All posts by Hutchins AAron

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.
Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Big Lots! failure: Par-for-the-course, for U.S. national & local economies.

Video

Some independent local Eastern Idaho news outlets reported, in October 2024, that the Pocatello Big-Lots! was being shutdown.  That’s 14 years of overpriced ‘resale’ merchandise, having opened the Pocatello location (in the Foothill Plaza Shopping Center) at the end of October 2010.

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, early October 2010.

I say ‘overpriced’ because a couple of months after opening, in 2010, I checked out the new store and was shocked to find their prices to be higher than the same items sold in the Chubbuck WalMart and the Kroger owned Pocatello Fred Meyer! That was the first and last time I ‘shopped’ at the Pocatello Big-Lots!

Here is video (during a windy day) of my tirade about the closure of the Pocatello Big-Lots!, 08FEB2025:

Big-Lots! is a ‘reseller’, other wise known as a discount retail chain store, reselling products that the main stream-first run retail stores couldn’t sell.  In Ohio, in 1967, the business started out as Consolidated Stores.  Consolidated made investments into such troubled operations as Delorean Motor Company, CVS Pharmacy, Pic-N-Save and KB Toys (just naming a few among other troubled investments).  In 2001 Consolidated became Big Lots! In 2005 Big Lots! shutdown 170 stores. In 2023, Big Lots! shutdown 52 stores and announced plans to shutdown dozens of stores in 2024. In October 2024 Big Lots! filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, and local news sources in Idaho reported that the Pocatello Big Lots! had made the latest hit list for shutdown. In December 2024 the Pocatello Big Lots! was closed permanently, on top of that Big Lots! announced that all stores would be shutdown or sold-off in 2025.

On 08FEB2025, in an attempt to take back control of their economy, the local population conducted a one day farmers market in the former Pocatello Big Lots! location.  Maybe a massive Motorsports Complex (click this link to donate) will save our local economy:

I’ve been following/reporting on the local economy for more than a decade:

2021: Idaho housing costs “literally mathematically impossible”! Killing Idaho’s economy! Get ready for the crash-n-burn!

2020-2021: Several restaurant chains used the pland-emic as an excuse to shutdown (without warning) locations in Pocatello, and other parts of Idaho!

2019: POPEYES QUIETLY SHUTS DOWN FOUR IDAHO RESTAURANTS!

2018: Idaho’s economic destruction “CLOSED INDEFINITELY”!

2017: The truth about Chubbuck’s gentrification.

2016: FEDERAL AGENCY SAYS IDAHO IS DOMINATED BY POOR IMMIGRANTS!

Idaho Governor declares local economy has “RISEN FROM THE ASHES”!

2015: Taxpayer funded ‘BUY IDAHO’ program IS a BIG FAIL!

Hoku-Gate, PaveGate now Amy’s-Gate!

2013: Heinz pulls stake, Warren Buffett abandons Pocatello, Idaho! Happy New Year!

The Chubbuck & Pocatello BRIDGE TO NOWHERE?

Pocatello’s Old Fred Meyer & Albertsons on Yellowstone Ave, did not close down in the 1990s.

2011: Construction companies say Idaho city driving down the economy with their outrageous construction fees. Is Pocatello violating state law?

2010: After getting bookoo local taxpayer subsidies, U.S. BASED HOKU TURNING TO CHINA TO HELP FINISH POCATELLO, IDAHO, SILICON FACTORY!

Technology, U.S.

An emotional girl with a gun, a whole lotta guns!

Video

More than 16 years ago the Oregon Military Museum (near Clackamas/Camp Withycombe-Happy Valley) shutdown for renovations.  The museum is expected to reopen during the Summer of 2025, a year later than originally planned.

In January 2025, final work was being completed for the weapons display.

Kathleen Sligar, Director/Curator of the Oregon Military Museum, talks about the final preparations for the weapons display in this video report, via Oregon National Guard’s First Sergeant Zachary Holden, released 29JAN2025:

Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel, 23JAN2025.

Despite being closed for renovations, special tours were conducted for veterans organizations.

The museum has outdoor displays that visitors can view.

A woman with a mission: https://youtu.be/gg17C0W9BoU?list=OLAK5uy_kAZ6e1Hh1OnpO2PyMSjbMe7ajDbDDy6Ac

Oregon Military Museum, 2020:

How to assemble your 1:1 scale F-86

International, U.S.

2025: New Year, New President, same war on drugs & illegals?

Video

U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Brian Hegseth reports, morning of 30JAN2025, about efforts to use Guantanamo Bay, on Cuba, to hold violent illegals. Video via Department of Defense:

CALIFORNIA: U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) video showing the capture of illegals, about 20 miles off the coast of Point Loma, by the crew of Cutter Terrell Horne (WPC-1131) during the early morning of 28JAN2025:

The USCG delivers illegals, captured 20 miles off the coast of Point Loma, to U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP, aka Border Patrol) on 28JAN2025.

On 31JAN2025, two U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron [VMM] 161-Marine Aircraft Group 16-3rd Marine Aircraft Wing) were assigned to help Border Patrol and National Guard conduct operations along the California/Mexico border. I edited down video via Staff Sergeant Luc Boatman:

FLORIDA: Crew from USCG Cutter Campbell (WMEC 909) offload more than 8-thousand pounds of cocaine (captured on the Eastern Pacific Ocean) on Port Everglades, 27JAN2025.

At the end of January, a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon, out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville (Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron [VP] 45), began patrolling the U.S. southern border.

NEW MEXICO: Under Task Force Sentinel, National Guard personnel, and equipment (like this Arizona National Guard UH-72 Lakota), from several states are assisting the Border Patrol on the Dona Ana Airport, which helps to cover the El Paso Sector.

TEXAS: USCG Marine Safety Security Team (MSST) Houston, and the Border Patrol, patrolling on the Rio Grande River, 28JAN2025.

A militiaman with the 877th Engineer Company, Georgia Army National Guard supports Border Patrol operations along the southern border in Del Rio, Texas.

2025: Trump’s Wall War is on!

2021: New year, new President, same war on drugs & illegals?

Technology, U.S.

Two crashes in two days involving U.S. military aircraft!

Video

U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Brian Hegseth reports, morning of 30JAN2025, about the 29JAN2025 crash between U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk and American Eagle Flight 5342, video via Department of Defense:

On 28JAN2025, a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning-2 crashed near Richardson Highway in Alaska. Colonel Paul Townsend, 354th Fighter Wing commander, conducts a local media press conference:

2022: MiG 31 crashes in Novgorod

2011: United States blows-up crashed French Mirage 2000D!

1949: NACA’s ramjet F-82 Twin Mustang, 1949 crash & burn? Reborn more than 60 years later!

1947: Cold War Dragon crashes into Antarctic Ocean, caught on film.

U.S.

Trump’s Wall War is on!

Video

“U.S. Northern Command is aggressively bolstering security at the southern border.  For initial actions, Soldiers and Marines are immediately deploying to seamlessly integrate with forces already along the border and working together with the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection. In a matter of days, we will have nearly doubled the number of forces along the border, effectively implementing the President’s intent while planning and posturing for expanded efforts to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the United States.”-General Gregory M. Guillot, U.S. Northern Command (NorthCom)

On 20JAN2025, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Orders (EO), including a national emergency declaration, concerning the southern U.S. border.  Under Title 10, NorthCom is deploying 1-thousand-5-hundred Regular (active duty) military personnel to assist the 2-thousand-5-hundred military personnel already working the U.S./Mexico border.

Operation Lone Star is still in effect. The Texas Military Department-Air National Guard and Department of Public Safety conducted a Migration Operational Readiness Exercise (MORE) in Roma, 20JAN2025.

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) deployed a Boeing C-17 Globemaster-3 to Fort Bliss, Texas, to help U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP, aka Border Patrol) deport illegals on 23JAN2025, video via Sergeant First Class Nicholas J. De La Pena:

On 23JAN2025, during the day USAF C-130s delivered the U.S. Army’s 401st Military Police Company to Fort Bliss, Texas,  and then during the night the 41st Engineer Company arrived, for duty on the border with Mexico.  I edited together videos via Sergeant Logan Ubaldo Lechuga and Sergeant First Class Nicholas J. De La Pena:

On 24JAN2025, USMC Bell-Boeing MV-22B Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161-Marine Air Control Group 16-3rd Marine Aircraft Wing on Brown Field Municipal Airport in Otay Mesa, California, transported palletized concertina wire to the border with Mexico.  Video via Sergeant Gabriel Tavarez:

On 25JAN2025, U.S. Air Force 62nd Air Wing Boeing C-17 Globemaster-3 delivers the U.S. Army’s 23rd Military Police Company-716th Military Police Battalion-16th Military Police Brigade to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, video via Lance Corporal Alexander Vaughn:

On 25JAN2025, USMC 1st Combat Engineer Battalion-1st Marine Division reinforce the wall near San Ysidro, California.  Video via Staff Sergeant Luc Boatman:

Local Chicago, Illinois, news media reporting that on 26JAN2025 Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) began what is called Enhanced Targeted Operations (ETO). The Chicago ETO arrests added to the nationwide Sunday total of 956 arrests! Chicago ICE video via Todd Packard:

Texas Army National Guard board CH-47 Chinooks on Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, as part of the Texas Tactical Border Force.

USMC’s 1st Combat Engineer Battalion-1st Marine Division reinforce the border wall near San Ysidro, 27JAN2025, video via Corporal Logan Courtright:

Task Force DC: Massive National Guard mobilization for the U.S. Capital City!

Biden’s Borderland: Eating fish is a major cause of human trafficking?!

Technology, U.S.

Uncle Sam preps for War: Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Video

Curtiss XP-40 Warhawk tested in the NACA wind tunnel, Langley Research Center, Virginia, 1939.

I edited together videos from United States Army Air Corps/Forces (USAAC/USAAF) newsreels, released in 1941. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk:

Before the U.S. entered the Second World War, ‘volunteers’ were being paid by the U.S. government to fly P-40 ‘Flying Tigers’ for China, against the Japanese.  However, after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor the Flying Tigers became an official USAAC/USAAF unit, along with some of their pilots being transferred to the Navy/Marine Corps, and the Chinese began flying their own P-40s.  Here is a poor quality, silent film of Chinese operated P-40s:

Here are some photos of various versions of P-40s throughout the war:

P-40 tied down on Iceland, 23SEP1941.

P-40E being tested by NACA, 20MAY1942.

Warhawk lands at Burg-el-Arab, Egypt, October 1942.

Somewhere in the Caribbean, December 1942.

25DEC1942, “…SSGT J.A. Muller, CPL John W. Coleman, and CPL L.B. Thomas of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, consume their Christmas dinner on the field at a base somewhere in China.”

A P-40F is presented to a French air force chaplain in northern Africa, 1943.

May 1943, Dobodura, New Guinea.

A bullet riddled British Royal Air Force P-40 ‘Kittyhawk’ somewhere in northern Africa, 1943.

Port Moresby Air Depot, Papua, New Guinea. A P-40 converted into a two seat observation plane, sometime in 1943.

Sometime in 1943, Burma-India Theater of Operations.

Sometime in 1943, Abadan, Iran, Soviet pilots play chess before flying their U.S. taxpayer funded P40s to the Karelian Front.

P-40 lands on a new airfield on Baker Island (aka New Nantucket), 11SEP1943.

Apamama Island, Gilbert Islands, January 1944.

February 1944, Upper Assam, India.

A Curtiss C-46 lands while a Curtiss P-40K watches, somewhere in China, sometime in 1945.

Chinese anti-air spotters are taught not to shoot down a Warhawk, sometime between 1945 and 1946.

Final flight outta the U.S.?: Yankee Lady, the last take-off? Does anybody know what is going on?

Idaho, U.S.

Task Force-DC: Massive National Guard mobilization for the U.S. Capital City!

Video

Since the beginning of January 2025, Air & Army National Guard units have been pouring into the U.S. Capital of Washington-District of Columbia (DC).  Never mind all the other government security organizations who are also deploying there.  This is just a little bit of what the National Guard is doing.

New York National Guard in-process for Joint Task Force-District of Columbia (JTF-DC) at the DC Armory, Washington DC. Photo via Sergeant First Class Steven Eaton, 18JAN2025.

As many as 8-thousand militia personnel, from at least 40 states, deployed to Washington DC for Joint Task Force District of Columbia (JTF-DC), as part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration.

On 18JAN2025, Idaho based 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (wearing ‘Snake River Brigade’ patch) gets sworn in as deputies, along with other Guard units from other states. I edited from a video via Technical Sergeant Missy Sterling:

Connecticut National Guard discuss preparations for assigned Joint Task Force-District of Columbia (JTF-DC), 17JAN2025. Photo via Private First Class Emmanuel Gibson.

On 17JAN2025, Virginia Army National Guard used buses and HMMWV to deploy to Washington DC, video via Staff Sergeant Marc Heaton:

17JAN2025, about 1-hundred Oklahoma National Guard personnel deployed for the 60th Presidential Inauguration. Video interviews, via Matthew Hilborn, explains why:

On 17JAN2025, a Kentucky Air National Guard C-130 delivered Idaho Army National Guard personnel to Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland.  About 350 Idahoans deployed.  Video via Technical Sergeant Andrew Enriquez:

District of Columbia Army National Guard inspect their dress uniforms as part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration. Photo via Staff Sergeant Simone Sampson.

On 17JAN2025, Tennessee Air National Guard Security Police and Army National Guard Military Police deployed, video interviews via Sergeant Olivia Gum:

National Guard board a C-17 Globemaster-3, Photo by Sergeant N.W. Huertas, 16JAN2025. About 500 Florida militia personnel will take part in JTF-DC.

On 16JAN2025, Maryland Army National Guard personnel reported for duty in the DC Armory, video via Thomas Lamb:

Pennsylvania Army National Guard gets food from the USO, after arriving for JTF-DC, 16JAN2025. Photo via Sergeant First Class Shane Smith.

Massachusetts Army National Guard helps to in-process other Guard units, in the DC Armory, 16JAN2025. Photo via Staff Sergeant Tyrone Williams.

Wyoming National Guard takes part in riot control training, in preparation for Joint Task Force-District of Columbia, 15JAN2025. Photo via Staff Sergeant Cesar Rivas.

On 15JAN2025, Virgin Islands deployed Army National Guard personnel to the upcoming 60th Presidential Inauguration. Video via Technical Sergeant Andrew Enriquez:

I edited together videos via Vincent De Groot and Technical Sergeant Adam Welch; on 15JAN2025, Iowa deployed Air National Guard medics to the upcoming 60th Presidential Inauguration:

South Carolina Army National Guard board busses bound for Washington DC, 15JAN2025. Photo via Sergeant Duran Jones.

On 15JAN2025, Alaska National Guard C-17 Globmaster-3 delivered National Guard militia personnel from Puerto Rico, I edited video via Staff Sergeant Natalie Filzen:

I edited down a long video (via Staff Sergeant Katherine M. Jacobus); on 15JAN2025, about 140 Illinois Air National Guard Security Police and Army National Guard Military Police deployed, they explain why:

06JAN2025: Militarizing the Police: Army Guard deputized as Capitol Police!

Technology, U.S.

U.S. Disaster 2025: What is PHOS-CHEK? FEMA & National Guard ops in California.

Video

PHOS CHEK is a product of a company called Perimeter Solutions. They also sell a retardant called FIRE-TROL. They claim their retardants are certified USDA “environmentally friendly”. The red color means nothing, it is one of three options for buyers, the other two are “disappearing color” and “uncolored”. Obviously the red would allow fire fighters to see where they’ve already applied the stuff.

On 12JAN2025, C-130 cargo haulers equipped with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) get loaded with brand name PHOS CHEK, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station on Port Hueneme, California. Currently there are old C-130H Hercules operated by Colorado Air Force Reserve, Nevada Air National Guard and Wyoming Air National Guard. California Air National Guard operates the newer C-130J Super Hercules. I edited video via Technical Sergeant Nicole Wright:

California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing Super Hercules water-bombing (retardant/brand name PHOS CHEK) the mountains above Pacific Palisades. The air-horn noise is the MAFFS in operation. Video via Master Sergeant Nicholas Carzis, 11JAN2025:

On 11JAN2025, California Army National Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade arrived on Camarillo Airport, to link-up with CalFire (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) Fire Hawks. I edited down a video via Specialist William Franco Espinosa:

On 11JAN2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began helping survivors file claims, at the Pasadena Convention Center. FEMA video via Alexis Hall:

If you are a fire survivor and have transportation, the FEMA and The American Red Cross have set up locations across Los Angeles County, to try and help you and even your pets. FEMA video via Alexis Hall, 10JAN2025:

California Army National Guard’s 40th Military Police Company on patrol in Santa Monica.  I edited video via Sergeant William Griffen, the video was recorded 10JAN2025, but not released until 12JAN2025:

U.S. Disaster 2025:USMC & Air Guard mobilized for California fires!

Technology, U.S.

U.S. Disaster 2025: USMC & Air Guard mobilized for California fires!

Video

A Presidential order, delegated through the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and U.S. Northern Command (NorthCom), has mobilized full-time and part-time military units to fight the fires in the Los Angeles County area of California.  Those units began preparations on 10JAN2025, to be ready for action by 12JAN2025.

Marines prep a Bambi water bucket for their UH-1Y Venom.

On Camp Pendleton, California, U.S. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367-Marine Aircraft Group 39-3rd Marine Aircraft Wing prepares Bell UH-1Y Venom for fire fighting duty.  About 5-hundred Marines will join fire fighting efforts. I edited video via Lance Corporal Jennifer Sanchez:

California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (aka Cal Fire) and Air National Guard prepare PHOS CHEK (a brand name of a type of fire retardant) and Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules (with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) on Port Hueneme, California.  I edited video via Master Sergeant Nicholas Carzis:

U.S. Air Force-Reserve’s 302nd Airlift Wing loads U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) on Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. I edited time lapse video (sent with no audio) via Technical Sergeant Justin Norton:

Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing personnel load a  USFS-MAFFS into a C-130H Hercules on Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Video (sent with no audio) via Technical Sergeant Justin Norton:

Nevada Air National Guard 152nd Airlift Wing’s Maintenance Squadron prepares C-130H Hercules with a U.S. Forest Service MAFFS.  I edited down video via Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber:

Idaho deploys personnel and equipment to fight California fires: https://shoshonenewspress.com/news/2025/jan/10/north-idaho-crews-deploy-to-support-efforts-in-sou/

U.S. Disasters 2024: Hawaii Fires, 4+ months on, Lithium batteries made things worse?

2023: MAFFS prepping for 2023 wildfire season!

2022: C-130 MAFFS deployed, Idaho suffers most fires/acres burned in the U.S.!

2021: California MAFFS prep.

2018: California fires make at least 1-million tons of waste!

U.S.

Militarizing the Police: Army Guard deputized as Capitol Police!

Video

On 06JAN2025, about 5-hundred Army National Guard personnel from Maryland, Pennsylvania and District of Columbia (DC), were deputized by Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, for the Counting and Certification of the Electoral Votes, and the transfer of the U.S. Office of The President, which is a National Security event.

The induction took place in the Washington DC Armory. Video via Second Lieutenant Paige Bodine, and the 60th Presidential Inauguration Joint Information Center:

Actually, military personnel, both part-time and active duty, have routinely been deputized for various civilian and military events around the United States, and even in other countries.

In June 2024, U.S. Marines (Combat Logistics Battalion 13-Combat Logistics Regiment 17-1st Marine Logistics Group) were deputized by the Palau Bureau of Public Safety, in order to allow them to be ‘weapons-ready’ during an international wargame called Valiant Shield.

During the night of 16-17JAN2021, more than 2-thousand Air and Army National Guard personnel were deputized as Capitol Police in front of the Capitol building in Washington, DC.

National Guard: End of year operations, 2024.

Mega Taxpayer Project: What is USACE doing with the Upper Ohio River, in Pennsylvania?