Big League National Security
New attack helicopter: Marines meet the ‘Viper’
[MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Dec. 21, 2017] Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 received three upgraded AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters here, Dec. 19.
The AH-1Z aircraft is an updated version of the AH-1W, bringing new capabilities and features into the squadron’s arsenal.
“The AH-1Z’s are replacing the AH-1W’s, which are essentially from the 1980’s,” said Marine Corps Capt. Julian Tucker, the squadron’s ground training officer. “Some big takeaways on the new aircraft can be summarized into greater fuel capacity, ordnance capabilities, and situational awareness.”
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More firepower
The AH-1Z can carry and deploy 16 Hellfire missiles, effectively doubling the capacity of its predecessor, the AH-1W. Updated avionics systems and sensors are another important aspects of the upgrade. The upgraded capabilities allow the squadron and Marine Corps Base Hawaii to further project power and reach in the Asia-Pacific region.
“With the new turret sight system sensor, we can see threats from much further out than before,” Tucker said. “Obviously, that’s a huge advance for our situational awareness.”
Marine Corps Maj. Christopher Myette, the assistant operations officer for the squadron, piloted one of the new Vipers back from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
“Having the displays under glass is a big change from the old steam gauges,” Myette noted on the new digital display systems. “Another thing you notice is that in the electrical optical sensor, there’s a night and day difference.”
The updated electrical systems create a new situation for Marines like Sgt. Jeremy Ortega, an avionics technician with the squadron.
Marines like Ortega are essential to keep the squadron at the peak of readiness during the transition, Myette said.
“Maintenance Marines have done an outstanding job of accepting the new aircraft,” Myette said. “They have really done the majority of the heavy lifting on this project, and we definitely appreciate them.”
Although there will be a learning curve working with the new system due to its modernity, Ortega said he is excited to work with the upgraded helicopters.
“Times are changing and things are evolving,” Ortega said. “It’s time for the AH-1W’s to go to bed. And, the AH-1Z’s are the perfect candidate to replace them.”
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Big League National Security
INSANE: Engineer Ran Train Off Tracks to Damage Coronavirus HOSPITAL SHIP
An unthinkable act of possible terrorism.
A Los Angeles engineer reportedly derailed a train, sending it in the direction of the hospital ship USNS Mercy with the hopes of damaging the vessel Tuesday.
Eduardo Moreno of San Pedo is being charged with one count of train wrecking.
Prosecutors are claiming that Moreno was intentionally trying to damage the hospital ship. They allude to the possibility of Moreno being a conspiracy theorist of some sort, evidently believing that the hospital ship was going to be used for nefarious purposes.
Moreno is said to have crashed a Pacific Harbor Line train, running it off the rails and sending it careening through a barricade to the Port of Los Angeles’ docks. The train crashed through several barriers and fences, crossing over two gravel parking lots. It ceased moving before reaching the Mercy, coming to rest just before the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
No one was injured from the derailing of the train, but a leakage of fuel from the machine required a hazmat team to respond to the incident.
Moreno allegedly told investigators that he was “suspicious” of the ship, not believing that “the ship is what they say it’s for.” The locomotive engineer reportedly went on to say that “you only get this chance once. The whole world is watching. I had to. People don’t know what’s going on here. Now they will.”
A Department of Justice press release on Moreno’s arrest and criminal charge describes the man as admitting to derailing the train with the intention of damaging the ship.
The Mercy docked at the Port of Los Angeles over the weekend. The vessel in present in the area to assist in containment measures for the Chinese coronavirus epidemic, in a similar fashion to the hospital ship USNS Comfort’s presence in New York City.
Derailing a train with the intention of damaging a hospital ship is an extreme criminal act, to put it lightly. The incident may have possible terrorist ramifications if it’s made clear that Moreno wanted to damage the ship for overt political purposes.
Big League Politics will continue to monitor this situation.
UPDATE:
Video surfaced of the halted train and the damage it inflicted on the municipal docks on Tuesday.
Wow 😯 Harbor area San Pedro waterfront someone stole a train 🚂 today pic.twitter.com/ZoezxJED6V
— 🇲🇽COME SEE US 🇺🇸 (@SeahawkValdez) March 31, 2020
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