In the summer we also have those camera bugs who just have to get that one or two special photographs from only a few feet away or up the moose snout. I even had to shoot a critter once- on duty of course, I'm a lousy hunter off duty, who had lost its patience with a group of Lower 48 Minolta camera bugs and some of these people just left their brains back in their RVs to get that close to a wild critter that weighs over 1200 lbs. Now our friendly looking moose have been known to stomp wolves to save themselves and their calves, but they have also killed all too many men and womenfolk for no other reason than they blocked its pathway. Now if it happens to be a full grown bull, you can take a large 18-hand horse and increase his strength by 1/2. If its during the rut, double that. Oh, for you Lower 48 people- sorry you have to live down there, but the rut is when the bull moose is looking for a sweetie...more than one and he's somewhat insane until satisfied. But usually you will only find them in the back country. But here on the peninsula, you will still find them crossing the roads and riverbeds, with a dozen or so hunters giving chase on foot, horseback and riding one of those mini-4x4s.
Unfortunately I've had to put down 3 moose and 2 bears on duty and I have never enjoyed it. But I had no choice at the time. That one time I had nearly 10,000 king salmon at my feet- a crashed air transport, but an over energetic volunteer firefighter foamed the whole mess and none of them were eatable. Heart braking to see so many fish wasted. Oh, in my career, between Security Police/Military Dog Handler and civilian police work, I have seen my share of waste in roadkill. Alaska has a great roadkill policy and I've used it myself as part of a crew for our church. But the best crew I ever witnessed was a crew out of a Seward charity. See, if a large animal road kill occurs- by auto or train- especially moose or bear- the next charity listed at the top of the list is called. If they can come out, they do or the next one on the list comes. If you claim a roadkill, you then go to the bottom of the list. This crew was called out for a moose. 3 men showed up with a flatbed trailer, on it a working hoist system and the trailer tilted. Not only that, they had a small chain saw, which used vegetable oil so the meat would not be contaminated. They cut that moose up in less than 30-minutes. I was really impressed.
My group got the call on a cow moose that died in a collision with a locomotive. Our adventure with the moose is a lengthy story and for another time.
Now for you people of the lower 48, the people of Alaska-citizens only from 1 years old to your last day, receive the Alaska Permanent Fund. This is a once a year hand out in early October and the amount differs every year. This year the amount is $1,882 and change per person. It really comes in handy to pay bills, get ready for winter or visit our 50th State- Hawaii for a week or so. We also use it to buy Christmas presents, school clothes, used cars and did I mention-pay bills. Many a collection company loves me at this time.
A few years ago the Governor topped the fund with an extra $1,200 per person and this meant we all received $3,200 and yes, we were overjoyed, ecstatic and more of the collection companies came searching for Alaskans throughout the state. We are a poor people, in a poor land, yes you should avoid Alaska and stay down there.
Part 5 Legend of Blue Eyes see I told you I'd finish.
Ken Justice stayed in the hospital for a week under psychological observation and sent on leave. Of course everything that had to do with that night was seized, including his firearm and his truck. But the truck came back a couple days later. I was guess here now, yet I had to figure they might have scanned the truck, the firearm and Ken's uniform for radiation. A new firearm was issued to him, along with a new police shield. Like before we were brought in and brief about secrecy and how this event was NOT to be talked about among us, at the NCO or Airman's Club, or at home with our wives. We were also warned of how the OSI would be keeping tabs on us and unless we wanted to be stationed at Adak, Alaska, we had better keep our noses clean.
Well, that was the last incident official incident for over a month. But, our South Base Patrol # 6 reported some strange sightings of a pine-cone shaped thing moving across the horizon on a clear night and at a rapid speed. A few of the South Base buildings were broken into, but these reports were filed under normal burglary reports and the entry damage was minimal. I'd been confined to the desk for over a month and one night after I has assigned all the patrols, the Flight Chief came in and tossed me a set of truck keys. I had to promise not to get stuck and especially, not to find anything that would generate an incident report. "Just go get lost and enjoy yourself, but be back by relief time."
TSgt Harrel knew I'd head for the desert, leaving the other patrols to handle the base problems. But I'd be available for back-up as a second All-Base Patrol # 11. So, off I went with a full tank of gas and a canteen of water. This was still the 4p.m. to midnight shift or im military jargon- 1600-2400 hours. I was actually down on South Base hoping to catch the poacher I'd heard about who was coming on-base to kill coyotes illegally. The moon was at its highest and the desert floor was lit up to presents thousands of dark shadows. But a moving truck like the poacher was bound to have would be real easy to pick-up on the horizon. After an hour had passed and no no luck, I pulled into the South Base Oasis, where the small lake was and climbed out of my truck to stretch my legs. I had my belt radio on if any calls came through. Soon, I ended up under one of those wall-less pavilions with a roof to block out the rain. But desert rain comes in sideways and everyone still gets soaked until they reached their vehicle.
I had my recently bought 5D cell metal flashlight, which often or not substituted for a heavy nightstick. I'd later change over to a newer flashlight with increased brightness and range, but I was back to needing my regular nightstick. In time I'd switchover and train with the PR-24 nightstick, which was a very effective defensive tool for a police officer to carry. It save my life in Dillingham and I still have it.
Thinking I'd heard a sound of something moving fast through the desert brush to the south, I perked up, expecting to see a pack of coyotes and found I was observing that pine-cone shaped thing my other patrolman had reported seeing on numerous time. I was in conflict, to run and follow it or head for my truck. I decided to chase it on foot. Probably not the smartest decision, I know. I wondered if my presence had kept it away from the lake, since there was almost no other watering holes on the flat lands.
As I watched the shape, it was quickly pulling away from me, and yes, I was really excited, and a wee bit stupid having forgotten what happened to Ken Justice. Based on my own size of 6'7" at the time ( shrunk since then), I believe the thing or whatever was about maybe 10-12 feet, wide bottomed and later, I thought he reminded me of a much larger version of Cousin "It" in the original Addams Family. But I couldn't see the large silver-dollar shaped blue eyes, which seemed to have captivating properties. Then I noticed it was making a wide turn back to the Oasis, apparently thirsty and I was pooped. This critter or whatever was capable of running a two-minute mile and three times I had lost my footing to fall face first into the sand. Thankfully there were no snakes, spiders or scorpions. Maybe they noticed my drawn .38 revolver and had cleared out.
Right then I received a radio call, but I was nearly out of wind. Seems the Flight Chief hadn't heard from me for so long he was worried and now I was needed for a fight up at the NCO Club. That's all it took. The radio calls sent my moving Christmas tree straight off into the deep desert and I never saw it again. As far as I know that was the last sighting of Blue Eyes. The burglaries on South Base stopped, except for one incident I'll tell you some other time, which had nothing to do with Blue Eyes.
Still, years later I came across an internet story about the Blue-Eyed Monster of Edwards Air Force Base. Police vehicles were wrecks, officers hurt...totally bogus and as far a s I know this clown wasn't even stationed there when I was.
We blamed North Base on a lot of experiments, including operating on the three aliens who had died in the crash at Roswell, Texas. When you're stationed there long enough, you begin to see some really strange things and some of them could be classified under Acts of God. We even had a tornado over the desert, but it never touched down. I had experienced 3 tornadoes in Missouri, one REAL close-up and I know what one looks like as it forms. We have 10-12 inches of snow one morning on Edwards and we blamed North Base for that, too.
As far as the OSI and the Office of Naval Intelligence, they do keep an eye on you. I had one meeting and two phone calls to let me know I was being observed. But all that ended when I became an Alaskan city police officer. As far as Navy Intelligence- that is again another story.
NEW BRIEFS:
Air Force enlisted and Officer personnel will no longer use the four words, "So Help Me God", in their oath of enlistment. All to respect the rights of a few atheists who could've simply omitted it. ( God Help Us All- four other words that maybe should be added for removing God from any oath. Slowly, we as a country, thanks to the moves of the Obama Administration and his grand choice of judges, are turning our back on our creator and we as a nation will pay for it.)
Arkansas State University reverses itself on the order for the football players to remove the crosses on the back of their helmets. Two law firms have advised the University of how the students/players were using their individual rights of free speech in the first place. Crosses back in play.
China backs India's bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) ( But, where is the SCO going?) China will also begin importing more India goods to balance trade. India further announced it would not allow Tibetans to hold any anti-China activities in India.
59-member Chinese Laboratory Team go to Sierra Leone for the Ebola Outbreak. 30-doctors, 29-lab techs with the mobile lab will begin right away.
China's top naval pilot "slams" U.S. claims that Chinese military pilots were being unprofessional, while intercepting U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea.
First China-ASEAN Cyberspace Forum opened in Nanning, China.
China has announced it will develop (2) industrial parks in India. They also agree on new railway sector. ( This possibly could- speculation here- eventually run into the Russian/China Roadway system now being built along side the Natural Gas Pipeline. This roadway is to allow access for inspectors in the event of loss of pressure along the line. Once the hard packed dirt work is done, while one side of the pipeline could remain a roadway, the other side could easily become a hard packed surface to handle tracks and rail. The Chinese have shown to be a resourceful and extremely patient people. Sheer speculation at this point, but we should keep a close eye on it as the like is built.)
100 Chinese fighters involved in military air combat drills in Northwest China.
Russia and the African Union now vow to strengthen their partnership.
Washington announces that with Senate approval it will now arm and train Syrian Rebels in the fight against the Islamic State. (Oh, Yes- we are doing it again- allowing history to repeat itself for the 4th and maybe the 5th time for America. We arm and train the people we will eventually fight. )
President Putin says the sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West violate the World Trade Organization (WTO) basic principles.
Islamic State's demonstration killings' plot foiled in Australia. In its largest-ever counterterrorism raids, authorities detained 15 people and foiled an allged plot by Islamic State Jihadists to conduct "demonstration killings", including beheading a random member of the public.
North Korea has written a 53,558 word report on its Human Rights Record. ( This must be a humor piece)
Rare Respiratory Disease known as D68, has jumped from 12 to 18 states. Normally non-dangerous to 10-15 million people, it is extremely dangerous for people already suffering from asthma.
A United Nations report shows how 22-million people have been displaced by natural disasters in 2013.
Cuba is sending a well-trained medical team to Sierra Leone to combat the Ebola outbreak. 165-people, which consists of 100-nurses, 50 doctors, 3 epidemiologists, 3 intensive care specialists, 3 infection control specialists nurses and 5 social mobilization officers. All overseen by the well known Dr. Jorge Bustillo.
Uganda is also sending a medical tean, but numbers and training is unknown at this time.
Russia is now demanding more changes to European Union-Ukraine Trade Deal. Russia to also begin giving away free bikes as Moscow celebrates Days Without Cars, as sanctions tighten the fuel imports.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addressed a joint-session of U.S. congress and sought advanced weaponry to fend off what he called an ongoing invasion of Russian forces.
President Obama signed a new Executive order today to create a Task Force for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. This is to be chaired by Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Homeland Security. President Obama also appointed 11 other agencies and councils to assist them. I did take notice that the Center for Disease Control was not one of them, but in Section 5 he does mention the CDC under stewardship. ( Does anyone remember the Dustin Hoffman movie- "Outbreak". You should watch this, again. )
(Oddly enough I did not see the mention of Ebola under biological weapons, but a fear of some type of biological weapon being used by another country and this Executive Order makes it appear our country is nervous about it.) This Executive Order was supported by a FACT SHEET issued today from the White House: You should review this as it is a lengthy paper, both of them are. But why as an Executive Order? This could have gone right through congress.
China has arrested it own Ambassador to Iceland, Ambassador Ma Jiseng-57 years old and a career politician. He and his wife were recalled to Beijing some 8 months ago and nothing had been heard concerning him. China then released only that Ma was arrested as a spy for Japan. He had been recruited by Japan during 2004-2008. No other information available.
Earthquakes for 9/18 over 4.0: 4.5 quake hit on 9/18 Southeast of Ishinomaki, Japan; 5.0 102 km Northwest of Iceland; 5.1 65 km West -North -West Costa Rica; 4.5 138 km East of Miyako, Japan; 4.6 55km West of Indonesia; 4.8 33 km West of Shikotan, Russia and 5.4 204 km north-north-east of Volstok, Russia.
A U.S. study shows that 12% of American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marine service men and the women assigned, are "obese" - which is an increase of 61% over the last 12-years.
German Newspaper- "Suddeutsche Zeitung" reports Ukrainian President Poroshenko told the European Commission that President Putin of Russia had made the threat, in a "private conversation", he planned to invade Poland, Romania and the Baltic States. (kind of a silly thing to say before a prospective enemy, but Putin seems to be of the type who like to brag. Still, he might be getting weary of having so much of the lost USSR surrounding him.)
I am working alone up in my bedroom now, where it is quiet. Only the dogs to stare ar me and a persistent cat hoping for food. Seems my wife is now home from a trip to Seward. Time for me to get back to work on my book.
God Bless, -BILL