#Underway replenishment

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Week

🦾 - High-Five for Bionic Hand

1. Houston-area school district announces free breakfast and lunch for students

Pasadena ISD students will be getting free breakfast and lunch for the 2023-24 school year, per an announcement on the district's social media pages.

The 2023-24 free lunch program is thanks to a Community Eligibility Provision grant the district applied for last year. The CEP, which is distributed by the Department of Agriculture, is specially geared toward providing free meals for low-income students.

2. Dolphin and her baby rescued after being trapped in pond for 2 years

A pair of dolphins that spent nearly two years stuck in a Louisiana pond system are back at sea thanks to the help of several agencies and volunteers.

According to the Audubon Nature Institute, wildlife observers believe the mother dolphin and her baby were pushed into the pond system near Grand Isle, Louisiana, during Hurricane Ida in late August 2021.

3. Studies show that putting solar panels over waterways could boost clean energy and conserve water. The first U.S. pilot project is getting underway in California.

Some 8,000 miles of federally owned canals snake across the United States, channeling water to replenish crops, fuel hydropower plants and supply drinking water to rural communities. In the future, these narrow waterways could serve an additional role: as hubs of solar energy generation.

4. Gene therapy eyedrops restored a boy's sight. Similar treatments could help millions

Antonio was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. But his skin improved when he joined a clinical trial to test the world’s first topical gene therapy.

The same therapy was applied to his eyes. Antonio, who’s been legally blind for much of his 14 years, can see again.

5. Scientists develop game-changing vaccine against Lyme disease ticks!

A major step in battling Lyme disease and other dangerous tick-borne viruses may have been taken as researchers announced they have developed a vaccine against the ticks themselves.

Rather than combatting the effects of the bacteria or microbe that causes Lyme disease, the vaccine targets the microbiota of the tick, according to a paper published in the journal Microbiota on Monday.

6. HIV Transmission Virtually Eliminated in Inner Sydney, Australia

Sydney may be the first city in the world to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Inner Sydney has reduced new HIV acquisitions by 88%, meaning it may be the first locality in the world to reach the UN target to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030

7. New bionic hand allows amputees to control each finger with unprecedented accuracy

In a world first, surgeons and engineers have developed a new bionic hand that allows users with arm amputations to effortlessly control each finger as though it was their own body.

Successful testing of the bionic hand has already been conducted on a patient who lost his arm above the elbow.

----

That's it for this week :)

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[judgemark45]

The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise CVN-65 and the Military Sealift Command fast combat supply ship USNS Arctic T-AOE-8 perform an underway replenishment. The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group is conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment

[al-astakbar]

☆ The Gift -- Thrawn x reader ☆

> title ☆ The Gift ☆part 6/?

> summary ☆ As congratulations for his recent promotion to Grand Admiral, Emperor Palpatine gives Thrawn a gift -- a young woman who has been trained as a pleasure companion.

> pairing ☆  Thrawn x reader ☆ word count [2.1k] ☆ warnings for this part ☆ none > series warnings ☆ dubious consent; sexual slavery; concubine/ sex slave AU; will add more warnings as more parts are posted. thank you so much @starwh0ers for beta of this part :)

> series navigation ☆ part 1 ☆ part 2 ☆ part 3 ☆ part 4 ☆ part 5 ☆ part 6 ☆ part 7

> posted on ao3

author note!! To be very clear, in this story reader is a concubine against her will and is gifted to Thrawn, but there is at no point any noncon between Thrawn and reader. Reader is never noncon with anyone, either referenced or explicitly, and there is never any explicit noncon. However, this is a darker take on Thrawn and he doesn't really have many hangups about putting his gift to use...

The two stormtroopers on either side of the wide double hatch come to attention as Thrawn strides towards them. “Good morning, gentlemen. Carry on,” he says, just as quickly, and you get the impression he greets whoever’s on shift this way every morning. He has to be the politest Imperial you’ve ever met. Most in his position, of his rank, would barely acknowledge anyone under his command outside his own bridge crew and cadre of senior officers. 

Inside, the bridge hums with activity, even while the ship is in stationary orbit. The officer of the watch announces Thrawn’s arrival. The Grand Admiral quickly waves it off; there are more important things on his mind than protocol. 

You walk in Thrawn’s shadow down the main corridor, all too aware of the questioning murmurs following you.

Once you’ve passed through a sort of foyer and mounted three short steps, a younger officer with neat, short cropped hair strides up, shoots a concerned glance at you, the non-Imperial interloper, and greets the Grand Admiral.

“Good morning, Admiral.”

“Good morning, Commodore Faro.”

“Shall I pass the word, sir?” 

Thrawn’s nod is all the signal needed. A junior officer stands by some sort of ship-wide PA system and blows on a shrill pipe. Then she says into the mouthpiece: “All departments make readiness reports for getting underway to the Officer of the deck in the pilothouse.”

Quickly, the reports come in. Supply, Weapons, Engineering, Operations, Combat Systems. A lot of it is familiar to you, but with slight differences that make you turn your head when you hear them. Shouldn’t be surprising. Many rebellion personnel were former Imps after all.

“I’ve word from the Quartermaster. Fuel and rations replenishment completed, sir.” 

“Thank you, Commodore. Munitions?”

“Ordnance chief confirmed complete last night, sir.”

“Very good.” When they are done, Thrawn looks to another officer, who is seated at a console. “Senior Captain Lomar,” he prompts, and the Senior Captain anticipates Thrawn’s order. “Fleet channel ready for you, Admiral.”

“Attention, Seventh Fleet.” He does not settle himself in the command chair, but crosses the command walkway to stand directly in front of the forward viewport, hands clasped behind his back. You hang back, and find yourself transfixed by his presence, unable to look away. “This is Grand Admiral Thrawn. I trust you have enjoyed your time in the capital.”

A round of appreciative, quiet laughter goes around the bridge, which you imagine is echoed on the hundreds of ships he’s addressing. Liberty calls on core planets, and especially Coruscant, were always popular, a chance for Imperial personnel to let loose and enjoy the best the Empire has to offer. 

“Our mission,” he continues, “is simple. To eradicate piracy and insurrection in the Limian Sector of the Outer Rim. To accomplish this, we will bring to bear the full skill and power of this Fleet. You have your orders. Carry them out with focus and professionalism, and we will be successful. 

 … and, good hunting. That is all.” He looks to Lomar, who ends the connection.

Commodore Faro is at his side again, stance wide, hands clasped behind her back. You’ve been on ships before, but had never seen them orchestrated with quite such precision.  “Sir, the ship is manned and ready to get underway. Permission to spin up, sir?”

Again, Thrawn nods and his crew react instantly. 

“Calculations for the jump ready, sir. Hyperdrive is spun up.”

“At your convenience, Commodore.”

She nods to a black-uniformed technician at a console, who slowly and steadily opens a heavy throttle.

You can’t help your quiet gasp as starlines flare out from a point right in the center of the viewport and then give way to the tunnel of hyperspace. The sight of it is beautiful and unexpected, and you’ve never had such a clear view of a jump before. Suddenly, you’re glad you didn’t stay in Thrawn’s quarters to pout and sulk. More than likely you’d have been stuck there all day with nothing to do except peruse his art collection, and you can’t be sure if he would even permit you that. 

** 

If getting to watch Thrawn and the view of the hyperspace jump is the high point of your day so far, meeting Brierly Ronan has to be the lowest. 

He strides onto the bridge late in the morning, and before you even know his name, you hear him chastising the stormtrooper guards before the hatch closes again. 

In a huff, he nearly gets his flowing white cape caught in it. 

Then, he notices you and loudly demands, to no one in particular, “who is this?!” 

Thrawn looks up and comes over. “Good morning, Assistant Director. Is something the matter?”

The Assistant Director draws himself up, puffing his chest out and managing a little flourish with his cape, even though he’s standing still. “Yes! There is. I want to know who this is. She’s standing in my spot.”

Thrawn’s eyes flick to the deck, as if trying to see where exactly the spots are delineated. “She was a gift from the Emperor.” He turns to you, making polite formal introductions. “This is Assistant Director Brierly Ronan. And may I present…”

At the utterance of your name, you feel an unpleasant jolt of shock. Companions like you were never supposed to be named in public. It just wasn’t done. Hearing your own name aloud feels vulgar, as if Thrawn had just announced to everyone how much he had enjoyed fucking you last night, and gone into explicit detail.

First he suggests you go without your veil, now he speaks your name. Perhaps he wants to humiliate you. This could be some game to him, but as you watch him, he does not show any sign of enjoying your discomfort. In fact, he seems oblivious to it.

Brierly Ronan, for his part, sputters and turns an ugly shade of red. “Do you really think this is an appropriate place to parade around your pet?” He spits. “Really, Thrawn, even with your famous disdain for the rules— or do you mean to share her with everyone here?”

A muscle in Thrawn’s jaw tics. He waits a moment in silence, a silence that attracts the attention of nearby crew.

“My pet?” He repeats. His tone is quiet and deadly, a trap inviting Ronan to try to explain himself.

Ronan draws himself up, unable to match Thrawn’s height. “Well, she’s obviously not a bodyguard--”

“Are you sure?” He waits for a response that doesn’t come, then continues. “They go through quite a lot of training, you know. She was in the capital for a year.”

“I know what the training entails!” Hisses Ronan. 

“And why should I not make known our Emperor’s generosity and good will? I will remind you, Assistant Director, that you are here not as a civilian, but due to your position as an officer in the Imperial military department of advanced weapons research.”

You understand the implication a moment after Ronan does -- despite him apparently having a rank as a civilian, while aboard this ship, his military posting puts him under Thrawn’s command. And he is, after all, wearing a uniform. 

Ronan stands a bit straighter, looking furious. 

Thrawn again leaves room, a polite incline of his head, for Ronan to reply. When none comes, Thrawn excuses himself to attend to other matters that require his attention. You are left standing there with Ronan, and when you realize that your silent, faceless stare is unnerving him, you force yourself to show the deference that is expected of you. He gives a derisive snort, as if he doesn’t quite believe whatever act you’re putting on. The urge to persist, and entertain yourself by irritating him, is strong, but you know you shouldn’t-- not just to avoid trouble and punishment, but because out of everyone on the Chimaera, he could be the one who might be willing to get you off of it. 

Yes. The idea strikes you like a bolt and you inhale sharply. Ronan is the one you need to befriend. He obviously doesn’t like Thrawn. Frankly, you’re surprised Thrawn had tolerated such disrespect, especially in public, in front of his crew. But any overture will need to come from Ronan himself; companions are forbidden from initiating conversations with anyone other than their masters. 

You could ignore convention, of course. You eye Ronan again. After his outburst about Thrawn parading you around, you expect that wouldn’t go over well. All you can do is take to hovering near him, and hope that he starts talking to you first.  

To your dismay, he says nothing more. He gives you another disdainful look and then turns away with a flourish of his cloak. He retreats to a corner where some officers are talking in low voices, and they hide grimaces when he intrudes on their space. 

You are left standing alone, unsure of what to do, and rather self-conscious. Your veil helps somewhat.   

Curious eyes follow you-- as professional as Thrawn’s bridge crew may be, you are a strange person encroaching on their space, and an interesting distraction during an uneventful long-haul hyperspace jump. 

You watch the operations quietly, alert, not getting too close. There are about thirty people just in the forward section of the bridge, most busy with tasks at data terminals in the crew pits. When you had followed Thrawn down the main corridor, you had seen banks of comms stations, an array of scanners, a holo pod, and some pairs of large double hatches. Officers’ meeting rooms, maybe. 

The scale of it all is enough to keep you entertained until Thrawn concludes his discussions and comes back over to you. You had been lingering near the starfighter operations alcove, listening for anything interesting, but of course in hyperspace there isn’t much activity. 

Reading the bios last night had not quite conveyed the significance of the Grand Admiral’s rank. Of his extraordinary career.

As you follow him back down the main corridor, you ask how many ships he commands. Impertinent question maybe, but he answers. Nineteen capital ships and twenty-five cruisers. 

He lists off more numbers, staggering numbers of ships and personnel, as if it’s the most commonplace thing in the galaxy. 1900 TIE model fighters, then of course there are all the complements of shuttles and troop transports, plus hundreds of smaller support craft. 

It takes you a few paces to do the math in your head. “But then… altogether the crew must be over a million people…”

“One million, two hundred thousand and forty-two. Each one crucial, in his or her role, to the operational capability of the fleet.” “But I bet you don’t know all their names.” You grin up at him.

He merely raises an eyebrow at you. 

“I apologize for that… scene,” says Thrawn in a low tone once you are in a quieter passageway-- close to his quarters, you think, though the halls are so easy to get lost in. The standard shift is not over, but there are still hours to go for the first leg of the hyperspace jumps. You had overheard from the navigation section on the bridge that this is the first of three. “I did not expect the Assistant Director to react so forcefully. And I can assure you, he does not have claim to any particular ‘spot’ on the bridge.”

“Who is he, exactly?” 

Thrawn’s tone is just the slightest bit dry when he answers. If his sly antagonism of the man had been anything to go by, you’d bet Thrawn doesn’t particularly like him, or at least resents having to deal with him. “A mediator, of sorts. Assigned to the ship to ensure the terms of an agreement are upheld.” 

“Are you sure he wasn’t just jealous?”

Breaking his stride, Thrawn looks over at you, genuinely puzzled. “For what reason?” 

You just pluck at your robe, holding up the fabric, and understanding dawns on his face. 

“Ah, of course. A symbol of status.” He resumes walking. You aren’t sure how to feel about that-- reduced to being a rare prize-- nor do you mention the other reason Ronan might have reacted that way-- you are human, and Thrawn is not. “Regardless, I should have anticipated this. It should have been a private conversation. But in the end it was to our advantage, I think. Those who witnessed it will have gained some understanding of who you are and why you are with me.”

“And the rest of the crew will hear about it by supper,” you add. News travels fast on a ship, even one this big, where gossip will always be a favorite pastime.

He gives you a sideways glance, and you could swear he almost smiles.

☆ link to part 7 ☆

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[justinspoliticalcorner]

Lori Ann Larocco at CNBC:

Billions in trade came to a screeching halt at U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports after members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) began walking off the job after 12:01 a.m. ET on October 1. The ILA is North America’s largest longshoremen’s union, with roughly 50,000 of its 85,000 members making good on the threat to strike at 14 major ports subject to a just-expired master contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), and picketing workers beginning to appear at ports. The union and port ownership group failed to reach agreement by midnight on a new contract in a protracted battle over wage increases and use of automation. In a last-ditch effort on Monday to avert a strike that will cause significant harm to the U.S. economy if it is lengthy — at least hundreds of millions of dollars a day at the largest ports like New York/New Jersey — the USMX offered a nearly 50% wage hike over six years, but that was rejected by the ILA, according to a source close to the negotiations. The port ownership group said it hoped the offer would lead to a resumption of collective bargaining.

The 14 ports where preparations for a strike have been underway are Boston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Wilmington, North Carolina, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, New Orleans, Mobile, and Houston. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement issued shortly after midnight that “the first large-scale eastern dockworker strike in 47 years began at ports from Maine to Texas, including at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In preparation for this moment, New York has been working around the clock to ensure that our grocery stores and medical facilities have the essential products they need.” Rhetoric from ILA leadership has been aggressive in the weeks leading up to the strike, with ILA president Harold Daggett, who was a union member the last time it went out on strike in 1977, telling rank-and-file members — who unanimously voted to authorize a strike — in a recent video message, “We’ll crush them.” 

[...] The most significant issues would be faced by food and automobile industries, Kamins said, as they rely especially heavily on the ports that will be shut down. While a surge in inflation is highly unlikely even with a longer strike, even a modest reacceleration could create uncertainty and force the Federal Reserve to be more cautious about lowering interest rates, which would weigh on the overall outlook for job growth and investment. A one-week strike could cost the U.S. economy $3.78 billion, according to an analysis by The Conference Board, and cause supply chain slowdowns through mid-November. In all, the ports threatened with strikes handle $3 trillion annually in U.S. annual international trade.

Many industries are preparing for major repercussions. Noushin Shamsili, CEO and president of Nuco Logistics, which specializes in pharmaceutical imports and exports, said the strike comes at a critical time for inventory replenishment for the pharma sector. “Almost all of this industry is just on time,” said Shamsili. “Raw materials are being brought in to complete drug manufacturing. Medical supplies for clinics and hospitals are on these vessels. For a while importers did not bring in a lot of cargo because they were overflowing with supplies post-Covid. Now they have started reordering medical devices, gloves, syringes, and tubing.” Shamsili also said the East Coast ports are a gateway for generic medicine made in India. Approximately 48% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients used in the U.S. are being imported from India. Without these APIs, medications cannot be produced. APIs are also manufactured in Europe, which also use the East Coast ports as U.S. points of entry.

[...] The Biden administration finds itself in a delicate political moment, with the presidential election one month away and President Biden vowing he will not use existing labor law to force union workers back on the job, which is within his powers under the Taft-Hartley Act. The Taft-Hartley Act, passed in 1947, was a revision of U.S. law governing labor relations and union activity that granted a U.S. president the power to suspend a strike for an 80-day “cooling off period” in cases where “national health or safety” are at risk. 

Today begins the strike along East Coast and Gulf Coast ports after International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) members walked off their jobs.

This strike, depending on how long it lasts, could have a major impact on the elections and the economy.

[dertaglichedan]

Navy Just Reloaded A Vertical Launch System For The First Time While Underway At Sea

Having the ability to replenish surface combatants' vertical launch system cells while underway is seen as critical to sustaining a fight in the Pacific.

One of the largest concerns regarding the U.S. Navy’s ability to persist in a peer conflict in the vast Pacific is the ability to keep its prized major surface combatants — destroyers, cruisers and soon frigates — stocked with weapons. The conflict with the Houthis in and around the Red Sea has only underscored the need to figure out how to reload vertical launch systems (VLS) without coming into port. If an Iranian-backed rebel group can make a big dent in American warships’ weapons stocks, China would be exponentially worse. You can read all about this glaring issue in our previous feature here. But now, the Navy has just demonstrated its fast-tracked possible solution to this pressing issue.

USS Chosin (CG-65), a Ticonderoga class cruiser, came alongside Military Sealift Command’s dry cargo ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) and transferred an empty VLS weapon container to the cruiser while sailing off the southern California coast on October 11th.

...

Ports capable of VLS resupply could be thousands of miles away from patrol areas and they too could be at risk of attack. On top of this, the U.S. Navy is finding it very challenging to meet its surface combatant hull goals of the future. Each ship that is operational at the time of the conflict will be very valuable and keeping them on scene longer will be critical to achieving overall military objectives. TRAM is supposed to go a long way in helping with these issues, although having enough ships to execute underway replenishment in such a huge theater, even with potential combat losses, is another issue entirely.

[superdiscochino]

Compounding the problem is the fact that the Big Horn is the only oiler the Navy has in the Middle East. One shipowner told gCaptain that the Navy is scrambling to find a commercial oil tanker to take its place and deliver jet fuel to the USS Abraham Lincoln. If the Navy resorts to using a commercial oil tanker as a temporary replacement, it would need to install a Consolidated Cargo Handling and Fueling (CONSOL) system for underway replenishment operations. This system includes specialized refueling rigs, tensioned fueling hoses, and high-capacity fuel pumps—all essential for safely transferring fuel to warships at sea. The tanker would also require robust communication and control systems to ensure precise coordination during refueling maneuvers. This retrofitting process is no small feat. It requires significant modifications to the commercial vessel, enabling it to withstand the unique stresses and operational demands of pumping fuel while sailing at full speed. Moreover, a U.S. Merchant Marine crew trained in CONSOL UNREP procedures—a complex and high-risk operation—would need to be flown to the Middle East to supervise the operation. This adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation. The Navy currently faces a severe shortage of oilers and crew to operate them. Earlier this month, the Navy announced it might lay up 17 replenishment and supply ships—including one oiler—due to difficulties recruiting U.S. Merchant Mariners. While the Navy has launched five new John Lewis Class oilers – including the USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) this week – and awarded NASSCO a $6.7 billion contract for eight more, challenges persist.  Official Navy and Military Sealift Command sources have repeatedly assured gCaptain that the John Lewis program is on schedule. However, two marine inspectors who have examined the new oilers tell gCaptain they’re encountering numerous problems, delaying the vessels’ overseas deployment. Despite the lead ship, USNS John Lewis, being launched in January 2021, it’s currently sitting idle at a repair shipyard in Oregon. As of today, none of the new oilers have been cleared to leave the continental United States.

I know we were all freaked out about the US sending more ships to the Middle East but it's important to remember that the US can't do anything without fucking it up

[lonestarbattleship]

USS SAN JACINTO (CG-56) underway as it moves into position for an underway replenishment during Operation Desert Storm.

Date: February 9, 1991

NARA: 6486308

[captain-price-unofficially]

French Navy Horizon-class frigate Chevalier Paul, foreground, and Spanish oiler Patiño conduct a replenishment-at-sea while underway in the North Atlantic Ocean in support of exercise Formidable Shield 2023, 19 May 2023.

Yes that’s actually how Chevalier Paul looks, it’s not a render.

[pencil-peach]

G Witch Onscreen Text: Episode 15

Greetings and salutations everyone! This is part 16 of my attempt to transcribe and discuss all the onscreen text in G Witch, and along the way we document and discuss various interesting things. We're on episode 15: "Father and Child"

&lt;< Click here to go back to Episode 14 Or click here to go to the Masterpost!

Our first real look at Earth...shall we begin?

One of the first shots we get are various posters outlining health rules and guidelines to follow, most likely pinned up in a doctor's office. Some of the text is covered up, but from left to right, to the best of my ability: (* will denote when I am making my best assumption based on the visible text.)

*General healthcare support evaluation: 10:00 to 17:00 17:00 to 21:00 (15:00 on Sundays)

Water supply: 2 liters per person *Restorations of water supply system underway but supply restrictions are still in place.

Save your food, save the Earth Saving energy for a swift victory

Food ration: 1500 kilo calories daily per person

Infections Infectious disease prevention measures: Wash your hands Get enough sleep Consult a doctor

The struggle of the Earthians in this camp are very clear, considering that 2 liters of water and 1500 calories a day are below the minimum healthy amount for an adult. Infectious disease is also a huge problem in a world without more advanced medicine.

When Naji is talking to the doctor, he hands him a container of cartridges, saying he has refills. We never see what they're for, but their general shape and coloring is similar to the cartridges Elnora swaps in and out of her GUND arm prosthetic when it stops working in the prologue. That's not to say Olcott's arm is also a GUND prosthetic, but that it might similarly need to replenish its energy source. (Considering it emits a dull whine when Olcott uses it sometimes, I wouldn't doubt it needs external power.)

Somewhat more interestingly, we get a glimpse at what the doctor has opened on his monitor through the gap in Olcott's arm. It's incredibly hard to read, and we never see the full picture, but here's what I could manage

EXPLANATION OF SYMPTOMS FOR [???]... [DESCRIPTION] OF PAIN -[...] UPPER BODY

[...??] SYMPTOMS -[...PLING] THROUGH BODY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME

DECREASED MOBILITY SLEEP DISORDERS DECREASED COGNITIVE ABILITIES LONG-TERM TREATMENT PLAN NEUROTHERAPEUTIC INJECTIONS PERMET REMOVAL SURGERY

PATIENTS WITH PREEXISTING VISION IMPAIRMENTS REQUIRE MONITORING OF NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTIONS.

On the monitor, we see a list of symptoms and treatments for what appears to be a long term Permet-induced injury. This is pretty interesting info, as we never really get a look into how Permet based illnesses are actually treated in universe. (Other than Prospera's helmet but we'll talk about that later). I'm really interested in what "Permet Removal Surgery" entails! (Neurotherapeutic Injections are something that exist in real life but it's considered a pseudoscience. I don't think that fact applies to its use in the show, however.)

They don't show up after this initial scene, but Seethia seems to have a baby sibling, or was at least watching over one during this scene. (Don't worry, she didn't bring them with her when the building collapsed, they're fine.)

Episode 15 gives us our first change to the intro. In episode 13 - 14, Eri appears as a vague apparition in this shot, but after the reveal that she is in fact within Aerial, we see her fully rendered.

Speaking of the intro, it probably goes without saying, but this scene in the intro is more likely to be of Eri and Elnora, not Suletta. The door in the background has the same design as the ones on Vanadis, and its general layout resembles that of this corner in the Samaya's room. (The door, and then the shelf immediately to its left, the picture frame and the indented portion of the wall above it.)

It's not perfectly 1-1 but, yknow! (I really have a problem...)

Because Nika and Miorine appear in this episode, they're the only two characters in the show who appear at some point in every single episode of the series. (Other than the prologue, obviously)

In this scene where the Group's security forces are flying out over earth, they're riding these glider things. For some reason, these specific machines are shown off on the official website, so we know its name: TICKBALANG, and we know that they're produced by Peil. I wondered if it was maybe just a tradition of GUNDAM series to have TICKBALANG, like Haro, but no I guess they were just really proud of it. It even has its own gunpla kit...

(Oh, and its name is taken from a werehorse creature from Philippine folklore.)

The two mobile suits we see used in this attack on the DOF are the Zowort Heavy, a Peil suit, and the Heindree Sturm, a Grassley suit. Despite this attack being decided by the board, there's a distinct lack of Jeturk suits.

The plushies the kids place around Sophie's grave are ones from her collection that she left on Earth.

When the Benerit Force pilots are communicating with each other, they use "Zulu" as their codenames. This is a reference to the Zulu line of mobile suits introduced in Gundam Unicorn.

As the building collapses on them, Olcott brings his hands up to protect his head and neck, but Guel rushes forward to try and protect Sedo and Seethia.

TEXT PLANT QUETTA INCIDENT SUSPECT LIST

OLCOTT [Real Name Unknown] Affiliation: Dawn of Fold Place of birth: Unknown Educational Background: Unknown Spouse: Unknown

COMINT REPORT Olcott was involved in the attack on Plant Quetta from the beginning of the plan. He is believed to have planned an attack targeting Spacians, including bombing of MS plants and offices, and assassination of key personnel. During the incident, as pilot of a 'Desultor' MS thought to have been captured from the Jeturk company (acquisition route is under investigation), he led an MS team that attacked the President of the Benerit group. Though the assassination attempt on the President ended in failure, his team killed more than 20 employees, including the CEO of the Jeturk company.

Believed to have been involved in these past incidents:

-Bombing of Benerit Group northern hemisphere Earth headquarters -Mediterranean space shuttle attack -Shooting of Global Security president -Occupation of Pacific Ocean mine

The suspect report we see Kenanji read, that discusses Olcott's participation and past crimes in regards to the Plant Quetta attack. We also learn that Kenanji knew him, his real name is Ridrick Kruger, and he was formerly a member of Dominicus. He always followed his own ideals of justice, but he and his family were attacked by Earthians anyway. After losing them, he discarded his past, but still allies himself with the Earthians anyway, because he still believes they're right.

We also see how much of a stranglehold Spacians and the Group still have on Earth and its resources, seeing the wide range of institutions and locations he's attacked with the DOF.

Olcott's journey throughout the episode is based in his memories of the moment that changed his life, the one he rejects, and how removing himself from it has affected his memory of what really happened. First, he remembers seeing his son cry out for his help, before being engulfed in flame. (Left) Then he remembers struggling to reach out to his unconscious body before it fades out to the view of his mobile suit (RIght)

But after hearing why Guel tried to hard to save Seethia, Olcott remembers what really, truly happened. He tried to reach out and his son didn't look scared, he smiled at him, convinced that his dad was going to save him.

And instead of reacting with indifference or rage as he does in the earlier memories, he clutches his arm, a sign that this isn't a fabricated memory he uses to reject his past, but what really truly happened, and still brings him pain.

I really like this scene with Rajan, and how his relationship with Delling compares to Godoy's with Prospera. Rajan has known Delling for decades, and is staunchly loyal to him. He believes in his and Notrette's ideals for a better world, and will support him in his endeavors no matter what. But with what he tells Miorine at the end here, and his reaction when he finds out that she's taking his place, it's really clear that he thinks Quiet Zero is a terrible idea.

I also like that ultimately he wants what's best for Miorine. In a lot of ways he's consistently more involved in her wellbeing than Delling is.

Oh, I might as well point this out now: The season 1 "Next Episode Title" bumpers use this red patterned backdrop, mimicking the GUND Format lights on Aerial's chest when it activates, but in Season 2, it uses a more elaborate blue pattern instead, reminiscent of REBUILD's lights after it reaches Score 8.

Alright! That's all from me. Unless...

GUEL JUMPSCARE. Without the guiding hand of his father, he's decided to devote himself to protecting the things he has left. He won't run any longer. Not from his sins, or the future. Welcome back, Guel.

Click here to escape to episode 16 >> Click here to go to the Masterpost!

[saganssorcery]

𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Berkano

Today is a day of beauty and creative force, perhaps we are on the verge of birthing something beautiful. This is a rune of purification and regeneration, we could be being asked to take some quiet time for ourselves so we can heal and replenish our spirits. Perhaps practice some self care and make yourself feel good, you're worth it. This could also be indicating that our wisdom and nurturing qualities will be needed on this day, someone may come to us for a sympathetic ear or to seek refuge in one way or another. If this is the case, and if our energy allows it, we are being asked to gently protect or support them from whatever it is they are going through.

©️Sagans Sorcery 🔥 🖋️

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[usafphantom2]

Taking advantage of the Red Flag, USAF performs the first "Bamboo Eagle" Exercise by adding multi-domain elements

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 01/31/2024 - 17:00in Military, Military Operations, Red Flag

The U.S. Air Force is conducting its first "Bamboo Eagle" exercise, which overlaps with the last days of Red Flag 24-1 and adds multi-domain elements, such as maritime warfare, as well as elements of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) to the U.S. Air Force's prominent air domain war game at Nellis Air Base.

The Bamboo Eagle will last eight days and is designed to "provide advanced training in a disaggregated multi-domain scenario in order to maintain and strengthen the ability of the joint and coalition force to prevail in conflicts when necessary," said Major General Case Cunningham, commander of the Air Force War Center at Nellis Air Base, Nevada, in a statement.

Bamboo Eagle is underway! 3,000 U.S. service members & 300 Royal Air Force & Royal Australian Air Force members are flying, maintaining & supporting 150+ aircraft in 10 locations, including over the Pacific, allowing us to train as a team in realistic environments @US_TRANSCOM pic.twitter.com/iCIBnT5hsD

— Air Mobility Command (@AirMobilityCmd) January 30, 2024

The exercise “is the first of its kind at the U.S. Air Force War Center, which conducts live and virtual operational tests and combatant-centered assessments, tactical development, and advanced training to optimize the capabilities of the U.S. Air Force and prepare aviators for joint combat operations and in all domains,” the 57ª Wing said in a statement.

Many aircraft and units that participated in the Red Flag 24-1, including B-2 bombers from Whiteman Air Base, Missouri, are moving directly to the Bamboo Eagle.

In addition to the simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground combat of the Red Flag, the Bamboo Eagle adds anti-ship elements and expands live, virtual and constructive elements, as well as principles of Agile Employment in Combat (ACE) and logistics, the latter is generally not part of the Red Flag.

“The inclusion of training in the sea and airspace of the Eastern Pacific allows fighters to train in a representative combat environment and incorporate scenarios in the maritime domain,” the statement said. Participants will "implement the generation of combat power in all domains from various base locations in the western part of the U.S., while conducting distributed control and command, agile logistics and air-to-air replenishment".

The 57ª Wing described Red Flag 24-1 as "the tactical construction for the operational implementation of the multi-domain combat readiness training that is the Bamboo Eagle".

More than 3,000 U.S. military personnel from all arms of the armed forces are participating in the Bamboo Eagle, along with 150 aircraft from more than 20 units. In addition, more than 300 military personnel from the Royal United Kingdom Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) are participating.

The RAF sent Typhoon fighters and the A330 MRTT Voyagers to the Red Flag, while the RAAF sent F-35A fighters. The USAF F-35As and the Marine Corps F-35Bs also participate.

Many of the same Red Flag 24-1 aircraft are also participating in the Bamboo Eagle, including Air Force F-22, F-15E and F-16 fighters; C-130 and C-17 transport aircraft; KC-135 and KC-46 tank aircraft; Marine Corps F-35B fighters, MQ-9 Reapers drones; Navy EA-18 Growler electronic war aircraft and U.S. Air Force EC-130 electronic war aircraft. HC-130 Combat King personal recovery aircraft and HH-60 combat rescue helicopters are also participating.

The 17 different types of aircraft are being deployed in locations such as North Island Naval Base, Beale Air Base, Pendleton Field, Travis Air Base and Edwards Air Base, all in California, among others.

Operations are being coordinated by the command and control element of the 3ª Expeditionary Air Wing, composed of elements of the 3ª Wing and 673ª Wing of the Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Air Base in Alaska.

“We will be practicing the concept of hub-and-spoke along with Agile Employment in Combat to sustain operations at four points throughout the duration of the Bamboo Eagle,” said Colonel Kevin Jamieson, commander of 3ª AEW.

"As the host wing for four different points, also known as advanced locations of operation, the 3ª AEW acts as the mission command center; planning, driving and coordinating the four hunting units and a transport unit at the operational level," according to a press release from Elmendorf.

The four points, deployed closer to the action than the constituent units normally operate, "established operational capabilities for safe communications, ground refueling, air mobility teams and aircraft safety measures before the official start of the exercise", as part of the concept of Agile Employment in Combat. Part of the exercise is for teams to learn how to quickly and efficiently configure the points, according to the statement.

Lieutenant-Colonel Terry Fregly, commander of the 525º Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which led the squad in the Red Flag exercise and is now leading its deployment on NAS North Island, said that "this is a new set of skills" for the U.S. Air Force "and for the joint forces as a whole." The lessons learned in the execution of Agile Employment in Combat will be applied to operations at the home station, "so that we can train the way we fight".

Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine

Tags: Military AviationBamboo EagleRed FlagUSAF - United States Air Force / U.S. Air Force

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[judgemark45]

(12/1/1987) The aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV-41) conducts an underway replenishment with the battleship USS IOWA (BB-61).USN Image PH2 Raszler

[nebris]

A combat support ship pulls alongside USS George H.W. Bush in March 2018. At least once per week while the carrier is underway, it connects by hose to receive 1.5 million gallons of JP-5 aviation fuel, and to take on food and replacement parts by helicopter in a sequence known as vertical replenishment. Supply Officer (SUPPO) CDR Anthony P. Bannister manages 13 supply divisions that serve a combined 20,000 meals each day, counting regular hour servings plus midnight rations or “mid-rats.” Between meals, vending machines take in $60,000 per month that sailors spend on energy drinks alone. At any given time the carrier stores $1 million to $5 million in food, and its shelves draw down a $20 million annual budget for ship parts, plus $200 to $300 million for aviation parts. In return, the ships send back any repairable aviation parts, called carcasses, to Boeing or Lockheed for repair, and offload waste from food service.

[mariacallous]

The NATO alliance is more relevant than ever before, but the threats facing the coalition are quite different than at the time of its founding. The strongest, most successful alliances, however, are those that can adapt to change, and after 14 months of supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia’s brutal invasion, it’s clear that a major realignment is underway. The backbone of NATO, once centered in Paris and Berlin, is shifting eastward and now stretches from Helsinki to the Black Sea. Eastern European nations—namely, Poland, Romania, Finland, and the Baltic states—understand more acutely than their Western neighbors the threat posed by Russia and the imperative for collective resolve in its face.

For example, perhaps no European country has committed and sacrificed more to meet the challenge imposed by Russia than Poland—a nation of only 37 million, nearly half the population of its ally Germany. Despite Poland’s relative size, there are plans to more than double the size of the Polish army, bringing it to 300,000 troops, which will make it, by far, the largest in Europe. While numbers aren’t everything, Poland and the Baltic nations are among only a handful of NATO states that have consistently met the commitment made in 2006 by all alliance members to spend a minimum of 2 percent of their GDP on defense and invest 20 percent of their defense budgets in major equipment to ensure NATO’s military readiness.

Going beyond these commitments, in March 2022 the Polish government passed legislation that mandates the country spend 3 percent of its GDP on defense beginning this year, followed recently with plans to commit more than 4 percent of its GDP on defense—far surpassing the relative contributions of all other NATO states, including countries such as Canada and Germany. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has doubled down on this strategy, explaining: “The criminal assault carried out by the Russian Federation, targeting Ukraine, and the unpredictable nature of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin means that we need to accelerate the equipment modernization even further.”

From my position on the House Armed Services Committee, I have worked to expedite our steadfast ally’s efforts to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank, including by pressing the Biden administration to accelerate the transfer of M1A2 Abrams tanks, which Poland asked for to help deter and, if necessary, repel a Russian invasion force. U.S.-Polish industrial co-production on anti-tank missiles and other systems such as HIMARS should also be incentivized and accelerated where possible. This co-production will help alleviate current supply chain issues and worker shortfalls and will help more rapidly replenish European stocks of munitions. There is also a push right now, which I fully support, to upgrade our Aegis Ashore sites in Poland and Romania to allow for the tracking of Russian cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles threatening NATO.

It should also be noted that the United States benefits from its allies’ investments in defense. Money being spent on Ukraine by Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, and Romania is actually helping to fix our systems by expanding production, hiring new workers, and standardizing NATO armaments away from Soviet legacy systems—making the U.S. military and the entire alliance more prepared for any future fight. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, the U.S. Congress has given the Defense Department the authority to conduct multiyear procurement of key munitions, which will allow for purchases of items over multiple years, not annually. This move will enhance predictability, drive down costs, and help ensure that the U.S. military is able to maintain its own readiness requirements and we can continue our support for Ukraine, Taiwan, and other allies and partners. Talks are also underway between Poland and the United Kingdom to construct a large arms factory in Poland—an important step to make European defenses more self-sufficient.

When certain countries step up to meet the threat, as Poland has, the United States should take note and reorient its partnerships within the alliance toward those whose behaviors are most aligned with its strategic goals. That’s why I was pleased when it was announced that a permanent headquarters of the U.S. Army V Corps would be established in Poland. This, along with Aegis Ashore missile defense facilities in Poland and Romania, is an example of the United States’ enduring commitment to protecting its Eastern European allies. These moves will make NATO more secure in the short term and keep Russia deterred from further aggression in the long run.

However, more must be done to boost our alliance’s defense posture and deter the shared threats we face. First, the time has come to shift current U.S. forces in Europe to the countries that are investing most heavily in their own security. It is in the east, with the countries that truly understand the Russian threat, where our troops will be the most useful and have the largest impact on deterrence. That is why I included Section 1075 in this fiscal year’s National Defense Authorization Act—to force the Pentagon to examine moving U.S. forces out of “Old Europe” and into “New Europe.”

Next, leaders in Washington must recognize that the NATO-Russia Founding Act has been effectively killed by Russia’s ongoing war. Signed in 1997, this agreement sought to build trust and cooperation between the two parties, but given that Putin has launched the largest land war in Europe since World War II, the political commitment of this agreement should no longer constrain U.S. troop movements and basing in Eastern Europe as it has for the past quarter century. The alliance should act in unison and officially declare the act dead at the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Congress should echo these sentiments in support.

To maintain the solvency of the alliance, leaders must also be forward-looking and prepare to counter not only Russia’s current threat but also that of China, which U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has defined as the pacing challenge for the long term. Given this, the United States should state publicly that the next NATO secretary-general must come from a country meeting its 2 percent obligation and is willing to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party, as Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has. Having the next NATO secretary-general come from Poland, Romania, the U.K., or a Baltic nation would be a wise and well-earned choice.

As we look at other threats facing NATO, French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to China and groveling to Chinese President Xi Jinping—a dictator in the throes of a genocide—should concern the whole alliance. The sins of energy dependence on Russia should serve as a warning for anyone looking to get close to China. Fortunately, Macron’s opinion is a lonely voice in Europe, and there are strong counters to his vision for the continent’s future. One such example again comes from Poland. Following the visit, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki immediately and clearly pushed back on Macron’s comments, saying, “Instead of building strategic autonomy from the United States, I propose a strategic partnership with the United States.”

It’s clear that the center of gravity for the alliance’s resolve has shifted east: Warsaw, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, and Bucharest are the new backbone of NATO, and the United States should adjust its policies and posture accordingly.

[ridenwithbiden]

#NewMoon HELL YES. IT'S ABOUT TIME. THANK YOU #JohnKerry

"ENDINGS AND NEW BEGINNINGS"

UN Climate Change News, 13 December 2023 – The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) closed today with an agreement that signals the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era by laying the ground for a swift, just and equitable transition, underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up finance.

In a demonstration of global solidarity, negotiators from nearly 200 Parties came together in Dubai with a decision on the world’s first ‘global stocktake’ to ratchet up climate action before the end of the decade – with the overarching aim to keep the global temperature limit of 1.5°C within reach.

“Whilst we didn’t turn the page on the fossil fuel era in Dubai, this outcome is the beginning of the end,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell in his closing speech. “Now all governments and businesses need to turn these pledges into real-economy outcomes, without delay.”

The global stocktake is considered the central outcome of COP28 – as it contains every element that was under negotiation and can now be used by countries to develop stronger climate action plans due by 2025.

The stocktake recognizes the science that indicates global greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut 43% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels, to limit global warming to 1.5°C. But it notes Parties are off track when it comes to meeting their Paris Agreement goals.

The stocktake calls on Parties to take actions towards achieving, at a global scale, a tripling of renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The list also includes accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power, phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, and other measures that drive the transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, with developed countries continuing to take the lead.

In the short-term, Parties are encouraged to come forward with ambitious, economy-wide emission reduction targets, covering all greenhouse gases, sectors and categories and aligned with the 1.5°C limit in their next round of climate action plans (known as nationally determined contributions) by 2025.

Helping countries strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change

The two-week-long conference got underway with the World Climate Action Summit, which brought together 154 Heads of States and Government. Parties reached a historic agreement on the operationalization of the loss and damage fund and funding arrangements – the first time a substantive decision was adopted on the first day of the conference. Commitments to the fund started coming in moments after the decision was gaveled, totaling more than USD 700 million to date.

There was more progress on the loss and damage agenda with an agreement also reached that the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN Office for Project Services will host the secretariat of the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage. This platform will catalyze technical assistance to developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

Parties agreed on targets for the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and its framework, which identify where the world needs to get to in order to be resilient to the impacts of a changing climate and to assess countries’ efforts. The GGA framework reflects a global consensus on adaptation targets and the need for finance, technology and capacity-building support to achieve them.

Increasing climate finance

Climate finance took center stage at the conference, with Stiell repeatedly calling it the “great enabler of climate action.”

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) received a boost to its second replenishment with six countries pledging new funding at COP28 with total pledges now standing at a record USD 12.8 billion from 31 countries, with further contributions expected.

Eight donor governments announced new commitments to the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund totaling more than USD 174 million to date, while new pledges, totaling nearly USD 188 million so far, were made to the Adaptation Fund at COP28.

However as highlighted in the global stocktake, these financial pledges are far short of the trillions eventually needed to support developing countries with clean energy transitions, implementing their national climate plans and adaptation efforts.

In order to deliver such funding, the global stocktake underscores the importance of reforming the multilateral financial architecture, and accelerating the ongoing establishment of new and innovative sources of finance.

At COP28, discussions continued on setting a ‘new collective quantified goal on climate finance’ in 2024, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries. The new goal, which will start from a baseline of USD 100 billion per year, will be a building block for the design and subsequent implementation of national climate plans that need to be delivered by 2025.

Looking ahead to the transitions to decarbonized economies and societies that lie ahead, there was agreement that the mitigation work programme, which was launched at COP27 last year, will continue until 2030, with at least two global dialogues held each year.

Event participation and inclusivity

World leaders at COP28 were joined by civil society, business, Indigenous Peoples, youth, philanthropy, and international organizations in a spirit of shared determination to close the gaps to 2030. Some 85,000 participants attended COP28 to share ideas, solutions, and build partnerships and coalitions.

The decisions taken here today also reemphasize the critical importance of empowering all stakeholders to engage in climate action; in particular through the action plan on Action for Climate Empowerment and the Gender Action Plan.

Strengthening collaboration between governments and key stakeholders

In parallel with the formal negotiations, the Global Climate Action space at COP28 provided a platform for governments, businesses and civil society to collaborate and showcase their real-world climate solutions.

The High-Level Champions, under the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, launched their implementation roadmap of 2030 Climate Solutions. These are a set of solutions, with insights from a wide range of non-Party stakeholders on effective measures that need to be scaled up and replicated to halve global emissions, address adaptation gaps and increase resilience by 2030.

The conference also saw several announcements to boost the resilience of food and public health systems, and to reduce emissions related to agriculture and methane.

Looking ahead

The negotiations on the ‘enhanced transparency framework’ at COP28 laid the ground for a new era of implementing the Paris Agreement. UN Climate Change is developing the transparency reporting and review tools for use by Parties, which were showcased and tested at COP28. The final versions of the reporting tools should be made available to Parties by June 2024.

COP28 also saw Parties agree to Azerbaijan as host of COP29 from 11-22 November 2024, and Brazil as COP30 host from 10-21 November 2025.

The next two years will be critical. At COP29, governments must establish a new climate finance goal, reflecting the scale and urgency of the climate challenge. And at COP30, they must come prepared with new nationally determined contributions that are economy-wide, cover all greenhouse gases and are fully aligned with the 1.5°C temperature limit.

“We must get on with the job of putting the Paris Agreement fully to work,” said Stiell. “In early 2025, countries must deliver new nationally determined contributions. Every single commitment – on finance, adaptation, and mitigation – must bring us in line with a 1.5-degree world.”

“My final message is to ordinary people everywhere raising their voices for change,” Stiell added. “Every one of you is making a real difference. In the crucial coming years your voices and determination will be more important than ever. I urge you never to relent. We are still in this race. We will be with you every single step of the way.”

“The world needed to find a new way. By following our North Star, we have found that path,” said COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber during his closing speech. “We have worked very hard to secure a better future for our people and our planet. We should be proud of our historic achievement.”

[juno73]

High speed low drag. Launching & recovering at the same time. I have been on the bridge of a carrier as the Conning Officer (he who drives the ship) while flight ops are occurring while engaged in "unrep" underway replenishment. Resupply while carrying the fight to the enemy. This is why we're the preeminent Navy in the world: 2nd to none.

#3wire #superhornet #navalaviation