Random News and Notes 3 April
Today in 1860, The Pony Express mail service launched its first successful run, covering approximately 1,900 miles using relays of horse-mounted riders and over 100 stations in about 10 days. Riders including William “Buffalo Bill” Cody traversed rugged terrain from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California.
The service operated for around 18 months until replaced by the transcontinental telegraph.
On April 2, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a memo directing commanders to approve requests from War Department personnel to carry personal firearms on bases when off-duty, presuming necessity unless detailed reasons justify denial. The policy cites recent attacks like the 2019 Pensacola shooting, a 2025 Fort Stewart incident, and a March 2026 Holloman event, aiming to uphold Second Amendment rights for warfighters
Everyone that knows me knows I am a 2nd Amendment absolutist. I have mixed feelings about this however. Do I have an issue with PFC Snuffy from some combat arms units carrying his Glock while off duty? None whatsoever. What I do have an issue with is LTC Drippy in MEDPROS carrying anything anywhere at any time. And no, it isn’t a rank thing, its a proximity to weapons training thing. Snuffy, for all that he’s 21 and prone to doing dumb shit, knows how to handle a firearm. Drippy on the other hand, hasn’t actually qualified with any weapon in 10 years.
Then there is the mental health piece. We all know there is a suicide problem in the military. More access to firearms may not be the best thing for someone in crisis.
Dashcam footage shows Atlanta and Cobb County tiller trucks—a specialized design with front and rear drivers—navigating a tight ramp near the I-285 interchange in Smyrna. They were likely rushing to mutual aid for a major crash blocking lanes on I-75 North.
Pretty cool video.
Salah Sarsour, a Jordanian national who has lived in the U.S. for over 32 years, faces removal after ICE accused him of hiding a decades-old Israeli conviction for throwing Molotov cocktails during his green card process. The father of six U.S. citizen children runs a furniture business and leads the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.
Salah is the father of that vile CU Next Tuesday Linda Sarsour. Too bad they can’t ship her off too.
Epic Fury News
It appears that after a month Iranian air defense finally got lucky. There are reports circulating that an F-15 Eagle has been downed over southern Iran. Images of the wreckage seem to indicate the fighter was assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron from Lakenheath. The red and white stripe at the top of the left hand image and partial unit crest seem to match Lakenheath aircraft.
Air Force CSAR birds are in the area, ostensibly searching for the downed pilot and WSO.
As I was about to publish this piece, there are reports that at least one of the crew has been rescued.
Prayers out for the pilots as there are unconfirmed reports that they have been picked up by the IRGC. I will pass along any info about this as it becomes available. You know what I know at this point.