12 July 2023 (09:53-UTC-07 Tango 06) 21 Tir 1402/23 Dhu l-Hijja 1444/25 Ji-Wei 4721/12 июль 2023 года
“This is an important settlement which reduces the environmental impacts from one of the leading fertilizer manufacturers. This settlement advances EPA’s goals by creating environmentally beneficial waste management practices and ensures that the U.S. taxpayer will not be responsible for future costs associated with closure of this facility. Additionally, this settlement ensures that any future expansion of Simplot’s operations will be conducted according to strict requirements to minimize impacts to surrounding communities, including the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.”-Larry Starfield, United States EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Simplot Don Plant is actually in Power County. The mailing address is for Pocatello, Bannock County, because at one time Simplot’s HQ was in Pocatello (it’s now in Boise).
The settlement also directly affects operations with Simplot’s Don Plant, near Pocatello (but not in Pocatello as typically reported by news media and even government officials, it is actually in Power County), Idaho: “This settlement will bring important benefits to Idaho and the communities that have been affected by the Don Plant’s operations. We are grateful that our state partner, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, helped formulate and will oversee work that Simplot will fund to mitigate the impacts of its phosphate operations on water quality and the environment along the Portneuf River, working in cooperation with both the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the City of Pocatello.”-Josh Hurwit, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho
Incomplete (tip of the iceberg) list of U.S. state National Guard developments (which should prove that the National Guard has become the ‘crutch’ for the Regular/active duty Army and Air Force), for the month of June 2023:
NATO-Europe is conducting the largest airpower wargame, ever, and multiple U.S. states have deployed their National Guard units to take part in Air Defender 2023.
On the African Continent, the largest wargame there was concluded in mid-June, several U.S. states deployed their Guard units to take part in African Lion 2023.
There was also the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NorAD) wargame called Noble Defender, as well as a cyber security wargame called Cyber Shield 2023.
CALIFORNIA: The Air National Guard’s 146th AW/146th Contingency Response Flight helped with loading of cargo planes, and air traffic control, for Air Defender 2023.
For the first time since the United Nations ordered the Korean Police Action (as requested by the United States in 1950), California has deployed an entire division! On 11JUN2023, a deployment ceremony was held for the 40th Infantry Division, which is being sent to the Middle East for the ongoing operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield. Video by Sergeant Marla Ogden:
COLORADO:
Colorado Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Amanda Geiger, 11JUN2023.
The Air Guard’s 140th Wing deployed F-16 Falcons to Schleswig-Jagel Air Base, NATO-Germany, for Air Defender 2023.
GEORGIA:
Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Caila Arahood, 12JUN2023.
The 165th Airlift Wing deployed a C-130 Hercules to the Siauliai International Airport, NATO-Lithuania, during Air Defender 2023 (AD23).
IDAHO: Deploying to the continents of Africa and Europe:
Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JUN2023.
A ‘Gem State’ 124th Fighter Wing A-10C arrives on Lechfeld Air Base, NATO-Germany, for wargame Air Defender, 13JUN2023.
ILLINOIS:
Illinois Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Paul Helmig, 19JUN2023.
The 182nd Airlift Wing (AW) deployed their C-130 Hercules cargo plane to Wunstorf Air Base, NATO-Germany.
Louisiana Air National Guard photo by Major Larissa Lambert, 12JUN2023.
159th Fighter Wing (FW) F-15C Eagles on Hohn, NATO-Germany, for Air Defender, 12JUN2023.
MARYLAND:
Maryland A-10Cs equipped with long range external fuel tanks, about to take-off for NATO-Europe, 04JUN2023. Photo by Senior Airman Rachel Underwood.
The 175th Wing/104th Fighter Squadron deployed A-10C Thunderbolt-2s to Air Defender 2023.
MASSACHUSETTS:
Photo by Staff Sergeant Hanna Smith, 23JUN2023.
104th FW on Hohn Air Base, NATO-Germany, 23JUN2023.
Photo by Master Sergeant Bryan Hoover, 26JUN2023.
The 104th FW also took part in NorAD’s Noble Defender, over the Canadian-U.S. region.
MICHIGAN: Air National Guard’s 127th Wing A-10C Thunderbolt-2s get bombed-up & fueled-up (aka Integrated Combat Turn) on Lielvārdi Air Base, Latvia, 13JUN2023 (the video was not released until 16JUN2023). The militaries of Michigan and Latvia have been working together for more than 30 years. Video by Technical Sergeant Andrew Schumann:
MINNESOTA:
Photo by Staff Sergeant Jared Bounds, 05JUN2023.
133rd AW deployed a C-130 to Wunstorf Air Base, NATO-Germany, for Air Defender.
MISSISSIPPI: The 172nd AW/172nd Contingency Response Flight helped with loading of cargo planes, and air traffic control, for Air Defender 2023.
MISSOURI:
Photo by Master Sergeant Caila Arahood, 05JUN2023.
139th AW on Wunstorf Air Base, NATO-Germany, for Air Defender.
MONTANA:
Photo by First Lieutenant Jaycee Baker, 07JUN2023.
The Air Guard’s 120th Medical Group, out of Great Falls, provided dental care to Moroccans during African Lion 2023.
NEVADA: Nevada Air National Guard’s 152 Wing ‘High Rollers’/152nd Civil Engineer Squadron deployed to NATO-Spain. Video interview, recorded on 21JUN2023 by Staff Sergeant Michelle Brooks, explains why:
NEW YORK: Titan search;
OKLAHOMA: More than 25 U.S. states, territories, and five countries with the State Partnership Program, took part in Cyber Shield 2023. Video (by Mireille Merilice-Roberts) explaining how Oklahoma helped grade this year’s Cyber Shield:
PUERTO RICO: The 156th Wing/156th Contingency Response Group helped with loading of cargo planes, and air traffic control, for Air Defender 2023.
SOUTH DAKOTA:
Photo by Technical Sergeant Sarah M. McClanahan, 15JUN2023.
114th Fighter Wing on Jagel Airfield, NATO-Germany, during exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23).
TENNESSEE:
Photo by Staff Sergeant Laura Weaver, 08JUN2023.
164th AW used their C-17 Globemaster-3 cargo planes to delivery Air Guard personnel to NATO-Estonia, for Air Defender 2023.
The Tennessee National Guard also took part in a cyber security wargame called Cyber Shield 2023. It was run from the Professional Education Center in Little Rock, from 11 to 15JUN2023.
UTAH:
Photo by Sergeant James J. Bunn, 08JUN2023.
Army National Guard CBRN (Chemical Biological Radioactive Nuclear) personnel train the Ghana Armed Forces during African Lion 2023.
Photo by Technical Sergeant Nicholas Perez, 05JUN2023.
The Air Guard’s 151st Medical Group helped operate a field hospital for sily-vilians, in Morocco.
Video by Specialist Shae Cox, Utah Air National Guard band playing in Morocco during this year’s African Lion wargames. It might be the last time as the U.S. Air Force is shutting down Air National Guard bands;
WISCONSIN: 128th Air Refuel Wing explains their role in Air Defender, video report by Staff Sergeant Josh Halverson;
30 June 2023 (20:30-UTC-07 Tango 06) 09 Tir 1402/11 Dhu l-Hijja 1444/13 Wu-Wu(5th month) 4721/30 Июнь 2023 года
U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagles from the ‘Bold Tigers’ 391st Fighter Squadron(FS)/366th Fighter Wing(FW), based on Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho, arrived on U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, 29JUN2023. They will be taking part in wargame Northern Edge 2023-2 (NE23-2), which will take place during most of the month of July. USMC video by Corporal Evan Jones:
This isn’t the first time this year that the Bold Tigers were in Japan. Video by Airman First Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes, 391st FS Strike Eagles take off from Okinawa, for wargame Southern Beach, 16MAY2023:
Airmen load their gear onboard a C-5 Galaxy, for the trip from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, to Kadena AB, Japan, 24APR2023. USAF photo by Airman First Class Krista Reed Choate.
Oregon’s 3-116th Combined Arms Battalion (one of three CABs belonging to Idaho based 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team [CBCT], aka Snake River Brigade) is taking part in this year’s African Lion 2023.
Bore-sighting the M1A2 SEP, in Tan-Tan, Morocco. Oregon National Guard video by Staff Sergeant Ariel J. Solomon, 08JUN2023:
African Lion took place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from 13MAY-18JUN2023. African Lion is the largest wargame on the African continent, involving the United States and other NATO members, as well as Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.
Bore-sighting aligns the Gunner’s sights with the end of the main gun tube, greatly increasing the chance of a ‘first-round-hit’.
More boring bore-sighting video from Staff Sergeant Ariel J. Solomon, 08JUN2023:
Photo by Staff Sergeant Ariel J. Solomon, 10JUN2023.
On 19JUN2023, the U.S. Department of State revealed a new refugee system, as part of a 2016 global deal called the Tent Partnership for Refugees. ‘Tent’, as it is also officially known, is essentially an international government sanctioned legal human trafficking operation.
Official Department of State video, in which it is admitted that the government is helping more than 3-hundred U.S. employers hire refugees still living in other countries:
The automobile show was free to the public, proceeds from food vender sales, and raffle ticket sales, went to help SAC. Just to let you know how much the help is needed, in 2022 the Pocatello SAC served more than 22-thousand meals to local old people.
Here is a sampling of the vehicles that were there (click on each image to make them bigger):
Walk around video of the show, which was supported by many local business sponsors, most of the video has no audio as they were blaring copyrighted music at the event:
Helicopter ride forced down in neighboring Chase Park, due to too many passengers for the little ‘copter! (note the dejected riders walking away from their ride)
03 June 2023 (21:47-UTC-07 Tango 06) 13 Khordad 1402/14 Dhu l-Qa’da 1444/16 Wu-Wu 4721/03 Июнь 2023 года
Camp Buehring, Kuwait, photo by Specialist Rhema Eggleston, 15MAY2023.
The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (aka Snake River Brigade, one of my military alma maters) is Idaho’s largest Army National Guard unit. The brigade is located in more than 20 Idaho communities as well as units in Montana, Nevada and Oregon. The 2-116th Cavalry Regiment is headquartered in Caldwell with units in Emmett and Nampa, but is currently deployed to Kuwait as the 2-116 Combined Arms Battalion (2-116 CAB).
Camp Buehring, Kuwait, photo by Specialist Rhema Eggleston, 15MAY2023.
Photo by Staff Sergeant Latasha Price, 18MAY2023.
Photo by Specialist LaTasha Ross, 18MAY2023.
Video by Claudia LaMantia, M1A2 Abrams live fire on Udairi Range, Kuwait, 19MAY2023:
M12A1 Heavy Decontamination Apparatus. Photo by Specialist LaTasha Ross, 18MAY2023.
2-116th CAB M1A2 on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, 20FEB2023. Task Force Spartan photo by Specialist David Campos-Contreras.
An Idaho Army National Guard 2-116 CAB M1A2 Abrams battle tank gets loaded onto a USAF C-17 Globemaster-3 (from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina), on Ali Al Salem air base, Kuwait, 20MAY2023. USAF video by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero:
Idaho’s 2-116 CAB relieved their sibling unit, Bravo Company of the the 3-116 Cavalry, towards the end of 2022 (which had deployed at the end of 2021). While the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is based in Idaho, the 3rd Battalion of the 116th CBCT is located in Oregon.
A 3-116th Cav M1A2 is loaded onto a C-17 cargo plane. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Matthew Plew, 22AUG2022.
B-Co/3-116th officially ended their deployment on 05MAR2023, with a demobilization ceremony in Hermiston, Oregon.
Idaho’s 2nd Battalion-116th Cavalry Regiment, in Kuwait for Dragon Defender on Camp Buehring, 13FEB2023. Task Force Spartan photo by Specialist David Campos-Contreras.
The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (aka Snake River Brigade, one of my military alma maters) is Idaho’s largest Army National Guard unit. The brigade is located in more than 20 Idaho communities as well as units in Montana, Nevada and Oregon. The 2-116th Cavalry Regiment is headquartered in Caldwell with units in Emmett and Nampa.
In the foreground is an Idaho 2-116 M1135 CBRN Stryker vehicle, behind it is a Kuwait M93 CBRN Fox. Task Force Spartan photo by Specialist David Campos-Contreras, 13FEB2023.
An Idaho 2-116 M1135 CBRN Stryker follows behind a Kuwaiti M93 CBRN Fox vehicle. Task Force Spartan photo by Specialist David Campos-Contreras, 13FEB2023.
In February 2023, the 2-116th Cavalry Regiment took part in what is called Dragon Defender 2023, on Camp Buehring in Kuwait. It wasn’t just the Idaho Army National Guard, the 272nd Chemical Company-79th Troop Command of the Massachusetts Army National Guard was also present: “I love CBRN [Chemical Biological Radioactive Nuclear]. I love that it’s not just one thing; there are so many aspects to it. It’s not just putting on your gas mask and going to a CS [Crowd Suppression gas, aka tear gas] chamber or checking your mask.”-Warrant Officer Kelly Osmon, Massachusetts Army National Guard
Rear view of an Idaho 2-116 M1135 CBRN Stryker. Task Force Spartan photo by Specialist Joshua Barnes, 13FEB2023.
Task Force Spartan photo by Specialist Joshua Barnes, 14FEB2023.
Dragon Defender included Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) training, specifically involving mounted reconnaissance, extraction and decontamination of victims. WMD also includes explosives, and the Arizona Army National Guard was there to cover that aspect: “Being EOD [Explosive Ordinance Disposal], our job is to clear the scene of any explosive hazards. A lot of scenarios with CBRN weapons there will be booby traps or dispersal devices with explosives in them. That’s our forte.”-Specialist Tyler Blackmore, 363rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company-158th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Arizona Army National Guard
Task Force Spartan photo by Specialist Joshua Barnes, 14FEB2023.
