Tag Archives: ah-64

Idaho, Technology, U.S.

Idaho now premiere site for War-Fighter training! National Guard the new Quick Reaction Force!

Video

August 2022:

More than 600 National Guard personnel deploy, again, from Idaho!

In 2022, National Guard combat units from California, Idaho, Iowa, North Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington, assaulted the Orchard Combat Training Area (OCTC) in Southwestern Idaho.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 26AUG2022.

Between July and August 2022, the Arizona Army National Guard and the Republic of Singapore Air Force joined forces to shoot-up the OCTC with their AH-64 Apaches.

In July 2022, Oregon Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment conducted light machine gun training on the OCTC. Video by Major W. Chris Clyne (you’ll notice a paddle being held up that reads OTA, the OTCT used to be known as the OTA [Orchard Training Area] about 15 to 20 years ago):

Idaho Army National Guard promotional video about multi-state war game Western Strike 2022:

TACTICAL TOILETS, June 2022:

CALIFORNIA, IOWA, NORTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, UTAH, WASHINGTON INVADE REBEL IDAHO!?

In this Utah Army National Guard video explainer, from 16JUN2022, it is revealed that National Guard combat units are now the new Quick Reaction Force (QRF) for the U.S. Army, required to deploy within 90 days of activation:

In May 2022, Idaho’s 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion trained for demolition and explosive breaching, Idaho Air National Guard video by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur:

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez, 19MAY2022.

Also in May 2022, the Idaho 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s Cavalry Scouts took part in the usual annual training (what we old timers used to call Summer Camp).  The unit later deployed to The Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez, 11MAY2022.

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez, 11MAY2022.

Idaho deploys, again, June 2022: IDAHO, MONTANA, OREGON STUCK IN A DEPLOYMENT LOOP!

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 21APR2022.

In April 2022, U.S. Marines JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) invaded Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC). It was part of wargame Garnet Rattler, and the OCTC was described as being a premier training site, along with Idaho’s aerial gunnery range called Saylor Creek.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 28APR2022.

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez, 30MAR2022.

Towards the end of March 2022, Idaho Army National Guard 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion’s Bravo Company conducted live fire with their M1A2 Abrams, Golf Company (attached) provided the meals.  The 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion was preparing for deployment to The Middle East.

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez, 29MAR2022.

USA photo by Captain Kyle Abraham, 17MAR2022.

Also in March, the U.S. Army’s 1-229 Attack Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade (aka Tigersharks) sent their AH-64 Apache gunships (based on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington) to shoot-up Orchard Combat Training Center.

U.S. Army Photo by Captain Kyle Abraham, 17MAR2022.

February 2022:

IDAHO’S GOWEN FIELD UNDER GAS ATTACK!

OCTC-MATES:

IDAHO SHOWS YOU HOW TO ENGINE SWAP A 1:1 SCALE M113

Idaho Artillery 2021: GETS ‘SMART’ ARTILLERY ROUNDS, REVEALS “UPCOMING MOBILIZATIONS”

OCTC 2021: IDAHO HOME TO FIRST EVER NATIONAL GUARD D-A-G-I-R!

OCTC 2019:

M1A2-V2-SEP ABRAMS IDAHO LIVE FIRE

April 2018: Idaho Air & Army National Guards once again recognized as ‘Top Guns’

June 2017: “NEAR PEER THREATS”, CODE FOR RUSSIA & CHINA AND THE COMING 3RD WORLD WAR? “We’re going to continue to ask the……..Army National Guard to continue to make those sacrifices…..”-General Robert B. Abrams

Technology

NATO Weapons: Apaches & Hinds, for the first time?

Image

U.S. Army (USA) photo by Major Robert Fellingham.

During NATO wargame Saber Guardian-21/DEFENDER-Europe 21, Hungarian Mil 24s and U.S. AH-64s conducted live fire training, together for the first time.

U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Cole can’t help but grin from ear to ear, getting a ride in the gunner’s seat of a Hungarian Hind. USA photo by Major Robert Fellingham, 03JUN2021.

USA photo by Major Robert Fellingham, 03JUN2021.

Hungarian Defense Force Brigadier General József Koller gets situated in the gunner’s seat of an AH-64D. USA photo by Major Robert Fellingham, 03JUN2021.

USA photo by Major Robert Fellingham, 09JUN2021.

It’s not the first time NATO Hinds and Apaches worked together, but apparently (according to U.S. Army, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade’s Major Robert Fellingham) it is the first time they’ve exchanged crews and taken part in ‘live fire’ wargames together.

USA photo by Major Robert Fellingham.

USA photo by Major Robert Fellingham.

USA photo by Major Robert Fellingham, 09JUN2021.

Near Szolnok, Hungary, June 2019. USA photo by Sergeant Brandon Brashere.

In 2019, U.S. Apache crews got to look over Hungarian Hinds during Saber Guardian-19, and vice versa.

Near Szolnok, Hungary, June 2019. USA photo by Sergeant Brandon Brashere.

Iraq, May 2006, USA photo.

In May 2006, a Polish Mil 24 and U.S. AH-64D Apache shared a forward refueling/arming point somewhere in Iraq.

Zombie ‘Copter:  HOW THE HIND RETURNED TO AFGHANISTAN, AND WHY IT WON’T DIE

May 2020:  APACHE FIGHTS THROUGH PANDEMIC

Influenza, Technology

Apache fights through Pandemic

Video

U.S. Army ‘Rotary Wing Assets’, including Apaches, aboard USS Lewis B. Puller (the first of its kind mobile helicopter base-ship) somewhere in the Persian Gulf, 15APR2020.

The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is deploying to Europe to take part in anti-Russia operation Atlantic Resolve.  Video, AH-64 Apache live fire, 01MAY2020, Fort Campbell Kentucky:

Also deploying from Fort Campbell, the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment took-off for South Korea. It is considered a routine ‘rotational’ deployment.

Ignoring CoViD-19 ‘social distancing’ and mask wearing advise, hundreds of family members turned out to say goodbye to Utah Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, as it deployed for a year long combat mission in Afghanistan.

National Guard personnel conduct Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) training at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, 13MAY2020.

Video, 18 AH-64s of the 1-3rd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade fly over Bavaria, Germany, 19MAY2020:

12th Combat Aviation Brigade video explainer (with happy background music); how the AH-64D Apache Longbow can kill you:

Pandemic Overflight: A-10C (FOR COVID?) THUNDERBOLT-2

Idaho National Guard’s A-10s suddenly deployed to Middle East during Pandemic OverFlights

2107: ILLINOIS, IOWA, PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTH CAROLINA MILITIAS DEPLOY TO AFGHANISTAN!

SOUTH CAROLINA MILITIA’S SWITCH-BLADE APACHE

Vehicle I-D: AH-64D LONGBOW APACHE, GRAFENWOEHR 2016

2016: OBAMA DISAPPEARS THE LAST OF IDAHO’S APACHES!

International

Welcome to BEC Hell! Baghdad Embassy Compound

Video

“We are going to have to stop being the policemen of the world.”-Donald Trump, August 2015 interview with Hugh Hewitt

“They’re fighting for 1,000 years, they’re fighting for centuries. I want to bring our soldiers back home.”-President Donald Trump, October 2019, regarding U.S. occupation of Middle East

“This will not be a Benghazi………This will never, ever be a Benghazi!”-President Donald Trump, 07JAN2020

Video, U.S. Army AH-64 Apache overflies the BEC, 31DEC2019:

U.S. Marines work alongside contractors to install bullet resistant Kevlar panels at the BEC, 02JAN2020.

BEC means Base Education Center, but it also means Baghdad Embassy Compound.

Video, U.S. Marines (2nd Battalion, 7th Marines assigned to the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command) in Kuwait prep for emergency deployment to the BEC, 31DEC2019:

U.S. Marines upload on MV-22 Ospreys, heading for BEC, 31DEC2019.

This video, dated 31DEC2019, shows U.S. Marines deploying to the the BEC as it is under attack by Iraqis:

01JAN2020, protesters and militia inside the BEC.

01JAN2020, Marine checks out the rock strewn BEC.

01JAN2020, smoke from the homemade fire bombs tossed into the BEC the night before.

Iraqi security forces (driving black trucks & wearing red berets) talk with Iraqi militia members (wearing black uniforms) surrounding the BEC.

U.S. Army SAW gunner watches the action on the street outside of the BEC.

Iraqi counter terrorist units show up to ‘secure’ the BEC.USMC BEC Video, 02JAN2020:

Video, U.S. Army 82nd Airborne arrives in Kuwait from North Carolina, and then deploys to Iraq:

Security overwatch, 03JAN2020.

Hauling sand bags for reinforcement, 05JAN2020.

Washington Post: Iraq’s Prime Minister says ‘urgent measures’ should be taken to remove U.S. forces

Army Times: U.S. not going to leave Iraq

Irony as President Trump’s 2016 campaign promise to get out of Obama nuke deal with Iran comes true; Business Insider: Iran withdrawing from Obama era nuclear deal

Is this really about saving the U.S. oil industry by jacking up prices? OilPrice: The Year Of The Oil Bankruptcies  “The industry has been teetering on the verge of mass hysteria for much of 2019 as a record number of energy companies folded.”  

Remember when; ICE fines ‘christian’ Hobby Lobby for stealing Sumerian artifacts from Iraq

NEW YORK MILITIA personnel KILLED IN IRAQ!

GREAT RENEGER: DEPLOYMENTS SO COMMON EVEN BEERS ARE NAMED AFTER THEM

SYRIA, 09 OCTOBER 2015 (when Obama was President):  IRANIAN GENERAL KILLED WHILE DEFENDING AIRBASE!

From 2012; RED HORSE, LEVIATHAN & WORLD WAR 3: THE REAL REASON FOR WAR WITH IRAN IS THE HUGE OIL/GAS RESERVES FOUND IN THE MEDITERRANEAN!

U.S.

Great Reneger: National Guard Apache FOB Afghanistan

Video

Task Force Marauder, in Afghanistan, currently consists of National Guard units from Illinois, Iowa and South Carolina, operating AH-64 Apaches, UH-60 Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinooks.

Video of Task Force Marauder Army National Guard’s AH-64 Apache at FOB-Shorab in Afghanistan, 15FEB2018:

Video:  SOUTH CAROLINA MILITIA’S SWITCH-BLADE APACHE

International, U.S.

Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania & South Carolina Militias deploy to Afghanistan!

Video

26 AUG 2017 (15:02 UTC-07 Tango 06)  04 Sharivar 1396/03 Dhu l-Hijja 1438/05 Wu-Shen 7th month 4715

1-151st ARB Forward Arming and Refueling Point training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, 09 JUL 2017

“We’re there to support the Afghanistan Army in their transportation to and from the battle.”-Lieutenant Colonel Brian Pipkin

National Guard units from four U.S. states deploying to Afghanistan; Illinois 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, Iowa 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, Pennsylvania Charlie Company 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion and South Carolina 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion.

South Carolina National Guard’s 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion conducts deployment ceremony, 26 AUG 2017

Pennsylvania Charlie Company, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment deployment ceremony

Video of AH-64 training, held in July, in preps for deployment to Afghanistan:

Video of AH-64 FARP training at Fort Stewart, Georgia:

Video, AH-64 in reverse gear:

Video, Apache Swarm:

National Guard’s 1-151 ARB pre-deployment training, 11 AUG 2017, McCrady Training Center, South Carolina

April 2017: SOUTH CAROLINA MILITIA’S NEW SWITCH-BLADE APACHE

OLD OIL WAR: U.S. FORCES KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN, DAY AFTER U.S. FORCES KILLED AFGHAN POLICE!

Idaho, U.S.

World War Three: 116th Snake River’s 2015 NTC Rotation

Video

Oregon National Guard photo by Major W. Chris Clyne.

D Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (CBCT), Oregon Army National Guard. Oregon National Guard photo by Major W. Chris Clyne.

In August 2015, the 116th Cavalry (Cav-al-ry, not Cal-vary) Brigade Combat Team (Idaho, Montana & Oregon) deployed to Fort Irwin, California, for Total Force Warfare training.

Oregon National Guard photo by Major W. Chris Clyne.

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Specialist Michael Germundson.

126th Engineers, backhoes & bulldozers:

126th Engineers explainer:

M113 based M106 mortar carrier. Oregon Army National Guard photo by Specialist Michael Germundson.

M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle. Oregon Army National Guard photo by Specialist Michael Germundson.

Logistics (lots-o-trucks), M2s and M1A2s arrive at Fort Irwin:

M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. Oregon Army National Guard photo by Specialist Michael Germundson.

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Major W. Chris Clyne.

Idaho National Guard COLT (Combat Observation Lasing Teams) of the 1-148 FA (HQ in Pocatello), identified by the AN/TVQ-2 Ground/Vehicular Laser Locator Designator (G/VLLD, usually called a ‘glid’) mounted next to the .50 cal machine gun. Oregon Army National Guard photo by Major W. Chris Clyne. In 1998, I was at NTC representing the 1-148 FA as a FiST/V (Fire Support Team Vehicle) crewman.

Maneuvers:

Idaho Army National Guard UH-60, M240 door gunner with A Company, 1st Battalion, 183rd Aviation Reconnaissance Battalion. Oregon Army National Guard photo by Major W. Chris Clyne.

The August 2015 NTC rotation (15-09) also included National Guard units from six other states, providing air support through Task Force Talon:

Arkansas Army National Guard’s 1036th Engineer Company supports the 116th CBCT by detonating an M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge (MCLC, pronounced mic-lic). Oregon Army National Guard photo by Major W. Chris Clyne.

Video, Combined Arms Live Fire, “On the way!”:

The last time the 116th went to NTC was in 1998, with yours truly.

1998 Desert Avenger certificate of appreciation

“THIS IS WHERE ARMOR FIGHTS!” IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD

Idaho

Obama disappears the last of Idaho’s Apaches!

30 July 2016 (15:08 UTC-07 Tango 01) 09 Mordad 1395/24 Shawwal 1437/27 Yi-Wei 4714

“I have to start over.”-Bob Ware, chief test pilot 183rd Aviation Battalion

After 20 years the last of Idaho’s AH-64 Apache gunships were ‘flown into the sunset’ by the Obama regime.  Supposedly they’ll be replace with UH-60 Black Hawk utility ‘copters.

National Guard reps said it’s part of the state militia’s new ’emergency response’ mission, without going into details.  However, in 2014 Idaho’s National Guard ground troops returned to high intensity “total force” training, and as I recall the AH-64 Apache is an integral part of high intensity ground combat.

Here’s the true reason: Active duty Army needs more gunships as never ending wars (which Obama promised to end) have whittled down their inventory, and lack of taxpayer revenues (due to a bad economy, also something Obama promised to fix) means new Apaches can’t be built.

But I’ve also been pointing out, since 2014, that the Obama regime has been dumbing down state militias, including taking their Apache gunships, C-130 transports and A-10 ground pounders (OBAMA REGIME GROUNDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD?, OBAMA REGIME STEALS APACHES FROM NORTH CAROLINA!, OBAMA REGIME FORCING STATE RUN AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNITS ONTO FEDERAL CONTROLLED AIR BASES!, OBAMA CANCELS JOB ASSISTANCE FOR NATIONAL GUARD VETS!, OBAMA REGIME SHUTS DOWN NATIONAL GUARD UNIT AFTER THEY DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN?, OBAMA REGIME ADMITS IT WANTS TO DESTROY THE GUARD!, OBAMA WANTS TO SLASH-N-BURN NATIONAL GUARD, SO HE CAN SPEND $79.4 BILLION MORE IN AFGHANISTAN!, OBAMA REGIME PISSES OFF NATIONAL GUARD….GOVERNORS CALL OBAMA A BACK STABBER!, WIMP ASS IDAHO GOVERNOR BEGS OBAMA REGIME NOT TO STEAL ARMY NATIONAL GUARD’S AIR ASSETS!, OBAMA REGIME TO STEAL ALL OF IDAHO AIR NATIONAL GUARD’S AIR ASSETS!, MORE STATES REVEAL OBAMA’S PLAN TO DESTROY THEIR GUARD UNITS!, OPERATION MISSION SHIFT=NATIONAL GUARD SHUTDOWN?, OPERATION BOLD SHIFT; STATE MILITIAS NOW UNDER DIRECT CONTROL OF OBAMA).

IDAHO’S SNAKE MILITIA DEPLOYED TO UKRAINIAN BORDER!

TURKEY HALTS IDAHO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST ISLAMIC STATE!