Tag Archives: unemployment

Technology

Vehicle I-D: CH-53 Sea Stallion, Cold War & beyond

Video

The CH-53 Sea Stallion (U.S. Air Force designation HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant) was developed under Sikorsky’s S-65 program, the prototype first flew in 1964.

U.S. Marines pile out of their CH-53A, to begin a search and destroy operation 17 miles southeast of Phu Bai, Viet Nam, 18NOV1967.  The Vietnam era workhorse continues to serve and support the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as other countries including Iran.

The Imperial Iranian Navy bought, and received, six RH-53Ds just before the Revolution.  Apparently the RH vs CH designation denotes U.S. Navy (USN) vs U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) use of the Sea Stallion, the USN and Imperial Iran Navy using them primarily as minesweepers.

Iran ‘acquired’ five intact U.S. Marine CH-53Ds (former U.S. Navy RH-53Ds) due to the failed Eagle Claw operation, and has been able to get parts through international weapons dealers.

Fars News Agency photo by Hassan Mousavi.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy continues to upgrade the Sea Stallion, because they love it!

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Michaela R. Gregory.

CH-53E Super Stallion during Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, Yuma, Arizona, April 2017:

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Michaela R. Gregory.

Another video:

USMC photo Lance Corporal Clare J. Shaffer.

USMC photo Corporal Trever A. Statz.

USMC photo Corporal Trever A. Statz.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Clare J. Shaffer.

 

VEHICLE I-D: AH-1Z USMC FARP

Business/Economics

Big Box electronics retailer suddenly dies!

08 April 2017 (15:48 UTC-07 Tango 06) 19 Farvardin 1396/11 Rajab 1438/12 Jia Chen 4715

After 62 years Indianapolis based electronics retailer hhgregg suddenly died, all 220 stores and 14 distribution centers shutting down by the end of next month!

Bankrupt hhgregg had until 07 APR 2017 to find a buyer, but nobody came through: “…we had discussions with more than 50 private equity firms, strategic buyers and other investors, unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in our plan to secure a viable buyer of the business on a going-concern basis within the expedited timeline set by our creditors.”-Bob Riesbeck, CEO

Administrators blame the death of hhgregg on years of crashing electronics sales and a failed attempt shift to other types of home appliances.

Hhgregg will add thousands more unemployed retail workers to the tens of thousands who will be unemployed by Summer:  RUE21, HI-TECH RETAIL FAIL!

‘ZOMBIE’ PAYLESS SHOES SHUTDOWN LIST OF 400 STORES!

VANITY DIES

MASSIVE MACY’S MELTDOWN!

JCPENNEY HIT-LIST REVEALED! 138 STORES BEGIN SHUTTING DOWN IN TWO WEEKS!

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

U.S.

National Guard responds to chemical attack(?) in Arizona!

07 April 2017 (01:50 UTC-07 Tango 06) 18 Farvardin 1396/10 Rajab 1438/11 Jia Chen 4715

Arizona first responders and National Guard suit-up for toxic gas situation at animal hospital

On 06 APR 2017, employees at an animal hospital in Gilbert, Arizona, thought they smelled a gas leak.  When the fire department investigated they claim to have found a toxic gas “hazmat situation” and ordered an evacuation of the Arizona Veterinary Specialists clinic.

The National Guard’s 91st Civil Support Team was called in, as well as surrounding municipality’s HAZMAT teams.   Apparently first responders called it a hazmat situation because they determined it was not a gas leak, but they were not able to identify what was in the air.

Entering the Hot Zone in Level-A suits

14 dogs and one cat were evacuated, most were connected to medical equipment.  Local news media said the first dog brought out was in critical condition, but didn’t say if it was due to the toxic gas. Veterinarians who checked out the animals after evacuation don’t think the animal’s conditions are connected to the hazmat situation.

Local news media say the employees, and the fire crews that responded to the 9-1-1 call, were checked for contamination.  Finally, investigators determined the toxic gas was ethylene oxide, a chemical used to sterilize medical equipment.

Ethylene oxide is a flammable colorless gas with a sweet odor, and is also used to make toxic bug spray.

PITTSBURGH ASKS ARMY RESERVE FOR WATER!

NATIONAL GUARD PREPS FOR CATASTROPHIC EVENT!

Business/Economics, Idaho, Technology

Rue21, Hi-Tech retail fail! Another blow for Chubbuck?

06 April 2017 / 20:07 UTC-07 Tango 06 (18 Farvardin 1396/10 Rajab 1438/11 Jia Chen 4715)

Rue21 issued a massive 4-hundred store shutdown list, Idaho will lose two stores, click here for the list.  To find out which store is closing click on your state, then click each city listed, the stores that are closing will have “Closing Store” posted above the location name.

Will the relatively new rue21 store in the Pine Ridge Mall be forced to shutdown?

Will the relatively new rue21 store in the Pine Ridge Mall be forced to shutdown?

Unnamed sources inside rue21 told main stream news media that the ‘teen’ clothing retailer is about to go bankrupt, and has hired counselors who specialize in shutting down and/or selling off brick-n-mortar stores.

In Chubbuck, Idaho, the Pine Ridge Mall has a large rue21 store.  The store opened only four years ago. It never seems to have a lot of customers.

Other main stream news media reports say rue21 has massive debts and failed to make loan payments.  Suppliers have even stopped shipments of new clothes for fear of not being paid.

At the beginning of this year rue21 created new executive positions, claiming they would “propel the company forward”.  Last year rue21 was described as being the largest fast growing fashion retailer in the United States, apparently that was a lie.

Don’t blame the internet, or hi-tech, rue21 has a website and uses the latest retail tech platform called Aptos.  The use of hi-tech resulted in rue21 winning the Gold Award for Customer Engagement, just last year!

Last year’s technology upgrades were an attempt to revive the clothing seller, obviously technology failed.

‘ZOMBIE’ PAYLESS SHOES SUDDENLY SHUTTERS 400 STORES! ANOTHER BLOW TO THE CITY OF CHUBBUCK?

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

Business/Economics

“identify additional opportunities for….reduction”: Sears Kmart Death Spiral, April 2017

Sears shutting down 50 more Auto Centers and Kmart shutting down 92 pharmacies!  It’s an attempt to cut operating costs by $1.25-billion USD in 2017!

“Our investigation focuses on whether Sears and related Plan fiduciaries breached their duties in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) by maintaining the Sears company stock fund in the Plan, while the stock price plummeted and the company’s condition deteriorated. These breaches may have resulted in multi-million dollar losses of the Plan participants’ retirement earnings.”-Keller Rohrback LLP, contact attorney Tanya Korkhov

Seeking Alpha: “The option market says investors are willing to bet very hard on Sears going down.”

“Don’t hang onto them for five years from now. If you get a gift card, try to use it!”-Kayleena Speakman, Better Business Bureau of Central California warning people of store gift cards due to massive retail store shutdowns

Motley Fool: REIT Positioned to Profit From Sears Holdings’ Slow Demise

Is Pier 1 Imports doomed?  It was revealed that the newly former president of Kmart is now the new CEO of the Texas based retailer.

Itemlive.com: Man claims Sears did $3-thousand USD damage to his kitchen.

In California, the Southbay Pavillion Sears shutting down in the city of Carson.  Local news media pointed out that earlier in the year the official plans were to “downsize” the store, but as of 13 APR 2017 Sears Holdings confirmed they will actually shut it down in July.

In Florida, it’s been revealed that Sears will not renew the lease on a massive warehouse in Jacksonville.  The lease expires at the beginning of 2018, the $28.8-million USD warehouse was built specifically for Sears in 2008, it’s considered the largest warehouse in Florida.  The Hialeah Kmart shutting down by mid-July.  The Aventura Sears shutting down by Sears Holdings spin-off Seritage Growth, who owns the property.  Seritage Growth will re-develop the property into smaller retail spaces.  The property that the Milton Kmart (on US90) sits on is now for sale. The California based owner says he is not going to wait for Sears Holdings to shut the Kmart down, he’s selling the property while there is still an active Kmart on it.

In Iowa, the Waterloo the 48 years old Sears Auto Center shutting down by the end of May.

In Kansas, the Topeka Sears Auto Center shutting down by the end of May.

In New Jersey local news media discovered that Sears Holdings-Seritage Growth are tearing down the Watchung Sears store and Auto Center.  The Auto Center space has already been leased to Cinemark and the Sears store will be chopped up into smaller retail spaces.

In New Mexico, the Alamogordo Sears is shutting down by June.

Proof the shopping mall isn’t dead. In New York, the New Dorp-Staten Island Kmart (in the Hylan Plaza) shutting down by August.  Local news reports say the property is being redeveloped into a $150-million USD “multi-level shopping complex”. Gee, didn’t they used to call multi-level shopping complexes a ‘Mall’?  (in 2012 I warned that all these store shutdowns were part of a False Flag operation by Real Estate Investment Trusts: ALL PART OF REIT PLAN TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU SHOP, AND THEY BLAME YOU THE SHOPPER!)

In North Carolina, the Monroe Sears shutting down by the end of June.  Local news media reported that Sears Holdings has yet to make public what is now obviously a second round of shutdowns for the year.

In Ohio, the Beavercreek (Dayton) Kmart shutting down by mid-July.

News media in Pennsylvania confirmed that the Meadville Kmart is shutting down.  The store will shutdown by mid-July, the closeout sale starts at the end of April.  Kmart in East Stroudsburg shutting down by Summer, local shoppers say it was the last Kmart in the area and now the only retailer left is Walmart.

In South Carolina, the Northwoods Mall Sears in North Charleston shutting down.  The Auto Center will shutdown by the end of April, and the store will shutdown by mid-June.  Local news media discovered the Auto Center is already scheduled for subdivision. The lease expired and Sears Holdings will not renew it, saying “…we are working to actively manage our real estate portfolio to identify additional opportunities for reconfiguration and reduction of capital obligations.”

In Virginia, mall developer Core Property Capital is demanding taxpayers pay-up to fund the redevelopment of the vacant Christiansburg Kmart property!  They want Montgomery County to declare a special property tax district to raise taxes to pay for the redevelopment of privately owned commercial property!

In Washington, the Spanaway Kmart on Pacific Avenue South shutting down by mid-June.

Sears Kmart Death Spiral, March 2017: “SUBSTANTIAL DOUBT”

JANUARY 2017, SEARS KMART SELF-DESTRUCT, includes list of shutdowns back to 2011

Idaho, International

Snake River Militia (?) spends taxpayer money building hospitals in Central America!

05 April 2017 / 20:14 UTC-07 Tango 06 (17 Farvardin 1396/09 Rajab 1438/10 Jia Chen 4715)

Former National Guardsmen from Montana, now Army Reservists (but still wearing the patch of Idaho based Snake River Brigade), are in the Central American country of Belize building hospitals and schools under a U.S. Southern Command sub-operation called Double Head Cabbage.

Former Snake River Brigade member Sergeant Ramon Firestone, from Montana, measures a 2×4 for use in making roof supports in Belize

Belize was once a colony of the British empire, called British Honduras, gaining so-called independence in 1981.  In 2006 oil was discovered in the area known as Spanish Lookout.

Double Head Cabbage is part of a larger operation between United States and Belize, called Beyond the Horizon 2017.  Beyond the Horizon will provide free medical help to the people of Belize, at U.S. taxpayer expense!

Specialist Troy Hanson, from Montana. Defense Department reports say he’s with Army Reserve, but note the National Guard Snake River Brigade patch on his sleeve.

Interestingly the personnel from Montana claim to belong to a federal Army Reserve unit, yet they wear Idaho National Guard’s Snake River Brigade (116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team) patch (see pics above).

The Army Reserve unit the personnel claim to be from is known as the 672nd Engineer Company.  I discovered that the 672nd was deactivated back in June 1959, but reactivated in September 2008.

The Montana reservists are wearing the National Guard patch on their right sleeves to indicate they were deployed to a combat zone with the Snake River Brigade.  Recently rules were changed concerning the wearing of the ‘combat patch’.  For a long time the size of the unit you deployed with, how long you were deployed in a combat zone, and whether or not Congress actually declared war, determined the wearing of the combat patch.  Another problem has been that some brigade level commanders actually banned the wearing of combat patches.  The wearing of the combat patch is voluntary.

VEHICLE ID: SNAKE RIVER M1A2 SEP, LIVE FIRE ROMANIA!

CANUCKS JOIN SNAKE RIVER MILITIA, AIR ASSAULT MOVE TO CONTACT, ROMANIA!

116TH SNAKE RIVER’S 2015 NTC ROTATION

U.S.

Pittsburgh asks Army Reserve for water!

“How much purified water can one of your water purification units produce to distribute to the public?”-City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety

04 APR 2017 meeting between Pittsburgh admin and U.S. Army Reserve commanders

Just days ago the city of Pittsburgh asked the U.S. Army Reserve 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) to provide logistical information about water purification.

Not much info has been made public about the meeting, other than city administrators are concerned about the loss of city water services due to a potential ‘disaster’.

U.S.

Militarizing the Cops: Mississippi Militia trains up police!

Video

Mississippi National Guard conducts MARLINSPIKE-2, an operation involving more than 30 federal and state agencies train-up local police/first responders with military tactics and equipment and create Composite Interagency Teams to respond to WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) attacks!

UH-72 Lakota training:

Clearing a Building, Port Security, React to WMD:

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Smith explains MARLINSPIKE-2:

Vigilant Guard 17-2: PREPS FOR CATASTROPHIC EVENT!

U.S.

National Guard preps for Catastrophic Event!

Video

The U.S. state of Georgia recently hosted the massive Vigilant Guard 17 part 2 exercise (Vigilant Guard 17 part 1 was held in California & Nevada at the end of 2016):

The exercise is promoted as preparations for natural disasters, however our leaders must be expecting a massive catastrophic event because Vigilant Guard 17-2 included the United States Northern Command, U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard Bureau, Georgia Department of Defense, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, South Carolina National Guard, Kentucky National Guard, Florida National Guard, Tennessee National Guard, Virgin Islands National Guard, and included preparations for a Chemical-Biological-Radiological ‘event’!

State militia personnel conduct ‘Hot Zone’ checks onboard a ship, off the coast of Georgia

U.S. Army NorthCom explains Vigilant Guard:

LOUISIANA MILITIA PREPS FOR DISASTER 2017!

Business/Economics, Idaho

‘Zombie’ Payless shoes suddenly shutters 400 stores! Another blow to the city of Chubbuck?

04 April 2017 (16:20 UTC-07 Tango 06) 15 Farvardin 1396/07 Rajab 1438/08 Jia Chen 4715

“…with the immediate closure of nearly 400 underperforming locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and work to aggressively manage the remaining real estate lease portfolio either by modifying terms, or evaluating closures of additional locations.”-Payless statement, 04 APR 2017

Despite Donald Trump running The White House, the Obama regime initiated apparel industry death spiral is ramping up.  Discount cheap-o shoe seller Payless suddenly ‘died’ today after filing for bankruptcy.

4-hundred U.S. stores forced to shutdown immediately!  The thousands of remaining stores around the world will undergo ‘managed’ shutdowns!  (click this link to the official shutdown list)

Payless is officially not dead, but should be considered a zombie retailer as executives struggle to keep the company going: “This is a difficult, but necessary, decision driven by the continued challenges of the retail environment, which will only intensify. We will build a stronger Payless for our customers, vendors and suppliers, associates, business partners and other stakeholders through this process. While we have had to make many tough choices, we appreciate the substantial support we have received from our lenders, who share our belief that we have a unique opportunity to enable Payless — the iconic American footwear retailer with one of the best-recognized global brands — to remain the go-to shoe store for customers in America and around the globe.”-Paul Jones, CEO

Payless in struggling Pine Ridge Mall, employees swear they've been told no shutdown for them

Payless in struggling Pine Ridge Mall, employees swear they’ve been told no shutdown for them

However, the Payless ShoeSource employees at the struggling Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck, Idaho, swear they are not being shutdown.  They claim that corporate administrators say the Chubbuck Payless is actually making money.

In related news, the Payless store in Pocatello, Idaho (which was quietly shutdown back in October 2016), was supposedly shutdown because of landlord/tenant problems, not lack of sales.

MORE ECONOMIC DECLINE: VANITY DIES IN IDAHO

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, JANUARY 2017: Kansas based Payless shoe seller suddenly laid off 110 HQ employees!  Elsewhere, another 55 Payless employees were suddenly dumped.  Local news media say laid off employees were given no notice and were escorted out by security guards!

 U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR JOB LOSSES, OCTOBER 2016: Payless Shoes shutting down three stores in Illinois, right after Thanksgiving, blaming “landlord issues”.

U.S. JOB LOSSES & STORE CLOSINGS, SEPTEMBER 2014: NO MORE PAYLESS?

U.S. JOB LOSSES & STORE CLOSINGS, JANUARY 2013: Payless Shoes HQ in Topeka, Kansas, laid off 45 people and eliminated 97 vacant positions. New owners of Payless say the job cuts are an effort to keep the company operating.