Tag Archives: Military

Muslim Soldier Seeks to Help, Become Chaplain

An official Army.mil article introduces Army Spc Mikail Lawal, a Muslim soldier (pictured below, reading the Koran) who is living out his faith and considering a career as a Chaplain.

DoD Photo (Sgt Ben Hutto)

DoD Photo (Sgt Ben Hutto)

His current job is essentially a customer service representative at a FOB in Iraq, making sure passengers get on the correct helicopter.  He goes out of his way to be respectful and helpful, a spirit attributed to his “deep faith in Islam.”

In explaining why he wanted to become a Chaplain, Read more

Air Force to Fly Unmanned F-16s

The US Air Force has long flown QF-4s, with the Q designation indicating that the aircraft is a “drone.”  The drones are still sometimes flown by a pilot in the cockpit, but are modified to be able to be flown unmanned, with control coming from a ground control station.  They are used as targets for various missions, often testing of air-to-air missiles and radar systems.  Though there are generally safeguards to protect the drone (it is expensive, after all), drones do occasionally get shot down (and that is also sometimes the objective).

Apparently, a “dwindling supply” of QF-4s (and also a shrinking supply of parts to keep them flying) has inspired the Air Force to now begin turning F-16s into drones.  Boeing has reported the award of a the first part of a $69 million contract to convert 126 aircraft, reportedly from the boneyard, to QF-16 “Full Scale Aerial Targets,” aka “drones.”

In theory, the F-16 will be “easier” to convert than older aircraft, as it already has a computer-controlled, fly-by-wire flight control system, as opposed to the mechanical stick-and-rudder of the F-4 and prior airframes.

The QF-16s will apparently be the US Air Force’s newest “RPVs.”

A Day at Work and God of Wonders

Chuck Holton at “Boots on the Ground” happened upon a first-person video capturing the aftermath of an IED attack on US forces in Afghanistan.  The candid video shows both the resilience of the military vehicles in which US forces were riding (they were damaged but not destroyed) as well as the resilience of American forces themselves.

Near the end of the 8 minute video, the troops hold a worship service, led by a guitar-playing Chaplain.  The makeshift chapel resounds with the voices of those who truly know that God is a God of wonders.

Chaplain Accused of Violating DADT

A US Army National Guard Chaplain is under investigation for violating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” by allegedly “telling” a superior Chaplain that he was gay.

Aris Fokas is a United Church of Christ minister who joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 2003 at the age of 39.  Fokas has reportedly denied the disclosure, though he reportedly

declined to say anything about his sexual orientation other than to acknowledge he is single and has never been married.

He noted, too, that the United Church of Christ ordains openly gay and lesbian ministers, a denomination-wide policy since 1980.

In an apparent attempt to defend himself, Fokas says  Read more

AF Diversity Tome Quotes Disagreement on Religion

The US Air Force’s Air University has published Attitudes Aren’t Free: Thinking Deeply about Diversity in the US Armed Forces.  It contains a variety of opposing ideas on religion in the US military, homosexuality, race and gender, and social policy.

While the nearly 600 page work will take time to review, it will be interesting to see how (or even if) it is received.  It has the potential to be an interesting point of discussion, or perhaps little more than a minor publishing opportunity for some of its authors.

The tome contains articles from Barry Lynn, Gordon Klingenschmitt, Chris Rodda, Jay Sekulow, and Elaine Donnelly, among others.  It can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF here.  The primary website is DoDPolicy.org.

Military National Prayer Breakfasts Include Many Faiths

While the topic of National Prayer Breakfasts at local military installations was already discussed, the events continue to occur at various locations around the world.  At Fort Benning, a picture showed the nature of the breakfast within the military:

Jewish Chaplain (Maj) Carlos Huerta talks with Muslim imam Dawud Salahuddin Bin Pearson before the start of the National Prayer Breakfast. (US Army Photo)

Jewish Chaplain (Maj) Carlos Huerta talks with Muslim imam Dawud Salahuddin Bin Pearson before the start of the National Prayer Breakfast. (US Army Photo)

The celebration was open to all faiths and included prayers by Muslim imam Dawud Salahuddin Bin Pearson and Jewish Chaplain Read more

1 … 470 471 472 473 474 … 552