M2

No, that was on 30 May 1995 when Major Donald Lowry of the 53FS/52FW, was killed when his F-15C (79‑0068) crashed immediately after taking off from Spangdahlem AB in Germany. Investigation showed that during routine maintenance, mechanics had crossed and mis-connected the control rods. Two mechanics were charged with negligent homicide. One took his own life during his military trial. After the amazing revelation that over-zealous prosecution had cost another life, the charges against the other mechanic were dropped (Source) Jackson's story goes like this... On March 9, 1987, Gene "Tornado" Jackson was taking off in F-15A, sn 77-075, when a rudder malfunction caused an uncommanded roll. It is believed one of the Aileron-Rudder Interconnect hydro-mechanical units failed. Reportedly he was told to eject on several occasions, but refused, stating the aircraft was too unstable and every time he released the controls, the aircraft started rolling towards base housing. He fought the aircraft until it was no longer a threat to anyone, but was unable to eject in time to save his own life. Twenty three years later the following was published in the Lufkin Daily News, on November 11, 2010; An unexpected letter reminded a former Lufkin man of the impact his brother's military death made more than 20 years ago. Refusing to eject out of a doomed fighter jet, Air Force Lt. Col. Gene Jackson protected the lives of others on the ground at the price of his own. When Jackie Jackson came home to see a letter addressed to his mother who died 12 years ago, he thought there must be some sort of mistake. It sat untouched for more than a month before Jackson and his father, Joe, of Lufkin, opened it. The letter sent by a man named James Maddox from Palmyra, N.Y., read: Jackie Jackson said he and his father were truly touched by the letter. While they have long since came to terms with Gene's death, they were touched someone would be thoughtful enough to thank the family of someone who gave everything. Gene left behind a wife and three small children... (Source)

Don't forget the 3-4 Pilatus PC-7s involved... I've loaded a larger version of the image for better detail.

No, it's not photochopped, and it's no April Fool's joke either... https://theaviationist.com/2019/03/31/no-its-not-photoshop-this-incredible-photo-from-the-lima-19-airshow-is-real/

Nice Arisaka Type 99! They are not overly uncommon or expensive (you can pick them up for between $300-500 depending on condition. Yours is probably in the $450-500 range), but given the history with your grandfather it's definitely something you want to cherish and pass on to your kids! As nunya said, where you're from doesn't matter as much as where you are. Your IP address shows you in Lexington, Kentucky which, if that is the case, you are golden as that state doesn't have any restrictive laws to owning that rifle. There is no registration or any other kind of nonsense to deal with. As such, display it and don't worry about it. But if by chance you do go back to Illinois or anywhere else, be sure to research the gun laws there. Wikipedia has a decent overview for each state, and links for more info. Try to stay in a free state if you can, while your military status may allow you to possess firearms in some of the more socialist states it will still be a giant pain in the ass (no STS, they will literally breechload you!). By the way, that rifle is considered a Curio or Relic (C&R), i.e. firearms classified by the ATF under 27 CFR §478.11 as special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons; but that deals more with the ability to purchase, own and transfer them under a special license (known as an 03 FFL). Possession doesn't require an 03 FFL. To be exempt from being considered a firearm, it would have to have been produced in or before 1898 (or a replica of such firearms) which then makes it a technically an "antique." If you plan to shoot it (and you should!), and you don't know the last time it has been fired, it would be a good idea to get a gunsmith to check it over before doing so. It is probably safe, but it's always better to be sure. I've taken old Russian Mosin-Nagant bolt action rifles out and placed sandbags over them the first time I fired them, but I wouldn't recommend doing that! Cheers! M2

Please don’t rush to judgment on the Mueller report, people! We need to wait and hear the opinions of Alyssa Milano and Robert De Niro before we can draw a final conclusion! 😂

To quote matmacwc...no shit.

Any military surplus stores near you? Might find some used ones in decent shape there... If not, how soon do you need them? I can check around San Antonio, but it won't be anytime in the next few days... Cheers! M2

No, art deco has been around for a century after replacing art nouveau as a major decorative style after WWI... It represented a machine age aesthetic, replacing flowing, floral motifs with streamlined, geometric designs that expressed the speed, power and scale of modern technology. Design influences were many, from the modern art movements of Cubism, Futurism and Constructivism to ancient geometric design elements from the exotic cultures of Egypt, Assyria and Persia. In poster art, precursors were the German Plakatstil, the Viennese Secession and the Parisian fashion design revolution that began in 1908. The style received its name from the Decorative Arts Exposition of Paris in 1925, which marked the full flowering of Art Deco design. Simplification and abstraction were always it's hallmarks, although the graceful elegance and exoticism of its early days yielded to a more muscular and forceful style in the late 1920s and 1930s. That final phase is often called the "Cassandre Style" after its most famous artist, who enjoyed a one-man show at the Museum of Modern Art in 1936. Cassandre's sleek designs of towering ships and speeding trains are still considered the style's quintessential images.

Almost as bad as this... https://theaviationist.com/2019/03/09/really-bad-african-paratroops-demonstrate-every-jump-ramp-error-in-one-jump/

Examples of their work from their website (https://www.thomastags.com)...

https://airshowstuff.com/v4/2019/did-you-notice-the-burning-piano-in-captain-marvel-heres-the-special-meaning-behind-it-and-its-connection-to-a-real-life-hero/

I you haven't seen Spitfire (available on Amazon Prime Video), you are missing a helluva good documentary! Pure flying porn!

I thought another commander was about to be fired, then I realized this was just a poor attempt at drawing an arrow on the picture!

The cleaning ladies at SHAPE regularly "dropped in" while I was in the middle of a good dump. I figured they knew the risks involved when they signed up for the job...

$62,825 raised by 1,223 people in 10 hours!

An interesting read...

Not directly related, but I do know an AD USN O-3 that is joining the AD USMC as an O-1. I thought he'd keep his rank, as that has been my experience with cross-service transfers in the past; but he explained to get the transfer he would have to be "demoted" as he wouldn't have enough experience as an infantry officer in the Marines commensurate with his current rank...

I sold the Repsol last summer. Just wasn't riding it, and felt it deserved to be ridden. It was tough to hand over the keys, but she's getting the attention she deserves. The Jeep has proven to be an effective replacement in obtaining the thrill of the great outdoors with a slightly less level of risk. Plus, having heat, music, room for three passengers (the family) and most importantly the ability to put the top back up when it rains, and having four wheels on wet roads, is comforting. I'm getting too damn hold to risk pneumonia! I still have a 1991 Honda ST1100 in the garage, it's been in hibernation for many years as well but I hope one day to make a project out of getting it back on the road. That is the bike I bought when I pinned on first lieutenant and rode all over Europe, it would take a lot for me to give up that one! The CBR was a mid-life crisis retirement gift to myself, so it was easier to let go although it's always heartbreaking to get rid of a great bike! Cheers! M2

Yes Ma'am, the madness continues...

One of my favorite quotes...

Speaking of robots, anyone else notice this?