Paratroopers: Why jumping from planes never gets old

Despite all the planning, double checking and potential hazards associated with airborne operations, jumping out of a C-130 aircraft never loses its charm

Paratroopers with from 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, jump out of a C-130J during an airborne operation in Adazi, Latvia, Aug. 7, 2014. (Photo courtesy of Army.mil)

By Sgt. Michael Crawford
Army.mil

ADAZI, Latvia — Despite all the planning, double checking and potential hazards associated with airborne operations, jumping out of a C-130 aircraft never loses its charm for paratroopers with 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

Star Spangled City

Here’s a type tribute we don’t see too often, Compliments of NASA!

The song is familiar to every American, but the moment and place where it was composed are less so.

On April 24, 2014, the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 captured this view of Baltimore, Maryland, and its harbor. Fort McHenry and its star-shaped ramparts—the place where “that star-spangled banner yet wave[d],” on September 14, 1814—stand at the entrance to the city’s Inner Harbor. The area was a pivotal battleground in the War of 1812.

In September 1814, British naval and ground forces advanced on the city of Baltimore, emboldened by the August 24 burning of The White House and the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. On September 12, British forces landed at North Point, 5 miles (8 kilometers) southeast of Baltimore (just off the lower right of this image), and engaged American troops in several small battles. By September 13, the land forces approached the city of Baltimore but were repelled by U.S. Army and Maryland militia forces assembled behind a mile of earthworks and trenches along Hampstead Hill—near what is now known as Patterson Park (image top center).

Parade of Tall Ships 2014

Here’s what’s been going on recently in my neck of the woods! It’s an awesome sight to see the all the “tall” ships scattered along the coast. Puts our size into perspective. Enjoy a few photos via San Diego’s Union Tribune.

Tall ships including the 110′ Brigantine Exy Johnson, right, made their way in to San Diego Bay. The ship is owned and operated by the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. The 130′ ship American Pride with red sails at left, also … — John Gibbins / UT San Diego

In Honor of Our Australian Comrades

With news that our comrades from down under will be joining the US coalition against ISIS, I’d like to recognize their part and offer this gallery as a tribute to their military throughout history.

I’d like to also express my gratitude to the Australian military:

Keep your heads on pivot, watch over your brothers/sisters in arms. God Speed. Be safe and thank you, Warriors.

In 1916, The Australian transport ship Ajana was used to bring soldiers to their overseas destinations.

Muslim EOD Soldier Blows Up Stereotypes

#DuffleBlog

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Khaled Abou Rashad may have immigrated to the United States from Syria when he was only a boy, but these days he does something that few of his countrymen do: Build and detonate large quantities of high explosives.

McKinley dies of infection from gunshot wounds: 1901

Clipping of a wash drawing by T. Dart Walker depicting the assassination of President William McKinley by Leon Czolgosz at Pan-American Exposition reception on September 6, 1901. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On this day in 1901, U.S. President William McKinley dies after being shot by a deranged anarchist during the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.