PHOS CHEK is a product of a company called Perimeter Solutions. They also sell a retardant called FIRE-TROL. They claim their retardants are certified USDA “environmentally friendly”. The red color means nothing, it is one of three options for buyers, the other two are “disappearing color” and “uncolored”. Obviously the red would allow fire fighters to see where they’ve already applied the stuff.
On 12JAN2025, C-130 cargo haulers equipped with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) get loaded with brand name PHOS CHEK, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station on Port Hueneme, California. Currently there are old C-130H Hercules operated by Colorado Air Force Reserve, Nevada Air National Guard and Wyoming Air National Guard. California Air National Guard operates the newer C-130J Super Hercules. I edited video via Technical Sergeant Nicole Wright:
California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing Super Hercules water-bombing (retardant/brand name PHOS CHEK) the mountains above Pacific Palisades. The air-horn noise is the MAFFS in operation. Video via Master Sergeant Nicholas Carzis, 11JAN2025:
On 11JAN2025, California Army National Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade arrived on Camarillo Airport, to link-up with CalFire (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) Fire Hawks. I edited down a video via Specialist William Franco Espinosa:
On 11JAN2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began helping survivors file claims, at the Pasadena Convention Center. FEMA video via Alexis Hall:
If you are a fire survivor and have transportation, the FEMA and The American Red Cross have set up locations across Los Angeles County, to try and help you and even your pets. FEMA video via Alexis Hall, 10JAN2025:
California Army National Guard’s 40th Military Police Company on patrol in Santa Monica. I edited video via Sergeant William Griffen, the video was recorded 10JAN2025, but not released until 12JAN2025:
A Presidential order, delegated through the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and U.S. Northern Command (NorthCom), has mobilized full-time and part-time military units to fight the fires in the Los Angeles County area of California. Those units began preparations on 10JAN2025, to be ready for action by 12JAN2025.
Marines prep a Bambi water bucket for their UH-1Y Venom.
On Camp Pendleton, California, U.S. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367-Marine Aircraft Group 39-3rd Marine Aircraft Wing prepares Bell UH-1Y Venom for fire fighting duty. About 5-hundred Marines will join fire fighting efforts. I edited video via Lance Corporal Jennifer Sanchez:
U.S. Air Force-Reserve’s 302nd Airlift Wing loads U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) on Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. I edited time lapse video (sent with no audio) via Technical Sergeant Justin Norton:
Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing personnel load a USFS-MAFFS into a C-130H Hercules on Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Video (sent with no audio) via Technical Sergeant Justin Norton:
Nevada Air National Guard 152nd Airlift Wing’s Maintenance Squadron prepares C-130H Hercules with a U.S. Forest Service MAFFS. I edited down video via Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber:
This is just a little bit of what the Utah Air & Army National Guard accomplished in August, 2023.
Camp Growl, Queensland, Australia. Utah Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Alejandro Lucero, 01AUG2023.
On 01AUG2023, while deployed to Australia, the 144th Area Support Medical Company conducted ‘blackout’ (night-time) medical operations during international wargame Talisman Sabre (22 July to 04 August).
Utah Army National Guard photo by Captain Jeffrey Brenchley, 06AUG2023.
On 06AUG2023, Utah’s 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) militia personnel jumped from a perfectly good UH-60 Black Hawk rotary wing, into Deer Creek Reservoir near Heber City. The 19th SF Group Airborne is one of only two Army National Guard Special Forces (SF) units, the other unit is in Texas (197th Special Troops Support Company).
Utah Army National Guard photo by Sergeant First Class Rich Stowell, 08AUG2023.
On Camp Williams, in Utah, the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) spent their yearly ‘summer camp’ preparing for their deployment to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), which is based in the Republic of Djibouti. The 204th MEB will deploy to the African continent in Spring 2024.
Utah Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Nicholas Perez, 09AUG2023.
On 09AUG2023, the Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard greeted U.S. President Joseph Robinette Biden Junior on Roland R. Wright Air National Guard base (Salt Lake City). Biden was in Utah for a one-day ‘Campaign Reception’.
Utah’s 2nd Battalion, of the 222nd Field Artillery, pounded Michigan with their M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled Guns (SPG) during wargame Northern Strike, on Camp Grayling. Video by Staff Sergeant Daniel Garas (edited by me), 12AUG2023:
Video by Staff Sergeant Daniel Garas showing a Utah M109A6 on the move:
On 23AUG2023, a Utah Army National Guard 1st Battalion-211th Aviation Regiment AH-64 Apache rotary wing launched a AGM-114 Hellfire missile at a smoking target on Granite Peak Range, near Dugway. Video by Staff Sergeant Cambrin Bassett:
After a seven years hiatus, the car show portion of Chubbuck Days finally returned to Cotant Park in Chubbuck, Idaho, 12AUG2023.
I’ve been attending Chubbuck Days since 1998 (and covering the car show since 2010), the previous Chubbuck Days car show was in 2016, with much reduced participation and many of the vehicles being for sale.
After 2016, the so-called neighborhood improvement projects blocked access to Cotant Park, along with the park’s playground and tennis courts being ripped-up and replaced by a parking lot (also, the substitute park chosen for Chubbuck Days was too small to accommodate a car show), with the projects completed just in time for the ‘Pland-emic’ Paranoia which resulted in the cancelation of all local public events.
Supposedly unsuspecting parents & children were bombed from the sky with candy dropped from a rotary wing:
02 July 2023 (12:40-UTC-07 Tango 06) 11 Tir 1402/13 Dhu l-Hijja 1444/15 Ji-Wei 4721/02 июль 2023 года
U.S. Army photo by Samantha Treadway, 01JAN2023.
Every year, units from the Regular Army (active duty U.S. Army [USA]), Army Reserve, and National Guard, spend time on the Corpus Christi Army Depot in Texas, learning the latest in rotary wing aircraft maintenance. This year, they are learning about the new ‘V’ variant of the old UH-60 Black Hawk, even though the ‘V’ upgrade program suffered setbacks.
The first UH-60V delivered to a U.S. unit overseas, on Wiesbaden Airfield, NATO-Germany, 04JUN2023. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Todd Strobel.
Despite the setbacks, by June 2023, upgraded UH-60Vs began to be deployed to bases in the European Union. Northrop Grumman states that the ‘V’ upgrade replaces the old UH-60L cockpit “with a fully open, digital and integrated avionics suite”.
Kentucky Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Daniel S. Cooper gives the official explanation of why Ecuador currently has UH-60 Black Hawk maintenance crews in Kentucky. There is no mention of the recent Black Hawk crashes. Video interview by Sergeant First Class Benjamin Crane, 29JUN2023:
Video (by Sergeant First Class Benjamin Crane) of Ecuadorian UH-60 Black Hawk maintenance crews’ visit to Kentucky, 29JUN2023:
Some UH-60 (and other rotary wing aircraft) maintenance is performed at the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, on Muir Army Airfield in Pennsylvania. Video by Erik Sandbakken, 05JUN2023:
Georgia Army National Guard HH-60M gets a 40-hour preventive maintenance check on Inezgane Airfield, Morocco, during African Lion 2023. Photo by Sergeant Cameron Boyd, 31MAY2023.
‘Pumped’ UH-60 helicopter repairers with the Connecticut Army National Guard, tear into a hydraulic pilot assist module during a maintenance competition at the 1109th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group, Groton, Connecticut, 21APR2023. Photo by Sergeant Matthew Lucibello.
In March 2023, during wargame Cobra Gold, the Washington Army National Guard conducted joint UH-60 maintenance with the Royal Thai Army, in the Kingdom of Thailand.
This is the Arizona Army National Guard’s Western Arizona Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, where they teach how to repair the UH-60L/M Black Hawk. Photo by Sergeant First Class Brian A. Barbour, 24FEB2023.
In 2022, using the ‘Pland-emic supply shortages’ as an excuse, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) began something called ‘additive manufacturing’. Additive manufacturing is an industry phrase referring to the use of 3D printing to create your own parts. This December 2022 DLA video report (by Nutan Chada) is about creating 3D printed fuel elbows for the UH-60:
Assigned to the Texas Army National Guard on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, a Black Hawk maintainer from New York torques a nut on the pitch control rod of a UH-60M. Photo by Specialist Jason Lo, 06SEP2022.
USA video, by Sergeant Amber Cobena, UH-60 helicopter insertion, 24FEB2023:
USA photo by Sergeant Amber Cobena, 25FEB2023.
It is considered a ‘first’ for the UAE: “This historic first JRTC rotation demonstrates the proficiency of the UAE Land Forces and strength of our partnership.. …focused on building our proficiency with the UAE Land Forces’ 11th Mountain Battalion.”– Lieutenant General Patrick D. Frank, U.S. Army Central Commanding General
A soldier from the United Arab Emirates 11th Mountain Battalion engages with opposition forces in ‘The Box’ during Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 23-04, 27FEB2023. USA photo by Sergeant Amber Cobena.
Towards the end of 2018, Royal Jordanian AH-1S/F Cobras (Bell 209) began upgrades at Northrop and Science and Engineering Services (aka SES) facilities in Huntsville, Alabama.
USA photo by Richard Bumgardner, 10APR2019.
The upgrades were coordinated through U.S. Army Security Assistance Command. It is hoped Jordan can use the helicopter gunships for another 20 years.
USA photo by Richard Bumgardner, 10APR2019.
U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Joshua L. DeMotts, 17APR2018.
Double trouble. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Joshua L. DeMotts, 17APR2018.
USAF video, by Staff Sergeant Roidan Carlson, Cobras attack, 14MAY2014:
USAF video, by Airman First Class Danny Rangel, infantry support, 14MAY2014:
In 2010, at the behest of the United States government, Jordan donated 16 AH-1S/F Cobras to Pakistan.
Cold War, approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).
Despite the sequence of letters, the S variant actually came before the F variant. During the Cold War, AH-1Q Cobras were upgraded to the AH-1S variant, with at least three additional upgrades which resulted in the AH-1F.
Photo by Staff Sergeant Mike Haggerty, 01AUG1985.
Jordan was one of the first foreign users of the AH-1S/F, beginning in 1985.
During the United States’ Operation Highjump (aka Project Highjump), in 1946-47, a Sikorsky HO3S-1 helicopter (called Dragonfly by the British) crashed into the Antarctic Ocean (aka Southern Ocean).
The silent color film, by U.S. Army Private E. Zinberg, dated 19JAN1947, shows the Dragonfly approaching USS Pine Island (AV-12), the film cuts out for a second then shows the Sikorsky diving into the water. The pilot, and the observer, are rescued:
There is an attempt to salvage the helicopter, but the order is given to let the Dragonfly go:
This crash happened about a week after the rescue of the crew, and passenger, of a U.S. Navy PBM-5 Mariner, code named George 1, which had been missing since 30DEC1946. The search was frantic, not just because nobody knew what happened, but the commanding officer of the USS Pine Island was onboard the missing seaplane. The crew and VIP (very important person) passenger that survived (three crewmembers died) the crash of George 1, were rescued on 12JAN1947.
According to Peter J. Anderson, who worked for the Office of Polar Programs-National Science Foundation, a total of seven helicopters were used during Operation Highjump. On 19JAN1947, H03S-1 helicopter (Bureau Number [BuNo] 57996) was sent to find pack-ice that could launch aircraft for a photographic mission, ordered by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd. The HO3S-1 returned early due to icing of the rotary wings. Ironically, just feet from the deck of USS Pine Island, the icing suddenly became worse causing to HO3S-1 to drop straight into the ocean. Just three days later, a second HO3S-1 was lost. BuNo 579997 was launched from the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea, it was hit by a downdraft and shoved into the ocean, the crew was rescued.
The two HO3S-1 helicopters were two of the four aircraft lost during Operation Highjump.
South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.
In July 2012, the skeletal remains of a South Dakota National Guard Bell H-13B Sioux (serial #1, built in 1948, note that this Sioux used wheels instead of skids) was loaded into the belly of a South Carolina National Guard Boeing CH-47D Chinook.
South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.
The Sioux flew from South Dakota’s National Guard Museum, to South Carolina for restoration and display in the South Carolina Military Museum.
South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.
The Sioux being worked towards a hungry Chinook.
South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.
Sioux #1 chained, heading for a new home.
South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.
Hungry, hungry Chinook!
South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.
In 2014, Sioux #1 was ready for display in the South Carolina Military Museum’s new second building (which happened by February 2015).
Silent film from Korea Police Action, 26AUG1951, a Sioux H-13B on the ground as an H-13D (with skids instead of wheels) lands behind it, they were transporting officials to some kind of ceremony:
This is the U.S. Navy/Coast Guard version known as the HTL.
Poor quality video of an Abakan Avia operated Mi-26 (Ми-26) crashing in April 2020, Novy Urengoy – Vankor field, Yamal Peninsula, Russia. Three crew wounded. It looks like the pilot came in too fast with the nose too high causing the tail to hit the ground:
Abakan Avia Mi-26 heavy helicopter made hard landing at Yamal peninsula in North Russia this morning pic.twitter.com/HvzPH8Fa6U
In January 2019, a Mi-26 transported many materials to the Bureysky reservoir, which had been blocked by a landslide in December 2018 creating a flood threat, Russian Defense Ministry video:
TASS video of UTairMi-26 moving an old Tu-134 ‘gate guard’ in Tyumen, Russia, 2019:
Russian Defense Ministry video of load-up of Mi-26 during Vostock 2018 war games, September 2018:
TASS video of Russian military Mi-26 practicing to fight fires, May 2018:
Photo via Russian Helicopters.
In October 2017, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced the Mi-26 would be modernized to ‘T2V’ standard, allowing it to operate in bad weather, at night, and will have a self defense system against guided anti-aircraft missiles.
2013(?) video report, checking out a new build Mi-26:
Australian Department of Defence photo, March 2011.
In early 2011, the Australian Department of Defence hired Russian contractor Vertical T to fly Mi-26 Halo transport missions in Afghanistan, specifically in Uruzgan Province.
Australian and U.S. military personnel check out the huge ass of the Mi-26. Australian Department of Defence photo, March 2011.
Mi-26 Halo helicopter delivers a battle damaged Mi-17 Hip to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, 13JUL2011. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
13JUL2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
13JUL2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
13JUL2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
Associated Press photo.
In December 2010, an Indian Air Force Mi-26 crashed at Jammu Airport/Air Force Station. The crew of seven were wounded, technical problems are suspected as the cause.
A Russian Mi-26 Halo lands at Belet Weyne (Beledweyne), Somalia, December 1993. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Sergeant G. D. Robinson.
In 1993, the Mi-26 Halo was used to shuttle supplies and personnel to areas outside Mogadishu, Somalia, during the United States led United Nation’s Operation Continue Hope.
Mi-26 Halo on the shores of Kismayo, Somalia, November 1993. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Sergeant G. D. Robinson.
November 1993, U.S. Department of Defense photo by Sergeant G. D. Robinson.
Image taken from 1986 video, showing a Soviet Mi-26 attempting to reduce radiation levels around the exploded Chernobyl nuclear reactor.
Soviet era video report, one of the first production Mi-26 arrives at Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnovo Khozyaystva (VDNKh, ВДНХ), Moscow, 1985:
Soviet silly-vilian (civilian) airliner version of the Mi-26 in 1983.
Early 1980s Soviet AviaExport promotional film about the then new Mi-26:
USMC & Air Guard mobilized for California fires!
