To All
Good Saturday morning June 27. Same weather different day. The clouds are clearing by 8 and we are heating up to 77 by 2.
The yard is pretty much cleared of all the leaves and weed growth. Now I just have to keep an eye on it and have the weed whacker and blower handy. The summer classes start on Monday so I have to get all the updated rosters ready and order some more uniforms for the new students. The remaining two hens and one nasty rooster are in their new digs and doing fine.
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History (thanks to NHHC)
Go here to see the director’s corner for all 97 H-Grams
June 27
1861 While commanding a gunboat flotilla, Cmdr. James Harmon Ward is mortally wounded by a musket ball while aiming the bow gun of his flagship, USS Thomas Freeborn at Mathias Point, Va. Ward is the first US Naval officer casualty of the Civil War.
1898 During the Spanish-American War, the 301-ton yacht Hornet captures the Spanish steamer Benito Estenger off Cape Cruz, Cuba.
1945 PV-1 (VPB 142) sinks the Japanese submarine I 165, 450 miles east of Saipan, Mariana Islands.
1945 USS Blueback (SS 326) sinks Imperial Japanese Navy submarine chaser, (CH 2), north of Lombok, Java Sea.
1950 President Harry Truman authorizes U.S. Naval and Air operations south of 38th Parallel, Korea, in support of the U.N. call to assist South Korea.
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Today in World History June 27
1743 English King George II defeats the French at Dettingen, Bavaria.
1833 Prudence Crandall, a white woman, is arrested for conducting an academy for black women in Canterbury, Conn.
1862 Confederates break through the Union lines at the Battle of Gaines' Mill--the third engagement of the Seven Days' campaign.
1864 General William Sherman is repulsed by Confederates at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
1871 The yen becomes the new form of currency in Japan.
1905 The crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin mutinies.
1918 Two German pilots are saved by parachutes for the first time.
1923 Yugoslav Premier Nikola Pachitch is wounded by Serb attackers in Belgrade.
1924 Democrats offer Mrs. Leroy Springs the vice presidential nomination, the first woman considered for the job.
1927 The U.S. Marines adopt the English bulldog as their mascot.
1929 Scientists at Bell Laboratories in New York reveal a system for transmitting television pictures.
1942 The Allied convoy PQ-17 leaves Iceland for Murmansk and Archangel.
1944 Allied forces capture the port city of Cherbourg, France.
1950 The UN Security Council calls on members for troops to aid South Korea.
1963 Henry Cabot Lodge is appointed U.S. ambassador to South Vietnam.
1973 President Richard Nixon vetoes a Senate ban on the Cambodia bombing.
1985 The U.S. House of Representatives votes to limit the use of combat troops in Nicaragua.
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7 Things That Are Much Cheaper Now Than They Used To Be
Despite what feels like the constantly rising costs of modern life, the prices of some essential commodities such as gas and eggs have actually remained relatively stable compared to dollar values and wages in the past. Other items, meanwhile, have actually become much cheaper over time, even when accounting for inflation. Innovations in technology, increased competition, and improvements in manufacturing and logistics are most often the reason for these surprising price drops. Here are seven everyday items that are much cheaper now than they were in decades past.
Clothing
In the mid-20th century, the average American family spent about 10% to 12% of their household income on clothing. Today, that figure has dropped to around 3%. It’s not because people are buying less: The average person buys about 70 new apparel items a year, compared to approximately 25 items per person in 1960. So why are people spending so much less?Starting in the 1970s and into the 1990s, most U.S. clothing production moved overseas, where labor costs are lower and production output is higher. Those savings were passed onto consumers, and as fast-fashion brands proliferated, Americans had more options at lower prices than ever before. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, a woman’s dress cost $50 in 1960. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $530 today — not unheard of, but far above prices at the most popular clothing retailers today.
Bananas
Bananas have been a staple fruit in the American diet for decades, and while they’re one of the cheapest and most popular fruits in the supermarket now, they started out as a luxury item. Bananas first became available in the U.S. following the Civil War. At the time, they sold for about 10 cents a piece — that’s about $3 per banana today. The price of the tropical fruit has hovered between 50 and 60 cents per pound for the last 20 years — a significant drop from its early cost. Most bananas sold in American stores are imported from faraway places including Guatemala and Honduras and require cooling containers for shipping. Despite these barriers, labor costs remain low, and banana importers sell only one variety, the Cavendish, meaning the fruit can be harvested in abundant volumes and ripen at the same time. That helps keep production and shipping efficient, and the cost to consumers low.
Televisions
It’s no surprise that as technology improves and becomes more efficient, prices come down. But one consumer electronics category stands out from the rest for its drastic price cuts: televisions (even as they get bigger and bigger). When RCA debuted its first color TV set in 1954, the 15-inch screen came with a $1,000 price tag. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator, that would be more than $11,600 today. By comparison, a 65-inch, high-definition smart TV might set you back less than $500 today, and while that’s neither the high nor low end of the current television market, it’s a good indicator that TVs are much more affordable than they used to be. There are several reasons for the major price cuts over the years, including increased competition and advancements in manufacturing (especially the process of cutting several screens out of a larger sheet of “mother glass”). But there’s another factor keeping TV prices low: Consumers’ viewing data is being collected and sold to advertisers. This “post-purchase monetization” often results in targeted ads on smart TVs, and while it may offer affordable TV prices and accurate targeted viewing recommendations, the feature can be disabled for a more anonymous viewing experience.
Airfare
It may feel like airfare has surged in recent years due to increased fuel prices and airport taxes, yet airline tickets — fees included — have actually become much more affordable over time. Commercial air travel used to be a luxurious experience available only to the wealthy. It wasn’t until President Jimmy Carter signed the Airline Deregulation Act in 1978 that competition opened up, flight paths and schedules increased, and airline prices began to come down. In 1941, an average flight from Los Angeles to Boston would have cost more than $5,000 in today’s money (and taken an excruciating 15 hours); now, a nonstop, one-way flight from Los Angeles to Boston commonly costs around $300 and takes about six hours. And an average domestic round-trip airfare is about $400 in the U.S.
Washing Machines
Household appliances have seen many technological advancements over the years, and while high-end luxury products are still out of reach for the average consumer, other appliances have become much more affordable over the years. The price of washing machines, an invaluable addition to modern life, has changed significantly from the 1950s to today. In 1959, a Kenmore washer was advertised in Sears’ “Wish Book” Christmas catalog for $209.95. (The matching dryer was listed at $169.95.) Today, that amount inflates to more than $2,200 — a $1,600 difference from a basic $500 to $600 top-loading Kenmore machine today. That’s a happy trend, lest we have to wash our increased amount of clothing by hand.
Toys
Although it may not feel like the case to modern parents, toys are cheaper — and more plentiful — today than in decades past. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows significant deflation on toys over the past 30 years, a trend primarily resulting from increased reliance on inexpensive overseas production and more competition both from toy brands and from major retailers. Considering today’s popular toys, from Squishmallows to STEM gadgets to LEGO sets, prices average out at about $50. That is not too different from the $25 Cabbage Patch Kids of the 1980s (about $70 today), or the $8 Rock'em Sock'em Robots of the 1960s (about $80 today), but the current cost of similar toys is much less than those inflated costs. Today, you can get a modern Rock'em Sock'em set for under $30, or a standard Barbie doll for about $12 — much less than an average Barbie from the 1994 JC Penney catalog, which, at $15, would cost more than $30 today.
Aluminum
Once considered a precious metal more valuable than gold, aluminum became drastically cheaper in the late 19th century. Although it’s the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust, it wasn’t always easy to extract from its ore. After the Hall-Héroult smelting process was developed in 1886 by two different scientists — Charles Martin Hall in Ohio and Paul-Louis-Toussaint Héroult in France — it became easier to isolate aluminum, which revolutionized its production. In 1884, when the element was still rare and expensive, the United States used 6 pounds of it atop the Washington Monument. At the time, aluminum cost about $17 a pound — that would be more than $500 per pound today. Within a few short years, thanks to Hall and Héroult’s new process, the price of aluminum plummeted; today, the metal is worth about $1.15 a pound, and is most commonly used in everyday aluminum cans.
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June 27
Hello All,
Thanks to Dan Heller and the Bear
Links to all content can now be found right on the homepage http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com. If you scroll down from the banner and featured content you will find "Today in Rolling Thunder Remembered History" which highlights events in the Vietnam war that occurred on the date the page is visited. Below that are links to browse or search all content. You may search by keyword(s), date, or date range.
An item of importance is the recent incorporation of Task Force Omega (TFO) MIA summaries. There is a link on the homepage and you can also visit directly via https://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/task-force-omega/. There are 60 summaries posted thus far, with about 940 to go (not a typo—TFO has over 1,000 individual case files).
If you have any questions or comments about RTR/TFO, or have a question on my book, you may e-mail me directly at acrossthewing@protonmail.com. Thank you Dan
Thanks to Micro
To remind folks that these are from the Vietnam Air Losses site that Micro put together. You click on the url elow and get what happened each day to the crew of the aircraft. ……Skip
June 27: https://www.vietnamairlosses.com/loss.php?id=2933
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.
This is a list of all Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . Listed by last name and has other info https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/KIAINDEX.HTM
MOAA - Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
(This site was sent by a friend . The site works, find anyone you knew in “search" feature. https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/ )
Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
By: Kipp Hanley
AUGUST 15, 2022
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Thanks to Interesting Facts
We’ve all heard that we have five senses — sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste. That idea goes back to the Greek philosopher Aristotle. However, it’s wrong.
Modern science has identified as many as 32 senses, by looking at receptors in our bodies with the job of receiving and conveying specific information. Our senses also tend to work in tandem without us noticing a connection. We mostly take this intricate system for granted — until something goes wrong, and we gain a deeper appreciation of the complexity of the human body. Learning more about our senses can help us both understand health problems and appreciate the many ways our bodies perform beautifully. Here are six senses you probably didn’t know you possess.
1 of 6
Vestibular Sense (Equilibrioception)
The vestibular sense is one of balance and orientation. Whenever we move our heads, we activate a set of receptors in the inner ear that allow us to balance. The vestibular sense is also activated by the downward force of gravity. It allows us to know which way is up or down, right or left.
Balance exercises can help boost the vestibular sense, which begins to decline after age 40. That’s why the elderly may be unsteady on their feet. Side note: “Out of body” experiences may be episodes when the vestibular sense doesn’t work normally. It’s a scary sensation, not feeling “grounded.”
2 of 6
Proprioception
Our muscles and joints contain receptors that deal with how our bodies occupy space. These proprioception receptors make it possible to walk down the street without constantly banging into someone (although cell phones don’t help), climb stairs without looking down, or touch our fingers to the tip of our noses.
These same receptors provide feedback about how our muscles are affecting the environment. A child who uses too much force when writing or coloring, for example, may need proprioception coaching. Football players, on the other hand, are proprioception experts. They move fluidly around obstacles, seeing them from afar, and know exactly how hard to throw the ball.
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Inner Sensing (Interoception)
People also vary a great deal in their awareness of inner body signals, known as interoception. Someone who doesn’t pick up on stomach fullness may eat or drink too much. Someone who doesn’t notice a stomach rumbling may eat too little. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) sometimes need to be reminded to eat, for example. We also notice when our hearts are beating faster or when we need the toilet.
Meditation practices that teach us to notice our breathing are, in effect, boosting our awareness of one kind of interoception signals, a system of body-wide receptors that communicate with a spot deep in the brain called the insular cortex. This inner sensing doesn’t just tell us if we’re hungry or tired. It allows us to note our own emotions, which often begin as physical sensations. That’s why meditation can help with both body awareness and emotional self-knowledge.
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Thermoception
We have special receptors in our skin that communicate with an area in the hypothalamus (known as the thermoregulatory center) to monitor temperature. There are at least six different kinds of external temperature receptors in our skin, each designed for a different temperature range. If the air gets cold, the appropriate cold receptors fire more to signal a change.
If receptors for outer temperature are exposed to a sensation for a long time, they stop firing as much. That’s why we can get used to cold if we’re patient. But nerve damage can take that too far, and lead us to miss important information. People who don’t feel cold sufficiently can get frostbite or, if they don’t feel heat quickly enough, a bad burn.
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Nociception
We actually know we have this one — it’s called pain. But for some time, pain wasn’t understood as being its own sensory system. Pain receptors can be classified into three distinct types: cutaneous (skin), somatic (bones, joints, muscles, and beyond), and visceral (body organs).
People vary in what’s called their “pain tolerance.” Nociceptors each have a minimum intensity of stimulation before they trigger a signal that gets passed along into the spinal cord to the brain. Different kinds of nerve fibers are responsible for fast, localized, sharp pain and slow, poorly localized, dull pain.
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Time
We speak of a “body clock,” but actually our bodies are full of clocks with different functions. Our circadian clock is tuned to the rise and fall of daylight and is disrupted when we cross several time zones or lose sleep. Other clocks are tuned for tiny intervals. Our sleep includes multiple 90-minute cycles; we have rhythms for blood pressure, hormone secretion, heart rate, and more.
But how do we perceive time? It’s a mystery. Many people have had the experience of waking up a second before the alarm goes off when they’re nervous about catching a plane — even if that’s not their usual wake-up time. Somehow, we can perceive time accurately while asleep. Some people know exactly how long a conversation has lasted and others have no idea. When we’re bored, time moves slowly. When we’re intensely engaged, time seems to stop and hours pass. Scientists are pinpointing areas of the brain that may provide our sense of time through body processes like breathing and heart rate. Although we don’t know how we perceive time, it’s clear that we do have a sense of time passing.
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Why Was Marco Polo Important?
FAMOUS FIGURES
MARCO POLO
While Marco Polo is best known in modern popular culture as the namesake for a children’s swimming pool game, the Venetian explorer was a crucial figure in world history in the years leading up to the Renaissance. His popular book, commonly called The Travels of Marco Polo — though it was originally titled Livre des Merveilles du Monde (Book of the Marvels of the World) or Devisement du Monde (Description of the World) — was a lavish description of his journey through Central Asia and China in the late 13th century.
Polo’s travelogue was much more than an account of the paths he took across the globe; he also described the people and environments he encountered along the way. By doing so, he introduced his European audience to Asian cultures that were previously unknown to them, and planted the seeds of the modern era’s global perspective. But the book was also filled with exaggerations, supposed run-ins with mythical creatures, and supernatural events. Those aspects, combined with a dearth of historical records to corroborate some of Polo’s more tangible claims, have led some scholars to doubt that he ever made it to China at all. Let’s make some sense of this famed explorer and his influential book.
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Thanks to History Facts
Agriculture is why so many people need braces.
Braces have become so commonplace in the U.S. that wearing them is almost a rite of passage; data suggests that about 50% of children in the U.S. will need orthodontic treatment at some point, mostly due to misaligned teeth. But that wasn’t always the case. The advent of agriculture changed the human diet, which led to a smaller jaw that no longer has enough space to provide a comfy home for all 32 teeth. Before humans took to the plow around 10,000 BCE, our hunter-gatherer predecessors chowed down on tougher foods, such as uncooked vegetables and hard-shelled nuts, and needed bigger, stronger jaws to munch through them. When farming introduced softer foods into our diet, such as beans and cereals, the need for those beefy jaws declined. Our jaws got smaller over the generations, but human teeth shrank at a much slower rate, resulting in the dental traffic jam experienced by millions of Americans every year.
In 2015, to test whether the rise of agriculture led to our species’ crooked teeth, scientists from University College Dublin analyzed the lower jaws of 292 skeletons ranging from 28,000 to 6,000 years old. The results were clear: Hunter-gatherers sported larger jaws, especially lower jaws, than their farming descendants only a few thousand years in the future. And our mouths weren’t the only body part impacted by Homo sapiens’ more sedentary existence. Additional studies show that humans developed lighter and less dense bones around joints due to a changed diet that reduced calcium intake and a less-active lifestyle brought on by the switch from foraging to farming.
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From the Archives..Well worth your time. Remember the mighty 8th lost more men than all the Marines lost in the Pacific…skip
Thanks to Dr. Rich
I read it and watched it again this morning. It is a great story and quite a movie. This is a real mission they went on to get their 25th and then home. Read the story and watch the video. I had an uncle who got 30 in B-17s. He did not talk about it much but I do remember seeing his hat all crushed and wondered why he kept it. And how it got like that. He wore his hat with the head phones over it….Skip
In 1944, legendary Hollywood film director (and then-U.S. Army Major) WIlliam Wyler released "The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress," a 45-minute documentary showing what real air combat over Nazi-occupied Europe. The film was a masterpiece, with one contemporary reviewer calling it "a thorough and vivid comprehension of what a daylight bombing is actually like for the young men who wing our heavy bombers from English bases into the heart of Germany."
Wyler and his crew risked their lives (and at least one died) to bring World War II to Americans back home. But there were technical problems with the film: A lab technician scratched the negative while processing it, and it became faded and dusty. Over time, the fading of film degrades it to the point where it begins to lose contrast and may one day be lost forever.
In 2016, filmmaker and self-described "amateur student" of World War II Erik Nelson was researching color footage in the National Archives when he came across Wyler's unused raw film. What he found was enough to make an entirely new film with that footage. In 2018, he not only released "The Cold Blue" using only Wyler's outtakes, but restored the original "Memphis Belle"
movie, removing all the scratches and imperfections.
"I was riveted, always impressed by the 'Memphis Belle' and the film, a film Steven Spielberg says, and this is I think an exact quote, 'one of the most stunning things I have ever seen.'"
"Memphis Belle" documents the final mission of the titular B-17 Bomber as it makes its 25th and final bombing mission over Europe. 'Memphis Belle' was only the third B-17 to finish its required missions, and the first to make it back to the United States. Life for bomber crews during the earliest days of the war was incredibly dangerous. Airmen were required to fly 25 missions to complete a tour, and the odds of surviving a full tour were 25%. Wyler flew on five missions aboard the Memphis Belle between February and May 1943.
The Army wanted to use a B-17 that had survived 25 missions on a war bond drive back home. While Wyler did document the Memphis Belle's final bombing run, he also captured footage from multiple combat missions for use in the final cut.
Jack Sinise, who was Gary Sinise's uncle, served as a lead navigator in a Boeing B-17 Bomber and completed 30 missions over Europe during World War II. He was nearly shot down twice, once barely making it back across the English Channel with only one engine remaining.
A few years ago, with the help of friends at the Disabled American Veterans organization, Gary arranged a flight for Uncle Jack on a B-17. A short film titled "Uncle Jack, A Chicago Tale" was produced by Sleeping Dog Productions to document this memorable trip. Gary will always treasure these moments spent with his Uncle Jack and his Father, who also had the opportunity to ride on the B-17. Watch "Uncle Jack."
"I was researching in the National Archives, looking for color footage of World War II, just color footage," Nelson recalled. "We discovered a box of outtakes from the 'Memphis Belle,' footage he shot that he didn't use in the movie; raw beautifully shot master footage. I realized that there was another film lurking in there, an art film -- as if William Wyler's footage was turned into a documentary today. A film that was shot in 1943, but created with the sensibility of a film today, and that became 'The Cold Blue.'"
Since Wyler's footage lacked sound, Nelson's team also added in audio tracks, as well as sounds from real B-17 bombers. The final production also included interviews from 8th Air Force veterans who flew over occupied Europe.
Wyler's original footage suffered from the same technical issues as the original film. Two blue lines streaked many of Wyler's best shots. The color was faded, not nearly as vibrant as the early color films of the day. So when Nelson set out to make his new film, he also worked with Catherine Wyler to preserve and remaster the original. It required Nelson and the filmmakers to recut the entire original "Memphis Belle" from scratch using the newly restored footage.
During the filming, one of Wyler's cameramen, Harold Tannenbaum, was shot down on 16 April 1943 in a B-24 #41-23983. Some crew members had baled out when the plane exploded blowing some crew clear. Tannenbaum was a passenger as a photographer from the 8AF Combat Film Unit. Loss reports say he bailed out but slipped out of his parachute. KIA.
He was William Wyler's first sound man on the Memphis Belle film project and was tasked to take pictures from the B-24 when it exploded on its return from Brest.
"We did what anyone would do with a work of art. Imagine if the Mona Lisa had been scratched and had coal dust on it, and that was the version of the Mona Lisa that everyone had been seeing for a hundred years," Nelson said.
"We removed the scratches and got rid of the coal dust. It looks better than the film ever did, even when Wyler premiered it to Franklin D. Roosevelt."
"William Wyler went to Europe, risked his life, made the 'Memphis Belle,'
lost his hearing, came back and made 'The Best Years of Our Lives,' which is about the legacy of the war experience for men who flew in B-17s," Nelson said. "So this is William Wyler trying to sort out his ghosts and deal with his PTSD, which channeled directly into 'The Best Years of Our Lives.' It's almost an autobiographical film. ... It's not only an important event in film history; it's an important event in military history."
Viewers can watch:
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A few bits from Nice News
Have you heard of the 10-3-2-1-0 rule? Dr. Christopher J. Allen recently explained to ABC News that the numbered framework represents what you should strive for to get a good night’s rest — no caffeine 10 hours before bedtime, no food or alcohol 3 hours before, no work 2 hours before, and no screen time 1 hour before. As for the zero, it means no snoozes (aka, getting out of bed after your first alarm). And while we have you here thinking about shut-eye, take this quiz to learn what your sleep type is.
Sports
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“An Extraordinary Object”: World’s Oldest Soccer Ball Debuts at World Cup
Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum
Sports have an unparalleled ability to bridge cultures, communities, and differing perspectives. The World Cup is a testament to that power, not only welcoming attendees from all corners of the globe to North America but also artifacts — among them, the world’s oldest soccer ball.
On loan from Scotland’s Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, the ball is constructed from thick leather panels and is thought to be about 500 years old. In fact, it was discovered in a bedroom once used by Mary, Queen of Scots — a known sports enthusiast. “The world’s oldest football is an extraordinary object that connects Scotland’s rich sporting heritage with a game followed and loved across the globe,” Lucy Casot, chief executive of Museums Galleries Scotland, said in a statement, per NBC News.
On Wednesday, the ball was featured at the Scotland vs. Brazil game, marking its debut at a FIFA World Cup game. It’s currently on display at Miami’s Coral Gables Museum as part of an exhibition that “explores the extraordinary ways in which football has connected people, cultures, and nations over centuries,” according to the website.
Science
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“Historic Mission” to Save an Old Space Telescope Set for Launch Today
NASA/Ron Beard
A piece of space history is set to take place today. LINK, a new robotic spacecraft developed by Katalyst Space, will launch from a carrier aircraft on the Marshall Islands’ Kwajalein Atoll, kicking off a novel mission to rescue NASA’s Swift Observatory.
“This is a historic mission, you know, some would call it the first of its kind, a robotic spacecraft that can go and capture an unprepared satellite,” Robert Lamontagne, vice president of strategic partnerships at Katalyst Space, told ABC News.
The Swift telescope has been in orbit for 21 years, sending back critical data on gamma-ray bursts and serving as the “first responder” on sudden high-energy events in the cosmos. But increased solar activity has caused significant decay, so NASA is using LINK to try to boost the observatory to a higher altitude, which would extend its lifespan and allow it to continue gathering data.
If successful, LINK could usher in a future of repairing, refueling, and upgrading aging satellites rather than simply letting them fall into Earth’s atmosphere and burn up. And shorter term, it could get Swift back up and running for the scientists who rely on it. “The whole community is very much rooting for this to work,” astronomer Daniel Perley told Science. Get updates on the mission here.
Inspiring Story
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The healing power of pets
Pets offer loyalty, comfort, and unconditional love when we need it most. In Poland, that remarkable connection is inspiring legislation to ensure terminally ill patients don’t have to face their final days alone. After witnessing a cancer patient’s emotional reunion with their two beloved cats, Dr. Tomasz Dzierżanowski has made it his mission to give pets and humans more precious time together in the hospital before saying their final goodbyes. “When someone is suffering, it is important that someone is there for them,” he said.
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Thanks to 1440
These are short and generally the rest of the item is not available to open…….skip.
Quick Hits
Former Trump adviser John Bolton pleads guilty in classified files case.
Bolton yesterday pleaded guilty to one of 18 counts of mishandling classified information from his 17-month tenure as national security adviser during the first Trump administration. Bolton, who has become a critic of President Donald Trump, admitted to sharing an electronic diary entry with two family members. He will pay $2.25M and faces up to 60 months in prison when he is sentenced, Oct. 28. (More)
US strikes Iran in response to alleged ceasefire violation.
The US military yesterday struck missile and drone storage locations as well as coastal radar sites. The move came after Iran allegedly deployed at least four drones at ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz Thursday, and one reportedly hit the upper deck of a Singapore-flagged cargo ship. The interim US-Iran deal signed last week stipulates that commercial ships have safe passage through the strait. (More)
Separately, Lebanon and Israel yesterday signed a framework agreement for the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. The deal, mediated by the US, is predicated on dismantling the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.
Mistrial declared in case over origins of Palisades fire.
A federal judge declared the mistrial after two days of jury deliberation failed to yield a unanimous verdict on the fatal January 2025 fires in Los Angeles. Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 30-year-old former Uber driver, is accused of starting a small fire on a popular hiking trail that smoldered and metastasized into the roughly 23,000-acre Palisades fire. The federal government said it plans to retry the case. (More)
OpenAI to limit its most powerful model yet to government-approved partners.
The artificial intelligence company yesterday framed the restrictions as a short-term fix while Silicon Valley and federal officials devise more robust AI regulations (read blog post). The new model, called GPT-5.6 Sol, reportedly excels at coding, biology, and cybersecurity. The move comes weeks after Anthropic suspended its next-generation "Mythos-class" AI model on a government directive. (More)
Separately, new reports suggest OpenAI is leaning toward delaying its initial public offering until next year.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will not live in Buckingham Palace after revamp.
The royal couple said the 775-room palace will reopen next spring after a 10-year, $487 million taxpayer-funded renovation, with increased public access and a primary role as an office and ceremonial center (see behind the scenes). They will be the first monarchs since 1837 not to live in the palace, instead staying at their longtime home, Clarence House. (More)
Separately, this week, King Charles became the first British monarch to disclose his tax bill, revealing he is one of the country's top 100 taxpayers. The royal family began paying taxes only in 1993 and is not subject to an inheritance tax. Learn why here.
Ukraine launches one of the largest drone attacks since war with Russia began.
Russia-held Crimea declared a state of emergency yesterday after Ukraine launched one of the largest drone attack on record since Russia's invasion over four years ago. Russia reported intercepting roughly 660 drones overnight Thursday, across roughly a dozen regions. The attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered a "40-day influence operation," widely interpreted to mean an escalation of attacks. (More)
Scientists virtually unwrap delicate ancient Roman scroll, revealing new books.
The scrolls were found beneath the ashes of a town near Pompeii, in the 18th century, but they were so charred that attempts to physically unroll them reduced them to ash. Now, using advanced imaging and artificial intelligence, researchers have recovered text from some of the oldest scrolls. Among the findings are references to previously unknown books by philosopher Philodemus. Over 600 scrolls remain unread. (More)
Humankind
23-year-old New Orleans man is the first person in Louisiana to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy. (More)
Mother of NBA star Jalen Brunson has texted him before every game since high school, including his recent finals victory with the New York Knicks. (More, w/video)
Woman donates her kidney to a friend and liver to a 4-year-old stranger after experiencing extreme suffering herself while recovering from a brain injury. (More)
36-year-old Georgia man becomes a record-breaking drummer after losing one of his arms in a work accident. (More, w/video)
Shirtless man swoops in to catch a young girl as she falls from a window ledge above a busy shopping strip. (More, w/video)
In partnership with Miso Robotics
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Humankind(ness)
Dear readers— In honor of Father's Day this month, we're pausing our usual act of kindness stories to share reader submissions about dads. Enjoy!
"Growing up, my father took lots of time to teach me math, even attending nighttime tutoring sessions with me … all to no avail! Fast-forward to me as a single mom, helping my then-young son with his homework, and the lesson was math. Incredibly, I easily walked my son through his math problems, then called my father and let him know that all his hard work had finally paid off! I can still hear the laughter we shared!"
— Debora M. in Cary, North Carolina
"I remember the first fish I ever caught when I was 4½. My dad was fishing with a fly rod and asked me to hold it while he lit a cigarette. I held it, and almost immediately, I felt something tugging on it. I told my dad, and he said to reel it in. I know now that he already had a fish on the line when he handed the rod to me. I'm 76 years old and remember like it was yesterday. That's the kind of dad I had. Many more memories over the years, but that one stands out in my mind!"
— Bob W. in Milam, Texas
"My father had a small business in our village for 46 years. He quietly provided this ongoing service. At his funeral, people I did not even know came up to me saying, 'Oh, honey, we never would have had Christmas except your dad said, "Just get things and we’ll figure it out later."' Others told me, 'On a late Saturday night, we called your dad and he opened so we could get clothing for a family member’s burial.' Two of many stories showing his quiet dedication, caring, and giving. Those qualities have been powerful models in my life. He took seriously the do good, but let no one know about it! In fact, he’s probably looking down at me right now thinking, 'She should not be sharing this!' I was blessed to have him as an amazing role model."
Humans and giraffes have the same number of neck bones. (w/video)
Most Clicked This Week: Americans have a clear favorite cheese.
Historybook: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints founder Joseph Smith killed by a mob in jail (1844); Author Paul Laurence Dunbar born (1872); Helen Keller born (1880); The US enters the Korean War (1950); "Star Trek" director J.J. Abrams born (1966).
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This day in US Military History
June 27
1829 – In Genoa, Italy, English scientist James Smithson dies after a long illness, leaving behind a will with a peculiar footnote. In the event that his only nephew died without any heirs, Smithson decreed that the whole of his estate would go to “the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Smithson’s curious bequest to a country that he had never visited aroused significant attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Smithson had been a fellow of the venerable Royal Society of London from the age of 22, publishing numerous scientific papers on mineral composition, geology, and chemistry. In 1802, he overturned popular scientific opinion by proving that zinc carbonates were true carbonate minerals, and one type of zinc carbonate was later named smithsonite in his honor. Six years after his death, his nephew, Henry James Hungerford, indeed died without children, and on July 1, 1836, the U.S. Congress authorized acceptance of Smithson’s gift. President Andrew Jackson sent diplomat Richard Rush to England to negotiate for transfer of the funds, and two years later Rush set sail for home with 11 boxes containing a total of 104,960 gold sovereigns, eight shillings, and seven pence, as well as Smithson’s mineral collection, library, scientific notes, and personal effects. After the gold was melted down, it amounted to a fortune worth well over $500,000. After considering a series of recommendations, including the creation of a national university, a public library, or an astronomical observatory, Congress agreed that the bequest would support the creation of a museum, a library, and a program of research, publication, and collection in the sciences, arts, and history. On August 10, 1846, the act establishing the Smithsonian Institution was signed into law by President James K. Polk. Today, the Smithsonian is composed of 18 museums and galleries and many research facilities throughout the United States and the world. Besides the original Smithsonian Institution Building, popularly known as the “Castle,” visitors to Washington, D.C., tour the National Museum of Natural History, which houses the natural science collections, the National Zoological Park, and the National Portrait Gallery. The National Museum of American History houses the original Star-Spangled Banner and other artifacts of U.S. history. The National Air and Space Museum has the distinction of being the most visited museum in the world, exhibiting marvels of aviation and space history such as the Wright brothers’ plane and Freedom 7, the space capsule that took the first American into space. John Smithson, the Smithsonian Institution’s great benefactor, is interred in a tomb in the Smithsonian Building.
1874 – Using new high-powered rifles to devastating effect, 28 buffalo hunters repulse a much larger force of attacking Indians at an old trading post in the Texas panhandle called Adobe Walls. The Commanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne Indians living in western Texas had long resented the advancement of white settlement in their territories. In 1867, some of the Indians accepted the terms of the Treaty of Medicine Lodge, which required them to move to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) but also reserved much of the Texas Panhandle as their exclusive hunting grounds. Many white Texans, however, maintained that the treaty had ignored their legitimate claims to the area. These white buffalo hunters, who had already greatly reduced the once massive herds, continued to hunt in the territory. By the early 1870s, Commanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne hunters were finding it harder to locate buffalo, and they blamed the illegal white buffalo hunters. When the federal government failed to take adequate measures to stop the white buffalo hunters, the great chief Quanah Parker and others began to argue for war. In the spring 1874, a group of white merchants occupied an old trading post called Adobe Walls near the South Canadian River in the Indian’s hunting territory. The merchants quickly transformed the site into a regional center for the buffalo-hide trade. Angered by this blatant violation of the treaty, Chief Quanah Parker and Lone Wolf amassed a force of about 700 Commanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne braves. On this day in 1874, the Indians attacked Adobe Walls. Only 28 hunters and traders occupied Adobe Walls, but they had two advantages over the Indians: the thick walls of the adobe structure were impenetrable to arrows and bullets, and the occupants had a number of high-powered rifles normally used on buffalo. The hunters .50 caliber Sharps rifles represented the latest technology in long-range, rapid firing weaponry. Already skilled marksmen, the buffalo hunters used the rifles to deadly effect, decimating the warriors before they came close enough even to return effective fire. On the second day of the siege, one hunter reportedly hit an Indian warrior at a distance of eight-tenths of a mile. Despite their overwhelmingly superior numbers, after three days the Indians concluded that Adobe Walls could not be taken and withdrew. The defenders had lost only four men in the attack, and they later estimated that the Indians had lost 13. Enraged by their defeat, several Indian bands subsequently took their revenge on poorly defended targets. Fearful settlers demanded military protection, leading to the outbreak of the Red River War. By the time the war ended in 1875, the Commanche and Kiowa had been badly beaten and Indian resistance on the Southern Plains had effectively collapsed.
1940 – The Germans set up two-way radio communication in their newly occupied French territory, employing their most sophisticated coding machine, Enigma, to transmit information. The Germans set up radio stations in Brest and the port town of Cherbourg. Signals would be transmitted to German bombers so as to direct them to targets in Britain. The Enigma coding machine, invented in 1919 by Hugo Koch, a Dutchman, looked like a typewriter and was originally employed for business purposes. The German army adapted the machine for wartime use and considered its encoding system unbreakable. They were wrong. The Brits had broken the code as early as the German invasion of Poland and had intercepted virtually every message sent through the system. Britain nicknamed the intercepted messages Ultra.
1942 – The FBI announced the capture of eight Nazi saboteurs who had been put ashore from 2 submarines, one off New York’s Long Island and the other off of Florida. The men were tried by a military court and 6 were secretly executed in a DC jail. Ernest Burger and George Dasch were sentenced to 30 years in prison for their help in revealing the plot. They were pardoned in 1948 by Pres. Truman.
1944 – American forces of 7th Corps (part of US 1st Army) complete the capture of Cherbourg. The port, however, is not presently operational. To the left, the British 2nd Army continues attacks. Forces of the British 30th Corps capture Rauray, near Caen, and British 8th Corps launches new attacks.
1945 – On Luzon, units of the US 37th Division, part of US 1st Corps, reach Aparri, on the north coast. With the occupation of the whole of the Cagayan valley, the campaign for the recapture of the island is now effectively complete. The remaining Japanese forces are isolated in remote parts of Luzon and lack supplies or medical care.
1945 – The American carrier USS Bunker Hill is struck by a Kamikaze plane, killing 373 men.
1950 – Flying a F-82G Twin Mustang in a defensive mission over Kimpo Airfield, Lieutenant William G. “Skeeter” Hudson, 68th Fighter (All-Weather) Squadron, destroyed a Yak-7U fighter and was officially credited with the first aerial victory of the Korean War. Lieutenant Carl Fraser occupied the second cockpit as copilot.
1950 – A patrol of F80C Shooting Stars from the 35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron intercepted eight Ilyushin IL-10 fighters over Kimpo. Captain Raymond E. Schillereff and Lieutenant Robert H. Dewald each scored single victories while Lieutenant Robert E. Wayne claimed a pair IL-10s. These were the first air-to-air victories achieved by jet fighters in U.S. Air Force history.
1993 – US warships fired 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles at intelligence headquarters in Baghdad in retaliation for the assassination plot. The Iraqis claimed 8 dead. Iraqis pulled their dead from the rubble of buildings wrecked by U.S. missiles during an early morning raid ordered by President Clinton in reprisal for an alleged assassination plot against former President Bush.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
BUTTERFIELD, DANIEL
Rank and organization: Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers. Place and date: At Gaines Mill, Va., 27 June 1862. Entered service at: Washington, D.C. Born: 31 October 1831, Utica, N.Y. Date of issue: 26 September 1892. Citation: Seized the colors of the 83d Pennsylvania Volunteers at a critical moment and, under a galling fire of the enemy, encouraged the depleted ranks to renewed exertion.
DAVIS, CHARLES C.
Rank and organization: Major, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Place and date: At Shelbyville, Tenn., 27 June 1863. Entered service at: Harrisburg, Pa. Born: 15 August 1830, Harrisburg, Pa. Date of issue: 14 June 1894. Citation: Led one of the most desperate and successful charges of the war.
HALL, HENRY SEYMOUR
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, Company G, 27th New York Infantry; and Captain, Company F, 121st New York Infantry. Place and date. At Gaines Mill, Va., 27 June 1862. At Rappallannock Station, Va., 7 November 1863. Entered service at: New York. Birth: New York. Date of issue: 17 August 1891. Citation: Although wounded at Gaines Mill, Va., he remained on duty and participated in the battle with his company. At Rappahannock Station, Va., while acting as aide, rendered gallant and prompt assistance in reforming the regiments inside the enemy’s works.
HOPKINS, CHARLES F.
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company I, 1st New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At Gaines Mill, Va., 27 June 1862. Entered service at:——. Birth: Warren County, N.J. Date of issue: 9 July 1892. Citation: Voluntarily carried a wounded comrade, under heavy fire, to a place of safety; though twice wounded in the act, he continued in action until again severely wounded.
MOFFITT, JOHN H.
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company C, 16th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Gaines Mill, Va., 27 June 1862. Entered service at: Plattsburg, N.Y. Born. 8 January 1843, Chazy, Clinton County, N.Y. Date of issue: 3 March 1891. Citation: Voluntarily took up the regimental colors after several color bearers had been shot down and carried them until himself wounded.
SIDMAN, GEORGE E.
Rank and organization: Private, Company C, 16th Michigan Infantry. Place and date: At Gaines Mill, Va., 27 June 1862. Entered service at: Owosso, Mich. Born: 25 November 1844, Rochester, N.Y. Date of issue: 6 April 1892. Citation: Distinguished bravery in battle. Rallied his comrades to charge vastly superior force until wounded in the hip. He was a 16_year_old drummer.
WEBBER, ALASON P.
Rank and organization: Musician, 86th Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., 27 June 1864. Entered service at: Illinois. Birth: Greene County, N.Y. Date of issue: 22 June 1896. Citation: Voluntarily joined in a charge against the enemy, which was repulsed, and by his rapid firing in the face of the enemy enabled many of the wounded to return to the Federal lines; with others, held the advance of the enemy while temporary works were being constructed.
THOMPSON, HENRY
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Biography not available. Citation: For rescuing a man from drowning at Mare Island, Calif., 27 June 1878.
BOWEN, HAMMETT L., JR.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 27 June 1969. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 30 November 1947, Lagrange, Ga. Citation: S/Sgt. Bowen distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant during combat operations in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. S/Sgt. Bowen’s platoon was advancing on a reconnaissance mission into enemy controlled terrain when it came under the withering crossfire of small arms and grenades from an enemy ambush force. S/Sgt. Bowen placed heavy suppressive fire on the enemy positions and ordered his men to fall back. As the platoon was moving back, an enemy grenade was thrown amid S/Sgt. Bowen and 3 of his men. Sensing the danger to his comrades, S/Sgt. Bowen shouted a warning to his men and hurled himself on the grenade, absorbing the explosion with his body while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. S/Sgt. Bowen’s extraordinary courage and concern for his men at the cost of his life served as an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the military service and the U.S. Army.
*MURPHY, MICHAEL P.
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1, Naval Special Warfare Task Unit. Place and Date: Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan, 27 – 28 June 2005. Entered Service at: Patchogue, New York. Born: 7 May 1976, Smithtown, New York Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy’s team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for June 27
FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR June 27 THANKS TO HAROLD “PHIL” MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
27 June
1909: In New York, the Sun, Times, and Herald newspapers printed the first ads in the world of a practical airplane for sale. (24)
1911: Lt (JG) John H. Towers (USN), reported to the Curtiss School in Hammondsport for instruction. He became Naval Aviator No. 3. (24)
1923: Lts Lowell H. Smith and John P. Richter made the Army Air Service’s first complete hose refueling between two aircraft over San Diego, while setting world refueled speed records for 2,500 and 3,000 kilometers. Their DH-4B received two hose refuelings from a DH-4B flown by Lts Virgil Hine and Frank Seifert. (18) (24)
1929: Capt Frank Hawks set a FAI record for a round-trip cross-country flight from New York to Los Angeles and back. He reached Los Angeles in 19 hours 10 minutes 32 seconds and returned to New York in 17 hours 38 minutes 10 seconds. (9)
1944: American bombers left Russian bases with an escort of P-51 Mustangs and attacked oil production plants in Poland before flying on to Italy. (4)
1950: KOREAN WAR. FEAF and the 374 TCW flew C-54, C-47, and C-46 aircraft to airlift 748 evacuees from Kimpo and Suwon airfields to Japan. Moreover, F-82s, F-80 jets, and B-26 light bombers provided air cover for the evacuation. (21) KOREAN WAR. Fifth Air Force accepted a mission to establish air superiority over S. Korea to prevent N. Korean air attacks on Republic of Korea forces and to protect evacuation forces. When N. Korean planes appeared over Kimpo and Suwon Airfields, USAF fighters engaged them in the first air battle. Major James W. Little, the 339th Fighter All-Weather Squadron Commander, fired the first shot; however, Lt William G. Hudson flying an F-82 Twin Mustang from the 68th Fighter All-Weather Squadron scored the first aerial victory by shooting down an enemy Yak-11. In all, six pilots shot down seven N. Korean propeller-driven fighters over Kimpo, the highest number of USAF aerial victories in one day for
1950. (16) (24) (28)
KOREAN WAR. Fifth Air Force B-26s, flying from Ashiya AB, Japan, attacked enemy targets in South Korea in the evening, but bad weather made the raids ineffective. (28)
1952: Glide tests on the Bell X-2 rocket research airplane began at Edwards AFB. (3)
1956: Through 28 June, Navy held its first annual Fleet Air Gunnery Meet at El Centro, Calif. VF112 won team honors and the Earle Trophy, while Lt (JG) H. N. Wellman from VF-43 earned individual honors. (24)
1957: The SM-73 (Goose) was the first plastic airframe missile to fly and the first missile to complete countdown, launch, and flight on the first attempt. (16) (24)
1958: First production model F-105B Thunderchief delivered to the USAF. Operation TOP SAIL. Two 99 AREFS KC-135s from Westover AFB, Mass., broke the FAI speed record from New York to London. Major Burl B. Davenport landed his lead tanker in London after 5 hours 29 minutes 14.6 seconds. Two days later, they returned in 5 hours 53 minutes 12.8 seconds for another record. (1) (9) The 556 SMS from Patrick AFB launched SAC’s first Snark missile from Cape Canaveral. (6) (12)
1961: At the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., NASA fired the eight-engine Saturn SA-72 successfully in a 29.9-second static test. (24)
1962: Joseph A. Walker flew the X-15 No. 1 at its maximum speed to set a record 4,159 MPH (Mach 5.92) in a climb from 96,000 to 120,000 feet. (3) (9)
1963: Maj Robert A. Rushworth flew the X-15 No. 3 to 54.15 miles (285,000 feet) and became the second military pilot to receive astronaut's wings for space flight in a winged aircraft. (3) (9) 1966: The McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom II first flew.
1968: The first Marine pilot to fly the NF-104 on a zoom flight flew it to 91,000 feet over the desert near Edwards AFB. (3) 1970: The ADC marked its 20th anniversary of continuous 24-hour alert.
1972: USAF C-123 Provider aircraft operations in SEA ended with the inactivation of the 310th Tactical Airlift Squadron (TAS) and the transfer of its aircraft to the Vietnamese Air Force. (16) (17)
1976: Vandenberg AFB launched the first Titan II with a Universal Space Guidance System. (6)
1990: In the forest north of Santa Barbara, Calif, a fire erupted near the Painted Cave. Through 2 July, MAC C-130 aircrews delivered first suppressant chemicals, fire fighters, and fire-fighting equipment to the area. Aircraft also sprayed the fire from the air. The fire burned 4,900 acres and more than 450 homes, causing $250 million in damage. (26)
1994: C-130 Hercules aircraft from ANG and AFRES units (the 145th Airlift Group (AG), 153 AG and 302 AW) began flying missions to fight fires in the West. Eight aircraft continued this operation through September and dropped more than 5 million gallons of fire retardant. The fires burned more than 2 million acres in six western states. (16) (26)
1995: Lockheed-Martin started assembling the first production model F-22. (16) (26) For the first time a Space Shuttle, the Atlantis, visited the Russian Mir space station. (21)
1996: A C-5 returned to Dover AFB the remains of 19 Air Force officers and airmen killed in the 25 June terrorists attack on the Khobar Towers housing area in Saudi Arabia. (22)
1998: At Edwards AFB, Aurora Flight Service’s Perseus B reached 60,200 feet in altitude, slightly above its designed altitude. (3)
2003: An F/A-18 Hornet from the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB achieved a 29 percent fuel savings by flying in a DC-8’s wingtip vortex for a study of vortex-induced performance benefits on fighters. The Hornet flew about 200 feet behind the larger plane at 25,000 feet in altitude. (3)
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