Good Tuesday Morning May 11
I hope your week has started well.
Regards,
Skip.
This day in Naval History May 11
1862
CSS Virginia is destroyed by Confederates off Craney Island to prevent capture.
1898
During the Spanish-American War, Marines and Sailors from USS Marblehead (C 11) and USS Nashville (PG 7) cut the trans-oceanic cable near Cienfuegos, Cuba, isolating Cuba from Spain. For heroism during this action, 54 Marines and Sailors received the Medal of Honor.
1943
In the Attu Operation, Task Force 16, commanded by Rear Adm. Thomas C. Kinkaid, landed a force of 3,000 US Army troops of the 7th Division in the cold and the mist of the Aleutians.
1945
During the Okinawa Campaign, kamikazes crash into Task Force 58s flagship, USS Bunker Hill (CV 17). As a result, Vice Adm. Marc A. Mitscher transfers his flag to USS English (DD 696), then to USS Enterprise (CV 6) on May 14.
1950
Viking Rocket #4 is launched from USS Norton Sound (AV-11), near the equator, for a successful 106.4 mile vertical flight called Project Reach.
Thanks to CHINFO
Executive Summary:
• National and international news reported on USS Monterey's seizure of weapons in the Arabian Sea.
• Trade press continued coverage of CNO Adm. Mike Gilday's remarks at the Navy Memorial SITREP event.
• Local San Diego media reported about the commissioning of USS Miguel Keith.
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This Day in History May 11
1573 Henry of Anjou becomes the first elected king of Poland.
1689 French and English navies battle at Bantry Bay.
1690 In the first major engagement of King William's War, British troops from Massachusetts seize Port Royal in Acadia (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) from the French.
1745 French forces defeat an Anglo-Dutch-Hanoverian army at Fontenoy.
1792 The Columbia River is discovered by Captain Robert Gray.
1812 British Prime Minster Spencer Perceval is shot by a bankrupt banker in the lobby of the House of Commons.
1857 Indian mutineers seize Delhi.
1858 Minnesota is admitted as the 32nd U.S. state.
1860 Giuseppe Garibaldi lands at Marsala, Sicily.
1862 Confederates scuttle the CSS Virginia off Norfolk, Virginia.
1864 Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart is mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern.
Military History
U.S. forces begin the assault on Japanese-held Attu, the westernmost island in Alaska's Aleutian Island chain.
1960 Israeli soldiers capture Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires.
1967 The Siege of Khe Sanh ends with the base is still in American hands.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear
LOOKING BACK 55-YEARS to the Vietnam Air War... For The List post for Tuesday, 11 May 2021... Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-68)...
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 11 May 1966...
"The four phases of Rolling Thunder: Robert Pate, "'Bombing to Win'"..
http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-11-may-1966-phase-2/
Vietnam Air Losses
Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady's work at: https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.
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Thanks to NHHC and Admiral Cox
Click to read the entire item. USS Johnston was the destroyer that led the charge of Taffy 3 against the Battleships and cruisers of the Japanese fleet off Samar. Read the Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors for a great account of the Battle
H-Gram 060, 21 April 2021
- 100th Anniversary of the Disappearance of the Fleet Tug Conestoga (AT-54)
- Wreck of USS Johnston (DD-557) Positively Identified
- Last Known Survivor of Famed Submarine USS Barb Passes
This Day in American Military History May 11
1942 – The Air Medal was authorized by President Roosevelt by Executive Order 9158 and established the award for "any person who, while serving in any capacity in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States subsequent to September 8, 1939, distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself by meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight." Executive Order 9242-A, dated 11 September 1942 amended the previous Executive Order to read "in any capacity in or with the Army". The Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself/herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may also be awarded to certain other individuals whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status, or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not on flying status. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of personnel whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award. Awards will not be made to individuals who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone.
1945 – On Okinawa, American forces conduct a coordinated attack on the Japanese held Shuri Line. The forces deployed include the US 3rd Amphibious Corps on the right of the line and the US 24th Corps on the left. Only minor gains are achieved. At sea, Kiyoshi Ogawa, Japanese pilot, crashed his plane into the US carrier Bunker Hill near Okinawa. 496 Americans died with him and the ship was knocked out of the war. Two destroyers are also damaged by kamikaze attacks.
1945 – Four days after Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, the Coast Guard-manned destroyer escorts USS Vance and USS Durant, underway off the Azores escorting their last convoy to the Mediterranean, sighted a light ahead of the convoy. They closed to investigate. The Durant illuminated the target, which was the surfaced German submarine U-873, which had been at sea for 50 days. Vance, while screened by Durant, hailed the "erstwhile enemy" over her public address system, established her identity, and then ordered her to heave to. On board were seven officers and 52 enlisted men. Vance placed a 21-man prize crew on board the captured U-boat and delivered their prize at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on 16 May 1945.
1945 – On Luzon, elements of US 1st Corps make contact on Kapintalan Ridge. The US 25th Division advances on Santa Fe. On Mindanao, elements of US 40th Division advance to hills overlooking Del Monte airfield. Units of Filipino guerrillas liberate Cagayan. The US 24th Division mops up the area northeast of the Talomo river, near Mintal. On Samar, a small American contingent is landed to spot Japanese artillery sites firing on Davao on Mindanao. Fighting continues in the western mountains on Negros.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
These men were amazing in courage and determination,
McKlNNEY, JOHN R.
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Private), U.S. Army, Company A, 123d Infantry, 33d Infantry Division. Place and date: Tayabas Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 11 May 1945. Entered service at: Woodcliff, Ga. Birth: Woodcliff, Ga. G.O. No.: 14, 4 February 1946. Citation: He fought with extreme gallantry to defend the outpost which had been established near Dingalan Bay. Just before daybreak approximately 100 Japanese stealthily attacked the perimeter defense, concentrating on a light machinegun position manned by 3 Americans. Having completed a long tour of duty at this gun, Pvt. McKinney was resting a few paces away when an enemy soldier dealt him a glancing blow on the head with a saber. Although dazed by the stroke, he seized his rifle, bludgeoned his attacker, and then shot another assailant who was charging him. Meanwhile, 1 of his comrades at the machinegun had been wounded and his other companion withdrew carrying the injured man to safety. Alone, Pvt. McKinney was confronted by 10 infantrymen who had captured the machinegun with the evident intent of reversing it to fire into the perimeter. Leaping into the emplacement, he shot 7 of them at pointblank range and killed 3 more with his rifle butt. In the melee the machinegun was rendered inoperative, leaving him only his rifle with which to meet the advancing Japanese, who hurled grenades and directed knee mortar shells into the perimeter. He warily changed position, secured more ammunition, and reloading repeatedly, cut down waves of the fanatical enemy with devastating fire or clubbed them to death in hand-to-hand combat. When assistance arrived, he had thwarted the assault and was in complete control of the area. Thirty-eight dead Japanese around the machinegun and 2 more at the side of a mortar 45 yards distant was the amazing toll he had exacted single-handedly. By his indomitable spirit, extraordinary fighting ability, and unwavering courage in the face of tremendous odds, Pvt. McKinley saved his company from possible annihilation and set an example of unsurpassed intrepidity.
*TERRY, SEYMOUR W.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company B, 382d Infantry, 96th Infantry Division. Place and date: Zebra Hill, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 11 May 1945. Entered service at: Little Rock, Ark. Birth: Little Rock, Ark. G.O. No.: 23, 6 March 1946. Citation: 1st Lt. Terry was leading an attack against heavily defended Zebra Hill when devastating fire from 5 pillboxes halted the advance. He braved the hail of bullets to secure satchel charges and white phosphorus grenades, and then ran 30 yards directly at the enemy with an ignited charge to the first stronghold, demolished it, and moved on to the other pillboxes, bombarding them with his grenades and calmly cutting down their defenders with rifle fire as they attempted to escape. When he had finished this job by sealing the 4 pillboxes with explosives, he had killed 20 Japanese and destroyed 3 machineguns. The advance was again held up by an intense grenade barrage which inflicted several casualties. Locating the source of enemy fire in trenches on the reverse slope of the hill, 1st Lt. Terry, burdened by 6 satchel charges launched a l-man assault. He wrecked the enemy's defenses by throwing explosives into their positions and himself accounted for 10 of the 20 hostile troops killed when his men overran the area. Pressing forward again toward a nearby ridge, his 2 assault platoons were stopped by slashing machinegun and mortar fire. He fearlessly ran across 100 yards of fire-swept terrain to join the support platoon and urge it on in a flanking maneuver. This thrust, too, was halted by stubborn resistance. 1st Lt. Terry began another 1 -man drive, hurling grenades upon the strongly entrenched defenders until they fled in confusion, leaving 5 dead behind them. Inspired by this bold action, the support platoon charged the retreating enemy and annihilated them. Soon afterward, while organizing his company to repulse a possible counterattack, the gallant company commander was mortally wounded by the burst of an enemy mortar shell. By his indomitable fighting spirit, brilliant leadership, and unwavering courage in the face of tremendous odds, 1st Lt. Terry made possible the accomplishment of his unit's mission and set an example of heroism in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
*WAUGH, ROBERT T.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 339th Infantry, 85th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Tremensucli, Italy, 11-14 May 1944. Entered service at: Augusta, Maine. Birth: Ashton, R.I. G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. In the course of an attack upon an enemy-held hill on 11 May, 1st Lt. Waugh personally reconnoitered a heavily mined area before entering it with his platoon. Directing his men to deliver fire on 6 bunkers guarding this hill, 1st Lt. Waugh advanced alone against them, reached the first bunker, threw phosphorus grenades into it and as the defenders emerged, killed them with a burst from his tommygun. He repeated this process on the 5 remaining bunkers, killing or capturing the occupants. On the morning of 14 May, 1st Lt. Waugh ordered his platoon to lay a base of fire on 2 enemy pillboxes located on a knoll which commanded the only trail up the hill. He then ran to the first pillbox, threw several grenades into it, drove the defenders into the open, and killed them. The second pillbox was next taken by this intrepid officer by similar methods. The fearless actions of 1st Lt. Waugh broke the Gustav Line at that point, neutralizing 6 bunkers and 2 pillboxes and he was personally responsible for the death of 30 of the enemy and the capture of 25 others. He was later killed in action in Itri, Italy, while leading his platoon in an attack.
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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 11, 1929
Lt. Alford J. Williams received the Distinguished Flying Cross from Secretary of the Navy Charles F. Adams for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. Williams had studied the action of aircraft in violent maneuvers and inverted flight, and developed and applied principles of operation, which contributed directly to flight safety and aircraft performance test accuracy.
May 11, 1918
The American Expeditionary Forces in France received a DH-4 De Havilland, its first American-made airplane.
May 12, 1938
Over the Atlantic, the Army Air Corps dispatched three B-17 bombers that intercepted the Italian liner Rex 700 miles at sea. The Navy, suitably alarmed, demanded that Army aircraft be limited to only 100 miles from the coast. The lead navigator in this stunt was Capt. Curtis LeMay.
May 13, 1952
Fifth 5th Air Force F-86s destroyed five MiG-15s in aerial combat. In the morning 12 F-86s attacked targets in Sinuiju, Sinuiju Airfield and Uiju Airfield in NW Korea. In the early afternoon, Sabres hit the marshaling yards at Kunu-ri, and, in the late afternoon, bombed Sinuiju. Col. Walker M. "Bud" Mahurin, the 4th Fighter Interceptor Group commander who led all three missions, was shot down and captured. Mahurin, who retired as a colonel, passed away May 11, 2010, at his home in Newport Beach, California, one of the last surviving World War II aces. He was 91. In his career, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, and many more.
May 14, 1923
The new Curtiss PW-8 pursuit (fighter) aircraft was accepted into Army service for flight trials. This was the first in the long series of "Hawk" fighters; the "W" signified a water-cooled engine.
May 15, 1948
Air Materiel Command asked Boeing to develop an American aerial fueling system, the flying boom, to overcome problems with the British hose system used on B-29s. Among the deficiencies noted were slow rate of fuel flow, time-consuming contact procedures, excessive weight and space requirements, and relatively slow flying speeds during refueling.
May 16, 1929
The World War I aerial drama, "Wings," received the first Oscar for best picture in Hollywood, California. The film was shot with many real and reconstructed World War I fighter aircraft and highlighted the nation's continuing interest in aviation. "Wings" was shot and completed on a $2 million budget at Kelly Field in San Antonio between Sept. 7, 1926, and April 7, 1927.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS
FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR MAY 11
THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
May 11
1918: Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces, received its first American-made DH-4, with a Liberty engine. It made its first flight six days later. (11) (24)
1942: First contingent of US AAF arrived in England to join Eighth Air Force. (4) The President ordered an Air Medal established to award any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard after 8 September 1939, distinguished or had distinguished himself by meritorious achievement in an aerial flight.
1949: President Truman signed a bill to provide a 5,000-mile guided missile test range to the USAF. The USAF established this range at Cape Canaveral. It was designated the Atlantic Missile Range on 1 May 1958. (6)
1953: North American's F-86H Sabre made its first flight at Edwards AFB. 1958: Lt Cmdr Jack Neiman (USN) completed a 44-hour stay in a pressure chamber under conditions existing between 80,000 and 100,000 feet.
1960: An Army Signal Corps' balloon ascended to a record night-time altitude of 144,000 feet before bursting. (24)
1964: The North American XB-70 Valkyrie went on public display for the first time at Palmdale. This 275-ton aircraft measured 185 feet in length and had a 105-foot wing span. It was designed to fly three times the speed of sound at altitudes above 70,000 feet. (3) (12) Jackie Cochran became the first woman to fly more than Mach 2, when she flew an F-104G at 1,429 MPH at Edwards AFB.
1966: At Holloman AFB, a Surveyor spacecraft made the first softlanding under its own power to demonstrate its ability to softland on the moon. Lockheed unveiled a full-scale mockup of the C-5A Galaxy at its plant in Marietta. (12)
1972: A C-5A Galaxy set a nonstop distance record from Kadena AB to Charleston AFB. The8,019-mile flight lasted 16 hours 5 minutes.
1989: Operation NIMROD DANCER. To 18 May, MAC moved a brigade-size security augmentation force to Panama in 34 C-5, 39 C-141, and 2 commercial L-1011 missions. In all, MAC airlifted 2,679 soldiers and 2,950 tons of cargo. (18)
1990: Lockheed Missiles and Space Company received a $971 million contract to build advanced solid rocket motors (ASRMs) for the Space Shuttle. These new motors increased the shuttle"s payload by 12,000 pounds to 65,000 pounds. (8: Jul 90) Hughes won a competition with Raytheon for the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile. The $194 million contract called for 3,006 missiles, 75 F-model captive-carry training missiles, and 61 G-model guided training missiles. (8: Jul 90)
1991: Operation SEA ANGEL. Through 13 June, in response to flooding along the Bangladesh coastline from Cyclone Marion, with its 150-MPH winds and 20-foot tidal waves, MAC dispatched 10 C-5, 14 C-141, and 5 C-130 missions to deliver 738 passengers and 832 tons of food, equipment, and supplies. A C-130 intratheater airlift delivered food from in-country depots. (18)
1994: Operation PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. Through 17 May, 13 C-141 missions moved 239 tons of relief supplies from Incirlik AB to Mwanza, Tanzania, in a joint operation to help over 100,000 Rwandan victims of tribal warfare. Four C-141s from the 438 AW at McGuire AFB flew most of the missions. (16) 2001: The T-6A Texan II primary trainer completed wet runway testing at Edwards AFB. (
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Monday Morning Humor from Al
Saturday is Armed Forces Day
Note: Armed Forces Day honors those currently serving in the U.S. military. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U. S. military veterans. Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service.
Submitted by Rob Hansen:
Officer: Soldier, do you have change for a dollar?
Soldier: Sure, buddy.
Officer: That's no way to address an officer! Now let's try it again. Do you have change for a dollar?
Soldier: No, SIR!
Submitted by Jim Weaver:
The new Ensign was assigned to subs, where he'd dreamed of working since a young boy. He was trying to impress the Master Chief with his expertise learned in Sub School.
The Master Chief cut him off quickly and said, "Listen, 'sir', it's real simple. Add the number of times we dive to the number of times we surface. Divide that number by two. If the result doesn't come out even, don't open the hatch."
Submitted by Skip Leonard:
Minorities
We need to show more sympathy for these people.
· They travel miles in the heat.
· They risk their lives crossing a border.
· They don't get paid enough wages.
· They do jobs that others won't do or are afraid to do.
· They live in crowded conditions among a people who speak a different language.
· They rarely see their families, and they face adversity all day ~ every day..
I'm not talking about illegals, I'm talking about our troops!
Doesn't it seem strange that so many are willing to lavish all kinds of social benefits on illegals, but don't support our troops?
Submitted by Mark Logan:
Misunderstanding Military Terms
One reason the Services have trouble operating jointly is that they don't speak the same language. For example, if you told Navy personnel to "secure a building," they would turn off the lights and lock the doors. Army personnel would occupy the building so no one could enter. Marines would assault the building, capture it, and defend it with suppressive fire and close combat. The Air Force, on the other hand, would take out a three-year lease with an option to buy.
Military Translations…
Navy USMC Army Air Force
Head Head Latrine Powder room
Rack Rack Cot A single with ruffle and 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
Show Off Pilots
An F-111 was flying escort with a B-52 and generally making a nuisance of himself by flying rolls around the lumbering old bomber. The message for the B-52 crew was, "Anything you can do, I can do better." Not to be outdone, the bomber pilot announced that he would rise to the challenge. The B-52 continued its flight, straight and level, however.
Perplexed, the fighter pilot asked, "So? What did you do?"
"We just shut down two engines."
Rules for gunfighting…
USMC
· Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
· Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.
· Have a plan.
· Have a back-up plan, because the first one probably won't work.
· Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
· Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun whose caliber does not start with a "4."
· Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.
· Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)
· Use cover or concealment as much as possible.
· Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
· Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
· In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.
· If you are not shooting, you should be communicating or reloading.
· Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
· And above all ... don't drop your guard.
Navy SEAL
· Look very cool in the latest sunglasses.
· Kill every living thing within view.
· Return quickly to looking very cool in latest beach wear.
· Check hair in mirror.
US Army Rangers
· Walk in 50 miles wearing 95 pound ruck while starving.
· Locate individuals requiring killing.
· Request permission via radio from "Higher" to perform killing.
· Curse bitterly when mission is aborted.
· Walk out 50 miles wearing a 95 pound ruck while starving.
US Army
· Select a new beret to wear.
· Sew combat patch on right shoulder.
· Reconsider the color of beret you decide to wear.
US Air Force
· Have a cocktail.
· Adjust temperature on air-conditioner.
· See what's on HBO.
· Determine "what is a gunfight."
· Send the Army.
US Navy
· Go to Sea.
· Drink Coffee.
· Launch airplanes and cruise missiles.
Military Quotes:
· "A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit."-Army's magazine of preventive maintenance.
· "Aim towards the Enemy."-Instruction printed on US Rocket Launcher
· "When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend.-U.S. Marine Corps
· "Cluster bombing from B-52s are very, very accurate. The bombs are guaranteed to always hit the ground."-USAF Ammo Troop
· "If the enemy is in range, so are you."-Infantry Journal
· "It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed."-U.S. Air Force Manual
· "Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons."-General Macarthur
· "Try to look unimportant; they may be low on ammo."-Infantry Journal
· "You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me."-U.S. Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt.
· "Tracers work both ways."-U.S. Army Ordnance
· "Five second fuses only last three seconds."-Infantry Journal
· "Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last, and don't ever volunteer to do anything."-U.S. Navy Swabbie
· "Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid."-David Hackworth
· "If your attack is going too well, your walking into an ambush."-Infantry Journal
· "No combat-ready unit has ever passed inspection."-Joe Gay
· "Any ship can be a minesweeper ... once."-Anonymous
· "Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do."-Unknown Marine Recruit
· "Don't draw fire; it irritates the people around you."-Your Buddies
· "If you see a bomb technician running, follow him."-USAF Ammo Troop
· "Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death ... I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."-At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan
· "You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3."-Paul F. Crickmore (test pilot)
· "The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."
· "Blue water Navy truism: There are more planes in the ocean than submarines in the sky."-From an old carrier sailor
· "If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter and therefore, unsafe."
· "When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash."
· "What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots? If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; If ATC screws up, .... the pilot dies."
· "Never trade luck for skill."
· "Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers."
· "Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight."
· "A smooth landing is mostly luck; two in a row is all luck; three in a row is prevarication."
· "Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we never left one up there!"
· "Flashlights are tubular metal containers kept in a flight bag for the purpose of storing dead batteries."
· "Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
· "When a flight is proceeding incredibly well, something was forgotten."
· "Just remember, if you crash because of weather, your funeral will be held on a sunny day."
· Advice given to RAF pilots during WWII: "When a prang (crash) seems inevitable, endeavor to strike the softest, cheapest object in the vicinity as slow and gently as possible."
· "The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you."-Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot)
· "A pilot who doesn't have any fear probably isn't flying his plane to its maximum."-Jon McBride, astronaut
· "If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible."-Bob Hoover (renowned aerobatic and test pilot)
· "Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you."
· "There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime."-Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970
· "If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to."
· Basic Flying Rules: "Try to stay in the middle of the air. Do not go near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly there."
· "You know that your landing gear is up and locked when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal."
· 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 a bloodied pilot and asks "What happened?". The pilot's reply: "I don't know, I just got here myself!"-Attributed to Ray Crandell (Lockheed test pilot)
A service member is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to˜The United States of America for any amount, up to and including his/her life.
Have a great week,
Al
"Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results."--George S. Patton
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World News for 11 May thanks to Military Periscope
USA—USAF F-35 Fleet Continues To Grow Air Force Magazine | 05/11/2021 Top Air Force officials say that the F-35A Lightning II now makes up the second-largest fleet in its inventory, reports Air Force magazine. The service has fielded 283 F-35s, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown Jr. said on May 7 during testimony to the House Appropriation defense subcommittee, surpassing the A-10 fleet, with 281 aircraft; the F-15C/D fleet, 234 aircraft; and the F-15E fleet, 218 aircraft. The Air Force still plans to buy a total of 1,763 F-35s and is in the midst of a tactical aviation study to determine the best mix of fifth-generation and legacy fighters, the general said. The F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet remains the largest in Air Force service.
USA—Cyberattack Takes Down Major E. Coast Pipeline Politico | 05/11/2021 A pipeline carrying over half of the fuel used on the U.S. East Coast was shut down by a cyberattack last week, reports Politico (Washington, D.C.). The Colonial Pipeline, which transports fuel from refineries in Houston to the East Coast, shut down on Friday after ransomware closed its internal computer business networks, forcing the company to turn off the systems that control the pipeline as a precautionary measure. As of Monday, the pipeline remained offline. The incident is the largest confirmed successful cyberattack on U.S. infrastructure. The company said it was slowly restarting operations in a phased approach, with the pipeline expected to be back in service by the end of the week. The FBI confirmed on Monday that the attack was carried out by a criminal group known as DarkSide. The group mostly operates out of Russia, reported the Washington Post. DarkSide has targeted utility infrastructure in the past with ransomware attacks, including two earlier this year against Brazilian state-owned utility companies, Eletrobras and Copel. In a statement, the hacker group suggested that a customer that purchased its ransomware may have been behind the attack and said that it did not intend to cause such a significant disruption, reported Bloomberg News. Similar to other ransomware groups, DarkSide offers to sell its malware to others in what is called "ransomware-as-a-service," according to cybersecurity firm Cybereason. In response to concerns about the fuel supply, the Dept. of Transportation issued waivers in 17 states allowing fuel truck drivers to work beyond the typical 11-hour limit.
USA—Warning Shots Fired At Iranian Speedboats In Strait Of Hormuz DoD News | 05/11/2021 A Coast Guard cutter fired warning shots at Iranian fast attack boats harassing U.S. vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, reports the DoD News. On Monday, 13 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) craft approached U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels escorting the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia, the Defense Dept. said. The U.S. ships employed the standard procedures, including warning horn blasts, bridge-to-bridge radio transmissions and other communication means without avail. The cutter Maui fired about 30 warning shots as the Iranian boats came within 300 yards (270 m) and then 150 yards (140 m) of the U.S. ships, a Pentagon spokesman said. After the second round of warning shots, the fast boats departed, he said. On Tuesday, Iranian officials accused the American ships of unprofessional and aggressive behavior, including flying helicopters, firing flares, and aimless and provocative shooting, reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Officials said that these dangerous encounters may not have been sanctioned by senior Iranian leadership and could be an attempt to goad the U.S. into an escalation.
Canada—Aegis Combat System Sought For New Frigates U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency | 05/11/2021 The Canadian government is seeking to buy naval combat systems from the U.S. for its new frigates, reports the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The proposed US$1.7 billion deal covers the acquisition of up to four shipsets of the Aegis combat system (ACS); one Aegis combat system computer program; four shipsets of AN/SPY-7 solid-state radar components; four shipsets of Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC); and three shipsets of the Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS). The potential sale also includes Mode 5/S-capable identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) equipment; early ACS development activities for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project; training and support. The Aegis combat system would enhance the Canadian navy's interoperability with the U.S. and NATO allies and its ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest as well as improving the network-centric warfare capability for American forces operating alongside Canada, the agency said.
Portugal—New Military Cooperation Accord Inked With Mozambique Agence France-Presse | 05/11/2021 Portugal has signed a new military cooperation agreement with Mozambique, reports Agence France-Presse. The five-year plan builds on previous accords while adding new elements, Portuguese Defense Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho said on Monday. The pact covers a major training project for Mozambican special operation forces. As part of the agreement, Lisbon will send 60 additional soldiers to Mozambique, bringing its total to 80, help train Mozambican forces on counterinsurgency, intelligence-sharing and the use of drones for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, reported Reuters. These are in addition to 60 Portuguese special operations troops previously dispatched to Mozambique for a training mission. Talks on the new deal began during a visit by Cravinho to Mozambique in December. Since 2017, Mozambique has faced a growing insurgency by a group of militants known as Ansar Al Sunnah, which has since aligned with the Islamic State.
France—Soldiers Warn Of Internal Conflict In Anonymous Letter In Right-Wing Magazine Agence France-Presse | 05/11/2021 Another group of French servicemembers have published a letter warning of possible internal conflict, reports Agence France-Presse. On Sunday, the right-wing magazine Valeurs Actuelles published a letter on its website signed by anonymous soldiers who said that President Emmanuel Macron had made "concessions" to Islamism that endangered the survival of France. The writers claimed to have served in operations against militant Islamists, including the Sentinelle internal security operation in France in 2015. They said that they were younger and had fought against Islamism at home and abroad. It was not immediately clear what concessions the writers referred to. A French officer told AFP that military would remain apolitical, and the letter would not pass without a response. It was not clear how many servicemembers signed the letter, what their ranks are or what branches they serve in. Valeurs Actuelles said that 145,000 members of the public had symbolically signed the letter on the website after it was published.
Japan—French, U.S. Troops Join GSDF For Drills Kyodo News Agency | 05/11/2021 The Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces are hosting U.S. and French troops for exercises this week, reports the Kyodo news agency (Tokyo). The ARC21 drills kicked off on Tuesday and are scheduled to conclude on May 17. The first three days of the exercise involve planning work at Camp Ainoura in Nagasaki prefecture, followed by two days of urban warfare drills at the GSDF Kirishima training ground between the Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures. Amphibious maneuvers will follow, according to the GSDF. About 100 GSDF troops, 60 French soldiers and 60 U.S. Marines are participating in the exercise. Four U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft are also taking part. Separately, naval vessels from the three countries and Australia are training together in the East China Sea over the same period, reported Agence France-Presse.
Taiwan—Ta Chiang Corvette Begins Sea Trials Naval News | 05/11/2021 Taiwan has begun sea trials of the second ship in a new class of catamaran corvettes, reports the Naval News. On May 3, Ta Chiang was observed undergoing trials in undisclosed waters near the island, including high-speed runs. The ship is the second in the Tuo Chiang class and features improvements over the lead vessel. The corvette was first seen in March with its 76-mm main gun and a 3D radar system installed. In April, observers noted that a Separate Tracking and Illumination Radar (STIR) fire-control radar had been installed on top of the bridge. Taiwan plans to acquire 11 Tuo Chiang-class corvettes by the end of 2026.
Solomon Islands—2nd Guardian-Class OPV Delivered In Australia Austal | 05/11/2021 Austal has delivered a second offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Solomon Islands, reports the Australian shipbuilder. On May 7, the Taro was handed over to the Australian government and then gifted to the Solomon Islands during a ceremony at Austal Australia's Henderson shipyard, Austal said in a release on Monday. The Taro is the 10th Guardian-class OPV to be built by Austal for the Australian government and the second of two to be donated to the Solomon Islands as part of Canberra's Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project. The first vessel, the Gizo, was delivered in November 2019. Austal is under contract to build 21 Guardian-class OPVs for the program by the end of 2023.
Indonesia—Warships Train With Chinese Navy In Java Sea South China Morning Post | 05/11/2021 Indonesian and Chinese warships have just completed a joint exercise in the Java Sea, reports the South China Morning Post. On Saturday, the exercise, reportedly part of the Chinese navy's annual training program that began in April, took place in the waters off Jakarta, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Sunday. The exercise was designed to improve coordination during emergencies at sea, reported the state-run China Global Television Network. Participating in the drills were the Chinese guided-missile frigates Liuzhou and corvette Suqian and the Indonesian navy frigate Usman Harun and missile craft Halasan. The training covered communication drills, search-and-rescue operations and formation maneuvers.
Afghanistan—Roadside Bombs Target Civilian Vehicles In Zabul, Parwan Provinces Khaama Press | 05/11/2021 At least 13 people have been killed in roadside bomb attacks in Afghanistan's Zabul and Parwan provinces, reports the Khaama Press (Afghanistan). On Sunday evening, an explosive device detonated as a civilian passenger bus passed in the Shahr-e-Safa district of the eastern Zabul province, the Afghan Interior Ministry said on Monday. Eleven civilians were killed and 28 wounded. The ministry blamed the bombing on the Taliban. Separately, another bus carrying civilians was struck by a roadside bomb in the Pul-e-Matak area of Parwan province north of Kabul on Monday morning. Two civilians were killed and nine injured in that attack. No group has claimed responsibility for either bombing.
Afghanistan—Taliban Announces 3-Day Ceasefire For Eid Al-Fitr Khaama Press | 05/11/2021 The Taliban says it will temporarily halt its attacks in Afghanistan during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, reports the Khaama Press (Afghanistan). A Taliban spokesman announced the three-day cease-fire on Sunday. Insurgents were instructed to break the cease-fire only for self-defense. They were also banned from hosting Afghan security forces, visiting government-controlled areas and allowing government personnel into Taliban-controlled areas. The Taliban has declared similar cease-fires during Eid al-Fitr in the past. None led to any permanent decrease in violence, with fighting generally resuming quickly after the end of the holiday.
Israel—Fighting Escalates With Militant Groups In Gaza Times of Israel | 05/11/2021 Clashes between Israel and Gaza-based militants have escalated this week, reports the Times of Israel. On Monday, about 200 rockets and mortar rounds were fired from Gaza, after a Hamas-imposed deadline to withdraw Israeli troops from the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem expired, reported Agence France-Presse. Hamas claimed at one point that it fired 137 rockets in a 5-minute period in an apparent attempt to overwhelm Israel's Iron Dome missile defense systems. Palestinian Islamic Jihad also claimed responsibility for attacks, including launching an anti-tank missile at a civilian car south of Sderot. The Israeli air force subsequently conducted retaliatory strikes on about 130 targets inside the Gaza Strip, including the home of a top Hamas commander; a Hamas intelligence headquarters; two attack tunnels near the Israeli border; rocket production and storage sites; observation posts; and military installations and launchpads. The Gazan Health Ministry said that 23 people were killed in the Israeli strikes, including nine children, and another 107 injured. Israel said at least 15 of the fatalities were Hamas fighters who were launching rockets or missiles. A military spokesman said that several deaths, including at least three children, were the result of errant rockets fired by the militants. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad said that several commanders were killed in Israeli airstrikes, including two PIJ leaders in a drone strike in Gaza City. At least 24 Israelis were injured in militant attacks. The Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday that additional rockets had been fired at the cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod. At least 5,000 reservists have been called up amid the fighting.
Algeria—Unauthorized Demonstrations Banned In Attempt To Crack Down In Protest Movement Al Jazeera | 05/11/2021 The Algerian government is implementing restrictions on demonstrations in a move widely seen as targeting the Hirak protest movement, reports Al Jazeera (Qatar). On Sunday, the interior ministry announced the prohibition against unauthorized protests. Under new rules, all demonstrations will require a permit that includes the name of the organizers and a start and finish time. A change to the Algerian constitution, approved in a referendum in November 2020 that saw 25-percent turnout, provides the legal basis for the new restrictions, reported Agence France-Presse. The move comes after the Hirak movement re-emerged in recent weeks after its activities were curtailed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Thousands have taken part in protests that resumed in February. The Hirak movement started as a push for democracy and has since morphed into calls for wider systemic change. The movement's demands include the departure of Algeria's ruling elite, an end to corruption and the removal of the army from politics.
Morocco—Government Slams Spain For Hosting Polisario Leader For Medical Treatment Voice Of America News | 05/11/2021 The Spanish government's decision to permit the leader of the breakaway Western Sahara region to come to Spain for medical treatment has angered Morocco, reports the Voice of America News. Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, is being treated for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at a hospital in Logrono in northern Spain. Over the weekend, Moroccan Foreign Minister Naser Burita accused Spain of undermining bilateral relations by hosting Ghali without informing the Moroccan government. Ghali was admitted for strictly humanitarian reasons, said Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya. Meanwhile, Spain is investigating allegations from a dissident Polisario Front faction that Ghali participated in torture and crimes against humanity. Ghali has been ordered to appear before Spain's National Court on June 1 to respond to the accusations. Spain has attempted to remain neutral over the issue of Western Sahara, a former colony, but Rabat may be using the dispute to pressure Madrid to support its position, said experts.
Burundi—12 Killed In Ambush Northeast Of Bujumbura Anadolu News Agency | 05/11/2021 An ambush in Burundi has killed around a dozen people, including a military officer, reports Turkey's Anadolu Agency. On Monday, gunmen attacked four vehicles in Muramvya, about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Bujumbura. Initial reports indicated that eight people were killed, including Col. Onesphore Nizigiyimana and a central bank employee. Subsequent reports indicated that at least 12 people had died. A source told Agence France-Presse that the officer was returning from a family celebration when their car was attacked by about a dozen men, who set the vehicles on fire. One resident said that the attack appeared to have been well organized. It was not immediately clear if the ambush was prepared by rebels opposed to the government.
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