Veterans...Get the hell in here now!

BarnBuster

Virtually Unknown Member
Yep, she's done.
Wish they would have detailed a bit more info, I'd like to know what the reasoning is for the "Lack of confidence" but us commoners will probably will never know.
Yes I would have liked to know that also. You know, in such a premier high visibilty slot (and being the first woman to boot), I would have thought she would have been vetted very (read extra) carefully on her flying and fitness to command skills and would have had stellar OPR's. I would hate to think Command put her in the role to fail so they could say..see..

"Officials have not offered details into what prompted the decision, but Col O'Malley noted she had made "mistakes". She will still serve in a non-supervisory role with the 20th Fighter Wing at the Shaw base in South Carolina. Capt Kotnik's predecessor Maj John Waters has resumed command of the team"

https://www.shaw.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/1756017/major-john-waters/
https://www.shaw.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/1743628/capt-zoe-m-kotnik/
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/26479/commander-that-fired-zoe-kotnik-from-f-16-demo-team-made-this-crass-video-15-years-ago
 
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BarnBuster

Virtually Unknown Member

"On March 1st, 2019, Maj. Thomas Bostick will have his Silver Star award posthumously upgraded to the Army's second-highest award, the Distinguished Service Cross, according to the Pentagon. Bostick led B Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade and was previously awarded the Silver Star for his heroic acts during an insurgent attack in Afghanistan in 2007.

He'll be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross at Fort Carson, Colorado."


His Silver Star Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Thomas Gordon Bostick, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism under enemy fire while serving with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, during combat operations on 27 July 2007, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM VII, near Saret Koleh, Afghanistan. Major Bostick's leadership, courage under fire, and ultimate sacrifice in defense of his men saved the lives of the soldiers in his command post and that of many in his cavalry troop. His remarkable courage and valor reflect great credit upon himself, B Troop, Task Force SABER, Combined Task Force Bayonet, CJTF-82, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: For extraordinary heroism during military operations against a hostile force in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, on 27 July 2007. Major Bostick, while in command of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry (Airborne), and without regard to his own personal safety, placed himself in front of an overwhelming enemy force to provide covering fire to enable the Paratroopers in his command post to displace to more defensible terrain. He willingly sacrificed his life so they could live. Major Bostick skillfully arrayed his forces throughout the battlespace. His keen insight in selecting positions for his observation posts enabled his Troop to defeat a numerically superior force that occupied a series of positions on dominating terrain overlooking MSR STETSON. Major Bostick received a report from the Afghan National Army Soldiers that a large force of 100 fighters was moving from the east to his position. As his lead elements moved into position, one of his observation posts in depth began to take small arms fire. He employed direct fires, indirect fires, and close air support flawlessly to defeat that attack. Major Bostick maneuvered his quick reaction force forward to conduct operations to recover 3 casualties and evacuate them to the MEDEVAC HLZ. After a lull in the battle, the enemy reinforced their attack on Major Bostick's forward positions, engaging from three different locations. Once Again, Major Bostick employed direct and indirect fires in combination with CAS with exceptional skill, silencing several enemy positions and enabling his lead platoon to maneuver to better defensive positions. As the fire increased in accuracy and volume on his own position, Major Bostick directed his C2 element to displace. Located on a steep slope above the road, his position began to take well-aimed, effective fire. As the fire intensified, his JTAC and RTO assisted the other elements of his CP negotiating the loose surface on the side of the mountain. Major Bostick positioned himself directly between those Soldiers and the enemy, shielding them from the rounds while firing his personal weapon to cover their move. During this action his position was engaged with overwhelming small arms and RPG fire that took his life. His actions provided his small element those precious few seconds necessary to gain their footing and negotiate the steep terrain in order to seek cover and survive the attack. Major Bostick's quick decisions to reposition forces, expert use of CAS and indirect fire, and final sacrifice to provide covering fire for his command post enabled B Troop to break the enemy attack inflicting severe punishment on a numerically superior enemy force. Major Bostick's extraordinary gallantry in placing himself in mortal danger against heavy and accurate enemy fire saved the lives of his command post and proved decisive in the protection of his Troop. His combat leadership, which led to the success of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry (Airborne), Task Force SABER, Combined Task Force Bayonet, and CJTV-82, in Afghanistan, will serve as a timeless example of heroism under fire.
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
Just saw this on the news. Was the first I had heard of it. An aircrew crash landed in trees to keep from hitting a bunch of English kids.

https://www.stripes.com/news/they-could-have-saved-themselves-flyover-in-england-honors-memory-of-wwii-aircrew-credited-with-saving-british-kids-1.569744
One thing I vividly remembered from pilot training was my instructors emphasizing that we chose to be up here so if we were going to crash don't involve the 'civilians'. Every flight involved some discussion of choosing crash sites. I wonder if they still do that today?
 

doublejj

Well-Known Member
One thing I vividly remembered from pilot training was my instructors emphasizing that we chose to be up here so if we were going to crash don't involve the 'civilians'. Every flight involved some discussion of choosing crash sites. I wonder if they still do that today?
Yes, it was taught in my flight training. One of the things a pilot is constantly doing is surveying the terrain ahead for potential emergency landing sites.
 

BarnBuster

Virtually Unknown Member

"Retired Chief Master Sergeant Dorothy Holmes blazed many trails during her three decades in the Air Force.

She was the first black woman to reach the Air Force’s highest enlisted rank. She was the first woman to retire with 30 years of continuous service in the Air Force. And she was the first female chief master sergeant to be assigned to the Air Force Academy.

She played a crucial role in integrating female cadets into the previously all-male Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. She received the Legion of Merit for her work at the academy, and her other decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Holmes passed away on Feb. 17 at the age of 91."
 

too larry

Well-Known Member

"Retired Chief Master Sergeant Dorothy Holmes blazed many trails during her three decades in the Air Force.

She was the first black woman to reach the Air Force’s highest enlisted rank. She was the first woman to retire with 30 years of continuous service in the Air Force. And she was the first female chief master sergeant to be assigned to the Air Force Academy.

She played a crucial role in integrating female cadets into the previously all-male Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. She received the Legion of Merit for her work at the academy, and her other decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Holmes passed away on Feb. 17 at the age of 91."
I'm glad they told us she was black, because just looking at the picture I wouldn't have known. I guess old black and white pictures are not good at black and white?
 

GreatwhiteNorth

Global Moderator
Staff member
Another sunken U.S. warship discovered in the South Pacific

CBSNews


Deep sea explorers found the USS Hornet in the South Pacific earlier this year, but the Hornet was not the only ship located on that expedition. In the latest update for the American Naval history books, the research vessel Petrel revealed it also found the World War II aircraft carrier USS Wasp.
We're 2.5 miles down, peering inside the cockpit of an avenger torpedo bomber from the sunken World War II aircraft carrier, USS Wasp. The plane is not just a relic, it's a clue, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips. Can the Wasp itself be far away?

The Wasp was part of the ferocious 1942 air and sea battle for the strategic South Pacific island of Guadalcanal. Jim Forrester, 98 years old now, was 21 on the Wasp that day.

"All of a sudden we got hit with torpedoes," Forrester recounted. "Imagine yourself lifted right up out of your chair right now."

© CBS News ctm-0314-uss-wasp-ship-hunt.jpg One of the torpedoes had hit the fuel tanks, and the ship was an inferno. One-hundred-seventy-six of her crew were dead – the rest were ordered to abandon ship. "I grabbed my nose and the family jewels and—" Forrester started.

"And jumped into the Pacific?" Philips asked.


"Yes," Forrester said.

The Wasp had been lost for almost 77 years. But the deep water research vessel, Petrel, combed the Pacific looking for long-lost war wrecks. In January, CBS News watched mission leader, Rob Kraft, and his crew find another carrier, the USS Hornet.

"I saw where they had found the Hornet, and I said, 'Well, take a look over on the other side and you'll find the Wasp!'" Forrester said.

It's almost like the searchers were listening. The Petrel crew found the Wasp on the other side of Guadalcanal, more or less, where Forrester said it was. She was a mere 2.5 miles down, so a mile less deep than Hornet. But the Wasp was actually harder to find because the research on where she sank was less clear. "As they say, you gotta be good to be lucky. But were you more lucky or more good?" Phillips asked.

"We did our best in analyzing the data, coming up with the best possible sinking location for her, and it turned out to be accurate," Kraft said. Luck, skill, or a little of each, we showed Forrester what they found. To him it was more than an old wreck. "It was home to me," Forrester said.

"Of course, we're looking at more than just a wreck there, we're looking at a war grave as well?" Phillips asked.

"Yeah," Forrester said. "I lost two real good friends. They were aviation ordnance men and they probably were down in the magazines where the bombs were stored."

Where they didn't stand a chance. Forrester went on to a remarkable 30 Navy career, rising from enlisted man to Navy commander. "The ultimate satisfaction is… you get to see the humanity side of it," Kraft said. "And you know, bringing history to life."

It starts as a technical exercise and then becomes about people.

Now she's been found, the Navy's latest memorial and war grave – and a protected one. To deter potential scavengers, Wasp's exact location is known only to the Navy and the people who found her.
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
Another sunken U.S. warship discovered in the South Pacific

CBSNews


Deep sea explorers found the USS Hornet in the South Pacific earlier this year, but the Hornet was not the only ship located on that expedition. In the latest update for the American Naval history books, the research vessel Petrel revealed it also found the World War II aircraft carrier USS Wasp.
We're 2.5 miles down, peering inside the cockpit of an avenger torpedo bomber from the sunken World War II aircraft carrier, USS Wasp. The plane is not just a relic, it's a clue, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips. Can the Wasp itself be far away?

The Wasp was part of the ferocious 1942 air and sea battle for the strategic South Pacific island of Guadalcanal. Jim Forrester, 98 years old now, was 21 on the Wasp that day.

"All of a sudden we got hit with torpedoes," Forrester recounted. "Imagine yourself lifted right up out of your chair right now."

© CBS News ctm-0314-uss-wasp-ship-hunt.jpg One of the torpedoes had hit the fuel tanks, and the ship was an inferno. One-hundred-seventy-six of her crew were dead – the rest were ordered to abandon ship. "I grabbed my nose and the family jewels and—" Forrester started.

"And jumped into the Pacific?" Philips asked.


"Yes," Forrester said.

The Wasp had been lost for almost 77 years. But the deep water research vessel, Petrel, combed the Pacific looking for long-lost war wrecks. In January, CBS News watched mission leader, Rob Kraft, and his crew find another carrier, the USS Hornet.

"I saw where they had found the Hornet, and I said, 'Well, take a look over on the other side and you'll find the Wasp!'" Forrester said.

It's almost like the searchers were listening. The Petrel crew found the Wasp on the other side of Guadalcanal, more or less, where Forrester said it was. She was a mere 2.5 miles down, so a mile less deep than Hornet. But the Wasp was actually harder to find because the research on where she sank was less clear. "As they say, you gotta be good to be lucky. But were you more lucky or more good?" Phillips asked.

"We did our best in analyzing the data, coming up with the best possible sinking location for her, and it turned out to be accurate," Kraft said. Luck, skill, or a little of each, we showed Forrester what they found. To him it was more than an old wreck. "It was home to me," Forrester said.

"Of course, we're looking at more than just a wreck there, we're looking at a war grave as well?" Phillips asked.

"Yeah," Forrester said. "I lost two real good friends. They were aviation ordnance men and they probably were down in the magazines where the bombs were stored."

Where they didn't stand a chance. Forrester went on to a remarkable 30 Navy career, rising from enlisted man to Navy commander. "The ultimate satisfaction is… you get to see the humanity side of it," Kraft said. "And you know, bringing history to life."

It starts as a technical exercise and then becomes about people.

Now she's been found, the Navy's latest memorial and war grave – and a protected one. To deter potential scavengers, Wasp's exact location is known only to the Navy and the people who found her.
I wonder when they will find the Jarvis.
 
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