Good Thursday Morning July 15
I hope that your week has been going well
Regards
Skip
This Day in Navy and Marine Corps History:
July 15
1862
While CSS Arkansas makes her way down the Yazoo River, she encounters the Union gunboats USS Carondelet, USS Tyler, and USS Queen of the West. In the ensuing battle, CSS Arkansas damages the first two vessels and makes her way into the Mississippi River, where she boldly fights through the Federal fleet to find refuge at the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg, Miss.
1896
USS Oregon (BB 3) is commissioned.
1942
USS Grunion (SS 216) sinks the Japanese submarine chasers (25 and 26) off Kiska, Aleutian Islands.
1942
USS Terror (CM 5), the first minelayer built as such, is commissioned. During World War II she participates in Operation Torch, the Battle for Iwo Jima, and the Okinawa Invasion, where she is struck by a kamikaze on May 1, 1945.
1943
TBF aircraft from (VC 29) from USS Santee (CVE 29) sinks German submarine (U 509) south of the Azores.
1943
PBY (VP 92) and British destroyer HMS Rochester and frigates HMS Mignonette and HMS Balsam sink German submarine (U 135) west of the Canary Islands. Previously, (U 135) sank 3 and damaged 1 Allied vessels, none from the United States.
2017
The guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) is commissioned in a ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The ship honors Chief Aviation Ordnanceman John Finn, who received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the first attack by Japanese airplanes at Pearl Harbor.
Thanks to CHINFO
Executive Summary:
• Trade and regional press reported on the start of exercise Talisman Sabre.
• Multiple outlets reported on Secretary of State Antony Blinken's rejection of China's SCS claims during an address to ASEAN counterparts.
• Washington Post highlighted a GAO report about the military's efforts to reduce deadly rollovers.
• Trade press reported the Navy is on track to eliminate the strike fighter aircraft shortfall by 2025.
This day in History
1099 Jerusalem falls to the Crusaders.
1410 Poles and Lithuanians defeat the Teutonic knights at Tannenberg, Prussia.
1685 The Duke of Monmouth is executed in Tower Hill in England.
1789 The electors of Paris set up a "Commune" to live without the authority of the government.
1806 Lieutenant Zebulon Pike begins his western expedition from Fort Belle Fontaine.
1813 Napoleon Bonaparte's representatives meet with the Allies in Prague to discuss peace terms.
1834 Lord Napier of England arrives at Macao, China, as the first chief superintendent of trade.
1863 Confederate raider Bill Anderson and his Bushwhackers attack Huntsville, Missouri, stealing $45,000 from the local bank.
1895 Ex-prime minister of Bulgaria, Stepfan Stambolov, is murdered by Macedonian rebels.
1901 Over 74,000 Pittsburgh steel workers go on strike.
1942 The first supply flight from India to China over the 'Hump' is flown.
1958 President Dwight Eisenhower sends 5,000 Marines to Lebanon to keep the peace.
1960 John F. Kennedy accepts the Democratic nomination for president.
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Al should be home tomorrow if thing go well so I pulled this one out of the Archives for your Monday Morning Humor fix from Al for this week…..skip
Thanks to Al
Submitted by Dave Harris:
..
Ain't it true?
If I had a dollar for every girl that found me unattractive, they'd eventually find me attractive.
I find it ironic that the colors red, white, and blue stand for freedom, until they're flashing behind you.
I changed my password to "incorrect" so whenever I forget it the computer will say, "Your password is incorrect."
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
I hate it when people use big words just to make themselves sound perspicacious.
Hospitality is the art of making guests feel like they're at home when you wish they were.
Television may insult your intelligence, but nothing rubs it in like a computer.
Every time someone comes up with a foolproof solution, along comes a more-talented fool.
Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.
If you keep your feet firmly on the ground, you'll have trouble putting on your pants.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
When I married Ms. Right, I had no idea her first name was Always.
There may be no excuse for laziness, but I'm still looking.
Women spend more time wondering what men are thinking than men spend thinking.
Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
He who laughs last thinks slowest.
Is it wrong that only one company makes the game Monopoly?
I was going to give him a nasty look, but he already had one.
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
The grass may be greener on the other side but at least you don't have to mow it.
I was going to wear my camouflage shirt today, but I couldn't find it.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
If tomatoes are technically a fruit, is ketchup a smoothie?
Money is the root of all wealth.
No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
Women sometimes make fools of men, but most guys are the do-it-yourself type.
Submitted by Mark Logan:
My ability to remember song lyrics from the 60s far exceeds my ability to remember why I walked into the kitchen.
As I watched the dog chasing his tail, I thought dogs are easily amused. Then I realized I was watching the dog chase his tail.
First rule of cleaning while listening to music…the toilet brush is never the microphone, never!
Sometimes I shock myself with the smart stuff I say and do. Other times, I try to get out of the car with my seat belt on.
The perks of being my friend is that you'll be the normal one.
Not only did I fall off the 'diet wagon', I dragged it into the woods, set it on fire, and used the insurance money to buy cupcakes.
I set out to lose ten pounds this month…only fifteen to go.
I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally.
Sometimes someone unexpected comes into your life out of nowhere, makes your heart race, and changes you forever…We call these people cops.
The main function of the little toe on your foot is to make sure that all the furniture in the house is in place.
Submitted by Greg Madsen and Don Mills:
Signs at the Indian Hills Community Center in Colorado…
Dogs can't operate MRI scanners but catscan.
Our mountains aren't just funny, they're hill areas.
Turning vegan would be a big missed steak.
Well, to be frank, I'd have to change my name.
Forget world peace; visualize using your turn signal.
Life is short. If you can't laugh at yourself, call me, I will.
Ban pre-shredded cheese. Make America grate again.
Electricians have to strip to make ends meet.
For chemists, alcohol is not a problem, it's a solution.
My mood ring is missing and I don't know how I feel about that.
I scream. You scream. The police come…it's awkward.
I'm friends with 25 letters of the alphabet…I don't know Y.
Cow stumbles into a pot field! The steaks have never been higher.
Crushing pop cans is soda pressing.
In search of fresh vegetable puns. Lettuce know.
Big shout out to my fingers. I can always count on them.
Irony…the opposite of wrinkly.
Tried to grab the fog. I mist.
If you suck at playing the trumpet, that's probably why.
When you're down by the sea and an eel bites your knee, that's a moray.
Submitted by Saundra Cima:
I thought growing old would take longer.
Sometimes the first step towards forgiveness is realizing the other person was born an idiot.
I finally realized it…People are prisoners of their phones, that's why they are called 'cell' phones.
I wonder what people who txt "u" instead of "you" do with all their spare time.
How many boxes of these Thin Mints do I have to eat before I start seeing results?
Growing old is hard work…The mind says "yes" but the body says "what the #3!! Are you thinking?"
My bed is a magical place where I can suddenly remember everything I was supposed to do.
Why did the cows return to the marijuana field? It was the pot calling the cattle back.
There are times when my greatest accomplishment is just keeping my mouth shut.
I had a goldfish that could break dance on the carpet…but only for like 20 seconds…and only once.
The closest I ever got to a 4.0 in college was my blood alcohol content.
I live in my own little world, but it's OK. Everyone knows me there.
I saw a very large woman wearing a sweatshirt with "Guess" on it. I said, "Left Tackle?"
I don't do drugs. I find I get the same effect just by standing up really fast.
I don't like political jokes. I've seen too many get elected.
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
If life deals you lemons, make lemonade. If life deals you tomatoes, make Bloody Mary's.
Shopping tip: You can get shoes for a buck at bowling alleys.
Every day I beat my previous record of consecutive days I've stayed alive.
No one ever says, "It's only a game!" when their team's winning.
Marriage changes passion…suddenly you're in bed with a relative.
Why is it that most nudists are people you don't want to see naked?
Snowmen fall from heaven unassembled.
Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can't even get into my own pants.
I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose fitting clothing. If I had any loose fitting clothing, I wouldn't need the freakin' class!
Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.
Wouldn't you know it! Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.
Why is it that our children can't read a Bible in school, but they can in prison.
Have a great week,
Al
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Thanks to DR and Rich
Subject: Push has come to Shove - brace, brace, brace
Hi to all -
Texas
Lots going on there right now. All the democrats ran away, so that the legislature would not have a quorum, and could not vote on 'greatest threat since the civil war', as Biden expressed it, that is, showing ID to vote! Now, this is not a spur of the moment thing. Someone did a lot of planning and preparation, and put up a lot of money to do this. Why, these fifty democrats had packed their bags, hopped on busses, which just happened to be available, and which took them to their two private jets, where they had to show ID to board. Of course, no masks for them on this flight of courage and bravery. But plenty of good food and drink. All in preparation for the nice hotels in Washington DC, where they plan to hide out until the legislature completes its session. Of course, Governor Abbot says he will arrest them on their return, call the legislature back into session, and force them to do their job. Wonder what Plan B is for the democrats? It must be a good one.
But, while in DC, they plan to lobby for the 'for the people' bill, which codifies fraud in elections, so they don't have to deal with ID and such in the future. The DOJ is suing Georgia over its voter ID law, which is much more mild than the law in Delaware, home of Biden.
Meanwhile, abortion activists in Texas are suing the state over the 'fetal heartbeat' law passed there. The law says that once a heartbeat is present, it is no longer an abortion, but something else. Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for Reproductive Rights have all banded together to claim that this 'will deciminate abortion access', since heartbeats can be heard at about six weeks, often before the woman (yes, only women can actually get pregnant, not matter how they identify) even knows she is pregnant. I believe that the intent of this is to stop murdering babies for money, which is what the activists want. These activists never mention the rights of the baby - 'the right to life' is after all, the first thing in our Declaration of Independence. But, like all such people, they believe they know better than God himself.
Teachers Unions
They have their own lobby. They want to exclude parents from any voice in how their children are educated. See, parents only role is to house, feed, clothe, medicate and raise children. They have no business deciding what or how they are taught. Just try calling your teacher at 2 am and demanding that they come to your home and care for a sick child! The unpleasant stuff is for you parents, not their indoctrination.
NYC
The Principal of the High School for Law and Public Service (sounds like another oxymoron, to me), Paula Lev, decided that white people were the problem, and vowed to get rid of all white teachers and staff. But, this plan leaked out, and those teachers and staff were not amused. The facility held a vote of 'no confidence' - with 83% of staff concurring, and now this will go to higher authority. The DOE is totally silent, of course. What was that about civil rights?
Utah
The Culper Precision company makes accessories for firearms, introduced out a colorful 'skin' for Glock 19 pistols that looks like Lego Blocks. Colors of yellow, green, red and blue. Very decorative, but a lot of folks objected to making guns look like toys - it might lead to accidental shootings by children.
Biden
He wants the government to control the reporting and management of your credit scores. If this does not scare you, nothing ever will. His plan will turn credit scores from financial history and practices, to the CCP style 'Social Credit' score. Imagine, if you will, being denied credit to buy something, because you object to the latest politically correct policy of the government. Get the vax, or you cannot buy that car....
Speaking of the vax...
I was thinking about this whole thing, all the pressure to make everyone take this, even those with little or no risk, etc. My thoughts drifted into two lanes. Lane One is good, old fashioned greed. The drug companies hated Trump, because he demanded that they charge the same price for their products here in the US, as they charge in other countries. For example, I knew a person who used an inhaler. Each time a new one was needed, it cost about $85. But, on a trip to Mexico, he found that same inhaler, over the counter, from the same company, in the same box, manufactured in the same plant, etc. etc. for all of $2.00. So, naturally, he stocked up. This kind of thing is common, which is why there has been so much effort over the years to make this 'taxpayer funded'. That will not reduce the price, it just makes it into welfare for the rich, at your expense.
So, the initial shot is free, or nearly so. But, the companies want you to take a booster, or two, or three, or even four. Each booster costs about $200. Whether or not it comes from your pocket directly, or via insurance or government, makes no difference to the companies. If they sell a million booster shots, they make $200 million dollars. But, we have 350 million people in the nation. If all are forced to take the shot, and boosters, well, that is enough money to choke a democrat.
Lane Two is more sinister. Bill Gates, not a doctor, but a big sponsor of these vaccines, especially Moderna, is a eugenicist. He wants to reduce the population of the earth by 15%, as he said, to 'save the planet'. Well, the death toll with this vaccine exceeds all others used for the last 25 years, and we have no idea how many more will be so affected. But, wait, as they say on TV, there is more. What else is in these vaccines? Lots of tales of genetic mutations, nano particles and 'spikes' with all sorts of strange effects. Okay, so what if all that is just hot air? Is it possible that there is something about this vax that will open a 'back door' for some later version, yet to be administered? We do not know, and no one in the medical community, nor government, is telling us the truth. But anyone who questions the conventional wisdom is being shut down, censored, fired, and more. Not exactly the scientific method, now is it? And, if all was on the up and up, why would that be needed?
Speaking of scientific method, the CDC has said that children do not need masks at school. But Fauci, that great scientist, disagrees, and demands that children wear masks, forever. Isn't he the same one who said that once people were vaccinated, and the pandemic crested and declined, as it is doing, things like masks would not be needed or required. Was he lying then, or is he lying now? It cannot be both ways. Senator Dirbin agrees. He thinks that anyone who questions the wisdom of this week is a 'domestic enemy'. Kind of the same manner of speaking that Biden just used. Looks like we are getting set to attack all those 'enemies of the people.' Just like in Eastern Europe.
Department of Energy
They awarded a lot of money to a company called Protera, to build electric busses for our cities. A lot of money. But, so far, busses ordered two or three years ago have not been delivered. This was a small company, with no history of making stuff that worked. But, as it turns out, the head of the DOE owned a lot of stock in that company, and stood to make a fortune if it got all those grants, etc. The lady was embarrassed when this minor conflict of interest was revealed, and sold her 250,000 shares to an unknown buyer.
The left must complete its agenda before next year at this time, in order to secure that election. There are some real challengers coming after several key jobs, so the pressure is on. We need to be aware, and prepare to stand our ground, and support those who support us.
Rich
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear
LOOKING BACK 55-YEARS to the Vietnam Air War— … For The List for Thursday, 15 July 2021… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post of 15 July 1966… "The Circumspect Defense versus the-not-so-Audacious Attack"
This following work accounts for every fixed wing loss of the Vietnam War and you can use it to read more about the losses in The Bear's Daily account. Even better it allows you to add your updated information to the work to update for history…skip
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…….July 15
1941 – Master spy Juan Pujol Garcia, nicknamed "Garbo," sends his first communique to Germany from Britain. The question was: Who was he spying for? Juan Garcia, a Spaniard, ran an elaborate multiethnic spy network that included a Dutch airline steward, a British censor for the Ministry of Information, a Cabinet office clerk, a U.S. soldier in England, and a Welshman sympathetic to fascism. All were engaged in gathering secret information on the British-Allied war effort, which was then transmitted back to Berlin. Garcia was in the pay of the Nazis. The Germans knew him as "Arabel," whereas the English knew him as Garbo. The English knew a lot more about him, in fact, than the Germans, as Garcia was a British double agent. None of Garcia's spies were real, and the disinformation he transmitted to Germany was fabricated-phony military "secrets" that the British wanted planted with the Germans to divert them from genuine military preparations and plans. Among the most effective of Garcia's deceptions took place in June 1944, when he managed to convince Hitler that the D-Day invasion of Normandy was just a "diversionary maneuver designed to draw off enemy reserves in order to make a decisive attack in another place"-playing right into the mindset of German intelligence, which had already suspected that this might be the case. (Of course, it wasn't.) Among the "agents" that Garcia employed in gathering this "intelligence" was Donny, leader of the World Aryan Order; Dick, an "Indian fanatic"; and Dorick, a civilian who lived at a North Sea port. All these men were inventions of Garcia's imagination, but they leant authenticity to his reports back to Berlin–so much so that Hitler, while visiting occupied France, awarded Garcia the Iron Cross for his service to the fatherland. That same year, 1944, Garcia received his true reward, the title of MBE-Member of the British Empire–for his service to the England and the Allied cause. This ingenious Spaniard had proved to be one of the Allies' most successful counterintelligence tools.
1942 – The first supply flight from India to China over the 'Hump' was flown to help China's war effort.
1943 – General Griswold replaces General Hester in command of operation in New Georgia. There is an air battle over Rendova in which the Americans lose 3 aircraft and claim to shoot down more than 40 Japanese planes.
1945 – American naval vessels bombard Muroran, the second biggest steel center in Japan, lying in Volcano Bay on the east side of the island of Hokkaido. Three battleships bombarded the Muroran and some 1000 carrier planes bombed the cities of Hakodati, Otaru, Abashiri, Kushiro, Asahigawa and Obihiro, all on Hokkaido.
1945 – American B-29 Superfortress bombers, based in the Marianna Islands, raided an oil refinery at Kudamatsu on Honshu Island while fighters and bombers from Okinawa attacked objectives on Kyushu and southern Honshu.
1950 – F-80s accounted for 85 percent of the enemy's losses to air attack. Far East Air Forces Commander, Lieutenant General George E. Stratemeyer, stated that he wouldn't trade the F-80 for all the F-47s and F-51s he could get. "It does a wonderful job in ground support and can take care of the top-side job if enemy jets appear."
1953 – U.S. Air Force Captain James Jabara, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, qualified as the second and last "triple ace" of the war — 15 kills. He also was the second ranking jet ace of the war.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
MORRISON, JOHN G.
Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Entered service at: Lansingburg, N.Y. Born: 3 November 1842, Ireland G.O. No.: 59, 22 June 1865. Citation: Serving as coxswain on board the U.S.S. Carondelet, Morrison was commended for meritorious conduct in general and especially for his heroic conduct and his inspiring example to the crew in the engagement with the rebel ram Arkansas, Yazoo River, 15 July 1862. When the Carondelet was badly cut up, several of her crew killed, many wounded and others almost suffocated from the effects of escaped steam, Morrison was the leader when boarders were called on deck, and the first to return to the guns and give the ram a broadside as she passed. His presence of mind in time of battle or trial is reported as always conspicuous and encouraging.
ROBINSON, THOMAS
Rank and organizarion: Captain of the Afterguard, U.S. Navy. Born: 17 May 1837, Norway. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 77, 1 August 1866. Citation: For heroic efforts to save from drowning Wellington Brocar, landsman, of the Tallapoosa, off New Orleans, 15 July 1866.
BUCHANAN, DAVID M.
Rank and organization: Apprentice, U.S. Navy. Born: 1862, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 246, 22 July 1879. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Saratoga off Battery, New York Harbor, 15 July 1879. On the morning of this date, Robert Lee Robey, apprentice, fell overboard from the after part of the ship into the tide which was running strong ebb at the time and, not being an expert swimmer, was in danger of drowning. Instantly springing over the rail after him, Buchanan never hesitated for an instant to remove even a portion of his clothing. Both men were picked up by the ship's boat following this act of heroism.
HAYDEN, JOHN
Rank and organization: Apprentice, U.S. Navy. Born: 1863, Washington, D.C. Accredited to: Washington, D.C. G.O. No.: 246, 22 July 1879. Citation: On board the U.S. Training Ship Saratoga. On the morning of 15 July 1879, while the Saratoga was anchored off the Battery, in New York Harbor, R. L. Robey, apprentice, fell overboard. As the tide was running strong ebb, the man, not being an expert swimmer, was in danger of drowning. David M. Buchanan, apprentice, instantly, without removing any of his clothing, jumped after him. Stripping himself, Hayden stood coolly watching the 2 in the water, and when he thought his services were required, made a dive from the rail and came up alongside them and rendered assistance until all 3 were picked up by a boat from the ship.
HAYS, GEORGE PRICE
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army 10th Field Artillery, 3d Division. Place and date: Near Greves Farm, France, 14-15 July 1918. Entered service at: Okarche, Oklahoma. Born: 27 September 1892, China. G.O. No.: 34, W.D., 1919. Citation: At the very outset of the unprecedented artillery bombardment by the enemy, his line of communication was destroyed beyond repair. Despite the hazard attached to the mission of runner, he immediately set out to establish contact with the neighboring post of command and further establish liaison with 2 French batteries, visiting their position so frequently that he was mainly responsible for the accurate fire therefrom. While thus engaged, 7 horses were shot under him and he was severely wounded. His activity under most severe fire was an important factor in checking the advance of the enemy.
Another Nise
*OTANI, KAZUO
Staff Sergeant Kazuo Otani distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 15 July 1944, near Pieve Di S. Luce, Italy. Advancing to attack a hill objective, Staff Sergeant Otani's platoon became pinned down in a wheat field by concentrated fire from enemy machine gun and sniper positions. Realizing the danger confronting his platoon, Staff Sergeant Otani left his cover and shot and killed a sniper who was firing with deadly effect upon the platoon. Followed by a steady stream of machine gun bullets, Staff Sergeant Otani then dashed across the open wheat field toward the foot of a cliff, and directed his men to crawl to the cover of the cliff. When the movement of the platoon drew heavy enemy fire, he dashed along the cliff toward the left flank, exposing himself to enemy fire. By attracting the attention of the enemy, he enabled the men closest to the cliff to reach cover. Organizing these men to guard against possible enemy counterattack, Staff Sergeant Otani again made his way across the open field, shouting instructions to the stranded men while continuing to draw enemy fire. Reaching the rear of the platoon position, he took partial cover in a shallow ditch and directed covering fire for the men who had begun to move forward. At this point, one of his men became seriously wounded. Ordering his men to remain under cover, Staff Sergeant Otani crawled to the wounded soldier who was lying on open ground in full view of the enemy. Dragging the wounded soldier to a shallow ditch, Staff Sergeant Otani proceeded to render first aid treatment, but was mortally wounded by machine gun fire. Staff Sergeant Otani's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for July 15, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
15 July
1920: KEY EVENT. Capt St. Clair Street led a flight of four DH-4s from Mitchel Field, New York, to Nome, Alaska, and back to Mitchel Field, covering 8,690 miles in 110 flying hours. (U.S. Air Service, "To Nome and Back," Clifford A. Tinker, Vol 3, No. 5) 1925: Dr. A. Hamilton Rice's Expedition, with Lt Walter Hinton piloting the Curtiss Seagull plane, returned from the Amazon after discovering the headwaters of the Amazon River. Rice's expedition was the first to use a plane for exploring. (24)
1933: Through 22 July, Wiley Post completed the first solo global flight in a Lockheed Vega, the "Winnie Mae." He flew the 15,596 miles in 7 days 18 hours 49 minutes at an average speed of 134.5 MPH. (9) (20)
1950: KOREAN WAR. The 51 FS (Provisional) at Taegu flew the first F-51 Mustang combat missions in Korea. Fifth Air Force assigned the "Mosquito" call signs to airborne controllers in T-6 aircraft. This name later became the aircraft's identifier. (28)
1952: KOREAN WAR. Fifth Air Force fighter-bombers flew approximately 175 sorties against the Sungho-ri cement plant and a nearby locomotive repair facility. (28)
1954: The first jet-powered transport built in the US, the Boeing 707, the prototype for the KC-135 Stratotanker and the commercial Stratoliner, underwent flight testing near Seattle. (16) (24)
1958: Operation BLUE BAT. After the Iraqi government fell, tensions increased in Lebanon. This strain led Lebanon's President to seek US security assistance. TAC dispatched its Composite Air Strike Force BRAVO to the Middle East in 12 hours. By the 8 September end of the crisis, MATS aircraft had moved 5,500 passengers and 5,500 tons of cargo in 314 missions to support the strike force. (2) (24) 1961: The 341 SMW activated at Malmstrom AFB as SAC's first silo-based Minuteman wing. (1) (6)
1965: The Air Force awarded the first Minuteman III R&D contract to Boeing. (6)
1968: Commercial air service between the US and USSR began when an Ilyushin-62 aircraft of the Soviet flag carrier Aeroflot left Moscow. The aircraft landed at Kennedy IAP on 16 July after a 13-hour, 17-minute flight via Montreal. Pan American World Airways, the US flag carrier, flew two Boeing 707s from New York on 16 July to Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport via Copenhagen.
1970: Deputy SECDEF David Packard approved the Subsonic Cruise Aircraft Decoy (SCAD) for development. (6)
1973: LAST SEA COMBAT MISSION/VIETNAM SUMMARY. All US bombing in Cambodia ended after eight years of conventional operations in SEA. An A-7D from 354 TFW flew the last combat mission in SEA. Altogether, the USAF flew 5.25 million sorties over South Vietnam, North Vietnam, northern and southern Laos, and Cambodia. The USAF lost 2,251 planes—1,737 to hostile action and 514 for operational reasons—at a cost of $3,129,948,000. During the Vietnam War, tactical or intratheater airlift carried 7 million tons of passengers and cargo between 1962-1973. The Air Force Reserve made valuable contributions to strategic airlift operation. By October 1972, reserve aircrews had made 1,294 trips to Vietnam, delivering 30,434 tons of cargo and 3,600 personnel. Between 1964 and mid-August 1973, air rescue operations in Southeast Asia saved 3,883 lives. And from 9 June 1964 through 15 August 1973, KC-135s flew 194,687 sorties to supply 8,964 million pounds of fuel during 813,878 refuelings. They also routinely airlifted people, equipment, and aircraft parts between the US, forward bases, and bases in the Far East and Southeast Asia. (16) (26)
1975: Apollo XVIII. Astronauts Thomas Stafford, Vance Brand, and Donald "Deke" Slayton launched from Cape Canaveral to meet up with the Soyuz 19 cosmonauts. Mr. Slayton, at 51, became the oldest man to fly in space. He was also one of the original seven astronauts. This Apollo mission, when it ended on 24 July, was the last US manned space mission until the first space shuttle launch in 1981. (8: Jul 90)
1976: Mather AFB started interservice navigator training for Navy and Marine personnel. (16) (26)
1981: The first TR-1, a high-altitude tactical reconnaissance aircraft rolled out at Lockheed's plant in Palmdale. (12)
1982: SAC launched its 1,500 missile from Vandenberg AFB. (16) (26)
1985: Exercise READEX 85-2. Two B-52s from the 42 BMW simulated Harpoon launches as part of this US Atlantic Command exercise. The event marked the first Full Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) of the Harpoon anti-ship missile. (16) (26)
1998: Raytheon Aircraft Company's first T-6A Texan II aircraft, or the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS), successfully completed its initial flight at Wichita, Kan. To meet Air Force and Navy primary aircraft training needs, the DoD decided to buy 740 T-6A aircraft, along with the accompanying JPATS Ground Based Training System. (AFNEWS Article 981039, 17 Jul 98)
2000: Whiteman AFB received the final B-2A from Northrop Grumman. It was the first test vehicle (AV-1 or Tail No. 82-1066), named Fatal Beauty. With its assignment to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, the aircraft received a new name, Spirit of America. (21)
2002: The first production C-17 (P-86), fitted with the Block 13 software upgrade, arrived at McChord AFB. The Block 13 upgrade included a state-of-the-art Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) and improved Station Keeping Equipment (SKE). The TAWS featured a terrain map to help aircrews detect and avoid terrain, while the upgraded SKE had a multi-functional display that enabled 18 aircraft to fly in formation within 10 nautical miles and up to 100 aircraft to fly in formation within 100 nautical miles. The new SKEs also allowed C-17 aircrews to perform formation airdrops in nearly all types of weather. (22)
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World News for 15 July thanks to Military Periscope
USA—2 More Autonomous Ships To Be Delivered in 2022 USNI News | 07/15/2021 The Navy expects to receive an additional pair of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for its testing fleet next year, reports USNI News. The two Overlord USVs are under construction on the Gulf Coast and are expected to be launched and undergo a test and trial period in fiscal 2022, Capt. Pete Small, the Navy program manager for USVs told reporters on Tuesday. The vessels are expected to be delivered by the end of fiscal 2022. The first two USVs developed by the Pentagon's Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) are also slated to transfer to the Navy by the end of 2022. The Navy has not confirmed the industry team for the new vessels, but the first two Overlord vessels were converted from commercial vessels by Gibbs & Cox and L3 ASV under a 2018 contract. The industry team for the two new vessels is the same as the initial pair, said USNI News. All four USVs are based on offshore support vessels designed for the oil and gas industry and modified to be operated remotely from a shore-based ground-control station. The Navy and SCO have partnered since 2019 to expand their understanding of USV operations through testing, including an October 2020 transit of the Overlord ship Ranger through the Panama Canal, the first time a USV had sailed through the canal, reported the Navy Times. The second Overlord USV, Nomad, passed through the canal in June. Both vessels were crewed for the trip through the canal. The Ranger and Nomad are scheduled to be turned over to the Navy's Surface Development Squadron in January 2022. Until then, the SCO will continue to evaluate the vessels in support of the Navy's Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle (LUSV) concept.
USA—Justice Dept. Reveals Iranian Plot To Kidnap Activist In N.Y. Dept. Of Justice | 07/15/2021 The U.S. government has charged four Iranian nationals working for the Iranian government with plotting to kidnap a U.S.-based journalist and human-rights activist critical of the regime in Tehran, reports the Dept. of Justice (DOJ). On Tuesday, the indictments against Alireza Shavaroghi Farahani, Mahmoud Khazein, Kiya Sadeghi, Omid Noori and a U.S.-based co-conspirator, Niloufar Bahadorifar, were unsealed in a New York federal court. Farahani, an Iranian intelligence official residing in Iran, directed a network involving the other three Iran-based intelligence operatives that was trying to kidnap the journalist, a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin who had publicized human-rights abuses by the Iranian government, and forcibly take them to Iran. The Iranians were charged with conspiracies related to kidnapping; sanctions violations; bank and wire fraud; and money laundering. Bahodorifar, an Iranian national residing in California, faced additional structuring charges for providing financial services that supported the plot. The Justice Dept. did not identify the intended target. Exiled Iranian journalist and women's rights activist Masih Alinejad confirmed that she was the intended target in a social media post, reported the Washington Post. The group researched how to smuggle Alinejad out of the country by sea to Venezuela and conducted surveillance of her on several occasions in 2020 and 2021 using private investigators. They also attempted to lure her to a third country for capture and rendition to Iran. Bahadorifar was arrested in California. The other four reside in Iran and are unlikely to be detained or face trial.
USA—Thousands Of Afghan Interpreters To Be Relocated USA Today | 07/15/2021 The U.S. will soon begin evacuating thousands of Afghan interpreters and translators and their families, reports USA Today. On Wednesday, the White House announced that it was launching "Operation Allies Refuge" to relocate the interpreters and their families while their visa applications are vetted. The first flights out of Afghanistan are expected to begin in late July. The operation is being coordinated by the State, Defense and Homeland Security departments, reported the Washington Post. The initial evacuation is expected to include about 2,500 people, to be housed in military facilities in the U.S. or abroad, an unnamed official told Reuters. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in June that about 18,000 Afghans had expressed interest in a special visa program for interpreters and translators, with half already having completed the necessary paperwork. A State Dept. spokesman said that additional resources had been allocated to help accelerate the processing of visa applications.
United Kingdom—Queen Elizabeth Carrier Group Catches COVID Sky News | 07/15/2021 Scores of sailors aboard ships in the British Royal Navy's carrier strike group that is in the middle of a global voyage have caught the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reports Sky News (U.K.). More than 100 crewmembers aboard the carrier Queen Elizabeth have been infected along with sailors on four Royal Navy ships escorting the carrier. There are about 3,700 personnel in the strike group. The cases, first identified on July 4, are believed to be linked to a stopover at Limassol in Cyprus, reported the Anadolu Agency (Ankara). Measures to curb the outbreak include mask-wearing, social distancing and a track-and-trace system, said a defense ministry spokeswoman cited by BBC News. All crew assigned to the deployment have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, limiting the effects on the sailors, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said. Wallace emphasized that there were no plans to cut short the Queen Elizabeth's maiden deployment, but that he would support the captain to make the best decision for the ship.
Netherlands—Crime Reporter Succumbs To Injuries After Shooting Guardian | 07/15/2021 Dutch crime journalist Peter de Vries has died a week after he was shot in Amsterdam, reports the Guardian (U.K.). De Vries, 64, passed away on Thursday. He was shot on July 6 in while walking to his car after he had finished recording a show of RTL Boulevard. He was shot five times, including at least once in the head. A friend of De Vries wrote in the local De Telegraaf that the attack appeared to be well-planned. The famed crime journalist had investigated more than 500 cases in his decades-long career, helping to solve multiple cold cases, sometimes working alongside law enforcement. He had recently aided in the Marengo trial, which charged 17 suspects with murder or attempted murder, reported Al Jazeera (Qatar) Two suspects were arrested shortly after the shooting. A Pole, Maurik G., is suspected of having driven the getaway car, while Dutchman Delano G. is the suspected shooter, said police. Dutch media have reported that the killer was the nephew of a henchman of Ridouan Taghi, one of the most wanted criminals in the Netherlands. For the last year, de Vries was serving as an adviser to the key prosecution witness against Taghi.
Ukraine—Powerful Interior Minister Steps Down Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | 07/15/2021 Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, considered one of the most powerful people in Ukraine, has resigned, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. On Tuesday, Avakov submitted his resignation, the ministry said. No reason was given for his decision. The Ukrainian Parliament was expected to accept his resignation on Thursday. Avakov had been the subject of recent speculation that President Volodymyr Zelensky was preparing to fire him for failing to back some of his decisions in the National Security and Defense Council. For example, in March, Avakov said that he did not support sanctioning former President Petro Poroshenko, calling investigations of Poroshenko politically motivated. Avakov is a controversial public figure who has been accused of corruption and failing to reign in police abuses, implement reforms and promote law and order. The minister's resignation likely strengthens the president, because the interior ministry under Avakov was the last center of power not controlled by Zelensky's office, said former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst. The interior ministry controls most law enforcement bodies in Ukraine, including the national police force, local police departments, national guard, border guards, coast guard, emergency situations ministry and migration service. Zelensky announced on Tuesday that he would name Denys Monastyrsky, a lawmaker with his Servant of the People Party and the head of the parliamentary law enforcement committee, as the next interior minister. The nomination is expected to be approved by Parliament on Friday, Monastyrskiy said.
Armenia—Soldier Killed In Clash Near Nakhchivan Armenpress | 07/15/2021 An Armenian soldier has been killed in an exchange with Azerbaijani forces near the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan, reports Armenpress. Azerbaijani forces on the border were conducting engineering work on Wednesday to advance their military position in the area. Armenian troops conducted an unspecified operation to halt the work, after which the Azerbaijani forces opened fire, according to the Armenian Defense Ministry. One Armenian soldier was killed. The ministry said that the Azerbaijani side also suffered losses. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry rejected the Armenian account, saying that Armenian troops started the fighting by opening fire with weapons of various calibers on Azerbaijani positions in the Sadarak district in Nakhchivan, reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. One Azerbaijani soldier was wounded in the fighting, said the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, as cited by the Trend News Agency (Baku) Tensions have been rising since May, when Armenia accused Azerbaijan of laying siege to a lake between the two countries, noted Agence France-Presse.
Russia—UAC Teases New Fighter Jet Ahead Of MAKS Expo Popular Mechanics | 07/15/2021 Russian aerospace firm United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) has been hinting that it will unveil a new fighter jet at an upcoming exhibition in Moscow, reports Popular Mechanics. The UAC, an umbrella corporation that includes the Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) and Sukhoi design bureaus, has been publishing images of what appears to be a flying knight chess piece, linking the new aircraft to recent U.S. reports of unexplained aerial phenomena. Rostec said that the new jet would debut on the first day of the MAKS-2021 air show on July 20, reported the Tass news agency (Moscow). Executive Director of the Aviaport Aviation News Agency Oleg Panteleyev said that the new jet would have capabilities comparable to the U.S. F-35. The new plane is expected to be lighter than the Su-57, Russia's only fifth-generation fighter, with an emphasis on "tactical assignment," said Panteleyev. It will have a low radar signature in multiple bands, high thrust-to-weight ratio, large payload and advanced air-to-air weapons, experts said. It will also be a fifth-generation design. It has been previously reported that Russia has been working on a smaller, single engine fighter jet to complement the Su-57.
Tajikistan—Russian Forces Hold Exercise Amid Concerns About Taliban Offensive Agence France-Presse | 07/15/2021 Russia has launched drills at its military facilities in Tajikistan, reports Agence France-Presse. On Wednesday, 1,000 troops from Russia's 201st military base in Dushanbe, the Tajik capital, began exercises that were slated to run through the end of the week, reported the Interfax news agency (Moscow). The training is designed to prepare unit commanders and combat chiefs for dynamic combat operations, according to Russia's Central Military District. The Russian Defense Ministry said that the training involved responding to a massive missile strike. The move comes amid growing concern in neighboring countries over Taliban gains in Afghanistan, including the taking of key border posts. One such post on the border with Tajikistan has fallen to the militants.
India—3 LeT Militants Killed In Kashmir Clash Press Trust Of India | 07/15/2021 Indian troops have killed three suspected militants in an operation in the Indian-administered Kashmir region, reports the Press Trust of India. On Wednesday, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation after receiving reports of a militant presence in the Pulwama district, said a police official. The operation included members of the police, Rashtriya Rifles counterinsurgency force and the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force, reported the Hindustan Times. The militants attempted to escape from the cordon and opened fire after being urged to surrender, said police as cited by the Hindu. Three Lashkar-e-Tayyiba militants were killed, including a commander, Pakistani resident Aijaz, alias Abu Huraira. The other militants were from Kashmir, said police. Police recovered two AK-47s, a pistol and other incriminating materiel from the scene.
Pakistan—PM Launches Talks With Balochi Rebels South China Morning Post | 07/15/2021 Pakistani Prime Minister is attempting to launch peace talks with separatists in the southwestern Balochistan province, reports the South China Morning Post. Shahzain Bugti, grandson of the late governor of Balochistan, Nawab Akbar Bugti, has been tasked with reaching out to the separatists. Bughti is estranged from parts of his family. His brother is a leader of the banned Baloch Republican Party (BRP), the political wing of the Baloch Republican Army. Khan is eager to reduce attacks that have endangered numerous Chinese development projects in the area, which are part of the US$60 billion Belt and Road Initiative. Pakistan is also interested in reducing attacks by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who are believed to have formed a tactical alliance with the Balochi rebels. Rebels under the Baloch Raaji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS) umbrella are approaching the initiative cautiously and are waiting to learn more about the participants involved and the terms of the talks. Some analysts speculated that China could act as an intermediary with Balochi political leaders exiled in Britain and Switzerland. One Chinese analyst said that this was unlikely, since Beijing would not want to get involved in internal disputes in Pakistan.
Afghanistan—Video Shows Taliban Executing Surrendering Commandos Cable News Network | 07/15/2021 A new video shows Taliban fighters executing at least a dozen Afghan soldiers as they attempted to surrender, reports CNN. The recently released video was shot on June 16 in the town of Dawlat Abad in the northern Faryab province, near the border with Turkmenistan. At least a dozen Afghan commandos are shown emerging from a building unarmed with their hands raised after the Taliban called on them to surrender. The insurgents then opened fired without provocation, killing them. The massacre was confirmed by witnesses. The bodies of 22 commandos were retrieved after the incident, according to the Red Cross. The commandos reportedly ran out of ammunition after two hours of fighting. Local officials criticized the deployment of the commandos to the area without any backup or air cover and said that the unit had no local knowledge and were unaware of which districts the Taliban controlled. The Taliban denied that the massacre had occurred and accused CNN of fabricating the incident. It claimed that the unit had been captured alive, disarmed and handcuffed. The militant group has attempted to demonstrate that it accepts the surrender of government soldiers and has paid some to go home as it steps up its operations throughout Afghanistan.
Israel—U.A.E. Embassy Opens In Tel Aviv Times of Israel | 07/15/2021 The United Arab Emirates has formally opened its embassy in Israel as part of last year's agreement to normalize relations, reports the Times of Israel. On Wednesday, the embassy, which is housed in the Tel Aviv stock exchange, was opened during a ceremony attended by newly inaugurated Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid was unable to attend after being forced to quarantine due to possible exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). During the ceremony, Israeli and Emirati dignitaries rang the bell to open trading at the exchange. The embassy location was chosen as a symbol of the economic potential of normalized relations. Ambassador to Israel Mohammad Mahmoud Al Khajah presented his credentials to the Israeli government in March. Separately, Israel and the U.A.E. signed their first cooperation agreement in the field of agriculture on Tuesday, expanding on the 2020 Abraham Accords. The deal covers cooperation in research and innovation, including in the development of agricultural products suitable for desert conditions, as well as advancements in the fields of water management and irrigation.
Ethiopia—Abiy Threatens New Offensive As TPLF Continues Push Agence France-Presse | 07/15/2021 Ethiopian leaders say they are ready to launch a new operation against Tigray rebels in the north, reports Agence France-Presse. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that Ethiopian federal troops would defend and repel attacks by internal and external enemies. Ahmed said that the government sought peace with its June 28 cease-fire, but Ethiopia's enemies were unable "to rest without conflict" and posed a threat that must be addressed. Gen. Bacha Debele said that the Ethiopian military was ready to re-enter areas occupied by the Tigrayan rebels. The threat comes after the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) announced that it would retake all Tigrayan territory, including areas controlled by the neighboring Amhara region prior to the conflict that began last year, Reuters reported previously. On Tuesday, the TPLF claimed it had retaken Alamata and was pushing westward to retake territory held by Amhara. TPLF fighters gained control of the regional capital, Mekelle, on June 28.
Nigeria—Naval Commandos Wrap Up Training With U.S. Army Special Ops Troops U.S. Embassy in Nigeria | 07/15/2021 Nigerian navy special operations officers have just completed a joint training course with U.S. Army special operations personnel, reports the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria. The five-week Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) program with 25 officers from the Nigerian Special Boat Service in Lagos, Nigeria, concluded on July 8, the embassy said in a Monday release. The participants conducted a broad range of training focused on land-based skills and tactics, including countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The JCET is part of a series of engagements between the Nigerian military and U.S. elite units intended to provide opportunities to work together, learn and strengthen relationships. Other major partnership events set for the year include the delivery of A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft and U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps planning programs. The planning programs are expected to expand beyond pre-novel coronavirus (COVID-19) levels to build on the longstanding security partnership, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, the embassy said.
Ghana—Army Picks Brazilian APCs Defence Web | 07/15/2021 The Ghanaian government is ordering nearly two dozen Brazilian-built armored personnel carriers, reports Defence Web (South Africa). The US$86.1 million deal with Elbit Systems in Israel covers 19 Guarani armored vehicles in 6 x 6 and 8 x 8 configurations, reported the Zona Militar news portal. Ten of the vehicles will be in the 6 x 6 configuration equipped for reconnaissance operations and armed with Brazilian Remax remotely operated weapon stations that can carry a 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm machine gun. The balance of the order will be 8 x 8 infantry fighting vehicles armed with Elbit Systems 30-mm UT-30 remotely operated turrets. No delivery schedule has been made public. The vehicles will be used for troop transport, reconnaissance, counterterrorism and border protection missions.
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