Free Republic

USN The French Navy will reportedly retire the last of its Alouette III light helicopters after more than 55 years of service and at least a decade before its scheduled replacement arrives, as the Cold War-era helicopters have become a nightmare to maintain. The service plans to lease Airbus Helicopters AS365 Dauphins to fill the resulting gap until the European consortium's new H160 become available. French newspaper La Tribune first reported the decision on Jan. 19, 2018. At present, the French Navy’s aviation arm, or l'Aéronavale, has fewer than 20 of the aging Alouette IIIs, which first entered service in...

A farewell fitting to royalty, that was what happened at Gilze Rijen airbase in the Netherlands on Tuesday 15 December, as the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) said goodbye to its final four Alouette helicopters. Never the most exciting piece of aviation kit, they in fact proved very reliable in over 51 years of RNLAF service. Good enough also for the Dutch royal family. A flight of two Alouettes, known for their pristine blue paint scheme and characteristic engine sound, saluted those present at Gilze Rijen airbase, home to most of the RNLAF helicopter fleet. Four Alouettes remained in service...

In case y'all* have been wondering where I am and what I'm doing, please visit my new blog! The Vicious Babushka *Just a little word I learned from my new daughter-in-law, from Alabama

Could someone please help me find a FReeper? I can't remember her name, but she posted in a thread the day after the election saying she was taking a holiday from Free Republic for awhile to work on her study on Jews in the South. I want to get in touch with her because she could be a big help to me regarding my Master's thesis. Does anyone know who I am talking about?

I am taking some time off from FR to cool down after the election, and to celebrate my son's wedding in Alabama. So if you don't get pings and articles to the Judaic/pro-Israel/Russian Jewry list, I'm on vacation. While I am in the deep South, I will be working on a history series of Southern Jewry which will appear at Jewish-history.com and also at Chabad.org, which will be posted here when I return. Stay strong, FReepers! The American people are tough and will survive.

Dear FReepers, I am requesting your prayers and kind thoughts. My wonderful mother-in-law, the mother of my husband and the grandmother of my children, has passed away at the age of 87. This Mother's Day was spent in mourning and fond remembrance of a loving and faithful mother and grandmother!

FReepers, as you may probably know, I was involved in a car crash that resulted in the demise of my beloved companion, a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix SE. Sadly, the insurance adjustor has determined that my most dearly loved mode of transportation cannot be repaired at a cost of less than its market value, wherefore they are offering a buyout so that I can purchase another vehicle. Insurance will not compensate unless they receive my TITLE, so seeking 2nd opinions from independent body shops is not an option. Anyway, before entering the dangerous jungle of the used car market with...

Dear Freepers, This afternoon I was in a very bad crash. My car is totaled, hit broadside by a pick up truck. thank G-D I have just been discharged from the hospital with just some bruises. I am in a lot of pain, on meds, but I will be OK. I just want to let you know I am hanging in here, I could use your prayers. G-D has spared me so I can tell people to drive carefully and stay alert! May you all be blessed with a safe Christmas and Chanukah full of joy and close to your...

Does Free Republic have a Jewish ping list? If so, I'd like to be added, even though I'm not a Jew. If not, perhaps one is needed. What do you think about this?