This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Author: Ex-PH2

  • Navy Mines Explode near Vietnam

    In 1972, the US Navy dropped sea mines off the coast of Vietnam south of Haiphong to disrupt supply shipping to North Vietnam. No, not like the mine in the photo. They looked more like torpedoes.

    In August of 1972, Navy ships’ crews watched while these mines detonated for no obvious reason. In reviewing archived and now declassified materials, the conclusion is that a magnetic solar storm on the order of a Carrington event caused the detonations.

    Space Weather has published a report on the solar research involved in this. It is available as a pdf at this link: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2018SW002024

    This is one part of the abstract:

    Abstract:

    Today the extreme space weather events of early August 1972 are discussed as benchmarks for Sun-Earth transit times of solar ejecta (14.6 hr) and for solar energetic particle fluxes (10 MeV ion flux >70,000 cm?2·s?1·sr?1). Although the magnetic storm index, Dst, dipped to only ?125 nT, the magnetopause was observed within 5.2 RE and the plasmapause within 2 RE. Widespread electric and communication grid disturbances plagued North America late on 4 August. There was an additional effect, long buried in the Vietnam War archives that add credence to the severity of the storm impact: a nearly instantaneous, unintended detonation of dozens of sea mines south of Hai Phong, North Vietnam on 4 August 1972. The U.S. Navy attributed the dramatic event to magnetic perturbations of solar storms. Herein we discuss how such a finding is broadly consistent with terrestrial effects and technological impacts of the 4 August 1972 event and the propagation of major eruptive activity from the Sun to the Earth. We also provide insight into the solar, geophysical, and military circumstances of this extraordinary situation. In our view this storm deserves a scientific revisit as a grand challenge for the space weather community, as it provides space?age terrestrial observations of what was likely a Carrington?class storm.

    —

    The original and now declassified report from 1972 is held in Texas Tech University’s Vietnam archives. It is 143 pages long, divided into 3 pdfs, if you want to read it.

    The pdfs are at this link:  https://vva.vietnam.ttu.edu/repositories/2/digital_objects/83295

    Title: U.S. Navy Report, Mine Warfare Project Office – The Mining of North Vietnam, 8 May 1972 to 14 January 1973

    Item Number: 1070416001

    A Carrington event refers to the extreme solar storm and flare that overheated telegraph wires, which were noninsulated copper, and set some telegraph offices on fire. The solar storm of 1859 was a powerful geomagnetic solar storm during solar cycle 10 (1855–1867). A solar coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth’s magnetosphere and induced one of the largest geomagnetic storms on record, September 1–2, 1859.

    Things have changed considerably since then, including several solar CMEs that just missed our planet by a hair.

    As everything moves more and more toward high-end technology dependent on what are essentially radio signals, there is widespread speculation on what will happen to all of that technojunk that people depend on now.  Maybe the old-fashioned windup stuff isn’t so dated, after all.

  • Expired Pigeon Carries Secret Code

    You may remember this story, about a dead bird found in an unused fireplace chimney, wearing a tiny capsule that carried a coded message to Blechley Park in Buckinghamsire, where the UK’s intelligence headquarters was located during World War II. Carrier pigeons were used extensively for this kind of thing, most of them being quite fast and strong, and blessed with a strong sense of where “home” was. The British government employed about 250,000 of them, and in fact, formed a special RAF squadron to cull the hawks and other birds of prey that hunted them.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2226203/Skeleton-hero-World-War-II-carrier-pigeon-chimney-secret-coded-message-attached-leg.html

    This unfortunate bird, however, didn’t make it to Blechley Park. Poor thing stopped to rest on someone’s chimney and fell into it instead, until the current homeowner decided in 2012 to renovate the fireplace, which required cleaning out the chimney.

    And there it was: a long lost message that never got delivered.

    The message was sent to Blechley Park when found, and codebreakers were stumped by it.

    https://theweek.com/articles/470121/curious-case-uncrackable-world-war-ii-code-found-dead-pigeon

    However, a Canadian man, Gord Young from Peterborough, Ont., a member of a local historical society, who had inherited a WWI codebook said that he’d cracked the code very quickly. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-20749632

    Mr Young says Sgt Stott would have sent two birds – with identical messages – at the same time, to make sure the information got through.

    He stated he believed that it was WWI-related code, because of the use of the abbreviation Sjt. in Stott’s rank, an archaic abbreviation for Sergeant.

    “Essentially, Stott was taught by a WWI trainer; a former Artillery observer-spotter. You can deduce this from the spelling of Serjeant which dates deep in Brits military and as late as WWI,” he said.

    “Seeing that spelling almost automatically tells you that the acronyms are going to be similar to those of WWI.”

    Naturally, there was some skepticism evinced by Blechley Park, but until  or unless they can show otherwise, they still haven’t cracked it themselves.

    The lesson here? Simple: Don’t throw out those old codebooks. They might come in handy some day.

    We still use Morse code, right? Does anyone ever use Morris code any more? We need to invent some new “old” codes, too, stuff that looks archaic, and use archaic languages like Silbo gomero, a whistling language from the Canary Islands, or some of those African click languages that are fading away.  Klingon is SO-O-O last century!

  • Army Releases Deploy-or-Out Rules for Administratively Sidelined Troops

    13 Nov 2018 – Military.com | By Matthew Cox

    The U.S. Army today publicly released its new policy for dealing with soldiers who are non-deployable for administrative reasons, just over a month after the Pentagon’s new deploy-or-out policy took effect Oct. 1.

    “Soldiers who are non-deployable for an administrative reason … for more than six consecutive months, or six non-consecutive months in a 12-month period, will be processed for administrative separation,” according to the new policy dated Nov. 8.

    The Army has finally defined in writing what it takes to be deployable: From the article:

    “To be considered deployable, a soldier in the active, National Guard and Reserve must be:

    – Administratively, legally and medically cleared for employment in any environment in which the Army is operating or could operate.

    – Able to operate in austere areas or areas that regularly experience significant environmental conditions such as heat, cold or altitude that could exacerbate medical conditions.

    – Able to carry and employ an assigned weapon.

    – Capable of executing individual warrior tasks for his or her assigned mission.

    – Able to operate while wearing body armor, helmet, eye protection, gloves and chemical or biological protective equipment.

    – Capable of passing the Army physical fitness test or meeting the physical demands or tasks required for a specific deployment.”

    Looks like you’d better put down that bottle of 33 Beer. You’re gonna have to hump that ruck in the boonies, whether you like it or not. Oh, wait – that’s a different century. My bad. Sorry!

    The full story is here:  https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/11/13/army-releases-deploy-or-out-rules-administratively-sidelined-troops.html

     

  • Veterans Day Is Not Memorial Day

    poppy

    There seems to be some confusion in the public about Memorial Day and Veterans Day.  This should clear things up. They are observed in different months (May vs. November) and one is a federal holiday, which means government offices are closed, while the other is not.

    Memorial Day is always the last Monday in the month of May every year. It’s a federal holiday, which means that it is officially a day when government is shut down, just like Thanksgiving Day (and sometimes the day after turkey day!). Originally known as Decoration Day, the name was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1971.

    Decoration Day was started as a way to remember the fallen and missing in the aftermath of the Civil War. It started as local and sometimes individual events, but the town of Waterloo, NY, had already begun to hold a communitywide event, starting in 1866.

    The full history of Memorial Day, including the reason for making it a 3-day weekend for government employees, is here at https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history

    Established as the last Monday in the month of May, every year, it is a day when everything government is closed for a day off. There is no specified calendar date for Memorial Day. It is always the last Monday in May.

    The establishment of Armistice (Veterans) Day as a national holiday, but not a government day off, followed Decoration (Memorial) Day, and is always the date of the signing of the peace treaty ending World War I, which was November 11, 1918.

    I wrote an article for Veterans Day, outlining the history of this date.  https://www.azuse.cloud/?p=82786

    Originally known as Armistice Day, President Eisenhower’s administration changed it to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor the fallen of World War II, in which he was posted to the European theater, and the Korean War. It now includes all those fallen in warfare as well as living veterans and frequently, active duty people, too, and is always observed on November 11th, the date of the signing of the Armistice ending World War I.  The day of the week does not matter. This year, it fell on Sunday and a large memorial event took place at Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday, as well as observations and ceremonies in France at American cemeteries there and elsewhere.

    The difference between these two days honoring the military and those fallen in warfare is simple.

    They both have a specific month, but one has a permanently fixed week day, and the other is a permanently fixed calendar date.  What’s the difference in these two words: day versus date? Friday is not always Friday the 13th, but Christmas Day is always December 25.

    Memorial Day has a permanently designated weekday, the last Monday in May, every year. It is a federal holiday, meaning banks will be closed and the government has a three-day weekend, as do a lot of private businesses and some banks.

    Veterans Day is observed always on November 11 every year, regardless of the day of the week. It is not a federal holiday, but if it fell near a weekend when I was working, I usually took a long weekend. A lot of people I knew did the same thing.

    I don’t know how much more plainly these differences can be explained.  However, it should clear up any confusion in people who decided that somehow, Veterans Day this year fell on Monday, November 12, when it did not. The ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, not on the next day.

  • Some Additional Information

    This “Special” post is for those who were complaining and moaning about Pres. Trump not showing up for the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11.

    The information provided below should straighten up the issue of Trump’s not being at Arlington, but probably won’t have any effect on those who are complaining.

    Veterans Day was Sunday, November 11, not Monday. Yesterday was Monday, Nov. 12.

    Trump was back by Sunday NIGHT and the event took place during the DAY on Sunday, November 11. I’ll keep repeating that until it sinks in.

    As I understand it, NIGHT follows DAY. So if he didn’t get back until Sunday NIGHT, how was he to be there during the DAY?? Magic beans or something?

    According to his schedule for Nov. 11, 2018:

    For anyone who doesn’t understand what “local” time means, in this case, local means French time. EST means Eastern Standard Tume USA

    8:50 AM EST President Schedule – The President departs Paris, France, en route to Suresnes, France (1:50 pm Local – France)

    9:10 AM EST President Schedule – The President arrives at Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial (2:10 pm Local – France)   American Cemetery and Memorial, Suresnes, France

    9:15 AM EST President Schedule – The President attends the American Commemoration Ceremony at Suresnes American Cemetery hosted by the Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (2:15 pm Local – France)

    10:25 AM EST The President and THE FIRST LADY depart Orly, France, en route to Washington, D.C. ( 3:25 pm Local – France)

    6:40PM EST The President and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Joint Base Andrews (That’s a little over an 8 hour flight.)

    6:50PM EST The President and THE FIRST LADY depart Joint Base Andrews en route to the White House

    7:00 PM  EST President Schedule The President and the First Lady arrive at the White House

    The information posted above comes from the President’s schedule which is publicly available for anyone who bothers to look it up.

    The Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was held and aired at on November 11, 2018 at 10:48 AM EST on C-SPAN 1.

    It’s real easy to criticize someone in that job.  Since we don’t have teleportation available just yet, it’s another small step to find fault with someone who is several thousand miles away on another continent marking an alliance with France that endured all the way through World War I and World War II and through to the end of the Cold War.

    Maybe the President could get a ride in the Tardis from the Doctor.

    Just in case anyone is wondering, it’s a minimum 8 hour flight from the USA to Europe or Europe to the USA. I’ve made that round trip twice. Once you turn right at Greenland and you’re over the Atlantic, it’s boring until you get near Ireland.

    I don’t even vaguely think Trump is perfect, but he is tough and he knows how to get things done.

    Maybe Trump should just have himself cloned. Then he could be in two places at the same time.

    I do not care whether or not you like Trump. That’s your business.

    But when you just jump on something and throw it at me and complain  — it’s still your problem, but for some reason you have to make it mine.

    Since you can’t be bothered to find things out, and I do the research….

  • The Emergency Call of All Time

    Some time back, someone in a town in Florida called the police about a coconut containing an IED sitting at the street end of his driveway.  A police car did show and the police officer did test the alleged coconut IED with his foot, but apart from that, it seemed unremarkable, until the following transcript was found in someone’s mailbox.

    Emergency 911, what is your emergency?

    I have a coconut IED in my front yard.

    What? You have a coconut in your front yard, sir?

    No, no, it’s a coconut with an IED in it.

    You have an IED in your possession?

    No! No! It’s a coconut with an IED in it!  And my bushes are rustling, too!

    I want to understand what you’re saying, sir, but it’s a bit unclear. Could you repeat what you’ve told me, clearly and slowly, so that the recording is very clear?

    I have a coconut in my front yard with an IED in it. It was put there by someone.

    Okay, well, do you know who put it there, sir?

    I think so.

    Okay, well, can you tell me, who was it?  Was it Bigfoot? Was it a wookie? A yeti?

    No, I believe it was put there by a seal.

    Excuse me, sir – by a what?

    By a seal.

    By a seal?

    Yes.

    Okay, well, what kind of seal was it, sir?  There are several species of seal, you know. Could you be specific?

    I believe it was a Navy seal.

    A Navy seal?  I didn’t know the Navy had seals.  Are you talking about a harbor seal? I think the circus left town a few weeks ago. They didn’t report any escaped seals.

    No! No! A Navy seal.  The seal team guys. You know what I mean – the special forces guys.

    I’m afraid I’m not familiar with any of the Navy’s animal training programs, sir, but I can find out if any of their trained animals have escaped and are wandering around with coconuts.

    You aren’t taking me seriously.  You’re just a horrible person.  I’m a taxpayer and I –!

    Sir, I’m just doing my job and trying to be very clear about your call.  Now if you’ll explain what you mean by Navy seal, I can –!

    Oh, fuck it, you bitch!

    Sir, there’s no need to be rude. I’ll send an officer to check the coconut and warn him that there might be seals in the neighborhood. Thank you for calling.  Good-bye.

  • For the Whiners Who Whine About Everything

    What’s the matter? Someone piss in your Cheerios this morning?

    Motorcade Would Disrupt Traffic by JILL COLVIN, Associated Press

    PARIS (AP) — Stung by criticism for not attending an event honoring U.S. military dead, the White House says President Donald Trump didn’t want to disrupt Paris roadways for a last-minute motorcade to a cemetery in northern France.

    https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2018-11-11/trump-visit-to-us-cemetery-in-france-canceled-due-to-rain

    Trump had been scheduled to lay a wreath and observe a moment of silence Saturday at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, located adjacent to Belleau Wood and about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Paris. The White House cited weather conditions that grounded the president’s helicopter for the cancellation.

    In the wake of criticism that Trump didn’t travel by car to the event, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement Sunday that noted the weather and “near-zero visibility” as well as concerns that a motorcade on short notice would have required closing substantial portions of area roadways.

    “President Trump did not want to cause that kind of unexpected disruption to the city and its people,” Sanders said. She also said the trip to Aisne-Marne was 2½ hours each way by car. – Article.

    The determination to ground Marine One, the president’s helicopter, due to bad weather is made by the Marine Corps and the White House Military Office, which then presents the recommendation to the White House in collaboration with the Secret Service, according to a Secret Service official. – Article.

    Fine with me. I don’t know that it makes a difference to anyone other than those who have nothing better to do than nitpick everything from the First Lady’s shoes to which way the wind blows.

    Some people are simply not happy, period. Whiners gotta whine, and there are people who’d complain if you gave them a brand new rope to dangle from.

     

     

  • Army Retro Uniform OKd for 2020

    Well, it’s official: the U.S. Army is going retro to its World War II “pinks and greens” for officers by 2020, as was discussed on TAH last year.  The remainder of the force has until 2028 to change from current blue uniforms to the Army greens.

    https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/11/11/for-veterans-day-the-army-has-a-present-a-long-awaited-new-service-uniform/

    The Army Blues will revert to being strictly a formal dress uniform.

    From the article: The standard uniform set-up will require pants and brown leather oxfords for both men and women. Women will have the option to wear a pencil skirt and pumps. Everyone will also be able to buy a leather bomber jacket as an outerwear option.

    The rest of the Army would have until 2028 to pick up the new uniform, the release said.

    I’ll take the bomber jacket and change the pencil skirt to an A-line skirt, which is more attractive of chubby girls, and you’ve got a hit.

    Now if we can just persuade the Army that Hello! Kitty pink camo will keep everyone safe from The Bad Guys, we’ll be fine.