Last rites to photographer Dickey Chapelle, (the first female war correspondent to be killed in Vietnam)

via Historium Tumblr Page.

Chaplain John McNamara of Boston makes the sign of the cross as he administers the last rites to photographer Dickey Chapelle, (the first female war correspondent to be killed in Vietnam), South Vietnam November 4, 1965 by Henri Huet
Chapelle was covering a U.S. Marine unit on a combat operation near Chu Lai for the National Observer when she was seriously wounded, along with four Marines, by an exploding mine. She died in a helicopter en route to a hospital. She became the first female war correspondent to be killed in Vietnam, as well as the first American female reporter to be killed in action. Her body was repatriated with an honor guard consisting of six Marines and she was given full Marine burial.

I wonder how she rated a full military burial?

A Civil Rights Great passes and I hear about it from the NRA!

via NRA.

America lost a civil rights icon and a true free thinker with the death of Roy Innis on Jan. 8. For the NRA, his departure was personal. Mr. Innis served on the NRA’s Board of Directors for nearly 25 years and was a friend to many within the organization. For the nation at large, he was a champion of freedom who exemplified the courage of a man who follows his own convictions.Born June 6, 1934 in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Roy Emile Alfredo Innis moved with his mother to New York City in 1947 (his father, a police officer, died when Roy was 6 years old). From ages 16 to 18, he served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. He went on to study chemistry at the City College of New York. Innis became active in the civil rights struggle during the tumultuous 1960s. Although he claimed he initially joined the Harlem Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) to spend more time with his girlfriend, he distinguished himself as a member and became the organization’s national director in 1968. He would continue to lead CORE until his death.Roy Innis’s views on the best path to equality and achievement for African Americans often diverged from other civil rights figures of his day. After two of his sons were murdered with firearms in New York City – Roy Jr., 13, in 1968, and Alexander, 26, in 1982 – he became an advocate for self-defense and an opponent of gun control. 

Why would Black America turn its back on a Civil Rights Icon?  Because he didn't follow modern liberal orthodoxy.  He recognized quite clearly that law abiding Blacks are being preyed upon by the lawless.  Other Blacks in the community and by govt bureaucrats that perpetuate the despair found in the inner city.  Check out this portion of the article, it states his views quite clearly...

By disarming law abiding citizens the government aids and abets crime, he explained to the New York Times.

So we have a whole community suffering because of something approaching a religious belief than a careful analysis of what's going on in the inner city.  Innis saw thru this and spoke out.  Because he did all the hardwork that he had done has been forgotten.

What really pisses me off, has me punching walls and makes me want to scream at the sky?  I found out about his passing from those so called racist at the NRA!  I monitor all types of social media and NO ONE EXCEPT FOR THE NRA acts like the man even existed.

Just plain sad.

Open Comment Post. Jan 14, 2017.

This pistol has everyone talking...I don't understand why...

Pics and description via gunrunnerhell

Hudson H9
One of the most talked about new products for SHOT Show 2017 is the Hudson Mfg H9; a cross between a 1911 and a Glock. Using a striker fire system, the block-like appearance is due to their unique recoil system that reduces muzzle flip and recoil. It appears to have little to no polymer parts, something it doesn’t share with the Glock but pulls from the 1911. It has a slight cyberpunk, almost Ghost in the Shell silhouette. (GRH)

I don't quite get this one. Everyone is excited and talking about this pistol because of its design features.  I personally don't like it.  If it doesn't deliver on perceived recoil (which is rather anemic anyway in a 9mm) and muzzle flip then all they're delivering is a fat, blocky and probably overly heavy pistol that doesn't have a thing on other competitors.

The gun community is going the way of the fitness industry.  Image is taking over substance.  Effectiveness is taking a backseat to "looking" effective.

We'll see what we see with the Hudson H9 but I'll be watching this one carefully.  You know a civilian model will be produced and I wonder how many will bite just because of looks.

Saab JAS 39 Gripen crash in Thailand.

Thanks to Super Rhino for the link!

MBT 3000 VT 4 Main Battle Tank Up Close

1 Platoon, Alpha Company (A Coy), 1 Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) range day (pics)

My good buddy Mike Yeo has the info on the Japanese 8x8!

Mike writes for Defense News and you can follow his tweets @The Base Leg!

via Defense News.

 Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has unveiled a prototype eight-wheel drive armored personnel carrier (APC) as part of a research project for a new class of modular vehicles. 
The project, known for now as the Wheeled Armoured Vehicle (Improved), will eventually lead to a new vehicle type to replace the Type 96 eight-wheel drive armored personnel carrier in use by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). 
The new vehicle will feature improved protection against a variety of threats such as improvised explosive devices, versatility and room for future growth in capabilities compared to the Type 96 it is replacing. It will also be fitted with a more powerful engine and a strengthened suspension to cope with the increased weight and payloads. 

Just a tease...head here to read the rest of the article. 

Defense News got a great guy with their hiring of Mike.  More than most defense writers these days he covers a broad array of defense related subjects (not just an another so called aviation expert) and has his nose to the ground when it comes to armor issues and trends...especially in the Pacific region.

I've been a follower of his for quite awhile now.  If you're not then you're missing out!

WTF is Israel thinking? Why bomb Assad forces?

Thanks to DavidJames79 for the info.

via Daily Mail.

Syria has accused Israel of bombing a military airport used by Assad's forces near the capital city of Damascus.
State television quoted the Syrian army as saying several rockets were fired at Mazzeh airport from an area near Lake Tiberias in northern Israel just after midnight.
The country's army chiefs warned of repercussions following what it called a 'flagrant' attack on a major strategic base used by Syria's elite Republican Guard.
The cause of the explosions was not clear, sources claiming the sounds heard in parts of the capital suggested they could be Israeli warplane strikes.

Story here. 

Ya know why the war in Syria/Iraq doesn't get more coverage on this blog?  Its simple.  The US, Turkey, NATO, Saudi Arabia and Israel (to include many others) have made this an even more chaotic battlefield than necessary.

For some reason leadership has decided to pursue simultaneous objectives against several different groups (not to mention the actual intent of our allies) which has all combined to make success impossible.

Take the Turks.  Their main goal is destruction of the Kurds.  The US supposedly is trying to kill ISIS inside Syria and Iraq while at the same time toppling Assad.  All the others are operating on variations of this same scheme.

Its no wonder that they're talking about years to win the war.  No one has any idea who they're fighting.

Which brings me to the Israelis.

Why attack Assad?  It makes no sense.  A strongman can be dealt with .... religious zealots not so much.  Do they really believe that destroying Assad will make the Middle East a safer place?

I hope we get an explanation if they actually did conduct these strikes.

C-7 Caribou transport plane crashes, after its tail section was accidentally shot off by American artillery

An ammunition-laden American C-7 Caribou transport plane crashes, after its tail section was accidentally shot off by American artillery near Đức Phổ Base Camp, Vietnam, August 3, 1967. All three crewman died in the crash

The "new" Ford Bronco won't be worth a second glance...

Name vehicles that would make me take a second glance and perhaps pay the outrageous prices that they're charging for new cars and the concept Bronco was definitely on the list (yeah I like Jeeps too but they're a bankruptcy starter kit...modding them to get them right costs a small fortune).

Well according to TRUCK YEAH the new Bronco is just gonna be a rebadged mall crawler that lacks any sort of sex appeal.  Check out the article here.  I'm personally amazed at the lack of awareness by corporations these days.  A couple of days ago Paramount/CBS killed a fan favorite movie that could have reinvigorated the entire series (AXANAR) just because it wasn't made in house.  Now Ford is basically pissing on Bronco fans by rebadging a truck they sell overseas.  Production cost smart, US market stupid.  When will these guys wake up?

Open Comment Post. Jan 12, 2017

Anyone know what that "pouch" is that the Glock is resting on?  I've been trying to figure it out for day but have had no luck.  If you know then do me a favor and pass the info!!!!