The Dragon Fire 120 mm heavy mortar

02/10/09 1819 hours

The Dragon Fire 120 mm heavy mortar is a program under development (as of 2006) for the US Marine Corps. It is a fully automated mortar capable of using rifled or smoothbore 120 mm ammunition. Like all mortars it is a high-angle-of-fire weapon used for indirect fire support. Dragon Fire is also expected to be effective in a counter-battery role.

History

The Dragon Fire program began in 1997 as a concept demonstrator, intended to experiment with automating medium-caliber, medium range artillery. The Dragon Fire combines digital fire control, power-operated traverse, elevation, and loading, and an advanced aiming system with a 120mm rifled mortar system to give much faster and more precise direct support. Program lead is the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory with design by Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Command (ARDEC), and fabrication by Rock Island Arsenal IL, and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS).

The first prototype was constructed partly from components of a French 120 mm rifled mortar and was completed in 1998. The system was successfully tested and then used in operational experiments from 1998 to 2002, including firings from a modified Light Armored Vehicle.

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The AGM-124 Wasp

02/09/09 1205 hours

The AGM-124 Wasp is a missile developed by the United States of America. The Wasp grew out of the 1975 WAAM (Wide-Area Anti-Armour Munitions) program initiated by the US Air Force in order to develop a series of new air-to-ground anti-armour weapons for close-support aircraft. The three-pronged program led to the CBU-92/B ERAM (Extended Range Anti-Armour Munition), the CBU-90/B ACM (Anti-Armour Cluster Munition), and the Wasp anti-armour missile. The Wasp is regarded as the most advanced of these weapons.

Development began in 1979, with Boeing and Hughes Aircraft as the primary contractors. The specification called for a small missile which could be carried in large numbers by attack aircraft in multiple dispensers - the A-10 was able to carry several 12 round launcher pods. The Boeing design was unsuccessful, and the USAF selected the Hughes Wasp missile.

The AGM-124A was a small weapon with folding wings and fins to reduce storage space within the launcher. It was intended to be launched in large numbers - 10 or more missiles launched nearly simultaneously was envisaged for a typical attack; indeed the name Wasp derived from this “swarm” tactic. The missiles would follow a pre-programmed path to the target area before activating a millimetric-wave radar to identify and home on a specific target. This high resolution radar was able to distinguish targets even against enemy jamming and high background clutter from the ground.

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Korean War Veterans - Texas Lone Star Chapter

02/08/09 1255 hours

The Beginning - The Texas Lone Star Chapter was started by two men who wanted to find other Korean Veterans, and bring them together.  These two men, Nat Young and Joe Coyle, worked hard, and succeeded.  The membership has grown month by month, year by year, to over 650 members in 1998.

The Petition for a Chapter Charter was filed January 31, 1991 and approved February 13, 1991.  There were 15 members listed on the petition.  The Lone Star Chapter is a Non-Profit, Texas Corporation, incorporated in the State of Texas on February 11, 1951.  The chapter is exempt from federal taxes by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(19) organization, August 17, 1992.  The Texas Lone Star Chapter, qualifying as an Exempt Organization, is further exempt from State of Texas Franchise taxes and state and local Sales Taxes.

The Purpose of the Texas Lone Star Chapter is to remind the people of the sacrifices made by men and women who served in the armed services during the Korean War.  To find the truth about the MIA’s and POW’s, still listed as not returned, or missing in action.  To help and support the wounded and disabled American Veterans of the Korean War.  To motivate partriotism amongst the American People and to raise their awareness of the Korean War and those who served in it.

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Catholic War Veterans

02/07/09 1045 hours

The primary objective of the Catholic War Veterans (CWV) is to make the entire nation acutely aware of the struggle and needs of many veterans, their widows and children. We, as survivors, have an obligation to our fallen brothers and sisters to inform the people of our country that many veterans and their families need assistance; that these veterans have made sacrifices for their country and deserve to be treated accordingly, with proper respect and support. It is also the responsibility of the Catholic War Veterans to help protect, preserve and defend the Constitution of the United States and the laws of our government.

PURPOSE OF THE CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS

1. To build a strong organization of Catholic Veterans pledged to the protection of our constitutional form of government and our Church.
2. To conduct an extensive campaign against all dangers to our established government.
3. To assist widows, orphans and dependent parents of veterans.
4. To maintain a legislative lobby in the nation’s capital.
5. To introduce and sponsor veteran’s legislation.
6. To maintain service offices in the Veteran’s Administration and advise and assist veterans and their families.
7. To conduct a National Youth Program.
8. To encourage social and athletic activities within the community.

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Iraq Veterans Against the War

02/06/09 1738 hours

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) was founded by Iraq war veterans in July 2004 at the annual convention of Veterans for Peace (VFP) in Boston to give a voice to the large number of active duty service people and veterans who are against this war, but are under various pressures to remain silent.

From its inception, IVAW has called for:

  • Immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces in Iraq;
  • Reparations for the human and structural damages Iraq has suffered, and stopping the corporate pillaging of Iraq so that their people can control their own lives and future; and
  • Full benefits, adequate healthcare (including mental health), and other supports for returning servicemen and women.

Our membership includes recent veterans and active duty servicemen and women from all branches of military service, National Guard members, and reservists who have served in the United States military since September 11, 2001.

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Assault Weapons List

02/05/09 1317 hours

AK Series Weapons

American Arms

AK-Y 39

AK-F 39

AK-C 47

AK-F 47

Arsenal

SLR (all)

SLG (all)

B-West

AK-47 (all)

Hesse Arms

Model 47 (all)

Wieger STG 940 Rifle

Inter Ordnance - Monroe, NC

RPK

M-97

AK-47 (all)

Kalashnikov USA

Hunter Rifle / Saiga

MAADI CO

* AK 47

* ARM

MISR (all)

MISTR (all)

Made in China

* 84S

* AKM

* 86S

* AKS

* 56

* AK

* 56S

* AK47

MARS

Pistol

Mitchell Arms, Inc.

M-90

AK-47 (all)

AK-47 Cal .308 (all)

M-76

RPK

Monday, October 02, 2000

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* Specifically named in the Robert-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989

and required to be registered by March 31, 1992

Norinco

* 86 S

86 (all)

* 84 S

81 S (all)

* 56

RPK Rifle

NHM 90, 90-2, 91 Sport

AK-47 (all)

MAK 90

* 56 S

Hunter Rifle

Ohio Ordnance Works (o.o.w.)

ROMAK 991

AK-74

Poly technologies

* AKS

* AK47

Valmet

Hunter Rifle

76 S

WUM

WUM (all)

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The Korea Veterans Association of Canada

02/04/09 1108 hours

The Korea Veterans Association of Canada (KVA) embodies the spirit of comradeship that was developed during the Korean War and the years that followed.

KVA is comprised primarily of members who served in the Canadian Armed Forces (Navy, Army, Air Force) in Korea during the 1950-1953 war and on peacekeeping duties in Korea from 1953 to 1955. Korea veterans who served with United Nations Forces from other countries as well as certain ancillary units are also eligible for membership (see Membership page).

At present there are 53 branches (units) across Canada. Each unit elects its own executive and most meet on a monthly basis except during the summer. KVA is divided geographically into five regions – Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Pacific. Each region elects its own executive. At the national level the organization is governed by the National Council.  National Council is comprised of the National President, National Vice-President, National Immediate Past President,  five Regional Presidents,  and appointed National committee chairmen.

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The National Gulf War Resource Center

02/03/09 1147 hours

The National Gulf War Resource Center (NGWRC) is here to help veterans of recent and current wars and operations. We are an international coalition of advocates and organizations providing information, support and referrals for all those affected by the complexities of current and recent combat operations (1990 to current). We are focused on providing information about the following:

• Gulf War Illness

• Other toxin-induced illnesses

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

If we may assist you or your organization, please browse our resources here or contact us.

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Status of Canadian Gulf War Veterans

02/02/09 1645 hours

During the 1991 Gulf War, Canada deployed sea, land, and air forces to the Persian-Gulf region as part of the Coalition forces against Saddam Hussein. About 4,500 Canadians served in the theatre, and no one reported any serious casualties at the time.

However, since then, there has been a series of complaints by some Gulf-War veterans about their overall health. Gulf-War veterans from several other Coalition nations (most notably the United States and the United Kingdom) have also reported that they were experiencing symptoms and illnesses that they believed were caused by, or aggravated by, their service in the war.

In 1992, the medical services in the various countries began to realize that the Gulf-War veterans seemed to be displaying some common symptoms, and the issue gained a higher profile. The first studies of the alleged Gulf-War Syndrome began at about that time.

In September 1992, the Canadian Forces Medical Service (CFMS) advised Canadian Forces medical personnel to exercise vigilance and to notify Headquarters if any Canadian cases appeared. Specialists at the National Defence Medical Centre (NDMC) in Ottawa soon began treating a small number of symptomatic Gulf-War veterans. Centre staff readily diagnosed some specific problems, but some individuals complained of a variety of ailments which, although easily identified as illnesses, were not clearly connected with the Gulf War. In fact, they occur among other Canadian Forces members who did not serve in the Persian Gulf, and also among members of the general Canadian population.

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