Tag Archives: oil

Idaho, U.S.

When the Bold Tigers turned Idaho Falls Airport into a military base!

Video

In October 2024, the 391st ‘Bold Tigers’ Fighter Squadron (part of the larger 366th ‘Gunfighters’ Fighter Wing, based on Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho) used the Idaho Falls (IF) Regional Airport to conduct ‘combat turn’ training.

A Bold Tiger lifts-off from the Magic Valley Regional Airport in Twin Falls, Idaho, after undergoing maintenance.

The IF airport wasn’t the only place the Bold Tigers conducted their combat turns. The wargame called Raging Gunfighter takes place at various locations throughout the U.S. Mountain West, for approximately ten days.

A Bold Tiger sits on the flightline of Wendover Airfield, Utah.

The scenario is worse-case; a ‘near-peer’ war (World War Three) has started and the F-15E Strike Eagle units must be able to deploy anywhere, as well as rearm and refuel upon landing then immediately take-off, this is known as a combat turn.

On Wendover Airfield, Utah, the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron was tasked with the hasty set up of a forward operating base, with 58 tents, 32 generators, 72 HVAC units, 36 showers, 36 latrines, plus attended to 96 work orders.

Also on Wendover, the 366th Security Forces Squadron conducted medical evacuation training.

Back on the IF airport, the 366th Communications Squadron practiced with their PRC-117G satellite communicator.

Bold Tiger F-15E Strike Eagles took off from Mountain Home AFB (possibly Magic Valley Airport in Southern Idaho), in Southwestern Idaho (I edited from video released by the 366th FW):

The Bold Tigers flew their Strike Eagles to Eastern Idaho to conduct their combat turn training (I edited from video released by the 366th FW):

An Airman with the 391st FS (Bold Tigers) marshals an F-15E Strike Eagle on the Idaho Falls Regional Airport.

A C-130J Super Hercules was used to transport ground personnel and equipment (I edited from video released by the 366th FW):

Bold Tigers fly over the Magic Valley Regional Airport in Twin Falls, Idaho, as they head home to Mountain Home AFB.

December 2024: Idaho F-15Es over Syria

March 2024:  Idaho’s Garrison Forward “…accepts more risk deliberately.”

July 2023: Idaho’s Bold Tigers invade Japan?

June 2023: USMC & Idaho Air Guard preps JTAC for ‘Near Peer’ fight! With China?

October 2022: Florida Talons over Idaho Mountains

January 2019: Location of missing Idaho F-15E Strike Eagles revealed? 

September 2018: Mountain Home F-15E walk-around, Micron Bus

International

“As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards. The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”-Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, responding to the Trump ceasefire social media post

International

1944, U.S. sends B-17s to Soviet Ukraine!

Video

The U.S. Army Air Force’s 15th Air Force ‘Frantic Joe’ Task Force used Poltava Air Base, in Soviet Ukraine, to conduct what they called ‘shuttle bombing’ of Germany.  It was called Operation Frantic.

The U.S. Army Air Force’s Combat Camera Unit put together this propaganda film showing the first time use of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers from Soviet Ukraine. Prior to that, Consolidated B-24 Liberators had been used. What the film doesn’t show is the 21JUN1944 German attack which destroyed the B-17s on the ground, in fact, the U.S. kept that loss a secret until July 1949!

Part one:

Film also shows North American P-51B Mustangs, Bell Airacobras, Yaks (Yakovlevs) and Douglas C-47s.

Part two:

Part three:

Part four:

Germany bombs the shit outta Poltava: Germany destroys U.S. bombers in Ukraine, kept secret until 1949!

Idaho

Bullets & Rockets, OCTC-Idaho!

Video

Back ‘in the day’ when I spent many Summers, and occasional weekends (as both a 13F and a 19K), on what is now known as Orchard Combat Training Area (OCTC) it was called Orchard Training Area (OTA), and it is not in Boise, it is at least 18 miles south of Boise.  Since the name was changed (sometime between 2011 and 2012) to OCTC the area has been greatly expanded and is now part of the larger Orchard Training Complex (OTC).

In March 2025, the U.S. Army’s 17th Field Artillery Brigade (from Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington) took part in wargame Rocky Mountain Thunder on Idaho’s Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC, 18 miles south of Boise), which included live fire of their HiMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). Video interview via Sergeant Rebecca Watkins:

I edited together from videos via Sergeant Shadica T. Price (recorded between 22 & 24 March) of day & night live-fire:

Rocky Mountain Thunder also included base defense training. I edited together from video via Sergeant Shadica T. Price:

Also in March, the Idaho Army National Guard’s 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion conducted joint sling-load training with the 17th Field Artillery Brigade (Joint Base Lewis-McChord).

In April 2025, Montana Army National Guard’s 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion conducted M240 machinegun qualifications/Helicopter Aerial Gunnery (HAG) on Idaho’s OCTC (Orchard Combat Training Center, 18 miles south of Boise).

From 04-09 of May, Idaho’s OCTC hosted the Region-6 Best Warrior Competition.

February 2024: Oregon gets new weapons, shoots-up Idaho?

February 2023: Idaho’s Combat Training Area expanded! Millions spent on fire fighting!

October 2022: IDAHO’s upgraded OCTC INVADED BY APACHES FROM ARIZONA & SINGAPORE?

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

June 2022: California, Iowa, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington invade Rebel Idaho!?

March 2022: Idaho…  First time use of Javelin missiles!

August 2021: SINGAPORE APACHES TEST IDAHO’S NEW OCTC D-A-G-I-R SYSTEM

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

March 2021: Idaho shows you how to engine swap a M113 on the OCTC-MATES.

September 2018: United States invades Idaho!

2017: Idaho’s OCTC is part of prepping for “Near Peer Threats”, code for Russia & China and the coming 3rd World War!

September 2014: “This is where armor fights!” Idaho National Guard returns to Cold War era ‘Total Force’ warfare training!