I saw this video on US Military News and was intrigued. You can watch the video below.
I had no idea what an elephant walk was or where the term originated. Good old Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_walk_(aeronautics) said that this term originated during WWII when up to 1000 planes would take off at a time.
Elephant walks require planning, coordination and teamwork to pull off. Even in peacetime, it is good to practice to do operations like the one here to keep skills sharp and demonstrate capability to project force. I thought it was pretty cool.
Upcoming Stuff
Keep checking out all the intel on social media and here for things that will be taking place over the summer. If the scheduling holds, I will be doing Livecasts every month from April through October this year. Good stuff.
I read the story about the defacement of a WWII Monument in South Boston, and got mad. Really mad. This podcast was to express my frustation with this cowardly act.
The men and women who served in WWII, answered to call to defend our country from people who were trying to destroy us. They deserve better than this disrespect.
I am going to go to the monument this weekend. It is my desire to see the ones who did this brought to justice. Nothing more to say.
As I said in the podcast, I was watching a Sopranos episode when this got me thinking. Tony, Paulie, and Christopher were in Italy, and when an Italian found out Paulie was an American, he said something to the effect, “Your plane cut our ski lift.” and walked away.
That got me thinking, and then looking around. I remembered this happening while I was in the Marine Corps. A USMC EA-6B Prowler cut a ski lift line in Italy and killed all 20 people on the lift. It was significant because the pilots were found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/marine-jet-severs-ski-lift-cable-in-italy
Not guilty? No guilt at all for killing 20 people? The pilot, Captain Richard J. Ashby was flying about 300 feet off the ground. 300 feet was well below the mandated 2000 feet for operating in that area. Also, the pilot, Captain Ashby and navigator, Captain Schweitzer destroyed the video flight recorder.
While they were acquitted of the charges for manslaughter and homicide, they were found guilty of obstruction of justice. The end result being they were kicked out of the Marine Corps.
Captain Ashby argued that equipment failures on the aircraft led to the ski lift being compromised. Suffice to say, the Italian government did not see it the same way. I would say that an experienced pilot knows the difference between 300 and 2000 feet altitude wise.
The fact that the flight video recorder was destroyed leads me to believe that there was some measure of guilt. I don’t know, and I can’t really understand how these pilots were found to be not guilty. I am sure the families involved still have a difficult time answering that question. OMR sends
I have known Mark Tyo for a long time. Mark has seen me at my worst and my best. I consider him more than just a friend. He is my brother. About 10 years ago, he told me he was going to join the Army. He wanted to take his skills as a nurse and work with a patient population that he considers the best in the world. These patients are servicemembers in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Mark joined the U.S. Army Reserves as an officer. He was assigned to the 402 Forward Service Team. Check out this article that goes into more depth with Captain Tyo’s unit. US Army Article about 402nd Forward Surgical Team
In movies, books and other places the Military Medical doesn’t get a lot of attention. It was interesting to hear Mark talk about the differences and similarities of practicing medicine in the civilian and military hospitals.
Talking with Mark was an honor. He has supported Oscar Mike Radio since day one. I thought back to when he started this journey that many people thought he was nuts for doing this at an age when most guys think doing the back nine after lunch is a major accomplishment.
I didn’t have any way to quantify what Mark has done in the Army for this podcast. There is no way to share with you how many lives he saved or helped save. All I know for sure is he was there when someone needed him. Captain Tyo was there for his team even when it didn’t matter. Last but not least, sure as sure, he has been there for me. Love you brother.
Mugzy Brady – Can’t Stop Us
You can listen to “Can’t Stop Us” by Mugzy Brady. He is a rapper and hip hop artist from Australia. Mugzy was on #128. I am dropping his track, “Can’t Stop Us”, at the end of this podcast. Go to https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMugzy/
Oscar Mike Radio
Go to the Oscar Mike Radio to check out other podcasts.
I read the following article in the New York Post, and shook my head. Army Sgt Tyrone Hassel III was murdered in cold blood by his wife’s affair partner. All three people were serving in the Army when this happened.
This kind of story really cuts me deep. The reason this man was killed is so his wife and her lover could collect the death benefit and continue the affair. This is the worst kind of triangle. Except it is not a triangle, is it?
I am constantly told that this kind of thing doesn’t happen. That stories of Jody, wives being scumbags and girlfriends being anything but, is just fantasy. There is no way that a wife would cheat on her husband who is serving his country, is there?
The answer is yes, and it happens all the time. Except this Jody took it to the extreme and executed Sgt Hassel III. As I read the article for the fourth time I wondered what it took in this Jody’s mind to request and get leave approved knowing the real reason. Then to travel to Sgt. Hassel III’s hometown, stalk him and then kill him in cold blood. All on his lover’s request as Sgt. Hassel III is spending time with his family and his one year old child.
Love triangles in the military ususally mean that by the time the servicemember figures out what is going on they are on the other side of the world. It isn’t fun watching a person try to pick up the pieces of their broken heart 3000 miles from home.
Again, I got really, really upset reading this story. I asked myself how wide spread is this in the military. How many times has this happened outside the military? This story hit close to home, I had difficult time finding any objectivity or emotional detachment for this podcast. I am going to continue to speak up and out for people affected by Jody.
Last update I have at this time comes from patch.com. The trial for the wife and her affair partner will begin April 30th.
My heart goes out the Hassel family. I haven’t met or talked to anyone from the Hassel family, but they should know that I won’t let their son be forgotten.
Obituary for Sergeant Tyrone Hassel III – Rest in Peace
