Commemorative patch for participants of Operation “Storm Cloud”.
Archive for the ‘History’ Category
Now, This? This Is Cool
Monday, February 2nd, 2015“Aids to Scouting, for N.-C.O.s & Men” : The Book That Inspired A Movement
Monday, February 2nd, 2015Authored by Lieutenant General Sir Robert Baden-Powell (pronounced “Poe-well”), “Aids to Scouting, for N.-C.O.s & Men” was one of many pamphlets he wrote based in his experience as an officer in His Majesty’s Army abroad.
Intended as a training guide for use by other professional Soldiers, the book was adopted by boys across England who began to practice the skills contained therein. Eventually, BP as he was known, retired from his post as a General and founded the Scouting movement, adapting his earlier works for his new youth movement.
Fieldcraft is the foundation of a successful Soldier. A modified version of this skill set, called appropriately enough, “Scoutcraft” is also what Scouting is all about. While some tasks don’t translate directly from one to the other, there is enough overlap that this book inspired the Scouting movement over a century ago.
Read “Aids to Scouting, for N.-C.O.s & Men” at www.thedump.scoutscan.com
SHOT Show – Winkler Knives
Friday, January 23rd, 2015The Ranger and Ranger Breaching axes share a very distinctive feature. The shape of the axe head is based on an original hatchet used by a member of Roger’s Rangers in the early 1700s. It was found Fort Wentworth in New Hampshire.
The steel is 80CRV2 and they are available in any of Winkler’s finishes such as the Tan Micarta on the Breaching or the rubber on the Ranger. Naturally, the Breaching element of the breaching model is a distinct element.
So “Hanoi Jane” Fonda Wants To Open A Dialogue With Viet Nam Veterans?
Tuesday, January 20th, 2015I hear that Jane Fonda wants to open a dialogue with Viet Nam Veterans. In July of 1972 “Hanoi Jane” Fonda visited America’s enemy, North Viet Nam in their capitol city of Hanoi. She yucked it up with the locals and manned this anti-aircraft gun not far from the infamous Hoa Lò Prison, known colloquially to the American captives as the “Hanoi Hilton” where they were tortured and demeaned. Those brave men were forced to provide propaganda for the Communist regime but Ms Fonda offered it up with a smile.
That isn’t all of Jane Fonda’s transgressions. She also made other propaganda for the Communist North Viet Namese including this radio broadcast. To add insult to injury, she called our returning POWs liars that hasn’t been tortured.
Jane Fonda’s conscience is now getting the best of her in her old age and she wants to “open a dialogue with Viet Name Veterans.” I hope those men never forget her traitorous acts. I was just a little kid when these events transpired and really learned about their implications as I grew older, but I’ll never forget.
John Wayne Visits Hurlburt Field
Saturday, January 17th, 2015Here’s one from the AFSOC archives.
AN/MSR-1 Intercept Van
Sunday, January 4th, 2015The AN/MSR-1 was used by USAF Security Agency personnel during the Viet Nam war to monitor friendly communications in SIGSEC missions. Capable of monitoring HF, VHF and UHF radio transmissions, the AN/MSR-1 could also monitor microwave communications. In addition to three receivers, the system was originally equipped with 12 tape recorders.
This ‘Misery’ is on display at the USAF Museum’s South East Asia War gallery at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH.
“Nuts!”
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014
December 22 1944 – Encircled by German forces at the Battle of the Bulge, the 101st Airborne Division, under acting commander Brigadier General McAuliffe received a message from German General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz delivered under flag of truce.
To the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.
The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Our near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.
There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A. troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note.
If this proposal should be rejected one German Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hours term.
All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known American humanity.
His response was perfect.
To the German Commander.
NUTS!
The American Commander
A Date Which Will Live In Infamy
Sunday, December 7th, 2014President Roosevelt called December 7th, 1941, “A date which will live in infamy.”
This is the 73rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbor. We no longer even hold ceremonies commemorating that day. Last year I made the argument that, “Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” This year, I just want to remember my grandparents and everything they sacrificed to keep America free.
I’d also like to take a moment of silence for the 2402 Americans who were lost on that day and the hundreds more who were wounded in service to this great Nation.
