Free Republic

According to The Times, a US marine surveillance P-8 Poseidon aircraft, was tracking Moskva in the hours before it was attacked before supplying its location to the Ukrainian military. The Boeing-made aircraft is based upon the Boeing 737-800 jet - which is widely used by airlines such as Ryanair. However, instead of passengers, the Poseidon is packed with state-of-the-art surveillance equipment which can track surface vessels and submarines at ranges of more than 100 miles. .. the P-8 left US Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily on April 13, hours before the attack. Before reaching the Black Sea coastline, the...

Two House Armed Services subcommittees today recommended more spending for equipment to protect special operations soldiers in the field, vehicles that can resist roadside bombs, and additional ships and submarines for the Navy. The Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee by voice vote forwarded to the full Armed Services Committee its $23.3 billion section of the fiscal 2008 defense authorization measure (HR 1585), including a $210 million increase in funding for the U.S. Special Operations Command. The panel’s recommendations mirrored those of three other subcommittees in efforts to shift military spending toward bolstering a force devastated by four years of...

Anymouse saw and talked to Jerry Patterson walking up the road in Crawford. Born in Houston, Texas on November 15, 1946 Jerry Patterson has devoted his life to public service. He served his country as a U.S. Marine for over twenty years and served as state Senator for six. Recently, he has also served as state relations director for the American Red Cross. As State Senator from District 11, Patterson’s major legislative successes included passage of the historic concealed handgun law, a constitutional amendment allowing home equity lending, the state coastal management plan and the creation of the Texas State...

All times are Eastern U.S. time July 3, Sunday 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. - Deep Impact Pre-Impact Live Interviews - JPL (One-Way Media Interviews) 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Deep Impact Pre-Impact Update - JPL(Update on separation and navigation) 4 p.m. – Deep Impact Pre-Impact Update - HQ (Replay) 7 p.m. – Deep Impact Pre-Impact Update - HQ (Replay) 11:30 p.m. – 3:30 a.m. (July 4) – Deep Impact Commentary (Expected time of impact: 1:52 a.m.) July 4, Monday 4 a.m. – 5 a.m. – Deep Impact Post-Impact Press Conference - JPL (Interactive Media Briefing) 7 a.m. –...

Massed United States armoured units cut through Fallujah from end to end, shelling targets while United States Air Force drops 'noise bombs' --harmless except for psychological shock impact. Swarms of United States Special Ops snipers equipped with night vision goggles keeping jihadi militia traffic off Fallujah streets while negioiations continue on surrender of Iraqi guerillas and foriegn fighters.United States troops massed outside of Najaf held back as bargaining chip in talks ongoing with Shiite leaders headed by Ayatollah Sistani.Moderate militias now control holy city of Najaf having pushed Sadr's Mehdi Army Militia out of the center and on to the...

IST (17:50)Two oil fields south and west of Basra have been torched by Iraqi troops.United States Marines ordered to advance from Kuwait into Southern Iraq at speed to extinguish the blaze.Battles rage as Marines lay down artillery barrage to clear their path while coming under hevy fire themselves.