On 02FEB2022, Colonel-General Alexander Lapin, Commander of Russia’s Central Military District, reported that “Since the beginning of the year, 76 company tactical exercises have been conducted with the part of motorized rifle and tank units, including 11 ostentatious ones, during which the number of practical tasks performed has been increased by 12%, and the number of group tasks has been increased by 24%.”
On 31JAN2022, Russia’s Southern Military District reported that crews operating BTR-82A and BMP-3 armored vehicles began warming up their guns with live-fire drills.
The vehicles are armed with guns of 100mm, 30mm and 7.62mm calibers.
Southern Military District video, BTR-82A live fire gunnery:
Southern Military District video, BMP-3 live fire gunnery:
Western Military District photo.
On 31JAN2022, a NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) competition began in the Kursk Region, as part of the 2022 Army International Games.
Western Military District photo.
On the same day, in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the first qualifying stage of the communications competition ended.
Russian Western Military District photo.
On 30JAN2022, Western Military District engineers took part in the 2022 Army International Games, in the Voronezh Region.
BTR-80 undergoes NBC decontamination. Russian Southern Military District photo.
On 28JAN2022, Southern Military District reported that NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) competition had begun, as part of the 2022 Army International Games taking place in the Volgograd Region.
Russian Ministry of Defense video of arrival of some of the S-400 vehicles:
The S-400 Triumph units will be based in the Brest Region of Belarus.
Russian Western Military District photo.
On 02FEB2022, Russia’s Western Military District announced it began wargames using the S-400 systems. The ‘live-fire’ wargame is being held across the Leningrad Region of Russia, and includes other anti-aircraft systems like the S-300 Favorit, Pantsir-S, Tor and Buk-M3.
The S-400 Triumph is an anti-aircraft missile system comprised of many types of vehicles.
Russian Western Military District photo.
On 01FEB2022, Russia’s Western Military District completed an anti-aircraft wargame in the Moscow Region using the Tor system of the Guards Tank Army. The wargame scenario was that U.S./NATO was trying to bomb an important target in the Moscow Region.
Russian Western Military District photo.
On 31JAN2022, Russia’s Western Military District reported that the Baltic Fleet had completed anti-aircraft training for its Bal system. The Bal system is specifically for defense of coastal areas.
The XA series of armored vehicles first came alive back in 1980, during the unofficial Cold War, when Finland was part of the Soviet ‘Eastern Bloc’. They were made by a company called Suomen Autoteollisuus, which became Sisu Auto in 1981, which then became Sisu Defense in 1995, which then became Patria in 1997. Today Finland still uses the XA series of vehicles, and despite Finland being an officially ‘non-aligned’ country, it allows, and even takes part in, NATO wargames on its soil.
The XA numbers change depending on specific versions, and foreign users.
Finnish XA-180 working as part of the IFOR mission in Bosnia & Herzegovina. U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Luis A. Deya, dated March 1996.
A Finnish officer explains the electronics on his XA-180 Command Post to U.S. Army personnel in Lager Aulenbach, Germany. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Jim Varhegyi, 09MAY2000.
The Patria Pasi XA-180M is the latest version of the original Sisu Pasi XA-180 from 1980. Everything was upgraded, including the armored body.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
Does the ‘M’ in XA-180M stand for mud? Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces XA-180M promotional video from 2014, including sliding it on ice, and notice that a motorcycle looking clear shield is used on the TC coupala:
The XA-181 was used to create the 90M (aka ITO90) Crotale anti-aircraft system.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
2014 Puolustusvoimat video explaining Finland’s air defense systems, including the ITO90:
The newer XA-202 and XA-203 were first delivered in 2003. The XA-202 has more interior room than the XA-203, and is used mainly as a command post/communications vehicle. The Puolustusvoimat says the 202/203 were developed specifically for ‘crisis management operations’.
XA-203 during NATO’s Trident Juncture 2018 in Norway. Finnish Defense Forces photo by Ville Multanen, 30OCT2018.
Finnish XA-203 crews prep their vehicles in Sweden for road-march to next-door Norway. Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo by Sergeant Alec Orko, 27OCT2018.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo by Ville Multanen, 26OCT2018.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo by Ville Multanen, 26OCT2018.
2018 Puolustusvoimat video showing XA-203 ops in Sweden, and they finally admit they are a NATO ‘partner’:
In February 2017, Finland agreed to buy 48 used K9 self propelled artillery guns from the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
They began arriving in 2017, with the final delivery expected by 2024.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
The Finns call it the 155 PsH K9, the PsH is for Panssari-Haupitsien (which means Armored Howitzer in English).
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
The 155 PsH K9 uses 155mm ammo.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
Hour long K9 PanssariHaupitsien presentation video that was recorded live in 2019:
Finland also operates the Soviet era 2S1 self propelled artillery gun, the Finns call it the 122 PsH 74.
Finland calls their 2S1s the 122 PsH 74. Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
They are former East German 2S1s, purchased in 1992 and 1994, thanks to the unification of West and East Germany, and the end of the unofficial Cold War.
Puolustusvoimat / Finnish Defense Forces photo.
The 122 PsH 74 uses 122mm ammo.
Video from 2014, getting a tour, and ride, on a Finnish 122 PsH 74:
2007 video of a ‘cold start’ of a 122 PsH 74, pay attention you might recognize somebody that is also in the 2014 tour/ride video:
On public display, next to a tiny FV107 Scimitar, in the city of Cesis, 21AUG2021. Latvijas Aizsardzības Ministrija (Latvia Ministry of Defense) photo by Gatis Dieziņš.
Latvijas Aizsardzības Ministrija photo by Gatis Dieziņš, 26OCT2021.
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.
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.
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.
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!):
“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.
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.
Way back in March2008, 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?
