Category Archives: Technology

Vehicle I-D: Iraqi T-72, live fire Besmaya Gunnery Range

U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Jacob H. Smith, 27-29OCT2008:

U.S. Army video, by Specialist Neil A. Stanfield, of the 2008 gunnery:

More 2008 gunnery video by Specialist Neil A. Stanfield:

Vehicle I-D: Iraqi Armor, after the Invasion

Iraq 2003:

DoD photo.

ARMOR BATTLE DAMAGE

Emerald Flag: RUSSIA INVADES FLORIDA?

Zombie Tank: U.S. brings dead Iraqi T-55 back to life!

U.S. Army photo, 16FEB2010.

In February 2010, personnel with the U.S. Army’s 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, pulled a dead T-55 from a junkyard near Forward Operating Base Marez, Iraq.

USA photo by Specialist Gregory Gieske, 16FEB2010.

The T-55 was being brought back to life for the Iraqi Ground Forces.

USA photo by Specialist Gregory Gieske, 16FEB2010.

Prior to 2010, many dead Iraqi T-55s were brought back to life for the reborn Iraqi Ground Forces (القوات البرية العراقية), and were ready for action by 2005.

A resurrected T-55 heading out on patrol on 09JUL2005.

Another reborn T-55, 09JUL2005.

A reborn T-55 patrolling outside the village of Al-Tahimah, 09JUL2005. Notice that the T-55s don’t yet have the U.S. antenna mounted.

Patrol of T-55s arrive at Camp Taji, 12APR2007. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Jon Cupp.

Reborn T-55s on Camp Taji, 12APR2007. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Jon Cupp.

Vehicle I-D:

IRAQI ARMOR, AFTER THE INVASION

Iraq 2003:

ARMOR BATTLE DAMAGE

Vehicle I-D:

COLD WAR ZOMBIE TANK T-55, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

Vehicle I-D: 2S3 Akatsiya (2C3 Акация), Cold War to Ukraine Border Crisis!

Sometime during the non-declared Cold War.

This photo was released in the United States in late 1986-early 1987 (date when photo was made is not known). The U.S./NATO called it the M-1973 SMP 1987 152mm Howitzer, of course it is the 2S3.

From a U.S. Army vehicle I-D poster.

To make things more confusing, U.S./NATO also called the 2S3 the SAU-152.

This photo was released in the United States in late 1986-early 1987 (date when photo was made is not known). In this photo release the U.S./NATO correctly called it the 2S3 152mm self-propelled howitzer.

From U.S. Army Graphic Training Aid, Armored Vehicle Recognition, 1987.

From U.S. Army Graphic Training Aid, Armored Vehicle Recognition, 1987.

Soviet promotional video for the 2S3:

M-1973 (another name the U.S. military sometimes called the 2S3 during the Cold War), on display on Fort Irwin, National Training Center, California. U.S. Army photo taken in late 1990.

A lone abandoned Iraqi 2S3 sits next to a line of AMX-30 AuF-1 self-propelled guns, in the Taji tank graveyard of Iraq, photo dated October 2005.

2S3 artillery unit, based in Primorsky Krai, fire-off some rounds. Russian Eastern Military District photo, June 2015.

Video of Russian 2S3s conducting live-fire training in Tajikistan,  September 2015:

Column of Ukrainian 2S3s heading into disputed Donbas area, sometime in 2018.

Russian 2S3 on one of the many training grounds spread from the Ural Mountains to Siberia. Russian Central Military District photo, September 2020.

Since 19JAN2022, Russian ground forces (Eastern Military District units and Pacific Fleet marine units) began arriving in the Republic of Belarus, which is just north of Ukraine. The official reason is to ‘inspect’ Belarusian forces for readiness, which is expected to take until the end of February.  It is in compliance with the Vienna Document of 2011.  This is Russian Defense Ministry video, recorded on 25JAN2022, showing the arrival of the 2S3:

Russian 2S3s arrived in Belarus, 25JAN2022. Photo via Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

Ukrainian 2S3, 22FEB2022.

Azerbaijan Defense Ministry video, June 2022:

 

NATO Vehicle I-D: UKRAINIAN 2S3

Vehicle I-D:  2S1, FROM COLD WAR TO UKRAINIAN BORDER CRISIS!

Vehicle I-D: 2S1, from Cold War to Ukrainian Border Crisis!

From a Cold War U.S. Army vehicle I-D poster. The U.S./NATO liked to call the 2S1 the M-1974.

To make things more confusing, U.S./NATO also called the 2S1 the SAU-122.

It has a 122mm gun.

Photo from a 1978 Soviet wargame.

Photo dated May 1985. No other information given. East Germany (DDR)?

U.S. Army vehicle I-D video from the last decade of the Cold War:

A 2S1 122mm self-propelled howitzer. Photo was officially released in the United States in late 1986 or early 1987, actual date and location photo was made is not known.

From U.S. Army Graphic Training Aid, Armored Vehicle Recognition, 1987.

From U.S. Army Graphic Training Aid, Armored Vehicle Recognition, 1987.

This is a U.S. Army M551 Sheridan ‘fake news’ 2S1, on Fort Irwin, California, January 1991.

What is left of an Iraqi M-1974 (2S1), February 1991.

By 1991, the U.S. military was still calling the 2S1 the ‘M-1974’. This is an abandoned Iraqi 2S1. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Reeve, March 1991.

A Croat 2S1 (captured from the Serbs) paraded in Dusine, Bosnia & Herzegovina, 26FEB1996. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Alejandro Cabello.

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Alejandro Cabello, 26FEB1996.

The info that came with this June 1999 photo of a Serb 2S1 withdrawing from Kosovo, said it was a SAU-122.

2014 video,  Donetsk People’s Republic forces fired on Ukrainian forces with their 2S1 Gvozdikas:

Syrian 2S1s, possibly in 2017.

According to the info that came with this photo, this is a 2S1 being used by one of the rebel groups in Syria, 2017.

Oklahoma Army National Guard video by First Lieutenant Kayla Christopher, 2S1 Gvozdika live fire near Yavoriv, March 2017:

Is this a 2S1? Modified in Ukraine, the gun is not the 122mm artillery piece. Photo possibly made in 2018.

Self propelled artillery 2S1 Karamfil (Russian name Gvozdika, Гвоздика, carnation) Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Michigan Army National Guard photo by Specialist Alan Prince, 18JUN2019.

See more Bulgarian 2S1 action in SOVIET ERA ARMOR USED BY NATO: BULGARIA, PLUS THE BULGARIAN BMP-23.

Syrian insurgency, 2012 to present. A 2S1 rolls through a Syrian town.

Russian Eastern Military District photo.

Russian Southern Military District photo.

Russian Southern Military District photo.

Russian Northern Region (Severomorsk) photo.

Russian 2S1, Sambuli Mountains, Tajikistan. Russian Central Military District photo, May 2020.

Pilots from South American countries get a tour of the Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, ‘enemy’ tanks display, 03NOV2020. Notice the 2S1 behind them. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Zachary Rufus.

Finland calls their former East German 2S1s the 122 PSH 74. The unification of East and West Germany, and end of the unofficial Cold War, allowed the Finns to get them cheap. Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.

Russian 2S1s in the Sambuli Mountains of Tajikistan. Russian Central Military District photo, July 2021.

Since 19JAN2022, Russian ground forces (Eastern Military District units and Pacific Fleet marine units) began arriving in the Republic of Belarus, which is just north of Ukraine. The official reason is to ‘inspect’ Belarusian forces for readiness, which is expected to take until the end of February.  It is in compliance with the Vienna Document of 2011.  This is Russian Defense Ministry video, recorded on 25JAN2022, showing the arrival of the 2S1 (it is very quick edit, as the majority of the vehicles were 2S3 which you can see in 2S3 Akatsiya [2C3 Акация], Cold War to Ukraine Border Crisis!):

Azerbaijan Defense Ministry video, May 2022:

Cold War Vehicle I-D: BRDM-2, NOW BEING USED AS TAXIS?

How to resurrect a dead A-10C. Belly landings becoming common place?

“We knew we could do it, but it would take a long time. We basically rebuilt the entire front of the A-10 without aided engineering and un-procurable parts that had to be local manufactured.”-Daniel Wise, 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS)

U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw, 22OCT2021.

By 22OCT2021, repair crews at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, finished more than three years of work returning a crashed A-10 Thunderbolt-2 to life.

Michigan Air National Guard photo by Terry Atwell.

On 20JUL2017, a Michigan Air National Guard Red Devil’s A-10C suffered a 30mm gun misfire, which caused the canopy and several panels to blow off, two of the radios died. It was also discovered by the wingman that the landing gear wouldn’t drop, notifying Captain Brett DeVries, on a third radio set, that he had to belly land tail number 80-0264.

USAF photo by R. Nial Bradshaw, 30SEP2021.

USAF photo by R. Nial Bradshaw, 28SEP2021.

The Michigan Air National Guard thought the warthog could be repaired and contacted the 309th AMXG (aircraft maintenance group) on Hill AFB.  80-0264 arrived on Hill in July 2018.

USAF photo by R. Nial Bradshaw, 28SEP2021.

USAF photo by R. Nial Bradshaw, 30SEP2021.

The reason why it was sent to Hill AFB is that the A-10 is such a unique, and old aircraft, that parts are hard to find, but many can be locally made on Hill AFB: “A lot of the parts are unavailable so we have to run them through our local manufacturing process and make them ourselves. With any of the other weapons systems, if they have a bad part, they order it through supply and replace it. On the A-10’s, we’re kind of in a different world.”-Scott Oster, 571st AMXS

USAF photo by R. Nial Bradshaw, 28SEP2021.

USAF photo by R. Nial Bradshaw, 30SEP2021.

When the 30mm Gatling gun decides to malfunction it causes extensive structural damage inside the nose of the A-10, including the nose wheel well and landing gear: “It was just a whole lot of structural work, like 90%.”-Scott Oster, 571st AMXS

U.S. Air Force Facebook photo, April 2020.

Then, at the beginning of April 2020, another A-10C, this time in Georgia, also made a belly landing on Moody Air Force Base.

In November 2020, Captain Brett DeVries actually got the ‘DFC’ award for belly landing his A-10C. But that wasn’t his first award for belly landing an A-10C, the first award came in March 2018. Michigan Air National Guard video report about  the Joe Foss Award for Excellence:

USAF photo by Andrea Jenkins, April 2020.

In May 2021, Captain Taylor Bye also got an award for belly landing her A-10C on Moody AFB.

USAF photo by Brad White, 25MAR2008.

Way back in March 2008, an A-10 taking part in a Green Flag operation out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, had to make a belly landing, and did so on Edwards AFB, California.

Upon closer inspection of the photo, it appears there was a problem with the 30mm gun?

USAF photo by Brad White, 25MAR2008.

December 2021: A-10C RED & GREEN IDAHO SHOW?

August 2021: Michigan Air National Guard uses state highway to launch A-10Cs (chock full of videos of A-10Cs and C-146A Wolfhound)

Cold War Vehicle I-D: BRDM-2, now being used as Taxis?

For some unknown reason, for a short time during the Cold War the U.S./NATO called both the BRDM-1 and BRDM-2 the BTR-40.

Warsaw Pact Poland BRDM-2 crossing a river.

BRDM-2 captured by U.S. forces during the invasion of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury). U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Mike Creen, October 1983.

U.S. Marines captured this BRDM-2 during Operation Urgent Fury. U.S. Navy photo by Peter D. Sundberg, October 1983.

BRDM Sagger anti-tank missile version, referred to as the BTR-40 in some Western publications. U.S. Department of Defense photo dated November 1984.

Sagger missile launcher retracted. U.S. Department of Defense photo dated November 1984.

Launcher raised, one Sagger AT-3 onboard. U.S. Department of Defense photo dated November 1984.

A 1987 Czechoslovak film (including 1980s ‘East Bloc’ music) promoting the BRDM-2:

Photo released in the United States in April 1989, BRDM-2s follow behind a BTR-50P.

On display, Fort Irwin, National Training Center, California. U.S. Army photo dated January 1991.

On display, Fort Irwin, National Training Center, California. U.S. Army photo dated January 1991.

The U.S. Army added ‘Fake News’ Spandrel anti-tank missiles to this BRDM. Fort Irwin, National Training Center, California. U.S. Army photo dated January 1991.

Abandoned Iraqi BRDM-2 in Kuwait, during Operation Desert Storm. Apparently it was being used to haul trash. U.S. Department of Defense photo dated February 1991.

Several years after the unofficial Cold War ended, the U.S. Marine Corps was using BRDM-2s in a war game called Kernel Blitz ’97. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Self, 21JUN1997.

In 2014, a BRDM-2 was seen being used as a taxi in Saint Petersburg, Russia:

Russian Western Military District photo, August 2021.

Vehicle I-D, 1997: SOVIET ARMOR OF THE U.S. MARINE CORPS

Vehicle I-D, 2021: Ukraine still uses BRDM-2s

Sold for one Penny! Death of the Cold War Relic USS Kitty Hawk

19 January 2022 / 20:43-UTC-07 Tango 06 (30 Dey 1400/16 Jumada t-Tania 1443/18 Ji-Chou[12th month] 4719)

U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Paul Seeber, 15JAN2022.

U.S. Navy video by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Paul Seeber, worth only one penny Kitty Hawk leaves Naval Base Kitsap–Bremerton, Washington, for the breakers in Brownsville, Texas, 15JAN2022:

Recently, several news reports told of the insulting sale of a Cold War relic, the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 (aka CVA-63), for a mere one penny! However, the sale was quietly revealed in October 2021, to scrapper International Shipbreaking Ltd./EMR Brownsville, not just the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk, but also the John F. Kennedy. The October 2021 revelation also revealed that there were hopes to turn the two aircraft carriers into museum ships, those hopes killed-off by a mere one penny per ship sale! The one penny per ship sale was concluded on 29SEP2021.

The estimated cost to build the Kitty Hawk range from $200-million to $400-million, in 1961 dollars. It was also estimated that every time the steam powered ‘supercarrier’ was overhauled it cost taxpayers between $65-million and $100-million. Kitty Hawk also underwent an $800-million Service Life Extension Program from 1990 to 1993. And the yearly cost (according to 1996 data) to operate the aircraft carrier was $141-million.

The Supercarrier’s keel was laid in December 1956, launched in May 1960, officially commissioned in April 1961.

Silent USN film by F. J. Stitt, christening of Kitty Hawk, 21MAY1960:

Silent USN film of Kitty Hawk’s commissioning day ceremonies, the film’s slate info is dated March 1961, yet the USN gives the commissioning date as April 1961 (the USN tends to hold the ceremonies a month before the ‘official’ commissionings/decommissionings):

In the middle of November 1961, the brand new CVA-63 took part in its first wargame at Camp Pendleton, California. I edited silent USN films (recorded by personnel with the last names of Miller, and Cobbs) to show just the scenes of CVA-63, there weren’t many scenes of CVA-63:

From 05 June to 07 June 1963, President John F. Kennedy paid a visit to CVA-63, to observe the 32 vessel “fleet weapons demonstration” and give a speech influenced by the previous year’s Cuban Missile Crisis. Silent USN film by J. H. Sturdevant:

In May 2009, Kitty Hawk was ‘officially’ decommissioned and sent to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, State of Washington, for ‘mothballing’. Kitty Hawk was stricken from Naval records in October 2017.

U.S. Navy photo by Wendy Hallmark, 09MAR2021.

In March 2021, while the world was grappling with the new Delta Pandemic fear mongering, quietly the Kitty Hawk was moved into Dry Dock 6, of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard-Intermediate Maintenance Facility, to prepare it for scrapping.   

USN photo by Seaman Josue Escobosa, 02SEP2008.

In September 2008, Kitty Hawk sailed into Bremerton, Washington, for its decommissioning.

USN photo by Kyle Gahlau, 22AUG2008.

While in San Diego for its last time, Sailors removed anything that wasn’t tied down, like bedding.

USN photo by Kyle Gahlau, 07AUG2008.

After completing its last RimPac (Rim of the Pacific Exercise) in 2008, steam powered Kitty Hawk sailed past its replacement in San Diego, the nuclear powered USS George Washington CV-73. USS George Washington then left to take Kitty Hawk’s place at the port of Yokosuka, Japan, making CV-73 the first ‘forward deployed’ nuclear powered U.S. aircraft carrier.

USN video by Petty Officer Crockett, Kitty Hawk arriving for RimPac 2008:

USN photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew White, 28MAY2008.

In May 2008, Kitty Hawk left its home port of Yokosuka, where it had been based from 1998 to 2008.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command: Kitty Hawk II (CVA-63)

USS Bonhomme Richard (LH-6): STEEL INFERNO, ONE YEAR LATER, SABOTAGE & LACK OF LEADERSHIP=DEATH OF A SHIP!

Desert Storm Battle Damage: USS TRIPOLI LPH-10

Cold War Subs: USS NAUTILUS (SSN-571), STILL FIGHTING AFTER 67 YEARS! FIRST BORN IN LAND-LOCKED IDAHO?

Cold War Boats: FIBERGLASS & WOOD, USS AVENGER (MCM-1), KEEL LAYING TO COMMISSIONING.

Cold War Aggressor: EA-7L the ‘electric’ TA-7C Corsair-2

At least six U.S. Navy TA-7C Corsair-2 training aircraft were sent to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron VAQ-34 and converted to EA-7L electronic ‘aggressor’ aircraft.  Apparently they were still marked as TA-7Cs?

In this photo you can see that these VAQ-34 EA-7Ls(?) are still marked as TA-7Cs on the fuselage sides. VAQ-34 also flew ‘pure’ TA-7Cs, but both these aircraft are carrying black nosed Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) pods.

VAQ-34 was created in 1983, and based at Point Magu in California.  Point Magu is also the home of the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC).

A view of a TA-7C ‘pre-EA-7L’ Corsair II aircraft fitted with a pod carrying a Radar Signal Simulator (RSS), parked in front of Building 351 at the Pacific Missile Test Center, California. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

The EA-7L was the result of Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) testing, also at the PMTC, in 1982.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, EA-7L/TA-7C fitted with Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, EA-7L/TA-7C fitted with a red RSS pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

Pacific Missile Test Center, Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, TA-7C/EA-7L fitted with a red Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, EA-7L/TA-7C fitted with a white RSS pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

EA-7L Aggressor during the U.S. 3rd Fleet North Pacific Exercise at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. U.S. Air Force photo by Sergeant W. Thornton, 08NOV1987.

Carrying a black nosed RSS pod. U.S. Air Force photo by Sergeant W. Thornton, 08NOV1987.

U.S. Air Force photo by Sergeant W. Thornton, 08NOV1987.

About to be retired, EA-7L Corsair II of the Pacific Missile Test Center, 30DEC1991. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Bruce Trombecky.

Photo by Aeroprints.

One EA-7L crashed in 1990, another EA-7L was sold to Greece, two appear to be missing and the rest of the EA-7Ls were retired in 1991, apparently now rotting away at The Bone Yard that is Davis Monthan Air Force Base.

Photo by Aeroprints.

VAQ-34 was disbanded by the end of 1993, due to ‘aggressor’ duties being transferred to U.S. Naval Reserve units.

USAF A-7D: COLD WAR MAINTENANCE WALK AROUND

Sioux #1 takes final flight inside the belly of a Chinook!

South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.

In July 2012, the skeletal remains of a South Dakota National Guard Bell H-13B Sioux (serial #1, built in 1948, note that this Sioux used wheels instead of skids) was loaded into the belly of a South Carolina National Guard Boeing CH-47D Chinook.

South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.

The Sioux flew from South Dakota’s National Guard Museum, to South Carolina for restoration and display in the South Carolina Military Museum.

South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.

The Sioux being worked towards a hungry Chinook.

South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.

Sioux #1 chained, heading for a new home.

South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.

Hungry, hungry Chinook!

South Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jorge Intriago, 10JUL2012.

South Carolina Military Museum photo, 2012.

Volunteers with the South Carolina Military Museum stripped the remains down, a full ‘off-frame’ restoration including building their own replacement parts, and included convincing the original Texas family which made the original bubble canopies to make one last canopy for ol’ #1 Sioux.

South Carolina Military Museum photo, 2014.

In 2014, Sioux #1 was ready for display in the South Carolina Military Museum’s new second building (which happened by February 2015).

Silent film from Korea Police Action, 26AUG1951, a Sioux H-13B on the ground as an H-13D (with skids instead of wheels) lands behind it, they were transporting officials to some kind of ceremony:

This is the U.S. Navy/Coast Guard version known as the HTL.

Cold War Helicopters:

KAMOV 25 ‘HORMONE’

SIKORSKY DRAGONFLY

Dahlberg’s(?) P-47D found, 65 years and 10 days after it was shot down!

“When I heard that a plane had been discovered in the area, I knew exactly whose plane it was.”-Horst Weber, Bitburg Area Historical Club

On 24FEB2010, the wreckage of a U.S. Army 9th Air Force, 353rd Fighter Squadron (FS)-354th Fighter Group (FG) Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, shot down on 14FEB1945, was found in Bitburg, Germany.

Photo dated January 1945. The official 9th Army Air Force info that came with the photo is insulting to armorers as is states “Capt. Kenneth Dahlberg….supervises the loading of the machine guns on his Republic P-47 Thunderbolt…”.

The P-47D was flown by a Captain Kenneth Harry Dahlberg.  He was leading his squadron of eight P-47Ds back to their home base in France, from a bombing run on Pruem, Germany.  Anti-aircraft gunners in the town of Metterich shot down Dahlberg, he survived the crash, which was his third and final crash because he became a Prisoner of War (PoW) 45 minutes later (Gathering of Eagles website says it was after “several days”).

In 2010, the town of Bitburg wanted to build some new residential units, but local law says before any construction can start an inspection of the ground must be done: “All spots in Bitburg are inspected for bombs and chemicals from World War Two prior to construction because Bitburg was heavily bombed….”-Rudolf Rinnen, Volksbank Bitburg

Investigators looked at books used by model kit builders, to identify the aircraft by the markings that were still visible. USAF photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon, 24MAR2010.

“We knew that in this area an American fighter ace was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire and we know through German documentation and reports that the aircraft had landed in this area.”-Horst Weber, Bitburg Area Historical Club

Horst Weber, of the Bitburg Area Historical Club, points out the markings on the engine cowling of Dahlberg’s P-47D. USAF photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon, 24MAR2010

The discovery of Dahlberg’s P-47D was not revealed until 24MAR2010.

Public revelation of P-47D discovery, USAF photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon, 24MAR2010.

This piece has red paint on it, I doubt if Dahlberg’s P-47D had red paint. USAF photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon, 24MAR2010.

A pallet of scrap, USAF photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon, 24MAR2010.

Wreckage of U.S. vehicles found in Germany are still property of the United States, however, U.S. officials gave the P-47D parts to the land owner; Volksbank Bitburg.  It was hoped some of the parts could somehow be used in a local museum display.

Photo dated December 1944. Captain Dahlberg in the middle, during a 9th Air Force donation of 61,820 francs to the War Orphans Fund.

Ken Dahlberg also flew North American P-51 Mustangs.

(See the latest on the restoration of P-51 Shillelaugh, which was flown by many pilots)

Ken Dahlberg survived the war and continued to serve in the Air National Guard while creating a new hearing aid company (which decades later was accused of false advertising, by the U.S. government), then in the early 1970s unwittingly became the ‘key’ (a cashier’s check with his name on it) in revealing the Watergate Burglaries tied to then President Richard Nixon. In 1995, Dahlberg started a venture capital firm (which helped create the Buffalo Wild Wings chain restaurant). At the age of 94 he died, in October 2011.

8th Air Force Historical Society of Minnesota: Ken Dahlberg

Veterans Tributes: Kenneth H. Dahlberg

Midwest Flyer: More about Kenneth H. Dahlberg

Idaho Air National Guard’s direct connection to the 9th Army Air Force’s P-47D Thunderbolts: IDAHO’S HERITAGE A-10C ‘8N’