“Special Air Warfare Forces” is a 1965 US Air Force film about its fledgling Air Commando force.
Archive for the ‘History’ Category
“Special Air Warfare Forces”
Sunday, July 22nd, 2018TacHacker – Vietnam DIY Ammo Vest
Friday, July 20th, 2018
TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS
March 16, 1970
FSB PERSHING – Most combat infantrymen fighting in Vietnam really don’t worry too much if their wearing apparel isn’t in step with the latest fashions.
One exception, however, is Sergeant James J. Ross, who just might be a winner in the Army’s Suggestion Program. Ross now qualifies as one of the best-dressed Warriors of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, with a coat he fashioned for himself.
Ross’s coat of many pockets is truly a unique garb to say the least. It features 24 large pockets for M-16 magazines and a pouch on the back to port a Claymore mine.
“I scrounged up the canvas material,” Ross said. “I gave the measurements to our interpreter and he gave the specifications to a civilian tailor who made up the jacket for me.
“It’s really great to have on an operation,” Ross said.
Other Warriors are following suit. “A few others in my platoon have had them made too,” said the functionally, if not fashionably dressed, Warrior sergeant.
What Sort Of Man Reads Infantry?
Tuesday, July 10th, 2018For decades, Infantry Magazine was the professional journal of the grunt. Printed by the Infantry Center, it facilitated outreach to members of the branch, informed on modernization efforts and served as a platform for professional writing. This ad promoting the publication, was printed during the early 70s heyday of men’s pulp magazines, with their lurid covers, promising to satisfy an appetite for life.
I love the combat ace look, with ascot, starched OG-107 fatigues, aviator shades and leather gloves. The only thing missing is a Vietnamese Ranger badge or jump wings, and direct embroidery.
The text reads:
What sort of man reads Infantry?
He’s the guy who’s always there when the going gets tough. Cool, self-assured and thoroughly in control of the situation, he makes the difference no matter what team he’s on. A profile of INFANTRY readers shows that 98% have specialized skills. Taste patterns in clothing reflect remarkable similarity and conformity, leaning towards the conservative. The IM reader is widely traveled, 97% having traveled abroad or resides in a foreign land. An outdoorsman at heart, he is the bon vivant of cuisine au natrual (sic). The INFANTRY buff is well informed and willing to go out of the way for a superior product.
Early 1960s CONELRAD Attack Warning Messages For Radio
Monday, July 9th, 2018As a child of the Cold War, I am always fascinated to learn about civil defense preparation for toe-to-toe nuclear combat with the Russkies. Here are some civil defense announcements from 1961 that would have aired on Minneapolis radio station WCCO in the event of a probable or actual nuclear attack.
July 4th, 1776 – One Date To Commemorate Over A Decade Of Struggle
Wednesday, July 4th, 2018We celebrate our nation’s independence every July 4th, but the creation of America didn’t happen in just one day.
Colonists started fighting the crown in April of 1775, declared independence in July of 1776, and fully established that sovereignty in September, 1783, with the signing of the Paris Treaty. It wasn’t until September of 1787 that we finally created a proper framework of government. Even then, that constitution didn’t come into force until 1789.
What’s more, we didn’t go it alone. France was instrumental in our revolution against England here in the Americas, while the war grew and spilled over into Europe, and even the sub-continent of India.
We like to wrap it all up neatly into a single date, so often pointing to this painting commemorating the event, but our fight for independence took over eight years of conflict and six more of politicking. It’s an amazing tale and well worth researching.
Detachment B-52 (Project Delta) Reconnaissance Tips Of The Trade
Monday, June 18th, 2018When I joined the Army in 1985, most of my senior NCO leadership had served in Vietnam. They were men who had seen combat and we hung on their every word as we trained.
In the late 80s, I served in a LRSD in Germany. We turned to photocopies of a document produced by the Vietnam-era Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observation Group’s Det B-52 aka Project Delta called ‘Reconnaissance Tips Of The Trade.’
We poured over its 32 pages which were gold to us, offering guidance on how to configure equipment and conduct ourselves on patrols. Some of the information was outdated due to equipment changes, other data was not applicable because we faced a different foe, on different terrain. However, the basics remained the same. Around the same time, 1st Bn, 7th SFG(A) released an update called ODB-720 Tips based on lessons learned in Panama. Unfortunately, it was much more difficult to share information pre-internet and I never saw a copy until I was on a 3rd Group SOT-A in the early-90s.
The original is available on the web from Chapter 31 of the Special Forces Association at www.sfa31.org/deltarecontips. Whether you’re reading from a historical perspective or a professional one, there are still a few gems in there.
243 Years And Counting – Happy Birthday US Army
Thursday, June 14th, 2018
I’d like to say that the Army doesn’t look a year over 220, but that would be a lie. The US Army of 2018 is different than it was even just a year ago. Today, the Army enjoys a renewed mission focus, Soldiers are training for war, and is more effectively resourced by a confident nation.
To 243 more years!
Also, it’s Flag Day for those of you who never had the privilege of calling yourself “Soldier”. Also, Happy Birthday to The Commander-In-Chief, President Donald J Trump.
MAKING A NIGHT STALKER: A Special Operations Aviator Memoir
Thursday, June 7th, 2018Now on Kickstarter, “MAKING A NIGHT STALKER: A Special Operations Aviator Memoir” is a memoir by Veteran David Burnett.
Rarely do we get a look inside the 160th, but I’m pleased to mention that the author has stood by his NDA and submitted his manuscript for DoD review.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/1138312234/making-a-night-stalker
