Caption: “28th Regiment”
Bullet Points:
** As I’ve flown, I’ve noticed (and mentioned it here on VM before) that on par, the Russian and former Soviet Republic flight service crews (stewardesses) were the prettiest in the air. I stand by that. A friend once pointed out that they’re likely all spies. I sighed. Life can be so unfair. I’ve flown on Qatar Airlines a lot recently. (I missed the Israeli air strike in Doha) They have Russian ladies working in First Class, but they’re second-stringers when compared to those who work the First Class Cabin in the former Soviet Republic airlines.
** I happened to be in Phoenix at Sky Harbor Airport when Air Force Two arrived with Charlie Kirk’s remains the other day. The democrats may have silenced his voice in the same way that they tried to silence President Trump’s. Political assassinations are acts of desperation. We must take greater efforts to protect those among us who are working for positive change, and we need to keep in mind that our enemies will stoop to any low to stop us.
** Barack Hussein Obama’s presidential library is approaching $850 million in construction costs, and has been chastised by Chicago residents as an “eyesore.” Fundraising for the Pedo Joe presidential library remains stagnant. Some cynics have suggested a naked cage match between Barack’s husband, Big Mike, and some other gay gladiator to raise money to complete the place. Could homo pay-per-view save the project?
** Why don’t the Russian guards ask for Vlad’s identification? How do they know that the short, old dictator is really Vlad?
** Democrats warn that surveillance videos reinforce racial stereotypes by accurately recording events as they happen.
** After Constantine the Great’s death in 337, his three sons—Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans—divided the Roman Empire amongst themselves, with Constantius II initiating a purge of other family members. The brothers soon fell into conflict, beginning with Constantine II’s attempt to take territory from Constans, which resulted in Constantine II’s death in 340. Constans ruled the West until 350, when he was overthrown and assassinated by a usurper, Magnentius, leaving Constantius II as the sole emperor after a costly war against the usurper. Nothing changes in human politics.
** If bartenders are charged with crimes for overserving, judges should be charged when they release murderers back onto the street.
** Paris is weighing retaliation if Israel closes its Jerusalem consulate, including expelling diplomats and curbing Mossad activity, Le Figaro reports; the move could backfire, as Mossad has long aided French intelligence in foiling terror plots on French soil.
** Japan – going kinetic (h/t) Claudio – According to ATLA, the railgun, mounted on the JMSDF’s test ship Asuka, successfully carried out long-range firings and the shooting at a target ship during the trials. The tests of the gun were conducted with the cooperation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
** I overnighted in Doha a couple of days before the Israelis struck Qatar in an attempt to decapitate leaders of Hamas on September 9th. The US set a bad example during the Obama regime – drone attacking whoever we wanted to, wherever they were. Sometimes that’s necessary for the sake of national security. I do understand it, but I think that the attack carried out in Doha, against a country with whom they are not at war, is a significant step too far. I doubt that the US would do much, if anything, to curb Israel. At the same time, I think that after the attack, it’s time to pull back our unqualified support. Israel has used planned political kidnapping and assassination as tools of statecraft, as do we all. Still, an AIR STRIKE against a neutral capital with whom they are at peace, has upset the entire Middle East and has seriously damaged US foreign policy because we support Israel. It’s damaged my business and I don’t know by how much as I type this.
** Bahrain has backed a US company’s bid to mine in international waters in the Pacific for metals used in electric vehicles and electronics. It is the first country in the region to sponsor such a permit, as Manama looks for new revenue sources while managing one of the Gulf’s heaviest debt loads — 141% of GDP, according to the IMF. Bahrain hasn’t invested in Impossible Metals but may fund a refinery in the future, Reuters reported. For now, its role is limited to state sponsorship to give Impossible Metals Bahrain the right to canvas the area and deploy robots that collect manganese, copper, and nickel nodules. Environmental groups warn of ecosystem damage, but the company says it uses artificial intelligence to reduce impact.
Buffet (Don’t tell The Donald)
McDonald’s Debuts First-Ever Buffet in Branson, Missouri!
Branson has become the test site for one of McDonald’s most unusual new experiments: an all-you-can-eat buffet.
For just $12.99, diners can now help themselves to unlimited Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, Chicken McNuggets, fries, and hot apple pies. Lines stretched out the door as customers piled plates high with fast-food classics, some balancing three or four red fry cartons at once.
The move has already stirred controversy. Supporters are calling it the “best deal in Branson,” while critics blasted it as “a health disaster waiting to happen.” One local parent told reporters, “I don’t want my kids thinking 50 nuggets in one sitting is normal.” Others defended the concept, noting that buffets are not a new concept in Branson and that McDonald’s is simply catering to customer demand.
Corporate representatives declined to say if the buffet will expand nationwide, but Branson residents are already bragging that their city may have just changed the future of fast food.
Floating Prison
Singapore has just launched the world’s first floating prison, a futuristic high-security correctional facility designed to tackle land scarcity with innovation. Anchored roughly 500 meters offshore, the prison can house more than 2,000 inmates, while using AI surveillance, biometric security, and robotic patrols to ensure order—without traditional bars or fences.
But this isn’t just a prison at sea. It’s a floating rehabilitation center with in-cell learning modules, remote counseling, and vocational training programs to reduce recidivism. In a country with limited land, Singapore is once again turning to tech-driven solutions—and redefining what prisons can look like in the 21st century.
Maritime Engineering
Cryogenic tanks on LNG carriers are built like layered fortresses to keep natural gas stable at –162 °C. In membrane designs, the liquid sits against a thin corrugated stainless or Invar steel primary barrier, supported by thick insulation blocks that absorb thermal contraction. Behind that, a secondary barrier and another insulation layer provide backup protection before the ship’s hull. Inside each tank, tall pump towers hold submerged electric cargo pumps, spray pumps for cooling, and gauging devices to track liquid levels and temperature. Every element—from equatorial support rings to flexible skirts—allows the tanks to expand and contract as they chill and warm, preventing cracks or stress failures during voyages.
Because LNG slowly evaporates into boil-off gas, the tanks are tied into sophisticated pressure control systems. Modern carriers recycle this vapor through reliquefaction units or burn it in dual-fuel engines, turning waste into propulsion power while preventing dangerous overpressure. The latest projects, like GTT’s 2025 high-capacity tank designs, show how insulation, monitoring, and containment continue to evolve, allowing larger cargo volumes without sacrificing safety. Together, the engineering details of barriers, pumps, and boil-off handling make these cryogenic tanks the most complex cargo spaces at sea, ensuring LNG can move safely across oceans to power homes and industries worldwide.
Loitering Munitions
ARQUIMEA, a Spanish technology company active for more than two decades in defence and security, is present at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London this weekend. It has a broad portfolio of innovative loitering munition systems.
Among their more interesting announcements is the unveiling of S-WISE, an underwater naval loitering munition system intended for detecting, locating, and neutralising maritime targets, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. Unlike conventional unmanned underwater vehicles, S-WISE incorporates expanded autonomy, increased speed, and the capacity to integrate both internal and external payloads. It operates with onboard edge computing, remains autonomous for up to 24 hours, reaches more than 9 knots, and covers up to 85 nautical miles. Its design enables the conduct of autonomous missions with integrated automatic target recognition. To what extent is it vaporware, and to what extent does it deliver as promised? I can’t say, but these sorts of loitering munitions present a force multiplier in naval warfare and represent the future, in my opinion.
Identify the Aircraft
1
2
3
Not a Betty. 819 built
Parting Shot
End
Identify the Aircraft:
1. Nakajima Ki-87
2. Aichi D3A Val
3. Nakajima Ki-49 Helen
SLAP! That was quick.
Mentioned in Dispatches – took a lot for it to happen.
One of my uncles was mentioned in dispatches. Lied about his age and joined Australian Army at 16. At 18 (officially 21) bayonetted 29 Japanese when he and one other took out a bunker complex. Died at 55. His wife is my one remaining aunt. Has four sons, the youngest very similar temper.
Uncommon valor in situations where valor was in abundance.
Uncommon Valor Was A Common Virtue was painted on the bulkhead at the entrance to MARDET on the Iowa.
Why the potrait of Confederate General aka “Wizard of the Saddle” (Nathan Bedford Forrest) and yet no wordage? Inquiring minds are standing by.
Reference General Forrest…. Larry is writing a Civil War book series, and September is the anniversary of General Forest activities during the Chickamauga campaign.
*
The top picture is of course the 28th Massachusetts Irish Brigade who fought at the wheat field at Gettysburg. The unit took horrific casualties during the war.
Al, thanks. Got it.
Courses taken in college regarding Texas and the War of Northern Aggression was taught by an author (Wooster). One of the more enjoyable elective subjects taken.
Once they work all of the kinks out of a railgun it will change warfare. A gun on a tracked platform pulling a trailer with a generator and projectiles with multi-fire Ai targeting would be formidable.
Isn’t a railgun (like a laser) line of sight?
Everything’s ballistic, even a laser. The arc is just very flat because of speed and mass.
… but yes, a railgun would be a pretty flat shooter, as currently envisioned.
OTOH, you could plausibly build an electromagnetic launcher with “dial a launch velocity”
so you could have whatever trajectory you liked.
– Kle.
Unless the USN railgun program went “black”, as I understand, it was terminated due to the amount of barrel erosion/wear at each firing. Range and velocity were significant, but not a large projectile. Compare a 9mm to a .45.
If someone else can make the concept viable, more power to them.
At this point it looks like the barrel would have to be treated as an expendable munition. Something to be replaced after every few shots. That would make the logistics a little bit interesting.
Line of sight for direct fire. Rather high arc for indirect fire, but that’s all doable.
–
And that is if the gun is ‘one power level only.’ If it’s variable power, then, like big guns or mortars, you tailor the charge to the trajectory. Mortars use ring charges, big guns use variable numbers of bag charges, railguns use a rheostat…
the Israelis struck Qatar
Give sanctuary to terrorists and allow them to plan and coordinate attacks on Israel, then be outraged when Israel takes them out! To be clear I’m no Israel fanboy. In their shoes, I wouldn’t give a flying f**k about the fallout from taking out your enemies. Will there be consequences, intended or unintended? Certainly.
Now WSF goes down a dim path to make a point. Early Colorado, the Black Kettle Arapaho band gave shelter to young “warriors” who would attack settlers and freighters, then slink back to Black Kettle’s “peaceful” camp for sanctuary. Chivington and the Colorado Militia put an end to that at Sand Creek. Among other consequences was several more years of Indian wars.
What writers like to gloss over was white scalps and horses and mules with shod hoofs found in the camp.
Now to a point. Playing nice only works when all parties play nice.
I’m neutral on the Qatar strike. Like you say, “do what you have to” is the sensible
rule for nations. I don’t know if the gain was worth the cost on this one, though.
The public payoff seems to be low.
– Kle.
I’ve heard it said the Qatr gave permission with a wink and a nod because they wanted I Hamas taken out also.
And that the outrage is feigned. Tricky game is true.
+1
The Israelis did what they thought they needed to do. Not our place to judge, IMHO. Re judges being charged when they release murderers back onto the streets, I think this should also include the lawyers that play the ‘delay’ game until they can get their client out on bond or whatever…
+1
+2…when a tiny country is constantly being attacked, who are we, or anyone, to say they can’t defend themselves.
Simple answer to the ‘Lawyer’ question is if the lawyer knows his/her/its client is guilty and hides that from the court, the lawyer should get the same penalty as the client.
(Header)That guy was ahead of his time having his blood type on his hat…B+. Had to do a double take.
The floating prison is an interesting concept, leave it to Singapore to get it sorted. It reminds me of The Kyln prison in Guardians of the Galaxy. Maybe they have Drax in there. There are political and legal benefits to having the prison located not on Singapore soil.
Stallone’s Escape Plan, art imitates life, and sometimes the other way around.
Easy answer to ‘Prison Riot’ exists. Evacuate the staff, sink the bitch. Raise it one month later, clean it up, fill with new prisoners. Or use it as life fire target. Yawn, so over prisoners…
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Seriously, how many here were/are thinking the same thing? Or have I got too bloody minded lately? Or both?
Prettiest to my eye: Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.