veterans

30th Anniversary of Operation Just Cause – December 20, 2019

Carl Buhler, Brig Gen (ret), US Air Force

Picture for Carl Buhler 20 Dec 19 article

Today, December 20, 2019, is the 30th anniversary of Operation Just Cause. On this day in 1989, President George Bush launched Operation Just Cause by sending US forces into Panama to oust dictator Manuel Noriega.

According to History.com, the United States invaded Panama “in an attempt to overthrow military dictator Manuel Noriega, who had been indicted in the United States on drug trafficking charges and was accused of suppressing democracy in Panama and endangering U.S. nationals.”

History.com added “U.S. troops joined the 12,000 U.S. military personnel already in Panama and were met with scattered resistance from the PDF. By December 24, the PDF was crushed, and the United States held most of the country. Endara was made president by U.S. forces, and he ordered the PDF dissolved. On January 3, Noriega was arrested by U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agents. The U.S. invasion of Panama cost the lives of only 23 U.S. soldiers and three U.S. civilians. Some 150 PDF soldiers were killed along with an estimated 500 Panamanian civilians. The Organization of American States and the European Parliament both formally protested the invasion, which they condemned as a flagrant violation of international law.”

Per Signalsaz, the “Armed Forces of the Unites States began operations to topple Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega and safeguard American lives.”  They added Operation Just Cause “lasted little more than a month, but succeeded in restoring order in Panama, the arrest of Manuel Noriega, and bringing a sense of accomplishment to the American military which had been in the process of rebuilding after many years of neglect.”

Today’s anniversary serves as a reminder of the dedication and sacrifices made by the men and women serving in the US Armed Forces.

The author, US Air Force retired Brigadier General Carl Buhler is the CEO of Buhler Consulting, LLC which provides consulting services for a variety of companies across the logistics, technology, aircraft maintenance, munitions, small business (SBIR), production, and supply areas.  Carl is a career aircraft maintenance, munitions, and logistics officer.  He is a member of the Air Force Association, American Legion, MOAA, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

 

16th Anniversary of Saddam Hussein Capture – December 13, 2019

Carl Buhler, Brig Gen (ret), US Air Force

Saddam picture for Carl Buhler article

December 13, 2019 is the 16th anniversary of Saddam Hussein’s capture by U.S. forces at a farmhouse in Adwar. Operating under Operation Red Dawn, US forces discovered Saddam Hussein in a spider hole.  The capture occurred after Saddam Hussein spent nine months “on the run.”

According to History.com, “Saddam’s downfall began on March 20, 2003, when the United States led an invasion force into Iraq to topple his government, which had controlled the country for more than 20 years.”  History.com adds “[O]n December 13, 2003, U.S. soldiers found Saddam Hussein hiding in a six-to-eight-foot deep hole, nine miles outside his hometown of Tikrit. The man once obsessed with hygiene was found to be unkempt, with a bushy beard and matted hair. He did not resist and was uninjured during the arrest. A soldier at the scene described him as “a man resigned to his fate.”

Business Insider added “US forces captured and arrested the disheveled former dictator on the outskirts of his hometown in Tikrit, Iraq — without firing a single shot.”

Today’s anniversary reminds us all of the dedication and hard work by the men and women serving in the US Armed Forces.

The author, US Air Force retired Brigadier General Carl Buhler is the CEO of Buhler Consulting, LLC which provides consulting services for a variety of companies across the logistics, technology, aircraft maintenance, munitions, small business (SBIR), production, and supply areas.  Carl is a career aircraft maintenance, munitions, and logistics officer.  Additionally, he is a member of the Air Force Association, American Legion, MOAA, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

 

 

Veterans Day – November 11, 2019

Carl Buhler, Brig Gen (ret), US Air Force

Veterans Day picture for Carl Buhler article

November 11, 2019 is Veterans Day, a day we honor military veterans.  According to Pew Research, there “were around 20.4 million U.S. veterans in 2016 … representing less than 10% of the total U.S. adult population.”

Additionally, according to the US Dept of Defense (DoD), Veterans Day “was originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I.  World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, the fighting ended about seven months before that when the Allies and Germany put into effect an armistice on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”

The DoD added, “[i]n 1926, Congress officially recognized it as the end of the war, and in 1938, it became an official holiday, primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I.  But then World War II and the Korean War happened, so on June 1, 1954, at the urging of veterans service organizations, Congress amended the commemoration yet again by changing the word “armistice” to “veterans” so the day would honor American veterans of all wars.“

For some interesting facts on Veterans Day, please visit History.com here.   Some of the more interesting facts are “[i]n Europe, Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11” and “[e]very Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day, Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual memorial service. The cemetery is home to the graves of over 400,000 people, most of whom served in the military.

Lastly, for a Veterans Day infographic of facts, please visit here.

The author, US Air Force retired Brigadier General Carl Buhler, is the CEO and Lead Consultant of Buhler Consulting, LLC which provides consulting services across the logistics, technology, aircraft maintenance, munitions, SBIR, production, and supply chain areas.  Carl is a career aircraft maintenance, munitions, and logistics officer.  He is a member of the American Legion, Air Force Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

#VeteransDay

Aviation Maintenance Technician Day – May 24, 2019

Carl Buhler, Brig Gen (ret), US Air Force

aviation maintenance picture for Carl Buhler article

Today, May 24, 2019, is Aviation Maintenance Technician Day.  According to National Day Calendar, “[t]hrough the efforts of Richard Dilbeck, in 2001, the FAA created the prestigious Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award to honor AMTs, who had served at least 50 years in aircraft maintenance.  The following year, California Senator Knight introduced a resolution honoring Aviation Maintenance Technicians annually in honor of Charles Taylor’s birthday.”

Then, on May 24, 2007, “a United States House of Representatives resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day was introduced. Congressman Bob Filner of California was the sponsor of the resolution” states a wikipedia post.

As a retired US Air Force aircraft maintenance officer, I’ve had the honor to witness the incredible effort and results of aviation maintainers.  In fact, while serving as the Ogden Air Logistics Complex Commander in Utah a few years ago, I spoke at an Air Force Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet. During my speech, I stated “aviation maintenance has been a cornerstone of military aviation since powered flight was first achieved.  In 1907, the US Government put out its first bid for a ‘heavier than air flying machine’ … and with that, the need for aviation maintenance began. With this first air flying machine, the formal maintenance career was formed when the first non-flying mechanic, Mr Charley Taylor, arrived.  Charley then accompanied the Wright Flyer to Fort Meyer and became the first aviation maintainer.”

“Like Taylor, aviation maintenance technicians around the world work in the background, keeping civilian and military aircraft safe. On May 24th, we recognize their achievements and humble history” states National Day Calendar.

The author, US Air Force Brigadier General (retired) Carl Buhler, is the CEO of Buhler Consulting, LLC which specializes in providing consulting services for aircraft maintenance, munitions, technology, SBIR, production, logistics, and supply.  Carl served on active-duty for almost three decades as a career aircraft maintenance, munitions, and logistics officer.  Carl is a member of the Air Force Association and the Logistics Officer Association.

#AviationMaintenanceTechnicianDay