Category Archives: Technology

Terminator 2021: U.S. Army’s new ‘Ripsaw’ Robot Combat Tank

Image August 4, 2021 Hutchins AAron

“These prototypes have been purposely built utilizing what we have learned to date with RCVs and to give us an opportunity to further drive the RCV Campaign of Learning. The prototypes will be used by soldiers in operational experiments to develop the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) that our Brigade Combat Teams will utilize to bring new levels of lethality to our forces through the combining of Manned and Un-Manned Teams (MUM-T).”-Major General Ross Coffman, Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross-Functional Team

Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, 12MAY2021. U.S. Army photo by Dan Heaton.

At the end of May 2021, the U.S. Army had five new Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) prototypes to play with. Two types of robot tanks are being tested, RCV-Light and RCV-Medium. The goal is to have RCVs ready for the 2022 Phase Two Soldier Operational Experiment (SOE, to be held on Fort Hood, Texas).

Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, 12MAY2021. U.S. Army photo by Dan Heaton.

By the end of June 2021, the RCV-M (nicknamed Ripsaw M5 by its developers, not to be confused with earlier Ripsaw robots) tank began live-fire testing on Fort Dix (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst), New Jersey.

Bore-sighting weapons, Fort Dix, 29JUN2021. USA photo by Kevin C. Mcdevitt.

The RCV-M has the usual for a robot M240 machine gun, and for the first time a XM813 main gun: “This is the first system that we’ve developed where we have a gun of this caliber mounted on the robot, a completely unmanned robot, and that is also controlled from a different location or within the manned combat vehicle, it’s certainly unique.”-Cristian Bara, Ground Vehicle Systems Center

Prepping to go down-range, 29JUN2021. USA photo by Kevin C. Mcdevitt.

30JUN2021, USA photo by Angelique Smythe.

The Textron Systems-Howe & Howe Technologies Ripsaw M5 was apparently supposed to be delivered in 2020, but was delayed using the pandemic panic as an excuse.

Terminator: U.S. ARMY TRIPLES INVENTORY OF COMBAT ROBOT TANKS!

NEW F-16/X-62 SKYBORG DRONE

ONE A-I RING TO RULE THEM ALL; GLOBAL INFORMATION DOMINANCE ‘EXPERIMENT’

BEWARE THE ZOMBIE KIOWA!

NEW JERSEY MILITIA ROBOT RESPONDS TO Weapons of Mass Destruction CRIME SCENE

U.S. Army takes Nazi era robot tanks to new level!

Technology

U.S. EQ-4B Global Hawk shot down by the British empire?

Image August 4, 2021 Hutchins AAron

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Jack LeGrand.

On 29JUL2021, an EQ-4B Block-20 Global Hawk made its final landing on Grand Forks Air Force Base (AFB), in North Dakota.

USAF photo by Senior Airman Dakota C. LeGrand.

In a May 2021 statement, leaders of the Department of the Air Force asked the U.S. Congress for permission“to repurpose the RQ-4 Block 30 funds” for other “intelligence” gathering platforms. The previous year the U.S. Air Force (USAF) asked to retire Block-20 and Block-30 RQ-4s, but Congress expressed concern for front line units which rely on the Global Hawk’s high altitude recon missions. The now retired EQ-4B is a version of the RQ-4.

USAF photo by Senior Airman Dakota C. LeGrand.

The EQ-4B Block-20 on Grand Forks AFB used the BACN (Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, pronounced Bacon) system, but earlier this year USAF officials decided to end the use of Global Hawks equipped with BACN and rely on the piloted British empire Canada made Bombardier Global Express E-11A instead, even handing out a $465-million contract for six new BACN equipped ‘Wi-Fi in the sky’ E-11As, in June of this year. (Is this the other intelligence gathering platform USAF officials were talking about ?)

USAF photo by Senior Airman Dakota C. LeGrand.

Terminator 2021: NEW F-16/X-62 SKYBORG DRONE

British Empire owns the United States, 2021: Why are British companies shipping a record number of flu vaccines to the U.S.?

BRITISH EMPIRE & U.S. SPACE FORCE, ‘ALLIED BY DESIGN’?

March 2020: HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR 1:1 SCALE MQ-1 PREDATOR

Idaho, Technology

Biden’s War: Idaho gets ‘smart’ artillery rounds, reveals “upcoming mobilizations”

Image August 2, 2021 Hutchins AAron

“Receiving the PGK NET was a great opportunity that will enhance the battalion and the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s lethality on the battlefield. We purposely sought to field the PGK prior to the brigade’s upcoming mobilizations. If the PGK capability exists in the theater of operations we end up in, then our soldiers will be trained to employ it and bring a precision capability to the fight.”-Lieutenant Colonel Eric Orcutt, 1st Battalion 148th Field Artillery Regiment

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Crystal Farris.

The Idaho Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion of the 148th Field Artillery Regiment (FAR), headquartered in Pocatello, learned how to use ‘smart’ artillery projectiles known as the M1156 Precision Guidance Kit (PKG).

During the last two weeks of July 2021, the 1-148 FAR was in next door Wyoming, on Camp Guernsey, for annual ‘summer camp’ training. The ‘smart’ projectiles they were launching through their M1096A6 Paladin 155mm gun tubes uses aerodynamic fins on the fuze to steer the projectile on target. If the smart projectile happens to be not so smart and impacts outside 150 meters of the target area, it won’t explode.

Not only does PKG make artillery projectiles more accurate, it’s hoped that accuracy will save taxpayers some money by not needing as many ‘dumb’ projectiles.

Round=projectile+case

Projectile=bullet, shot, slug

Cartridge Case=case or shell containing propellant

The M1096A6 Paladin gun does not use a cartridge case on its projectiles, instead it uses combustible bags, or combustible solid casings, of propellant shoved in behind the projectile.

The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, of which the 148th FAR is a part of, is scheduled for deployment in 2022 (apparently the location is still hush-hush, and this is despite President Biden’s pull-out from Afghanistan and his order to cease combat ops in Iraq).

Vehicle I-D:

1-116th Cav, 1-148th FA, Pocatello, Idaho. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

1-148 FIELD ARTILLERY GATE GUARDS

M109A7 PALADIN, ANOTHER ‘TOOL’ OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE!

July 2021: SINGAPORE TESTS IDAHO’S NEW D-A-G-I-R SYSTEM

Biden’s War: SECRET NEW AFGHAN-AFRICAN REFUGEE OPERATION REVEALED!

World War Three 2014: “THIS IS WHERE ARMOR FIGHTS!” IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD RETURNS TO COLD WAR ERA ‘TOTAL FORCE’ WARFARE TRAINING! (with some photos of my 13 years history with the military)

Pocatello Airport, IDAHO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD M109

Idaho, International, Technology

Singapore Apaches test Idaho’s new D-A-G-I-R system

Image August 2, 2021 Hutchins AAron

At the beginning of 2021, the Idaho Army National Guard became the first Guard unit in the United States to employ the new DAGIR gunnery range system.

Gowen Field, Idaho, 23JUL2021. Idaho Army National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez.

Between June 30th and July 29th, the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s Peace Vanguard unit conducted AH-64 Longbow Apache gunnery on the Orchard Combat Training Center for the tenth year now, but this time they got to use Idaho’s new DAGIR system: “The scoring is instantaneous. The second a target is hit, we know about it. It’s a great feature because sometimes you’re not sure if the round went through the target or not.”-Lieutenant Colonel Jack Denton, U.S. Army Flight Training Detachment

Idaho ArNG photo by Thomas Alvarez, 23JUL2021.

The RSAF Peace Vanguard is based on the Arizona National Guard’s Silverbell Army Heliport, where they’ve been flying eight AH-64Ds since 2001.

Idaho ArNG photo by Thomas Alvarez, 23JUL2021.

Idaho’s Orchard Combat Training Center has at least 23 gunnery/bombing ranges. Currently it is one of only two DAGIR ranges in the entire U.S.

NATO: APACHES & HINDS, FOR THE FIRST TIME?

April 2021: IDAHO HOME TO FIRST EVER NATIONAL GUARD D-A-G-I-R!

March 2021: SINGAPORE’S IDAHO BASED SKY PIRATES BOMB LAS VEGAS?

2016: OBAMA DISAPPEARS THE LAST OF IDAHO’S APACHES?

Technology

Terminator: New F-16/X-62 Skyborg

Image August 2, 2021 Hutchins AAron

“We have found ways to use VISTA that were not envisioned by the original designers, so we were running into frustrating limitations. The modifications will address these limitations and profoundly improve our ability to quickly and safely test an almost unlimited variety of radical control law configurations. Even so, the X-62A will continue to serve as a curriculum aircraft, and will be an even brighter symbol of our aspirations.”-William Gray, VISTA and TPS chief test pilot

On 30JUL2021, the Edwards Air Force Base, California, 412th Test Wing Public Affairs announced that back on 14JUN2021 the NF-16D VISTA had been reclassified as the X-62A.

The Lockheed-Martin VISTA (Visual Interactive Simulation Training Application) program is being replaced with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s System for Autonomous Control of Simulation (SACS), aka Skyborg program.

Skyborg is yet another attempt to create artificial intelligence/machine learning weapon systems, this time the goal is to create ‘low-cost’ combat drones that can operate as teams in a hostile environment. It will also work alongside human piloted combat aircraft.

Anybody wondering what the ‘N’ in NF-16D means, it stands for Special Test-Permanent. Of course the ‘X’ in X-62A means radical or experimental.

Terminator: XQ-58A, THE OTHER VALKYRIE, already a failed museum piece?

Vehicle I-D 2019: ‘NEW’ NF-16D VISTA

Influenza, Technology

Operation Jupiter: CoViD-19 just the beginning, get ready for Bio-Electric Warfare!

July 31, 2021 Hutchins AAron

“Today’s chemical and biological emerging threats are evolving at unprecedented rates, displaying increased evasion and resistance capabilities. To ensure a robust technology pipeline capable of rising to the challenge of unanticipated threat agent maneuvers, DTRA-JSTO collaborates with DoD and DoE labs to innovatively counter these threats by executing agile, broad-spectrum research and development approaches.”-Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Chemical and Biological Technologies Department, 29JUL2021

It has just been revealed (29JUL2021) that back in January of this year, the U.S. Department of Defense conducted a Planning for Research and Optimization of Medical Investigations and Scientific Engagement (PROMISE) Workshop, which included something called Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) Medical Counter Measures (MCM).

The workshop was not only about dealing with new chemical and biological treats, but possible ‘surprise’ threats as well. So called scientific expert analysis of such things was admitted to be a problem when it was also stated that one of the goals was to improve “competency regarding identification and diagnosis” of such threats.

Another Orwellian goal of the CBDP-MCM program is to develop an artificial intelligence/machine learning-driven system to detect, diagnose, and identify biological threats. And in another admission of scientific expert failings, to better understand the immune system of humans.

DTRA photo by Diane Williams.

Another MCM project is creating a system to control involuntary muscle movement. The Micro-Electrode Array (MEA) creates a synapse between artificially ‘grown’ nerve and muscle cells.

The Neuro-Muscular Junction (NMJ) was grown on an electrode, and moved when hit by light. The stated goal of this MCM is to reduce reliance on non-human animals to test for, and treat, exposure to the expected new arsenal of chemical weapons, such as bio-electric chemicals which attack your body’s cellular level electrical system!

And of course, vaccine development is also part of the CBDP-MCM program.

Operation Jupiter: COVID ‘BUBBLE BOY’ BOX? PROJECT WAS STARTED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC & YOU PAID FOR IT!

Operation CoViD-19: COVERT PLAN TO DUMB-DOWN GLOBAL EDUCATION?

Pandemic Panic 2021: RECORD # OF FLU VAXS SHIPPED! H5N1 DEATH CONFIRMED! BLAME THE BRITISH EMPIRE?

Operation Jupiter, 2015: J-U-P-I-T-R A-T-D, A SMALL PART OF A LARGER MILITARY OPERATION SPREADING DISEASE AT A HOSPITAL NEAR YOU!

Idaho, Technology, U.S.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Wyoming & Colorado activates MAFFS, Nevada’s MAFF mission extended!

Video July 27, 2021 Hutchins AAron

“The request for additional support shows just how challenging this fire season is and how critical our MAFFS aircraft, aircrews and maintenance personnel are to supporting NIFC [National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho].”-Colonel Jeremy Ford, 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

On 19JUL2021, a Wyoming Air National Guard (ANG) C-130H MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) was activated, and on 20JUL2021 was sent to battle wildfires in California.

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

The C-130H has been upgraded with a new propeller system.

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

Wyoming ANG video by Jacqueline Marshall, 19JUL2021:

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

Also on 19JUL2021, Colorado ANG activated a MAFFS to fight the fires in California. Music video announcement by Staff Sergeant Laura Fitsmorris:

Earlier in the month, one California ANG C-130 MAFFS, and two Nevada ANG ‘High Rollers’ C-130 MAFFS began fighting fires in California.

CAL FIRE Air Tanker Base, McClellan Park. Nevada ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

Nevada’s ‘High Rollers’ just had their mission in California extended until August 26th!

MAFFS aircraft are only activated when it becomes clear that the private sector water bombers are overwhelmed, or will soon be, by the volume of wildfires.

NIFC in Boise, Idaho, warns that ‘Scary Fuel’ shortage could ground firefighting aircraft.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Wyoming governor waves federal pandemic restrictions to ease aviation fuel shortage for water bombers

K-MAX & 10 TANKER, WAITING FOR THE CALL IN SOUTHEAST IDAHO

International, Technology

Vehicle I-D: Last Days of the Digger’s M113

Video July 25, 2021 Hutchins AAron

Exercise Koolendong at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Sarah E. Taggett, 25AUG2021.

U.S. Marines walk along side a Digger-113. USMC photo by Corporal Lydia Gordon, 25AUG2021.

USMC photo by Cpl. Lydia Gordon, 25AUG2021.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Sarah E. Taggett, 25AUG2021:

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Matthew Mackintosh, 30JUL2021.

USA photo by Private First Class Matthew Mackintosh, 30JUL2021.

USMC photo by First Lieutenant Isaac Lamberth, 29JUL2021.

Digger is a nickname for Australian soldier.

M113AS4 night fire, 24JUL2021. Australian Defence Forces photo by Corporal Madhur Chitnis.

Wargame Talisman Saber (spelled Sabre in Australia) was first launched in 2005, it is held every two years, just missing the pandemic panic attack of 2020. However, this year’s wargames (July 2021) supposedly included CoViD-19 health considerations, according to the U.S. Department of Defense that means reduced number of personnel and a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

USMC photo by Corporal Michael Jefferson Estillomo, 23JUL2021.

Officially the wargame was started by Australia and United States as part of the undeclared War on Terrorism (U.S. Congress never declared war, they just authorized the President’s actions. A U.S. declaration of war is the same as declaring martial law domestically). International participants in the Talisman Saber wargames now include British Empire (Commonwealth of Nations) members Canada, New Zealand and United Kingdom, and East Asian-U.S. occupied Japan and South Korea. There were a couple of wargames where China deployed a Type 815G Dongdiao-class electronic surveillance ship to observe the goings-on.

USMC photo by Corporal Michael Jefferson Estillomo, 23JUL2021.

Since 1964 Australia has used the U.S. designed M113. Originally with the gasoline motor, later the diesel motor, most were license built in Australia. The Aussies have regularly upgraded their M113s, the latest in use is the Tenix M113AS4, in various versions like APC, Fitter, Logistics (a tracked pick-up truck). However, the most recent round of upgrades was delayed by several years (as much as six years), now there is talk of phasing-out the M113 with a true Infantry Fighting Vehicle, possibly by a German or Korean company.

You know you’re in Australia when it says “Caution, Left Hand Drive”. USMC photo by Corporal Michael Jefferson Estillomo, 23JUL2021.

The M113s conduct their Talisman Saber games in Queensland.

USMC photo by Corporal Michael Jefferson Estillomo, 23JUL2021.

U.S. Navy Video, by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Jen S. Martinez, of Aussie Digger M113s waiting for something to do, 24JUL2021:

Older type M113s on a landing craft, July 2019. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant First Class Whitney C. Houston.

July 2017, Australian Defence Forces photo by Leading Aircraftman Dillon Anderson.

Notice the six roadwheels on the Digger’s M113, the U.S. M113 has five.

M113AS4, Exercise Talisman Saber 17 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. Australian Defence Forces photo by Sergeant Tiffany Edwards, 20JUL2017.

U.S. Navy photo by Woody Paschall, 15JUL2011.

USN photo by Woody Paschall, 15JUL2011.

Remember, NATO ‘partner across the globe’ Australia is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations (the official name used for the British Empire since 1926). In 2002, while visiting the armor (armour) folks on Edmonton, I was told by members of the Canadian Lord Strathcona’s Horse that the United States had been secretly brought back into the Empire. Australia’s M113 were produced by Tenix Defence, but in 2008 BAE (formerly known as British Aerospace or BAe) took over Tenix and created BAE Systems Australia.

Here’s some recent Empire shenanigans:

2021: BRITISH EMPIRE & U.S. SPACE FORCE, ‘ALLIED BY DESIGN’?

The new U.S. M109A7 PALADIN is made by a BRITISH EMPIRE company!

Rivet Joint-Airseeker, 2020: RC-135V/W PATRIOT & RED COAT

Gun Ban Fail, 2019: SHOOTING IN AUSTRALIA, AGAIN! COPS KNEW WHO IT WAS AND DID NOTHING!

Vaccine Fail 2017: 156% INCREASE IN AUSTRALIAN ‘HORROR FLU’! EXPERTS FALSELY BLAME SUPER SPREADER CHILDREN!

2016: USAF B-52 TAKES PART IN AUSTRALIA’S CELEBRATION OF THE VIETNAM OCCUPATION!

OBAMA REGIME SECRET REFUGEE DEAL WITH AUSTRALIA!

FRACKING SETS AUSTRALIAN RIVER ON FIRE!

Destroy U.S. Dollar, 2015: AUSTRALIA FIRST TO USE CHINESE YUAN IN MAJOR TRANSACTIONS!

Gun Ban Fail, 2015: YET ANOTHER GUN RELATED INCIDENT IN COUNTRY THAT TOTALLY BANS GUNS!

2014: AUSTRALIA CREATES G20 MARTIAL LAWS! MORE PROOF YOUR ‘FEARLESS’ LEADERS ARE A BUNCH OF PARANOID-SCHIZOIDS!

World War Three, 2012: FIRST UNIT OF U.S. MARINES ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA

MILITARY PACT WITH AUSTRALIA……..OBAMA SAYS THINGS WILL GET WORSE!

World War Three, 2011: PEACEPRIZE WINNER, OBAMA, SENDING THOUSANDS OF U.S. MARINES TO AUSTRALIA. PREP FOR WAR WITH CHINA, OR TRYING TO SAVE MONEY?

Idaho, Technology

Sentimental Journey: 1986-2021

Video July 25, 2021 Hutchins AAron

In July 2021, Sentimental Journey returned to the Pocatello Regional Airport, in Southeast Idaho. It seems I always cross paths with this ancient restored aircraft, from the two decades when it was flown by the Confederate Air Force, to today’s Commemorative Air Force (just call it CAF).

Topping off the tanks.

Old meets new as modern day Challenger and Mustang drive out for a photo opportunity.

Staging the Challenger and Mustang.

Now it’s the people’s turn.

The people are so interested in the old bomber they don’t seem to notice the giant DC-10 water bomber that just landed.

If you had enough money you could get a ride in the B-17G bomber. Notice the K-Max firefighting helicopter in the background, lots of smoke in the air.

In March 2018, Sentimental Journey took part in CAF’s Tora, Tora, Tora display, over Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Tyler J. Bolken.

02OCT2012, at the War Eagles Air Museum, Doña Ana County Airport, New Mexico. Photo by Sergeant Jonathan Thomas.

U.S. Air Force video by Sergeant Adam Ross, getting ‘sentimental’ over the B-17, October 2012:

May 2001: Confederate Air Force has grown to more than nine thousand members in 27 states and three countries, however, many (‘woke’) members hate the name

November 2000: Confederate Air Force to change its Name due to the insidious ‘political correctness’ movement

Summer 1999, Pocatello Regional Airport. My children Denise M. Hutchins, Aryssa M. Hutchins, Alexander B. Hutchins and Jennette McKay-Schow.

Nose gunner/bombardier station.

Alex loves .50-cals.

Denise’s .50-cal just jammed, Alex looks concerned! The Japanese Zeros are swarming!

I don’t remember having to pay to tour the B-17G, but I did buy these Sentimental souvenirs, and a T-shirt which I wore-out long ago.

Me.

1991, ‘Don’t Mess with the Texas Confederate Air Force’ video:

December 1986: A Navigator’s final B-17 flight in Sentimental Journey

My immediate family’s connection to Sentimental Journey began in Summer 1986, when the restored flying fortress visited Edwards Air Force Base, California. Photos by my father William Lewis Hutchins.

My baby brother Ernst F. Hutchins.

U.S. Air force photo by a Staff Sergeant Simons.

From 27APR1986, over Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, during the Gathering of Eagles ’86 tour.

According to CAF, the B-17G that became Sentimental Journey spent the last few months of World War Two over the Pacific. After the war it was converted to serve as a boat carrying Search And Rescue plane out of Florida. In the 1950s it was used as a drone controller during nuclear weapons tests. In 1959, it went to the Bone Yard in Arizona, but shortly after that it was purchased by a firefighting company in California. Sentimental Journey still uses the registration number assigned while it was a fire fighter. In 1978 the B-17 water bomber was donated to the Arizona chapter of the CAF. The name Sentimental Journey was the result of a local newspaper holding a contest for the name. The Arizona CAF members restored Sentimental Journey to its World War Two bomber configuration. Amazingly, Sentimental Journey was fully restored as a bomber and flying air shows by the end of 1985/beginning of 1986.

1982, half hour long documentary explaining the reason for the Confederate Air Force-Ghost Squadron:

1981, British made hour long documentary explaining that the Confederate Air Force-Ghost Squadron was led by a totally made-up Confederate officer named Colonel Culpepper, and why the CAF was originally created. Notice that at the beginning of the film one of the members says “…we shouldn’t apologize to anybody in the world for what we are or what we’ve been.”:

1963: THE CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE FLIES AT LAST

HOW TO PAINT YOUR 1:1 SCALE B-17 MEMPHIS BELLE WITH ‘PERIOD CORRECT’ (correctly mixed that is, 1940s style) PAINT

Pocatello Airport 1999, 2012 & 2014: Section Eight & Ole Yeller flies on

Idaho, Technology

U.S. Wildfire 2021: K-Max & 10 Tanker, waiting for the call

Video July 24, 2021 Hutchins AAron

When the wildfire season officially starts in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, little used Pocatello Regional Airport becomes Pocatello Airtanker Base.

Idaho Wildfires 2012:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 2012.

CANADAIR CL 215

This year (despite the hype by main-stream national news), and the past few years, Pocatello Airtanker Base hasn’t been as busy as it was between the years 2012 and 2017. We had a plethora of water bombers, various types of fixed wing and rotary wing, some even coming from Canada.

A couple of BAEs and an ancient Neptune, September 2012. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

Pocatello Tanker Base 2012:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 2012.

SIKORSKY & USMC IN TOWN

The area is still getting smoked-out by regional fires, but nothing like the amount of smoke during the 2012-2018 years. In 2018 the smoke from record setting California fires was bad enough that I taped furnace filters to my windows (I don’t have central air conditioning). So since about 2019, most of what you see on Pocatello Airtanker Base are a DC-10, a helicopter or two, and the always present Air Tractors.

On 23JUL2021, I just happened to be checking out the airport and caught the crew of a Mountain West Helicopters K-Max, waiting for a call to action, sitting near the tarmac in 90+ Fahrenheit temperatures.