Pic of the day. May 3, 2011.

Another Copalman special.  You really should check out his Flickr page.

Geez! What does it take to kill this thing! The Vampire engine rises again.

Wow.  I was amazed to read this.  Thanks Joe for sending it... GE (and an obviously loopy Congressman from Ohio seated in the Leaders Speakers chair) is obviously not to be underestimated.  Via FrumForum

WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense hasofficially canceled a contract for a General Electric-developed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Both the Houseand the Senate have blocked funding for it, arguing that one engine for one plane is enough.
Connecticut-based Pratt & Whitney won the original contract for one engine, while a GE-Rolls Royce alliance has been developing a second engine. The latter has become a symbol of government waste, and the White House has promised to veto any bill that funded the alternate program.
Yet the engine simply won’t die.
The House Armed Services Committee released its spending outlines for the coming fiscal year Tuesday, and the second engine is right back in.

Private William Hudson in Aliens

Pmiglio put together every line uttered by Hudson in Aliens...pretty funny...besides...we needed a little change of pace.

Boeing...you suck.

Trimble over at the Dew Line linked to what he called some very cool photos released by Boeing.  Can't tell because you have to be a registered journalist to get the hi-rez version of them.

Really?

Really Boeing?

Has the fight with Airbus made you this big a pussy?

Have they kicked you in the nuts so many times that you've turned into penny pinching idiots?  I mean for heaven sakes...they have military equipment being sold to my nation and yours...they're trying to rally the public to speak up for this domestic company and the sorry bastards want to charge for high resolution pics?

Heck, I'd register and get them for ya but guess what!  Unless you have an Aviation Week or Flight Global beside your name then you're just not relevant in their eyes.

Amazing.

Boeing.  You Suck.

Take a page from Lockheed Martin...EADS...General Dynamics etc.  Your public relations model is from the 18th century.

It’s like a football lineman with the speed of a wide receiver and the skills of a quarterback.

Centcom Blog goes "loopy" over the CH-47...you have got to read this love fest!  Just kidding...kinda...but the good Major would definitely get a tingle if he ever flew the CH-53 if the '47 can do this for him (well if it was a newer or recently refurbished model anyway).

F-35 and F-22...Together at last!..the video!

Sferrin...Thanks guy....pure dee awesome.

F-35 and F-22...Together at last!

F-35A AF-2 on Flight 119 with Maj. Scott McLaren at the controls flies in loose formation with F-22 Raptor on tanker over Isabella Mountains in California on 22 April 2011.

Did we see the deployment of the CV-22?

Did we see the highest profile deployment of the CV-22 to date?

1. Distance?  Check

2.  Troop payload?  No way you're getting 2 dozen SEALs on a Pave Low (and the MH-53J's are retired).  Check.

I'm mud rolling here but I'd say we've witnessed the CV-22 in action during this rescue.

Looks like I was not only wrong, but TOTALLY WRONG!  Thanks Rohan for setting me straight.  He stated that the briefing indicated two MH-47G's were involved along with a pair of Black Hawks.  Sounds like the Night Stalkers were out playing.

I wonder if this will add a bit to the USAF's choice of their next Rescue Helicopter?

America...are you really this naive?

pic from MSNBC News.

MSNBC is reporting spontaneous celebrations in front of the White House because OBL got justice.

Really?

Are we really this naive America?

Does anyone believe that the world is a safer place now?

Does anyone not believe that the shooting of the Air Force personnel might not have been in retaliation and that there is more to come?

Does anyone believe that our Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors that are going out on patrol tomorrow are going to be welcomed as liberators and not have to worry about the usual -- dodging snipers and avoiding mines/ied's?

To my British friends I apologize but this is as news worthy as the Royal Wedding---meaning not news worthy at all.

The wars continue boys and girls...your sons and daughters are still in danger and still doing dangerous work.

Don't be naive and don't forget it.

UPDATE:
Military Times is reporting how former President Bush is reacting to the news of OBL's reckoning.


UPDATE 1:
Ok, let me be a bit more clear.  I don't mind playing the part of the Ugly American...done it many times, have the role down pat and can even do it in my sleep.  But this is sophomoric!  NOTHINGS CHANGED!  But some are celebrating...maybe its an urban vs. rural thing.  Maybe its a military vs. civilian thing.  Maybe its a conservative vs. liberal thing....but I just don't get it.

Operations of the V-22.