A Sign For The Times…

“DON’T SMILE” (sign spotted at a Manassas, VA DMV): As part of the DMV’s effort to develop super-secure driver’s licenses and foolproof identification cards, the agency has issued a smile ban, directing customers to adopt a “neutral expression” in their portraits, thereby extinguishing whatever happiness comes with finally hearing one’s number called. “It’s weird that…

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BMD From the Sea – It’s Not Just for SWO’s

It is time for Naval Aviation to become more than interested bystanders and step up to the plate for the ballistic missile defense mission. For those who have been otherwise engaged or looking elsewhere, the cover and main article in the May 2009 issue of Proceedings is your wake-up call. Now, besides the ever-present threat…

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North Korea’s Nuke Test

It appears that second-time around worked for the North Koreans: SEOUL (AFP) — North Korea carried out a second and more powerful nuclear test, defying international pressure to rein in its atomic programmes after years of six-nation disarmament talks. The hardline communist state, which stunned the world by testing an atomic bomb for the first…

Say Hello to Ashura

(aka Sejil-2) Iran’s new MRBM and the latest complication in the brewing nuclear arms race in the Middle East: WASHINGTON (AP) – The missile test-fired by Iran is the longest-range solid-propellant missile it has launched yet, a U.S. government official said Wednesday, raising concerns about whether the sophistication of Tehran’s missile program is increasing. The U.S….

Foreign Ballistic Missiles – Capabilities and Threat Guide

We’ve talked about it here before, the threat that is.  Now comes an open  source, current publication you can use for citations and the like: Ballistic missile capabilities continue to increase with the proliferation of missile technology. Over 20 countries have ballistic missile systems and it is likely that missiles will be a threat in…

Props vs. Jets

Not just a nugget aviator’s dream selection (or nightmare), but the latest page in the “Save the Whale” campaign: A challenge has been issued!!! Previous donor of $3,000, Erbie Daws, has sent in another check in for $3,000 more. Erbie is from the Super Connie era and a VQ-1 veteran. His challenge to the “Jet…