Category Archives: Technology

Kit Bashing, Technology

Vehicle I-D: “The Dud Scud” Fake News Ballistic Missile

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During the 1990s, following the end of the non-declared/non-official Cold War, the United States held a yearly massive NATO wargame called Roving Sands, in New Mexico.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Marv Lynchard, 23APR1995.

One of the many oddities that made an appearance at these war games was the U.S. military’s “The Dud Scud”; a 5-ton dump-truck (some of the info says duce-n-a-half, other info says 5-ton) with ballistic missile looking things mounted on top of the dump-bed.  Scud is the NATO reporting name for a Soviet tactical ballistic missile launcher system.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Marv Lynchard, 23APR1995.

Of course the Dud Scud doesn’t look anything like a real Scud, they were just meant to simulate a generic ballistic missile launcher.

The Dud Scuds were positioned at various locations across Fort Sumner, New Mexico. USAF photo by Sergeant Nicole Snell, 29APR1995.

Because of the experience of having to hunt down Iraqi Scuds during Desert Storm, NATO exercise Roving Sands incorporated such a scenario into the yearly wargame.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Marv Lynchard, 23APR1995.

Cold War Vehicle I-D:

Photo attributed to Bernd Hartmann, Germany 1978.

FAKE NEWS ZSU-23-4 INTO THE J-A-W-S OF DEATH!

Technology, U.S.

Cold War: Going ‘Gangbusters’ with Texas F-4C & Georgia F-105G!

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Cold War:  Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).

Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

The U.S. National Archives makes available a lot of cool imagery, but unfortunately a lot of the info issued with it is wrong.  Can’t blame the National Archives, they simply repost what was given to them, so a lot of the ‘false’ info actually comes from the source; the U.S. Department of Defense.  The following is a case-in-point; photos of Cold War era Exercise Gangbuster #11 show both F-4C Phantom-2s and F-105G Thunderchief ‘Wild Weasels’, it lists both aircraft as being with the “128th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 116th Tactical Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guardsmen”.  For the record, the F-4s are part of the Texas Air National Guard but not the 128th TFS/116th TFW, the F-4Cs belong to the 182nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 149th Tactical Fighter Wing.  The F-105Gs are part of the 128th TFS/116th TFW, which is Georgia Air National Guard.  In some photos the obvious belly of an F-105G is shown, yet the info says it is an F-4 Phantom II.  Also, the exalted U.S. Air Force/National Guard info calls the F-105 the “Delta Dart”! Maybe this was an attempt to deceive the Soviets?

A faded ‘blue bomb’, hi-drag ‘snake eye’, is brought to a waiting Texas F-4C. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Georgia Air National Guard F-105G gets bombed-up with a cement filled Blue Bomb. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

This is one of the photos that was listed as being an F-4. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Gangbuster XI took place on Stewart Airfield, Georgia, in April 1981.  It was about bombing accuracy, and included the USS Clifton Sprague (FFG-16) as a floating target in The Atlantic Ocean.

Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Messing with the drogue ‘chute of the F-105G. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

The F-105G used water injection for take-off runs. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

I could find only two photos of Texas F-4Cs at Gangbuster XI, so here’s a photo of a 182nd TFS/149th TFW F-4C ‘intercepting’ a Soviet Tu-95 ‘Bear’ near Iceland, in 1981:

Photo dated 26AUG1981.

Weapon I-D: MARK 82, COLD WAR & BEYOND

Vehicle I-D: ROKAF 대한민국 공군 PHANTOMS

Idaho, Technology

New Cold War: Idaho Air National Guard trains with USMC F-35!

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Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 08JAN2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 08JAN2022.

“This is the first time we’ve worked with F-35s and we continue to build these types of relationships throughout all services and airframes. Other units outside of Idaho continue to come here because we have some of the best ranges in the world, thanks to the outstanding Airmen in the Idaho Air National Guard.”-Lieutenant Colonel Mike Hampton, director of operations for Idaho’s 190th Fighter Squadron/124th Fighter Wing

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

Four U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs, from Yuma Marine Corps Air Station, Arizona, spent the weekend of 07-09JAN2022 over Gowen Field, Idaho, playing tag with the Idaho Air National Guard’s A-10Cs, it was a first.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

“This shows that one of the best attack aircraft in the inventory, the mighty A-10 Thunderbolt II, can lethally integrate with the newest, most advanced aircraft in the world, the F-35 Lightning II. Additionally, it is an opportunity for two services to train together in anticipation of fighting alongside each other in future conflicts.”-Lieutenant Colonel Mike Hampton, director of operations for Idaho’s 190th FS/124th FW

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

“Training with other units is a critical component to our wing maintaining combat readiness. We typically operate in a joint combat environment, working hand-in-hand with other services, and this training is imperative to prepare our pilots for combat operations.”-Colonel Chad Kornberg, 124th Fighter Wing commander

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 08JAN2022.

New Cold War: IDAHO’S 124TH PREPS FOR AIR STRIKES! OR, LABOR SHORTAGES CAN GIVE YOU A CASE OF THE BLUE BOMBS!

Vehicle I-D: IDAHO GETS NEW UH-60M

Idaho, Technology

Vehicle I-D: Idaho gets new UH-60M

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“It’s an exciting and unprecedented opportunity to have access to the newest air frame in the U.S. Army’s fleet. It’s exciting being on the leading and cutting edge of aviation. The M model has really set us up as a state and a National Guard entity to continue to lead the way and be on par with active duty counterparts.” -Lieutenant Colonel Nicole Washington, 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion commander

Brand new UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters line the tarmac on Gowen Field. Idaho National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JAN2022.

Idaho Army National Guard’s 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion has completed the transition to the new UH-60M.  As of January 2022, Idaho now has 20 of the newest Black Hawk.

Idaho National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JAN2022.

Pilots says the UH-60M is a long distance runner; crews don’t feel as exhausted after an all day mission, compared to the older Black Hawks, because for one thing the UH-60M has less vibration. Improvements include stiffer rotary wings for more lifting power, a new airframe, more powerful engines and advanced digital avionics inside the enlarged ‘glass’ instrument panel, being able to track yourself in relation to enemy/friendly forces, etc.

Idaho National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JAN2022.

Idaho’s 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion has already put to use the UH-60M, last year they dumped more than 200-thousand gallons of water on forest fires in the Northern part of The Gem State.

Idaho National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JAN2022.

The 1-183rd AHB flew the AH-64A Apache for almost 20 years before transitioning to the AH-64D Longbow model in 2012, and then to the UH-60A/L Black Hawk through 2016-2018.  In 2019 they went through UH-60M training. The unit received its first UH-60M on Gowen Field in June 2020 and flew the remaining 19 airframes back from New Jersey to Boise since then.  On 16JAN2022, the last two of a total of 20 UH-60Ms arrived on Gowen Field.

“Combined with the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s modernized armor equipment, the Idaho Army National Guard is one of the most modernized states in the Army National Guard. Modernized equipment enhances our capability to be interoperable with our active duty peers.”-Brigadier General Farin Schwartz, commander of the Idaho Army National Guard

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Private First Class Jessica L. Pauley, 31JUL2016.

The first time the Idaho/Oregon/Montana Army National Guard experienced the UH-60M was while taking part in NATO wargames in Romania, in 2016: BRAND NEW BLACK HAWKS: CANUCKS JOIN SNAKE RIVER MILITIA, AIR ASSAULT MOVE TO CONTACT, ROMANIA!

New Cold War: IDAHO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MEDEVACS WOUNDED FROM GOWEN FIELD!

Disaster 2021: Idaho Army National Guard UH-60 & UH-72 rescue Boise fire fighters from raging rapids…..truck trailer?

IDAHO BLACK HAWKS HEAD SOUTH, DOWN CENTRAL AMERICA WAY, YOU PAID FOR IT!

Technology

Vehicle I-D: New Cold War-games in Belarus, armor & aircraft

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Exercise Union Courage continued on 11FEB2022, with more armor maneuvers and aircraft flights.

How many vehicles can you identify in these videos?

Can you identify the Russian Eastern Military District aircraft in this video?

Vehicle I-D, New Cold War: T-72B3M live fire Crimea!

New Cold War: EXERCISE UNION COURAGE OFFICIALLY BEGINS

International, Technology

New Cold War: Bombers & Fighters in the Sky over Belarus, ‘bombin’ bread for the troops!

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On 09FEB2022, TASS reported that Su-35S fighters took part in interceptor training.  Su-25 ground attack aircraft played the role of invaders to be intercepted.

Russian Defense Ministry video, posted 09FEB2022, Eastern Military District S-400 missile system on patrol in the area around Brest, Belarus:

In December 2021, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said that they would continue air policing of the sky over the area of Belarus and Russia, along with Russian aircraft, for 2022.  Both Russian and Belarusian aircraft use the Red Star as their insignia.

On 08FEB2022, a joint Belarusian/Russian air patrol was flown, supposedly for the second time this month.

Russian Defense Ministry video, dated 08FEB2022, showing Tu-22M3 bombers, Su-30SM two seater and Su-35S single seater patrolling the sky over Belarus:

Another video dated 08FEB2022, shows Russian army bakers making bread for the troops now in Belarus:

New Cold War: RUSSIAN SU-30SM NOW PATROLLING THE SKY OVER BELARUS, WARGAMES ON THE GROUND UNDERWAY

Idaho, Technology, U.S.

New Cold War: Idaho’s 124th preps for Air Strikes! Or, Labor Shortages can give you a case of the Blue Bombs!

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“With the multi-capable Airmen concept, we are able to teach others how to do our job. Instead of sending eight ammo troops and eight weapon troops, we are able to send four of each and share the workload.”-Master Sergeant Michael Cabell, 124th Maintenance Squadron

Inert Blue Bombs prepped for Idaho A-10C’s combat turns. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 02FEB2022.

‘Combat Turns’ means aircraft returning from a bombing mission get quickly refueled and rearmed, and turn right back around and take off for another air strike.  But this year’s combat turns are a little different, they are using what the U.S. Air Force is now calling Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts, which is an Orwellian way of saying ‘get used to doing more with less equipment’, especially people (which is not a good thing if the higher-ups are expecting a new World War).

GFU-7 Dragon 30mm ammunition loader. Idaho National Guard photo by Ryan White, 03FEB2022.

Loading the GAU-8 Avenger. Idaho National Guard photo by Ryan White, 03FEB2022.

Idaho National Guard photo by Ryan White, 03FEB2022.

Idaho National Guard photo by Ryan White, 03FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 05FEB2022.

02-05FEB2022, on Gowen Field (South side of Boise Airport), Idaho, the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing-190th Fighter Squadron practiced Combat Turns with their A-10C Thunderbolt-2s (unofficial nickname is Warthog).

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 05FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 05FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 05FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 05FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 05FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 05FEB2022.

While one A-10 gets airborne another gets loaded on fuel and fuses. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 05FEB2022.

Video of ‘heritage’ 8N A-10C Combat Turns ops by Senior Master Sergeant Joshua Allmaras:

Senior Master Sergeant Joshua Allmaras brings you more Combat Turns:

Vehicle I-D: IDAHO’S HERITAGE A-10C ‘8N’

Battle ‘Damage’: TURKEY DEPLOYMENT REVEALS IDAHO A-10S ARE A BUNCH OF DIRTY PIGS!

Biden’s War 2022: JANUARY ARMY/AIR FORCE DEPLOYMENTS

New Cold War: RUSSIAN SU-30SM NOW PATROLLING THE SKY OVER BELARUS, WARGAMES ON THE GROUND UNDERWAY

International, Technology

New Cold War: Russian Su-30SM now patrolling the sky over Belarus, wargames on the ground underway

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On 07FEB2022, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that its Sukhoi 30SMs are now patrolling the sky over Belarus.

Russian Defense Ministry video released on 07FEB2022:

The Su-30SM ‘Irkutsk’ is a two seat multi-role combat aircraft that can trace its lineage back to the older single seat Su-27.

On 02FEB2022, it was reported that the ground force wargames in Belarus had begun:

New Cold War:

Su-35S of the Eastern Military District were deployed to Belarus, 26JAN2022. Photo via Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

RUSSIAN ground & air units DEPLOY TO BELARUS, PREPS FOR 2022 INVASION BY NATO! (including Su-35S)

 RUSSIAN OPS IN TAJIKISTAN, 2021 VIDEO-FEST. (including Su-25)

 

Technology

Cold War Vehicle I-D: Short lived Chenowth F-A-V, U.S. Army vs U.S. Navy

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U.S. Navy SeAL Team 5’s Scorpion Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV, now called Desert Patrol Vehicle or DPV), Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, January 1993. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Mike Poche.

USN SeAL Team 5’s three seat Scorpion Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV), Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, January 1993. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Mike Poche.

The Marine Corps Combat Development Command checked out the Chenowth Scorpion FAV in February 1992, on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. USMC photo by Lance Corporal S.D. Dommer.

Photo by Charles Mussi, October 1991.

Scorpion FAV with ASP 30mm chain gun, October 1991. Photo by Charles Mussi.

USN SeAL team parade their Scorpion FAVs through San Diego, California, 18MAY1991 (after Desert Storm). USN photo by Journalist Petty Officer First Class Joe Gawlowicz.

In May 1987, my father William Hutchins (a GS12 Contract Monitor on Edwards Air Force Base) became one of several people responsible for maintaining several of the original two seat Chenowth FAVs.

Sometime in the early 1990s, Edwards AFB, California.

In the early 1990s, my dad actually let me, and on another occasion my brother (Ernst F. Hutchins) and one of my brother’s friends, take an FAV for a joy ride.  I thought it was like any other Volkswagen powered dune buggy, I never liked those air cooled boxer motors.

Sometimes Ernie was the passenger…

My dad’s photos of my brother’s test drive make it look like he was enjoying it.

…sometimes the driver.

Ernie would go on to become an Officer in the U.S. Navy, his last duty assignment at CentCom HQ in Florida, before early retirement.

My father ended up retiring early (too early for him, anyway) from USAF Civil Service, in the mid-1990s.

The U.S. Air Force intent was to use the former U.S. Army FAVs in the development of its Mobile Targeting Systems (like the LANTIRN program that helped kill the N/AW-10), as moving ground targets.

U.S. Army ‘s 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry, 9th Infantry Division (Light) FAV during exercise Team Spirit, in Korea, March 1986. U.S. Army photo by Al Chang.

TOW missile armed FAV, exercise Team Spirit, March 1986. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Arnold W. Kalmanson.

TOW missile armed FAV, exercise Team Spirit, March 1986. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Arnold W. Kalmanson.

TOW missile armed FAV, exercise Team Spirit, March 1986. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Arnold W. Kalmanson.

Over-watching the Han River crossing operation, March 1986. USA photo by Al Chang.

Photo by Sergeant Jimmie T. Dugans Junior, March 1986.

FAV armed with Mark 19 40mm grenade launcher. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Arnold W. Kalmanson, March 1986.

FAV with a 30mm chain gun (bolt is electrically operated by a chain drive system). Photo dated October 1984.

FAV with a 30mm chain gun (bolt is electrically operated by a chain drive system). Photo dated October 1984.

FAV prototype being tested on Fort Lewis, Washington, September 1982. USA photo by Master Sergeant Gene D. Tackett.

Chenowth FAV prototype being tested on Fort Lewis, Washington, September 1982. USA photo by Master Sergeant Gene D. Tackett.

Chenowth FAV prototype with M60D and Mk19, Fort Lewis, Washington. Conflicting dates on the photo, some prints say September 1982 while others say October 1983. USA photo by Master Sergeant Gene D. Tackett.

FAV with M2 and M60D, Fort Lewis, Washington, September 1982. USA photo by Second Lieutenant Alan Knox.

WW2 Vehicle I-D: RARE KAMIKAZE TYPE 4 FOUND ON USMC BASE IN CALIFORNIA!

Cold War (and beyond) Vehicle I-D: SUOMALAISET SISU XA-203, XA-180M, 90M CROTALE & 6×6

Technology

WW2 Vehicle I-D: Rare Kamikaze Type 4 found on USMC base in California!

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In June 2020, it was revealed that among the many armored vehicles stashed on the Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow (one of the many duty assignments of my hardcore Marine Grandfather), California, was a very rare Japanese Type 4 Ka-Tsus amphibious tank.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Robert Jackson, 10JUN2020.

Apparently only 49 were made before he end of World War Two, and this is supposedly the only one left alive.

USMC photo by Robert Jackson, 10JUN2020.

It was based on the Type 95 hull, and was originally intended to carry personnel and supplies from ship to shore and back again.  However, somebody decided to also use them in suicide attacks on U.S. ships, but testing in 1944 showed they were much to slow and noisy for such a sneaky job.

The Japanese AmTrack could carry 13mm machine guns, and during the Kamikaze testing was able to carry and launch two torpedoes (after setting sail from its submarine transport).

The USMC originally had the Ka-Tsu on display on Camp Pendleton, also in California.

The U.S. Marines found the Ka Tsu after the massive July 1945 attacks on Kure Harbor, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

USMC 2020: LAST RIDE FOR 1ST, 2ND & 4TH TANK