#Skymaster AU

[alastair-1205]

If I can't get people to ask about my WIPs (/lh lmao), I'll post about them anyway because I cannot keep this to myself anymore.

I started writing something about Jay having amnesia like 2 months ago- AKA before we had much info about what he's been up to- because my brain was like "hey what if Nadakahn was the reason for his memory loss and made him do fucked up shit becasue he remembers Skybound and really likes watching Jay suffer?" and then it went "Hey what would happen if he started to remember some stuff while still captive?" And that's where I've been for the past few months.

Anyway here's a snippet of him remembering something in a dream.

[casbooks]

Books of 2023

Book 39 of 2023

Title: First In, Last Out: An American Paratrooper in Vietnam With the 101st and Vietnamese Airborne Authors: John Howard ISBN: 9780811766067 Tags: AC-130 Spectre, AUS ADF AA 1st Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), AUS ADF AA Australian Army, AUS ADF Australian Defence Force, AUS Australia, B-52 Stratofortress, C-130 Hercules, CHE Geneva Conference of 1954 (French Indochina War), Cold War (1946-1991), CUB Cuba, CUB Cuban Missile Crisis, FAC, FRA ADT French Ground Army (Armée de terre), FRA ADT Groupement Mobile 100 (French Indochina War), FRA France, GER Berlin, GER Berlin - Checkpoint Charlie, GER Berlin Wall, GER Germany, GER Munich, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Incursion (1970) (Vietnam War), KOR Blue House Raid (1968), KOR Camp Greaves, KOR Freedom Bridge, KOR Imjin River, KOR Korea, KOR Korean War (1950-1953), KOR Munsan, KOR President Park Chung Hee, KOR ROK Capital Tiger Division, KOR ROK KATUSA Korean Augmentation to the US Army, KOR ROK Republic of Korea Army, KOR ROKMC Republic Of Korea Marine Corps, KOR UN UNC United Nations Command, KOR US USFK US Forces Korea, LAO FSB 31 (Lam Son 719) (Vietnam War), LAO Lam Son 719 (1971) (Vietnam War), LAO Laos, M113 APC, O-2 Skymaster, PHL Philippines, PHL US USAF Clark Air Force Base, PRK Kim Il Sung, PRK KPA 124th Army Unit, PRK KPA North Korean People's Army, PRK North Korea, SA-2 Guideline SAM, SA-7 Strela SAM, SAM, THA Bangkok, THA Bangkok - Nick's #1 Hungarian Inn, THA RTAFB Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, THA Thailand, U-2, UN United Nations, US Ambassador Maxwell Taylor, US Martin Luther King Jr (Civil Rights Leader), US MOH Medal of Honor, US MSTS Military Sea Transportation Service, US MSTS USNS General Leroy Eltinge (T-AP-154), US OH Kent State University, US OH Kent State University Shootings (1970) (Vietnam War), US OH Ohio, US President John F. Kennedy, US President John F. Kennedy Assassination - Dallas TX (1963), US President Lyndon B. Johnson, US President Richard M. Nixon, US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, US USA 101st Airborne Division - 1st Brigade, US USA 101st Airborne Division - 3rd Brigade, US USA 101st Airborne Division - Screaming Eagles, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - Sky Soldiers, US USA 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, US USA 1st Cavalry Division, US USA 1st ID - 3rd Brigade, US USA 1st ID - Big Red One, US USA 23rd Infantry Regiment, US USA 23rd Infantry Regiment - 3/23, US USA 2nd ID, US USA 2nd Infantry Regiment, US USA 2nd Infantry Regiment - 2/2, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - A (ABU) Co, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - B Co, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - Tiger Force Recon, US USA 38th Infantry Regiment, US USA 38th Infantry Regiment - 2/38, US USA 502nd Aviation Bn, US USA 502nd Aviation Bn - A Co, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502 - C Co, US USA 503rd Infantry Regiment, US USA 503rd Infantry Regiment - 1/503, US USA 503rd Infantry Regiment - 2/503, US USA 70th Engineer Bn, US USA 7th ID, US USA 8th Army, US USA 937th Engineer Group, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment - 1/9 - F Troop, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment - 1/9 - Headhunters, US USA Col David Hackworth, US USA Col Jack Jacobs (MOH), US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Benning GA - Airborne School, US USA Fort Benning GA - IOAC Infantry Officers Advanced Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - NCOCC NCO Candidate Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - Ranger School, US USA Fort Benning GA - US Army Infantry School, US USA Fort Campbell KY, US USA Fort Ord CA, US USA Fort Ord CA - USATC US Army Training Center, US USA General Barry McCaffrey, US USA General Charles H Bonesteel III, US USA General Creighton Abrams, US USA General Fred C. Weyand, US USA General Frederick Koresen, US USA General James A. Hollingsworth, US USA General John Guthrie, US USA General John Heintges, US USA General John McGiffert, US USA General John R. McGiffert, US USA General Normal Schwarzkopf, US USA General Ray Lynch, US USA General Thomas Kennan, US USA General Willard Pearson, US USA General William Coleman, US USA General William Enemark, US USA General William Westmoreland, US USA LRRP Team (Vietnam War), US USA United States Army, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USA USSF Team ODA-221, US USA USSF Team ODA-222, US USA Walter Reed Hospital, US USAF 21st TASS - Rash FAC, US USAF 21st TASS - Sundog FAC, US USAF United States Air Force, US USMC 3rd Marines - 3/3, US USMC United States Marine Corps, US USN NPS Naval Postgraduate School CA, US USN United States Navy, US USN USS Newport News (CA-148), US USN USS Pueblo (AGER 2), USMA West Point, USMA West Point - Camp Buckner, USSR, USSR 1st Secretary Nikita Khrushchev, USSR General Secretary of the Communist Party Leonid Brezhnev, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM 1972 Easter Offensive / Nguyen Hue (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM An Khe, VNM An Loc, VNM An Ninh, VNM Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of An Loc (1972) (1972 Easter Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Camp Holloway (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Dak To (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954) (French Indochina War), VNM Battle of Hue City (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Ia Drang Valley (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Saigon (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Tan Son Nhut (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Binh Dinh Province, VNM Binh Long Province, VNM Buddhist Crisis (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Cam Ranh Bay, VNM Camp Carroll (Vietnam War), VNM Camp Evans (Vietnam War), VNM Camp Holloway (Vietnam War), VNM Central Highlands, VNM Cham People, VNM Cholon, VNM Cholon - Binh Xuyen (Cholon Mafia), VNM Chon Thanh District, VNM Chu Lai, VNM Cua Viet River, VNM Cung Son Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Da Nang, VNM Dak To, VNM Di An, VNM DMZ Demilitarized Zone - 17th Parallel (Vietnam War), VNM Dong Ba Thin, VNM Dong Ba Thin Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Dong Tre, VNM Dong Tre Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM DRV Ho Chi Minh, VNM DRV NVA 320B Division, VNM DRV NVA 7th Division, VNM DRV NVA 95th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 95th Regiment - 5th Bn, VNM DRV NVA Communist B2 Front, VNM DRV NVA General Tran Van Tra, VNM DRV NVA General Vo Nguyen Giap, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV Party Secretary Le Duan, VNM DRV Politburo Central Military Committee, VNM DRV VC 5th Division, VNM DRV VC 9th Division, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM DRV VM Viet Minh, VNM Emperor Minh Manh, VNM FRA 1st Vietnamese Paratroop Bn (French Indochina War), VNM FRA French Expeditionary Corps (French Indochina War), VNM French Indochina War (1946-1954), VNM FSB Mai Loc (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Sarge (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Than Khai (Vietnam War), VNM Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964) (Vietnam War), VNM Heiu Xuong District, VNM Highway 1, VNM Highway 13 - Thunder Road, VNM Highway 19, VNM Highway 9, VNM Hill 169, VNM Hill 65, VNM Hill 875, VNM Hue, VNM Hue - Le Huan St, VNM Hue - The Citadel, VNM I Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Ia Drang Valley, VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Kontum, VNM Kontum Province, VNM Lai Khe, VNM Loc Ninh, VNM LZ Albany (Vietnam War), VNM LZ Sally (Vietnam War), VNM LZ X-Ray (Vietnam War), VNM Mekong Delta, VNM Montagnard, VNM My Canh, VNM My Chanh River, VNM My Lai, VNM My Lai Massacre (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM My Phu, VNM Nha Trang, VNM Nhon Co, VNM Ninh Thuan Province, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Checkerboard (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Dong Tien (1970) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Flaming Dart (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Hump (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Lam Son 72 (1972) (1972 Easter Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker I (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker II (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation MacArthur (1967-1969) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Sayonara (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Silver Bayonet I (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Van Buren (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Phan Rang, VNM Phan Thiet, VNM Phu Bai, VNM Phu Sen, VNM Phu Yen Province, VNM Phung Ha, VNM Pleiku, VNM Quang Tri, VNM Quang Tri - Citadel, VNM Quang Tri Province, VNM Qui Nhon, VNM RVN ARVN 11th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 15th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 18th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 1st ID, VNM RVN ARVN 20th Tank Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 21st ID, VNM RVN ARVN 31st Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 3rd ID, VNM RVN ARVN 56th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 5th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 5th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 6th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 8th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 9th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 9th ID, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division - Su-Doan Nhay Du, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN CIDG Civilian Irregular Defense Group, VNM RVN ARVN General Cao Van Vien, VNM RVN ARVN General Du Quoc Dong, VNM RVN ARVN General Hoang Xuan Lam, VNM RVN ARVN General Le Van Hung, VNM RVN ARVN General Ngo Quang Truong, VNM RVN ARVN General Nguyen Van Minh, VNM RVN ARVN General Vu Van Giai, VNM RVN Madame Nhu (Tran Le Xuan), VNM RVN Marines, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Nhu, VNM RVN Nguyen Van Thieu, VNM RVN SVNAF Da Nang Airbase, VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - Missouri BOQ (Vietnam War), VNM Saigon - Pham Van Hai St, VNM Saigon - US Embassy (Vietnam War), VNM Srok Ton Cui, VNM Tan Khai, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base - Camp Alpha (Vietnam War), VNM Thach Han River, VNM Thanh Binh, VNM Thanh Hoi, VNM Tuy Hoa, VNM US MAAG Military Assistance Advisory Group Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV AAG Army Advisory Group (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV ADAT Advisory Team 162 (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV ADAT Airborne Division Assistance Team (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV BCAT Battalion Combat Assistance Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV DCAT Division Combat Asisstant Team (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV FRAC First Regional Assistance Command (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV TRAC Third Regional Assistance Command (Vietnam War), VNM US Project 100000 (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 3rd Field Hospital - Saigon (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 85th Evacuation Hospital - Phu Bai (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 8th Field Hospital - Nha Trang (Vietnam War), VNM USA TF Hackworth (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vung Tau, VNM War Zone D (Vietnam War), VNM Windy Hill Rating: ★★★★ (4 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN.Airborne Division, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.LRRPs, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Infantry

Description: Fresh out of West Point, John Howard arrived for his first tour in Vietnam in 1965, the first full year of escalation when U.S. troop levels increased to 184,000 from 23,000 the year before. When he returned for a second tour in 1972, troop strength stood at 24,000 and would dwindle to a mere 50 the following year. He thus participated in the very early and very late stages of American military involvement in the Vietnam War. His two tours—one as a platoon commander and member of an elite counterguerrilla force, the second as a senior advisor to the South Vietnamese—provide a fascinating lens through which to view not only one soldier’s experience in Vietnam, but also the country’s. **

Review:   Let me first say that I did enjoy this book - to a degree. That's why it gets 4 stars. But it's important to know that this is not a great book, which with the authors experiences, it really could have been. One of the biggest deficiencies is that he spends more time telling than showing. Good books of this genre give you a first hand view of what happened and what someone experienced. This book is very light on that, especially during his 1965 tour. It gets better with his Korean and Advisor experiences later on, but only just. Instead you get a lot of history of Vietnam, a lot of history of what happened, who went where, what they did. It's all very strategic and 1000 foot level when what this book is supposed to be is very in the weeds at the 1 foot personal experience level. This is a man who participated in a lot of intense operations, worked with incredible people like Foley and Hackworth, and was both a part of ABU and Tiger Recon with the 101st. But you never really get a feel for what it was like to be a member of either. You never get to experience a recon mission, though he was a part of many. You just know that x unit moved to y place, and then this is what happened / this was the outcome. 

You get a good overview of the battles, the war, and even a few of the people, but very little else from his time with the 101st. 

His time in Korea is a bit better and gives you a good understanding of what happened and some incidents and the people. Also his time as an Advisor is also more personal as well. So maybe it's just a memory thing and things from 72 are easily recalled vs 65. 

One thing you'll notice is a lot of ring knocking and naming of generals... so many generals. So just... be prepared for that.  

Overall though, a decent book... he needs to work on the tell vs show more than anything. Up next, going to read Foley's Special Men. I always loved Foley's fictional writing, so I have high hopes for his book about his time with Tiger Recon and other units. I have a feeling it's going to be a good compliment to this book. 

[carnetdetrail]

Clémentine Geoffray, Skymaster 2023 !

Après six mois et treize courses, tout se jouait à la ligne d’arrivée finale de la saison. Le Limone Xtreme SkyMasters n’a pas seulement couronné ses vainqueurs, mais c’était aussi la course pour déterminer les meilleurs de toute la saison. 80 athlètes de plus de 20 nationalités ont pris le départ de la course après s’être qualifiés tout au long de la saison ou avoir été invités à coup de Wild…

[cellard0ors]

I don’t know if anyone asked you yet but I’ve seen others ask everyone else. Soooo… your top Hackearney fic reqs… pls? 🥺

I HAVE been asked this and I've sworn up and down to do this, but I've just been lazy as f*ck. HOWEVER today is the day!

So, strap in, y'all here are my hackearney fics recs!

Keep in mind, the authors here all have MULTIPLE works in this fandom/ship that are good, I'm just picking the ones I've specifically bookmarked and read.

There are also some I've heard are good and just haven't read yet (looking at you, Garden of Moonlit Grief) and there are others that I'm sure are fantastic, but are not my cup of tea (ie, noncons, fics that might be TOO dark, etc)

In other words, if I don't mention you and we talk I don't mean to hurt your feelings I love all of the Hackearney hivemind omggggg...

(these are also listed in no type of order)

Every Single Edge - E - Skymasters - A week after the events of The Quarry, Laura can't get a certain sheriff out of her mind. She pays him a visit.

So, this was the first fic I ever read with them and it was in character and super hot. It's also one of those fics I envy, because I wish I could convey things this insightfully in a one shot fic as opposed to the Tolstoy novel-length fics I write!

Late Bloomer - M - FanFicReader01 - Travis’ heart felt heavy. Sometimes, it felt like he was the only sane Hackett left and that could be seen as a stretch.

Another one of the first fics I read fics, I found this idea incredibly romantic and creative, but also very sad. It's not a happy ending kind of fic, but it hits well and I enjoyed it a great deal.

I Will Spin You Rose Evenings and Gold Mornings - E - TheWeirdDane - Laura Kearney is at the end of her rope when it comes to managing her finances for vet school. Contemplating various ways to earn some extra cash, she eventually turns to sex work, and goes on to meet with an older guy who will pay for her time and intimacy.

There's something about Sugar!Daddy fics. Rhink got me into it and this fandom is pushing me into it further. I really enjoy AUs - especially ones where Travis is softer but still a firm disciplinary - noice.

Werewolf Bites and Hot Summer Nights - E - winterlilyflowers - An AU in which Laura and Max can’t find Hackett Quarry and end up at the Harbinger Motel, before becoming camp counsellors for the summer. Max is moody and secretive and Laura keeps bumping into the grumpiest sheriff with the cutest puppy dog eyes, and when he gives her his number ‘just in case’ a girl can’t help but drunk dial him one night. Cue overprotective and jealous Travis. And shouldn’t the officer get a birthday kiss? An unlikely start for a badass werewolf fighting duo, but a hot one.

Listen, if you're part of the fandom and a shipper and haven't read this, I don't know how to help you. It's so damn good. I re-read one, ah, scene in particular...it involves Travis's cruiser and being outside and...yeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaah. 👀

I LEGIT re-read that scene last night! but the entire fic is good. Again, I'm a big AU fan and I like the idea of how the game might have gone with little changes, so, this one fits that bill and then some. The Travis/Laura snark is also there as well, so - love it,

Caged - E - Gaqalesqua - Laura Kearney did not expect to spend her summer locked up by a creepy cop. Travis Hackett forgot that human beings have needs even when they're in prison.

This is one of those fics that has no right to be as hot as it is. I felt like the author really nailed Laura's voice too - they also get Travis, but since a lot of it is from Laura's POV, it's just really spectacular to me how well they got inside her noggin.

Also have to admire a fic that starts out just hot and then gets deep and makes you emotional.

Family - M - Tianasina - Laura sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the number on her phone’s screen. Her hand shook as she held her phone. She glanced briefly at the object clutched in her other hand. She sucked in a panicked breath and looked back at the phone, pushing her other hand out of her vision. Her thumb hovered over the green dial icon before shakily pressing down upon it. Dialing Travis…Laura needs help, Travis is willing to help.

I was legit surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Maybe I shouldn't have been, considering how domestic it gets, but honestly - not usually a fan of baby fics. But Travis with a baby is heart melting and I like how organically his relationship with Laura grows. A fun sweet read.

No Hard Feelings - E - Professional_Creeper - Travis had been having trouble staying hard while masturbating, but it was just stress from dealing with the curse. It was just because his hand wasn't exciting. With a woman as beautiful and alive as Laura writhing beneath him, he would be fine...

Listen, someone was GOING to have to write an ED fic for this ship and I'm glad this person did, because they nailed it and made it so genuine and heartfelt but also still sexy as fuck??? I couldn't pull this off - and I always admire those who can do what I cannot. And boy did they do it with gusto - this is like, give them a prize! fic. I would if I could!

Love Me Under The Neon Lights (If Only For The Night) - E - @spookyscaryscully - Travis could think of a thousand different places he wanted to be on his night off. A strip club was not one of them. AKA: The Hackearney Stripper AU.

Someone who has a LOT of irons in a LOT of AU fires and they're all burn hot, but I'm choosing this one because I just really love the whole solid idea of it. And, again, sucker for a soft!Travis!

There's just a lot of great work here - this idea could have just been sold as a silly thing but instead there's some distinctive depth. Love it.

Warmth - M-False_Mortal - A litter of kittens and their mother were dumped in front of the police station. Travis takes them in because it’s snowing and he maybe has a heart. Laura is a veterinarian assistant at the local shelter, where she sometimes works the front desk.

Travis, Laura, Cats - all things I like and in one place. SOLD. It's also just heartwarming and cute, but still with delectable sexytimes. Also, again, an AU and I adore AUs!!

Dear Friend - M - lovemeforallmyfaults - A new substitute professor settles in at her new job, with the help of a friend she meets in the college forums. A tenured professor tries to open up to someone other than his close relations. (aka - the You’ve Got Mail Set In College AU absolutely no one asked for)

Um - I think EVERY fandom should have a You've Got Mail AU?!? And luckily this writer rose to the challenge! It's fun to see Travis and Laura spar in a completely different environment but still feel like them. Not to mention, I again adore the whole concept of letters and not knowing it was you and so, yeah - love this!

Pass Me The Shotgun (And I'll Hand You My Heart) - E - @norrington-hell - Sometimes the best way to deal with your trauma is to see a therapist. And sometimes it's to find the surly bastard responsible and rock his goddamn world. Laura knows which option she prefers.

I already did a whole post about this, but - shut up. THIS FIC. I both love it and hate it. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. I love it, because it's probably one of the best written things I've ever read. I hate it. because when I read new chapters or re-read it, I feel this overwhelming seething jealousy towards Norrie and her talent, when I know I should be a good girl!

I - for the life of me - have a hard time writing conflict and super!mean Travis and bratty!Laura and Norrie just strolls up to the bar and is shooting bullseye's left and right and blind folded for it like it's no big thang.

Her world is so rough and real and not at all sugar coated. It's not easy, so, when things go well for these two, it feels so EARNED. UGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH! Take me out of this club, I'm DYIIIIINNNNG.

...in conclusion, I will always recommend this fic forever and always and it's probably a staple of how you should approach writing them.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo yeah - here you are anon and anyone interested! If you follow me and one of these fics are yours and I didn't know your tumblr name because I'm smart-like-that (tm) please let me know so I can tag you properly!

[alastair-1205]

*backflips into your inbox*

I HEARD THE CALL OF WIPS AND I HAVE COME A-LOOKING FOR A SIGHTING ON AN ALASTAIR ORIGINAL PIECE

Finn you are single handedly carrying my sanity right now thank you. I have like 9 different Ninjago WIPS and this (and maybe one other) is the most likely to get finished because the concept has me in an absolute chokehold so prepare for a massive rant lmao.

Ok so a couple more details about this

Basically, Jay's amnesia has been caused by Nadakahn since shortly after the Merge where he was able to get out of the teapot again (probably because it broke or someone who didn't know any better just found it). Since then he's been using magic to mess with Jay's memory to the point where he doesn't really remember much of anything about his past, specifically people, places and events (I'm still deciding if it's gonna be wish magic or not. I have explanations for both cases but idk which I like better yet and I'm not at a point in the story where I have to choose so we'll see).

So Jay, now freshly memory-less and kidnapped gets some vengestone thrown onto him and is forced to be a combination between a gladiator and an assassin. Think Scrap and Tap but bigger and more sensationalized/publicized for the gladiator part and the assassin bit is mostly just Nadakahn using his skills to maintain the kingdom he's created because he's that type of asshole. It's also worth noting here that said kingdom is comprised of a bunch of floating islands as well as the city that unfortunately was below those islands. RIP those random citizens of the Merge, they are not having fun.

A lot of the fic would just be Jay having a Bad Time while also interacting with the other people who are in the arena and city areas (cough OCs cough). That is until he starts to have some weird ass dreams that he clocks pretty quickly as memories. Because Jay is an elemental master even if he's unaware at this point and weakened Djinn magic was never going to completely stick to him, especially with how out of wack and volatile his powers are after years of repression (or that's the explanation I'm going with for now lol).

And that was basically the idea that the fic spawned off of and I would take it from there. I won't spoil much else since I do want to be able to fully post it one day

I call this brain child the Skymaster AU for Reasons(TM). those reasons being that Jay doesn't really go by his name anymore, but since he's well known as a fighter, other people give him the nickname "Master of the Skies"/"Skymaster"/"Sky" depending on who you ask, which is pretty fitting for someone who has survived fighting in a floating arena for years on end.

Also I bring back eyepatch Jay because I think my blorbo deserves to lose an eye again <3

Anyway here's some of the first few paragraphs and thank you Finn for letting me go off because I finally feel normal again :D

His headspace is sooooo fucked up right now :D

[casbooks]

Books of 2023

Book 18 of 2023

Title: Meeting Steve Canyon: ...And Flying With the CIA in Laos Authors: Karl L. Polifka ISBN: 9781490979854 Tags: A-1 Skyraider, A-37 Dragonfly, AC-119K Stinger, AUS Australia, AUS RAAF No 35 Sqd - Wallaby, AUS RAAF Royal Australian Air Force, AUS Sydney, B-57 Canberra, Boeing 707, C-7 Caribou, CHN China, CHN Hong Kong, CHN Kowloon, EC-121 Warning Star, EC-130 Commando Solo, F-100 Super Sabre, F-105 Thunderchief, F-4 Phantom II, FAC, Fast-FAC, FRA France, FRA SDECE GCMA Mixed Airborne Commando Group, FRA SDECE Service de Documentation Extérieure et de Contre-Espionnage, HH-53 Jolly Greens, HKG Hong Kong, LAO Ban Ban Valley, LAO Ban Moung Ngan, LAO Boung Lam, LAO Fishes Mouth Region, LAO Forward Air Guide RAINBOW (Laotian Civil War), LAO Hmong Meo Tribesmen, LAO Houi Hok, LAO ICC Internationl Control Commission, LAO Khang Khai, LAO Lima Site 108 - Moung Soui (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 15 - Phong Saly (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 184 - Houei Tong Kho (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 198 - Houi Hok (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 20 - Sam Thong (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 20A - Long Tieng (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 236 - Ban Moung Ngan (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 32 - Boung Lam (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 36 - Na Khang (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 46 - Seno (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 54 - Luang Prabang (Laotian Civil War), LAO Long Tieng, LAO Luang Prabang, LAO Moung Soi, LAO MR Military Region (Laotian Civil War), LAO MR2 (Laotian Civil War), LAO Na Khang, LAO Nong Het, LAO Operation About Face / Kou Kiet (1969) (Laotian Civil War), LAO Operation Barrel Roll (1964-1973) (Laotian Civil War) (Vietnam War), LAO Operation Palace Dog (1966-1973) (Laotian Civil War), LAO Operation Shining Brass / Prairie Fire / Phu Dong (1965-1975) (Laotian Civil War) (Vietnam War), LAO Operation Snare Drum (1969) (Laotian Civil War), LAO Operation Stranglehold (1969) (Laotian Civil War), LAO Phnom Nam Lyr, LAO Phong Saly, LAO Phu Na Kok, LAO Plain of Jars / Plaine des Jarres, LAO RLA General Vang Pao, LAO RLA RT Hotplate (Laotian Civil War), LAO RLA SGU Special Guerrilla Units, LAO RLAF Lt Colonel Lee Lue, LAO RLAF Royal Lao Air Force, LAO Route 13, LAO Route 4, LAO Route 7, LAO Sam Nuea, LAO Sam Thong, LAO Seno, LAO USAF Project 404 (Laotian Civil War), LAO USAF Steve Canyon Program - Ravens FAC (Laotian Civil War), LAO Vientiane, LAO Xieng Khoung, O-1 Bird Dog, O-2 Skymaster, PsyOps, SpecOps, T-28 Trojan, THA RTAFB Korat Royal Thai Air Base, THA RTAFB Nakon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, THA RTAFB Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, THA RTAFB Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, THA RTAFB Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, THA Thailand, THA USAF ISC Infiltration Surveillance Center - Nakhon Phanom, THA USN NGSD Camp Ramasun Station, U-17 Skywagon, UK Force 136 (SOE), UK Special Operations Executive (SOE), US COA CASI Continental Air Services International, US COA Continental Airlines, US Father Lucien Bouchard (Catholic Priest), US PAA Pan American World Airlines, US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, US USA General Creighton Abrams, US USA Green Berets, US USA United States Army, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USAF 12th Air Commando Sqd - Hades, US USAF 12th Special Operations Sqd - Hades, US USAF 20th TASS - Covey, US USAF 21st TASS - Walt FAC, US USAF 22nd Special Operations Sqd - Zorro, US USAF 23rd TASS - NAIL, US USAF 34th TFS - Hatchet, US USAF 354th TFS - Newark, US USAF 355th TFW - Vegas, US USAF 388th TFW - Scuba, US USAF 388th TFW - Tiger, US USAF 416th TFW, US USAF 416th TFW - Det 1 - Misty, US USAF 432nd TRW - Laredo, US USAF 433rd TFS - Machete, US USAF 497th TFSq - Agile, US USAF 504th TASG, US USAF 505th Tactical Control Group, US USAF 555th TFS, US USAF 557th TFS - Sharkbait, US USAF 56th Special Operations Wing, US USAF 56th Special Operations Wing - Det 1, US USAF 602nd Special Operations Sqd - Firefly, US USAF 609th Air Commando Sqd - Nimrod, US USAF 609th Special Operations Sqd - Nimrod, US USAF 612th TFS - Tide, US USAF 7th ABCCC Airborne Command and Control Sqd - Alley Cat, US USAF 7th ABCCC Airborne Command and Control Sqd - Cricket, US USAF 7th/13th Air Force, US USAF ANG Air National Guard, US USAF General George S. Brown, US USAF TACP Tactical Air Control party, US USN NSGD Naval Security Group Detachment, US USN United States Navy, VNM AUS RAAF RTFV Royal Transport Flight Vietnam - Wallaby (Vietnam War), VNM Ban Me Thout, VNM Cam Ranh Bay, VNM CIA Air America (1950-1976) (Vietnam War), VNM CIA Phung Hoang / Phoenix Program (1965-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Dak Lak, VNM DRV NVA 312th Division, VNM DRV NVA 316th Division, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Duc Lap, VNM Duc Xuyen, VNM Gia Nghia, VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War), VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Montagnard, VNM Operation Banana Ditch (1969), VNM Operation Combat Skyspot (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Igloo White (1968-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Ranch Hand (1962-1971) (Vietnam War), VNM Phan Rang, VNM Pleiku, VNM Quang Duc Province, VNM Route 13, VNM Route 8, VNM RVN ARVN 22th ID, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN CIDG Civilian Irregular Defense Group, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN RVNP CSDB PRU Provincial Reconnaissance Units (Vietnam War), VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force - Jackpot, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base - Camp Alpha (Vietnam War), VNM US Agent Orange (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Team 32 (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACVSOG (1964-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NAF Naval Air Facility Cam Ranh (Vietnam War), VNM US USSF Mobile Strike Force (MIKE) (Vietnam War), VNM USAF DASC Direct Air Support Center (Vietnam War), VNM USAF II Corps DASC / 505th TCG - Carbon Outlaw (Vietnam War), VNM USAF TACC Tactical Air Control Center - BLUE CHIP (Vietnam War) Rating: ★★★★★ (5 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Aviation.USAF.FAC, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Laotian Civil War, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Laotian Civil War.Ravens

Description: A personal account of a USAF Forward Air Controller in a remote highland province in South Vietnam in 1969 and how he met "Steve Canyon" and transitioned to the "secret" war in Laos, living with the CIA and the Hmong clans and having near-complete control over the use of US airpower. This account has many illustrations of the grinding stress of intense combat in Laos, and the periodic clashes with the distant headquarters that had little knowledge of an extremely complex combat environment and was more focused on control rather than results.

Review: This book is one of the rare 5 stars for me. There were parts of the book that were absolutely incredible and make this book a must read! While it’s not a perfect book, those parts really showcase how this genre should be written. Instead of just saying “I flew here... I did this” ... he actually walks you through the mission, the steps, where he put his hands, how he got into the aircraft, what he saw, what he thought, what he felt. There is always more to the story than just what someone did... it’s important to make the tale multidimensional and also explain why in a big and small picture way. This author really did that well. At times the book slogs and gets more into the I flew 10 sorties that day, went to the bar, woke up the next day. He also talks a lot about the failures of the whole war and how it was run, which occupied too much space of the book. And yet, even with those criticisms, the book is really excellent! 

You get to see a side of the vietnam war in II corps, as well as the Laotian civil war, and the command and control issues with both, and the success and failure in both. 

Definitely a great read about a forward air controller during that time!

[carnetdetrail]

La finale de Skyrunning avec Frédéric Tranchand

Le championnat de Skyrace c’est une succession des compétitions de course de skyrunning qui se déroulent en terrain escarpé, souvent en haute altitude, c’est-à-dire des courses plutôt extrêmes qui mettent les coureurs au défi sur des terrains techniques, accidentés et montagneux. Après des étapes dans le monde entier, c’est l’heure des Skymasters : la finale ! S’il existe plusieurs types de…

[casbooks]

Books of 2023

Book 25 of 2023

Title: Here There Are Tigers: The Secret Air War in Laos, 1968-69 Authors: Reginald Hathorn ISBN: 9780811734691 Tags: A-1 Skyraider, A-26 Invader, AUS RAAF Royal Australian Air Force, B-36 Peacemaker, B-47 Stratojet, B-52 Stratofortress, B-57 Canberra, C-123 Provider, CSAR, EB-47 Stratojet, EC-121 Warning Star, F-105 Thunderchief, FAC, Fulton Skyhook Recovery System, H-19 Chickasaw, HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Civil War (1967-1975), KOR ROK 9th White Horse Division, KOR ROK Capital Tiger Division, KOR ROK Republic of Korea Army, LAO Ban Chay, LAO Ban Co Bai, LAO Ban Coh, LAO Ban Kabout, LAO Ban Kang I, LAO Ban Kang II, LAO Ban Kapay, LAO Ban Kengsep, LAO Ban LaBoy Ford, LAO Ban Lalou, LAO Ban Lao, LAO Ban Latthon, LAO Ban Louang, LAO Ban Loy, LAO Ban Mouk, LAO Ban Nahin Nak, LAO Ban Nammi, LAO Ban Nape, LAO Ban Natat, LAO Ban Nongkoung, LAO Ban Penang, LAO Ban Phon Dou, LAO Ban Phontan, LAO Ban Sopma, LAO Ban Taleo, LAO Ban Talouay, LAO Ban Thai, LAO Ban Thami, LAO Ban Thapachon, LAO Ban Viang hill, LAO Ban Yiang, LAO Banghaing River, LAO Bat Lake Road, LAO Buffalo Plain, LAO Don Don Island, LAO Doughnut Karst, LAO Hmong Meo Tribesmen, LAO Houang Namxe River, LAO Houay Namxe River, LAO Houay Naphong valley, LAO ICC Internationl Control Commission, LAO Laos, LAO Laotian Civil War (1959-1975), LAO Lima Site 20A - Long Tieng (Laotian Civil War), LAO Lima Site 36 - Na Khang (Laotian Civil War), LAO Mahaxai, LAO Mekong River, LAO MR Military Region (Laotian Civil War), LAO MR3 (Laotian Civil War), LAO MR4 (Laotian Civil War), LAO MR5 (Laotian Civil War), LAO Muang Khammouan, LAO Na Khang, LAO Nam Don River, LAO Nam Kok River, LAO Nam Ngo River, LAO Nam Panang River, LAO Nam Phanang River, LAO Nam Ta Le River, LAO Nam Theun River, LAO Operation Barrel Roll (1964-1973) (Laotian Civil War) (Vietnam War), LAO Operation Shining Brass / Prairie Fire / Phu Dong (1965-1975) (Laotian Civil War) (Vietnam War), LAO Operation Steel Tiger - Cricket West (Laotian Civil War) (Vietnam War), LAO Operation Steel Tiger (1965-1968) (Laotian Civil War) (Vietnam War), LAO Operation Tiger Hound (1965-1968) (Laotian Civil War) (Vietnam War), LAO Pathet Lao, LAO Pha Kabok, LAO Pha Nangdoy, LAO Phou Katang, LAO Phou Lennik, LAO Plain of Jars / Plaine des Jarres, LAO Point Foxtrot (Laotian Civil War), LAO RLA General Vang Pao, LAO RLA Royal Laotian Army, LAO RLAF CPK Chao Pha Khao Hmong Pilots/Backseaters (Laotian Civil War), LAO RLAF Royal Lao Air Force, LAO Route 12, LAO Route 120, LAO Route 121, LAO Route 126, LAO Route 13, LAO Route 136, LAO Route 6, LAO Route 8, LAO Route 911, LAO Route 912, LAO Savannaket Province, LAO Se Bangfai River, LAO Tahkhet, LAO Tchepone, LAO USAF Project 404 - Smokey Control (Laotian Civil War), LAO USAF Steve Canyon Program - Ravens FAC (Laotian Civil War), LAO Vientiane, LAO Xa Dong, LAO Xe Banghiang River, LAO Xe Namkok River, MC-130 Combat Talon, Mil Mi-8/17 Hip, Nha Trang (Vietnam), O-1 Bird Dog, O-2 Skymaster, PHL US USAF Clark Air Force Base, POW, RB-47 Stratojet, RF-101 Voodoo, T-28 Trojan, THA Bangkok, THA Bangkok - Chao Phya Hotel, THA RTAF Royal Thai Air Force, THA RTAFB Don Muang Royal Thai Airbase, THA RTAFB Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, THA RTAFB Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, THA Thailand, THA USAF ISC Infiltration Surveillance Center - Nakhon Phanom (Igloo White) (Vietnam War), US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US President Lyndon B. Johnson, US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, US USA Green Berets, US USA United States Army, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USAF 15th Special Operations Sqd, US USAF 1st Special Operations Sqd - Hobo, US USAF 20th TASS - Covey, US USAF 21st Special Operations Sqd - Knife, US USAF 21st TASS - Cutie FAC, US USAF 22nd Special Operations Sqd - Zorro, US USAF 23rd TASS - NAIL FAC, US USAF 23rd TASS - OL1 - Rustic FAC (Ubon) (Cambodian Civil War) (Vietnam War), US USAF 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Sqd - Jolly Green Giant, US USAF 504th TASG, US USAF 552nd AEWCW - Ethan, US USAF 602nd Special Operations Sqd - Firefly, US USAF 606th Special Operations Sqd - Candlestick, US USAF 609th Air Commando Sqd - Nimrod, US USAF 609th Special Operations Sqd - Nimrod, US USAF 621 Tactical Control Sqd, US USAF 621 Tactical Control Sqd - Det 5 - Invert, US USAF 7th ABCCC Airborne Command and Control Sqd - Alley Cat, US USAF 7th Air Force, US USAF 90th Special Operations Sqd, US USAF 90th Special Operations Sqd - 1st Flight Det, US USAF Hurlburt Field FL, US USAF JEST Jungle Environment Survival Training, US USAF Laughlin Air Force Base NV, US USAF Stead Air Force Base NV, US USAF United States Air Force, USA 5th SFG, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM An Khe, VNM Ban Me Thout, VNM Battle of Hue City (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Khe Sanh (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa Air Base (Vietnam War), VNM CIA Air America (1950-1976) (Vietnam War), VNM Command and Control North/MLT-3 - Heavy Hook (Laotian Civil War) (Vietnam War), VNM Da Lat, VNM DRV NVA 6th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 800th Bn, VNM DRV NVA 802nd Bn, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Hau Bon, VNM Hill 621 (Son Tra Mountain) (Monkey Mountain), VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War), VNM Hue, VNM Hue - The Citadel, VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Mu Gia Pass, VNM Nha Trang, VNM Ninh Hoa, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Barrel Roll (1964-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Igloo White / Task Force Alpha / Project 972 (1968-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Ranch Hand (1962-1971) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Steel Tiger (1965-1968) (Vietnam War), VNM Phan Rang Air Base, VNM Phan Thiet, VNM Quang Duc, VNM Quang Tri Province, VNM Qui Nhon, VNM Rao Nay River, VNM Red River Valley, VNM Route 101, VNM Route 137, VNM Route 14, VNM Route 19, VNM Route 21, VNM Route Pack VI (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan, VNM US Agent Orange (Vietnam War), VNM US MACVSOG (1964-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM US MACVSOG Road Runner Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US USA I Field Force (1966-1971) (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC MMAF Marble Mountain Air Facility, VNM USAF FAC-U (Vietnam War), VNM USAF TACC Tactical Air Control Center - BLUE CHIP (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vinh, VNM Xom Khe Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Aviation.USAF.FAC.Cutie, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Laotian Civil War.Aviation.FAC.Nail, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ROK, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.MACVSOG

Description  * In-the-cockpit perspective on aerial warfare during the Vietnam War  * Many never-before-heard stories--some of them tragic, others humorous

At the height of the Vietnam War, in 1968 and 1969, Reginald Hathorn (call sign NAIL 31) flew 229 combat missions as a forward air controller for the U.S. Air Force. He inserted Special Forces teams into North Vietnam and Laos, completed missions for the CIA, and flew missions with the Lao Army. Most of the time, he flew into Laos and called in airstrikes against targets inside that country--in a war which did not officially exist, about which the world knew nothing, and which the U.S. government denied.

[carnetdetrail]

La finale du championnat de Skyrace avec Clémentine Geoffray

Le championnat de Skyrace ces une succession des compétitions de course de skyrunning qui se déroulent en terrain escarpé, souvent en haute altitude. Les skyraces sont des courses plutôt extrêmes qui mettent les coureurs au défi sur des terrains techniques, accidentés et montagneux. Après des étapes dans le monde entier, c’est l’heure des Skymasters : la finale ! S’il existe plusieurs types de…

[sinfried]

Gleitschirmfliegen im Drei- Seen- Land, Herausforderungen & die spirituelle Seite des Fliegens

Gleitschirmfliegen im Drei- Seen- Land, Herausforderungen & die spirituelle Seite des Fliegens

Kaum bin ich mit dem super lustigen, quieteschenden Bus meiner Schwester auf der Landstrasse Richtung Neuchâtel, steigt in mir die Vorfreude auf mein nächstes Abenteuer.  Diesmal geht es wieder mit einer Gruppe von Skymaster Paragliding aus Schönau in die Luft! Den sorgsam ausgewählten Hinweg geniesse ich ! Da die Strecke nicht weit ist, koste ich das Gefühl des Reisens voll aus, indem ich über…

[berlinverkehr]

Flughäfen: 70 Jahre Airport Tegel Wie Berlin in drei Monaten einen Flughafen eröffnete Im August 1948 begannen die Bauarbeiten für den Flughafen Tegel., aus Der Tagesspiegel

Flughäfen: 70 Jahre Airport Tegel Wie Berlin in drei Monaten einen Flughafen eröffnete Im August 1948 begannen die Bauarbeiten für den Flughafen Tegel., aus Der Tagesspiegel

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/70-jahre-airport-tegel-wie-berlin-in-drei-monaten-einen-flughafen-eroeffnete/22880736.html

Die Bauarbeiten an dem neuen #Flughafen #Tegel liefen noch keinen Monat, da setzte eines Nachts schon die erste Maschine zur Landung an. Nun gut, das war ein Irrtum, den der Pilot des Rosinenbombers, einer viermotorigen #C-54 #Skymaster, rechtzeitig bemerkte und nach…

[universallycrownpirate]

Cessna O-2 Skymaster, wie sie im Vietnamkrieg als FAC im Einsatz war.

Im Vietnamkrieg wurden unter anderem Piloten als Forward Air Controller, sogenannte ABFAC (Airborne Forward Air Controller) eingesetzt. Diese nutzten hauptsächlich Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, Cessna O-2 Skymaster und North American OV-10 Bronco.

Der Kampf um die Hügelaußenposten

Die Stellungen der Marines auf den die Basis umgebenden Hügeln waren für die Verteidigung essentiell – ein Verlust einer oder mehrerer Stellungen hätte das schnelle Ende der Belagerung bedeutet. Aus diesen Gründen waren bis zu 20 % der Truppen (etwa 1200 Mann) auf den Hügeln postiert.

Die Marines bauten die Hügelstellungen zu Feuerbasen aus, um von dort die Nordvietnamesen zu bekämpfen, die, wie bei Hügel 881, teilweise nur einige Meter entfernt ihre Stellungen in den Monaten vor dem Beginn der Belagerung befestigt hatten. In direkten Feuergefechten mit Maschinengewehren und bei immer wieder unternommenen Vorstößen und Erkundungen erlitten beide Seiten hohe Verluste, die Ausfallrate der Amerikaner lag teilweise bei 50 %. Zur Gefahr eines direkten Angriffs kam dazu noch die ständige Bedrohung durch Artillerie und Scharfschützen, der die Amerikaner mit dem massiven Einsatz von Jagdbombern und Artillerie begegneten.

Jeder Hügelposten hatte seinen eigenen Forward Air Controller (vorgeschobener Beobachter der Luftwaffe), der die Jagdbomber auf ihren Angriffsmissionen einwies. Hierzu wurde zur Zielmarkierung bei Tag weißer Rauch, bei Nacht Leuchtkugeln benutzt, die von Mörsern in den Stellungen verschossen wurden. Die Korrekturen und Abweichungen wurden dann per Funk an die Piloten übermittelt, die ihre Waffenlasten teilweise in weniger als 200 Meter Entfernung von den amerikanischen Stellungen abwarfen. „We could feel the heat of the burning napalm on our faces“ (Wir spürten die Hitze des brennenden Napalms auf unseren Gesichtern) schrieb ein Marine in seinen Erinnerungen. Der Kampf wurde rund um die Uhr geführt, bei Nacht nutzten die Marines das heller verbrennende russische Schießpulver, um feindliche Stellungen zu orten und mit Artillerie oder rückstoßfreien Geschützen zu bekämpfen.

Die Versorgung dieser Außenposten war nur über Hubschrauber möglich – jeder Schuss Munition, jede Ration, Treibstoff, Soldaten, alles musste eingeflogen werden. Dies erwies sich mit der Zeit als immer schwieriger, da die Nordvietnamesen die Hubschrauber schon auf den Anflugrouten unter Feuer nahmen. Sobald diese in den Landezonen ankamen, gerieten sie unter Mörser- und Raketenfeuer. Dies führte zu hohen Verlusten und die Versorgungslage der Truppen auf den Hügeln wurde immer schlechter.

Ein Forward Air Controller (FAC; deutsch Fliegerleitoffizier) leitet in unmittelbarer Nähe des Gefechts (vorgeschoben) oder aus einem Gefechtsstand den Einsatz von Kampfflugzeugen bei Luftnahunterstützungsmissionen (Close Air Support – CAS).

Die deutsche Wehrmacht setzte im Zweiten Weltkrieg sogenannte Stukaleitoffiziere ein. Diese wurden direkt bei der Kampftruppe, meist auf Bataillonsebene, eingesetzt und hielten direkte Funkverbindung zu den „Stukas“. Die Stukaleitoffiziere waren meist selbst erfahrene Piloten und konnten die Situation am Boden quasi aus der Sicht eines Piloten beurteilen, beide sprachen damit „die gleiche Sprache“. So konnten Informationen über Ziele, eigene Spitzen, Gefahren durch Flak oder ähnliches und geeignete Munition zeitnah übermittelt werden.

Während ihres Einsatzes in Nordafrika 1942 bis 1943 entwickelte die britische Desert Air Force (DAF) zusammen mit den US-amerikanischen taktischen Einheiten der United States Middle East Air Force (USMEAF) eine wirkungsvolle Methode der direkten Unterstützung von Bodeneinheiten während des Vorrückens gegen gegnerische Stellungen. Dabei bewegte sich der Kampfpilot, der ein Offizier der Royal Air Force sein musste, in vorderster Linie zusammen mit den vorrückenden Bodeneinheiten. Dieser „Air Liasion Officer“ (ALO) der RAF, der den Kampf vom Boden aus mit den Augen eines Piloten beurteilte, stand mittels UKW-Funk direkt mit den Piloten anfliegender Kampfflugzeuge in Verbindung. Er gab möglichst alle für den Luftangriff relevanten Informationen in kompakter Form an seine Kameraden in der Luft weiter, wie zum Beispiel die Position von Luftabwehrgeschützen, die genaue Lage und Kennzeichnung der Ziele und eventuelle Geländeeigenschaften. Nach dem Luftangriff beurteilte der FAC die Wirkung des Angriffes und schlug unter Umständen eine Wiederholung der Attacke auf verfehlte Ziele vor. Zu diesem Zweck hielten sich weitere Kampfflugzeuge im Hinterland in einer so genannten Taxischlange (engl. cab rank) bereit, um bei Bedarf heranzufliegen und anzugreifen.

Im Luftkrieg während der Operation Overlord 1944 wurde diese Methode verbessert und trug zum erfolgreichen Vorrücken von General George Pattons Armee in Frankreich bei.

Da die Versorgung mit einzeln anfliegenden Helikoptern zu hohe Verluste forderte und die Lage der Außenposten schnell kritisch wurde, entwickelte das Marine Corps eine aufwändige, aber effektive Taktik zur Versorgung der Hügel.

Die Hubschrauber flogen von nun an nicht mehr einzeln, sondern in Gruppen von bis zu 16 Maschinen und unter der Deckung von Kampfhubschraubern und -flugzeugen an. Da dies eine enorme zeitliche und logistische Herausforderung war, stand für jeden Anlauf ein Airborne Command and Control Aircraft, ein fliegender Kommandoposten, zur Verfügung.

Zu Beginn der Operation belegten vier A-4 Skyhawks bekannte Luftabwehr-, Raketen- und Mörserstellungen der Nordvietnamesen mit Bomben und Napalm. Zwei weitere Skyhawks legten entlang des Anflugkorridors zuerst einen Tränengas-, dann einen Rauchvorhang, um den nordvietnamesischen Schützen die Sicht zu nehmen. 30 Sekunden später flogen die CH-46 SeaKnights dann unter Deckung von UH-1 Gunships an, während vier weitere Skyhawks Nahbereichsunterstützung flogen. Die Transporthubschrauber flogen teilweise mit nur 10 Sekunden Abstand an und warfen ihre Lasten (meist Schlinglast) ohne Halt ab. Wurden neue Verstärkungen ein- oder Verwundete ausgeflogen, setzten die Helikopter nur so lange auf, wie es unbedingt nötig war. „We were literally thrown out of that chopper“ (Wir wurden geradezu aus dem Hubschrauber geworfen) schreibt Dave Powell in seinen Erinnerungen. Die dicht an dicht anfliegenden Hubschrauber sahen laut den Marines aus wie ein Schwarm Gänse (Englisch „gaggle of geese“), weshalb der ganze Ablauf recht schnell seinen Spitznamen „Supergaggle“ (Supergänseschwarm) bekam. Die ganze Operation dauerte maximal fünf Minuten und sicherte die Versorgung der Außenposten. In der Folgezeit wurden nur noch zwei Hubschrauber bei der Versorgung der Hügelaußenposten abgeschossen, weshalb sich der Aufwand für diese Art der Versorgung lohnte.

Verteidigung aus der Luft

Da eine lang andauernde Verteidigung einer vom Feind komplett eingeschlossenen Basis sich schon bei der Schlacht um Điện Biên Phủ als unmöglich erwiesen hatte, setzten die Amerikaner alles daran, einen ähnlichen Fall zu vermeiden. General Westmoreland rief daher die Operation Niagara ins Leben, eine gemeinsame Operation der Luftwaffe und der Marine. Der Name wurde von Westmoreland selbst gewählt, „because I visualized your bombs falling like water over the famous fall there in northern New York state“ (Ich sah, dass eure Bomben auf sie herabfielen wie das Wasser über jenem berühmten Wasserfall im Norden des Staates New York).

Operation Niagara I

Sensorabwurf aus einem Hubschrauber

Ein CH-46 Sea Knight mit Schlinglast hebt ab

In den Monaten vor Beginn der Belagerung, als die großen Truppenbewegungen der Nordvietnamesen entdeckt wurden, begannen die Planungen für eine umfangreiche Aufklärungsoperation in der Region um die Khe Sanh Combat Base.

Dazu wurden sowohl Patrouillen der Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, einer Spezialeinheit der 101. US-Luftlandedivision, Aufklärungsflugzeuge und zum ersten Mal auch elektronische Sensoren eingesetzt. Diese wurden aus Flugzeugen und Hubschraubern auf die vermuteten und bekannten Anmarschwege und Operationsgebiete abgeworfen und meldeten feindliche Bewegungen an ein Lagekontrollzentrum, von wo aus dann während der folgenden Angriffsoperationen die Informationen an die angreifenden Einheiten der Luftwaffe und Marine weitergegeben wurden. Die gesammelten Informationen ermöglichten es den Luftstreitkräften, gezielt auf die Bewegungen der Nordvietnamesen zu reagieren und Truppenkonzentrationen anzugreifen.

[skymasterthefangirl]

What would you wish if you saw a shooting star In an ordinary world ~ Jane Kirk isn’t quite sure what to do with the alien that crash landed in her backyard. After successfully hiding him from a shadowy government organization investigating the crash, Kirk believes her wish for something extraordinary to enter her world has finally come true. However when said shadowy government organization just won’t leave town, the solution seems pretty obvious: a summer road trip for the ages.

     Spock hadn’t intended for the disagreement with his father to get so out of hand. Now stranded on an alien planet, he must rely on the kindness and hospitality of the humans that have taken him in to navigate this new world. Although a “super-summer-road-trip-extravaganza”, as his host puts it, seems excessive, it would be illogical not to observe as much as he can of this planet that has him so conflicted.

sooooo i started writing a thing. i have no clue what i’m doing. help.

basically i got super inspired after seeing this post about a roadtrip!au, and may have gone overboard with plot, but whatever. we’ll see where it goes.

this first chapter may be a touch graphic; i’m planning on getting the actual plot  rolling in the next chapter or so