CK Dexter Haven

Last year, I said @LAPhil should name @esapekkasalonen as Principal Conductor. Turns out they pretty much agreed (though his title is different). I asked some follow-up questions their press release raised. I share their answers + more: allisyar.com/2025/09/08/i-w…

@GustlTweets Thousand Oaks Native

@GustlTweets Breadman is due

@GustlTweets Pops!

@nolanwpeterson Better "Boots" than "Yoko Ono Screams" . . . Bow head low!

One memory of SERE I’ll never forget— being locked in a little cage listening to a recording of Kipling’s poem, Boots, on repeat for hours. “boots, boots, moving up and down again…”

@High_Flyer_17 @natehale @MCCCANM . @High_Flyer_17 Another proud member of Floppy Disk 90 I'm guessing!

@natehale @MCCCANM Were you 7th ACCS at Keesler in Sunmer '88 in the old school grease pen days? My Ops Air Force tour was with them, flew several low level and overwater nav trainers as well as simulated CAS support with the training aid capsule on the ground.

It’s difficult to explain Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR), but I use my account to explain aviation & military in simple terms, so I’m going to try. To begin, CSAR is not just one unit. There are multiple specialized units among the different branches as well as units that serve this role as a secondary function. They can work independently or alone. These units may be entirely ground troops, or may operate helicopters & the HC-130 “Combat King”, used for various roles including dropping Pararescue troops (called “PJs” in the Air Force), air-refueling the helicopters, longer range communications as well as Command & Control. While the helicopters are armed, they will be accompanied by attack aircraft whenever possible. These became known as “Sandy” during the Vietnam War. The usual aircraft used today in a Sandy role is the A-10, but in theory the HC-130 can call in anyone around. Or everyone, including Bombers. When one of these missions becomes necessary, it takes precedence. The attack jets fly low near the downed crew. They protect both the crew & the helicopter during a rescue, engaging any targets that appear & talking to the downed crew when it’s possible. A tanker may be directed to loiter nearby to support them for as long as this takes (they can’t refuel from the HC-130). When a crew goes down, their extensive training kicks in. Aircrew attend a long training course known as “Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape (SERE – better known as Survival School) as part of qualification. It teaches them how to evade an enemy & deal with being captured. I won’t go into detail, but it’s a long month+ of training & you’re very happy when it’s done. You’ll get refresher training periodically. In addition, the pilots are armed & equipped with special radios that can transmit their position. Several survival items are packed into the parachute on each mission & available once they reach the ground. Back at HQ, extreme measures can be taken to locate & support downed personnel. I won’t go into detail, but if they need to use a satellite to find you, they can. In any event, combat sorties are dangerous. The CSAR troops are a comfort to those who have to fly these missions. Pilots don’t have a guarantee, but they know that if they are shot down & behind enemy lines, CSAR will move heaven & earth to come for them. The motto of the Air Force PJs is perhaps a good way to sum this all up. It’s simple: “That Others May Live” Ok, I hope that helps. As always, I’m simplifying many things for an audience that doesn’t have experience with these subjects. It’s much more complex than I’ve laid it out here, but I hope it’s a useful basic primer. Hope to soon hear both crew are home safely.

Wondering if @laphil's Ryan Roberts will be taking the upcoming @nyphil Principal Oboe audition? Wonder no longer. "All is Yar" has the scoop . . . 1/ 🧵 #allisyar #oboe

@GustlTweets I'll say Thousand Oaks Native #12. He's overdue

@SFSymphony @LAPhil @nyphil @chicagosymphony @BostonSymphony @philorch Congratulations to musicians in both @LAPhil and @SFSymphony on their new contracts. For the full story, click on the link below (6/6) End of thread 🧵 allisyar.com/2025/09/16/exc…

@SFSymphony @LAPhil More analysis, including salary comparisons of @SFSymphony & @LAPhil to @nyphil, @chicagosymphony , @BostonSymphony , & @philorch in the full article on "All is Yar" -- link in final post at end of thread. (5/)

New @LAPhil musicians contract announced yesterday by @AFMLocal47 was consistent w/ what I previously reported. Since @SFSymphony musicians also got a new agreement, I compare the 2 orchestra's salaries through the end of their contracts (and more) . . . a thread 🧵 (1/)

More big @LAPhil news: new 4-year contract, more $$$$ Details on All is Yar allisyar.com/2025/09/10/bre…

“Free speech has NOT been abolished in the UK. And we’ll jail anyone who says it has been.”

is it correct? 🫠

This retired NFL player is Big Pharma's worst nightmare. He built a $500 Million supplement brand by ignoring experts & rejecting Amazon. Now elite athletes and the U.S. military buy directly from him. His secret? Here's his mind-blowing playbook🧵

Fun and interesting chat with @LeonardSlatkin and @DanielSlatkin today in advance of this weekend with New Hollywood String Quartet and concert in 2 weeks with @LAPhil at @HollywoodBowl. Many thanks to Daniel for setting it up. Details of the conversation to come soon!