Category Archives: International

Vehicle I-D: Indian BMP-2, Cold War and beyond!

India still uses the Cold War era Soviet BMP (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty-Боевая Машина Пехоты, literally Combat Vehicle Infantry), they have a license to build their own BMP-2s.  In July 2023, it was reported that the Indian Army wants to upgrade their BMP-2s with modern anti-tank missiles.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Joseph Tolliver, 09FEB2021.

BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle live-fire during U.S. co-sponsored wargame Yudh Abhyas, on Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, India, 21FEB2021. U.S. Army video by Staff Sergeant Joseph Tolliver (edited by me):

U.S. Marine Corps photo by First Lieutenant Tori Sharpe, 21NOV2019.

Ambulance version, 21NOV2019. USMC photo by First Lieutenant Tori Sharpe.

Ambulance version, 20NOV2019. USMC photo by First Lieutenant Tori Sharpe.

Partial audio U.S. Army video (by Staff Sergeant Robert Ham) of Indian BMP-2 during wargame Yudh Abyhas, 15MAR2012. It should be noted that the U.S.-India wargame was held 70km (43 miles) from the border with Pakistan:

Explaining the anti-tank missile to U.S. counterparts, 12OCT2009. USA photo by Sergeant First Class Rodney Jackson.

U.S. Army video, dated 22OCT2009, Indian BMP-2 during Yudh Abhyas:

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Crista Mary Mack, 22OCT2009.

USA photo by Sergeant First Class Rodney Jackson, 27OCT2009.

Vehicle I-D: INDIAN AIR POWER

INDIAN HERCULES APPEARS IN NORTH DAKOTA

INDONESIA’S BMP-3F

Vehicle I-D: Indonesia’s BMP-3F

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Marcus E. Melara, 19DEC2022.

United States (U.S.) ally Indonesia has been buying Russian made BMP-3Fs since 2010. A new order was placed in April 2019.

A U.S. Marine in front of a BMP-3F, 09SEP2023. USMC photo by Corporal Vincent Pham.

The BMP-3 is a Cold War era Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) first designed and produced by the Soviet Union in the 1980s, to replace the much older BMP-1 and 2.  BMP means Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty-Боевая Машина Пехоты, literally Combat Vehicle Infantry.

Banongan Beach, East Java, Indonesia. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Maria I. Garcia, 10SEP2023.

During this year’s U.S. taxpayer co-funded international wargame Super Garuda Shield 2023, Indonesia showed-off its BMP-3F.

Making smoke. USA photo by Specialist Josue Mayorga, 10SEP2023.

The BMP-3 has a 100mm cannon with a co-axially mounted 30mm machine-cannon, as well as anti-tank missiles and light machine guns.

In this U.S. Army video (recorded on 10SEP2023 by Specialist Josue Mayorga) you’ll see that Indonesia also operates the U.S./British made (BAE Systems subsidiary U.S. Combat Systems) AAVP-7:

USMC photo by Corporal Marcus E. Melara, 19DEC2022.

BMP-3F during wargame Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARaT)/Marine Exercise (MarEx), December 2022.

Cold War to Battle for Ukraine: NATO-ROMÂNIA MLI-84M1 JDER, NOT YOUR FATHER’S BMP!

NATO-SLOVAK BMP (BVP) & OT-90

New Cold War, 2022: RUSSIAN BTR-82A & BMP-3 WARM-UP THEIR GUNS!

Cold War to Battle for Ukraine: ROMÂNIA MLI-84M1 Jder, not your father’s BMP!

NATO-Romania’s MLI-84M1 Jder (Marten) is a radically modified Cold War era Soviet BMP (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty-Боевая Машина Пехоты, literally Combat Vehicle Infantry).  In 1982, when Romanian was still part of the Warsaw Pact, a license to build and modify the BMP-1 was accepted, the result was the MLI-84 which looked like the original BMP-1.

MLI-84M1. Photo via Romanian Ministry of Defense, 16DEC2022.

Essentially, the MLI-84 hull was lengthened and widened to allow the fitment of a larger more powerful Romanian diesel motor and a larger fuel tank. Some of the MLI-84s had a 12.7x108mm DShK heavy machinegun (Soviet .50 cal) mounted above the infantry compartment.  The original BMP-1 turret and 73mm Grom gun was retained.

MLI-84M1 in Grafenwoehr, Germany. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Bryan Rankin, 27JUN2014.

In 1995, after the fall of the Soviet Union, Romania contracted with an Israeli company to create the MLI-84M1.  The ‘Western-NATO’ style turret was added, armed with an Oerlikon 25mm main-gun, a 12.7x108mm DShK heavy machinegun and two ‘Spike’ Anti-Tank Guided Missiles in the ready position. The Romanian diesel motor was replaced by a U.S. made motor.

MLI-84M1. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant William A. Tanner, 23APR2015.

In 2004, Romania joins NATO.

USA photo by Sergeant William A. Tanner, 23APR2015.

U.S. Army video, by Sergeant Alan Brutus, wargame Wind Spring April 2015:

USA photo by Major Brett Sullenger, 09NOV2022.

This is NATO video from November 2022‘s Justice Sword wargames:

USA photo by Specialist Jabari Clyburn, 23MAR2021.

Notice the ‘pland-emic’ mask wearing. USA photo by Specialist Jabari Clyburn, 23MAR2021.

North Carolina Army National Guard photo by Specialist Hannah Tarkelly, 11OCT2018.

NATO Vehicle I-D:

ARMURĂ ROMÂNIA

From Cold War to Battle for Ukraine: ROMÂNIA GARDIENII CERULUI GEPARD

World War Three, 2016: MONTANA MILITIA ENJOYS BEING THE ‘BAD GUY’ IN ROMANIA!

OREGON CAPTAIN EXPLAINS WHY IDAHO BASED MILITIA INVADED ROMANIA!

Forever Wars: Japan #1, Global Takeover, NATO War with China?

NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization

After World War Two, ‘Western’ European and North Atlantic countries formed NATO, specifically to counter the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union ceased to exist in 1991-92, but NATO has since expanded its reach around the world.

NATO Pacific Partners, from left to right; Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea.

Japan’s Prime Minister, Kishida Fumio, attended a ‘bilateral meeting’ at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 12JUL2023.

‘Special’ bilateral meeting with Japan, 12JUL2023.

“No other Partner is closer to NATO than Japan.”-Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General

“…security is not regional, security is global.”-Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General

“We are, of course, also concerned with China’s heavy military build-up… and its expansion of nuclear forces…”-Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General

“Welcome to NATO”, video released 12JUL2023:

“Japan and NATO share the understanding that unilateral attempts to change the status quo…. will not be tolerated, regardless of where in the world.”-Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan

“…we will cooperate in new security areas, such as cyber…  destructive technologies, and strategic communications including countering information manipulation.”-Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan

Please notice that NATO uses British/King’s English grammar/spelling in its press releases, not U.S. English, which is proof to me that NATO is a tool of the British empire (Commonwealth of Nations)!

Destroy U.S. Dollar/Return to the Empire, March 2023: JAPAN TOPPLES CHINA, NATO ALLIES & BRITISH EMPIRE TOPPLE JAPAN!

World War Three, February 2023: JAPAN JOINS NATO? PROOF NATO IS A PARANOID-SCHIZOID!

World War Three, False Flag 2022: CHINA WARNS UKRAINE CRISIS IS A DIVERSION, TRUE GOAL OF A-U-K-U-S IS WAR WITH CHINA!

World War Three, 2017: NATO GETS BIGGER, WELCOME JAPAN!

World War Three, 2013: NATO STATEMENTS CONCERNING JAPAN, AND THE NEW GLOBAL NATO!

Forever Wars: Baptism-of-Fire for New ‘Berezhok’, in Ukraine!

On 10JUL2023, Russian news outlet RIA Novosti reported that the ‘new’ BMP-2M ‘Berezhok’ successfully attacked Ukrainian positions outside the city of Avdiivka (Avdeevka).

The BMP-2M is an upgrade of the Cold War era Soviet BMP-2. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty (Боевая Машина Пехоты), literally Combat Vehicle Infantry.

The crew of the BMP-2M used their 30mm gun and two 9M133 Kornet missiles to destroy a Ukrainian machinegun nest, and a Ukrainian truck carrying troops.  The BMP-2M also has a 30mm grenade launcher.

Video released by RIA Novosti claiming to show the Berezhok in combat near Avdiivka:

Berezhok is the name of a city in the south-west area that is part of the dispute between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists. 

Forever Wars: UKRAINE DEAL GETS NATO-CZECH REPUBLIC ‘NEW’ LEO 2A4

HOW TO ESCAPE A BLOWN-UP BRADLEY, UKRAINIAN STYLE!

Forever Wars: Ukraine deal gets NATO-Czech Republic ‘new’ Leo 2A4

On 21DEC2022, NATO’s Czech Republic (aka Czechia) received its first rebuilt Leopard (Leo) 2A4 battle tank from NATO-Germany.

Photo via Czech Ministry of Defense.

It was part of a deal in which Czech Republic agreed to buy new-build Combat Vehicle (CV)-90 ‘tanks’ from Sweden, and gave Ukraine older Soviet era military equipment: We got the tanks for supporting Ukraine. The support of Ukraine is absolutely correct and necessary, I am proud of it.”-Major General Karel Řehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Army Czech Republic (ACR)

Photo via Czech Ministry of Defense.

Officials from NATO Member Germany, and NATO Partner Austria, observed the ceremony. Czech Republic is getting 13 additional Leo 2A4 battle tanks (along with spare parts) by the end of 2023, and one Leopard recovery vehicle by the middle of 2024.

Video via Czech Ministry of Defense, 21DEC2022:

Photo via Czech Ministry of Defense.

Forever Wars: RUSSIAN ALLY SERBIA ALLOWS NATO WARGAME? OHIO SENDS TROOPS!

U.S. NATIONAL GUARD PREPS FOR GLOBAL WAR!

The newest NATO member Finland already uses the Leo 2A4, and the CV-90. 

World War Three, 2012: QATAR JOINS SAUDI ARABIA IN BUYING HUNDREDS OF GERMAN LEOPARD TANKS

Forever Wars: Russian ally Serbia allows NATO wargame? Ohio sends troops!

07 July 2023 (21:41-UTC-07 Tango 06) 16 Tir 1402/18 Dhu l-Hijja 1444/20 Ji-Wei 4721/07 июль 2023 года

While Serbia is not a member of NATO, it is a ‘partner’ in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program.  Alliances between Serbia and Russia can be traced all the way back to the 14th Century.

Photo by Sergeant First Class Zach Sheely, 07JUN2023.

U.S. National Guard Bureau General Daniel Hokanson shakes hands with Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vučić, 07JUN2023.

On 15JUN2023, Serbia hosted the U.S./NATO Platinum Wolf wargame, for the first time since 2021. Serbia halted the Platinum Wolf wargame due to NATO’s support for Ukraine, but, after a meeting with U.S. military officials in March 2023, Serbia agreed to continue Platinum Wolf.

On 16JUN2023, it was announced that a Serbian Sergeant First Class had been killed in a vehicle accident near the disputed boundary line with Kosovo and Metohija, in the village of Drenovac.  Metohija is the province claimed by Serbia, yet disputed by Kosovo and NATO. Apparently, rumors were being spread that the accident actually happened during the Platinum Wolf wargame.

Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia photo of Ohio Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk, 22JUN2023.

It should be realized that U.S./NATO wargames almost always have a scenario involving social collapse, where the public turns against the government! Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia video, Platinum Wolf VIP (very important person) display, 22JUN2023:

Serbia has hosted Platinum Wolf since 2014.  This year’s wargame ended on 27JUN2023.

Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia photo of U.S. Ambassador Christopher R. Hill, 22JUN2023.

U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Christopher R. Hill, attended the VIP ceremony.

NATO members who participated are Greece, Hungary, Italy, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, United Kingdom,  and the United States (including the Ohio Army National Guard, which has operated inside Serbia since 2006).  NATO ‘partners’ Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Serbia also participated.

Forever Wars:U.S. NATIONAL GUARD PREPS FOR GLOBAL WAR!

Vehicle I-D:SERBIA’S UP-ARMORED BRDM-2MS

SERBIA’S NEW T-72MS

Forever Wars: How to escape a blown-up Bradley, Ukrainian style!

A video was released on an anonymous Ukrainian ‘Telegram’ channel of a firefight involving recently delivered U.S. made M2A2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV). The video was recorded by an onboard camera, on what I believe is probably the platoon commanders Bradley.

The battle happened in Zaporizka Oblast (aka Zaporizhzhia), on 08JUN2023, the platoon of Bradleys made contact with enemy forces, which apparently were too powerful as the IFVs are attempting to fall back. The platoon commander is using the 25mm gun to provide covering fire as M2A2s retreat, unfortunately the retreating IFVs are driving in front of the Bradley providing covering fire!

Impressively, the gunner is able to control his trigger pulls missing the retreating vehicles, but one of the retreating Bradleys is either hit by enemy fire, or runs over a land mine.  You might think the crew are dead, but amazingly the crew emerges from the back with their M4 assault rifles. A smoke grenade is thrown, then the platoon commander fires-off his smoke grenade launcher, the homeless IFV crew uses the smoke as cover while they scramble onto the platoon commander’s Bradley.

The anonymous poster of the video added crappy music, so I edited out the audio:

Interestingly, while Russian news sources made fun of the Ukrainians’ apparently failed attempt to use M2A2 Bradleys in battle, some Russian news sources also praised the Bradleys for ‘crew survivability’ admitting that the crews operating Soviet/Cold War era BMPs (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty, Боевая Машина Пехоты, Combat Vehicle Infantry) would not have survived the same incident!

When I first joined the U.S. military during the last decade of the Cold War, crew survivability was one of the main drivers of ‘Western’/NATO combat vehicle design.

Forever Wars: SNAKE RIVER M1A2 SEP, BORESIGHT MOROCCO!

NATO GREATLY INCREASES TAXPAYER FUNDING, EXPANDS GLOBAL AMMO SUPPLY, FORMS ‘BIRDS COALITION’ WITH UKRAINE!

NATO-SLOVAK BMP (BVP) & OT-90, Cold War to Battle for Ukraine

It’s not just wargames, Idaho’s Bold Tigers invade Japan?

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:

It is not just the wargames, Idaho’s Strike Eagles have been called to duty in Japan as many of the F-15C/D Eagles (based on Kadena Air Base) are being sent back to the United States.  Idaho’s Strike Eagles join F-15Es from Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina, in maintaining an F-15 presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Over Kadena AB, Japan, 15MAY2023, photo by Staff Sergeant Jessi Roth.

The F-15C/Ds on Kadena are being retired to Air National Guard units in the U.S. Their first stop is Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base in Oregon.  The Oregon Air National Guard is itself retiring their F-15Cs (F-15 50TH ANNIVERSARY: LAST HURRAH FOR OREGON’S 173RD FW?).

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.

March 2023: NEW F-15EX/QA EAGLE FORCES QATAR TO INVADE IDAHO?

2022: F-15 EAGLE NOW 50 YEARS OLD

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

2020: IDAHO’S TIGERS & THUNDERBOLTS BLAST THE SKIES OVER FLORIDA!

January 2019: LOCATION OF MISSING IDAHO F-15E STRIKE EAGLES REVEALED?

2018: MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, F-15E WALK-AROUND

SINGAPORE’S INVASION OF IDAHO’S MOUNTAIN HOME AFB!

African Lion 2023: C-130H Hercules

The Lockheed C-130H Hercules is a Cold War era cargo plane still in use today.  The first C-130s began arriving for military service in 1956, the ‘H’ version of the Hercules began service in the mid-1970s.

1971: Prepping for our first ‘Space Available’ C-130E trip, Rhein Main AFB, West Germany. You might be able to make out my younger sister’s (Tina) head in lower right corner. Photo by William L. Hutchins.

In the early 1970s I got my first ride on a U.S. Air Force C-130E, flying from West Germany to Iran with my parents (part of the Space Available service offered by the USAF).

1977: My little brother, Ernie, enjoying his tour of a C-130 during the Edwards AFB ‘Open House’. Photo by William L. Hutchins.

In the mid-1980s I was an Iso-Dock Crew Chief for C-130Hs on Dyess Air Force Base, in Texas.  Even after my time in the USAF, as a California, and later a Idaho, Army National Guardsman I continued to catch rides on the C-130H.

Last ride on a C-130H, this time as a M1A2 TC with the Idaho Army National Guard, on the way back from a ‘friendly’ with Canadian armor in Alberta, 2002.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Steven Adkins, 10JUN2023.

In the above photo you see two types of C-130H; one is the older type used by the Kingdom of Morocco, the other is an upgraded type used by the United States. The older C-130H has four propeller blades per engine, the upgraded type has eight.

94th AW’s upgraded C-130H sits on the flightline of Kenitra AFB, Morocco. USAF photo by Senior Airman Jan K. Valle, 14JUN2023.

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, from 13MAY-18JUN2023.

The 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, help show you how to setup a C-130 for medical evacuation. U.S. Air Force (USAF) video by Technical Sergeant Steven Adkins, 07JUN2023:

Emergency medical treatment onboard a C-130H. USAF video by Technical Sergeant Steven Adkins, 08JUN2023:

Moroccan C-130H cargo planes take part in para-drop during African Lion 2023, USAF video recorded by Technical Sergeant Steven Adkins, 10JUN2023:

USA video by Sergeant Christian Dela Cruz, 10JUN2023:

U.S. Air Force Reserve’s Cold War era C-130H based on Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, flew all the way to Morocco to play in the dirt! USA video by Sergeant Christian Dela Cruz, 15JUN2023:

94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, USAF report by Senior Airman Jan Valle:

For all you happy taxpayers, African Lion wargames have been conducted since 2008.

African Lion 2023: ARTILLERY

SNAKE RIVER M1A2 SEP, BORESIGHT MOROCCO!

NATO Vehicle I-D, 2018:

U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Junior, 11JAN2018.

THAT’S NOT A C-130J, IT’S STILL THE OLD C-130H!

Kawaii, 2013: NORTH CAROLINA’S BABY C-130 GOBBLES-UP YOUR CHILDREN

My family’s connection to the old M4 Sherman tank:

My grandfather, O.G. Hutchins, on his newly arrived USMC Sherman, sometime before shipping out against the Japanese.

M4 SHERMAN, WW2 TO IRAN-IRAQ WAR