ShadowSpear Special Operations Network - Blogs

Public Service Announcement: SECDEF EFFICIENCY CONTEST "2010"

UrbanOrb — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 05:28:24 GMT

Note: A interesting article to read...and so, this is not of my personal opinion, but Article/News report references from DoD: Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.

Quote: "This contest, called the INVEST Awards, will reward with cash prizes those who submit the best ideas for improving efficiency.":uhh:

Click on hyper link: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0710_invest/

Secretary Gates is asking all DoD military and civilian employees for their ideas on how the Department can be more efficient and effective. The U.S. Air Force & DoD Services strongly supports the Secretary's overall campaign for greater efficiency, and I encourage each of you to submit your ideas for consideration at www.defense.gov/invest. Ideas both small and large are welcome, and they can be for Air Force, another component, or a Department as a whole. Only active duty, reserve component, and civilian personnel are eligible to participate. :)

This year's contest is from August 9 to September 24, 2010. By October 15, each Military Department will forward the top twenty five INVEST idea awards to DoD. On 31 Oct 10, DoD will announce the final twenty-five award winners from the aggregate collection of ideas they received from all components. Award winners will receive cash awards ranging from $500 to $1,000.. :)

USSOCOM Manning and Training Needs

UrbanOrb — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:15:56 GMT

Note: A interesting article to read...and so, this is not of my personal opinion, but Article/News report references from: special-operations-technology.

Quote: "DoD plans further increases in funding for the command. The president�s fiscal year 2007 budget request for USSOCOM is $8 billion, and the department plans additional increases for the command through fiscal year 2011. "...etc :)

Overall assessment: Gates has made it clear that he seeks to defend the defense budget from real cuts that he expects from Congress? :eek:

However, those real cuts are not coming from Capitol Hill. Although there has been some hyperventilated talk about bigger than usual cuts in the 2011 DOD appropriations bills coming out of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees (up to $8 zillion):doh:, much of those cuts may be quite phony. :2c: tidbits of thoughts...

Click on hyperlink: http://www.special-operations-techno...ing-needs.html

Air Commando Association (ACA) 2010

UrbanOrb — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:52:48 GMT

Note: A interesting article to read...and so, this is not of my personal opinion, but Article/News report references from: Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs.

Quote: "AFSOC officials announced the 2010 Air Commando Hall of Fame selectees 13 Aug., 2010"...etc :)

Click on hyperlink: http://www.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123217779

The hall of fame includes upto...140 names, including 94 officers and 46 enlisted personnel. It�s based in Fort Walton Beach, at the Air Commando Association�s headquarters. :cool:

To learn more about the Air Commandos Association Hall of Fame, Click on the hyperlink: http://www.specialoperations.net/About%20ACA.html

"Loose Lips Sink Ships" Public Service: Reminding Americans of the dangers...

UrbanOrb — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:15:09 GMT

Note: A interesting article to read...and so, this is not of my personal opinion, but Article/News report references from: The New Yorker by Amy Davidson.

Quote: "Last September, an assessment of the war in Afghanistan, by the American commander General Stanley McChrystal, was leaked to the press."...etc :-x

Click on hyperlink: http://www.newyorker.com/talk/commen..._talk_davidson

News Update!!! Aug 27, 2010 - Quote: "Sotomayor Predicts WikiLeaks War Documents Leak Will Prompt Case Before US Supreme Court — CBC/Canadian Press/AP DENVER – Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor predicts that the nation’s high court will be asked again to weigh national security versus free speech because of the WikiLeaks website..."

Click on hyperlink:
http://www.read-news.info/today/will...supreme-court/

Why Civilian Control of the Military?

UrbanOrb — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:18:48 GMT

Note: A interesting article to read...and so, this is not of my personal opinion, but Article/News report references from: United States Department of Defense/American Forces Press Service.

Quote: "Civilian control of the military is so ingrained in America that we hardly give it a second thought. Most Americans don't realize how special this relationship is and how it has contributed to the country."...etc :confused:

Click on hyperlink: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=45870

Although, In the United States, people have always been proud of their right to vote and help decide how the government will work. Voting is one of the most important tools Americans have to influence the policies the government adopts.

Does closing JFCOM really save money?‎

UrbanOrb — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:25:49 GMT

Note: A interesting article to read...and so, this is not of my personal opinion, but Article/News report references from: United States Joint Forces Command.

Quote: "U.S. Joint Forces Command officials issued a statement in response to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' recommendation to eliminate the command and assign its operational functions to other organizations."

Click on hyperlink: http://www.jfcom.mil/newslink/storya...pa080910a.html

New Update: Aug 26, 2010 - Quote: "Plan B would assume that some functions of JFCOM will disappear as the Defense Department has announced, but other roles could be salvaged and even expanded, which could save thousands of jobs in Norfolk and Suffolk.."

Click on hyperlink:
http://articles.dailypress.com/2010-...or-court-fight

Lockheed To Provide Logistics Support To Special Ops Worldwide

UrbanOrb — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:01:01 GMT

Note: A interesting article to read...and so, this is not of my personal opinion, but article references from a U.S. News publisher. AKA "Space Media Network"

Quote: "The U.S. Special Operations Command awarded Lockheed Martin an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract to provide full-scope logistics support to warfighters around the globe."

Click on hyper link: http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Lock...dwide_999.html

Air Force (Air Force)

UrbanOrb — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:27:58 GMT

Note: A interesting article to read...and so, this is not of my personal opinion, but article references from a U.S. News publisher. AKA "TheWashingtonpost"

Click on hyper link: http://projects.washingtonpost.com/t...most-activity/

The Department of the Air Force (USAF) was founded as part of the National Military Establishment by the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 502) and came into being Sept. 18, 1947. The National Security Act Amendments of 1949 redesignated the National Military Establishment as the Department of Defense, established it as an executive agency and made the USAF a military department within the DOD (63 Stat. 578). The Air Force is separately organized under the secretary of the Air Force. It operates under the authority, direction and control of the secretary of defense (10 U.S.C. 8010).

The Air Force consists of the office of the secretary of the Air Force, the air staff and field organizations. The secretary is responsible for matters pertaining to organization, training, logistical support, maintenance, welfare of personnel, administrative, recruiting, research and development, and other activities prescribed by the president or the secretary of defense. The mission of the air staff is to furnish professional assistance to the secretary, the undersecretary, the assistant secretaries and the chief of staff in executing their responsibilities.

The major commands, field operating agencies and direct reporting units together represent the field organizations of the Air Force. These are organized primarily on a functional basis in the United States and on an area basis overseas. These commands are responsible for accomplishing certain phases of the worldwide activities of the Air Force. They also are responsible for organizing, administering, equipping and training their subordinate elements for the accomplishment of assigned missions.

Major domestic elements of the Air Force involved in top-secret work include:

* Air Combat Command (ACC)
* Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
* Air Force Information Operations Center (AFIOC)
* Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC)
* Air Force Space Command
* Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
* Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency
(See also: AF Agencies...etc) SKYNET...perhaps?

For More Information on Air Force Careers, Click on Hyperlink: http://www.airforce.com

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Guns, Guns and more Guns

The91Bravo — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:10:56 GMT

I went shooting yesterday to celebrate one of my freedoms and it got me thinking.. I need to blog about guns. What better to do. So, now I just have to figure how to attach images.

Lets see if this works

An Early KIng County Sheriff's Depart. Bomb Disposal Unit story:

Trip_Wire — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:35:00 GMT

On this particular occasion, I had just flown back from the LE Bomb Technicians course at Redstone Arsl. in Huntsville AL, in April '71. It had been a long flight busy day and I was tired and went to bed early.

The phone rang and it was the KCSO dispatch saying there was a suspicious suitcase just outside an entrance gate at Boeings Plant #2.

Keep in mind that in those days, we didn't have robots, nice bomb suits, etc. We were encouraged, to make 'hand entries' to preserve evidence , etc. (Also, except for blowing in place, there wasn't a whole lot of other choices.)

So, I got in my own vehicle and proceed to the location to meet my partner and only other Bomb Tech Steve Hypse. (I was a SGT. he was a Patrol Officer.)

On arrival we both looked at the suitcase sitting upright outside the Boeing gate. We decided to use a nylon rope to disturb that suitcase and check for bobby traps, etc. So, we cleared the area and tied the nylon rope to the handle and took cover behind a nearby concrete wall.

I was as the newby Tech, given the honor of pulling the nylon rope. So, I gave it a pull, forgetting that usually the nylon adds to the strength of a pull. (I may have been a bit to exuberant too! LOL)

Plop! the suitcase came right over the wall and landed right at our feet! Hmmm ... No bobby-traps! I think our eyes were extended a little from their sockets! :doh:

We then made the hand entry using our hand tools and pen lights, etc. THe suitcase was filled with clothing and no ID.

End of Story! :evil:

Quitter

275ANGER! — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:17:44 GMT

I was going through some of my documents on my computer and I stumbled upon this after several months have gone since I submitted it; I personally thought it was pretty good but whatever... anyhow I will share it with the world. This is my essay that I wrote for USC, trying to get into their business program. There was three essay topics to write about and I chose to "reflect on a challenge that I overcame through persistence". I tried to write about something else other than the military but the military was and is an experience that I know well. I kept it in its original format that I submitted and I did notice some errors. To answer the question whether I got accepted or not. I did not get accepted, oh well their loss. Enjoy!

I stood at attention in formation at Ranger Memorial in Fort Benning, Georgia, with a newly shaped tan beret upon my bald head and Ranger scroll pinned on my left shoulder. That day was a new beginning for me and another challenge overcome. You see seven months ago on September 25, 2003 I entered the United States Army with the intention of standing at Ranger Memorial with a tan beret and Ranger scroll. I started out just like many young aspiring hopefuls trying to earn a spot among the nations elite fighting force of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

I grew up in a great home, an only child with two loving parents. I set out on a new adventure far from the comforts of home and family. This was my first big decision as an adult that has affected my life. I had a strong desire to serve my country and a will to serve at the tip of the spear. I pushed myself physically and mentally everyday to attain my goal. Everyday brought forth new challenges. From conforming to the military lifestyle at One Unit Station Training (Infantry Basic) to having the intestinal fortitude to hurl myself out of a perfectly good airplane at Basic Airborne Training. I found myself at the gates of my next formidable challenge. Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) which was a 4 week process of physical and mental evaluations delivered at a grandeur scale than what I had previously faced at Basic and Airborne School.

There where many days and nights at RIP that I found myself in miserable conditions of being cold, wet, tired, and hungry. No matter how bad situations got I could not find it in myself to quit. All you can really do is laugh and think to oneself, �Wow! I could have been sleeping in a warm comfortable bed with a full belly, but yet here I am�. At any time I could have uttered the tragic words �I quit� and be done with it or tried to save face and purposely fail a graded event. I could not find it in me to do such a thing nor could I have been able to face myself if I allowed myself too. I even went as far as writing in big and bold letters in the inside of my locker �Quitting is NOT an Option�. Everyday when I opened that locker those words screamed out at me.

It is really hard to describe in context in the challenges I faced during RIP. One event that has stood out to me was a non-standard 8 mile road march that turned into all out sprint. After just getting 30 minutes of sleep there I was running down a lone two lane road with a �rubber duck� (fake M16) in hand and a 40 pound rucksack on my back. I was tired and physically beat but I continued on, pushing myself to finish. All I remember doing is keeping my head down and focused on the asphalt laid before me, encouraging myself to keep a good steady pace. My body was telling me to stop and rest, my mind toyed with the idea of slowing down and catching my breath but somewhere inside me I would not allow myself.

Persistence and sheer tenacity to reach my end goal allowed me to stand in that graduation formation. I will admit there was fear in me, fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, and fear of not just letting myself down but those that believed in me. I learned a lot about myself and my abilities; gained new confidence and an understanding of the rewards for hard work and determination. It is always easy to take the road less traveled but I find satisfaction in rising to new challenges and bettering myself; Quitting is NOT an option.

This started out as a reply to a thread....

racing_kitty — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 17:23:28 GMT

...but I got a little long-winded. I started out with a little history lesson to give some background about how I formed my opinion on what's happening with the Israel/Gaza blockade. Once I got started writing, my composition was entirely too long to post in a thread, so it's here instead.

Back when the Jews were called Israelites, and long before the slower sperm from the batch that gave us Mohammad had leaked back onto his mother's burka, they lived in the geographical region that they are currently in. That is not to say that they actually remained in one place for thousands of years, not by a long shot. There was that whole "captured and sent into slavery in Egypt" period. And while one can nitpick about "Bible accuracy vs. mythology" and the existence of Moses as we know him, there is proof that a large number of slaves did indeed escape from Egypt, haul ass for the hills, once again set up shop in what became known as Canaan, and voila! We have the kingdom of Israel.

What was indeed a catalyst for the escape of the "Israelite" slaves was that Pharaoh (who, BTW, did NOT lift his arse while facing Mecca 5x daily) had to prepare for, and do battle with, some right nasty bastards who sailed down from places north (i.e. the Black Sea/Turkey area) after they had figured for themselves how to get iron, make weapons, and claim land from other people as their own. Pharaoh beat the invading sea people, but not without weakening Egypt in the process (enabling the slave escape). The invaders were beaten back but not driven away completely. They settled down on a pretty fertile strip of land themselves, and voila! We have the Philistines. Just one problem... that was the southern coast of Canaan. What other group of people did I say had been floating around there for a while? The Philistines and the Israelites fought it out time and again over the ages (when Israel wasn't also fighting with the Babylonians, Assyrians, and other various nations). The Israelites became more commonly known as the Jews sometime around 700BC. Also at the same time, the Philistine people were assimilated by the Assyrians, and around 604 BCE were, themselves, carted off into slavery by the Babylonians. Their identity as a people ended, and the Jews continued to live in that area.

Eventually, Jerusalem fell, and the kingdom of Israel with it. Not to the Philistines, not to the Arabs, but to the Romans! Bear in mind, the Romans had been occupying those lands for a while by then. Around 70CE (AD for the less-historically inclined), the Romans named the area Palestine (a derivative of Philistine) because the Romans understood the Philistines to be the most hated enemy of the Jews, who were then promptly exiled for roughly 500 years. They eventually came back to live in the area while it was under Islamic rule, and there they stayed.

What does all that have to do with the blockade, and the boarding of the St. Pancake? Plenty, if you want to actually sit down and think about what is going on, and tie everything together; rather than sit and spew mere talking points.

The argument about who came first, the Palestinians as we know them or the Jews (the kosher chicken or the halal egg), is pretty fucking asinine. As we have read from the seemingly unrelated history lesson at the beginning of this post, the Israelites were already there, and had been made to relocate a couple of times by the time the Philistines staked their claims south of the Black Sea and were identified as the Philistine nation. That's not pro-Zion, that's just reading a time line. Hell, Palestine didn't even become part of the Islamic Caliphate until 630AD, which was when Islam was created. So much for always being an Islamic land.

History is full of examples of a conquered people taking back their land. Just look at Spain when they tossed the Muslims out on their asses, or all the times the Romans were run out on a rail in Europe. Modern Israel is the first case that I know of where a people reestablished a state using legal channels before fighting a war to reconquer the land. After all, wasn't it the UN who gave modern Israel to the Jews after WWII? This set a rather odd precedent, as when a people reconquer their land through blood and bullets, the other nations will grumble about it for ages, but ultimately that nation stands for a time. Not so with the creation of Israel.

Having been reestablished through legal channels first, and not through war, has IMO left Israel in a less-than-enviable position. The Jews went to war against the Arab world a year after the UN established the nation of Israel, with the goals of the Arabs being to abolish Israel, and return to a Muslim state without the interference of the British or anyone else. In fact, the Arabs first rejected the UN's idea of a two-state partition, and stood by that rejection as they went to war with Israel.

So here we are today. A legally established, sovereign nation is trying to defend itself from an enemy that wishes nothing less than that nation's complete destruction. That sovereign nation is using means that are legal under Article 42, Chapter VII of the UN Charter, to fight against an entity that is not recognized as a sovereign state. While it is sad that there are innocent people who are suffering as a result of the blockade, Israel has a right to defend itself from annihilation, which is the goal of Hamas. We did it to Cuba, the North did it to the South in the Civil War... it sucks ass for the common man, but that's the way wars work. The common men suffer as a result of the hubris of their leadership. If there are any Gazan supporters of an Israeli state, or even Gazan supporters of just letting the Jews and Palestinians coexist (states be damned), then they are indeed unfortunate victims of the hubris of the Hamas leadership.

But isn't that how things change? The common men get fed up with the bullshit of their government, and either vote them out or hold an insurrection and drive their old leaders out with violence? If the "innocent victims of Palestine" would stand up to the assholes running Hamas with the same fervor that they show when working to overthrow the Zionist occupiers, then things would change for the better, and perhaps Israel wouldn't feel as threatened. Or if they have no taste for fighting themselves, ask for help in overthrowing the ruling party. There are plenty of Palestinians who prefer Fatah over Hamas, it was just the people from Hamas who had the balls to effect change.

Sadly, regardless of which party the Palestinians support, they devote all of their energies into fighting against Israel. Suicide bombers, rocket attacks, none of these denote any kind of willingness to negotiate a peaceful solution. So why get surprised and upset when the people that the Palestinians attack repeatedly show nothing less than disbelief, and then defend themselves accordingly. However, when the Arab nations as a whole come out in favor of the destruction of Israel, and try to make good on it, you really can't be surprised when Israel defends herself.

Israel screwed up by boarding the flotilla in international waters. I wasn't too cool with that. Israel should have waited a little longer before boarding, let the flotilla get into Israeli waters. They won't make that mistake again. I am not one who believes that Israel is as innocent as a child, and is capable of doing no wrong. However, I AM in support of a sovereign nation defending its existence against an enemy (both state and non-state) that seeks to destroy that country.

Giving gifts...

racing_kitty — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:49:26 GMT

It�s usually right around this time of year, just before the blizzard of shredded wrapping paper mingles with the snow outside, that people start talking about what to give their loved ones. More often than not, the discussion will turn to what were the best gifts ever given and/or received by you. Jewelry, electronics, that new Coach bag, or that bad ass H&K you were eyeballing. With what�s going on in my life, I think the best gift I ever received � as well as the best gift I ever gave � was a hug, and at the time I didn�t even realize it.

My father was an LEO for most of my childhood. My siblings and I were pretty used to getting up early on Christmas morning, waiting on Dad to come home from graveyard shift so we could see what Santa brought us. My third grade year was no exception. Dad walked in the door a little later than usual. Being such a daddy�s girl, I was down the hall with a quickness, wrapping my arms around his neck as my sister and brother came running up behind me. He grabbed all three of us, and hugged us for as long as he could. I remember my sister and I asked him if he was okay, because he looked a little funny. No, he told us. He was only tired, as it had been a rough night.

What he didn�t tell me, until I was older, was just how rough a night it had been. Sometime during the night, he had gotten a call at the local Bloody Bucket in his precinct. A bar fight had gone horribly wrong, and when he got there, a young man lay dead in the middle of the barroom floor. The victim�s father was there at the scene, and was understandably distraught at the sight of his deceased son lying in the gore.

While Dad was talking to a witness, the father lost his mind, upset that the police had not already arrested the man that killed his son. Suddenly, Dad felt the barrel of a gun jammed into his back, and he wasn�t wearing body armor at the time. For a few moments, it really looked like he was going to die. All he could do was raise his hands, and try to talk some sense into a man who was filled with grief-stricken rage. Eventually the man put down the gun, and nobody else was harmed. When Dad came home, he was pretty shaken up, but didn�t want to say anything about it in front of us. He was just grateful to have walked in the door on Christmas morning, and put his arms around his children one more time.

Even now, over twenty years later, I�ll think about that morning. I couldn�t tell you for the life of me exactly what Santa left me under the tree. I don�t really remember what all Mom made for dinner, either. Those details really don�t matter all that much. I�ll always remember Dad walking in the door, and getting a much bigger hug than usual when all the kids bum-rushed him in the hall. Life is truly a gift that should not be wasted. Opportunities to show your love should always be taken, lest they never happen again. I didn�t think about it then, but I think about it now. That one moment, that first hug of the day, was truly the best gift that I could have gotten � and given � in my entire life.

I love you, Dad...

More U.S. Combat Soldiers in Afghanistan?

DesperateLands — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:05:21 GMT

U.S.Army Special Forces Counterinsurgency Efforts Continue Despite shortage on U.S. Green Beret Advisers in Afghanistan.

Is the United States prepared to send more combat troops in Afghanistan?

Your Thoughts & Comments!

Read Article Source: More Combat Soldiers in Afghanistan

By Regulo Zapata Jr.

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Domestic Terrorism

tinker_52 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:58:06 GMT

This'll be one to follow:
http://beltwayblips.dailyradar.com/s...-terror-probe/

The 24 yeqr-old person-of-interest has been recently employed as a limo driver around Denver Airport where, according to his co-workers, "he's just a kid..;" it's very conceivable that he and/or his father are involved in a jihadist bomb plot cell. :uhh: Next, he gave conflicting answers to LEO's, then "broke off talks with the FBI," and lawyered up.
Okay, this morning they've arrested him. The big concern now is that they may have jumped the gun, making contact with him before he revealed his co-conspirators.