kc-135r | Blind Bat News

In June 2017, U.S. General Robert B. Abrams used the phrase ‘near peer threats’, a euphemism for China and Russia.

Image from a video by Technical Sergeant Danny Whitlock, 03FEB2024.

Now, at the beginning of February 2024, the commander of the Utah Air and Army National Guard used a new phrase (code words?) for World War Three; the ‘great power competition’: “As we engage in great power competition, it is crucial that we innovate and optimize our force. We must adapt and change how we train and fight; conflict against China will be very different from any battle we’ve ever had. We must aggressively push new and sometimes uncomfortable tactics to win. This exercise lets the warfighters push their limits to create and perfect capabilities they need to deter and defeat our adversaries.”-Major General Daniel Boyack, Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard

Utah Air National Guard photo by Major Christopher Kroeber, 03FEB2024.

‘Mountain West Militia’ members from Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Wing, and the Air Force Reserve’s 419th Fighter Wing, took part in Exercise Perses, during the first weekend of February.

Utah Air National Guard video by First Lieutenant Jaycee Baker, 03FEB2024:

The training event involved transporting munitions (such as AIM 120 missiles) for fighter aircraft, as well as aerial refueling of F-35s from Hill Air Force Base, in Utah.

AIM-120 ‘coffins’. Utah Air National Guard photo by Second Lieutenant Marliyn Alba, 04FEB2024.

Utah Air National Guard photo by Second Lieutenant Marliyn Alba, 04FEB2024.

Utah Air National Guard video by Master Sergeant Colton Elliott, 03FEB2024:

Camp Williams, Utah, 31JAN2024. Utah Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Kyle Blackham.

At the end of January 2024, the Utah Army National Guard also took part in Exercise Perses, using their UH-60 Black Hawks to sling-load supplies.

Utah Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Kyle Blackham, 31JAN2024.

The “great power competition” training also included finding better ways to conduct transportation/communications operations.

Forever Wars: SECRET B-1B LANCER MISSION REVEALED!

August 2023: UTAH MILITIA

“The task force will operate across the USAFE-AFAFRICA theater from the Arctic to the Sahara Desert, demonstrating how the U.S., with our allies and partners, can quickly amass at a time and location of our choosing to deter and defend against any possible aggression.”-Lieutenant General Jeffrey Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa

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

USAF Bomber Task Force (BTF) personnel (at least 450) from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrive at the British empire’s Royal Air Force base Fairford, 11MAR2019. BTF missions have been conducted across the globe since April 2014, and this BTF rotation is the largest deployment of a single bomber platform since 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Barksdake B-52 nuclear bomber lands at RAF Fairford, 20MAR2019. RAF Fairford is now the United States Air Forces in Europe’s ‘forward operating location’ for strategic bombers.