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"Leopard's Kopje is an archaeological site, the type site of the associated region or culture that marked the Middle Iron Age in Zimbabwe. The ceramics from the Leopard's Kopje type site have been classified as part of phase II of the Leopard's Kopje culture. For information on the region of Leopard's Kopje, see the "Associated sites" section of this article. Location The site is located 2 kilometers north-east of the Khami World Heritage Site and 24 kilometers west of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Bordered by small hills, or koppies, on two sides and sharp ravines on the other two sides. The site is relatively small, measuring 150 by 200 yards in area. History K. R. Robinson conducted several excavations in the area, beginning in 1961. Thomas Huffman, who first excavated Leopard's Kopje in August 1969, is also an important archaeologist of the site. Huffman's excavations found three different phases of occupation, Zhizo, Mambo, and Refuge. = Refuge phase = The occupation from the 18/19th centuries is called the Refuge phase. Because it was the latest phase of occupation at the Leopard's Kopje site, its stratigraphy is closest to the surface and was therefore excavated first. Below a thin humus layer was a large ashy layer, in which artifacts such as zebra teeth, freshwater mussel shells, and turtle shells were found. Pottery sherds were found in middens and among stone structures. At least one known burial was found at this level. = Mambo phase = In the original excavation by Huffman, several structures were found at the Mambo phase level, dating to the 10/11th centuries. Artifacts such as figurines and cattle teeth were discovered in multiple trenches. Evidence of an infant burial was also found. Several hut floors and plastered courtyards were uncovered, giving archaeologists a sense of the layout of the settlement. = Zhizo phase = The stratigraphy shows that the earliest settlement is from the 9th century AD, now called the Zhizo phase. Possible traces of manure indicate that people kept goats or sheep. Along with large amounts of Zhizo pottery, artifacts such as glass and shell beads, copper bangles, daga rubble, and iron slag were excavated by Huffman and his team. "Zhizo" is also a term used for the cultural phase that preceded the Leopard's Kopje cultural phase. Archaeological characteristics = Cattle = There is strong archaeological evidence that people at Leopard's Kopje kept cattle. Vitrified and angular blocks of dung mark the perimeters of ancient cattle byres. These kraals were located at the center of villages, rather than to the edge of a settlement, meaning cattle would have been a central and important part of daily life. Huffman discovered a large white zone in the stratigraphy of the Mambo phase level that is believed to be cattle manure. Cattle teeth have also been excavated. The introduction of larger cattle herds at Leopard's Kopje around the 10th century are seen as evidence of increased cultural complexity. This is thought to have resulted from a developing gold trade. Finger millet, one of the grains consumed by the people of Leopard's Kopje. = Diet = Archaeobotanical evidence offers insight into the diet of the occupants at Leopard's Kopje. In 1969, Huffman and his team found seeds from finger millet, ground beans, sorghum, cowpeas, and wild plants at the Mambo phase level. The Leopard's Kopje diet would also have consisted of the livestock they kept, including cattle, goat, and sheep. = Beads = Huffman's excavations found glass and shell beads at the Zhizo phase level, dating back to the 9th century. Some clay beads were also discovered at the Mambo phase level. Robinson's 1961 excavation found just two glass beads. Both were cylindrical and blue-green in color, typical of phase II of the Leopard's Kopje culture. = Iron smelting = Strong evidence of iron smelting has been found at the Mambo phase level, and bits of iron slag have been found at the Zhizo phase level, suggesting that iron smelting existed at Leopard's Kopje as early as the 9th century. = Pottery = Excavations of Leopard's Kopje have primarily focused on ceramic analysis. The middle Iron Age brought about a shift from communal ownership of pottery to private ownership. Leopard's Kopje ceramic style is known for being multidimensional, with incised and excised bands. Shallow bowls and plates, jars with triangles, and beakers with high burnished necks are also typical. In Robinson's 1961 excavation alone, 182 pottery fragments were uncovered. The most common vessel found was a shouldered pot with a concave neck and either an incised ladder pattern or a chevron pattern. These motifs were created with incisions or stabs, rather than comb-stamping. Few of the burnished beakers and bowls found were decorated. = Stone buildings = Settlements throughout the larger Leopard's Kopje region feature stone buildings. The prevalence of these stone structures is the inspiration behind the name "Zimbabwe," which means "houses of stone." Evidence of stone buildings were found by Huffman at the Refuge phase level. The evolution from earthen houses to stone buildings is an indication of social changes, much like the introduction of larger cattle herds. Associated sites The area associated with the Leopard’s Kopje region stretches from just south of Belingwe, Zimbabwe, down to the Limpopo River. Archaeological sites in the region date to between 950-1100 AD. The six type sites that have been selected as most representative of the Leopard's Kopje culture are Zhizo Hill, York Ranch, Leopard's Kopje, Taba Zikamambo, Woolandale Estate Midden Mounds, and Enyandeni Farm. Other notable associated sites include Mapela Hill, K2, Khami, Mapungubwe, and Bambandyanalo. See also * Khami * Thomas Huffman * Kingdom of Mapungubwe * Great Zimbabwe * Bambandyanalo References Category:Archaeological sites in Zimbabwe "
"The United States Air Force's 274th Air Support Operations Squadron is a combat support unit located at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, New York. The 274th provides tactical command and control of air power assets to the Joint Forces Air Component Commander and Joint Forces Land Component Commander for combat operations. Mission The 274 Air Support Operations Squadron trains, equips, and deploys mission qualified Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) members consisting of Air Liaison Officers and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) in support of the 42d Infantry Division, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Unit members are tasked with providing advice, guidance, and planning considerations to United States Army ground commanders on the proper integration of USAF airpower and close air support into the ground scheme of maneuver. As JTACs, 274th members are further qualified to provide terminal guidance and attack execution in a combat environment. In a domestic operations role, the 274th is responsible for establishing communications during state emergency response and contingency operations as ordered by the Governor of New York. History = World War II = The 313th Signal Company, Wing was constituted and activated on 1 December 1942 at Camp Pinedale, California and assigned to the Fourth Air Force for training purposes in preparation for reassignment overseas in support of World War II. Upon completion of training, the unit was assigned to Twelfth Air Force and transferred to the Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on 12 August 1943 to prepare for transport overseas. On 4 September 1943, the 313th loaded onto the S.S. Santa Elena, a converted luxury cruise liner from the Grace Line, at the New York Port of Embarkation where it departed for North Africa, arriving on 11 September. Upon arrival in North Africa, the 313th was reassigned to the 57th Bombardment Wing which it would remain under throughout the course of the war until inactivation. The 313th departed North Africa for Italy on 26 November 1943, arriving on 29 November. In the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, the unit participated in the Allied Invasion of Italy during the Naples-Foggia Campaign from 18 August 1943 to 21 January 1944 and the Rome-Arno Campaign from 22 January 1944 till the end of the war. The 313th received battle credits and streamers for both campaigns. On 18 April 1944, the unit was transferred from Italy to Corsica. On 15 April 1945, the unit was transferred back to Italy where it would remain throughout the duration of the war. On 4 October 1945 at Camp Marcianise, Italy, the 313th was formally inactivated and control of the unit was transferred to the War Department. = Cold War era = On 24 May 1946, the 313th was allotted to the New York National Guard and redesignated as the 102d Communications Squadron. On 29 March 1948, the unit was consolidated at the White Plains Armory in White Plains, New York and received Federal recognition with the mission to install, maintain, and operate communications facilities for the 52nd Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard. On 1 July 1952, the unit underwent major manpower and mission changes and was redesignated as the 274th Communications Squadron. The unit’s new mission was to install, operate, and maintain mobile communications facilities in support of the 253rd Combat Communications Group, Air Force Communications Service, and Tactical Air Command communications area in a national emergency. In July 1959, the 274th was assigned the primary mission to provide highly mobile communications teams in support of contingencies and relocated to Roslyn Air National Guard Station in East Hills, New York. Changing with each Command served, the basic mission of the 274th was to provide, site, install, operate, and maintain deployed tactical communications equipment in support of a Tactical Air Base, providing commanders in the field with record and voice communications back to rear / area command headquarters via long haul radio systems and or in country circuits. Communications were provided via long haul HF/ISB radio and later satellite radio systems. Tactical telephone, record communications, and Command and Control HF/SSB systems were the primary services provided. Local Area Networks (LAN) for computerized supply, personnel and maintenance reporting services were added later. All communications systems were highly complex and all were secured. = 1995 BRAC = In 1995, in order to produce a more efficient and cost- effective basing structure, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended to the Secretary of Defense the closure of Roslyn ANGS and subsequent relocation of the 274th Combat Communications Squadron to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York. In 1998, rather than being moved to Stewart ANGB, the unit was to be moved to Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York and redesignated as the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron. = Air support operations = On 1 October 1999, the 274th Combat Communications Squadron was redesignated as the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron and relocated to Hancock Field ANGB. The 274 ASOS' new mission was tactical command and control of air assets while embedded with aligned US Army units. Despite the name change and new mission, the history of working with advanced communications equipment since World War II continued. September 11, 2001 The attacks on New York City on the morning of 11 September 2001 were the first operational test of the 274 ASOS. Within hours of the attacks, half of the unit loaded onto HC-130's from the 106th Rescue Wing for deployment to New York City as part of the initial response; the second half of the unit would follow on 12 September. The rapid notification and deployment ensured that unit members were on the ground and operational in less than 8 hours after the first attack. In New York City, the unit's mission was to serve as a communications platform in the center of the city for the various first responder, aid, and relief units. Unit members drew upon their training and experiences working in austere environments within minimal equipment to effectively and efficiently relay communications between relief workers and local, state, and federal leadership. 274th Close Air Support Squadron airmen during an exercise at Fort Drum Afghanistan and Iraq In anticipation of deployment operations as a result of the September 11th attacks, the 274th increased their training tempo and operational readiness, conducting close air support training throughout the winter in locations across the United States. The increased effort put towards JTAC training, readiness, and currency resulted in the unit being given initial operational capability (IOC) status in December 2002, paving the way for unit members to contribute to the operations in Afghanistan and to prepare for the expected operations in Iraq. Domestic operations As part of the domestic response role, the unit was activated several times for relief efforts, most recently for the flooding in Binghamton, New York caused by Tropical Storm Lee in September 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in New York City and the relief efforts in Buffalo, New York due to severe lake effect snowfall received in November 2014. Lineage * Constituted as the 313th Signal Company, Wing : Activated on 1 December 1942 : Inactivated 4 October 1945 * Redesignated 102d Communications Squadron, Wing and allotted to the National Guard on 24 May 1946 : Organized on 15 March 1948 * Extended federal recognition on 29 March 1948 * Redesignated 274th Communications Squadron, Operations on 1 July 1952 * Redesignated 274th Communications Squadron (Operations) on 1 July 1955 * Redesignated 274th Communications Squadron, Tributary Team on 10 May 1961 * Redesignated 274th Mobile Communications Squadron (Contingency) on 16 March 1968 * Federalized and ordered to extended active duty on 24 March 1970 * Released from extended active duty and returned to New York state control on 26 March 1970 * Redesignated 274th Combat Communications Squadron (Contingency) on 1 April 1976 * Redesignated 274th Combat Information Systems Squadron on 1 July 1984 * Redesignated 274th Combat Communications Squadron on 1 October 1986 * Redesignated 274th Air Support Operations Squadron on 1 October 1999 = Assignments = * Western Signal Aviation Training Center, 1 December 1942 * Twelfth Air Force, ~August 1943 * 57th Bombardment Wing, ~1944 * 52d Fighter Wing, 29 March 1948 * New York Air National Guard, 1 November 1950 : Attached to 106th Composite Wing, 1 November 1950 : Attached to 152d Aircraft Control and Warning Group, 2 April 1951 : Attached to 107th Fighter Wing, 9 July 1951 : Attached to 152d Tactical Control Group, c. July 1952 * 253d Communications Group (later 253d Mobile Communications Group, 253d Combat Communications Group, 253d Combat Information Systems Group, 253d Combat Communications Group), January 1953 * 174th Fighter Wing, 1 October 1999 * 152d Air Operations Group, 20 March 2013 = Stations = * White Plains Armory, White Plains, New York, March 1948 – November 1954 * Westchester Air National Guard Base, Westchester, New York, December 1954 – June 1959 * Roslyn Air National Guard Station, East Hills, New York, July 1959 – September 1999 * Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, New York, October 1999 – Present See also * List of United States Air Force Air Support Operations Squadrons * United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party References External links * Category:Squadrons of the United States Air National Guard "
"Ramón Salvador Cabrera (born November 5, 1989) is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds in 2015 and 2016. Career =Pittsburgh Pirates= On June 23, 2009, Cabrera signed as an undrafted free agent. He was invited to the 2012 spring training with the Pirates In November 2012, the Pittsburgh Pirates added Cabrera to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. =Detroit Tigers= On December 5, 2012, Cabrera was traded to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Andy Oliver. =Pittsburgh Pirates (second stint)= He was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on August 13, 2014. The Pirates designated Cabrera on November 20, 2014, and released him on November 24. =Cincinnati Reds= On December 9, 2014, Cabrera signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds. He played for the Louisville Bats of the Class AAA International League. The Reds promoted Cabrera to the major leagues on September 1, 2015. He made his major league debut on September 5. On November 28, 2016, Cabrera was designated for assignment. He was non-tendered on December 2. =Miami Marlins= On January 12, 2017, Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins that included an invitation to spring training. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017. =Long Island Ducks= On May 14, 2018, Cabrera signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He re-signed with the Ducks for the 2019 season, and became a free agent following the season. Cabrera re-signed with the Ducks for the 2020 season on January 27, 2020. See also * List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela References External links Category:Living people Category:1989 births Category:Altoona Curve players Category:Bradenton Marauders players Category:Cincinnati Reds players Category:New Orleans Baby Cakes players Category:Sportspeople from Caracas Category:Toledo Mud Hens players Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States Category:Venezuelan people of Japanese descent Category:Venezuelan Summer League Pirates players Category:West Virginia Power players Category:Gulf Coast Pirates players Category:Indianapolis Indians players Category:Major League Baseball players from Venezuela "