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RAF sends its best to Afghanistan

Once, there were four girls who joined the Royal Air Force… They’re not Charlie’s Angels, but to the soldiers whose lives they save when they swoop in to a hot landing zone to evacuate wounded, they are angels. Meet Flight-Lieutenant Michelle Goodman, her co-pilot Flight-Lieutenant Joanna Watkinson and loadmasters Sergeant Stephanie Cole and Sergeant Wendy Donald. They are part of the British contribution to the ISAF in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Hot pilot Flight-Lieutenant Michelle Goodman has been noted here before. Not hot as in attractive, though she is very much so, but hot as in daring, skilled, and courageous. Hot enough to have been awarded the Brit’s Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Four female combat helicopter aircrew are on their way to Afghanistan to fly the RAF’s Merlin aircraft into action against the Taliban. The four … Read entire article »

Filed under: Military, Our Allies, Our Best: Military Women

Tornados over Afghanistan

The Tornado is the British military’s premier fighter bomber. Over Afghanistan, it is providing close air support to Afghan and NATO forces fighting the Taliban. And the Talibs are being killed by GURRLS! Helmand Blog – Afghanistan: All female Tornado crew cruise over Afghanistan Tornado Pilot Flight Lieutenant Juliette Fleming and her navigator, Squadron Leader Nikki Thomas, are currently the only all female Tornado crew working in Afghanistan. Their role is to provide close air support to troops on the ground. Flt Lt Fleming, known as Jules, is actually the only female Tornado pilot in Afghanistan at the moment, but she insists, she is just ‘one of the boys’ amongst her colleagues from 31 Squadron, based at Royal Air Force Marham in Norfolk. She joined the RAF ten years ago, and after a tour in … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Military, Our Allies, Our Best: Military Women, War on Terror

Our Best: Spc. Elisebet Freeburg

She’s on her way home, so it’s time to recognize this young woman and the work she has done in Afghanistan. This 26 year old teacher deployed to Afghanistan as part of the 143d Expeditionary Sustainment Command, as a photographer and reporter in the Public Affairs area. This is what her boss says about her: Of all the tough guys in our unit, you are the only one who actually went out on an infantry foot patrol into Afghan villages, and went on at least two convoys through extremely dangerous territory during the most dangerous season in southern Afghanistan. I’m sure you will have plenty of stories to tell the kids. Go to this link for some of the stories we’ve published that were written and photographed by this soldier. We feature our women … Read entire article »

Filed under: Military, Our Best: Military Women

10 men who inspired us in 2009

2009 saw America’s North Shore Journal cover the stories of many American warriors, and many who were recognized for their heroism in action. One Medal of Honor was awarded, posthumously, to an Army noncom. The Commandant of the Marine Corps also hinted that a living Marine would receive the Medal but it did not happen. There were other heroes, firefighters and police officers and EMTs who gave their lives in the line of duty. There were the civilian heroes, who couldn’t just stand by and watch and some of them paid the ultimate price for their actions. So, there are not just ten, but these ten represent all of America’s heroes this year. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jared C. Monti, Tenth Mountain Division – Medal of Honor The enemy fighters had established … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Heroes, Iraq, Military, War on Terror, WOT Heroes

OP ManBearPig challenges Marines daily

Within minutes of leaving the protective barriers of Observation Post Khers for a security patrol Dec. 21, a squad of Marines and Afghan national army soldiers heard the sharp pops of small arms fire nearby. “They always shoot at us,” said Sgt. Mike L. Osburn, a squad leader with 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, who led the patrol. “It wasn’t very close. They don’t really want to fight today.” For Marines operating from the joint Marine and ANA outpost, referred to by Marines simply as “ManBearPig,” getting shot at by Taliban insurgents from a distance is a daily occurrence in this remote northwestern area of Nawa district. ManBearPig is argued to be one of the most dangerous and isolated posts Marines maintain in Nawa. “Sometimes the shots come close, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Marines, Military, War on Terror

Marines to the rescue in Afghanistan

When the unoccupied car of a Nawa citizen careened down a steep canal embankment and splashed into the swift, cold waters just outside Forward Operating Base Spin Ghar Dec. 22, Marines quickly came to the rescue. A squad of Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, were on scene within minutes to assess the accident. A humvee was brought out to tow the vehicle back up the embankment. “The car was parked on top of the hill and the emergency brake wasn’t on,” said Lance Cpl. Adam D. Masle, rifleman, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, who was standing his guard post and saw the car plunge into the water. “It started to roll forward and then went over the side and right in. The little kids there were watching it and … Read entire article »

Filed under: Marines, Military

Sonika Kaliraman can kick your butt

The Aryan race conquered India centuries ago, giving it many positive attribute. Perhaps the most important of these was the beauty of their women. Oh, and a warrior spirit. So, here’s a beautiful Indian woman with a warrior spirit. Sonika Kaliraman is a rarity – she is one of 200 Indian women who wrestle professionally, and one of only about 50 women who can represent India in international championships. She is tall and graceful – and it’s hard to imagine her tossing opponents onto a wrestling mat. But Sonika, 26, is the daughter of India’s wrestling champion, Chandgi Ram. She has been living her father’s dream for 10 years now, and hopes for success in next year’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi. She won gold at the Asian Women Wrestling Championship in 2000. BBC Sonika proudly talks … Read entire article »

Filed under: Society, Sports

Ten women who inspired us in 2009

Able Seaman Kate Nesbitt, Royal Navy: Nesbitt was awarded the Military Cross for her heroism under fire with 3 Commando in Afghanistan. The MC is the British equivalent of the Silver Star and she is only the second woman to ever be awarded it. She dressed L/Cpl John List’s neck wound and kept him from losing blood while bullets and rockets flew overhead in Marjah district in Helmand. Earlier this month, L/Cpl List said no words could describe what Ms Nesbitt had done, but without her action he would not have lived. Her citation said: “Under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death. “She performed in the highest traditions of her service.” Kimberly Munley, Ft. Hood Police Department: Munley was one of two police … Read entire article »

Filed under: Military, Our Best: Military Women

Big Changes at a Small Base

You can tell by his hands the sergeant is not a gym rat. His hands are workingman hands, not compact, muscular barbell clamps, but rather, hands that strip, ply and twist; hands that smooth, hands that hammer. Informally known by a few as “Uncle Andy,” Sgt. 1st Class Mark Anderson is the non-commissioned officer-in-charge of supply for Company D, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), stationed at Contingency Operating Site Ubaydi, Iraq. The company of paratroopers supports a host of Iraqi security force “enablers” that include military transition teams, police professionalization teams, provincial reconstruction teams, border transition teams, port of entry teams and others. Six platoons (the company’s four infantry platoons plus elements of Headquarters and Headquarters Company and a mortar platoon) rotate … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Military, War on Terror