Spitfire for sale

The Times has a short article about an air worthy Spitfire that comes up for auction soon. It is expected to sell for GBP 1.5 million.

US shipping pirates to Kenya

The Hampton Roads Pilot has an article about US Navy anti-piracy operations off Somalia. the interesting thing is this paragraph:

Under a new agreement with the U.S. military, the suspects will be turned over to the Ken­yan government for prosecution, Murdoch said.

New US Navy Uniforms

The Hampton-Roads Pilot has an interactive feature on the new US Navy uniforms. The new working uniforms are a sort of blue camouflage which seems a bit strange on a ship but they explain that the camouflage pattern is to hide stains and dirt on the uniform rather than the wearer.

USAF UAVs

NetworkWorld reports that the US Air Force will be acquiring more unmanned aircraft than manned aircraft in 2009.

via slashdot

Blackwater renames itself

The New York Times reports that security contractor Blackwater has renamed itself Xe. I always find corporate rebranding a bit amusing but in this case maybe they have a point.

Pentagon PR

Danger Room reports that the US Military has 27,000 people working in recruiting and PR. The entire Canadian Forces comprise 62,000 members (plus 25,000 reservists).

SEAL extraction video

This Youtube video shows some US Navy SEALS being extracted by helicopter. The amazing thing is that the helicopter basically lands in the water and the SEALS drive their small boat right up into the back.

CF considering laser eye surgery

The National Post reports that the Canadian Forces is considering offering laser eye surgery for members. I believe that this is already the case in the US and other countries.

Austalia awards first Victoria Cross

The Herald Sun reports that Australian SAS trooper Mark Donaldson has been awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia for actions in Afghanistan. He is the first person to receive the award since it was split off from the British Victoria Cross in 1975.