Air Force Talk

Air Force Launches Satelite

Much of today’s high tech and communication devices used today by people were once used exclusively by the military. That component of communication in the military continues today.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, the Air Force launched a vital new communications satellite into orbit for the U.S. military and the first major American space launch of the year. Built by Boeing, the $464 million WGS-4 satellite is the fourth in a collection of high-capacity satellites that provide tactical communications for ground forces, as well as relay data and imagery from surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. The new satellites can provide more than 10 times the communications capacity of the previous system. Read more about Air Force Launches Satelite

Air Force Facing Reductions

President Obama announced plans to reduce the size of the military across the board. In a move that is getting away from the policy of having the capability of conducting two wars at the same time, the armed forces will be structured to deal with matters on a concentrated basis. The military is to be reshaped between now and 2020 with an emphasis on countering terrorism.

The Air Force is one of the branches to be affected by this. Already there is plans to reduce programs and the possibility of closing some bases. The cuts may face challenges in Congress especially those who are concerned about their own districts.

In November, the Air Force had reduced its civilian workforce by over 7000. Many of these were in management and support staff. However, there may be some additional staff in nuclear enterprise, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Despite attempts to rein in hiring and spending earlier in the year, these staff reductions had to be made. Read more about Air Force Facing Reductions

September 20: Moment of Silence for Trans Service Members

On September 20, our gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members will finally be able to serve openly in the military—but transsexual service members will not. In fact, the military continues to discriminate against transsexual people, calling their sexual identification a psychosexual condition akin to a disease. In fact, they group it with conditions such as exhibitionism, voyeurism and other fetishes, rather than the born-this-way existence that the LGBT community and its allies have been working so hard for people to accept. In fact, trans people are not allowed to serve in the military—whether they are already in the military and discovered or wish to enlist and are openly transgender. Read more about September 20: Moment of Silence for Trans Service Members

President Obama Sends Letters of Condolence to ALL Military Families

Up until now, you must admit that we had a pretty darn messed up policy regarding how military deaths were honored in this country. If you died in the line of fire, you got a letter of honor from the president himself (I’d slash that with herself, but we’re just not there yet, obviously). However, if your death was ruled a suicide, your family wasn’t deemed worthy of a letter.

This disgrace is pretty obvious to most of us. For one thing, if these soldiers weren’t in combat seeing horrors that no human should ever see, experiencing terrorizing moments that most of us can’t even dream of (nor should we), they likely wouldn’t have ever committed suicide in the first place—so perhaps their families are deserving of even more than a letter, since that is what caused their deaths. (I’m not saying that soldiers who did not commit suicide are less deserving at all here—in fact, neither would be dead were it not for us meddling in things that we shouldn’t, declaring illegal wars, and generally trying to police the planet with the flesh of our families for the price of it all.)

The Joke is on You, Westboro Baptist Church!

When I read this story, I just about spit out my root beer all over the computer. All I can say is well done, Lisa Lampanelli, well done.

I never thought I’d hear of anything good ever coming from a protest held by the Westboro Baptist Church, otherwise known as The Church of the Latter Day Assholes (The Morons). These people brainwash their kids from the start to believe that all people are going to hell except for them, and that they have the right to protest anyone and everything they think is evil—including the funerals of gay people, people who died of AIDS, and soldiers, all of whom they believe were “punished by God.” Read more about The Joke is on You, Westboro Baptist Church!

Vet Sent to Jail for Being Paranoid

Joe Bangert is considered a pretty paranoid person to be around in his Massachusetts neighborhood. He’s constantly practicing what Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter books would call “constant vigilance,” or what anyone who’s listened to Green Day might call basket case mentality. He is in a constant state of thinking that everyone around him is suspicious, and was recently sentenced to nine months in jail for dialing 911 after deeming ordinary circumstances—yet again—as life threatening. Read more about Vet Sent to Jail for Being Paranoid

Celebrate Army Day April 6

Whether you’re in the army or not, you probably know at least one person who has served our country, either sometime in the past or even right now. Let’s take some time today to honor our family members in the army (as well as any other military branch) on Army Day by sending them some love. Send your loved one a card, a care package, or even a text message if that’s all you can do. It will still be appreciated!

Raise your flags for Army Day if you have them around. If not, why not buy one, or make one with as child? If you’re a pacifist you can still celebrate Army Day by praying for military members’ safety and for the conflict to be over as soon as possible.

You might also want to commemorate the day by dressing in army fatigues, which could be a lot of fun. Paint your face if you like, or bring out those little toy soldiers you had as a child and take them with you to work. Read more about Celebrate Army Day April 6

Gotta love them Air Force Guys!

Rape in the Military

After recently hearing an acquaintance encouraging her female relatives to enlist into the military after several others (male relatives) had just joined, I couldn’t help but blanch. Seriously? You want your granddaughters, who are still in high school, to enter a workplace with one of the highest track records of rape in the world? What, do you hate them? Did they key your car or steal your booze? No matter what, I wouldn’t wish military service on my worst female enemy, period, let alone a friend or kin. Read more about Rape in the Military

10 Ways to Celebrate Veteran’s Day

When I was in school, I was always miffed that we didn’t get off work for Veteran’s Day. It wasn’t a good reason, however; rather than being indignant that we didn’t honor our vets, I was disappointed about not being able to have my birthday off.

These days, now that I’m older, Veteran’s Day is much more meaningful for me. I had at least two relatives die in World War II, have had uncles and even my father serve in the armed forces, and currently have several cousins serving as well as some friends. In short, the holiday’s very reason to be is much more understandable—and much more serious. Read more about 10 Ways to Celebrate Veteran’s Day