Tag Archives: oil

Idaho, International, Technology, U.S.

Syrian Collapse: North Dakota B-52s and Idaho F-15Es over Syria, Truman strike group arrives!

Video

On the 16th of December 2024, Pentagon officials announced that airstrikes had been launched against religious extremists in Syria.

F/A-18F Super Hornet, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, launches from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

Pentagon officials also announced that the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) arrived on a non-disclosed station in the U.S. Central Command (CentCom) ‘area of responsibility’, on 14DEC2024.

Idaho’s 389th Fighter Squadron ‘Thunderbolts’ F-15E somewhere over the Middle East.

Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB) 389th Fighter Squadron ‘Thunderbolts’ F-15E Strike Eagles are currently patrolling the Central Command area of responsibility (Middle East).

Idaho’s 389th Fighter Squadron ‘Thunderbolts’ F-15E somewhere over the Middle East.

B-52H somewhere over the Middle East.

Video by Technical Sergeant Philip Bryant, recorded 08DEC2024 (Middle East time, 07DEC2024 U.S. time), showing launch of North Dakota’s Minot AFB 23rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortresses (MT tail code, red stripe on tail) from a non-disclosed location in the “CentCom area of responsibility”:

Syrian Collapse: U.S. Bradley IFVs on hi-alert after prisoner release!

Idaho F-15E Strike Eagles, 2023: Bold Tigers invade Japan?

International, Technology, U.S.

Syrian Collapse: U.S. Bradley IFVs on hi-alert after prisoner release!

Video

“[The prison camp situation] presents a significant security concern in the sense that, were ISIS able to affect some type of breakout of any detention facility, that would be a significant setback and something that would be very concerning. [That’s] why we continue to work very closely with the SDF [Kurds] to ensure that those detainees can continue to be held, [and we’re also] working with the international community to attempt to repatriate many of those detainees; that is something that we’ll continue to communicate very closely with the SDF to ensure…”–Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder, 16DEC2024

These videos are via Master Sergeant Raymond Boyington, recorded on the days of the 12th and 14th of December 2024, at a non-disclosed U.S. base in Northern Syria, showing the activities of Task Force Wolverine:

World War 3, February 2023: Idaho invades Syria!

Technology, U.S.

Tennessee Air Guard boasts about a year of Reaper drone ops!

Video

Tennessee Air National Guard’s 118th Wing shows-off some of its military accomplishments, during 2024.

MQ-9 Reaper combat UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle):

Cyber Security:

Targeting Group:

Medical Group:

Mission Support Group:

There was more video, but it was getting pretentious.

Tools of the British empire?: National Guard, older than the United States itself! 

U.S.

Michigan Air Guard: A year of deployments & vaccinations.

Video

Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Wing reminds you what they were up to with your tax dollars, in 2024. Video report/interview by Technical Sergeant Andrew Schumann, released on 04DEC2024:

January 2024: Arizona National Guard attacked in Jordan?!

International, Technology

True Promise-2: The Three Missiles.

Image

Iranian news media are reporting that Iran used three types of missiles in their latest attack on Israel.  Also, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG) claims 90% of the Israeli military targets were hit during the barrage.

The IRCG controls the strategic missile systems of Iran.

Purportedly an Emad ballistic missile being launched against Israel on 01OCT2024.

The liquid fueled Emad (Pillar) ballistic missile is based on the older Ghadr/Qadr missile.  It can steer itself all the way to the target after reentry into the atmosphere.  It is considered Iran’s first precision guided ballistic missile.

Fattah-1 on public display.

The two stage, solid fueled Fattah (The Opener)-1 is a ballistic missile with a top speed between Mach 13 and Mach 15.  It has a variable position exhaust to aid in steering.  Hypersonic missiles cannot be intercepted.  Iran already considers the Fattah-1 obsolete and is now producing the improved Fattah-2.

Ghadr/Qadr ballistic missile on public display.

The two stage, liquid fueled, Qadr (Intensity) ballistic missile has been upgraded with a lighter weight and longer fuselage (allowing for more fuel for longer range), and an improved guidance system.  The IRCG admits this missile is still not accurate.

Operation True Promise-1: Iran conducted test attack on Israeli F-35 base, two months prior to attacking Israel!

April 2024: Israeli missiles intercepted over Iran & Syria!

2015: Iran reveals thousands of ballistic missiles in underground bunkers!

2013: Iran announces new missiles for its F-14s, drone subs and a new aircraft carrier!

2012: Iran teaches Gaza how to make their own MLRS

2011: Iran launches ballistic missiles, reveals underground silos, admits targets are Israel and U.S. bases

International

NATO vehicle I-D: The Swedish Griffen

SAAB JAS (Jakt- Attack- Spaningsflygplan) 39 Gripen

During the never officially declared Cold War, Sweden decided that its fighter aircraft should be able to use silly-vilian highway systems as runways.  In May 2024, the Gripen took part in landings and take-offs from a highway near Gothenburg. Video via NATO:

Sweden has long been a ‘partner’ of NATO, but in March 2024 Sweden became a full NATO Member.

Taking part in Bomber Task Force Europe, May 2020. Försvarsmakten photo.

JAS 39C Gripen during the 2019 Royal International Air Tatoo, over the United Kingdom. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Aaron Thomasson, 20JUL2019.

JAS 39D Gripen, on Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, during the Arctic Challenge wargame in May 2019. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John M. Hageman.

June 2014, a U.S. Air Force (USAF, 100th Air Refueling Wing) KC-135 refuels a Swedish Gripen during NATO wargame BaltOps (Baltic Operations), video by Senior Airman Laura Yahemiak:

Normally a U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier instructor pilot, Major Eric Grunke (hometown Weiser, Idaho) straps into the back seat of a Gripen-D for a FAC training mission over Malmen Military Base, Linköping, Sweden. USMC photo by Sergeant Tatum Vayavananda, 21AUG2013.

In January 2013, Sweden sent their Griffins to take part in the USAF Red Flag wargame over Nellis, Nevada.  I edited this take-off video from videos recorded by the USAF:

I edited this landing video from videos recorded by the USAF:

NATO vehicle I-D: THE ARCHER FROM SWEDEN

Technology, U.S.

Oregon: F-15EX Eagle-2 has landed!

Video

On 05JUN2024, the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing received its first Boeing F-15EX Eagle-2 (aka Super Eagle).

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Nichole Sanchez, 05JUN2024.

Tail number 008 arrived at Portland Air National Guard Base, just in time for lunch.  I edited this together from video recorded by Steven Conklin and Technical Sergeant Kyle Mergeler:

Tail #008 was built in Berkeley, Missouri.

Berkeley, Missouri, 05JUN2024. Oregon National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins.

It is the first of 18 Super Eagles heading to Oregon’s 142nd Wing.

#008 departs Berkeley, Missouri, on its way to Portland, Oregon, 05JUN2024. Oregon National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins.

More about the F-15EX, 2021: F-15EX HAS ARRIVED! COMMANDER SAYS “IT’S AN EX-CITING DAY!”

F-15EX-CITEMENT!

Oregon Eagles in Finland: OREGON KOTKAT LENTÄÄ SUOMEN YLI

International

NATO vehicle I-D: The Archer from Sweden

Video

Artilleristystem 08, aka Archer, using the Bofors FH77 155mm gun. Supposedly, as of March 2023, Ukraine received eight of these auto-loading wheeled self-propelled gun systems.

Near Tolga, Norway, during wargame Trident Juncture, 31OCT2018. Svenska Armén photo by Marcus Nilsson.

Sweden has long been a ‘partner’ of NATO, but in March 2024 Sweden became a full NATO Member.

Camp Atterbury, Indiana, 15NOV2021. Virginia Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Bryan Myhr.

Virginia Air National Guard video report (by Staff Sergeant Bryan Myhr) of Archer artillery system being demonstrated during wargame Bold Quest, on Camp Atterbury and Mascatatuck Urban Training Center in the U.S. state of Indiana, 15NOV2021:

Camp Atterbury, Indiana, 15NOV2021. Virginia Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Bryan Myhr.

Camp Atterbury, Indiana, 15NOV2021. Virginia Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Bryan Myhr.

NATO vehicle I-D: SWEDEN’S TRACKED VEHICLES

International

NATO vehicle I-D: Sweden’s Tracked Vehicles

Video

Sweden has long been a ‘partner’ of NATO, but in March 2024 Sweden became a full NATO Member.  This is an incomplete list of tracked vehicles used by the Svenska Armén.

The specially outfitted Strv-122 (Leopard 2A5):

Near Stockholm, Sweden, 23SEP2017. Minnesota Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Anthony Housey.

At least 44 Strv 122s are being upgraded with the longer barreled L55 gun.

NATO promotional video from 2024 BaltOps (Baltic Operations) wargame:

See more Strv-122 photos and a video here.

German designed Bergepanzer (Bärgningsbandvagn 120):

Towing a ‘broke-dick’ Strv 122 during Trident Juncture in NATO Norway, 02NOV2018. Svenska Armén photo by Jesper Sundström.

Quick video of Bergepanzer and CV90 during NATO wargame Aurora, May 2023:

CV-90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (aka Stridsfordon 9040, or CV9040):

Near Stockholm, Sweden, 22SEP2017. Minnesota Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Anthony Housey.

NATO promotional video from 2024 BaltOps wargame:

See more CV-90 photos and a video here.

CV90-Mjölnir, 120mm mortar carrier:

U.S. Marines learn how to load the CV90-Mjölnir. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Andy O. Martinez, 12JUN2024.

Bandvagn 410 (Bv410):

Gotland län, Sweden, 10JUN2024. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Andy O. Martinez.

Near Stockholm, Sweden, 23SEP2017. Minnesota Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Anthony Housey.

NATO vehicle I-D, 2023: IRON SPEAR AFV & IFV

International, Technology

Can a Leopard change its spots?

Video

Strv = Stridsvagn (battle wagon).

Swedish Strv 122 smashed a passenger car during Strong Europe Tank Challenge, on Grafenwöhr Training Area, Germany, 04JUN2018. Svenska Armén photo via Christian Marquardt.

The Strv 122 is an up-armored version of the German Leopard battle tank, with more advanced electronics, and designed specifically to fight in arctic conditions.

During wargame Baltic Operations (BaltOps) on the Tofta Training Area, Sweden, 08JUN2022.
U.S. Navy photo by Robert L Kunzig.

I edited this from various U.S. Army and NATO videos of Swedish Strv 122 battle tanks, during wargames, between 2018 and 2023:

Gunnery during Strong Europe Tank Challenge on Grafenwöhr Training Area, Germany, 07JUN2018. U.S. Army photo by Gertrud Zach.

The Rheinmetall ammo does not use a metal case, it is a combustible plastic case, the silvery color is the explosive powder inside. At the end of the case is a metal ‘afcap’ containing the primer. USN photo by Robert L. Kunzig.

U.S. Army video (by Kevin S. Abel) of timed track repair during Strong Europe Tank Challenge, in June 2018:

U.S. Marines get an introduction to the Strv 122, 08MAR2018. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Raul Torres.

NATO vehicle I-D: SWEDEN’S CV-90