on May 19th. 60 students in the grades 6th…
-
Acute Politics
-
SOFA - Step II
29 Jun 2009 | 9:54 pmLast fall, coalition forces began to turn over major military bases in Iraq to the Iraqi Security Forces.Today marks the second major step towards fulfilling our obligations under the Status of Forces Agreement that has all combat troops out of Iraq by 2011. Today, the last bases inside the cities of Iraq will be turned over or closed. Today is one step closer to a free and sovereign Iraq. It is not a day without trepidation. Many Iraqis worry that the security forces will be up to the task of securing their safety. Some most likely worry that the simmering crisis in Iran will boil over, and… -
I don't even know what to say
2 Jun 2009 | 8:47 am1 dead, 1 wounded at the US Army recruiting station in Little Rock. Police have a suspect in custody. Unsuprisingly, he is a Muslim convert. Surprisingly, CNN reports that. My prayers for the victims and their families. Man, that sounds trite.My congratulations to Fox news for identifying a semi-auto SKS as an "assault rifle". Idiots. Next up: apologists explaining how the shooter is/was drunk/high/mentally ill/retarded/from a broken home/etc/etc/etcStill reading... apparently apologists have their work cut out for them. This useless piece of scum has been to Yemen and back and had the FBI… -
Memorial Day
24 May 2009 | 2:00 pmI posted this last year. I don't see much to improve on this year. THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release May 2, 2000 Memorandum on the White House Program for the National Moment of Remembrance Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies Subject: White House Program for the National Moment of Remembrance As Memorial Day approaches, it is time to pause and consider the true meaning of this holiday. Memorial Day represents one day of national awareness and reverence,… -
Acute Library, continued
21 May 2009 | 9:18 amThanks to Jules Crittenden for the link last week. Jules has a great site, and he's a lover of books as well- Crittenden's Botique: Right-Wing Bookshop and General Store I got two books in the mail on Tuesday- The Islamist and Horse Soldiers. Both look to be excellent- Horse Soldiers in the sense of the most timeless military history (by the way- check out In Harm's Way by the same author for the story of one of the most fascinating tragedies of WWII, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis). The Islamist reads worryingly. I'm only 70-odd pages in, but Ed Husain is already painting a picture of… -
The Library
5 May 2009 | 9:24 amI've always been a bookworm. My parents raised me in a house that had virtually every open wall covered up by a bookcase. I read through most of the Encyclopedia Brittanica as a kid, and I hit up old chemistry and linear algebra textbooks for what I could understand. We read classics at family dinners and on road trips- Swiss Family Robinson, The Wind in the Willows. I loved historical fiction, especially books from the age of sail.Iraq was good to me on the reading front. I had a lot of spare time to fill, and instead of watching Simpsons, Girls Next Door or whatever $2 DVD the Iraqi vendor…
-
ArmyWifeToddlerMom
-
what in the heck happened to my energy....?
2 Jul 2009 | 10:01 pmI am up at midnight making a chocolate cream pie for my dinner guest tomorrow! Today we had errands to run, and the DMV to visit (always a joy and efficient here! Even with a long line of 50 people, it took 20 minutes). I entertained myself by watching SR sit by two 15 year old girls for 10 minutes non-stop. They were sort of irritated, but he was in the mood for socializing today. He has much to say. We had to grocery shop too, and during this time SR started telling rabbit jokes. I have no idea what started it, but the kids had 3 hours of jokes to tell me. 3 hours of non-stop talking, I am… -
Better...
1 Jul 2009 | 8:20 amVery hard to take photos, while preventing death...I cannot seem to get them off of the bikes now, although they get grumpy when they need a break. While they are taking a break, I must do some housework, as I am expecting company. I hope I can some things straightened up before the arrival tomorrow. Since the wash machine is still working, there is no excuse for a pile of wash! (Yes, it is still working, knock on wood, and Praise Jesus)On the list today: PAY BILLS! Ughhh, maybe I should save it for after 5pm, so I can have a beer while doing it. -
Grammie, pack your running shoes!
1 Jul 2009 | 6:34 amThe Collective can ride bikes, sans training wheels! Grammie is set to visit soon, and misses these children sooo much. Grammie, you would have loved this! Note, pack tennis shoes! I am going to have to get bike, as I can no longer walk or jog to keep up with them. SR had his first big crash last night, went butt over shoulders. Scrapped his knee, and thought he would die...He outgrew his bike as well, so last night helmets, and pads were bought, as well as a new bike. Hoping it does not take him long to figure it out... -
There are magnets in everything
30 Jun 2009 | 6:46 amThe Collective spent most of the day yesterday, trying to learn how to ride bikes.The Collective are 7 and 5, so yes I have heard the criticism from some who think I should have done this prior to now. (This is strange to me, be nice)They have both been riding with training wheels. PN actually doing better than SR. WE have gone through a lot of training wheels. 2-3 sets per child. SR was not interested in learning to ride. He did not think it sounded fun, and would only get on the bike if we had a destination. He did not see bike riding as a fun activity, but more as a mode of transport. PN… -
Mulberry hands
29 Jun 2009 | 7:54 amWe spent Saturday evening, at a pot luck for DH's work in the country. It was so lovely to hear nothing, but laughter. The Collective had a great time. PN of course wanted to adopt every animal on the place. I will have to break down soon and add another mammal to our tribe. As she just would sit, and pet, and hug, and follow anything with fur. We found a mulberry tree while taking a walking adventure, and although I am sure the other Moms wanted to kill me by the end of the night, the kids had such fun picking, and eating mulberries. All of them were covered in dark purple stains...SR picked…
-
Gazing at the Flag
-
Signers of the Declaration of Independence
3 Jul 2009 | 12:15 amThe Signers of the Declaration of IndependenceMassachusetts:John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge GerryNew Hampshire:Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew ThorntonRhode Island:Stephen Hopkins, William ElleryConnecticut:Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver WolcottNew York:William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis MorrisNew Jersey:Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham ClarkPennsylvania:Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor,… -
Carter Braxton ~ Founder & Patriot
2 Jul 2009 | 12:03 amCarter Braxton1736-1797Representing Virginia at the Continental CongressCarter Braxton was born of a wealthy family in Newington Plantation Virginia. He lost nearly all of his wealth in the course of the revolution, partly through his support of the Union, and partly through attack by the British forces.He was educated at William and Mary College. In 1760 he was appointed to represent King William county in the Virginia House of Burgesses. He was in attendance 1765, when Patrick Henry's Stamp Act resolutions agitated the Assembly. In 1769 he joined the "radical" faction of the Burgesses in… -
Wednesday Hero ~ Force Protection Team
1 Jul 2009 | 12:03 amMembers of the force protection team at Camp Eggars, Afghanistan, assess damage resulting from an explosion near the gate. A vehicle-born improvised explosive device exploded near the German Embassy and a U.S. base. Eliminating threats such as the VBIED is the focus of Army's 3rd Counter-IED Conference that was scheduled July 28-30.These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their livesso that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.For that, I am proud to call them Hero.This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you… -
As American Troops Withdraw from Iraqi Cities...
30 Jun 2009 | 10:35 amDear Friends,Today is an important day for America's brave men and women in uniform and their families. Due to the exemplary service of our military over the last six years and the success of the surge, American combat troops are pulling back from Baghdad and other cities. This move provides the Iraqi Government the opportunity to take over more security responsibilities and further implement policies that will allow democracy to flourish in Iraq.I lost my son Justin in Iraq and know the sacrifice that our troops and their families have endured to see this day come. But the mission is not… -
Elbridge Gerry ~ Founder and Patriot
30 Jun 2009 | 12:39 amElbridge Gerry1744-1814Representing Massachusetts at the Continental CongressElbridge Gerry was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, on July 17, 1744. He studied at Harvard to be a merchant, graduating in 1762. He was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1773 and was selected to attend the Provincial Congress in 1774. He was then appointed to the Continental Congress, where he was engaged in committee work on commercial and naval concerns. He attended the Constitutional Convention in 1798 but was opposed to the new Federal Constitution, refusing to sign it.He was elected to the first two…
-
One Marine's View
-
Doing some traveling,visiting buds &
29 Jun 2009 | 4:43 amDoing some traveling,visiting buds & smoking cigars where they dont have cell/internet service....u figure it out...its grand. -
Obama Signs Landmark Anti-Smoking Bill ohhh and some military changes
22 Jun 2009 | 4:32 pmAltough this bill is focused and tittled the “Tobacco Bill” something that servicemembers should know is that the second half of the bill regulates TSP for servicemembers.It describes how the Gov will not match what you earn etc. Clever stuffing it under the “Tobacco Bill”…Brilliant! http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/22/obama-sign-anti-smoking-monday/ -
Colonel Donald Gilbert Cook first U.S. Marine captured in Vietnam
20 Jun 2009 | 8:23 amReceived this from a brother Marine: Colonel Donald Gilbert Cook was the first U.S. Marine captured inVietnam; the first and only Marine in history to earn the Medal ofHonor while in captivity; and the first Marine POW to have a U.S. Navyship named in his honor. On December 31, 1964 he was captured near Binh Gia in South Vietnam.Until his death in captivity in December 1967, Cook led ten POWs in aseries of primitive jungle camps. His leadership and adherence to theU.S. Military Code of Conduct earned him the nation's highest militaryaward. This is the first book-length biography of… -
Kick Ass Rules for the Non-Military
19 Jun 2009 | 2:24 amRules for the Non-Military (passed on from a friend) *Dear Civilians, 'We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:* 1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem - kick their ass. 2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest- kick their ass. 3. Regardless of the… -
How about you call me General & I'll call you Senator?
17 Jun 2009 | 6:34 pmHere is a military professional who time and time again uses the term Sir & Ma’am as a professional response. How else could the “senator” mean her public demonstration other than a slap in the Generals face? “I worked so hard to get that title.” She says….and he hasn’t worked hard to get the title “General”? Typical one sided….do as I say not as I do. I watched the entire video and she never addresses him as General once…….Brilliant…..click the pic to see the video. A different version below... Col. Jessep: Senator, we live in a world that has walls and those…
-
The Life of the Wife
-
Last post from Missourah
30 Jun 2009 | 11:22 amWell, I am enjoying the lovely USO at the St Louis airport. This place is awesome! They even have a sound proof nursery with cribs and changing tables with cute linens! Even better? They have free chili dogs and all you can drink fountain soda!The luggage is all checked, Bear is checked in (miraculously the high temp today is forecasted as 84; 1 degree below the USDA limit) and Hubble is dropping the car off to get shipped.We don't have a sponsor so we are kinda flying by the seat of our pants. I know where we have to check in at the airport to get transpo to the hotel, but then we are on our… -
Tha System
24 Jun 2009 | 6:05 amSo, we're doing an overseas move. We can't take much with us besides our suitcases and puppy. But I knew I was not sending our original documents (social security cards, marriage license, birth certificates, etc) over with our HHG. In my little head, just having them on the boat with the HHG would cause the boat to sink and everything to be lost forever, forcing me to go to the Texas Dept of Records and stand in an obscene line to get a new registered copy of that sucker.Thus, I have developed a system. I obsessively file all of our paperwork and cannot live with my husband's "system" which… -
Overdue!
18 Jun 2009 | 6:06 amWell, I have been having a sweet azz time in Texas. Last weekend, we roadtripped to Houston where I rediscovered both how oppressively hot it is and how much I love it (not sure it has edged Dallas out of my heart, though).We went to Houston so Hubble could reconnect with his old college buddies who he has not seen in years. The first night, we went out to a bar to watch the last game of the Stanley Cup. One of the buddies is from Michigan, so let's just say he was not happy with the outcome. We stayed until the bar closed, ran up a ridiculous bar tab and the guys all remembered why they were… -
Lakes + tornadoes + Texas + old Cav friends + outprocessing
9 Jun 2009 | 2:06 pmBlog uninspiration continues, hence the hodgepodgeness of the title.Last Friday we went to the MWR lake recreation area here. It was awesome! We got a deck boat (there were 4 of us) that was 2 weeks old, skis and a tube and hit the lake for about 4 hours. I got burned (big surprise), but had my first experience tubing! I hung on for dear life and thankfully was not flung off like a ragdoll like the boys enjoyed doing to each other. I was really impressed with the equipment--whatever dude with a star on his shoulder approved that purchase, I applaud you!We had a tornado here on post today---or… -
Does the saying it outloud thing work for things you don't want to come true?
4 Jun 2009 | 3:39 pmHubble is going to deploy in less than 6 months. It's not really "exciting" to other people anymore because: it's the 3rd deployment and we're not cute newlyweds anymore. We're old, weathered and it ain't our first trip around this sandy block.I'm going to say it: I'm a little bit nervous. I won't be moving back home because...Europe > Sherman, TX. But I'm going to be all by my lonesome while hubby uses a flame thrower to defeat the Taliban (last part may be slightly embellished). I know I'll make friends and find a job (hopefully...), but the prospect can make you skittish a little.Anyway, I…
-
JACK ARMY
-
The Waiting Period
24 Jun 2009 | 10:27 pmThere's a guy in my unit who purchased a handgun from off-island and had it delivered here. According to him, he must wait 14 days before he can pick up the weapon because of Hawaii's mandatory wait period.He already owns a handgun.What is the purpose of the wait period now? If he wanted the second handgun for a killing, he really should be looking to the first handgun to go ahead and get the job done without having to wait, right?I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this, but it is the first time I've thought of it.I'da thunk that whoever drafted the "wait-for-your-gun" law would've… -
WWI Veteran Becomes World's Oldest Man at Age 113
22 Jun 2009 | 1:07 amVia Fox News:Guinness World Records said Friday that 113-year-old British World War I veteran Henry Allingham has become the world's oldest man.I'm a little over a third of the way there! One day, I shall add "became oldest Desert Storm veteran at age 120" to my resume of accomplishments.It could happen.Military -
Vet accused of faking paralysis to avoid Iraq
22 Jun 2009 | 12:34 amVia Army Times:An Army veteran from Illinois bilked the U.S. government by faking paralysis after a car wreck to get disability benefits and avoid being deployed to Iraq, federal grand jurors allege in indicting the former soldier and his wife.So here's the gist of the story. Dude was given the heads up that his unit was going to Iraq and five months later he rolls his car. He claimed he couldn't walk, make poo-poo or tee-tee which baffled the doctors as they "could not pinpoint the source of Rush’s paralysis." Eventually, he was medically discharged and received at least $2700 monthly in… -
Updated
21 Jun 2009 | 7:05 pmWell, changed the colors somewhat... just so that you know it's changed. Not too many other differences, though. Turned most of the graphics links into text links, reorganized the links a little bit... dropped some dead links too.2 new polls up in the sidebar also.Here in a bit, I'll throw up a couple of new posts about some current events I been watchin' on... and I'll try hard to give you a few new posts everyday from now on.Promise.Pay no attention to the crossed fingers behind the curtain.Military -
Updating the Ole Blog
18 Jun 2009 | 12:13 amI'm working on updating this here blog. Not that you can tell, but it's getting a bit dusty around here. So, gimme a couple o' more days, and I'll "relaunch" JACK ARMY lookin' a bit different and rearranged somewhat... and then I'll get back to bloggin' like in the good ole days.M'kay?Military
-
Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys..
-
*Ahem*
3 Jul 2009 | 5:39 amSomeone Who Shall Remain Nameless* has been hiding her light under a bushel basket. Again.* buuut she's got a cute little Fuzzy Skyclad Lioness for a gravatar and she's the Castle's Jarhead Doxie -- with occasional poaching forays onto Maggie's turf...... -
H&I Fires* 02 July 2009
2 Jul 2009 | 10:14 pmOpen post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite. *********************************** Sorry for the paucity of content from me of late - work has been a crusher, and since it pays better'n you guys (though you *are* dutifully clicking the ad over there, right?) I've been giving it the attention the client deserves and is paying for. Which paid off, as the brief to the Boss of Bosses went well, setting the stage (and the hook) for the… -
Good uses for the flag
2 Jul 2009 | 11:04 amThis is not one. Oh, it's a venial sin, to be sure. I get more chapped when I see the flag appropriated as a piece of clothing, which is found more often than not on a "red state" back or butt. But, as someone who has worn that flag on my sleeve to provide a convenient aiming point for the armed enemies of the United States, I do rather wish that people who are trying to do the right thing would... think it through. While not overtly disrespectful, it's certainly not a respectful treatment of the symbol, now is it? It's not the image I would expect from someone… -
BANANAS, Military Coups d'états in Latin America
2 Jul 2009 | 10:45 amFirst of all, I'd like to thank Massa John for letting me use the front door of his Castle. I hope that I won't let him down. Whenever the general American public hears the terms: Latin American Military and Coup d’état, this is what comes to mind: But why? -
Today's Medal of Honor Moment for 2 July
2 Jul 2009 | 8:56 amNot surprisingly, we start with the 2nd Day at Gettysburg - the hardest-fought day (though the survivors of Pickett's Charge on the 3rd might argue the point).ALLEN, NATHANIEL M. Rank and organization: Corporal, Company B, 1st Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 2 July 1863. Entered service at: Boston, Mass. Birth: Boston, Mass. Date of issue: 29 March 1899. Citation: When his regiment was falling back, this soldier, bearing the national color, returned in the face of the enemy's fire, pulled the regimental flag from under the body of its bearer, who had fallen, saved…
-
The Life and Times of a Butterfly Wife
-
A Few Good Models
10 Jun 2009 | 7:00 pmWe, or to be more accurate I, watch America's Next Top Model most every Sunday while they've got the cycle marathons running on Oxygen. Jack Bauer and the doggies do their best to tolerate the fights, tirades, and tears. I'm mean really, what do you expect when you get a bunch of 18-25-year-old beautiful, tall women together? It is sheer genius!!! Entertainment galore!!! I can't get enough!!!There is NO talking during a current cycle, but I am slightly less stringent on Sundays. Heaven forbid I miss a single word of the show. The doggies MUST be non-woofy. Jack remains in the room so that he… -
You don't want to be an appliance in this house
7 Jun 2009 | 5:04 pmWe moved in to this house in early October. And since then it has been bad news for appliances. I just need to recap this for myself because it is an amazing string of unfortunate events. Let me start by saying this house was built about 4 years ago, occupied by the owners for about a year, then occupied by at least 2 other families.October: Garbage disposal broken when we moved in. The disposal had a huge crack in it. And it was not the original disposal in this house. This should have been a sign of things to come.November: Shower head has less than half the holes working.December:… -
A new title???
2 Jun 2009 | 5:13 pmFirst, thank you all for your words of sympathy and encouragement in regards to my last post. They really do help. In fact, finally writing it out was quite cathartic. Note to self: do it more often.So I promised I would write something more positive. I have been thinking a lot about what what to write about, especially humorous and lighthearted things. Well, I think I've found it. Zumba.A friend gave me a month pass to a local gym. Since I've gained probably 15 pounds since moving here in October (curse you Rachael Ray!), I figured I really needed to do something about it. Especially since I… -
Still here . . . kinda
20 May 2009 | 4:59 pmThere really isn't much going on that seems worthy of blogging about. Here are a few highlights of the past couple months.Jack Bauer has been home for more than a year now.The last job I applied for on post went to someone who worked in Jack's department. I was pissed. PISSED!!!! I didn't even get an interview. It uncovered some larger hurdles in the trying-to-get-a-job-on-post game. And it is clearly a game to those already in it. Haha. Joke's on me. Got it. Moving on.I applied for another job on post. I was asked to apply for the job by the people I'd be working for. My hope level of even… -
Employment issues
8 Apr 2009 | 1:03 pmLAW emailed me letting me know about a series of blog posts on milspouse employment over at Left Face. I started writing a long comment over there and decided to just post it here and maybe get some of you to go over there and comment.*~*~*~*~*~*~*Here's my situation (and please pardon the oversimplification of somethings and the length). My husband was in the Army Reserves and deployed to Iraq. We didn't know what he was going to do when he came home since he'd given up his law practice when he moved 1500 miles away to get the unit ready to mobilize. He had no job to come home to and he was…
-
Neptunus Lex
-
Thought Provoking
3 Jul 2009 | 4:53 pmJust finished listening to historian and author Steven Pressfield’s video blogs (see parts 1-5 on the subtitle bar, or left sidebar) on tribalism and Afghanistan. Good stuff for the most part, although I think his hierarchical characterization of the Afghan tribes (at least) is contradictory to the codes of Pashtunwali, which teaches that every man is equal to every other. Chapter 5 – how to win in Afghanistan – has its more fanciful elements as well. Fifteen year viceroys and $150k a year sergeants sounds very well in principal, but then reality butts in. Forming an… -
Palin Resigning
3 Jul 2009 | 4:12 pmSurprise news from Wasilla: In a stunning announcement, Gov. Sarah Palin said Friday morning she will resign her office in a few weeks. Speculation has swirled for weeks, perhaps months that Palin would not seek re-election in 2010 as she pursues a political career on the national stage. The former vice presidential candidate has long been rumored to be considering a run at the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. Palin did not address those rumors at the press conference at her Wasilla home, during which she did not take questions from reporters. She implied that her real decision was… -
Mumbai, Revisited
3 Jul 2009 | 7:58 amIn late November of last year, 10 Pakistani members of Lashkar e Toiyba (the army of the “righteous”) launched a terrorist attack on the Indian city of Mumbai. When the smoke had cleared after four days of horror, nearly two hundred people had been killed and over 300 wounded. This video shows not only the depth of the hatred and stupidity that enables such attacks, but also the human cost for those left behind. It’s a tough thing to watch, but also a good reminder: Evil abides. -
GW in Perth
2 Jul 2009 | 8:15 pmUSS George Washington and her escort, the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens, will spend the 4th of July holiday – and $6-8 million, if history is any judge – in Perth, West Australia. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and guided-missile cruiser arrived this morning after leaving the Japanese port of Yokosuka on June 10. This is the first visit to WA for the USS George Washington, the US Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. The USS Cowpens, also known as the “Thundering Herd”, is primarily tasked to protect the USS George Washington. Mr Woods said… -
Sealing Saudi
2 Jul 2009 | 12:20 pmFrench defense giant EADS has won a contract to help secure The Kingdom’s border with Iraq: Defence and aerospace group EADS has won a contract worth an estimated $2.27bn (£1.4bn) to help Saudi Arabia improve its border security. The five-year deal will expand on the pan-European firm’s existing contract with the Saudis to improve security along its border with Iraq. The new deal covers all of Saudi Arabia’s other land and sea boundaries. EADS will provide everything from new radar stations to camera systems and reconnaissance aircraft. I wonder: Is this designed to keep…
-
Murdoc Online
-
Friday Linkzookery – 03 Jul 2009
3 Jul 2009 | 11:59 amHMS Invincible is dead in the water Though in the reserve fleet, the aging carrier is apparently in pretty rough shape. Northrop Grumman Completes First Flight of Land-Based MQ-8B Fire Scout This whirlybird UAV program continues to move ahead. E-mails indicate EPA suppressed report skeptical of global warming Doesn’t seem likely. What would they stand to gain besides money and power? 82nd receives 1st batch of M320s The Army’s plan is to purchase about 71,600 M320s over the next several years at a cost of about $3,500 each. The weapon replaces the Vietnam-era M203 40mm grenade… -
Afghan insurgents capture U.S. soldier
2 Jul 2009 | 8:59 amGI ‘walked off’ after completing shift at combat outpost, officials say It seems he walked off base with three Afghan “counterparts” on Tuesday and hasn’t been seen since. The whole thing seems odd and we’ll no doubt be hearing more in the coming hours and days. Hopefully, we’ll be hearing that he’s been found and is okay. -
Remote Chain Guns for the Navy
30 Jun 2009 | 9:09 amWarships to get remote-controlled deck guns The 25mm (not 22mm as stated in the article) Mk 38 Mod 2 chain gun is being added to most US Navy surface combatants. Navy officials say the guns take sailors out of the firing line and give them a new set of eyes for protecting the ship against small threats close aboard, but they also help crews with more mundane tasks, such as finding channel buoys. “They love it,” said Kevin Lapointe, program manager for surface guns at Naval Sea Systems Command. “This is a significant capability — not just the gun. It’s being used for more than it was… -
LandWarrior Headed to Afghanistan
29 Jun 2009 | 10:06 amThe Army’s LandWarrior system will be making its first brigade-wide deployment when the 5thBrigade, 2nd Infantry Division hits the ground in Afghanistan. It was used by a battalion, with pretty good success, in Iraq. The soldiers of 5th Brigade begin deploying to southern Afghanistan this month and should see less urban combat than previous Stryker deployments to Iraq. But each unit in the brigade will receive Land Warrior. Team leaders, squad leaders, platoon leaders, platoon sergeants and higher will all be equipped with the system. The two Fort Lewis Stryker brigades deploying later… -
Damn the TorVetoes!
29 Jun 2009 | 9:24 amSenate Defies Veto Threat, Adds $$$ for F-22 Have to keep that line running until sales to Japan (and maybe Australia) are approved, you know.
-
instapinch.com
-
Carrier Crew
3 Jul 2009 | 4:17 pmI’ll get back to the more formal Pic o’the Day soon, but here are a few more pics from HST. This one is one of those nice little accidents of photography. The first pic in this pair is of a Hornet just clearing the deck, afterburners on (such as they are), and a couple of out-of-focus deck crewmen on the right (red would be airwing/squadron ordnance, the green would be one of the enlisted catapult crew). Right after I took the first one, I shifted a tad to the right and the auto-focus caught the V-2 cat crewman in perfect focus with the aircraft now out of focus in the… -
Plane Guard
1 Jul 2009 | 6:33 amPlane guard duty isn’t very glamorous. Steaming back behind the carrier for whatever time you need to be there, waiting to be called into action in case there is a ditching or an ejection around the ship isn’t much fun, but is a requirement sometimes and as such needs to be a graded evolution for the small boys in company. Also, its not just a matter of calling up some ship and telling they have plane guard duty that day/evening/night. What are the tactical requirements that are present? Do you need a tomahawk shooter available or is there an ASW (submarine warfare)… -
Clouds
30 Jun 2009 | 5:39 amThe next pano/stitched-together shot is this one, taken shortly after we left Norfolk. I love how the sea is so calm that the reflections of the clouds can be seen. Full sized image here. SJBill, in the comments for the FOD walkdown post, mentioned a half dozen or so white fishing boats that can be seen in the large image of this one. There was some sort of fishing contest going on, I think, in the waters off the Outer Banks. I’ve seen them out there before - we’ve sailed amongst them and flown over them. When we got down to the JAX OPAREA, nary a boat to be seen aside… -
Kate!!!! Is 21!!!!!
29 Jun 2009 | 11:18 amYep, Pinchette #1 hits the ol’ 21 today. Can we say “Over-The-Hill”???? Yo, Pook! Lesa and I are very proud of you! Where *did* those curls go? In New York City, 1992 I’m at work now so don’t have access to the *realy* good and juicy pics, so those are forthcoming! In the meantime Kate, enjoy your day and I love you very much -
FOD Walkabout
28 Jun 2009 | 5:47 amUpdate: I’ve always been a bit reluctant (not that it has stopped me, though!) to post the whole big entire ginormous image of a honkin’ big picture. The two comments below kind of reminded me of that concern. I am aware there are some folks out there (like the Old Man) who exist on somewhat of a restricted bandwidth diet. SO, I’m going to post the BIG ones to my Flickr account and just post a reasonably sized image here, with the link to the larger one image. SO, the FOD Walkdown image has been resized here and the original is over at Flickr.
-
SpouseBUZZ
-
The Hostility in this Household Must Stop!
2 Jul 2009 | 8:47 amI love having my husband home and not deployed. I really, really do. But, I've found things around the house are always a little different when he's home. Specifically, there are several items in the house which seem to prefer that my husband be far, far away from home. They like me. They do not like him. When he returns, they suddenly disappear. I'm not sure what he's done to them, exactly, which causes them to perform their vanishing act. But they do. And it's getting to be problematic.A couple of weeks ago, I was looking for my cooking shears. You know, the… -
Pre-Deployment and the State of my Rear End
1 Jul 2009 | 11:41 amA few weeks ago Butterfly Wife posted on her blog a question - should she change her blog name to Does This Army Make My Butt Look Big?What a timely question (and I nearly died laughing reading the newly proposed title!). Just the last few weeks I've been wondering something close to that myself - Does this pre-deployment make my butt look big? I'm pretty sure the answer is yes.For the record, I'm not blaming anyone, any entity, or anything outside of my own self for the state of my rear (and arms, and legs, etc ad infinitum). I know darn well that I made the… -
Fleece? This Is New...
1 Jul 2009 | 5:34 amMy husband's been to Iraq twice, so this will be his first trip to Afghanistan. I realized something when he was packing over the weekend, something that hadn't yet crossed my mind: Afghanistan has seasons.It was strange to see my husband packing a duffel of cold-weather gear to be shipped ahead of time. Cold-weather gear for deployment? This is new! But this is a place where, apparently, summer temperatures can reach 115°, while winter temperatures in high altitudes can fall to -15°. And we still don't know exactly where he's going, so he… -
Appreciating the Little Things
30 Jun 2009 | 8:48 amI might be the only one, but even when my husband is home, I often feel like I'm in charge of everything. Paying the bills, buying the groceries, organizing our six thousand doctors and dentist appointments, getting the babysitters, buying the clothes, writing the Christmas cards (or not) - you know the list. However, during the last five months I've discovered quite a few things that are clearly "not my department." For example, we went camping over Memorial Day weekend, and I thought that we needed to buy a tent. One of… -
Did You Know?
29 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmExchanges Offer Firestone Car CentersAir Force Modifies PCS PoliciesVolunteer Mentors Sought In TexasAAFES Helps Deployed Troops Call HomeArmy Focuses On FluWebsite Opens For Post 9/11 GI BillAHRN Housing Referral Network More
-
ArmsControlWonk
-
DPRK: Selective treaty compliance?
3 Jul 2009 | 5:17 pmNorth Korea is expected by just about everyone to launch at least one (and possibly two?) large missiles/rockets this weekend. And yet, they do not seem to have filed a warning to mariners and airmen notification with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This is something they seemed to have been very proud to do over three weeks before the April 5th launch. What’s going on? Have they abandoned their adherence to the Outer Space Treaty already? Or are they just not as far along in their preparations for these (this) launch as they are being given credit for? -
A.Q. Khan and Samar Mubarakmand [3]
2 Jul 2009 | 9:38 amAQ Khan and Samar Mubarakmand, flanking the man in the blue beret (believed to be General Zulfikar Ali). Reproduced from the Nuclear Weapons Archive. A.Q. Khan is easily the most famous person associated with Pakistan’s nuclear program. By fostering the image of being the “father” of Pakistan’s Bomb, he gained public acclaim and the protection of the state — even after his entrepreneurial activities seriously weakened Pakistan’s national security and caused great embarrassment. How much Khan was freelancing, and how much he was operating under high-level guidance, will… -
Missile Development Consortiums [21]
2 Jul 2009 | 8:40 amAt left, is an Iranian numerically controlled lathe milling machine forming cooling channels in a rocket engine. It is impossible to tell the scale of this engine — and therefore impossible to uniquely link it to the Safir second stage. However, machining these channels, as opposed to using a corrugated insert, is a major technological change from SCUD technology. David Wright and Ted Postol have done a really first rate job of analyzing the U’nha-2 and Safir development programs, as exemplified by their excellent article on the U’nha-2. But I think it is important to at… -
Piers Millett at New America
2 Jul 2009 | 7:25 amThe first time I met Piers Millett, we were having a drink at Mr. Pickwick Pub in Geneva. Now, Piers — one of only three members of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Implementation Support Unit in Geneva — is in town. Long-time readers know one of my hobby horses is the fact that the policy community obsesses about phantom BW programs at the expense of international cooperation to fight the spread of virulent influenza. Someday, a lot of people are going to suffer for this particular sin. Anyway, along with my friend Paul Walker at Global Green USA, I am hosting a talk and a… -
Yinhe Revisted
2 Jul 2009 | 7:02 amJames collected a couple of articles on Yinhe incident for an October 2008 post entitled, The Yinhe Incident. Worth revisiting.
-
Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog
-
Walking in Memphis (and environs)
3 Jul 2009 | 8:35 amFront of Graceland, Memphis TN Living room TV room in basement Kit Pool room basement "Jungle room"/makeshift recording room 1957 Gold lame "Ed Sullivan" suit 68 comeback special leather suit Racquetball room, now w exhibits Aloha suits Grave site History quiz: Memphis, 1968. The actual spot Wider angle Museum includes across-the-street preservation of boarding house bathroom from which Ray fired his rifle. Hornet's Nest, Shiloh TN Infamous Sunken Road where Union forces hold off Johnston's troops on 4/6/62, setting up Grant's big win (with Buell's just-arrived forces) on 7 April. The Bloody… -
GP in paperback
3 Jul 2009 | 3:41 amHere's the cover art. Looking forward to publication this February. -
Army broke fewer laws than Zelaya
3 Jul 2009 | 3:34 amARTICLE: Not So Fast, Amigas y Amigos, by Colonel Robert Killebrew, Small Wars Journal, July 2, 2009 A more comprehensive condemnation of the so publicly aggrieved Zelaya. Not all military coups are necessarily bad. -
Nice overview on Kirkuk
3 Jul 2009 | 2:55 amINTERNATIONAL: "Allotting of Iraqi Oil Rights May Stoke Hostility in Disputed Kirkuk," by Timothy Williams and Suadad Al-Salhy, New York Times, 29 May 2009. A little payback from Maliki to the Kurds for their previous deals with Western oil firms in advance of the always-almost-here national oil law: he's opening Kirkuk's huge reserves to outside deals. Kirkuk is roughly one-sixth (estimated) of Iraq's overall supplies, but frankly, a lot of Iraq is still to be explored. No matter, it's a lot of oil, although it comes from a major field past its peak and badly mismanaged in the past. The fear… -
China's mileage standards target foreign firms? You don't say!
3 Jul 2009 | 2:51 amBUSINESS DAY: "China's Mileage Mandate: Proposed Rules Said to Be Even Stricter Than in the U.S.," by Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 28 May 2009. Smaller cars that sip fuel are now subject to a one percent sales tax in China, but gas guzzling trucks and SUVs get a 40% tax. Guess which markets in China the U.S. firms dominate? China was self-sufficient on oil as late as 1995. It now imports 60 percent, just like the U.S. The bulk comes from unstable regions and the lanes between those regions and China are dominated by the U.S. Navy. Imagine if the situation were reversed. Experts say that…
-
Ask June!
-
AD, reserve retirement pay considered marital property
30 Jun 2009 | 2:25 pmQ: I am getting a divorce after 17 years of marriage. I served 27 years in the military. I spent four years on active duty and 23 in the reserves. The reserves use a point system and you don't collect retirement pay until you are age 60. I had 10 years of service before my marriage which included four years of active duty where I earned most of my retirement points. Is my soon to be ex-spouse entitled to any of my retirement when I turn age 60? -David, Elk Grove, Calif. A: As a reservist and a financial planner, I’m very familiar with the reserve retirement… -
Attention: Garage Band contest underway!
25 Jun 2009 | 8:58 amSummer fun is here. The kids aren't bored yet, but why wait till they start complaining? USAA wants to spice things up with a Garage Band contest for any military kids who fancy themselves musicians. Who knows, you might be helping discover the next breakthrough band. Military kids are well-versed in hitting the road and those who do have a band or are interested in forming one could be big winners. Did you know that members of the folk rock band "America" were military brats? Sons of American fathers and British mothers, they were stationed at RAF West Ruislip, London during… -
Use deployment to deal with debt
24 Jun 2009 | 12:32 pmQ: I am recently married and wondering if getting a debt consolidation loan for my debts that I have accrued would be a good Idea. I was thinking so because I am getting deployed next month and my debt is only about 2,000 dollars. -James, Kearney, Neb. A: If you’ve read my column before, you’ve seen that I try to put a positive financial spin on deployment. In my view, the additional allowances, tax-free pay and reduced expenses often afford us an opportunity to eliminate debt, build savings, and start or grow your investment program. Do a “deployment… -
Let them repossess it...that's the question
17 Jun 2009 | 6:21 pmQ: Hello June, I have this problem and I really need some advice. The payment on my car was due plus I am behind for two months. Should I let them repossess the car instead of paying? Because I just started working, I won't be able to come up with the amount I owe. Please. I really need some advice. Thank you. -Monica, San Diego, Calif. A: I’m glad to hear you’re working—that’s a key first step! Congratulations! I know life can sometimes dog pile us, but we still must be financially responsible. … -
Creditors can't tap Social Security or disability pay
15 Jun 2009 | 4:30 pmQ: June, I am a disabled veteran. I served with the Marines in Vietnam, spent 21 years in the Marine reserves and was activated for over eight months during 1991 (first gulf war). I retired from the reserves as a master sergeant (E-8) in 1992. I have heard that credit card companies cannot access your Social Security, veteran's disability pay or 401k/403b/IRA distribution. Is this true? What are the mechanics of it? Does it hurt your credit rating etc....any info would be appreciated. -Mike, Dickinson, Tex. A: Thank you for your service and sacrifice to and for…
-
American Forces Press Service News Feed
-
Marines, Afghans Establish Bases in Helmand
2 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmU.S. Marines and Afghan security forces are continuing Operation Khanjar in Afghanistan's Helmand province. -
Iraqis Ready to Accept Modern Inspectors General, Advisor Says
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmIraqi officials are learning to accept modern inspectors general within their government and the investigative program is ready to stand on its own. -
Face of Defense: Wounded Warrior Regiment Founder Retires
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmU.S. Marine Lt. Col. Timothy Maxwell, a founder of the Wounded Warrior Regiment, says his work for the military's wounded is not done even though he's retired. -
Chairman Evokes Lincoln in Independence Day Message
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmIn his annual Independence Day message, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff evokes a speech Abraham Lincoln delivered in Chicago in 1858. -
Soldiers Say Goodbye to Iraqi Orphans With Party, Gifts
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmMembers of the 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, 2nd Battalion, couldn't leave Iraq in the troop drawdown without taking time to say a special goodbye to local orphans they had helped.
-
AFCEA SIGNAL Scape
-
Just Say Yes!
1 Jul 2009 | 2:18 pmThe role for federal CIOs is changing, says Christopher Dorobek in Be a CIO, Not a CI-No, this month’s Incoming column. He gives props to the current administration for not just supporting information technology and e-government initiatives, but insisting on them, as evidenced by the appointment of key people to important positions and Obama’s own determination to not be PDA-less: Two early and powerful actions have made clear the Obama link between information technology and governing. Perhaps one of the most powerful actions was when President Obama insisted—demanded—that he… -
Alion Awarded Air Force Contract to Evaluate Effects of Human Performance on Weapon Systems
1 Jul 2009 | 5:51 amAlion Science and Technology has been awarded a contract valued at $5 million to support the Air Force 711th Human Performance Wing/Human Performance Integration Directorate for the evaluation of human performance factors on Air Force weapon systems. -
Boeing Awarded $750M B-52 Engineering Sustainment Contract
1 Jul 2009 | 5:50 amThe Boeing Company has received a $750 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide engineering support for the B-52 bomber. -
Lockheed Martin Awarded Concept Development Contract for Air Force Space Fence
1 Jul 2009 | 5:49 amThe U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin Corporation a $30 million contract to begin concept development for Space Fence, a system of land-based S-Band radars and supporting operations centers that will detect and report on objects and debris orbiting the Earth. -
SAIC Awarded $30 Million Task Order by Army DOIM-Fort Polk
1 Jul 2009 | 5:41 amScience Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has been awarded a task order by the U.S. Army’s Director of Information Management (DOIM) at Fort Polk, Louisiana, to provide a variety of information technology and network support services.
-
Air Force Blues - Updated weekdays
-
Happy 4th!
3 Jul 2009 | 4:01 pmI’ve always been curious about how America’s celebration of independence from Great Britain would be looked at in Great Britain. I guess I’m about to find out. Anyhow, meeting the VP was pretty cool. Talking to his Secret Service agents was cooler, though. Here’s my story. And I’m sticking to it. Happy 4th, everyone! -Farva -
I’ve got balls that jingle jangle jingle…
2 Jul 2009 | 4:01 pmWTF?! Where’s Blues News? I’ll tell you! I get a lot of emails from guys and girls downrange who tell me one of the things they look forward to most Monday through Friday is reading the newest AFBlues cartoon. That, and the fact that I have a story I want to tell, are the reasons I do this, honestly. With Box D Blues updating every Friday, I’ve made the decision to move Blues News to Saturday, thus giving one more day of AFBlues comics per week. I know from experience that deployments are taken one day at a time, so while the number of comics you’ll be… -
No man space?
1 Jul 2009 | 4:01 pmY’all get a treat: Box D Blues a day early! Not only that, but there’s another Box D Blues comic on the RAF Mildenhall site, with the story about RC airplanes. Y’all might get a kick out of both. And that’s it from me today. -Farva -
Try the liopleurodon latte
30 Jun 2009 | 4:01 pmSo, a quick Google search after today’s comic was finished revealed Jurassic Java is not an original concept. Oh well, nothing really is these days, anyway. Even Badger Ops is a real thing. But I wanted to give a little more depth to the Jurassic Park coffee mug recurring element. While searching for a link to show y’all that Badger Ops is the callsign for an airport somewhere or something like that, I inexplicably found this. I know what I’m giving people for Christmas this year. Ok, gotta address something on the serious side of things, although nothing here should… -
Small world
29 Jun 2009 | 4:01 pmSo today doesn’t actually have a punch line, but I swear it’s not getting into a long, drawn-out dramatic thing. I’m not much of a fan of those kinds of arcs, save for the Badger Ops line. That’s all I’ve got going on at the moment. -Farva
-
Broadside Blog
-
America the Beautiful
3 Jul 2009 | 4:00 amAmerican Independence. Those two words belong together. Indeed, they have walked hand-in-hand for 233 years and the phrase has become so ingrained in our consciousness that we rarely ponder its meaning. In 1776 it was a blood oath. Those who signed the Declaration knew that if their attempt at Independence failed they would most likely face the gallows. If their dreams were shattered, so would be their homes, their families, and their reputations. But they signed. They signed because they believed in the concept that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are God-given rights, and that no… -
Sometimes heroes don’t wear uniforms
2 Jul 2009 | 4:00 am(Andrea Melendez/The Register) Sometimes heroes appear from out of nowhere. On Tuesday a man and his wife were boating on the Des Moines river when their craft began to act erratically. They threw out an anchor, but it didn’t hold. Just before they plunged over the Center Street Dam, Alan Neely told his wife to put on her life jacket. It was the last thing he ever said. Their boat plunged over the dam and sank, throwing the pair into the boiling river. The turbulent current ripped off Alan’s life jacket and pulled him under. His body was recovered downstream. His wife Patricia,… -
Greenside of the Week - July 1, 2009
1 Jul 2009 | 4:00 amVisit the Greenside Archives! (click here) -
Draw this cartoon or I’ll kill you
30 Jun 2009 | 4:00 amTwenty-three years. That’s how long I have been drawing Broadside cartoons. Navy Times and Marine Corps Times have given me a lot of rope all along, and the military has taken my body shots with without a whimper. In all that time, no one has ever told me what to draw. Except one. He was a SEAL, and we were stationed together. He caught me in the passageway one day and pulled me into his stateroom. Now I may be paranoid, but it seems to me it is never good to be pulled into any confined space by a member of the special forces. To make matters worse, he was mad. I had never been to BUDS,… -
Broadside of the Week - June 29, 2009
29 Jun 2009 | 4:00 amVisit the Broadside Archives! (click here)
-
The Long War Journal
-
13 Taliban fighters killed in US airstrikes in Pakistan
3 Jul 2009 | 5:37 amThe US killed 13 Taliban fighters in a pair of airstrikes in Baitullah Mehsud's territory in Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agency of South Waziristan. Unmanned US Predator strike aircraft struck a Taliban training camp in the village of Kotat Khel and a madrassa, or religious school, in the Mantoi region. The 13 Taliban fighters were killed at the Kotat Khel camp, according to reports. The madrassa in Mantoi was reported to have been empty. A senior trainer of suicide bombers was reported to be among those killed in the Kotat Khel strike. "The missiles hit an office of Mufti Noor Wali… -
US sanctions Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades and Qods Force adviser
2 Jul 2009 | 3:46 pmLogo for the Hezbollah Brigades from a propaganda video released on the Internet. The US Treasury Department designated the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades and a senior aide to Iran's Qods Force as insurgent and militia entities that threaten to destabilize the security of Iraq. Treasury designated Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and the Hezbollah Brigades under Executive Order 13438. Earlier today, the US Department of State also designated the Hezbollah Brigades as a terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224. Both executive orders allow the US to block financial transactions, freeze assets, and prosecute… -
Haqqani Network captures US soldier in Afghanistan
2 Jul 2009 | 11:23 amThe Haqqani Network has captured a US soldier who was based in the eastern Afghan province of Paktika. The soldier, who has not been identified, had reportedly been captured after walking off of his small outpost. The US military has confirmed a solider has been missing since June 30 and believes he has been captured by the Taliban. "A US Soldier, who has been missing since June 30 from his assigned unit, is now believed to have been captured by militant forces," US Forces Afghanistan said in a press release. "We are exhausting all available resources to ascertain his whereabouts and provide… -
US sanctions Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba and al Qaeda leaders
1 Jul 2009 | 10:05 pmThree senior operatives in the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and an al Qaeda leader have been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department. The designation was made just one day after a leaked Pakistani report described how Lashkar-e-Taiba and other terror groups are thriving in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders Arif Qasmani, Mohammed Yahya Mujahid, and Nasir Javaid, and al Qaeda operative Fazeel-A-Tul Shaykh Abu Mohammed Ameen Al Peshawari have been designated as terrorists under Executive Order 13224. The designation permits the US to freeze their assets, prevents them from… -
Pakistani Army rejects North Waziristan operation
1 Jul 2009 | 12:29 pmThe Pakistani military has announced it does not intend to take on the Taliban in North Waziristan even though the Taliban recently dissolved the 16-month-old agreement and killed 27 soldiers in an attack on a military convoy last weekend. The Pakistani Army dropped pamphlets in Miramshah, the main town of the Taliban-controlled tribal agency, announcing that it "does not want any operation in the area," according to Geo News. The Army signaled that it would only retaliate for attacks against its forces via punitive strikes, and blamed the violence on a small segment that wanted to sabotage…
-
TacOps Security Network
-
Nigeria Moves Against Militants in Delta
18 Jun 2009 | 8:02 amFrom this small cluster of blue-roofed houses at the confluence of the Escravos River and Chanomi Creek, a militant named Government Ekpemupolo got rich. Full Story -
Ultranationalists Arrested In Southern Russia
18 Jun 2009 | 8:02 amA group of ultranationalists has been detained in the city of Georgiyevsk in Russia's southwestern Stavropol Krai, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports. Full Story -
Pakistani security forces kill 34 terrorists in last 24 hours
18 Jun 2009 | 8:02 amThe security forces killed at least 34 terrorists and apprehended seven others, while 5 soldiers were injured in Malakand during the last 24 hours. Full Story -
Students protest across Germany against education reforms
18 Jun 2009 | 8:02 amMore than 10,000 students held demonstrations in some 70 German cities on Wednesday, calling for improved school conditions and funding. Full Story -
How Mexico’s drug war washed up on Canada’s West Coast
18 Jun 2009 | 8:02 amVANCOUVER
-
DoD Buzz
-
UK Should Ponder F-35 Pullout
2 Jul 2009 | 2:37 amA left-leaning British thinktank is urging the Labour Party government to consider pulling out of the F-35 as that country combs through all its defense acquisition programs. The inimitable Doug Barrie at AvWeek broke the story about the report, authored by several respected British defense experts. While the Brits have shown few signs of anything but complete commitment to the F-35, this is a story to watch over the next few months as the government stares deep into its dwindling purse. Doug's story follows: -
Hezbollah on Steroids
1 Jul 2009 | 12:30 pmSmart weapons, once the near monopoly of the U.S. military, are now proliferating to non-state actors. That was the real shock of Israel's 2006 Lebanon war when Hezbollah roughly handled the Israeli military. That “proliferation of precision” will greatly accelerate in coming years as munitions become more precise, with increased range, easier to use and more widely available to irregular warriors, according to CSBA. -
Spy Agency May Face Ax
1 Jul 2009 | 6:35 amThe Senate Intelligence Committee may try to break up the nation's storied spy satellite agency -- the NRO -- once a paragon of American technological brilliance and now considered by many a troubled bureaucracy that has had trouble getting the big things right. In parallel, the Director of National Intelligence was briefed June 23 by a panel of distinguished experts about the best path ahead for the National Reconnaissance Office. The panel "considered options to break up NRO or reassign functions but recommended continuation of a single, unified program," a former senior intelligence… -
Oshkosh Wins $1B MATV Deal
30 Jun 2009 | 2:10 pmThe Defense Department announced Tuesday evening that Oshkosh has won a decision -- the initial M-ATV contract -- with the potential to reshape the Army and Marines for the next decade. Oshkosh won a deal worth $1 billion to build and support 2,244 M-ATVs, a little more than half of the recently pegged requirement. -
No Outside QDR Panel Needed: SASC
30 Jun 2009 | 10:29 amUPDATED: With Comments By Respected Analyst Andrew Krepinevich One of the niftier political and policy battles going on -- whether to establish a National Defense Panel to watch over the QDR -- took an interesting turn late last week when the Senate Armed Services Committee decided to leave out its draft defense bill language requiring such a panel. But a major supporter of an NDP, Mackenzie Eaglen of the Heritage Foundation, believes Congress is likely to include such language.
-
Popular Science - Military, Aviation & Space
-
Swiss Solar Plane to Circle the Globe with No Fuel
2 Jul 2009 | 2:32 pmSolar Impulse: The Solar Impulse is the prototype of a fuel-free aircraft that is designed to circle the globe on sunlight alone. Solar Impulse/Stephane Gros As environmental concerns increasingly shape the direction of technology, the future of aviation is no exception: scientists have been looking to replace fuel-guzzling aircraft with solar-powered variants, an innovation that, in addition to passing the green test, would also enable planes to linger in the sky for longer. read more -
Darpa's First Robotic Ornithopter Hovers, Flies Like a Hummingbird
2 Jul 2009 | 12:14 pmA few years from now, bird-watchers may be in for a double take: that flapping creature in the distance? Nope, not a bird. Mutant dragon fly? Nope--it's Darpa's latest unmanned aerial robo-sentinel, inspired by the flight mechanics of birds. read more -
NASA Reconsiders Its Moon Plans
1 Jul 2009 | 12:45 pmNext year, 33 years after its maiden flight, the space shuttle will retire. What happens after that has become subject to fierce debate within the space agency. The designated successor program, named Constellation, was the darling of previous NASA administrator Michael Griffin, but a new review now has the space agency looking elsewhere for a ride back into the firmament. read more -
International Space Station to Get a Big, Beautiful Window
1 Jul 2009 | 6:40 amWe've seen private tourists and urine-recycling water filters make their way onto the International Space Station, but breathtaking views have never been the station's strongest selling point. Because of external hazards such as solar radiation and orbiting space debris, the biggest window is only 20 inches. Until now, that is. read more -
Kaguya Spots Uranium, Raising Hope of Nuclear-Powered Lunar Colonies
30 Jun 2009 | 1:34 pmBefore its planned end-of-life crash landing, which it broadcasted dutifully in HD, Japan's Kaguya lunar craft used its gamma ray spectrometer to find the "first conclusive evidence" of uranium on the lunar surface. read more
-
News Releases RSS Feed
-
Privatization of U.S. Army Lodging to Raise Quality of Life for Soldiers on the Move
14 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmThe U.S. Army today announced that it will transfer the first 10 installations under the Army's Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) program on August 15, 2009. The transfer is a reinforcement of the U.S. Army's commitment to improving its transient lodging to enhance the quality of life of soldiers and their families. -
Army Releases May Suicide Data
10 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmWASINGTON, DC (June 11, 2009) - The Army released suicide data for the month of May today, reporting one confirmed suicide and 16 potential suicides among active duty soldiers. -
Army's New Ground Combat Vehicle Development Underway
10 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmWASHINGTON, DC (June 11, 2009) - The Army announced today Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli will host a workshop June 15, 2009 to bring together knowledgeable individuals to offer information and opinions on a way ahead for the Army to develop a new ground combat vehicle. The Army is moving aggressively toward developing a new ground combat vehicle as part of its modernization.
-
The Liberal Life of a Navy Wife
-
speech lessons versus the school system...
29 Jun 2009 | 6:45 pmI think I’ve written before that Thing 1 has been taking speech therapy. He’s been getting it through the public school system and should be about to start up his summer session right now. However, because of what I can only describe as a colossal misjudgment on behalf of the school system, I am instead scouring local speech pathology practices in hopes of finding a speech therapist for him. All of them are quoting waiting lists…long waiting lists. At this point, if I could go back in time and pick a specialty, it would have been early childhood speech pathology – no really. If it was… -
"Books on Bases, Smiles on Faces" event kickoff on June 22nd, Blue Star Families supports Summer of Service Initiative
11 Jun 2009 | 3:14 pmBooks on Bases, Smiles on FacesSummer Kickoff EventPresented by Blue Star Families Come celebrate the start of summer at a fun-filled event for military kids! June 22, 20092:00 – 4:00 p.m.Bayside Elementary SchoolYour family will have the opportunity to enjoy a book reading from special guests, participate in craft activities, win door prizes, interact with other military families, and learn more about local military family organizations. Each child in attendance will receive a free book of their choice from the Books on Bases, Smiles on Faces program.This event is open to military… -
My Career Advancement Account - by Military One Source
30 May 2009 | 7:00 amFrom the Military One Source Website:The Department of Defense is expanding the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts -- MyCAA -- for military spouses of active duty and activated Guard and Reserve service members worldwide. MyCAA allows eligible military spouses worldwide to receive up to $6,000 of financial assistance to help pay for licenses, certifications and education in high growth, high demand portable career fields.Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know about you, but this warms my little academic heart! More military spouses than ever are pursuing higher education, especially… -
Memorial Day - The Price of Peace
21 May 2009 | 9:21 amI have some great links to share today!First, is a video done by the daughters of a national guard member that has been going crazy through viral and social media channels. Once you watch it, you'll see why. There is a great message there and it really hit home to me as we begin another long deployment of our own.Also, Blue Star Families co-founder, Kathy Roth-Douquet has written an article for the USA Today about Memorial Day - how it is more than a long weekend. As an organization, BSF seeks to bridge the gap between civilians and military families, knowing that both are strengthened when… -
Build-A-Sign Promo
18 May 2009 | 12:57 pmI wrote awhile ago about our homecoming experience in February, when Mr. Wonderful came home after being overseas for a year-long billet. I had heard about this sign company where it was free to order a homecoming sign for a military member and used them to make the following sign:While getting all four kids who came to the airport with us to look at the camera at the same time was definitely the hardest part of the process, ordering the sign would definitely qualify as the easiest (and yeah, looking at it now, I realize I could have spiced it up a bit more with a picture or graphic or…
-
You Served
-
Chew On This
2 Jul 2009 | 11:11 pmGumRunners LLC is proud to support our troops and their families by donating a portion of its proceeds to organizations that support them. “We really believe everyone should understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by the individuals of the armed forces and their families. Over the years we’ve gotten a lot of emails and actual letters from servicemen and women and their families. Since we’re a gum maker, the letters are usually about gum – and to tell us how Jolt Energy Gum helped them or how much they enjoy it,” said Kevin Gass, co-founder of GumRunners, LLC. “With every… -
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS THIS JULY 4 WITH JOLT ENERGY GUM
2 Jul 2009 | 9:03 pmGumRunners LLC, makers of Jolt Energy Gum, launches limited-edition “Support our Troops” Jolt Gum benefiting wounded members of the military and their families. JERSEY CITY, NJ – GumRunners LLC is proud to support our troops and their families by donating a portion of its proceeds to organizations that support them. “We really believe everyone should understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by the individuals of the armed forces and their families. Over the years we’ve gotten a lot of emails and actual letters from servicemen and women and their families. Since… -
070209 You Served Live Blogging
2 Jul 2009 | 4:03 pm7:03:25 PM: New blog entry: 070209 You Served Live Blogging http://bit.ly/uNsrw 7:13:59 PM: CJ is talking this issue right now. http://bit.ly/AAjEp 7:22:04 PM: Talking with the owners of vision-trike-wear.com and the great things they are doing for our troops 7:24:37 PM: Todd from VSW was a Marine for four years 7:26:23 PM: Derek has a long family military history back to French-Indian War under George Washington 7:30:37 PM: VSW makes custom shirts, apparel, decals, playing cards, etc. for military units worldwide 7:32:07 PM: VSW has been in business for less than one year 7:35:42 PM: VSW has… -
Biden To Oversee Iraq Withdrawal
1 Jul 2009 | 7:30 amBut who will oversee the victory parade? Yesterday, Iraq regained complete control of its cities under a policy instituted in the final months last year of the Bush administration. The Iraqi government declared it “National Sovereignty Day” and held a parade to mark the holiday. This is good news for us that should have resulted in large banner, headlines, and news stories about VICTORY being plastered all over the country. We should be having parades in every major city at most, but our nation’s capital at LEAST. Unfortunately, our leaders in D.C. are planning no such thing… -
Drexel University to Offer Free Education to Post-9/11 Military Veterans
30 Jun 2009 | 1:30 pmDrexel University has committed $2 million to offer free education to an unlimited number of military veterans across all of the University’s full- and part time undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional programs, both on campus and online, as part of its participation in the new GI Bill’s Yellow Ribbon Program. In the program, a partnership between the federal government and Drexel, the University will match the government’s contribution to the cost of an education allowing eligible veterans to attend Drexel with no out of pocket expenses. The federal government…
-
Now Serving Quantico: Forum
-
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… -
The Messy Truth
I have recently gotten a couple of comments about how the projects we do seem to be effortless and mess-free. Here's the truth. The pictures I post don't show it all. When I first became a mom I couldn't wait to pull out the paint, glue, clay, etc and let my kids run free with their creativity. I had memories from my childhood of the pure joy that comes with creating things all by yourself. I had images in my head of perfect sunny afternoons filled with happy, shining little faces creating, painting, building one masterpiece after another.But many of the early arts and crafts experiences with… -
Working on Becoming Me: Relationship Priorities
My grandmother died this weekend. Unfortunately, we weren’t close, having lived on opposite coasts for most of my growing up years. I was lucky to see her once a year and since adulthood even less. My husband and I have been stationed overseas for the last seven years, and I haven’t seen her in that whole time. But in her 80’s she became internet savvy and so for a number of years I sent her email updates and I felt she came to know me and my family better. During this last year, as her health has failed, her internet time has decreased and thereby chances to stay in touch. For the last…
-
America's North Shore Journal
-
Coast Guard Is Prepared for Pandemic Flu
3 Jul 2009 | 11:47 amAdmiral Thad Allen, the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard has a blog. In a recent post, RADM Mark Tedesco talked about the Coast Guard’s readiness for pandemic flu, swine flu or novel H1N1. In response to this H1N1 outbreak, the Coast Guard has released numerous ALCOASTs and messages to help prepare and protect our Coast Guard family against this emerging disease. Timely information on H1N1 can be found on the Coast Guard portal. Additionally, I broadcasted a series of informative H1N1 webcasts that can be found on the Coast Guard H1N1 website. For family preparedness, CG-111 has… -
Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye - Silver Star
2 Jul 2009 | 12:00 pmArmy Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye stands before fellow soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, during a ceremony in Vicenza, Italy, June 30, 2009. Begaye was awarded the Silver Star for his valorous actions during an enemy ambush Nov. 9, 2007, in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Joseph Sanfilippo Even as Army Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye relived the firefight that took the lives of his fellow soldiers, and even as he was awarded the military’s third-highest honor for valor yesterday, his thoughts were on his comrades. Begaye, a Navajo from Black Canyon City,… -
Continuing Promise 2009 in El Salvador
2 Jul 2009 | 11:00 amLt. Michelle Mathis, embarked aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), hands stickers out to local children during a Continuing Promise 2009 medical community service project at Loma Larga school. Continuing Promise is a four-month humanitarian and civic assistance mission to seven countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Comfort is scheduled to be in El Salvador until July 2. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Finney/Released) Previous in series Table of contents for Continuing Promise 2009Continuing Promise 2009 BeginsOur… -
New PTSD Program at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
2 Jul 2009 | 10:00 amSymptoms of combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder for wounded warriors include continual nightmares, avoidance behaviors, denial, grief, anger and fear. Some servicemembers battling these and other symptoms, can be treated successfully as an outpatient while assuming their normal duties, but for others; however, returning to work and becoming their old selves again were challenges recognized by several mental health professionals across the European theater. “We were looking at how we can best meet the needs of our clientele, and we were identifying that a lot of the Soldiers… -
Palin Visits Deployed Guard Troops
2 Jul 2009 | 7:14 amJust as she did when they were deployed to Iran, Sarah Palin is visiting Alaskan National Guard troops deployed in Kosovo. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin took time to pose for photos with military policeman at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. Palin traveled to Kosovo to visit Alaska Army National Guard troops stationed in the region as part of the Kosovo force peacekeeping mission. Photo by Sgt. Adam-David Pepper Soldiers from the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ got a huge morale boost when Alaska’s governor, Sarah Palin, and the state’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, trekked…
-
Okinawa Hai Society
-
Hi, Mr JerkFace toy stealer....
I just wanted to drop you a few lines to say thanks for taking the time out of your life to trek your happy ass up to my front door to steal my poor unexpecting young boys' sand and beach toys. I really thought that I had gone nutso there for a minute and after racking my brains for three whole days and scouring every inch of my house area I finally accepted that you paid me a visit. It's awesome to feel violated. Shoot, I think that the reason it took so long to accept it was the fact that I had faith in the goodness of people. Thanks for bitch slapping me into reality....seriously. Signed… -
Random things that make me smile
In 1893 the Supreme Court declared the tomato to be a vegetable. The Supreme Court. Really, I don't think I need to add anything more to this, it is comedy all by itself. But I'm supposed to be doing homework . . . . -
A company that ships items to APO/FPO for companies that wont......
Hey, just wanted to let everyone know that there is a website called www.shipitapo.com. Basically if there is a company that wont ship to an APO/FPO address, shipitapo will. All you have to do is set up and account with them and for a nominal(last time I checked) they will ship your items to you. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks including ground shipping to their warehouse. I have received my items from TARGET and other companies that dont ship to us at military bases abroad!! Take care, Lavonne -
My time finding friends since getting here. . .
So there must be something wrong with my kids and I that we have been here over a year and have NO friends. I feel that my kids are fairly well behaved, and have no quirks like "biting" or "hitting". Though we seem to have no friends. I had a few when we first got here, though they all live on or very close to Kadena. We got housing on foster (though we are AF) and are still living that way, though off base now (easy to find, it is across the street from base. . . literally). I am not sure what happened or what goes through their heads, though I can only sum it up to 2 things ~ they don't… -
Soccer Training!
Hi my name is Hillary Schwarzbach-Beevers. I was a 4-year Division I soccer player at the University of Southern California and Santa Clara University and am looking to train anyone interested in improving their soccer skills and game. I was a four-year starter as an outside back (defender) at both universities, as well as a captain at USC. I have also enjoyed playing for the California Storm, a semi-professional soccer team. At my training sessions you can look forward to improving your skill, overall touch on the ball, game awareness, technique and fitness. For those of you who have kids…
-
okinawa hai!
-
Futenma Shrine- a good place to pause
3 Jul 2009 | 3:38 pmI have one of those final-to-see checklists now that I only have one month left here. There is a spot on my checklist for "I always drive by that sign/ or store- now is the time to check it out'. I often drive by the Futnema shrine on the way to pick up my son, and I happened to have my camera and twenty minutes. So here I paused. I have to say that if you don't get the opportunity to get to mainland Japan to see the shrines- you should check out the Futenma shrine. Or even if you dont- it's a spiritual exerience. There are always people there… -
Japanese Tea Ceremony
2 Jul 2009 | 2:59 pmIn Okinawa, we are fortunate to be able to attend a traditional tea ceremony as practiced in Kyoto, the cultural center of Japan. I recently witnessed one as part of my "Month of New Challenges" documented on my blog. Feel free to check that out for even more ideas of TO DOs on the island. The Tea Ceremony as we know it today originated during between 1336-1573 for samurai warriors and has been passed down through the generations. Today, both women and men administer and participate in them for special occasions, holidays, and weddings. Picture of koicha, thick powdered tea… -
Go Go Gyoza!
1 Jul 2009 | 4:05 pmCrispy on the outside, tender tastiness on the insideThere's a new Gyoza joint in town, and it's literally right around the corner from where you're sitting. I'm talking about your kitchen. Yes, your kitchen. Don't shake your head at me. I have faith in you. I have a friend who doesn't cook (you know who you are) and I'm convinced even she can make gyoza using the fool proof plan below. It's so easy 7 year old Sota can do it!For those of you who don't know, Gyoza is a fried Japanese dumpling. In the states you can get the steamed version, pot-stickers, in… -
And now, a word from our sponsors...
30 Jun 2009 | 7:47 pmGet to know them!An ounce of gold costs $943. An ounce of silver, $1293. Wedding or family photography by Jason Arbogast, simply priceless. See for yourself.Keystone Church: We're in need of a part-time secretary and a music minister....ASAP! Yeah, VBS begins August 10-14th! Get up and join us on Sundays and meet someone new!Kerry Mills Photography offers a fun, fresh style of on-location familyportraits. View the blog for recent photos and the portrait site for details.Need a "translation service for daily life". Go to local markets, school… -
Tara Works to Dream
29 Jun 2009 | 6:42 pmShe was born and raised in Arizona and grew up near Fort Huachuca Army base. Having spent most of her teenage years being hit on by military guys, she had sworn them off. And then she met Dino (at a bar in Mexico – but she she says he’ll tell a different story) and realized as their friendship developed that unlike a lot of the guys she knew, he didn’t mooch off his parents. He had a real job. He was independent. And... he could dance. She’d done a lot of the familiar jobs – hostessing at a restaurant, working at Vinnie’s Pizza Parlor, then a…
-
War On Terror News
-
11 Mar 2020 | 7:15 am
11 Mar 2020 | 7:15 am↑ Grab this Headline Animator -
Troublemakers Rules & Guidelines
7 Jul 2009 | 4:26 pmFirst, let me thank all the prize contributors that have stepped up for this effort! While we're still working a few details, particularly concerning whether the prize will be awarded in this week's competition or the next one, none of those great companies and individuals asked for anything in return... -
#MilitaryMon Troublemakers Championship-9 Bonus Points
5 Jul 2009 | 1:11 pmFrom the Judge (@straighttoit): As a member of the United States Military we are responsible for defending the Constitution of the United States of America, protecting the lives of the American people, and giving every ounce of sweat and blood you have for defending the freedoms of all American citizens!... -
Wounded EOD Tech Has Big Plans
3 Jul 2009 | 5:21 pmAir Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz thanks Staff Sgt. David Flowers for service to the nation June 22 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. Sergeant Flowers was awarded a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and a Combat Action Medal during a ceremony at the hospital. (U.S.... -
Modern Inspectors General Make Headway
3 Jul 2009 | 4:24 pmIraqis Ready to Accept Modern Inspectors General, Advisor Says Story by Ian Graham Date: 07.02.2009 WASHINGTON - Iraqi officials are learning to accept modern inspectors general in their government, and the coalition-backed investigative program is ready to stand on its own, a senior leader in that effort said. Marine Corps...
-
Navy CyberSpace
-
One Problem With Cap and Trade
30 Jun 2009 | 6:30 pmCap and Trade, a bill made it through the House of Representatives last week, advocated by President Obama, will set up the first mandatory U.S. greenhouse gas limits on oil refineries, power plants and other industrial facilities. Progress Energy is a power company that generates electricity for hundreds of thousands of homes in Florida and beyond. I want to discuss the effects Cap and Trade may have on Progress Energy, specifically the power plants located at Crystal River. Crystal River Units 1&2 are two of the oldest and dirtiest coal burning plants in the southeast. They are the… -
911GIBill Transfer Questions Answered
24 Jun 2009 | 8:09 amTransfer all or part of your Post 9/11 GI Bill to one or more of your eligible family members. Service members eligible to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are those who, at the time of approval of the request to transfer entitlement is first of all eligible for the benefit and (1) Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of election, or (2) Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of election, is precluded by either standard policy (Service or DOD) or statute from… -
Get Your MGIB $1200 Back
23 Jun 2009 | 10:46 amThe Department of Defense released a 31 page memo to further define a number of questions about the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI-Bill (911GIBill). You should read the entire memo yourself but I took the liberty to take out some initial areas of interest for ease. I will be making additional posts about the transferring of the GI Bill benefit and other issues in later posts; For Service Academy grads; Advise all officers without earlier established eligibility, following commissioning through Service Academies, with the exception of the Coast Guard Academy, or Reserve Officer Training… -
C-Sort is Now Required for SO
18 Jun 2009 | 2:52 pmAfter collecting and evaluating data over the last year or so it has been determined the Computerized Special Operations Resilience Test (C-SORT) in combination with Physical Screening Test (PST) scores are now required to classify Special Warfare Operator (SO) candidates. SO is the primary Navy rating for those who serve in the SEAL teams. Testing is accomplished online and is expected to take approximately one hour per test. A Navy Recruiting District Zone Supervisor will be required to administer the C-SORT. The C-SORT, along with PST, must be administered to all SO applicants prior to… -
Email Spam Worth Publishing
15 Jun 2009 | 8:44 pmI don’t normally do this, copy and paste something from an email into a blog post, but today I can’t help myself. I read these “jokes” and had to share them with everyone without spamming your inbox. Thank you Commander for forwarding them! My wife sat down on the couch next to me as I was flipping channels. She asked, ‘What’s on TV?’ I said, ‘Dust.’ And then the fight started… My wife and I are watching “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” while we were in bed. I turned to her and said, “Do you want to have sex?”…
-
Deployed Teacher
-
Never Find a Hookah Here
8 Jun 2009 | 10:19 amWhile deployed, I enjoyed going to the weekly bazaar. It was a nice way to break the monotony of the daily routine. At the bazaar: I haggled with vendors (customary/expected), socialized outside of work, found some great deals, and as the days blurred, the bazaar helped indicate that it was Friday, again.There was much to be had at the bazaar, depending on your preferences. Beautiful Afghan/Persian rugs, gemstones/jewelry, Afghan clothing, Russian artifacts, antique rifles, and... hookers, oops, excuse me, wrong spelling, I mean hookahs. My apologies to nor-easterners; same pronunciation,… -
From Insurgents to Pre-Emergents
24 May 2009 | 5:00 pmIt's interesting to observe how life has shifted from one focus to another now that I'm home. An example - for six months, it was all about Afghanistan insurgents. But now, it's crabgrass pre-emergents. So, for peace of mind, I set out to find similarities between the two that might help make my mental transition easier, and more meaningful.As I considered a pre-emergent for the lawn/garden, I found an article from the Ohio State University, Extension entitled: Pre-Emergent Herbicides Effective for Weed Control. Here are some bullets from the article:Marestail, giant ragweed and lambsquarter… -
A Man's Home is his Depot
20 May 2009 | 11:17 amAs we approached our house, I mused, "Ah, a man's home is his castle", relieved to finally return home. According to Answer.com, this old English saying means - "A proverbial expression that illustrates the principle of individual privacy, which is fundamental to the American system of government".After imparting this age-old proverb of wisdom to my 8 yr old son, he replied without skipping a beat, "No papa, a man's home is his depot" (as in Home Depot). Caught completely off guard, I busted-up laughing. He had never heard the expression before, and thought Home Depot was what I really meant… -
Number One with an F
18 Apr 2009 | 1:31 pmSat with linguists at lunch today and an Afghan gentleman stopped by the table. We all did the Salaam Alaikum shtick, I mean greeting. Once the pleasantries were exchanged, and the gentleman left, I told my lunch mates I had met this man a month or so ago, and that he had an interesting background. When we met, he asked if I could help him get reassigned to another job, because he was not happy with his current position. He worked with detainees. He proceeded to rattle off his resume, and told me that in Afghanistan, he'd worked for the government in the 70's as a young man, before the… -
NATO Night Fever, Stayin Alive, Stayin Alive
11 Apr 2009 | 9:53 pmMany linguists, hired as contractors, previously held important positions within Afghanistan before their families fled. Some were university professors, some were doctors, others were government officials; it runs the gamut. It's very interesting to hear about their past Afghan lives. From my observations, there is a subculture of linguist hierarchy on US bases, based on their prior Afghan status, and related to their present status. For example, translators who work for Generals, Colonels, or are considered the primary translators for high profile meetings with Afghan Ministers, Governors,…
-
Army Household6
-
The Big D: Day 19
27 Jun 2009 | 5:47 amWell another week has come and gone… and of course it was another week of learning new things about our current reality. (i just love my new nifty counter ) The kids are doing pretty good… I think Becca is starting to adjust to SGT Daddy being gone and just how long he will be gone. She has started sleeping in Kiersten’s bed at night. I’m not worried (yet) she talks about the deployment and her feelings with me all the time and Kiersten doesn’t mind her being there. I’m surprised they want to sleep together in the same bed considering the way they fight… -
Let’s Honor the REAL Heroes!
26 Jun 2009 | 8:29 pmBoy ,what a couple of day huh? First Ed McMahon, former Marine and longtime sidekick of Johnny Carson passed away on Wednesday. Then yesterday I hear that Farrah Fawcett passed away as well as Michael Jackson. When any celebrity passes away, you normally get a lot of “chatter” about them, their movies, what they did,etc. The posts about Michael Jackson were one after another glorifying this man who obsessed with plastic surgery and little boys. I actually had to turn off Twitter and Facebook because I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I’m not saying he did not contribute… -
A Great Resource for Your Kids Summertime Safety
25 Jun 2009 | 12:00 amWith Summer all but here, our girls spend alot of time outside. They love to play outside with the other neighborhood kids. But it never fails while they are outside having the time of their life someone always comes in with a scrapped knee, bruised elbow, or even an occasional broken leg or arm. I was recently contacted by After The Injury that asked me to share their great website and resources with you. After I reviewed the site I thought wow this is really a great site and they also offer some great downloads. So many times when our children get hurt we don’t know how to… -
The Big D Video Series : Week 1
23 Jun 2009 | 10:02 pm -
An Amazing Contest I Have to Share
23 Jun 2009 | 12:13 pmMost of you that know me know that I don’t normally put a press release on here. But I recently received this press release and it was right up my alley. Plus this contest is something that I know will help so many of our soldiers and families. AllAmericanDirect.com announces second contest giving away thousands in technology prizes to military families Leading e-tailer hosting Laptops for Flat Tops contest for military families to improve communication with loved ones serving overseas AllAmericanDirect.com , a leading e-commerce provider of consumer electronics and satellite…
-
Manatee's Military Moms
-
On this Fourth of July, give thanks
1 Jul 2009 | 4:03 am“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”--first sentence of The United States Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress, July 4, 1776And when men and women are deprived of their rights; live under vicious dictators; or American citizens are threatened, "who ya gonna call" to put the situation in order?That’s right: your son, my son, our neighbor’s daughter, sister, brother.That’s a daunting… -
We need the truth, from all points of view
28 Jun 2009 | 6:02 amDo you like to read news stories or fairy tales?Embedded journalists must agree that they won't release secure information or anything that could harm our soldiers or their efforts. So are journalists in war zones free to tell us the stories that are happening all around them? A reporter from Stars and Stripes was barred from embedding with the 1st Cavalry Division’s 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team. Not because he didn’t tell the truth, or divulged sensitive information, or broke rules.According to reports, Heath Druzin “refused to highlight” good news.From a story by Stars and… -
Mom bling carries awesome message
24 Jun 2009 | 4:45 amI could hear loud music, but not much else as my husband, Eric, called from Virginia, the site of his family’s yearly reunion. He stepped out of the room to tell me that his father’s band, “55 in Overdrive,” was deep into rehearsal for their upcoming gig at The United States Marine Corps Museum.Saturday, Eric’s father and his band mates will pack up their drums and all their gear and head up to the museum to belt out “From the Halls of Montezuma” and other military faves.Pretty cool!Home from Virginia, Eric was telling me more about the trip and paused to hand me a small bag. -
War redefines a father's selfless love
21 Jun 2009 | 5:56 amToday, fathers everywhere are enjoying breakfast in bed, gratefully receiving gifts of macaroni necklaces, reading hand-lettered cards and admiring lovingly chosen ties.Unless they are far from home in the service of their country.Selflessness is what makes a father’s love special. For the father who extends that love to encompass the children of our country and others in the quest for freedom and safety— well, that’s a whole other level of special.Kate Williams sent me a note recently to introduce a new book by Lt. Col. Oliver North, “American Heroes: In the Fight Against Radical… -
Keeping connected via Hometown News
17 Jun 2009 | 5:09 amMilitary news comes to me through several channels -- usually by accosting strangers on the street or pestering folks for photos and updates.Sometimes it falls from the sky like a fancy gift, wrapped and ready for consumption.That’s the case when I get things from Hometown News, a news service run by the military that sends me snippets relating to local folks.A couple of days ago, I received a story and beautiful photos from the 65th commemoration of D-Day at Normandy, and the reaction of one of our local soldiers to the ceremony.Bayshore grad Phillip Boardman was on hand for the historic…
-
Defense Update News
-
Oshkosh Wins Order for 2244 M-ATV Armored Vehicles
30 Jun 2009 | 7:34 pmThe U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced today it has selected Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) to supply MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) for its fighting forces. Oshkosh has received an initial delivery order from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) for 2,244 M-ATVs valued at $1.05 billion, following months of government testing on multiple production-ready vehicles. The entire M-ATV program has the potential to reach up to 10,000 vehicles destined to Afghanistan. -
Israel Embarks on a $76 Million Air Transport Defense Plan
25 Jun 2009 | 10:49 amElbit Systems' C-MUSIC missile-defense DIRCM will be operated by all Israeli operated commercial ailines -
Oshkosh to Launch Special Operations SandCat Armored Vehicle at DVD
19 Jun 2009 | 2:25 pmOshkosh Defense is unveiling a Special Operations Vehicle (SOV) configuration of the SandCat at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2009 taking place at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire, U.K. next week. The vehicle was designed specifically for the emerging requirements of international special forces units that need an open, highly mobile and well-protected vehicle for operations in remote locations. -
The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ Office of Aviation
19 Jun 2009 | 8:34 amThe U.S. State Department through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ Office of Aviation (INL/A) is responsible for the curtailment of the supply of illegal drugs from foreign sources into the United States through aerial eradication of drug crops, interdiction of refining laboratories and trafficking activities, and other enforcement operations as directed by the Secretary of State. The Bureau’s “air wing” operates 348 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, involved in INL counter-narcotics aviation programs in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala,… -
Lethal Crop Dusters - Armed and Armored Crop Dusters Join the War on Drugs
19 Jun 2009 | 8:33 amParis Air SHow 09: U.S. and international air forces are becoming interested and open to utilizing off-the-shelf equipment in low-intensity, counter-insurgency and counter-drug operations in remote areas.
-
Armor Links
-
Oshkosh Wins Order for 2244 M-ATV Armored Vehicles
30 Jun 2009 | 7:36 pmThe U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced today it has selected Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) to supply MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) for its fighting forces. Oshkosh has received an initial delivery order from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) for 2,244 M-ATVs valued at $1.05 billion, following months of government testing on multiple production-ready vehicles. The entire M-ATV program has the potential to reach up to 10,000 vehicles destined to Afghanistan. -
Oshkosh to Launch Special Operations SandCat Armored Vehicle at DVD
19 Jun 2009 | 10:58 amOshkosh Defense is unveiling a Special Operations Vehicle (SOV) configuration of the SandCat at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2009 taking place at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire, U.K. next week. -
IDF Approves Acquisition of IMI's Iron Fist Active protection Systems (APS) for Namer AIFVs
8 Jun 2009 | 7:15 pmThe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is moving forward with the development and fielding of active protection systems (APS) for tanks and armored infantry fighting vehicles (AIFV). Maj. General Dan Harel, IDF 2nd in Command has approved the acquisition of IMI 'Iron Fist' APS for the Namer AIFVs, parallel to the continued acquisition of Aspro-A (Trophy) systems for the Merkava 4 tanks. -
General Dynamics, Rafael to Replace the Strykers' SLAT Protection Cages with Reactive Armor
27 May 2009 | 2:08 pmGeneral Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GD-ATP) will provide reactive armor tile sets for the U.S. Army Stryker family of vehicles. The $150 million contract is scheduled for delivery within 10 months, by March 2010. This contract represents one of the largest reactive armor-upgrades planned in recent years. As such it was fiercely competed between two of the leading armor providers - GD-ATP and BAE Systems. The original developer and designer of these reactive armor systems is Rafael Armament Development Authority from Israel. -
FCS Remnants to Proceed, Split into Three Programs
22 May 2009 | 7:24 amThe Army intends to split the FCS program into three orders, addressing the vehicles, software applications, and technology upgrades, to be introduced through all Army combat brigades. Re-evaluating the future role of armored systems succeeding the cancelled Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) the Army plans to launch yet another, yet undefined 'Ground Combat Vehicle' program. The new vehicle will be further defined around the fall this year, after the Pentagon and FCS Lead Systems Integrators Boeing and SAIC conclude discussions on the FCS contract terms and MGV termination fees, particularly…
-
Pacific Fleet Commander's Blog
-
Samoa and Tonga
30 Jun 2009 | 6:27 pmI'm excited about this year's Pacific Partnership. As you may recall, I canceled the deployment of the USS Dubuque because the crew had succumbed to the H1-N1 virus that was going through the ship, and we made the decision that Dubuque could not be our Pacific Partnership platform this year.In regrouping and deciding how to approach Pacific Partnership, we were able to come up with another -
Humanitarian Assistance
23 Jun 2009 | 11:27 amOur maritime strategy calls for efforts to increase and strengthen the partnerships between our Navy and like-minded regional navies and our regional partners throughout the Asia-Pacific theatre.You often hear about humanitarian assistance or humanitarian civic assistance. Just to clarify, humanitarian civic assistance are planned civic events – Pacific Partnership is a perfect example of this – -
Naval Aviation
15 Jun 2009 | 11:26 amThe extent to which the United States has invested in aircraft carrier naval aviation is unique in the world. We're the only nation currently that has the number of aircraft carriers, 11 in our case, that we're able to regularly rotate and deploy and maintain a global presence.Naval aviation on board our aircraft carriers is a means of projecting that form of combat power anywhere in the world, -
The Naval Academy
26 May 2009 | 4:34 pmI think all of us in Navy leadership are very proud of the Naval Academy, its professionalism and how far it's advanced since its inception in 1845. I think in that intervening time more than 71,000 young men and women have graduated the Naval Academy and become naval officers. The Naval Academy today is a far cry from the Naval Academy that I graduated from in 1973, when it was filled with men -
A Warfighting Focus
12 May 2009 | 12:55 pm.For all the duties that we have as Sailors, for all the great variety of operations that we will be involved in, none compares to our ultimate responsibility to defend this nation and be expert warfighters. We warfight as individuals. We warfight as a unit in our ships, submarines and aircraft. We warfight inside the joint force. At the end of the day, every Sailor in every position within his
-
U.S. Pacific Fleet
-
PacificFleet: RT @PacificAviation: Free "Carrier Ops" Hangar Talk Sat, 7/18, 1pm, in the Theatre. To feature retired naval air aces Chip Gunther & Sco ...
2 Jul 2009 | 5:11 pmPacificFleet: RT @PacificAviation: Free "Carrier Ops" Hangar Talk Sat, 7/18, 1pm, in the Theatre. To feature retired naval air aces Chip Gunther & Sco ... -
PacificFleet: News: Pacific Partnership Starts Mission in Samoa http://bit.ly/fQbpu
2 Jul 2009 | 4:44 pmPacificFleet: News: Pacific Partnership Starts Mission in Samoa http://bit.ly/fQbpu -
PacificFleet: RT @USSMissouri: Visit the Mighty Mo this 4th of July weekend. DM @USSMissouri for special admission.
2 Jul 2009 | 4:40 pmPacificFleet: RT @USSMissouri: Visit the Mighty Mo this 4th of July weekend. DM @USSMissouri for special admission. -
PacificFleet: RT @NavyNews: RT @deontos1: Former Navy flyer honors Pearl Harbor vets http://bit.ly/146Dta
2 Jul 2009 | 4:40 pmPacificFleet: RT @NavyNews: RT @deontos1: Former Navy flyer honors Pearl Harbor vets http://bit.ly/146Dta -
PacificFleet: RT @PacificCommand: #PACOM Blog: Pacific Partnership Mission Reaches First Stop in Samoa http://bit.ly/TzHvO
2 Jul 2009 | 4:01 pmPacificFleet: RT @PacificCommand: #PACOM Blog: Pacific Partnership Mission Reaches First Stop in Samoa http://bit.ly/TzHvO
-
Navy Reads
-
Honor, Courage, Commitment In 1776
3 Jul 2009 | 10:33 am1776 by David McCullough Review by Bill Doughty One of the many benefits of the Navy’s Professional Reading list is finding books that bring history to life. Such is the case with David McCullough’s 1776, a compelling, lively story of the fragile beginnings of our nation and how the United States nearly didn’t make it.McCullough introduces us to George Washington, King George III, and Benedict Arnold, as well as lesser-known but equally colorful characters like Major General Charles Lee, Washington’s deputy.About Lee: “He was a spare, odd-looking man with a long, hooked nose and… -
Why Women Should Rule the World
26 Jun 2009 | 10:52 amDon’t women already rule the world? My first guest blogger on Navy Reads… Lt.j.g. Theresa Donnelly puts Dee Dee Myers’s Why Women Should Rule the World in perspective. For more information on Theresa’s take on women and diversity in the Navy – and a full report on the recent Sea Services Leadership Association symposium – you may wish to visit GI Jess’s blog. No question about Navy's commitment to diversity. Guest Perspective on SSLA Symposiumby Lt.j.g. Theresa Donnelly The Sea Services Leadership Association symposium, held June 18-19, honored women leaders, presented… -
Father’s Day Perspective
21 Jun 2009 | 12:02 amMy grandfather fought in “The Great War,” World War I the one that was supposed to end all wars... He fought for Germany, and had a jagged scar from a French bayonet that went through his arm, shrapnel in his neck and scars on various other parts of his body. He remembered the horrors of the trenches the gas, the terror, the gangrene and the rats. A quiet, creative and spiritual man who before and after the war made a living as a chef in Europe and in the States, my grandfather was also physically very strong and powerful. He and my grandmother escaped Germany after the war, just as the… -
Reading Hope for the Future
14 Jun 2009 | 5:34 pmThree Cups of Teaby Greg Mortenson and David Oliver RelinReview by Bill DoughtyWhen sailors stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq were asked what they were reading, the book on almost everyone’s list was Three Cups of Tea - One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a TimeThree Cups is the story of humanitarian Greg Mortenson’s achievement, starting with nothing, to build 78 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan over the past 16 years. Building those schools has empowered young people, especially young women – in the backyard of the Taliban.Mortenson, current Nobel Prize nominee,… -
Chasing Salvation: The Kite Runner
15 May 2009 | 9:57 amReview by Bill Doughty Kite flying in Afghanistan is expected to draw blood. That’s one revelation in Khaled Hosseini’s masterpiece The Kite Runner. Blood links together the main characters, so there's little surprise when, early on, the “hero” ends up with blood on his hands, both literally and metaphorically. Will he find redemption? All of the main characters have deep flaws; they must come to terms with their circumstances in a violent society: internal implosion, Russian occupation, Taliban corruption, war. It’s clear that this book is on the Navy’s reading list because of…
-
Military Embedded Systems
-
Space Data Offers New Tool for Broadband Mapping
1 Jul 2009 | 10:57 amScanSite Verifies Wireless Carrier Deployment -
Hirose Electric Provides Comprehensive Line Of Flexible Circuit Connectors With Contact Pitches Ranging From 1mm To 0.3mm
1 Jul 2009 | 10:38 amRoHS-compliant flex connectors feature variety of actuator styles, mounting options, contact positions... -
DSPCon Introduces DataFlex-515 Ultra-Portable, Battery-Powered Data Recorder with Standard Real-Time Analysis Software; Company Also Announces GSA Listing of DataFlex-1000/1000A Recorders
1 Jul 2009 | 7:45 amDSPCon, Inc., a leading, global supplier of dynamic data acquisition, analysis, archiving and recording solutions for high-value military, aerospace and rotating machinery applications, today introduced the latest addition to its performance-proven line of data recorders, the DataFlex-515TM. -
Pentek Announces New SMP VxWorks Support for Feature-packed VXS I/O Processor Board
1 Jul 2009 | 7:42 amPentek, Inc., one of the pioneers of VME board-level technology, today released Wind River's VxWorks operating system support for its Model 4207, the company's flagship processor board for high-performance I/O and data acquisition systems. Coupling the leading real-time operating system (RTOS) for embedded systems to this PowerPC and FPGA platform stems from its target applications and wide market acceptance. -
Curtiss-Wright Controls Announces its First 8-Core Freescale QorIQ(tm) P4080-based VPX Single Board Computer
30 Jun 2009 | 4:21 pmCurtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing has introduced the VPX6-187, its first single board computer based on Freescale's latest eight-core QorIQ(tm) P4080 Communications Processor. This rugged, high performance 6U VPX general purpose SBC supports its eight 1.5 GHz Power Architecture(tm) processor cores with high-performance datapath acceleration logic, network and peripheral bus interfaces. The VPX6-187 is designed to leverage the flexibility and rich feature set of the QorIQ P4080 processor to provide a trusted computing environment in harsh military and aerospace applications.
