Team Navy/Coast Guard Scores Individual, Team Medals to Open Warrior Games

By Lt. Tom Gordy, Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (NNS) -- Team Navy/Coast Guard scored eight medals on the first day of the 2011 Warrior Games, May 17.

The team took five silver medals and three bronze medals during the morning's track and field events at the Gerry Barry Stadium.

U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Nathan R. DeWalt, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Angelo Anderson, Explosion Ordinance Disposal 1st Class Patrick Woodruff, and Lt. Daniel B. Cnossen won individual medals during the first day of competition.

DeWalt was Team Navy/Coast Guard first medal winner, earning two silvers, one each for the men's 800- and 100-meter wheelchair races.

"[Having won] the first medal - it feels good," the York, Penn., native said after the 800-meter race. "When I crossed the finish line, I couldn't breathe - I gave it 110 percent."

Though he suffers from paralysis as a result of a motorcycle accident, DeWalt had a full morning of competition, participating in the 100-, 200-, and 800-meter wheelchair races, as well as the sitting discus event. He will participate in the 10-kilometer handcycle race and wheelchair basketball later in the week.

Anderson also earned two medals, a silver in the 200-meter wheelchair race and a bronze in the 100-meter wheelchair race.

"It's phenomenal to represent Team Navy/Coast Guard," the Atlanta native said, describing what propelled him to the victories. "I realize this is so much bigger than me. I had a lot more motivation outside of myself to win this for our team."

Anderson, who suffered broken limbs during combat operations in Afghanistan, currently serves on active duty at the Navy Medical Center in Portsmouth, Va.

Cnossen, a native of Topeka, Kansas, took bronze in the men's 800-meter race for lower-body amputees.

"The 800-meter race was my best chance." he said after the race. "At the 500-meter mark I began to close the gap."

Cnossen, an active duty Navy SEAL injured by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, also participated in 100- and 200-meter races and will compete in the men's 50- and 100-meter swimming races May 18.

Woodruff left the field as Team Navy/Coast Guard's leading medal winner, earning individual silver medals in the men's 100- and 200-meter races (lower-body amputee), and a team bronze medal in the mixed 4x100-meter relay. He also placed fourth in the men's standing shot put event.

After learning that he had won his first medal, he said, "It feels good - I'm glad it helps my team. It feels great to be out here and competing again."

Woodruff, who became a single, lower-body amputee eight months ago following a motorcycle accident, continues to serve on active duty in San Diego, Calif., with Explosive Ordinance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit 1. The Leonard, Texas native is also a member of the Navy/Coast Guard wheelchair basketball team, which defeated the Air Force team in the first round of the tournament later in the day.

Winning the bronze medal in the relay with Woodruff were:

• Retired U.S. Navy Lt. John C. Edmonston of San Jose, Calif. Edmonston, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident, works for the Navy as a civilian mechanical engineer with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash;

• Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Oswald Gould of Brooklyn, N.Y. Gould, a survivor of stage-four nasopharyngeal cancer, serves on active duty supporting the Fleet Readiness Center, Mid-Atlantic at Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Va.; and,

• Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Aaron Heldreth of Barstow, Calif. Heldreth, who became a single lower body amputee resulting from an auto accident, continues to serve on active duty Underwater Construction Team Two at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Calif.

Team Navy/Coast Guard had participants in 19 of the 20 men's and women's adaptive events.

Face of Defense: Fighter Pilot Balances Work, Motherhood

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel Phelps

20th Fighter Wing

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C., May 18, 2011 – When Air Force Maj. Jaime Nordin saw her first airshow as a child, she knew she wanted to fly fighter jets.

"I was mesmerized by fighters -- the idea of going fast and flying upside-down," said the F-16 pilot with the 79th Fighter Squadron here, one of 58 women among the Air Force’s 2,689 fighter pilots.

The role of Air Force fighter pilots is to maintain superiority in the air and support the ground fight. But Nordin's mission goes beyond that. She also is the mother of a 2-year-old daughter named Caleigh.

"Being a mom and a fighter pilot are both equally demanding, which makes having only 24 hours in a day hard," she said. "But more and more, I'm becoming a mom, and a fighter pilot is my trade."

Nordin said she was five to six weeks pregnant when she found out Caleigh was on the way. "Because of that,” she said, “I joke with my daughter that she has flown in an F-16." But impending motherhood meant that Nordin had to take some time off from flying.

"Between pulling high G’s and the ejection seat, flying while pregnant is a ‘no go,’" she said.

Being grounded was difficult at first, the major acknowledged. "I went through an identity crisis because I had to stop flying,” she said. “I had to become something other than a fighter pilot. But after a while, my motherly instincts took over."

During that time, Nordin worked in the operations support squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. After the time off from the pregnancy and recovery, her qualifications for flying were out of date, so she had to take a class at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

"During the time off, I really missed flying," Nordin said. "It's kind of a need. I missed being in the air and the camaraderie of the squadron."

Nordin's husband also is an F-16 pilot, which presents unique challenges to the couple in raising a 2-year-old. For example, she said, she sometimes worries about what will happen while she's flying or in the middle of something else and can't pick up Caleigh.

"Fortunately, we have friends who are willing to step in and help us out at the drop of a hat," she said. "Several times we've had to cash in on them for help because of mission requirements."

For times when the two pilot parents have temporary deployments at the same time and can't bring Caleigh, they have a family care plan in place to ensure their daughter’s care.

"We've been making adjustments in our lives to make things work since Day One," Nordin said. "The busy lifestyle is the only life we know. We've always had to adjust and readjust. [Caleigh has] always known this life."

But so far, she added, the couple has not yet had to miss out on any key moments in their daughter's life.

"I know there are a ton of families where that is not the case, so we've been blessed in that way," she said. "You have to learn to celebrate the ordinary."

The mom and fighter pilot said she can tell that her daughter understands what it means for her parents to be pilots.

"She can tell you what an F-16 is," she said. "She is thrilled by them. She'll see one fly and say that's mom or dad. She enjoys sitting and watching the planes taxi down the runway. She's engulfed in it."

The Humvee of Laptops

Panasonic's Toughbook has found fans among troops in Iraq. That should boost sales for the whole "ruggedized" laptop segment

Early in the war in Iraq, a firefight broke out in a neighborhood that had supposedly been secured by coalition forces. As bullets whizzed by, a U.S. soldier did what came naturally: He held up his laptop computer, a Toughbook 72 from Panasonic Computer Solutions Co. (MC ) Unlike most plastic-covered laptops, this "semi-rugged" model has a hard magnesium shell and steel-reinforced innards. The improvised shield did the trick. "There's a bullet lodged in his hard drive," marvels Maria Leadingham, who manages technology for the Civil Affairs Psychological Operations Center at Fort Bragg, N.C.

No, Panasonic doesn't bill its Toughbooks as bulletproof. But its "fully ruggedized" models are all but impervious to sand and heat, and even the semi-rugged models can stand up to the daily jostling of war. As a result, more than 5,000 are in use in Iraq. Special Forces paratroopers pack a four-pound model in their backpacks. B-1 bomber crews use them for mission planning. 

So far, the machines are proving their mettle. After sandstorms in late March, 6 of 32 standard notebooks used in Leadingham's group suffered technical glitches, compared with only 3 of 200 Toughbooks. 

FALLING PRICES.  Just as the first Gulf War fueled postwar popularity for Humvees, the Iraq War may well accelerate sales of Toughbooks and their ilk long after the war ends. Why? Portable computers take a beating, whether they're being tossed into the trunk of a car, splashed with coffee, or knocked off tables. 

Fully rugged models are likely to remain niche items. They are completely sealed from the elements and hold up even when run over by a truck, but often cost $3,000-plus. That's well above the current average notebook price tag of $1,580. But some semi-rugged models, which come equipped with spill-resistant keyboards, hard casings, and gel-encased disk drives, cost just 10% more than garden-variety models. 

And thanks to falling PC prices, the premium is not so onerous. Panasonic, for example, recently unveiled a "ruggedized" one-pound, ultralight PC for $2,000 -- just $300 more than a similar, nonrugged model from Dell Computer Corp. (DELL ). 

DROP RATE.  The real appeal is reduced maintenance costs. Analysts say 20% of mainstream laptops fail in the first year, usually because of accidental damage. That rises to 35% once a notebook leaves its docking station and to more than 50% for machines that are used outdoors or on shop floors. But the failure rate of rugged or semi-rugged machines is just 5%. 

With the notebook business growing at 14.2% a year, nearly twice the clip of the desktop sector, "a lot more PCs are going to get dropped," notes Panasonic Computer CEO Rance Poehler. He says that increased breakdowns should drive demand for rugged and semi-rugged models. 

And Panasonic plans to cash in. While most PC makers do well to earn a 20% gross margin on notebook sales, Panasonic earns 25% or more. Panasonic's engineers work closely with customers to design products that meet specific needs -- and command premium pricing. Also, the company drives down costs by using low-cost components supplied by its parent, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. 

To be sure, the PC powers need not tremble yet. Market watcher Venture Development Corp. says the rugged notebook market was just $600 million in 2002, less than 5% of the overall notebook PC market. Should demand for semi-rugged continue to grow, industry giants such as IBM (IBM ) and Dell could add features such as cushioned disk drives or magnesium casings. For now, Panasonic has carved out a business that looks likely to withstand the jolts and splashes ahead. 


One of the only places you can purchase cost-effective Toughbooks is at Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff. They have a wide refurbished selection with a Lifetime Labor Warranty.

Jacksonville Naval Aviators and Aircrew Visit Local High School

By Kaylee LaRocque, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Three women naval aviators from Patrol Squadron Thirty visited Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Fla., as part of Naval Air Station Jacksonville's Centennial of Naval Aviation activities, May 13.

The team consisting of P-3 Orion Pilot Lt. Leigh Shannon, Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Lt. Julia Feys and Naval Aircrewman 1st Class Katherine Cary, spent nearly two hours talking about their backgrounds, education and career paths to NJROTC students at the school.

Shannon kicked off the presentation by asking the students how many had family in the military and if they were interested in joining one of the armed services. She also asked how many wanted to fly aircraft and if they liked traveling. Many of the students raised their hands to each question.

After a short video about naval aviation, the team of aviators introduced themselves.

"I graduated high school in a small town in New Hampshire. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school and then I learned about the Naval Academy and that I could go there and learn to fly airplanes. I also grew up surfing and learned that most of the time people in the Navy were stationed by the water. So I decided to join," Shannon told the students. "I finished college and headed to flight school. During my career so far, I've flown five different aircraft and been all over the world. I'm a pilot at VP-30 right now but am soon headed back to Hawaii."

Cary also discussed her background and how she chose her career.

"I'm from a small town in Wisconsin and was working in a movie theater while attending college. I decided I wanted to do something different so I joined the Navy in 2001. After boot camp, I got orders to fly on planes in Bahrain. I was 19 at the time," she said.

"I have travelled to a lot of really cool places including Egypt, Japan, Thailand, Afghanistan, Iraq and some places that probably no one has heard of. I was also stationed in Hawaii with Lt. Shannon and them we both ended up here. I love flying on the P-3's and being part of the aircrew team," continued Cary. "I'm also working on my college degree and the Navy is paying for most of it."

Feys also talked about her job as an NFO and why she joined the Navy.

"I'm from a town near Detroit, Mich. I graduated from high school and was working at a VFW hall and decided to check out the Naval Academy. It was free and I wanted to leave Michigan. So I was accepted, graduated with a degree in computer science and became an NFO," said Feys.

"After lots of training, I went to Whidbey Island, Wash., for my first tour in a P-3 squadron. We went to a lot of really great places. Then, I came back here and am soon transferring to Dallas to conduct testing on aircraft. When I first began working as an NFO, I was the navigator working the GPS and computers. I was also in charge of communications. Then I trained to become a tactical coordinator which means I basically had to learn about the whole aircraft. My favorite part is tracking submarines," continued Feys.

U.S. Embassy in Uruguay Hosts Reception Aboard USS Boone

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Smith, Southern Seas 2011 Public Affairs

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (NNS) -- The U.S. Embassy in Uruguay hosted a reception aboard guided-missile frigate USS Boone (FFG 28) during the ship's port visit to Montevideo, Uruguay, as part of Southern Seas 2011, May 13.

The reception provided an opportunity for the U.S. and Uruguay to highlight the partnership between the two countries and was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay, David Nelson.

"Events like this put a human face on the relationships we are building," said Nelson. "There is a lot of mythology out there. These events show our cooperation in an extremely positive light in an area which most people don't expect."

More than 100 civilian officials and military guests from USS Thach (FFG 43), USCGC Escanaba (WMEC 907) and partner nations attended the reception and ship tours aboard Boone.

"Receptions and tours give us the opportunity to showcase the ship, and demonstrate our professionalism to our families, friends and partners," said Cmdr. Roy Love, Boone commanding officer. "It is an honor and a point of pride for the Sailors to show the ship to anyone who visits."

The reception gave guests an opportunity to interact in an international arena. The evening was the beginning of a weekend filled with events for the U.S. Sailors and Coast Guardsmen to build relationships with the Uruguayan navy and local communities.

"Uruguay provides the largest supplement of peacekeeping operators and that is of a large benefit to the U.S.," said Nelson. "Our interactions help build a dialog between our governments and it shows how far we have come as a nation."

The Sailors of Boone were responsible for setting up the reception area, preparing the food and staffing the serving tables.

"The Sailors of the Supply Department and Food Services typically work behind the scenes," said Lt. Jeff Carideo, Boone supply officer. "This reception showcased their professionalism. The night was a great success and that is a reflection of their hard work and talents."

"Boone is a great ship, with an exceptional crew, and it served as an exceptional venue for the honor of entertaining our distinguished guests and partners," said Love.

After Montevideo, Boone and Thach will continue with the Southern Seas 2011 deployment within the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

2011 Warrior Games Begin

By Lt. Tom Gordy, Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (NNS) -- More than 200 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen opened the 2011 Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympics Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 16th.

The ceremony began with a "march of the athletes" along the Olympic Path which was lined with flag-waving and cheering family members, friends and supporters, and was followed by the time-honored tradition of carrying the torch to light the Olympic flame.

Replete with military honors, including a flyover by Navy F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, the ceremony kicked-off a challenging and competitive week for wounded, injured and seriously-ill athletes.

Representing the Navy-Coast Guard team as torchbearers were Logistics Specialist 1st Class Robert Lipscomb and retired Coast Guardsman Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Michael K. Bell. They were part of a group of six service members representing each of the military branches along with Special Operations Command who were given the honor to carry the torch to Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, who lit the flame above the training center for the games.

For Lipscomb and Bell, carrying the torch meant much more than merely fulfilling a tradition.

"Carrying that torch shows that we can overcome anything before us," said Lipscomb. "It also represented the men and women who've given the ultimate sacrifice. That flame was a symbol of hope and freedom."

The 2011 Warrior Games are Lipscomb's first. The Goldsboro, N.C., native was diagnosed with stage IV diffuse gastric cancer in August 2010. Although he is still in the process of taking chemotherapy, Lipscomb said he is highly motivated to beat his odds and has set some high goals for the competition.

Lipscomb will participate in three events during the games: cycling (30-kilometer road race), shooting (10-meter air pistol) and wheelchair basketball. The husband and father of two daughters, Lipscomb serves on active duty with Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group in Williamsburg, Va.

For Bell, a two-time participant and bronze medal winner in the inaugural 2010 Warrior Games, being a torch bearer provided a symbol of hope.

"For me carrying that torch shows that there is hope after injury," he said. "You have to adapt and overcome."

Bell will be competing in the 10-kilometer Recumbent Cycling Road Race as well as shot put and discus events. In 2007, Bell was stricken at the age of 22 with a stroke that left his entire right side paralyzed. Through a year-and-a-half rehabilitation and hard work, he relearned to walk, talk, eat and do many other basic daily tasks.

He medically retired from the Coast Guard and now lives in Union, Mo., where attends college and is working toward earning a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. He also participates in cycling events, such as the Tour de Corn, the Tour de Cure (diabetes) and the MS 150, a 150-mile bike ride for multiple sclerosis.

The 2011 Warrior Games will continue through May 21, and will include competitions in cycling, archery, shooting, wheelchair basketball, volleyball, swimming, and track and field events.

Team Navy/Coast Guard is sponsored by Navy Safe Harbor, the lead organization for coordinating non-medical care of wounded, ill and injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and their families. Through proactive leadership, Safe Harbor provides a lifetime of individually tailored assistance designed to optimize the success of enrollees' recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration activities.

United States Tennis Association Host Navy, Coast Guard Members

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andre N. McIntyre, Expeditionary Combat Camera Public Affairs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (NNS) -- Wounded Warriors from Team Navy/Coast Guard participated in wheelchair and adaptive tennis training conducted by national wheelchair coaches and volunteers from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) May 13 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

For the Wounded Warrior athletes, it was a much needed break from the rigorous week-long training camp in preparation for the 2011 Warrior Games.

The second annual Warrior Games began May 16 at the Olympic Training Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

"This is a leisure afternoon of planned activity for our athletes," said David Pennington,Navy Safe Harbor anchor program coordinator. "It is a low impact sport that is fun. It will allow them to chill and relax their muscles."

The adaptive tennis' goal is to promote and develop recreational tennis opportunities for individuals with differing abilities and circumstances through inclusion, knowledge and support, and by providing, where needed, adaptive programming, equipment and teaching techniques.

"Four training stations have been set-up with various activities to introduce Sailors and Coast Guardsmen to the lifelong sport of tennis," said Robin Jones, USTA national military outreach consultant. "We feel that it is a great activity for reintegration into the community, and it helps our warriors to adjust to life after the military."

"As part of the White House Joining Forces initiative, the USTA feels that Wounded Warriors and their families can benefit from playing tennis socially and competitively," said Jones. "It is a sport that you can play at any age, skill development or at any socio-economic level. It has no barriers, because it is readily accessible to everyone as tennis courts are in virtually every community."

"I have enjoyed the opportunity to participate in this activity," said former Coast Guard Lt. Sancho Johnson. "I strongly feel that this is a great activity, and I am excited about the opportunity to incorporate this into my daily lifestyle"

"This was fun," said Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Oswald Gould. "It has been a learning experience, and it is not as easy as it looks. It is a great outlet to a healthy lifestyle and a good means to meet new people."

Members from the team really enjoyed the break and appreciated the fact that the USTA invested time in order to facilitate this learning experience.

"It has been a great break from practice," said Johnson. "Sometimes you forget how much fun you can have with life when you take time to enjoy it."

"This is a good rehab activity and a great means to workout," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal 1st Class Patrick Woodruff. "It is great being around people who share similar experiences. This whole event has showed me how much they [Navy Safe Harbor] care about our rehabilitation and integration. The staff has been very supportive in facilitating activities to assist in our transition to adaptive activities. This activity is just another example of how awesome they have been."

The team is sponsored by Navy Safe Harbor, the Navy's lead organization for coordinating the non-medical care of wounded, ill and injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and their families. Through proactive leadership, Navy Safe Harbor provides a lifetime of individually tailored assistance designed to optimize the success of enrollees' recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration activities.

Today in the Department of Defense, Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen conduct a press briefing at 1 p.m. EDT in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973).  All journalists must be seated by 12:50 p.m.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event, have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Scott Gould will testify at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs regarding the Seamless Transition Interagency Collaboration between the two departments regarding Wounded Warrior Care at 10 a.m. EDT in room 418, Russell Senate Building.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and China’s Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army Gen. Chen Bingde will conduct a briefing at 4:15 p.m. EDT in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973).  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass must be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than one hour prior to the event, have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey testify at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee on fiscal 2012 budget request for the Department of the Army at 10:30 a.m. EDT in room, Dirksen 192.

This Day in Naval History - May 17

From the Navy News Service

1940 - FDR announces plans to recommission 35 more destroyers.

1942 - USS Tautog (SS 199) sinks Japanese sub, I-28; while USS Triton (SS 201) sinks I-164.

1951 - Aircraft from carriers attack bridges between Wonsan and Hamhung, Korea.

1962 - Naval amphibious ready group lands Marines to guard Thailand's borders from Communist probes.

1966 - Naval Support Activity Saigon established.

1973 - First woman to hold a major Navy command, Capt. Robin Lindsay Quigley assumes command of Navy Service School, San Diego.

1987 - USS Stark (FFG 31) struck by Iraqi Exocet missile in Persian Gulf, killing 37 Sailors; 21 were wounded.

1990 - USS Roark (FF 1053) rescues 42 refugees from unseaworthy craft in South China Sea.

American Heroes Radio interviews Vietnam Veteran and Novelist Phil Ward

The May 19, 2011, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation with Vietnam veteran Phil Ward, the author of the World War II novel Those Who Dare.

Program Date: May 19, 2011
Program Time: 1500 hours, PACIFIC
Topic: Those Who Dare
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2011/05/19/those-who-dare
About the Guest
Phil Ward is a decorated combat veteran commissioned at age nineteen. A former instructor at the Army Ranger School, he has had a lifelong interest in small unit tactics and special operations. He lives on a mountain overlooking Lake Austin with his beautiful wife, Lindy, whose father was the lieutenant governor to both Ann Richards and George W. Bush. Phil Ward is the author of Those Who Dare.

According to the book description of Those Who Dare, “The first in a series of meticulously researched World War II novels about hit-and-run raids against Hitler's war machine by British forces - under the command of a U.S. soldier - "Those Who Dare" is sure to appeal to avid military fiction fans. By May 1940, panzer divisions had decimated Belgium and reached Calais. Lieutenant John Randal of the U.S. 26th Cavalry Regiment volunteers his expertise to help slow their advance. What unfolds is a blend of military guerrilla tactics, suspense, humor, cultural and social commentary, and war buddy camaraderie - plus a little romance between the American GI and the widowed Lady Jane Seaborn. Along the way readers meet such colorful characters as Captain David Niven in MO-9 and Captain 'Geronimo Joe' McKoy with his Travelling Wild West Show and Shooting Emporium. The author - a decorated combat veteran - covers the details of war extensively, from the five points of contact of a parachute landing fall to descriptions of a British raider's A-5 flinging ferries before the first 12-gauge shell casing hits the floor. As the novel ends, Major Randal's men, fresh from Operation Tomcat in France, learn they will deploy via sea transport within 48 hours on their next mission. The second book, which is already written, tells that tale.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2011/05/19/those-who-dare

Listen from the Archive:
http://www.hitechcj.com/americanheroesradio/those_who_dare.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Memorial Day: American Heroes Radio Sends Greetings to your Servicemember

In commeration of Memorial Day, during the American Heroes Radio broadcasts on May 19th and May 26th, American Heroes Radio will send brief messages to your servicemember. Send an email to editor@military-writers.com:

Name:
Rank:
Unit:
Location:

Brief Message: e.g., “See you home soon Mom and Dad.”


More about American Heroes Radio