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Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan prepared to deal one more decisive blow to the U.S. Naval forces in the Pacific. The aim was to destroy U.S. aircraft carriers and occupy the strategically important Midway Atoll, a tiny island nearly halfway between Asia and North America that was home to a U.S. Naval air station. American codebreakers deciphered the Japanese plans, allowing the U.S. Navy to plan an ambush. On June 3, 1942, the Battle of Midway commenced.

MAP 7.3 2011/06/24 03:10:00 52.100 -171.700 40.0 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA MAP 7.4 2011/06/24 03:09:40 52.042 -171.842 46.8 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA

Dutch Harbor Remembrance Day State Flags Lowered on June 3, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 09-139 State Flags Lowered for Dutch Harbor Remembrance Day World War II bombing commemorated June 2, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin has ordered state flags to be lowered to half-staff on June 3 to mark the 67th anniversary of the bombing of Dutch Harbor during World War II. “Today and every day, I encourage the residents of Dutch Harbor and all Alaskans to remember the soldiers who died or were injured defending and reclaiming our shores,” Governor Palin said. “We are forever in...

Okmok on August 3. It's gotten less active since this big day. Larsen, Jessica. Image courtesy of the AVO/UAF-GI. Kastochi: Aviation hazard code is RED Google Earth image showing AVHRR image of volcanic cloud (band 4) from Kasatochi, and earthquakes located in the region. Note: coastlines are slightly mis-registered in this image. To download a .kmz file of AVO located earthquakes, see this page: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/earthquakes/ . Picture Date: August 07, 2008 Image Creator: Bailey, John Image courtesy of the AVO/UAF-GI and USGS. Quickbird true-color satellite image of Kasatochi Island collected on April 9, 2004. Image copyright Digital Globe. Picture Date:...

Alaska's Okmok volcano started erupting on July 12 and is still going. The most recent update from yesterday indicated an ash plume could be at 35,000 feet. This has a definite current events aspect because a lot of planes flying to China (Olympics) will fly near this event. Aircraft jet engines do not do well on an ash-rich diet. Okmok has always been one of my favorite Aleutian volcanoes because it has an incredible 10-km wide circular caldera, almost like a "Lost World" setting. So after my two-week hiatus, I'll provide a picture of the current eruption, and a couple...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The mangled remains of a vessel found in the Bering Sea are likely those of a World War II submarine that disappeared with a crew of 70 off the Aleutian Island of Kiska. The discovery of the USS Grunion on Wednesday night culminates a five-year search led by the sons of its commander, Mannert Abele, and may finally shine a light on the mysterious last moments of the doomed vessel. "Obviously, this is a very big thing," the oldest son, Bruce Abele, said Thursday from his home in Newton, Mass. "I told my wife about it when...

Alaska Volcano Observatory reports that Pavlof is erupting. Pavlof Activity "AVO posted an Information Release at 9:30AM today [August 15] raising the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and another Information release at 12:20PM AKDT today reporting that Pavlof Volcano is in eruption at this time. Eyewitnesses aboard several ships report incandescent blocks down the east-southeast flank of the volcano beginning at midnight last night. Satellite data confirm the presence of lava. Pilot reports indicate that a weak ash plume is extending 5 miles southwest of the summit at an elevation of roughly 8400 ft. Seismic activity continues at a high...

WINDS: Salvage tugs head for Cougar Ace as it is blown into U.S. waters. A disabled, crewless ship loaded with nearly 5,000 autos has crossed into U.S. waters, drifting Friday toward Alaska's Aleutian chain. The Cougar Ace was still listing on its side as it floated in choppy seas about 130 miles south of Atka Island, the Coast Guard said. The 654-foot car carrier had zigzagged more than 120 miles since it tilted sharply Sunday night, its crew rescued 24 hours later, said Petty Officer Richard Reichenbach. The Coast Guard cutter Rush was tracking the ship as it slowly moved...

Two views from the Space Station of a short minor eruption from Cleveland Volcano: Smaller image below: click for the bigger one:

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood...