Tag Archives: trump

U.S.

Still flying after 75 years!

Video

On 01SEP2020, vintage World War Two aircraft (and a post war Trojan trainer) flew over Oahu, Hawaii, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2 in the Pacific (V-J Day).

Takeoffs & landings, video via U.S. Indo-Pacific Command:

Photos by Master Sergeant Andrew Porch, Technical Sergeant Anthony Nelson, Staff Sergeant Mikaley Kline, Sergeant Ryan Jenkins, Sergeant Sarah Sangster, Petty Officer First Class Gilbert Bolibol and Lieutenant Darin Russell.

P-51D Mustang.

Watch how the vintage aircraft found their way to Hawaii, by boat. 

B-25 ‘Old Glory’ is a true combat vet, video interview by Specialist Carlie Lopez:

Twin engined B-25 Mitchell and single engine Avenger.

Video from T-6 Texan owner Jason Karlin showing Avenger and another T-6/SNJ:

B-25 and Catalina Flying Boat.

What it is like to fly in a PBY, video via U.S. Indo-Pacific Command:

A young PBY owner tells war stories, video by Specialist Carlie Lopez:

SNJ/T-6 Texan trainer taxis on Wheeler Army Airfield, 27AUG2020.

U.S. Army video interview (by Specialist Carlie Lopez) of T-6 Texan owner:

View of USS Missouri, the battleship where Japanese officials signed the documents of surrender.

Video by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command concerning Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz’s thoughts about the 02SEP1945 surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri (BB 63):

F4F/FM-2 Wildcat.

Stearman-Kaydet.

Kaydet owner explains what his plane did during WW2.  Video by Ryan Jenkins:

Developed during WW2, but not used in the war, an F8F Bearcat taxis on Wheeler Army Airfield, 27AUG2020.

Proud F8F owner explains how German engineering helped make the Bearcat the best interceptor, and the first Blue Angel, only jet powered aircraft could beat it.  Video by Ryan Jenkins:

The 75th WW2 Commemoration has been ongoing since May (the end of the war in Europe, aka V-E Day) and will conclude in September (the end of the war in Pacific, aka V-J Day). 

Technology

After 75 years the War is still over!

Video

U.S. Navy photos by Petty Officer Second Class Jessica Blackwell, Petty Officer Second Class Kenneth Rodriguez, Petty Officer Third Class Christina Ross, Petty Officer Third Class Wesley Richardson, and Seaman Jaimar Carson Bondurant.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in the Pacific, the United States military is assembling surviving WW2 aircraft at Pearl Harbor (aka Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham), Hawaii.

Most of the airplanes were sailed-in aboard the USS Essex-LHD 2.  Video by Petty Officer Second Class Kenneth Rodriguez:

Some of you might say that the low-wing twin-engined aircraft, parked next to the PBY Catalina,  is not from World War Two, and you’re correct.  The USS Essex was also delivering a C-12U Huron to the Hawaiian Air National Guard.  Hawaii Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Andrew Jackson.

An old pre-war Boeing Stearman–Kaydet, Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 26JUL2020.

Kaydet load-up, Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 26JUL2020.  Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

The workhorse U.S. training aircraft of WW2 is the T-6 Texan, known as SNJ in the U.S. Navy/Marines.  The aircraft was so successful it was used decades after the war ended, by various countries around the world.

T-6/SNJ load-up aboard USS Essex at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 25JUL2020. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

This Texan is in U.S. Air Force markings, which is post-WW2 as the USAF was created in September 1947, two years after WW2 ended.

Video, T-6/SNJ off-loaded in Hawaii, 10AUG2020:

More T-6/SNJ off-load videos, 10AUG2020:

Commemorative Air Force (originally known as Confederate Air Force) FM-2 (General Motors version of F4F) Wildcat.

Video, Wildcat upload, load-up aboard USS Essex at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 27JUL2020. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

P-51D Mustang.

Video, P-51D upload, load-up aboard USS Essex at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 27JUL2020. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

Video, P-51D off-load in Hawaii, 11AUG2020:

B-25 Mitchell.  

U.S. Navy photo by Shannon Haney, 10AUG2020.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant. Anthony Nelson Junior, 10AUG2020.

The U.S. Army Air Force’s B-25 was the first U.S. aircraft to bomb Japan, flown off the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet-CV 8 (The Doolittle Raid).   B-25 off-load video by Petty Officer Second Class Jessica Blackwell:

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Ryan Jenkins, 25AUG2020.

Less than one month later, ‘Old Glory’ crashed in California.

The F8F Bearcat was developed during the war, but the war ended before it could be used in battle.

Bearcat load-up, Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 26JUL2020.  Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

Video, F8F off-load in Hawaii, 11AUG2020:

TBM Avenger.

Video, Avenger off-load:

At the end of July a PBY Catalina arrived at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego.  Video by Senior Chief Petty Officer Michael Jones:

Loading a Catalina onboard USS Essex, Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego. Video by Chief Petty Officer Ace Rheaume:

Another PBY arrives at Naval Air Station North Island-San Diego, 29JUL2020, gets hoisted aboard USS Essex.

PBY Catalina in Hawaii, 12AUG2020. Video by Petty Officer Second Class Lexie Perez:

The 75th WW2 Commemoration has been ongoing since May (the end of the war in Europe) and will conclude in September (the end of the war in Pacific). 

Here’s a music video explainer edited by Kevin Dawson:

B-25 ¡PANCHITO!

T-6 Texans; the first Airborne Hurricane Hunters

SALVAGING F4U CORSAIRS

HOW TO PAINT YOUR 1:1 SCALE B-17 MEMPHIS BELLE WITH ‘PERIOD CORRECT’ PAINT

U.S.

Last ride for 1st, 2nd & 4th Tank

Video

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Andrew Cortez, Camp Pendleton, California, 18JUL2020.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Justin Evans, 28JUL2020.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Justin Evans, 28JUL2020.

In July 2020, the United States Marines Corps (USMC) began retiring its M1A1 Abrams tanks and M88A2 Hercules recovery tanks, as part of a so called modernization plan called Force Design 2030.

The last M1 Abrams assigned to 1st Tank Battalion depart Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, 06JUL2020. Photo via USMC.

The units affected are California based 1st Tank Battalion (1st Tanks) of the 1st Marine Division (my grandfather’s Alma Matter) and 4th Tank Battalion (4th Tanks) 4th Marine Division, as well as North Carolina based 2nd Tank Battalion (Iron Horse) of the 2nd Marine Division.

2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division M1 Abrams are pushed out the gate from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 27JUL2020. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Patrick King.

Last ride into retirement. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Patrick King, 27JUL2020.

The 2nd Tank Battalion was an armor unit for almost 80 years, but apparently that ends under Force Design 2030.

1st Tank Battalion was created in 1941, originally in North Carolina but quickly made a new home in Twentynine Palms, California.  After 79 years the 1st Tanks is no more:

From my grandfather’s files, 1st Marine Division unit citations for actions in World War Two and Korea (click on each to make bigger):

Alpha Company, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, Camp Pendleton, California, said good bye to its armored vehicles on 18JUL2020.  Alpha Company is the first of the six companies of 4th Tanks to deactivate.  4th Tanks was created in 1943, during World War Two:

A Caterpillar 988 tractor moves a ‘divested’ M1A1 Abrams Tank into position for loading and shipping via rail to Anniston Army Depot. USMC photo by Laurie Pearson.

In August 2020, tracked armored vehicles located on the Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow (after being a TC on Sherman tanks during the war in the Pacific my grandfather worked at the Yermo Annex), California, were loaded on rail cars and shipped-off to the U.S. Army.

01OCT2020, these tanks are being used for rail operations training, on the Yermo Annex, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California. USMC photo by Laurie Pearson.

All the Marine Corps’ tank units are expected to be deactivated by the end of 2021.  The vehicles could be ‘sold’ to the U.S. Army, or to foreign militaries.

Don’t blame Trump, Force Design 2030 is part of the Obama era plan referred to as Pivot to Asia:  2013, New York Times reports that U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was pursuing a “pivot” against China.

According to U.S. Naval War College “Starting in 2010, the U.S. and Vietnam accelerated this process effectively forming a partnership on several fronts. The Obama administration identified Vietnam as one of the new partners to cultivate as part of its ‘rebalancing’ of U.S. priorities toward the Asia-Pacific region, a move commonly referred to as the U.S.’s ‘pivot’ to the Pacific.” 

Vehicle I-D: U.S. MARINES USE ‘FAKE NEWS’ MIG-23

WHAT DO THE MARINES DO WITH ALL THAT AMMO THEY CAN’T USE?

M1A1 ‘DAY AT THE RANGE’ WITH THE USMC, 2016

Dorian: HOW TO EVACUATE THOUSANDS OF U.S. MARINES

Harvey: MARINES USE AMPHIBIOUS COMBAT TANKS TO SAVE LIVES!

Technology

Afghanistan: Mirage 2000D crash recovery/demolition

Image

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus.

On 24MAY2011, an Armée de l’Air NATO two seat Mirage 2000D crashed in Afghanistan. The crew ejected and survived.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus.

U.S. Army and Marines, along with French and Italian troops, conducted an 81 miles (130 kilometers) combat logistics patrol to retrieve the French jet.  Some personnel arrived by V-22 Osprey.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 25MAY2011.

There is confusion about where the plane crashed; Lieutenant Colonel Eric de. Lapresle, of the Armée de l’Air, said it happened 100 km West of the city of Farah (in Farah Province), but U.S. DoD information (attributed to USMC 12th Marine Corps District) stated it happened northwest of Forward Operating Base Delaram in Nimruz Province, which is South of Farah (some DoD reports incorrectly put Delaram in Helmand Province which is Southeast of Farah).

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 25MAY2011.

For more confusion, some of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) reports claims the Mirage is a 2000-5F while the French air force says it is a two seat 2000D.   The 2000-5F is an upgrade of the single seat 2000C, however, the photos clearly show a two seater.  To make things more confusing, some USMC sources refer to the Mirage as an ‘F-2000’.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

The French Mirage 2000D was operating with a Mirage F1 in assisting Italian NATO troops who had come under fire.  It’s thought the Mirage 2000D developed technical problems.

26MAY2011. Photo via USMC.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 26MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 26MAY2011.

An M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle was used to tow the wreckage to a new location for disassembly.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 26MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 26MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

Personnel worked to remove the flares from the spine of the 2000D.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

Photo via USMC.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

The aircraft was considered a total loss, and to hasten the recovery effort it was decided to quickly remove the wings by using C4 plastic explosives.  ‘Purple-K’ was poured into the wing root to try and prevent the spread of any internal fire that might be caused by the explosion.  Note the detonating cords leading to the blocks of C4.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

A Heavy Expanded Military Tactical Truck (HEMTT) off-loaded portable fire fighting equipment before the big-bang.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

Photo via USMC.

Photo via USMC.

A MTVR MK36 wrecker truck, and the M88A2, were then used to pull the wings off the Mirage.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

Photo via USMC.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

The M88A2 tracked recovery vehicle then hoisted the fuselage onto a HEMTT pulling a vehicle trailer.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 27MAY2011.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Jeff Kaus, 28MAY2011.

DRUNKEN COBRA RECOVERY 2020

Vehicle I-D: FRENCH CAESAR INVADES GERMANY!

FRENCH ALPHAJETS INVADE UNITED STATES!

Technology

Drunken Cobra Recovery 2020, what happened to the N95 masks?

Image

Notice that none of these Marines are wearing N95 masks, during the year of The Pandemic.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

AH-1W (Alpha Hotel-One Wiskey) Super-Cobra, during aircraft recovery training at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, 27JUN2020. 

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

U.S. Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 373, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Julian Elliott-Drouin, 27JUN2020.

2011-2019:

Why were Marines forced to wear N95 masks during Drunken Cobra Recovery, months before The Pandemic were (sic) declared?

Influenza

CHIKrisk 2021: U.S. Army continues to warn of new pandemic

Video

29 July 2020 / 02:08 (UTC-07 Tango 06) 08 Mordad 1399/08 Dhu l-Hijja 1441/09 Gui-Wei 4718

“A person who has acquired the chikungunya virus is infectious in the first week of illness, which means that the infected person can transmit the virus to another person through a mosquito bite…”-DTRA warning from 27APR2020

Since the end of April 2020, the U.S. Army’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has been warning of a new pandemic for 2021, based on a new computer program that analyzes historical data of past pandemics, as well as using ‘real time’ data like climate anomalies and mosquito activity.  The real time data is coming from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases, Pan American Health Organization, Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the U.S. Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch.

In May I wrote how Thailand reported more than 10-thousand  Chikungunya infections, over a four months period.  It was in May that DTRA began warning military units of an expected Chikungunya outbreak in 2021.  Just like Coronavirus, there is no vaccine and no specific treatment.

On July 15, DTRA issued the following video warning:

According to DTRA, Netflix made a documentary about the coming CHIKrisk pandemic, as part of Netflix’s Connected series, to be aired sometime in Autumn 2020.

U.S. Navy warns the people of Dominican Republic of CHIKrisk threat, October 2019.

While the U.S. Army has been warning of a chikungunya pandemic since May of this year, the U.S. Navy has been making warnings since 2014.  Here’s a much more detailed U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery explainer and warning video from September 2014:

U.S. Navy mosquito trap in use in Honduras in March 2018.

SOUTHEAST IDAHO PANDEMIC ROAD-TRIP

“INSIDIOUS” INFECTION ONBOARD USS KIDD, CREW REPLACED?

Going Viral: NEGATIVE PRESSURE FLYING HOSPITALS?

Going Viral: “A STRANGE, ABSURD SITUATION.”

OPERATION JUPITER: MILITARY’S SECRET FLU IMITATING VIRUS EXPOSED, VACCINATIONS FOR MILITARY ONLY!

From 2016: NOW DEADLIER THAN ZIKA, CHIKV (chikungunya) KILLS 15 PEOPLE IN 5 DAYS! CHIKV infections were first noticed in 1955.  It was not considered dangerous as it was rare if an infected person died.  In 2005 CHIKV had mutated and began rapidly spreading around the world, and it became stronger.

Technology, U.S.

USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-6: Into the Steel Inferno!

Video

This is just a fraction of the intense photos and videos captured by U.S. Navy personnel, 12-17 July 2020.

INFERNO

U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Second Class Austin Haist, 12JUL2020.

On the morning of 12JUL2020, and after two years of extensive retrofitting, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) became a steel inferno while moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego, California.

Into the steel inferno. USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Jason Waite, 14JUL2020.

Video by Petty Officer Third Class Christina Ross, 1st day of fire.  At the end of the video, night time, it’s clear that flames are leaping from inside the island superstructure:

USN photo by Lieutenant John J. Mike, 12JUL2020.

RESPONSE

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 12JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 12JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Nall Morgan, 13JUL2020.

Video via Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 2nd day of fire:

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Nall Morgan, 13JUL2020.

AIR TANKS & MASKS, etc

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Julio Rivera, 16JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Natalie Byers, 15JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Natalie Byers, 15JUL2020.

Barrels of firefighting foam. USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Austin Haist, 12JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Jessica Paulauskas, 14JUL2020.

BOATS & HELICOPTERS

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 13JUL2020.

Video from day 2, boats and helicopters focus on the superstructure:

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Austin Haist, 12JUL2020.

In this photo, notice that the forward mast is still standing.

Video, 3rd day, fire and smoke are no longer visible on the outside, but the external damage is obvious:

On 14JUL2020, with the fire(s) contained the boats, and MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters, continued applying water to cool down the exterior of the amphibious assault ship.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 13JUL2020.

In these photos you can see the forward mast has collapsed.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Mar’Queon A. D. Tramble, 13JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Benjamin K. Kittleson, 14JUL2020.

For more helicopter action: KNIGHTHAWKS FIGHT TO SAVE LHD 6!

EXHAUSTION

On 16JUL2020, the fires were considered extinguished.  The U.S. Navy press release was careful to state “all known fires.”

USN photo by Seaman Lily Gebauer, 15JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 14JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Christina Ross, 14JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Hector Carrera, 14JUL2020.

USN photo by Seaman Apprentice Jeffrey Yale, 16JUL2020.

BATTLE DAMAGE

On 16JUL2020, a U.S. Navy press release stated “We did not know the origin of the fire. We do not know the extent of the damage. It is too early to make any predictions or promises of what the future of the ship will be.”

Burned-out hanger bay. USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 14JUL2020.

Yes, metal can burn. USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Jason Kofonow, 27JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Brandie Nuzzi, 16JUL202.

Listing due to all the water pumped in.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Natalie Byers, 15JUL2020.

The ship’s motto would become ‘famous last words’.

Idaho, Kit Bashing, Technology

Idaho’s 1:1 scale fake news Russian radar tank

Image

Idaho National Guard photos by Senior Airman Mercedee Wilds and Master Sergeant Joshua Allmaras

A member of the 266th Range Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, works to off-load a 1:1 scale simulated 1S91 SURN tank at Fort Irwin National Training Center, California, June 2019.

The 266th played the bad guy (Opposition Force, OpFor) trying to shoot down Idaho’s A-10Cs.

This is supposed to simulate the 1S91 SURN radar for the 2K12 Kub (NATO code name SA-6 Gainful) missile system.  It’s made mainly of steel and aluminum.

The 266th also used a real radar to simulate enemy radar signals.

1:1 SCALE WIND TUNNEL MODELS?

HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR 1:1 SCALE F-86

HOW TO BUILD A 1:1 SCALE U.S. ARMY ‘FAKE NEWS’ BMP-2

Technology

Knighthawks fight to save LHD 6!

Video

News reports said the fire was inside the ship, for an indication of how big the fire was this pic (by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Austin Haist) clearly shows flames jetting from the island superstructure.

On the morning of 12JUL2020 a fire broke out inside amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) while it was moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego.  LHD 6 had been in San Diego, California, since 2018 for a major refit.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Kory Alsberry, 14JUL2020.

Flight crews with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 used their MH-60S Knighthawks to work around the clock as an airborne bucket brigade, trying to contain the fire.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Christina Ross, 13JUL2020.

USN photo by Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick, 13JUL2020.

USN photo by Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick, 13JUL2020.

Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Kittleson, 13JUL2020:

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 13JUL2020.

Video by Lieutenant Joseph Pfaff, 13JUL2020:

Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Leitner, 13JUL2020:

While boats and groundcrews focused on shooting water to the inside of the ship, the Knighthawks focused most of their drops on the burning island superstructure.  Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasen MorenoGarcia:

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 14JUL2020.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 14JUL2020.

Night video, by Seaman Zachary Pearson, of Knighthawk water drop on deck surrounding the island superstructure, 15 July:

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Garrett LaBarge, 14JUL2020.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Julio Rivera, 15JUL2020.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Julio Rivera, 15JUL2020.

On 16 July, firecrews were evacuated from LHD 6 due the ship listing.  The list is blamed on all the water pumped into the ship.

 

Vehicle I-D: WASH YOUR HAWK!

Technology

Final Flight of the Fort Polk Kiowas

Image

“They were great birds to fly. You could land them anywhere, in any type of environment; they were great for what we were using them for here.”-Captain Tyler Smith, Bravo Company commander, 1st Bn, 5th Avn Reg

The U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment OH-58C Kiowas fly over Fort Polk, Louisiana, for the last time, 09JUL2020.  The Kiowa helicopters are being replaced with UH-72 Lakotas.

Farewell water salute.

The U.S. Army’s oldest operational aircraft is a Kiowa, tail # O-16696, now to become a static display ‘gate guard’ at Fork Polk.  Three of the Fort Polk Kiowas will be cannibalized for spare parts while the other four retiring Kiowas will be used by sheriff departments in Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

The Kiowa family of helicopters have been used by the U.S. Army since 1969.  Ultimately, 2-thousand-2-hundred different versions of the Kiowa would be built between 1966 and 1989.  The U.S. Army’s last operational ‘C’ Kiowas are based at Fort Irwin (National Training Center), California, but will also be retired soon.

Vehicle I-D: COLORADO MILITIA LAKOTA RESCUE TRAINING