TheList 5331

The List 5331 TGB


To All

Good Monday morning. May 18, 2020

Regards,

Skip



This day in Naval History May 18



1775 Col. Benedict Arnold captures a British sloop at St. Johns in Quebec, Canada and renames her Enterprise, the first of many famous ships with that name.

1898 During the Spanish-American War, boat parties from USS St. Louis and USS Wompatuck, under Capt. Caspar F. Goodrich, cut communication cables at Santiago, Cuba.

1902 Marines and Sailors from the iron-hulled screw steamer, Ranger go ashore at Panama City, Colombia, to protect US citizen lives and property during an insurrection that results in Panamas eventual independence from Colombia on Nov. 3, 1903.

1944 USS Wilkes (DD 441) and USS Roe (DD 418), carrying the 1st Battalion 163rd Infantry, land on Wakde, off Dutch New Guinea, securing the island and setting up airstrip for the Southwest Pacific offensive.

1969 Apollo 10 is launched with Cmdr. John W. Young as command module pilot and Cmdr. Eugene Cernan as the lunar module pilot. The mission is a dress rehearsal for the first lunar landing.


Thanks to CHINFO

Executive Summary:

• Pacific Fleet announced that sailors aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt are conducting a fast cruise while moored at Naval Base Guam in preparation to resume operations.

• The Navy's efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have allowed more recruits to arrive at boot camp, reports USNI News.

• USNI News also reported on USS Makin Island's response to an outbreak of COVID-19 aboard USS Kidd.



Today in History May 18 0526 St. John I ends his reign as Catholic Pope.

1643 Queen Anne, the widow of Louis XIII, is granted sole and absolute power as regent by the Paris parliament, overriding the late king's will.



1652 A law is passed in Rhode Island banning slavery in the colonies but it causes little stir and seems unlikely to be enforced.



1792 Russian troops invade Poland.



1802 Britain declares war on France.



1804 Napoleon Bonaparte becomes the Emperor of France.



1828 The Battle of Las Piedras, between Uruguay and Brazil, ends.



1860 Abraham Lincoln is nominated for president.



1864 The fighting at Spotsylvania in Virginia, reaches its peak at the Bloody Angle.



1896 The Supreme Court's decision on Plessy v. Ferguson upholds the "separate but equal" policy in the United States.



1904 Brigand Raisuli kidnaps American Ion H. Perdicaris in Morocco.



1917 The U.S. Congress passes the Selective Service act, calling up soldiers to fight World War I.



1931 Japanese pilot Seiji Yoshihara crashes his plane in the Pacific Ocean while trying to be the first to cross the ocean nonstop. He is picked up seven hours later by a passing ship.



1933 President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Tennessee Valley Authority Act.



1942 New York ends night baseball games for the rest of World War II.



1944 The Allies finally capture Monte Cassino in Italy.



1951 The United Nations moves its headquarters to New York city.



1969 Two battalions of the 101st Airborne Division assault Hill 937 but cannot reach the top because of muddy conditions.



1974 India becomes the sixth nation to explode an atomic bomb.

1980 After rumbling for two months, Mount Saint Helens, in Washington, erupts 3 times in 24 hours.



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Thanks to the Bear

ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED… When Naval Aviation Roared…Tales of the Brave and Bold… #7…

ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED… When Naval Aviation Roared…Tales of the Brave and Bold… #7…

May 17, 2020Bear Taylor0 Comments

COMMEMORATING THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR (1961-1973)… and honoring the intrepid Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers and air crewmen who carried the war to the heartland of North Vietnam in the years of Operation Rolling Thunder (1965-1968)…

GOOD MORNING. It is Monday, 18 May 2020, and I have another Yankee Air Pirate tale to tell… USS INTREPID and CVW-10 wipe out a North Vietnamese army barracks and SAM storage site seven miles from downtown Hanoi on 8 July 1967…

But first, a history lesson… Humble Host feels compelled to accentuate and relate the importance of the historic events occurring in America in May 1970 to the events occurring in our country 50 years later in May 2020. The cracks in our constitutional republic didn't originate in 1970, but the anti-Vietnam war demonstrations, riots and bloody confrontations ignited by the Kent State shootings opened the cracks and gave birth to a new breed of reformers and revolutionaries. The following is snipped from Clara Bingham's WITNESS TO THE REVOLUTION…. I quote…

"One hundred and fifty Weathermen shed their identities in the spring of 1970 and waded into the alternate universe of Vietnam War deserters, resisters, Black Panthers, Catholic radicals, drug dealers and hippies who made up 'the underground.' The FBI began its hunt to find the Weathermen, and J. Edgar Hoover declared that their leader, Bernadine Dohrn, was 'the most dangerous woman in America.' Soon to rename themselves the Weather Underground, the Weathermen's numbers were small in comparison to the thousands of others in hiding. The Pentagon reported 73,000 deserters in 1969 and another 89,000 in 1970. Seventy percent headed to Canada and other countries but thousands remained in America, hiding in plain sight, wearing disguises and using false names."… In addition, Bingham quotes Bernadine Rae Dohrn (Wife of Bill Ayers)…

Dorhn: "The spring of '70, when we were newly underground, the invasion of Laos and Cambodia was followed by the biggest student strike in the history of the United States. Even though SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) had been lost, suddenly there was a vibrant, national student movement. The killings at Kent State and Jackson State propelled both the black and white student movements to accelerate in their organization, strategies, and tactics…. It was like being reborn–especially because for us the winter had been so horrible with the assassination of Fred Hampton, and the public's seeming nonresistance to the escalation in Vietnam. Suddenly this outpouring of resistance began, and we found a lot of hope and energy in the counterculture and in the revived student movement and the growing women's movement. It was a reminder that when people look like they're asleep, they're not always asleep; and a reminder of how hateful the government was. They were willing to shoot their own children. Of course, we now know they were shooting a lot of black children; but shooting white children at Kent State was shocking to white people in America. Kent State was a validation of our antigovernment rhetoric. It proved us right."… End quote…

Please take a few minutes to read the biography of Bernadine Dohrn… She and her cohort of revolutionaries, now three generations strong, march to the drumbeat of Saul Alinsky's instruction for "realistic radicals," RULES FOR RADICALS, and enjoy the company and support of a growing number of elected Members of Congress, as well as a recent President of the United States…

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernadine_Dohrn



IN THE HEADLINES 18-24 May 1970… On 20 May a pro-Vietnam War rally in New York attracted 150,000 blue collar workers and union members to show support for President Nixon and the war in Vietnam… THE WAR IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: The incursion of South Vietnamese troops into Cambodia, supported by American air forces, begun on 28 April 1970 continued. Thirteen major operations would be conducted with an exit from Cambodia on 22 July. U.S. ground troops would be involved from 1 May to 30 June…. American Vietnam war casualties included 90 killed-in-action for the week ending 24 May…

VIETNAM AIR LOSSES (18-24 May 1970) Five fixed wing aircraft were lost during the week and two aviators were KIA. The two fatalities were the result of the downing of a Covey FAC near Khe Sanh by antiaircraft fire. CAPTAIN RICHARD W. MEACHAM, Jr and his observer (unidentified SVN trooper) were downed on 22 May. CAPTAIN MEACHAM rests in peace at Horse Cove Cemetery in Highlands, N.C. Details at:

https://www.vietnamairlosses.com



WHEN NAVAL AVIATION ROARED… #7… USS INTREPID (CVS-11) and Attack Carrier Air Wing TEN attack and devastate the Ban Yen Nhan Barracks complex and SAM storage area seven miles southeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam on the morning of 8 July 1967.

The INTREPID/CVW-10 team departed their East Coast bases on 11 May 1967 and returned on 30 December 1967. On 8 July they were in the first of their five line periods and would log 103 days on the line at Yankee Station on the deployment. Cruise losses were 12 aircraft in combat and two to operational losses. Six Naval Aviators were left behind: three MIA/KIA and three POWs…

THE MISSION. On the morning of 8 July 1967, USS INTREPID and CVW-10 were ordered to attack the Ben Yen Nhan Barracks complex near Hanoi. The JCS target had not been previously struck and had become an active surface-to-missile storage, assembly and maintainence facility in addition to a major enemy barracks and training area. USS CONSTELLATION and CVW-14 were to provide F-4B TARCAP since CVW-10 lacked F-8s and F-4s. Designated a CVS, INTREPID's air wing included a third A-4 squadron designated Anti-Submarine Squadron THREE (VSF-3)… ("When you're outta' F-8s, you're outta' fighters!")… A-4Bs with AIM-9s was the best the Navy could do for INTREPID…

NORTH VIETNAMESE DEFENSES. The planned route to and from the target and the city of Hanoi was defended by twenty SAM sites, eight of which were active on 8 July, and 31 AAA emplacements of multiple barrels of 37mm/57mm/85mm artillery. Phuc Yen Airbase, less than 20 miles to the north of Hanoi, was home base to more than 20 MiGs that had been active on 7 July. The entire defense system was integrated by radar and communication networks. In addition, countless automatic weapons could be expected to oppose the striking aircraft from rooftops and unmarked sites along the route and target area, especially near Hanoi. The gauntlet in the Red River Valley was primed and ready for CVW-10s A-4 Strike Force…

THE PLAN. The strike was planned, briefed and led by CDR William K. CARR, Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron FIFTEEN. The strike force was composed of three divisions of bombers (eleven A-4s), each assigned a section of the barracks complex. The A-4s were armed with four Mk-82s and 2 Mk-81s reflecting the limits of both the old WWII carrier INTREPID and the A-4Cs and Bs of CVW-10. The strike force was supported by two flak suppression divisions of A-4s. One division was armed with LAU-3 rocket pods and the second division with CBU-24s or LAU-3s. An Iron Hand division composed of two sections or AGM-45 Shrike missiles were to precede the strike force into the target area by five miles to identify and counter enemy efforts to disrupt the strike force's approach to the target. The 26 A-4s of VA-15, VA-34 and VSF-3 were provided TARCAP support by four F-4Bs from USS CONSTELLATION. The final approach to the target was from the east, veering north just short of the target to develop separation between the three divisions of bombers and to setup an attack from north to south on the three areas of buildings in the complex. Retirement from the Hanoi area was to the southeast maintaining section or division integrity to feet-wet and return to INTREPID.

EXECUTION. After an expeditious rendezvous over the carrier CDR CARR led the strike group to landfall south of Haiphong and headed west at altitude to the planned turning point 5 miles east of the target. The flak suppressors and Iron Hand separated as planned to present early targets for enemy opposition and pounced as planned to silence a few of the dozens of active AAA sites in or near the Hanoi area. As the three divisons of bombers approached their respective rollin points for the three pronged attack, the air defense network came alive with barrage, aimed fire and radar controlled fire. Clouds of 85mm, 57mm and 37mm antiaircraft fire enveloped the sky around, over and under the eleven A-4s. As the striking bombers commenced their diving attacks three SAMs roared through the A-4s, exploding well aabove them. Seconds later while in their dives two more SAMs crossed through the bombers. The Shrike shooters were able to locate and attack two of the firing SAM sites and no further SAMs were encountered on the mission. Despite the distraction of five missiles all eleven bombers put their MK-82/81s into their assigned areas of the target complex. Columns of smoke and flames energized by occasional secondary explosions billowed from all three of the target areas. Pilots of the Shrike sections remaining over the target to cover the retirement of the bombers confirmed with hand held photography the extensive damage–confirmed later by RVAH-12 A-5 photos– inflicted by the CVW-10 strike force. During the retirement enemy fighters were active west of Hanoi and the enemy gunners continued to track and fire at the exiting strike aircraft during the entire 60 mile flight southeast to feetwet. No aircraft were hit or damaged in the execution of this highly successful strike on a "virgin target" of considerable significance.

BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. The USS CONSTELLATION RVAH-12 BDA showed: the ammunition storage area of the complex completely destroyed; numerous damaged surface-to-air missile cannisters; five buildings leveled; and a dozen other buildings severely damaged. In addition, damage to two flak sites and two SAM sites was assumed due to the observed rocket and Shrike hits on the four sites, all of which were silenced by the Iron Hand and flak suppression elements.



BITS OF RIBBON. CINCPACFLT was impressed by the CVW-10 performance and responded to the INTREPID/CVW-10 awards request with a SILVER STAR for CDR Bill CARR; a DFC for LTJG James Isaac VAN LIERE, VA-34–who was "Tailend Charlie" in the gaggle of eleven bombers, and credited with the most destructive attack; and, sixteen (16) individual Air Medals and four (4) Navy Commendation Medals with "Combat V." Recipients of a "bit of ribbon" for their run through the North Vietnamese gauntlet to pound the enemy in or near his hometown on the morning of 8 July 1967 included: CDR Georges E. LE BLANC, VSF-3; LCDR Pete SHOEFFEL, VA-15; LCDR Jerry O. TUTTLE, VA-15; LCDR Ron "Moon" MOREAU, VA-15; LCDR Ed MARTIN, VA-34; LCDR Craig COLLIER, VA-34; LCDR Ray FOX, VA-34; LCDR Ted MERRY, VA-34; LCDR Fred HOERNER, CVW-10 Staff; LCDR Bill BEST, VSF-3; LCDR Skip LEUSCHNER, VSF-3; LCDR George BLOSSER, VA-34; LTJG David CULLER, VA-15; LTJG Sid ATKINSON, VA-15; LTJG Ben Franklin HEALD, VA-34: LTJG Carl LAWLEY, VA-34; and LTJG Dan SWINFORD, VSF-3. Apologies to the three brave 'uns I don't have in my notes…

Humble Host has requested old squadronmate MOON MOREAU to dig around and see if anybody on the 8 July hit on the barracks has a tale to tell about this trip to Hanoi… I will pass on anything that I am fed by those who were there…



NOTE OF INTEREST. …Two Air Medals in the same day… LCDR Jerry TUTTLE, VA-15, was awarded individual AIR MEDALS for meritorious service in combat on BOTH of his Alpha Strikes on 8 July 1967. In the morning he was leading a division of VA-15 Valions in the strike on the barracks and SAM storage area seven miles from Ho Chi Minh's sauna, and in the PM he ducked a bunch of SAMs while leading a division of A-4 bombers against the rail lines and spurs west of Haiduong. On that strike he was the first to resume the attack after the strike force was loosened up by the SAMs and his bombs enabled the remaining bombers to quickly locate and attack the target after maneuvering to avoid the SAMs. Humble Host salutes the Light Attackers in the A-4 squadrons on the "little decks" who regularly flew three Alphas for days on end. A 27C Skyhawk aviator could count on "two-a-day" to "downtown" or Haiduong, Haiphong, or somewhere else in Route Pack 6B or 4 every day on the line during the summer/fall of 1967. For the 27Charlie attack carrier guys, it was a long, hot summer. The toughest of the war…. Hats Off to all who cruised in INTREPID, HANCOCK, TICONDEROGA, SHANGRI-LA, BON HOMME RICHARD and ORISKANY who flew the 0600-1800 (10-2-4 Doctor Pepper) schedule…



NEXT POST. Monday, 25 May 2020…. Tale #8… NAVAL AVIATION ROARS… A tale of "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity." An HS-2 crew's adrenaline-juiced rescue mission into North Vietnam on 21 May 1967…

Lest we forget… Bear



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This Day in Aviation History" brought to you by the Daedalians Airpower Blog Update. To subscribe to this weekly email, go to https://daedalians.org/airpower-blog/



May 17, 1942

Igor Sikorsky delivered the prototype XR-4 helicopter to Army authorities at Wright Field, Ohio, for testing May 17-30, 1942. It was accepted into service as the R-4 Hoverfly, the only American helicopter deployed during World War II.



May 18, 1965

Members of the Naval Air Reserve began a volunteer airlift supporting operations in South Vietnam. These sailors operated Reserve C-54 Skymasters and C-118 Liftmasters carrying personnel and urgently needed cargo to the fighting on weekend and other training flights from their home stations to the West Coast, Hawaii, and Southeast Asia. These airlifts logged more than 19,000 flight hours during the first 18 months of the operation.



May 19, 1918

Capt. Raoul F. Lufbery, a naturalized American citizen and a famed fighter pilot of the Lafayette Escadrille, died in combat flying over France. His final tally was 17 German aircraft. He was Daedalian Founder Member #722.



May 20, 1915

The Curtiss JN-2 is selected by Army Aviation Service as the first mass-produced aircraft in the United States. It will also outfit the embryonic 1st Aero Squadron.



May 21, 1927

Capt. Charles A. Lindbergh, 110th Observation Squadron, Missouri National Guard, landed his Ryan monoplane named The Spirit of St. Louis in Paris, France, after a historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean from New York. His flight covered 3,648 miles in 33 hours, 39 minutes. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and a special Congressional Medal of Honor.



May 22, 1906

The U.S. government issued the Wright Brothers the first patent on their flying machine – after turning down two earlier submissions from them.



May 23, 1988

The Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey, the first full production tilt rotor aircraft, was unveiled at the Bell Helicopter Textron plant at Arlington, Texas.



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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS For May 18

FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR MAY 16

THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY



1918: American day bombing began with the arrival of the 96th Aero Squadron at Amanty Airdrome, France. (4) (11)

1942: The US and Panama signed an agreement for defense sites in Panama that included several airbases.

1949: New York's first heliport opened at Pier 41, East River. (24) 1952: KOREAN WAR. An SA-16 amphibian from the 3 ARS, while under fire from the enemy shoreline, rescued a downed F-84 pilot. (28)

1953: Jacqueline Cochran, flying a Canadian-built F-86 Sabre at Edwards AFB, became the first woman to fly faster than sound. She averaged 652.337 MPH on a 100-kilometer closed-course (62 miles) to earn the women's jet speed record. (24) Capt Joseph C. McConnnell, Jr., shot down his 16th enemy aircraft in the Korean War to become its top ace. (21)

1955: Leading four F-84 Thunderjets, Col Harold M. McClelland set a nonstop record for singleengine jets by flying 4,840 miles from Yokota AB to Williamstown, Australia, in 12 hours 10 minutes. (24)

1958: The US recovered its first full-scale ablative-type nose cone from the Atlantic Ocean. It was launched from Cape Canaveral on a Jupiter missile. (6)

1964: Jacqueline Cochran set a speed record for women: 1,429 MPH at 37,100 feet in altitude, in an F-104G at Edwards AFB. First McDonnell-Douglas RF-4C flight lasted 50 minutes. (12)

1965: First flight of the Navy's F-111B. 1966: Ling-Temco-Vought Aerospace's XC-142A triservice V/STOL transport made its first carrier takeoffs and landings during tests aboard the USS Bennington at sea off San Diego. (3)

1969: APOLLO X. Through 26 May Apollo X, the first lunar orbital mission using a complete Apollo spacecraft, launched from Kennedy Space Center on a Saturn V with Col Thomas F. Stafford (USAF), Capt John W. Young (USN), and Cmdr Eugene A. Cernan (USN) aboard. They landed eight days later in the Pacific. (26)

1968: The USAF delivered 88.5 tons of food and emergency materials to Ethopia after a massive flood. (8) 1973: Lockheed-Georgia delivered the last production-model C-5A aircraft, No. 81, to MAC at Dover AFB. (16) (26)

1980: After Mount St. Helens erupted, a C-141 from the 63 MAW at Norton AFB, Calif., and a C-130 from the 62 MAW at McChord AFB flew above the stricken area to provide communications for rescue aircraft. The USAF Rescue Coordination Center at Scott AFB managed 568 sorties by the ARRS, Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and Army aircraft through 5 June that saved 101 lives. SR-71 aircraft conducted photoreconnaissance sorties to aid the rescue and recovery operations. (2) (21)

1992: A production C-17 Globemaster III flew for the first time in a flight from Long Beach to the test facility at Edwards AFB. (16)



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Thanks to Dutch

Snowbird Crash Yesterday. Shannon Forrest recorded a video of the Canadian Snowbirds taking off from Kamloops Airport and then a few moments into the flight one of the Snowbirds, engaged in Operation Inspiration crashed in a Kamloops Neighbourhood.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO_VeHRjZSI



More info:



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/plane-crash-kamloops-1.5573930



https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/with-video-snowbird-jet-crashes-into-kamloops-house-1.24136744

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Thanks to Al

Mondy Morning Humor--Armed Forces Day

Saturday was Armed Forces Day, so I dedicate this MMH to all those serving…



While on board a Navy carrier, the air wing was busy with training missions. After talking to a pilot, one air-traffic controller accidentally left his microphone on and remarked to a nearby buddy, "That guy sounded just like Elmer Fudd."

The airwaves got strangely quiet as everyone listened, realizing that the pilot had also heard the comment. After about ten seconds, the pilot broke the silence by announcing, "Be vewy, vewy quiet. We are hunting submawenes."



Submitted by John Hudson:

A young and foolish hot-shot pilot wanted to sound cool and show who was boss on Tower frequency. This was his first night solo. Instead of making the normal landing request to tower, he said, "Guess who?"

The tower controller switched the field lights off and replied, "Guess where?"

Seems there was a young soldier who just before battle, told his sergeant he didn't have a rifle.

"That's no problem, son," said the sergeant. "here, take this broom. Just point it at the enemy, and go 'Bangety Bang Bang.'"

"But what about a bayonet, Sarge?" asked the young recruit.

The sergeant pulls a piece of stram from the end of the broom, and attaches it to the handle end. "Here, use this…just go, 'Stabity Stab Stab.'"

The recruit ends up alone on the battlefield, holding just his broom. Suddenly, an enemy soldier charges him. The recruit points the broom, "Bangety Bang Bang." The enemy falls dead.

More enemy appear. The recruit, amazed at his good luck goes, "Bangety Bang Bang! Stabety Stab Stab." He mows down the enemy by the dozens.

Finally, the battlefield is clear, except for one enemy soldier walking slowly toward him. "Bangety Bang Bang" shouts the recruit. The enemy keeps coming. "Bangety Bang Bang" repeats the recruit, to no avail. He gets desperate. "Bangety Bang Bang! Stabety Stab Stab!" It's no use.

The enemy keeps coming. He stomps the recruit into the ground, and says, "Tankety Tank Tank."



Military Translations…

Navy USMC Army Air Force

Head Head Latrine Powder room

Rack Rack Cot A single w/duvet

Chow Hall Mess Hall Mess Hall Cafe'

Dungarees Utilities BDUs Casual wear

Seaman Marine Private Bobby or Jimmy

Chief Gunny Sergeant Bob or Jim

Captain Colonel Colonel Robert or James

Captain's Mast Office Hours Article 15 Time out

Billets Barracks Barracks Dormitory

Skivvies Skivvies Underwear Lingerie

Thrown in the brig Thrown in the brig Put in confinement facility Grounded





Submitted by Bob King:

Personals Ad…

To the guy who tried to mug me in downtown Savannah night before last--Date: 2017-01-17, 1:43 am. E.S.T.

I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.

First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason. My girlfriend was happy that I just returned safely from my 2nd tour as a combat Marine in Afghanistan.

She had just bought me that Kimber Custom Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head ... isn't it?!

I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with crap in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. (That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again).

After I called your mother or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done.

Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 153 gallons and was extremely grateful!

I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]

I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb… after I broke

the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.

Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning the President as my possible target. The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat. (I guess while he traced your number etc.).

In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you…but I feel this type of retribution is a

far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime.

I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and

can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career

path you've chosen to pursue in life.

Remember, next time you might not be so lucky.

Have a good day!

Thoughtfully yours,

Semper fi,



Submitted by Rick Hein:

Wisdom from Training Manuals (and other pearls)

· 'If the enemy is in range, so are you.'- Infantry Journal

· 'It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed.'- US.Air Force Manual -

· 'Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword, obviously never encountered automatic weapons.'- General MacArthur

· 'Tracers work both ways.'- Army Ordnance Manual-

· 'Five second fuses last about three seconds.'- Infantry Journal

· The three most useless things in aviation are: Fuel in the bowser; Runway behind you; and Air above you.-Basic Flight Training Manual

· 'Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once.'- Naval Ops Manual

· 'If you see a bomb technician running, try to keep up with him.'- Infantry Journal

· 'You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3.'-Paul F. Crickmore (SR71 test pilot)

· 'The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.'-Unknown Author-

· 'If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage it has to be a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe.'- Fixed Wing Pilot

· 'When one engine fails on a twin-engined plane, you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash.'-Multi-Engine Training Manual

· 'Without ammunition, the Air Force is just an expensive flying club.'-Unknown Author

· 'What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots?

· If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; but If ATC screws up, .... the pilot dies.'-Sign over Control Tower Door

· 'Never trade luck for skill.'-Author Unknown

· 'Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight.'-Basic Flight Training Manual

· 'Flying the aircraft is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it.'- Emergency Checklist

· 'There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime.'-Sign over Squadron Ops Desk at Davis-Montham AFB, AZ

· As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives. The rescuer sees the bloodied pilot and asks, 'What happened?' The pilot's reply: 'I don't know, I just got here myself!'



Submitted by Mike Farlow (an Annapolis alumnus):

Q: Why do West Point graduates hang their diplomas from the rear view mirror?

A: To justify their handicap parking.



Q. What do you get when you drive slowly by the Military Academy campus?

A: A degree.



Q: What do a Navy Midshipman and a West Point Cadet have in common?

A: They both got accepted to West Point.



Q: What do you get when you breed a groundhog and a West Point Cadet?

A: Six more weeks of bad football.



Q: How many Army Cadets does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: Only one-but he just holds onto the bulb and expects the world to revolve around him.



Q: How many West Point plebes does it take to change a light bulb?

A: None, it's a second year course.



Q: Did you hear that Army just bought twenty new septic tanks?

A: Yeah, and the Army coach says as soon as they learn to drive them, they're gonna invade Annapolis.



Q: How many Army football players does it take to change a flat tire?

A: Three, two to go for beer and one to call daddy.



Q: How many Army Engineers does it take to change a tire?

A: Just one, but he gets four hours credit and it counts as a lab science!



Q: What are the best four years of a West Pointer's life?

A: Third grade



A salute to all of those who are serving and their families,

Al