Latest news with #ArmyandAirForce
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Berks widow remembers veteran husband who died of effects of Agent Orange
Memorial Day has special meaning for Mary Pohl. The holiday remembers the men and women who died while serving in the military. But Mary, 61, of Muhlenberg Township will tell you that not all those who made the ultimate sacrifice died on the battlefield or while actively serving. Some, like her late husband, Norbert 'Rufus' Pohl, continued to suffer long after they left the military and eventually died of injuries and illnesses tied to their service. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Rufus passed away at age 74 in 2021 after decades of enduring medical problems linked to his exposure to Agent Orange. 'Agent Orange is the gift that keeps on giving,' Mary said he'd say, implying the opposite of the idiom's meaning. 'We always knew it would catch up with him eventually.' More than 11 million gallons of the herbicide were used by the U.S. military to clear enemy cover in Vietnam. It worked very fast. Within hours of it landing on leaves and grass, they turned brown. Within a day or so, the trees would be bare. As it was sprayed, an oily mist moistened the faces, hands and clothes of anyone in range, including an estimated 2.1 million to 4.5 million Vietnam civilians and around 2.8 million U.S. forces on the ground between 1962 and 1975. The toxic chemical has been linked to cancer, diabetes, heart and vascular diseases, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease and other conditions, as well birth defects in the offspring of those exposed. Long-lasting friendship Mary and Rufus were married about a year when at 37 he suffered the first in a series of heart attacks later linked to his exposure. There were those who didn't expect their relationship to survive, Mary said, but it did. Neither was looking for romance or marriage when they met a few years earlier while volunteering for a local ambulance crew. Mary, then a 19-year-old nursing student, was looking to gain experience with medical emergencies. Rufus, divorced and 16 years her senior, was hoping to exorcise some of the demons left by the war. Vietnam veteran Norbert Rufus" and Mary Pohl. (Courtesy of Mary Pohl) 'We just started out as friends,' she said. 'And that friendship we developed lasted 38 years.' Mary was considering joining the Air Force, she told Rufus, seeking his advice. He began sharing details of his service in the Army and Air Force in Vietnam, and sensing her compassionate nature, opened up. 'Because I was young, I didn't know a lot about the war,' she said, 'and I would sometimes ask him questions.' Rufus was awarded the Purple Heart after being seriously wounded when hit by a grenade. A dog trainer and handler, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, nine months with the Army, 1 1/2 years with the Air Force. He served the second tour so he could be with his German shepherd, Rusty, Mary said. He tried to stay for a third tour but was denied, she said. The dog stayed in Vietnam. Circle of support There were few besides Mary whom he could talk to about the trauma. Only the friends he met through the Berks County Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club and other veteran organizations could truly understand, she said. Those friends stuck by Mary and Rufus throughout his illness, she said, and since his death, they remain her strongest support system. 'Veterans have a bond that is unbelievable,' she said. 'I see it with the Vietnam vets motorcycle club.' Most people didn't want to talk about the war in the decade or so after it ended in 1975, she said. And few were talking about Agent Orange even though the military stopped using the herbicide a year after a 1969 report found it could cause birth defects in laboratory animals. The thousands of studies that followed showed a connection between the highly toxic dioxin in Agent Orange and a number of health problems often seen in Vietnam veterans. In 1991, Congress enacted the Agent Orange Act, which allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs to declare certain medical conditions presumptive. That means studies showed a link between those conditions and exposure to the chemical, entitling Vietnam veterans with those conditions to medical treatment and disability pay. Rufus suffered for decades with heart issues and Parkinson's disease linked to his service by the VA. In his latter years, he wore an orange-colored T-shirt to symbolize the herbicide. 'I was killed in Vietnam, I just haven't died yet,' it read on the back. Despite his medical challenges, her husband stayed active in the motorcycle group and participated in other veteran organizations, including the Vietnam War Dog Handlers Association and the Vietnam Security Police Association. Norbert "Rufus Pohl with his German shepherd Rusty in Vietnam. (Courtesy of Mary Pohl) The couple's favorite getaway was with other members of the motorcycle club. The group has a 30-acre campground in Juniata County. It's a place where veterans and their partners can be themselves and relax, Mary said. 'It's really a brotherhood up there,' she said. 'We sit around the campfire and some of the guys will get a harmonica or guitar out. It's just very comforting to see them together.' The campground has a dedicated area where the cremains of deceased members are scattered and memorial services are held. That's where Mary and the other widows go to grieve and remember with the surviving club members. They were there for National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, she said, and they will be there for Memorial Day. 'We try to support each other,' Mary said, 'because there's nothing easy about all this.' Berks County Agent Orange and War Dog Memorial Mary Pohl is among those advocating for memorials for Vietnam veterans who died of or were disabled by exposure to Agent Orange, and for Vietnam war dogs and their handlers. The memorials would be an extension of the Vietnam War Memorial in Reading's City Park. For more information, visit the Berks County Agent Orange and War Dog Memorials Facebook page.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Karachi among targets as Indian Navy stayed combat-ready in Arabian Sea: Vice Admiral Pramod on Operation Sindoor
(ANI photo) NEW DELHI: Vice Admiral AN Pramod on Sunday said that in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack , the Indian Navy immediately mobilised its carrier battle group into the northern Arabian Sea in full combat readiness, adopting what he called a "decisive and deterrent posture." Speaking at a joint press briefing alongside Army and Air Force officials, he confirmed that the Indian Navy had remained forward deployed with the capability to strike high-value targets, including Pakistan's financial capital, Karachi, under Operation Sindoor . Operation Sindoor 'Decided to strike where it would hurt': Air Marshal on Op Sindoor Op Sindoor: IC-814 hijackers, Pulwama plotters among over 100 terrorists killed 'Pak Army lost 35 to 40 personnel': Takeaways from armed forces' briefing on Op Sindoor 'In the aftermath of the cowardly attacks on innocent tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistani-sponsored terrorists on 22nd April, the Indian Navy's Carrier battle group, surface forces, submarines and aviation assets were immediately deployed at sea with full combat readiness,' said Vice Admiral Pramod. 'We tested and refined tactics and procedures at sea during multiple weapon firings in the Arabian Sea within 96 hours of the terrorist attack,' he added. Vice Admiral also mentioned that Pakistan's naval and air units were forced into a largely defensive stance, retreating to harbours or staying close to the coastline, movements that Indian forces continuously monitored. 'Our forces remained forward deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea in a decisive and deterrent posture with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, at a time of our choosing,' he said. Vice Admiral Pramod highlighted the measured approach adopted by India. 'Our response has been measured, proportionate, non-escalatory and responsible from day one,' he said. 'As we speak, the Indian Navy remains deployed at sea in a credible deterrent posture to respond decisively to any inimical action by Pakistan.' Delivering a pointed warning, he stated, 'This time if Pakistan dares to take any action, Pakistan knows what we are going to do.' The briefing came just a day after Pakistan approached India with a proposal for a full ceasefire across land, air, and sea an understanding it violated later the same evening. All three branches of India's armed forces, Army, Navy, and Air Force, addressed the media to provide a detailed account of Operation Sindoor, the military response launched on May 7 in retaliation for the Pakistan-backed attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. Pakistan responded to India's counterterror operation with a swarm of drones and missile incursions over the subsequent days. However, India's air defence systems acted swiftly and effectively, neutralising the threats and preventing any casualties or damage. Ironically, even as these hostilities unfolded, Pakistan reached out to India on Saturday, proposing a full ceasefire across land, air, and sea. The request, made via a call from Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations to his Indian counterpart, was positioned as a step toward de-escalation. Yet, within hours of this outreach, Pakistan breached the very peace agreement it had proposed, casting a shadow over the credibility of its peace overture. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India intercepts Pakistan missiles in skies over Rajasthan & Punjab
Image used for representative purposes JAISALMER\CHANDIGARH: Multiple missiles and drones launched from Pakistan were intercepted and destroyed by Indian forces in Jaisalmer, Barmer and other Rajasthan districts Saturday. Many spots in Punjab's Ferozepur, Bathinda, Jalandhar and Amritsar reported damage to homes and farms as debris from weapons lay strewn around. The attacks, which began late Friday night and continued until noon Saturday, occurred just hours before a pause in fighting was announced Saturday evening. Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Tensions Live Updates: India hits back after Pakistan violates ceasefire; Nagrota sentry hurt in brief gunfire Operation Sindoor Live Updates: Drones shot down at multiple places in J&K as Pakistan violates bilateral understanding Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal Unconfirmed reports suggested some damage to Pathankot airbase in Punjab, though authorities remained tight-lipped on the matter. In Rajasthan, residents across multiple districts reported loud explosions and bright flashes throughout Friday-Saturday night. At least eight missile fragments and drone debris were found in residential areas and fields across Jaisalmer, Barmer and neighbouring Balotra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo In Pareu area of Balotra, locals reported a thunderous explosion at 4:45am Saturday, accompanied by intense light that lasted approximately 10 minutes. A large missile-like object, measuring 10-15 feet, was discovered in the area, prompting immediate response from local authorities. Jodhpur range IG Vikas Kumar confirmed the attack, saying the area was secured by Army and Air Force personnel soon after. The impact was particularly hard on Jaisalmer's Bhagu village, where a missile created a 10ft wide and 2ft deep crater around 4:30am Saturday. Similar attacks were reported near Jamla village, where missile debris damaged local fencing as well as a house, though no casualties were reported. In the high-security Pokhran region of Jaisalmer district, missile parts were strewn at four different locations, including areas near Veermdevra and Ugras villages in Ramdeora area. Weapon debris was also found scattered near Dhadu village, in addition to Sankra and Mandwa areas. Throughout the Pakistani offensives, district administrations maintained high alert, with sirens blaring through the night. While no significant damage or casualties were reported, the attacks created an atmosphere of chaos among residents. Indian armed forces successfully intercepted all incoming threats, demonstrating their preparedness in protecting border areas. In Punjab's Ferozepur, Pakistani drones hit private properties in several areas, with the objects falling in fields, causing craters and damaging crops. In Jallupur Khera village of Amritsar, cracks appeared in a building, possibly after being hit by a drone. In Jalandhar's Adampur, possible drone debris were strewn across fields in Alwalpur Kureshian, Mahadipur, and Isharwal Dhandor Chak villages. Adampur MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli, who visited all the sites, said that except for one village, the debris did not cause any damage as they fell in open fields.
India.com
07-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
DNA: How Operation Sindoor Took Place?
India has taken this strong revenge 15 days after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Now we want to draw your attention towards the terrorist attack and the day of revenge from Pakistan. In Operation Sindoor, airstrikes were carried out on terrorist camps in Pakistan..9 targets of Pakistani terrorists were destroyed on Tuesday Sindoor started at 1:04 in the this military operation ended in 25 minutes without any 9 hours after the airstrikes, the officers of the Indian Foreign Ministry, Army and Air Force gave complete information about the airstrikes to the country and the world.
New Indian Express
02-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Army, IAF to fly Dhruv again after crash probe
BENGALURU: The Army and Air Force variants of the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv have been cleared for operations, nearly four months after the entire fleet was grounded following a fatal crash in January. In an official press release issued by the HAL on Thursday, the clearance was granted based on the recommendations of the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee, which looked into the cause of the January 5 crash in Porbandar. 'A time-bound plan for the phased resumption of flying has been worked out with the users,' the release said. This clearance applies only to the Army and Air Force variants for now. The crash on January 5 involved an ALH Mark-III of the Indian Coast Guard, killing all three crew members during a training sortie. Following the incident, all 330 ALHs in service with the armed forces were grounded as a safety precaution. Investigators had found that the chopper had failed to respond to pilot inputs in its final few seconds. The root cause was identified as a fracture in the swashplate assembly, a critical part in the helicopter's transmission system. HAL officials had also suspected that a rare material failure may have led to the malfunction. Though the Army and Air Force variants have now been cleared, the advisory to civilian operators remains. HAL has asked them to keep their ALH Mark-III helicopters grounded until the investigation into the Porbandar crash is fully completed.
