Posted on 07/22/2006 1:11:16 PM PDT by Mobile Vulgus
The Telegraph newspaper apparently cannot believe that America is gauche enough to take it upon itself to evaluate its own distribution of military forces in the world. How DARE the USA think that, in this era of unrest in the Mid East and terrorism, it can do what it wants to do with its own military!
In an article by David Rennie titled American pullout leaves Iceland defenceless, America is reported as "tactless" for its need to reevaluate keeping forces in Iceland, forces that were originally posted there for fighting the Cold War.
Apparently, many in Iceland, not to mention the offices of the Telegraph, have not caught up to the news that the Cold War is over.
In a classic example of ingratitude for years of free service, Iceland is all aghast over the United States' decision that its armed forces are best stationed in other places in the world than the land of ice.
As a result, according to the Telegraph, the USA is being nasty to the good people of Iceland.
"The United States, which had assured Iceland's defence for decades, stunned the country in March when it announced that it would be closing its bases on the island, withdrawing its F-15 fighters and thousands of servicemen in the space of just six months.How DARE those evil Americans!This bombshell was dropped in a single telephone call from an underling at the State Department, followed by a letter from the US ambassador."
Apparently the Telegraph found at least one Icelander that agrees with them that America is just being a big poopyhead. Björn Bjarnason, the minister for justice and ecclesiastical affairs, who oversees the coastguard and police, is not very happy.
"The situation could one day require the 'tactless' Americans to be invited back, Mr Bjarnason thinks."Well, THAT cinches it. We need to double the U.S. military presence. We don’t want to be thought of as jerks by ol' Björn, do we?
Man, I heard a lot of wild fighter-jock boasting over the years, but tossing down bears? Well I guess fighter guys are known for their big mouths but that would still take some doing. Do you cut them up first or just open wide like a python?
Just kidding.
Gads! I am never going to live this down! ROFL!
At least it's just a typo. I remember observing a couple of guys doing a cross-country from another fighter unit who had imbibed a few too many at the Minot AFB O-club. They came up with the great idea to kidnap the 5th Fighter (Spitten Kittens) detachment mascot (a bobcat) from it's cage out on the flight line. When they returned from this little project one of them was scratched all to hell and his flight suit was shredded in places. He had tried to stick the bobcat kitten inside his flight suit. I still laugh out loud when I visualize the scene.
Oh man! I spent wayyyyyy too much time in one of those Nomex bags to think it could handle a regular kitten much less a bobcat!
Minot and missiles huh! Did you remember the guy who used to get nude, put on his viking war helmet when pulling alert there? LOL!
I got down inside a hole at Warren in 76.
One of my more interesting assignments was a 2 month TDY to Brooks AFB as a medical guinea pig. Got to ride the cetrifuge. Way cool! Got plastered in the O-club prior to a ride one day - BAD MISTAKE! LOL
Another chance to post this link to a real Yoko Ono song:
http://media.putfile.com/Yoko-Ono
And Bjork is so 90s, Silvia Night is the new Icelandic sensation.
Those two yahoos came back, ordered two more beers and argued with each other about whose stupid idea it was todo that.
Missiles, Yep, and the naked crew guy was something of a legend -- before I got there, although we had a number of our own legends develop themselves there. Warren was the sister to our MMIII system at Minot.
Did the crew thing there, wing staff at Ellsworth and spent the rest my time primarily in SAC nuclear planning and command and control both on the old Looking Glass and ground mobile command post.
If I had partied prior to something like a centrifuge ride I'd have had to spend days cleaning the thing.
His name was James. :-) I knew him. LOL!
I spent a little time in NORAD. I too could tell some stories! hehe
You knew Randy?
I remember the steak, mushrooms and onions at the 56 club; playing golf around fish rack hazards; playing cards with cheap booze and cigarettes; and working for AFRTS.
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