by Heath HansenIt’s a gray, cold, and windy autumn day as I arrive and step out of my vehicle. The snow is beginning to stick to the North Brabant earth under my feet as I approach the house. A man opens the door, shakes my hand, and welcomes me into …
Read More »The Flying Legend, ‘Black Sheep’ Col. Pappy Boyington
by Katie Lange Editor’s note: SOF publisher Susan Katz Keating knew Col. Pappy Boyington in the 1980’s when he frequented the Nut Tree airport in Vacaville, California. Here is a story of his life in uniform. Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington was one of the service’s greatest and most legendary pilots. …
Read More »Fighting Mai Mai Militias in the Congo: Meet Badass Conservationist Tina Lain
by Heath Hansen Christine (Tina) Lain works at the Upemba National Park located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These are some of the most dangerous places on earth for conservation; in one area alone, more than 200 Rangers have been killed in attacks going back more than a …
Read More »Chesty Puller: A Legend Among Marines
Editor’s note: As the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday, what better way to say cheers than to tell the story of one of their favorite heroes, the legendary Chesty Puller. Lieutenant General Lewis “Chesty” Burwell Puller, colorful veteran of four World War II campaigns, Korea, and expeditionary service in China, …
Read More »Marine Corps Birthday Video: ‘If I Was Gonna Die, I Would Die With My Boots On’
“Si vis pacem, para bellum.” Thus begins a video marking the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. In Latin, the phrase means, “If you desire peace, prepare for war.” The video proceeds with shots of Marines in action, and goes to a black screen. A voice speaks from the darkness: …
Read More »Legendary Air Force Pilot Bob Pardo Pushed His Buddy’s Jet to Safety in Wartime – While in Flight
The story is legend among fighter pilots. During the Vietnam War, Major John “Bob” Pardo was flying lead on the way back from a 1,000 mile mission over enemy territory, when they ran into serious trouble. The two F-4C Phantom jets took heavy flak, and considerable damage. Pardo saw that …
Read More »Wounded and Outgunned, ‘Misfit’ B-17 Crew Flew Disabled Aircraft to Accomplish Vital Mission
History-making missions are often best told in photos, so it’s pretty cool to know that photos were the mission of one of the most highly decorated aircrews in U.S. military history. During World War II, there was a crew with the U.S. Army Air Forces 43rd Bomb Group of the …
Read More »Stay Alert, Marines! Badass Recruiting Vid Pulls in the Views
“The future is threatened…” This is one of the most badass recruiting ads the Marines have produced. Created in 2022, it still pulls in the views. Watch as the future unfolds before your eyes.
Read More »WATCH: Night Stalkers in Action
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is known as the Night Stalkers. They move at a moment’s notice, arriving time on target, plus or minus 30 seconds. Check out the team in action.
Read More »Against Enemy Fire: Inside Israel’s Daring Mission to Rescue Hostages in Gaza
A riveting story of the bold and secret operation, told by a former IDF commando. by Elon Perry On 12 May, Israel received intelligence about the location of four hostages in the Nuseirat refugee camp area in the Gaza Strip. From that day on, every branch of Israeli intelligence was …
Read More »