13-19 Nov 1943: Army and Navy aircraft of Task Force 57 (Rear Admiral J. H. Hoover), based on islands of the Ellice, Phoenix, and Samoan Groups and on Baker Island, conducted long-range night bombing attacks on Japanese bases in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands as a preliminary to the invasion of the Gilberts. (ed: If…
18 Nov 1934: A contract was issued to the Northrop Corporation for the XBT-1, a two-seat Scout and l,000-pound dive bomber. This aircraft was the initial prototype in the sequence that led to the SBD Dauntless series of dive bombers introduced to the fleet in 1938 and used throughout World War II. 18 Nov 1942:…
17 Nov 1924–Langley reported for duty with the Battle Fleet, thereby ending over 2 years in experimental status and becoming the first operational aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy. On 1 December she also became the flagship of Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet. Valour-IT Fundrainsing Update (through 14 Nov): Here are the official totals through Day…
We’re back – the apprentices returned to their shackles desks and as Lex suggests, time to twist the knife. In that spirit (friendly competition of course) we will provide a daily feature until the end of the competition to provide an educational experience for the others – specifically team Chair Air Force Said service will…
While our erstwhile Scribe (nee’ Bossman, slave-driver extraordinaire, chump, etc.) is doing his best to relive his (misspent) youth this weekend – and will probably require copious amounts of BenGay ™ and Tylenol afterwards (snicker), his apprentices have been unchained from their ink-stained benches and allowed to post in his absence. Right. So, he asked…
Well, yes – we realize it isn’t Friday yet, but so what? We’re on the road forthwith to our alma mater to join up with the rest of our classmates (who are either still fugitives or on work release programs…ahem) from some thirty odd years ago, swap lies, watch some football and swap some more…
Every so often we receive a note via the comments section that sort of underscores our meager efforts – sometimes its a nugget of info not found elsewhere, a tip or lead that takes us on a new path and sometimes we connect with those whose forebears had a role in the history of which…
OK, guess it’s throw down time – time to get some skin in this challenge…Spirit of Attack and all Open challenge to Mike over at No Angst Zone – if Team USAF is ahead of Team Navy after the final reckoning on Thanksgiving, then the following Friday (5 Dec), my Flightdeck Friday post will be…
“Support our Troops†So says the ubiquitous magnetic sticker on yet another non-descript vehicle on the road up ahead – but one wonders if the driver/occupant knows of a program that directly, materially supports our troops in a life-changing way? That program would be Valour-IT (Voice Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops). The short story is…
At the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month…the guns fell silent along what was known then as the Western Front as the Allies and Germany observed the agreement to end this “War to End All Wars.” While fighting continued sporadically elsewhere, in what were fast becoming the former empires of Russia…
