Somewhere inside an Israeli military intelligence facility, an autistic corporal is eight hours into his shift, scanning satellite imagery on multiple monitors. He does not find this tedious or boring; it’s actually quite relaxing.
Continue reading “The Military’s Untapped Advantage: Neurodivergent Talent”
DEFSMAC Mission
Although little known to the public at large, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center (DEFSMAC) serves in the forefront of U.S. missile and space intelligence. The Center coordinates the collection of intelligence information on foreign missiles and satellites from the ground, from the sea, and from aerospace based upon intelligence requirements. The Center personnel then analyze the initial collection results and provide intelligence reporting based on the information.
Continue reading “Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center (DEFSMAC) Established, April 27, 1964”
PIRAZ (Positive Identification Radar Advisory Zone), more commonly known by the callsign “RED CROWN,” was the most important station given to ships of the Cruiser/Destroyer force and was responsible for control of Navy airstrikes against North Vietnam. RED CROWN frequently controlled Air Force strike packages as well, and many USAF pilots preferred working with RED CROWN, a testament to the professionalism of whatever ship was assigned such duties.
Continue reading “PIRAZ “RED CROWN””
Operation Eagle Claw, conducted on April 24, 1980, was a significant military operation undertaken by the United States with the aim of rescuing American hostages held captive in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. While the mission ultimately ended in failure, it played a pivotal role in shaping the development and implementation of joint operations within the U.S. military.
Continue reading “Operation Eagle Claw: Catalyst for Joint Operations Development”
Frabizio Moreria once said, “The American Dream is that any man or woman, despite of his or her background, can change their circumstances and rise as high as they are willing to work.” Our nation has given each American citizen an equal opportunity to become successful through our education system, but some must work harder than others. It is not that they are academically challenged, but they are financially challenged. The circumstances we are born into and the troubles we face on a daily basis aren’t necessarily the same. That’s the reason the words of Moreria have always influenced me. No matter what endeavor I’ve gone through in my life, I am the man I am today because of the hardships that I’ve had to endure and face. In my opinion, struggle is the best part about succeeding; if given everything, I would have never known the difference between a want and a need. Without the many setbacks that I’ve endured, I may have never acquired those essential building blocks that are critical for me to reach each of my various goals. These struggles gave me purpose along with an undeniable determination to succeed.
Continue reading “Motivational Statement of Marquay Byrd”
Retraction:
“The December 2025 edition of the LVA newsletter include unsubstantiated claims that Station HYPO – A POPULAR, UNOFFICIAL Navy cryptologic history website – was engaged in censoring information about the USS Liberty and the deadly 1967 attack upon the ship by Israeli forces. Station HYPO is edited and maintained by CWO Mario Vulcano, USN (ret.). It has been brought to our attention that the Liberty articles on the blog were removed as part of a mass purge in 2024 of all material on the blog for reasons unrelated to the USS Liberty. Since then, CWO Vulcano has published more than a dozen posts pertaining to the USS Liberty on Station HYPO. In sum, there was no censorship or suppression of “Liberty history” by Station HYPO. The USS Liberty Veterans Association apologizes to CWO Vulcano for failing to exercise our due diligence before publishing the false allegation made in the last newsletter and we thank him for his ongoing support in commemorating the men of the USS Liberty.”
Station HYPO 