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Tag: Military

  • Defence Budgets to Rise, Shift Toward Middle East

    The global economic downturn that began in 2008 didn’t just affect consumer businesses. The effects of the recession reached all the way to the most sacred of government spending initiatives – military spending. Global defense budgets have been falling since 2009.

    Now, with many economies recovering, defense budgets are back on a rising trajectory. Market research firm IHS today released a report predicting that defense budgets in 2014 will rise year-over-year. The IHS report estimates that global defense spending will hit $1.547 trillion this year, up 0.6% from the $1.538 spent last year.

    The report also shows that much of the increase in defense spending will come (like the consumer tech market) in emerging economic markets. China, Russia, and countries in the Middle East are all set to significantly increase defense spending in the coming years while western nations are predicted to continue seeing defense budget decreases.

    “We have seen a rapid acceleration of defense spending in the Middle East since 2011,” said Fenella McGerty, senior analyst at IHS. “Four of the top five fastest growing defense markets in 2013 were Middle Eastern countries. If we stretch to look at the top 10 fastest growing markets, six of the 10 were in the Middle East. Oman and Saudi Arabia in particular have seen rapid growth of over 30% between 2011 and 2013. Since 2011, Oman’s defense budget has now increased by 115%, from $4.7 billion to $9.2 billion in nominal terms.”

    Image via U.S. Department of Defense

  • Caravan of Death Victims Identified in Chile

    On September 11, 1973, Socialist leader of Chile Salvador Allende was overthrown by military forces under the command of Augusto Pinochet. Following this successful coup, Pinochet would seat himself atop Chile’s government and would remain as dictator of Chile for the next 17 years.

    During that time, 40,018 people were subject to human rights violations, and another 3,065 people were killed. One group responsible for 97 of those deaths was called the “Caravan of Death.” This group, led by General Sergio Arellano Stark, scoured the length of Chile from September 30, 1973 to October 22, 1973, looking for any and all political “extremist” and opponents of Pinochet.

    The mission of the “Caravan of Death” was to enforce “uniform criteria in the administration of justice to prisoners”. This task was assigned following rumors that some provincial leaders in Chile were not treating political prisoners as harshly as Pinochet would have liked.

    In order to carry out their mission, the members of the “Caravan of Death” flew a Puma helicopter from the northern portion of Chile all the way south, dropping grenades and raining machine gun fire down upon those considered invaluable to the revolution’s cause.

    On Friday, 6 victims of the violent actions committed by the “Caravan of Death” were identified by forensics experts in Chile.

    The bodies were found in a mass, unmarked grave near San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile. According to forensic experts, all 6 of the victims were killed by gunfire. The most famous victim was journalist Carlos Berger, the husband of a human rights lawyer. Berger is known for refusing to shut down radio transmissions on the day of the coup. Other victims included a Socialist leader, a government official, and a chauffeur.

    In December of last year, a Chilean judge sentenced 8 members of the “Caravan of Death” to anywhere from 3 to 15 years behind bars for their role in killing political opponents following Allende’s coup. This sentencing came 5 years after General Arellano was sentenced to 6 years in prison for his part in the killings. Arellano was unable to serve his time due to being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • North Korea Warning Renewed (Again)

    North Korea Warning Renewed (Again)

    The North Korean government has renewed its call for upcoming U.S.-South Korean war games to be called off. The exercises, known as “Foal Eagle” and “Key Resolve” are planned to run from February to April and will include land, sea, and air drills.

    According to North Korean authorities, the U.S. is planning to invade the country, thereby establishing a foothold that the American government can use to control all of Asia. “It is the strategic goal of the U.S. to invade the DPRK, bring its neighboring countries under its control with it as a stepping-stone and, furthermore, dominate the whole Asia-Pacific region,” the ruling party’s Rodong Sinmun said in an analysis on Monday. “The U.S. is working hard to kick off large-scale joint military drills this year, too, for the purpose of mounting a pre-emptive nuclear attack upon the DPRK.” North Korea largely views South Korea, where 30,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed, as a puppet state of the U.S.

    A statement released by the North Korean Central News Agency earlier this month declared that the drills would “fatally destroy the inter-Korean relations and trigger unimaginable calamities and disasters.” A North Korean government insider further claimed that moving forward with the exercises would amount to a declaration of “full-scale nuclear war.”

    Other DPRK emissaries have been somewhat less aggressive. The North Korean ambassador to China, Ji Jae Ryong, offered a more conciliatory line at a news conference on Wednesday, claiming that North Korea wants to reduce tensions to allow steps toward eventual unification between North and South. “First, we propose taking preparatory measures in response to the warm call for creating an atmosphere for improving North-South ties. In this regard, we officially propose the South Korean authorities take critical measures of halting acts of provoking and slandering the other side from Jan. 30,” Ji said.

    While some have read this softer tone as a so-called “charm offensive” meant to cast North Korea as eager for peace and diplomacy, Daniel Pinkston, a political analyst based in Seoul, South Korea, sees it as deft propaganda. “It’s a way of showing the domestic audience that, ‘we made a serious overture. We tried to bend over backwards. But they showed their true colors.’ I don’t see any cooperative measures or charm offensive at all,” said Pinkston.

    Neither the U.S. nor South Korea have indicated any intention at curtailing the annual drills.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Prince Harry Trades Flight Suit for Business Suit

    Palace officials have confirmed that Prince Harry is, in fact, leaving his helicopter flying days behind him. Women worldwide mourned the loss as they realized that no more photos of the Prince looking hunky and debonair in his uniform would be forthcoming.

    However, Captain Wales is not entirely leaving his army duties in the dust. He has quite enjoyed his role in the Armed Services, stating that “I find it very easy to completely forget about who I am when I’m in the army. Everyone’s wearing the same uniform and doing the same thing. All the officers get called sir and it is great fun. I get on great with the lads and I enjoy my job. It really is as simple as that.” He is simply shifting his focus to internal affairs, at the request of his aging Grandmother, the Queen. According to a statement from Kensington Palace,

    ‘Prince Harry has completed his attachment to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and will now take up a Staff Officer role in HQ London District. The Prince will take the position of SO3 (Defence Engagement). His responsibilities will include helping to co-ordinate significant projects and commemorative events involving the Army in London. Prince Harry will retain the rank of Captain and be based from Horse Guards, in Central London.

    The first “significant project” that the Prince is engaging in? Bringing the “Warrior Games” to London. After visiting the United States last year to support a British team competing in the Olympic like games for wounded soldiers, the Prince became keen on the idea of hosting the games in the Olympic stadium in London.

    (image)

    Thus far, he has the support of both his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, and his grandmother, the Queen. With such prominent supporters, it seems likely that the Warrior Games will be traveling to London within the year. However, the initiative has yet to be approved by the office of the Prime Minister or the Government.

    According to The Evening Standard, “Prince Harry is passionate about this project. He believes it will be an amazing event that will bring the focus of attention on the problems facing those injured on the frontline and will serve to inspire servicemen and women and the wider public.” As a serviceman himself, completing a five month deployment in Afghanistan, Prince Harry is particularly attuned to the needs of his fellow soldiers and seems committed to gaining them the recognition they deserve with his new post.

    Images Via Wikimedia Commons (1) (2)

  • Bowe Bergdahl: New Video Suggests He Is Still Alive

    The U.S. military has obtained a “proof of life video” of an American soldier. The video appears to have been made by those who are holding him captive, officials told CNN Wednesday.

    Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who disappeared in 2009 from his base in Afghanistan, is currently the only member of the U.S. armed forces being held as a Prisoner Of War (POW). The Taliban has offered to release Bergdahl in exchange for five Taliban prisoners currently being held at Guantanamo Bay.  Officials believe he is being held by the Haqqani network in Pakistan.

    Authorities have said the clip show Bergdahl in poor health as a result of five years in captivity. The video is the first “proof of life”  from the soldier after nearly three years and appears to have been taped as recently as December 14, 2013.

    The U.S. military has been making efforts to free the soldier, including negotiation, but have so far been unsuccessful.

    “Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been gone far too long, and we continue to call for and work toward his safe and immediate release,” a Pentagon spokesman said.

    The spokesman said the details of the efforts to free Bergdahl cannot be discussed but “there should be no doubt” work is being done on a daily basis to free him and bring him home safely.

    Bergdahl’s parents are keenly following the development and issued a statement imploring his abductors to release him.

    “As we have done so many times over the past 4 and a half years, we request his captors to release him safely so that our only son can be reunited with his mother and father,” read the statement. Last year, the family received a letter from Bergdahl, which proved he was alive.

    Bergdahl is from Wood Valley, Idaho, and was 23 when he was captured. He was captured upon leaving his base after finishing his shift and only carried a compass and water with him.

    Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl Pleads To Return Home

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Westboro Baptist Church Protests Outside of Four Churches in California

    The religious-crazed circus is at again with all their obnoxious antics and political beliefs.

    Westboro Baptist Church was scheduled to protest at four churches in Glendale, Calif. on Sunday morning.

    According to their website, the protests were to take place at Holy Family Catholic Community, Salem Lutheran Church and School,  St. Matthews Church, Glendale Presbyterian Church, and First United Methodist Church of Glendale.

    More than anything, the church is very well known for their rude protests at military funerals. However, they also object to gay marriages, “fake Christians” and basically anything they consider to be a form of sin (fornication, divorce, adultery, etc.).

    Since 1991, the group has conducted 51,934 protests, spewing its radical beliefs all across the country.

    So, their most recent presence in Glendale was no different than any other attention-seeking demonstration they have conducted.

    Hundreds of counter-protestors came out as well to defend their own beliefs.

    In a report by Glendale News-Press, Pastor Kurt Christenson of Salem Lutheran responded to the protest with the theory that WBC is just built on pure anger instead of love.

    “We know that the folks in Westboro are angry, and that comes out in hate…I think they’re angry at the way America seems to be going,” he said. “It’s not like it used to be…They’ve decided they don’t want to engage in conversation. They just want to yell and scream and protest. There is an opportunity to say at the end of the day that love is stronger than hate.”

    However, at St. Matthews Church, Pastor Keith Banwart Jr associates the organization to a cult that enjoys harassing the LGBT community. His stance in the whole event was to support those who convey love, no matter what their sexual orientation may be.

    “These people want to show that God’s love is bigger than the hate that may be displayed here this morning,” Pastor Banwart said.

    Even throughout the demonstrations, church members were seen standing up for their church before removing themselves from the scene to attend service.

    WBC was also scheduled to protest outside of the Golden Globe Awards Sunday afternoon.

    It appears that their next upcoming stop includes picketing outside the home of Theresa Caputo, TV personality on TLC’s “Long Island Medium,” January 19.

    Others also involve A&E’s Duck Dynasty in New York, George Strait at Sprint Center in Missouri, and Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey.

    It’s like a never-ending story that won’t go away!

    What are your thoughts?

    Raw footage of the protest on Sunday:

    A documentary about WBC:

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • ‘Enlisted’ Premieres with Great Reviews

    ‘Enlisted’ Premieres with Great Reviews

    Fox Network’s newest comedy, Enlisted, premiered this past Friday and looks to be off to a great start. The show is being dubbed as a “workplace comedy,” albiet one that takes place on a military base instead of a traditional office, and focuses more on three brothers living and interacting with each other than on war.

    In the show, Sgt. Pete Hill is sent back home from overseas for punching out a lower-ranking Colonel. In his fall from glory, he’s put in charge of a platoon in the Rear D unit on Fort McGee, Florida. In this platoon are his two younger brothers: Derrick, the smart ass, and Randy, a much more sensitive and fragile type. The platoon is dubbed as “not quite good enough to be sent overseas, yet not bad enough to be kicked out of the Army. These are the men and women who mow lawns at the base, sort mail, wash tanks, find lost dogs and maybe engage in a war game or two.”

    Show creator Kevin Biegel tells TV Guide that he hopes the show will be an honest portrayal of the men and women serving their country. “The people I know who do this job…they’re real human beings and they’re very funny and they talk about their work and their job is sometimes crazy and sometimes boring and sometimes wondrous and sometimes inspiring.”

    Critics have been quick to spot the show’s unique portrayal of military life, one that strays from Hollywood’s typical portrait. Robert Lloyd, LA Times TV critic, says the show is really “soft and romantic at its core. It could as easily have been set in a summer camp or a ballclub. But the military theme works well, as it pays due respect to those who only wash and mow.”

    There’s also something to be said about the great chemistry between the three brothers, making it as much a family comedy as a “military workplace” one. Forbes reviewer Merrill Barr writes that the show is essentially built on the way the brothers interact with each other and their platoon. “This is where Enlisted finds the one thing that was going to make or break the series: charm. Pete is a fish out of water, Derrick is a cynical mess and Randy is a lovable buffoon, and through those highly different personalities, Enlisted makes the audience care about the misplaced men in green.”

    Entertainment Weekly reviewer Samantha Highfill agrees that the show’s strength its all in the characters. “I’m already falling for some of these people,” she writes. “Whether they’re playing war games or just trying to do some jumping jacks, I can see how these characters are going to work together moving forward, and I’m excited for what will come next.”

    Image via YouTube

  • MC-12 Crash Claims Lives of 3 Americans

    Last night, an MC-12 military plane crashed in eastern Afghanistan, claiming the lives of three victims. “International Security Assistance Force service members and one ISAF civilian died following an aircraft mishap in eastern Afghanistan today,” NATO released in a statement.

    An MC-12 is a twin-turboprop Beechcraft aircraft primarily used for reconnaissance missions. The plane holds multiple different surveillance systems at once, allowing those aboard the plane to monitor multiple areas at the same time.

    The ISAF listed the crash as an “aircraft mishap,” and an unnamed defense official told ABC News that early intelligence denies the crash occurred as a result of enemy activities.

    Contrary to what one may believe due to the intense hostilities still prevalent in Afghanistan, most of the aircraft crashes in the country have been accidents, with helicopter accidents claiming the most lives. This is because helicopters are a main mode of transportation in Afghanistan due to the ever-present threat of roadside bombs, IEDs, and the lack of proper infrastructure and roads to allow vehicles to traverse the mountainous countryside.

    Unfortunately, reports of this plane crash come on the same day that the ISAF released a statement claiming that the Black Hawk helicopter crash, which claimed 6 lives in December, was actually the result of enemy actions and not an accident, as previously reported.

    The news of this crash also comes on the heels of two helicopter crashes in the US military earlier this week. Four lives were claimed after a US helicopter crashed during a training mission off the coast of England, and 2 more servicemen died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Virginia. Two other crew members were injured in the accident, and a fifth is still missing. Search and rescue missions were halted for the fifth member on Thursday.

    Image via YouTube

  • Military Pension Cuts Could Save The Budget

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a 20 percent cut in “burgeoning military personnel costs” in an effort to slim down the military costs plaguing the country.

    “We all know that we need to slow cost growth in military compensation,” Hagel told a Pentagon press conference. “We know that many proposals will be controversial and unpopular. … Tough decisions will have to be made.”

    But this decision is met with some pretty outraged veterans, their spouses and veteran groups. The fight is to hold onto their retirement pay and possibly curb the pension increases slated for military retirees that are under age 62. This is all part of a new deal passed by congress – awaiting the presidents signature.

    Retirees want the belt-tightening done elsewhere.

    Apparently – and according to military analysts, military compensation is competitive with the civilian pay, and well above it when comparing people with similar education and experience.

    For example, an Army private with fewer than two years of service and no dependents earns on average about $40,400 annually, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Christensen, a Defense Department spokesman.

    Christensen went on to explain that only a small portion of that amount is base pay. The rest is allocated to a housing and food allowance, both tax-free. An Army captain with six years of service and no dependents averages $93,800 annually.

    And what hasn’t been addressed is the fact that all military members have access to free health insurance, including their families.

    If dependents use a private doctor, dentist or pharmacy, they get the care through the department’s TRICARE system, paying no premiums and no co-pays, said Austin Camacho, a system spokesman.

    They also receive “quality of life” benefits, which encompass things like help paying for continuing education, separate schools in some cases, commissaries where food is 30 percent below retail prices and exchanges where clothing and gear is highly discounted.

    Also noted is that they receive a highly discounted day care system, which is used now by more than half of the 1.4 million-member force and their estimated 1.2 million children.

    The hitch though is there is no retirement pension if you aren’t in service for 20 years. And for those who are in 20 years, they get it as they are getting out, instead of having to wait – like the rest of the country – until age 62.

    Critics say 40 years of pension for 20 years of work is overly generous, but retirees say they deserve it for doing risky jobs that are tough on them and their families and that the overwhelming majority of Americans don’t volunteer for.

    There are nearly 2 million retirees currently getting military pensions at an annual cost to the Defense Department of $4.5 billion. Of those, 840,000 are under 62 — and more than 80 percent of those were enlisted, as opposed to higher-paid officers.

    Authorities feel that this 100-year-old pension was designed when people didn’t live as long, and are looking at options such as lump sum payouts at departure, and basically modernizing the system.

    The challenge for the commission is to reform programs so they’re more affordable and sustainable and yet offer benefits attractive enough to keep drawing people to volunteer for the nation’s armed forces.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • South Sudan Coup Attempt Has Been Halted

    In 2011, South Sudan became the newest nation on planet Earth, splitting from Sudan after years of brutal civil wars. Since it gained its independence, South Sudan has struggled to implement a strong and effective government, mainly due to the same problems that plague many African nations – inherent political corruption, lack of economic resources, and constant warfare.

    Sunday, South Sudan faced its first official coup attempt in its fledgling existence as soldiers loyal to an opposition force started firing shots near Juba, the country’s capital. South Sudanese Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin stated that the insurrection began when soldiers raided the armory in barracks near the capital city’s center, leading to a gunfight between the dissenting forces and the South Sudanese military.

    However, the exchange did not last long as the governmental forces were able to push the rebels out of the city: “Your government is in full control of the security situation in Juba. The attackers fled and your forces are pursuing them. I promise you justice will prevail,” President Salva Kiir stated in a television address to the Sudanese people on Monday.

    To ensure the safety of its citizens, though, the government issued a curfew from 6 PM to 6AM.

    This coup attempt comes after a year of internal power-struggles. Former Vice President Riek Machar, the supposed leader of the coup, and many other members of Kiir’s presidential cabinet were ousted in July of this year following reports of in-party conflicts. Since that time, Machar has stated that he would run for president in 2015 and has argued that Kiir’s reign is totalitarian, opining that South Sudan cannot exist “one man’s rule or it cannot tolerate dictatorship.”

    The violence displayed Sunday night in Juba reflects tribal conflict which has existed in the Sudanese area since its inception. President Kiir comes from the majority Dinka tribe in South Sudan, while his rival Machar identifies with the Nuer tribe. These two tribes have been constantly warring throughout their existence, a feud which dates back to 1839 at the latest.

    South Sudan map

    Thus far, reports indicate that 7 people have died and over 100 people have been injured as a result of the coup attempt. Due to the importance of ensuring that South Sudan’s beginnings are not as rocky and violent as its past, the UN has voiced deep concerns over the impending political crisis and issued a statement expressing their wishes for peace: “As the special representative of the secretary general, I urge all parties in the fighting to cease hostilities immediately and exercise restraint,” stated UN Special Representative Hilde Johnson.

    Stability will be crucial for South Sudan as they attempt to move forward as a nation. Oil is the major export of the newly minted country, and it recently faced a 15 month cut-off due to conflict with Sudan. Because of having to sustain itself during a long drought of oil exportation, South Sudan now ranks as one of Africa’s poorest countries. In order to salvage its attempt at forming its own, independent nation, South Sudan needs to reach out to the UN and African Union to quickly regain a sense of peace, or it may just find itself entrenched in decades of civil war once again.

    [Image via Wikimedia Commons]

  • USS Cowpens Nearly Hit By Chinese Warship

    USS Cowpens Nearly Hit By Chinese Warship

    The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) almost had a collision with a Chinese warship on December 5, 2013. The two ships came within the proximity of being several hundred yards away from each other. A source, who wanted to remain unnamed, told ABC News, “Whether it is a tactical at-sea encounter or strategic dialogue, sustained and reliable communication mitigates risk of mishaps, which is in the interest of both the U.S. and China.”

    According to a statement from the U.S. Pacific Fleet, “While lawfully operating in international waters in the South China Sea, USS Cowpens (CG 63) and a PLA Navy vessel had an encounter that required maneuvering to avoid a collision. This incident underscores the need to ensure the highest standards of professional seamanship, including communications between vessels, to mitigate the risk of an unintended incident or mishap.”

    Reports claim that the interaction did not escalate to shots being fired; however, the PLA ship did attempt to force the USS Cowpens to stop while in international waters. An unidentified U.S. military official spoke with Stars and Stripes.

    (image)

    “I don’t know the intent of the guy driving that PLA ship. I just know that he was moving to impede and harass the Cowpens. I mean, from my perspective, having him stop in the middle of the South China Sea is kind of dumb. [The Chinese saying] ‘Go away, get out of here’ [would make more sense]. But ‘stop’ doesn’t really do anything because all that does is just maintain the status quo,” the source said.

    (image)

    Shortly after the event with the PLS ship, sailors aboard the USS Cowpens visited elementary students while in Guam. The crew spoke with children from Marcial Sablan Elementary School on December 12th, and then with children from Inarajan Elementary School on December 13th. Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Bo Rodriguez explained how the sailors have the opportunity to positively influence youth through these interactions. “If I can change one child’s perspective of anything I’ll be happy with that. I believe it’s important so that they know what we’re really about and we’re not really out to harm anybody or anything like that,” he said.

    [Images (1), (2), and (3) Via Wikimedia Commons]

  • Grace Hopper Gets A Pair Of Google Doodles

    Google is showing a doodle on its homepage today honoring computer scientist Grace Hopper on what would have been her 107th birthday.

    Hopper, born in 1906, was a computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral, who was one of the first Harvard Mark I computer programmers, and developed the first compiler for a computer programming language. She is also credited with conceptualizing the basis for the COBOL programming language and popularizing the term “debugging”.

    Hopper passed away in 1992. Here’s a 1984 photo of her (courtesy of Wikimedia Commons):

    Grace Hopper

    The doodle is animated, and shows Hopper entering commands into a supercomputer.

    The doodle appropriately comes during Computer Science Education Week, which is encouraging people to learn an hour of code (which Google is also promoting on its homepage). President Obama has also put out a video encouraging Americans to learn to code.

    Typically, Google shows a smaller version of its doodles on the search results pages, but today, Google is showing a different, simpler doodle for Hopper:

    Grace Hopper Doodle number two

    It’s worth noting that while Hopper was an American, Google is showing the doodle(s) throughout the world.

  • Mi-17 Helicopter Purchases Raise Questions

    The Associated Press is reporting that the United States Pentagon just spent roughly $1 billion on dozens of Russian Mi-17 rotorcrafts. Previously it had been reported that there was a great amount of difficulty in securing a deal and there was some speculation that it might not happen.

    The helicopters were purchased for the Afghan military, and it was claimed that the decision was made with long-term goals in mind. There are plans to withdraw U.S troops from the region at some point, though not in the immediate future. The ability to reduce the role American forces are playing in Afghanistan will hinge on the ability for the local military forces to have the training and equipment they need to combat terrorist forces in the region. Afghan forces require helicopters that would be able to transfer supplies and troops with little or no difficulty.

    Defense officials claim that because of Afghanistan’s unique climate and landscape, the Russian rotorcrafts are best suited to the task. The Chinook, an American helicopter, has long been proven to be of great international quality. It’s existence makes it hard to understand the need to go abroad for military helicopters.

    Texas Senator John Cornyn was especially vocal about his opposition to the deal. “Why are we buying Russian helicopters when there are American manufacturers that can meet that very same requirement?” Much of the concern with the decision to go to Russia is the corrupt nature of the Russian defense industry. The refusal of the Department of Defense to be more transparent about the maneuver to buy these helicopters made some think that they were purposefully misleading Congress about the deal. The Department of Defense denied it, and former Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter had cited a study about the superior nature of Russian Mi-17 rotorcrafts. Carter stepped down a week ago.

    Image: Wikimedia Commons

  • What Is It Like To Defuse A Bomb?

    You’ve seen the movies where the focused combat veteran or nervous rookie cop clenches a pair of wire cutters and is fixated on snipping either the blue or red wire. According to TV Tropes, the bomb defusing concept is known as the wire dilemma, where in “fiction-land, disarming just about any bomb is a matter of cutting the right wires in the right order,” usually given by distinct colors. Snip the wrong wire, and its game over – but what is it really like to disarm a bomb?

    Noam Kaiser, a Combat Officer in the Israeli Defense Force of five years, had this to say to Quora.com:

    “Well…:) First of all, you are not alone. You’re backed up by an adjacent medical team, and a team mate which is meant to ensure there are no interferences such as wind, sun light blocking eye sight, sand pouring in and so on. It is carried out very slowly, with precision (Not surgical, but very precise) and with a careful, delicate touch.”

    Kaiser said that keeping such a chaotic weapon under control requires the environment to be handled without any interference of the defusing process.
    “As much silence as possible is required. [Yet this is] not always possible.”

    (image)

    With no surprise, movies don’t provide an accurate portrayal of how a bomb is defused – it’s more of a long and meticulous process with no quick impulses.

    “I agree it is nothing like the movies. For a bystander it would look like a slow, tedious and boring process. It sure doesn’t look like it when you’re the guy crouching over the bomb.

    Sean Sandeen, the second top rated answerer on Quora concerning what it was like to defuse a bomb, added that, “It is nothing like the movies. There is no blue wire to single out and cut. You have to understand the entire firing system and know how best to disrupt it. You have to account for the possibility of a detonation no matter how confident you are in your procedures.”

    “In real life it isn’t the big things that are scary. If a large device detonates in your face, you won’t even feel it. The scary things are the smaller ones, the things that take a hand or a leg; you’ll feel that.”

    Military fields like the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) keep their render safe procedures (RSP) secret in order to deprive intelligence to their enemies; if such knowledge is in the wrong hands, then opponents may develop new anti-handling techniques which make bombs harder to defuse.

    “Once finished though, a good cigarette is required. Even if you’re a non-smoker,” said Kaiser.

    (Images via WikiCommons, TV tropes)

  • China Witnessed B-52s Entering Defense Zone

    On Tuesday, two U.S. B-52 bombers flew over the East China Sea as part of a previously planned training exercise; however, no notification was given to Beijing. In the past, the lack of notification may not have raised any eyebrows. Unfortunately, that is not the case this time. The training exercise occurred in the aftermath of China’s recent attempt to expand territories within the country’s “air defense zone.” According to China, any aircraft entering into this newly-restricted territory must notify Chinese authorities or become subjected to emergency military action.

    These two U.S. aircraft departed from the home base of Guam, and then flew into the “air defense zone” before ultimately returning to Guam. The planes remained in the area for less than an hour. Discussions are currently centered on the U.S.’s lack of acknowledging the new region in which China has asserted claim over, bringing debates of potential intercontinental-defiance. China did not respond to this recent flight into the territory.

    White House spokesman Josh Earnest, though not willing to comment on the incident in detail, alluded to his interpretation of the event. “It continues to be our view that the policy announced by the Chinese over weekend is unnecessarily inflammatory and has a destabilizing impact on the region,” Earnest said.

    Many think that China is working for a unique political position in relation to surrounding countries, and not necessarily concerned with the actions of the United States. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki best explained the likely perspective. “This will raise regional tensions and increase the risk of miscalculation, confrontation and accidents,” Psaki said.

    According to security expert Denny Roy, “The Chinese can now start counting and reporting what they call Japanese violations, while arguing that the Chinese side has shown great restraint by not exercising what they will call China’s right to shoot, and arguing further that China cannot be so patient indefinitely.”

    China has been in the midst of several other country-wide revisions to operating systems beyond national defense, such as changes to economic policies.

    [Image Via Wikimedia Commons]

  • Christmas Cards, Holiday Mail for Heroes

    Christmas Cards, Holiday Mail for Heroes

    Some may be wondering whether mailing Christmas cards is even worth it this year. Isn’t that the purpose of email and electronic Christmas cards, after all?

    However, for students at Spring Hill Elementary School, there is no doubt about the importance of actually mailing a physical Christmas card, especially to members of the military. The Tennessee students are participating in the Holiday Mail for Heroes project.

    The campaign’s mantra is “Give Something That Means Something” during this holiday to soldiers as well as their family members. Many of the soldiers will be out-of-the-country this season and unable to celebrate with family. According to ABC 6 News based out of Knoxville, Tennessee, the students are involved in this initiative in order to provide holiday cheer.

    The students are not alone in wanting to spread cheer this holiday. Members of communities throughout the country are forgoing expectations to send electronic greetings and opting to send “snail mail” in the process so that soldiers feel appreciated.

    Anyone interested in contributing to the Holiday Mail for Heroes project should send letters by December 6 to the following address:

    Holiday Mail for Heroes
    P.O. Box 5456
    Capitol Heights, MD 20791

    [Image Via Wikimedia Commons and Courtesy of Alexandra Constantin]

  • Human Error Caused Camp Pendleton Accident

    Four Marines were killed Wednesday at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, while clearing the firing range of unexploded ordnance. A military investigation deemed that human error was the cause of the tragedy.

    The accident occurred at 11 a.m. at the San Diego County coastal base, and Marines spokesman Lt. Ryan Finnegan said the clearance operation would have involved anything necessary to keep the range free of obstructions, which could include disposing of ordnance. The identities of the dead were withheld pending notification of relatives.

    According to the military probe into the matter, an unnamed Marine operating a 60mm mortar tube and ammunition, did not follow proper procedures, which resulted in the detonation of a high explosive round at the mortar position. The probe also determined that the mortar team involved in the accident had not completed “appropriate preparatory training.”

    A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that emits explosive projectiles known as mortar bombs, at low velocities, short ranges and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber.

    Below is a clip of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) loading, calibrating and firing mortar rounds:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBi5biafAoI

    Brigadier General John W. Bullard, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, said in a statement, “We offer our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families of the Marines lost today in this tragic accident. Our first priority is to provide the families with the support they need during this difficult time.”

    The Pendelton tragedy comes after 7 Marines were killed after an explosion during a live-fire training exercise at the Hawthorne Army Depot, roughly 100 miles south of Reno, Nevada.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons.

  • Troy Polamalu Cuts Locks In Support Of Veterans

    The last time Troy Polamalu’s hair touched a Barber’s tool was more than 11 years ago, but Troy was ready to let go of his treasured hair (at least a little bit) to support the veterans.  USA today reported that the footballer will have his wife Theodora trim off one lock of his hair which will be auctioned to support the 7 week cause aimed at raising awareness for veterans’ issues.

    “I understand the issues that veterans and their families face while serving our country, and I am honored to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Mane Event, encouraging the nation to unite for veterans for a second year,” said Polamalu. “By getting my hair cut on Veterans Day, I am showing my commitment to the men and women who served our country – the real heroes.”

    http://youtu.be/HsSAlVki6hw

    Polamalu and his wife Theodora founded the Harry Panos Fund for veterans to support charities that support the military. “I started working with the VFW a couple years ago and have always had a lot of compassion for what veterans go through because of my wife’s grandfather, who I was close with.” Polamalu said.  Polamalu has been a longtime supporter of the veterans but he became a VFW ambassador last year.

    2013 VFW Year in Review

    (main image via YouTube.com)

  • Mark Wahlberg Stars In Peter Berg’s “Lone Survivor” – Trailer

    With today being Veteran’s Day, what a perfect day to check out the trailer for the upcoming real-life military thriller “Lone Survivor”. Based on the best-selling memoir by Marcus Luttrell, the film tells the true story of the 2005 “Operation Red Wings“, which saw Navy SEALs caught off-guard when a simple reconnaissance mission quickly became a fight for their lives against the overwhelming Taliban army.

    Written and directed by Peter Berg, “Lone Survivor” stars Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Taylor Kitsch and Emile Hirsch. Eric Bana also shows up in the film as the lieutenant commander who loses contact with his men, and who ultimately leads the rescue mission for Luttrell, Wahlberg’s character. You can read the official synopsis below:

    “Lone Survivor tells the story of four Navy SEALs on an ill-fated covert mission to neutralize a high-level Taliban operative who are ambushed by enemy forces in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Based on The New York Times bestseller, this story of heroism, courage and survival.”

    The film will see a limited release on December 27th, before expanding nationwide on January 10th.

    Below you can see the first trailer for the film, which was released this past August.

    (Image: YouTube)

  • Navy Bribery Scandal Implicates Three US Officers

    Three US Naval officers have been indicted in a bribery case concerning husbanding activities in Asian ports. Commander Jose Luis Sanchez, Commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service Supervisory Special Agent John Beliveau II have all been arrested and accused of conspiracy to commit bribery.

    The two naval commanders, Sanchez and Misiewicz, collaborated with Glenn Defense Marina Asian (GDMA) CEO Leonard Francis in regards to where and when naval ships would port to refuel and restock: “According to court records, Sanchez allegedly provided Francis with internal Navy information, such as US Navy ship schedules — some of which were classified — and information about husbanding issues that could affect GDMA, in order to help GDMA win and maintain Navy business,” reported a statement from the US Justice Department.

    GDMA is based out of Singapore and operates more than a dozen ports in the Asian-Pacific. Francis, who goes by the alias “Fat Leonard” due to his over-the-top, luxurious lifestyle, is a legend in the Asian military sphere, having provided services to multiple nations’ navies for over 25 years: “He’s a larger-than-life figure. You talk to any captain on any ship that has sailed in the Pacific and they will know exactly who he is,” stated retired Rear Admiral Terry McKnight.

    Investigation into the scandal started in 2010 when GDMA charged the US Navy $110,000 for docking fees to stage annual exercises with the Thai Navy; previously, the two countries had arranged that there would be no costs incurred. From there, the extortion has gone on to include the exchange of prostitutes, money, and even Lady Gaga concert tickets.

    “As described in the corruption charges unsealed today, senior officials with the United States navy abused their trusted positions as leaders in our armed forces by peddling favorable treatment – and even classified government information – for their personal benefit. In turn, the GDMA executives who illicitly sought information and favours from those navy officials boasted about their unlawful access to those officials and then traded on the influence that they illegally bought. Day by day, this massive Navy fraud and bribery investigation continues to widen, and as the charges announced today show, we will follow the evidence wherever it takes us,” stated Maithili Raman, acting assistant attorney general.

    NCIS special agent Beliveau has been arrested for supplying Francis with insider information from the NCIS investigation into the bribery scandal in order to help Francis construct a viable defense against the charges. According to an email exchanged between Francis and Commander Sanchez in December 2011, Francis stated, “I have inside Intel from NCIS and read all the reports. I will show you a copy of a Classified Command File on me from NCIS ha ha.”

    If found guilty of the charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, the three officers will each face up to 5 years in prison, a seemingly light punishment for the loss of potential millions of the US defense budget.

    [Image via Wikimedia Commons]

  • Gary Sinise Uses Fame to Help Veterans

    Forrest Gump is often referred to as America’s iconic movie. The 2.5 hour movie takes its audience on a journey throughout American history during the latter half of the 20th century and is known for its character portrayals. Perhaps the most impactful performance in the movie comes from Gary Sinise, who plays Lt. Dan – a military veteran who loses both his legs during the Vietnam War.

    That performance in 1994 has not only impacted viewers for nearly 20 years, but has also left a major impact with Gary Sinise. Now, 19 years after Forrest Gump was released and with the end of “CSI: New York”, Sinise’s career focuses on supporting the United States military:

    “I have made it a particular mission to do what I can to draw attention to our military and first responder communities and to make sure they know they are remembered and appreciated. Whether through performing with the band, supporting a military charity or visiting the war zones and hospitals to shake some hands and take some pictures, all of it helps them know that there are people out there who are aware of their sacrifices and who understand the importance of keeping our military families strong in difficult times. It is important to remember that these defenders are volunteers.”

    Sinise is the bass guitar player in the Lt. Dan Band, a band Sinise formed to tour and raise money for veterans. That band, partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, have all contributed to the Building for America’s Bravest™ project – a program which was designed to build smart-homes for those wounded in combat.

    Saturday, Sinise and his band played an event in Memphis, Tn to honor Cpl. Christian Brown, who lost both of his legs when he stepped on an IED in December 2011 in Afghanistan. The money raised from this event will be used to construct a smart-home for Cpl. Brown. These smart-homes feature many helpful accommodations, such as automated doors, wheel-chair accessible spaces, and iPad controlled electronics: “It’s just frustrating. It’s not really … that difficult. In fact there are so many things that on such a small level, on a day-to-day basis it just starts to add up. It stretches you out a little bit. You wish things could be easy and jump up and do things like everybody else. (The Smart Home) is going to help me with the transition,” stated Cpl. Brown.

    Since the inception of the Building for America’s Bravest™ project, Sinise and others have helped raised money to build or start construction on 27 different homes for US veterans and have raised more than $11 million. Despite the success his ventures have had, Sinise never believed he would be in this position:

    “When I played Lt. Dan in ‘Forrest Gump’ I never thought that 20 years later I’d still be associated with the character. I knew it was an important movie and I very much wanted to play the part. I have Vietnam veterans in my family and have been associated with Vietnam veterans groups for many years prior to that. So, I really wanted to play the [‘Forrest Gump’] part. But could have I predicted that 20 years later people would still call me that? And I’d walk into the hospital room of a double amputee and he would recognize me for that? And that would open the doors for a conversation? No. I couldn’t have predicted that.”

    Image via Twitter