Archive for the 'Military' Category
(Chronologically Listed)
- Darren Green, USMC (active) — currently in training for deployment to Afghanistan [nephew]
- Jon A. Webster, USMC (active) — serving in al Rutbah, Iraq [son]
- Heather Harris, US Army National Guard (former) — [daughter]
- Greg Barsic, USMC (former), USCG (active) — currently serving in the US Coast Guard in San Diego [son-in-law]
- Frank Wallace, USMC (former) — [married to my niece]
- Brad Poeltler, USN (ret.) — former Naval aviator in the F-14 RAG [brother-in-law]
- Robert Wendt, USN (ret.) – former Navy pilot [former brother-in-law]
- Bill Lowell, US Army (former) — [former brother-in-law]
- John A. Webster, USN (ret.) — served in both WW II and Vietnam [my father]
- James Francis Webster, USN — served in WW II [my paternal grandfather]
- John Silas Fickes, CSM, USN — served in WW I, Mexican War (1920), and WW II [my maternal grandfather]
- John William Fickes, 1st Sgt., Co. A, PA Militia, 8th Reg. Infantry — served in Spanish-American War [my great-grandfather]
- James Edward Taylor, Pvt. Co. D, II PA Volunteer Infantry — Civil War [my great-great-grandfather]
- Andy Henderson, USN (active) — [nephew] Currently at sea with the forward deployed USS George Washington out of Yokosuka, Japan.
- Bruce Henderson, USMC (former) — Yes, I was a Jar Head
- Peter Anderson, USMC — My dear departed uncle Peter served with Marine Intel during Vietnam
- Jim Zimmerman, Illinois National Guard (former) — My uncle Jim served 2 tours in the National Guard
- Ian Henderson, RAF — [my dear departed father] RAF pilot who served the crown during the Battle of Britain as well the far east as a flight leader. He lied about his age to join the flight corps and was a decorated Ace for combat action.
- Ron Henderson, RAF — [uncle] RAF radio man,
- Robert Zimmerman, USN — My dear departed step-grandfather served in the US Navy during WW2
- Howard Martin, USN — My biological grandfather was a pilot who died in WWII when my mother was just a child
“Where do we find such men?”
This happened last April, but I’m just reading about it now (hat tip to Ace of Spades). Two Marines in Iraq, with just a few seconds to decide, stand their ground and die rather than let an explosive-laden car into their compound:
Cpl. Jonathan Yale and Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter saved Iraqi police and fellow Marines from a truck-driving suicide bomber, Marine brass say. The April attack could have slain dozens.
They had known each other only a few minutes, but they will be linked forever in what Marine brass say is one of the most extraordinary acts of courage and sacrifice in the Iraq war.
Cpl. Jonathan Yale, 21, grew up poor in rural Virginia. He had joined the Marine Corps to put structure in his life and to help support his mother and sister. He was within a few days of heading home.
Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, 19, was from a comfortably middle-class suburb on Long Island. As a boy, he had worn military garb, and he had felt the pull of adventure and patriotism. He had just arrived in Iraq.
On April 22, the two were assigned to guard the main gate to Joint Security Station Nasser in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, once an insurgent stronghold and still a dangerous region. Dozens of Marines and Iraqi police lived at the compound, and some were still sleeping after all-night patrols when Yale and Haerter reported for duty that warm, sultry morning.
Yale, respected for his quiet, efficient manner, was assigned to show Haerter how to take over his duties.
Haerter had volunteered to watch the main gate, even though it was considered the most hazardous of the compound’s three guard stations because it could be approached from a busy thoroughfare.
The sun had barely risen when the two sentries spotted a 20-foot-long truck headed toward the gate, weaving with increasing speed through the concrete barriers. Two Iraqi police officers assigned to the gate ran for their lives. So did several Iraqi police on the adjacent street.
Yale and Haerter tried to wave off the truck, but it kept coming. They opened fire, Yale with a machine gun, Haerter with an M-16. Their bullets peppered the radiator and windshield. The truck slowed but kept rolling.
A few dozen feet from the gate, the truck exploded. Investigators found that it was loaded with 2,000 pounds of explosives and that its driver, his hand on a “dead-man switch,” was determined to commit suicide and slaughter Marines and Iraqi police.
The thunderous explosion rocked much of Ramadi, interrupting the morning call to prayers from the many mosques. A nearby mosque and a home were flattened. The blast ripped a crater 5 feet deep and 20 feet across into the street.
Shards of concrete scattered everywhere, and choking dust filled the air.
Haerter was dead; Yale was dying.
Three Marines about 300 feet away were injured. So were eight Iraqi police and two dozen civilians.
But several dozen other nearby Marines and Iraqi police, while shaken, were unhurt. A Black Hawk helicopter was summoned in a futile attempt to get Yale to a field hospital in time. A sheet was placed over Haerter.
When it was considered safe to take Haerter’s body to a second helicopter, his section leader insisted he be covered by an American flag. “We did not want him carried out with just a sheet,” said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Grooms. . . .
When Marine technicians restored a damaged security camera, the images were undeniable.
While Iraqi police fled, Haerter and Yale had never flinched and never stopped firing as the Mercedes truck — the same model used in the Beirut bombing — sped directly toward them.
Without their steadfastness, the truck would probably have penetrated the compound before it exploded, and 50 or more Marines and Iraqis would have been killed. The incident happened in just six seconds.
“No time to talk it over; no time to call the lieutenant; no time to think about their own lives or even the American and Iraqi lives they were protecting,” Kelly said. “More than enough time, however, to do their duty. They never hesitated or tried to escape.“
Both of these men were younger that my own son, Jon, who is currently serving over in Iraq as well. Both men are being awarded, posthumously, the Navy Cross for bravery, an award second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Please take a moment to remember these men, and their families, in your prayers.
Cpl. Jonathan Yale, USMC, age 21, who was just one week away from going home:
Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, USMC, age 19, who had just arrived in Iraq:
Where do we find such men? ..bruce w..
Christmas Blogging - Toys For Tots
As a former US Marine, the “Toys For Tots” program holds a special place in my heart. In the days when I was on active duty, our squadron (yes I was in the wing), VMFP-3, put forth a huge effort to ensure that we collected more toys than any other squadron on base.
For us it was a matter of pride, being the last surviving F-4 squadron in the Marine Corps, and being the only reconnaissance squadron in the Corps, we wanted to ensure that we showed those F/A-18 sissies how it was done.
These toys go to needy families, of which there is a growing number this year. It also takes surprisingly little time and money to be a part of. Here is how:
1. Go toy shopping. This does not have to be large, or extravagant. You can get some great toys for under $20.00 today, especially with places like Khols and Marshalls cutting prices like mad this week. Even if you only can afford to buy one, it really does make a difference.
2. Find where the nearest collection center is. You can find locations on the web at http://www.toysfortots.org/
3. Drive down and drop off your toy. Take your kids with you, as it’s a good moment to share the importance of being kind and generous.
4. Smile and feel good, knowing you made a difference.
On a personal note - This year at our house, we were especially motivated knowing how broken things are starting to become in the economy. Through hard work and the blessings of the Almighty, we have had a fairly good year, and it’s time to share.
There are some really cool toys out there now! (a small fraction of which is shown above) Stuff that I wish they had when I was young. Highlights this year include the ever popular Hulk Hands which make smashing noises when you hit them on things. A remote controlled spider, and a lunar clock that you can hang on your wall and changes phases just like your very own personal moon.
Semper Fi!
Remembering Pearl Harbor
My dad, John A. Webster, was a seaman aboard the USS San Francisco (CA-38) at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Fortunately, the San Francisco was docked some distance from Battleship Row (look down to the lower right corner) and so was not subjected to the heavy bombing that damaged or sank so many other ships :
Dad said that the San Francisco’s guns had been dismantled for cleaning and repairs, and so the sailors on board were reduced to using rifles and sidearms to shoot at the Japanese planes.
It was my visit to the USS Arizona memorial in 1975 that led me to realize how many hundreds and hundreds of young men like my father died in those few hours — and how easily our own family could never have been.
Randy Barnett over at the Volokh Conspiracy has a wonderful and extensive remembrance of Pearl Harbor, including quite a few photos and video clips. ..bruce w..
Don’t screw with the Marines
About 250 Taliban insurgents took on 30 US Marines in Afghanistan.
The vicious attack that left the humvee destroyed and several of the Marines pinned down in the kill zone sparked an intense eight-hour battle as the platoon desperately fought to recover their comrades. After recovering the Marines trapped in the kill zone, another platoon sergeant personally led numerous attacks on enemy fortified positions while the platoon fought house to house and trench to trench in order to clear through the enemy ambush site.
“The biggest thing to take from that day is what Marines can accomplish when they’re given the opportunity to fight,” the sniper said. “A small group of Marines met a numerically superior force and embarrassed them in their own backyard. The insurgents told the townspeople that they were stronger than the Americans, and that day we showed them they were wrong.”
During the battle, the designated marksman single handedly thwarted a company-sized enemy RPG and machinegun ambush by reportedly killing 20 enemy fighters with his devastatingly accurate precision fire. He selflessly exposed himself time and again to intense enemy fire during a critical point in the eight-hour battle for Shewan in order to kill any enemy combatants who attempted to engage or maneuver on the Marines in the kill zone. What made his actions even more impressive was the fact that he didn’t miss any shots, despite the enemies’ rounds impacting within a foot of his fighting position.
“I was in my own little world,” the young corporal said. “I wasn’t even aware of a lot of the rounds impacting near my position, because I was concentrating so hard on making sure my rounds were on target.”
After calling for close-air support, the small group of Marines pushed forward and broke the enemies’ spirit as many of them dropped their weapons and fled the battlefield. At the end of the battle, the Marines had reduced an enemy stronghold, killed more than 50 insurgents and wounded several more.
Read the whole thing. Hat tip to Ace of Spades. ..bruce w..
Veterans Day 2008 [updated]
[UPDATED 0428 MDT 11/12/08 -- OK, so I'm lying awake in bed at, well, 4:20 am and I suddenly realize that I've forgotten the newest veteran in our family: my nephew, Darren Green. The list below is now updated; apologies to Darren.]
Last Veterans Day, Bruce Henderson and I posted a list of our relatives who have served in the Armed Forces (either American or British). Henderson himself served in the USMC (see yesterday’s post); here are the rest in rough reverse chronological order:
Bruce Webster:
Bruce Henderson:
God bless them all, and God bless America. ..bruce w..
233 Years of Semper Fi
MCRD Platoon 3010 - 1984 - click for full size.
November 10th is a special day for Marines, it’s the day we celebrate the birthday of our beloved Corps. The Marines are a tough, no-nonsense force focused always and forever on the mission.
On this 233rd, I would like to give a salute to all the Marines I served with, including
Sean Church aka “HenderChurch”
Tim Maroe aka “Le Midget”
Jim Sanchez
Matt Keske aka “Poopsan”
John Winkleman
Jerry Bogen
Mark Corlew
Tim Peters
Matt Johnson
Staff Sergeant Oliver
Gunny Roleson
Pat Muritore
Michael Tan
Staff Sergeant Zorman
Staff Sergeant Figueroa
John Pollock
John Lear
Eric Covington
Rick Piva
Harry Roads
Smitty
Jade Chavis
Sam Bennet aka Sammy Love
and all the others that I can’t rattle out of my head right now. And a special salute to Phil Berry who talked me into signing up. One of the best decisions ever.
Bruce as a tiny jarhead, days before graduating boot camp in April of 1984.
Black Five has a nice write up as well…
Update - the Commandant has posted his birthday message on You Tube. The opening includes the orders to have Marines head to Lebanon. I vividly recall this event, which figured prominently in my decision to join.
Obama’s CIA Briefing - Welcome To The Party!
Oh to be a fly on the wall! News reports say today is the day that President-elect Barry Obama gets his first real intelligence briefing as the Bush administration beings the transfer of national command authority.
Up until now, our newly minted President-elect was a rookie Senator, and did not get the full details of everything that was going on. If the news is correct, all of that ends today. Expect Mr. Obama to rapidly increase the ratio of gray hair on his head.
You may recall President-elect Obama, it was easy to take pot shots at Bush & Co. when you were the upstart outsider, today you being to learn that knowledge is responsibility, and that the world is a very dangerous place. It’s chock full of bad people who are working night and day to perform horrible acts against the United States.
All those classified programs that you demagogue to get votes? Today you find out they are the only thing that gives you a chance of getting a decent nights rest.
Oh yes, welcome to the party President-elect Obama. Today you find out just how dangerous the world is. Hope you brought a change of underpants.
Update from Iraq
You know we’re fighting 21st Century wars when my main contact with my Marine son is via Facebook. Here’s the latest from Jon (LCPL Webster), over in Rutbah, Iraq:
Pops-
Glad you n mom are doing okay.. And yea, I’m stoked for Wes and Maddie. Wish I could’ve been there, but oh well.. I’ll have to make a trip out to Utah and see ‘em when I get back.
Anyways.. Aside from some dumbass (pardon my French) Captain flying an Osprey in today right above our hooches and destroying what was left of our cammy netting, ripping the door off the hinges and filling the SWA hut with dust, launching our trash all over the ground and blowing over our porta-johns, it was an alright day. I don’t know why the hell they came in today since the past week has been Red Air (birds aren’t supposed to be flying since the pilots can’t see due to the amount of dust and sand clouding the atmosphere); it took the pilot 15 minutes just to find the helo-pad, even after we marked it with green and yellow smoke three times. The Osprey was bringing in some more detainees for us to transport to the IP station; seems like we’ve been getting a lot of ‘em lately. That’s about it, though. Just staying on the grind. I’ve gotta get going, dad. We’ve got a long day tomorrow. Love ya.
-JonPS- Yes, I got Suzanne’s package the weekend before last and already sent a letter back to her last weekend. She’ll probably get it in the next week or two.
DARPA Guts Falcon Blackswift
Earlier this year I outlined a DARPA project to produce a hypersonic UAV under the project name “Falcon Blackswift”
According to the few details available on Blackswift, Lockheed Martin’s famed Skunk Works shop is the main contractor for the vehicle. DARPA, in fact, still isn’t talking about Blackswift; it’s using the HTV-3X designation. But HTV-3X is a departure from the previous Falcon program. Careful observers at last week’s DARPATech, like Bill Sweetman, noticed some important elements: “Key features - apparent from images snagged from DARPA video, and from other sources - include the fact that HTV-3X is an unmanned, fighter-sized aircraft.”
Now word comes via Defense Tech Blog:
The Blackswift reusable hypersonic testbed has been canceled by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) after Congress slashed the program’s fiscal 2009 budget to $10 million, from $120 million.
“Congress made significant reductions in the amount of funds available to DARPA and the Air Force for the Blackswift testbed,” the agency said in a statement. “Based on this, DARPA determined that it would not be possible to proceed with the solicitation for the effort.”
Sadly this is probably just the first of many such cutting edge projects that will be eliminated as the federal welfare program for America’s largest banks consumes every dollar that could be going to improve our future technological edge.
Rise of the machines
From Military.com (emphasis mine):
A Virginia-based company is hoping to test-fly a vertical take-off and landing drone before the end of this year that, ultimately, could do triple duty as strike vehicle, medevac or special ops insertion/extraction plane.
The Excalibur is currently being developed as an armed, tactical unmanned aerial vehicle by Aurora Flight Sciences of Manassas, Va., capable of carrying Hellfire anti-tank missiles and Viper Strike missiles. The Hellfire is currently mounted on Predator UAVs, while Viper Strike missiles are used for strikes on the Army’s RQ-5B Hunter UAV, both fixed wing aircraft requiring traditional runway take-offs and landings.
Excalibur anticipates giving the Army — if it chooses to follow through in developing the weapons system — a way of delivering strikes with a VTOL-capable UAV, according to Tim Dawson-Townsend, Excalibur program manager.
The plane uses a turbine-electric hybrid propulsion system for VTOL capability and a turbine engine for horizontal flight, according to Excalibur’s specs. Because the plane’s flight control system would operate with a high level of autonomy, it would not be remotely controlled. The focus of the operators would be on mission planning, locating and engaging targets, the company says.
Didn’t we see these in “Terminator 3″? Hat tip to io9.com. ..bruce w..