PS Note: The Company is a free monthly challenge to help build mental and physical health as we remember the lesser known heroes of the United States and Great Britain intelligence services. I want to grow this to be something that is encouraging and creates new healthy habits for all us. The world is full of bad news and remembering while being active is a great way to clear our minds and build resiliency. Also, there are plans to expand this in the future to possibly include a monthly paid subscription for a challenge patch & other possible benefits/merchandise.
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This month we remember Howard Carey.
On Sept. 17, 1956, Carey took off from Lindsey Air Force Base in Wiesbaden, Germany. His U-2 mysteriously disintegrated in mid-air.
According to The U-2 and the Avro Arrow by Patrick Bruskiewich, four Canadian CF-86 Sabre jets, who were with NATO forces in Europe, intercepted a high flying, mysterious and unidentified aircraft entering NATO airspace over West Germany from the East. With the U2 being, at that point, a secret project, there is no way they would have known, initially at least, it was an American aircraft.
The four pilots, on Zulu alert, would inadvertently down Carey's plane as he was returning from a mission to photograph preparations in the Eastern Mediterranean for the 1956 Invasion of the Suez. Though reports on this incident are still not declassified by the US government, there are theories that the disintegration of the U2 was caused by the jet wash from the Sabre formation as they buzzed Carey’s plane to determine the origin and nationality of the mysterious jet. The U2, being made extremely light to travel above 70,000 feet, was not made to handle the jet wash and broke up in mid air. Carey was killed immediately. Carey was less than three weeks shy of his 34th birthday when he died.
September Challenges - Endurance
To remember Carey, we are going to remember the training that he and other test pilots was subjected to for both physical and mental endurance. U2 test pilots were young and extremely physically fit and trained hours and hours to endure grueling physicals and mental conditions as they flew extremely high up in a cramped cockpit. Each month, we will have a physical and mental challenge as we work to become better and more resilient people.
Physical Challenge
Ruck with 30lbs or Run 1 Mile Daily
U2 Test pilots had to carry 150 lbs. of equipment on them as they sat in a small cockpit. To escape, they had to manually open the cockpit glass and pull the ejection handle. They would experience 11-12Gs of force. This challenge is about consistency. Consistency breeds endurance. Rucking is about endurance as you carry 1/5th of the weight these pilots had for just one mile, each and every day, rain or shine.
Mental Challenge
Take a Cold Shower Daily
These test pilots had to tolerate being uncomfortable for long periods of time. A great way to build our resiliency is to tolerate being uncomfortable. Taking a cold shower, instead of a warm one, helps build up our tolerance to handling life's stresses.
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