Archive for March, 2009
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Eielson, Elmendorf to host international combat simulation
The Associated Press
(03/31/09 11:28:02)
About 1,400 participants from U.S. and foreign air forces will start arriving in Alaska this week for military training exercises.
Red Flag-Alaska will be April 16 through May 1. The exercises simulate a combat environment.
The exercises will be on the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex. Air operations will be flown out of the Eielson […]
No Comments » - Posted in Alaska Hanscoms, Military "Stuff," Past and Present, News by dad
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Harmless haze drifts from volcano
By JAMES HALPIN
jhalpin@adn.com
(03/31/09 13:18:08)
Redoubt volcano continues to simmer today, spewing steam, gas and small amounts of ash. One result is volcanic haze that’s now stretching over much of Southcentral Alaska, including Anchorage.
There are no current ash-fall or air-quality warnings, and flights in and out of Anchorage are operating normally.
A trace amount of ash fall is […]
No Comments » - Posted in Alaska Hanscoms, News by dad
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Today in Anchorage and Fairbanks
Today: Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 32F. Winds light and variable.
Tonight: Some clouds. Low 21F. Winds light and variable.
Tomorrow: Partly cloudy skies early. A few snow showers developing later in the day. High near 30F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
Tomorrow night: A few clouds. Low 18F. Winds light and […]
No Comments » - Posted in Alaska Hanscoms, News by dad
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
UK troops begin Iraqi withdrawal
British forces have begun their official withdrawal from Iraq after the UK’s commander in the south of the country handed over to a US general.
Major General Andy Salmon has transferred authority for what will become Multi-National Division South to US Major General Michael Oates.
The generals’ pennants were raised and lowered in a handover ceremony.
Most of […]
2 Comments » - Posted in Military "Stuff," Past and Present, News by dad
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
U.S. holds out olive branch to non-violent Taliban
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers a short statement before the start of a U.N.-backed conference on Afghanistan in The Hague March 31, 2009. Clinton is hoping to win support at the 90-nation conference for greater military involvement along with increased economic development and army and police training to defeat al Qaeda and Taliban […]
No Comments » - Posted in Military "Stuff," Past and Present, News by dad
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Gates Puts ‘Don’t Ask’ Issue on Back-Burner
March 30, 2009
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Don’t expect any change soon to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy about gays in the military.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says both he and President Barack Obama have “a lot on our plates right now.” As Gates puts it, “let’s push that one down the road a little bit.”
The White […]
No Comments » - Posted in Military "Stuff," Past and Present, News by dad
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
War Wounded at Risk of Superbugs
March 31, 2009
United Press International
HARROGATE, England — Soldiers who survive severe injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan can be at risk of developing infections in their wounds, U.S. researchers say.
Dr. Clinton K. Murray of Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, said that at the beginning of the 20th century improved military hygiene and disease […]
No Comments » - Posted in Military "Stuff," Past and Present, News by dad
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Yemeni Doc to be Released From Gitmo
March 31, 2009
Miami Herald
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba — The U.S. government on Monday agreed to release a Yemeni surgeon - who reportedly treated al-Qaida wounded at Tora Bora in Afghanistan - under a new review ordered by President Barack Obama meant to empty the prison camps here by January 2010.
Ayman Batarfi, 38, told a […]
No Comments » - Posted in Military "Stuff," Past and Present, News by dad
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
St. Stephen of Mar Saba
A “do not disturb” sign helped today’s saint find holiness and peace.
Stephen of Mar Saba was the nephew of St. John Damascene, who introduced the young boy to monastic life beginning at age 10. When he reached 24, Stephen served the community in a variety of ways, including guest master. After some time he asked […]