Category Archives: Technology

Soviet era tanks now in use by NATO: Bulgarian T-72

Video April 7, 2020 Hutchins AAron

U.S. Army photo by First Lieutenant Ian Fischer, 27MAY2021.

30MAY2021, live-fire during NATO Saber Guardian-Defender Europe war game, U.S. Army video by Specialist Christian Cote:

USA photo by First Lieutenant Ian Fischer, 27MAY2021.

Louisiana Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Megan Zander, 21FEB2020.

Towards the end of February 2020, the U.S./NATO conducted a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) at the Novo Selo Training Area in Mokren, Bulgaria.

Louisiana Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Megan Zander, 22FEB2020.

Bulgarian T-72 tankers were happy to take part in the live fire training.

Louisiana Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Megan Zander, 22FEB2020.

Keeping an eye on the U.S. Army M1 Abrams from Fort Hood, Texas.

Louisiana Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Megan Zander, 22FEB2020.

Louisiana Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Noshoba Davis, 22FEB2020.

Firing the Soviet designed 12.7mm, fun! I loved firing the M2 Browning 12.7mm when I was an M1A1 TC (Tank Commander).

USA photo by Sergeant Ashley Gillons Terpsma, 11JUN2019.

NATO Strike Back-19 wargame, Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, June 2019.

Michigan Army National Guard photo by Specialist Samantha Hall, 12JUN2019.

North Carolina Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Jamar Marcel Pugh, 02AUG2018.

NATO’s Platinum Lion, 2018.

North Carolina Army National Guard video, 15SEP2018:

North Carolina Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Jamar Marcel Pugh, 15SEP2018.

What a T-72 looks like looking out the back of a Bradley, September 2018.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Sean J. Berry, 03AUG2017.

NATO’s Platinum Lion 17.2 training with U.S. Marines, August 2017.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Christopher Lange, 12JUL2017.

Eagle Sentinel-17, July 2017.

Oregon Army National Guard video, Saber Guardian wargames, July 2017:

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Michelle Reif, 15DEC2016.

NATO’s Platinum Lion wargames, 2016.

Hull down. USMC Photo by Corporal Justin T. Updegraff, 15JAN2016.

USMC Photo by Corporal Justin T. Updegraff, 15JAN2016.

USMC Photo by Corporal Justin T. Updegraff, 08JAN2016.

Can you identify the World War Two Soviet tank in the background?

USMC Photo by Corporal Justin T. Updegraff, 08JAN2016.

USA photo by Specialist Jacqueline Dowland, 25JUN2015.

SOVIET ERA TANKS NOW IN USE BY NATO:

BULGARIAN ARMOR, (PLUS THE BULGARIAN BMP-23)

SLOVENIAN M84 Sniper

International, Technology

Soviet era tanks now in use by NATO: Slovenian M84A4

Video April 7, 2020 Hutchins AAron

The M84 was a Cold War era Yugoslav development of the Soviet T-72, upgraded with ‘western’ style sighting system and wind sensor. The prominent wind sensor on the front-top of the turret is the giveaway identifier.

NATO video of M84 during wargame Combined Resolve, Hohenfels, Germany, September 2020:

Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Megan V. Zander, 29JAN2020.

Slovenian M84A4s in Hohenfels, Germany, January 2020. They were acting as Opposition Forces (OpFor) for NATO wargames Combined Resolve-13.

Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Megan V. Zander, 29JAN2020.

U.S. Army photo by Massimo Bovo.

Slovenian M84A4s during NATO wargames Adriatic Strike at Pocek Range in Postonja, June 2017.

USA photo by Graigg Faggionato.

U.S. Army video by Massimo Bovo, M84 live fire, June 2017:

USA photo by Graigg Faggionato.

Video report, U.S. Army explains why they like using former Warsaw Pact (Slovenia, being a part of Yugoslavia, was never part of Warsaw Pact), or other Soviet bloc countries, in wargames:

USA photo by Sergeant Alexandra Hulett.

Hohenfels, Germany, June 2016.

USA photo by Sergeant Alexandra Hulett.

Installing the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems (MILES) for wargames. The MILES is essentially the world’s first laser-tag system, it is used on both people and vehicles.

USA photo by Sergeant Alexandra Hulett.

The bracket strapped to the gun tube is for the charges that simulate the gun firing. The amber light on the turret is the wound-damage/kill light, it flashes temporarily if you are ‘damaged-wounded’ and flashes constantly if you are ‘killed’.

California Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Brianne Roudebush, 21JAN2016.

NATO Exercise Allied Spirit-4, Hohenfels, Germany, January 2016.

California Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Brianne Roudebush, 21JAN2016.

Video report, Slovenian tanker explains why they are working with U.S. Army (USA), November 2015:

USA photo by Specialist Shardesia Washington.

M84s on Hohenfels, October 2015.

USA photo by Davide Dalla Massara.

Adriatic Strike exercise at Pocek Range in Postonja, Slovenia, June 2015.

HOW TO BUILD A 1:1 SCALE U.S. ARMY ‘FAKE NEWS’ BMP-2

VEHICLE I-D: RUSSIA’S ‘NEW’ T-72B3, “HELLO, ANYBODY IN THERE?”

VEHICLE I-D: ZOMBIE TANK T-55, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

VEHICLE I-D: GIANT R-C TANKS SEEN TEARING-UP WASHINGTON STATE!

ICONIC RUSSIAN ARMOR MAKER NOW BANKRUPT?

IRAN TO BUY RUSSIAN PANZERS!

VEHICLE I-D: VIDEO OF NEW RUSSIAN T-14 ARMATA PANZER, T-15 ICV AND T-16 RECOVERY VEHICLE! DETAILED LOOK AT T-72/T-90 FACTORY PRODUCING T-14!

Influenza, Technology

Does the ‘C’ in C-130 stand for CoViD?

Video April 7, 2020 Hutchins AAron

“FEMA notified the Coast Guard of the need March 27, and we worked collectively for a whole of government response to expedite the timely delivery.”-Captain Craig O’Brien, U.S. Coast Guard 14th District

Video, HC-130 load-up at Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, 31MAR2020:

Under Federal Emergency Management Agency direction, a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules flew CoViD-19 medical supplies to the U.S. territory of American Somoa.

Time lapse video of C-130 landing on Pago Pago International Airport, American Samoa, 01APR2020:

American Samoa is a collection of five islands in the South Pacific, approximately 2-thousand-6-hundred miles southwest of Hawaii. Many of the 64-thousand residents work for the U.S. military.

“Military aircraft are a workhorse throughout the world, and in the Coast Guard, we frequently use our HC-130 Hercules planes to deliver necessary supplies and equipment. This is especially true in the Pacific, where we seek to overcome vast distances and challenging timelines.”-Commander James Morrow

Video of cargo followed by HC-130 take-off:

HC-130J: FLORIDA GETS A NEW COMBAT KING IN TIME FOR HURRICANE SEASON

Operation CoViD-19: FEMA’S EMERGENCY AIRLIFT REVEALED!

Technology, U.S.

Florida gets a new Combat King

Video April 5, 2020 Hutchins AAron

Just in time for the 2020-2021 hurricane season, a lucky U.S. Air Force Reserve SAR (Search And Rescue) unit in Florida got a brand new HC-130J Super Hercules-Combat King-2.

The first HC-130J for USAF Reserves in Florida, takes off from its birthplace in Marietta, Georgia, 02APR2020.

FL-892 will call Patrick Air Force Base its home, cared for by the 39th Rescue Squadron-920th Rescue Wing. They are the first, and so far only, Reserve SAR unit to get a new HC-130J. (they do fly the older models of HC-130 SAR Hercules)

The HC-130J is one of nine versions of the C-130J series, specifically built for SAR and aerial refueling missions.

Video, HC-130Js operated by 23rd Wing out of Nellis AFB, Nevada, arrived at Moody AFB, Georgia, for up-load of equipment and supplies for SAR ops relating to the Hurricane Harvey disaster in 2017 (interesting how the new C-130Js with their new engines and six bladed props still sound like the old C-130s, well almost):

Video, a 23rd Wing HC-130J returns to its home on Nellis AFB, Nevada, after conducting SAR ops over Texas following the 2017 Hurricane Harvey disaster:

HARVEY: MILITARY REVEALS SEVEN YEARS OF PREPARATION!

HARVEY: CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE DELIVERS AID WITH WORLD WAR 2 AIRCRAFT

VEHICLE I-D: LC-130 À LA SKIS

International, Technology

European Tornados and Typhoons strike Nevada!

Video April 5, 2020 Hutchins AAron

NATO Spain Eurofighter Typhoon launches from Nellis Air Force Base, 11MAR2020. U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis.

In March 2020, NATO European air forces battled for control of the airspace over the U.S. state of Nevada.

USAF photo by William R. Lewis, 26MAR2020.

Eurofighter Typhoons were flown by NATO Germany, Italy and Spain.

German Eurofighter Typhoon. USAF photo by Airman First Class Dwane R. Young, 09MAR2020.

It was all part of Red Flag NATO training in March 2020. Here’s music video (by William Lewis) of German Tornadoes, German-Italian-Spanish Typhoons and U.S. F-35, 10MAR2020:

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Philip Bryant, 05MAR2020.

Panavia Tornado.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Philip Bryant, 10MAR2020.

Here’s more video of Tornado and Typhoons, by Staff Sergeant Philip Bryant, 10MAR2020:

Photo by Mauricio Campino, 26MAR2020.

This pic shows Spanish Typhoons arriving at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, after the Red Flag training was suddenly canceled because of CoViD-19, 26MAR2020.

Click on these links:

RED FLAG FOR ALABAMA MILITIA!

1939 V 2019; GERMANY INVADES POLAND AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH THE HELP OF NATO!

GERMANY FINALLY ADOPTS THE MINIGUN!

MLRS, BRITISH RED COATS INVADE U.S. ARMY BASE IN GERMANY!

Technology

Indian Hercules appears in North Dakota

Video April 4, 2020 Hutchins AAron

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Elora J. Martinez, 13JAN2018.

In January 2018 an Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules landed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Elora J. Martinez, 13JAN2018.

Video by Airman First Class Oriana Beard (for some reason sent with no audio):

The Indian Hercules’ next stop was McChord AFB, Washington, for exercise Vajra Prahar.

SINGAPORE’S INVASION OF IDAHO’S MOUNTAIN HOME AFB!

SKI-BIRD AND THE HIMARS

Technology

Dreamlifter, and other 747 cargo planes

Video March 31, 2020 Hutchins AAron

British Airway’s BOAC 747-400 at United Kingdom’s Royal International Air Tattoo, July 2019.

Michigan Air National Guard’s 127 Wing deploys on a 747-400 people hauler, April 2019.

Video, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard load-up contracted 747 (for their first time) with cargo for Guam, March 2019:

Michigan Air National Guard load-up a Atlas Air 747 cargo hauler, January 2019.

Boeing offers Dreamlifter, 3D-printing machines for COVID-19

In November 2013, an Atlas Air operated 747-400 Dreamlifter flew to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, to pick-up parts for construction of 787 Dreamliners from a nearby manufacturer.

Official USAF reports say the pilot of the Boeing Dreamlifter mistakenly landed at Colonel James Jabara Airport!

Boeing claims its Dreamlifter can haul more cargo by volume than any aircraft in the world.

Video, South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing contracted 747 cargo plane for deployment to ‘undisclosed location’ in Southwest Asia, 2018:

Video, South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing contracted 747 cargo plane for their deployment to Korea, July 2016:

Kadena Air Base, Japan. The Missouri Air National Guard off-loaded the 747, one of three early model 747s operated by Kalitta Air.

Misawa Air Base, Japan, 2016.

National Air Cargo 747-400 tail number N949CA lands at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, February 2012.N949CA crashed in Afghanistan, April 2013, killing the seven crew.

Contracted 747 cargo haulers sit in Romania, waiting to be loaded up with supplies for troops in Afghanistan, July 2013.

Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, 2012.

A National 747 at Tinian International Airport, Northern Mariana Islands, during Exercise Forager Fury 2012.

Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, April 2011.

Travis AFB, California, April 2009.

KC-135 STRATOTANKER BATH

Kit Bashing, Technology

Bare Metal: KC-135R gets stripped

Video March 30, 2020 Hutchins AAron

Ohio Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Wendy Kuhn, 02MAR2015.

Ohio Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Wendy Kuhn, 04MAR2015.

Every five years, KC-135 Stratotankers undergo depot maintenance by the 564th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Ohio Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Wendy Kuhn, 04MAR2015.

The process includes stripping off an aircraft’s paint, removing the engines, dropping the boom, removing and replacing deficient parts, and any upgrades as necessary. It takes an average of 125 days.

USAF photo by Kelly White, 28APR2015.

Video, part one KC-135R depot work:

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Kiaundra Miller, 23NOV2019.

Tennessee Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Kendra Owenby, 19JAN2017.

Video, part two KC-135R depot work (no audio on slo-mo parts of the video):

Tennessee Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Kendra Owenby, 19JAN2017.

Video, part three KC-135R depot work:

BARE METAL: NASA’S MD-11 EXPERIMENTAL

C-130 PAINT PREP, OR THE EMPEROR GETS SOME NEW CLOTHES

C-17 STRIPPED

B-1B & B-52H

Technology

KC-135 Stratotanker bath

Video March 30, 2020 Hutchins AAron

121st Air Refueling Wing, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, June 2018.

I don’t think this has anything to do with washing-up, but apparently the Airmen with 92nd Maintenance Group think break-dancing helps. Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB), Washington, January 2018.

Video interview, with funky music, 100th Maintenance Group washes KC-135, RAF Mildenhall in United Kingdom, 2017:

Washing the main-gear doors, 168th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska, December 2017.

Kadena Air Base, Japan, 2016. The wash-rack (aka Bird-Bath, officially Aircraft Rinse System) takes 90 seconds to wash the salty sea air off the skin of the Stratotanker.

KC-135R passes through wash rack on Andersen AFB, Guam, 2014.

Hand washing KC-135R, Altus AFB, Oklahoma, 2014.

Washing the front landing gear of a KC-135R.

According to the Altus AFB info, it takes eight hours to wash your KC-135.

Every 120 days KC-135 get a scrub-down.

Video explainer, washing KC-135 at McDill AFB, Florida, 2013:

EC-135E FIRE-BIRD, 10329 COMES BACK TO LIFE, AGAIN! OR, WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR EXTRA KC-135 KIT.

WASH YOUR HAWK!

Technology

Wash your Hawk!

Image March 29, 2020 Hutchins AAron

USS Detroit (LCS 7), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, MH-60S ‘Knight’ Hawk, somewhere in the Caribbean, March 2020.

USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, MH-60R Sea Hawk, somewhere in the Indo-Pacific, February 2020.

Washing your Hawk not only keeps dust-n-dirt from building up, it prevents corrosion.

Charlie Company, 2-238th General Aviation Support Battalion (Medevac), UH-60 Black Hawk, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, November 2019.

USS Bataan (LHD 5), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, MH-60S ‘Knight’ Hawk, somewhere in the Atlantic, November 2019.

31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit, HH-60G Pave Hawk, Aviano Air Base, Italy, October 2019.

Picky, picky, picky. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, somewhere in the mid-Atlantic, September 2019.

Cleaning up after cleaning up, 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard, July 2019.

Don’t forget to brush your teeth!

USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, MH-60R Sea Hawk, somewhere in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet ‘areas of responsibility’, April 2019.

USS Nitze (DDG 94), Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, MH-60R Sea Hawk, somewhere in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet ‘areas of responsibility’, April 2019.

Wipe that ass!