Dude, Where's The Beach?

Fun with 1st Battalion....

2011-08-26T20:23:00.000-04:00

I'm Back

2011-08-26T19:40:00.003-04:00

Sorry... been a long time. I made it to Afghanistan back in July of 2009, and assumed it would be yet another typical deployment. I was way wrong. Instead, I was attached to the US Army 1st Battalion out of Fort Bragg, and supported them as the only AF member of their team. I did some amazing and insane things I never thought I'd ever do, and those guys kept my ass alive. I gained more respect for the Army during my time with them, purposely rejecting a typical 'Joint' medal offered up so that I could get the Army Commendation instead. I'm more proud of that green ribbon on my uniform than anything else.

Of course, now I'm not wearing a uniform. At least for the next three years. I just PCS'd to Brussels Belgium with my wife and children. After leaving Afghanistan I headed back to Omaha, only to PCS to Monterey California for 8 months to learn French. I left Monterey in May of this year, and we've been living in Belgium since then.

Can't wait to share the details of the job. Just know that it's the best job I'll ever have.

So, back on the blog after 2 years. What can I say.... I was busy.

Good to be back. Can't wait to share the stuff I've done so far out here. Bastogne Memorial, Paris Air Show, WWII reunions... living the dream.

Stay tuned.

Yes, I'm in Afghanistan

2009-08-20T03:49:00.003-04:00

And yes, it's been a long time since I've last posted, but what can I say... I've been busy. I'm currently deployed in Kabul, working for the US Army, and life couldn't be more crazy/intersting since my arrival last week. I'll be here for a while, so stay tuned for more posts.

Until then, the internet has been hard to access due to the elections taking place today. We're all keeping our fingers crossed that all goes well and that the Afghans are able to vote peacefully and safely.

So, wish them luck, us luck, and hope for the best for me. Being directly attached to the Army is going to be very interesting.

Either way, it's good to be back in the saddle on this blog.

Cheers!

El Capitan

(Yes, I recently promoted to Major, but El Capitan has always represented something other than my rank, so it stays for now.)

Wow, I Should Join!

2009-04-30T23:17:00.002-04:00

Then again, after seeing those guys only make $5000 a year, I'd rather join this 'Daring, Highly Trained Special Mission Force.' They have cooler planes.

A Toast to a Fallen Comrade

2009-03-26T02:38:00.002-04:00

One More Roll

We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies, and were gently caught by God's own hands to be with him on high.

To dwell among the soaring clouds they've known so well before, from victory roll to tail chase at heavens very door.

And as we fly among them there we're sure to hear their plea, "Take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me."

(NYT) One of the Air Force’s top-of-the-line F-22 fighter jets crashed in the high desert of Southern California, killing a test pilot for the Lockheed Martin Corporation. The F-22A Raptor crashed at 10 a.m. about 35 miles northeast of Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert in an area known as Harper Dry Lake. The pilot, David Cooley, 49, was a 21-year Air Force veteran who joined Lockheed Martin in 2003, the company said.

The Miracle That Is Obama

2009-03-25T02:06:00.002-04:00

I heard he was the Messiah, but I didn't know why until now.

I Need Help With an Assignment.

2009-03-24T23:48:00.003-04:00

Okay team, I need a hand with an assignment. I was assigned an 800 word essay with this topic: Despite the near universal condemnation of terrorist attacks against the US, Great Britain, Spain, and other Western nations, there have been incidences of disagreement between the Western powers on the prosecution of the Global War on Terror. In what ways might the US employ its cultural awareness to more effectively partner with Europe in this ongoing struggle?

The quick answer is that we can't do much on the cultural side to get Europe to fully participate. Yes, my word-smithing isn't the best in this essay, but I'm firm on my thesis and conclusion. My professor disagrees with the argument that a majority of our NATO allies (minus England and Canada) are not fully committed to the Global War on Terror. He disagrees so much, that he marked my paper down because he thinks that's a false premise. I stand by it.

What do you think? Am I wrong?

The Essay:

Although the Global War on Terror has touched nearly every part of the globe, it is still a US-centric, US-focused effort. Western nations have all been touched in some way by Al-Qaeda’s operations, yet Western Europe seems to remain psychologically unattached to actual war. Their limited military support in Afghanistan is a token offer to the United States, offered more out of an obligation for past assistance rather than to seriously fight a common enemy. The US would need to inspire the European Union by changing the prevailing culture of Europe to effectively bring them into the GWOT as an equal partner.

The GWOT has an unmistakable undertone of a religious warfare. The US never declared it to be a religious war, but they are fighting an enemy that sees this struggle as a spiritual conflict. “In recent years, trends in the United States and Europe as well as the emergence of new international terrorist threats claiming Islamic fundamentalist roots have combined to put new focus on religion as a dividing rather than a uniting factor across the Atlantic.” (Sloan, 2005, 1)

Because the US allowed Al-Qaeda to label this war as a religious struggle, it is seen through the eyes of Europeans as being rooted in the “uber-religious” American fundamentalism. Such fundamentalism goes against the increasing secularism of Europe, where religion and nationalism have taken a back seat to what Huntington describes as “Universal Civilization”, an idealism created by “a thin layer of technocrats and academics and businessmen who gather annually at that watering hole of the global elite in Switzerland.” (Ajami, 2008, 3)

The US and Europe are certainly tied together through political, financial, ideological, and cultural ties, but because the new European cultural components of Religion, Ethnicity and Nationalism cannot be drastically altered, their participation in the GWOT needs to be inspired by other means.

The modernization of the world has been a Western-led effort over the last 150 years. It has culminated into today’s technologically advanced societies, high-tech industries, and it paved the way to the Globalization we are experiencing today. Still, there are many cultures and nations around the world that are resisting this modernization, including the opposing forces of the GWOT. Al-Qaeda’s Shiria-based Islamic faction, as well as some powerful Muslim nation-states, are resisting modernization and Globalization, and they are basing this resistance on their religious principles. To the religious (and sometimes elected) leaders of those nations, modernization and Globalization are evil because they originated in the Christian-centric Western nations, and anything Western must be resisted at all cost.

It would be logical for the US to further influence and inspire Western Europe to increase their role in the GWOT by convincing them that the ultimate goal of this War is to lift up the populations of those nations ‘ravaged’ by 3rd World consequences by opening up their access to education, commerce, and the benefits of the Global economy and Western goods and services. This argument might actually work with a few Eastern European nations, but it would almost certainly fail to change the views of the elites who would see the pushing of Globalization onto the oppressed equal to pushing Christianity onto Muslims. No matter what the benefits would be to those living in 19th Century-based societies, most of Europe would be more concerned with stepping on the toes of other cultures than by improving the health and well-being of those people.

One can certainly understand the sensitivity Europeans may have towards upsetting the balance of cultures. They learned what happens when you conquer, partition, and ultimately abuse culturally diverse regions of the world. Asia, the Americas, Africa, and nearly every other place on earth was changed in some way by the failed policies of Western colonization during the last 500 years. It might be entirely possible that the guilt of colonization is the root cause of European antipathy towards the US-led GWOT.

The only way Geography could influence the West’s participation in the GWOT would be if Western Europe were facing total catastrophe due to invasion or other large-scale threats. Western Europe has never rallied together more than they did during World War I, World War II, and ultimately the Cold War. When faced with the common Soviet threat, Western Europe (deeply influenced by the US) built up a strong economic and military resistance to contain the spread of Communism. There was still a lot of disagreement amongst the Western Governments (i.e. France vs. NATO), but those weaknesses never gained enough influence thanks to the backing of the US military and economy.

It seems that only threat of total warfare is capable of influencing the Europe into participating in any large-scale military action. Because of influence of US religion, nationalism, and Globalization on diverse cultures, Europe is hesitant to take a stronger role in the GWOT. Europe will not be influenced by cultural-based arguments made by the US to bring them into the struggle. Instead, it will take a war of survival to inspire them to fight as one against a common, powerful enemy. The enemy will need to be something more deadly than a state-less, tyrannical religious-based organization. With Iran rapidly developing its nuclear program, the use of such weapons may just be the catalyst for total participation. Sadly, like their delayed reaction to Nazi Germany’s spread across the continent, action by Western Europe after the enemy has fully committed its forces will make resistance much more difficult and deadly.

Bibliography

Ajami, Fouad, “The Clash,” New York Times, 6 January 2008

Sloan, Stanley, “How Does Religion Affect Relations between America and Europe?” Atlantic Community Initiative website, Winter 2005

Live Blogging a Volcano

2009-02-09T22:55:00.004-05:00

Yep, we're heading up north to Alaska on Friday to pay homage to my adopted home state. To maintain our residency status we need to travel there a certain amount of time every two years. If flying out on Friday the 13th wasn't bad enough, we're heading to Anchorage, which is right in the path of the soon to be erupting Mt Redoubt.

I've been checking this website out for hourly updates on the mountain's status. I've tried to change our flight, but Alaskan Airlines won't change anything unless they're told to, so we're stuck heading into Anchorage. At this point I'd much rather head to Fairbanks or even Juneau, but I know that won't happen.

I am making sure we're taking along some goggles and masks in our luggage just in case. Hopefully we'll dodge the bullet, but knowing our luck, I predict we'll be stuck in an ash covered hotel for a week or more. Even better, I've been studying this 1950s era safety video on how to survive a Volcano. I think we all have the 'Duck and Cover' technique down perfectly.

......

Sweet, I just found a website called 'Emergency Dude' (Must be a cousin) and it has tips on what to do if a Volcano erupts. God bless the Internet.

(Play 'Jaws' music now)

New Member of the Family

2009-02-09T22:12:00.004-05:00

In December I did something I never thought I would ever do. I exercised my 2nd Amendment rights and purchased a 'Household Protection Device'. Her name is Helga. She's German, and she's as accurate as she is sexy.

Not me in the video, but that is Helga's twin sister.

In all honesty, the Air Force only uses the M-9 Beretta, which is a 'sort of OK but not the greatest' side arm. When I was deployed I was issued an M-4 and M-9, and that M-9 lived with me 24hrs a day, yet no matter how often I had to handle it I never felt like it was a great weapon or that it fit well. The Heckler & Koch USP .40S&W is exactly what the M-9 isn't. It fits perfectly in my hand, the safety features are the best offered (which is why I didn't buy a Gloc), and the first time I fired it I unintentionally made a 2 inch circle with 8 evenly spaced rounds. It has less movement and kick than the M-9 9mm.

Yes, Helga is the best hand gun I've ever used.

Growing up in California, hand guns and any types of weapons were always frowned upon. I never imagined I'd ever want or need to buy one, but after three deployments in countries where societies had broken down, evil in its worst form had taken over, and the only way people could protect themselves and their families was to own a weapon. I can't imagine life ever getting that bad here in the US, but the idea of not being able to protect my family against the most simple threats haunted me for a long time.

Of course, the top priority was to make sure I got the safest weapon I could find, and the easiest to use for my wife. More important was the need to keep it away from the kids. This little device is the greatest thing invented since sliced bread.

Once I was able to find exactly what I was looking for in terms of safety and security, I took the plunge. It was well worth the wait and the cost, and I'd recommend this model to anyone.

Thanks definitely go to my friend Tumbleweed and my brother in law 'Bam Bam' who gave a 2nd Amendment Virgin some excellent advice, and along the way helped me figure out the right way to go about this.

Happy Australia Day

2009-01-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

I know I know... I failed to mention Thanksgiving even though I was very thankful to be here with the family this year. And when Christmas rolled around I didn't even give this site the time of day. So why Australia Day?

Our son Matt called from Australia tonight to wish us a Happy Australia Day. He's been down there for almost a year now, and he's taking the time to celebrate the annual Aussie summer ritual (in a hot 105F today). It's their version of a 4th of July holiday.

Australia Day, January 26, is the biggest day of celebration in the country and is observed as a public holiday in all states and territories. On Australia Day we come together as a nation celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.

Most important is that my daughter Kalyssa is half Aussie, so we make sure to celebrate the day for her so she's aware of her roots. We usually have a cake and we give out gifts we bring back with us from our trips down there.

So, if you're looking for an excuse to party, today's the day for it. Call in sick, order up a cake in the shape of a Kangaroo or a Boomerang, go buy a case of any Australian beer other than Fosters, and enjoyr.

The Apocalypse is Near

2009-01-17T21:07:00.001-05:00

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'I'm in Hell'

2009-01-17T20:45:00.000-05:00

Well, not really, but close to it. I'm at a Rascal Flatts concert. Hasn't started yet, but while I await my fate the wife is backstage meeting the band. She won a meet and greet, so she's living the dream.

Why would I be in hell you ask? While the wife meets her favorite band I'm stuck out here awaiting an opening act so terrible, they would never expose Guantanamo prisoners to such treatment.

Yes, I'm talking about Jessica Simpson.

Just had my first beer in 92 days, but I had to do something to prepare for this torture my ears are about to endure.

Pray I don't stick a pen in each ear to stop the pain.

What we men do for our women.
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Black Friday

2008-11-28T06:28:00.001-05:00

Sitting here in line at the store at 4am. Just finished waiting 2 hours just to get into this store. Am I here by choice? Hell no. I'm here for the wife.

I'm no fan of shopping like this, but she needed the help and she does save hundreds on Christmas shopping. She planned the morning out with 20 sale adds, maps, and lists of stores that price match. Overlay those stores on the map with ones offering gift cards, do some exotic formula, and presto. You get 20 DVDs for 4 bucks and a laptop for 50.

It's worth it, but it still sucks being out here this early.
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Kansas

2008-11-26T16:19:00.000-05:00

Welcome to fun, exciting, and beautiful Kansas!

Honestly, I can't really bag on the state too much. I've had some good times here in the past. I was last here Sept 07 with a contingent of Iraqi Air Force leaders, and coming straight from Iraq this place looked like paradise to all of us. I was definitely thankful for my time out here.

Still... I could use a few mountains and a coastline about now.
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Mumbai India

2008-11-26T16:04:00.001-05:00

Pray for India and its people in Mumbai, and for the victims and hostages. Pray that the Indian police and military forces take the fight beyond the streets and hotels, all the way to the leadership of these Islamic Extremist organizations.

There is a special place in hell for these people.
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22 November 2008 - Victory in Iraq Day

2008-11-22T22:22:00.004-05:00

Go here to see the folks who organized VI Day. I can't say enough about how proud I am of our nation's success, and of the hard work and sacrifice of my brothers and sisters in arms. We all know that when the last troops come home there will be little mention about the real victory in Iraq, so we've all come together to celebrate it today.

The following are not my words, they're from the website I linked, but they hit the nail on the head.

On this November 22, 2008, join us in observing Victory in Iraq Day.

Let us honor the sacrifice, dedication and sheer determination of American, coalition and Iraqi troops who have brought freedom to the nation and people of Iraq.

Although our governments have chosen to not name any official day marking the end of this war, we the people have taken it upon ourselves to commemorate November 22, 2008 as the day of victory over the forces of tyranny, oppression and terror in Iraq.

Join fellow bloggers and other members of the public in this virtual ticker-tape parade for our brave troops, to celebrate their success, to remember the fallen, and to declare, in the words of President John F. Kennedy (RIP):

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay
any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any
foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

Valour IT - Team Air Force

2008-11-16T22:32:00.004-05:00

C'mon Air Force, we're getting our asses handed to us by the Army and Navy!

Who Can Resist Achmed....

2008-11-16T22:07:00.002-05:00

'I Kill You!'

McCain vs Obama 2008

2008-11-14T14:34:00.003-05:00

I'd say we have a fighting chance to take some power back in 2010.

Viva la Revolucion!

Do It Again In 2010!

2008-11-14T00:56:00.005-05:00

Somebody needs to show the boys how it's done!

Pass this around. We all need some motivation.

Valour-IT: It's time to help those who sacrificed for us

2008-11-13T22:58:00.004-05:00

Please please please give a dollar if you can. More if possible, but one is a start. Tell your friends about this too. The fundraiser runs until Thanksgiving.

If you're not familiar with Valour-IT, here's some background information from Chuck Ziegenfuss, the wounded Vet who started this awesome program for wounded Vets.

"The money we raise will go toward purchasing laptops with dragon Naturallyspeaking software, which allows servicemembers to control their laptop
completely by voice. For the wounded with eye or extremity injuries, this technology is critical to getting back a sense of normality. The DOD now provides the software and the training to use it, but they won't provide the laptops. that's where we come in."
"Since I started this project in 2005, we've raised enough money for over 2700 laptops to be donated. Initially, we also provided the software, too, but Uncle Sam picks up the tab for that now. We also want to purchase gps units for Traumatic Brain Injury Patients, because they often get lost, especially when trying to navigate between WRAMC and Bethesda for different clinic visits (yay BRAC!) Finally, we are also looking to donate Nintendo Wii Fit systems to the various military medical centers--WRAMC, Bethesda, Tripler, BAMC, etc. for use in physical and occupational therapy."
"I didn't start this project for purely altruistic reasons, I was injured in 2005 and was unable to use my hands, my vision was blurred, and I couldn't walk down the hall to use the one "patient" computer on the ward. I wanted to continue blogging through my treatment at WRAMC, and Soldiersangels provided me with a laptop. I added the software, thanks to a loyal reader, and then realized that there were many others who could benefit from this exact same technology."
"There are other bloggers out there who are willing to help, for instance I am teaming up with Blackfive.net for the Army team, and I think Greyhawk from Mudvillegazette.com wants to team up with the USAF team. I figured that USMC bloggers would know others in their circle, as would the USCG, and USN. All the money we raise goes into one pot, the only reason we divide into teams is for bragging rights. The big boat boys in bell bottoms won the first two years, and the
Big Green Machine won in 2007, and I bet team Army will win again, because the
other, lesser branches lack the esprit de corps to man up and take the
challenge. (How's that for taunting?)"

A little motivation....

2008-11-13T22:52:00.003-05:00

"I'd help rebuild the Party, but first I need to use this pipe wrench to pimp slap a lot of corrupt, moderate Republican dirt bags who destroyed it."

Overheard at the Republican Governor's Association Meeting

2008-11-13T22:24:00.004-05:00

Like a wild Grizzly Bear, you have to take the Democratic message by the head, wrestle it to the ground, gut it, stuff it, then mount it on the wall of untruthful political crap.

And furthermore, all of you better get off your asses, rediscover your principles, and grow a damn backbone before 2010 or else I will personally take you out.

....Excuse me, but is that Alfred Hitchcock standing behind me, to my left? Honey, get my rifle.

...and it's a pleasure to meet you Sir, but let me warn you. If you fail to take this party back to where it belongs, you're going to join the Congressional Republicans who failed us after the 2000 elections. I have them mounted in my out house.

I see you moderates lurking in the shadows. C'mon and grow a pair. You either stand with us as Conservatives or you get the hell out of the Republican party. You can always go start the 'Spineless Pansy Party for Woosified Girly-Men'. I hear they're in need of some gutless douche bags.

Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother,

You're stay'in alive, stay'in alive.

Feel the city break'in and everybody shak'in,

And were stay'in alive, stay'in alive.

Ah, ha, ha, ha, stay'in alive, stay'in alive.

Ah, ha, ha, ha, stay'in alive.

Now let's go take back Congress in 2010!

That Governor Palin lady.... The Force is strong in this one.

Study Session

2008-11-09T13:56:00.000-05:00

It's actually a decent day to sit outside and study today. Cold, but I was told this is considered 'tropical' compared to what's coming this winter.

At least the kidlings get to enjoy it.
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Omaha Coffee Shop

2008-11-08T00:30:00.002-05:00

Trying to work on my first paper for the new MA program, so I've exiled myself inside this coffee shop in Omaha. So far not too bad, although they've really overdone the 'depressed goth' chic. Hopefully there's more places like this around here. Still not as good as the 'College Perk' coffee house out in College Park, Maryland. Nothing beats that place.

I have a pathetic weakness when it comes to studying and writing. I can't study without being in a coffee shop or some kind of sit-down place. If I'm at home in a quiet room with nobody around I can't do anything, yet if I'm in a cafe I can write dozens of pages non-stop.

Pathetic? Yes.

Necessary evil? Yes.

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SITREP 6 Nov 08

2008-11-06T15:13:00.005-05:00

Situation Report: Where the hell is El Capitan?

Same excuse, sort of. I've been busier than hell trying to juggle the new job, unpack boxes in the new, much smaller base house, spend time with the kids, workout, and survive.

To complicate things, I had shoulder surgery last week, just in time for Trevi's 6th birthday on Halloween. I've been at home for the last week recouping. Honestly, the staying at home sucks, but every time I think I can do normal things with my shoulder it painfully reminds me to sit down, shut up, and quit whining. If I don't let it heal properly it's never going to heal the way it needs to heal, and the problem will remain. I don't want that, so I've got to listen to the docs orders.

To complicate things even further, the wife is out of the country until mid-November, so I've had to pick up the slack around the house. Takes three times as long to do things, but it keeps me occupied, and the kids are enjoying the 'us' time. Last night was movie night, so we rented a few movies and had a blast.

To really screw things up, I started a new Masters Degree program. The reading and studying is great, but the typing really sucks. I'm fat-fingering this post with one hand right now, so you can guess how long it'll take to write my first essay due on Sunday night. The program is the first accredited online MA program offered by the USAF, and the first time the bums are actually paying for some schooling for me. I paid for my BA and previous MA, and I'm very proud of the fact that I did it on my own, but I do admit it would have been nice had the AF picked up some of the tab like they to for the science geeks in the Officer corps. Either way, I'm just looking forward to more research and writing. I miss that stuff.

So, is life complicated? Certainly. Am I working my ass off? Absolutely.

But aren't we all?

First snow today here in Omaha. If it builds up within the next month or two I might have to pay some kid to shovel it for me. Damn shoulder!

Then again, I can't wait to pick up my girls again, so I've got to heal properly. They grow up too fast, and I know they won't want me throwing them up in the air when they're 16.

Any questions or requests or you've got nothing better to do, feel free to email me. I've got time to respond. I know, unheard of.

And I stand by every word I wrote in that last post. I'm looking forward to the next Reagan Revolution. If I have time after my essay I'm going to read his biography.

Diga Me, El Capitan....

Viva La Revolucion!

We Are All Americans First

2008-11-05T09:41:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, Rudy Gulliani said something very interesting when asked about what will happen if Obama won the election. His response:

"Tomorrow we wake up not Republican, not Democrat, but American. We must back whomever is elected because if he fails, we fail as a nation."

Personally, I'm not thrilled that a majority of our nation chose to send in the rookie quarterback while the team is 4th and 20, but there's nothing we can say or do now to change that. All we can do is hope and pray that the right decisions are made and that we do what needs to be done to fix what is broken. We will never fully agree with every decision made and direction our new President takes us in, but we can't do to him what the left did to President Bush.

History was made last night. Whether you supported him or not, history was made in terms of racial equality in this country. Never again can someone say that the political playing field is not level for all.

I am and will always be a true, Die-hard Reagan Conservative. I believe in smaller government, less taxes, strong defense. I believe that the individual citizen is what makes this nation powerful and great, not the government. I'm saddened that everything Ronald Reagan worked for was destroyed by a Republican House and Senate after the 2000 election, and I will never forget the opportunity those clowns wasted. I will also push harder to help rebuild this party into what it was and what it could have been. It is the only way to keep the far-left fringe of this nation (Socialists, Marxists, Eco-extremists, etc) from permanently destroying this great nation.

But this morning I'm reminded that I am also an American. I will disagree with the new administration on many issues, but I am still an American.

Maybe the Democrats can learn from our example on how to be civil and not vilify or destroy our nation if they disagree with a national leader.

This Wall Street Journal piece today says it all: The Treatment of Bush Has Been a Disgrace - What must our enemies be thinking?

Let's be an opposition party that helps shape the process and decision making of our leaders as opposed to tearing down our nation and further polarizing our society. If or when jobs are lost due to misguided taxation and trade policies, let's offer a better solution rather than sit back and say 'See I told you so'.

If spending spirals further out of control while deficits go unchecked, show a clear and effective alternative path for the country and the world rather than turn our backs and watch things fall apart.

And when the Democratic Party tries to close the door and keep those solutions and ideas in the dark, don't throw a fit or remove yourself from the process altogether. Instead, offer them to the people the same way Reagan offered them back in 1979. Show the people the alternative to what is wrong in the country in a positive way and they will make the right decision. The more positive and effective your message, the more negative and destructive the opposition will become, which will only amplify your platform.

Most important, do not give the enemies of our nation any opportunities or hope for success by further dividing or weakening our nation through the smearing, bickering, and flogging of our government or its leadership. We must NOT repeat the horrific and disgraceful damage the left has committed to our nation's image over the past 8 years.

Am I dreaming right now? Of course. But my dreams are based on what I witnessed growing up in the 1980s and 90s. I've seen a Conservative Revolution take place because strong leaders fought bravely and inspired many for what was right, and now I've seen that revolution fail because weak leaders turned their backs on their own values and principles.

We know how to get there. Let's just do it right this time.

And along the way NEVER forget that you are an American first.

I Am Joe.

2008-10-23T00:38:00.002-04:00

Ace has a link to a sign everyone should have in front of their house this month. I know I will.

Somehow I think this will be our 'Remember the Alamo' come this November 4th.

The Shot Heard Around The World

2008-10-08T11:43:00.001-04:00

Next to the Gettysberg Address, this monument to the eight Minutemen who gave their lives in the very first battle of the Revolutionary War at Lexington is one of the most inspiring I've ever read.

In the face of overwhelming forces, these men never gave up and by the end of the day the British withdrew.

Our nation was created by great men and women through terrible sacrifice. I wish our leaders today were half the men these guys were.

The inscription on the monument reads...

Sacred to liberty and the rights of mankind!!!

The freedom and independence of America,

Sealed and defended with the blood of her sons.

This monument is erected by the

Inhabitants of Lexington...

To the memory of their Fellow Citizens...

Who fell on this field, the first Victims to the

Sword of British Tyrrany, Oppression,

On the morning of the ever memorable

Nineteenth of April, An. Dom. 1775.

The Die was cast!!!

The Blood of the Martyers

In the cause of God and their Country,

Was the Cement of of the Union of these States, then

The Colonies; and gave the spring to the spirit, Firmness

And resolution of their fellow Citizens.

They rose as one man, to revenge their brethren's

Blood and at the point of a sword, to assert

and defend their native rights.

They nobly dar'd to be free!!

The contest was long, bloody and affecting;

Righteous Heaven approved the solemn appeal;

Victory crowned their arms; and

The Peace, Liberty and Independence of the United

States of America, was their glorious Reward.

Built in the year 1799

Our Land, Our History

2008-10-08T07:23:00.000-04:00

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It's gonna be a cold one

2008-10-06T11:51:00.000-04:00

Drudge had a link to the national weather service website which said that Fairbanks Alaska has had its coldest winter start in 16 years.

Let me warn you now that what happens in Alaska doesn't stay in Alaska when it comes to weather. Add to this news the fact that the sun is in its 'quiet' phase with little solar activity, you can be assured this winter is going to be a cold one.

As for my stay here in Massachusetts (near Lexington) it's beautiful. The trees are changing, and the place is surrounded with Revolutionary War historical sites. Too bad there is an Obama sign on every lawn.
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Breast Cancer Awareness

2008-10-06T11:39:00.000-04:00

You can't see it in this photo, but I promise there is in fact a pink ribbon on this bumper sticker.

I think it's a creative way to help the cause, but I'd hate to see their prostate awareness sticker.
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Welcome to Boston

2008-10-05T17:34:00.000-04:00

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Flight

2008-10-05T10:58:00.001-04:00

My wife will be thrilled with this one. Once again I'm stuck sitting on a plane next to the largest person and the loudest kid, while the UCONN womens team fills the rows in front and behind me. In other words I have the worst luck.

Go ahead Tonya, I know you're smiling ;o)

I swear the guy to my left is taking half my seat while the kid next to me is blasting his Ipod.

Fly the friendly skies.
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On the road again

2008-10-05T10:35:00.000-04:00

I'm passing through Minneapolis/St. Paul on my way to Boston for a few days. Had to get my Starbuck's mug for the Twin Cities of course. It's my version of a shot glass collection.

Sitting here in the terminal, it looks like one of the UCONN Women's sports teams is spralled out across the gate studying next to me. I never thought about how tough it would be to be in school while traveling cross-country to play sports. I'd be studying every chance I get too. Then again their coach seems pretty rough on them. They must have lost.

Didn't want to leave the family on this trip. Things are still pretty stressful dealing with this new/crappy base house. I am looking forward to seeing Boston for the first time though. I've heard it's a beautiful city. Either way, it'll be short thankfully and I'll be home soon.

In my off time I plan on hitting the coffee houses and finishing the reformatting of that project I mentioned a while back. Funny, but writing a 140 page screenplay was easy. Formatting it to the stringent requirments dictated by the industry is the hard part. From what I've read, if they see a formatting mistake they toss it in the trash. I want to give my work a fighting chance. I thought about paying someone to do it for me, but those services charge thousands, so no way.

They're pre- boarding, so time to go.
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Irony

2008-10-05T00:46:00.000-04:00

Went out costume shopping with the family today. Couldn't help but laugh at these masks when I found this interesting product placement.

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Beautiful Omaha

2008-10-01T10:40:00.000-04:00

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New AC/DC?

2008-09-24T23:54:00.001-04:00

I had no idea they were coming out with something new.

Sweet. I needed more motivational music.

Sign the Petition

2008-09-24T23:39:00.002-04:00

You can read the details here, but trust me, it's worth it.

Sign the petition to award the Medal of Honor to Marine Sergeant Rafael Peralta.

More info here.

And so it goes....

2008-09-22T21:32:00.002-04:00

I've been spending a lot of time keeping busy, which was a rare occurrence not too long ago. I finally have a job that's challenging and kicks my arse every chance it gets, but I will never complain. It's exactly what I've wanted, and needed. I couldn't have asked for a better group of shipmates, arrrrgh. (Sorry, had to make up for missing one of my favorite holidays last week, national 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' ) The folks are work with, from Air Force to civil service to contractors, are the hardest and most dedicated lot I've seen in a long time. Definitely a breath of fresh air. We're doing good things out here in the middle of America.

Since we took such a big loss selling the house in Dayton we decided to move onto base housing here at Offutt. The base itself is outstanding, but the housing, though brand new, is yet another example of why hiring the lowest bidder doesn't always work out the way it's supposed to. The house was poorly built, cheaply built, and is infested with every little insect known in this part of the woods. The bugs are so bad, we're on the verge of calling it quits and getting out of our lease. I'll give them a few more tries, but we can only take so much insecticide. One of our dogs already got pretty sick from it last weekend, forcing us to take her to the local pet hospital for a couple of days. She's doing well now, but like I said, one can only take so much before it's time to just call it quits. I can write an entire book on how the DoD screwed up big time by privatizing their military housing nation-wide, and how pathetic the housing has become, but I'll save all of that for another day.

My daughters are actually holding up well. Thankfully their schools are great, so that helps. My youngest started Kindergarten this year, so that's definitely on my mind. Unless we adopt (which I would love to do some day) this will be our last kid starting school.

They grow up too fast.

I start a new Masters Degree program next month. I remember when I finished my Masters Degree years ago that my first thought was, 'Wow, I never have to go to school again.' I guess I couldn't stay away. It's all online of course (the Air Force will never be that kind to me), but it's still an accredited program and it's the first and last time the military will ever pay for my education. I've stopped trying to fight to get a PhD out of them. I was told very clearly by AFPC that there is no requirement for someone in my career field to have one, so stop asking. Yes, the same Air Force Personnel Center that cares only about peddling flesh. I'm certain they have a dart board with my photo on it down in Texas. After all, if they can lie to an Inspector General about the games they played with me, they're capable of anything. Can't you smell the love.

I'm halfway through a book someone loaned to me last week. It's called Freakonomics. So far so good. I can't stand economics but I'm really enjoying the book because it's more about life and what happens to people when the right and wrong incentives are offered up. It's thick, but I figured it was good prep for the books I'll be reading starting in October for my class work. I have to warm up my brain to actually make it think analytically.

Alright, I have to warm it up to actually make it work at all, but don't we all?

MissBirdlegs in 'Bama, I hope all is well with you and yours down there. Hopefully you're not going through the gas shortage everyone is talking about. Thanks for nominating me for a Millbloggie! You're way too kind. As for the screenplay, I'm no-kidding' 5 hours away from finishing my final draft and submitting it. I just have to find that 5 hours, but I promised myself I would finish it no later than 30 September, so... game on. I'll let you know how it goes. Maybe you can read it and tell me what you think.

RWA, I fell your pain with the passing of Richard Wright. That man wrote most of the soundtrack to my life. He will be greatly missed, but he'll always be just a 'play' button away, speaking to me on my Mp3 player. Thanks for linking 'Sorrow', I hadn't heard that in years.

I turned 33 earlier this month. Yes, 33. I'm getting damn old, but I don't feel it. I feel great actually. Even though I have a jacked up shoulder I'm about to go into surgery for, and my hearing in my left ear is getting progressively worse because of that blast damage 4 years ago, I feel better than ever. (Ironically, the last thing I wrote the night of that attack was "Okay, an hour has passed and all is good. Been busy with the post attack stuff, but it’s complete. Hopefully the ringing in my ear goes away tonight." It never has gone away.

It's funny, but I think I'm at that point in my life where I actually feel like I'm mature enough. Maybe it's just a man thing, but feel like I'm making wiser choices and better decisions. I'm not saying I'm perfect. Far from it. I'll always be a few wheels short of a tricycle, but for once in my life I feel like I'm steering that tricycle in the right direction.

At least I think I am. We'll see how I feel next month.

There are a million other things I want to write about, but all in due time. I'm finally getting back to that place where I can express my thoughts. I lost that when I got back last January, but I'm getting there again. Everyone needs a place to sit and think out loud.

I need to get there again.

Happy Birthday Air Force

2008-09-18T20:02:00.005-04:00

You're showing your age at 61, but better days are coming.

The SecDef is urging the Air Force to go back to having all of their nuclear weapons and nuclear-capable weaponry under one command, kind of like the good ol' days when we had Strategic Air Command.

SAC won the Cold War and then we thanked it by disbanding it. Looks like we're going to reinvent the wheel and go back to basics, something we've needed for a very long time.

After all, SAC's nukes kept the peace.

Interesting Books

2008-09-14T16:48:00.000-04:00

Came across this book selection at Barnes and Noble in Council Bluffs Iowa today. I like the difference between the two books. One is a book about The Chosen One as 'a son of promise, child of hope' with beams of light shooting out from behind his head.

The other book is a story about a loving Dad, written by his daughter.

What a contrast between these two men. Well, between a man and a man-god. Can't wait to see the books about Palin and Biden.

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7 Years On...

2008-09-11T01:07:00.004-04:00

World Trade Center Memorial: Photo By Joe Schultz

A Picture's Worth....

2008-09-10T22:12:00.003-04:00

(DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II, U.S. Air Force/Released).

Some see an F-16 flying over a city under occupation.

Some see a menacing death machine on a sinister mission.

Some might even see just a regular refueling photo. Nothing special about it.

I see a US Air Force Pilot flying over a well-lit, vibrant, thriving city in Iraq. He or She is standing guard on high, out of sight, protecting the innocent, keeping the peace, and ready to stop those who threaten it when called upon.

4 years ago the city below was dark and lawless. Two years ago it was ruled by Islamic terrorist fighters and insurgents who owned the night, relentlessly slaughtering women and children and any coalition forces trying to protect them.

Tonight it is a thriving city full of commerce, culture, and a free population of people who are happily celebrating Ramadan without fear thanks to a coalition that sacrificed so much and never gave up on them.

This photo says so much.

Proud Alaskan

2008-09-10T21:59:00.005-04:00

Sure, my heart will always be on the beaches in Santa Cruz, but it sure is nice to be an Alaskan resident these days.

Help Georgia Now

2008-08-10T21:40:00.002-04:00

I don't care how, we just need to do it now.

"As a Russian jet bombed fields around his village, Djimali Avago, a Georgian farmer, asked me: “Why won’t America and Nato help us? If they won’t help us now, why did we help them in Iraq?” "

They helped us in Iraq when we needed them. Why aren't we standing with them. 'F' the cause. Yes, they shouldn't have tried to take their own territory back with force, but for God's sake, Russia is absolutely destroying everything outside of South Ossetia.

We need to draw a line and stand firm. They did it for us, we'd better do it for them if we ever want to depend on help from other countries for military support in the future.

Why We Have No Faith in the United Nations

2008-08-10T12:14:00.004-04:00

From the BBC:

"The United Nations Security Council began meeting for a fourth day on Sunday to discuss the conflict. It has so far failed to agree on the wording of a statement calling for a ceasefire."

What a bunch of useless fools. The UN can't even tie their own damn shoes, let alone write a letter condemning the death thousands of Georgians at the hands of Russian bombers.

Georgia should never have tried to retake South Ossetia militarily, but Russia should not be smashing Georgia back into the stone-age either. This is an absolute mess, and there's very little we can do.

NATO should be headed to Tblisi as a 'Peace keeping force' to try and draw some line in the sand for the Russians. They've got to stop.

The ironic thing is that Georgia didn't 'awake a sleeping giant' as some are saying. All they did was run up to a hungry bear and smack it on it's ass. Now Georgia can't run fast enough away from that bear. They should have known not to use force to retake what is rightfully theirs when Stalin Jr. himself (Putin) promised to support South Ossetia if they ever needed it.

Some one's gotta stop the chaos out there soon. The Ukraine is threatening to not allow the Russian ships that are currently blockading Georgian ports back into their Black Sea ports. You really want to piss off the Russians even further and throw fuel on a raging inferno, try telling the Russian Black Sea Navy to piss off.

This has no where to go but down.

RUSSIAN AND GEORGIAN ARMED FORCES COMPARED

GEORGIA
Total personnel: 26,900
Main battle tanks (T-72): 82
Armoured personnel carriers: 139
Combat aircraft (Su-25): Seven
Heavy artillery pieces (including Grad rocket launchers): 95

RUSSIA
Total personnel: 641,000
Main battle tanks (various): 6,717
Armoured personnel carriers: 6,388
Combat aircraft (various): 1,206
Heavy artillery pieces (various): 7,550
Source: Jane's Sentinel Country Risk Assessments

Omaha Nebraska

2008-08-03T02:18:00.005-04:00

So My opinion of Nebraska is pretty good so far. Nice people, good city (Omaha), and lots to do. Yes, shockingly there are many things to do around here. Never knew Omaha was an Indy band Mecca, but it is.

I spent the first week getting used to the job and the people I'll be working with over the next 4 years. Spent all that time in a Holiday Inn Express since I can't get into base housing until Mid-August. I've spent the last few days at my friend's house. Sinclair and I survived ROTC together out in California, and he and his wife live out here now. They've been kind enough to let me borrow their guest room for another week, and I can't thank them enough. It's great to finally see one of the good guys come out ahead.

Things won't settle down around here for a while, but I'll do my best to keep updating everyone. I leave back to Dayton in a week to go pick up the family bring them back out here.

As for now, it's almost 2am and I'm sitting here relaxing. I'm going to try to finish formatting my screenplay tomorrow. Yes, the screenplay I finished a year ago but never got around to properly formatting. I figured that if I don't get it done now, it'll never happen. Now's the time to get it done while I still can. I want to submit it soon and make those big-time Hollywood bucks. Just kidding. Actually, I just want it done. It's a good story about the War in Iraq, and I want it out there. I'm tired of these negative and totally biased movies about Iraq.

And now for an intermission from the most underrated band in history. I think RWA would agree that Dream Theater is probably one of the better live performing bands out there today, and they don't sound too shabby at 2am either.

Let's see, what else can I come across at 2am? How about my girl Uma using a Light Saber on Kill Bill. Who would have thought.

Wow, I missed this part of 'Princess Bride.'

Hey, it's 'Inappropriate Soundtrack' time. At least it has a pre-Charlie Sheen Denise Richards.

But you said we lost?

2008-07-28T23:25:00.005-04:00

Remember in April 2007 when the Democratic leadership in Congress announced to the world that the war in Iraq was lost? I certainly haven't forgotten. My blood still boils when I remember the press conference. My anger came through in the image I made below.

(Wow Mommy, these people really hate us.)

Now that we've come so close to Victory why hasn't anyone brought up the surrender proclamation these guys made last year? Why hasn't anyone made them account for their actions... for emboldening the enemies of the West, and for prolonging the battle?

I will never forget their attempt to initiate a cut and run policy that would have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. They tried to abandon the Iraqi people, and they tried to surrender to the enemy.

I will never, ever forget.

I'm Hooked...

2008-07-18T00:51:00.003-04:00

Selecting my music for tomorrow's drive out to Omaha from Dayton. I'm really getting hooked on Duffy. She's like a sober Amy Winehouse. When I first heard her I thought she was trying to fake the Winehouse sound, but listening to her other songs changed my opinion. She has a genuine classic and great voice that holds its own.

Speaking of Winehouse, what do they call her style of music? Is it retro 'something'. Not sure, but it's really fascinating. Ignoring the fact that she's a crack addict who's about to lose her life to drugs and booze, her style is really one of a kind. Pretty sad it might not be around that long.

Anyways, two videos. The first is Duffy singing 'Mercy' live. The second is Winehouse singing 'Back to Black'. The lyrics are really really good, damn it. Why do the good musicians all have to be freaks??!!

Duffy

Winehouse

Kind of an odd transition from here, but I'm heading West in the morning to Omaha Nebraska to start the next step of my Air Force career. Everything should work out fine if I can just find my way there without too many detours along the way.

Just found some Smokey and the Bandit motivation to get me going. After all, "What we're dealing with here is a complete lack of respect for the law."

Might as well throw in the other trucker classic. Can't do without a little Convoy.

Threw myself a going away party...

2008-07-09T22:54:00.001-04:00

You know you're going to be missed at an organization when they don't even realize you're leaving. I never really felt like I belonged to the Group anyways, but a basic 'so long' would have been nice.

When I got back from Iraq in January my new assignment was cancelled, so I had to move over to another organization and wait until Air Force Personnel Center (aka people that hate me) found a new base. While waiting I was given a basic program to run, but had little else to do and even less motivation to do it. Talk about post-deployment depression, I went from working 16 hour days on 5 different programs with some of the best Airmen in the world to doing almost nothing with nobody around. Not a good transition home if you ask me.

Since I had flown under the RADAR for so long I really didn't expect a send-off. I decided to do something I haven't done in years, so I invited my neighbor, his dad, and my step-son Mark to play a round of golf.

I'm the worst golfer in the Air Force, but I had a blast because the other guys couldn't play well either. I can see why golfers get addicted to the game. We were outdoors, enjoying the sun, and joking around the whole time. I never did make the final hole because I lost my last two balls in the water, but I still had more fun than if I had been given an official send-off at the office.

I just hope the new position I'm headed to in Nebraska is more challenging, and more rewarding. I need a good challenge.

Either way, it was a good day.

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Happy Independence Day

2008-07-04T19:53:00.000-04:00

Cheers!
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That moment just before the pain begins...

2008-07-01T20:53:00.002-04:00

Couldn't resist passing this along. Beware if you have a weak stomach.

Another rained in Saturday at the Mall

2008-06-28T16:07:00.000-04:00

I'm corrupting these girls by taking them to the mall too often, but the rain is really hurting our ability to spend time outside, and we can't mess up the house on the inside in case a buyer wants to see it.

Thankfully we have free milkshake coupons for Chick-fil-A. The chinese food I paid 5 bucks for was an investment for the house. The owners of the eatery are interested in buying the house, and are scheduling another 'wok' through with relatives next week. Of course my neighbors are hoping for free Bourbon Chicken if they move in.

Then again most of the guys still want me to ask the sororities of Wright State U down the road if they're looking for a new sorority house.

At this point I'll take any offers as long as I don't have to move to NE without the family because of the house not selling.

As they say in Arabic, En Sha'allah, or God willing.
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More from The Onion News Network

2008-06-25T22:28:00.002-04:00

I especially like the person driving, eating, and talking on the phone.

New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

Hey, and we finally got around to closing the last WWII Internment Camp. Just an oversight we missed it.

U.S. Finally Gets Around To Closing Last WWII Internment Camp

McCain Will Dismiss the Secret Service

2008-06-25T22:23:00.000-04:00

Thank God for good humor these days. We all need to laugh a little more.

McCain Vows To Replace Secret Service With His Own Bare Fists

Yield to the Raptor

2008-06-23T16:38:00.000-04:00

Leaving the gym a while back I had to stop my car and wait for an F-22 to pass by. It was being towed down the road to the Air Force Museum for display.

Stuff like this make me realize how much I'm going to miss this base. There is so much history in every building, program office, and with the museum.

And it's amazing what I've seen towed down the roads around here. MiG fighters, WWII bombers, ICBM missiles, and other rare Cold War relics.

If you ever get a chance to travel to the AF Museum here in Dayton you won't be disappointed.
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Fatherhood and the Mall

2008-06-21T18:33:00.000-04:00

One of the greatest inventions ever created for fathers is the indoor play ground at the mall. I'm sitting in this place surrounded by a dozen other fathers while all of our kids go crazy running around. It saves us from having to go to countless women's stores, nodding our heads in agreement every time a new outfit is tried on. It also keeps us from having to chase the kids around the clothing racks.

The only thing missing is a big screen showing ESPN, but give it time. I'm sure someone will put it in.

In the attached, out of focus photo, (a rare bad shot using the blackberry camera) you can see the girls playing, and in the background you see a Starbucks. I'm 50 feet away from making this situation even more enjoyable.

It's amazing how different this place is, and our country is, compared to the malls I went to in Doha City Qatar or Amman Jordan, or the indoor markets of Baghdad I saw thriving with parents and children shown on the local Iraqi TV station when I was over there. Cultures are so different, but the children are all the same. They smile for the same reasons, play similar games, and manage to enjoy life seamingly worry-free unlike their parents standing nearby.

Random thoughts I guess. I just hope my children get to see all the unique and positive things different people do all around the world. I want them to know just how unique and special this country is, and how lucky they are to live here.
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More Aussie Photos, Pt 5

2008-06-20T15:17:00.004-04:00

So what do you do when you see the US Ambassador to Australia walking by while you're petting Kangaroos?

You stand in front of the US Ambassador to Australia and take a photo, of course. We couldn't get much closer though. The gun wielding body guards off to the side (See female in black) would have stopped smiling.

I should be able to tell you what kinds of birds they are, but I can't remember. Sorry.

Here's the famous Dingo.

This bird was insane. 8 ft tall with a dinosaur spike on its head. Only in Australia. Pretty aggressive too.

And of course, the cute, cuddly, lazy Kangaroos. Like most marsupials, they rest more than they move.

This Koala was putting on a show for us. Very soft to touch, and very calm around humans.

So calm that it sat there and chatted with Nicole, my step-daughter's friend that came along with us. I took about 100 pictures of just this little koala.

Trevi feeding the roos.

Here's a Wallaby. Related to the Kangaroo, but smaller and more docile.

More From Australia, pt 4

2008-06-20T14:41:00.003-04:00

Some random photos of the scenery driving up and down the East coast of Australia, which is very similar to the West coast of the US.

This is Lake McQuerie, just south of New Castle and north of Sydney.

Kalyssa on horseback in Coff's Harbour, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane. This place was a beautifull mix of tropical and coastal zones, with miles of Eucalyptus forests and colorful tropical birds.

On the road headed South back to Sydney.

Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunset. If you click on the photo to enlarge it you'll see a float plane just above the bridge.

Trevi's first horseback ride. She was so proud.

Coff's Harbour, some wild Peacocks were walking past.

More of Coff's Harbour.
This is one of the Glass House mountains north of Brisbane. They're unique because each looks like a giant rock or boulder randomly dropped along the forest. We were headed to Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo.

Back to Coff's Harbour. Loved that place.

The Air Force Should Use This For Recruiting

2008-06-19T20:04:00.004-04:00

The US Navy will always have their 'Top Gun' flick about well-groomed men who like to sing, sweat, and chase after each other and non-existent Soviet pilots.

The US Air Force has 'Transformers', featuring cool Air Force hardware, special operations teams, hot cars, and the imaginary yet more realistic Optimus Prime.

Need I say more?

Report: Australians More Fat Than Americans

2008-06-19T11:49:00.000-04:00

Found this story on Breitbart.com and, I hate to say it, but it's true. Australia is a nation of 20+ million, yet there are a lot of big people there. Don't get me wrong, there a lot of very athletic people there as well, including bronzed gods and goddesses along the coast. Probably more so than in the US, but there is a huge percentage of folks that just don't take care of themselves.

One observation we make every time we go there is how most Aussie men don't really take care of themselves. I've heard for years that Aussie men don't take care of their women-folk or treat them right, but I think it's because they don't take care of themselves.

Again, not all Aussie men are like this, but many are. I think their British roots are to blame. British men are infamous for not taking care of themselves or their women.

Good news! It is still true to this day that if you're an American man you will have the Aussie 'Sheilas' flocking to you because of the shortage of men who give a damn down there. I was told this years ago and it is 100 percent true. Even more so in Perth, on the west coast. The ratio of women to men is so lopsided, women will actually approach men in a club or bar and buy them drinks. Add an American accent to the equation and things really get interesting.

And ladies, there are plenty of good Aussie men out there that are gentlemen. Not all of them have gone to waste, so if you're looking for you're own Crocodile Dundee, I can tell you where to find yourself a beaut.

Why am I saying all of this. Because I feel it is my duty to help my American brothers and Aussie sisters. Australia needs a bigger population, and many American men need to travel oversees more to see the rest of the world. I want to help both the US and Australia any way I can, even if it means trying to matchmake.

Heck, you may even meet a nice American on the flight out there.

As for the Aussie eating habits, they have some great food out there, but many people spend way too much time at McDonalds and Hungry Jacks. Same thing we do here in the US.

Oh well, those are my thoughts on that. Now comes the hate mail from Down Under.
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The USAF Tanker Nightmare Continues

2008-06-19T08:22:00.001-04:00

Boeing 767 Tanker

Northrop Grumman KC-45

We all just received the news that the Defense Department Acquisition apparatus shot itself in the foot again, and many of us in the Air Force couldn't be more disappointed.

A few months ago the USAF made the right decision to select the Northrop Grumman KC-45 Tanker to replace our ancient and rapidly diminishing tanker capability. This tanker beat the Boeing tanker because it was bigger, held more fuel and cargo, and could roll off the assembly line faster to meet our urgent war fighter needs. It was a fair and open selection.

First, understand that without the ability to refuel anywhere around the world, our air force would lose a majority of its global reach/capability. We depend on air refueling to protect our nation and the free world.

That said, the GAO office announced that the USAF made minor mistakes in their source selection process, so in order to be fair to the losing company (Boeing) the Air Force must now restart the selection process, which will take at least two more years to accomplish.

Two more years of pilots and crews flying 50 year old tankers into combat zones.

Two more years of wasting millions of dollars to service airframes and spares that were never supposed to fly this long.

Two more years of jeopardizing the people and the mission.

There is so much I wish I could say about Boeing's intentions and priorities, but I can't. Their conduct during the initial source selection process two years ago that landed people in jail and delayed this effort speaks for itself. All I can say is either we find a way to produce the Northrop Grumman version now, or we select both companies to produce both aircraft. Having two tankers is not unheard of, but it's not cheap to maintain two in the long run.

Yet a compromise will help overcome the rapidly aging fleet, help strengthen our ability to protect or nation, and could save the lives of the men and women at risk in these ticking time bombs.

Stop wasting time and start building tankers.

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The Smart Car Invades Ohio

2008-06-18T22:30:00.001-04:00

Yes, I know it make sense and is good on gas, but for God's sake, did it have to be so ugly? I can't imagine how painful the castration procedure was when this guy bought this car from the dealership.

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Technology

2008-06-18T14:09:00.001-04:00

Although this post is short, its a huge leap for me. One of the many reasons I have been AWOL on this site is that I have had limited access to the web. So much has been going on in the military and in our country as a whole that I've been wanting to talk about, yet because of my limited access I typically never get around to saying what's on my mind.

No more. I now can say what I want more often. Now the only limitation is my 'fat fingering' on this little blackberry curve keyboard. Expect more typos than before (zip it MauserGirl ; ).

In the meantime we're still trying to sell our house before I move to Nebraska. Trying to sell without an agent is a tough gig, but we can't stomach giving someone 6 percent of our sweat equity when we are the ones that did all the work.

I haven't been impressed with many of the real estate agents we've met so far anyhow. I seem to be bringing more traffic than they say they can. The only thing I need to figure out now is how to get them to make an offer.

So, back to the topic at hand. I now get to say more of what's on my mind thanks to my crackberry. Should be interesting. Hopefully I can figure out how to send photos along with these posts.

EC

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Test From Blackberry

2008-06-18T07:19:00.002-04:00

Sweet... now I can post using my blackberry. A little more freedom to post when I want to.

Back At Home pt 3

2008-06-10T23:18:00.004-04:00

On the road, headed North over the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards Newcastle. This is where my Step-son Matthew will be living and working over the next year.

Driving up the Pacific Coast Highway

A quick stop at 'Donny's' (aka McDonalds) on the way up the coast. We ran into some Royal Australian Infantry soldiers grabbing a quick bite on their way to an 'exercise' as they put it. Not sure where they were headed, but by the looks of their uniforms and rank, they looked like newly minted troops on their way to post-boot camp training. Either way, they were cool.

In Newcastle I spent some time in a park with the girls while Matt visited a few Government buildings to make sure he was legal to work with his Visa. The Aussies don't take too kindly to illegal aliens in their country.

This park had a War Museum and some really nice monuments to the troops. Newcastle is one of the most vital ports in Australia, so it played a big role in WWII.

After reading all of the monuments and statues, we grabbed some of our imported Handi-Snacks and relaxed. Honestly, food is not cheap in Australia, so we usually dedicate one suitcase for snacks, peanut butter & jelly, cereal, and other basics to use along the way. All we have to buy is milk and bread, and it saves a fortune on the breakfast and lunch time meals. We then use the empty suitcase to bring back our souvenirs, so it's a win win idea.

On top of all of the odd trees and plants in Australia there are many exotic birds I've never seen elsewhere. At some point I'll fill a few posts with pictures of all the animals we've come across.

Back At Home pt 2

2008-06-10T23:03:00.003-04:00

More from The Rocks, Sydney.

Who could pass up a sign like this?

Outside of The Rocks you'll find a usual big city with some historical buildings mixed in between the usual newer sky scrapers.

All Hail Captain Cook!

Back At Home pt 1

2008-06-10T22:30:00.005-04:00

I know I sound like I'm whining by saying I'm tired, but I am. The jet lag/14 hour time zone difference is always difficult to adjust to when coming home, but the very first day we came back we had to show the house to some prospective buyers. This meant cleaning everything once again. Things get dirt when you're gone for 3 weeks.

So, instead of trying to jump start my brain to write about the trip, I'm just going to start posting photos with descriptions for now. Hopefully we'll all adjust our sleeping pattern soon.

Old buildings located in The Rocks section of Sydney. This is the oldest part of the city, and the -location of the very first British settlement on the continent. Lots of history, and the best place to stay if you ever come to Sydney.

We Have Photos

2008-05-27T21:51:00.001-04:00

I'm still organizing them on Flickr, and I haven't had a chance to label anything yet, but as time passes I'll catch up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10122497@N07/

I Come From A Land Down Under....

2008-05-24T16:09:00.003-04:00

Things have settled down since our arrival here in Sydney. My son is now in his new home just north of here in Newcastle. I took my step-daughter and her friend up on the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the 'Bridge Climb,' something nobody should miss if visiting. Sitting on top of the bridge overlooking the entire harbour and a good portion of the city, there is no better view that I know of. This was my third climb, so I'm now a 'Master Climber' on the Bridge Climb Company's books. Not sure what that means other than I've spent a lot of money and I got a free photo of us on top the bridge. We did the new 'Discovery Climb' which gave us more time up on top and a better climb through the steel framework of the bridge, all for the same price.

Prior to the climb the three of us had lunch at a cool little mom and pop restaurant located just under the bridge in the Rocks district. The Rocks is the location of Sydney's oldest pubs, hotels, and is the site of the first European settlement on the continent, so it holds a lot of history. It also sits under the bridge and right next to the opera house, so location is choice if you're looking to relax and enjoy the city.

I promise to have lots of photos soon. I'm currently a slave to the Holiday Inn Darling Harbour internet scheme, which limits what I can do. Instead, when I get to the next hotel I will have better access to load up the photos.

I'm receiving emails on my blackberry from the tmmkkt22@yahoo.com account if anyone has any questions or specific requests for photos.

It's now 0620 in the morning on Sunday and I'm off to jog around the Opera House and watch the sun rise from the Pacific and over the the Harbour. Using a new camera this time around, so hopefully the photos will turn out nice.

*I didn't take the two photos I attached to this post.

I'm Your Capitan, It's Time To Fly.....

2008-05-22T01:08:00.000-04:00

About to close the doors on this 747-400 from San Fran to Sydney. Never had trouble on this flight beforeN but we were told the inbound leg had a lot of turbulance and a few got sick.

Damn, there go my free drinks. I was looking forward to enjoying a few tasty beverages.

Wish us luck. I just hope my kids don't get sick. I tend to be the target when chunks are blown.

If all goes well, we'll have dinner after take off, snooze, wake up for breakfast, then land around 8am in Sydney. 1s hrs of relaxation. (Or 14 hrs of chunks)

Time to go.

laundry soap

2008-05-21T14:53:00.000-04:00

Words of advice....

Never, ever pack concentrated laundry soap in a bag with your clothes when traveling.

It just doesn't come out of the suitcase once the bottle breaks open, and my clothes now reak of concentrated April freshness even after being washed twice in the five-dollar per load Holiday Inn Express washing machine.

'So Dude, why do you smell so bad? Did your car crash into a "Summer's Eve" feminine hygene factory?'

'No, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Epress.'

I hope the airline loses this bag over the Pacific.

On the road again....

2008-05-21T12:59:00.000-04:00

I'm laying on a hotel floor just outside if San Francisco International Airport waiting to go back to the USO lounge once they boot us out of here. We have a 22 hour layover, and we arrived here at 12am this morning.

Headed to Sydney tonight to start our trek. Hopefully it all goes well. We spent the last 7 days getting our house up on the market for my upcoming PCS. Had no time to pack like we usually do, so we threw stuff in the suitcases and ran to the airport. In the process I had a bottle of liquid detergent break open in my bag, so I'm now doing laundry instead of exploring San Fran.

This trip has nowhere to go but up.

As promised, I will be posting photos throughout the trip. Also, I'm using my crackberry along the way so I can check our house on the market as well as write while traveling. This is my first post using my handheld, and I'm hoping it works.

I'm taking requests for photos if anyone wants to see anything specific in Australia. Just leave a comment and I'll see what I can photograph.

Until then, wish me luck braving the untamed wild and unfriendly San Fran. It has been at least 10 yrs since I was last here and and it was rough then.

The First Step

2008-05-13T07:54:00.004-04:00

We've been scrambling for one week to prepare for the move to Nebraska. Held the first of many yard sales last week and did well, and I'm nearly finished offloading my project at work to someone else so I can focus more energy on selling our house and getting everyone ready for the move.

I read two books over the weekend on how to sell your own home, so I guess I'm now as qualified as a realtor. At least I'd like to think that. We want to sell on our own to avoid the 6% fee any realtor will charge us. Who would ever voluntarily hand over 6% of the equity in their house to someone? I will fight it for as long as I can, and maybe I can sell the house in the process. If not, we'll end up going with a realtor, but not by choice.

Nervous? Hell yes. Confident? Yes.

Last night I was going through some photos of my deployment I took right before I came back home and I noticed something different. I've lost about 15+ pounds since coming home from a combination of running, eating less, and stress. More because of the working out and portion control, but those were things that were difficult to do while deployed. They feed you too well overseas, and I never could get myself to jog around the Green Zone, so it's easy to fall into the trap. Most of us just lifted weights and drank the protein shake/weight gain 3000 powder.

Talk about setting yourself up for disaster.

Sitting in middle of the ballroom of Believer's Palace, which sat on top of Saddam's infamous bunker. Damn that excellent DFAC food! Damn you all to hell with your good food, excellent ice cream bar (staffed by a cool guy named Mohammad), and late night buffets!

Some chick I met last weekend (My wife Tonya) and I on Saturday headed to a Rascal Flatt's concert. What a difference 15 pounds makes. I'm going to keep up the routine and see how much more I can lose over the next month or so.

And yes, we've had time for a little fun in between the chaos of moving. Rascal Flatt's closed their national tour here in town. Two of the guys are from Columbus, so their families and friends filled the floor of the arena. Fun concert. These guys really know how to have fun and make the cost of the tickets worth it.

So what's on tap for this week? Renting a storage unit today, and hopefully filling it with stuff we need to get out of the house to make it sell better. We're having another garage sell/cook out this weekend with our neighbors. In between today and Saturday I need to list the house, something I've never done before but it needs to be done now. I just keep reminding myself of the 6% commission I'm avoiding.

On a side note, Craigslist works. If you ever need to sell something, try Graigslist.com first. We had hits within hours on some items and they sold that day. My neighbor also does very well using it.

Found out I'll be working for STRATCOM out at Offut. Not sure what I'll be doing, but that's where I'm headed. I still suspect it's an office weenie job (slave/gopher/exec), but there's nothing I can do to stop that now. My lesson was learned over the last few months. Shut up and color.

Still going through these bunker photos. I'll have to post them all soon. Very cool way to spend your last day in Baghdad.

Need a hole in a door, just call the Army. They're good at breaking things fast.

While touring Saddam's bunker, one must partake in the tradition of posing on his private crapper.

Or posing in his private jacuzzi/players room up in the palace.

My Dad, an old crusty US Marine, always had a picture of himself from Vietnam sitting against some sand bags with a weapon, showing the peace sign. I thought it appropriate to do one of my own.

Time to take on the day and get this house sold.

Have a good one.

Yes, I'm Back in Black

2008-05-07T07:12:00.002-04:00

They say a deployment changes your perspective on life, love, and everything else in between. Whoever 'they' are, they're right. Over the last three months I've done everything imaginable to focus on my family, my daughters, my life, and everything else in between. At the same time I've been dealing with one of the most difficult situations the Air Force can put you in. On top of all of that, knowing the friends I left behind in Baghdad have had hell raining down on them over the last few months makes your daily existence even harder because deep down inside you want to be there with them, working along side of them to keep the mission moving forward (and to flip every Mahdi Army A-Hole off from a roof top every time they launched a barrage of crap at you).

Yet I'm not over there, I'm here now, and I've had to focus on the battle here at home.

There's a lot to talk about, and I can't wait to sit down and put it all down here on the blog. I started this up in 2004 to talk about life, the Air Force, and everything on my mind, and I have no reason to let up.

So, my apologies for the pause. I'm done regrouping, re-arming, and I'm back in the fight. And thank you to those of you who have kept in touch (and smacked me upside the head every now and then for not staying in contact).

The next two months will be crazy, and I plan to take you all along for the ride. The Air Force Personnel Center tucked me away into a worthless hole over the last 3 months while they figured out what to do with me. I just received word last night that I will be moving to Omaha Nebraska, doing God knows what. After struggling with the assignment center for over a year, this is either a blessing or it will be the ruin of me. Either way it's going to be interesting.

Between now and then I'll be moving my Step-Son Matt to Australia. He decided to spend a year in Australia on a work/holiday visa, so we fly him out at the end of this month. I promise to actually post photos along the way this time. That place is too beautiful not to share it with everyone.

At the same time we'll be dealing with everything else we deal with out here.

As they say in Sarkozy Land, 'Se La Vi'.

It all starts today when I walk into my bosses office and let them know I'm done working on the crap projects they've been spoon-feeding me. I'm done spinning around in this worthless holding pattern. It's time to get down from the dusty shelf the Air Force hid me away on when I came back to the U.S. (Thanks Cad!)

As I said, lots to write about. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I plan on doing. After all, it doesn't matter how crappy the ride may be, it's your ride, so you better make the most of it.

Cheers!

EC

And for all of my friends still out there working the Iraqi Air Force helicopter programs, out there training the newest Iraqi pilots, or busy flying around Iraq at rooftop level with the most bad ass US Army helicopter pilots....

Here's to you!

Time to wake up....

2008-04-14T12:12:00.002-04:00

It's been a long rest.

I'm Well

2008-02-05T18:59:00.000-05:00

Just home and focusing on the family and life back in the States. I had typed up about 5 pages of thoughts into a post while traveling home a few weeks ago, but all that remains of the post is

o o t E n t r y ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ ²Z¤žÑ¤ ÀO¹2º 6TÈŸVÈ7 À C O N T E N T S h C o m p O b j V S P E L L I N G ( þÿÿÿ

In other words, the file was corrupted and it's lost.

Oh well. I can sum it all up in a few words.

Toughest job I've ever had.
Most enjoyable job I'll ever have.
It was worth every minute.
The Iraqis are on the right track.

Had my first day of work yesterday, and all of the fun and joy of being home quickly evaporated thanks to the Air Force once again screwing around with my career. When I had to tell my boss I should have extended my deployment to a year long tour just to avoid all of this crap the AF is putting me through, I knew I wasn't going to last long.

I might be getting out soon, but I'd rather not. After 9 years in the service I'm finally enjoying what I'm doing.

We shall see.

Vote for GI Jill!

2008-01-08T16:57:00.000-05:00

Who ya gonna call when you need a MEDIC!

That's right. Our Favorite Miss America contestant Jill Stevens from Utah, has an excellent shot at becoming Miss America on January 26th.

What I didn't know about until I went over to Gazing at the Flag's place was that we can vote for Jill as 'America's Choice' at the pageant.

"America's Choice! Battle Buddies,I need your help!This year, America has the opportunity to select a surprise 16th pageant finalist with "Miss America: America's Choice", an online competition that allows viewers to vote for their favorite Miss America contestant. I could really use all the support from my battle buddies in the Army family to help me stay in the fight."- Sgt. Jill Stevens

Sure, she's only asking for her 'Army Family' for help, but I still think we should all pitch in and giver her a hand. After all, she's going to catch enough flack for being in the military.

Let's show the pageant who our favorite really is.

VOTE!!! VOTE!!! VOTE!!! VOTE!!!

Click on the VOTE!!!s above to go to the voting site. You can vote once a day. Actually, make sure you're voting once a day. If for some reason that site doesn't work, go give 'Gazing at the Flag' some love and use his link. I can't access the site from Baghdad.

See, they're already trying not to include our votes.

Fight the Power!

Do it for the Children!

***Also, don't keep this a secret. Send the voting link out to everyone you know. I'd end with a loud 'Hooah' to motivate you, but then I would have to pay 5 bucks to our 'Hooah' jar here in the Air Force office.

Responses to Today's News

2008-01-08T14:36:00.000-05:00

Is there any other way to respond to these stories?

Message, not gender, turns voters off Clinton - Duh!

TEARS AT OBAMA RALLY... - God!

McDonald's Poses Coffee Challenge To Starbucks - Cool! (They have these around the world and they're actually nice)

6FT BY 150 INCHES - AND THAT'S JUST THE TV - Come to Papa!

Mexican Emergency Services Free Boy, 10, Who Glued Himself to Bed to Avoid School - HAHAHAHAHA, why didn't I ever think of that one?

1864 American Flag Found in Closet - Was it in there with Tom Cruise?

Third Man Dies From Tainted Dairy Products - "Dude, it says it expired in 1989. Let me try it."

Ron Paul a closet Neo Nazi - Duh!

Tom Cruise's $100 Million Nazi Movie - Was Ron Paul in it?

'American Idol' Winner Taylor Hicks Dropped By Record Label - If a tree falls in the forest...

Boy Scout Grabs Attacker's Knife, Saves Maldives President From Assassination - His Scout Master is Chuck Norris

NBC admits Obama Bias: 'It's hard to stay objective covering this guy'... - They were Objective?

Madonna tours Mumbai slum during India holiday - A material girl in a immaterial world

$2,500 car unveiling by Indian company... - Too many jokes to choose, I'd better keep my mouth shut on this one.

HILLARY UNLOADS: YOU'RE NO MARTIN LUTHER KING... - Yes, and Hillary is no President Clinton.

Schwarzenegger wants constitutional amendment for budget powers... - He already has unlimited flexing muscle powers

Bush Chastises Tehran on Gulf Intercept... - Whereas Reagan would have said, 'Bring It On.'

China scurries to contain mice on U.S. flight... - I thought that's what they called fast food?

Russia says it is ahead in race to put man on Mars... - Whatever. They still can't even bring our flag back from the moon.

Golden Globes 'CANCELLED'... - If a tree falls in a forest...

'We gotta get out of this place...."

2008-01-08T13:32:00.001-05:00

I'm trying desperately to tie up the million loose ends, tasks, jobs, and emails so I can get out of here. It's hard to drop all of this work and just walk away.

Yet, I still managed to have a good day yesterday. I had a chance to eat breakfast at the Embassy because I was traveling in the morning. When I hit the street and started walking, a Marine pulled up and asked if I needed a lift. We ended up having breakfast at the Embassy together and talking about the Marines, the Air Force, and home. Nice guy. I wish I could have told my Dad about it. He's an old crusty Marine. Matter of fact my youngest brother should be finishing up Marine Corps basic training soon. I come from a long line of Marines. Go figure. Anyways, it was a good breakfast, and a good conversation. I've never met a Marine I didn't like.

After breakfast I made it to the place where I was supposed to catch a ride down south, but after an hour and a half of waiting, the ride was cancelled. Oh well, back to work.

The rest of the day went pretty slow, but around 8pm a friend came into my office and handed me a cigar. He's the president of our Baghdad Cigar Aficionado Club, and he came to rescue me from my overflowing to-do list. We went back into a place we call the Pirates Cove out here, and there were a few Army and Navy personnel, as well as an Albanian Officer and some retired guys. I spent the next two hours sitting in the freezing cold around a warm bonfire and good friends, smoking a great cigar and having an even greater conversation. I kept thinking to myself I was really going to miss this place. It's not the location that makes the deployment, it's the people, and I've worked with the best since coming out here in July.

It was a good day.

Rescue Dawn DVD Winner

2008-01-08T13:09:00.000-05:00

Sorry it took so long for me to announce the winner of the Rescue Dawn DVD. I received it in the mail about 3 weeks ago, and finally found the time to watch it this weekend.

My review: Two thumbs way up! Great story, outstanding acting, and the quality was top notch. I watched it twice just to catch the details I knew I had missed the first time. I highly recommend this movie.

Now, last November I promised that after I watched it I would mail the DVD to the person who wrote the best review.

The brave, beautiful, multi-talented Lisa W. is the winner! She wrote the following about the movie.

"Sinclair and I saw the move at the theater (only one major theater in our area showed it) It was a great movie! In no way did we see it as being anti-war. Steve Zahn and Christian Bales performance was nothing short of great, I don't know how those guys lost so much weight, but it can't be healthy.There is a part in the movie where Dieter Denglers (Christian Bale ) character is giving a speech about why he wanted to become a pilot, I couldn't help but smile at Sinclair after the speech, Christian Bale said it with so much passion, it reminded me of Sinclair when he talks about flying, every word is filled with such passion and certainty. -Lisa"

Now I didn't award the DVD to Lisa just because she was cool and married a good friend of mine. She wrote a good review, although I was hoping she would have added a good Anime-style rendition of Christian Bale to it. She's cool like that.

So Lisa and Sinclair, enjoy the DVD sent to you directly from beautiful downtown Baghdad, and thanks for playing 'Write That Review'!**

**No animals were harmed in the writing of this post

-'Dude, what do you think we'd look like drawn as Anime characters?'

A Description of the Green Zone

2008-01-06T06:38:00.000-05:00

Not a good description, but not a bad one either. Usually everything I read about the Green Zone in the news is from some Schlep of a reporter who's disgruntled about being here and either:

a) bashes the place and spews inaccurate information
b) gives out critical security details that put us all in danger (no kidding)
c) claims we're all pampered and spoiled with too many amenities

Always remember that when you come across an article about the Green Zone it's describing the State Department facilities and not the U.S. Military facilities. It's just a fact of life that State Department civilian employees will always be pampered compared to the military. It doesn't bother us because we know what we signed up for. It only bothers us when we read stories about State Department weenies back home who compare living out here to living in a prison where you're almost guaranteed to die from an attack (or a lack of Starbucks and Gap stores). Sure, most of us have the ability to eat at the Embassy or buy a Cup of Joe from the coffee shop, but we rarely ever have the time, and the pain of getting there from where we are sometimes outweighs the benefits.

So, without further delay I give you a somewhat OK, State Department-focused description of the Green Zone that doesn't appear to give out super secret security details, bash the place too much, and offers balance to the 'spoiled amenities' mantra.

Wow, it even has some photos. That elevates it up to 'OK' status.

A Darker Shade Of Green Zone

If You Only Read One Blog Post This Year....

2008-01-05T13:39:00.000-05:00

.......make it this one.

It combines facts and reality (two pillars the media avoids at all cost) to give you the best account of why we're winning, why Al Qaeda and Iran are losing, and how the dynamic duo of the Western Media and Western Liberals played a decisive role.

In other words...

- Al Qaeda stated early on that they couldn't fight the US militarily, so the planned their fight for for the hearts and minds of the Western Media by slaughtering as many innocent Sunni and Shia Iraqis as possible to make it look like there was a civil war and force the US into a Vietnam-like withdraw

- The Democratic Party stated early on that they would force the US to withdraw the same way they forced us out of Vietnam

Yet...

- The diverse Iraqi people unified to fight against Al Qaeda and helped Coalition Forces decimate Al Qaeda in Iraq

- The President, Secretary of Defense, and key Congressional and Military leaders never allowed the joint Al Qaeda/Media/Liberal tactic to prevail

Hence...

- We're winning a war Al Qaeda, the Media, and the Democratic Party claimed was a lost cause

But please don't just read my overly simplistic summary, go read it for yourself. It will be the best blog post you've read in a long time.

(h/t Ace of Spades)

Baghdad Is One Big Party Tonight

2007-12-31T12:30:00.000-05:00

I landed not too long ago after flying in a Blackhawk for nearly an hour back and forth across Baghdad tonight. I've flown across Baghdad at night many times before, but this time was different. The city was alive.

Most of the city had electricity, every main street and boulevard was jam-packed with cars, stretching as far as I could see. Fireworks were shooting up from every major intersection, and I could see outdoor markets and restaurants brightly lit up and filled with people. It's like a black cloud has been lifted off the residents of Baghdad, and they're finally able to do what they want to.

Sure, flying low over the city in a helicopter while people are shootings fireworks and weapons into the air isn't the greatest place to be, but the beauty and energy coming up from the streets far outweighed my fears. I feel lucky to have been a part of it all.

After I landed I made my way back to my office to catch up on some last minute email before dinner ended, and this Drudge headline caught my attention.

"For hopeful Iraqis, New Year's parties at last"

For once, Reuters got it right.

I'm leaving for home soon. My tour is only 6 months long, and I'm days away from ending my best job, my greatest achievement, as an Air Force Officer. I watched as the multiple rocket and mortar attacks nearly disappeared as October and November rolled along. I listened as Iraqi friends and coworkers commented every week on how much better things were getting.

One night in Amman Jordan last September I sat at an Iraqi owned outdoor restaurant and drank tea with 3 Iraqi Air Force Officers. The 2-Star General, one of the most intelligent IqAF Officers I've met and someone I have the honor of calling a good friend, described to me how wonderful and calm Baghdad used to be. He pointed at the city life in Amman, and to the people relaxing and enjoying themselves, and said that Baghdad used to be this way. Two weeks ago this same friend described to me how he had dinner at a nice outdoor restaurant the night before. He said that many restaurants were opening up throughout Baghdad. When I asked him if it was like the place we ate at in Amman, he said it was just like it.

Progress.

I've watched the Iraqi Air Force grow from less than 90 sorties a week to over 300 since July. I celebrated along side of them as they received new aircraft, and I watched in awe at the videos and photographs my coworkers captured of IqAF Enlisted and Officer graduation ceremonies. Since my arrival, our organization started the IqAF pilot training school in October, set up tech schools, Enlisted Basic Training, helped them set up better methods of purchasing and maintaining their aircraft and helicopters, flew combat missions with them, along side of them, and then watched from the Air Operations Center as they flew those missions on their own with great success. The good stories of capturing oil pipeline thieves, supporting large civic events with coverage from the air, flying around dignitaries, guiding Iraqi Soldiers to the locations where they spotted IEDs being placed. The Iraqi Air Force has come a long way since July.

So have I.

The CENTAF Commander, Lieutenant General North, stopped by last week to chat with us. After walking around and talking to people in our office individually, he hosted an Airman's call to speak to everyone. Of all the things he said during that Airman's Call, one item stood out the most. He warned us that when we get back home we're going to be bored, and maybe disappointed. Not with our families or friends, but with our jobs. He's 100% right. How can anyone top this in a career? We're building an Air Force from the bottom up, and we're doing one hell of a job so far.

Today my Commander, Brigadier General Robert Allardice, shared with us something he wrote to his family. I want to share it with you because it puts everything we've done into perspective.

"The best way to summarize what we've accomplished this year came to me yesterday during a ceremony at a place we call ****.

In the morning I flew to the Iraqi Military Academy for the semi-annual graduation. The school produces second lieutenants in a one year course. I have about eight Air Force folks at this school teaching future Iraqi Air Force Officers. This school has been very violent for most of the year. In fact, I presented one of my Officers working at this school with a Purple Heart for wounds he received during a fire fight on the base a few months ago.

Besides the direct danger of this specific location, the mood of the place seemed to reflect the mood of all the Iraqi people during my first six months: despondent, dark, tired, sad. In May, people weren't really thinking about the future, they were trying to survive day to day. Where I lived and worked, we often got attacked 3-6 times a day, 5-7 days a week... in June, Iraq appeared to be in trouble. Six months ago, in July, the school held their last graduation. I saw pictures of it yesterday, and almost nobody came even though the Prime Minister was the guest speaker. Yesterday, 30 December, was different.

Yesterday, the guest speaker was "only" a four star general, but the place was packed. the Cadets stood proud, they marched straight, the band planed loud, the crowd... yes, it was a very large crowd, cheered and threw candy. They cheered Iraqi celebratory chants and clapped and danced. When the ceremony finished, the crowd stormed the floor, much like when I graduated from the Air Force Academy. Families stormed the floor, mothers and fathers hugged their child who'd become a man, tears streaming down their cheeks. Yesterday, I saw a proud people!

You have no idea how proud I felt. We are making a difference!"

A Father and Uncle proudly promote their new Iraqi Lieutenant

I was unable to attend that graduation ceremony because of another commitment, but I will hold onto those pictures and videos forever. The fathers beaming with pride, the mothers with tears of joy, and the smiles on the faces of the new Lieutenants as their parents and family slide their new ranks on their shoulders mean a lot to us all.

Today I was on the outskirts of Baghdad on an Iraqi Air Base working with one of our teams that is helping the Iraqi Air Force train helicopter pilots, as well as fly and maintain their helicopter fleets. This place has changed. The buildings are cleaner, painted, and organized. The generators spread around the base are getting fueled on time, so power was constant. I watched a team of Iraqis working on the engine and transmission on a Huey helicopter, something that takes a lot of training and expertise. US and Russian built helicopters with student pilots were flying around the pattern, and maintainers were working on the flight line. It looked like a real air base, and I couldn't hide the pride that I felt.

I also can't hide how tough it's going to be leaving the Iraqi Air Force behind. These people risk their lives doing what we take for granted, and they do it with a level of dedication and pride I could only dream of seeing back home. Don't get me wrong, they have decades to go before they'll achieve their past glory of being one of the most powerful and respected Air Powers in the world, but En Sha'ala (God Willing), that power will always be used for the good of the people rather than the whims of a madman.

The Iraqi Air Force, like the Iraqi People, have a very long road ahead of them, but they are moving forward and growing stronger every day. I'm just lucky to have been allowed to play a small part of the history of this ancient and proud culture.

This quote from the article I mentioned earlier sums up the growing stability and hope here in Iraq.

Some shops decorated their front windows with cotton wool, writing: "Welcome 2008" or "Happy New Year". Others had Santa Claus decorations and Christmas trees.

In a flower shop Iyad Issa, 42, was buying a New Year's Eve bouquet for his wife.

"Since we see things are getting better, I am trying to make my family happy. I decided to bring my wife flowers for New Year's Eve to bring happiness and renewal," he said while browsing among the blossoms.

In another street, Abu Wisam, 42, was buying party hats from a street vendor: "I wish the best to all Iraqis," he said.

A group of women in a nearby boutique were out shopping together for outfits to see in the New Year.

"Tonight I am invited to a wedding party. Then I will go with my husband to our friend's house to celebrate," said Azhar, 35, who was looking for a new dress suit.

"I wish peace to prevail, and nothing else."

I couldn't agree more.

Happy New Year!

Update: Flag Gazer found an actual photo of last night's festivities in Baghdad. I was right, they were getting wild out here.

Busy As Usual....

2007-12-28T13:03:00.000-05:00

But I'll never get tired of riding in a Black Hawk. The US Army did everything they could to screw my day up this morning by throwing me out of their Rhino convoy (long story), but the Army Black Hawk crews did they exact opposite; they made my day. These guys really do work their asses off every day trucking around in the air.

I couldn't do my job without them.

Thanks Army.

The US is Saving the Planet?

2007-12-26T11:11:00.000-05:00

But I thought we were destroying the Universe. At least that's what Algore was saying about us at the UN Climate Bash down in Bali a few weeks ago. According to him, his own country was the biggest impediment to stopping global warming.

Once again, those pesky things we call 'facts' always seem to get in the way of Algore's global pyramid scheme to save humanity.

I link for you 'Kyoto Schmyoto,' and it's worth ever minute of your time.'

"One would think that countries that committed to the Kyoto treaty are doing a better job of curtailing carbon emissions. One would also think that the United States, the only country that does not even intend to ratify, keeps on emitting carbon dioxide at growth levels much higher than those who signed.

And one would be wrong.

The Kyoto treaty was agreed upon in late 1997 and countries started signing and ratifying it in 1998. A list of countries and their carbon dioxide emissions due to consumption of fossil fuels is available from the U.S. government. If we look at that data and compare 2004 (latest year for which data is available) to 1997 (last year before the Kyoto treaty was signed), we find the following.

Emissions worldwide increased 18.0%.
Emissions from countries that signed the treaty increased 21.1%.
Emissions from non-signers increased 10.0%.
Emissions from the U.S. increased 6.6%.

In fact, emissions from the U.S. grew slower than those of over 75% of the countries that signed Kyoto."

Of course, these are just facts. The believers (those who compare Global Warming skeptics with Holocaust deniers) certainly won't let facts get in the way of their feelings on the subject.

Also, as a Conservative-type of guy I'm required (according to non-conservative types) to hate the environment. Since I'm supposed to prefer profits that come at the expense of pollution, waste, filth, and all that good stuff, I am not satisfied with the direction this country is headed. If we keep going down this road the US is going to be the cleanest, most non-polluting country on earth. This is unacceptable.

Stop the Madness!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T12:59:00.000-05:00

Three more weeks and I'm home.

Merry Christmas from the Good Guys!

2007-12-24T06:28:00.001-05:00

...and Peace on Earth.

CAFTT and the Iraqi Air Force In the News Again

2007-12-24T06:11:00.000-05:00

USA Today published a brief review from our Commanding General and the Iraqi Air Force CG. The article has a lot of good numbers, but is not as positive in tone as it should be. It sounds more negative than positive.

The oddest quote is:

"Iraqi residents and politicians are disappointed by the lack of jets, Barzanji says. He says the public believes "Americans always give their friends airplanes. It looks like we are not friends to the United States." He says he hears the same from Iraqi government officials."

Of course, our boss countered with this great line:

"The first order of business is to defeat insurgents. Allardice says he has resisted Iraq's demands for a supersonic air force. "You could go buy jets, but you would just be parking them," Allardice says. It takes years to build the training and maintenance base to support jet fighter and attack planes."

LtGen Barzanji (AKA General Kamal for those of us who work with him daily) helped set up the IqAF plan to start flying jets no sooner than 2012 because they can barely feed and clothe their own Airmen, let alone fund the infrastructure necessary for Fighters. Not sure why he said this, but it's not surprising.

Either way, we're still kicking ass out here. The IqAF had a 1000% increase in sorties between Jan 2007 and Dec 2007. Not too shabby for a new and growing Air Force that just found its wings a year ago.

A Response...

2007-12-24T01:38:00.000-05:00

In my post "It's 'The Grapes of Wrath' all over again?" I received a comment regarding the homeless in Ontario. It wasn't a bad comment, but it did ask an important question I'd like to answer.

First, I wrote:

"If someone needs help in this country there are places to get help. Period. If you are living in a tent in Ontario with your kids, you need to retrace your footsteps on how you got into that mess, figure out what went wrong, seek help from the City, County, or even the Governator (He has programs there to help terminate poverty), and get a roof over your kids heads ASAP.

People can fall on hard times, but there is NO excuse for keeping your kids in that mess. This is the United States of America, where our poor live like the upper-middle class throughout most of the world. Poor people around the world would give anything to be a poor person in the United States."

The Comment:

Anonymous said...
Have you been there? For whatever reason a person becomes homeless they're still people. People in need. I am convinced that they are there because they are cognitively unable to succeed or navigate in our society or it's because of a series of unfortunate situations that puts them there. Their reason for landing at tent city isn't what makes me want to help them. I go because I see people who need assistance. I am thankful that the city of Ontario has allowed them this area of land to exist without having to sleep under bridges or on sidewalks. I can go there and offer blankets, tents, gloves, socks...whatever I can think of to keep them from suffering.

It's a legitimate comment, but I disagree with someone starting with the question, "Have you been there?" It implies that if you haven't been homeless, you can't discuss homelessness in America. Whether or not that was what the author implied, it's still implied. Using this logic, if you want to protest a War you must have experience fighting a war. If you don't know what War is really like, how can you say anything about it. Even better, how can historians exist if they weren't alive thousands of years ago to experience daily life of the Egyptians or Mayans? Just because someone hasn't been there does not mean you should discount their opinions.

Yet, I was asked whether or not 'I've been there.' Without going into too many details, I spent most of my early childhood on the verge of homelessness, occasionally sleeping in our car on rare occasions. I've stood in line at food shelters and at churches to receive free meals with my Mom and brother. I've sorted through bins at the local clothing pantry in search of donated pants and shirts that fit. I spent a few summers at the Salvation Army summer camp up in the Santa Cruz mountains near Ben Lomand. I was lucky/unlucky enough to live in low-income housing for nearly a decade in Santa Cruz. Lucky because it was a roof over our head, but unlucky because it assisted in allowing my Mother to continue doing what she did to keep us in that position in the first place.

Not trying to say anything bad about my Mom. The past is the past, and I still love her to this day, but she chose that life for us. She would quite jobs in order to keep our income level low enough to receive assistance or remain in low-income housing. I made more money while working in high school then she did during that time, so I footed a lot of the household bills and occasionally rent. My point in bringing this up is that she chose to be there. She chose to use public assistance to subsidize her way of life instead of using it to improve the lives of her children, and she wasn't alone. We were surrounded by people doing the same thing. I can remember of only one family who moved up and out to improve their lives.

There are too many sources of assistance in California that will help families with children in times of need. Nobody should be on the streets with a child in that State. No Child deserves to be placed in that situation. It all comes down to choice. Even if a parent didn't choose to be there, they're choosing to stay there by not seeking help.

Choices. All of my life I was told by my neighbors, some teachers, the housing authority, and my Mom that I had no choices in life. I was destined to follow in my Mom's path and make our 'temporary' low-income apartment a generational home for my future family. It took some good friends and the strong family of a great friend to show me that I did in fact have choices in life. In most cases I made the right choices and moved out and away from that lifestyle. I choose to not allow my children to ever experience that way of life.

If something unexpected and terrible ever happens and I find myself in the same situation, I will do everything I can to get out of it and to show my children that if you work hard enough you can always move forward and give yourself choices.

I also help people who need help, but I'm more selective of who I help because of where I came from. I will always help a child in need, no matter where they're from or how they got there. I refuse to help those who clearly keep themselves in that situation. I reward those I see working hard to make a difference in their lives and in their town/city/country. I turn my back on those who stick out their hand and expect to be taken care of.

You can see that very same situation play out here in Baghdad. I break my back for the Iraqis that I work with who strive to help themselves, their families, and their country. I only lift a finger to help the ones who don't deserve my help only when I'm ordered to do so. Yet, I jump at the chance to help if I know there is a child involved.

I also stand by the fact that the poor in the United States are the envy of the poor throughout the rest of the world. A poor man in Bangladesh or Uganda would give anything to be poor in the United States. That's a fact, not an opinion. I wish those choosing to live on the streets in Ontario California could see this place, and see these people. I wish the spoiled 'Sweet 16' kids on MTV could spend a week working at an orphanage or school here in Baghdad.

I guess I wish for a lot of things.

The original post discussed agenda-filled Journalism and stories that are accusatory instead of helpful. I'd love to read a story about the down and out people in Ontario and what the local community can do to help them. I loathe stories that exaggerate reality, place blame on those who are not at fault, and offer useless solutions that have been proven worthless every time they've been enacted.

The Journalist should have been the solution to the situation instead of contributing to the problem.

It's "The Grapes of Wrath" all over again?

2007-12-22T15:11:00.000-05:00

I was taking a few minutes to check out the news and I came across a Yahoo News headline that read,

"California Tent City Springs Up In Wake of Mortgage Crisis"

Being from California I was interested, so I clicked further and read the article titled "Tent city in suburbs is cost of home crisis," by Dana Ford.

After reading the eye-catching headline and then seeing the actual title of the article, I assumed I was going to read an story about how the high foreclosure rates are forcing people in the streets. Let me sum up what I found instead.

According to the author:
1) A tent city sprung up in Ontario California in July with 20 people. (Sad)
2) That tent city now houses 200 people, including children. (Horrible)
3) The 'unraveling' is a 21st Century version of "The Grapes of Wrath" (We're doomed)

Stop! Did she just write "Grapes of Wrath?" Are we in a Depression????!!!!! Holy crap, I never knew my nation had plummeted into another Great Depression while I was out here in Baghdad. I keep hearing that our economy is on the verge of hell, but never have I seen it compared to Steinbech's "The Grapes of Wrath."

According to Ms. Dana Ford we're in "Great Depression II!" and people are living in tent cities all because of this Mortgage Crisis deal.

Now let's continue reading. I'll keep summing it up again for you. Where were we again? Ahh, the magical number four.

4) "As more families... head to foreclosure here and across the nation, the social costs of collapse are adding up in the form of higher rates of homelessness, crime and even disease."

Holy Mother of God! First we're in the "Great Depression II!," and because of this collapse we're seeing higher homeless rates, crime, and even disease? Why, we must be in the "Dark Ages II!"

Before you run for the hills or build a mote around your house, let me keep summing this article. Where were we again? Ahh, the always dependable number five.

5) "While no current residents claim to be victims of foreclosure, all agree that tent city is a symptom of the wider economic downturn. And it's just a matter of time before foreclosed families end up at tent city, local housing experts say."

Say what?

5) "While no current residents claim to be victims of foreclosure,.....

What choo talk'n 'bout Willis?

5) "While no current residents claim to be victims of foreclosure,.....

First I was brought into the story because of the yahoo headline,

"California Tent City Springs Up In Wake of Mortgage Crisis"

And then I'm pummeled into morbid depression because I find out our nation is in the grips of not just a "Great Depression II!", but a disease-infested "Dark Ages II!" Yet, just when I'm about to jump off of the closest bridge here in Baghdad, I find that none of the tent city residents claim to be victims of the Mortgage Crisis.

Hold on a second. We've got to blame someone for this "mess". Who do we always blame?

6) "Earlier this month, U.S. President George W. Bush rolled out a plan to slow foreclosures by freezing the interest rates on some loans. But for many in these parts, the intervention is too little and too late."

Ahh, that's right. Let's blame the Devil in D.C. He's caused everything from Global Warming to forcing the Peace-loving leader of Iran to send weapons to Iraq to murder soldiers and innocent civilians, so we might as well throw in blame for "The Dark Ages II!"

One last mention of the article before I go to the bathroom and gouge my eyeballs out with the nail clippers on my Swiss Army Knife. Articles such as these always need to address the Savior of All Great Catastrophes, Ailments, and Stubbed Toes. Where were we again? How could I forget... number siete.

7) "We feel helpless," said Sawa. "Obviously, it's a local problem because it's in our backyard, but the solution is not local."

The solution is not local you say? You must be referring to the Almighty himself, Uncle Sam! Why, Uncle Sam can fix anything! He's the solution to every one's problems. He's the Mr. Fix-It of "All Great Catastrophes, Ailments, and Stubbed Toes" Let's turn to Uncle Sam (after we impeach the Great Satan of course) and ask for forgiveness of our 'Mortgage Trespasses.' If Uncle Sam is willing, he'll snap his finger and force Big Tobacco, Big Oil, Big Fast Food, Big Auto, and Mr. VP Cheney-McHaliburton to pay off every American's mortgage. After all, what good are those evil rich corporations? They've done nothing for us, and anything they can do Uncle Sam can do better.

Right? Isnt' that what we're always told?

Okay, I'm done. I fold. I'm not even sure where I'm taking this rant anymore. All I know is this so-called journalism, propaganda from the Reformed Marxist Church of Berkley, this made up Bull#@!@ (the stuff Al Gore powers his private jet with) is getting on my nerves.

I'm so tired of agenda infested news. Yes, it's sad that folks are homeless in Ontario California, but people have been homeless in Ontario as far back as I can remember. They're making it sound like this is some new phenomenon caused by George W. Bush and Big (Place Corporation Logo Here). It's getting old.

If someone needs help in this country there are places to get help. Period. If you are living in a tent in Ontario with your kids, you need to retrace your footsteps on how you got into that mess, figure out what went wrong, seek help from the City, County, or even the Governator (He has programs there to help terminate poverty), and get a roof over your kids heads ASAP.

People can fall on hard times, but there is NO excuse for keeping your kids in that mess. This is the United States of America, where our poor live like the upper-middle class throughout most of the world. Poor people around the world would give anything to be a poor person in the United States.

These types of articles are getting more prevalent because the 2008 election is less than a year away. The organizations who wipe their crap up with political agendas and smear their agendas across the news are forcing you to smell their agendas 24/7. After a while you can't seem to get that agenda smell out of your head, and it keeps making you more and more ill until you just lose it and vote for whatever party promises to remove that smell. In the end you feel like you've been played as the nation begins smelling more and more like those agendas you thought were gone.

Remember the 1992 election? The Dems were running on a platform of fear. They went around convincing the nation that we were in 'The worst economy since Herbert Hoover.'

Sound familiar?

Can you smell the agenda now?

Remember Those Blue Air Force Tiger Stripes?

2007-12-21T11:59:00.000-05:00

You know, the ones that made us look like we were in a Smurf Special Ops unit.

Thankfully only the uniform testers were embarassed wearing this around base. We ended up going with the grey tiger stripes.

It looks like someone was inspired by our failed attempt and went with a blue-tinted uniform after all.

Presenting Emperor Qaddafi and his Smurf Shock Troops.

Only an Air Force Officer...

2007-12-20T12:06:00.000-05:00

Only an Air Force Officer would use a 9mm Magazine holder to carry his three cell phones in a combat zone. One of the guys I replaced out here back in July had the same thing. There are so many different cell networks in Baghdad, you've got to have at least 3 to get anything done.

I have yet to see any Soldier or Marine doing this.

The funny part is watching them answer the wrong phones when one starts ringing. Of course we all carry enough ammo to invade a third-world country. The phones don't replce what we carry, just add to it.

Didn't you see Heartbreak Ridge? You never now when you'll have to phone home to call in an air strike.

We've lost a friend in the US Air Force

2007-12-18T12:22:00.000-05:00

A close friend went down today, crashing into a heap of flames and twisted metal. This friend protected thousands of Coalition forces on the ground. It located countless IEDs before they could kill US and Iraqi forces and civilians. It sought after and located insurgents, leading to countless arrests and lives saved. When troops in the AOR slept at night, it stood guard and kept a protective eye open, never whining or complaining about the cold and dark nights.

A close friend was lost today, and many more will follow. Will they be missed? Will anyone remember their service or sacrifice?

Probably not, but this only means that our friend's mission was a success. Loved ones returned to the U.S., civilians returned home to their loved ones, and Iraq was left a little more secure then before because this friend did its job. Few will ever know they had a close friend watching over them. Fewer will ever know this friend is gone.

Thankfully we have more friends watching over us.

Mission accomplished.

Keep up the good work Air Force.

Woo Hoo, I Won I Won I Won!

2007-12-18T10:01:00.000-05:00

I won the Weekend Caption/Photoshop Contest over at Cowboy Blob's Saloon and Shoot'n Gallery blog.

I'm Rich! HA HA!!!!

What? No prize? No cash money? No fortune and fame?

Oh well. At least I got a link on Cowboy Blob's site. It's a cool place.

The Stars are Out Tonight.....

2007-12-17T13:32:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a friend of a friend who's stationed somewhere in Southwest Asia, in a place that gets all the A-List stars. Wow, Mork from Ork is looking old these days.

God Bless Miss USA!

The Iraqi Air Force in the News!

2007-12-17T09:15:00.000-05:00

(AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

The Associated Press took notice of the Iraqi Air Force flying over the Basra handover ceremony this weekend, and I couldn't be more proud. The Mi-17 in the photo is one of my babies I've been slaving over since deploying here in July.

The Iraqi Air Force performed brilliantly this weekend, accomplishing yet another milestone on the road to becoming a strong and independent Air Force for the people of Iraq.

H/T DJ Elliot over at The Long War Journal, which is unquestionably the best source for news and information on the Global War on Terror.

(AP Caption)"Iraqi soldiers wave their national flag from a military helicopter during a handover ceremony in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Sunday Dec. 16, 2007. British forces formally handed over responsibility Sunday for the last region in Iraq under their control, marking the start of what Britain hopes will be a transition to a mission aimed at aiding the economy and providing jobs in an oil-rich region beset by militia infighting."

First Venezuela, Then Bolivia, Nicaragua....

2007-12-13T14:18:00.000-05:00

....and now Argentina. The Domino Effect keeps on keep'n on.

All have fallen to Socialism. Not the Socialism of universal healthcare and welfare. I'm talking about the Socialism embraced by Castro, Che, and Chavez. Just as Europe pushed hard core socialists out in the 1990s, South America is welcoming them with open arms. Chavez is truly trying to unite South America under socialism, inevitably falling under his control.

I had no idea Argentina was falling, but after reading this article it's clear that Chavez had his hands all over this recent Presidential election.

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina said on Thursday the U.S. government pulled a "dirty trick" by accusing Venezuela of trying to smuggle $800,000 into Argentina to fund the former first lady's successful campaign for president.

U.S. authorities arrested three Venezuelans and an Uruguayan they accused of trying to cover up a scandal set off in August when a Venezuelan-American businessman tried to enter Argentina with a suitcase full of undeclared cash.

Argentine customs agents seized the money and let Guido Antonini Wilson, a U.S. and Venezuelan citizen, go, but an FBI affidavit said Venezuelan agents met him after he returned home to Florida to pressure him to conceal Caracas's role.

Argentine Justice Minister Anibal Fernandez said the U.S. probe was aimed at "smearing" President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, an ally of Venezuela's leftist leader Hugo Chavez.

So, Argentina's own customs officials sieze the cash in Argentina, and the US arrests those Venezuelan agents as they return to the US because they never declared who they were working for, yet it's all a conspiracy by the US to 'smear' President Fernandez de Kirchner, an ally of Chavez.

Any ally of Chavez is an enemy of the United States.

Some one must do something about South America. We're so distracted with the Middle East, and the world is so concerned about Global Warming, nobody is paying attention to Chavez's grab for power in South America.

The Toilet Bomb - A New Idea For The Iraqi Air Force?

2007-12-13T10:54:00.000-05:00

This was emailed to me today. Looks very promising for the Iraqis.

During the Vietnam Conflict, carriers were so woefully short of ordinance that missions were often launched with only a half load just to keep the sortie rate up so that the REMF's in DC would not send out blistering messages about failure to support the war effort, etc.

Given that the loss rate approached, and sometime exceeded, one aircraft a day, all will understand that there was a degree of reticence to launch with less than a full load -- if I must dance with the elephant at least let's make it worth while.

The USS Midway VA-25's Toilet Bomb.

In October 1965, CDR Clarence J. Stoddard, Executive Officer of VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet", flying an A-1H Skyraider, NE/572 "Paper Tiger II" from Carrier Air Wing Two aboard USS Midway carried a special bomb to the North Vietnamese in commemoration of the 6-millionth pound of ordnance dropped. This bomb was unique because of the type... it was a toilet!

The following is an account of this event, courtesy of Clint Johnson, Captain, USNR Ret. Captain Johnson was one of the two VA-25 A-1 Skyraider pilots credited with shooting down a MiG-17 on June 20, 1965.? Clint Johnson was also a classmate and Company-mate of mine at the Naval Academy.

572 was flown by CDR C. W. "Bill" Stoddard. His wingman in 577?was LCDR Robin Bacon, who had a wing station mounted movie camera (the only one remaining in the fleet from WWII).

The flight was a Dixie Station strike (off South Vietnam) going to the Delta. When they arrived in the target area and CDR Stoddard was reading the ordnance list to the FAC, he ended with "and one code name Sani-flush".

The FAC couldn't believe it and joined up to see it. It was dropped in a dive with LCDR Bacon flying tight wing position to film the drop. When it came off, it turned hole to the wind and almost struck his airplane.

It made a great ready room movie. The FAC said that it whistled all the way down.? The toilet was a damaged toilet, which was going to be thrown overboard.

One of our plane captains had rescued it and the ordnance crew made a rack, tailfins and nose fuse for it. The squadron flight deck checkers maintained a position to block the view of the Captain and Air Boss while the aircraft was taxiing onto the catapult. Just as it was being shot off we got a 1MC message from the bridge, "What the hell was on 572's right wing?"