Fort Bragg Green Ramp Accident Remembered

What was supposed to be a paratrooper’s dream jump quickly turned into a nightmare.Monday marks the 20th year since a tragic accident claimed the lives of 24 members of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. The paratroopers died when an F-16D Falcon collided with a C-130 Hercules transport plane while both were trying to land at what was then Pope Air Force Base.The C-130 landed safely, but the fighter jet turned into a molten ball of flame and steel that headed directly for a C-141 airplane parked on the Green Ramp, where troops were preparing for a jump.

May those that died that day continue to rest in peace.  A harrowing accident indeed.

via Former paratrooper recalls harrowing Green Ramp accident that killed 24 :: WRAL.com.

Airliner was Hijacked

Investigators trying to solve the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines jetliner have concluded that one of the pilots or someone else with flying experience hijacked the missing Boeing 777 and steered it off course, according to a Malaysian government official.

The official, who is involved in the investigation, told The Associated Press that no motive has been established, and it is not yet clear where the plane was taken. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.

The official said that hijacking was no longer a theory. “It is conclusive.”

The jet’s communication with the ground was severed under one hour into a flight March 8 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Malaysian officials have said radar data suggest it may have turned back and crossed back over the Malaysian peninsula westward, after setting out toward the Chinese capital.

This whole investigation has been an abject failure.  I do hope they can find the plane and all of the passengers alive and well very soon.

via Investigators conclude missing jet hijacked, steered off course, official says | Fox News.

Raleigh Teen Allegedly Solicited for Sex

http://wral.m0bl.net/r/1uduw8 #wral

This is crazy.  Old geezer needs some help for soliciting a 13 year old teen for sex.

WRAL has a photo of the old man th teen toke from his phone.  If you know him, turn him in.

General’s court-martial is thrown into jeopardy :: WRAL.com

The sexual assault case against an Army general was thrown into jeopardy Monday when the judge said the military may have improperly pressed ahead with a trial to send a message about its determination to curb rape and other widespread misconduct.Judge Col. James Pohl refused to dismiss the charges against Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair but offered the defense another chance to plea-bargain the case down with a different set of military officials.The twist comes with the Pentagon under heavy pressure from Congress and beyond to combat what the military says is an epidemic of rape and other sex crimes. On Monday, in fact, the Senate was expected to approve legislation cracking down on misconduct.Pohl reviewed newly disclosed emails in Sinclair’s case and said he found evidence of unlawful command influence in Fort Bragg officials’ decision to reject a plea deal before the trial began late last week.

Oh my.  This has gotten interesting.

via General’s court-martial is thrown into jeopardy :: WRAL.com.

1230AM Update for Malaysia Airlines Crash or Terror Attack

Fears that missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH307 may have been met with terrorism were heightened today, with Malaysian authorities confirming that the identities of two other passengers – in addition to two who were found to be using stolen passports – are now under investigation.

U.S. officials also confirmed they have dispatched a team of safety experts to Southeast Asia to assist in the investigation of the Boeing 777, which disappeared shortly after takeoff with 239 people on board.

The news comes after a second pilot has spoken about hearing ‘mumbling’ at the other end of communications with the plane before it vanished.

The captain, who asked to remain anonymous, told Malaysian media outlets he was asked to get in contact with the pilot flying the missing plane on an emergency frequency and establish their position.

He said he believes he spoke to the co-pilot, but that there were ‘interference’ and ‘mumbling’ before they lost the connection.

Two people aboard the aircraft were using passports reported stolen in Thailand – one registered to an Italian and the other an Austrian.

Malaysian security officers say they are currently verifying the identities of the two new people in question with the relevant embassies, but refused to elaborate further.

The passengers being checked had all bought their tickets through China Southern Airlines.

More possible terrorist?  Wow.

via Terror fears over missing 777 grow: Identities of ANOTHER two passengers probed as suspicion falls on four who booked with Chinese airline | Mail Online.

Malaysia Airlines Accident Map

Map of Malaysia flight accident area. Image links to article.

This image is correct as of March 8, 2014 at 5:31PM U.S. Eastern Time.

Malaysia Airlines Press Release on MH370 Flight Incident

Sepang, 9 March 2014: Malaysia Airlines humbly asks all Malaysians and people around the world to pray for flight MH370.

It has been more than 24 hours since we last heard from MH370 at 1.30 am. The search and rescue team is yet to determine the whereabouts of the Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

An international search and rescue mission from Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam was mobilized this morning. At this stage, they have failed to find evidence of any wreckage. The sea mission will continue overnight while the air mission will recommence at daylight.

We are dispatching all information as and when we receive it. The situation in Beijing is also being monitored closely. As many families of passengers are in China, we have deployed our “Go Team” to Beijing with a team of caregivers and volunteers to assist the family members of the passengers.

Immediate families of passengers are advised to gather at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Travel arrangements and expenses will be borne by Malaysia Airlines. Once, the whereabouts of the aircraft is determined, Malaysia Airlines will fly members of the family to the location.

Our sole priority now is to provide all assistance to the families of the passengers and our staff. We are also working closely with the concerned authorities in the search and rescue operation

The families may contact +603 7884 1234.

For media queries, kindly contact +603 8777 5698/ +603 8787 1276.

There will be a press conference at Sama Sama Hotel at 9.00 am tomorrow by DCA.

I’m praying for these people on that flight.  I do hope someone has survived from this.  I’m still suspecting a terror incident.

via MH370 Flight Incident | Malaysia Airlines.

Stolen Passports on Missing Flight

Foreign ministry officials in Rome and Vienna confirm that names of two nationals listed on the manifest of the missing Malaysian airlines flight match passports reported stolen in Thailand.

Italy’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday that an Italian man whose name was listed as being aboard is traveling in Thailand and was not aboard the plane.

A foreign ministry functionary, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed Italian reports that Luigi Maraldi had reported his passport stolen last August.

Italian news agency ANSA says Maraldi called home after hearing reports that an Italian with his name was aboard the plane.

Austrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Weiss confirmed that a name listed on the manifest matches an Austrian passport reported stolen two years ago in Thailand. Weiss would not confirm the identity.

Now this is interesting.  This is looking more and more like a possible terrorist attack to me.

via Stolen European passports on missing plane :: WRAL.com.

Florida Hot Convict Sues InstantCheckmate.com

A 28-year-old mother of four has filed a lawsuit against a background check website, saying the company used her attractive arrest booking photo for commercial and advertising purposes, without compensating her or even getting her permission.

Meagan Simmons of Zephyrhills filed the lawsuit in Hillsborough County Court against InstantCheckmate.com.

In her lawsuit, she says all the exposure has disturbed her peace of mind, invaded her privacy and caused her mental anguish. The suit seeks monetary damages and an injunction to prevent further use of her picture.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Simmons’ image popped up on countless websites where she was branded “a hot convict.”

The photo was taken during a 2010 DUI charge.

Nope.  That photo is a public document.  Nice try though.

via Florida woman dubbed ‘hot convict’ sues website over mug shot photo | Fox News.

Neighborhood Road Rage Ends at Ridgewood Shopping Center

A man is in jail after police say he terrorized a Raleigh father and his 14-year-old daughter in what appeared to be a random case of road rage.Remy Blaisdell Gagnon, 25, of 1805 Spiny Ridge Court, was arrested Wednesday on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and careless and reckless driving in connection with the Feb. 8 encounter.Police say Gagnon repeatedly rammed his SUV into the car of Jay Jost, beginning in a neighborhood behind Ridgewood Shopping Center on Wade Avenue.Gagnon then followed Jost into the shopping center’s parking lot and continued hitting the back of the car,” according to a 911 call.”Look, he just broke my window broke my – I’m freaking out,” Jost told emergency dispatchers. “He’s trying to kill us. Please send someone.”

This dude is crazy.  Glad he has been taken off of the streets.

via Road rage drives fleeing father, daughter into Raleigh grocery store :: WRAL.com.