Star Wars: Blogs | The View of the Vu'traat Tay'haai | Star Wars and the Modern Military

The View of the Vu'traat Tay'haai

by: Darth Vadere

date posted: Mar 08, 2006 1:19 PM | updated: May 10, 2006 7:33 PM

Star Wars and the Modern Military

While working on my unit's annual history this afternoon, I ran across a file that might as well have been blinking in neon red and screaming my name audibly. It read "X-Wing Fielding Plan." As both a Rogue Squadron fan and dedicated historian, I was forced to examine the contents of this mysterious document immediately. I'll admit that the fan portion of my personality played the dominant role. Alas, it contained no mention of Incom, S-foils, or astromech droids. The X-Wing utilized by the United States Air Force isn't even a vehicle, but rather a foldable antenna for UHF Line of Sight (LOS) and Satellite Communications (SATCOM). It features a magnetic base for vehicle mount, but can also be carried by operators in the field. I'll spare you unnecessary technical details, which I'll admit to only partially comprehending. What's an "Ohm" again?

The X-Wing antenna isn't the first nod to Star Wars by members of the U.S. military. Former students of Army Brigadier General (Retired) Huba Wass de Czege at Fort Leavenworth's School for Advanced Military Studies formulated the ground-war strategy of the first Gulf War. The group of young officers referred to themselves as the "Jedi Knights," and many credit them with significant contributions to the overall success of Operation DESERT STORM. Fortunately for us victory was not immediately followed by Order 66 for these Jedi commanders. Additionally, many personnel employ Star Wars-inspired call signs, and select GFFA-themed operational designations. I'm certain that fans who have served in the military could provide us with an abundance of anecdotes to that effect.

http://blogs.starwars.com/darthvadere/5

Click here to hide comments for this entry

	Karen Traviss "Cannon to right of them, cannon to left of them...noble Three Million!"
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 1:44 PM Now there's interesting... Ones I know about: Project Jedi (not the most...er...solid of military projects, but it's SW-related, so it counts, even if it's deeply weird): and my buddy Ray, who posts as Mando Sniper here, used Wraith as his call sign when he was in Iraq. Plus there's always Reagan's Star Wars initiative.

Darth Vadere
The View of the Vu'traat Tay'haai

date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 1:54 PM

Ones I know about: Project Jedi (not the most...er...solid of military projects, but it's SW-related, so it counts, even if it's deeply weird):

I'd forgotten about Project Jedi. Weird stuff indeed.

my buddy Ray, who posts as Mando Sniper here, used Wraith as his call sign when he was in Iraq.

Now that is really cool. Kudos to Ray on that selection.

Plus there's always Reagan's Star Wars initiative.

I debated inclusion of SDI, but I'm pretty sure that the monicker Star Wars either originated in media hype, or as a term of derision within the military. So I opted to skip it.

	bonniegrrl Droids Just Wanna Have Fun
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 2:23 PM very cool entry... making you the Featured Blog of the Day

	Darth Vadere The View of the Vu'traat Tay'haai
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 3:31 PM very cool entry... making you the Featured Blog of the Day Thanks Bonnie!

	Anakin SoloOrganaSkywalker Are the Sith all gone forever...?
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 4:23 PM That realIy is an interesting observation! I only wonder, what GL would say to this...he obviously was against STAR WARS being used as the name of a real life military operation ( read somewhere, that he went to court, but without success), now having fragments of his creation used like that, in real military circumstances...what would the flannelled one say...

	Ewan_Kenobi Memoirs from the Soresu Master
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 5:28 PM Congrats on the Featured Blog of the Day!! I love finding out how real life places and people relate to Star Wars! Thanks for the information.

	Bravo 225 "Nice Skirt, Hand Washable?" - "Its a Kama!"
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 5:34 PM Now this is an interesting blog! Are you in Iraq or something? Just wondering, 'cause I support you Army guys all the way! DEATH TO THE TERRORISTS & INSURGENTS! FREEDOM FOR IRAQIS! WHOOHOOO! ahem Sorry, I just had a little patriotic burst there.

	Son of a Bith The Cantina Corner
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 5:37 PM What is Project Jedi? Is it like Project Stargate? (named before the movie or the shows) That was weird. Training people to be psychics...(cue Twilight Zone theme) Here in the States it is common knowledge that the now-bankrupt Enron used SW themed names.

Darth Vadere
The View of the Vu'traat Tay'haai

date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 5:37 PM

I only wonder, what GL would say to this

I won't presume to speak for Mr. Lucas, but I don't think that his politics necessarily require him to oppose everything associated with the military. After all, Lucasfilm is now working out of the Presidio, a former U.S. Army installation. Lucas and Rick McCallum also worked out a plan to screen Revenge of the Sith for troops serving in Iraq.

Darth Vadere
The View of the Vu'traat Tay'haai

date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 5:45 PM

Congrats on the Featured Blog of the Day!!

Thanks!

Now this is an interesting blog! Are you in Iraq or something?

No, but I work as a historian for Air Force Special Operations Command, specifically in the area of Special Tactics.

What is Project Jedi? Is it like Project Stargate?

Similar yes. It's purported to have been a Department of Defense super-soldier program, though it exists strictly in the realm of rumor and innuendo. At least that's what they tell us.

	RojoTrooper Star Wars Recycled Art Project
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 6:03 PM http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/StarWars/sw-unit1.htm YOu may like this Prof! The Myth and Magic book.. deals alot with the inspirations for the X-wing, TIE, Fighters, Jedi, Stormtroopers, and the Falcon..

	Ewan_Kenobi Memoirs from the Soresu Master
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 6:05 PM I work as a historian for Air Force Special Operations Command I am in college and am thinking of changing my major (right now it is pre-physical therapy). I love history and I am particularly interested in Texas, Canadian, and Egyptian history. I was wondering if you had any suggestions on a career that would be suited for a history major?

	RojoTrooper Star Wars Recycled Art Project
date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 6:14 PM teacher..lawyer...fbi, cia.. My history degree is paying off..

Darth Vadere
The View of the Vu'traat Tay'haai

date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 6:50 PM

You may like this Prof!

Thanks for the link Rojo.

I was wondering if you had any suggestions on a career that would be suited for a history major?

Rojo's first suggestion, teaching, is the career of choice for many history graduates. My brother, also a history major, is about to earn his law degree Seton Hall. Aside from being a historian, I've also worked as a museum curator and government background investigator. All of this to say that you have many options.

You never know who might be looking for a Texan-Canadian-Egyptologist.

Ewan_Kenobi
Memoirs from the Soresu Master

date Posted: Mar 08, 2006 6:58 PM

You never know who might be looking for a Texan-Canadian-Egyptologist.

Ha ha! One can dream can't they? Seriously, those are just some areas that interest me. Texas history mainly 'cause that's where I'm from and the fact that it was once it's own country-because of that, Texas is the only state that can fly it's own flag at the same level as the US flag. Canadian history because they can be so different from the US culture yet, the same. Egyptian because, well, who doesn't like the Ancient Egyptians?

	EvilDarthBear The Grand Admiral's Club
date Posted: Mar 09, 2006 7:56 AM Good blog!

Please log in to post comments