Free Republic

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi addressed the possibility of war with Hezbollah on Wednesday, in the wake of electronic devices exploding in Lebanon: “We still have many capabilities that we have not yet activated.” Israel has not formally acknowledged responsibility for the detonation of thousands of pagers carried by Hezbollah officials and terrorists on Tuesday, nor for the explosion of hundreds of walkie talkies. Together, the explosions were responsible for about 20 deaths and over 3,000 injuries, and the destruction of Hezbollah’s communications system.

According the the US Government's National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), some type of "event" in the ocean off the New Jersey coast triggered a Tsunami Buoy! The buoy recorded sudden changes in water depth of fifty-five METERS (180 feet) in a matter of seconds.

Hospital Ship Activates to Support Typhoon Relief Mission From a U. S. Pacific Fleet News Release PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, Nov. 14, 2013 – The commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet yesterday directed the activation of USNS Mercy to prepare the hospital ship for possible deployment to the Philippines. USNS Mercy off the coast of the Philippines during a Pacific Partnership deployment, July 1, 2012. U.S. Navy photo Petty officer 3rd Class Michael Feddersen  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. directed the activation to accelerate Mercy's ability to attain full operating status in case it’s...

Technique may enable robotic animals that move with the strength and flexibility of their living counterparts.Many robotic designs take nature as their muse: sticking to walls like geckos, swimming through water like tuna, sprinting across terrain like cheetahs. Such designs borrow properties from nature, using engineered materials and hardware to mimic animals’ behavior. Now, scientists at MIT and the University of Pennsylvania are taking more than inspiration from nature — they’re taking ingredients. The group has genetically engineered muscle cells to flex in response to light, and is using the light-sensitive tissue to build highly articulated robots. This “bio-integrated” approach,...

3/7/2006 - FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AFPN) -- More than 1,000 Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors joined ranks to activate Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Teams in a ceremony here March 3. The purpose of the teams is to help rebuild Afghanistan, ensuring a secure and self-sufficient nation. The teams have a three-part mission: stabilize the economy, promote security of the nation and legitimize the central Afghan government. Twelve teams, each consisting of about 80 members, are currently training here before heading to Afghanistan in April to relieve Army teams. Six teams are led by the Air Force, six by the Navy, and each...

<p>Some families of reservists deployed to Iraq are grappling with more than fear for their loved one's safety. They are struggling to pay their bills.</p> <p>"It's not just his absence that we're dealing with," said Korina Self of Lockeford, whose husband, California National Guard Spc. James Self, is serving in Iraq. "We're dealing with absolute financial devastation. We're on the verge of losing everything."</p>

Fri September 26, 2003 09:13 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military, faced with reluctance by other nations to send forces to Iraq, on Friday night activated 10,000 Army National Guard troops to go there and put 5,000 more Army Guard soldiers on alert for likely service in Iraq. The mobilization order for the 30th Infantry Brigade from North Carolina and the 39th Infantry Brigade from Arkansas, each with 5,000 troops, to mobilize over the next two weeks had been expected. They were earlier alerted for replacement rotation into Iraq, where the United States now has about 130,000 troops....

From their homepage: The veterans, citizens and businesses of South Florida (Monroe, Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties) and Tampa Bay (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties) are grateful for the sacrifice our National Guardsmen and Reservists' families are making on behalf of America. MISSION To assist families of activated Florida National Guard and Reserve units South Florida ( Monroe, Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties) and Tampa Bay (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties). GOAL To provide $25 per month for each minor child of an activated service member during their call-up to active duty. THE PLAN Purchase $25...