My newest article is now posted on The Space Review: National Reconnaissance Program crisis photography concepts, part 1: A six-pack of Corona. At first glance, this reminded me of a KH-9 Hexagon satellite or an early concept of one. At the time this Six-Pack Corona was proposed, Hexagon was well on its way to beingContinue reading “A Six-pack of Corona (film buckets)”
Author Archives: joepageii
Memory Musings: The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake
In case you were wondering about the recent posts about space history and California, I’m scheduled to head to Sunnyvale in June to give a talk about Sunnyvale Air Force Station (aka Onizuka Air Force Base, the “Blue Cube”). I’ve been looking back at the historic material on the base and its operations to refreshContinue reading “Memory Musings: The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake”
Coming Soon! Schriever SFB Through Time
Okay, “coming soon” might be a bit of hyperbole since the publication date is scheduled for August 2022. But, hey, I was excited to see the cover *and* finish the final proofing of the manuscript this weekend. Since Falcon Air Force Station (now known as Schriever Space Force Base) was the successor in both legacyContinue reading “Coming Soon! Schriever SFB Through Time”
Comments on “Have You Ever Heard of the Blue Cube?”
On April 7, 2022, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) added a blog post titled “Have You Ever Heard of the Blue Cube?” about Onizuka Air Force Station. While I was excited to read something about the Blue Cube that was “new,” I wanted to punch my computer screen after I read it. So, in typicalContinue reading “Comments on “Have You Ever Heard of the Blue Cube?””
History of the First Strategic Aerospace Division (1 STRAD)
Ode to the Tech Controller
I live in the heavens. I reside on mountain tops. I am at constant vigil over thee. I monitor thy righteous ways. Thy levels art mine to command. When thou art in trouble, I will help thee through distorted times. When thou art low, the touch of my hand shall raise thy spirit to theContinue reading “Ode to the Tech Controller”
Tilting at Windmills (Pt. 1)
RE: Copyright Fair Use of United States Air Force Emblem in Historical Book Dear Senator [———], My name is Joseph T. Page II and I’m an author, military veteran, and constituent who resides in your state. I’ve been given a cease-and-desist order by the United States Air Force Trademark Licensing division about the use ofContinue reading “Tilting at Windmills (Pt. 1)”
A Roadrunner Trying to Stay Warm
A few years ago, I saw a bird like this sitting on a rock in my front yard. I’d lived in New Mexico most of my adult life, but I did not know which species it was… until s/he decided to run off to another sunspot in the yard. Holy cow… it was a roadrunner.Continue reading “A Roadrunner Trying to Stay Warm”
Not a Fan of Politicians… or their Staffers
Backstory on this response letter: way back in 2010 or 2011, the NRO was doing their thing and taking their sweet-ass time in declassifying the existence of Gambit and Hexagon. Now, this would have been the first major declassification effort since Corona (1995), so it was kept under wraps pretty well, but the audience wasContinue reading “Not a Fan of Politicians… or their Staffers”
Bad Aibling: A Legacy of Excellence
Going through some old FOIA requests, and found this: history of U.S. Army at Bad Aibling Station in Bavaria. Written at the unclassified level, so you’re not going to find much about operations in this monograph. Enjoy! https://archive.org/details/bad-aibling-station-legacy-of-excellence
Joseph T. Page II 