waveshaper

Tidbit; General Mattis will be our first Secretary of Defense "ever" that's single. General Mattis A.K.A. "The Warrior Monk" is a life-long bachelor, who has never been married and has no children. My recommendation; The first order of business for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on day one, should be to get this dude hooked up/laid.

Maybe he will run for President in 4 years. I can see the slogans/Tshirts now "Mad Dog 2020". Question; Does anyone know the real story about this particular incident that happened at the Rhino LZ (2001/Afghanistan)? Did the USAF bail out General Mattis/USMC by taking the initiative and rescuing the wounded SF troops? https://m.reddit.com/r/Military/comments/24spkh/mattis_veterans_are_not_victims/

The rest of the story; Yep, the top dog (Nixon) received a pardon but this act of clemency didn't flow down the chain of command. In typical fashion, most of the Watergate co-conspirators/worker bees were hung out to dry without any hope of a pardon. The Watergate 7 (none received a pardon); four of the seven were convicted, fined, and did jail time. One had charges dropped prior to trial, one had his conviction overturned on appeal, and one was acquitted at trial. Here's a few more that didn't receive a pardon for their Watergate involvement; These three were convicted and did jail time; Jeb Magruder, Dwight Chapin, and Ed Reinecke. Note; If history repeats itself then Hillary's staff may meet the same end.

Yep, I did a wee bit of profit taking on Fridays close.

I'm all for trading these libs, that want to abandon the good ole USA, for some hard working illegal Mexicans and well vetted "Christian" Syrian refugees.

Must be a new trend. This is from my local AO/we even had a couple schools placed in lockdown. Clown sightings cause scare in Pensacola; https://weartv.com/news/local/clown-sightings-cause-scare-in-pensacola This covers what the local, good ol' boys, think of these clowns. https://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/f22/pensacola-clowns-752657/index2/

No Clowns Found on Fort Campbell: Official; Excerpt; A clown warning was issued via Twitter on Sept. 24 by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland. The tweet warned residents to "watch for clowns in your area". They could be child predators seeking kids. Social media reports of clowns terrorizing children on Fort Campbell, are false, a base official said Thursday. "The MPs responded, as they always do, and found no evidence of clowns anywhere," said Robert Jenkins, a Fort Campbell spokesman. "We've had people say they've seen them. There has been no evidence of a clown invasion of Fort Campbell." Reports of clown sightings on the installation began appearing on Facebook pages around Sept. 22. One woman reported a clown jumped over a fence and started pushing her child on a swing. Another said she saw a clown wandering outside her house. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/09/29/no-clowns-found-on-fort-campbell-official.html

Operation Euphrates Shield is now well underway; Turkish/NATO backed FSA forces versus US/NATO backed SDF/YPG Kurdish forces. I'm still not sure how to characterize this particular piece of the on going conflict in Syria/NATO versus NATO proxy war or something else? The SDF/YPG just released the video of a Turkish Tank being destroyed yesterday, in northern Syria (1 KIA/2 WIA). After watching the video I'm surprised that the entire crew wasn't killed. It has been reported that Russian-made Kornet anti-tank missiles were used (9M133 or NATO designation AT-14). These missiles (HEAT/tandem warhead) can penetrate 40 plus inches of armor (up to 52 inches depending on model). The first missile in the video that hits the building looks like a dud since only the small forward tandem, reactive armor defeating, warhead appears to function.

The U.S. policy on "Special Weapons" is we will not confirm nor deny their presence or absence. That being said, it might be wise to do a semi normal PNAF mission now versus waiting for things to spiral totally out of control and "attempting" a ENAO mission.

At least the Turks haven't cut our fuel supply "yet". Example; DLA-owned fuel stored throughout the Western/Eastern Turkish NATO Pipeline System (TNPS), Yumurtalik Pipeline, and 5 Turkish COCO facilities. These are 2006 quantities/fees charged; I'm sure they have changed since 2006. E.1.1. Storage. $1.12 U.S. dollars per barrel per year for 500,000 barrels (79.500 m3). E.1.2. Transportation. Transportation of up to 2,700,000 barrels (429,300 m3) of F34 annually from point of entry to delivery points specified in Annex D for the following costs: E.1.2.1. Into Incirlik Air Base by pipeline from Adana NATO—$0.36 U.S. dollars per barrel E.1.2.2. Into Tank Truck at the following locations: E.1.2.2.1. Adana COCO—$3.00 U.S. dollars per barrel E. 1.2.2.2. Elazig COCO—$5.01 U.S. dollars per barrel E.1.2.2.3. Diyarbakir—$5.38 U.S. dollars per barrel E.1.2.2.4. Batman—$7.12 U.S. dollars per barrel E.2. Antalya. In case the fuel is off-loaded at Antalya Sea Terminal, public transportation fee shall be charged separately. DESC shall be responsible for funding costs to transport F34 from Antalya to Mersin if MOD-ANT has no product in the Eastern TNPS to

Hero one day and facing Impalement the next. Turkey arrests pilots who shot down Russian bomber; Excerpt; Two Turkish military pilots who shot down a Russian Su-24M bomber over Syria have been arrested in connection with the failed coup last week, the country's justice minister said Tuesday. The day after the coup attempt, the mayor of Ankara, Melin Gokcek, said on CNN Turk the pilots were involved in the uprising. Specifically, he said one of the pilots belonged to a secret "parallel state" organization allegedly headed by cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in self-exile in the United States. Gokcek told CNN Turk that "our relations with Russia have been spoiled by these villains." https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/07/19/Turkey-arrests-pilots-who-shot-down-Russian-bomber-linked-to-failed-coup/6671468942405/?spt=sec&or=tn Fourteen Turkish warships are still unaccounted for, their commanders suspected to be among the plotters who sought to overthrow President Erdogan; Excerpt; The 14 missing ships were reportedly on active duty in either the Aegean or the Black Sea and have not tried to make contact with naval headquarters or report back to the port. The commander of the Turkish navy, Admiral Veysel Kosele, has not been heard from since Friday. Many suspect the warships may be heading to Greek ports. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/rogue-turkish-warships-missing-since-coup/

Exhibit A; Table 1-1 of the pending AFI-69-96 "Transgender Equal Opportunity (TEO), Personal Space Violations (PSV), and Transgender Assault Prevention and Response (TAPR)". AFI-69-96 Table 1-2; https://candiussellcorner.blogspot.com/2012/09/gendered-language-sevan.html

This may help, the new AFI on this subject will probably look something like this; https://dailycaller.com/2016/06/27/d-c-will-fine-you-for-calling-a-transgender-person-the-wrong-pronouns/ Excerpt; Employers and employees in Washington D.C. are legally prohibited from referring to a transgender employee or coworker by the “wrong” pronouns or asking “personal questions” about their gender identity, according to the city’s Office of Human Rights (OHR). OHR published a best practices guide for “valuing transgender applicants and employees” earlier this month with a list of “behaviors by supervisors or coworkers [that] may be considered unlawful harassment or a hostile work environment.” One of the listed prohibited behaviors is: “Deliberately misusing a person’s preferred name or pronoun.” “Asking personal questions about an individual’s body, gender identity or expression or transition” and “Posting offensive pictures or sending offensive communications” are also among the prohibited behaviors. The guide states, “The District uses the probable cause standard in determining whether the above constitute harassment or a hostile work environment.” Stephanie Franklin, OHR’s interim director of policy and communications, confirmed in an email that “Any workplace environment in DC—private businesses included— in which supervisors or co-workers deliberately misuse a person’s preferred name or pronoun may be considered unlawful harassment and/or a hostile work environment according to DC law.” The “best practices” guide featues a chart on “gender and gender-neutral pronouns” that includes the gender-neutral pronoun “ze.” The chart includes example phrases using the gender-neutral pronoun, such as “Ze smiled,” “I met zir,” “Zir bike” and “Ze is zirself.” “Regardless of the legal name and gender, employers should use an employee’s desired name and pronouns when communicating with them, and when talking about them to third parties,” the guide states. The guide says, “The employer must ensure employees respect and use a transgender employee’s preferred names and pronouns, as repeated failure to do so can be considered harassment, and can cause severe distress to a transgender employee.” “When an employee transitions in the workplace, the employee and their supervisor should discuss how the employee wants to transition the use of their name and pronouns,” the guide later states. “This can include establishing a date the employee wants to start using their new name in the workplace, which allows the employer to complete the tasks necessary to ensure the preferred name is reflected on outward facing documents.” The guide also make clear that employees should be allowed to use the bathroom in which they’re most comfortable . “Transgender employees should at all times be able to use the restroom and other gender-segregated facilities (such as locker rooms) that they are most comfortable with,” the guide states. According to OHR’s annual report, all discrimination complaints must go through a mandatory mediation process, with an OHR employee serving as the mediator, in an attempt to reach a settlement. In the 2015 fiscal year, 307 discrimination complaints (including race, gender and disability complaints) ended in settlements via the mediation process. In 2015, the annual report states, “more than $3.69 million was awarded in settlements during successful mediations, a 74 percent increase over [the 2014 fiscal year].” That averages out to more than $12,000 per settlement. Accused parties that don’t settle discrimination complaints through the mediation process typically end up paying more than those who agree to a settlement. Discrimination complaints that aren’t settled via the mediation process are decided by the city’s Commission on Human Rights, which is described by the city as “a quasi-independent body.” The annual report states that the commission resolved 13 discrimination complaints by decision or order in the 2015 fiscal year. The commission assessed $594,000 in penalties, averaging more than $45,000 in penalties per decision. Franklin listed a litany of legal penalties for businesses who allow workplace harassment and/or a hostile work environment, including: compensatory damages, attorney’s fees and civil penalties, among others. According to non-profit organization Workplace Fairness, D.C.’s anti-discrimination protections are “broader than federal law because you may prove your case by showing that your employer acted wholly or partially for discriminatory reasons, and because you can bring an individual claim against your supervisor for ‘aiding and abetting’ discrimination.”

I agree with 90% of your previous statement about not laying the blame on the USAF for the mess in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, the rest of the Middle East, Sub Saharan Africa, etc. I may even use some of your statements (quotes) to defend the honor of the USAF against mostly ill informed ground pounders and squids on another forum. Here's a few more USAF big-shots (active duty/retired) that helped shape the lasts 15 years of this endless series of conflicts. These guys were all part of the Presidents inner circle and statutory members of the Presidents National Security Council. - USAF General Michael Hayden (retired from the USAF on July 1, 2008); Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (April 21, 2005 – May 30, 2006). Director of the CIA (May 30, 2006 – February 12, 2009). Note; the CIA is no longer a statutory member (the CIA Director/Deputy Director only attends these council meetings when specifically invited). The CIA seat is now filled by the Director/Deputy Director of National Intelligence. - USAF Lieutenant General James R. Clapper (retired from the USAF in 1995); Director of National Intelligence (August 5, 2010 – present).

This USAF senior leadership stuff is way out of my lane but I seem to remember "off the top of my head" one USAF General that had a wee bit of influence (four years worth) of setting the stage for this quagmire. This guy (short excerpt from wiki); General Myers became the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs on October 1, 2001. In this capacity, he served as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council during the earliest stages of the War on Terror, including planning and execution of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On September 30, 2005, he retired.

US Troops, Philippine Police in Bar Brawl Face Sanctions; Bars/Booze/Babes (LBFM's)/Brawls. This incident brings a tear to my eye, dang I really miss that place. Note; The fight (minor scuffle) starts a 6:50. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/04/13/us-troops-philippine-police-in-bar-brawl-face-sanctions.html

A sure sign that we're finally starting to win in Afghanistan and this release is just in time for the kickoff of the 2016 fighting season. https://www.onenewspage.com/video/20160407/4209158/Sesame-Street-Newest-Cast-Member-Is-An.htm https://www.reuters.com/article/us-television-sesamestreet-afghan-idUSKCN0X40FN

What are the chances? This isn't the first time the 342nd leadership has been attacked by a crazy/rogue airman. The last time it was a package bomb (IED) that detonated in the First Sergeants office just down the hall from the Commanders office. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Mail+from+hell%3A+a+package+bomb+cost+Janet+McWilliams+her+hands.+But...-a0115635011 Excerpt; Sergeant McWilliams described the explosion as surreal, as if it happened in slow motion. "I saw my left hand fly off; I saw the fingers from my right hand fly off," she said, recalling the terrifying scene in detail. "I fell hard to the floor and immediately felt sick." Her hands weren't the only things injured. The explosion filleted her torso. Her lungs suffered damage as she inhaled flash burns. A piece of shrapnel bounced like a pinball inside her right eye. The blast blew both of her eardrums out. And powder burns covered her body. As a matter of fact, her body still smoldered when Chief Master Sgt. John Wharton, who had the office next to hers, ran into her office and found her lying there, clinging to life. Chief Wharton picked her up and carried her out. The entire building had to be evacuated, as no one was sure if there were other bombs present. "By all rights, I should be dead," she said. That's where, perhaps, her luck changed. For her new training squadron also was home to pararescue trainees and instructors--PJs--who are experts in sustaining the lives of war wounded. They began providing first aid.

Moro Rebellion (1899–1913); US Military versus Moro Islamic insurgents. Get that pig skin; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJYqoHwzGDM&feature=player_embedded

Saudi launches 'largest' military exercises in history of region; Operation/Exercise “North Thunder”. It's also being reported that Saudi has dispatched one Squadron of F-16's to Incirlik AB? Excerpt; Twenty-one nations are taking part in the month-long drills dubbed “North Thunder”, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, although details of the exercises have not been made public. Among the nations taking part in the drills are neighbors UAE, Jordan and Bahrain, as well as smaller countries including the Comoros Islands, Djibouti and Mauritius. Air defense drills were scheduled in advance, but come just two days after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that Saudi jets would be based at Turkey's air base of Incirlik in Adana province to fight Islamic State (IS) militants. He also said that Turkey and Saudi could even launch a ground operation in Syria against IS, while emphasising no decision had been taken. The drills for 'North Thunder' are taking place in King Khalid Military City in the kingdom’s Northern Province. They will finish on 10 March. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-launches-largest-military-exercises-history-region-53598091

Vanguard just got into the Brokerage account business last year and I've been satisfied with their services/fees/expense ratios, etc. I've made 12 trades (buys in the last 45 days/purchased both Vanguard ETFs and Vanguard Mutual funds) at "zero" cost per trade. Vanguard Brokerage Services® commission and fee schedules; Caution; Read the fine print/notes. Fees increase for stocks/non-Vanguard ETFs/outside funds. https://personal.vanguard.com/us/whatweoffer/stocksbondscds/feescommissions

Things haven't changed much since the late 50's. Where would the Air Force get the positions from if they ever go back to the WO program? Historical USAF WO document (long); The In-Betweeners. https://warrantofficerhistory.org/PDF/AFA_1191tween.pdf Excerpt; In 1958, Congress created two new enlisted grades, E-8 and E-9. The rationale was that enlisted members were reaching the top NCO grades midway in their careers and had no place to go from there. The services did not want to use officer authorizations to make more warrant appointments, so the solution seemed to be to add another tier to the enlisted ranks. In 1959, the year that the Air Force promoted its first master sergeants to E-9, it also announced plans to phase out its warrant officer program. At the time, officials insisted there was no connection between the two moves, but the correlation is hard to ignore. The Air Force admitted that it had decided that warrant officers constituted an unnecessary layer of supervision between the commissioned and noncommissioned ranks. Some years later, officials concluded that the new senior noncoms were "capable of doing the same jobs as warrant officers." Unlike warrant officers, the new NCOs were charged against enlisted strengths, and the services could afford more of them. The law allowed only three percent of all enlisted members to be in grades E-8 and E-9, but that was more than four times the number of warrant officers the Air Force had at the time. Pentagon Foolishness; The advent of the supergrade NCO was not without its problems. In its first burst of enthusiasm, the Pentagon foolishly passed most of the new slots to major commands to fill as they saw fit. Many went to deserving master sergeants regardless of their specialties or positions. Commands again were using the appointments to reward individuals rather than to fill valid requirements. It took USAF several years to regain control over the supergrade program, define the superintendent slots, and begin to fill them by centralized promotions. Meanwhile, the Air Force had to make use of those several thousand warrant officers who were left in the system. Most were assigned to commissioned officer positions. The service encouraged early retirement and, in some cases, forced attrition.

Erdogan just needs to get on his knees and apologize to Putin before this fiasco spirals totally out of control. Here's an example of the type of apology that's acceptable to Putin, particularly if it involves a Turk.

Just when I thought another layer of stupidity couldn't possibly be added to this CF, then I'm "once again" slapped back to reality. One of many "Escalation" possibilities; I wouldn't be surprised if the Russian's "TRY" to down some Turkish aircraft when they enter Syrian airspace.

Turks down Russian SU-24? Video shows the pilots ejected. Excerpts; Turkish fighter jets shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border on Tuesday after repeated warnings over air space violations, but Moscow said it could prove the jet had not left Syrian air space. Russia's defense ministry said one of its Su-24 fighter jets had been downed in Syria and that, according to preliminary information, the pilots were able to eject. It said the aircraft had been over Syria for the duration of its flight. One of the pilots was in the hands of Turkmen forces in Syria who were looking for the other one, broadcaster CNN Turk reported, citing local sources. Russian military helicopters were also searching for the pilots.https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/24/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKBN0TD0IR20151124#tlRsUHKy7VdzFW8r.97