Videos

X-47B

Fast Freddy Posts, Videos

During July 2013 the Navy successfully conducted take-offs and landings from a fairly new nuclear aircraft carrier, the USS George W. Bush, with a new stealth jet called the X-47B.

What is so different about this plane is the fact that it is a ‘drone’.  Yes, it is completely unmanned.  Drones come in all sizes, and the X-47B is likely one of the larger ones.

What is so ironic about all of this is, the fact that the enemy cannot detect a plane like this in the first place.  In the unlikely event they get lucky at shooting one down, there will be no human loss of life or captivity.  As you view the flight deck crew signaling the plane, they are simply signaling the on-board cameras, who in turn are being manned by staff inside the command intelligence center ( CIC ) onboard the ship.

Also check out the short distance this plane needs for a takeoff.  Impressive indeed.

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Thanks to JS for the link. Hoorah

America’s Bald Eagle

Fast Freddy Posts, Videos

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING AND WORTH YOUR FEW MINUTES TO VIEW….

CHECK OUT THE Bald Eagle video below …

‘Challenger’ is his name (in honor of the lost space shuttle crew) & is cared for by the non-profit American Eagle Foundation (AEF).

He’s a ‘human-socialized’ bird accidentally raised by the people who rescued Him – after being blown from a wild Louisiana nest in a storm as a baby in the late 1980’s.  Declared ‘non-releasable’ by federal and state wildlife Authorities, he was trained by the AEF to perform educational free-flight demonstrations at high profile public events.

He’s the first Bald Eagle in U.S. History that learned to free-fly into Stadiums, arenas and ballrooms during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. The celebrity eagle has appeared at numerous major sporting events like the World Series, Pro-Bowl, All-Star game, BCS National Championship, Fiesta Bowl, Men’s Final Four, etc.

This eagle named Challenger has also flown before 4 U.S. Presidents!

Thanks to RE for the link. HooRah

Pilot Down

Fred Childs Posts, Videos

This to me is what makes American’s so great — it makes me proud to have served with men in the armed forces like these — I wish all our leaders were men of value like those LEADERS in the military.

This is a compelling story of leadership, and of loyalty to military comrades. That feeling you will have while listening is a stirring of patriotism and pride. When you watch this, it will make the lack of action at Benghazi look even more pathetic.

Thanks to Charlie for the link. HooRah

Walking Point: Vietnam Scout Dogs

Sniper Ghost Posts, Videos ,

“Walking Point” is a proposed one-hour documentary that tells the emotional story of six Vietnam War veterans as they relive their dramatic and dangerous tour of duty leading infantry troops on special missions. 

Over 4000 dogs served in the Vietnam War — the largest concentrated effort toward the use of canine teams in U.S. combat history. These highly trained German Shepherds served as the eyes and ears of the infantry. The scout dogs and their handlers had one of the most dangerous jobs in Vietnam. They walked point — ahead of infantry troops. Their job was to detect dangers such as trip wires, mines, snipers and enemy troops.

Nearly 40 years after the Vietnam War, six veterans who served in the 42nd Infantry Platoon Scout Dog with the 101st Airborne Division have reunited to talk about their experiences and the extraordinary bonds held with their K9s — some of them are sharing these stories for the first time.

Arlington Flyover

Sniper Ghost Posts, Videos

Two Air Force Pilots, Major Howard V. Andre Jr. and Major James E. Sizemore, were recently buried at Arlington National Cemetery and were honored with a flyover by civilian pilots. The Air Force pilots were Killed In Action over Laos during the Vietnam War and their remains were only recently discovered and returned for proper burial at Arlington. This Flight of Honor was truly awesome for the other pilots to plan and conduct it.

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NOTE: Due to military budget cuts. the Air Force no longer does flyovers

Thanks to JS for the link. Hoorah

Silence

Fred Childs Posts, Videos

About six miles from Maastricht in the Netherlands lie buried 8,301 American soldiers who died in “Operation Market Garden” in the battles to liberate Holland in the fall and winter of 1944-5.

Every one of the men buried in the cemetery, as well as those in the Canadian and British military cemeteries has been adopted by a Dutch family who mind the grave, decorate, and keep alive the memory of the soldier they have adopted. It is even the custom to keep a portrait of “their” American soldier in a place of honor in their home.

Annually on “Liberation Day” Memorial Services are held for “the men who died to liberate Holland.” The day concludes with a concert. The final piece is always  “Il Silenzio”, a memorial piece commissioned by the Dutch and first played in 1965 on the 20th anniversary of Holland’s liberation. It has been the concluding piece of the memorial concert ever since,

This year the soloist was a 13 year old Dutch girl, Melissa Venema, backed by Andre Rieu and his orchestra (the Royal Orchestra of the Netherlands). This beautiful concert piece is based upon the original version of taps and was composed by Italian composer Nino Rossi.

Beautiful and moving.

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Thanks to Ron for the link – hoorah