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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
Photos recorded during the last decade of the unofficial/undeclared Cold War:
An Airman with the 355th Aircraft Generation Squadron inspects avionics equipment on a A-7D Corsair II, Hurlburt Field, Florida. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Frank J. Garzelnick Junior, 11FEB1979.
Inspecting an A-7D Corsair II during Gunsmoke ’81, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Paul Hayashi.
Puerto Rico Air National Guard A-7D, during exercise Bold Eagle. Puerto Rico National Guard photo by Ernest H. Sealing, 19OCT1981.
A ground crewman inspects the fuselage of an A-7D Corsair II during Exercise Gallant Eagle, on the U.S. Navy’s China Lake, California. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Bob Marshall, 01APR1982.
An A-7D Corsair II aircraft pilot reads maintenance forms during Exercise Gallant Eagle. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Bob Marshall, 01APR1982.
180th Tactical Fighter Group A-7D during Exercise Kindle Liberty, Howard AFB, Panama. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant R. Bandy, 01DEC1982.
Two A-7D Corsair II aircraft inside the maintenance hangar during Exercise Checkered Flag/Coronet Castle, RAF Sculthorpe, United Kingdom. U.S. Air force photo by Technical Sergeant Jose Lopez, 31MAR1983.
U.S. Air force photo by Technical Sergeant Jose Lopez, 31MAR1983.
156th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron performs maintenance on an A-7D Corsair II during Operation Ocean Venture. Puerto Rico Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Ken Hammond, 20APR1984.
Puerto Rico Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Ken Hammond, 20APR1984.
Loading an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on an A-7D Corsair II during Operation Ocean Venture. Puerto Rico Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Ken Hammond, 20APR1984.
An A-7D Corsair II of the 124th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, being prepped for deployment to Japan, for Exercise Cope North. Iowa Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Jeffrey J. Aubin, 24MAY1988.
Inspecting the cooling system of an Iowa National Guard A-7D. Iowa Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Jeffrey J. Aubin, 24MAY1988.
Iowa Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Jeffrey J. Aubin, 24MAY1988.
Changing the tail light bulb. Iowa Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Jeffrey J. Aubin, 24MAY1988.
Adjusting weapons pylon screws on a New Mexico Air National Guard A-7D, taking part in Amalgam Warrior, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. USAF photo by Sergeant Rose Gruben, 31MAY1988.
Chitose Air Base, Japan, an Iowa A-7D driver signals his satisfaction. Iowa Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant J. Ferguson, 17JUN1988.
U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Matthew Marsilia, 21DEC2021.
On 21DEC2021, a U.S. designed Iraqi C-130J-30 Super Hercules landed Iraqi officials to inspect Erbil Air Base, as part of the official end to U.S. led coalition combat operations.
U.S. Army photo by Specialist Adaris Cole, 13DEC2021.
On 13DEC2021, a U.S. designed Iraqi C-130J-30 picks-up cargo at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. It has been revealed that since February 2021, Iraqi C-130Js have picked-up more than $18-million worth of U.S. taxpayer funded ‘free stuff’ on Ali Al Salem Air Base.
USA photo by Specialist Adaris Cole, 13DEC2021.
USA photo by Specialist Adaris Cole, 13DEC2021.
USA photo by Specialist Adaris Cole, 13DEC2021.
U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sergeant William Ploeg, 04AUG2019.
Iraqis conduct ‘C2 Checks’ on their C-130J-30, August 2019.
USAR photo by Sergeant William Ploeg, 23JUN2019.
USAR photo by Sergeant William Ploeg, 22JUN2019.
In June 2018, Lockheed Martin was given an $87-million contract to support the Iraqi Air Force, including ground equipment, spares, repairs and familiarization training on their six C-130J-30 Super Hercules, good until Summer 2022. The actual ‘overall’ value of the contact is capped at $100-million.
USA photo by Specialist Antonio Lewis, 15FEB2018.
In February 2018, an Iraqi C-130J-30 dropped a load on the Besmaya Range Complex.
March 2017 U.S. Air Force video report, by Technical Sergeant Lance Daigle, about training the Iraqi Air Force to use their new C-130Js:
USA photo by First Lieutenant Daniel Johnson, 30OCT2016.
U.S. Army video, by Private First Class Christopher Brecht, of an Iraqi C-130J-30 arriving on Qayyarah West Airfield, 30OCT2016. The airfield was held by so called Islamic State, the Iraqi C-130J was the first coalition aircraft to land after Islamic State was removed:
In 2015, Lockheed Martin was given an $8-million contract to help maintain Iraq’s C-130E and C-130J transports, good until Summer 2017.
In 2014, the U.S. government approved a Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of $800-million worth of equipment, parts, training and logistical support for Iraq’s C-130E and C-130J transports.
The final three, of the original order of six, Iraqi C-130J-30s were delivered in April 2013.
By the end of 2012, Iraq got three brand new Lockheed Martin C-130J-30s, the first half of a U.S. Office of Security Assistance-Iraq’s Strategic Framework Agreement-Foreign Military Sale of six C-130Js. The deal (presented to the U.S. Congress in 2008, the deal then ‘upgraded’ to include helicopters in 2009) was estimated to be worth $1.5-billion over the life of the program, and initially included four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 spare engines; six AAR-47 missile warning systems; two spare AAR-47 missile warning systems; six AN/ALE-47 countermeasures dispensing systems; and two spare AN/ALE-47 countermeasures dispensing systems.
The 2S3 Akatsiya (2C3 Акация) was developed by the Soviet Union in the late 1960s. It is a self propelled howitzer that fires a 152.4mm round. It is still in use by Russia, Ukraine and about 15 other countries.
2S3 launches one near Yavoriv, Ukraine, 11APR2019. Royal Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Stéphanie Labossière.
2S3 dug-in near Yavoriv, Ukraine, 11APR2019. Royal Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Stéphanie Labossière.
11APR2019, Royal Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Stéphanie Labossière.
11APR2019, Royal Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Stéphanie Labossière.
11APR2019, Royal Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Stéphanie Labossière.
2S3 lights up the night near Yavoriv, Ukraine, 11APR2019. Royal Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Stéphanie Labossière.
Direct firing a 2S3 in Ukraine, 02APR2019. Royal Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Stéphanie Labossière.
Direct firing a 2S3 in Ukraine, 02APR2019. Royal Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Stéphanie Labossière.
02APR2019, Royal Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Stéphanie Labossière.
An M712 Copperhead cannon-launched laser-guided projectile is fired from a modified M198 155mm howitzer, 27FEB1984. White Sands Missile Test Range, New Mexico, photo by Tom Moore.
White Sands Missile Test Range, 27FEB1984, photo by Tom Moore.
3-112th Field Artillery, New Jersey Army National Guard, unload M712 Copperhead cannon launched guided projectiles at Fort Drum, New York, 08JUN2000. New Jersey National Guard photo.
Idaho National Guard COLT of the 1-148 FA (HQ in Pocatello), identified by the AN/TVQ-2 Ground/Vehicular Laser Locator Designator (GVLLD, usually called a ‘glid’) mounted next to the .50 cal machine gun on this HMMWV, in 2016.
The GVLLD (‘glid’) used by artillery forward observers can be used to guide the Copperhead on-target.
Iowa Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Zachary M. Zippe, 16DEC2020.
While doing time with NATO’s Kosovo peace enforcing operation (KFOR), some Ukrainian troops decided to bring a little friend to some crowd/riot control training on Camp Marechal de Lattre De Tassigny.
Iowa Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Zachary M. Zippe, 16DEC2020.
The training took place on 16DEC2020, and include the Iowa Army National Guard (Troop B, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment).
Iowa Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Jonathan Perdelwitz, 16DEC2020.
It is called BAT-2 путепрокладчик, it is a heavy tracked engineer vehicle equipped with a crane, a ground/road ‘ripper’, a 25 metric tons winch, and a multi-angle dozer blade. The Ukrainian/Russian word путепрокладчик translates to ‘tracklayer’ in English, even though it has nothing to do with laying track (perhaps something lost in translation as the English word ‘track’ has multiple meanings).
Iowa Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Jonathan Perdelwitz, 16DEC2020.
Bash! The old Cold War era engineer vehicle bashes not one but two small SUVs, that were being used as an impromptu road block during the riot control training.
BAT-2 was designed and built in the Soviet Union, specifically for creating and removing obstacles, entering service in 1988. Apparently the word BAT (Бат) is a reference to engineering vehicles. The full Russian word is Батмастер, which translates to English, probably incorrectly, to BAT-master. Another name for BAT-2 (Бат-2) is Батмастер-Истра (BAT-master[?] Istra).
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Cody Harding, 11SEP2013.
This isn’t the first time a Ukrainian BAT was doing time in Kosovo, in September 2013 the Ukrainian BAT-2 was used to clear a landslide on a road outside Zubin Potok.
Poor quality video of an Abakan Avia operated Mi-26 (Ми-26) crashing in April 2020, Novy Urengoy – Vankor field, Yamal Peninsula, Russia. Three crew wounded. It looks like the pilot came in too fast with the nose too high causing the tail to hit the ground:
Abakan Avia Mi-26 heavy helicopter made hard landing at Yamal peninsula in North Russia this morning pic.twitter.com/HvzPH8Fa6U
In January 2019, a Mi-26 transported many materials to the Bureysky reservoir, which had been blocked by a landslide in December 2018 creating a flood threat, Russian Defense Ministry video:
TASS video of UTairMi-26 moving an old Tu-134 ‘gate guard’ in Tyumen, Russia, 2019:
Russian Defense Ministry video of load-up of Mi-26 during Vostock 2018 war games, September 2018:
TASS video of Russian military Mi-26 practicing to fight fires, May 2018:
Photo via Russian Helicopters.
In October 2017, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced the Mi-26 would be modernized to ‘T2V’ standard, allowing it to operate in bad weather, at night, and will have a self defense system against guided anti-aircraft missiles.
2013(?) video report, checking out a new build Mi-26:
Australian Department of Defence photo, March 2011.
In early 2011, the Australian Department of Defence hired Russian contractor Vertical T to fly Mi-26 Halo transport missions in Afghanistan, specifically in Uruzgan Province.
Australian and U.S. military personnel check out the huge ass of the Mi-26. Australian Department of Defence photo, March 2011.
Mi-26 Halo helicopter delivers a battle damaged Mi-17 Hip to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, 13JUL2011. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
13JUL2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
13JUL2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
13JUL2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo via U.S. Army’s 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
Associated Press photo.
In December 2010, an Indian Air Force Mi-26 crashed at Jammu Airport/Air Force Station. The crew of seven were wounded, technical problems are suspected as the cause.
A Russian Mi-26 Halo lands at Belet Weyne (Beledweyne), Somalia, December 1993. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Sergeant G. D. Robinson.
In 1993, the Mi-26 Halo was used to shuttle supplies and personnel to areas outside Mogadishu, Somalia, during the United States led United Nation’s Operation Continue Hope.
Mi-26 Halo on the shores of Kismayo, Somalia, November 1993. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Sergeant G. D. Robinson.
November 1993, U.S. Department of Defense photo by Sergeant G. D. Robinson.
Image taken from 1986 video, showing a Soviet Mi-26 attempting to reduce radiation levels around the exploded Chernobyl nuclear reactor.
Soviet era video report, one of the first production Mi-26 arrives at Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnovo Khozyaystva (VDNKh, ВДНХ), Moscow, 1985:
Soviet silly-vilian (civilian) airliner version of the Mi-26 in 1983.
Early 1980s Soviet AviaExport promotional film about the then new Mi-26:
Before the U.S. Army settled on using the M551 Sheridan as the basis for its ‘fake news’ Soviet tanks, they tried out the self propelled artillery unit called M109.
U.S. Army photo. Fake News ZSU-23-4, Fort Hunter Liggett (photo info says Fort Ord, I believe that is incorrect as the terrain looks like Fort Hunter Liggett [I’ve been there done that], also, the JAWS-2 war game took place on Ft. Hunter Liggett), California, November 1977.
Actually, the special M109 was created just for the JAWS/JAAT programs of the U.S. Air Force/U.S. Army. Notice that the radar antenna looks like an actual radar off a ZSU-23-4. It could be that the M109 ZSU-23-4 could generate ‘fake news’ radar signals so that attacking aircraft could practice their ECM (electronic counter measures).
This M109 was converted for the November 1977 Joint Attack Weapons System II (JAWS-2) war game on Fort Hunter Liggett, California. Photo via U.S. Army.
The JAWS (Joint Attack Weapons System) exercises of the late 1970s helped develop anti-tank tactics for today’s NATO air forces This was important as the U.S. Air Force (USAF) was just breaking in its new A-10 Thunderbolt-2 tank killing aircraft. JAWS exercises also included U.S. Army (USA) AH-1 Cobras and OH-58 Kiowas.
An OH-58 Kiowa during a USA/USAF Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEx) on Fort Hunter Liggett, December 1986. Photo by Staff Sergeant Gustavo A. Garcia.
JAWS also coincided with JAAT (Joint Air Attack Team), which tried combining fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft into a single anti-tank operation. JAWS-1 took place at Fort Benning, Georgia, and focused on aircraft gun cameras. JAWS-2 took place on Fort Hunter Liggett (formerly Hunter Liggett Military Reservation), California, using a Range Management System that linked with aircraft gun cameras in an attempt to calculate real-time ‘hits and misses’ during war games.
An A-10 Thunderbolt II fires a burst from its 30mm tank busting gatling gun, during a USA/USAF Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEx) on Fort Hunter Liggett, December 1986. Photo by Staff Sergeant Gustavo A. Garcia.
It was during the JAWS/JAAT exercises that USA and USAF personnel learned each other’s tactical language for anti-tank operations.
Less than one year after the 1977 JAWS-2 wargame took place on Fort Hunter Liggett, the one-off M109(M108?) ZSU-23-4 made an appearance in West Germany, during FTX Certain Shield 1978. According to the info that came with the photo below, its appearance had ‘tank spotters’ speculating that it was an new experimental U.S. Army anti-aircraft tank inspired by the Soviet ZSU-23-4.
Photo attributed to Bernd Hartmann, Raum Herbstein, Germany 1978.
Does anybody know what happened to the one and only M109 ZSU-23-4?
COLD WAR MAINTENANCE WALK AROUND
