Posts by DakotaRed

what do you think should happen to the two american pilots who fired on and killed the 4 canadians over in afganistan last year in the friendly fire incident?

this is a hard one.

as a canadian, i fully support the usa and obviously this disaster was not intentional and i'm sure the pilots must feel awful about it.

DakotaRed

The "speed" was legal, the biggest factor here was a break down in the pre-flight mission brief.

Yes, Davey, I know it was "legal." But, it is unknown how much was taken and they themselves are claiming it interfered with their judgment. Humans have this little quirk that if a little is good, a lot is even better. At best, I see this as a really poor policy. Useage of the same amphetemine is being also linked to the murdered wives at Ft. Bragg last year.

Legal or not, from my own standpoint and experience's, if I got into a firefight, I did not want to worry about the guy in the bunker next to me groovin out on the tracers and not firing back. The UCMJ does allow for refusal of certain orders too, unless that too has changed.

As stated, it was not mandatory to take it. Are they using it as an excuse? Who knows? That's why I call for a full and complete investigation and absolutely no coverup.

Many breakdowns contributed to this, but to allow a pilot to be high while sitting in a $30 million weapon is unthinkable to me. Would you like to take an intercontinental flight with your pilots also using this "legal" "go pill?" I wouldn't.

Lew W

4

"The Soldier's Story"

by mike047 in

jw
friends

since there has been much discussion about an impending war, i thought i would mention this.

"the soldiers's story" by ron steinman.

i am listening to the audio book version.

DakotaRed

Mike, I have 3 books I highly recommend to you if you are interested in US Army Aviation during Vietnam.

Hunter-Killer Squadron by Matthew Brennan. This book is a compilation of articles written by the guys that were there from 1965 to 1972, all concern helicopters.

Winged Sabers by Lawrence H. Johnson III. This is a documentary of the Air Cavalry in Vietnam complete with pictures of it all.

Red Bird Down by Bruce E. Carlson. My favorite. It is a fictionalized account of Mr Carlsons tour. It is my favorite as I served with Bruce and flew with him a time or two. He was a Scout Pilot flying in the OH-6A, the helicopters I worked on (after he tore them up)

Feel free to contact me privately if you ever would like to discuss it. My tours were both in C Troop 7/17th Air Cavalry, 1969 to 1970. You might enjoy some of the pictures I have.

Lew W

28

WHAT SHUD HAPPEN TO THE PILOTS..........

by Mary in

jw
friends

what do you think should happen to the two american pilots who fired on and killed the 4 canadians over in afganistan last year in the friendly fire incident?

this is a hard one.

as a canadian, i fully support the usa and obviously this disaster was not intentional and i'm sure the pilots must feel awful about it.

DakotaRed

The "speed" shouldn't really figure into this at all.

Sorry, but I have to totally disagree here. Whether or not the intelligence was factual does not play as big a role as anyone armed in combat under the influence, especially with a multimillion dollar weapon under them.

Knowing full well the aspects of combat and the split second decisions that must be made and also knowing these will be wrong at times, that does not excuse being under the influence of a drug or alcohol during a mission. Speed may not have been the deciding factor or blame in this, but it may have contributed to it too. Vietnam was known for rampant drug useage, but I never saw it during a mission or out in combat, it was for afterwards, back in base camp.

Sorry, but I also disagree it is an outrage for these pilots to be tried. A terrible mistake was made and all the facts need to be made public, if for no other reason than to assure the Canadians they were not targeted. However, there should be no coverup and if the facts show a dereliction of duty, it should be dealt with appropriately.

The intelligence and technology we depended on in Vietnam was archaic compared to today. Yes, mistakes are still made and with have to be lived with. But, if gross negligence was behind that mistake, or being high, or even overly rambunctious shooting, it too must be properly dealt with. There is no room in a combat situation for exercising that poor of judgment.

But please, let's reserve judgment of these guys until all the facts are presented. No enlarging upon them or covering them up, just the true facts, please.

Lew W

29

Bee Gees' Maurice Gibb - DEAD at 53

by Prisca in

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/story_44872.asp

bee gee fans gather at hospital.

fans of the bee gees gathered outside the hospital where singer maurice gibb is being treated after suffering a heart attack.

DakotaRed

While not a Disco fan much myself, I always enjoyed their unique music. Sad news indeed.

Lew W

32

Military Service Anyone?

by email in

jw
friends

anyone here ever wanted or had the desire to serve in the military while you were a jw in good standing?

would you do it now if you were younger and within the ages that they require for new recruits?.

are you willing to give your life for your country and what you believe in?

DakotaRed

Even though I wasn't a JW, I didn't really want to go in either, especially with a real live shootin' war going on. However, dear old Uncle Sam had other thoughts and sent me a very nice "greetings" in early '69. Not wanting to be drafted and sent to the infantry or Vietnam, I went down and enlisted and requested training in Aircraft Maintenance, expecting to be sent off to Germany. No such luck. I was put in with the Scout Helicopters and shipped off the Vietnam where I ended up doing two tours.

Afterwards, I was sent on the Germany and reenlisted there for another 6 years. Eight years, one month and four days after being inducted, I finally got out, having become disillusioned with military life and the current leaders of the government gutting the military services. I ETS'd and got on out.

Looking back, though, I don't regret it at all and can say that I did stand up for what I believed in. If I had it all to do over again, I would probably do the same.

Lew W

42

Are You Tough, Or Are You A Baby?

by minimus in

jw
friends

if you were to describe your temperment, would you say that you are a pretty tough person or a crybaby?

do you wear your heart on your sleeve and tend to be emotional, or do you let things just bounce off of you?

DakotaRed

Classify me as "All the above," depending on mood and circumstances.

Lew W

42

Onacruse and Bikerchic do Las Vegas

by onacruse in

jw
friends

well, i put up a valiant struggle, but katie finally dragged me onto the plane on our way to las vegas for our wedding.. .

we got to our hotel (the flamingo), and as we walked into our room we saw the message light flashing on the phone.

" it was room service, said they had something for us, would we be in the room for the next hour?

DakotaRed

Biker, Ona, congratulations. The pictures look like you have a very memorable wedding. Thanks for sharing them and here's hoping you both all the happiness in the world.

Lew W

126

Birthday List

by nicolaou in

jw
friends

c'mon guys, we can celebrate our birthdays!!!.

post your birthdate here and let us know how you want to get your 'birthday card' (email, post on the board, text message, soaped-up kyliegram!).

my birthday is october 16th and i'd be happy to receive any of the above.. .

DakotaRed

Witchywoman and I both are September 28, but different years. Mine is 1948 and hers ....... well, I better not say, she might not like it, LOL (hint: she is younger than me)

Lew W