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Vandenberg Space Force Base pioneers collaborative research on sonic booms and launch noise
May 16, 2025
As the frequency of space launches increases, Vandenberg SFB leadership is addressing the challenge of balancing mission support with environmental and community concerns.
Efforts are underway to mitigate launch noise while protecting the base’s unique ecosystem.
Col. Mark Shoemaker, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Vandenberg’s host installation, emphasised the commitment to environmental stewardship.
“Community and environmental considerations at Vandenberg remain consistent regardless of who is providing launch services from a U.S. Space Force installation,” Shoemaker said.
“As stewards of this base, we are working with our regulatory partners to evaluate processes to ensure consistency across the Vandenberg spaceport and test range and we are committed to doing so efficiently and with speed.”
A groundbreaking study is underway at Vandenberg SFB, involving the U.S. Space Force, Brigham Young University, California State University-Bakersfield, the Federal Aviation Administration, SpaceX, and NASA.
This collaborative research seeks to enhance understanding of rocket-generated sonic booms, which differ significantly from those produced by aircraft.
According to Col. Shoemaker, the research addresses new challenges related to sonic booms during launches along California’s coast. “This is a significant focus area for us.
As we safely move launches further east to open access to operational orbits, we’re encountering new challenges, such as the phenomenon of sonic booms during ascent along the coast of California,” Shoemaker stated.
The study employs approximately 25 advanced monitoring stations across 500 square miles of California’s central coast.
These stations track complex sonic boom patterns generated during rocket launches, collecting vital data from areas between Isla Vista and Malibu to the hills of Ojai.
Kent Gee, a professor from Brigham Young University leading the academic team, highlighted the intricacies of this research.
“It’s like trying to catch lightning in a bottle,” Gee remarked. “All launches generate sonic booms; however, their audibility to the public is influenced by several factors, including the launch trajectory, the size of the rocket, and atmospheric conditions.”
Research has shown that seemingly identical launch paths can produce vastly different noise levels on the ground.
This variability has prompted a deeper investigation into the interaction between flight paths, atmospheric changes, and the diverse microclimates along California’s Central Coast.
To mitigate the impact of launch noise, the U.S. Space Force is actively applying the findings from ongoing research.
Data models are evaluated during the Launch Readiness Review to predict noise levels, and subsequent data collection informs adjustments to minimise disruptions.
https://defence-industry.eu/vandenberg-space-force-base-pioneers-collaborative-research-on-sonic-booms-and-launch-noise/
Space Force, states at odds over National Guard plans
May 15, 2025, 04:39 PM
The head of the U.S. Space Force is moving ahead with plans to pull talent from Air National Guard units to help build up the still new military service — but several governors remain opposed and argue it tramples on their rights to retain control over their state units.
Overall, the plan would affect only 578 service members across six states and the Air National Guard headquarters and augment the Space Force without creating a separate Space Force National Guard — something the service has said would not be efficient because it would be so small.
“We are actively pursuing where do we want our part-time workforce? What type of work do they do?” the head of Space Force, Gen. Chance Saltzman, said Thursday at a Politico conference in Washington.
The Space Force was established by President Donald Trump in late 2019, during his first term.
In the years since, the Air Force has transferred its space missions into the now five-year-old military branch — except for the 578 positions still contained in the Air National Guard, which is part of the Air Force.
In the 2025 defense bill, Congress mandated that those positions move over to the Space Force as well.
The transferred service members would be a part-time force like they are now, just serving under the Space Force instead of their state units.
But space missions are some of the most lucrative across the military and private sector and the states that lose space mission service member billets are potentially losing highly valuable part-time workforce members if they have to move away to transfer into the Space Force.
Last month, the National Governors Association said the transfers violate their right to retain control over their state units.
“We urge that any transfers cease immediately and that there be direct and open engagement with governors,” the Association said in April.
The group was not immediately available to comment on Space Force’s plan.
“There’s a lot of concern in the National Guard about these individuals who are highly skilled that want to be in the Guard being transferred out,” Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin said at an Air Force manpower hearing this week.
The contention between the states and the Space Force has meant the service hasn’t so far been able to approach individual members about transferring in.
According to the legislation, each National Guard will get the option to either stay with their units — and get retrained in another specialty — or join the Space Force.
Even if they do transfer into the Space Force, their positions would remain located in those same states for at least the next 10 years, according to the 2025 legislation.
The affected personnel include 33 from Alaska, 126 from California, 119 from Colorado, 75 from Florida, 130 from Hawaii, 69 from Ohio and 26 from Air National Guard headquarters.
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2025/05/15/space-force-states-at-odds-over-national-guard-plans/
Drone Strike Hits Russian Ammo Depot, Explosions Reported
May 16, 2025
Overnight strikes in occupied Crimea have reportedly ignited a major fire at a Russian ammunition depot near the village of Perevalne, in what may be one of the most damaging drone attacks in recent months.
The resistance group Crimean Wind reported that the depot belonged to the 126th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Multiple explosions were heard, and large fires broke out—though Russian authorities have not officially confirmed damage to the base.
Sevastopol’s Russian-installed governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, confirmed that air defenses were active over the Black Sea and said six drones were shot down.
“The loud sounds heard in the city were the work of our military,” he said on Telegram.
The Russian Ministry of Defense later announced that 65 Ukrainian drones were intercepted in total—43 over the Black Sea, 21 over Crimea, and one over the Belgorod region.
Despite the claims, visual and on-the-ground reports suggest that some drones made it through.
The Ukrainian partisan group Atesh claimed responsibility for tracking the target and reported that explosions occurred not just at the 126th brigade’s depot but also at the nearby 8th Separate Artillery Regiment, both located in Perevalne.
“There are reports of Russian soldiers killed while on duty at the depot,” the group said.
Fires Still Burning Hours After Strike
According to Crimea.Realities, the base is known to house ammunition, fuel, and military vehicles. It had previously been targeted in March and August 2023.
Atesh stated their agents monitored the site throughout 2024 and noted that the base lacked significant air defense systems.
As of 9:36 a.m., Ukrainian official Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, said fires were still burning at the military site.
The attack in Crimea comes amid a broader wave of Ukrainian drone strikes overnight, which reportedly targeted key military facilities deeper inside Russia—including defense plants and airbases that house strategic bombers and missiles.
https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/world/drone-strike-hits-russian-ammo-depot-explosions-reported/ar-AA1ETdEG
Russian forces take out Ukrainian rotorcraft drone bombers – MOD
16 May, 2025 14:03
The Russian Defense Ministry has published a video showcasing recent interceptions of Ukrainian rotorcraft bomber drones. These robotic aircraft are notable for their frequent integration with Elon Musk’s Starlink system.
Footage released on Thursday shows three separate interceptions by units from Russia’s West group, which deployed small kamikaze drones to counter the Ukrainian aircraft.
The drones in question, dubbed “Baba Yaga” after a flying witch from Slavic folklore, were originally agricultural rotorcraft, but were repurposed for military missions.
Ukraine has found a niche for such larger drones thanks to its access to the Starlink satellite internet system operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
By mounting Starlink terminals onboard, operators can pilot the drones at virtually unlimited ranges, approaching in that regard the capabilities of advanced unmanned aerial systems.
The Baba Yaga class drones typically feature six rotors — though some have four — and are valued for their substantial payload capacity.
However, their size also makes them more susceptible to detection and neutralization by anti-aircraft defenses, including sniper fire.
Earlier this month, the Russian military described tactics used to down the drones, including the deployment of sniper teams in which the spotter provides cover fire from an assault rifle, should the target try to engage the main shooter.
A sniper identified by the callsign “Sirius” explained the approach, saying in some situations it’s advantageous for the team to remain in place after being discovered.
https://www.rt.com/russia/617702-drone-bombers-interception-video/
Ukraine admits to losing third F-16
16 May, 2025 07:01
The Ukrainian military has confirmed the loss of another US-designed F-16 fighter jet as it was repelling a Russian strike. This marks the third such incident since Kiev started receiving the advanced warplanes from the West.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, all communication with the jet was lost at approximately 3:30am on Friday while it was carrying out a defensive combat mission. No data was provided regarding the location of the crash.
Officials said that the unnamed pilot had “destroyed three aerial targets and was engaging a fourth using the aircraft’s cannon when an onboard emergency occurred.”
The pilot steered the jet away from populated areas and ejected; he was later picked up by a rescue team in satisfactory condition.
A commission has been appointed to investigate the circumstances of the incident, the air force added. The Russian Defense Ministry has yet to comment.
The delivery of F-16 fighters from European NATO members to Ukraine was approved by former US President Joe Biden in August 2023, but the first jets did not arrive in the country until a year later.
Kiev was promised a total of more than 80 jets, with many to be supplied in the years to come. It is unclear how many operational F-16s the country has at the moment.
The current F-16 crash is the third known reported case of Ukraine losing this type of jet. One jet was shot down by Russia in April 2025, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow.
At the time, Kiev confirmed that its pilot was killed during an “unidentified combat mission” but did not reveal any additional details. Another F-16 was lost in 2024 while responding to a Russian airstrike; its pilot was also killed.
Some Ukrainian officials had hoped that the F-16 would boost Ukraine’s air defenses, but Western experts had warned that it would be unlikely to significantly alter the situation on the battlefield.
Later, officials in Kiev acknowledged that the F-16 could not withstand the most advanced Russian jets and complained about the numerous logistical hurdles involved in deploying the US-designed fighters.
Russia has condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, warning they only prolong the conflict without changing its outcome.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Ukrainian-operated F-16s will “burn” just like other Western-supplied equipment.
https://www.rt.com/russia/617669-ukraine-admits-losing-third-f16/
Russian drone targets electricians' team in Donetsk region
16.05.2025 18:31
DTEK's repair team came under enemy fire near the front line in Donetsk Oblast.
DTEK Group reported this on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.
According to the company, a work vehicle was damaged as a result of the explosion of a Russian FPV drone. The power engineers were not injured.
“Despite the daily danger, power engineers continue to do everything possible to bring light even in the face of hostilities,” DTEK said.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, at dawn on May 16, Russian troops attacked the city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, twice, injuring five civilians.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3993858-russian-drone-targets-electricians-team-in-donetsk-region.html
RSF drone strike on Sudan army hospital kills four, injures dozens
May 15, 2025
A drone attack attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a Sudanese army medical facility in El Obeid on Thursday killed at least four people and injured more than 60, witnesses and doctors said.
El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state in western Sudan, has been under heavy bombardment from RSF artillery and drones for weeks, resulting in dozens of civilian deaths.
Witnesses and doctors told Sudan Tribune that a “strategic drone belonging to the Rapid Support Forces dropped a missile on the Army Medical Corps Hospital,” leading to the initial death toll of four patients and leaving over 60 seriously wounded.
Some of the injured were transported to the Social Security Hospital and El Obeid Teaching Hospital, according to the sources.
A similar RSF attack on the national prison in El Obeid on May 10 killed 21 people and injured 47.
Armed clashes have intensified recently across the Kordofan region between the army and its allies from armed movements against the RSF.
The army’s operations in Kordofan aim to open a route to Darfur and break the siege on El Fasher, the region’s largest city.
The RSF, meanwhile, is fiercely defending its controlled areas in North, West, and South Kordofan and repeatedly targets El Obeid in an effort to hinder the army’s progress.
https://sudantribune.com/article300950/
Two firefighters among three killed in blaze at former RAF base in Oxfordshire
Fri 16 May 2025 12.29 EDT
Two firefighters and a member of the public have died after a large fire at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire.
Oxfordshire county council said the two firefighters died while tackling the blaze at Bicester Motion on Thursday.
Bicester Motion, home to more than 50 specialist businesses focused on classic car restoration and engineering, is located at the site of RAF Bicester, a former bomber station.
One of the firefighters killed was a London firefighter on “retained duty” with the Oxfordshire fire service, while the other was with the Oxfordshire service.
People laid flowers at the scene on Friday. One bunch was left by a family with a note that read: “Sending all our love to those who lost their lives and to those who did not think twice about making that sacrifice to help others.
Thinking of the fire service, their families, friends and the wider community and all those services who came to help. Rest easy.”
Another said: “Thank you for your service.”
Amy Angeletta said she had laid flowers out of a sense of community. “People have lost their lives and it’s quite a close-knit community here.
It’s just to pay your respects. The area has a very lovely friendly atmosphere. At a time like this, it just feels like everybody pulls together,” she said.
A plaque had also been placed in the memory of those who died bearing the names of Oxfordshire fire and rescue service and Bicester Motion. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/16/fire-former-raf-base-bicester-oxfordshire
It read: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the sad loss of two firefighters and the member of the public. Love from the Bicester community.”
Keir Starmer also paid tribute to the two firefighters who died. “Devastating news,” he posted on X. “My thoughts are with their families and friends.
The bravery of our firefighters is astounding. Hoping those in hospital make a full and swift recovery.”
Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the fire, which started on Thursday evening and prompted a major response and warnings for residents to stay indoors.
The fire was still burning on Friday morning but was under control, the council said. Other support appliances remained on scene, including a hydraulic platform, a water carrier, a command unit and a high-volume pumping unit.
Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries and were in hospital, the council added.
Oxfordshire fire and rescue service’s chief fire officer appeared emotional as he paid tribute to the “unwavering bravery” of those who attended the fire.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Rob MacDougall did not release further details about those who died but said: “It is with a heavy heart that today we report the loss of two of our firefighters.
A member of the public has also sadly died in the incident.
“Two further firefighters sustained serious injuries and are currently in hospital.”
MacDougall appeared to be holding back tears as he gave the update and concluded by saying:
“I am immensely proud and grateful for the exemplary multi-agency response and unwavering bravery demonstrated by all the emergency services personnel.”
The commissioner of London fire brigade, Andy Roe, said: “Following the terrible news from Oxfordshire that two firefighters have died in the line of duty, alongside a member of the public, it is with great sadness that I can confirm that one of those who lost their lives is a London leading firefighter/sub-officer, who was on retained duty with Oxfordshire fire and rescue service.
“We are devastated by the loss of our colleague and our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all those impacted by this incident.”
Roe added: “Our sincere condolences go out to Oxfordshire fire and rescue service who also sadly lost a firefighter at this incident, with a further two colleagues in hospital.”
Vikas Talwar, 40, who lives near Bicester Motion, could see the fire from the street corner outside his house.
He said: “There was a lot of smoke yesterday. Lots of people were gathering here on the corner but a lot of smoke was coming out.
There was flames on the roof, on the top of the roof, and a huge big cloud of smoke in the air. I could see it from this corner near my house.”
Speaking of those who died in the fire, he said: “It’s so sad. It’s very heartbreaking. We have sympathy with the people involved.
I can see there was a quick reaction by the fire brigade and ambulance teams when they came in. I saw the air ambulances in the air in the evening.”
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/16/fire-former-raf-base-bicester-oxfordshire
China’s student-built drone shatters Guinness World Record with 211.75 mph speed
Updated: May 16, 2025 06:40 AM EST
Amicrodrone developed by a Chinese student has set a new Guinness World Record for speed.
The drone, named Prowess, weighs under 250 grams and reached a top speed of 211.75mph (340.78km/h ), surpassing previous records for remote-controlled microdrone quadcopters.
The record-setting flight occurred on March 23 in Huizhou, located in China’s Guangdong province.
The drone was piloted by Xu Yang, a model aircraft enthusiast and student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Shenzhen.
Guinness World Records confirmed the achievement in a WeChat post published on Monday, as reported by Chinese online media.
Early in the week, Purdue University students’ robotic system, Purdubik’s Cube, set a Guinness World Record by solving a puzzle cube in just 0.103 seconds.
Microdrone speed milestone
Yang, a Chinese University of Hong Kong student in Shenzhen, piloted his custom-built drone, Prowess, at record speed.
Weighing under 250 grams—the limit for the microdrone category—the aircraft surpassed a speed barrier that had remained unbroken for three years, marking a significant milestone in micro-UAV design.
Yang was inspired by a 2022 microdrone concept developed by remote aircraft builder Quadmovr, which achieved an unofficial speed of 136.8 mph (219km/h). In October, Yang exceeded that with a test flight reaching 151.6 mph (244km/h).
Following input from international drone builders, he further refined his drone’s design and performance, ultimately achieving the world record.
The accomplishment highlights the rapid advancements in lightweight, high-speed drone technology, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Pushing drone boundaries
The drone incorporates a lightweight carbon fibre frame and an ultrathin 0.4mm 3D-printed shell.
Yang also designed and 3D-printed custom high-speed propellers to meet the unique performance demands, as no suitable commercial options were available.
This required multiple rounds of design optimization to achieve the desired results.
Before the official flight, Yang heated the drone’s battery to around 40°C to ensure maximum performance during the speed trial.
His efforts paid off when the Prowess drone reached a top speed of 211.75 mph (340.78km/h), surpassing a long-standing barrier in micro-UAV design.
According to SCMP, Swiss engineer Samuele Gobbi, the current Guinness World Record holder for the fastest remote-controlled quadcopter in the non-micro category, recognized Yang’s achievement as groundbreaking.
Gobbi had previously received a specialized speed calculation method from the former record holder and later passed it on to Yang.
This method was instrumental in analyzing flight data and verifying the record. Yang’s work is a significant milestone in ultralight, high-speed drone engineering.
Yang emphasized that the drone speed racing community values cooperation over competition, expressing his willingness to share his knowledge with future challengers.
His journey to the record was not without setbacks—one of his prototypes crashed during a test in November due to motor overload, reports The Star.
Despite the challenges, Yang remains committed to pushing the limits of drone performance. He plans to refine the motor and propeller design to achieve even greater speeds.
For Yang, pursuing extreme speed is ongoing, reflecting a dedication to innovation and continuous improvement in high-speed microdrone technology, reports SCMP.
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/chinese-students-microdrone-hits-211mph
Japan may form first-ever UFO research office
May 16, 2025
Japanese lawmakers have called on the Ministry of Defense to establish a dedicated department to investigate unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), including UFOs and unidentified drones.
On May 16, members of the “Parliamentary League for UAP Clarification from a Security Perspective” delivered a formal proposal to Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, urging the government to strengthen surveillance and data collection in response to recent incursions by drones and surveillance balloons, particularly those believed to originate from China.
The proposal calls for the Ministry to form a specialized division focused on three key tasks: collecting and analyzing UAP-related data, disclosing relevant findings to the public, and reporting investigation results regularly to the National Diet.
Yasukazu Hamada, former Defense Minister and leader of the UAP league, emphasized the urgency of comprehensive readiness.
“It is critically important that we close any gaps in our response to these unexplained aerial events,” Hamada said. “Our position is to proceed with every possible scenario in mind.”
Defense Minister Kihara, one of the original supporters of the parliamentary league, acknowledged the relevance of the issue.
“As one of the league’s founding members, I continue to recognize the strategic importance of UAPs,” Kihara said.
“We are maintaining a broad, high-level focus on all phenomena that may impact Japan’s national security, including those involving unidentified objects.”
While Japan has previously tracked aerial objects that remain unexplained, the formal push to centralize and institutionalize UAP investigation marks a shift toward more structured engagement with potential airborne threats, including foreign surveillance assets.
This development comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows similar moves in the United States, where military and intelligence agencies have begun to openly report on UAP sightings and investigations.
Japanese lawmakers appear keen to adopt a similar framework to protect national airspace and enhance transparency.
https://defence-blog.com/japan-may-form-first-ever-ufo-research-office/
https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/872812
Lake Michigan’s Bermuda Triangle: Shipwrecks, UFOs, and More
May 15, 2025
You've probably heard of the "Bermuda Triangle"
A roughly 500,000 square mile area inside the Atlantic ocean that runs between Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico where many unexplained things have happened involving boats and airplanes disappearing and never being seen or heard from again.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) there are several theories about why these strange disappearances happen.
Some believe that it's an unexplained force possibly from another dimension. While others believe it can be explained by science.
Most tropical storms and hurricanes that happen in the Atlantic ocean come through the Bermuda triangle.
Back in the day technology wasn't as sophisticated as it is now which might have caused ships and planes to be lost if they ran into those strong storms.
Michigan has a similar Bermuda triangle that has been known to have many shipwrecks, plane crashes, disappearances along with reports of Unidentified flying objects (UFOs.) and unidentified submerged objects (USOs.)
Where Is The Lake Michigan Triangle?
The Lake Michigan triangle goes from Ludington to Manitowoc, down to Benton Harbor, and back to Ludington.
Just like the Bermuda triangle there are some people that believe something strange and unknown is causing these things to happen.
While there are some that try to explain it from a scientific perspective saying that wind waves could be to blame, the shape of Lake Michigan could allow for dangerous currents along with strong wind to take down a ship.
There is also the possibility of the disappearances being due to magnetic anomalies caused by magnetic declination and magnetic deviation.
This is the difference between true north and magnetic north, which can be different depending on location.
Lake Michigan deviates four to five degrees westward on average, which could possibly cause problems for an inexperienced sailor or pilot.
I hope that with both the Bermuda Triangle and the Lake Michigan triangle the strange things happening have nothing to do with a weird magnet field or UFO's and instead can be blamed on extreme weather that should be visible on radar giving planes and ships a heads up to try and navigate around it.
https://mix957gr.com/lake-michigan-triangle-explained/
New York State Resident Describes Black Disc-Shaped Object In the Sky
May 15, 2025
Are we being visited by beings from another world, or is there a far more plausible explanation for all of this?
Another witness in in the state of New York has reported something in the sky that they can not make much sense of.
This follows a string of recent reports from the across the state, detailing bizarre things from above.
New York state has once again seen another busy year for sightings of alleged discs, orbs, and other unexplained airborne objects, One such report even claimed they witnessed an actual human abduction by an unidentified craft in May 2024, though there is absolutely no credible basis to this claim.
New York State Resident Describes Black Disc-Shaped Object In the Sky
One of the latest filings to the National Unidentified Flying Object Recording Center is from an alleged encounter in Painted Post, New York, from late May 2.
The witness says they saw something flying in the sky that was roughly the size of a car, that they describe as a black disk with no lights.
The person told the NUFORC that they observed a "black disc-shaped object flying in a perfectly straight line across the sky".
They go on to claim that it moved at a constant speed, made no sound, had no lights, and showed no fluctuation or wobble. If true, this would rule out a bird, drone, or conventional aircraft.
The report says that the strange object "passed through the low clouds and disappeared into one after a few seconds".
The resident say that the object was "very round and moved smoothly with no visible means of propulsion."
https://wpdh.com/object-ufo-sighting-new-york-state-report-disc-aliens/
https://wpdh.com/ufo-abduction-new-york-state-pregnancy-baby-claim-hoax-report/
https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=189333
The Controversial Cold War History Behind the Landmark ‘UFO Bridge’ in Bratislava, Slovakia
May 16, 2025
Ryan Socash of It’s History takes a look at the landmark “UFO Bridge” (officially called the Most SNP Bridge) in Bratislava, Slovakia, speaking with tour guide Eva Cubrikova to learn more about how the local community viewed the bridge when it was first built and how it is seen now.
From a distance it looks like something out of science fiction A flying saucer hovering over Slovakia’s grandest river But this isn’t a movie set It’s a real structure built during the Cold War by a regime determined to reshape its capital city even if that meant erasing part of its past.
The UFO Bridge was built between 1967 and 1972 during the height of the Cold War. Construction destroyed a great deal of the historic Old Town and rose incongruously above the city, a brutalist figure standing over the charming European city and crossing the Danube River.
The idea wasn’t just to construct a bridge It was to create a new architectural symbol one that would reflect technological optimism modern design and the muscle of a new era.
But ambition came at a cost. Over 100 buildings were demolished to make room for the roads feeding the bridge. Homes, a synagogue, a conservatory and more.
Whole blocks of the Old Town were sacrificed in the name of progress.
In its early years, the restaurant at the top was only for those who could afford such luxury. There was a plan for a public promenade, but current events at the time made it impossible.
Dining at the top came with a high price tag meant for exclusive guests diplomats dignitaries high-ranking party members and so on The people could admire it but few would ever enter.
Interestingly, the bridge was originally designed to include a public promenade, with glass panels and shops linking both riverbanks The idea was scrapped after the 1968 Soviet invasion.
The UFO Bridge is currently considered a local icon, as it is the longest single span bridge in the world and Slovakia’s “Building of the Century” in 2001.
Time has a way of transforming perception. Some who once resented this bridge began to admire it Others never forgot what was lost.
But love it or not the UFO embedded itself in the identity of Bratislava In 2001 it was officially named Slovakia’s building of the century A structure once viewed as controversial had become a national icon.
https://laughingsquid.com/ufo-bridge-bratislava-slovakia/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GoXr_bH2Ds
UFOs Over Minford? Here’s What Really Shook the Night Skies
May 15, 2025
If you were anywhere near Minford, Lucasville, or West Portsmouth this week and thought you saw a UFO or felt your house tremble like it was auditioning for a sci-fi thriller—you’re not alone.
But before we break out the tinfoil hats and call Mulder and Scully, let’s talk about what really happened.
It Started with a Tip…
“I’d like to report a UFO sighting north of Minford, Ohio—White Gravel McDaniel Rd. It was moving east to west in a flying V pattern with yellow lights. It was massive.
I saw it between 9:30 and 9:45 PM. It resembled the Phoenix Lights and was accompanied by several jets flying overhead and two sonic booms. I could hear the jets but couldn’t see them.”
Lucasville: “Heard a very loud boom last night. Shook my house!”
West Portsmouth: “I heard the loud boom too.”
Minford: “Loud boom at 10:30 last night that made my house shake.”
More from Lucasville: “Heard it several times. Sounded like a bomb going off!”
We hear you loud and clear—literally.
So What’s Really Going On?
No need to panic. What you heard (and possibly felt) was the sound of safety in action.
The 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard is conducting night flying exercises from May 12–15, and these drills are the real reason the skies above southern Ohio have been full of thunder, light shows, and mystery jet trails.
Meet the 180th Fighter Wing
Based out of Swanton, Ohio, near Toledo, the 180FW has been serving since 1995. Their mission is no small potatoes:
In simple terms: they keep us safe, sharp, and ready for anything, anytime.
Why So Noisy?
The jets you saw (or didn’t see) are F-16 Fighting Falcons, capable of jaw-dropping speeds and cutting-edge defense maneuvers.
When they go supersonic, they create sonic booms—which explains the thunderous shakes and mysterious echoes around town.
These exercises happen in places like:
Buckeye/Brushcreek Airspace (yep, that’s us in southern Ohio!)
Alpena Airspace Complex in Michigan
Indiana Air Range Complex
The F-16 pilots train with radar systems, electronic attacks, and simulated missile sites. It’s like the world’s most intense (and loudest) flight school, except these students are already elite.
But Wait—There’s More
The 180FW isn’t just about flashy air maneuvers:
The 180th Medical Group takes care of over 1,000 personnel, keeping them healthy and deployment-ready.
The Fire & Emergency Services Department answers 24/7 emergency calls, responding to everything from medical rescues to wildfires (over 190 calls last year).
The Propulsion Team builds and tests engines that keep our jets in the air and ready to roll—supporting missions all over the globe.
And just in case you think this is all video game simulation—think again.
The 180FW’s F-16 Mission Training Center, launched in 2021, allows pilots to practice global combat missions virtually, all while connected in real-time with teams around the world.
So… UFOs?
Well, sort of. Just not the alien kind.
What folks witnessed was the awe-inspiring result of advanced aircraft doing exactly what they were designed to do: protect our skies, train our pilots, and keep America safe.
So the next time your windows rattle and your dog hides under the couch, you’ll know—it’s not little green men. It’s the 180th Fighter Wing doing the hard, loud work of defending our homeland.
https://sciotocountydailynews.com/ufos-over-minford-heres-what-really-shook-the-night-skies/
FBI wants AARO's funding: "Different people on [the FBI's UAP] team have actually seen objects,” Rep. Burlison reports
May 15, 2025
Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) — Task Force on Declassification of Federal Secrets
Ask a Pol asks:
As you all continue your UAP investigation, are you realizing AARO — the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office — is kind of powerless, because they're only as good as the top Pentagon brass will let them be?
Key Burlison:
“Yeah, and I think that what we've learned from David Grusch in our meeting with AARO is that AARO’s focus on DOD — and, you know, defense and those agencies and what can be reported to Congress — but a lot of this is at the White House level,” Burlison says.
“There are programs that are not required to report to Congress.”
Interesting, but the Secrets Task Force is still dialoguing with them through Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard?
“We are,” Burlison confirmed.
“different people on the team have actually seen objects”
“There's a small, very small team that can go out research this,” Burlison says. “Some different people on the team have actually seen objects.”
FBI wants bigger UAP role
“They would like a little bit more direct authority, so they specifically requested that we make some tweaks to some language regarding giving them more authority over this topic,” Burlison tells us of the FBI.
Caught our ear:
“Both AARO and the FBI have not had any direct connection to any hard, like, material, bodies, anything like that,” Burlison tells us.
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/fbi-agents-have-identified-uaps-aaro-unaware-of
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=punr1dJgSdY
https://truthsocial.com/@mattlasloreal
The Hidden Truth About Antarctica—Alien Structures That Defy Gravity! | Linda Moulton Howe
May 15, 2025
Navy SEALs reveal to Linda Moulton Howe the truth behind massive Antarctic structures with gravity-defying technology and ancient alien symbols.
00:00:00 The Enigmatic Antarctic Structures: Gravity-Neutralizing Technology
00:05:11 Ancient Hieroglyphs and Mysterious Carvings in Black Basalt
00:10:19 The Black Sun Symbol: Hidden Knowledge and Advanced Physics
00:15:30 Military Encounters and the Suppression of Extraterrestrial Discoveries
00:20:39 Genetic Manipulation: The 270-Million-Year Experiment
00:26:05 The Role of the Ebans: Creating and Ending the Dinosaur Era
00:31:30 Alien Resurrection Technology and Human Cloning
00:37:15 The Chilling Briefing: Humanity as an Extraterrestrial Experiment
00:43:00 The Emotional Impact: A Personal Account of Hidden Truths
00:48:20 Connecting the Dots: Global Symbol Patterns and Hidden History
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wAz_fkw0Dc
https://www.youtube.com/@earthfiles