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Fighter Pilot Music!

What do you get when you give two F-16 pilots a guitar and a recording studio? Raunchy, mega-awesome fighter-pilot music!

Check out Dos Gringos on Youtube! They have a new album coming out this month.

Dos Gringos

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