Good Wednesday morning October 20
I hope that your week has been going well
A bit late today. I just got home from the 31st Last Annual Crusader Ball here in San Diego. It was great seeing old friends and talk about the times we had flying that beautiful airplane and of course the stories were endless. Friendships not bothered by time and we just picked up where we left off the last time we were together no matter how much time had passed.
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Today in Naval and Marine Corps History
October 20
On This day
1864
A boat expedition under Acting Master George E. Hill, with the screw steam gunboat Stars and Stripes, ascends the Ochlockonee River in Western Florida and destroys an extensive Confederate fishery on Marshs Island, capturing a detachment of soldiers assigned to guard the works.
1941
USS Hornet (CV 8) is commissioned. During World War II, she participates in the Doolittle Raid on Japan, the Battle of Midway, and the Solomon Campaign. On Oct. 26, 1942, at the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, Hornet is severely damaged by the Japanese enemy and abandoned. Though U.S. destroyers attempt to scuttle her, Hornet remained afloat and was sunk by Japanese destroyers early the next morning.
1943
Torpedo bombers (TBF Avengers) from Composite Squadron (VC) 13, then based on board the escort carrier USS Core (CVE 13), sink the German submarine U-378 north of the Azores.
1944
The U.S. Navy lands four Sixth Army divisions ashore on Leyte. Japanese aerial counter-attacks damage escort carrier Sangamon and a few other ships, but do not hinder the landings. Later in the day, Gen. Douglas MacArthur gives his "I have returned" radio message to the Philippine people. If Leyte is lost, the rest of the Philippines will soon follow, so the Japanese prepare to send five strong naval forces to drive off the American fleet and add more troops for the land fighting. In the following days, this response will lead to World War II's biggest and most complex sea fight, the multi-pronged Battle of Leyte Gulf.
1952
USS Lewis (DE 535) takes fire from a radar-controlled enemy gun battery in the vicinity of Hungnam, North Korea. Eighty-four rounds from probable radar controlled guns cause no personnel casualties or damage. Lewis counters with 214 rounds and observes one direct hit followed by smoke and fire. The batteries were silenced.
1954
USS Saipan (CVL 48) begins relief and humanitarian aid to Haitians who are victims of Hurricane Hazel. The operation ends Oct. 19.
1986
ALNAV message 202001Z Oct authorizes naval aviation Sailors and Marines to wear brown shoes and khaki socks with summer khaki uniforms, effective April 1987. Part of naval aviators' uniforms since 1913, brown shoes had been removed from the uniform regulation in July 1976.
1991
USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) is commissioned at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, GA. It is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for West Virginia, and the 11th of 18 Ohio-class submarines.
1994
Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) deployed to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf as the first carrier with women permanently assigned. More than 400 women served aboard at times during the cruise.
2001
USS Howard (DDG 83) is commissioned at Galveston, TX. The first U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient, Jimmie E. Howard, she is the 33rd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the U.S. Navy.
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This Day in History
0480 Greeks defeat the Persians in a naval battle at Salamis.
1587 In France, Huguenot Henri de Navarre routs Duke de Joyeuse's larger Catholic force at Coutras.
1709 Marlborough and Eugene of Savoy take Mons in the Netherlands.
1714 George I of England crowned.
1805 Austrian general Karl Mac surrenders to Napoleon's army at the battle of Ulm.
1818 The United States and Britain establish the 49th Parallel as the boundary between Canada and the United States.
1870 The Summer Palace in Beijing, China, is burnt to the ground by a Franco-British expeditionary force.
1903 The Joint Commission, set up on January 24 by Great Britain and the United States to arbitrate the disputed Alaskan boundary, rules in favor of the United States. The deciding vote is Britain's, which embitters Canada. The United States gains ports on the panhandle coast of Alaska.
1904 Bolivia and Chile sign a treaty ending the War of the Pacific. The treaty recognizes Chile's possession of the coast, but provides for construction of a railway to link La Paz, Bolivia, to Arica, on the coast.
1924 Baseball's first 'colored World Series' is held in Kansas City, Mo.
1938 Czechoslovakia, complying with Nazi policy, outlaws the Communist Party and begins persecuting Jews.
1941 German troops reach the approaches to Moscow.
1944 U.S. troops land on Leyte in the Philippines, keeping General MacArthur's pledge "I shall return."
1945 Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon form the Arab League to present a unified front against the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine.
1947 The House Un-American Activities Committee opens public hearings on alleged communist infiltration in Hollywood. Among those denounced as having un-American tendencies are: Katherine Hepburn, Charles Chaplin and Edward G. Robinson. Among those called to testify is Screen Actors Guild President Ronald Reagan, who denies that leftists ever controlled the Guild and refuses to label anyone a communist.
1968 Jacqueline Kennedy marries Aristotle Onassis.
1973 Arab oil-producing nations ban oil exports to the United States, following the outbreak of Arab-Israeli war.
1977 Charter plane crashes in Mississippi, killing three members of popular Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, along with their assistant road manager, the pilot and co-pilot.
1991 Oakland Hills firestorm destroys nearly 3,500 homes and apartments and kills 25 people.
2011 In the Libyan civil war, rebels capture deposed dictator Muammar Gaddafi in his hometown of Sirte, killing him soon afterward.
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Thanks to Cowboy
Command Investigation into BHR
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear
LOOKING BACK 55-YEARS to the Vietnam Air War— For The List for Wednesday, 20 October 2021… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 20 October 1966… Times Sunday Magazine feature by Sam Butz: "The Pilots Call Hanoi Dodge City" (Part 3 of 3)…
http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-20-october-1966-going-to-dodge-3/
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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Some back and forth from The Bear and Wiley
First female aircraft carrier Commanding Officer
Wiley… Grin and bear it… I'm betting she will make flag after doing a great job as CO of the same carrier she served on as XO for two years. Further, I'm betting she goes on to become the first woman CNO, which assures Naval Aviation and carriers will get a fair hearing for roles&missions, requirements, and bucks during her years of 4-star service… Her resume' includes what it takes to lead and inspire troops. As for lack of jet time and carrier landings, I'll take a helo pilot with hundreds of landings on moving small-boy decks and years in carrier towers and air ops over the dozens of NFOs whose carrier experience consists of watching the action from the rear cockpit in the years leading to their opportunities to command a carrier. As for not commanding an air wing: no carrier CO since 1986 has commanded an air wing prior to his command of one of our nuclear-powered carriers. Captain Baurenschmidt's deep draft command tour must have been pretty good because she beat out a half dozen other Naval Aviators/Naval Flight Officers for the CO, USS Abraham Lincoln command. I say, go get'em' Amy! She has earned her shot at the job she has. If she does it well, she will make flag rank, then it's "the sky is the limit." CNO?….
Wiley…. I had women aviators (both pilots and flight os) under my command in my tours as an O6, 7 and 8. They done great!… Of course, my bias favoring giving women equal opportunity goes back to the 1960s when my daughter Deb started demonstrating that "anything a boy can do, I can do, too." She went on to log 27-years of distinguished service as a cop…
My money is on Amy👍… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
On Oct 19, 2021, at 10:12 PM, Wiley
Greetings everyone,
Hope you all and yours are well.
Forwarding some discouraging information about our military leadership.
Thanks, RDA.
Best wishes
Wiley
This country needs to wake up before it is too late!!
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Military diversity, etc. - First female aircraft carrier Commanding Officer
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2021 3:38 PM
Cc:
Subject: Fwd: Military diversity, etc. - First female aircraft carrier Commanding Officer
Subject: Re: Military diversity, etc. - First female aircraft carrier Commanding Officer
Do you know what equity is in the military? when is three or four times as many dead enemy soldiers and sailors as we have !! that's what equity is about ….kill the enemy, destroy their will to fight,….. not to promote people based on a social agenda, and put them in charge of one of our most important aircraft carriers with less experience than other captains. Who the hell is making these stupid decisions? our military is not about equity, it's about winning the fight !
Our politically controlled military, hell-bent on social justice, diversity, LGBTQ, CRT and other social issues that have nothing to do with defending our country, has just named our 1st female Aircraft Carrier Captain. CAPT Amy Bauernschmidt will be the new CO of USS Abe Lincoln, CVN-72 (a major nuke flat top). While Amy is a Naval Aviator, she was a helo pilot and never served aboard a carrier. She has 0 catapult shots, 0 arrested landings !!!!
We only have 11 carriers. Most CO's have served 3 tours in a carrier based squadron before becoming CO of a carrier based squadron. Then they have been an Air Wing Commander of a carrier based Air Wing. And they probably have around 1000 carrier landings.
So Amy has none of these qualifications, but no matter. She will join a growing list of inexperienced and unqualified people.
One of her recent jobs was "senior military advisor to the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues at the U.S. State Department."
Women aviators have been serving on aircraft carriers as combat and helicopter pilots for over 40 years. You mean to tell me that none of those women are as qualified as the one they chose?
I need another drink….
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Thanks to Richard
Subject: Let Me Introduce You To The Fastest Gunslinger That Ever ...
Let Me Introduce You To The Fastest Gunslinger That Ever ...
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This Day in Military History
1939 – The German government warns that neutral merchant ships joining Allied convoys will be sunk without warning. It is also announced that Hitler has signed a decree by which 3,000,000 Jews now living in Poland will get their own territory in eastern Poland, with a Jewish capital at Lublin.
1942 – The United States Congress passes the largest tax bill in the country's history. It will raise $6,881,000,000 in tax revenue.
1944 – Seventh Fleet lands over 60,000 Army troops on Leyte, Philippines while Japanese aircraft attack. Elements of the US 6th Army (Krueger) land on the east coast of Leyte. The 1st Cavalry and 24th Infantry Divisions of the US 10th Corps (Sibert) come ashore to the south of Tacloban; the 96th and 7th Infantry Divisions of US 24th Corps (Hodge) land around Dulag. A total of 132,000 troops are landed during the day. Naval support is provided by the US 7th Fleet (Admiral Kinkaid). Additional naval support is provided the elements of the US 3rd Fleet (Admiral Halsey). Additional air support is provided by the US 5th Air Force. The defending Japanese 16th Division conducts a fighting withdrawal from the beachheads to prepared positions inland to await reinforcements. American forces capture Tacloban Airfield during the day but are unable to link the two beachheads. A few hours after the initial assault troops land, General MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacifc, comes ashore and makes a radio broadcast to the people of the Philippines, recalling his promise to return. During World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the US 6th army stepped ashore at Leyte in the Philippines. It was 2 1/2 years after he'd said, "I shall return." He stepped ashore with Sergio Osmena, the president-in-exile, and Gen'l. Carlos Romulo, who later served as foreign minister. Many Coast Guard units participated in the landings. During the night, Japanese forces launch unsuccessful counterattacks against the beachheads.
1944 – A carrier fleet, including 1 large carrier, 1 small carrier, 2 seaplane carriers, and 2 hybrid carrier-battleships as well as small ships, sails for the Philippines as part of Operation Sho-go. This force, the Northern Force (Admiral Ozawa) is intended to draw off the main American naval forces operating around the Philippines, to the northeast. Meanwhile, the 2nd Striking Force (Admiral Shima) sets sail with 3 cruisers and 7 destroyers.
1944 – The US 19th Tactical Air Force breaches the dam at Dieuze, France, causing extensive flooding to the rear of German 1st Army, opposite US 3rd Army.
1945 – Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon formed the Arab League to present a unified front against the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. A representative of Palestinian Arabs, although he did not sign the charter because he represented no recognized government, was given full status and a vote in the Arab League. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was granted full membership in 1976. Other current members include Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea (pending in 1999), Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates.
1950 – In the first airborne operation of the Korean War, 2,860 paratroopers of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team jumped between Sukchon and Sunchon, 25 miles north of Pyongyang. Far East Air Force C-119s and C-47s transported the assault force and F-80 and F-51 fighters provided air cover.
1952 – Task Force 77 establishes ECM Hunter/Killer Teams of 2 ECM equipped aircraft and an armed escort of 4 Skyraiders and 4 Corsairs.
1952 – The destroyer escort Lewis was hit by shore fire off the West Coast of Korea. Seven sailors were killed and one wounded.
1962 – Major General Donald McGowan, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the other Reserve Component directors are given a Top Secret briefing in the Pentagon on the impending crisis following the discovery on October 18th of Soviet nuclear missile sites being constructed in Cuba. President John Kennedy would announce this intelligence to the world in a televised speech on October 22nd, causing worldwide concern of a nuclear war. After the President's speech a number of Guard units, primarily Air Guard fighter groups, were given alert notifications that they might be called up if the crisis deepened. All of these units began operating at an increased tempo (though officially in a training status), flying along American coastal areas keeping watch for anything suspicious. However, with the Soviet agreement to withdraw the missiles tensions began to subside and no Guard units were actually mobilized during the crisis.
1967 – Operation Coronado VII began in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. A M-132-Al flame configured armored personnel carrier was shoe-horned into an ATAC of River Assault Division NINETY-TWO. Tests were initiated and the results were excellent. This weapon would prove to be a great asset in future combat operations. It would give yeoman service as a destroyer of offensive bunkers. This weapon was first put into play on Operation CORONADO VII (21-23 October) in the Rung Sat Special Zone. This operation was conducted to provide security to the Republic of Vietnam Lower House election conducted 22 October. The security provided by units of River Assault Squadron NINE and other elements of River Assault Flotilla ONE allowed 83.2 percent of all registered voters to move to the polls without incident. Numerous civilians reported that the presence of U. S. boats on the waterways of the district was a significant factor in providing reassurance to the voters. This indicates that extensive operations conducted by the Mobile Riverine Force in the district during the month were very successful in undermining the Viet Cong influence in the area.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
THOMPSON, JOHN
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company G, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Chiricahua Mountains, Ariz., 20 October 1869. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Scotland. Date of issue: 14 February 1870. Citation: Bravery in action with Indians.
TRACY, JOHN
Rank and organization: Private, Company G, 8th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Chiricahua Mountains, Ariz., 20 October 1869. Entered service at: St. Paul, Minn. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 14 February 1870. Citation: Bravery in action with Indians.
WARD, CHARLES H.
Rank and organization: Private, Company G, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Chiricahua Mountains, Ariz., 20 October 1869. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Birth: England, Date of issue: 14 February 1870. Citation: Gallantry in action with Indians.
WEISS, ENOCH R.
Rank and organization: Private, Company G, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Chiricahua Mountains, Ariz., 20 October 1869. Entered service at: ——. Birth: Kosciusko County, Ind. Date of issue: 14 February 1870. Citation: Gallantry in action with Indians.
*CHOLISTER, GEORGE ROBERT
Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 18 December 1898, Camden, N.J. Accredited to: New Jersey. (Awarded by Special Act of Congress 3 February 1933.) Citation: For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on the occasion of a fire on board the U S.S. Trenton. At 3:35 on the afternoon of 20 October 1924, while the Trenton was preparing to fire trial installation shots from the two 6-inch guns in the forward twin mount of that vessel, 2 charges of powder ignited. Twenty men were trapped in the twin mount. Four died almost immediately and 10 later from burns and inhalation of flames and gases. The 6 others were severely injured. Cholister, without thought of his own safety, on seeing that the charge of powder from the left gun was ignited, jumped for the right charge and endeavored to put it in the immersion tank. The left charge burst into flame and ignited the right charge before Cholister could accomplish his purpose. He fell unconscious while making a supreme effort to save his shipmates and died the following day.
*DREXLER, HENRY CLAY
Rank and organization: Ensign, U.S. Navy. Born: 7 August 1901, Braddock, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. (Awarded by Special Act of Congress, 3 February 1933.) Other Navy award: Navy Cross. Citation: For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on the occasion of a fire on board the U.S.S. Trenton. At 3:35 on the afternoon of 20 October 1924, while the Trenton was preparing to fire trial installation shots from the two 6-inch guns in the forward twin mount of that vessel, 2 charges of powder ignited. Twenty men were trapped in the twin mount. Four died almost immediately and 10 later from burns and inhalation of flame and gases. The 6 others were severely injured. Ens. Drexler, without thought of his own safety, on seeing that the charge of powder for the left gun was ignited, jumped for the right charge and endeavored to put it in the immersion tank. The left charge burst into flame and ignited the right charge before Ens. Drexler could accomplish his purpose. He met his death while making a supreme effort to save his shipmates.
*KURODA, ROBERT T.
Staff Sergeant Robert T. Kuroda distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action, on 20 October 1944, near Bruyeres, France. Leading his men in an advance to destroy snipers and machine gun nests, Staff Sergeant Kuroda encountered heavy fire from enemy soldiers occupying a heavily wooded slope. Unable to pinpoint the hostile machine gun, he boldly made his way through heavy fire to the crest of the ridge. Once he located the machine gun, Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced to a point within ten yards of the nest and killed three enemy gunners with grenades. He then fired clip after clip of rifle ammunition, killing or wounding at least three of the enemy. As he expended the last of his ammunition, he observed that an American officer had been struck by a burst of fire from a hostile machine gun located on an adjacent hill. Rushing to the officer's assistance, he found that the officer had been killed. Picking up the officer's submachine gun, Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced through continuous fire toward a second machine gun emplacement and destroyed the position. As he turned to fire upon additional enemy soldiers, he was killed by a sniper. Staff Sergeant Kuroda's courageous actions and indomitable fighting spirit ensured the destruction of enemy resistance in the sector. Staff Sergeant Kuroda'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.
*WAI, FRANCIS B.
Captain Francis B. Wai distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action, on 20 October 1944, in Leyte, Philippine Islands. Captain Wai landed at Red Beach, Leyte, in the face of accurate, concentrated enemy fire from gun positions advantageously located in a palm grove bounded by submerged rice paddies. Finding the first four waves of American soldiers leaderless, disorganized, and pinned down on the open beach, he immediately assumed command. Issuing clear and concise orders, and disregarding heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire, he began to move inland through the rice paddies without cover. The men, inspired by his cool demeanor and heroic example, rose from their positions and followed him. During the advance, Captain Wai repeatedly determined the locations of enemy strong points by deliberately exposing himself to draw their fire. In leading an assault upon the last remaining Japanese pillbox in the area, he was killed by its occupants. Captain Wai's courageous, aggressive leadership inspired the men, even after his death, to advance and destroy the enemy. His intrepid and determined efforts were largely responsible for the rapidity with which the initial beachhead was secured. Captain Wai'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.
KEEBLE, WOODROW W.
Rank: Master Sergeant, Organization: U.S. Army, Company: , Division: , Born: , Departed: Yes, Entered Service At: , G.O. Number: , Date of Issue: 03/03/2008, Accredited To: , Place / Date: Korea, 20 October 1951. Citation: Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Sangsan-ni, Korea, on October 20, 1951. On that day, Master Sergeant Keeble was an acting platoon leader for the support platoon in Company G, 19th Infantry, in the attack on Hill 765, a steep and rugged position that was well defended by the enemy. Leading the support platoon, Master Sergeant Keeble saw that the attacking elements had become pinned down on the slope by heavy enemy fire from three well-fortified and strategically placed enemy positions. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Master Sergeant Keeble dashed forward and joined the pinned-down platoon. Then, hugging the ground, Master Sergeant Keeble crawled forward alone until he was in close proximity to one of the hostile machine-gun emplacements. Ignoring the heavy fire that the crew trained on him, Master Sergeant Keeble activated a grenade and threw it with great accuracy, successfully destroying the position. Continuing his one-man assault, he moved to the second enemy position and destroyed it with another grenade. Despite the fact that the enemy troops were now directing their firepower against him and unleashing a shower of grenades in a frantic attempt to stop his advance, he moved forward against the third hostile emplacement, and skillfully neutralized the remaining enemy position. As his comrades moved forward to join him, Master Sergeant Keeble continued to direct accurate fire against nearby trenches, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Inspired by his courage, Company G successfully moved forward and seized its important objective. The extraordinary courage, selfless service, and devotion to duty displayed that day by Master Sergeant Keeble was an inspiration to all around him and reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for 20 October, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
20 October
1911: The Army's first Wright plane arrived at the Smithsonian Institution. (24)
1944: RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES. Southwest Pacific Area forces landed unopposed at two points on the east coast of Leyte, at Tacloban, the provincial capital and 20 miles to the south near Dulag. General Hqs Southwest Pacific Area opened an advanced echelon on Leyte at noon. Gen Douglas MacArthur, accompanied by President Sergio Osmena, landed in the 24th Infantry Division area early in the afternoon and delivered his "I have returned" liberation speech. Ground elements of the 308th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) were the first major FEAF units in country. Headquarters elements of Fifth Air Force landed on 22 October, while ground echelons of the 49 FG and 475 FG landed on the 24th. (17)
1945: Lt Gen Nathan F. Twining led three B-29s in developing a new route from Guam to Washington via India and Germany. They completed the 13,167-mile trip in 59 hours 30 minutes. (9) (24)
1948: The XF-88, predecessor of the F-101, first flew. (3)
1950: KOREAN WAR/FIRST AIRBORNE OPERATION. Through 23 October, the FEAF
Combat Cargo Command dispatched more than 100 C-119s and C-47s to drop 4,000 troops and 60 tons of material for the Army's 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team at Sukchon and Sunchon, 30 miles north of Pyongyang. The command also began airlifting Eighth Army supplies to Pyongyang. (21) (28)
1952: The Douglas X-3 research plane made its first flight at Edwards AFB. (3)
1955: SAC phased its last B-50D (number 49-330) out of its force from its assignment with the 97 BMW at Biggs AFB. (1)
1960: The DoD set up an Army-Navy-Air Force program under the Navy to develop a prototype vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft to test its suitability for air transport service. The Jupiter IRBM made its first test launch from a tactical-type launcher. It flew 962 miles from Cape Canaveral down the Atlantic Missile Range to the target area. This launch ended Army responsibilities for the program. (6)
1961: PROJECT PIPE STEM. The 15 TRS deployed four RF-101s to Tan Son Nhut AB. They flew 67 reconnaissance sorties over South Vietnam and Laos, developing their photographs by a photo-processing unit they brought with them. These aircraft were the first PACAF aircraft deployed to South Vietnam. (17) (16)
1969: To assist the development of the Safeguard anti-ballistic missile system, SECDEF Melvin R. Laird approved the use of Titan II as test targets. (6)
1973: As a result of the Arab-Israeli War, the Arab nations imposed an oil embargo, which disrupted USAF flight training. (16) (26)
1976: General Dynamics conducted its rollout ceremony for the F-16A at its plant in Fort Worth. (12)
1980: Through 23 October, units assigned to the USAF's Southern Air Division flew 40 tons of food, medical supplies, and accessories to northwestern Nicaragua for flood victims. (16) (26)
1989: Indonesia received its first F-16A in ceremonies at the General Dynamics plant in Fort Worth, Texas. (8: Jan 90)
1998: The AFFTC flew its first sortie at Edwards AFB to test the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). The helmet would allow an F-15 pilot to track a target and aim his missiles by movements of his head. (3)
2007: A C-17 Globemaster III took off from Edwards AFB, Calif., on a flight using a blend of synthetic and JP-8 fuel in all four fuel tanks. It was the first time a C-17 carried the FischerTropsch/JP-8 blend as the only fuel on board. The four-hour flight assessed how well the aircraft performed with the synthetic fuel as part of a certification test. (AFNEWS, "C-17 Flight Uses Synthetic Fuel Blend," 25 Oct 2007.)
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World News thanks to Military Periscope
USA—Army Reservist Discharged For Involvement In Jan. 6 Riot Washington Post | 10/20/2021 A U.S. Army Reserve soldier has been discharged after participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, reports the Washington Post. Sgt. Timothy Hale-Cusanelli was demoted to private and given an other-than-honorable discharge in June. Hale-Cusanelli's lawyer criticized the decision to discharge a soldier still facing criminal charges. Typically, commanders wait until criminal cases have been resolved before such decisions are made. Hale-Cusanelli is one of at least six servicemembers charged in connection with the events of Jan. 6. Prosecutors say that he is one of many participants who forced their way into Capitol in an effort to influence the certification of the 2020 presidential election. He is the first to be discharged from the military for involvement in the insurrection and remains in federal custody. USA—
Vermont National Guard Partners With Austria Burlington Free Press | 10/20/2021 The Vermont National Guard has established a formal relationship with the Austrian military through the State Partnership Program, reports the Burlington Free Press (Vt.). On Friday, the Vermont National Guard announced the partnership during defense talks with Austria at the Pentagon. Austria is the third nation to partner with the Vermont National Guard under the program. The state is also teamed with Senegal and North Macedonia. The program links state National Guards with foreign militaries, security forces and disaster-response organizations. Vermont has conducted annual training in areas including cybersecurity, disaster response and medical training with its partner nations. Vermont has long had a relationship with the Austrian military. The Vermont National Guard Army Mountain Warfare School, Army Biathlon Program and 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have worked with their counterparts in the Austrian military for joint mountain training since 1983. Vermont National Guard Personnel have also worked through the Physical Security and Stockpile Management Program to train Austrian personnel in safe munition storage and disposal.
Poland—Military In Line For Domestically Developed Nanosats Space News | 10/20/2021 The Polish military is set to acquire a constellation of imaging satellites from a local consortium, reports Space News. Under the recently launched Polish Imaging Satellites (PIAST) program, the Polish military expects to launch three intelligence-gathering nanosatellites by the end of 2024. The spacecraft will be the first to be operated by the Polish military. A consortium of local space firms is expected to build the satellites, led by Creotech Instruments and the Military University of Technology in Warsaw. The satellites will be based on the Creotech HyperSat design, which can range from 22 pounds to 260 pounds (10 to 120 kg). The PIAST satellites are expected to weigh around 22 pounds. The HyperSat concept has been in development since 2017 and is currently at technology readiness level six or seven, according to Creotech officials. The Polish military expects the satellites to provide imagery with a resolution of at least 16 ft (5 m). The PIAST program kicked off in June. A mission definition review is scheduled to be finished this fall, with satellite launch anticipated in the second half of 2024. The Polish National Center for Research and Development is providing US$18 million to fund the PIAST program, 40 percent of which has been allocated to Creotech Instruments.
Ukraine—OSCE Monitors Resume Work After Being Blocked By Armed Group In Donetsk Organization For Security And Cooperation In Europe | 10/20/2021 The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has resumed monitoring operations from a site in eastern Ukraine. On Monday, monitors were able to depart from their forward patrol base in a hotel in the city of Horlivka in rebel-controlled territory in the eastern Donetsk region, the OSCE said in a press release. The OSCE personnel were able to conduct a patrol and return to the hotel later in the day. The observers had been prevented from patrolling on Sunday after a group of protesters, including two members of an armed group, set up outside the hotel and locked the gates. The personnel were informed that they were being confined to the hotel until the Ukrainian military released a separatist officer who had been captured on Oct. 13, reported Reuters. The OSCE noted that the restrictions violated the requirement that its observers have unrestricted access to areas throughout Ukraine.
Russia—Kremlin Hosts Talks On Afghanistan Tass | 10/20/2021 Representatives of the Taliban and other Central Asian nations are in Moscow this week for talks on Afghanistan's political and security situation, reports the Tass news agency (Moscow). On Wednesday, Russian diplomats met with members of the Taliban delegation as well as representatives from China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. A Kremlin spokesman defended the direct talks despite Moscow's declared opposition to the Taliban, noting that they are the de-facto leaders in Afghanistan. Such talks are necessary to avert humanitarian and security catastrophes in the Afghanistan and the region, he said. North
Korea—Missile Test Involved New SLBM, Says Government Yonhap | 10/20/2021 The North Korean government says a missile test earlier this week involved a new weapon, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). The launch on Tuesday evaluated a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the official Korean Central News Agency reported on Wednesday. The new missile features a variety of advanced guidance technologies, including "flank mobility and gliding skip mobility," the news agency said. The weapon appeared to be a mini-SLBM that was first displayed publicly at an exhibition last week. The South Korean military is working to determine whether the missile was launched from a submerged barge or a submarine.
Australia—1st Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boat Launched Australian Dept. Of Defense | 10/20/2021 The first in a new class of patrol boats for the Australian navy has been launched, reports the Australian Dept. of Defense. On Monday, the unnamed Evolved Cape-class patrol boat, hull number 314, was launched at Austal's shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, the department said in a release. The Australian navy ordered six Evolved Cape-class vessels for Aus$324 million (US$229.5 million) in 2020 to replace the aging Armidale-class patrol boats, noted Naval Today. The new boats will provide an interim capability until the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels enter service. The lead ship in the class is expected to enter service early in 2022. The remaining vessels on order are under construction. The class features improvements over the original design to improve operational capability and increase crew capacity from 22 to 32.
Burma—Rebel Attack Kills 11 Soldiers In Mandalay Myanmar Now | 10/20/2021 A guerilla raid on a military outpost in Burma's central Mandalay region left nearly a dozen soldiers dead, reports Myanmar Now. On Oct. 15, a group calling itself the Zero Guerrilla Force attacked the outpost in the village of Su Phyu Kone in Natogyi township using homemade mortars and small arms, the group said. Eleven soldiers were killed, including a captain, according to the rebels. A Zero Guerrilla Force leader told the news site that the group had been observing the soldiers' movements and gathered other intelligence prior to the attack. Local sources said that several arrests followed the assault. There has been no official comment on the incident.
Burma—Thousands Of Jailed Protesters To Be Freed Cable News Network | 10/20/2021 The military junta in Burma has announced that it will release a large number of political prisoners who were detained following the February coup, reports CNN. On Monday, the regime announced that more than 5,600 prisoners would be freed. Most were jailed for protesting against the military government. The released prisoners would be required to sign a pledge not to commit any acts of violence against Burma. As of Tuesday, at least 647 people had been released from the Insein prison in Yangon and 80 from a Mandalay jail, reported the state-run Global News of Myanmar. Another 4,320 people are in the process of being acquitted by the courts, the newspaper said. After seizing power in February, the junta arrested more than 9,000 people, of whom around 7,355 remain in detention, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. It was not clear if members of the former civilian government and leaders of the protest movement who had been jailed would be released, noted the Washington Post. Analysts widely said that the move was intended to improve Burma's foreign standing and divert attention from ongoing crackdowns. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations last week announced that junta leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing would not be invited to an upcoming meeting due to a failure to make progress on a roadmap to restore peace in Burma. Another factor for the mass release may have been overcrowding in prisons, experts said.
Pakistan—Indian Sub Caught Attempting To Enter Territorial Waters Dawn | 10/20/2021 Pakistan says it has disrupted an attempt by an Indian navy submarine to enter its territorial waters, reports the Dawn (Karachi). On Oct. 16, the submarine was detected and tracked by a Pakistani navy maritime patrol aircraft, the official Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Tuesday. The submarine was subsequently prevented from encroaching on Pakistani territorial waters. The incident was the third time a Pakistani maritime patrol aircraft has detected and tracked an Indian submarine, the military said. Previous incidents occurred in March 2019 and November 2016.
Afghanistan—Taliban Agrees To Resumption Of Polio Vaccinations U.N. News Center | 10/20/2021 The Taliban has decided to support an international polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan, reports the U.N. News. Representatives of the militant group assented to the resumption of the campaign on Nov. 8, the U.N. said on Monday. It will be the first nationwide polio vaccination operation in three years. A second campaign will begin in December alongside a national vaccination drive in Pakistan, the world body said. The Taliban will provide security for the teams, which will include men and women, reported the Guardian (U.K.).
Syria—25 Fatalities In Attacks In Damascus, Idlib Province Syrian Observatory for Human Rights | 10/20/2021 There have been more than 60 casualties in separate attacks in Syria, reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (U.K.). On Wednesday, a bus carrying soldiers in the central Jisr Al Ra'es area of Damascus was hit by a pair of improvised explosive devices, said unnamed sources. At least 14 soldiers were killed, and an unknown number wounded, some seriously. A third device at the scene was identified and dismantled. Military sources told the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that the devices were planted on the vehicle. Separately government forces shelled the rebel-held town of Ariha in southern Idlib province. At least 11 civilians were killed and 35 wounded in the attack, which struck a busy marketplace, reported the Anadolu Agency (Ankara).
Oman—Navy Holds Counter-Piracy Drills With South Korea, E.U. Yonhap | 10/20/2021 The Omani and South Korean navies and European Union have conducted a joint maritime exercise for the first time, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Monday, the South Korean destroyer Chungmugong Yi Sun Shin, the Spanish navy frigate Victoria, representing the E.U., and the Maritime Security Center of Oman drilled in the Gulf of Aden, the South Korean Ministry of Defense said. The drills were situated in along the international recommended transit corridor, a shipping corridor through the Gulf of Aden patrolled by international naval forces. The exercise included a variety of operations required for the counter-piracy missions, including helicopter landing, live-fire and search-and-rescue operations.
Ethiopia—Another Strike Hits Mekelle Reuters | 10/20/2021 The Ethiopian military has again attacked Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, reports Reuters. On Wednesday, the Ethiopian government said that airstrikes targeted facilities where the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) repairs armaments. Tigrai Television, which is run by the TPLF, said that the strikes hit the city center without providing further details. Sources told Reuters that the attacks targeted factories operated by Mesfin Industrial Engineering, which the government accuses of supporting the TPLF. TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael claimed that the strikes hit a site operated by an unaffiliated private firm. This was the third airstrike on the Tigrayan capital this week.
Mali—Government Backs Talks With JNIM Anadolu News Agency | 10/20/2021 The Malian government has asked a group of senior Muslim officials to meet with militants to discuss peace proposals, reports Turkey's Anadolu Agency. Last week, the government asked the High Islamic Council to begin talks with Iyad Ag Ghali and Amadou Koufa, leaders of Jama'a Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which is linked to Al-Qaida, Religious Affairs Minister Mamadou Kone said on Tuesday. A government spokesman told Reuters that the talks could be extended to other groups, including those linked to ISIS. Kone said that the Malian people had long called for such talks to end the ongoing conflict. Officials previously backed the idea of opening talks with some armed jihadist groups operating in northern Mali.
Uganda—New Infantry Vehicle Enters Service Defence Web | 10/20/2021 The Ugandan military has formally accepted a new South African-developed armored personnel carrier (APC) into service, reports Defence Web (South Africa). On Monday, the Chui (Leopard) was inducted during a ceremony in Entebbe. The vehicle is based on the Nyati APC developed by Twiga in South Africa. The Ugandan variant is built by Impala Services and Logistics. The Chui is modified for the specific environmental conditions in Uganda. Potential variants include a mortar carrier, recoilless gun platform and battlefield ambulance. The baseline Nyati is a 4 x 4 vehicle with NATO Standard Agreement (STANAG) Level 2B ballistic protection against 7.62-mm armor-piercing rounds and Level 4B blast protection against mines with up to 22 pounds (10 kg) of explosive under the center of the vehicle. It can be armed with an optional turret that can accommodate up to a 20-mm cannon. Two 7.62-mm machine guns can be mounted on the rear of the roof. Twelve firing ports are distributed around the vehicle.
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