Military Monday

I am sure most of you remember the story of Capt. Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger. He and his crew managed to land a plane safely after birds struck both engines on Jan. 15, 2009.

On April 16, 2009 "Sully" received an airmanship award for his actions that day. He received the award at the Air Force Academy in Colorado from which he graduated in 1973. The full story can be read here.

When he was commissioned, Sullenberger was named best aviator in his class, winning an award called "Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship." Somehow this does not surprise me at all. He served in the Air Force until 1980, when he became a commercial pilot.

Once again, congratulations to Capt. Sullenberger and his crew on a job well done!

Magnificent

This is pure magic. Please go watch here.

I can't say anything because I can't see to type.

Predeployment Training: Making Warriors

This is my newest post to Parent's Zone.


LCpl Honda is currently training for an upcoming deployment. Since I am always interested in what he is doing, I decided to ask him some questions and get his take on the training he is receiving.

Predeployment training is very intense and designed to teach the Marines what conditions could arise on a combat deployment. Marines train in realistic towns with actual Iraqi people playing citizens and terrorists alike. These "actors" prepare the Marines to react a certain way when they are deployed to places like Iraq and Afghanistan. It is vital that the Marines learn how to interact and in turn to watch reactions of the people playing these parts in order to ensure the most utmost safety conditions.

Marines learn how to conduct raids under live fire-like conditions. They learn the safest ways of securing a town or building. One technique is using buddy rushing by running and covering each other while advancing on a target. A squad may start out together but end split up into two "buddies.”

Jumping out of helicopters is another vital training exercise because that might be the only means of getting the Marines to a location. Marines are trained to slide down a fast rope and be able to land without injuring themselves on the ground. They are instructed on how to deal with the rotor wash air coming down from the rotors and the brown out dirt that is kicked up from the ground. LCpl Honda says that the instructors are very good at helping the Marines to jump successfully.

LCpl Honda says that the most important thing about the training is working together. This has been emphasized since the Marines were recruits in Boot Camp. "You have to look out for the guy next to you and he has the do the same." said LCpl Honda. The training is really a dress rehearsal for the actual theater.

The Marines have no idea what will happen during training. There could be a riot, a sniper on a roof or terrorist hold up in a building. The element of surprise prepares them to expect anything during deployment. Better to make a mistake during training than during actual combat situations.

I asked LCpl Honda if he felt he was ready for deployment. "Well," he said, "I am not through with training yet so not quite." but he continued, "I will be." He also said that most of the Marines feel the same way as him.

He closed with, "We get the best training possible." and more importantly, he added, "Our leaders and instructors prepare all of us to come home."

I found pictures of LCpl Honda's unit in training here. I don't know if he is in any but it illustrates a lot of the training.

Military Monday

Well, I guess the story of the US Navy Seals rescuing Capt. Richard Phillips from the Somalian pirates is the story of the day. I had no doubt that our military would be involved in this incident eventually. I am very happy for Capt Phillips, his family and fellow crew members. Read the full story here.

I have to wonder what will happen from here on in. These pirates can not be allowed to keep terrorizing the waters. I would hope that we can work with other counties to squash this problem before it gets worse. Now I realize that the Navy alone can not possibly police the whole area and it is not really it's job but something needs to be done.

I also heard an audio of one of the crew members this morning. He was very angry and loudly wondering why something was not done earlier on. Again I do not know the details about how these matters are handled but it would seem that since we are one of the most powerful countries in the world it should not take a whole lot to rescue someone from a bunch of thugs one of which is only 16 years old. Just my opinion.

I also want to give kudos to President Obama for giving the green light on this mission and letting the Navy handle it. Lastly, Congratulations to the Navy and the Seals on a mission well done.

On another note. This has nothing to do with military but I was listening to the radio on the way to work and Andy Rooney was on a morning talk show. I don't really care much for him. I see him on the Sunday Morning Show only because I like the show as a whole. They usually have interesting stories and Mr. Rooney just happens to be on at the end. Anyway he was talking about people getting laid off and he said, "I am working. All my friends are working. Just who are these 5 million people that are unemployed?" He followed that by laughing.

Uhh! I almost had to pull over. Now I realize that Mr. Rooney is probably pretty out of touch with everyday working-class people but give me a break! I feel lucky to still be employed at this time but I find this very offensive because I have family members that have been laid off as well as friends. This is not a laughing matter or something to joke about.

Next Sunday do believe I will be changing the channel before Mr. Rooney appears. If not that, the mute button will be used.

Happy Easter!

Hope everyone is having a Happy Easter. I am just coming off a three-day weekend of a little work but mostly relaxation.

I did finally change my blog layout. It is not my own design, because I still haven't quite figured it out yet but that is ok.

I put up a poll because I want to know what you think. I know there is a lot of people out there so please vote and tell me what you think.

Please leave me some comments on how you think I can make this blog better. I really would appreciate the input.

Until then hope everyone has a great day!

til the last shot's fired

Last Sunday on the Country Music Awards, this video was played. It is performed by Trace Adkins. It features the Patriot Guard Riders on missions to honor fallen military members. Since I am a member I can really appreciate it's significance. These people are true patriots and many are vets themselves. Following the video are a few pictures of some of the missions I have been on to honor fallen military.

I am in some of the pictures. Just look for the non-biker looking girl.

The first picture is of us staging before we begin the mission.
We hold hands and sing I'm Proud to be an American by Lee Greenwood

I am not much of a singer, but I sing loud and proud.

The rest speak for themselves...

Marines in Training

LCpl Honda is doing some serious month-long training. His unit recently went to 29 Palms to train for their upcoming deployment. He said it is very intense but he is having fun doing it.

He called last weekend to say they were on their way to a base near Oakland to jump out of helicopters. HE was overjoyed! Makes me a little bit queasy. I am just glad he is happy and enjoying his training.

So I was browsing around Marines.mil and I came across this article about his unit and their training. I thought it was interesting. There are a few pictures too and I wondered if LCpl was in any of them. Hard to tell because they all look alike in their camo and gear.

Apparently the training is pretty grueling and challenges both the Marines’ abilities to work in unison as squads and their individual physical endurance. Also,the scenario mirrors combat situations in Afghanistan, where they may be deploying.

“The course is physically exhausting,” said Staff Sgt. Shawn M. Skaggs, 26, from Pilot Grove, Mo. “In combat, you have adrenaline and the will to survive to keep you going. In training, you don’t have that; you have to have that physical will to drive yourself.”

You can read the full article here.

Please say a prayer for my son and his unit. I know they get the best training possible but a little divine intervention can not hurt.