h17 people survive crash of military cargo plane

h17 people survive crashof military cargo plane
DOVER, Del. -- A huge military cargo plane faltered after takeoff and belly-landed short of the Dover Air Force Base runway Monday, breaking apart and drenching some of the 17 people aboard with fuel but causing no fire or life-threatening injuries. "It is a miracle -- absolutely a miracle," said Lt. Col. Mark Ruse, commander of the base's 436th Air Wing Civil Engineering squadron. "If you look at the condition of that plane, and 17 people are still alive right now -- it is absolutely amazing." A problem occurred aboard the C-5B Galaxy, the military's largest plane, about 10 minutes after it took off for Spain. The crew turned the plane around for the crash landing, which occurred at 6:42 a.m., said Col. Chad T. Manske, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander. No specifics were available on what went wrong. The plane crashed in an open, grassy area about a half-mile short of the runway. The tail and nose were torn from the fuselage, along with one of the four engines. Some of the 250,000 pounds of fuel spilled on the ground but did not ignite.
Iranian war games
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran successfully tested its second new torpedo in as many days Monday, the latest weapon to be unveiled during war games in the Gulf that the military said are aimed at preparing the country's defenses against the United States. A spokesman for the elite Revolutionary Guards suggested the new, Iranian-made torpedo was more powerful and capable of going deeper than others in its arsenal. Gen. Mohammad Ebrahim Dehghani told state television the ship-launched weapon can target submarines at any depth and is powerful enough to "break a heavy warship" in two. He did not give the name of the new torpedo or any details of its speed or range. The torpedo was tested in the Straits of Hormuz, the narrow entrance of the Gulf and a vital corridor for oil supplies. The United States said that while Iran may have made "some strides" in its military, it is likely to be exaggerating its capabilities.
Ship built from WTC steelsurvived Hurricane Katrina
NEW YORK -- With a year to go before it even touches the water, the Navy's amphibious assault ship USS New York has already made history -- twice. It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center, and it survived Hurricane Katrina. That combination of disasters gives the ship a unique standing among the 500 or so Avondale, La., shipyard workers building it, said Tony Quaglino, a crane superintendent who postponed retirement to have a hand in the New York's construction. "I think Katrina made us more aware of the tragedy in New York," said the 66-year-old Quaglino. "One was manmade, one was natural, but they're both a common bond." USS New York is about 45 percent complete and should be ready for launch in mid-2007. Katrina disrupted construction when it pounded the Gulf Coast last summer, but the 684-foot vessel escaped serious damage, and workers were back at the yard near New Orleans two weeks after the storm. The ship was an impetus for many of the yard's thousands of workers to return to the job, even though hundreds lost their homes, Quaglino and others said. Northrop Grumman employed 6,500 at Avondale before Katrina.
Airlines begin chargingfor various amenities
WASHINGTON -- Ask for a pillow and blanket to help get through a long flight and you may be out of luck. Or you may be able to buy a "comfort package" from Air Canada for $2. Like to check your luggage curbside? That could cost up to $3 a bag. Airlines are starting to charge for many services that once were free -- such as assigned seating, paper tickets and blankets. Air travelers who don't fly often may be in for some unpleasant surprises when they reach the airport this summer. "They're going to be confused and they're going to be somewhat upset," said Kevin Mitchell, president of the Business Travelers Coalition. "Is it going to stop them from flying? No." Intense competition from low-fare airlines along with high jet-fuel prices have led many established carriers to cut back or charge passengers for amenities. Many airlines no longer serve meals on flights, instead charging for snack boxes and sandwiches.
Associated Press