A military news article recounts an Army spin on a long standing aviation tradition. Helicopter pilots fly with American flags into combat and later give them to support organizations, friends, and family:
A nation’s flag can be a powerful symbol of pride for people, but a flag that comes with a story behind it can mean so much more… Read more
The Air Force and the Air Force Times have published articles releasing information on the crash of an F-15E Strike Eagle in Afghanistan in July. The crash claimed the lives of the both the fighter pilot, Capt Mark McDowell, and the WSO, Capt Thomas Granith.
The investigation determined that the two-man crew was executing a simulated attack for training on their way back to base. The planned attack was a high-angle night strafe against a ground target. After their flight lead aborted a simulated attack Read more
The military times magazines note that the US Navy has approved full-rate production of the EA-18G Growler. The EA-18G is a highly modified variant of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet designed for electronic attack rather than conventional air-to-air or air-to-ground roles. The Growler will primarily be used to jam enemy radars and perform other similar electronic missions rather than perform strike or air defense sorties. However, the aircraft will retain some offensive weapons capabilities.
The Growler name was a combination of the aircraft the EA-18 was designed to replace (the EA-6B Prowler), the fact that this was the “G” variant, and a large dose of fighter pilot humor that amazingly slipped by the censors (likely because it was a Navy, rather than Air Force, program–the Air Force still calls the F-16 a Fighting Falcon, while pilots call it the Viper). Admittedly, the Navy also named a submarine the USS Growler, which was supposedly named after a black bass.
An Army Chaplain has made his mark by praying with soldiers before every convoy departs Al Asad, Iraq. Chaplain (Capt.) Michael Lanigan is the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Chaplain.
“I come out here every night, this is exactly what I feel like God has designed me to do–to bring faith to the fight in a place where men and women just need encouragement.” Lanigan said that he does not inspire with just his words, but with God’s words, and that he believes that is a powerful thing.
The Chaplain also notes that faith, not his position as Chaplain, is what the Soldiers Read more
It is true that military chapels are supposed to be, in some respects, “religiously neutral.” The objective of the regulations governing chapels is that any faith group be able to use them for their spiritual needs. As chapel space is often limited, many times a single building, or even a single room, must meet the needs of all faith groups.
The military academies have long been an exception. The main floor of the US Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, which turned 50 just a few months ago, is overtly Christian, with a huge, sculpted metal cross hanging from the ceiling. Rather than having “shared spaces,” the USAFA Chapel Read more
The Navy Times reports that the US Navy has disciplined 13 sailors for cheating during a written nuclear propulsion test on board the carrier USS Harry S Truman. The reports do not explain what the sailors did, except to say they were using notes; it is possible that the notes were test gouge, especially since the Navy subsequently made all the sailors re-take the test.
Retired Capt. Jim Colgary, a former submarine commander, said:
Trust is the fundamental bedrock of going to sea on these ships. If an individual is dishonest enough to cheat on an exam, you can’t trust them to stand watch or take logs on systems associated with nuclear reactors.
Colgary’s analysis applies well beyond the nuke test. The trust bestowed upon the US military by the American public is a sacred one, Read more
Three military academy cadets have been selected as Rhodes Scholars. This will provide them the opportunity to study for a Masters degree at Oxford University. All three of the cadets are women; two from the US Military Academy (West Point) are from New York and Washington. One from the US Air Force Academy is from California. That the academies represent nearly 10% of the Rhodes Scholars speaks to the prestige of the education at the military institutions.
Since the intent upon graduation from a military academy is to serve as a military officer, opportunities to do other things are limited. Read more
The Alliance Defense Fund has been calling on the US military to charge Maj Nadil Malik Hasan with 14 murders, not 13.
Private Francheska Velez was three months pregnant when Hasan allegedly killed her and her unborn child. If her child was included, the massacre would have claimed 14 lives.
The ADF accurately notes that the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) reflects the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and specifically cites the death of unborn children Read more