First and foremost – thank you to our military. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for serving. Thank you for what you have done to preserve our democracy and the sanctity of our Constitution. We are so grateful.
Not everyone feels that way. There are scammers who view those who served as suckers who can be scammed out of their money, and they don’t hesitate to take advantage of service people and veterans. Unfortunately, military personnel and veterans reported losing over $350 million to fraud in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Scammers will resort to whatever tactic works to get money or personal information. They may pose as ‘fellow military or veterans’. They know how you feel. They understand you like a civilian cannot. They know it’s a hard adjustment. They are right there to help you. But they’re not. They want to gain your trust. Then they want to take advantage of you.
Some scammers offer to help Veterans with their benefits. They don’t want to help Veterans file for benefits. They want to steal their benefits or their personal information. There are legitimate resources to help with filing for your benefits. Seek out the source that is going to help you not steal from you.
So – what can help veterans with education and support?
Military Consumer offers military personnel financial information on all aspects of financial management ranging from scams to earnings and savings to education benefits.
VSafe.gov offers the veteran, the service member, and their family information on fraud and scams. What are the signs? What do you do if you’ve been scammed? Check out the resources that are offered on this website.
The National Veterans Financial Resource Center or FINVET, was created by the VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention “because financial well-being is related to better mental health and lower risk of suicide”. FINVET’s goal is to help link Veterans to resources that help them better manage their money and keep their money safe therefore helping keep the veteran safe.
AARP’s article on “Common Veteran Scams and How to Avoid Them” lists many scams that are perpetrated against military personnel and veterans. Use caution. *Some scammers pose as soon-to-be-deployed military that need to sell a house. Check this resource for items for sale by military personnel. *If you need help with forms, use a VA-accredited source. *Never pay for a copy of your military records. They’re free. *Do NOT give out your personal information! *Do not be pressured into making a decision. Take your time and process the situation.
Be alert. Scammers are everywhere. They don’t care that you’re military or a veteran. They don’t respect that. They respect your money and what they can gain from having your personal information. Don’t give them the opportunity to get either.
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List of Candidates to Replace Joe Scott as Air Force HC
With Joe Scott Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for the Air Force Falcons in 2026-2027? Who Should Replace Joe Scott in 2026? Full Story on Scott Being Fired as Air Force’s Head Coach The Falcons own one of the worst records in college basketball so far this season. In fact, Air Force just secured its third straight 20-loss campaign and its fifth over the last seven years. Due to a lack of improvement from the men’s basketball program, the school decided to make a coaching change. In the midst of the ongoing 19-game losing streak, … Read more
The airspace over the Baltic Sea was one of the most frequented airspaces in whole Europe. At least as far as military aircraft were concerned. The Swedish Air Force was quite busy to check, photograph and intercept aircraft from East and West. Swedish “Viggen” or “Draken” pilots encountered not only Soviet ones, but also from the US. In some cases there were even rare encounters with the SR-71 “Blackbird”, which conducted the so called “Baltic Express” missions in the area during the 1980s. Missions, which were flown very close (and in some cases even within) Soviet airspace, alongside the Baltic SSR`s and then back via Swedish Airspace to the UK.
But in most of the cases the Swedish pilots were confronted with Soviet “Badgers”, “Blinders” or sometimes “Bears”, which “snooped” in the areas East of Sweden, close to the Island of Gotland. The Swedish Air Force was one of the best trained, equipped and organized Air Forces in Western Europe during the Cold War era. They operated powerful locally developed and manufactured jets like the SAAB J37 “Viggen” or SAAB J35 “Draken”. The “Viggen” was an outstanding aircraft. In some cases “Viggen” pilots positioned themselves in fireing positions behind a SR-71 “Blackbird”. Of course without visual contact, but they were able to get a “lock on”. That made the SAAB J37 to one of the very few aircraft which would have been able to down a SR-71. Truly impressive.
During the following days I will post some not often seen photos from that interesting area of the Cold War in Europe.
This photo here shows a pretty rare version of the Soviet TU-16. It was a TU-16K-26, on the first view nothing really special, as it was one of the several versions of the TU-16 modified to carry large anti ship missiles like the KSR-5 or KSR-11. But if you look a bit closer, you can see a large radar radome under the fuselage of the aircraft. Only a handful of TU-16K-26 were equipped with such a radar, designated Rubin-1KB, which enlarged the possible range of a KSR-5 or 11 up to over 400 kilometers. A truly powerful modification for the TU-16 as missile carrier.
But much more interesting is the payload of this TU-16. It carried at least one PM-6 target drone under its left wing. Thats something you saw not often with TU-16`s in the “wild”. The PM-6 was used to simulate smaller aircraft types in sizes of the MIG-15 or 17 and was dropped like a regular bomb. It was equipped with a parachute, which slowed it down. The TU-16 on this photograph was probably used among some live fireing tests off coast of the Baltic and was on it`s way to the test range area, as it was intercepted by a Swedish J37 “Viggen, visible in the background.
A truly interesting photo. It was probably made in the area East of Sweden during the late 1970s or early 1980s.
Although Switzerland remained neutral throughout World War II, it had to deal with numerous violations of its airspace by combatants from both sides – initially by German aircraft, especially during their invasion of France in 1940. Zealous Swiss pilots attacked and shot down eleven German aircraft, losing two of their own, before a threatening memorandum from the German leadership forced General…
Eugene Bullard: The First African American Military Pilot and Unsung Hero
Eugene Bullard was an extraordinary figure in history whose courage, resilience, and determination helped him overcome significant racial and social barriers. He was not only the first African American military pilot but also a soldier, entertainer, and spy who played a significant role in both World Wars. Despite his achievements, Bullard’s story remained largely unrecognized in the United…
Consolidated`s PBY “Catalina” was and still is probably one of the most famous flying boats of World War 2. A success story which saw widespread use on Allied side during the war and as part of many newly created Air Forces and Navys also in the postwar era. One of these postwar users was the small Denmark.
Denmark bought its first batch of six PBY-5A “Catalinas” from Canada in 1947 for its Navy. At that time, the Danish Armed Forces were still in a major build up and re-structuring phase. The Royal Danish Air Force was not even created as a separate branch in 1947. These six “Catalinas” became part of a specially formed squadron which consisted all six PBY-5A`s. Just called the “Catalina Squadron”, it was part of the Royal Danish Navy, until the formation of the Royal Danish Air Force as separate branch in 1950. From that year on, the squadron was part of the Air Force and got a new designation. 721. Squadron. During the same year two additional PBY-5 were bought from the US.
The PBY-5 was one of the last production versions of the “Catalina”, introduced into service already in 1940. Compared to earlier versions, it included some modifications among the fuselage, avionics and was equipped with a more powerful engine and self sealing tanks. (Later production batches got some minor changes, including the installation of radar or the ability to use jet rockets for the take off process) The addition “A” indicated the installation of a tricycle landing gear, which made it possible to operate the aircraft also from bases on land. It were “Catalinas” of this version which equipped the Royal Danish Navy/Air Force during the late 1940s and early 1950s.
The late 1950s saw the purchase of 8 additional “Catalinas” but this time of the last production version. The PBY-6, which was manufactured just in small numbers between 1944 and 1945. This version included a modernized radar and minor changes among the fuselage.
During the early 1960s, all operational Danish “Catalinas” were consolidated among the newly created 722. Squadron, specialized on Search and Rescue Operations and based at the Værløse Air Basein the North East of Denmark. The squadron deployed it`s aircraft on regular base to other air bases in Denmark, but operated also often from Narsarsuaq at Greenland. The Danish “Catalinas” were used for a large variety of tasks, which included SAR, transport of cargo and passengers or aerial photographic missions.
During the 1950s and especially the 1960s, as helicopters became more and more available, also for smaller Air Forces and Navys, the seaplanes and flying boats became history and were nearly completely replaced by helicopters. Also among the Danish Armed Forces. The last Danish “Catalina” was withdrawn from active service in 1970.
Just one Danish PBY survived and is today on display at the Danish Air Force Museum in Skjern, in the North of the country.
