Author Archives: CJ

The past two days, I focused on the sea mission of the Navy. Today, I want to highlight their air superiority as well. While the Blue Angels aren’t exactly combat aircraft (technically they are, but you know what I mean), the team is comprised of the best of the best in Naval Aviators.

Growing up as a Navy dependent, I got to witness firsthand the awesome professionalism and focus of these pilots. To land an jet aircraft on a moving runway only 900 feet long. Cables along the flight deck bring an aircraft flying at 150mph to a complete stop in about 300 feet! The Blue Angels have always amazed me.

A formation of Navy Blue Angel FA-18 Hornets from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., fly together before being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from Altus AFB Sept. 20, 2012. The 54th Air Refueling Squadron at Altus AFB provided air refueling support to the Blue Angels for the First Mountain West Airshow. The Blue Angels travel 300 days out the year to perform aerial stunts for audiences nation wide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)

Yesterday, I wrote about the threat of the Chinese in the Pacific (yes, I know that the photo was of maneuvers in the Atlantic). So, since I shared a photo of an exercise in the Atlantic while talking about threats in the Pacific, I’ll share a threat on the other side of the world with a photo from the Pacific. Only makes sense, right? I wanted to share another example of our naval superiority and highlight other threats to our national security that have nothing to do with sexual orientation.

Only 21 miles wide, the Strait of Hormuz is the most congested space of water in the world. Through its channel flows more than 20% of the world’s petroleum supply. The Iranians have threatened to mine the Strait if Israel launches any type of attack against it.

In response, the US and more than three dozen nations have just completed joint exercises which included mine sweeping operations. I don’t think the Iranians want this barreling down on them!

Operating to ensure security and stability in the vital Asia-Pacific region, two of the U.S. Navy’s 11 global force aircraft carriers conducted readiness operations at the conclusion of exercise Valiant Shield. Forward-deployed to Japan, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), left, the Bremerton, Washington-based aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), right, along with the San Diego-based guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) exercised surface and anti-submarine training events as well as integrated flight operations in order to respond quickly to any future crises in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class William Pittman)

Over the next few days, I’m going to spend some time highlighting the might of the greatest Navy on the face of the planet. Why? Because, there are naval threats to our national security around the world.

There is a major threat against the Japanese by the Red Chinese over some small islands purchased by the Japanese government. China has threatened the use of force to keep what they think is their sovereign territory in spite of the fact that a Japanese company has owned the islands for a long time.

If China makes any threats against the Japanese, it makes those threats against the United States as well. Japan is a major partner of the US and the country relies greatly on our support for its defense. If war were to break out, you can bet that our Navy will be the first service involved in repelling the threat of the commies. I really don’t think the commies want to mess with this.

The crew aboard the USS Gravely (DDG 107) maneuvers with other naval forces during a UNITAS exercise in the Atlantic Ocean Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. The crew aboard the Gravely is participating in UNITAS, which is designed to train each naval force in a variety of maritime scenarios with each operating as a component of a multinational force providing the maximum opportunity to improve interoperability. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter Shinn/RELEASED)

Holy schnikies! While I didn’t forget that today is POW/MIA Day, I did almost forget to spread the news. If you follow my Twitter account, I’m sure you saw that reminder.

Here at You Served, we strive to always honor those that have sacrificed so much on our behalf. When the remains of those missing from America’s previous wars are identified, we ensure that we let you know about it. Today is a day to honor and remember those that are still unaccounted for and those that suffered through hell on earth in the hands of our enemies.

I want to mention the only Soldier that remains unaccounted for in the Global War on Terrorism, SGT Bowe Bergdahl. While the circumstances surrounding Bergdahl’s capture remain someone controversial, the fact remains that an American is considered in enemy hands. Missing since June 30, 2009, Bergdahl has been held captive for more than three years and two months.

On this day, please remember our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action troops both past and present.

When I was a young Private going to school at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, TX, I had an opportunity to be on a hot-air balloon team. Our job was to help get the balloon set up for the pilot. Once airborne, we drove all over the place following it until it came to the landing site. It was a lot of fun, though not something I’m necessarily interested in doing myself up there.

While it looks like this is a winter photo, this was taken at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico by Airman 1st Class Michael Shoemaker. Those vehicles under the balloon are probably the spotters for that balloon or others in the sky. What makes spotting so fun is that you never know how to chase the balloon. Maps are crucial and I’m not talking about GPS types either. You need to be able to look at a physical map and find the right road to stay in contact with the balloon. It’s easy to end up on a dead end or a poorly maintained road and having to backtrack onto a better route.

A hot-air balloon is piloted above the White Sands National Monument, N.M., during the 21st annual White Sands Balloon Invitational Sept. 16. Balloonists came from Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, California, Texas and New Mexico for the two-day event, at which more than 50 balloons launched from both the balloon park in Alamogordo, N.M., and the White Sands National Monument. The event committee obtained a permit for balloons to fly over the monument, as normally private aircraft are not allowed in the airspace. Members of Team Holloman volunteered at the event.

Being at Ft. Hood, I thought it appropriate to share this great story by Heather Graham-Ashley.

Fort Hood has come a long way during its 70 years, from rolling Central Texas farmlands to the Army’s premier training facility of today’s soldiers, and that growth continues today. (Graphic illustration by Dawn Pandoliano, III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs)
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I love showcasing the efforts of our military in helping American society where we are legally able. Too often, our troops don’t get the credit they deserve during natural disasters and events like this.

Every single day it seems our military is putting its life on line here at home while our brothers and sisters in arms are doing so abroad. We all have a deep-seeded love for our country and its citizens. We would gladly sacrifice our own lives in the preservation of others.

I’m in awe at the people with whom I have the privilege of working on a daily basis. I get to walk among heroes, share their stories, and shake their hands. And I’m not talking about just today’s heroes. Every time I walk into a commissary, I see Vietnam Veterans, Korean War Veterans, Desert Storm Veterans, and even World War II Veterans.

We are truly a blessed nation.

A B-52 Stratofortress from Barkesdale AFB, Nevada, executes a fly-by at the Berlin Air Show, commonly known as ILA 2012 in Berlin Sept. 16. The air show is an international event hosted by Germany and more than 50 U.S. military personnel from bases in Europe and the United States are here to support the various U.S. military aircraft and equipment on display. The U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72A Lakota, and U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon, C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III are also featured at ILA 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tabitha M. Lee)