Tag Archives: m109

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

International, Technology

World War 3: U.S./NATO “no significant effect” in Ukraine!

Video

24 June 2022  (14:20-UTC-07 Tango 06) 03 Tir 1401/24 Dhu l-Qa’da 1443/26 Bing-Wu 4720

“Let me remind you that three types of 155-mm artillery are already working successfully on the front lines: M777 howitzers, FH70 howitzers and CAESAR SPHs. It was simply impossible to imagine this back in March. But today it is already a reality which materialized due to great teamwork led by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.”-Ministry of  Defence of Ukraine propaganda, 28MAY2022, proven by Austrian military academy analysts to be a failure

More proof that United States President Joseph R. Biden Junior has still not delivered on his promise of rocket artillery, like the MLRS and HIMARS, and that artillery gun systems, like the old M109 and newer M777, cannot out distance the Russian systems. In an earlier article it was pointed out that the M777 towed guns were delivered without the equipment that will allow it to fire longer range ammo.

Only NATO Germany’s PanzerHaubite (PzH) 2000, and NATO France’s CAESAR (CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie), are the only artillery systems delivered to Ukraine, so far, that can outrange the Russian systems.  However, the numbers of PzH 2000 and CAESARs promised are just a piddly fraction of what Ukraine needs, and have yet to be delivered.

Video posted 22JUN2022, showing Russian ‘V’ (?, maybe Z) forces using an old-skool Cold War era towed rocket launcher against Ukrainian forces in Ugledar area:

Some NATO countries are sending more artillery systems, but they are the old Soviet era systems, like the 2S1 and 2S3, which do not give Ukraine a tactical advantage.

Music video, posted 09JUN2022, of Cold War era BM-27 220mm Uragan rocket launcher being used by Russian ‘Z’ forces against Ukraine:

Russian ground forces are so not worried about the U.S./NATO artillery ‘support’, that they themselves are using outdated artillery systems against Ukraine. This video was posted on 23JUN2022, showing Russians using Cold War era 152mm towed guns and BM-21 rocket launchers:

Another major problem for the U.S./NATO is that many of the delivered weapon systems (like the Javelin) were captured by Russian forces and are now being used by them against Ukraine!

The Österreichs Bundesheer (Austrian Federal-army) Theresian Military Academy critiques the U.S./NATO weapon systems being sent to Ukraine, pointing out that the amount are far below what Ukraine actually needs, and Ukrainians are not being properly trained on these weapons, resulting in “no significant effect on the battlefield” for Ukraine:

Austria is not a member of NATO but does take part in NATO’s Partnership for Peace operations.

Vehicle I-D:

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Zakia Gray, 16MAY2018.

FRENCH CAESAR INVADES GERMANY!

PANZERHAUBITZE 2000

M109, COLD WAR AND BEYOND

M109A6 and HIMARS action in Idaho, June 2022

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

M777: PROOF THE UNITED STATES IS THE TOOL OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE!

World War 3:

 MORE PROOF THAT U.S./NATO SUPPORT OF UKRAINE IS SLIGHTLY WISHY-WASHY FLIP-FLOPPY!

NATO Response Force: UKRAINE’s President REALIZES IT’S A CONSPIRACY, PART OF AN EVIL JOINT NATO-RUSSIAN PLAN TO BRING BACK THE IRON CURTAIN!!!

 

Technology

Vehicle I-D: M109, Cold War and beyond

Video

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

U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) M109 with short M126 155mm gun, Viet Nam, July 1966. Photo by Captain Edwin W. Besch.

A USMC Major General has the ‘honor’ of launching the 30-thousandth round from a 4th Battalion, 11th Marines, M126 155mm gunned M109, in Viet Nam. USMC photo by Sergeant Upton, 25JUN1967.

Video I edited from the late 1960s U.S. Army’s The Big Picture film to focus on the M109, and a sneak peak at what was then the experimental M109A1 (complete with fake artillery sound effects):

Another video I edited from The Big Picture about the USA 3rd Armored Division in NATO Germany, late 1960s, showing the short barreled M109 (there was no nat-sound, and the narration is terrible so I edited it out):

Silent USA film by ‘Jensen’, M109 action Khe Sanh area, Viet Nam, August 1970:

With the M109A1, the short M126 barrel was replaced with the long M185 cannon.  From A1 through A4 series there is no visual difference, the upgrades being internal.    If you’ll notice, some photos show a protruding panoramic periscope, while others do not, and it does not matter if it is an A1, A2, A3 or A4.  The A5 variant got a more powerful motor, and a new M284 gun of apparently the same length as the M185, visually similar to its predecessors.

A U.S. Army (USA) M109A1 is loaded onto the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) YC-15, on Yuma Army Proving Grounds, Arizona. The experimental YC-15 helped develop the C-17. Photo by Charles P. Connally, 17DEC1975.

Photo attributed to Bernd Hartmann, Germany 1978.

In the mid-1970s, the U.S. Army (USA) turned a M108/109 into a fake-news ZSU-23-4 for use in the testing of a U.S. Air Force (USAF) ground vehicle identification/targeting program. It was seen again, very briefly, in a ReForGer (Return of Forces to Germany) wargame, where European tank-o-philes speculated that the USA had created a new anti-aircraft tank. 

USMC M109s displayed for U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger, 27JUL1981. USMC photo by Corporal Jarman.

USMC M109, Twentynine Palms, California, November 1981. USMC photo by Sergeant D.D. Smith.

USMC M109 on Twentynine Palms, California, 28APR1982. USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Parker.

A little confused about the location of this photo, the info says it is a ReForGer exercise yet also says it is Fort Riley, Kansas, 1982. USA photo by Sergeant First Class Mcbride.

USMC 2nd Tank Battalion M109 self-propelled artillery in NATO Norway, March 1983. USMC photo by Corporal M.H. Coffey.

NATO Canada M109A1. USA photo by Specialist-5 (aka Spec-5 or Specialist Second Class) Vince E. Warner, 14MAY1983.

In 1984, the U.S. Army (USA) announced it was considering an ‘A5’ upgrade to its M109s, and the creation of a specialized ammo carrier based on the M109’s chassis. There is very little visual difference between the earlier long barreled M109s and the ‘A5’ M109.

Pulling the powerpack from a M109A1, Egypt, 1985. Photo by Dan Mock.

NATO Norway M109 with M126 155mm gun, February 1987. USMC photo by Corporal J.D. Gonzales.

Two M109A1s on a U.S. Navy (USN) landing craft, May 1987. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Ed Bailey.

The information that came with this photo says it is a USA M109A1, Fort Irwin National Training Center, California, March 1988.

A USA M109 155mm self-propelled artillery gun is offloaded for Operation Desert Shield, sometime in the last quarter of 1990. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Ruark.

Egyptian M109s taking part in Operation Desert Shield, moving through NBC decontamination training lanes, December 1990. U.S. Air Force photo credited to Technical Sergeant H. H. Deffner.

USA M109A2, Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The odd shaped thing on the bow of the M109A2 is an experimental anti-tank-mine device. Photo by Lynn S. Beltran, January 1991.

Post Cold War, 1992 to present:

USA M109 of C Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, in Somalia as part of a UN peacekeeping mission. USA photo by Specialist Gary A. Bryant, 27DEC1993.

USA M109A3 (according to the info that came with the photo) live-fire training in Kuwait, 25OCT1994. USA photo by Specialist Moses M. Mlasko.

M109 based in Butzbach, Germany, loaded onto rail flat-cars (railhead operation), 28DEC1995. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Arthur Mitchum.

Supposedly the first A6 Paladin upgrades entered service with the USA starting in 1994.  The Paladin has noticeable visual differences regarding the turret, gun mantlet and gun travel-lock.

USA M992 ammo carrier reloads a M109, Bosnia and Herzegovina. USA photo by Sergeant Alejandro Francisco, 06APR1996.

A muddy USA M109A2 (according to the info that came with the photo), Bosnia and Herzegovina, 22APR1996. USA photo by Specialist Glenn W. Suggs.

NATO Italy’s M109L in Bosnia and Herzegovina, June 1996. Notice the rear view mirrors for the driver. USA photo by Sergeant Brian Gavin.

The M109L also has a barrel sleeve between the bore evacuator and the mantlet. The M109L gun is designed and built in Italy, with different shaped muzzle brake and bore evacuator. USA photo by Sergeant Brian Gavin, June 1996.

The M109L also has NATO European smoke grenade launchers. USA photo by Sergeant Brian Gavin, June 1996.

USA’s Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), change track on their M109, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. USA photo by Private First Class Michelle Labriel, 31JUL1997.

Checking out the 1-148 FA’s boom-boom, Summer 1997. Photo by Sergeant AAron B. Hutchins.

My children checking out the 1-148 Field Artillery’s M109, Pocatello, Idaho.

In the late 1990s, I was a 13F for Idaho Army National Guard’s 1-148 FA.

‘My’ M981A3 FiSTV (artillery forward observer M113), on Idaho’s Orchard Training Area (now called Orchard Combat Training Center), Summer 1997.

M109A6 Paladin, Fort Stewart, Georgia, November 1997. Photo by Don Teft.

M109 of Bravo Battery, 2d Battalion, 3d Field Artillery Regiment, USA, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. USA photo by Private First Class Joel C. Miller, 27MAR1998.

Amazingly, this obvious M109A6 Paladin was listed by ‘officials’ as an M109A2!!! In fact, a whole series of photos showing Fort Carson, Colorado, M109A6 Paladins are listed as M109A2s! Also, notice this Paladin has a Mark-19 40mm grenade launcher in place of the usual M2 HB .50-cal machine gun. The A6 has a new turret, gun mantlet and even new style gun travel lock. Photo by Michael Knapik, 22JUN1999.

M109A6 Paladin, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, April 2001. Photo by Anita Johnson.

NATO Spain M109A5, El Omayed, Egypt. USAF photo by Senior Airman D. Myles Cullen, 20OCT2001.

Global War on Terror, approximately September 2001 (based on speeches by U.S. President Bush) to 23MAY2013 (based on speech by U.S. President Obama).

USA M109A6 Paladin heading towards the Euphrates River, Iraq. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Andrew P. Roufs, 23MAR2003.

Utah Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery M109A6 Paladin, Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Michael Rice, 12JUN2004.

USA M109A6 Paladin, launches rounds with its turret facing to the rear, in Balad, Iraq. An M992 is standing by with more food. USA photo by Matt Acosta, 28AUG2005.

Egyptian M109. USMC photo by Corporal Chad H. Leddy, 13SEP2005.

Egyptian M109 Self Propelled Howitzer, September 2005, photo by U.S. Army Sergeant Alejandro Licea.

Near Peer Threats and Russo-Ukraine War, 2014 to present. 

Idaho Army National Guard 1-148 Field Artillery’s M109A6 Paladin, Pocatello Airport air show. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 2014.

POKEY AIRPORT, IDAHO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD M109A6

New Jersey Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew J. Moseley, 02MAR2017.

In 2017, the New Jersey Air National Guard used the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Reutilization Transfer Donation program to get this M109 for its Warren Grove Bombing Range.

NATO video of NATO Norway M109A6 Paladins conducting fire mission training, video posted 26OCT2018 (no audio with the drone video, but audio with the cool close-up/crew compartment video):

Latvian National Armed Forces M109A5. Canadian Armed Forces photo by Aviator Jérôme Lessard, 15NOV2018.

NATO Vehicle I-D: LATVISKI M109A5Ö (THE Ö IS FOR ÖSTERREICH)

By 2019, a new, so called, M109 began arriving for duty with the U.S. Army (USA).  In 2021, Army National Guard units began getting their new ‘M109s’. Many military armchair ‘experts’ who get paid to write articles for military themed journals call the ‘A7’ an “upgrade” of the A6.  I do not consider the new M109A7 Paladin to be an ‘upgrade’, nor do I consider it to be a true M109 as it uses a completely new hull/chassis that is based on the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, as well as a completely new gun system.

Even in 2021, U.S. Department of Defense media personnel still get it wrong! This video, posted on 09JUN2021, shows Royal Moroccan M109s, obviously the A1 through A5 type, yet it was labeled as “Royal Moroccan Armed Forces Paladin” (the A6 is the true Paladin).  U.S. Army video by Second Lieutenant Catherine Framstad:

USA’s 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, launching rounds with their M109A6 Paladin in NATO Poland, 20MAY2021.  Video by Master Sergeant Ryan Matson:

Pennsylvania Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Zane Craig, 10MAY2022.

Pennsylvania Army National Guard drive away from a Army Prepositioned Stock (APS) in Europe, heading to Lithuania in M109A6 Paladins, M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicles, and M572 Armored Mortar Carriers, 10MAY2022.

Biden’s War 2021: IDAHO’s 1-148 FA GETS ‘SMART’ ARTILLERY ROUNDS, REVEALS “UPCOMING MOBILIZATIONS”

A 1-148th FA M109A6 Paladin self propelled artillery system freezing to death in Pocatello, Idaho.

Cold War era M109A5 SP-gun. 1-148th FA, Pocatello, Idaho.

TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

NATO Vehicle I-D:

Turkey’s T-155 Firtina (Tempest)

Vehicle I-D: FINLAND’S SP GUNS 155 PSH K9 & 122 PSH 74

2S1, FROM COLD WAR TO UKRAINIAN BORDER CRISIS!

2S3 AKATSIYA (2C3 АКАЦИЯ), COLD WAR TO UKRAINE BORDER CRISIS!

 

Technology

Vehicle I-D: Egyptian Armor درع المصري

Video

Egyptian Ministry of Defense video report from October 2021, showing M60A3, BTR-50, ZSU-23-4, and other weapon systems:

Egyptian Ministry of Defense promotional video showing artillery systems, including the M109, MLRS and ZSU-23-4, October 2021:

In 2020, Egypt agreed to buy 5-hundred of the Russian T-90MS.

Music video report, wargame Qadir 2020:

Fahd armored car, June 2019.

Egyptian Ministry of Defense video report from November 2019, air defense artillery (ADA), including ZSU-23-4 and other tracked ADA vehicles:

Exercise Bright Star 2018, U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Matthew Keeler.

Egyptian Army M1A1 Abrams during Exercise Bright Star 2018, Mississippi National Guard photo by Specialist Jovi Prevot.

M113, U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Matthew Keeler, 13SEP2018.

USAF video by Staff Sergeant John Raven, Egyptian M1A1 live fire at the end of Bright Star 2017:

YPR-765 used during the anti-terrorist action on the Sinai Peninsula, 2013.

YPR-765 guarding the border with Gaza, August 2012.

M60A1 during 2012 uprisings.

Egyptian BTR-50, 12OCT2009. Photo by U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Matt Epright.

Egyptian M109 Self Propelled Howitzer, 15SEP2005, photo by U.S. Army Sergeant Alejandro Licea.

An M113 ‘medic track’, 15SEP2005, photo by U.S. Army Sergeant Alejandro Licea.

An Egyptian Fahd with a BMP-2 turret (Fahd 240), late 1990s, NATO SFOR (Stabilization Force) in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Fahd armored car about to be sent to Liberia for ‘peacekeeping’ duty. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Paul R. Caron, 23FEB1997.

Egyptian Army M60A1, USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jeffrey T. Brady, 18NOV1993.

The 105mm main gun of this M60A1 has been blown out-of-battery. Notice the damage at the end of the barrel, the missing search light, and the position of the bore evacuator! USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jeffrey T. Brady, 18NOV1993.

Photo by Staff Sergeant Greg Suhay, 01NOV1993.

This is a U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant H. H. Deffner, showing Egyptian 3rd Armored Brigade’s M60s demonstrating their smoke grenade launchers, apparently in Saudi Arabia. The problem with the rest of the info is that it says it is during Operation Desert Shield, but gives the date as May 1992. Desert Shield ended on 17JAN1991!

Another USAF photo by Technical Sergeant H. H. Deffner, with another incorrect date for Desert Shield; ‘September 1991’. Desert Shield was from August 1990 to 17JAN1991.

Decontaminating an Egyptian M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer, December 1990, Operation Desert Shield. USAF photo credited to Technical Sergeant H. H. Deffner.

Silent U.S. Army video, by Sergeant First Class Jacobs, of U.S. troops checking out an Egyptian BTR-50, during the first Bright Star wargame, November 1980:

Helicopters: EGYPT مصر

International, Technology, U.S.

Vehicle I-D: M109A7, don’t call it a Paladin, another ‘tool’ of the British Empire!

Video

“Samuel, notify your men; the British are coming.”-General Oliver Prescott, 19APR1775

North Carolina Army National Guard photo by Robert Jordan.

On 18MAR2021, the North Carolina Army National Guard got brand new M109A7s.

U.S. Army photo by Cameron Porter.

About 36 M109A7, so-called next generation Paladin, self propelled artillery, and their ammo carrying M992A3 vehicles, arrived at the U.S. Army Prepositioned Stock-2 Coleman worksite in Germany, 04MAR2021.

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Calab Franklin.

On 16SEP2020, the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment (2-82 FA), 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division fired its first shots with next-gen M109A7, at Fort Hood, Texas.

USA photo by Sergeant Calab Franklin.

Here’s why it is not a Paladin: At first it might be hard to tell the difference between an M109A7 and the M109A6.  It is not just a radical upgrade of the M109A6, it is a totally new vehicle.  The hull of the M109A7 is not your father’s/grandfather’s M109, it is based on the lower hull of the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

USA photo by Sergeant Calab Franklin.

Texas artillerymen take cover behind an M992A3 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicle (also based on the Bradley) while they pull the lanyard on the M109A7.

USA photo by Sergeant Benjamin Northcutt.

An M109A7 gets a lift at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, 22JAN2019.

USA photo by Sergeant Benjamin Northcutt.

An M109A7 Howitzer from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, maneuvers inside the cargo-ship Resolve, 20JAN2019.

USA photo by Sergeant Heidi Kroll.

Compare this photo of an M109A6 during a wargame in Toruń, Poland, 22JUL2020, with the photo of the M109A7 in the cargo-ship Resolve.  You should be able to note the differences (tracks, shape of hull).

Video by Staff Sergeant Adam Decker, explaining 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division’s M109A7 qualifications in Toruń, Poland, March 2019:

Photo via 1st Infantry Division.

More examples of why the ‘A7’ is not a Paladin: In this 2016 photo of a M109A6 on Fort Riley, California, you can clearly see the recoil spade on the back of the hull (one on each side of the access door).  The M109A7 has no spades.  You can also see the type of track, which is skinnier than that used on the M109A7.

The M109A6 has a 440 horsepower diesel, while the M109A7 has a 600hp engine.  According to British sources, the M109A7 requires only four crewmembers and has automated loading of the gun, which can be aimed while the vehicle is moving.

The U.S. Army awarded a $688-million contract to BAE Systems, in October 2013, for the production of Paladin M109A7.  BAE is a British Empire company (formerly British Aerospace BAe, and GEC-Marconi/Marconi Electronic Systems MES).  In 2015, BAE got another $245-million from the U.S. Army, for the M109A7 and the M992A3 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicle.  Another $414-million was paid to BAE at the end of 2017!  All that was in addition to the total of at least $377-million paid to BAE to upgrade the M109A6 and M992A2 under the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program!

In the late 1990s, under the Bill Clinton regime, MES began taking over U.S. defense contractors.  In 1999, MES and BAe merged to create BAE Systems, apparently to stop a U.S. defense contractor from taking over MES.  In 2001, the same year the False Flag War on Terror began, BAE Systems aggressively invaded the U.S. defense industry, taking over many U.S. companies, including cyber security companies.

Vehicle I-D: MLRS, BRITISH RED COATS INVADE U.S. ARMY BASE IN GERMANY!

Proof the U.S. is the ‘tool’ of the British Empire: BAE M777 Artillery

Rivet Joint-Air Seeker: RC-135V/W PATRIOT & RED COAT

Vehicle I-D: ONCE A RED COAT, NOW A BLUE ANGEL

Vehicle I-D: POKEY AIRPORT, IDAHO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD M109 PALADIN

Vehicle I-D: 1-148 FIELD ARTILLERY GATE GUARDS, including an older M109

Technology

Vehicle I-D: Iraqi Armor, after the invasion

Video

On 13JUN2019, the Iraqi army unveiled a new tank; the al-Kafeel-1.  Note that it uses an M2 .50 caliber machine gun in a remote controlled mount.  Russian news sources say the tank is based on Iraq’s experience fighting Islamic extremists, and Iraq’s use of the M1A1M.   It is strange that most ‘western’ news sources didn’t report about the Iraqi developed tank until more than a year after its unveiling.  Speculative reports say it was developed with help from China.

Inside of BTR-80.  9th Iraqi Army Division Warrant Officer explains to U.S. troops how it works.
U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Mary S. Katzenberger, 27SEP2010.

 

Ukrainian made BTR-94, 2018.

Ukrainian made BTR-94 blocks 14th of July bridge in Baghdad, 15AUG2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob N. Bailey.

Ukrainian made BTR-4, reports say Iraq was not happy with the BTR-4, claiming they were not ‘new builds’ and had corroded bodies (Ukrainian investigation links the defective BTR-4s to the now infamous corruption scandal plaguing the Office of the U.S. President).

BTR-4 variants, the BSEM-4K ambulance and BTR-4 armored personnel carriers with 30mm gun turrets.

‎U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kalie Jones Frantz, 06FEB2016.

A mystery modified M113 seen at Camp Taji, February 2016.  It’s not a ACV or YPR765.  A homegrown modification?

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kalie Jones Frantz, 06FEB2016.

U.S. Army photo by Specialist William Lockwood, 11FEB2016.

Camp Taji, February 2016.

M113 ACAV, U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kalie Jones Frantz, 07FEB2016.

M113, U.S. Army photo by Sergeant David Strayer, 28APR2011.

M113, Kirkush Military Training Base, April 2011.

Notice the use of wide ‘snow’ tracks. Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 12MAY2005.

MTLB, May 2005.

Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 06MAY2005.

This one has the standard width tracks. Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 06MAY2005.

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Sean Hanson.

March 2007.  This tank is a Chinese Type 69 (Iraqi designation for Chinese Type 69 is T-55B), as denoted by the headlights on both fenders and the camera/laser sighting system on the mantlet.

Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 12MAY2005.

May 2005, Type 69/T-55B.

Notice the U.S. antenna. Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 12MAY2005.

BMP-1, October 2005:

Rebuilt BMP-1s on Camp Taji, 07OCT2005.

BMP-1, January 2007:

BMP-1, Camp Taji. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Jon Cupp, 17JAN2007.

Video Camp Taji boneyard, T-72 turret lift, 2009:

T-62, March 2010:

T-62s in the ‘Bone Yard’. Tennessee Army National Guard photo by First Lieutenant Desiree Pavlick, 17MAR2010.

Graveyard of T-62 and T-72, October 2005:

Camp Taji ‘boneyard’, 10JUL2005.

T-72, Camp Butler/Butler Gunnery Range, February 2006:

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Brent Hunt, 16FEB2006.

Low quality video from February 2006, supposedly it was the first time Iraqis were able to fire their T-72s since the U.S. invasion:

T-72, Forward Operating Base Hammer, October 2008:

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Evan Loyd, 31OCT2008.

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Evan Loyd, 31OCT2008.

2008 Besmaya Range gunnery video (by U.S. Army Specialist Neil A. Stanfield):

T-72, Besmaya Range Complex, April 2010:

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Jared Eastman, 14APR2010.

Checking out a ‘newer’ T-72, apparently donated by NATO-Czech Republic, April 2016:

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Paul Sale, 05APR2016.

Iraqis began training on U.S. M1A1 Abrams in 2008-09:

Besmaya Range Complex, 31MAR2009. U.S. Army photo by Captain Thomas Avilucea.

According to a U.S. Defense Department news release, between August 2010 and the end of 2011, 140 M1A1M Abrams tanks were delivered to Iraq as part of a 2008 military sales agreement.

According to the the U.S. Army, these were the last of the 140 Abrams delivered to Iraq:

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Edward Daileg, 29AUG2011.

In 2016, BMP-1s were positioned for the Mosul Offensive against so-called Islamic State:

U.S. Army photo, 18OCT2016.

In February 2018, it was revealed that an Iraqi militia unit funded by Iran acquired nine of the M1A1Ms.

Blurry image showing Iranian funded Iraqi militia hauling an M1A1.

In June 2018, Iraq announced it was trading the M1A1M for the Russian T-90S.

The first T-90S and T-90SK were delivered by November 2019.

M109A1, Firebase Saham, December 2018.

U.S. Army photo by Captain Jason Welch, 03DEC2018.

For some strange reason the official U.S. Army information that accompanied the pic states this is a “M109 Paladin”, but it is clearly not an M109A6 Paladin (which is a radical upgrade of the M109 series), it is a M109A1.

In 2008, U.S. Army officials decided to allow Iraq to refurbish several M109A1s abandoned in the ‘boneyard’ of Camp Taji: “Last fall, our brigade commander was given guidance by the 9th IA commander to pull out of the Taji boneyard roughly a battalion’s worth of M109A1 howitzers.”-Major Matthew DeLoia, Military Transition Team-Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Field Artillery Regiment, July 2009

VEHICLE I-D: UKRAINIAN ARMOR

VEHICLE I-D: GEORGIAN T-72 & BMP

Idaho, Technology

Vehicle I-D: 1-148 Field Artillery gate guards

Image

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

M1 57mm Anti-Tank gun from World War-2 (clicking the pics makes them bigger:

World War-2 M4A3 Sherman:

Cold War era M109A5(?) Self Propelled Howitzer:

Related: POKEY AIRPORT, IDAHO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD M109

Cold Ware era M548 cargo carrier:

Cold War era M60A3:

116th Cav, 1-148th FA, Pocatello, Idaho. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

Armored Gate Guards: ARMOR MUSEUM FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI

U.S.

“Near Peer Threats”, code for Russia & China and the coming 3rd World War?

Video

“We’re going to continue to ask the……..Army National Guard to continue to make those sacrifices…..”-General Robert B. Abrams, 01 JUN 2017

Mississippi Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Edward Lee. M109 Paladin Self Propelled Gun (SPG) belonging to Mississippi’s 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, at Fort Irwin, California, 02 JUN 2017.

During the Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi (referred to in the interview as “the 1-5-5”) and Missouri National Guards’ NTC (National Training Center) rotation, USA (United States Army) four star General Robert B. Abrams explains that the shift back to ‘Force-on-Force’ training is all about prepping for World War Three and “those near peer threats”:

WORLD WAR 3: “THIS IS WHERE ARMOR FIGHTS!” IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD RETURNS TO COLD WAR ERA “TOTAL FORCE” WARFARE TRAINING!

International

World War 3, more proof God is evil: UN official says Israel deliberately targeting hospitals, schools & civilians.

30 July 2014 (06:27 UTC-07 Tango)/02 Shawwal 1435/08 Mordad 1393/04 Xin-Wei (7th month) 4712

“These people in this school had been asked to move…by Israeli forces…they had sought refuge in this area at the instruction of Israeli forces.”-Robert Turner, UNWRA Gaza Strip, interview with Ireland’s Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)

UN Relief and Works Agency commissioner General Pierre Krahenbuhl condemns Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for the artillery attack on the Jebalya UN school, which killed at least 19 people.

UNWRA officials stated there were more than 3-thousand Palestinians in the school and that they fled there because IDF leaflets instructed them to run to the schools for shelter.  UNWRA employees warned the IDF 17 times not to target the school!

A few hours after the last warning, the IDF hit the school with three artillery rounds, possibly fired from U.S. made M109 Self Propelled 155mm guns.

Krahenbuhl now feels the IDF is intentionally targeting civilians.  The Jebalya school is the 6th UN school targeted by IDF.   The IDF initially claimed they had come under attack from the school.

more proof God is evil: Israelis caught cheering “No more school for Gaza children!” Gaza City is the new Auschwitz!