Category Archives: Idaho

Singapore Apaches test Idaho’s new D-A-G-I-R system

Image August 2, 2021 Hutchins AAron

At the beginning of 2021, the Idaho Army National Guard became the first Guard unit in the United States to employ the new DAGIR gunnery range system.

Gowen Field, Idaho, 23JUL2021. Idaho Army National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez.

Between June 30th and July 29th, the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s Peace Vanguard unit conducted AH-64 Longbow Apache gunnery on the Orchard Combat Training Center for the tenth year now, but this time they got to use Idaho’s new DAGIR system: “The scoring is instantaneous. The second a target is hit, we know about it. It’s a great feature because sometimes you’re not sure if the round went through the target or not.”-Lieutenant Colonel Jack Denton, U.S. Army Flight Training Detachment

Idaho ArNG photo by Thomas Alvarez, 23JUL2021.

The RSAF Peace Vanguard is based on the Arizona National Guard’s Silverbell Army Heliport, where they’ve been flying eight AH-64Ds since 2001.

Idaho ArNG photo by Thomas Alvarez, 23JUL2021.

Idaho’s Orchard Combat Training Center has at least 23 gunnery/bombing ranges. Currently it is one of only two DAGIR ranges in the entire U.S.

NATO: APACHES & HINDS, FOR THE FIRST TIME?

April 2021: IDAHO HOME TO FIRST EVER NATIONAL GUARD D-A-G-I-R!

March 2021: SINGAPORE’S IDAHO BASED SKY PIRATES BOMB LAS VEGAS?

2016: OBAMA DISAPPEARS THE LAST OF IDAHO’S APACHES?

Idaho, Technology, U.S.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Wyoming & Colorado activates MAFFS, Nevada’s MAFF mission extended!

Video July 27, 2021 Hutchins AAron

“The request for additional support shows just how challenging this fire season is and how critical our MAFFS aircraft, aircrews and maintenance personnel are to supporting NIFC [National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho].”-Colonel Jeremy Ford, 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

On 19JUL2021, a Wyoming Air National Guard (ANG) C-130H MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) was activated, and on 20JUL2021 was sent to battle wildfires in California.

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

The C-130H has been upgraded with a new propeller system.

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

Wyoming ANG video by Jacqueline Marshall, 19JUL2021:

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

Also on 19JUL2021, Colorado ANG activated a MAFFS to fight the fires in California. Music video announcement by Staff Sergeant Laura Fitsmorris:

Earlier in the month, one California ANG C-130 MAFFS, and two Nevada ANG ‘High Rollers’ C-130 MAFFS began fighting fires in California.

CAL FIRE Air Tanker Base, McClellan Park. Nevada ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

Nevada’s ‘High Rollers’ just had their mission in California extended until August 26th!

MAFFS aircraft are only activated when it becomes clear that the private sector water bombers are overwhelmed, or will soon be, by the volume of wildfires.

NIFC in Boise, Idaho, warns that ‘Scary Fuel’ shortage could ground firefighting aircraft.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Wyoming governor waves federal pandemic restrictions to ease aviation fuel shortage for water bombers

K-MAX & 10 TANKER, WAITING FOR THE CALL IN SOUTHEAST IDAHO

Idaho

Boise River Photography Journal July 20th 2021

July 25, 2021 satoita

Chicory ©Satoita

On Tuesday last week, I went for a stroll along the Boise River here in Boise, Idaho. To my delight, all the plants have tripled in size since I saw them last, about two months ago. They’ve grown considerably; the bare gravel river banks are now nearly covered in growth. It was a fun trek through all the leaves, sand, gravel, water, and several spider webs. One could follow the sound of the river through the thick green walls of natural labyrinth.

Spotted Knapweed ©Satoita

There are plenty of useful plants here, which were most likely intentionally planted. This part of the Boise River is technically the Boise River Park, and is maintained by the Parks and Recreation department. I really appreciate their methods of leaving it pretty much alone save for repairing water erosion and cleaning up human disturbances. I’m grateful we have the Greenbelt here where we can visit a bit of wildlife in the middle of the city. In Japan, research has proven that taking time to just be in nature is beneficial to all areas of our health. Doctors now prescribe Shirin Roku, or Forest Bathing, to reduce stress, which is the cause of a myriad of health problems. In addition, many of these plants that grow wild and may be considered weeds are actually medicinal and are a good source of minerals and vitamins.

white flowering plant ©Satoita

St. John’s Wort ©Satoita

Mullein ©Satoita

This Mullein is the cutest one I’ve seen. It’s only one foot tall! I was collecting mullein flowers to create a cough syrup. I’ve put them in sugar to ferment in a jar for a few weeks in the sun. I’m really curious to see if this works come fall!

Purple Loosestrife ©Satoita

Catmint ©Satoita

Chicory ©Satoita

Mullein ©Satoita

Purple Loosestrife ©Satoita

Chicory ©Satoita

Tiny Stream ©Satoita

Boise River Bank ©Satoita

Downy Woodpecker on a Mullein ©Satoita

Evening Primrose ©Satoita

Yellow Brooms ©Satoita

Marsh Willowherb ©Satoita

Blue Water Speedwell ©Satoita

Armenian Blackberry ©Satoita

Bittersweet Nightshade ©Satoita

If I mislabeled any plants, or if you can identify the two I didn’t know, please leave a comment below!

’till next time,

SATOITA

Marsh Crossing ©Satoita

Idaho, Technology

Sentimental Journey: 1986-2021

Video July 25, 2021 Hutchins AAron

In July 2021, Sentimental Journey returned to the Pocatello Regional Airport, in Southeast Idaho. It seems I always cross paths with this ancient restored aircraft, from the two decades when it was flown by the Confederate Air Force, to today’s Commemorative Air Force (just call it CAF).

Topping off the tanks.

Old meets new as modern day Challenger and Mustang drive out for a photo opportunity.

Staging the Challenger and Mustang.

Now it’s the people’s turn.

The people are so interested in the old bomber they don’t seem to notice the giant DC-10 water bomber that just landed.

If you had enough money you could get a ride in the B-17G bomber. Notice the K-Max firefighting helicopter in the background, lots of smoke in the air.

In March 2018, Sentimental Journey took part in CAF’s Tora, Tora, Tora display, over Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Tyler J. Bolken.

02OCT2012, at the War Eagles Air Museum, Doña Ana County Airport, New Mexico. Photo by Sergeant Jonathan Thomas.

U.S. Air Force video by Sergeant Adam Ross, getting ‘sentimental’ over the B-17, October 2012:

May 2001: Confederate Air Force has grown to more than nine thousand members in 27 states and three countries, however, many (‘woke’) members hate the name

November 2000: Confederate Air Force to change its Name due to the insidious ‘political correctness’ movement

Summer 1999, Pocatello Regional Airport. My children Denise M. Hutchins, Aryssa M. Hutchins, Alexander B. Hutchins and Jennette McKay-Schow.

Nose gunner/bombardier station.

Alex loves .50-cals.

Denise’s .50-cal just jammed, Alex looks concerned! The Japanese Zeros are swarming!

I don’t remember having to pay to tour the B-17G, but I did buy these Sentimental souvenirs, and a T-shirt which I wore-out long ago.

Me.

1991, ‘Don’t Mess with the Texas Confederate Air Force’ video:

December 1986: A Navigator’s final B-17 flight in Sentimental Journey

My immediate family’s connection to Sentimental Journey began in Summer 1986, when the restored flying fortress visited Edwards Air Force Base, California. Photos by my father William Lewis Hutchins.

My baby brother Ernst F. Hutchins.

U.S. Air force photo by a Staff Sergeant Simons.

From 27APR1986, over Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, during the Gathering of Eagles ’86 tour.

According to CAF, the B-17G that became Sentimental Journey spent the last few months of World War Two over the Pacific. After the war it was converted to serve as a boat carrying Search And Rescue plane out of Florida. In the 1950s it was used as a drone controller during nuclear weapons tests. In 1959, it went to the Bone Yard in Arizona, but shortly after that it was purchased by a firefighting company in California. Sentimental Journey still uses the registration number assigned while it was a fire fighter. In 1978 the B-17 water bomber was donated to the Arizona chapter of the CAF. The name Sentimental Journey was the result of a local newspaper holding a contest for the name. The Arizona CAF members restored Sentimental Journey to its World War Two bomber configuration. Amazingly, Sentimental Journey was fully restored as a bomber and flying air shows by the end of 1985/beginning of 1986.

1982, half hour long documentary explaining the reason for the Confederate Air Force-Ghost Squadron:

1981, British made hour long documentary explaining that the Confederate Air Force-Ghost Squadron was led by a totally made-up Confederate officer named Colonel Culpepper, and why the CAF was originally created. Notice that at the beginning of the film one of the members says “…we shouldn’t apologize to anybody in the world for what we are or what we’ve been.”:

1963: THE CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE FLIES AT LAST

HOW TO PAINT YOUR 1:1 SCALE B-17 MEMPHIS BELLE WITH ‘PERIOD CORRECT’ (correctly mixed that is, 1940s style) PAINT

Pocatello Airport 1999, 2012 & 2014: Section Eight & Ole Yeller flies on

Idaho, Technology

U.S. Wildfire 2021: K-Max & 10 Tanker, waiting for the call

Video July 24, 2021 Hutchins AAron

When the wildfire season officially starts in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, little used Pocatello Regional Airport becomes Pocatello Airtanker Base.

Idaho Wildfires 2012:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 2012.

CANADAIR CL 215

This year (despite the hype by main-stream national news), and the past few years, Pocatello Airtanker Base hasn’t been as busy as it was between the years 2012 and 2017. We had a plethora of water bombers, various types of fixed wing and rotary wing, some even coming from Canada.

A couple of BAEs and an ancient Neptune, September 2012. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

Pocatello Tanker Base 2012:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 2012.

SIKORSKY & USMC IN TOWN

The area is still getting smoked-out by regional fires, but nothing like the amount of smoke during the 2012-2018 years. In 2018 the smoke from record setting California fires was bad enough that I taped furnace filters to my windows (I don’t have central air conditioning). So since about 2019, most of what you see on Pocatello Airtanker Base are a DC-10, a helicopter or two, and the always present Air Tractors.

On 23JUL2021, I just happened to be checking out the airport and caught the crew of a Mountain West Helicopters K-Max, waiting for a call to action, sitting near the tarmac in 90+ Fahrenheit temperatures.

Video from 2008, Mountainwest Helicopters K-Max using Bambi Bucket during Piute Mountain wildfire:

Lockheed Martin video showing a K-Max drone (remote control, no pilot) dropping water on a fire:

And I was lucky enough to just catch a glimpse of a DC-10 returning from a water-drop mission.

Kit builders should note the noticeable gap between the water tank and the fuselage.

Also notice that 10 Tanker has given their DC-10s a new livery.

2020 video of 10 Tanker #911 bombing a fire near homes in California:

2016 video of 10 Tanker training in New Mexico, note that the big water bombers are led-in by smaller FAC aircraft:

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Wyoming governor waves federal pandemic restrictions to ease aviation fuel shortage for water bombers

FOR FIRST TIME, IDAHO MOBILIZES MILITIA FOR FIRE DUTY!

Idaho Wildfires 2019:

DC-10, IDAHO’S 911

U.S. Forest Service FAC (Forward Air Controller) taking off from Pocatello Airtanker Base. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

MD-87 WATER BOMBER, NEW KING AIR F-A-C

Pocatello Airtanker Base 2017:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, August 2017.

SMOKE ’EM IF YOU GOT ’EM! THE FIRE BOMBERS ARE BACK!

U.S. Wildfires 2016: DC-10 POCATELLO AIRPORT

Pocatello Air Tanker Base, September 2012: MORE AIR TANKERS ARRIVE AT POCATELLO TANKER BASE. EVACUATIONS IN EFFECT!

MORE CANADIAN AIRCRAFT ARRIVE AT POCATELLO

CONAIR’s Convair, notice the retardant stains, from the day before, have been cleaned off. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

CANADA JOINS THE FIGHT

Pocatello Air Tanker Base, August 2012:

MAFFS 5 gets airborne! Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

MAFFS C-130s RETURN TO POCATELLO AIRPORT, IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD JOINS BATTLE!

12 July 2012:

Comin’ down! Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

BUSY 30 MINUTES AT POCATELLO AIRPORT, AS A VARIETY OF FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT FLY INTO ACTION

Idaho, U.S.

Locust Plague 2021: Fat Hopper, and the ghost of its former self

Image July 14, 2021 Hutchins AAron

13 July 2021 / 23:44-UTC-07 Tango 06 (23 Tir 1400/04 Dhu l-Hijja 1442/05 Yi-Wei [5th month] 4719)

Chubbuck, Idaho, 13JUL2021. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

The fattest grasshopper I’ve seen in the 25 years I’ve lived in Southeastern Idaho was trying to get in my back door.

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

Despite the extreme dry heat, these grasshoppers are looking well fed. This guy had left behind a little something near my apple tree.

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

A ghost of his former self, his molt. Apparently he (or she or it?) had just shed its skin.

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

I’ve already written about the Grasshoppers and Mormon Crickets seemingly joining together to wreak havoc upon Pacific Northwest farmers. Here’s some links to the most recent news about the worsening situation: Grasshoppers Are Descending on the West in Swarms

Plagues of Grasshoppers Hit Western U.S.

CANADA, Alberta: Farmers battle surge in grasshoppers, “They’ve been really bad”

CANADA, Manitoba: Agricultural emergency declared!

SOUTH AFRICA: Farmers brace for another locust plague

UNITES STATES, Minnesota: Local Farmers turn crickets into protein

U.S., New Mexico: Is there anything grasshoppers won’t eat?

U.S., Oregon: Ranchers plead for help with grasshopper plague

U.S., Utah: Drought brings grasshopper invasion

U.S., Wyoming: Natrona County reports outbreaks of grasshoppers

Mormon Crickets & Grasshoppers: “…A PERFECT TERRIBLE STORM.”

Idaho, Technology

Hurricane prep 2021: Georgia Militia warms-up the D-R-M-K-T

Video July 11, 2021 Hutchins AAron

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Jeff Rice.

The official 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season has begun, and the U.S. state of Georgia warmed-up the latest in emergency field kitchen technologies.

Georgia ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jeff Rice.

It’s known as Disaster Relief Mobilized Kitchen Trailer (DRMKT). It was set up by the Georgia Air National Guard (ANG) on Robins Air Force Base (AFB), 10JUL2021.

Georgia ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jeff Rice.

North Carolina ANG photo by Master Sergeant Nathan Clark.

In December 2020, North Carolina’s ANG got a brand new DRMKT: “We developed the Disaster Relief Mobile Kitchen Trailer to solve many of the inefficiencies we observed in our Nation’s response to Hurricane Katrina.”-Bill Hague, Babington Technology

North Carolina ANG photo by Master Sergeant Nathan Clark.

Idaho ANG photo by Senior Airman Mercedee Wilds.

In October 2020, Idaho’s 124th Fighter Wing conducted maintenance on their DRKMT: “This equipment is unique to the Air National Guard because, unlike active duty Air Force, part of our mission is to support local natural disasters.”-Technical Sergeant Audenne Valdez, Idaho ANG

Georgia ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Amber Williams.

Georgia ANG has already deployed their DRMKT, in October 2018. It was sent to the town of Colquitt, where victims of Hurricane Michael were fed hot meals.

Illinois ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Lealan Buehrer.

In August 2017, the Illinois and Idaho ANGs deployed their DRMKTs to the Crow Reservation in Montana. Over several weeks, the Illinois and Idaho ANGs fed Montana Guard personnel working to build new housing on the Crow Reservation: “You can do just about anything you can do on base in this kitchen. We’ve got two full ovens, flattop grill, a stockpot station, a three-compartment sink and then a tray ration heater which can also double as making pasta or boiling water, or whatever else you need it for.”-Staff Sergeant Christopher Leigh, Montana ANG

Minnesota ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Lynette Hoke.

The first use of DRMKTs during a real disaster was in 2017. Members of Ohio and Minnesota Air National Guard units deployed, with their DRMKTs, to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

Ohio ANG photo by First Lieutenant Paul Stennett.

National Guard units using the DRMKT after Hurricane Maria claimed they could serve 8-hundred meals per day. If there are a mass of people to feed then up to 1-thousand meals per 90 minutes can be achieved, but only by using ‘boil-in-bag’ meals (basically MREs).

Hurricane Maria, Ohio ANG video by First Lieutenant Paul Stennett, how to load your DRMKT on a C-130H:

Hurricane Maria, Arkansas ANG video (with interview at the end), by Senior Airman Matthew Matlock, using a C-17 to deliver DRMKT to U.S. Virgin Islands:

Georgia ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Roger Parsons.

In January 2017, Air National Guard units from across the U.S. converged their DRMKTs on FedEx Field, Washington DC, to feed security personnel during the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump.

The Georgia ANG first received their DRMKT back in February 2015, delivered via C-130 cargo plane.

Georgia ANG photo by Master Sergeant Roger Parsons.

Georgia ANG tested the new DRMKT by feeding hungry Robins AFB flightline workers barbecue chicken, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw and rolls.

Ohio ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Joseph Harwood.

In August 2014, a DRMKT was delivered to the Ohio Air National Guard (FEMA Region 5) via C-130 transport aircraft: “The State of Ohio was selected to receive the Disaster Response Mobile Kitchen Trailer due to geographical location within FEMA Region 5, and state leadership selected the 179th Airlift Wing for this mission due to the C-130 cargo planes capability to transport the asset.”-Senior Master Sergeant Dana Togliatti

Ohio ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Joseph Harwood.

The first use of a DRMKT was by Texas and Nebraska Air National Guard, during disaster wargame Patriot Exercise 2013, in Wisconsin.

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Natalie Stanley.

The Guard units trying it out concluded they could feed 4-hundred people per day using one DRMKT.

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Natalie Stanley.

DRMKTs were developed in 2012 (called Mobile Kitchens by Babington Technology), to give National Guard units a faster response time in getting cooked meals to survivors of disasters. Washington DC ANG video report, by Master Sergeant Gareth Buckland, unveiling of DRMKT:

USAF personnel learn how to maintain the Airtronic Burner on David-Monthan AFB, Arizona, September 2015. USAF photo by Airman First Class Mya M. Crosby.

DRMKTs use Babington Airtronic Burners which can use almost any type of liquid fuel.

Ohio ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Joseph Harwood.

The DRMKT has ‘frigerators, uses fans for ventilation and to keep flying insects out, all computer controlled, and thanks to liquid fuel burning cooking units the DRMKT uses only 2-thousand watts total.

North Carolina ANG photo by Master Sergeant Nathan Clark.

FEMA Regions prep, May 2021:

South Dakota ANG photo by Senior Airman Taylor Solberg.

SOUTH DAKOTA NATIONAL GUARD GETS NEW D-R-M-K-T

Food Crisis U.S.A.: SOYLENT GREEN PET FOOD? OR, ARE PEOPLE BEING PREPPED TO EAT PET FOOD?

Global Food Crisis: Is OPERATION COVID-19 a COVERT OP TO CONTROL THE GLOBAL FOOD SUPPLY?

Idaho, Technology

Idaho’s heritage A-10C ‘8N’

Video July 10, 2021 Hutchins AAron

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras.

P-47D Thunderbolt bubble-top 8N-X.

“It’s more than just history, it’s our heritage, it’s who we are.”-Major Tom Silkowski, Idaho’s 190th Fighter Squadron

P-47D Thunderbolt ‘Black Jack’ code 8N-O, 371st FG-405th FS.

Towards the end of May 2021, the Idaho Air National Guard unveiled their heritage ‘8N’ A-10C Thunderbolt-2. 8N is the squadron code for the U.S. Army 9th Air Force-371st Fighter Group’s 405th Fighter Squadron.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras.

It was part of 75th anniversary celebrations for the 190th Fighter Squadron’s(FS) birthday, 24MAY1946. The old 405th FS logo was added to the nacelles after returning from its heritage paint job in Iowa.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras.

The 190th FS evolved out of the 405th FS, which flew P-47 Thunderbolts during World War Two (hence the false tail number 405190). In 1944, P-47s of the 405th carried the code 8N on their fuselages: “Every aspect of that paint job, down to the smallest detail, is deliberate and faithful to how our P-47’s looked in the summer of 1944. We weren’t going for glitz and a superficial ‘wow factor.’ This isn’t a toy airplane; it’s one of our beautiful A-10 Thunderbolt-2s dressed in the same scheme worn by our P-47 Thunderbolts in World War Two. It’s like a little boy wearing his dad’s military uniform. I think that’s what makes it so special.”-Major Tom Silkowski, Idaho’s 190th FS

An ‘8N’ P-47D somewhere in France, 1944.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras.

On 07JUL2021, 8N took part in refuel training over Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds.

The refueling was done by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 507th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), Tinker AFB, out of Oklahoma.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds.

But it is not the first time 8N got refueled mid-flight. On its way home from the heritage paint job (done at the Air National Guard Paint Facility in Sioux City), the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th ARW provided fuel for the flight back to Idaho.