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The List 5712     TGB

 

Good Friday Morning     May 14

I hope that you all have a great weekend.

Regards,

Skip.

 

 

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This day in Naval History May 14, 2019

 

May 14

 

1800: The frigate USS Essex, commanded by Capt. Edward Preble, arrives in Batavia, Java, to escort United States merchant ships. During her journey, she is the first U.S. Navy warship to cross the Equator and the first U.S. man-of-war to double the Cape of Good Hope.

 

1801 Tripoli declares war on the United States for not increasing the annual tribute paid as protection money to prevent raids on its ships. Within less than a week, a squadron under Commodore Richard Dale, sets sail to protect American interests and arrives July 1 at Gibraltar.

 

1836 Congress authorizes the U.S. Exploring Expedition to conduct an exploration of the Pacific Ocean and South Seas, making the first major US scientific expedition overseas. Lt. Charles Wilkes, USN, leads the expedition to survey South America, Antarctica, the Far East, and the North Pacific.

 

1845 - First U.S. warship visits Vietnam. While anchored in Danang for reprovisioning, CAPT John Percival commanding USS Constitution, conducts a show of force against Vietnamese authorities in an effort to obtain the release of a French priest held prisoner by Emperor of Annam at Hue.

 

1919 The Marine detachment from USS Arizona guards the U.S. consulate at Constantinople, Turkey, during the Greek occupation of the city.

 

1944 USS Bonefish (SS 223) attacks a Japanese convoy bound for Sibitu Passage, Borneo, and sinks Japanese destroyer Inazuma near TawiTawi, east of Borneo and survives counter-attacks by Japanese destroyer Hibiki. Also on this date, USS Aspro (SS 309) and USS Bowfin (SS 287) attack a Japanese convoy and sinks cargo ship BisanMaru.

 

1945 German submarine (U 858) arrives at Cape May, Del., after surrendering at sea four days earlier. USS Pillsbury (DE 133) and USS Pope (DE 134) arrive later that day, take over the boat, place a USN crew on board, and remove 1/2 of her crew including three of her four officers. (U 858) is later scuttled off the coast of New England during torpedo trials.

 

1975 - Marines recapture Mayaguez, go ashore on Koh Tang Island and release the crew.

 

 

Thanks to CHINFO

 

Executive Summary:
•       Trade press continued coverage of the McAleese FY2022 Defense Programs Conference.
•       National and trade press reported on the first active duty service member arrested for their role in the Capitol riot.
•       Media reported the President's Budget for FY22 will be publicly released May 27.

 

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Today in History May 14

1264		King Henry III is captured by his brother-in-law, Simon de Montfort, at the Battle of Lewes.
1509		At the Battle of Agnadello, the French defeat the Venitians in Northern Italy.
1610		French King Henri IV (Henri de Navarre) is assassinated by François Ravaillac, a fanatical monk.
1796		English physician Edward Jenner gives the first successful smallpox vaccination.
1804		Explorer William Clark sets off from St. Louis, Missouri.
1853		Gail Borden applies for a patent for condensed milk.
1863		Union General Nathanial Banks heads towards Port Hudson along the Mississippi River.
1897		Guglielmo Marconi sends the first communication by wireless telegraph.
1897		"Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Phillip Sousa is performed for the first time in Philadelphia.
1935		A plebiscite in the Philippines ratifies an independence agreement.
1940		Holland surrenders to Germany.
1942		The British Army, in retreat from Burma, reaches India.
1948		Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion establishes the State of Israel.
1961		A bus carrying black and white civil rights activists is bombed and burned in Alabama.
1969		Three companies of the 101st Airborne Division fail to push North Vietnamese forces off Hill 937 in South Vietnam.
1973		The U.S. space station Skylab is launched.
1991		In South Africa, Winnie Mandela is sentenced to six years in prison for her part in the kidnapping and beating of three black youths and the death of a fourth.

 

 

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Thanks to Carl

 

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2021/05/the_cdc_does_a_uturn_on_masks.html

 

May 14, 2021

The CDC does a U-turn on masks

By Andrea Widburg

 

I've decided that, when it comes to the CDC, there is no rational, science-based, considered decision-making going on there. Instead, they're doing the Magic 8 Ball version of science, shaking the darn thing and seeing what to announce. After fervently insisting on continuing in masks even when vaccinated, the CDC made a U-turn so sharp you could see the skid marks shimmering in the air. Henceforth, vaccinated people can abandon their masks. They are, once again, free.

 

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Thanks to Saundra

 

From Royce Williams

Subject: UA to stop hiring Naval Aviators



Can you believe this??

CHICAGO, IL — New airplane liveries aren't the only change coming to United Airlines.  In the midst of a vast airline pilot shortage, United Airlines spokeswoman Janine Davidson announced earlier today that the airline is considering not offering new pilot positions to former Navy and Marine Aviators.  This comes in the wake of last week's incident involving United Flight 2921 from Orlando to Milwaukee that left two passengers hospitalized and dozens of others stunned. The United Airlines Boeing 737 was piloted by two former Naval Aviators—an F/A-18C and E-2D pilot.

"The plane came down so hard, I soiled myself," reported passenger Dale Gordons of Lake Okeechobee, FL.  United Flight Attendant Stacie Sommers, working aboard Flt 2921, recounts:  "There was a 27 year old college student in 12B who was crying hysterically.  I went over to help and noticed that his comfort gerbil was crushed under the weight of the obese man next to him when the plane touched down.  The other flight attendant rushed to the flight deck to see what happened and as the door opened, the pilots were high-fiving and making 'one-wire' jokes."

United Airlines Chief Pilot, Jack McCann, understands that Naval Aviators fly jets that regularly touch down in excess of 800 feet per minute aboard their aircraft carriers.  "These rates of descent are just too hard on our passengers and too hard on our planes.  We try to train these tendencies out of them, but it's a culture thing.  They're brainwashed and it's hard to teach old dogs new tricks." 

This seems to be the final straw to break the camel's back.  Last month, United Airlines maintenance workers filed a formal grievance against seven pilots, all former Naval Aviators, who were caught opening panels and pre-flight inspecting their airplanes before their flights.  "It's a clear gesture of distrust," stated United Airlines Aircraft Mechanic Jason Dant.  Passengers are also becoming worried about safety practices when they see pilots clambering over their airplanes and inspecting them.

Shannon Kelsey, of Laguna Beach, CA doesn't feel comfortable seeing airline pilots concerned over the plane's status.  "It's like seeing the barista at Starbucks sip your drink before serving it to you to make sure it's actually a Java Frappuccino with vegan almond milk.  It makes me uncomfortable and a little offended."

Former Marine Aviator Mike Highway just wants to make sure his aircraft is safe.  "I'm not sure what these freakin' snowflakes are whining about.  How would you like to fly in a plane that's probably been inspected by some 12-year old that just graduated from Embry Riddle, makes $9 an hour and lives with his mom?  I'm not signing for that s**t without double checking it.  I didn't do it in the Fleet, and I ain't doing that s**t now."

As far as recruiting former military aviators, Davidson says she is encouraging more Air Force pilots to apply.  "Former Air Force pilots have been shown to gently guide their aircraft through the sky. They use the automated flight control assistance capabilities on our planes more regularly, and aren't accustomed to performing hard carrier landings.  Air Force pilots also don't perform pre-flight inspections and tend to be more team-oriented.  We prefer a trusting relationship between members of the United Airlines Team and show our valued passengers that our pilots are just as comfortable boarding alongside them from the airport jet-bridge."

Fleet Aviation Gazette is awaiting comment from the Pilot's Union at this time.

 

 

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Relatively small surface appearance with a deep draft can provide a lot of volume .  Lucky "routine" stop.

On Friday, May 14, 2021, 8:00 AM, Mud <mudmarine@aol.com> wrote:

    This is incredible.  The photo of the confiscated weapons on the flight deck is unbelievable.  I always think of a dhow as being a small single sail boat, but some are quite large and probably now days have engines.  Looking at this picture one has to conclude not all dhows are all that small.  You might want to google dhow to see what they are like.

 

S/F,

 

- Mud

 

 

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/us-navy-weapon-seizure-arabian-sea/

 

 

 

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USS R-14 (SS-91)

 

Thanks to Mud

 

Mud, at the end of the article there are listed some related articles, the first being USS Kamehameha (SSBN -642).  I was the second Gold crew CO, having relieved Bob Dickieson in June 1968,  I was the CO in the Charleston story. (see reference 1 of Kam article)

Mare Island was the best Yard in the  US Navy, and unfortunately'

was closed by fiat resulting from thefirst Quadrennial Congressional Review for Base Closures, which selected Mare Island for purely political reasons.  Founded in 1854 by Commander David Glasgow Farragut who gained fame at Mobile Bay in the Civil War (Damn the torpedoes) and was the first US naval officer to attain the permanent rank of rear admiral .

On Friday, May 14, 2021, 7:57 AM, Mud <mudmarine@aol.com> wrote:

    Here's a submarine story the likes of which you're not likely to read again.

 

 

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_R-14_(SS-91)

 

 

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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear

LOOKING BACK 55-YEARS to the Vietnam Air War—... For The List for Friday, 14 May 2021... Bear🇺🇸⚓️

 

OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER

From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 14 May 1966...

"The five-day pause to turn the other cheek"

 

http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-14-may-1966/

 

 

 

Vietnam Air Losses

Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady's work at:  https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.

 

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This Day in U S Military History…….May 14

 

1804 – One year after the United States doubled its territory with the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition leaves St. Louis, Missouri, on a mission to explore the Northwest from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Even before the U.S. government concluded purchase negotiations with France, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned his private secretary Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, an army captain, to lead an expedition into what is now the U.S. Northwest. On May 14, the "Corps of Discovery"—featuring approximately 45 men (although only an approximate 33 men would make the full journey)—left St. Louis for the American interior. The expedition traveled up the Missouri River in a 55-foot long keelboat and two smaller boats. In November, Toussaint Charbonneau, a French-Canadian fur trader accompanied by his young Native American wife Sacagawea, joined the expedition as an interpreter. The group wintered in present-day North Dakota before crossing into present-day Montana, where they first saw the Rocky Mountains. On the other side of the Continental Divide, they were met by Sacagawea's tribe, the Shoshone Indians, who sold them horses for their journey down through the Bitterroot Mountains. After passing through the dangerous rapids of the Clearwater and Snake rivers in canoes, the explorers reached the calm of the Columbia River, which led them to the sea. On November 8, 1805, the expedition arrived at the Pacific Ocean, the first European explorers to do so by an overland route from the east. After pausing there for the winter, the explorers began their long journey back to St. Louis. On September 23, 1806, after almost two and a half years, the expedition returned to the city, bringing back a wealth of information about the largely unexplored region, as well as valuable U.S. claims to Oregon Territory.

 

1836 – The Treaties of Velasco were two documents signed at Velasco, Texas (now Surfside Beach, Texas) between Antonio López de Santa Anna of Mexico and the Republic of Texas, in the aftermath of the Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836). The signatories were Interim President David G. Burnet for Texas and General Santa Anna for Mexico. The treaties were intended, on the part of the Texans, to provide a conclusion of hostilities between the two belligerents and offer the first steps toward the official recognition of the breakaway Republic's independence. It set the southern boundary of Texas at the Rio Grande, including the Nueces Strip. Santa Anna signed both a public treaty and a secret treaty, but neither treaty was ratified by the Mexican government because he had signed the documents under coercion as a prisoner. Mexico claimed Texas was a breakaway province, but was too weak to attempt another invasion.

 

1944 – The attacks by forces of the US 5th Army continue. The French Expeditionary Corps advances into the Ausente Valley, capturing Ausonia, and continue to advance over the Aurunci Mountains toward the next German defensive line, which is not occupied in strength at this time. The US 2nd Corps makes progress against the defending German 94th Division.

1945 – US Army announced the discovery of millions of dollars worth of art looted by the Nazis from all over Europe well as 100 tons of gold bars and currency hidden in a salt mine located on the Losa Plateau in Austria. Meanwhile, the concentration camp at Ebensee is liberated and described as "more horrible than Buchenwald."

1945 – On Luzon, units of the US 25th Division, part of US 1st Corps, advance north of the Balete Pass. Elements of the  US 43rd Division, part of US 11th Corps, reach the Ipoh dam, which has been fortified by the Japanese.

 

1945 – Elements of Florida's 124th Infantry, 31st Infantry Division (AL, FL, LA, MS) repel several Japanese "banzi" suicidal attacks. The 31st Division, nicknamed "Dixie" first entered combat in World War II when, in March 1944, it took part in the fighting in New Guinea. Elements of it made an assault landing on near Aitape causing a diversion of Japanese defenders while the main portion of the division landed at Maffin Bay almost unopposed. The 31st then moved to secure Morotai Island, cutting off 40,000 enemy soldiers based on Halmahera Island from reinforcements and supply from the Philippines. By the time the 31st landed on Mindanao it was a veteran division and proved its metal when it captured a Japanese airfield at Valencia, which led to the banzi attacks as fanatical Japanese soldiers tried in vain to recapture it. The men of the 'Dixie Division' were still fighting in the mountains of the island when the war ended in August 1945. During the course of the war the division suffered 414 men killed in action with another 1,400 wounded and it had one member awarded the Medal of Honor.

 

 

1973 – Skylab, America's first space station, is successfully launched into an orbit around the earth. Eleven days later, U.S. astronauts Charles Conrad, Joseph Kerwin, and Paul Weitz made a rendezvous with Skylab, repairing a jammed solar panel and conducting scientific experiments during their 28-day stay aboard the space station. The first manned Skylab mission came two years after the Soviet Union launched Salynut, the world's first space station, into orbit around the earth. However, unlike the ill-fated Salynut, which was plagued with problems, the American space station was a great success, safely housing three separate three-man crews for extended periods of time and exceeding pre-mission plans for scientific study. Originally the spent third stage of a Saturn 5 moon rocket, the cylinder space station was 118 feet tall, weighed 77 tons, and carried the most varied assortment of experimental equipment ever assembled in a single spacecraft to that date. The crews of Skylab spent more than 700 hours observing the sun and brought home more than 175,000 solar pictures. They also provided important information about the biological effects of living in space for prolonged periods of time. Five years after the last Skylab mission, the space station's orbit began to deteriorate faster than expected, owing to unexpectedly high sunspot activity. On July 11, 1979, the parts of the space station that did not burn up in the atmosphere came crashing down on Australia and into the Indian Ocean. No one was injured.

 

Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day

 

JORDAN, GEORGE
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 9th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Fort Tularosa, N. Mex., 14 May 1880; at Carrizo Canyon, N. Mex., 12 August 1881. Entered service at: Nashville, Tenn. Birth: Williamson County, Tenn. Date of issue: 7 May 1890. Citation: While commanding a detachment of 25 men at Fort Tularosa, N. Mex., repulsed a force of more than 100 Indians. At Carrizo Canyon, N . Mex., while commanding the right of a detachment of 19 men, on 12 August 1881, he stubbornly held his ground in an extremely exposed position and gallantly forced back a much superior number of the enemy, preventing them from surrounding the command.

*DIAMOND, JAMES H.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company D, 21st Infantry, 24th Infantry Division. Place and date: Mintal, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, 8-14 May 1945. Entered service at: Gulfport, Miss. Birth: New Orleans, La. G.O. No.: 23, 6 March 1946. Citation: As a member of the machinegun section, he displayed extreme gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty . When a Japanese sniper rose from his foxhole to throw a grenade into their midst, this valiant soldier charged and killed the enemy with a burst from his submachine gun; then, by delivering sustained fire from his personal arm and simultaneously directing the fire of 105mm. and .50 caliber weapons upon the enemy pillboxes immobilizing this and another machinegun section, he enabled them to put their guns into action. When 2 infantry companies established a bridgehead, he voluntarily assisted in evacuating the wounded under heavy fire; and then, securing an abandoned vehicle, transported casualties to the rear through mortar and artillery fire so intense as to render the vehicle inoperative and despite the fact he was suffering from a painful wound. The following day he again volunteered, this time for the hazardous job of repairing a bridge under heavy enemy fire. On 14 May 1945, when leading a patrol to evacuate casualties from his battalion, which was cut off, he ran through a virtual hail of Japanese fire to secure an abandoned machine gun. Though mortally wounded as he reached the gun, he succeeded in drawing sufficient fire upon himself so that the remaining members of the patrol could reach safety. Pfc. Diamond's indomitable spirit, constant disregard of danger, and eagerness to assist his comrades, will ever remain a symbol of selflessness and heroic sacrifice to those for whom he gave his life.

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*HAUGE, LOUIS JAMES, JR.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 12 December 1924, Ada, Minn. Accredited to: Minnesota. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a machinegun squad serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain on 14 May 1945. Alert and aggressive during a determined assault against a strongly fortified Japanese hill position, Cpl. Hauge boldly took the initiative when his company's left flank was pinned down under a heavy machinegun and mortar barrage with resultant severe casualties and, quickly locating the 2 machineguns which were delivering the uninterrupted stream of enfilade fire, ordered his squad to maintain a covering barrage as he rushed across an exposed area toward the furiously blazing enemy weapons. Although painfully wounded as he charged the first machinegun, he launched a vigorous single-handed grenade attack, destroyed the entire hostile gun position and moved relentlessly forward toward the other emplacement despite his wounds and the increasingly heavy Japanese fire. Undaunted by the savage opposition, he again hurled his deadly grenades with unerring aim and succeeded in demolishing the second enemy gun before he fell under the slashing fury of Japanese sniper fire. By his ready grasp of the critical situation and his heroic 1-man assault tactics, Cpl. Hauge had eliminated 2 strategically placed enemy weapons, thereby releasing the besieged troops from an overwhelming volume of hostile fire and enabling his company to advance. His indomitable fighting spirit and decisive valor in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon Cpl. Hauge and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

*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 tommy gun. 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.

*FOUS, JAMES W.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam, 14 May 1968. Entered service at: Omaha, Nebr. Born: 14 October 1946, Omaha, Nebr. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Fous distinguished himself at the risk of his life while serving as a rifleman with Company E. Pfc. Fous was participating in a reconnaissance-in-force mission when his unit formed its perimeter defense for the night. Pfc. Fous, together with 3 other American soldiers, occupied a position in a thickly vegetated area facing a woodline. Pfc. Fous detected 3 Viet Cong maneuvering toward his position and, after alerting the other men, directed accurate fire upon the enemy soldiers, silencing 2 of them. The third Viet Cong soldier managed to escape in the thick vegetation after throwing a hand grenade into Pfc. Fous' position. Without hesitation, Pfc. Fous shouted a warning to his comrades and leaped upon the lethal explosive, absorbing the blast with his body to save the lives of the 3 men in the area at the sacrifice of his life. Pfc. Fous' extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army

McCLEERY, FINNIS D.
Rank and organization: platoon Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th U.S. Infantry. place and date: Quang Tin province, Republic of Vietnam, 14 May 1968. Entered service at: San Angelo, Tex. Born: 25 December 1927, Stephenville, Tex. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. P/Sgt. McCleery, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving as platoon leader of the 1st platoon of Company A. A combined force was assigned the mission of assaulting a reinforced company of North Vietnamese Army regulars, well entrenched on Hill 352, 17 miles west of Tam Ky. As P/Sgt. McCleery led his men up the hill and across an open area to close with the enemy, his platoon and other friendly elements were pinned down by tremendously heavy fire coming from the fortified enemy positions. Realizing the severe damage that the enemy could inflict on the combined force in the event that their attack was completely halted, P/Sgt. McCleery rose from his sheltered position and began a 1-man assault on the bunker complex. With extraordinary courage, he moved across 60 meters of open ground as bullets struck all around him and rockets and grenades literally exploded at his feet. As he came within 30 meters of the key enemy bunker, P/Sgt. McCleery began firing furiously from the hip and throwing hand grenades. At this point in his assault, he was painfully wounded by shrapnel, but, with complete disregard for his wound, he continued his advance on the key bunker and killed all of its occupants. Having successfully and single-handedly breached the enemy perimeter, he climbed to the top of the bunker he had just captured and, in full view of the enemy, shouted encouragement to his men to follow his assault. As the friendly forces moved forward, P/Sgt. McCleery began a lateral assault on the enemy bunker line. He continued to expose himself to the intense enemy fire as he moved from bunker to bunker, destroying each in turn. He was wounded a second time by shrapnel as he destroyed and routed the enemy from the hill. P/Sgt. McCleery is personally credited with eliminating several key enemy positions and inspiring the assault that resulted in gaining control of Hill 352. His extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, was in keeping with the highest standards of the military service, and reflects great credit on him, the Americal Division, and the U.S. Army.

*SHEA, DANIEL JOHN
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 14 May 1969. Entered service at: New Haven, Conn. Born: 29 January 1947, Norwalk, Conn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Shea, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman with Company C, 3d Battalion, during a combat patrol mission. As the lead platoon of the company was crossing a rice paddy, a large enemy force in ambush positions opened fire with mortars, grenades and automatic weapons. Under heavy crossfire from 3 sides, the platoon withdrew to a small island in the paddy to establish a defensive perimeter. Pfc. Shea, seeing that a number of his comrades had fallen in the initial hail of fire, dashed from the defensive position to assist the wounded. With complete disregard for his safety and braving the intense hostile fire sweeping the open rice paddy, Pfc. Shea made 4 trips to tend wounded soldiers and to carry them to the safety of the platoon position. Seeing a fifth wounded comrade directly in front of one of the enemy strong points, Pfc. Shea ran to his assistance. As he reached the wounded man, Pfc. Shea was grievously wounded. Disregarding his welfare, Pfc. Shea tended his wounded comrade and began to move him back to the safety of the defensive perimeter. As he neared the platoon position, Pfc. Shea was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy fire. By his heroic actions Pfc. Shea saved the lives of several of his fellow soldiers. Pfc. Shea's gallantry in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

 

 

 

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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS

FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR MAY 14

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

 

May 14

 

1908: First airplane passenger flight in history took place at Kitty Hawk as the Wrights prepared to deliver their "Flyer" to the US government. Wilbur Wright piloted the machine and Charles Furnas, an employee, flew as passenger. (4) (21)

 

1923: The Army accepted the first PW-8 prototype. It evolved into the Curtiss Hawk series of biplane pursuit aircraft. The "W" designated water-cooled engine. (21)

 

1951: In a 1,000-pound Piper Pacer, Max Conrad set an unofficial nonstop transcontinental record for a light plane of 23 hours 4 minutes 21 seconds. (24)The ANG's 116 FBW received a warning order to prepare for a move to Europe to help shore up NATO against a possible attack by the Soviet Union. (McLearn, Republic F-84 Photo Chronicle, p 114.)

 

1963: The USAF's X-21A, a twin-jet laminar flow control aircraft, flew successfully for the first time with its slit wing mechanism in operation.

 

1969: Operation COMBAT MOSQUITO. USAF Southern Command personnel began a massive campaign to combat an encephalitis epidemic in Ecuador. Two C-141s flew 50 tons of pesticide there, where two UC-123s then sprayed the country's coastal marshes. The operation, involving the USAF, State Department, and Public Health officials, successfully eradicated 95 percent of the area's mosquitoes. (16) (21)

 

1970: The SECDEF ordered a halt to defoliation operations flown by the 12 SOS and its UC-123K aircraft at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam. This order ended the application of Agent Orange on Vietnam's jungles. (17)

 

1973: From Kennedy Space Center, a two-stage Saturn V launched Skylab 1 into orbit, where its two Solar Array System wings failed to deploy. The Skylab was America's first manned orbiting space station.

 

1974: The USAF/Northrop F-5F two-place fighter made its roll out at Hawthorne.

 

1979: The last ANG C-121 type aircraft, an EC-121 "Coronet Solo" operated by the193d Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (Pennsylvania), retired from service and flown to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. (Francillon, United States Air National Guard, p. 190)

 

1984: The 375 AAW accepted its first C-12F Huron, a militarized version of Beechcraft Super King B200C, for operational support airlift missions. The USAF ordered 40 C-12Fs as replacements for the T-39 Sabreliner. (18) (26)

 

2000: Boeing's RS-68 rocket engine completed a major milestone with a 160-second burn at 100 percent power during Air Force Research Laboratory tests at Edwards AFB. The liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen engine was being developed for the Delta IV family of launch vehicles. (3)

 

2001: The Boeing RS-68 rocket engine surpassed its previous records with a test run of 210 seconds at the Air Force Research Laboratory's ground test facility at Edwards AFB. (3)

 

2002: Twelve C-17 Globemaster IIIs from Charleston AFB launched shortly after daybreak to fly the largest C-17 formation in history. Aircrews assigned to the 437 AW and 315 AW (AFRC) flew the multi-ship formation over downtown Charleston, the Ashley River, and Charleston AFB to train for their strategic brigade airdrop mission. (22) An F-15E successfully attacked five targets with JDAMs on a single sortie. The F-15 released the JDAMs from 25,000 feet while flying at Mach .80. (30)

 

2003: AMC began the "Baghdad Express," a daily C-141 resupply mission from Ramstein AB to Baghdad IAP, Iraq. Two C-141s and two active-duty aircrews from the 305 AMW at McGuire AFB, N. J., and one aircrew from McGuire's 514 AMW (Reserve-Associate) were staged at Ramstein to fly the missions. (22)

 

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World News for 14 May thanks to Military Periscope

 

USA—DHS Establishes Domestic Extremism Unit Voice Of America News | 05/14/2021 The head of the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the formation of a new intelligence unit to focus on the threat of domestic violent extremism, reports the Voice of America News. On Wednesday, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the department had created a new unit and renamed its office focused on combating violent extremism to the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships. That office's resources would be increased, he said. The new team will have several full-time personnel, reported Politico (Washington, D.C.). There is growing concern about the threat of domestic terrorism, with some law enforcement officials warning that some extremists may have been emboldened by the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. In January, President Biden ordered the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to review the domestic terror threat. The ODNI released its assessment in March, warning that recent developments, including narratives of fraud around last year's election, the mob violence at the Capitol, the COVID-19 pandemic and conspiracy theories advocating violence, would likely spur some extremists to conduct attacks this year.

 

USA—Marine Artillery Officer Arrested For Role In Jan. 6 Assault On Capitol Marine Corps Times | 05/14/2021 Police have arrested an active-duty servicemember in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection for the first time, reports the Marine Corps Times. On Thursday, Marine Maj. Christopher Warnagiris of Woodbridge, Va., a field artillery officer, was arrested, according to a statement by federal prosecutors in the District of Columbia. Warnagiris, 40, was charged with multiple offenses including assaulting officers, obstructing law enforcement and obstruction of justice. He faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted, reported CNBC. He is currently assigned to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Staff Training Program at the Marine base in Quantico, Va. At least 440 people have been arrested since the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Warnagiris is the first active-duty servicemember arrested for his role in the assault. Numerous veterans and reserve servicemembers have previously been charged in connection with the attack.

 

USA—Stryker Mobile Gun Systems On The Way Out U.S. Army | 05/14/2021 The Army has announced that it will retire all its Stryker Mobile Gun Systems (MGS) over the next year. The wheeled armored vehicles, armed with a 105-mm cannon, are scheduled to be withdrawn from service by the end of fiscal 2022, the Army said in a release on Wednesday. The decision was made after a comprehensive analysis identified obsolescence and systemic issues with the main gun and autoloader. The MGS was the first Army system to feature an autoloader, which has become costly to maintain over time. Additionally, the system was built on the flat-bottom variant of the Stryker and never upgraded to the double-V hull configuration. Divesting the system will free up resources for other critical capabilities, the Army said. New Stryker capabilities, including the 30-mm Medium Caliber Weapon System, Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station-Javelin (CROWS-J) and anti-tank missile improvements can provide better distributed capability than the small MGS fleet, said the service. 

 

United Kingdom—Order Placed For New Chinook Heavy-Lift Helicopters U.K. Ministry Of Defense | 05/14/2021 The U.K. Ministry of Defense says it has finalized a deal for new heavy-lift helicopters. The 1.4 billion pound (US$2 billion) purchase through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program covers 14 H-47(ER) Chinooks, the ministry said in a release on Thursday. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026 and conclude by 2030, reported Defense News. The delivery schedule is about three years behind the ministry's original plans due to the prioritization of other needs, noted the newspaper. The new H-47 aircraft will be based out of RAF Odiham, which is home to the U.K.'s existing Chinook fleet. They will replace older Chinook variants and are intended primarily for special operations. 

 

Armenia—Prime Minister Accuses Azerbaijani Troops Of Fresh Border Incursion Agence France-Presse | 05/14/2021 The Armenian government has accused Azerbaijani forces of violating its southern border, reports Agence France-Presse. On Thursday, acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he had convened a meeting of the national security council after Azerbaijani forces advanced more than 2 miles (3 km) into Armenian territory and "laid siege" to Lake Sev Lich, which is shared by the two countries. Armenian troops responded with "appropriate tactical maneuvers," he said, but emphasized that the tensions should be resolved through negotiations. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry called Pashinyan's statements provocative and said that border troops were merely taking up their posts in the Lachin and Kalbajar districts, which were turned over to Azerbaijan under the cease-fire following last year's conflict. 

 

South Korea—Air Force Set To Join Red Flag Drills In Alaska Yonhap | 05/14/2021 The U.S. Air Force has invited Japan and South Korea to join its Red Flag air warfare exercises next month, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). Red Flag-Alaska 21-2 is scheduled for June 10-25 and would involve around 1,500 personnel and 100 aircraft, according to the U.S. Seventh Air Force. A South Korean air force officer told the news agency that the service was considering taking part in the drills and a decision was expected soon. If South Korea attends, Red Flag would be first major joint exercise involving the three nations under the Biden administration. Seoul last joined a Red Flag exercise in 2018. The Red Flag exercises are designed to provide integrated force training in a realistic threat environment. 

 

Philippines—Duterte Says Withdrawal From S. China Sea Not In The Offing Reuters | 05/14/2021 Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he will not pull back vessels from disputed areas of the South China Sea, reports Reuters. On Friday, Duterte delivered an address in which he ruled out withdrawing any assets deployed near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Manila has deployed additional vessels in its exclusive economic zone where scores of Chinese fishing boats believed to be crewed by maritime militia have been active. The president indicated that he would not back down even in the face of violence from Chinese naval, coast guard and militia vessels. He also withdrew previous statements that were critical of a 2016 arbitration ruling that supported Philippine claims to parts of the South China Sea. China has ignored that ruling and Duterte had floated the possibility of setting the decision aside to maintain better relations with Beijing. Duterte has also faced criticism at home for his accommodationist stance toward Beijing, including in the form a signature campaign by retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, reported the Rappler (Manila). 

 

New Zealand—Navy Seeks OPV For Southern Ocean Operations Defense News | 05/14/2021 The New Zealand Defense Force wants to procure an ice-strengthened offshore patrol vessel to operate in its southern waters, reports Defense News. The request for information seeks design and build solutions for an ice-strengthened OPV that can operate in the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea for at least four months a year. The document calls for a vessel measuring 295 feet to 377 feet (90 m to 115 m) with accommodation for up to 100 personnel, including 60 crew, 30 scientific staff and 10 aviation personnel. The ship is to have a flight deck and hangar, a top speed of at least 16 knots and a range of 12,000 nm at an average speed of 14 knots. Missions will include research, search-and-rescue, maritime interdiction and maritime resupply of the Auckland Islands and other sub-Arctic islands. Dutch shipbuilder Damen and Fincantieri's Norwegian subsidiary Vard Group are expected to respond to the RFI. Responses are due by June 14. 

 

Burma—Troops Raid Opposition Camp In Northwest Irrawaddy | 05/14/2021 Burmese troops have raided a camp in the northwestern Sagaing region used by civilian resistance forces fighting the military government, reports the Irrawaddy (Burma). On Thursday, about 100 soldiers entered the makeshift camp in Chaung-U township, briefly exchanging gunfire with supporters of Burma's ousted, democratically elected government. One fighter said that the soldiers fired aggressively, wounding an unknown number of rebels. At least five troops backing the junta were wounded. Other sources said five troops were killed in the clash. The military-owned Myawaddy television channel reported that two rebels were arrested and 220 homemade firearms, 24 air guns and 80 improvised explosive devices seized. Troops razed the site and seized food stored there. 

 

Afghanistan—U.S. Forces Leave Kandahar Airfield Stars And Stripes | 05/14/2021 U.S. troops have withdrawn from Kandahar Airfield, reports the Stars and Stripes. An anonymous U.S. defense official told the newspaper on Thursday that American personnel had withdrawn from the facility that once served as one of the largest NATO and coalition bases in the country. The source declined to identify precisely when the handover took place. An Afghan official said the transfer would not take place until after Eid Al Fitr, which ends on Saturday in Afghanistan. A spokesman for the army's 205th Atal Military Corps said that the withdrawal was unannounced and came as a surprise. A spokesman for the NATO-led coalition denied that the pullout was uncoordinated and said the defense ministry and 205th Corps had been notified. Some coalition troops would remain onsite for up to two days to address potential security concerns, said the U.S. official. 

 

Syria—Russian Naval Base In Tartus Set To Expand Voice Of America News | 05/14/2021 Russia is expanding the capabilities of its naval base in Tartus on Syria's Mediterranean coast, reports the Voice of America News. Russian military officials say a floating dock will be built at the facility to increase its ship repair capabilities. The dock is scheduled to be completed next year, reported Russia's Tass news agency. The expansion of the repair facilities is intended to enable Russian warships to receive maintenance at Tartus rather than having to travel to Russian bases in the Black Sea. Russia signed a deal with the Syrian government in 2017 to lease the base free of charge for 49 years. Under the agreement, Russia retains sovereign jurisdiction over the naval facility and can keep up to a dozen warships, including nuclear-powered vessels, there. The announcement comes shortly after the Russian military completed extending a runway at the Hmeimim airbase, its main military base in the region. 

 

Israel—Energy Ministry Orders Halt To Ops At Tamar Offshore Gas Platform Times of Israel | 05/14/2021 The Israeli Energy Ministry has ordered a stop to operations at the Tamar gas platform off the coast of southern Israel, reports the Times of Israel. On Wednesday, Chevron announced that it was shutting down operations at the platform and had depressurized systems at the ministry's request. The platform is about 14 miles (23 km) off the coast of Ashkelon, which has been a significant target for rockets fired by militants in the Gaza Strip. The shutdown was ordered on Tuesday as an extra precaution by Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz's office following consultations with security officials and energy experts, the office said in a statement. Measures have been taken to ensure the continued supply of gas to prevent a power supply disruption, according to the office. On Wednesday, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, claimed that it had targeted an Israeli gas platform off the coast of Gaza. Chevron officials emphasized that operations in the Leviathan gas field off the northern coast of Israel have not been affected. 

 

Israel—Israel Shipyards Wins Asian Order For Shaldag Mk V Patrol Boats Israel Shipyards | 05/14/2021 Israel Shipyards has received a contract to supply a small patrol vessel to an east Asian customer, reports the manufacturer. The contract covers the supply of one Shaldag Mk V patrol boat, as well as some knowledge transfer and upgrades for the customer's shipyard, the company said in a release on Wednesday. Israel Shipyards will also provide training on the construction and maintenance of the type. The patrol boat will be armed with a remotely operated weapon station and may be equipped with guided missiles, reported Navy Recognition. The customer is believed to be the Philippines, reported the Asian Military Review. The Philippine Defense Dept. issued a notice of award to Israel Shipyards for eight unspecified missile-capable fast attack interdiction craft in February. 

 

Israel—IDF Denies Reports That It Invaded Gaza Cable News Network | 05/14/2021 The Israel Defense Forces says no ground troops have entered the Gaza Strip as fighting with Palestinian factions in the enclave enters its fifth day, reports CNN. On Thursday, the Israeli military issued an ambiguous statement, saying that air and ground assets were attacking targets in Gaza. An Israeli military spokesman later clarified that no Israeli troops were in Gaza, after media reported that a ground operation had begun. Israel has called up about 7,000 reservists. The buildup of a single division's worth of infantry and armor to date is not sufficient for a ground operation, analysts said. The military statement may have been intentionally deceptive, reported the Jerusalem Post. Shortly after its release, about 160 Israeli aircraft attacked the Hamas tunnel network in Gaza. Reports of a ground invasion had caused Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) to send their front-line fighters to the tunnels to prepare. Other strikes killed Hamas military official Ayman Nepal, destroyed a PIJ cell operating in north Gaza and destroyed a Hamas anti-tank unit in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood. Since Monday, Palestinian factions have launched around 1,800 rockets, of which 430 failed to reach Israel, the IDF said. At least 119 people have been killed in Gaza, including 31 children and 19 women, and 830 injured, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. Israeli officials say some of those were killed by errant militant rockets. Separately, at least three rockets were fired into Israel from southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah maintains a presence, reported the New Arab (London). The Shi'ite militant group denied any involvement. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that Israel has put no time limit on the operation against militants in Gaza. 

 

Ethiopia—Ethiopian, Eritrean Troops Block Aid In Tigray Cable News Network | 05/14/2021 Troops from Ethiopia and Eritrea are preventing the delivery of aid in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, contributing to an ongoing humanitarian crisis, reports CNN. The blockade has severely disrupted the ability of the U.N. to deliver aid, especially to hard-to-reach rural areas, a U.N. spokeswoman said on Thursday. Eritrean soldiers in the Tigray region, including some disguising themselves in old Ethiopian uniforms, have been preventing the distribution of aid and, in some cases, stealing it. Humanitarian workers say that famine may have arrived in some rural areas, but that they are unable to verify due to military blockades. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed pledged in April that the Eritrean soldiers would depart Tigray. Around 5.2 million people in Tigray, out of a population of 5.7 million, are in need of emergency food assistance, according to the Ethiopian government. 

 

Venezuela—Colombian Militants Capture Soldiers In Apure State Anadolu News Agency | 05/14/2021 A dissident faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group says that it wants to return a group of captured Venezuelan soldiers, reports the Anadolu Agency (Ankara). On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that it had received a letter from the Martin Villa 10th Front, a faction of approximately 50 guerillas who refused to comply with the 2016 peace deal in Colombia. In the letter, the group asked the ICRC to serve as an intermediary to hand over the Venezuelan soldiers. The eight soldiers were kidnapped in Venezuela's Apure state along the border with Colombia on April 23, the Martin Villa 10th Front said. Fighting between the Venezuelan government and Colombia-based armed groups started on March 21 and has since forced at least 5,000 people to flee their homes in Venezuela. At least 16 soldiers and nine rebels have been killed in the fighting.