Free Republic

No story on the SR-71 would be complete without an understanding and appreciation of just how valuable the KC-135Q model tankers and their crews were to the successful and safe completion of every mission. “We had to refuel right after takeoff for only one reason, and it wasn’t because we leaked JP-7 fuel on the ground. Yes, the plane does leak fuel, but not enough to require refueling after takeoff. “The JP-7 fuel reaches temperatures well over 300 degrees F. during Mach 3 cruise, making the fumes in each of the six fuel tanks very volatile and potentially explosive. The...

There are an unending number of interesting facts about the SR-71 Blackbird, probably the coolest aircraft ever produced by any Air Force, anywhere in the world. It’s the only airframe that’s made of 85% titanium, titanium that was purchased by the CIA from the Soviet Union – the country the aircraft was built to spy on. It’s capable of cruising at more than three times the speed of sound at 85,000 feet – and that speed and altitude are its only defenses. **SNIP** It’s also the only Air Force aircraft ever made with the “SR” designation. The reason for that...

A far-left, antifa-supporting paramilitary group in Columbia, SC, openly advocates for the use of “deadly force” against law enforcement personnel to “protect the people” from what they call government “tyranny.” In a recent Facebook post, the militia group, Civil Defense Corps, suggested that federal agents should be shot in the face, Far Left Watch has learned. According to its website, the Civil Defense Corps is actively recruiting “former infantry” to serve as armed “Reserve Units” to “investigate hate crimes and threats against minorities as well as the LGBTQ+ community.” The local media refers to the heavily armed Civil Defense Corps...

The press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the South Carolina Department of Corrections, located at 4460 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri Lydon announced that a press conference will be held on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Department of Corrections, located at 4460 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. Represented at the press conference will be members of the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command (CID), Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Services (DCIS), Internal...

There was yet another stunning display of lawlessness over the last couple of days in Washington D.C. It was bold, wanton, and right in the face of the authorities. And it was awesome. Children were sledding down Capitol Hill. This was despite a specific ban on sledding or skiing around the capitol. Both activities are expressly forbidden. To be fair, cross-country skiing IS allowed, but only for the purpose of transportation. Presumably, that's no fun at all and therefore totally OK. Not everyone was happy about this, according to The Hill. Capitol Police Board Chairman and Senate Sgt. At Arms...

Swedish fighter jet tows sledges – YouTube video A Swedish fighter jet was used to tow three toboggans in a plane crazy stunt. This sledging clip on YouTube has really taken off Yep, it's snow joke - with the Mission Impossible theme playing in the background the jet powers along a snow-covered part of an unnamed airbase pulling three riders who are all dressed in pilots uniforms. What would have happened if the pilot at the controls of the plane – a Saab Viggen - had engaged the afterburners by accident doesn’t bear thinking about. Some seriously quick panning would...

Ky Michaelson, better known as The Rocketman, is one of the world's leading rocket powered vehicle builders.

SAN ANTONIO, July 6, 2007 – Army Spc. Hollis Richardson glides across the rink, balancing his body on just a slab of metal and two thin blades. He digs two sticks into the ice, kicking up a light mist as he rushes to propel himself to the puck. Veering to the right, he evades an opponent and knocks the puck to a teammate just as he collides with another player, metal slashing metal. Mike Marsh (left), player for the San Antonio Rampage Sled Hockey Team, reaches for the puck during a June 16 game vs. the San Antonio Men...

A new website dedicated to reporting on how climate change is affecting the world's ski areas, glaciers and polar regions has been launched at www.saveoursnow.com. The simple, low-budget site is none-the-less rich in content, which includes: # A database listing what each of the world's top 200 ski areas is doing to fight climate change. # A news archive of relevant stories. # A directory of travel operators who make an effort to counter the increase in global warming their activities generate. # Details of the varying projections of the increasing affects of climate change on the world's mountainous and...

Hewlett-Packard has no plans to preload versions of the upcoming Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) 10 on PCs but will certify the operating system. Plans call for HP to certify SLED 10 for select notebooks--including the nx6310, nx6320, nc6320, nc2400, nx6315 and nx6325 models--before the year's end, a spokeswoman for HP said in response to questions from CRN.

EAGLE RIVER, Wis. - P.J. Wanderscheid of Sauk Centre, Minn., overtook Terry Wahl of Greenbush, Minn., on the 23rd lap and went on to win his third World Championship Snowmobile Derby title. The 22-year-old Wanderscheid became the third person to win the crown three times with his victory Sunday on an Artic Cat in the 75-mile race on a three-mile oval. Wahl finished second on a Polaris. Wanderscheid also won in 2002 and 2003, while Jaques Villeneuve had championships in 1980, 1982 and 1986 and Dave