M2

Today in 1953, the Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9A prototype Sidewinder missile had its first successful fire and kill above China Lake, California, at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (today called the Naval Air Weapons Station—about an hour’s drive north of Edwards AFB). The experimental heat-seeking air-to-air missile was fired by Lieutenant Commander Albert S. Yesensky (USN) from an AD-4 (A-1) Skyraider at a radio-controlled F6F-5K Hellcat “drone.” As the location of the testing and the affiliation of the pilot firing it suggests, this missile was originally developed for the Navy; but it was later adapted by the Air Force for fighter aircraft use and entered the Air Force inventory in 1956. It saw heavy use during the Vietnam War—and its latest versions remain in use today as advanced short-range air-to-air missiles. (Photo: NMUSAF)

80 years ago today, 10 Sep 1944, the C-82 Packet’s prototype made its first flight above the Fairchild plant in Hagerstown, Maryland. Incorporating notable design features that would become the standard for cargo aircraft, such as its tricycle landing gear and high wings and tail (which allowed vehicles to approach it from any angle without fear of a collision), it was the first aircraft designed specifically for cargo transfer during WWII. Indeed, even its name, the “Packet,” harkened to the packet ships that hauled cargo up and down the coasts between seaports. But although it was designed for cargo, it did also see use as a troop transport, and could carry up to 41 paratroopers or 34 medical stretchers. In the photo, from Oct 1944, the aircraft’s clamshell rear doors are opened to show-off how efficient its cargo and vehicle loading operations could be. (Photo: NMUSAF) Note: 223 aircraft were built, and the C-82 was retired from the USAF inventory in 1954. Small numbers were sold to civilian operators in Brazil, Chile, Mexico and the US and were utilized for many years as rugged freight aircraft, capable of carrying bulky items of cargo. The last example was retired in the late 1980s. Static displays: 44-23006 – Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. 45-57814 – Hagerstown Aviation Museum in Hagerstown, Maryland. The aircraft was flown to the airport on 15 October 2006, marking the world's last flight of a C-82. 48-0574 – McChord Air Museum at McChord Field in Tacoma, Washington. 48-0581 – National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio

In 1954, the Air Force purchased the first 29 of its future 700+/- strong KC-135 Stratotanker fleet; and on 9 Sep in 1954, Tinker AFB sent its representatives to an Air Materiel Command phasing group meeting to discuss the anticipated delivery of its initial KC-135As, which would begin arriving in August 1956. These earliest Stratotankers were sometimes called “steam jets” or “water wagons” on account of their heavy takeoff procedures: injecting demineralized water into their engines’ air inlet and diffuser sections. This technique added about 2,000 pounds of takeoff thrust for each engine by increasing air density, but it was incredibly noisy and produced a signature dark “storm cloud” behind the aircraft, as pictured here in this 92nd Bombardment Wing photo of a KC-135A’s “wet takeoff.” (Photo: USAF)

I get regurgitating the doctrinal brainwashing everyone gets in PME, but the truth is there is nothing agile "agile" in the USAF's ability to "outpace adversary action through movement and maneuver to achieve commander’s intent." And the ACE concept is not as strategic as you think, its goals are fairly operational and in some cases even tactical in nature... "When applied correctly, ACE complicates the enemy’s targeting process, creates political and operational dilemmas for the enemy, and creates flexibility for friendly forces. To effectively accomplish joint force commander objectives, ACE requires reexamining a wide variety of enabling systems, to include: command and control (C2), logistics under attack, counter-small unmanned aircraft systems, air and missile defense, and offensive and defensive space and cyber capabilities" For the most part the Air Force has always been more reactive than proactive, and I don't expect that to change in the future no matter how many think tank reports it adopts. Creating buzzwords (e.g., MCA) and renaming units to "sound more expeditionary" is lipstick on a pig, until Big Blue truly works through the problem and invests in its ability to move quickly and effectively to counter a threat, the results will remain the same (i.e., predictive)...

Locally known as "Edgars" who typically hang out at the Ingram Park Mall off Marbach Road! Usually seen driving hoopty Honda Civics, Dodge Neons or clapped out Lexus with obnoxiously loud fart cans and cut springs which make the car bounce like a kangaroo whenever it hits one of the endless potholes that adorn our great city! Luckily, you can hear the stereo bass rattling the windows and vibrating every body panel loose from over a mile away! I suspect these types were the culprits!

Just learned Cruiser graduated from UF eight months before I arrived! I was late getting there due to a necessary enlistment in the USAF, otherwise we would have graduated and commissioned at the same time...

Seemed like the most appropriate place to post this... Accidental shooting at child’s birthday party leads to two arrests in JBSA-Lackland shootings https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/09/04/arrests-made-in-connection-with-shootings-near-jbsa-lackland-in-august/ SAN ANTONO – An accidental shooting at a child’s birthday party led to the arrests of two teenagers in connection with a pair of shootings near the gates of JBSA-Lackland in August. Joseph Jimenez, 19, and Ricardo Samaniego,18, were arrested on deadly conduct with a firearm charge, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said at a news conference Wednesday at Public Safety Headquarters. Salazar said that on the evening of Aug. 17, several people were playing with a gun at a party in the 1500 block of Marbach Oaks that Jimenez and Samaniego attended. At some point the gun went off, wounding Samaniego, who was holding a baby. Evidence at the scene of the party matched those found at the scene of the shootings at the military installation, Salazar said. “We were able to positively link a shell casing from that shooting to a hit on the case that SAPD is now handling for their shooting at JBSA,” Salazar said. Jimenez and another teen fled the scene with the gun, which had an illegal switch that converts the firearm from a semiautomatic to an automatic weapon. Salazar said the gun is what Jimenez used to fire “negligently” at a field near JBSA-Lackland. “Video evidence was found indicating Jimenez and Samaniego acted together to drive the stolen car around and fire multiple rounds into the direction of multiple houses in a field by JBSA,” McManus said. Jimenez later admitted to the shooting and faces three counts of deadly conduct with a firearm. Samaniego faces two counts of the same charge, which is a third-degree felony that is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Federal charges are also possible due to the illegal switch found on the gun officials said was used in the shooting. In addition to SAPD and BCSO, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the FBI and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

THREAD REVIVAL! If the Marines can figure this out, then it should be easy for the USAF to do the same...

E-9 Mafia. The irony is she has a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Security and Digital Management. https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/Leaders/Biography/Article/3152697/cmdcs-swexwiwaw-grisel-marrero/

80 years ago today, on 5 Sep 1944, Lt William H. Allen became an “ace” in one day when he shot down five enemy aircraft in just a handful of minutes. Flying a P-51 Mustang (like the one pictured here) named “Pretty Patty II,” Lt Allen and his flight of P-51s (all from the Eighth Air Force’s 55th Fighter Group, whose emblem is also pictured here) attacked a Nazi airfield north of Göppingen, Germany. As the German airplanes took off one after the other, trying to get airborne, he shot down his five targets. Together with the other members of his flight, they took out 16 enemy aircraft in total. Between 3 and 11 September 1944, the 55th Fighter Group took down a total of 106 enemy aircraft, which earned them a Distinguished Unit Citation. The 55th’s heritage was inherited by the 55th Operations Group, today at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. (Photos: USAF; NMUSAF)

40 years ago today, 4 Sep 1984, Rockwell International revealed the first production B-1B Lancer (tail number 82-0001) to the public. About 1,500 people attended the rollout (pictured here), where they heard a message from President Reagan, and then listened to a speech from Rockwell Chairman Robert Anderson. The celebratory occasion was somewhat darkened by the crash of one of the B-1’s prototypes a little over a week before, on 29 Aug 1984, which killed Rockwell test pilot T.D. (Doug) Benefield and prompted the Air Force to ground the last flying B-1 prototype. This first production aircraft (82-0001) would eventually get scrapped in the mid-1990s at Ellsworth AFB in compliance with the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). B-1Bs still fly today as long-range, multi-mission bombers for the U.S. Air Force. (Photo: USAF)

And someone is going to ID this guy (he deleted his X account after yesterday's loss) and hold him to his word!!

This does ease my pain and suffering a bit...

Twenty-five years ago today, on 3 Sep 1999 Capt Julie Hudson of the Maryland Air National Guard completed her final mission check ride to qualify as the Air National Guard’s first fully combat ready female A-10 pilot. She’s pictured here standing in front of an A-10 Thunderbolt II in the Maryland National Guard’s 1999 Annual Report. Prior to her training in the A-10, Capt Hudson flew the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, and in her civilian life, she was a commercial pilot for Northwest Airlines. The A-10 itself is a close air support attack plane, nicknamed the “Warthog,” that make an iconic “BRRRT” sound when firing its 30mm GAU-8/A cannon (seen sticking out of the front of the A-10 behind Capt Hudson), which can fire 3,900 water-bottle-sized rounds per minute. (Photo: Maryland National Guard)

Wasn't found for four days?!? Arizona office worker found dead in a cubicle 4 days after last scanning in

Gents, just a reminder, Oktoberfest starts Saturday, 21 Sep and runs through Sunday, 6 Oct 6! Y'all know what that means!!

Bail granted. And note the charge is 'manslaughter with a firearm.' https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/roger-fortson-airman-shot/2024/08/29/id/1178422/

Show me where I focused on the term 'intentional?' I was highlighting the "premeditated" part of the Penal Code, which this wasn't. There is no way he will be charged with murder except, of course, if it's politically motivated.

https://www.wsj.com/world/ukrainian-f-16-is-destroyed-in-crash-4f6d66f6

Nope, cops are trained to shoot that way. It's intended to stop a threat, not kill. The fact he shot him multiple times will not be a factor nor does it make this premeditated in any manner. What it comes down to is the deputy overreacted to the site of the handgun. I have had several LEO buds defend what he did, but the video clearly shows there wasn't justification to shoot him as having a weapon in your hand does not automatically make a person a threat. However, let's be clear and the terms and what they actually mean in the State of Florida Penal Code... Homicide is a blanket term that describes any event in which one person causes another person’s death. Anytime someone is killed by the action of another person, it is deemed a homicide. Murder is defined as an act of intent, which means that an intentional act was carried out, and someone died as a result. Murder is the intentional and unlawful killing of another person. In the courtroom, establishing a charge of murder requires proof that premeditated planning took place (first-degree murder) or an act in the heat of the moment urged a person to intentionally kill another person (second-degree murder). Florida law differentiates two types of murder: first-degree murder and second-degree murder. First-degree murder is premeditated and occurs when the intentional act of killing another person takes place. It is also used to describe murder that occurred in conjunction with certain other felonies, such as kidnapping or robbery. In Florida, first-degree murder is punishable by life in prison and may even elicit the death penalty in some cases. Second-degree murder is not premeditated or planned out in advance, but it still involves the intentional killing of another person. It occurs when one person causes the death of another person in the heat of the moment but intentionally. This can happen within a fight or argument that just happens to escalate so far that it leads one person to make an intentional decision to kill the other person. It was not premeditated, but it was intentional, nonetheless. Second-degree murder in Florida can get you a sentence of life in prison. Manslaughter is the unintentional killing of someone else. It involves the unlawful killing of another person without premeditated intentions and/or an intent to kill. If someone means to harm someone else and happens to inadvertently kill them instead, it is manslaughter. A conviction of manslaughter does not require the prosecution to prove that there was an intent to kill or an intentional cause of harm. Instead, it must simply prove that the defendant killed the other person. Manslaughter is also divided into two categories: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when someone unintentionally kills another while they are committing another felony. It can also arise within a fight or argument, like second-degree murder. However, there is no intentional act of killing when manslaughter occurs. There may be an intention to harm but not to kill. Florida voluntary manslaughter charges will garner a maximum of 15 to 30 years in prison for anyone convicted of these charges. Involuntary manslaughter, on the other hand, involves someone killing another person unintentionally, not while committing another felony, but due to their own negligence, recklessness, or lack of responsible behavior. Involuntary manslaughter can carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison in Florida. This was involuntary manslaughter, it doesn't meet the burden of proof for second-degree murder.

Deputy Denied Bail

WTF is that on the left?!? https://fox11online.com/news/local/parents-activists-clash-over-new-title-ix-rules-at-wisconsin-school-board-meeting-oshkosh-area-board-of-education-lgbt-gender-identity-transgender-education-crisis-in-the-classroom