Which is just one more thing that he and Fuzzybee don't have in common. However, FbL and the Armorer of Argghhh! (abbreviated AoA, which also stands for Angle of Attack, and nobody ponders "John" and "angles" using the same synapses) *do* share one thing: A Birthdate in late July.
And *this* birthdate is -- John's.
Fortunately, he's easy to shop for.
Guns or pr0n. And if you can find a way to combine the two, so much the better.
I usually wait until the last minute to go shopping for presents, but a couple of months ago, I managed to snag the boss's vehicle under the pretext of getting the oil changed and took the opportunity to track down a rumor I'd heard.
Now, back in John's war and in OIF, the planners kept biting their nails because Saddam liked *long* range artillery, and he'd bought a bunch of it. Long range, meaning that his stuff *outranged* our stuff. And John used *our* stuff.
Long-story-short is that we were told that Tac Air and MLRS had destroyed most of Saddam's Outrangers in the opening days of Desert Storm, and the few surviving pieces that *hadn't* been destroyed had all been shipped back stateside after OIF as lawn ornaments at Ft. Sill and Aberdeen. The rumor I'd heard was that the collectors had missed one, and it was around here, somewhere.
I found it.
Meet the famed GHN-45 155mm semi-self-propelled gun..
Those small wheels on the trails are for the diesel engine that powered the hydraulics and allowed it to double as a self-propulsion unit. The beast could chogie along at 16kph over smooth terrain.
It's resting peacefully under some olive trees in the old headquarters compound of what we call the Dark Side, because it has electrical power when our side *doesn't*.
Well, geez, of *course* I've got a Hi-Rez for ya, John -- sheesh!
Huh? What *else* did I get you?
Oh, all right. I found another museum piece, but this one has an accoutrement the museums usually don't include.
An M-46 130mm gun.
You don't usually see 'em complete with the towing kit.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know -- Hi-Rez!
No, the aimy-fiddly bits weren't intact. I figure either the BC or the XO took 'em as souvenirs.
*koff*
And *this* birthdate is -- John's.
Fortunately, he's easy to shop for.
Guns or pr0n. And if you can find a way to combine the two, so much the better.
I usually wait until the last minute to go shopping for presents, but a couple of months ago, I managed to snag the boss's vehicle under the pretext of getting the oil changed and took the opportunity to track down a rumor I'd heard.
Now, back in John's war and in OIF, the planners kept biting their nails because Saddam liked *long* range artillery, and he'd bought a bunch of it. Long range, meaning that his stuff *outranged* our stuff. And John used *our* stuff.
Long-story-short is that we were told that Tac Air and MLRS had destroyed most of Saddam's Outrangers in the opening days of Desert Storm, and the few surviving pieces that *hadn't* been destroyed had all been shipped back stateside after OIF as lawn ornaments at Ft. Sill and Aberdeen. The rumor I'd heard was that the collectors had missed one, and it was around here, somewhere.
I found it.
Meet the famed GHN-45 155mm semi-self-propelled gun..
Those small wheels on the trails are for the diesel engine that powered the hydraulics and allowed it to double as a self-propulsion unit. The beast could chogie along at 16kph over smooth terrain.
It's resting peacefully under some olive trees in the old headquarters compound of what we call the Dark Side, because it has electrical power when our side *doesn't*.
Well, geez, of *course* I've got a Hi-Rez for ya, John -- sheesh!
Huh? What *else* did I get you?
Oh, all right. I found another museum piece, but this one has an accoutrement the museums usually don't include.
An M-46 130mm gun.
You don't usually see 'em complete with the towing kit.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know -- Hi-Rez!
No, the aimy-fiddly bits weren't intact. I figure either the BC or the XO took 'em as souvenirs.
*koff*
'I got it one piece at a time, and it didn't cost me a dime...'
Take a cue from Johnny, Chief- make the AoA happy!!
HB, John!
Happy Birthday, John! It's a great day and I'm hoping you have many happy returns of the day.
Interestingly enough, it's also my son Sean's birthday. Specialist Sean turns 22 today, over in FOB Shank.. Hard to believe he's been in the Army since 19.......
Regardless, I hope you celevrate in proper form, John!
Happy birthday, John. And now, some music for the occasion!
Hey, I had to show my
forgedrecently-udated Official Letter of Authorization toTake Pictures of Neat StuffDocument Historical Artifacts to *three*officious busybodiesSecurity Force personnel just to get *close* to those puppies.Taking unauthorized photos is a no-no. It might let those dirtbags without access to Google-Earth, a rooftop outside the wire, or any of the 5,000 maps of the base that Ba'ath took with them when they vacated the place see where buildings are, yanno...
(did I make you cringe at the thought of a hug, John?? hehe)
That blows my "easy to shop for" throwaway line...
A 'Sploding pinata?
Hm?
Hi Kids!
Welcome to the Huggy Bear Sugar Buttons Show!
On today's episode, we'll examine M-46 fiddley-bits and witness the GHN-45 time trials!
And now... heeeeeere's DUSTY!