Congress recently released a draft FY2027 spending bill that bars the Air Force from retiring more than two U-2s despite the USAF's budget request to retire the U-2 fleet. Last year, the U-2 found an unlikely niche as a surveillance platform for stemming illegal immigration across the US-Mexico border.     The U-2 undoubtedly owes its longevity to low operating costs compared to the SR-71, but the US Air Force recognized that it is not suited to carry out reconnaissance in heavily defended airspace, and this was why the "RQ-180" program was initiated because the "RQ-180" reconnaissance UAV has the capability to penetrate heavily defended airspace.    Links: https://migflug.com/jetflights/u-2-dragon-lady-reprieve-fy2027-congress-blocks-retirement-2026/ https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/the-u-2-spy-plane-is-patrolling-the-southern-border

Bruce,   Good luck, hope it works out the way you wish,,, I have fond memories of Batlleship Cove when I lived in NH....   Best regards   Leigh 

Ok, will do. But will let them know there may be ones with cracks included as well. Thanks.

Hello All, With the end of the Spanish American War and the return of state troops home, the federal government found it necessary to reimburse individual states for clothing and equipment that state troops brought with them when federalized and was expended during the war.  With that money Pennsylvania purchased, among other things new haversacks and clothing bags/knapsacks.  ( NY state chose to buy more Merriam Packs, hence the reason so many of those that show up for sale are dated late 1898 after the war was over) The S&R model haversacks are around in collections and are identifiable by their unique trapazodal D-ring attachment.  The same can not be said for the Clothing bag.  Other than a few period images, I personally have not run into any in 40 years of collecting, either in collections, museums or for sale.     I'm looking for information on this piece of NGP equipment.  The first image is from the Adjutant Generals of PA annual report for 1900. That report notes that new packs have been purchased and will be issued to all units at the annual summer camp that year.  The other images show Co E, 8th Infantry in camp at Shenandoah, PA during a miners strike in 1900.  The records also show that 9694 bags were purchased.  I am asking anyone who might have one of these if they can share some photographs or if you have more period photos that may show construction details.   Though this may at first glace look like a standard 1878 style Blanket Bag, there are significant differences.  First are the two straps on top and one on each side of the bag to hold a roll made of the blanket and the poncho.  Also, two straps are attached to the bottom to carry a rolled up overcoat.  The shoulder straps also have a connecting strap that lays across the chest.  Finally, the bag flap covers the whole face of the bag, where as on the 1878 blanket bag it only covers about half of the face of the bag.     ** "S&R Model".  The annual reports do not explain what S&R means.  My only guess at this point is that it means "State and Riddabach".  I have seen a couple of haversacks made by Riddabach and marked NGP in this pattern.  Maybe some were made at the state arsenal and some under contract by Riddabach.  Don't know for sure.***

I have photos in my collection of 11th Marines with BARs in France October 1918.  They do exist, they're just hard to find. 

Super nice helmet.

I've searched the ABMC site worldwide and found no result for Robert Cheever. I've also searched Europe and the U.S. on FindAGrave with no results.  I can only speculate that since he was temporarily buried at Son en Breugel in the Netherlands, he was either left there accidentally, or lost somehow in transit to a permanent cemetery. He possibly may have been misidentified when found originally, but that is doubtful. From everything I have read, the Graves Registration men were very meticulous in both identification and final burial details. Sadly, his final resting place may never be known. Rest in Peace, Robert Lee Cheever.     Steve

Now you need Goose to sit along side this one, nice job. 

You guys are obviously the SME's on lighters!  Any insight on this "Buyrite" Americal Division lighter?  I have had it for probably 30+ years.   Any insight is greatly appreciated.     Thanks in advance,   OD 

The closest I found has just a circle without the dot in the center.   Motorized printing detachment.