News 6 Mashup: October 24, 2022
Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of October 24, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe.
Microsoft Army Goggles Strikes Out at First Testing
The future may have to wait awhile as the new Microsoft army goggles fails four out of six quality tests given by U.S. army troops.
Around 5,000 of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) goggles were given to troops and they unfortunately did not receive the results Microsoft hoped for.
While the purpose of these goggles is to increase situational awareness, night vision capabilities, battlefield data, and help perfect military exercises, troops instead reported that it caused physical impairments such as nausea, eyestrain, and headaches.
The goggles also had a high amount of reports involving system errors. Its glow could also be seen from far in the distance, making them unsafe in a battlefield situation.
The U.S. army and Microsoft are still optimistic of the future of these super soldier goggles, according to techtimes.com and while it’s back to the drawing board there are still high hopes we’ll be seeing new and improved goggles used in military training soon.
The future is bright, but hopefully the goggles will not be on the next go around!
Closed Down Army Base May Get Second Life on the Silver Screen
The historic army base of Fort Monmouth, located in New Jersey, closed its doors after almost 100 years of service to its country in 2011.
Inactive since then, this treasure trove of military history has been waiting at a second chance at life.
It looks like Netflix might be giving her just that as the cinema mogul placed a bid to buy and turn the base into a production complex.
While still not a done deal, Netflix said in a press statement that “ If our plans are approved, we hope to build a facility that will create significant economic impact and job growth for New Jersey, a state loaded with creative talent and technical expertise.”
The office of the governor of New Jersey has also spoken positively about the project to the press, saying ““Governor Murphy is delighted to hear that Netflix is interested in establishing a serious presence in New Jersey. He looks forward to working with them and the rest of the industry to create good-paying jobs and spur economic growth throughout the state.”
Fort Monmouth still has parade grounds and a WWII memorial that will be protected in any bid that wins. Sounds like the perfect background to bring old Hollywood to New Jersey!
Read more at nytimes.com
Spouses Claim their Space on Air Force Base
The spouses at Vance Air Force Base, located in Oklahoma, now have a place to call their very own called “spouse space.”
Anyone who is a military spouse knows the struggle of connecting with other spouses going through similar situations in a safe and unitive atmosphere.
Air Force spouses Meg Hewes and Anne Parker decided to do something about it.
After contacting the bases Military and Family Readiness Center they found two rooms given by on base chaplains that is now called “The Vance Spouse Space.”
Not only will these two rooms be used for connection, it is also a place spouses can come and work or study for free, and includes use of an espresso machine and snacks.
The other room can be reserved for conferences or meetings without the worry of having to pay for a conference room rental out in the economy.
Parker told American Military News that:
“We think it’s very important. For Vance in particular, right now our event center isn’t open, and a coffee shop just opened,” Parker said. “There’s just not a meeting space here. The spaces are all for service members. But spouses live here, they work here, they support, they volunteer, so this space just gives them an area where they can do those kinds of things.”
With the knowledge that mental health is a huge concern in the military spouse community, Hewes adds that, “We’re hoping that this space, even if you’re just working, that you get that connection and that support.”
With working and student spouses becoming the norm, and the rise of remote work, Parker and Hewes hope that this space can be a welcome comfort for them to do their work comfortably, in an environment of like minded spouses.
Hats off to you, Meg and Anne! May your efforts turn into the rise of spouse spaces in installations all over the world.
This Day in History
On October 24, 1901 Anna Edson Taylor, a schoolteacher, successfully went over Niagara Falls in a barrel on her 63rd birthday. Successful in this case meaning she lived to tell the tale. The whole trip took approximately 18 minutes.
Personally for my birthday I enjoy a slice of cake and maybe get my nails done, but to each their own.
Find out more at history.com
*For more News from our own AWN Correspondent, Emma Tighe, check out our homepage.
