Fast and the Furious: Pacific Drift

In the last post, Ice gave you a size comparison of an aircraft carrier to a B-52 Stratofortress. Pretty big, right?

Now, imagine this: a high speed bank.

Typically, these awe-inspiring turns are performed as "rudder checks" during post-refit sea trials/shakedown cruises. Imagine a mass, longer than the Empire State building's height, doing a bank like that, at sea, at such an angle. The above pictures are of the USS Nimitz and the USS Harry S. Truman conducting those maneuvers. 

Awesome, isn't it?

Mav out.

Operation Red WIngs

Today, we remember the valor and sacrifice of those brave Navy SEALs and Army aviators who lost their lives during Operation Red Wings, in 2005, Afghanistan. The night of the 27th of June, 4 Navy SEALs were inserted via Night Stalker helos between Sawtalo Sar and Gatigal Sar. Soon after, the mission was compromised when a group of locals inadvertently stumbled upon the SEALs' position. After determining that the locals were civilians and not combatants, the goatherders were allowed to live and the SEALs moved onward to their primary surveillance position. After close to an hour, the operators were surrounded and ambushed by their original target (Ahmad Shah) and a large group of his men. As the fire increased in volume and intensity, the operators were forced to continually fall back. Eventually, every single one of the men had been either shot, or injured terribly, but they still kept fighting on. Danny Dietz was shot multiple times in the torso area and once in the neck, Matt Axelson was also wounded similarly, but took a round to the side of his head as well, Marcus Luttrell had broken a number of bones and Mike Murphy had taken a bullet to the stomach. Nevertheless, they fought back with the ferocity expected of these elite warriors.

Outgunned and surrounded, with one operator succumbing to his injuries, Lt. Murphy made a heroic decision to use his last-resort Iridium sat-phone to attempt to place a call to base, alerting the QRF. He moved onto higher ground, so as to get a signal for the phone and exposed himself to enemy fire from all sides. He was able to get through to his CO and quickly explain the situation, then sign off. During all of this, Murphy was shot a few more times, but finally managed to drag himself back to a covered position. He was later surrounded and brutally executed by Taliban fighters in the area, and the remaining two members of the reconnaissance team, Luttrell and Axelson, both seriously wounded were hit by an RPG. Luttrell was flung out of the covered spot where he and Axe were pinned down, and tossed into a gully. He later extracted himself and was eventually recovered by locals, tortured by the Taliban, then rescued. Axe's fate was unknown till after the operation ended and recovery efforts were fully underway. Luttrell had notified the recovery team that Axe had around 3 full magazines remaining when they were separated by the RPG blast, but when the team found him, he had a single magazine left and his body was a few hundred yards away from where the RPG hit, indicating that the man continued to fight back, even after all his injuries.

Sadly, the loss of life wasn't limited to these 3 brave SEALs of the SRT. The QRF lead by LCDR Erik Kristensen, flown by Army Night Stalkers was shot down, all hands lost, when an RPG hit their Chinook.

• LT Michael P. Murphy
• STG2 (SEAL) Matthew Axelson
• GM2 (SEAL) Danny Dietz
• FCC (SEAL/SW) Jacques J. Fontan
• ITCS (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy
• LCDR Erik S. Kristensen
• ET1 (SEAL) Jeffery A. Lucas
• LT Michael M. McGreevy Jr.
• QM2 (SEAL) James E. Suh
• HM1 (SEAL) Jeffrey S. Taylor
• MM2 (SEAL) Shane E. Patton
• SSG Shamus O. Goare
• CWO3 Corey J. Goodnature
• SGT Kip A. Jacoby
• SFC Marcus V. Muralles
• MSG James W. Ponder III
• MAJ Stephen C. Reich
• SFC Michael L. Russell
• CWO4 Chris J. Scherkenbach

Gentlemen, your sacrifice will live on forever. 

Thank you. 

Iceman out. 

The Forgotten War

On a dreary Sunday at 0430 hours, 1950, the Korean War began when Northern troops began firing on ROK posts after crossing the 38th parallel. 3 years later, a stalemate had been reached and the war was put into what was effectively a limbo that lasts to this day. The world saw a massive peace-keeping operation, called a police-action by some political figures, run by the fledgling United Nations, and arguably, one of the first major engagements of the Cold War. The war in the air was fought between a mix of jet aircraft and high-powered propeller jobs. Amazing acts of heroism and valor were prevalent in the cold, desolate climate. 

Never forget. 

Iceman out.

D-Day

Utah-Omaha-Gold-Juno-Sword

On this day, 68 years ago, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy in an assault of epic proportions, effectively tearing a gaping hole in Nazi German defenses and beginning the final push to the end of the war in Europe.

Remember those brave souls who gave their lives for a free world.

Iceman out.

Midway

"The most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare."

Arguably the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War Two, 70 years ago on this day, the Battle of Midway began when US naval forces ambushed Japan's attacking fleet steaming for Midway Atoll. Japanese flag officers believed the American forces would react poorly to an attack on Midway and would be defeated easily, considering Midway came a mere 6 months after the devastating blow at Pearl Harbor. Little did the Japanese admirals realize that the US had gathered enough intelligence and anticipated such a surprise attack and had set up their own counter-ambush.

In the ensuing battle, 4 IJN aircraft carriers and a cruiser were sunk. Among the list of ships destroyed was the Akagi, one of the carriers that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The battle raged on fiercely for 3 days, and the prowess of US naval aviators proved too much for the Japanese.

A stunning loss for the Japanese, it turned the tide of war and the US was able to gain supremacy on the seas and obliterate IJN ships at an awe-inspiring rate.

Remember those who perished.

Lone Survivor

About a week ago, I saw the SEAL Trident on a the face of a book at one of the book stores in the mall. As it turns out, it was the cover of Lone Survivor, the account of Operation Red Wings from the only surviving SEAL involved, Marcus Luttrell. I didn't have the chance to start it till a couple days ago, but ever since I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.

Marcus starts off with a brief explanation of his early life, BUD/S (for any of us SEAL hopefuls out there, any information you can get from a guy who's been through the ordeal is invaluable) and his initial experience of life as a SEAL when he joined the teams.

Then, comes the story of Operation Red Wings. From insertion, to where it all when wrong. It's the gripping account of true heroism in the face of death. The love of one brother warrior for another. The desire of patriots, and the ferocity of the warrior elite. The struggle to stay alive, for the single surviving member of the mission. 

The more I read about Mikey, Danny and Axe, the more my hands started to shake in awe of these great men. Meet any one of their SEAL brothers on the streets today, and they'd doubtlessly give the same response as those fallen heroes: "Just doing my job, no recognition required". Truly amazing.

This is a MUST READ.




Iceman out.

Memorial Day 2012

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

-Abraham Lincoln (16th President of The United States of America). 

What do we think of when Memorial Day Weekend comes to mind? Family and friends over for a barbecue for sure, right? Fireworks, a parade, the Indy 500 and television marathons?

Sadly, for a very large number of Americans, that would be their definition of the day. Memorial Day is when we come together to remember those who've paid the ultimate sacrifice in support of their country, throughout the years.

From the Revolutionary War to the current conflict in Afghanistan, so many Americans have given their lives in the name of freedom, liberty and justice, and in defense of the United States against those who seek to tear it apart.

God bless those who've passed in service of the United States. As Abraham Lincoln put it so well, it is up to us to ensure that these brave men and women did not die in vain, and to preserve their memory for future generations.

Let us never forget.

100 years of Marine Corps Aviation

More like 100 years of kicking ass and taking names in the skies above some of the largest battles to every take place on the face of the earth.

100 years ago on the 22nd of May, 1912, a Marine 1st Lieutenant by the name of Alfred Austell Cunningham reported for flight-training to the Naval Academy where a training facility for aviators was set up. Thus, May 22nd was recognized as the birthday of Marine aviation.

In naval aviation, you'll hear of the exploits of Navy pilots and their daredevil stunts in the face of death. Lesser known are the accomplishments of their counterpart Marine pilots. Take for example Lt. Col. "Pappy" Boyington. That man had balls of steel. On one occasion, he and 24 fighters flew over a Japanese-occupied airfield (Kahili airdrome), during the Pacific campaign of WWII, taunting the guys on the ground into sending up a few planes. Turns out, the Japs weren't too happy with the sudden appearance of these Marines and sent up more fighters than the Black Sheep (Pappy's squadron) bargained for. In the ensuing battle, 20 Japanese pilots were shot down, forcing back their defensive force, while the Black Sheep returned home with not a single aircraft lost.

How about John Glenn... Marine fighter ace, first American to orbit the earth in 1962, US senator and the oldest human to fly into space in 1998? Or John Bolt, double-ace? Or, get this... TED WILLIAMS! Hell yeah, the legendary left-fielder for the Boston Red Sox was a decorated Marine fighter bomber in WWII and the Korean War!

Iceman and Maverick don't have s**t on the "Duke of Mukden"

Today, the Corps still flies their older F/A-18s, which will be replaced with the F-35s later on. They still fly their AV-8s (to be replaced by the STOVL F-35 variants) and their Sea Knights and Super Stallions. But the Air Wing's going through a major overhaul. Enter, the UH-1Y Venoms and the AH-1Z Vipers. Oh, and the super-awesome tiltrotor MV-22 Ospreys. This massive update will ensure that years from now, Marine aviation elements will still be relevant to America's war-fighting capabilities and will still be one of the leading forces at the tip of America's military spear.

The Red Circle

Have you ever wondered what life as a SEAL is really like? You can find the sensationalized version in movies where the "SEALs" run around with shiny, futuristic weaponry, make things go boom and never have to reload once (Tears of the Sun, anybody? I don't think Bruce Willis and his platoon ever had to jack a new mag in, they just went cyclic with those poor guns).

You can find the real, gritty details of life in the Teams here. Brandon Webb was a former Navy SEAL sniper with service overseas, especially in the Middle East. Later on in his career in the Navy, he went on to become an instructor at the SEAL's elite sniper school. As you'll find out in the book, the SEAL sniper school is no joke. Compared to the other sniper schools around the world, it is one of the toughest, most grueling courses, designed to teach special warfare operators advanced sniping techniques, stalking, etc. in a variety of settings. Brandon Webb was not only a graduate of the course, but he went on to become an instructor later on, and was instrumental in reforming the school to adapt to 21st Century warfare.

His book is nothing short of inspirational. The lessons he has to offer us are invaluable, and throughout, you can learn the value of perseverance and dedication, traits of a true leader, and the importance of keeping your cool under fire.

It is a must read!

BUY IT HERE!

For God and country—Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo.

A year ago, on the 2nd of May, just after 0100 hrs in the morning, two teams of Navy SEALs from the elite and secretive US Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) were inserted by US Army Night Stalkers into a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Within that compound, was the world's most wanted man, his thugs and some of his family. Within minutes, the operators covered ground, methodically engaged and took out the armed hostiles and entered the private room of the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks. The SEAL who pumped the rounds into the man's chest and head with his suppressed H&K 416 immediately radioed in, "For God and country- Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo" then confirmed "Geronimo E.K.I.A".

Within 38 minutes, Osama bin Laden was dead, and those who he brutally murdered in his attacks on the innocent were avenged.

38 minutes. Months of planning, and within a half hour, the operation was over and the teams were extracted.

Multiple units were involved, including Air Force CSAR helos and personnel, Army SOAR Chinooks loaded with SEALs and refueling bladders for the other helos involved in the raid, fighter jets and drones providing cover and aerial surveillance and a QRF (Quick Reaction Force) consisting of Army Rangers. All, loaded for bear, with the intent to take out the man who had cause the world so much grief.

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.

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!

Call the Ball

Awesome footage of the air wing landing aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) for its last cruise! You also get to see a few cat-shots, and some of the flight deck operations.

Haze gray and underway

Today, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) departs on her last cruise. The first ever nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the second-oldest ship in commission with the United States Navy, and the longest warship in the world, the Big E is nothing short of a marvel. Active during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the war in Vietnam and on through the 70s, 80s and 90s, the Enterprise has been present in almost every single conflict the US has been involved in over the last 50 years. When the towers fell on 9/11, the Enterprise was on its way home, though as soon as word was received of the attacks, without orders, the ship returned at flank speed to its station near the Persian Gulf, ready to attack targets in Afghanistan.

The Big E has a ton of history in its hull, and will forever remain the sweetheart of America's modern Navy. There's beauty in the sharp lines of this ship, and though it'll be deactivated later this year, and put through the scrapping process, it will forever hold a place in the hearts of all those touched by its fighting spirit.

Sadly, the Enterprise will not stay afloat as a museum ship, due to the removal of the nuclear fuel, and the costs involved in fixing up the ship, after the reactors are taken out (extremely large portions of the ship will have to be cut out in order to extract the nuclear equipment). However, there is a petition circulating around that a ship of the Gerald Ford class, the CVN-80, be named the 9th USS Enterprise.

(http://www.petitiononline.com/CVN79ENT/petition.html)

 Task Force One, the first nuclear-powered task force, sailed around the world (26,540 nmi) in 65 days!

The Big E during her shakedown cruise.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/03/ap-navy-enterprise-crew-revels-ships-long-history-031012/

Iceman's Answers: Is special ops for me?

I see this question popping up a lot. I guess, these days, even more often, because of the release of Act of Valor. Everyone wants in on the action, and that's understandable. These guys do some of the most amazing jobs in the world, they get the best training, get use highly advanced equipment, etc. They look awesome, rising from the water with their rifles, or doing HALO or HAHO jumps out the back of C-130s, etc. But, what most don't realize, is that it is a thankless, hard job, that keeps you away from your family for months at a time, and it's extremely dangerous. You don't know that the next operation you go on will be your last, or if you'll ever get to come home to your family.

You have to figure out if you're mentally capable. Physically, the only thing hindering you, will be injuries you've sustained earlier on. Whether they're from sports, or accidents around the house, any injury can hold you back if you go through enough physical activity (a core part of training). Fractures, sprains, weakened joints, muscles, etc, get worsened, easily. Mentally, it's all up to you. Can you handle what your instructors will throw at you? Can you take the torment that comes down on you during the testing phases (e.g. Hell Week during BUD/S)?
You also have to realize this also affects your personal life immensely. You'll be away from your family for extended periods of time, you'll have to drop what you're doing and leave on short notice, all the while, your family (i.e. wife, kids, parents) won't be aware of your whereabouts. You might miss the birth of your kids, or be unable to attend family events, birthdays, etc. That's also something you have to consider.

Check out Military.com and SOFREP. Those are two websites that'll give you a ton of wisdom from ex Special Forces, SEALs, MARSOC, etc. They are invaluable resources!

The Lawnmower of Death

During the Persian Gulf War, captured Iraqi soldiers would recount to their interrogators their fear of the "noise". As it turns out, this "noise" was the lawnmower-like whirring of the engine of a RQ-2 Pioneer drone. After the drone passed over, the Iraqi soldiers knew the massive guns of the Iowa-class battleships would send  shells hurtling their way soon after, raining death and destruction from afar. 

In one case, the Iraqis actually surrendered (no kidding!) to an RQ-2 drone. That drone is now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Check it out, sometime!

http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A20000794000

The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday

I'm sure a lot of you, by now, have heard of, and seen the trailers for, the movie Act of Valor. It's a movie about the infamous secretive special warfare group, the US Navy SEALs, and their (fictionalized) fight against a drug-smuggler and a Chechen terrorist. Get this, the guys playing the SEALs.... are real-life active SEALs! You get an unparalleled and highly accurate insight into the way the SEALs operate. Here's the thing though, a lot of it, is in fact, extremely watered down. That's not a bad thing, I found the movie to be an instant favorite, not to mention one that drove me to tears! Watered down, as in, the movie is highly accurate, but the true way SEALs operate is kept from public view, for obvious reasons

It is an amazing testament to the sacrifice these special warfare operators make, and the fact that they're always at war in the defense of the United States. Truly amazing. I highly recommend this movie, to all of you! Take a box of tissues, or a handkerchief... you'll definitely shed a tear or two!

Uncommon Valor

Today marks the anniversary of the raising of the flag atop Mt. Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during WWII. Arguably the most famous military photograph to have ever been taken, the second flag-raising's picture encouraged the fighting spirit of the American people and rallied the country in a renewal of efforts to support the fight of the US servicemen overseas.

Six flag raisers, six different people, five Marines and one Corpsman. Three of them died on Iwo Jima, three of them came home and toured the country as part of a war-bonds drive. All six of them had small-town upbringings, strong family values and a rigid adherence to the inherent unwritten code that set each of them as brothers in arms.

• Michael Strank, the toughened sergeant who promised he'd bring each and every one of his squad members home, whether they were alive, in pieces or deceased. 
• Doc John "Jack" Bradley, the quiet Navy Corpsman who, as all other corpsmen serving with the grunts, was considered a fellow Marine. He was awarded the Navy's second-highest honor, the Navy Cross, for his courage under fire in rescuing a fallen comrade. 
• Rene Gagnon, the handsome PFC from New Hampshire who enjoyed the fame that came upon the flag-raisers, but later regretted it towards the final years of his life. 
• Franklin Sousley, the fun-loving PFC from Kentucky, who was always down for a good prank, and loved his little family, and his brother Marines, more than anything.
• Ira Hayes, the Paramarine Corporal from a reservation in Arizona, who could never escape the ghosts of the island he fought on. 
• Harlon Block, the athletic, soft-spoken Corporal who was originally mistaken for another Paramarine, who took part in the first flag-raising.

I highly recommend you read the book, Flags of our Fathers, by James Bradley (his father, Doc Bradley was one of the flag-raisers). It is an amazing read, and gives you an unparalleled insight into the lives of these Marines and Corpsman, their sacrifice, and the demons they faced after the war.