“Praying Pilot” Convicted of Manslaughter

A Tunisian-based airline crew was convicted in Italy of manslaughter following a crash-landing in the sea in 2005.  The news has capitalized on the story about the captain abandoning control to his co-pilot and then praying rather than executing appropriate emergency procedures.  Notably, though, the co-pilot was also convicted of the same offense and given the same sentence, though there is no allegation he did the same thing.

Even so, any concern would not be on the fact that he prayed, but on the fact that he ceased taking the proper actions to ensure the safety of his aircraft and its passengers.

F-22A Crashes in California

As noted at a variety of sources, including the official AF news outlet, an Air Force F-22A has crashed while performing a test mission near Edwards AFB, CA.  The condition of the pilot has not been released.

UPDATE: CNN, Fox, and Edwards AFB public affairs now report that the pilot was a Lockheed Martin civilian (Air Force veteran) who did not survive the crash:

Lockheed Martin said the test pilot, David Cooley, 49, of Palmdale, California, joined the company in 2003 and was a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, amidst the tragic reminder of the danger of the fighter (and test) pilot profession.

Living out Faith in the Military

On February 27th, Chap. (Maj.) Randy Griffin of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) sponsored a Cappadocian Martyrs Run at Red Rock Canyon, Colorado Springs.  More than 25 soldiers participated in the three-mile run, which was used to commemorate the memory of 40 Roman soldiers who died rather than recant their faith when ordered to do so by their governor in 313 AD.

The Chaplain noted that the story served as a challenge, noting

We can publicly live out our faith without being afraid for what we believe as Christians.

MAF Receives Built-for-Purpose Plane

The Missionary Aviation Fellowship has received the first delivery of a new Kodiak 100, built by Quest Aircraft.  The aircraft was built to specifications with input from a variety of missionary aviation organizations, including JAARS and Moody Bible Institute.  Among other features, the Kodiak is designed for austere, short fields and the ability to operate on jet fuel, which is more common and cost-effective than avgas in remote locations.  Quest Aircraft’s mission is to

design and manufacture a bush/utility aircraft specifically suited to the needs of missionary and humanitarian aviation organizations

For every 10 aircraft Quest sells commercially, it will deliver a subsidized aircraft to a participating aviation organization.

The MAF’s Kodiak will be ferried to Indonesia to begin service there.

Also noted at Christian Post.

Fighter Pilot Speak: “B-LOC”

B-LOC:  Pronounced “bee-lock,” it is a play on the term “G-LOC,” or g-induced loss of consciousness, which is a blackout caused by loss of blood to the brain during high-g maneuvering.

B-LOC, on the other hand, is boredom-induced loss of consciousness, and may be the result of hours of mandatory briefings or even briefed as a potential threat for a very, very low-intensity sortie.

See more fighter pilot terminology at Fighter Pilot Speak.

Air Force Investigating Religious Video Message

According to the New York Times, Third Air Force has opened an investigation into an email incident that occurred in January.  Col Kimberly Toney, the 501st Wing Commander, sent out a message that linked to an “inspirational” video.  Complaints arose because of the religious tone of the video and other content on the host site that was reportedly derogatory to the President.  Toney subsequently sent out another email apologizing for the first.

A Master Sergeant who complained to the press and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation has said he may join “the [MRFF’s] litigation as a plaintiff” as a result.  Weinstein has called the incident “hideous and almost beyond belief” and a “textbook case” of a

pervasive pattern of constitutional abuse.

As noted at the Religion Clause.

Michael Weinstein on Military & College Ministries

The Stanford Progressive, a “left-leaning” student paper which boasts a circulation of “members of the Stanford community,…student residences and…community centers,” recently interviewed Michael Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.  The interview, laced with profanity and transcription errors, is available here.

To the question, “what are the Officer’s Christian Fellowship and Campus Crusade?”, Weinstein opined:

They are blights on America and a disgusting example of extremist prejudice and bigotry in this country.

In the interview Weinstein clearly discriminates between “evangelical” Christians and “dominionist” Christians.  He says they both have “religious philosophies” that he “[hates],” and they both Read more

Combat Chapel Team Ministers Outside the Wire

As reported by the military press, Chaplain (Capt.) David Haltom and Staff Sgt. Porscha Howard are the chapel team for the Airmen at Camp Victory, Iraq.  The AF Chief of Chaplains, Maj. Gen. Cecil Richardson, has noted that Chaplains in combat are sought out by deployed members:

In the AOR, the chaplain can’t walk from point A to point B without being pulled aside for a question.  In fact, chaplains often spend seven to 10 hours a day counseling Airmen, hearing them ask, ‘would you pray for me?’ Read more

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