Category Archives: Technology

NATO-Poland’s 1st F-35s arrive in Arkansas!

Video January 6, 2025 Hutchins AAron

“The arrival of Poland’s first F-35s is a significant milestone for our state, the nation, and our allies who will train on this fifth-generation fighter at Ebbing Air National Guard Base. I’m extremely proud of the whole team in the 188th Wing, and the staffs at Razorback Range and Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center for the planning and work that has resulted in the sound of freedom returning to the River Valley today. They’ve partnered with the active-duty Air Force to go from concept to jets being parked on the ramp in a compressed timeframe. We are thankful for the dedicated teamwork of those in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, our entire Congressional delegation, and state elected officials who have moved mountains to make this mission possible in Arkansas.”–Brigadier General Chad Bridges, Arkansas National Guard

Polish F-35A flybys, edited from videos via Airman First Class Miles Chrisman, of the Air National Guard’s 188th FW:

On 23DEC2024, a couple of ‘firsts’ took place; the first of several Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning-2 (named after the P-38 Lightning) for NATO-Poland were delivered, and secondly, the training for Polish pilots will take place on an Air National Guard base.

In July 2024, the United States Air Force (USAF) 85th Fighter Group (FG) was re-activated by the 33rd Fighter Wing (FW) specifically to train Polish pilots to fly the F-35A. The 85th FG will conduct the training on Ebbing Air National Guard Base (ANGB), in Arkansas. When the 85th FG was deactivated, in 2006, its last assignment was in Iceland. The 85th FG is now part of the 33rd Fighter Wing (FW), which is part of the USAF’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC).

In May 2024, officials with the U.S. Foreign Military Sales, USAF and NATO-Poland, met on Ebbing ANGB, on Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Polish F-35A gets hosed, edited from videos via Airman First Class Miles Chrisman, Air National Guard 188th FW:

Ebbing ANGB is also home to Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Wing.

The decision to use Ebbing ANGB to train foreign pilots was made in 2023, after almost three years of comparing eligible air bases, both USAF and National Guard. Future F-35 training will include pilots from NATO-Finland, NATO-Germany, Singapore (one of several East Asian countries being wooed by NATO) and Switzerland (a NATO ‘partner’ but not a full member).

In November 2024, the USAF admitted it was all about supporting taxpayer subsidized Foreign Military Sales.

NATO-Belgium: First F-35A arrives in Arizona!

International, Technology

Cold War era BMP-2 continues to stay alive via never ending ‘Berezhok’!

Video December 30, 2024 Hutchins AAron

BMP=Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty-Боевая Машина Пехоты, literally Combat Vehicle Infantry

‘Standard’ BMP-2s destroyed in combat.

The BMP-2 was first born during the ‘Cold War’, developed from the BMP-1 during the late 1970s, going into service in 1980. It, along with the even older BMP-1, stays in service with never ending upgrades.

Russian forces trying out their new BMP-2M, somewhere in Belarus, December 2022.

The modern all-inclusive upgrades (armor, armament, power-pack, etc) for the BMP-2 are referred to, in Russian, as berezhok (бережок), and were first revealed at the end of 2019.

By August 2021, the first BMP-2Ms entered service, with the Western Military District, Leningrad Region.

‘M’ series upgrades for weapons & targeting systems, on public display.

In addition to the BMP-2M’s 30-milimeter(mm) 2A42 gun, a long barreled 30mm AGS-17 (Avtomaticheskiy Granatomot Stankovyy, automatic grenade launcher), 7.62mm machine guns and four launchers for the 9M133 anti-tank ‘Kornet’ missiles, the targeting system is using second generation thermal sights for the gunner, and the TC (tank commander) now has a panoramic sight.

BMP-2M without the armor upgrade, supposedly in the Northern Military District, sometime in 2023.

Also, the power-pack (motor/transmission) now uses a more powerful turbocharged diesel motor, and don’t forget the extra armor protection.

Armor upgrade being made in the field.

This ‘standard’ BMP-2 is being upgraded in the field with the newest armor protection.

At least it is getting the ‘M’ series armor?

In this video report, published on 20DEC2024, reporter Alexander Stroganov goes for a ride in the latest berezhok/upgrade:

Surprise! This BMP-2M berezhok turret is mounted on a BMP-3 hull.

How about on a BTR-90?

Forever Wars, 2023: Baptism-of-Fire for New ‘Berezhok’ BMP, in Ukraine!

Forever Wars, 2022: One month’s worth of abandoned or destroyed armor!

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

Technology, U.S.

F-89 Scorpion: 1950s Cold War interceptor still in use?

Video December 27, 2024 Hutchins AAron

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was developed after a 1945 U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) request for an all-weather, radar guided, twin jet powered bomber interceptor. The only competitor was the XP-87 (aka XF-87) Blackhawk, which was nixed for being too slow. The F-89 was first known as the N-24, as development progressed it was changed to XP-89, then to XF-89 when the Air Force become independent of the Army (after 1947).

Photo dated 26FEB1952, F-89 radar undergoing testing in freezing temperatures.

The F-89 entered service in 1950, but despite having advanced radar and turbines the production Scorpion was rapidly upgraded, from ‘A’ version to ‘J’ version by 1954. Some of the final upgrades included radar guided Falcon anti-aircraft missiles and Genie nuclear armed rockets (first tested during Operation Plumbbob in 1957).

Date/location not known, poor quality silent film of F-89s in flight and launching rockets from the wingtip pods:

Poor quality silent film of 1958 William Tell fighter/interceptor competition over Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. I edited the film to show only the F-89J, some are being loaded with the AIR-2 Genie (MB-1 Ding-Dong) nuclear rocket:

Quick silent film of F-89J launching Falcon missile over Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 1958(?):

Scorpion was quickly retired from full-time active duty by 1961 (still serving in National Guard and Reserve units, at least until 1965).

Oregon Air National Guard F-89J Scorpion, November 1962.

Michigan Air National Guard F-89C ‘Gate Guard’.

Montana Air National Guard’s Scorpion ‘Gate Guard’.

Vermont Air National Guard promotional poster from January 2021.

In 2024, it was revealed that the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing was going to train its tactical aircraft maintenance personnel by having them rebuild a ‘mystery’ F-89 found on Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California. Video interview by Airman First Class Kyle St. Pierre, recorded on 05DEC2024, released for public use on 19DEC2024:

Gate Guards: How to sling load your 1:1 scale F-80 Gate Guard with a CH-47.

International, Technology, U.S.

NATO-Belgium’s 1st F-35A arrives in Arizona!

Video December 26, 2024 Hutchins AAron

“It’s a historic day for the Belgian air force. Our first jet just landed at Luke Air Force Base, marking the start of our training period. A lot of work has gone into making this moment possible and we are excited to begin flying and complete our training.”-Lieutenant Colonel Pierre-Yves Libert, 312th Fighter Squadron, 03DEC2024

The first Belgian Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning-2 arrived on Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, 03DEC2024.

Video interview by Senior Airman Mason Hargrove recorded on 03DEC2024, released for public use on 19DEC2024:

Video van Senior Airman Mason Hargrove opgenomen op 3DEC2024, uitgezonden op 19DEC2024:

Vidéo du Senior Airman Mason Hargrove enregistrée le 03DEC2024, diffusée le 19DEC2024:

More F-35As for Belgium are expected on Luke AFB as it will be where the Belgian Air Force/Air Component will build its new ‘5th generation’ F-35 Lightning-2 squadron, eventually replacing their Cold War era F-16s.

NATO, December 2024: New U.S. MLRS arrives in NATO-Europe

F-35-I ADIR: “TOGETHER, WE WILL DOMINATE THE SKIES!” IS THE U.S. COMPLICIT IN GAZA GENOCIDE?

Technology, U.S.

Alpha-2: New U.S. MLRS arrives in NATO-Europe

Video December 20, 2024 Hutchins AAron

The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) was a creation of the Cold War, going into service in 1983. It wasn’t until 2005 that the first big upgrade took place, creating the Alpha-1 MLRS (M270A1). In 2019, the Alpha-2 (M270A2) upgrade began.

U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Grafenwöhr, NATO-Germany.

Alpha-2 supposedly has more accurate targeting for its rockets, a new diesel motor, upgraded transmission, increased armor protection, and can be adapted to any future next-generation rocket munitions.

U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Grafenwöhr, NATO-Germany.

Between October 2024 and mid-December 2024, the U.S. Army’s 41st Field Artillery Brigade became the first artillery unit to get the new M270A2. The Alpha-2 MLRS took part in live-fire events during NATO’s Dynamic Front wargame, in November 2024.

Ravajärven Training Area, Rovaniemellä, Finland.

Preventive Maintenance Checks Services (PMCS) and loading rocket packs on new M270A2 MLRS, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Grafenwöhr, NATO-Germany, 16DEC2024 (I edited together videos from Specialist Hunter Carpenter and Private First Class Sar Paw).

Bravo Battery-1st Battalion-77th Field Artillery Regiment-41st Field Artillery Brigade conduct PMCS:

Rocket loading:

1st Battalion-6th Field Artillery Regiment’s M270A2 MLRS during NATO’s Dynamic Front wargame, Ravajärven Training Area, Rovaniemellä, Finland, 17NOV2024 (I edited videos from Specialist Elijah Magaña and Senior Airman Joshua Fontenot), intermittent audio:

MLRS Alpha-1, 2018: British Red Coats invade U.S. Army base in Germany!

Syrian Collapse:

North Dakota B-52s and Idaho F-15Es over Syria, Truman strike group arrives!

Idaho, International, Technology, U.S.

Syrian Collapse: North Dakota B-52s and Idaho F-15Es over Syria, Truman strike group arrives!

Video December 19, 2024 Hutchins AAron

On the 16th of December 2024, Pentagon officials announced that airstrikes had been launched against religious extremists in Syria.

F/A-18F Super Hornet, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, launches from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

Pentagon officials also announced that the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) arrived on a non-disclosed station in the U.S. Central Command (CentCom) ‘area of responsibility’, on 14DEC2024.

Idaho’s 389th Fighter Squadron ‘Thunderbolts’ F-15E somewhere over the Middle East.

Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB) 389th Fighter Squadron ‘Thunderbolts’ F-15E Strike Eagles are currently patrolling the Central Command area of responsibility (Middle East).

Idaho’s 389th Fighter Squadron ‘Thunderbolts’ F-15E somewhere over the Middle East.

B-52H somewhere over the Middle East.

Video by Technical Sergeant Philip Bryant, recorded 08DEC2024 (Middle East time, 07DEC2024 U.S. time), showing launch of North Dakota’s Minot AFB 23rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortresses (MT tail code, red stripe on tail) from a non-disclosed location in the “CentCom area of responsibility”:

Syrian Collapse: U.S. Bradley IFVs on hi-alert after prisoner release!

Idaho F-15E Strike Eagles, 2023: Bold Tigers invade Japan?

International, Technology, U.S.

Syrian Collapse: U.S. Bradley IFVs on hi-alert after prisoner release!

Video December 19, 2024 Hutchins AAron

“[The prison camp situation] presents a significant security concern in the sense that, were ISIS able to affect some type of breakout of any detention facility, that would be a significant setback and something that would be very concerning. [That’s] why we continue to work very closely with the SDF [Kurds] to ensure that those detainees can continue to be held, [and we’re also] working with the international community to attempt to repatriate many of those detainees; that is something that we’ll continue to communicate very closely with the SDF to ensure…”–Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder, 16DEC2024

These videos are via Master Sergeant Raymond Boyington, recorded on the days of the 12th and 14th of December 2024, at a non-disclosed U.S. base in Northern Syria, showing the activities of Task Force Wolverine:

World War 3, February 2023: Idaho invades Syria!

International, Technology

NATO: Sweden’s Archer pounds Finland!

Video December 15, 2024 Hutchins AAron

In March 2024, Sweden became a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

I edited down a U.S. Army video (recorded on 18NOV2024, via Sergeant First Class Kyle Larsen) of Swedish made autoloading Archer SPG (Self Propelled Gun) during NATO’s Dynamic Front wargame in Finland (wargames also in Estonia, Germany, Poland, and Romania).

First shots:

Reload:

Evening shots:

Slow-mo:

NATO Vehicle I-D: The Archer from Sweden pounds Indiana!

Technology, U.S.

Tennessee Air Guard boasts about a year of Reaper drone ops!

Video December 13, 2024 Hutchins AAron

Tennessee Air National Guard’s 118th Wing shows-off some of its military accomplishments, during 2024.

MQ-9 Reaper combat UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle):

Cyber Security:

Targeting Group:

Medical Group:

Mission Support Group:

There was more video, but it was getting pretentious.

Tools of the British empire?: National Guard, older than the United States itself!

Idaho, International, Technology

Yankee Lady, the last take-off? Does anybody know what is going on?

Video October 22, 2024 Hutchins AAron

In June 2024, the Yankee Air Museum (now called Michigan Flight Museum) sold the Boeing Flying Fortress B-17G “Yankee Lady” to a secret buyer; they refused to say who it was, or where its new home would be.

The evening of 20OCT2024, Pocatello Airport.

According to Air Classics’ Facebook page, Yankee Lady is heading to Chino, California, to be taken apart and shipped-off to Avspecs in New Zealand.

20OCT2024, Pocatello Airport.

During the afternoon of 20OCT2024, Yankee Lady flew over my head while I was mowing the lawn in my backyard, in Chubbuck, Idaho. It was heading towards the Pocatello Airport (which is actually not in the City of Pocatello), and now so was I.

My video from the evening of 20OCT2024:

I can only assume that the new owner(s) of Yankee Lady were on their way to California.

21OCT2024, Pocatello Airport, Idaho.

Even though there was no local news media announcement about the bomber’s visit the Yankee Lady did have an audience, consisting of the KPIH airport’s Aviation Center‘s employees, the U.S. Forest Service-BLM fire crews, and looky-loos from the Idaho State University’s Aviation Maintenance Technology school.

21OCT2024, Pocatello Airport, Idaho.

Typical windy day in Southeast Idaho:

21OCT2024, Pocatello Airport, Idaho.

According to Air Classics, once Yankee Lady gets a thorough rebuild by Avspecs Limited it is supposed to end up back in the U.S. of A. It should be noted that Avspecs also has operations in California, so is Yankee Lady actually going to Kiwi-land, or just the land of fruits-n-nuts?

Prop-spinners: