Milspotters' Challenge: A Quiz Question!

What does a Marine say when he sees a helicopter?

(Thank you, Bill, for providing the intel on this...)

Uniform Encounters: When the Sea-Lights Come On, the Planes Fly in for Chow

The Chief Torpedo-Dude was so taken with the "supper time for li'l Hornet" pic that he sent this. Someone must have rung the bell: "Hey, kids! It's getting dark! Time to set the table....!"

Just in time! The sea-lights already came on!

This Just in From Pentagon: Details on the Hostage Rescue in Somalia

"They were heavily armed and had explosives at the site...."

The Pentagon press folks just sent over this write-up by Cheryl Pellerin of the American Forces Press Service. Take it away, Cheryl...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2012 – While President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union address last night, a joint special operations forces team was finishing up a dramatic rescue of two hostages -- one of whom was seriously ill -- from an armed encampment in Somalia.

“A convergence of factors contributed to the decision to undertake the operation last night,” Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters here today.

Among those factors was a window of opportunity for mission success, he said, and information that one of the captured humanitarian workers, Jessica Buchanan of the United States, had a serious medical condition that could threaten her life.

Rescue in Somalia: SEALs and Spec Ops Aviators Do it Again

Go SEALs. Go Night Stalkers (I know it was you). *High five* for doin' it one more time!

A beautiful sight. But not if you're a pirate holding Western hostages in Somalia.
The helicopter belongs to the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Uniform Encounters: The USS Carl Vinson Raises Such Polite Aircraft!

Look how patiently the Hornet sits waiting in front of his food bowl. And you know he must be hungry, too - it's almost sunset in the Arabian Sea!

The hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
 U.S. Navy photo by Seaman George M. Bell

In Which Carrie Sends a Heads-Up on Oscar Mike, "Apparel With a Mission"

I heard about this from Carrie Costantini, an avid troop-supporter and one of the coolest people I know. Marine Corps veteran Noah Currier runs Oscar Mike, a clothing company that features military-themed tees and hoodies. Noah served in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He was paralyzed - after being in an accident three days after he came home from war. He now spends his time helping other veterans,  "...and making sure we all stay Oscar Mike or 'on the move' to influence positive change in ourselves and others." Check out the vid, and learn about Noah and his "Apparel With a Mission."

Thank you, Noah, for your service - and thank you, Carrie, for the heads-up!

Milspotters' Challenge: A Movie Still From "War Horse?"

Or, more properly, a pic of a Warrior Horse. That's the only hint you're going to get. Okay; one more, for MiniCapt. This equine does not live in Canada.

A photo credit would give too much away! I'll post the credit after the Challenge is solved.
Vietnam Rules apply.

In Which Jan Scruggs Talks About PTSD and the Founding of The Wall

In all the years that I have known Jan Scruggs, who founded that immensely powerful cultural touchstone known simply as The Wall, I never have known him to discuss the connection between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and his own PTSD. Until now. Jan writes a blog chronicling the progress of his effort to build The Education Center at The Wall. The latest blog entry says this:

What many people do not know is that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial basically evolved due to PTSD. I was in Vietnam as a teen ager with the Army. I saw some combat and tragic deaths there from accidents , including an explosion in 1970 that killed a dozen of my fellow soldiers who were unloading a truck filled with ammunition. I was troubled by many memories of my year there.

Read the rest over at Jan's place. While you're there, be sure to tell him welcome home, and to thank him for his service.

Uniform Encounters: Another Helicopter Hitchhiker?

We sort of had this pic already, but the color theme is different. Among other things. Besides, I thought Stu would appreciate the brown shoes and lack of corrosion.*  And I don't think this photo depicts kite flying. I could be wrong, though. It's been known to happen....

A U.S. Navy sailor gets a lift to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Strike
Squadron 8 crew members in the Arabian Sea, The sailor is a explosive ordnance disposal
 technician.Crew members are attached to the John C. Stennis, which is deployed to the
U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Will Tyndall

*I bet it's been on loan to the Army!

In Which Courtney and I Make it Through "War Horse"...

...without completely losing it. Yes, we finally ventured out to watch War Horse, now that the rush is off and we (read, I) could sit in the theater without being surrounded by a lot of people. In the first half hour or so of the film, I was annoyed at having to sit through some ham-handed plot-laying that moved at the speed of an old plow horse. As soon as the movie turned to war, though, the pace picked up considerably.

It was a treat to see a modern film set in World War I. The combat scenes are riveting, and the horse character very much reminded me of Risty, my Sacred Horse from Childhood. I won't spoil the film by giving away the story, but suffice it to say, if you love horses and war movies, you might have to dab at your eyes a time or three, but you won't be disappointed. So...saddle up, before it heads to DVD!

Thank you, MiniCapt, for the heads up on this one.

And now I won't have to venture to a movie theater for another year.... *whew*

Uniform Encounters: Hitching a Ride on a Helicopter?

Nah... descending from, is more like it. Or maybe it's an optical illusion, and the soldier is flying a giant kite! A really, really cool kite! Or the best balloon on the FOB. Either way: Niiiiiice.....

No, I did not snap the pic. I swiped it from an unknown source.

While You Were Being Horrified: Former Marine Sentenced to Death for "Spying" on Iran

This just in from a Marine Corps reader.

"Look what slipped through the cracks when everyone was wrapped up in a couple jarheads getting stupid. Can you please give this some attention?"

Done. Semper Fi. And, yes... that took a lot for me to say.*

A former U.S. Marine interpreter arrested while on a trip to visit his Iranian grandmothers has been sentenced to death as a CIA spy, in a case likely to become a new flashpoint in the escalating tensions between Tehran's defiance over its nuclear program and Washington's efforts to impose more crippling sanctions. It was the first time an American citizen has been sentenced to death in 
Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution....


The Las Vegas Sun has the full story here.

*Go Army!

Uniform Encounters: If You Thought Eglin AFB Looked Cold, Check Out the Bering Sea

Enough warm respite in the Pacific. Back we go to colder climes...

Crew members aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy observe the Russian-flagged 

tanker Renda as it follows the Healy's trail through the ice in the Bering Sea. 

The 420-foot, Seattle-based cutter was escorting andassisting Renda on its 

mission to deliver more than 1.3 million gallons of fuel to Nome, Alaska.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Benjamin Nocerini

Marine Corps Appoints Three-Star to Investigate Urination Video

This just in from the Pentagon...

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos has appointed a three-star general to investigate and take any required administrative or disciplinary action stemming from a video circulated on the Internet that appears to show four Marines urinating on the corpses of enemy fighters in Afghanistan.

Uniform Encounters: Eglin Air Force Base Swimmers Get Their Polar Bear On

It's not just the aircraft. Yes, the mil-people get cold, also, in winter. Some of them even do it voluntarily. In Florida, no less. I cant imagine why. But I do have proof.

Almost 30 people braved the 45 degree morning temperatures, fog and even colder waters
of the Choctawhatchee Bay during Eglin Air Force Base's second annual Polar Bear swim.
 U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.

International Shock and Outrage Over Marine Urination Video: The Double Standard Lives

The news reports are so widespread I don't need to provide the links. They tell a consistent story. The Taliban is shocked and outraged over a video purporting to show a U.S. Marine sniper team urinating on enemy KIAs, possibly in Afghanistan. Our own leaders also are horrified. Our pertinent officials have issued the appropriate condemnations. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the behavior is "utterly deplorable." He has ordered the Marine Corps and the International Security Assistance Force "to immediately and fully investigate the incident."

Seriously?

I am still waiting for the shock, outrage, and condemnation over the way the enemy has desecrated our people in places such as Mogadishu, Fallujah, and at all those secret tents and outdoor be-headeries throughout the war zone.

Oh. I forgot. There's a double standard. And the Taliban sets the rules. Their people are allowed to get caught up in the heat of war. Ours are not. In the grand scheme of things, though, which gets you more riled up: someone chopping the head off a live person; or a couple of warriors supposedly peeing on dead enemies?

Lest We Get Too Cold From Viewing Pics About Frosty Aircraft....

Here's one to ward off the chill. This guy seems warm enough to fly outdoors without a jacket. What do you expect? They're in the Pacific!

An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter passes the USS Chafee while
delivering supplies to the USS Carl Vinson during a vertical
 replenishment mission with the USNS Bridge in the Pacific Ocean.
 U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class James R. Evans

In Which "SKK's Spy Stalking" Debuts at the D.C. Post

And now for that news I mentioned... 

Today begins my new gig, "SKK's Spy Stalking," at the D.C. Post. First up: Chinese espionage. Here. Within the United States. It's been going on for a long, long time - so don't be shocked. You can be scared, though. It's perfectly reasonable that you should be scared.

The DC Post is welcoming a new writer today, Susan Katz Keating, who has a long history of reporting the "story behind the story," the stuff that almost never is allowed out of the shadows.  Her first expose story is on China's ongoing efforts to secretly invade the United States in order to weaken us on their way to becoming the superpower of the world. It reads like a spy novel, but it's real. Take a look at the upper right corner of this page, and start your journey behind the scenes. It's shocking and amazing.

China Invades America: Part 1

For the rest of the story, click on through to The D.C. Post. While you're there, check out the other insightful writers. They write what you think!

More On That Forthcoming News I Mentioned

Some of you may remember that once upon a time I wrote about national security for Soldier of Fortune and The Washington Times. In those Cold War days, I despatched quite a lot about the Soviet Union and the KGB. I also wrote about China. At the time, not many popular journalists could talk about the Peoples Liberation Army and Chinese spies - so I wound up being cited here and there as a source on Sino-security issues. Somewhere in the VCR-osphere, there's even a tape of a long-ago television special featuring me, the expert on Chinese military capabilities, warning of dire things to come. Which reminds me: I mentioned that I have news.

In due time, Dear Ones. In due time. I'm not yet ready to spill. You'll have to stay tuned for just a bit longer. 

News Forthcoming; Stay Tuned...

I'm rather tickled about it. More to come. Stand by...

Navy Ignores Board of Inquiry; Upgrades Holly Graf's Discharge to Honorable

I'm almost afraid to post this. The Navy announced late Friday that Capt. Holly Graf, who lost command of the USS Cowpens for cruelty and maltreatment of her crew, will get an honorable discharge. This, despite her Board of Inquiry's recommendation that she retire from the service with a general discharge.

The statement from Juan Garcia, assistant Navy secretary for manpower and reserve affairs, reads as follows.

“Ultimately, Capt. Graf’s conduct fell short of that expected of our commanding officers, As a result, her non-judicial punishment, early transfer from command and early retirement are warranted. However, I have also determined that her conduct did not rise to a level sufficient to warrant the characterization of her service as less than honorable, especially when weighed against the totality of her service to the Navy.”

More from me later. For now, though, my first reaction is to determine whether this is a joke. Apparently it's not. Both the Navy Times and Glenn MacDonald are taking it at face value. EmmDee: I'm sorry, man. Really, really sorry.

Should Medevac Helicopters Be Marked With Red Crosses? A Pilot Weighs In

Waiting for medevac in Vietnam.

Should medevac helicopters be marked with a red cross? Michael Yon started the debate a while back, and it hasn't abated. Notably absent from the dialogue? Discourse from the helicopter pilots themselves. Enter our Commenter in Chief, AKA Bill Tuttle, who flew with an assault helicopter company in Vietnam, and has continued to be one of God's Own Lunatics - currently live from Afghanistan - and knows from whence he speaks.

An excerpt from the lead-in to Bill's take on the red cross issue:

...everybody who flew slicks *knew* that his secondary mission was medevac. I honestly can’t count the number of times I flew wounded troops from a hot LZ to the hospital pad at Binh Thuy. 

And herewith one of his nut graphs:

The lesson we learned in Vietnam was that it was speed of treatment that saved so many guys. If you were doing cross-border Sneaky Pete stuff, you knew where the LURPS or Green Beanies or SEALs who were calling for help were, because you were the one who put them there, and a goodly portion of the time out in the hinterlands, a lift ship or a slick flying an ash ‘n’ trash mission was able to transport the casualty to a hospital pad before the dedicated medevac ship was halfway to the site.

Read the rest of Bill's well crafted essay over at The Castle, and stop for a moment to think what this issue means to folks like those in the picture: warriors who hang on, hang on, hang on for the sound of those beautiful blades, chopping the air with a lifeline to survival.

It's a Snowbird! It's a Plane! It's a... Snowbound Supersonic Jet!

Continuing Thursday's theme of snowbound fly-beasties: This poor Strike Eagle looks so cold I want to send him a double shot of hot brake fluid. No wonder his buddy stayed inside the hangar listening to music. But at least this guy has his earmuffs on.

U.S. Air Force airmen remove snow from an F-15E Strike Eagle on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan 5, 2012.
The airmen are assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
 U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

Of Waterfalls and War Books: A Reading List. First Up: Vietnam

So there I was, nestled atop a waterfall (honest!) and reading a book about a combat mission, when who should appear but a teacher, of all people, wanting to talk about war books.

No, this is not a dream sequence. I live near a tucked-away tourist spot that has a ledge that I sometimes hang out at because it overlooks a waterfall, and it's a nice place to sit. The spot is both secluded and popular - hence, it came as no surprise that another person arrived on scene while I was reading. The other person just happened to be a teacher. She saw what I was reading (more on that later), asked what I thought of the book (a lot more on that later), and segued into her dilemma. She has been tapped to compile a reading list for a class about the literature of war. The class is for high school aged homeschoolers. Could I please help with the list? But of course!

Hmmmm.... Where shall I start?

Oh, why not...

Vietnam 

(in no particular order)

Once a Warrior King, by David Donovan (nonfiction) - In the spring of 1969, First Lieutenant David Donovan arrived in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam to work as military advisor with village chiefs and local militia to win the war. But as he was the highest-ranking person in the entire district, his life there was far more complex than anyone could have imagined.

Fields of Fire, by James Webb (fiction) - Classic novel of soldiers in wartime, each reborn in fields of fire.

Chickenhawk, by Robert Mason (nonfiction) - Mmmmmm, helicopters. Even better: Hueys. Sigh...

Herculean Efforts to Chop the Ice Off This -130

No... I could not resist the pun. This is a C-130 Hercules. Get it? But seriously, though; if wintry weather leaves you feeling frosty, imagine what it does to planes with propellers. Oh, Brrrrrr....

Members of the Air Force Reserve Command’s 914th Airlift Wing de-ice

 a C-130 Hercules at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. 

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph McKee

For Courtney at New Year's: One of Chad's Favorite Videos

I haven't mentioned this in my "About Me" section, but there was a brief period - in between my Travis Air Force Base / Dixon Tribune sojourn and Washington Times spy-and-war chasing - that I wrote a boxing column. The fight metaphor still rings a bell for me. I paid attention, then, when one of our Reprobates, Chad, posted a boxing-themed vid on his Facebook page. I just had to repost it here with a special nod to my youngest daughter. Happy New Year,  Courtney. This one's for you.





As I always used to whisper from the stands while watching your gymnastics meets...

Uniform Encounters: Sundown in Afghanistan

U.S. Army Spc. Kimberly Nicholls mans her M240 Bravo machine gun while
flying over Logar province, Afghanistan. Nicholls is a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter
 crew chief assigned to Task Force Corsair, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade.
She helps escort passengers from Forward Operating Base Salerno to Kabul International Airport.
 U.S. Army photo by Spc. Austin Berner

In Which Uncle Jambalaya, Tante Chugalug, & Mistah PussayKat Send Holiday Greetings

I found the New Year's card! Such a lovely family!

Oops... was I shouting? I meant to say... I found the card! Such a lovely family! I just had to share!

Okay, so... in all honesty... this thing just popped up in my e-box. I have no idea where it came from. I had to get it off my desk-load-hard-down-yeah-that-thing, though, before my laptop went *whoosh* like napalm in the morning. So I offloaded it the first place I could think of.

*innocent smile*

I believe this is Uncle Jambalaya, Tante Chugalug, and Mistah PussayKat

What's With the Blackout? It's Midnight on 1 January, 2012!

Why are the lights out? It's midnight! 

Happy New Year! 

Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2012! *

Okay, you can flip the switch back out. It's past my bedtime.

*What. You thought these were more of Holly's FitReps?


And what's this rumor about ANOTHER post going up?

Has Anyone Else Been Getting New Year's Greeting Cards?

I got a really nice card from a family I know. It's beautiful. Just beautiful. Now, where did I leave it...?