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Your LOL for the day
Posted Aug 2, 2013 at BlackFive
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Speaking of familiar names, my dad was a company commander with the 63rd Tank Battalion (1ID) after WWII (he'd served in the Pacific) and two of his platoon leaders were George Patton IV and Don Starry. And the battalion commander was fairly well known ... a fellow by the name of Creighton Abrams.
Email from W.E.B. Griffin on the 60th Anniversary of the Ending of the Korean War
July 27th is a notable date, the ending of the Korean War. It is hard to believe that sixty years have passed; yet, this conflict still makes the headlines with the despotic North Korean leaders constantly calling for genocide against the South Koreans and Americans. Best-selling military fict...
Harry Reid is a despicable human being
There was a tragic accident today at Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada: A deadly explosion at a military ammunition storage facility in Nevada during a training exercise Monday prompted the U.S. Marine Corps to issue a blanket suspension of 60-millimeter mortars and associated tubes pending a review of the accident. Seven U.S. Marines were killed and several others were wounded Monday when a mortar exploded prematurely inside is firing tube during mountain training exercises at Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada. It's unclear what caused the malfunction. The accident prompted the Marine Corps to immediately halt use of some mortar shells until an investigation can determine its safety. And who immediately went to the floor of the Senate to politicize it? See the title: This explosion had nothing to do with sequester. And while we may agree that sequester is not good for our military, it is a despicable act to use the death of those 7 Marines as a basis for arguing a political point. The Marine Corps was unusually blunt in it's condemnation of Reid's actions: NBC’s Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski reported that Marine Corps officials took serious issue with Reid’s implication that the explosion was a result of sequester cuts, and said that was not the reason for the accident. One official went so far as to say Reid was doing “nothing but pure political posturing on the backs of these dead Marines.” They told Miklaszewski that the live-fire training exercise was planned well in advance and would not have taken place if they felt the Marines were at risk because of the cuts. Ammunition like 60mm mortar rounds are normally manufactured well in advance of its use ... in fact it can literally be years before it is fired (I fired '60s era 81mm rounds at Ft. Bragg in the '70s). This wasn't a sequestration problem, this was a defect somewhere in the round or lot of rounds that apparently caused the premature detonation. For the the Majority Leader in the Senate to use the tragic death of these 7 Marines to make a political point shows you how ill served we are by the cretins who govern us. Too bad there's not hot tar and feathers immediately available. I doubt I'd have any trouble recruiting a bunch of Marines to help ride Reid out of town on a rail with the appropriate plumage attached. In the meantime, all of us here at Blackfive offer out sincerest condonlences to the families of the 7 fine Marines we lost in today's horrific accident. Our prayers are with you all. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Mar 19, 2013 at BlackFive
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Both.
So "badass"
Pretty much says it all, doesn't it? HT to Doctrine Man: ~McQ
So "badass"
Posted Feb 20, 2013 at BlackFive
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Panetta to recommend what amounts to a military pay cut
I assume, given this administration, this won't particularly surprise anyone (per Barbara Starr at CNN): Just days before he leaves office, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is recommending military pay be limited, effectively decreasing troop salary next year. Panetta will recommend to Congress that military salaries be limited to a one percent increase in 2014. The Pentagon has calculated that the 2014 Employment Cost Index (ECI) from the Labor Department is expected to be above one percent, but wants to still cut back on pay due to “budget uncertainties,” one department official told CNN. In 2013, a 1.7 percent increase was approved, based on the ECI, which has been the basis for military pay for the last several years. Three Pentagon officials have confirmed details of the plan to CNN. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have also agreed to Panetta’s proposed pay plan. Final approval for the pay would come from Congress in the form of the 2014 budget. Oh, and thank you for your service. And welcome home. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Feb 6, 2013 at BlackFive
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Flying the "Sled" and loving it
I love reading about the SR-71. One of my favorite anecdotes is this: One day, high above Arizona, we were monitoring the radio traffic of all the mortal airplanes below us. First, a Cessna pilot asked the air traffic controllers to check his ground speed. 'Ninety knots,' ATC replied. A twin Bonanza soon made the same request. 'One-twenty on the ground,' was the reply. To our surprise, a navy F-18 came over the radio with a ground speed check. I knew exactly what he was doing. Of course, he had a ground speed indicator in his cockpit, but he wanted to let all the bug-smashers in the valley know what real speed was 'Dusty 52, we show you at 620 on the ground,' ATC responded. The situation was too ripe. I heard the click of Walter's mike button in the rear seat. In his most innocent voice, Walter startled the controller by asking for a ground speed check from 81,000 feet, clearly above controlled airspace. In a cool, professional voice, the controller replied, ' Aspen 20, I show you at 1,982 knots on the ground.' We did not hear another transmission on that frequency all the way to the coast. Read SR-71 pilot Maj. Brian Shul's account of flying the "Blackbird". You'll enjoy it. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Feb 1, 2013 at BlackFive
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Who says Vietnam Vets don't support John Kerry's nomination as SecState?
Posted Jan 31, 2013 at BlackFive
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It was a matter of honor ...
It's an incredible story of humanity and honor, of a pilot risking his life - in a way you might not expect - to help an "enemy". Franz Stigler had been on the ground in Oldenburg, Germany, smoking a cigarette while his plane, a Messerschmitt 109, was getting re-armed and refueled. At first it sounded like a high pitch, off in the distance, and then it was crushing, like a multitude of drums, a low-flying aircraft. Here it came, just a few miles out, this American bomber that dropped no bombs. Then, suddenly, it was over them and gone. No one said a word. The crew unhooked the hoses, Franz flicked away his cigarette, saluted his sergeant and was gone, off in pursuit of the American plane. If he could down this one, Stigler would have his 23rd victory, and he’d be awarded the Knight’s Cross, the highest honor for a German soldier in World War II and one that symbolized exceptional bravery. Within minutes, Stigler, alone, was on the B-17’s tail. He had his finger on the trigger, one eye closed and the other squinting through his gunsight. He took aim and was about to fire when he realized what he wasn’t seeing: This plane had no tail guns blinking. This plane had no left stabilizer. This plane had no tail-gun compartment left, and as he got closer, Stigler saw the terrified tail gunner himself, his fleece collar soaked red, the guns themselves streaked with it, icicles of blood hanging from the barrels. Stigler was no longer energized. He was alarmed. He pulled alongside the plane and saw clean through the middle, where the skin had been blown apart by shells. He saw these terrified young men attempting to tend to their wounded. He drew equal to the B-17 and saw that the nose of the plane, too, had been blown away. How was this thing still in the air? Go read the whole story - it's both incredible and inspiring. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Dec 11, 2012 at BlackFive
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Never forget ...
Posted Dec 7, 2012 at BlackFive
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Except the bill is talking about those released to jails in "foreign countries", not those released by the military tribunal. But nice strawman you got there.
Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act
Approved? $631 billion. [T]he legislation ... authorizes money for weapons, aircraft and ships and provides a 1.7 percent pay raise for military personnel. The vote was 98-0, which, in this day and time, is quite remarkable. However a Presidential veto hangs over the Senate version of the...
Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act
Approved? $631 billion. [T]he legislation ... authorizes money for weapons, aircraft and ships and provides a 1.7 percent pay raise for military personnel. The vote was 98-0, which, in this day and time, is quite remarkable. However a Presidential veto hangs over the Senate version of the NDAA. Why? The administration has threatened to veto the Senate bill, strongly objecting to a provision restricting the president's authority to transfer terror suspects from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to foreign countries. The provision is in current law. The Senate also voted to restrict the transfer of detainees held at Guantanamo to prisons in the United States. That would effectively shoot any chance the President would have of closing Gitmo in the near future. The point of the provision is to many former Gitmo residents transfered to other countries have ended up shooting at Americans again. This would effectively stop that. Additionally, there have been rumors of the Federal government is again in the market to buy a closed prison in the US with the intention of transfering Gitmo prisoners to that prison. That should be a no-go. Last, of course, it is a restriction on presidential power. Syria: Reacting to the relentless violence in Syria, the Senate voted 92-6 to require the Pentagon to report to Congress on the ability of the U.S. military to impose a no-fly zone over Syria. Republican Sen. John McCain, who has pushed for greater U.S. military involvement to end the Syrian civil war, sponsored the amendment. Obama on Monday warned Syrian President Bashar Assad not to use chemical and/or biological weapons against his people as the U.S. and its allies weigh military options. "If military action has to be taken to prevent sarin gas to be used, Congress has to be involved," McCain said. Who is saying "military action" has to be taken in such a case? Oh, McCain, that's right. Sorry, but I vote "no" on this little adventure. If, per our politicians, we can't afford Afghanistan, we can't afford Syria. And besides, Libya turned out so well, didn't it? Speaking of Afghanistan: The bill sends a clear message to Obama and the military to accelerate the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan. On a strong bipartisan vote of 62-33 last week, the Senate endorsed Obama's timetable to withdraw all combat troops by the end of 2014 but pressed for a quicker pace, without specifying how that would be achieved. Obama and the military are engaged in high-stakes talks about the pace of drawing down the 66,000 U.S. combat troops there now. Time to leave. I'm with the Senate here. Iran: The bill added stringent new sanctions on Iran's energy and shipping sectors in a fresh attempt to hobble the Islamic Republic's economy and hamper its nuclear ambitions. The sanctions build upon penalties that Congress has passed -- and Obama has implemented -- that target Tehran's financial and energy sectors. Officials in Washington argue that the sanctions have undermined Tehran's economy and robust oil sales, thwarting its suspected pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez and Republican Sen. Mark Kirk, who have shepherded sanctions bills through Congress, sponsored the latest package that also would close a major loophole -- the ability of Iran to circumvent sanctions and barter oil for precious metals. Turkey has been bartering gold for oil. The sanctions would designate Iran's energy, port, shipping and ship-building sectors as "entities of proliferation" and prohibit transactions with these areas. The legislation also would penalize individuals selling or supplying commodities such as graphite, aluminum and steel to Iran, all products that are crucial to Tehran's ship-building and nuclear operations. The administration complains that these additional sanctions are redundant and unnecessary. Iran, of course, simply sees these sorts of attempts as a challenge to their sovereignty and usually doubles down on their development effort. Finally: Current law denies suspected terrorists, including U.S. citizens seized within the nation's borders, the right to trial and subjects them to the possibility they would be held indefinitely. It reaffirms the post-Sept. 11, 2001 authorization for the use of military force that allows indefinite detention of enemy combatants. That provision had created a conservative backlash, and a coalition of liberal Democrats and libertarian Republicans pushed for the new provision. I'm sorry, no matter how odius they may be, US citizens have certain Constitutional rights that must be respected. It's sort of like free speech ... if you don't protect the worst speech you can imagine, then the "freedom" expressed in the protection is worthless. So, a lot in there, a lot of controversy, the threat of a presidential veto and a likely confrontation between the House and Senate before the bill is reconciled. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Dec 6, 2012 at BlackFive
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Here's an interesting bit about Fluckey - he had already earned the MOH and his Navy Crosses, but after the war, in 1948, he became an Eagle Scout as well. That's how important that was to him.
http://www.victoryinstitute.net/blogs/utb/2007/08/20/rear-admiral-eugene-b-fluckey/
Know of anyone with an MOH and 4 Navy Crosses?
Well, you will in a minute. I know, you're saying it has to be a Marine, right? Uh, no. A submarine skipper. The alternate title could be "if you're name is Fluckey, you'd better be good". Well, Eugene Fluckey was very good and the story of his sub, the USS Barb is one for the history books...
Know of anyone with an MOH and 4 Navy Crosses?
Posted Dec 5, 2012 at BlackFive
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Heh ...
The old rivalry begins to heat up: Bill the Goat, the Naval Academy Mascot, was stolen over the weekend and attached to a median near the Pentagon. He was recovered Saturday morning in good condition. The goatnapping was confirmed Thursday by John Jordan, manager of Maryland Sunrise Farm, the home of Bill XXXIII and Bill XXXIV. Jordan did not know which of the academy’s two mascots was stolen. Jordan suspects soldiers were behind it, but he had no knowledge of it. Soldiers? Why in the world would he suspect that? GO ARMY! BEAT NAVY! Roasted goat, properly done, isn't so bad. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Nov 29, 2012 at BlackFive
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A fascinating trip down the Ho Chi Minh trail today
A friend sent me this and it is a very interesting travelogue put together by a guy riding a dirt bike down the Ho Chi Minh trail and photographing points of interest. He also has a bit of dialogue going that explains some of the places he visits and artifacts found. Definitely worth the few moments it takes to scroll through it. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Nov 27, 2012 at BlackFive
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Rodger ... I get your point. Don't disagree. Thanks for your service. Hope you and yours have a very happy Thanksgiving.
Sequestration? Fiscal cliff? Either way, the military and veterans are going to "pay"
And I don't mean "pay" in a good way. According to Military.com, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) believes that regardless of whether we're confronted with sequestration (or not) or the fiscal cliff (or not), it's time to cut back on military and veteran pay and benefits. You see the wars ...
Sequestration? Fiscal cliff? Either way, the military and veterans are going to "pay"
And I don't mean "pay" in a good way. According to Military.com, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) believes that regardless of whether we're confronted with sequestration (or not) or the fiscal cliff (or not), it's time to cut back on military and veteran pay and benefits. You see the wars are winding down and the time is approaching where it will be politically safe to ignore the military and veteran communities again. And here's a great way to get that ball rolling: This week Tom Philpott reported that the Congressional Budget Office has put a red “laser dot” on future pay raises, TRICARE, and future retirement benefits. In their report, the CBO says annual military pay raises have exceeded civilian wage growth over the last 10 years. In fact the CBO estimates that military pay increased by 52 percent from 2002 to 2010 while civilian wages rose only 24 percent. Anyone, what have we been doing with the military for the past 10 years? Oh, yeah, fighting two wars. Notice the CBO isn't recommending cuts in the federal work forces pay and benefits which is consistently higher than the civilian community (and it is such dangerous work to boot). Nope, it's the 1% in military that needs to be brought to heel. And let's not mention the fact that much of the reason that civilian wages haven't risen in these past 10 years rests with politics and policies of the very government now considering cutting military pay and benefits. Says the CBO: The CBO says that any impact reducing pay increases might have on recruiting and retention can be mitigated by offering larger enlistment and reenlistment bonuses. The CBO pay cap option would mean military pay would lose nine percent to private sector wage growth over the five-year period. That assumes private sector growth. Look around you ... how much of that are you seeing? How much do you expect? Yeah, me neither. You'll love this next part from a grateful government: The CBO also suggests an option to raise TRICARE enrollment fees, deductibles or copayments, actions also proposed by the administration last April. For working-age retirees, those under 65, fee hikes should be phased over five years and use a “tiered approach” so that senior-grade retirees would pay higher fees than lower-ranking retirees. Philpott reports that the CBO says higher enrollment fees not only would raise collections but also discourage retirees and families from relying on military health care versus civilian employer health insurance. Higher deductibles and co-pays would restrain use of medical services too and also lower TRICARE costs. Plan: We'll make it so expensive you won't use it. And that, of course, makes it effectively worthless to the retiree. Feeling the love? Key point from the story? The plan to discourage retirees and families from relying on TRICARE has some support in the Senate. Maybe you want to "discourge" that support (as well as the pay plan)? As the author of the article points out, whether its about sequestration or the fiscal cliff, the avoidance of both has targeted us: The servicemembers and retirees should be aware that the deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff” is likely to impact their families as much as the sequestration itself. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Nov 20, 2012 at BlackFive
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Boeing's new UAV
Check it out ... pretty interesting: ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Nov 19, 2012 at BlackFive
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Surprise!
Like I've said many times, this never gets old: Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Nov 17, 2012 at BlackFive
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Tango Mike Mike
In remembrance. We build upon the legacy of those who've gone before us: ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Nov 16, 2012 at BlackFive
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This is what real compassion and honoring sacrifice look like
And yes, it's done through private funds and with people and organizations who care. On September 11th at 6:59am PST, at the same exact time that FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller was killed when the South Tower fell, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation turned over the keys to Cpl. Juan Dominguez, a triple-amputee veteran from Afghanistan. This video shows the smart home technology used by the Building for America's Bravest Program. God bless CPL Dominguez and those who made this possible. And, btw, that's some pretty awesome technology. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Nov 12, 2012 at BlackFive
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With this administration, never believe what they say, watch what they do
Words: (President Obama at Veteran's Day ceremony): “Today, a proud nation expresses our gratitude, but we do so mindful that no ceremony or parade, no hug or handshake is enough to truly honor that service,” Obama said during the Veterans Day observance. “We must commit, this day and every day, to serving you as well as you served us.” Actions: 171,000 Retirees Likely To Lose TRICARE Prime Option. With the presidential election over, Defense officials are expected to announce soon that military retirees and their dependents living more than 40 miles from a military treatment facility or base closure site will lose access to TRICARE Prime, the military's managed care option. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Nov 12, 2012 at BlackFive
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No, thank you Jeff. I remember when I was in Ranger school how we used to look forward to air assaults, because the crews of the helicopters that picked us up always had a snack or two for the starving Rangers. That's a mentality that pervades the military ... we take care of each other. And as veterans, we should continue the tradition.
To all our Veterans -- thank you!
A Veteran's Day salute from an infantryman (I wrote it a few years ago, but it is still true today): Most of the time when you read tributes to vets, they’re filled with the stories of those who’ve suffered in combat and we see pictures showing the battle-weary combat vets which pointedly make t...
To all our Veterans -- thank you!
A Veteran's Day salute from an infantryman (I wrote it a few years ago, but it is still true today): Most of the time when you read tributes to vets, they’re filled with the stories of those who’ve suffered in combat and we see pictures showing the battle-weary combat vets which pointedly make the argument about the sacrifices our veterans have made and continue to make. But not all sacrifices are made on the field of battle. While infantry, armor and artillery are the combat arms – the tip of the spear – they, better than anyone, know how important the team that makes up the rest of the spear are to their success on the battlefield. Those F-16s don’t show up on target at the right time unless that young lady flying the boom of a KC10 tanker at 30,000 feet at 2am doesn’t do her job. That sabot round from an M1A1 fired at a threatening T72 isn’t there unless the truck driver hauling ammo day in and day out gets that ammo where it needs to be when it needs to be there. Veterans are the guys like the cook who gets up every morning at 3:30 am and begins to prepare breakfast for his soldiers. The young man below deck on an aircraft carrier who makes sure the F/A 18 he’s responsible for maintaining is in perfect shape and ready to fly. The nurse who holds a dying soldier’s hand as he takes his last breath, wipes away the tears, straightens her uniform and heads out to do it again. He’s the youngster in the fuel soaked coveralls who hasn’t slept in 2 days gassing up another Bradley from his fuel tanker. The company clerk who makes sure all of the promotion orders are correct and in on time, or the drill instructor in basic training who ensures those he trains get his full attention and who puts his all into helping them learn important lessons that will save their lives. He’s the recruiter who’d rather be where the action is, but does what is necessary to make sure he gets the best and brightest available for his branch of service. Or the MP at the gate who shows up every day, does her job to the very best of her ability and never complains. Not all vets have seen combat in the sense we think of it. But every single solitary one of them has contributed in vital ways to the success of our combat efforts. Without those who support the combat troops, success would be impossible. Without the wrench turners, truck drivers, fuel handlers, cooks, clerks and all those like them, the greatest military the world has ever seen is an “also ran.” It doesn’t matter what a vet did during his or her service, it matters that he or she chose to serve and do whatever vital job they were assigned to the best of their ability. It isn’t about medals, it isn’t about glory, it isn’t about what job they did. It all boils down to the fact that they are the 1% who, when their country called, stood up, stepped up, risked it all and served.They are all, every one of them, heroes. To all the vets out there who have ever served – Happy Veteran’s Day, thank you and God bless you. ~McQ Continue reading
Posted Nov 11, 2012 at BlackFive
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