Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero Linx: USMC/Combat Helicopter Association

During the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1975, helicopter crews were able to locate their fellow Marines on the ground by asking them to "pop a smoke" in the landing zone. The brightly colored smoke grenade identified the ground unit and landing zone and provided wind information to the pilot. The USMC/Combat Helicopter Association's purpose is to reunite those individuals on the ground with the individuals who flew as flight crew on those missions. They are asking them to "PopASmoke" so that they can find each other. This organization, previously known as the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association, is now known as the USMC Combat Helicopter Association.

FMI: www.popasmoke.com