Tag Archives: m2

Idaho, U.S.

Idaho Snake River Squad; ‘Patton’s Own’ chosen ones!

Video

U.S. Army Central’s Best Squad being congratulated in Patton Hall, on Shaw AFB, South Carolina, 04AUG2023. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Amber Cobena.

On 04AUG2023, it was revealed that a squad from Idaho based 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (aka ‘Snake River Brigade’, one of my military alma maters) had completed the U.S. Army Central (USArCent, which is based on Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina) Best Squad training to move forward to the U.S. Army Forces Command (ForsCom) Best Squad competition.

USA photo by Sergeant Amber Cobena.

The U.S. Army ForsCom Best Squad competition is held on Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

USArCent (aka ‘Patton’s Own’) video report by Sergeant Egypt Johnson, Sergeant Amber Cobena and Sergeant Dwayne Bryant:

Video interview (by Sergeant Egypt Johnson, recorded on 03AUG2023), the Snake River Best Squad for ‘Patton’s Own’ USArCent practicing their combat-medic skills for the ForsCom Best Squad contest:

USArCent photo by Sergeant Dwayne D. Bryant, 21JUL2023.

The squad from Idaho also practiced Land Navigation, which they better be good at because Idaho is a rural mountainous state!

USArCent photo by Sergeant Dwayne D. Bryant, 17JUL2023.

They also prepped for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) on Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

‘Patton’s Own’ video report by Sergeant Amber Cobena, 12JUL2023, Idaho Snake River (116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team) Specialist talks about machine gun (M2s and M240s) practice for the ForsCom Best Squad competition:

USArCent photo by Sergeant Amber Cobena, 12JUL2023.

October 2022: 4TH TIME IS THE CHARM, IDAHO ‘HAWGSMOKES’ THE COMPETITION, AGAIN!

IDAHO NOW PREMIERE SITE FOR WAR-FIGHTER TRAINING!

April 2018: IDAHO AIR & ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, TOP GUNS, AGAIN!

February 2018: IDAHO MILITIA RANKED 2ND ONLY TO U.S. ARMY!

International, U.S.

Battle for Ukraine: 60+ Bradleys deploy!

Image

01 February 2023 (08:43-UTC-07 Tango 06) 12 Bahman 1401/10 Rajab 1444/11 Jia-Yin 4721/01 февраля 2023 года

U.S. Transportation Command photo by Oz Suguitan, 25JAN2023.

“The situation in Ukraine really brought to the forefront the importance of logistics and the complexity of power projection and sustainment…”–General Jacqueline Van Ovost, U.S. Transportation Command

USTransComm photo by Oz Suguitan, 25JAN2023.

U.S. Transportation Command (USTransComm) revealed that on the night of 25JAN2023, more than 60 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) left the shores of North Charleston, South Carolina, destination Ukraine.  They were loaded onto cargo ship Arc Integrity, operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, a company with headquarters in NATO-Norway.

Onboard Arc Integrity at the Transportation Core Dock in North Charleston, South Carolina. USTransComm photo by Oz Suguitan, 25JAN2023.

(What Happens If Russia Torpedoes Arc Integrity)

“The Ukraine operations underscore the importance of having an agile mobility force, with both a strategic airlift fleet that can delivery immediately, within hours of notification, and the available sealift that can deliver a much greater volume of materiel that is essential to delivering and sustaining a decisive force…”-General Jacqueline Van Ovost, U.S. Transportation Command

This photo reveals military trucks were also being loaded onto the cargo ship. USTransComm photo by Oz Suguitan, 25JAN2023.

The Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles are part of the Biden Administration’s $2.85-billion military aid package announced at the beginning of January 2023,  since then an additional $2.5-billion in more IFV, ammunition, missiles, and Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) has been promised.  The total U.S. taxpayer contribution to the Battle for Ukraine, since February 2022, is now at $27.1-billion!

Battle for Ukraine: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO UKRAINE’S OWN TANK INDUSTRY? OR, HOW TO SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT, AND MAKE NATO PAY FOR IT!

BIDEN DEPLOYS 31 M1 ABRAMS, SAYS RUSSIA’S ACTIONS ARE AIMED AT NATO!

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

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

International, U.S.

World War Three, 2016: Montana militia enjoys being the ‘Bad Guy’ in Romania!

Video

31 July 2016 /22:47 UTC-07 Tango 01 (11 Mordad 1395/26 Shawwal 1437/29 Yi-Wei 4714)

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 30JUL2016.

Company D, 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, Montana Army National Guard playing Opposing Forces (OpFor) at the Romanian Land Force Combat Training Center.

National Guard M1A2 SEP(System Enhancement Package) plays the ‘Bad Guy’ in Romania:

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 30JUL2016.

How to hide your M1A2 SEP in Romania.

“This is kind of neat for our unit. This is the first time the National Guard has been asked to conduct Saber Guardian as the OpFor, and for them to call on the state of Montana it means a lot to us, it makes us proud. We take a lot of pride where we are from, and to come here and provide a legitimate challenge to the BlueFor for this mission is challenging and rewarding. We are proud for our unit and proud for our state.”-First Sergeant Mathew Kemp, Delta Company, 1/163 Infantry, Montana National Guard

Montana OpFor Bradley’s (and a M113) ‘invading’ Romania. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 30JUL2016.

Montana’s 1/163 Infantry Regiment is part of the National Guard’s ‘Snake River’ 1/116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s ‘invasion’ of former Warsaw Pact member Romania.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 30JUL2016.

Montana’s Bravo and Delta infantry companies are playing the role of Opposition Forces (OpFor, OPFOR) during Saber Guardian 2016.  The U.S.-NATO wargame concludes by 07 August 2016.

‘Combatants’ are using MILES (multiple integrated laser engagement system), it’s one of the first laser tag systems, developed by the military decades ago: “The MILES gear provides a realistic force on force training opportunity. This realistic training gives our guys an idea of what they need to work on, what skills they need to develop and what they are proficient at.”-Staff Sergeant  Joseph Thacker, Delta Company, 1/64th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Me at a rare Pocatello Airport air show, in 1999, wearing my OPFOR shirt that I got after Idaho's NTC wargame at Fort Irwin in 1998.

Me at a rare Pocatello Airport air show, in 1999, wearing my OPFOR shirt that I got after Idaho’s NTC wargame at Fort Irwin in 1998.

“THIS IS WHERE ARMOR FIGHTS!” IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD

Idaho, International

World War Three, 2016: Snake River I-F-Vs invade Romania!

Video

IFV=Infantry Fighting Vehicle

116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team Bradley IFV, 30JUL2016. Oregon Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Corey Grogan.

30 July 2016 (17:08 UTC-07 Tango 01) 09 Mordad 1395/24 Shawwal 1437/27 Yi-Wei 4714

Video of National Guard 116th CBCT (Idaho, Montana, Oregon) M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and M113 support vehicles, as well as Snake River mech-infantry inside Romania:

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Corinna Baltos, 28JUL2016.

Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, Idaho Army National Guard.

Wearing the Snake River patch. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Corinna Baltos, 28JUL2016.

Montana chapter of the 116th Cav plays ‘bad guy’ in Romania. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Corinna Baltos, 30JUL2016.

M2A3 of 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, Montana Army National Guard, at the Romanian Land Force Combat Training Center.

 OREGON CAPTAIN EXPLAINS WHY IDAHO BASED MILITIA INVADED ROMANIA!