The List 6095 TGB
Good Friday Morning May the 13th
I hope that you all have a great weekend.
Regards,
Skip.
This day in Naval History May 13
1846 Congress declares war against Mexico. Commodore David Conner is responsible for the landing of the Army at Vera Cruz. In April 1847, Commodore Matthew C. Perry relieves Conner. On Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed ending hostilities.
1908 The Navy Nurse Corps is established by Public Law No. 115, though nurses have been volunteering onboard Navy ships prior to the Civil War.
1908 The Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, later called Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, is authorized for the enlargement and dredging of the Pearl Harbor channel and locks to admit the largest ships as it becomes a coaling station for the U.S. Navy.
1944 USS Francis M. Robinson (DE 220) sinks Japanese submarine RO 501 (ex-German U 1124) en route to Japan on her maiden voyage, 400 miles south-southwest of the Azores.
1964 The first all nuclear-powered task group, USS Enterprise (CVAN 65), USS Long Beach (CGN 9) and USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25), is organized and deploys to the Sixth Fleet. The task group departs in July and circumnavigates the globe without refueling, returning that October.
Today in History: May 13
1607 English colonists land near the James River in Virginia.
1648 Margaret Jones of Plymouth is found guilty of witchcraft and is sentenced to be hanged.
1779 The War of Bavarian Succession ends.
1846 The United States declares war on Mexico after fighting has already begun.
1861 Britain declares its neutrality in the American Civil War.
1864 The Battle of Resaca commences as Union General William T. Sherman fights towards Atlanta.
1888 Slavery is abolished in Brazil.
1912 The Royal Flying Corps is established in England.
1913 Igor Sikorsky flies the first four-engine aircraft.
1944 Allied forces in Italy break through the German Gustav Line into the Liri Valley.
1958 French troops take control of Algiers.
1968 Peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam begin in Paris.
1981 Pope John Paul II survives an assassination attempt.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear … Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post
… For The List for Friday, 13 May 2022… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 13 May 1967… Twenty MiGs rose to fight. Seven were downed. Thuds killed 5, Phantoms nailed two…
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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Thanks to Shadow
Harry Gann Estate
Folks,
As most of you know, Harry was one of my best friends and I have remained close to the family. Rusty Gann, Harry's middle son has maintained Harry's extensive collection of all the photos he shot in support of Naval Aviation. There are thousands of slides, 8x10's and other memorabilia… including some R.G. Smith originals as well as George Akimodo originals. In addition, there are thousands of slides and photos of civilian aircraft of all types, including air racing and historical aircraft.
The family would like to sell the collection and has asked me to reach out and notify others of their wishes. The Blue Angel collection alone is unsurpassed in the world. All of us in the Fighter/Attack community alone, were in squadrons Harry flew with on photo missions. I don't think there is another collection like it available anywhere!
My honest opinion is the collection should belong to the Pensacola Museum, Tailhook, Naval History Center, or possibly even the Smithsonian. I am also a realist… not many museums or Foundations have allocated funds to purchase such things and it will likely require an "Angel" or group to acquire the collection and then donate it to the museum or organization of choice.
If any of you have any interest or ideas… the family would be grateful. I've included Rusty's email above.
All the Best, Shadow
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Thanks to Brett
. Geopolitical Futures:
Keeping the future in focus
Daily Memo: Washington Lifts Some Syria Sanctions, Beijing Imposes Tougher Travel Limits
Ankara was predictably critical of the U.S. move.
By: GPF Staff
May 13, 2022
U.S. sanctions in Syria. The U.S. Treasury lifted sanctions on parts of northern Syria outside the control of the Assad government. The move allows Kurdish-held territories to receive foreign investment in 12 sectors, including agriculture, construction, finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, trade and clean energy. Turkey's foreign minister criticized the move, saying it legitimizes Syrian Kurdish militants whom Ankara deems terrorists. He also called on the U.S. to loosen sanctions on Idlib, a region currently held by militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
Travel restrictions. China is imposing stricter limits on "non-essential" overseas travel for its citizens to help contain an outbreak of the coronavirus. Immigration authorities said they would tighten the approval process for travel documents and limit the number of people leaving the country.
Rejection. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara did not support Sweden's and Finland's accession into NATO, saying Scandinavian countries "are like a guest house for terrorist organizations" – referring to the Kurdistan Workers' Party.
Ruble payments. Italian energy firm Eni will pay for natural gas deliveries from Russia's Gazprom in May in rubles, according to a report by Bloomberg. Gazprom has said ruble payments from its European customers wouldn't violate sanctions because they would not go through Russia's central bank. Eni reportedly has not yet opened a ruble account but is making preparations to do so.
European aid. The EU foreign affairs chief said he will propose another tranche of military aid for Ukraine worth 500 million euros ($519 million). Meanwhile, the European Commission unveiled a plan to help Ukraine export its agricultural goods. It will provide additional freight rolling stock, vessels and lorries to boost the capacity of transport networks and transshipment terminals and increase flexibility in customs and other checks.
U.S.-Greek cooperation. The Greek parliament voted on Thursday in favor of amending a defense cooperation agreement with the United States. The Greek prime minister said the changes will upgrade Greece's position in the partnership. It will include a mutual defense pledge and allow U.S. troops to train and operate from more locations than were included in the original agreement.
U.S. wheat supplies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture anticipates that U.S. farmers will produce 8 percent less winter wheat this year compared to the previous year. On the whole, U.S. wheat supplies in 2022-23 are projected to decline 3 percent from the previous season, and the period's ending stock is expected to reach the lowest level in nine years. Global wheat production is also expected to decline by 4.5 million tons from the 2021-22 season.
Biden's promises to Southeast Asia. U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to spend $150 million on infrastructure, security, COVID-19 protections and other measures designed to counter Chinese influence in Southeast Asia. He made the commitment during the opening of a two-day summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Washington.
Summit in Tajikistan. The foreign ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States are holding a summit in Tajikistan. Prior to the gathering, the representatives from Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia held a meeting to discuss a peace settlement between Baku and Yerevan.
Mediating. A delegation from the U.S. Congress will travel to Europe for a series of meetings in London, Brussels, Dublin and Belfast over the coming days. The goal of the trip is to reach a compromise on the Northern Ireland protocol amid rising tensions between London and Belfast.
The U.S. in Somaliland. The head of U.S. Africa Command met with the president of Somaliland to discuss security in the region. Several months ago, the breakaway region reportedly offered the U.S. military use of a seaport and airport in exchange for recognition.
Putin and Scholz. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about humanitarian issues in Ukraine.
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Thanks to Newell
Electric Vehicles And Their Batteries, Revisited
Skip,
I think I've told you before that often take the best new articles published in THE LIST and share them with my entire mailing list – under the subject-line title: "Lifted From THE LIST". A couple of days ago you published two articles regarding Electric Vehicles and their EV Batteries. Well, I spent a little time fact-checking some of the things written, then took the liberty of selectively editing some of the narrative to improve its verity, and, finally, posted the articles (along with some of my own commentary) to my entire mailing list. The remainder of this email is self-explanatory. Please consider editing/posting it in an upcoming THE LIST, because Graham Conway's video amplifies and clarifies a lot of the points expressed in your original articles.
Newell
I've received several informative (both critical and supportive) responses since posting "EV Batteries & Green Dream Electricity Generation" this morning. Two of the best arrived respectively from Dr. Fred Bauschard and Andy "Truman" Caputi. In expanded follow-on correspondence with Truman, he later provided me with the below YouTube website video. It is a succinct 14 minute illuminating analysis of where our EV and EV Battery technology is today in regards to our CO2 emissions, and its benefits in the future for a "greener" atmosphere.
Here's THE CONTRADICTIONS OF BATTERY OPERATED VEHICLES by Graham Conway.
(Due to multiple past postings, to view it you'll have to highlight the following website address, copy it, and then paste it into the address line of your internet browser.)
From Skip…I actually got it to work ok
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This Day in U S Military History…….May 13
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1865 – The last battle of the Civil War, fought near the Rio Grande River, ends in a Confederate victory. Soon after, word arrives of the surrender of the Confederate armies in the east and these men give themselves up to Union forces on June 2nd. The Civil War is officially over at the cost of more than 600,000 dead.
1943 – US forces now outnumber the Japanese defenders on Attu Island by 4 to 1. However, the Americans are unable to extend their front beyond the landing areas. Bad weather and the terrain hinder progress.
1944 – Forces of the US 5th Army continue to attack. The Polish 2nd Corps suffers heavy losses in unsuccessful attacks against the German 1st Parachute Division holding Cassino. The French Expeditionary Corps, however, captures Castelforte as well as Monte Maio and advance to the Liri River at Sant'Appollinaire. The US 2nd Corps and British 13th Corps make limited advances during the day.
1944 – An American escort destroyer sinks the Japanese submarine I-501 (formerly U-1224) off the Azores. The submarine had been presented to the Japanese by the German Kriegsmarine.
1945 – On Okinawa, fierce fighting continues along the Shuri Line. The US 6th Marine Division suffers heavy losses but completes the capture of Dakeshi Ridge. On the east coast, elements of the US 96th Division penetrate the strip east of the Shuri line and take part of Conical Hill.
1972 – Seventeen U.S. helicopters land 1,000 South Vietnamese marines and their six U.S. advisors behind North Vietnamese lines southeast of Quang Tri City in the first South Vietnamese counterattack since the beginning of the communist Nguyen Hue Offensive. The marines reportedly killed more than 300 North Vietnamese before returning to South Vietnamese-controlled territory the next day. Farther to the south, North Vietnamese tanks and troops continued their attacks in the Kontum area. On May 1, North Vietnamese troops had captured Quang Tri City, the first provincial capital taken during their ongoing offensive. The fall of the city effectively gave the North Vietnamese control of the entire province of Quang Tri. Farther south along the coast, three districts of Binh Dinh Province also fell, leaving about one-third of that province under communist control. These attacks were part of the North Vietnamese Nguyen Hue Offensive (later called the "Easter Offensive"), a massive invasion by North Vietnamese forces on March 30 to strike the blow that would win them the war. The attacking force included 14 infantry divisions and 26 separate regiments, with more than 120,000 troops and approximately 1,200 tanks and other armored vehicles. The main North Vietnamese objectives, in addition to Quang Tri in the north and Kontum in the Central Highlands, included An Loc farther to the south. The situation at Quang Tri would not be rectified until President Nguyen Van Thieu relieved the I Corps commander and replaced him with Maj. Gen. Ngo Quang Truong, whom Gen. Bruce Palmer, Jr., later described as "probably the best field commander in South Vietnam." Truong effectively stopped the ongoing rout of South Vietnamese forces, established a stubborn defense, and eventually launched a successful counterattack against the North Vietnamese, retaking Quang Tri in September.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
BADDERS, WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Chief Machinist's Mate, U.S. Navy. Place and date: At sea following sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus, 13 May 1939. Entered service at: Indianapolis, Ind. Born: 16 September 1900, Harrisburg, Ill. Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Navy-Marine Corps Medal. Citation: For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 13 May 1939. During the rescue operations, Badders, as senior member of the rescue chamber crew, made the last extremely hazardous trip of the rescue chamber to attempt to rescue any possible survivors in the flooded after portion of the Squalus. He was fully aware of the great danger involved in that if he and his assistant became incapacitated, there was no way in which either could be rescued. During the salvage operations, Badders made important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions. His outstanding performance of duty contributed much to the success of the operations and characterizes conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.
CRANDALL, ORSON L.
Rank and organization: Chief Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy. Place and date: At sea following sinking of U.S.S. Squalus, 13 May 1939. Born: 2 February 1903, St. Joseph, Mo. Entered service at: Connecticut. Citation: For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a master diver throughout the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. His leadership and devotion to duty in directing diving operations and in making important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions characterize conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.
DUNAGAN, KERN W.
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, Americal Division. Place and date: Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 13 May 1969. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 20 February 1934, Superior, Ariz. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Maj. (then Capt.) Dunagan distinguished himself during the period May 13 and 14, 1969, while serving as commanding officer, Company A. On May 13, 1969, Maj. Dunagan was leading an attack to relieve pressure on the battalion's forward support base when his company came under intense fire from a well-entrenched enemy battalion. Despite continuous hostile fire from a numerically superior force, Maj. Dunagan repeatedly and fearlessly exposed himself in order to locate enemy positions, direct friendly supporting artillery, and position the men of his company. In the early evening, while directing an element of his unit into perimeter guard, he was seriously wounded during an enemy mortar attack, but he refused to leave the battlefield and continued to supervise the evacuation of dead and wounded and to lead his command in the difficult task of disengaging from an aggressive enemy. In spite of painful wounds and extreme fatigue, Maj. Dunagan risked heavy fire on 2 occasions to rescue critically wounded men. He was again seriously wounded. Undaunted, he continued to display outstanding courage, professional competence, and leadership and successfully extricated his command from its untenable position on the evening of May 14. Having maneuvered his command into contact with an adjacent friendly unit, he learned that a 6-man party from his company was under fire and had not reached the new perimeter. Maj. Dunagan unhesitatingly went back and searched for his men. Finding 1 soldier critically wounded, Maj. Dunagan, ignoring his wounds, lifted the man to his shoulders and carried him to the comparative safety of the friendly perimeter. Before permitting himself to be evacuated, he insured all of his wounded received emergency treatment and were removed from the area. Throughout the engagement, Maj. Dunagan's actions gave great inspiration to his men and were directly responsible for saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. Maj. Dunagan's extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
*OLSON, KENNETH L.
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 5th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 13 May 1968. Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minn. Born: 26 May 1945, Willmar, Minn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Olson distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a team leader with Company A. Sp4c. Olson was participating in a mission to reinforce a reconnaissance platoon which was heavily engaged with a well-entrenched Viet Cong force. When his platoon moved into the area of contact and had overrun the first line of enemy bunkers, Sp4c. Olson and a fellow soldier moved forward of the platoon to investigate another suspected line of bunkers. As the 2 men advanced they were pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire from an enemy position 10 meters to their front. With complete disregard for his safety, Sp4c. Olson exposed himself and hurled a hand grenade into the Viet Cong position. Failing to silence the hostile fire, he again exposed himself to the intense fire in preparation to assault the enemy position. As he prepared to hurl the grenade, he was wounded, causing him to drop the activated device within his own position. Realizing that it would explode immediately, Sp4c. Olson threw himself upon the grenade and pulled it in to his body to take the full force of the explosion. By this unselfish action Sp4c. Olson sacrificed his own life to save the lives of his fellow comrades-in-arms. His extraordinary heroism inspired his fellow soldiers to renew their efforts and totally defeat the enemy force. Sp4c. Olson's profound courage and intrepidity were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
*WINDER, DAVID F.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 13 May 1970. Entered service at: Columbus, Ohio. Born: 10 August 1946, Edinboro, Pa. Citation: Pfc. Winder distinguished himself while serving in the Republic of Vietnam as a senior medical aidman with Company A. After moving through freshly cut rice paddies in search of a suspected company-size enemy force, the unit started a thorough search of the area. Suddenly they were engaged with intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire by a well entrenched enemy force. Several friendly soldiers fell wounded in the initial contact and the unit was pinned down. Responding instantly to the cries of his wounded comrades, Pfc. Winder began maneuvering across approximately 100 meters of open, bullet-swept terrain toward the nearest casualty. Unarmed and crawling most of the distance, he was wounded by enemy fire before reaching his comrades. Despite his wounds and with great effort, Pfc. Winder reached the first casualty and administered medical aid. As he continued to crawl across the open terrain toward a second wounded soldier he was forced to stop when wounded a second time. Aroused by the cries of an injured comrade for aid, Pfc. Winder's great determination and sense of duty impelled him to move forward once again, despite his wounds, in a courageous attempt to reach and assist the injured man. After struggling to within 10 meters of the man, Pfc. Winder was mortally wounded. His dedication and sacrifice inspired his unit to initiate an aggressive counterassault which led to the defeat of the enemy. Pfc. Winder's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit and the U.S. Army.
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Thanks to Mugs
. The F-22 Raptor is a 'beast'
And we only purchased a partial order and are now looking to retire it early??????????????
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Operator's manuals have a boring reputation, but not if they are written for one of the best fighter jets ever developed.
Isaw 'Top Gun: Maverick' and it's way better than the originalUp Next:
Retired Air Force Col. Terry "Stretch" Scott found that out during his time flying the F-22 Raptor, the Air Force's fifth-generation fighter designed to kick down the door of enemy air defenses.
"The flight controls … are phenomenal," Scott said on the Fighter Pilot Podcast in 2019. The original operator's manual actually read "you may fly this aircraft with reckless abandon," he recalled, and while the manual has changed since the aircraft's first flight more than two decades ago, the spirit of the Raptor is the same as ever.
"Having come from a fourth-generation background, it's eye-watering," how nimble the jet is, said Scott, a former F-15 pilot. "Even when I'm flying offensive against another Raptor, that airplane is eye-watering when it starts maneuvering visually."
Thousands of moviegoers will get a chance to see the F-22 shine on the silver screen later this month. The Air Force put together a 60-second recruiting ad to play in movie theaters before the start of "Top Gun: Maverick," the sequel to the classic 1986 movie about Navy aviators which inspired a generation of military pilots. The Air Force ad showcases the branch's fighter fleet, but some of the most spectacular stunts in the clip are performed by Maj. Joshua 'Cabo' Gunderson, the pilot and commander of the F-22 Demo Team.
Staff Sgt. Don Hudson, who handles public affairs for the team, walked Task & Purpose through those stunts.
The first one, at 18 seconds in, is the Power Loop, where Gunderson uses the Raptor's thrust vectoring capability to quickly loop the aircraft, Hudson said. Thrust vectoring means the F-22 can point its engine nozzles slightly up and down for greater control and maneuverability. Very few aircraft on the planet have that capability, and skilled Raptor pilots like Gunderson can use it to tie adversaries in knots.
"It gave me a form of vertigo," retired Navy F/A-18 fighter pilot Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, the host of the Fighter Pilot Podcast, recalled after facing off against the Raptor in training. "There are only a handful of things I remember from 3,800 hours and 25 years [of flying] but that's one of them."
Most fixed-wing airplanes tend to fly forward, but at about 26 seconds into the recruiting commercial, Gunderson puts on a Raptor Slide, "where the pilot maintains a controlled backwards slide before repositioning to pull out of the maneuver," Hudson explained.
Then, at about 47 seconds into the video, Gunderson performs a J-Turn, also known as the Herbst maneuver, which "highlights the unique maneuvering capabilities of the Raptor to rapidly reverse the change of direction with an incredibly tight turn," Hudson said.
basically uses "the entire airframe as a speed brake" and can "reduce the turning time of a fighter aircraft by 30 percent," according to NASA.
Gunderson makes the maneuvering magic look easy, but it takes plenty of training and skill to pull it off, Hudson said.
Even Scott, who had an impressive 3,500 hours of flying in the F-15 Eagle before switching to the F-22, said it took a while to master the Raptor. But once you do, it's almost unfair for your opponents.
"It really sucks to fight in a normal fighter against it. Feels like cheating," said Trevor Aldridge, a former Air Force F-15C Eagle driver who also flew F-16s with the Air Force Thunderbirds, the branch's premier aerial demonstration team. "The Raptor is a beast of an airplane!"
Indeed, the F-22 was always meant to be a beast. It was designed to replace the F-15 as the Air Force's premier air-to-air winning machine. The plane is not just nimble: it's smart and sneaky too. With advanced sensors, the fighter can see threats from far away; with its stealthy shape and materials, it can sneak up on those threats undetected; with its supercruise ability, it can sneak faster than threats can react; and, with its thrust vectoring capability, it can out-dance any opponent within visual range.
"The F-22 … was intended to be a pure fighter," Aiello said on his show. "It's not the quarterback … telling everybody where to go. It's out there getting in the mix, in fistfights."
Clearly the plane succeeded, according to the pilots quoted in this article. But the Raptor took flight at a tough time for 'pure fighters.' The Air Force originally planned to buy 750 Raptors, but the number Congress wanted dropped over the 1990s to 339. The jet became operational in 2005, right as the Global War on Terror was kicking off. The case for an expensive, stealthy, air-to-air platform became more difficult to argue when America's most urgent enemies fought with homemade roadside bombs, not integrated air defense systems. By the start of the 2010s, Congress decided to cap the total fleet of Raptors at 187, and production of the plane was shut down.
Even so, the F-22 distinguished itself during the aircraft's first 'combat surge' in 2018 over Syria, where the aircraft scared off 587 Syrian, Iranian and Russian combat aircraft and dropped 4,250 pounds of ordnance on enemy positions, the Pentagon stated at the time.
Nowadays, air-to-air combat and contested airspaces are back on the minds of generals and policy makers in Washington as China and Russia make bids to become regional and international superpowers. However, unlike how it was in 2005, the F-22 is now on the backside of the technology curve. In 2021, the service announced it would retire the Raptor sometime around 2030, depending on how soon the Air Force can adopt its Next Generation Air Dominance fighter — a developing project which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars per tail and redefine the concept of fighter aircraft. NGAD will take over the F-22's air superiority role, while the multirole F-35 Lightning II will serve as the "cornerstone" of the fighter fleet, according to Air Force leaders.
Though the F-22's days are numbered, maneuvers like those Gunderson performed in the Air Force commercial indicate that the sharp-edged bird will always be remembered with admiration, and maybe a bit of fear.
"What that aircraft is designed to do, it can do," Scott said. "The performance matches the glossy brochure."
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS
FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR MAY 13
THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
May 13
AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS
FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR MAY 13
THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
May 13
1908: First radio reception on a balloon in the US received while flying from Fort Myer, Va., to Woodwardville, Md. (24)
1911: Lts Henry H. Arnold and Thomas DeWitt Milling completed their training at Simms Station, Dayton, to become the first Army pilots to graduate from the Wright School. (4)
1940: Igor Sikorsky flew his VS-300 (Vought-Sikorsky) helicopter in its first free flight. Earlier flights were tethered. (21)
1941: In a mass flight over the Pacific, 21 B-17s took off from Hamilton Field, and landed on 14 Mayat Hickam Field 13 hours 10 minutes later. (21) 1942: The first US bombardment squadron, the 15th, sent to England without aircraft. It flew the first US AAF operations over Western Europe on 4 July against enemy airfields in the Netherlands.
1948: The first US built two-stage rocket, the Bumper-WAC, launched from White Sands. (6)
1952: KOREAN WAR. Fifth Air Force F-86 Sabres destroyed five MiG-15s in aerial combat. In the morning 12 F-86s attacked targets in Sinuiju, Sinuiju Airfield, and Uiju Airfield in northwestern Korea. In early afternoon, Sabres hit the marshaling yards at Kunu-ri, and, in late afternoon, bombed Sinuiju with 1000-pound bombs. Unfortunately, Col Walker M. Mahurin, the 4 FIG Commander who had led all three missions, was shot down and captured. (28)
1957: Three USAF F-100C Super Sabres set a distance record for single-engine jet aircraft by flying 6,710 miles from London, England, to Los Angeles in 14 hours 5 minutes. (24) 1958: Trans World Airlines hired the first black stewardess. (8)
1962: Project FIELD GLASS. Through 7 June, an F-100 detachment of the 510 TFS from Clark AB deployed to Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, in response to an increasing threat on the Laotian border. On 16 May, the rest of the 510 TFS deployed to Takhli. On 7 June, a TDY F-100 squadron from Cannon AFB, N. Mex., replaced the 510TFS. (17)
1967: For the second time, the 8 TFW's pilots shot down seven MiGs in a single day's action over North Vietnam. (16)
1968: The DoD called up three more ANG and six more AFRES units with 22,000 people to extended active duty to augment regular Air Force units involved in the Vietnam War. (16) (21)
1976: TYPHOON OLGA. Through 1 June, after Typhoon Olga hit the Philippines, ARRS helicopters saved 734 flood victims. (2)
1985: The AFFTC at Edwards AFB completed its evaluation of the KC-135R Stratotanker under minimum interval takeoff conditions. The improved tanker demonstrated an ability to take off at 12-second intervals. (16)
1995: The 931 AREFG at McConnell AFB became the first KC-135 associate unit to fly an operational mission with an all-reserve crew. The aircraft refueled a B-2 Bomber during one of its flight tests. Previously, the reserve crews flew on active duty aircraft. (16) (18)
2004: The final C-141 airdrop of paratroopers took place at Fort Benning, Ga. Army Private Jason Stewart, a native of Chandler, Ariz., became last paratrooper to jump from a C-141, when he jumped from C-141C (No. 65-0229) of the 452 AMW (AFRC) at March ARB, Calif. (22)
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World news for 13 MAY thanks to Military Periscope
USA—Space Force Unveils Plans For New Testing Infrastructure Air Force Times | 05/13/2022 U.S. Space Force has released a new proposal for integrating testing of satellites, sensors and ground systems to prepare for operations in an increasingly contested space environment, reports the Air Force Times. The vision document, approved in March by Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David Thompson and released Tuesday, calls for setting up an agile testing force and more capable range infrastructure. The service established the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) in August, which will lead the development of integrated test forces and operating range infrastructure. In a first step, Space Force is focused on standing up a testing organization, developing its workforce and improving its infrastructure. The service anticipates streamlining development and operational testing with the goal of reducing the time and cost of trials. It will also set up a National Space Test and Training Complex that combines high-fidelity virtual testing capabilities with an on-orbit range. Space Force is currently developing the roadmap for the complex.
USA—Ukraine War Demonstrates Need For Army Network Improvements Army Times | 05/13/2022 U.S. Army leaders say that the war in Ukraine has validated the service's efforts to upgrade its communication equipment and strengthen cybersecurity tools, reports the Army Times. "I think the things that we've observed have reinforced the campaign that we have been on, and that we need to continue this momentum and mode of execution," Maj. Gen. Robert Collins, the program executive officer for tactical command, control and communications, said on Tuesday at a technical forum. Collins has been overseeing the rollout of capability sets, which field hardware and software to enhance Army networks. Russian forces in Ukraine have used simpler and less-secure communications equipment and struggled to implement secure command and control, noted an unnamed senior defense official. These issues have left Russian forces vulnerable. At the same time, Russia has hit Ukrainian communications hard. Last month, Washington said it would send secure, tactical communications equipment to Ukraine to help prevent eavesdropping and jamming. Since 2021, the Army has been rolling out enhanced communications gear as part of its capability set initiative. The 2021 iteration focused on infantry brigades, increased connectivity and making communications kit smaller, faster and more resilient. The upcoming Capability Set 23 focuses on Stryker brigades and is designed to enhance data sharing and mobility as well as electronic- and cyber-warfare defenses. The Army concluded the critical design review for the systems in April with testing slated for later this year.
Russia—Finnish NATO Accession A Threat, Kremlin Spokesman Says Tass | 05/13/2022 Finland's plans to join NATO are a threat to Russia, according to a Kremlin spokesman cited by Russia's state-owned Tass news agency. The continued expansion of the Atlantic alliance does not make the Eurasian continent more stable or safe, the spokesman told reporters on Thursday. Finnish NATO membership will require analysis to develop an appropriate response to ensure Russian security, he said. This will depend to some extent on the proximity of alliance military infrastructure to the Russian border. A formal Finnish decision on applying for NATO membership could come as soon as May 15.
Moldova—Molotov Attacks Reported In Separatist-Held Transnistria Agence France-Presse | 05/13/2022 Authorities in the Russian-backed Transnistria region in Moldova say unknown assailants have attacked oil infrastructure and a conscription office with Molotov cocktails, reports Agence France-Presse. Early Friday morning, an unidentified man threw a Molotov cocktail toward an oil depot. About 30 minutes later, two Molotovs were thrown at a conscription office in Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria, said the breakaway region's interior ministry. No significant damage was reported. There have been concerns about spillover from Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine since a Russian general claimed one objective was to create a land corridor to Transnistria through southern Ukraine.
Australia—Chinese Spy Ship Spotted Off Coast Australian Broadcasting Corporation | 05/13/2022 A Chinese intelligence ship has been sailing off Australia's west coast, near a secretive naval communications facility, reports the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The Australian military has been monitoring the ship for a week or so, particularly as it sailed near the Harold E. Holt Naval Base at Exmouth, a naval communications facility that supports American and other allied submarines, around May 11, said Defense Minister Peter Dutton. The minister expressed concern about how far south the Chinese vessel traveled as well as how close to shore it operated as it headed back north toward Darwin.
Burma—Pro-Junta Militias Step Up Campaign Against Pro-Democracy Activists Radio Free Asia | 05/13/2022 There are a growing number of pro-junta militias in Burma seeking to silence pro-democracy activists and anti-junta groups, reports Radio Free Asia. In late April, eight members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), which was overthrown by the Burmese military last year, were found brutally murdered in Mandalay with badges or cards on their bodies with the insignia of the Thway Thauk, or "Blood Comrades," militia. Since, similar groups have emerged in the Bago, Tanintharyi and Irrawaddy regions as well as the capital, Naypyidaw. The groups have issued death threats on social media against the NLD, activists, journalists and members of the anti-junta People's Defense Force paramilitary group, according to unnamed sources. Opponents of the military regime feel increasingly unsafe as the militias spread, said one anti-coup protester in Dawei township in Tanintharyi. The threats are part of efforts by pro-junta forces to eliminate support for the PDF and the National Unity Government, said one former NLD lawmaker. There are concerns that the military regime has lost control at the ground level, setting the stage for increased violence.
Canada—Military To Take Greater Role In Defending Cyberspace Global News | 05/13/2022 The Canadian government has ordered the military to be more "assertive" in cyber operations, according to documents obtained by Global News (Canada). The Canadian armed forces and Dept. of National Defense provided a new "cyber playbook" to Defense Minister Anita Anand earlier this year, noting that cyber threats have "evolved significantly" since Ottawa published its 2010 cyber strategy. The document also says that Canada has come under growing pressure from its allies to conduct joint cyber operations, either as a standalone or in support of a conventional conflict. The playbook also sees the need for increased resilience to prevent adversaries from accessing networks as well as to ensure rapid responses should enemy hackers gain access, experts said. There is also pressure for Canada to be more aggressive in cyberspace to pre-empt potential threats. Meanwhile, Ottawa published its formal position on cyber warfare and international law last month and has pushed for international rules and norms around cyber espionage and warfare.
Colombia—Abrams Tanks Sought From U.S. Defense News | 05/13/2022 The Colombian government has inquired about purchasing used tanks from the U.S., reports Defense News. In March, President Joe Biden announced that Colombia would be granted major non-NATO ally status. With the new status in the works, the military has asked about procuring secondhand M1A2 Abrams tanks. The Colombian army does not operate main battle tanks. Its heaviest combat platform is the Brazilian EE-9 Cascavel, a six-wheel armored vehicle armed with a 90-mm cannon. The service has been seeking to upgrade its conventional capabilities after decades of prioritizing equipment to combat terrorism, insurgency and drug-trafficking. There are growing concerns about tensions with Venezuela, which has invested heavily in modern military equipment from Russia and China, including T-72B1V tanks and Su-30 fighter jets. Bogota is also looking to replace its aging Israeli-built Kfir fighters, with used F-16 models and the latest Block 70 configuration under consideration. As a major non-NATO ally, Colombia would receive special treatment regarding U.S. financial aid and access to surplus equipment.
European Union—Another $522 Million In Aid On The Way To Ukraine Reuters | 05/13/2022 The European Union is set to send another 500 million euros (US$522 million) in military aid to Ukraine, reports Reuters. The latest support would focus on heavy weapons, including tanks and artillery, said Josep Borrell, the E.U. foreign policy chief. The latest aid would bring the bloc's support to Ukraine to 2 billion euros (US$2.1 billion), he said. Borrell also expressed confidence that an E.U. embargo on Russian oil would be agreed to within days.
Greenland—Defense Agreement Inked With Denmark Copenhagen Post | 05/13/2022 The Danish and Greenland governments have signed a major defense agreement agreed to last year, reports the Copenhagen Post. On Tuesday, Danish Defense Minister Morten Bodeskov and Greenland's minister for foreign issues, business and trade, Vivian Motzfeldt, formalized the Arctic Capacity Package at Frederiksberg Castle outside Copenhagen, reported the High North News (Norway). Under the program, Denmark will invest about US$213 million in an increased military presence and monitoring of the region. It also covers a military education program in Kangerlussug in western Greenland; providing Greenlanders more opportunities to participate in the defense of the country; and the acquisition of advanced surveillance capabilities.
India—1 Killed In Attack In Kashmir The Hindu | 05/13/2022 A terrorist attack has killed a member of the Kashmiri Pandit, a Hindu minority community, in central Kashmir, reports the Hindu. Two gunmen opened fire on a government office in Budgam, wounding a clerk, who died later in the hospital. The little-known Kashmir Tigers group later claimed responsibility for the killing, reported the Hindustan Times. On Friday, members of the Kashmiri Pandit community protested the killing, calling for improved security and threatening mass resignations from government posts if the central government fails to deliver.
Iran—E.U., Qatar Push To Revive Nuclear Deal Al-Monitor | 05/13/2022 Senior European Union and Qatari officials are visiting Iran separately to try to revive the nuclear deal with the U.S., reports the Al-Monitor (Washington, D.C.). On Wednesday, Enrique Mora, the E.U.'s chief negotiator, met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani in Tehran to learn the latest developments following his last visit in March. He reportedly visited at the invitation of Iran and without bringing a message from Washington. Josep Borrell, the E.U. foreign policy chief, called the trip "the last bullet" for resuscitating the Iranian nuclear deal, which has foundered over the U.S. designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad was scheduled to visit Iran, possibly for talks to help push the nuclear negotiations forward.
Kazakhstan—Anka Combat Drones To Be Built Domestically Daily Sabah | 05/13/2022 Kazakhstan is set to begin co-producing Turkish combat drones, reports the Daily Sabah (Istanbul). The Anka medium-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed aerial vehicle will be produced in Kazakhstan under a new agreement signed with the state-owned Kazakhstan Engineering firm covering the transfer of technology, including maintenance and repair, Turkish Aerospace Industries, the builder of the Anka, said in a release. The new facility will be the first production base for the Anka outside of Turkey. In November, it was reported that Kazakhstan had purchased three Anka systems.
North Korea—3 Short-Range Ballistic Missile Fired Into Sea Of Japan Yonhap | 05/13/2022 North Korea has conducted its 16th missile firing of 2022, launching three missiles into the Sea of Japan, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Thursday, three short-range ballistic missiles were fired from what Pyongyang calls super-large multiple rocket launchers at 20-second intervals, according to an unnamed source. The launches took place from the Sunan area of Pyongyang, said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. The missiles traveled about 220 miles (360 km), reaching a maximum altitude of around 56 miles (90 km). American and South Korean intelligence services are conducting a detailed analysis of the launches, said the JCS.
South Korea—President Yoon Promises Vaccines To North Amid COVID Outbreak Korea Biomedical Review | 05/13/2022 South Korean President Yook Suk Yeol says he will make COVID-19 vaccines available to North Korea as it suffers its first reported outbreak of the virus, reports the Korea Biomedical Review. On Friday, Pyongyang acknowledged that six people had died from the COVID omicron variant among more than 350,000 cases in the last month. About 180,00 people are currently quarantining with COVID-related symptoms. There are concerns that the North could lose control of the outbreak, since it lacks the four major factors that have reduced omicron's effects elsewhere, doctors said. These are vaccination, immunity, treatment and critical care technology. While Seoul is ready to provide support, including vaccines, the North has not yet reached out for assistance, presidential aides said.
Syria—10 Soldiers Killed In Rebel Attack Agence France-Presse | 05/13/2022 At least 10 pro-Assad fighters have been killed in a rebel attack in northern Syria, reports Agence France-Presse. On Friday, rebels fired an anti-tank missile at a bus carrying pro-regime fighters back to their home villages, according to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It was not immediately clear which group was responsible for the attack. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is the dominant jihadist group in the area, the observatory said. The attack is the deadliest since a 2020 truce brokered by Russia and Turkey.
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