Month: October 2010

Air Force Mishaps Decline, UAVs Outstrip Others

The Air Force Times notes that aviation mishaps in the US Air Force fell for a second straight year:

Twenty-two major accidents occurred in fiscal 2010, compared with 30 in fiscal 2009. Seven airmen died in crashes, four more than the year before. The most accidents recorded were 2,274 in 1952. The deadliest year was also 1952, when 1,214 crew members and passengers died.

Perhaps more interesting is the comparison between manned and unmanned (or remotely piloted) aircraft:  Read more

Fallen Marine Remembered by Comrades

Lance Cpl. John T. Sparks, killed in action on October 8th, was remembered by his unit in Afghanistan. The memorial was a somber, lighthearted, and faithful tribute to a young warrior.

“Sparks loved machine guns,” said [Cpl. Jeffery] Holsey. “He would always say that ‘Everyone wants to be a machine gunner until it is time to be a machine gunner, because the hurt we carried separated the men from the boys.'”

The short, quiet ceremony was marked by Bible verses and prayers honoring Sparks. Final Roll was called three times for Lance Cpl. John T. Sparks only to be answered by silence. Taps followed in a final farewell.

Michael Weinstein Opposes Bible, Supports Koran in Military

Michael Weinstein has repeatedly demonstrated an animosity toward the association of the US military with the Christian Bible.  In 2009, his Military Religious Freedom Foundation opposed a Chaplain bringing Swahili Bibles to Iraq, despite the fact they were requested by third country nationals supporting the US military effort.  The “religious freedom” organization opposed support for the religious freedom of US allies.

In 2007, Weinstein highly publicized a cropped photograph of a US Army trainee posing with his M-16 and his Bible — alongside a similarly photographed Hamas suicide bomber.  (The photos can be seen here; the original article was written by Jason Leopold, currently an editor for TruthOut, for which Weinstein is a board member and fundraiser.)  Weinstein’s MRFF is quoted saying “fundamentalist Christianity” in the US military “is starting to mirror Islamic fundamentalism.”  (Tellingly, he never made similar statements about photos of Jewish Soldiers and their weapons, some of which can be seen here.)

Weinstein’s most recent complaint is Read more

Editorial: Christians Deserve Applause

An editorial at the Colorado Springs Gazette had an interesting perspective on the comparative treatment of religions and the response by their respective adherents.  Wayne Laugesen writes that while Christianity is accused of trying to intolerantly dominate the world,

Christianity may be the most openly blasphemed religion in the world today, yet it’s American Christians who walk on eggshells in a valiant effort to respect other cultures and religions of the world.

He brings up some interesting stories, several of which haven’t been in the mainstream press:

Back in the United States…crosses belonging to a Christian group at the private George Washington University in Washington were desecrated…The desecration incited no hint of violence.  Read more

Top Marine Chaplain Visits Lejeune

A Marine Corps article noted the visit to Camp Lejeune by Chaplain (Rear Admiral) Margaret Kibben, the 18th Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Navy Chaplains.

The article at times emphasized the fact Chaplain Kibben is the first female Chaplain of the Marine Corps, and at others de-emphasized her gender.

Although gender was not a deciding factor in the decision to appoint Kibben to her current positions, Giampa said women serving in senior leadership roles sends a strong message to future leaders – both men and women.

“There’s nothing you can’t achieve,” said Giampa. Read more

US Military to Accept Homosexual Applicants

According to an official release, the Department of Defense explicitly stated that openly homosexual men and women may now join the American military.  Notably, recruiters didn’t ask about sexual preference to begin with; however, the recent court ruling has apparently caused a spate of attempts to re-enlist by those previously discharged under DADT.  These “self-admitting” homosexuals apparently include former Army LT David Choi, among others.  The military is reportedly permitting homosexual applicants, while simultaneously cautioning them they may later be discharged if the ruling is overturned.

“Recruiters are reminded to set the applicants’ expectations by informing them that a reversal in the court’s decision of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law/policy may occur,” Cynthia Smith said.

Yesterday, the judge denied the government’s request to stay her injunction.

Sky Searchers Seek Secret Space Plane

FoxNews notes that star gazers have been tracking the orbit of the US Air Force’s X-37B (previously noted), and, for the second time, have lost track of it.  Apparently the first disappearance was caused by a change in orbital inclination, which may reveal some of the vehicle’s capabilities.

The most recent disappearance is fueling hypotheses the spacecraft has returned to earth.  If so, it would be inside the 9 months originally speculated for its duration.

1 2 3 4 5 … 7