Those Fancy Jet Airplanes Really Do Work!

FYI!

I made it back to the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!

What a reception at the DFW airport this AM...the YouTube video from the ABC report on the DFW welcome committee doesn't do justice to what goes on there. From the fire truck water cannon arch to the entire terminal clapping and cheering our arrival to the running of the gauntlet to get our bags...it was beyond description...and by the end I couldn't see it anyway. God bless all those wonderful people, and God bless Texas!

I'm Outta' Here

I'm going to be off line for a few days...

In the meantime amuse yourself with this stuff.


If you're in the Waco, TX area I might see you HERE...even if I don't see you you'll enjoy the food.

Here's Crista Nicole for all you fans of Girl Friday...


Later!

Girl Friday, 16 MAR 07

This week's Girl Friday is Shannon Stewart. Enjoy your weekend! If you are going to the Gathering of Eagles be careful and don't do anything I wouldn't do (this means you Skye!).

Be safe out there.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

TR Tuesday, 13 MAR 07 er sorry... Wedensday 14 MAR 07

Here is the Teddy Roosevelt quote of the week...

We believe in all our heartsin democracy; in the capacity of the people to govern themselves; and we are bound to succeed, for our success means not only our own triumph, but the triumph of the cause of the rights of the people throughout the world, and the uplifting of the banner of hope for all the nations of mankind.
- Saratoga, New York
September 27, 1910

A Gathering of Eagles

From Skye, over at MidnightBlue comes a reminder of an event that those who are able to attend won't ever forget.

If you're in the area get on over there...those of us over here appreciate your support believe me.

Captain America Dead?

Naw...they just quit drawing him.

This is a bit from an article that has been out for a while now...so sorry if I'm treading over old ground. I've seen this on a few blogs out there already so I apologize for the lack of H/T there were so many.

This came from the TELEGRAPH out of the UK...

Captain America killed when US needs him
By Tom Leonard in New York
Last Updated: 1:56am GMT 10/03/2007



The death of a comic book superhero created during the Second World War has prompted an intense debate in the US over the decline in traditional American values.


An estimated 210 million Captain America comics have been sold in 75 countries
Marvel Comics' decision to have a New York sniper polish off ultra-patriotic Captain America in the latest issue of his comic has not only horrified his fans but provoked questions about the continued relevance of his commitment to "truth, justice and the American way".

At a time of growing skepticism among Americans about the morality of their country's foreign policy, the decision to kill off the nation's comic book embodiment has been widely interpreted as being heavily laden with political symbolism.

"It's a hell of a time for him to go. We really need him now," said Joe Simon, 93, the writer who came up with the hooded, masked and shield-carrying character as a way of bolstering American patriotism during the Second World War...

CPT America as seen on an Army helicopter in Iraq...today.

It seems some people still know and appreciate what Captain America represented...we can't help it if the people responsible for drawing him don't get it. I imagine that some day he will be brought back...re-invented made more sensitive and new agey...and they will suck the marrow out of what that character stood for, because if you don't get it now, you probably never will...and that my friends is the really sad thing about this.

America F#@K YEAH!

WARNING!

Matt Stone and Trey Parker have serious potty mouths...watch this viedo at your own risk...I warned you.



H/T to The Jawa Report who has a story about CF taking out the trash in Iraq...F#@K YEAH!

Girl Friday, 9 MAR 07

To welcome this weekend, Guidons X3 presents the lovely Carmella DeCesare.

Enjoy your freedom!

Silver Stars Awarded at Ft Campbell

Via Military.com

Fort Campbell GIs Earn Silver Stars
Army News Service February 28, 2007
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Just more than 200 Silver Stars have been awarded for Operation Iraqi Freedom since it began in 2003, and three of them now belong to Soldiers from one Fort Campbell platoon.

The 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, returned in November from the streets of Ramadi, Iraq, with stories of heroism. When a barrage of small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades pierced the night silence on March 13, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilzcek, Spc. Jose Alvarez and Spc. Gregory Pushkin discovered how they would react in an intense, deadly situation.

"I immediately freaked out," said Alvarez, who was able to regain his composure upon seeing his comrade, Staff Sgt. Marco Silva, incapacitated in the middle of the street.

Alvarez left cover and ran into the kill zone. He covered his buddy's body with his own and returned fire on the enemy. "I snatched him up and started dragging him away," Alvarez said.

While Alvarez dragged Silva to the safety of cover, two pieces of shrapnel plunged into his leg. "I was pretty laid out," he said...

..."All three men risked their lives numerous times to come to the aid of their comrades," said Lt. Col. Ron Clark, 1st Bn., 506th Inf. Reg., commander.

Schloesser also awarded 14 Bronze Stars with Valor to other unit members during the same ceremony. In all, nearly 200 awards were given to the Band of Brothers Soldiers, including 87 Purple Hearts and 91 Army Commendation Medals with Valor.

(Pfc. Paul David Ondik writes for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 505th Infantry Regiment.)

For the whole story go HERE

Way to go TF BOB!

Six Million Dollars Doesn't Go As Far As It Used To

Who The Hell Needs BSG?

When you can watch re-runs of this awesome TV show...





Now that's entertainment!
H/T Ace of Spades

The Last Flight of a Hero

I know many people read BLACKFIVE...so I apologize if you've already seen this. I found this article so moving that I had to post the link.

For some reason my allergies are acting up...I guess its the dust in the air.

Jared Landaker was born in Madeira, California, in 1981. Jared's birth was something of a miracle and he developed into a strong and smart young man. Jared was studying physics as a college student on September 11, 2001. The events that day caused Jared to finish his Physics degree and head to Quantico, Virginia, to become a Marine Officer.

He received orders for flight school, went to P-cola and graduated in the top of his class. Jared wanted to be a CH-46 pilot.

Soon Landaker was in Iraq. He wrote his family and told them that he had the best job in the world - transporting wounded Marines. The 25 year old First Lieutenant was piloting a CH-46, transporting a wounded Marine, on February 7th, when they were hit by a surface to air missile. The crew chief communicated that the fuselage was on fire. The bird then listed to one side, spun around and around, and then crashed to the ground exploding in flames. All Marines on board were killed.

But that wasn't Lieutenant Landaker's last flight.

READ THE REST HERE

I Am So Ashamed

What a horrible Texan I am...

Yesterday was the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo...

A painting of the Alamo as it appeared in 1836...swiped from the website of artist George Nelson...go buy his stuff...now dammit!

... a small force, about 100 men,.. defend(ed) the Alamo and Bexar. . Cols. Travis and Bowie brought small reinforcements and stayed at the Mission despite orders by Sam Houston to remove all supplies, destroy the Fort, and retreat eastward. On Feb. 23, advancing elements of the Mexican army arrived and for the next 13 days, the Fort was besieged. At dawn, March 6, the Mexican army stormed the Fort and the defenders were killed. The Mexican Army lost over 300 men; more than 200 were wounded. The exact number of dead on both sides is unclear because of conflicting records. Traditional Anglo figures suggest around 189 were killed; Mexican sources state about 252-257. Women, children, and slaves were spared

May the ghosts of Sam Houston, David Crockett and William Travis forgive me for letting this and Texas Independence Day slip by with nary a mention...the shame of it all.

Here's to you WINGMAN...

...No not really MY wingman, but a figurative wingman in CONUS (the CONtinental United States to you non-military types...although this ode could include Alaska and Hawaii) that actually has a life and can meet single women and interact socially.

Not my wingman, who might save my life by pointing out someone shooting at me or power lines or a flock of birds that I'm about to hit...no song for you...well, there is a song for you, it's called The Legend of Shaved Dog's Ass...but that is neither here nor there right now.

Here's to you wingman...
H/T Innocent Bystanders

Girl Friday, 2 March 2007

Lani Todd returns as the "Girl Friday" for the first weekend of March 2007. Watch out for all the bad weather back home...WTF!

Riding old bicycles in the nude...I'm not so sure about that one...but I guess it's good work if you can get it.

Enjoy your weekend!

Apache Photo Friday

Since I don't have a whole bunch of shots from assignments in my college photography class left over to present a collection of pretty, esoteric stuff, and it was requested by a comrade in arms and photographer, I present a selection of photos (3!) I took during my last extended vacation in the sandbox.

I hope you like them!

A AH-64D RETURNS TO CAMP TAJI AT SUNRISE, FALL 2004

A '64 OVER THE CITY AT DAWN

FLYING OVER BAGHDAD AT SUNSET

I will try and post more from time to time as my schedule permits...I hope you enjoyed these shots.