Marine Corps addresses major issues with planes, helicopters

Marine aviation squadrons are suffering more than ground units after 15 years of war and deep budget cuts, Commandant Gen. Robert Neller told lawmakers on Tuesday. “We would — as a goal — like to have 80 percent of our units ready to go,” Neller said at House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing. “We’re not quite there, particularly on the […]

Photo Gallery: Old Glory

Stars and Stripes. Old Glory. The Red, White, and Blue. It’s a thing of beauty. It’s been the subject of many a tune from Francis Scott Key to Toby Keith. No matter where you look this weekend in the US, you’re bound to see it waving boldly. Respect it, because the sacrifice of tens of […]

I woke up in the middle of a dogfight

It was scary. My noise canceling headset had fallen off and had taken my hat and ballistic sunglasses with it. There was a pile between my legs. That was the first thing I remember my eyes being able to focus on after my blurry vision cleared. I didn’t know where I was and was feeling […]

Threat to Aircraft: ISIS Downs Mi-35 Chopper Using MANPADS

According to recent reporting from IHS Janes and the Long War Journal, images released via Twitter by the Islamic State show a militant firing the advanced FN-6 MANPADS (man-portable air defense system) at an Iraqi helicopter conducting operations in the vicinity of the embattled Baiji Refinery in early October. The refinery, one of Iraq’s largest and […]