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AMBUSH FROM TALIBAN - combat footage! New Navy Stealth UAV B-2 Stealth Bomber B-2 stealth bomber dumps the payload on target Afghanistan Behind Enemy Lines Boeing B-52 Stratofortress - Death from above B-52 BOMB RUN B-52 Tail-gunner Recalls MiG Downing
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Don Branum U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., Dec. 27, 2010 – If the landmarks here could speak, the B-52 Stratofortress bomber sitting near the academy’s north gate would have quite a Vietnam War story to tell. The B-52 Stratofortress bomber known as "Diamond Lil" sits near the north entrance of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Dec. 23, 2010. Diamond Lil's tail gunner, Air Force Airman 1st Class Albert Moore, shot down a North Vietnamese MiG fighter aircraft Dec. 24, 1972. Diamond Lil came to the academy after it was decommissioned in 1983. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Don Branum The crew of the “Diamond Lil,” a B-52D, tail number 55-083, took off from Utapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield on Christmas Eve in 1972. The crew’s mission was to bomb the North Vietnamese railroad yards at Thai Nguyen as part of Operation Linebacker II, which took place Dec. 18 to 29, 1972. However, the Diamond Lil's crew faced enemy air power. A North Vietnamese MiG-21 raced to intercept the B-52. The bomber’s tail gunner, Airman 1st Class Albert Moore, noticed the MiG's approach. "I observed a target in my radar scope 8:30 o'clock, low at eight miles," Moore wrote six days later in his statement of claim for enemy aircraft destroyed. "I immediately notified the crew, and the ‘bogie’ started closing rapidly. It stabilized at 4,000 yards, 6:30 o'clock. I called the pilot for evasive action and the [electronic warfare officer] for chaff and flares. "When the target got to 2,000 yards, I notified the crew that I was firing. I fired at the bandit until it ballooned to three times in intensity then suddenly disappeared from my radar scope at approximately 1,200 yards, 6:30 low. I expended 800 rounds in three bursts." Another gunner aboard the B-52, Tech. Sgt. Clarence Chute, verified Moore’s kill in his report. "I went visual and saw the ‘bandit’ on fire and falling away," Chute wrote. "Several pieces of the aircraft exploded, and the fireball disappeared in the under-cast at my 6:30 position." Moore's kill is one of only two confirmed kills by a B-52D in the Vietnam War and the last confirmed kill by a tail gunner in wartime using machine guns. Following the MiG kill, Moore wrote, "On the way home I wasn't sure whether I should be happy or sad. You know, there was a guy in that MiG. I'm sure he would have wanted to fly home too. But it was a case of him or my crew. I'm glad it turned out the way it did. Yes, I'd go again. Do I want another MiG? No, but given the same set of circumstances, yes, I'd go for another one." Moore died in 2009 at age 55. Linebacker II brought the North Vietnamese government back to the negotiating table after earlier talks had broken down. A month after the campaign, North Vietnam and the United States signed a ceasefire agreement. Diamond Lil continued serving long after the end of the Vietnam War. In all, the aircraft flew more than 15,000 hours and more than 200 combat missions between its commissioning in 1957 and its decommissioning in 1983. It came to the Air Force academy shortly after it was decommissioned. Government Publishes Veterans Homelessness Report From HUD and VA News Releases WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2011 – The Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs departments today published what officials say is the most authoritative analysis yet of the extent and nature of homelessness among military veterans. According to HUD and VA’s assessment, nearly 76,000 veterans were homeless on a given night in 2009, while roughly 136,000 veterans spent at least one night in a shelter during that year. The assessment, part of President Barack Obama’s plan to prevent and end homelessness in America, is based on an annual report HUD provides to Congress and explores in greater depth the demographics of veterans who are homeless, how veterans compare to others who are homeless, and how veterans access and use the nation’s homeless response system. “This report offers a much clearer picture about what it means to be a veteran living on our streets or in our shelters,” HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said. “Understanding the nature and scope of veteran homelessness is critical to meeting President Obama’s goal of ending veterans’ homelessness within five years.” “With our federal, state and community partners working together, more veterans are moving into safe housing,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. “But we’re not done yet. “Providing assistance in mental health, substance abuse treatment, education and employment goes hand-in-hand with preventive steps and permanent supportive housing,” Shinseki continued. “We continue to work towards our goal of finding every veteran safe housing and access to needed services.” Obama announced in June the nation’s first comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness, including a focus on homeless veterans. The report, Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, puts the country on a path to end veterans’ and chronic homelessness by 2015; and to ending homelessness among children and families by 2020. Key findings of the report include: -- More than 3,000 cities and counties reported 75,609 homeless veterans on a single night in January of 2009; 57 percent were staying in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program while the remaining 43 percent were unsheltered. Veterans represent about 12 percent of all homeless people counted nationwide during the 2009 assessment; -- During a 12-month period in 2009, about 136,000 veterans -- or about 1 in every 168 veterans -- spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program. The vast majority of sheltered homeless veterans -- 96 percent -- experienced homelessness alone. Four percent of homeless veterans were found to be part of a family. Sheltered homeless veterans are most often single white men between the ages of 31 and 50 and living with a disability; -- Veterans are 50 percent more likely to become homeless compared to all Americans and the risk is even greater among veterans living in poverty and poor minority veterans. HUD and VA examined the likelihood of becoming homeless among American veterans with particular demographic characteristics and found that during 2009, twice as many poor Hispanic veterans used a shelter compared with poor non-Hispanic veterans. African American veterans in poverty had similar rates of homelessness; -- Most veterans who used emergency shelter stayed for only brief periods. One-third stayed in a shelter for less than a week; 61 percent used a shelter for less than a month; and 84 percent stayed for less than three months. The report also concluded that veterans remained in shelters longer than did non-veterans; -- Nearly half of homeless veterans were in California, Texas, New York and Florida while only 28 percent of all veterans were located in those states; -- Sheltered homeless veterans are far more likely to be alone rather than be part of a family household; 96 percent of veterans are individuals compared to 66 percent in the overall homeless population. HUD and VA are working to administer a joint program targeting homeless veterans. Through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program, HUD provides rental assistance for homeless veterans while VA offers case management and clinical services. HUD last month awarded $1.4 billion to keep nearly 7,000 local homeless assistance programs operating. The Department also allocated $1.5 billion through its new Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program. Made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, HPRP is intended to prevent persons from falling into homelessness or to rapidly re-house them if they do. To date, more than 750,000 people, including more than 15,000 veterans, have been assisted through HPRP. Website Links Unemployed Vets, Spouses to Jobs By Terri Moon Cronk WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2011 – Unemployed veterans, wounded warriors, reserve-component service members and their spouses searching for jobs can find one-stop shopping at a Web portal designed just for them. Operated by the Army Reserve, the military-friendly Employee Partnership of the Armed Forces at http:www.EmployerPartnership.org lends assistance not only to those looking for a job, but also to public and private employers who are ready to hire former service members and help to support the troops, said Maj. Gen. Keith L. Thurgood, deputy chief of the Army Reserve. “It’s all about connecting supply and demand,” Thurgood said. “That’s the crux of the program,” Thurgood said. “It’s a mutually beneficial program where the employer gets someone who’s drug-free, understands collaboration, [and] can think strategically and act at a tactical level to get the job done.” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is a longtime advocate of hiring veterans. “Veterans bring a maturity. They bring leadership. They bring a life experience,” he said last year. “They bring a dedication they may not have had when they were 17, 18 or 19 years old, when they were coming out of high school or in the first couple years of college.” Thurgood said the portal, launched on Veterans Day, still is in its infancy, but already has 7,500 registered users. “We’ve got over 1,300 [employers with job openings], including 95 Fortune 500 companies,” he said. While many job websites exist on the Internet, Thurgood said, veterans should know EmployerPartnership.org offers a personal touch, such as a resume-building feature that translates military language into civilian terms. Deciphering “military speak” is a common concern for human resources people in the corporate world, the general added. “We take [a military specialty] and translate it into something an HR professional can understand,” he said. “That’s a very important piece of what we do.” And it’s not just about the military, Thurgood said. “It’s about a national program we need to put in place to share this great resource that we call people, because if you look at the unemployment rate, and the demographic of 18-to-24-year-olds, and then break that down into veterans, it’s higher than the national average.” And sometimes, he added, the rate of unemployment among veterans is twice of the rate among civilians. “We have ability to reach out to you personally to help you get your resume right, help you through the interview process, and make the right connections with employers,” the general said. “The personal touch is something we provide that nobody else does.” The portal also has advice for veterans who want to start a business, Thurgood noted, offering training that explains how to become a smarter business person and entrepreneur. “It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s a great way for us to connect the great skill sets that we bring to corporate America,” he said. “In my opinion, our great military does two things well: it delivers results and grows leaders. That’s exactly what America needs.” http://www.employerpartnership.org/ Army Medic Survives Sniper Attack in Baghdad Body Armor Saves Lives Battlefield science of body armor USS Enterprise Commanding Officer sacked for anti-homosexual videos
From U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs NORFOLK (NNS) -- Adm. John C. Harvey Jr., Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), has permanently relieved Capt. Owen Honors of his duties as commanding officer of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) for demonstrating poor judgment while serving as executive officer of that ship. "The responsibility of the commanding officer for his or her command is absolute. While Capt. Honors' performance as commanding officer of USS Enterprise has been without incident, his profound lack of good judgment and professionalism while previously serving as executive officer on Enterprise calls into question his character and completely undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively in command," said Harvey. "The foundation of our success in the Navy lies in our ability to gain and hold the trust of our Sailors, "It is fact that as naval officers we are held to a higher standard. Those in command must exemplify the Navy's core values of honor, courage and commitment, which we expect our Sailors to follow. Our leaders must be above reproach and our Sailors deserve nothing less," said Harvey. Capt. Dee Mewbourne will be permanently assigned as the commanding officer of Enterprise. Mewbourne most recently commanded USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and while in command he completed two successful combat deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Mewbourne is currently serving as the chief of staff for Navy Cyber Forces and will assume command of Enterprise this afternoon. "We will support and work with Capt. Mewbourne and the crew of Enterprise to keep them forward focused on their upcoming combat deployment. This is a difficult situation but the men and women of Enterprise are outstanding Sailors who have completed a very challenging and comprehensive predeployment work-up period in a thoroughly professional manner. They are well-trained, and I have full confidence in their readiness to execute all missions during their deployment," said Harvey. The relief of Honors occurs as the investigation continues into the inappropriate videos that Honors Navy Capt. catches heat for gay slurs
Mullen On Wikileaks Afghanistan Strategy Nuclear arms in Iran Heavy Metal Metallica - Enter Sandman - live 5.56 mm 62 gr NATO "Green Tip" vs. 1/4" Steel I AM ARMY STRONG M1A1/M1A2 Tanks in Action Best Tank clip: M1A2 sep's firing 5 shots in iraq 1 of 2 The War In Iraq. Tank Camera US MARINES in Iraq Real Footage Warning Graphic Apache Helicopter Strike in Iraq "Five Sullivan Brothers - They Did Their Part"
The five Sullivan brothers (Albert, Francis, George, Joseph, and Madison) served together as shipmates aboard the cruiser USS Juneau after requesting special permission from the Secretary of the Navy. The Juneau was sunk on November 13, 1942, off the island of Guadalcanal by Japanese submarine I-26. Of the crew of over 600 sailors, only 11 survived. Even after hearing rumors of the death of her five sons, Mrs. Sullivan continued to support the war effort as evidenced by a letter she wrote to the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a personal letter to Mrs. Sullivan expressing his and the nation's sorrow. For wartime America, the Sullivan brothers became the ultimate symbol of heroic sacrifice. veteran's Reflections: Marine Shares Story of 'Iconic Image of Vietnam' Navy Honors Killed, Injured in USS Cole Attack
By Donna Miles WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2010 – Navy officials, current and former crew members and families of the fallen gathered today at Norfolk Naval Station, Va., to remember the 17 sailors killed and 39 others wounded in the al-Qaida attack on the USS Cole 10 years ago today. Suicide bombers launched the surprise Oct. 12, 2000, attack on the Arleigh Burke-class, Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyer as it was anchored in Aden, Yemen, for a routine refueling stop. The attackers detonated an explosive-laden boat against the ship’s port side, tearing a 40-by-40-foot hole in the hull and sending seawater gushing into the engineering compartment. The attack was the deadliest assault against a U.S. naval vessel since the Iraqis attacked the USS Stark on May 17, 1987. Retired Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold, the Cole’s commander during the attack, recalled the impact of the blast. “There was a thunderous explosion. You could feel all 505 feet and 8,400 tons of guided missile destroyer violently thrust up and to the right,” Lippold said during a recent radio interview. “Lights went out, and within a matter of seconds, I knew we’d been attacked.” During today’s ceremonies, Navy Adm. J.C. Harvey Jr., commander of USS Fleet Command, saluted the Cole crewmembers’ quick response and valor as they fought to keep the ship afloat and tended to the wounded while defending against a feared follow-on attack. Harvey said the attack underscores the importance of always being trained and prepared, and he praised the sense of vigilance that has been passed down to subsequent USS Cole crews. After 14 months of upgrades and repairs following the attack, the USS Cole made an overseas deployment in November 2003. The ship later deployed to the Middle East in June 2006. The USS Cole, which recently returned to its Norfolk homeport after a deployment that took it through the Gulf of Aden, shows no visible evidence of the deadly attack that occurred a decade ago. But below its decks are regular reminders, including a blackened U.S. flag that survived the attack and 17 gold stars that line the ship’s “Hall of Heroes” passageway. As a ship’s bells rang 17 times during today’s ceremonies, the names of the fallen 17 sailors were read aloud: * Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, 21, a hull maintenance technician from Mechanicsville, Va.; * Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, 35, an electronics technician from Morrisville, Pa.; *Seaman Lakeina Monique Francis, 19, a mess management specialist from Woodleaf, N.C.; * Seaman Timothy Lee Gauna, 21, an information systems technician from Rice, Texas; * Seaman Cherone Louis Gunn, 22, a signalman from Rex, Ga.; * Seaman James Rodrick McDaniels, 19, of Norfolk, Va.; * Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Ian Nieto, 24, an engineman from Fond du Lac, Wis.; * Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Scott Owens, 24, an electronics warfare technician from Vero Beach, Fla.; * Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer, 22, of San Diego, Calif.; * Seaman Joshua Langdon Parlett, 19, an engine room fireman from Churchville, Md.; * Seaman Patrick Howard Roy, 19, a fireman from Cornwall on Hudson, N.Y.; * Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Shawn Rux, 30, an electronic warfare technician from Portland, N.D.; * Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronchester Manangan Santiago, 22, a mess management specialist from Kingsville, Texas.; * Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Lamont Saunders, 32, an operations specialist from Ringgold, Va.; * Seaman Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr., 26, a fireman from Rockport, Texas; * Ensign Andrew Triplett, 31, of Macon, Miss.; and * Seaman Craig Bryan Wibberley, 19, of Williamsport, Md.
U.S. Nuclear Bomb Test - Grable Typical U.S. fission weapon with roughly the same yield as the weapon that destroyed Hiroshima. (Grable, 15KT, 1953) Signing of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, 10/07/1963
On August 5, 1963, the Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed by the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. After Senate approval, it was signed by President Kennedy on October 7, 1963. The treaty went into effect on October 11, 1963, and banned nuclear weapons testing in the atmosphere, in outer space, and under water. from Webmaster B. javamanmonk: On October 7, 2010, we celebrated the nuclear test ban treaty signed by Pres. Kennedy in 1963. But, only a few months earlier, the world stood on the brink of global thermal nuclear warfare, between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The Soviet Union (USSR), had been secretly, shipping arms and troops into Cuba. Sunday, October 14 1962, Major Richard Heyser completes a U-2 photo reconnaissance flight over Cuba and photographs a Soviet nuclear missile site under construction at San Cristobal, 100 miles west of Havana. The story has only begun... see exciting coverage and video: Napalm Bombing Run In Vietnam The smell of victory! Former Vietnam POW Speaks at Submarine Base Kings Bay KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- CAPT Leo Hyatt, USN (Ret.), held as a Vietnam prisoner of war (POW) for more than five and a half years, was the keynote speaker at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay POW/MIA commemoration, held Sep. 20 at the Subase Chapel. On Aug. 13, 1967, during a high-speed photo reconnaissance operation over a railroad bridge just south of the China border, then Lt.Cmdr. Hyatt and his radar/navigation officer, Wayne Goodermote, were shot down by a barrage of fire from 37mm anti-aircraft guns. At the time, Hyatt was attached to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 12, homeported at Naval Air Station Sanford in central Florida, flying RA-5C Vigilante missions over North Vietnam off the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV 64). "I wasn't supposed to get shot down because I was good," said Hyatt. He had already piloted 33 high-speed reconnaissance missions, but he told his audience that he believed, given the nature of the mission he was about to fly, that he probably wouldn't make it back to the aircraft carrier. Hyatt suffered a dislocated and broken shoulder during the ejection from his aircraft at nearly 850 mph, and was shot while trying to evade capture on the ground. His injuries were never treated by the North Vietnamese. Within a couple of days of his capture, he was taken to the Hoa Lo Prison (commonly known as the "Hanoi Hilton"), where he was tortured. "You were tied up," said Hyatt. "Your arms were lashed behind your back. The ropes come across your elbows. Your feet are shackled to a bar, and you are literally turned into a suitcase. It hurts. You can't breathe. This went on for about three days – day and night." After one particularly brutal session, he tricked his captors into believing that he was telling them future targets. "If they took anti-aircraft guns to all the places I told them, they burned up one heck of a load of fuel. I didn't know any targets." When he was finally thrown back into a cell, he was in very bad shape medically. He credits his first cellmate, Air Force Capt. Ed Atterberry, with saving his life. "He cleaned me up and gave me water to drink," said Hyatt. "I put him in for the Air Force Cross, but he never got it. He made an unsuccessful escape attempt a couple of years later, and they killed him." Hyatt was released with the third load of POWs on St. Patrick's Day (March 13) 1973. He had been held as a POW for 2,040 days. After months of medical treatment he continued his career going on to command several Navy units. He retired in 1985 after 28 years of active duty. Shortly after his release Hyatt said, "The 67 months of captivity will never be redeemable for me. However, it was a small price to pay to help guarantee the freedom of millions of people in South Vietnam and the rest of Southeast Asia." "While I was in captivity, I was surrounded by men who displayed such fantastic fortitude, honor and devotion to country that it was impossible to be otherwise. God bless them, our country and those Americans who believe in America and do not spend their every breath criticizing her and trying to tear her apart." Other notable Navy POWs held at the Hanoi Hilton with Hyatt included Rear Adm. Jeremiah Denton (held 2,766 days); Vice Adm. James Stockdale (held 2,713 days); Capt. Jerry Coffee (held 2,566 days); and Capt. John McCain (held 1966 days). Cdr. Everett Alvarez was the first American sent to the prison, and he was held captive for 3,113 days (more than eight and a half years). We Love Hanoi
Mini-Gun VS. Weather Balloon an Iowa Class Battleship fires its 16 inch guns USS Wisconsin firing its 16 inch guns.
Landing on an Aircraft Carrier In this clip, an F-14 Tomcat lands on an aircraft carrier. Triple Tomcat Launch This is the final fly-off event of the tomcat. USS Theodore Roosevelt has just completed a successful cruise in the gulf and is offloading its airwing prior to its return home. This is also the last deployment with F-14s. This video is the beginning of a launch event, showing the ability of the Nimitz-class carrier to launch 3 planes simotaneously. F-14 Landing on aircraft carrier from Webmaster B. javamanmonk: I can still remember my first landing on the deck of a carrier. You stop verrrrrrrrrrrry quickly! I can almost excuse the obscenity, used by the civilians in the previous clip. The people using the "F" word were civilians getting a ride in the back seat. Sailors are known for bad language, but not in this case. These film clips give a fair idea of what it is like to see the actual site. Nothing in the world is as good as experiencing it first hand.
military news archive Forces Capture Taliban Kidnapping Suspect Bahrain Helicopter Det Provides Critical Support for Pakistan Relief Navy SEAL Remembered at Hometown Memorial in Missouri. "New Dawn" Arriving in Iraqi Waterways military-news-archive-10-12-2010
Legislation Extends Special Stop-Loss Pay Deadline VA Extends Coverage for Gulf War Veterans Taliban Fighters Seek Reintegration, Officers Say Air Force Races Ahead as Scientific Field Levels Out Lisbon Summit Will Chart NATO’s 21st Century Course Army Reserve Postures for ‘Uncertain’ Future Navy Releases Record of Decision for Guam/Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Relocation NAVFAC Pacific Awards Contract for Naval Hospital in Guam military-news-archived-10-5-2010
Forces Protect Afghans During Elections Attacks Down, Voting Up in Afghan Elections military-news-archive-9-27-2010
Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 23 in Helmand Engagements Lewis and Clark Keeps Pakistan Flood Response on Track Obama Gives Reminder of U.S. Mission in Afghanistan Obama to Award Medal of Honor to Afghan War Vet Air Strike Kills Operative Planning Pre-election Attacks military-news-9-21-2010-archive
WEAPON PRACTICE NIGHT FIRE KANDAHAR AIRFIELD Gates Sees ‘Positive Direction’ in Afghanistan TASK FORCE TEAM Mullen Gets Afghanistan Updates in Kabul Coalition, Afghan Forces Rescue Prisoners military-news-archive-9-10-2010
Plan, Prepare - The Recipe for Hurricane Season Survival Gates: War in Iraq Over, U.S. Transitioning to Iraqi Forces Afghan, Coalition Troops Kill, Capture Hundreds of Insurgents Odierno Earns Praise for Getting Results in Iraq military-news-9-3-2010-archive
Social Media Shapes Markets, the Military and Life Officials Confirm Capture of Insurgent Leader Gates: Iraq Has Chance Now, Thanks to U.S. Servicemembers Gates: Commanders Have Resources to Win in Afghanistan Biden Visits Iraq to Mark Operation New Dawn Mullen Meets With Eucom, Africom Leaders
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