Current News Update
The U.S. Air Force, Japan’s Air Defense & Royal Australian Air Force spread the joy of Christmas…
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam — The U.S. Air Force is once again playing the role of Santa to people living in some of the most remote locations in the world.
Airmen from the Yokota Air Base’s 374th Airlift Wing have spent the last week in the back of their C-130s, dropping much-needed supplies to island villages and atolls scattered throughout Micronesia. In its 64th year, the holiday humanitarian mission has become known as Operation Christmas Drop.
The supplies, which benefit more than 20,000 people in the Northern Marianas Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau, are collected through donations.
“When we heard that these people needed our help, we did everything we could get some toys and food collected at our school,” said Lolaine Arriola, a ninth-grader from Okkodo High School on Guam. Even though the students only had a few days to collect items, “we still filled a few boxes of goods and got a few classmates to come to the base to help pack the bundles,” Arriola said.
This year, the Yokota crew has had help from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force, making this Christmas Drop a multinational effort.
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The New Orleans National World War II Museum took airmen for another flight…
The museum takes special care of aircraft used in the war; this year, the show has featured a B-29 Superfortress, which was used in the Pacific for long-range bombing and a B-25, a plane which saw much service in Europe. War veterans who were able to attend the show were given the opportunity to ride in the planes again.
Victor J. Hancock, 92, flew a B-25 during the war and said he thought back to Corsica as he rode in the aircraft again during this year’s show. He flew 22 missions in Italy and Austria, generally targeting the Brenner Pass, used by the Germans to move their troops and supplies into Italy. During the airshow, though, Hancock was a passenger who got to look out the windows and enjoy the view for a change.
Martin Biener, 93, flew 51 war missions over Europe in a B-25 nicknamed the Yellow Rose. On his ride during the show he sat in the middle by the gunner position, which he noticed was made differently than the original. He and the other five veterans in the plane took photos with their phones while enjoying the ride.
Bernie Peters, 92, was another veteran who took a ride during the show. He recalled, during the safety talk advising him of the location of emergency exits, that he knew all too well where they were.
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Navy sends new stealth destroyer out for trials…
WASHINGTON — The Navy’s new stealth destroyer began a week of sea trials Monday to try and prove that after years of setbacks, the next-generation warship was worth the wait.
The USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) is the first in a class of futuristic destroyers that will have an angular but low external profile to maximize stealth on the outside, and next-generation power systems to enable the ship to run energy-demanding future weapons and sensor systems on the inside.
The ship sailed Monday from its port in Bath, Maine for a weeklong test of its onboard systems, according to the Navy. The Zumwalt was designed to replace the Navy’s current fleet of Arleigh-Burke destroyers but cost overruns and program delays led the Navy to cap the ship’s production to three.
Stories were found In Stars and Stripes and WWI online.
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Navy Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Harriet Behrans – Washington DC; US Navy WAVE, WWII
Matthew Dinning – Richmond Hill, CAN; RC Army, Afghanistan, 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade
Marion Faure Jr. – Pocatello, ID; US Army, WWII, PTO, Purple Heart
Harold Heffer – NZ; RNZ Navy # 1447, WWII, Petty Officer
Norman Johnson – Leominister, MA; US Army, Korea, 187th RCT
Oliver Lewis – Ogden, UT; US Army Air Corps, 11th Airborne
Arnold McKerley – Warrior, AL; US Navy, WWII
Hifumi Okazaki – Honolulu, HI; US Army, WWII, MIS Nisei
Arthur Scarborough – Savannah, GA; Civil Air Patrol, WWII/ US Navy, Korea, photographer
William Walsh – Salem, NH; US Navy, WWII
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Posted on December 12, 2015, in Current News, Uncategorized and tagged History, Military, Military History, Navy, nostalgia, Tributes, USA, USS Zumwalt, veterans, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 77 Comments.
Yokota AB… goes back a long way. I think it may have been renamed to that when your dad was there? Anyways, there’s a Yokota AFB shuttle in this pic my dad took in 1947 in front of the Tokyo Station across from the Imperial Palace. https://picasaweb.google.com/114837245606560198802/Dad#5472450915926859458
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Thanks for the link, Koji – I went through a bunch of your Dad’s photos! I’ll bet the Tokyo museum or the base historian would love to have those pictures! That train station sure came out looking great – the Army engineers did a terrific job!! You are correct about the name, it was Tama AB before the US took it over.
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thanks for the info, especially the Christmas drop and the sub out of Bath, Thanks and Merry Christmas
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What a great story!
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Thanks.
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a New Year full of amazing stories to share.
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Isn’t that a wonderful thing to say!! Thank you very much! I also wish you the very same.
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The Stealth destroyer sure looks futuristic, doesn’t it?
Daddy was the CO on a couple destroyers. I’ll have to make sure he sees this (although I’m sure he has!)
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I’m sure he watched the Army/Navy game too; the Navy’s helmets were hand-painted – different ships, including a stealth submarine! They were beautiful! Tell you dad – thanks for everything!!
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I watched it, too! and shared an article on FB about the helmets and the uniforms. The biggest game of the year, and the best college football tradition – seeing who gets to sing second.
I do love being a “Navy Brat” and in fact, ordered T-shirts for my sisters for Christmas that say “Proud Navy Daughter”.
I will share your thanks with my father when I see him in 2 weeks. Cannot wait!
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Great to hear your spirit!! And thanks for relaying the message!
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Reblogged this on The mind is an unexplored country. and commented:
Yesterday’s foes, today’s allies.
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Thank you, Gregory. Despite this being a Pacific War site, some current news is warranted for our present troops and good news for our readers and friends!!
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Not current news at all but I thought you would enjoy this link and when the right time comes, you might like to share it.
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These men are truly amazing, Mrs P. After all they go through, they remain humble and grateful this for this country. This video does brings awe and tears! Thank you.
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How nice! >Operation Christmas Drop
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How about that?! – good news!! Thanks for my smiley Santa.
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Thank you! It helps get me in the holiday spirit!
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Good afternoon!
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on KCJones.
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It’s great to hear some good news for a change – right, Penny!! Thanks again.
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That stealth destroyer looks really unusual! It looks like an old ironclad!
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Isn’t that something?!! Maybe our ancestors knew more than what they told us, eh? 😉
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Wonderful, memorable, flight
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I’m glad you enjoyed the article, Derrick. It seems this post was the smile everyone needed about now.
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Yes
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Thanks for the great year GP.
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I really appreciate that, Suchled. I think we’ve both had a productive year and hopefully 2016 will be just as good – if not better!
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Thanks GP. It has been a lot of fun.
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I feel as though we shake hands across the miles on every post and comment. Thank you.
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Fabulous, feel good post – right in time for Christmas cheer and always on time to put a smile on the faces of the most deserving such as these brave “old” chaps.
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Everyone seems to be smiling with this post – and THAT puts a smile on mine, Ina!! I think we could ALL use some cheery news this time of year!!
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Indeed, gp, if we don’t find the cheer easily we need to go out and look for it!
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Yes. That’s the spirit, Ina!
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Zumwalt is one weird looking ship—I like that Merrimack analogy; spot on. And that ‘old fashioned’ looking bow is meant to make her a more stable platform. Hope all goes well …
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I’m sure we all do – we could use some GOOD news now and again!!
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Kudos to the guys out of Guam. It is always heartwarming to read such stories.
“cost overruns and program delays” An all too common story for weapons that already cost billions. –Curt
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Thanks for reading here, Curt, always a pleasure!!
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I also heard (but haven’t confirmed yet), that since the Marine base is closing on Okinawa and going to Guam – the Japanese want to use the empty space for a Disney theme park!
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What a wonderfully uplifting post in this world of turmoil!
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We need to start smiling once in a while – that’s for sure, Kerry. Thank you for coming by!
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This is splendid Brad, those two guys look like they are experiencing a dream come true! Love the humor as always.
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These sort of flights are so uplifting, to see those smiles – I can’t resist making a post for them, Hollie.
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What a lovely uplifting post, GP! I wish the news was filled with this kind of thing. The good things get left out… Thank you, and mega hugs!
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We all need some good news now and again, especially this time of year! I appreciate you taking your time to visit here.
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Thank you lieber Freund wünsche einen schönen 3 Advent Grüße und Küsse Gislinde
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Love the current report and what a great idea. Have a Merry Christmas!
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Thank you very much. May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and New Year season too, Kathy.
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Your Welcome and thanks. Hard to believe it’s getting so close!
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Creeping right up on us!!
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Love the “current report”!
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Thank goodness – good news for a change, eh?!
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Yes! ;D
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I’ve never heard of a stealth destroyer . Looks a little like the Merrimack from the Civil War. Thanks for the post .
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The point of how much it looks like the Merrimack was mentioned in one of the articles on it – the resemblance really can’t be denied, can it, Dan?
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What a really strange ship! With a really strange name!
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To me, that stealth design always looks a bit like science fiction – I’m old school I guess, 🙄 The name is after Elmo Russell Zumwalt, Jr. He was an admiral and youngest man to serve as Chief of Naval Operations – highly decorated, esp. for Vietnam, in his 32 year career. Thank you for your interest, John!
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Nice to now there are many good things going on in the world today. A cheery post!
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How about that – a good news post – imagine that?!!
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I read about this years ago. So glad it continues. Thanks for posting this, GP.
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I can’t resist their beaming faces!
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I’d imagine Bernie Peters would know “all too well” where the emergency exits were. How nice these veterans were allowed to ride in the planes again.
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I figured it was a force of habit for the safety check to be complete – you can’t take anything for granted when up there I suppose. Thanks for dropping by.
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Good Holiday news for a change. The New Orleans National WWII is on my list for a visit.
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Good for you, Adam. I’ve seen so much of it on-line, I really wish I could get there soon myself!!
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Have a blessed Christmas Season and thank you for all your wonderful posts in your blog, GP!
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Thank you, Peter. I wish you and yours the very same!!
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The sight of those B-25 makes me want to tell a story.
My uncle was a B-25 pilot and near the end of this war, most of his missions were in Southern France. These were low-risk missions and the increasingly bored crew decided to liven things up by wiring the plane to allow only one landing light to be activated. During a return to base at twilight, they dropped down to treetop level over a railroad line and turned on the single landing light. They claimed they could see sparks fly from the wheels of a locomotive miles away. They didn’t say what further action they took against the train.
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Too bad your uncle left you hanging at the end like that! You’ll find quite a few of the troops maintained a good sense of humor to get themselves and their buddies through the hard times! That’s why I have a separate section for the military humor. Thanks for sharing, Greg!
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Thanks for the report on current events, GP. Nice to see the air force veterans getting to ride again, in the old planes, and to see the drops to the remote islands continuing.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I love the look on their faces as they take flight one more time! I can’t resist the story! Thanks for reading it, Pete!!
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Cheers to the 374, and Happy Holidays to you !!!!!
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Back atcha big fella!!
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Thank you for including me, Angel.
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