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Archive for the ‘Forces Focus’ Category
Forces Focus – Special Tactics Officer
Wednesday, October 16th, 2013Forces Focus – APU: Eagles of Afghanistan
Friday, October 11th, 201320th Anniversary of The Battle of Mogadishu
Thursday, October 3rd, 2013Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the Oct 3rd Raid during which elements of TF Ranger, deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia conducted an operation on that city’s Olympic Hotel in order to capture key leaders of the Aidid Militia.
Unfortunately, during the exfil portion of the raid a battle ensued that claimed the lives of 18 Americans and wounded another 73. Additionally, CW3 Michael Durant was captured by the militia. Fortunately, Durant was later repatriated and went on to retire from the 160th.
For those of you unfamiliar, one of the best accounts of the battle is contained in the book, “Blackhawk Down” by author Mark Bowden. Much of the information was serialized prior to the book’s publication in the Philadelphia Enquirer. Later this was made into a movie bearing the same name.
If you want to here more from a man that was there in the thick of it, pick up a copy of Panteao Productions‘ “Battle of the Black Sea” featuring MSG Paul Howe (USA, Ret).
Please take a moment to remember these men and their sacrifice.
Commo Section – 3ID LRS
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013
I’m in this circa 1989 photo with the guys I served with in the Commo Section of D Co (LRS), 103rd MI Bn (CEWI), 3 ID. It was taken as we assumed PZ posture before a patrolling exercise. I’m still in touch with a few of you but if you’re in this photo, contact me. I’d love to hear from you.
Forces Focus – USAF Safeside
Sunday, August 25th, 2013This one is an interesting history lesson. Designated by the code name “OPERATION SAFESIDE”, the 1041st USAF Security Police Squadron (Test) was formed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii from a cadre of USAF graduates of the Army Ranger school. From that original unit, the Air Force eventually stood up the 82nd Combat Security Police Wing and subordinate units the 821st, 822nd and 823rd Combat Security Police Squadrons.
This is a short two-part USAF film on this force.
Part I
Part II
Today, the lineage of these units lives on in the 820th Base Defense Group and its subordinate squadrons.
Bastille Day Parade
Wednesday, July 31st, 2013Unfortunately, we were remiss in wishing our French readers a happy Bastille Day. July 14th is their day of national independence and France was instrumental in our fight for independence. Each year the French celebrate with a large parade in Paris. Enjoy this year’s parade.
Once again, we apologize for missing Bastille Day. Vive La France!
Forces Focus – SADM
Sunday, July 21st, 2013Special Atomic Demolition Munitions, or SADM were a class of man portable nuclear weapons developed during the Cold War. They were intended to be hand emplaned and used to deny, block and canalize the enemy. Deployed primarily in Western Europe, the thinking was that they could be used to cut off high speed avenues of approach for Warsaw Pact forces. The US Army created an MOS 12E (SADM Specialist) that’s sole function was to employ those devices along with an associated maintenance MOS 55G. 12E which was an Engineer MOS was eliminated in 1986 and the Soldiers reclassified into new MOSs as the devices were removed from service. I attended DLI with quite a few of these NCOs.
Additionally, both Navy SEAL and Army Special Forces teams were trained in their emplacement in denied areas although particulars of these mission sets remain sensitive. However, there is this declassified film featuring NSW personnel which features Para-SCUBA operations.
Military Channel to Air “Delta Force: Tier 1”
Monday, July 15th, 2013The other day I noticed a commercial on the Military Channel for an upcoming special entitled, “Delta Force: Tier 1” airing July 16th at 10:00PM (EST). From the commercial it looks like SGM Kyle Lamb (USA, Ret) was interviewed and I have been told that footage from the excellent Panteao Press documentary, “Battle of the Black Sea” featuring MSG Paul Howe (USA, Ret) was used for this special.
To see the full “Battle of the Black Sea” visit www.panteaoproductions.com/products/battle-black-sea.
