After fighting the first good Gulf War, I warbled my way into getting orders to the Naval War College in Newport. That involved a ten-minute sat-phone call with my then detailer John, who was a little taken back at the cost – $10 a minute. I made it easy for him, by trading the cost […]

The SR-71 Blackbird – Still the Baddest Fucking Jet, Ever I’m going to take a step back from my mounting dismay at current events, and re-visit a happier time. Flipping through some old YouTube videos last night, I ran into a couple of good ones made by Major Brian Shul, USAF (Ret.) about his incredible […]

Editor’s note: Point Loma weighs in on some Veteran’s Day thoughts. I want to ensure that our Air Force and Army brethren far-deployed are in our prayers. It is 101 years- almost to the minute- since the Armistice that ended the most cataclysmic event in human history. Up till then. Don’t thank a Vet today. […]

Those of you who know me well will recognize the header acronym – sort of my personal signature. Spell it out if you dare – I never got mad at people, but at things. This time, it might be different I have been reading with mounting dismay that now this ship, launched and commissioned in […]

If you have ever lived or worked in Key West, Fantasy Fest is a rite of passage. It is like the six-week period of Spring Break – I called that the ritual trashing of the city, concentrated into a week-long orgy of craziness, culminating in a final evening of absolute madness – the parade. Come […]

Fabulous My friends back home used to ask me about port calls, and what my favorite place was. Well, here it is. As Westpac sailors, Hong Kong was a touchstone for us – I went there six times, and every port call was better than the one before (well, maybe Perth might be an exception […]

I took my family up to Baltimore to see the Phantom of the Opera performed at the legendary Hippodrome Theater last night – it was fantastic. The story by French writer Gaston Leroux is totally compelling, the staging and sets were magnificent, the production and musical renderings were incredible, and the impact had all of […]

My former high school, church, college, and then later Navy running mate Jim sent me this picture taken off the coast of Namibia. It is true maritime ruin porn – fascinating in its embodiment of desolation. The place is the home of some pretty unique geographic features, including sand dunes that rival those of the […]

Editor’s Note: We are spinning the Ukraine story like crazy around The Swamp. I am thoroughly sick of this already. Point Loma takes us on a trip to another time and a marvelous place. And for you junior Intelligence people, pay attention to the tradecraft tips on desk-top reconnaissance of the Boss’s desk when the […]

Iron Dome: Have Your Abqaiq, and Eat It, Too Editor’s Note:The season is changing here in the country. Like all veteran crisis junkies, the current multi-level, multi-arena crises in progress have me galvanized. The best way to deal with this reality is to take a deep, cleansing breath and turn to WETA on the cable […]