Death Waits in the Dark

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, better known as the Night Stalkers is home to the world's best helo pilots. Originally formed as an aviation-support element to US special operations forces after the 1980 failed attempt to rescue American hostages in Tehran, the Night Stalkers have the most professional and accomplished pilots in the Army, flying their Blackhawks, Little Birds, Chinooks, etc. From their activation in 1981, the 160th SOAR (A) has taken part in operations around the globe, including Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, Operation Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and Operation Gothic Serpent where they were brought into the spotlight after two of their Blackhawks were shot down by Somali militiamen with multiple rocket propelled grenades. Recently, Night Stalkers provided aerial insertion and cover for the raid on bin Laden's compound in Pakistan, in 2011.

A good deal of what they do is kept from public knowledge, as they are part of the special operations community. Recruiting standards for pilots and crewmen are extremely stringent, and the training is very intense. Officers (pilots) go through a 20-28 week course after being selected. Further testing is required before a Night Stalker can be designated Fully Mission Qualified. Their nickname tells you a little about what they're all about. The Nigh Stalkers use the advantage of the dark. The night is their cover, and allows them to insert special operations forces covertly, quickly and then egress the area without the opposing forces even knowing what went down. They are the best, brightest and craziest helo pilots the world has ever seen; their motto: Night Stalkers Don't Quit.

You can learn a little more about the 160th SOAR (A) and their exploits from one of their former pilots, CWO4 Michael Durant, US Army (Ret), who was piloting Super Six Four on October 3rd in Mogadishu, when an RPG rigged for air-burst, took out his tail rotor. The subsequent crash, the insertion of two brave Delta Force snipers Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon (who gave their lives to protect Durant and the mortally-wounded crew against a force of hundreds of militia; they were later awarded the Medal of Honor for their awe-inspiring courageousness and willingness to die for their brother soldier), and the capture of Durant by the Somali militia, is detailed in his book, In the Company of Heroes. It's a personal favorite of mine, and it's highly recommended!

BUY YOUR COPY HERE!

The Original Aviator's Glasses

Ray-Ban's aviator sunglasses have held the market on lenses for pilots and aviation enthusiasts for years. Having owned a pair of Ray-Ban aviators, I can vouch for their quality, but if you want authenticity, history and durability, I'd strongly suggest you check out American Optical's Original Pilot or General sunglasses! Ultra-comfortable, extremely durable and downright badass, it's sure to give you good protection from the sun's rays and it'll definitely make the ladies swoon over you! Built for bomber pilots in WWII to military specifications, they were later adapted for use by fighter pilots and saw widespread popularity in the military and civilian aviation world.

Fact: American Optical's sunglasses were the first ever shades to land on the moon! Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins all had pairs and they now reside in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. They were popular throughout NASA's Astronaut Corps.

CHECK OUT A LITTLE BIT OF THEIR STORY HERE

BUY THEM HERE!

Discovery's last ride

Today, the first operational space shuttle to be decommissioned and retired, Discovery, was flown over to Dulles International Airport in Virginia, to be placed as an exhibit in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (the annex to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum). It's spent a total of 365 days, 22 hours, 39 minutes and 29 seconds in space, and has traveled approximately 148,221,675 miles during its  27 years of successful service! If you're ever in the DC area, and you've got time to spare to travel over to the Udvar-Hazy center, DO IT! Don't miss an opportunity to see one of the greatest flying machines of our time!

Super-Subs

If you're the commander in chief of a modern naval force, you'd have very little to fear in terms of an attack on your ships. You'd have defense nets set up around your bigger cruisers and submarines to enforce the grid. But, your comfort will probably be short lived as soon as sonar reports multiple torpedoes in the water, heading your way, right out of the blue.

The nuclear-powered grim reaper: America's newest generation of "super-subs", the Virginia class attack submarines. Quieter than their predecessors, the Los Angeles and Seawolf clas boats, Virginia subs are undoubtedly the most dangerous fish swimming in the ocean. They are faster, armed to the teeth, able to deploy US Navy SEALs, fire Tomahawk and Harpoon missiles against land-based and sea-going targets, and are able to carry out their orders, then slip away leaving the enemy in a confused and vulnerable state.

A lot of details about these super-subs are kept under wraps, for good measure, so we don't know the extent of their abilities, but from what information has been released to the public we can gather that a deadlier vessel hasn't yet been built.

"The journeys of a young pilot"

What's your passion in life? How dedicated are you to your goals? Today, I want to share with you one of my favorite blogs, created by a fellow pilot, who I'm very, very proud to call a friend.

18 going 1800 feet is the story of Waverly, a teenage pilot from the United States, who is forging ahead on the long, hard path to becoming a career pilot. Let me tell you, from experience, becoming a certified private pilot is not an easy task at all, whether you're in the US or Canada, or wherever. It involves A LOT of study, concentration and dedication. Most people get licensed in their mid to late 20s or 30s. Waverly, has done so much more than the average recreational pilot, and she's only 18! Her accomplishments speak volumes of her skill and prowess as a pilot, at such a young age!

Her blog has a ton of inspiration for future, and current pilots, a whole lot of wisdom that can only be gained through experience and excellence. I highly recommend it to all aviators, young and old!

Check it out!

18 going 1800 feet

Part of... huh?

Recently, pop-star Katy Perry released her new "hit" single, Part of Me. The music video featured members of the United States Marine Corps, especially female Marines, during what seemed to be a very fast transition from a watered down version of intake, boot camp and then actual combat. The video was shot on site, at Camp Pendleton, CA, and used actual USMC equipment and personnel.

I, personally, feel that the video was misleading, and not at all faithful to the majority of those who choose to serve in today's military. After breaking up with her boyfriend, Perry's character sees a sticker in a gas station that promotes female Marines as being the toughest of the lot. So, she enlists without further thought. Now, you go anywhere on-base in the US, whether it be at Travis AFB, Ft. Benning, Norfolk or Camp Lejeune, you will find that the majority of Marines, airmen, sailors and soldiers will tell you, truthfully, that they enlisted or were commissioned because they wanted to serve their country, nothing else. See, the military doesn't take people who want to run away from their previous life, whether it was one filled with crime or illegal activity, or it was one filled with debt and financial loss. The military only accepts those who come up to their standard, and truly display a love of country so strong that they're willing to take the oath, train and get in the fight. Perry's video makes the military come across as a refuge for those hurt with petty issues.

Another issue I had with the video, is that she portrays herself as a member of a combat unit. As you may know, the DoD did authorize females of a certain rank to be present in a combat unit in a purely administrative role. This does not mean that women have been integrated into combat MOSs (Military Occupational Specialty) and I don't think this will happen for years and years to come. It seems, these days, that a lot of young women want the thrill of combat. Now, women actually do, occasionally get shot at, and get the chance to return fire, in Afghanistan, and previously Iraq. The thing is, these women are NOT in combat MOSs, and aren't guaranteed action! I'm willing to bet, after viewing this, a ton of young females interested in joining the military went over to their local recruiting office and asked for an 03 or 11B MOS!

Tim Kennedy (Awesome MMA fighter/Special Forces operator), did an awesome job parodying the video! I recommend it to everyone!

Can we pretend that airplanes

In the night sky, are F-80 Shooting Stars?

I could really use a wish right now...

National Air and Space Museum

I've referenced it previously, but I've never actually spoken a whole lot about the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Located in Washington, DC., and part of the Smithsonian Institution, it is home to the world's largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft. It's actually a set of two museums, one on the Mall and one at Dulles Intl. Airport. Both house amazing exhibits and showcase pieces of aviation history, including the Wright Flyer, the Enola Gay (the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima), ballistic missiles, fighter aircraft, a space shuttle, a lunar lander, and a whole lot more! The best part about the museum is that it's fun for all ages. Kids can enjoy the fun, adventurous atmosphere, while adults can enjoy the the finer aspects of the history behind each aircraft/spacecraft.

One of the most fun parts about the museum is the guided tours. The docents offer a very interesting insight into the histories of each of the aircraft featured, and the aviators who flew them. You'll definitely leave the museum knowing a whole lot more about aviation than you did when you entered! For a guy like me, who's obsessed with anything to do with airplanes, it was a heavenly experience!