waveshaper

My best friends son works on the deep water oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Yesterday they received a "warning order" from corporate HQ; Prepare to be laid-off. One more thing; it sucks to be Russia right now and that's a good thing.

Iranian F4 conducting airstrikes on ISIS? https://www.janes.com/article/46514/iranian-phantom-jet-strikes-the-islamic-state-in-iraq

It seems "Navy Tim" may have a problem https://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/11/22/gambling-nuclear-commander-linked-to-fake-poker-chips.html?comp=700001075741&rank=1 Just a "few" excerpts from the article; The admiral fired last year as No. 2 commander of U.S. nuclear forces may have made his own counterfeit $500 poker chips with paint and stickers to feed a gambling habit that eventually saw him banned from an entire network of casinos. Investigators said they found his DNA on the underside of an adhesive sticker used to alter genuine $1 poker chips to make them look like $500 chips. The records obtained by the AP under the Freedom of Information Act show Giardina was a habitual poker player, spending a total of 1,096 hours or an average of 15 hours per week at the tables at the Horseshoe casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the 18 months before being caught using three phony chips in June 2013. He was such a familiar figure at the casino, across the Missouri River from his office near Omaha,Nebraska, that some there knew him as "Navy Tim." On July 18 Giardina was banned from both the Horseshoe and Harrah's for 90 days, but he returned at least twice to play poker at the Horseshoe before the ban expired. The second time, in October,he was given a lifetime ban from all gambling establishments run by the Horseshoe's owner, Caesar's Entertainment Corp. The report included Giardina's remarks to a casino security agent about the polygraphs given at Strategic Command to officers holding security clearances. "(What) they're really trying to do is find out if you got, you know, if you're having sex with animals or something really crazy or you've got this wild life that you could be blackmailed into giving military secrets out," he was quoted as saying. Six days after he received the lifetime Caesar's ban, Giardina was kicked out of the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, according to the NCIS records that gave no reason for that expulsion. That casino is not a Caesar's property. The state investigator's report also said a review of surveillance footage revealed "odd behaviors" by Giardina at the Horseshoe. "Giardina was observed taking cigarette butts out of public ash trays and smoking them," it said. Giardina, who remains on the Navy payroll as a staff officer in Washington, was never charged with counterfeiting. Instead he was found guilty in May 2014 of two counts of conduct unbecoming an officer lying to an investigator and passing fake gambling chips. He was given a written reprimand and ordered to forfeit $4,000 in pay.

"Lady Hawks" recognized for their record setting flight. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/11/21/air-bases-all-female-flight-crew-recognized-by-community.html?comp=1199436026997&rank=1

I want to see her feet. https://macyte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/camel-tattoo-1.jpg

Proposed replacement for the term "Military BRAT". Child Heroes Attached to Military Personnel (C.H.A.M.P.S.)/Little CHAMPS. https://www.nwfdailynews.com/local/military-brats-or-c-h-a-m-p-s-authors-proposed-name-change-riles-up-locals-1.401520

US airstrikes target Ahrar Al Sham/The Islamic Front. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/11/06/activists-us-strike-hits-syrian-rebel-compound.html?comp=700001075741&rank=3 Well, it seems we're are moving faster than expected. The only problem is we haven't accomplished much in the way of defeating/significantly degrading this constantly expanding/growing/morphing enemy. The chopping block/hit list as of 6 Nov 14; ISIS; Check. Al Nusra: Check. Ahrar Al Sham; Check. The Islamic Front (via Ahrar Al Sham): Check Who's next? My guess is some of the former FSA brigades/leadership (like the ones that changed teams this past weekend) and are now affiliated with ISIS.

The latest poster child for US vetted/armed Syrian rebel groups surrenders/changes teams. The windfall for the dark side appears to include TOW missiles, other US/Russian weapons, and 7,000 (US vetted/armed/ trained) potential new members for the ISIS/Al Nusra team. The attached video shows one aircraft (sitting on the ramp) being destroyed by a TOW missile. Most of the sources/experts are calling the destroyed aircraft a MIG 21 but in my humble/amateur opinion it's really a L-39. Excerpt from article (numerous other sources available); For the last six months the Hazm movement, and the SRF through them, had been receiving heavy weapons from the US-led coalition, including GRAD rockets and TOW anti-tank missiles. Also the loss of a group that had been held up to the international media as being exemplary of Western efforts in Syria is a humiliating blow at the time that the US is increasing its military involvement in the country, with both air strikes and training of local rebels. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11203805/Syrian-rebels-use-US-supplied-anti-tank-missiles.html https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-harakat-hazm-20140907-story.html#page=1

Just trying to put a humorous spin on some of the escalating Ebola absurdity/fighting occurring between the medical and political communities. This nurse/hero does have a valid point but her arrogant/self-centered verbal/legal diatribe rubbed me the wrong way. In this particular case (in my opinion) all parties behaved badly/exercised poor judgment including Governor Christie and his henchmen. I think Governor Christie wins this latest round of the Ebola charade because I don't think we will see anymore medical heroes returning from West Africa arriving in New Jersey. Now back to Nurse Diesel; It appears she wont play by Maine's rules either and she isn't receiving a hometown hero type welcome from some folks. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/kaci-hickox-follow-maine-ebola-quarantine-rule-lawyer/story?id=26501921 https://www.kswo.com/story/27055512/ebola-nurse-who-was-quarantined-now-in-maine

I don't think Nurse Diesel/Ratchet or whatever the heck her name is handled that situation very well.

Joint Chiefs Recommend Ebola 21-Day Isolation for all Services; https://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/10/28/joint-chiefs-recommend-ebola-21-day-isolation-for-all-services.html?comp=7000023317828&rank=1 I think AFRICOM's 21 day isolation protocol is headed in a sensible direction for military personnel. I know that if I was returning from a deployment to Ebolastan (West Africa) the last place on earth I would want to spend these 21 critical days is with my family. I would be more then content to spend these 21 days in some form of isolation (AFRICOM model or something similar) with professionals providing oversight, control measures, and monitoring.

Latest; Two ISIS jets destroyed/Al-Jarrah Air Base, Syria? https://www.trust.org/item/20141022122337-fn8q1/

Stuff like this happens/small potatoes. I don't know what the big deal is because most of the US weapons ISIS acquired have been dropped at least once.

Old news, I think (except they are actually flying them now) and they most likely aren't MIGs. These aircraft are most likely L-39ZA Albatros, Light Attack Jets. I've been following this situation for a long time and these aircraft where captured along with support equipment and ordnance in 2013. Some consolidated historical/current info and there is lots more older info out there; https://spioenkop.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-islamic-state-operating-fighter.html?showComment=1413572495149 I suspect that if they use these jets for anything it will be in a non-traditional role (for us anyway) ie; one way trip/ Islamic PGM-AIM/AGM Mode/suicide attack. Also, I would highly recommend that all former Syrian/Iraqi Air force pilots working for ISIS, Al Nusra/Al Qaeda, etc be placed on the top of the list for targeting/extermination. Syrian rebels (currently ISIS) captured these L-39ZA jets after overrunning the Al-Jarrah Air Base (the same base that these jets were seen flying from). There are also numerous reports of folks seeing them taxing on Al-Jarrah Air Base the last few months.

Well I'm glad to see the Saudis and UAE found their Red Line and that line seems to be about $92 a barrel.

When airstrikes aren't good enough/getting the job done-who do you call? Answer; General Allen and General Petraeus. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20140911/NEWS08/309110064/Former-Afghanistan-commander-John-Allen-coordinate-Iraq-Syria-effort https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20140912/NEWS08/309120039/Petraeus-Obama-Iraq-plan-good-starting-point ISIS better stand-by for the coming 24/7, Phase 2 (Allen/Patraeus) generated, barrage/onslaught of flirtatious emails and sexting. They're toast now.

I Didn't miss it and have been following this particular situation closely. Caution; Don't expect much tangible overt help from Turkey and the Turkish Intelligence Service (MIT) is about as trustworthy as the Pakistani ISI.

Well it's good to see our NATO/anti ISIS coalition partner "Turkey" is in lockstep with our Destroy ISIS OPLAN. https://www.iraqinews.com/arab-world-news/urgent-turkish-hospitals-treat-isis-leaders-government-media-downplays-syrian-opposition/ Excerpt from todays article (This can't possibly be true?); On Thursday, Turkish media revealed that hospitals have received and paid to treat a growing number of ill and injured fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The free media talked about the presence of senior ISIS leaders and fighters of the organization of the Islamic State, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, seeking medical treatment in Turkey while official government media outlets downplayed the ongoing issue as news of hosting “Victims of the Syrian opposition.” The Turkish newspaper Taraf said today that “eight of the most important leaders in the organization of the state, who were wounded during the American bombing this month, were transferred to the city of Urfa in southern Turkey and treated in a private hospital. The Turkish government has secured the transfer and paid the costs of their treatment fully.

Don't worry we will eventually get around to Assad (or will we) but first we have to destroy ISIS. After destroying ISIS, we will then have to destroy the Al Qaeda affiliated Syrian rebel groups in the following order; First on the chopping block after ISIS will be Al Nusra, followed by Ahrar Al-Sham, followed by The Islamic Front, etc, etc. Eventually we will have to destroy whatever kind of Islamic monster the US supported/funded/trained/armed FSA morphs into. This type CF is our destiny so relax (said the night man/Assad) an enjoy the perpetual target rich environment.

Report: B-1B bombs killed U.S. Soldiers after location mix-up. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20140904/NEWS/309040059/Report-B-1B-bombs-killed-U-S-soldiers-after-location-mix-up

Islamic militia occupy/secure US Embassy in Tripoli and take a dip in the compound's pool. https://english.alarabiya.net/en/webtv/reports/2014/08/31/Video-shows-Libya-militia-enjoying-U-S-embassy-compound-pool.html

At this point nothing would surprise me as far as who/what we hitch our wagon to. Just look at Baghdad International Airport or as I call it, Joint Base Satan-Evil-aXis (JB-SEX). Key members of this unofficial international Composite Wing include; 1. U.S.A. (The Great Satan); 2. Iraq (Former Member of Axis of Evil); 3. Iran (Member of the Axis of Evil); 4. Russia (Evil Empire);

Syria welcomes "coordinated" international help in fighting IS. https://www.voanews.com/content/syria-welcomes-coordinated-international-help-in-fighting-islamic-state/2427235.html

Good article. The Iraq/Syria "Mess O' Potamia" policy experts (offenders/defenders) should be out in force on the Sunday news shows giving their spin on who to blame and how to fix this CF. The current U.S. policy/position for Syria is that the Assad regime must be deposed. Standby for "the mother of all U-turns" on some of the finer points of this policy.

These muzzies (ISIS) are as bad as the Mongol hordes. They haven't evolved at all in the last 1,400 years. Slow learners need a strong pimp hand but we should administer this dose of punishment primarily with Airpower. Prepare for some strange bedfellows as a coalition "hopefully" forms to confront/defeat ISIS.