Despite the “drawdown” and end of combat, the US Army is reportedly fielding a new fixed wing aircraft in Iraq: the MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
If the Gray Eagle looks oddly familiar, it should: this “new aircraft” is the Army’s version of the Air Force’s Predator.
A Canadian article notes the suggestion that military Chaplains might have a “new role” in future conflicts, directly contributing to the emergence of peace by engaging religious leaders in the AOR.
While the article speaks collectively of the “Canadian and US military” forces, the suggested “new” role for Chaplains has been an “old” one for some time in the US. US military Chaplains have been engaging local leaders in Afghanistan and Iraq for years.
Some have dismissed the value of military Chaplains out of hand. They fail to fully realize the extent of the impact of Chaplains on all aspects of the military’s role, including the achievement of victory.
In November, leading Christian music group Casting Crowns was given the opportunity to perform for troops in the AOR. Lead singer Mark Hall said the trip grew from hearing from troops’ families at US concerts who were encouraged by their music.
The band’s popular songs include Until the Whole World Hears and Praise You in the Storm — a song that speaks of glorifying God even in an unexplainable hardship. Hall notes that these songs “hit close to home” for those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, making the worship a “little deeper.”
The group played to a packed facility in Read more
The Army Times covers (and CNN repeats) the lengths to which Army troops are now going in order to avoid discharge for being overweight:
They’re increasingly turning to starvation diets, weight-loss pills, laxatives and even liposuction…
Soldiers write about wrapping themselves in Icy-Hot, Preparation H treatments, popping stool softeners, going to saunas to meet the Army’s requirements. Many of the comments say the military should reassess its weight standards.
Keep in mind this has nothing to do with the military’s rigorous Read more
The Stars and Stripes notes that more is at stake than just DADT with regard to the 2011 Defense Authorization Act:
If the measure is held up by Senate Republicans [or Democrats -ed], it could stall the military’s annual pay raise (which would be either 1.4 percent or 1.9 percent in January) and a host of recruiting and enlistment bonuses. The 2011 NDAA also includes language extending Tricare coverage to dependent children of troops until age 26, increases hostile fire and imminent danger pay, and provides millions in impact aid to schools with a high enrollment of military children.
Despite the drama, this is not the first time the NDAA has been held up Read more
The Stars and Stripes covers the 58th annual Operation Christmas Drop executed by the US Air Force over the Federated States of Micronesia.
The Christmas drop started in 1952 when the aircrew of a WB-29 bomber from Anderson flew over the Micronesian atoll of Kapingamarangi and noticed the islanders waving to them. [In the spirit of the holiday season] the crew quickly gathered some items they had on the plane, placed them in a container with a parachute attached and dropped the cargo as they circled back over, according to the Air Force… Read more
Edwards Public Affairs recently wrote on a visit by animators from Walt Disney Studios in nearby Burbank, CA.
The artists, a group of Disney animators, visited the base Nov. 18 for developmental research on a feature film idea…
Driven by research, the Disney animators paid close attention to the shape and design of the F-22 in order to help them produce an authentic aircraft with “militaristic sensibilities,” should they pursue their film idea.
Edwards AFB is a popular site for movies, and has previously been used to film various portions of Iron Man and Transformers.
According to news reports, the July C-17 crash that killed four crewmembers shortly after takeoff in Alaska was caused by pilot error. The report’s press release and a video of the C-17 takeoff (up to just prior to impact), are available on the PACAF website. (The video has already made it to YouTube as well.)