On 23JAN2023, about 4-hundred New York Army National Guard ‘Air-Cav’ Militia personnel deployed for Kuwait, however, their first stops will be Pennsylvania and Texas for additional training. Many of the Soldiers will be providing CH-47F Chinook helicopter support for the Mississippi Army National Guard, in South West Asia (The Middle East). According to the New York National Guard, there are already at least 1-thousand-8-hundred New York Army National Guard Soldiers deployed across the world, including assisting with training Ukrainian troops in NATO-Germany!
Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Captain Travis Mueller, 20JAN2023.
Illinois Army National Guard Specialist Xzavier Marte, 17JAN2023.
On 17JAN2023, the Illinois Army National Guard’s 933rd Military Police Battalion conducted a deployment ceremony, they are deploying to support U.S. Southern Command (SouthComm) operations.
Illinois Army National Guard Specialist Xzavier Marte, 17JAN2023.
On 11JAN2023, it was revealed that Michigan Army National Guard has Soldiers inside Syria! The National Guard Bureau’s photo-montage-video claims to show the militiamen conducting weapons qualifications inside Syria:
Utah National Guard photo by Ileen Kennedy, 09JAN2023.
The Michigan National Guard Family Programs Office provides support for families of the Michigan National Guard, they may be reached at 1-888-MICH-FAM. Multiple deployments to The Middle East were made in 2022.
Florida National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Christopher Vann, 06JAN2023.
23 January 2023 (08:36-UTC-07 Tango 06) 03 Bahman 1401/01 Rajab 1444/02 Gui-Chou 4721/23 январь 2023 года
“We cheer the success achieved by Somali security forces in their historic fight to liberate Somali communities suffering under al-Shabaab. This is a Somali-led and Somali-fought campaign. The United States reaffirms our commitment to support your effort.”-Larry André, U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, 08JAN2023
U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Larry André, shakes hands with SNA officer, while standing in front of the Russian machine guns donated on 08JAN2023. Photo via U.S. Embassy in Somalia.
The Biden Administration overseeing yet another multi-million U.S. dollar taxpayer funded giveaway of weapons, but not to Ukraine, to a small country on the Horn of the African continent: Somalia.
Somali Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama stands in front of light (7.62mm) & heavy (DShK 12.7mm) Russian machine guns during donation ceremony. Photo via U.S. Embassy in Somalia, 08JAN2023.
An official ceremony was held on 08JAN2023, announcing the giveaway, yet according to a press release by U.S. Africa Command (USAfriComm), most of the $9-million worth of weapons (mainly Russian designed and built light and DShK heavy machine guns), construction vehicles, explosive ordinance disposal kits, medical supplies, and maintenance equipment, were already being delivered to Somali National Army (SNA) units in the war ravaged states of Hishabelle and Galmudug.
USAfriComm also admitted that the $9-million ‘aid’ package was paid for through the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and was done in coordination with the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
20 January 2023 (02:57-UTC-07 Tango 06) 30 Dey 1401/27 Jumada t-Tania 1444/29 Xin-Chou 4720/20 январь 2023 года
“The presence of a British Brigadier in our divisional command group is one of the key elements that makes the 1st Armored Division a terrific place to serve. Our nation’s leaders have long recognized a special relationship built on trust, mutual respect, shared values between the United Kingdom and the United States of America.”-Major General Patrick Matlock, Commander of Fort Bliss, Texas, July 2020
How many patriots, yankees, U.S. taxpayers, knew that for just under two years the U.S. First Armored Division had a deputy commander from NATO-United Kingdom?
Major General Patrick Matlock awards the Legion of Merit to Royal Army Brigadier Leigh Tingey, during a farewell ceremony on Fort Bliss, Texas, 23JUL2020. U.S. Army? photo by Jean S. Han.
Red Coat, I mean, Royal Army Brigadier General Leigh Tingey was deputy commander of the 1st Armored Division, on Fort Bliss, Texas, from August 2018 to July 2020. But wait, there is more, Tingley was the second such Red Coat to serve as deputy commander of U.S. forces within the United States! According to a 1st Armored Division 28JUL2020 press release, by Jean S. Han, as of July 2020 at least 2-thousand-5-hundred Red Coats, and their families, are serving on U.S. military bases in 28 states!
U.S. Army? photo by Private First Class Matthew Marcellus, 01JUL2020.
Han ended the press release by stating that Brigadier Tingey will use his experience on Fort Bliss to benefit the Royal Army.
Ukrainian Il-76 in United Nations ‘peacekeeping’ service on Moi International Airport, Mombasa, Kenya, November 1992.
From U.S. Army FM 44-80, Visual Aircraft Recognition, July 1993 edition.
A Russian Il-76 delivers humanitarian aid at Goma Airport (then part of Zaire), for the Rwandan refugees, 03AUG1994. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Val Gempis.
Another contracted Il-76 delivers humanitarian aid from Canada on Goma Airport (then part of Zaire), for the Rwandan refugees, 03AUG1994. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Marvin Krause.
Russian Il-76 off-loads NATO-Canadian military equipment on Kigali Airport, Rwanda, 05AUG1994. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Marvin Krause.
Russian Il-76 serving in the United Nations ‘peacekeeping’ operations, Sarajevo Airport, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 09JUN1995. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Michael J. Haggerty.
Russian vehicles roll off an Il-76 onto Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 12JAN1996. USAF photo by Senior Airman Ken Bergmann.
Notice the military versions of the Il-76 have tail guns, while the silly-vilian (civilian) versions do not.
A Russian Il-76TD delivers humanitarian aid on Roberts International Airport, Liberia, under the guard of U.S. Marines. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Nathan E. Eason, 14AUG2003.
A contracted Il-76 delivers supplies to U.S. forces on Mosul, Iraq, 19SEP2003.
A derilict Iraqi Airways Il-76 sits on the tarmac of Baghdad International Airport. After Desert Storm, the U.S./NATO imposed a ‘no-fly’ zone over Iraq, including Iraqi civilian airline traffic, effectively killing Iraqi Airways. That changed in 2006. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Scott Sturkol, 21OCT2003.
The Il-78 (NATO reporting name Midas) is the aerial fueler version of the Il-76.
Indian Air Force Ilyushin IL-78MKI Midas aerial refueler on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, 29JUL2004. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Matthew Hannen.
Navigator station on the Indian Air Force IL-78 Midas. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Matthew Hannen, 30JUL2004.
Inside the cargo area of the Indian IL-78 Midas. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Matthew Hannen, 30JUL2004.
An Il-76 delivers a Mi-2 crop-duster on Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by First Sergeant Robert Heberling, 03MAY2006.
Contracted Il-76 unloads supplies for U.S. forces in Iraq, 20MAR2008. USAF photo by Sabrina Johnson.
A contracted Il-76TD sits next to USAF C-17s on Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, 19NOV2009. USAF photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke.
The U.S. Air Force contracted to use the Russian Ilyushin Il-76 ‘Candid’ to support increased U.S. troop deployments to Afghanistan. Video report by Staff Sergeant Nathan Delgado, 31DEC2009:
South Carolina National Guard personnel arrive on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, 10JUN2012. Behind them, amid the gaggle of V22 Ospreys, is a Russian Il-76. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Caycee Watson.
Ukraine Crisis: February 2014 (NATO backed coup) to present.
In 2015, Russia began using the new Il-76MD-90A.
In May, 2015, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) used an Il-76 to deliver humanitarian aid to Nepal, following a devastating earthquake. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Melissa B. White, 08MAY2015.
NATO video, NATO-Belgian troops take a ride on a Ukrainian military Il-76MD, 23OCT2015:
Russia uses Il-76MD hospital aircraft called ‘Scalpels’, to return Russian journalists and military personnel who’ve been wounded in the NATO instigated Syrian ‘civil war’.
Candid reports for duty with the USAF in Kuwait, 11MAR2019. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Robert Cloys.
USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Robert Cloys, 11MAR2019.
USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Robert Cloys, 11MAR2019.
An Il-76 working for the USAF on Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, 09JUL2019. South Carolina Air National Guard photo by Captain Stephen Hudson.
USAF time-lapse video by Technical Sergeant Michael Mason, loading a contracted Il-76 in Kuwait, 09JUL2019:
In August 2019, a Ukrainian Il-76TD was blown up by rebel forces in Libya. The NATO instigated ‘civil war’ is still raging, and believe it or not both Ukraine and Russia support the NATO approved ‘government’ forces!
Russian Defense Ministry video of Il-76MD rough-field landing/taking-off at Forward Area Refueling Point (FARP), near Orenburg, August2019:
In March 2020, Russia sent nine Il-76s to NATO-Italy, carrying medical personnel to help NATO-Italy fight the so-called covid pandemic.
Il-76MD water bomber.
In Summer 2021, Iran sent a waterbombing Il-76TD to NATO-Turkey to help fight wildfires.
In 2021, Russia announced it will overhaul six of India’s Il-78MKI Midas tankers.
Russian Defense Ministry video of Il-76 airborne troop operation, during wargame in Belarus, September 2021:
Palettes of CoViD-19 vaccines were delivered to Yemen, using an Il-76. This included vaccines paid for by U.S. taxpayers through USAID. A previous delivery was made in August 2021. They were delivered by the UN-WHO/Gates Foundation/World Bank’s Gavi Alliance. Photo by Drew Sullivan, 20DEC2021.
Pakistani Il-78s being upgraded to MP standard in Ukraine, photo posted February 2022.
Photo via UARussia (United Aircraft Russia), November 2022.
Russian news report about newest Il-76, the Il-76MD-90A, the video shows the roll-out of the 18th ‘MD-90A’ on 29NOV2022:
The fifth production Il-76MD-90A, of 2022, made its first flight on 04DEC2022. Since 2014, at least 18 of the new Candids have been built.
On 10DEC2022, Russian Aerospace Forces took official possession of two new Il-76 aircraft, one an upgraded Il-76MDM, the other a new build Il-76MD-90A. The ‘MD-90A’ has a new designed wing, strengthened landing gear, more efficient turbines, a ‘glass cockpit’, and an electronic defense system against anti-aircraft missiles.
During the month of June, 2022, the Idaho Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion-148th Field Artillery Regiment-116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (aka Snake River Brigade) pounded the countryside of Morocco, on the African continent. Apparently it is part of having good international relations, and somehow reduces deployments: “One goal of the National Defense Strategy is to have good international relations and partnerships. Building multinational relationships, increasing their tactical proficiency and understanding how to work together reduces deployment requirements for our military and our international partners, and helps provide global security.”-Major Ryan Batt, 1st Battalion-148th Field Artillery Regiment-116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team
A now all too familar sight in Idaho, boarding a contracted plane for deployment, this time to Morocco, 18JUN2022. Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur.
Somebody needed some attention from an Idaho -Snake River- Medic, this was not a drill (real blood folks). Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 25JUN2022.
“Global security and the National Defense Strategy is important not only to us in Idaho but as a whole nation and should be important globally. This relationship has always been there, and we want to keep it strong moving forward.”-Major Ryan Batt, 1st Battalion-148th Field Artillery Regiment-116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team
Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 21JUN2022.
Back to the pounding of Morocco. This was part of what has become the largest yearly U.S./NATO wargame on the African continent, called African Lion. About 80 Idaho Army & Air Guard personnel joined others from Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin Army National Guards, as well as a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve unit from California, and a Regular Army (RA, aka full-time active duty) unit from Texas, along with military personnel from Brazil, NATO-Canada, Ghana, Morocco, NATO-Netherlands, Senegal, Tunisia and NATO-United Kingdom. Whew, more than 8-thousand military personnel!
‘Rock Drill’ before the action. Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 24JUN2022. Named Rock Drill because most of the time you use rocks to represent different things on the battlefield.
Originally, Exercise African Lion started as a computer simulation in 1998, between a U.S. Army airborne unit in NATO-Italy and an airborne unit in Morocco. It was held every two years. By 2005, it involved actual military personnel on the ground in Morocco. In 2007 it became a yearly wargame, involving more and more U.S. personnel and other NATO countries (again proving that this type of National Defense Strategy does not reduce deployments, or anything else). Interestingly, in March 2020, General Stephen Townsend, the commander of U.S. Africa Command (USAfriComm), stated “African Lion has been significantly reduced in scale and scope based on concerns that we all have about the safety of our troops and those of our partners.” Really?
‘Punching the Tube’. Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 22JUN2022.
The Idaho National Guard also took part in African Lion in March 2019.
Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 22JUN2022.
FiSTs & COLTs, I was a 13F decades ago in Pocatello. They get to call in and direct the artillery fire. Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 24JUN2022.
COLT=Combat Observation Lasing Team
FiST=Fire Support Team
“Fire!” Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 22JUN2022.
“Shot Out!” Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 24JUN2022.
“Splash!” Idaho National Guard photo by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 24JUN2022.
Video sequences recorded by Idaho Air National Guard’s Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 26JUN2022, edited together by me:
During the Cold War, Yugoslavia developed their own version of the Soviet T-72, using NATO targeting systems, called the M-84. Now, Serbia is using the new MS (MC in Serbian Cyrillic) version of the T-72.
Mounting the 12.7mm heavy machine gun. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 26SEP2022.
Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 26SEP2022.
Tank Commander station. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 26SEP2022.
Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 26SEP2022.
Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 26SEP2022.
The battalion that operates the T-72MS is known as the ‘March 2022 Generation’ T-72M Battalion.
Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 20JUL2022.
Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 20JUL2022.
Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 20JUL2022.
‘Punching’ the gun tube. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 20JUL2022.
Checking the fuel level in the fender mounted fuel tank. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 30DEC2021.
The abilities of the T-72MS were presented to the Serbian taxpayers during wargame Lighting Strike 2021, in June 2021.
During wargame Lighting Strike 2021. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 27JUN2021.
Serbian Defense Ministry video, T-72MS action during Lightning Strike 2021:
During wargame Lighting Strike 2021. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 27JUN2021.
Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 21JUN2021.
The Serbian Defense Ministry claims the T-72MS is a joint development between Russia and Serbia. However, all 30 T-72MS tanks were made in Russia. They are described as having ‘special protections’, and is basically an upgraded T-72B1. The deal was announced in 2019, with the first Serbian ‘White Eagles’ arriving towards the end of Gregorian 2020.
Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 23MAY2021.
In May 2021, the donated T-72MS were paraded in front of Defense Ministry officials:
Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 23MAY2021.
28 December 2022 (09:46-UTC-07 Tango 06) 07 Dey 1401/04 Jumada t-Tania 1444/06 Ren-Zi (12th month) 4720/28 Декабрь 2022 года
“The Greek population directly benefits as each company eligible to compete on U.S. Army contract actions will provide the population of Greece a steady and reliable source of income as our posture grows or is sustained in support of Atlantic Resolve.”-Major Luis Palma, Balkans Regional Contracting Office Chief, 409th Contracting Support Brigade, U.S. Army
Photo via Vata Burim, 28NOV2022.
On 28NOV2022, as many as 1-hundred Greek vendors attended the Thessaloniki Vendor Outreach Fair, put-on by the United States Army, and the U.S. Consulate General, and the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was a workshop to teach local Greek businesses how to get their share of the U.S. taxpayer funded military-civilian contracting system.
Hellenic Army photo by Colonel Vasilis Yaglis, 25NOV2022.
Since that 2014 coup, U.S. led NATO launched Operation Atlantic Resolve, ostensibly to counter ‘Russian aggression’. NATO-Greece became a major port of disembarkation for the U.S.-NATO forces assigned to Atlantic Resolve: “We’ve been doing this at Alexandroupoli for years now. This meeting was helpful… because they received all the guidance they need to get registered and examine the platforms the U.S. government uses. This is always good, to get local business involved with the military operation. We have the approval of the community because they gain something. It’s a win-win situation.”-Colonel Vasilios Yaglis, Hellenic (Greek) Army
Hellenic Army photo by Colonel Vasilis Yaglis, 25NOV2022.
But wait, there is more! The U.S. Army revealed that troop and material shipments through Greece will only increase, and that more permanent operations are planned, meaning even more taxpayer funded business for Greek vendors: “The continued increase of U.S. and NATO presence at Alexandroupoli, has leveraged positive impacts to the community, bolstering the economy to include jobs. U.S. military operations have supported the continued growth of the city to become a critical strategic node for transport and military logistics.”-Andre Cameron, director of Transportation Corps Detachment, Eastern Mediterranean-Greece, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
“With Soldiers rotating there every other month, let’s put up more permanent structures and improve the quality of life. As opposed to putting a tent up for 40 days, we’re looking at pre-fabricated modular type structures.”-Colonel Matthew DiNenna, commander of Area Support Group Balkans
The U.S. Army’s 21st Theater Sustainment Command also revealed that in just the month of November 2022, more than 2-thousand-4-hundred major pieces of military gear went through the NATO-Greek ports of Alexandroupoli and Thessaloniki, and the NATO-Poland port of Gdynia.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia joined NATO’s North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1992, joining NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1994. But, it was not until 2015 that Armenia was officially certified to take part in NATO ‘peacekeeping’ operations.
Incomplete list of armored ground vehicles.
BMP-1:
Armenia Defense Ministry photo, 03APR2020.
BMP-2:
Armenia Defense Ministry photo, 24SEP2020.
Armenia Defense Ministry photo, 24SEP2020.
M939, 5-tons truck with armored cab:
Mostly silent U.S. Army video from May 2006, Armenian military Engineers operating out of Camp Delta, Iraq, using armored cab M939s:
21 December 2022 (13:58-UTC-07 Tango 06) 30 Azar 1401/27 Jumada l-Ula 1444/28 Ren-Zi 4720/21 Декабрь 2022 года
Is this the real reason they didn’t want to cancel the Olympics? Yet more proof The Olympics is nothing more than a scam-job to steal from taxpayers: Government cost of Tokyo Olympics proven to be several billions of U.S. dollars more than officially reported!
The accounting ‘error’ was discovered by Japan’s Board of Audit, which concluded that the government of Japan spent US$3.5-billion on the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, about two-and-a-half times more than what the Tokyo Games Committee reported in June.
And that was for the national government’s costs, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government itself spent US$4.5 billion! Japan’s Board of Audit says total overall cost to conduct the Tokyo (Pandemic) Olympics is currently at US$12.9 billion!
The Japan Sports Agency claims it is working with the national government to come up with a better way of reporting event expenses!