Born in Deutschland 1965, hometown was Bütthart, parents were not U.S. government employees. However, when father was tricked into joining the U.S. Air Force Civil Service, in 1969, with the promise that we could remain in Germany, we were promptly shipped off to Iran. Due to one of my Iranian educators being disappeared, along with her husband, by the U.S. ally Shah of Iran's Israeli & U.S. created Savak (for the then official terrorist act of promoting the idea that women can vote), and due to my U.S. citizen mother being placed on Savak's Terrorist Arrest List (for supporting the idea that women should vote, at that time the U.S. ally Shah of Iran did not allow women to vote, now they can) we left Iran for the United States in 1973, literally in the middle of the night. At the U.S. Embassy airbase the CIA operated Gooney Bird (C-47) was so packed with other U.S. citizens fleeing our ally Iran (because the Shah gave the OK to arrest any U.S. citizen for such terrorist acts as promoting the concept of voting) that we were turned away by the Loadmaster and had to take a chance on a civilian flight out of Tehran's airport.
My father told me he and my mother had three culture shocks; first when they arrived in Germany as civilians, then after being shipped off to Iran as U.S. government employees, then again returning to the United States as unemployed civilians (because so much had changed in the U.S. while they were gone, their only news source was the U.S. Armed Forces Radio & Television Service which heavily censored information about the home front).
Since I graduated high school in 1982 I've worked for U.S. government contractors and state & local government agencies (in California), convenience store manager in California, retail/property management in Georgia, California and Idaho. Spent the 1990s in the TV news business producing number one rated local news programs in California, Arizona and Idaho. 14+ years with California and Idaho Army National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. Obtained a BA degree in International Studies from Idaho State University at the age of 42.
Unemployed since 2015, so don't tell me the economy has recovered.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hanah Abercrombie, 27DEC2021.
On 27DEC2021, U.S. led Coalition ‘partners’ and Iraqi commanders met in Baghdad, to conduct an annual review of the ‘progress’ of Operation Inherent Resolve.
U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Matthew Marsilia, 21DEC2021.
On 21DEC2021, a U.S. designed Iraqi C-130J Super Hercules landed Iraqi officials to inspect Erbil Air Base, as part of the official end to U.S. led coalition combat operations.
U.S. Army photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman, 18DEC2021.
On 18DEC2021, U.S. and Iraqi military commanders went over the ‘new’ rules for ‘divestment’ of U.S. taxpayer funded stuff, as part of the ‘new’ Biden U.S. advise, assist and enable mission on Al Asad Air Base.
USA photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman, 16DEC2021.
On 16DEC2021, ten pallets worth of small-arms ammo was off-loaded.
USA photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman, 16DEC2021.
U.S. Army photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman, 15DEC2021.
48 pallets of free (U.S. taxpayer funded) stuff for Iraq’s military was off-loaded on Al Asad Air Base, on 15DEC2021.
USA photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman, 15DEC2021.
USA photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman, 15DEC2021.
USA photo by Specialist Adaris Cole, 13DEC2021.
On 13DEC2021, a U.S. designed Iraqi C-130J picks-up cargo at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. It has been revealed that since February 2021, Iraqi C-130Js have picked-up more than $18-million worth of U.S. taxpayer funded stuff on Ali Al Salem Air Base.
USAF photo by Senior Airman Hanah Abercrombie, 11DEC2021.
On 11DEC2021, French commanders met with Iraqi commanders in Baghdad, to discuss the so called new advise, assist and enable mission.
An M712 Copperhead cannon-launched laser-guided projectile is fired from a modified M198 155mm howitzer, 27FEB1984. White Sands Missile Test Range, New Mexico, photo by Tom Moore.
White Sands Missile Test Range, 27FEB1984, photo by Tom Moore.
3-112th Field Artillery, New Jersey Army National Guard, unload M712 Copperhead cannon launched guided projectiles at Fort Drum, New York, 08JUN2000. New Jersey National Guard photo.
Idaho National Guard COLT of the 1-148 FA (HQ in Pocatello), identified by the AN/TVQ-2 Ground/Vehicular Laser Locator Designator (GVLLD, usually called a ‘glid’) mounted next to the .50 cal machine gun on this HMMWV, in 2016.
The GVLLD (‘glid’) used by artillery forward observers can be used to guide the Copperhead on-target.
“The accelerating emergence of human coronaviruses throughout the past two decades and the rise of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including most recently Omicron, underscore the continued need for next-generation preemptive vaccines that confer broad protection against coronavirus diseases. Our strategy has been to develop a ‘pan-coronavirus’ vaccine technology that could potentially offer safe, effective and durable protection against multiple coronavirus strains and species.”-Doctor Kayvon Modjarrad, Director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
But it turns out that the U.S. Army doctors also developed a second vaccine, a SARS-CoV-2 Spike Receptor-Binding Domain Ferritin Nanoparticle (aka RFN) vaccine, which targets a smaller part of the coronavirus Spike protein than the SpFN vaccine: “The RFN vaccine candidate is more compact and has some natural advantages as we try to increase the immune response against multiple coronaviruses using a single vaccine platform, so it is still under consideration as part of our pan-coronavirus vaccine development pipeline.”-Dr. Gordon Joyce, co-creator of the RFN vaccine
The doctors at WRAIR admitted they saw this pandemic coming, what they call ‘pan-SARS’ or ‘pan-coronavirus’, and that they knew it would be never ending: “The threat from COVID-19 continues as it evolves, and eventually there will be other emerging disease threats. Our investment in developing a next generation vaccine is an important step towards getting ahead of COVID-19 and future disease threats.”-Dr. Nelson Michael, Director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research at WRAIR
WRAIR graphic by Christopher Nititham.
In September 2021, WRAIR issued a graphic indicating that SARS-Coronavirus was a “military relevant” disease.
Here is a list of links to the most recent SpFN studies:
Iowa Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Zachary M. Zippe, 16DEC2020.
While doing time with NATO’s Kosovo peace enforcing operation (KFOR), some Ukrainian troops decided to bring a little friend to some crowd/riot control training on Camp Marechal de Lattre De Tassigny.
Iowa Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Zachary M. Zippe, 16DEC2020.
The training took place on 16DEC2020, and include the Iowa Army National Guard (Troop B, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment).
Iowa Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Jonathan Perdelwitz, 16DEC2020.
It is called BAT-2 путепрокладчик, it is a heavy tracked engineer vehicle equipped with a crane, a ground/road ‘ripper’, a 25 metric tons winch, and a multi-angle dozer blade. The Ukrainian/Russian word путепрокладчик translates to ‘tracklayer’ in English, even though it has nothing to do with laying track (perhaps something lost in translation as the English word ‘track’ has multiple meanings).
Iowa Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Jonathan Perdelwitz, 16DEC2020.
Bash! The old Cold War era engineer vehicle bashes not one but two small SUVs, that were being used as an impromptu road block during the riot control training.
BAT-2 was designed and built in the Soviet Union, specifically for creating and removing obstacles, entering service in 1988. Apparently the word BAT (Бат) is a reference to engineering vehicles. The full Russian word is Батмастер, which translates to English, probably incorrectly, to BAT-master. Another name for BAT-2 (Бат-2) is Батмастер-Истра (BAT-master[?] Istra).
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Cody Harding, 11SEP2013.
This isn’t the first time a Ukrainian BAT was doing time in Kosovo, in September 2013 the Ukrainian BAT-2 was used to clear a landslide on a road outside Zubin Potok.
Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds.
The Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th FW, 190th FS, decided to light up one of their home based (Gowen Field) A-10Cs with end-of-year holiday colors, starting on 20DEC2021.
The ID-ANG has been flying the A-10 since 1996. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds.
The Rheinland-Pfalz Impfbus (immunization bus) at U.S. Army Rhine Ordnance Barracks 10DEC2021. Photo by Gina Hutchins-Inman.
On 10DEC2021, the State of Rhienland-Pfalz sent their Impfbus (immunization bus) to the U.S. Army’s Rhine Ordnance Barracks, despite the fact that the Barracks has a 96% vaccination rate: “I really appreciate the German Red Cross and the 21st TSC [Theater Sustainment Command] helping us with this second iteration of the corona vaccination. The garrison has a 96% vaccination rate including service members.”-Daniel Nagel, Garrison Works Council Chairman
U.S. Army photo by Eleanor Prohaska.
On 08DEC2021, U.S. Army and Air Force medical personnel conducted a Booster Rodeo in the city of Kaiserslautern. The so called Victory Medics helped spend U.S. funding to vaccinate approximately 1-thousand-6-hundred people! On top of that, Lieutenant Colonel William Murray reports that the U.S. Army’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is vaccinating as many as 1260 people per day!
U.S. Army photo by Corporal Froylan Grimaldo, 13DEC2021.
U.S. Army medics are working in Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn.
The U.S. Army’s Detroit Arsenal began Rapid CoViD-19 Testing on 10DEC2021.
U.S. Army photo by Specialist Ty Baggerly, 09DEC2021.
FEMA deployed the U.S. Army’s 214th Medical Detachment (based on Fort Bliss, Texas) to Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw.
U.S. Army photo by Specialist Ty Baggerly, 06DEC2021.
U.S. Army medics are working at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Minnesota:
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman, 07DEC2021.
U.S. Air Force medics are working at Hennepin Healthcare, in Minneapolis.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman, 27NOV2021.
U.S. Air Force medics (wearing non-protective surgical masks, meaning not N95 masks, see more below under New Mexico) arrive at CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital, in Saint Cloud.
Montana:
U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Andre Taylor, 09DEC2021.
U.S. Air Force medics working at Benefis Health System in Great Falls.
U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Andre Taylor, 06DEC2021.
U.S. Navy medics are also deployed to the Billings Clinic Hospital, in Billings.
Montana National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Michael Touchette.
National Guard/U.S. Army Dual Status Commander inspects Providence Saint Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula , 02DEC2021.
New Jersey: On 09DEC2021, the new(?) Burlington County COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-Site was opened, being operated by New Jersey Army National Guard, U.S. Army and Burlington County. Interestingly the military press release states it is a “newly opened” facility, while Burlington County’s website says it is a “reopened” facility. Notice in the photo above that in the widow they’ve posted the phrase “here for good”!
New Mexico:
U.S. Army photo by Specialist Nicholas Goodman, 14DEC2021.
U.S. Navy medical personnel from San Diego, California, are working at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington.
U.S. Army photo by Specialist Nicholas Goodman, 09DEC2021.
An Afghan child refugee gets vaccinated at the Brooke Army Medical Center COVID-19 Vaccine Site, on 03DEC2021, three days before the site was shut down due to lack of demand! U.S. Army photo by Jason W. Edwards.
Despite government/news media ramping up fear mongering over Omicron, on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Brooke Army Medical Center switched to vaccinations by appointment only on 06DEC2021. Hospital administrators admitted that the reason for ending the mass-vax operation was due to lack of demand by military personnel, despite being mandated to get the shot!
Also on Joint Base San Antonio, the U.S. Air Force not only ordered the return of mask wearing, but inadvertently revealed that mask wearing is now permanent by issuing guidelines on which color mask to wear with which uniform!
Utah:
U.S. Army photo by Specialist Richard Barnes, 03DEC2021.
The Utah Air National Guard has taken over monoclonal antibody infusions at a Utah Department of Health site in Saint George. Previously, the U.S. Air Force was administering the monoclonal treatments.
Virginia:
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Jessica J. Mazzamuto, 09DEC2021.
U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico continues vaccinating Afghan child refugees.
Washington:
Photo by Sergeant Yesenia Barajas.
On 21NOV2021, the U.S. Navy’s Surgeon General, and other Navy officials, inspected Confluence Health’s Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. Navy medical personnel from Florida and Virginia are working in the hospital.
Wisconsin:
U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Caitlin Wilkins.
An Afghan child refugee gets a Pandemic shot on Fort McCoy, 08DEC2021.
Welcome to borderland hell under the new U.S. President, highly incomplete (just the tip of the iceberg) list of videos and links to news/government agency reports as of 17 December 2021:
Yet another migrant caravan is on its way from Central America to Mexico City:
Truck filled with illegals crashes in Mexico, kills 55:
U.S. courts force Biden to renew Trump’s anti-immigrant deal with Mexico:
U.S. Navy photo.
On 15DEC2021, while sailing the Gulf of Oman, the U.S. Navy was tracking a fishing boat from Iran, which was suspected of smuggling illegal drugs. At the end of the video, suddenly the boat burst into flames, five suspected smugglers were rescued, one is missing:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations photo.
On 05DEC2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection captured a suspected human smuggling boat, approximately 20 miles west of Anguilla Cay, Bahamas. One person is being held in Border Patrol custody.
Photo via USCG District 7 PADET Jacksonville.
On 05DEC2021, the U.S. Coast Guard captured a ‘low profile drug boat’, it was one of five such captures conducted in international water off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America.
Very interestingly, California news media made no mention of illegals from Russia when they reported the San Ysidro Port of Entry shooting:
FLORIDA:
USCG photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Estrada.
On 15DEC2021, the USCG offloaded yet more illegal drugs, this time at Port Everglades, worth an estimated $236-million: “The successful interdiction of over 17-thousand pounds of illegal narcotics and the apprehension of 17 suspected traffickers are the result of tremendous teamwork. We are thankful for coordinated efforts across the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection, as well as our international partners from Canada and throughout Central and South America.”-Jay Guyer, Commander of USCGC Vigilant (WMEC 617)
USCG video of 13DEC2021 capture of human smuggling boat, off Pompano. At least one smuggler and 28 illegals were captured:
U.S. Border Patrol photo.
On 12DEC2021, this abandoned boat was found on Jupiter Beach, it is suspected of being used to smuggle illegals.
WPTV reports that witnesses saw the human smuggling boat, found on Jupiter Beach, off-loading as many as 50 illegals during the day:
U.S. Coast Guard District 7 photo.
The USCG captured a total of 30 illegals from Cuba, approximately 40 miles south of Key West, on 09DEC2021. They were sent back to Cuba on 14DEC2021.
USCG photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Zimmerman.
On 07DEC2021, the USCG offloaded yet more illegal drugs at Base Miami Beach, an estimated $148-million worth captured during three separate interdictions in the Caribbean Sea, in the past two weeks.
U.S. Coast Guard District 7 photo.
On 04DEC2021, the USCG captured a U.S. registered fishing vessel, illegally fishing inside the Dry Tortugas Shrimp Sanctuary.
On 04DEC2021, the USCG captured a total of 62 illegals from Dominican Republic, all packed onto a relatively small boat. They were sent back to Dominican Republic.
Poor quality video of an Abakan Avia operated Mi-26 (Ми-26) crashing in April 2020, Novy Urengoy – Vankor field, Yamal Peninsula, Russia. Three crew wounded. It looks like the pilot came in too fast with the nose too high causing the tail to hit the ground:
Abakan Avia Mi-26 heavy helicopter made hard landing at Yamal peninsula in North Russia this morning pic.twitter.com/HvzPH8Fa6U
In January 2019, a Mi-26 transported many materials to the Bureysky reservoir, which had been blocked by a landslide in December 2018 creating a flood threat, Russian Defense Ministry video:
TASS video of UTairMi-26 moving an old Tu-134 ‘gate guard’ in Tyumen, Russia, 2019:
Russian Defense Ministry video of load-up of Mi-26 during Vostock 2018 war games, September 2018:
TASS video of Russian military Mi-26 practicing to fight fires, May 2018:
Photo via Russian Helicopters.
In October 2017, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced the Mi-26 would be modernized to ‘T2V’ standard, allowing it to operate in bad weather, at night, and will have a self defense system against guided anti-aircraft missiles.
2013(?) video report, checking out a new build Mi-26:
Australian Department of Defence photo, March 2011.
In early 2011, the Australian Department of Defence hired Russian contractor Vertical T to fly Mi-26 Halo transport missions in Afghanistan, specifically in Uruzgan Province.
Australian and U.S. military personnel check out the huge ass of the Mi-26. Australian Department of Defence photo, March 2011.
Mi-26 Halo helicopter delivers a battle damaged Mi-17 Hip to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, 13JUL2011. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
13JUL2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
13JUL2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
13JUL2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
Associated Press photo.
In December 2010, an Indian Air Force Mi-26 crashed at Jammu Airport/Air Force Station. The crew of seven were wounded, technical problems are suspected as the cause.
A Russian Mi-26 Halo lands at Belet Weyne (Beledweyne), Somalia, December 1993. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Sergeant G. D. Robinson.
In 1993, the Mi-26 Halo was used to shuttle supplies and personnel to areas outside Mogadishu, Somalia, during the United States led United Nation’s Operation Continue Hope.
Mi-26 Halo on the shores of Kismayo, Somalia, November 1993. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Sergeant G. D. Robinson.
November 1993, U.S. Department of Defense photo by Sergeant G. D. Robinson.
Image taken from 1986 video, showing a Soviet Mi-26 attempting to reduce radiation levels around the exploded Chernobyl nuclear reactor.
Soviet era video report, one of the first production Mi-26 arrives at Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnovo Khozyaystva (VDNKh, ВДНХ), Moscow, 1985:
Soviet silly-vilian (civilian) airliner version of the Mi-26 in 1983.
Early 1980s Soviet AviaExport promotional film about the then new Mi-26:
1-148 FA HQ in Pocatello, Idaho, got hit with a wind/snow storm, 14DEC2021, giving a new look to their armor displays.
Wind & snow storm hit Southeastern Idaho on 14DEC2021. Sustained winds hit 42mph, wind gusts hit 68mph, at the Pocatello Airport (which is actually in Power County, not Bannock County). HMMWV at the Idaho National Guard armory in Pocatello (Bannock County), 1-148 Field Artillery, 116th Cavalry Brigade.
Watching over the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck, Bannock County, Idaho.
Cold War era M60A3.
Conducting ‘bounding overwatch’ of the cities of Chubbuck and Pocatello.
U.S. Marines Corps LAV lit-up for the Camp Fuji, Japan, xmas tree lighting ceremony, 12DEC2021. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Katie Gray.
Arriving a little early, Santa rode onto Camp Fuji, Japan, on a Light Armored Vehicle, 12DEC2021. USMC photo by Katie Gray.
M1/M116 Pack Howitzer, 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Tower Barracks, Grafenwoehr, Germany, 08DEC2021. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Christian Carrillo.
Tower Barracks, Grafenwoehr, Germany, 08DEC2021. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Cory Reese.
2nd Cavalry Regiment decorate dozens of tactical vehicles on Tower Barracks, Grafenwoehr, Germany, 08DEC2021. USA photo by Specialist Nathaniel Gayle.
M3 Scout, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, 07DEC2021. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Nathaniel Gayle.
M3 Scout, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, 07DEC2021. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Nathaniel Gayle.
M3 Scout, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, 07DEC2021. USA photo by Gertrud Zach.
Stryker, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Dragoon Ride Holiday Parade at Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, 07DEC2021. USA photo by Gertrud Zach.
Stryker Snowman, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Dragoon Ride Holiday Parade at Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, 07DEC2021. USA photo by Gertrud Zach.
Stryker Grinch, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Dragoon Ride Holiday Parade at Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, 07DEC2021. USA photo by Gertrud Zach.
Vilseck, Germany, 07DEC2021. USA photo by Gertrud Zach.
Vilseck, Germany, 07DEC2021. USA photo by Specialist Nathaniel Gayle.
Vilseck, Germany, 07DEC2021. USA photo by Markus Rauchenberger.
The M4 Sherman display, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Black Horse), Fort Irwin National Training Center, California, 08DEC2021. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Bradley Parrish.
M26 display, 11th ACR (Black Horse), Fort Irwin NTC, California, 08DEC2021. USA photo by Sergeant Bradley Parrish.
M48 display, 11th ACR, Fort Irwin NTC, California, 08DEC2021. USA photo by Sergeant Bradley Parrish.
Bradley Fighting Vehicle nicknamed Bob Ross, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment (Quarterhorse), 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Hohenfels, Germany, 05DEC2021. USA photo by Staff Sergeant George B. Davis.
New Hampshire Army National Guard High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during the Queen City’s holiday parade in Manchester, New Hampshire, 04DEC2021. New Hampshire Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Charles Johnston.
Ādaži, Latvia, 30NOV2021. Actually, this 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment (Burt’s Knights), 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division’s M1A2 SEP Abrams isn’t trying to look like an Xmas Tree, but ’tis the season. It’s all part of the war game Winter Shield 2021. USA photo by Corporal Max Elliott.
From xmas 2019, German Tiger Tank holiday lights on Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Video report using English text, claiming ‘Coalition’ combat operations in Iraq to be ended ahead of schedule, 09DEC2021:
Same video report, but in Arabic:
Multiple pallets of munitions, including these M549A1 RA (rocket assisted) artillery rounds, were ‘divested’ (given away) to Iraqi forces at Al Asad Air Base, 06DEC2021. U.S. Army photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman.
Multiple pallets of supplies at Al Asad Air Base, 06DEC2021. USA photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman.
USA photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman.
Iraqi officers sign for approximately 18 pallets of supplies distributed on Al Asad Air Base, 04DEC2021. USA photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman.
04DEC2021, USA photo by Major Alexa Carlo-Hickman.
03DEC2021, the people of Lheban Village, in Erbil, defend themselves against a nighttime raid by so-called Islamic State:
