Flamingo Wing Merchandise last day to order Friday March 18th

Per Walter Horlacher-Ref Fwa Merchandise

I am going to submit my orders for all merchandise by Friday. Please emphasize the name badges, and polo shirts Friday is my deadline date and want to capture any alibi’s.

Walt

horlacherw@bellsouth.net

Jolly Green II rescue helicopter on track for operational tests this month

ORLANDO, Fla. — The U.S. Air Force’s next combat rescue helicopter is expected to begin it's testing at the end of the month.

Sikorsky’s HH-60W Jolly Green II — the successor to the Air Force’s HH-60G Pave Hawk — has made considerable progress, with more than 40% of test and evaluation efforts already completed, said Darlene Costello, the Air Force’s principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics.

That progress also includes a completed certification of the Jolly Green II’s weapons, Costello added during a March 4 roundtable with reporters at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida.

A test of its radar warning receivers is the last step before the initial operational test and evaluation phase can begin. The IOT&E phase is expected to begin by March 30, she said,The Pave Hawk has been flying since the late 1980s and it’s grown “long in the tooth,” David Morgan, Sikorsky’s director for Air Force business development, told Defense News in an interview at AFA. The service plans to buy 113 Jolly Green II helicopters to replace them, at a cost of almost $7.6 billion.

It’s a derivative of the Army’s H-60M Black Hawk and has many parts and features in common, making it easier to find spare parts, Morgan said.

But Morgan said the Jolly Green II will bring major changes, making it a significant upgrade from the Pave Hawk.

When the Air Force fielded the Pave Hawk, it bought Black Hawks and then started heavily modifying them over a period of years for their new combat rescue mission, Morgan said. The Jolly Green II, however, was designed from the start to fly Air Force pararescue specialists on rescue missions, he said.“This is the first Air Force-bought, -designed, -purpose-built helicopter rescue platform,” Morgan said.

Part of that includes a redesign of the Jolly Green II’s fuel tanks to make them safer in the event of a crash than the Pave Hawk’s. Both helicopters will carry similar amounts of fuel, Morgan said. But the Jolly Green II has an internal 644-gallon fuel tank, nearly double that of the Pave Hawk’s 360-gallon fuel tank. The Pave Hawk’s fuel capacity is buttressed by a pair of auxiliary fuel tanks strapped down inside the cabin, Morgan said. That takes up cabin space and could be dangerous in a crash if the tanks broke loose and went flying.

The redesign has added a foot and a half of additional cabin space, Morgan said, and allowed the addition of a litter station. Conversely, in the Pave Hawk, he said, airmen couldn’t put anything up against the auxiliary tanks.

The Jolly Green II also has new seats in the back that fold up into the ceiling and can withstand the tremendous force of a crash landing, he said“Can you imagine, the PJ [pararescue] rescue team, they’re sitting on ammo cans, they’re sitting on coiled-up fast ropes, and they just put a cargo strap over them,” Morgan said. “That’s how they fly nowadays. Now, everybody has seating. [It’s] crash-worthy. It’s much safer.”

The new helicopter uses an electric hoist, which Morgan said will allow it to operate more cycles without overheating than the Pave Hawk’s hydraulic hoist.

The Jolly Green II was also created with its forward-looking infrared, radar and air-refueling systems designed into the structure from the ground up, rather than “bolted on afterwards” as the Pave Hawk’s systems were, Morgan said.

The Jolly Green II will include multiple radios, satellite communications, the Link 16 data and comms system, intelligence capabilities, low light and infrared cameras, and several multifunction displays, giving airmen the ability to rapidly receive and analyze information needed to rescue a downed pilot or other survivor.The Pave Hawk often has to rely on its communication systems — including trying to radio the survivor on the ground — to get the coordinates for the rescue, Morgan said. But with its advanced data capabilities, the Jolly Green II will be able to gather all the information it needs digitally and display it on multifunction displays without having to talk to people.

“This aircraft is an information machine,” Morgan said.

The helicopter’s open-architecture mission system also will make it easier for the Air Force to upgrade it down the line, said Bob Silva, Sikorsky’s business development lead for the combat rescue helicopter.

The Air Force so far has ordered 66 helicopters in four lots from Sikorsky, which has delivered 17 helicopters, most recently in January. Sikorsky expects to deliver about one helicopter a month on average through lot 1, though he expects that to increase to about three helicopters every two months for lots 3 and 4.

Morgan expects the Air Force to start ordering Jolly Green IIs for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve in lot 5, which will come in fiscal 2023. If the Air Force keeps ordering helicopters at its current pace, the last order could come in 2026 or 2027, and deliveries would be finished three years later, he said.

Testing has taken place at several locations, including Duke Field at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The helicopters’ radar warning receivers also underwent testing at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California.

Morgan said initial operational capability will likely be declared this year.

The helicopter was named in tribute to the Vietnam-era Sikorsky HH-3E, which was painted green and nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant.

1. Military News

Air Force Moves F-35s from Utah to Germany as Ukraine Faces Possible Invasion

A crew chief from the 388th Fighter Wing marshals an F-35A Lightning II as they launch for deployment to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Feb 15, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kip Sumner)

17 Feb 2022

Military.com | By  Thomas Novelly

A dozen F-35A Lightning II fighter jets and 350 airmen from Hill Air Force Basein Utah have arrived in Germany, marking the latest deployment of American aircraft to Europe as tensions mount between Russia and Ukraine.

The airmen from the active-duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, on Wednesday, according to an Air Force Reserve statement.

Despite the recent movement of U.S. forces and military hardware into Europe, American troops are far outnumbered by the estimated 150,000 troops Russia has sitting on the Ukrainian border. U.S. officials have described the movement of American forces as an effort to reassure NATO allies that the U.S. will help defend fellow NATO members.

Read Next: 'Candy Bomber' Who Dropped Sweets During Berlin Airlift Dies

Col. Matt Fritz, commander of the 419th Fighter Wing, said his airmen "train specifically for moments like these" and they're ready to join the growing show of force.

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"A group of Reserve F-35 pilots and maintainers have joined our active duty counterparts in a deployment to the region and stand ready to support increased security for our NATO allies," Fritz said in a press release.

The F-35s sent out of Utah are the most recent deployment to Europe and the latest assistance the U.S. Air Force has provided to help bolster NATO's defenses against Russia.

On Monday, eight F-15E Strike Eagles from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina deployed to Lask, Poland.

Biden: 'Very High' Risk of Russian Invasion in Days

President Joe Biden said Thursday there is a "very high" risk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine and that could happen within "several days." (Associated Press)

Additionally, six KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Aerial Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall in the U.K. have been deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Airmen with the 435th Contingency Response Group, which helps set up makeshift airfields in combat locations, have also been relocated from Germany's Ramstein Air Base to Poland for possible assistance with Ukrainian evacuees.

B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and personnel from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, arrived at RAF Fairford in England on Feb. 10 for a scheduled training exercise, but also add to the growing American force in Europe.

Earlier this month, C-17 Globemaster III transport planes from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, delivered supplies to help the U.S. with the Ukraine mission. Additional planes are coming out of Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina, a base spokeswoman told local media.

Flight paths shared on social media by aviation enthusiasts have also shown large numbers of American surveillance aircraft in the region over the last week. These have included RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper drones, as well as Air Force RC-135V/W Rivet Joint planes used for electronic surveillance.

This past weekend, three U.S. P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft flying over the Mediterranean Sea encountered "unprofessional intercepts" from Russian aircraft, the Navy told media outlets.

Increased American flights in Europe come as military officials wait for a potential invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

Despite Moscow claiming it was deescalating its forces, NATO reiterated this week that doesn't appear to be the case as an estimated 150,000 Russian troops are gathered near the Ukrainian border.

Gen. Jeff Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa and head of Allied Air Command, said in a press release that the F-35s will deter Russian actions as the threat of an invasion looms.

"We are facing a dynamic environment, and this deployment significantly enhances our support to NATO's defenses," Harrigian said.

This week, it was announced that hundreds of troops from the Army's 101st Airborne were deploying. In total, roughly 6,000 U.S. soldiers are expected to be in place in Europe in the coming days and will join troops from other NATO partners, including the United Kingdom and France.

Mission Bar-B-Q

 

WWII Movie 12 O'clock High

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https://youtu.be/yyUgqk6z7rY

F-15EX Shows Capabilities Absolutely Crazy for a US Air Force New Version (Video)

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https://youtu.be/r41wcbl9EgU 

Steven H. Spickelmier OBITUARY

Steven H. Spickelmier

Monday, January 31, 2022 5:45 PM

Steven H. Spickelmier, 77, formerly of Huntington, IN, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022.

Mr. Spickelmier graduated in 1962 from Huntington Township High School. He was a member of the basketball teams that won the County Tourneys in ‘61 and ‘62. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1962. He trained as a torpedoman and became a plank owner of the submarine tender USS Holland AS-32 in Rota, Spain. After completing his Naval service, he returned to Indiana and attended Indiana University. He then joined the Air National Guard 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne. He retired in 1987 as a MSgt from the 482nd Fighter Wing in Homestead, FL with 26 years of military service. In addition to his military service, he retired from AT&T (Indiana Bell, Southern Bell, BellSouth) as a Network Operations Manager after 32 years.
He was past chairman of the Veterans Council of Duval County, past chairman of the Support Committee at Jacksonville National Cemetery, past president of Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) Chapter 559 and past Field Operations Director for Missing in America Project (MIAP) for the State of Florida. He was also a part of Wreaths Across America, POW/MIA, Vets 4 Vets of Northeast Florida, Vietnam Veterans of America, and “Gathering in the Pines” at Cecil Field. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including The Legion of Honor Award at The Chapel of Four Chaplains at Cecil Field. He was a past Commodore of the Navy Jax Yacht Club. He was a member of Mandarin United Methodist Church and served as an usher for many years and church van driver for residents of Wesley Manor retirement home. He also served his community as Chairman of the Brierwood Neighborhood Association.

He was born on July 16, 1944, in Huntington, to Marion and Edra Hillegas Spickelmier. He was married to his wife, Glenda Spickelmier, for more than 33 years. She survives.

Additional survivors include five children, Angela Spickelmier, Jon (Kristin) Spickelmier, Christopher (Wendy) Green, Eric (Linda) Green and Scott (My) Crooker; a sister, Jorja (Steve) Smith, of Fort Wayne; a brother, Jeff (Cheryl) Spickelmier, of North Webster; and 10 grandchildren.
 
Calling will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL.

A funeral service will take place on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, at 1 p.m., at Mandarin United Methodist Church, 11270 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville.

Interment will take place at Jacksonville National Cemetery during a private ceremony at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Jacksonville National Cemetery - Support Committee, P.O. Box 57695, Jacksonville, FL 32241, or National POW-MIA Memorial Museum, 6112 POW-MIA Memorial Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32221.