Historical Highlights - June 14th
June 14th means it's time to wish the United States Army a well-deserved happy birthday!
US Elite
Historical Highlights - June 7th
The 7th of June marked the end of a four day clash between a Japanese and American carrier task force. US intelligence had cracked Japanese naval encryption, and learned of a operation to seize Midway in early June 1942. The only 3 carriers in the Pacific Fleet, Yorktown, Hornet, and Enterprise, were sent to lay in wait for the Japanese invasion force. .
Historical Highlights - June 6th
For most people reading this, June 6th is a date that needs no introduction
It marks the anniversary of one of the most important military events in human history: the invasion of Normandy, known as Operation Overlord.
Nast Whitson remembers Capt. Jennifer Harris
Nast Whitson, a beloved coach from Crossfit SOAR, shared with us the story of her friend Jennifer. Nast wishes to honor Jennifer's memory and we all will.
Historical Highlights - May 22nd
Today marks the founding date for Air Force Special Operations Command, (AFSOC) which was stood up as a major command of the Air Force, and a subordinate to Special Operations Command (SOCOM), on May 22nd, 1990.
Historical Highlights - May 12th
Photo by Department of Defense
Today marks the anniversary of a little-known epilogue to the Vietnam War, the Mayaguez incident. On May 12th, 1975, the S.S. Mayaguez, an American-owned container ship, was seized inside Cambodian territorial waters by Khmer Rouge swift boats who took the ship's crew captive. The Khmer Rouge had ousted the US-backed Khmer Republic government less than a month prior, so the US government had few diplomatic avenues to pursue with the Khmer Rouge forces holding the Mayaguez crew. President Gerald Ford and the National Security Council members felt, in light of the recent evacuation of the US Embassy during the fall of Saigon in South Vietnam, a strong message need to be sent that the US was still willing to meet challenges to American interests with force.
US Navy and Air Force aircraft were instructed to prevent the captured S.S. Mayaguez from reaching the Cambodian mainland with warning shots, and a naval task force was hastily assembled to serve as a platform for a rescue attempt. On May 14th, elements of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines assaulted the island of Koh Tang as well as the Mayaguez itself which was anchored nearby. But due to the ad-hoc nature of the operation, the Marines lacked crucial intelligence regarding the heavy defenses on the island, and their helicopters took heavy fire during the initial landing. and 7 of the 8 assault helicopters were destroyed or severely damaged. The Marines who managed to make it to their beach landing zones were now pinned down in close contact with Khmer Rouge fighters.
Ironically, at the same time of the assault, Khmer Rouge officials announced the release of the Mayaguez crew via radio, who were also being held at different island than one currently under assault by the United States. The US continued to fly strikes and close air support until the Marines on Koh Tang were evacuated Unfortunately during, the confusion of the pullout, 3 Marines were left behind, and were executed by the Khmer Rouge on Koh Tang.
The dual failures of planning and coordination during the Mayaguez rescue attempt would provide painful lessons that would eventually lead to a reevaluation and reorganization of joint operations in the the wake of another failed rescue, Operation Eagle Claw. This would lead to a major shift in the organization of special operations, with the establishment of the Joint Special Operations Command, and the Special Operations combatant command.
Historical Highlights - May 8th
Photo by CPL Neill A. Sevelius
May 8th is quite the eventful day in American military history.
It's most well known as Victory in Europe Day in Britain and the United States, marking the official unconditional surrender of German forces to the Allies in Reims, France on May 8th, 1945.
Elsewhere in the World War II, May 8th, 1942 was the final day of the Battle of the Coral Sea, where American and Australian naval and air forces attempted to contest a Japanese invasion of New Guinea and the southeastern Solomon Islands. The battle was a pivotal moment in history: it was the first time opposing aircraft carriers faced off and was the first naval engagement where the fleets never made visual contact. The battle signified the end of the age of the battleship, and the rise of naval aviation began.
Speaking of naval aviation, today marks the genesis of naval aircraft in the US Navy, when Captain Washington Irving Chambers placed an order for two Curtiss A-1 Triad floatplanes in 1911.
Finally, in more recent history, the Battle of Al-Qaim began in Al-Anbar Province, Iraq. Also known as Operation Matador, the 2005 engagement lasted until May 19th and was part of a larger Marine Corps effort against Al-Qaeda-In-Iraq (AQI) fighters in the Western Euphrates river valley called Operation Sayeed. The Marine task force in Al-Qaim suffered 9 men killed in action, and 40 wounded, while over 125 AQI insurgents were killed The fierce running battle was another indication that even in the wake of the Second Battle of Fallujah, Anbar Province was still one of the most dangerous places in Iraq.
This marks the beginning of what will be a daily dive into America's military and law enforcement history. If you've got a cool moment in history to share, let us know on Facebook or Twitter!
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Fall Buying Guide
There's no denying that Fall is the season to deck yourself out in new digs. That means a whole new wardbrobe and some awesome new gear.
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