California Air National Guard, 144th Fighter Wing, 194th Fighter Squadron’s F-15C Eagle #84-004 preps to take-off from Fresno Yosemite International Airport, California, to participate in the Orange Flag wargame, along with aircrews from Edwards Air Force Base and China Lake Naval Air Station, 10DEC2019.
Photo by Captain Jason Sanchez.
Photo by Captain Jason Sanchez.
2019 California Capital Airshow at Mather Airport near Sacramento.
Photo by Technical Sergeant Charles Vaughn.
84-004 lands at Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, for wargame Clear Sky, 06OCT2018.
Photo by Technical Sergeant Charles Vaughn.
#84-004 was painted in an eagle motif for the 194FS’s 75th Anniversary, which was officially in 2018. The 194FS was established in 1946, but was not federally recognized until 1948.
Clear Sky video explainer by Staff Sergeant Christian Jadot:
Photo by Technical Sergeant Charles Vaughn.
A California Eagle taxis past Ukrainian Sukhoi 27s, 09OCT2018.
Video report by Staff Sergeant Christian Jadot, a happy California Eagle pilot talks about “finally” being in Ukraine:
Four different versions of the General Dynamics F-16 shared the ramp at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California, in this 1997 photo. At left and right are the only two F-16XL prototypes built. The two-seat F-16XL-2 version to the left, NASA registration number 848, was flown in a supersonic active/passive laminar flow control experiment until late 1996. The single-seat F-16XL-1 at right, NASA registration number 849 (originally USAF 749), was flown in a variety of experiments, including an earlier passive laminar-flown study and sonic boom attenuation research. At center left is a single-seat F-16A, NASA registration number 816, the only civil registered F-16 in existence. At center right is the U.S. Air Force Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F-16A.
Silent NASA video, F-16XL-1 #849 in-flight 1992:
NASA photo published in 1992.
NASA 849 F-16XL-1 in earlier passive laminar flow experiment.
NASA photo by Judson Brohmer, 1995.
By 1993, F-16XL-1 #849 was returned to original configuration to study the performance of the XL’s ‘cranked arrow’ wing.
NASA photo, October 1991.
NASA 848 F-16XL-2 prior to active/passive laminar flow wing glove modifications. 848 was originally a single seat USAF F-16A #75-0747, which crashed at the end of 1980, was rebuilt as the first F-16XL in 1981, then rebuilt again as the two seat F-16XL-2 taking its first flight in 1982.
NASA photo dated February 1995.
Mounting the perforated port ‘active’ laminar flow glove on #848.
NASA photo, June 1995.
This NASA photo shows you how tiny the perforations are in the port glove. The edge of a dime coin is used to show scale, NASA used a laser to drill the 10-million, almost microscopic, holes.
NASA photo dated 1995.
NASA photo dated 1995.
First flight of modified F-16XL-2. NASA photo by Carla Thomas, 1995.
First flight of fully modified F-16XL #848. Notice the wing tip sensors, which were used to study ‘flutter’ on 848 prior to being modified for laminar flow testing. They were not used during the bulk of the laminar flow testing. This NASA video explains the use of the wing tip ‘exciter vanes’ (Excitation System) on 848:
Flying over Lake Mead, Nevada. NASA photo by Jim Ross, October 1996.
A turbo-compressor vacuum mounted in the fuselage, behind the cockpit, draws off a small part of the boundary-layer air flowing over the port wing’s perforated titanium leading edge glove at supersonic speeds, this is known as Supersonic Laminar Flow Control, or active laminar flow system. The turbo compressor exhausts out the starboard side of the fuselage.
NASA photo, 1995.
A turbo-compressor (looking like a axillary power unit, APU) in the aircraft’s fuselage provided suction to draw air through more than 10-million tiny laser-drilled holes in the titanium glove via a manifold system employing 20 valves.
NASA photo published in 1996.
In some photos you’ll notice a small canard, known as a ‘shock fence’, protruding from under the leading edge. In a few photos it’s not present.
NASA photo by Jim Ross, April 1996.
Note that the leading edge on the starboard side is different.
Refueling on its 45th and final data-collection flight, November 1996.
The starboard leading edge was known as the passive laminar flow system.
45th and final data-collection flight of F-16XL 848, November 1996. NASA photo by Jim Ross.
NASA video, one hour of ‘raw’ (unedited) video of F-16XL-2 in flight:
Data obtained during the program was collected in the hopes of developing civilian transport aircraft (specifically Boeing, Rockwell, and McDonnell Douglas) that could cruise at supersonic speeds.
A 13-thousand-pound (5896.7-kilos) Apollo Command Module 19A test mock-up (aka boilerplate) was used to test various systems before the actual Apollo was launched, including parachutes.
NASA photos.
On 03JUL1968, NASA’s C-133 Cargomaster drops the Apollo ‘boilerplate’ for parachute (aka Earth Landing System) testing.
The first ELS test was conducted on 03MAY1963. Between 1963 and 1968, 34 drop tests, using various ‘boilerplate’ modules with different parachute configurations, were completed.
Silent NASA video:
‘Boilerplate’ coming down on the Southern California-El Centro desert, 16JUN1968.
Original Northrop Ventura Corporation documentary film:
NASA also used the C-133 to haul what was called the Centaur Upper Stage shuttle rocket. The Centaur Upper Stage shuttle rocket has been periodically brought back to life as a cheaper alternative to the Space Shuttle. NASA C-133s also transported stages for Atlas, Saturn and Titan rockets to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Combat Vehicle 90 during NATO wargame in Poland, June 2019.
NATO video, Norwegian CV90s off-loading from ship for wargame in Poland, June 2019:
NATO video, Royal Danish Army Guard Hussars, December 2018:
Swedish Armed Forces photo by Jesper Sundström, 02NOV2018.
Sweden is not a member of NATO but is a NATO ‘partner’, and took part in NATO wargames in Norway (which has a northeastern border with Russia) in November 2018.
NATO video, Royal Netherlands Army’s 45th Mechanized Infantry
Battalion, October 2018:
NATO video, Norway’s Armored Battalion, 2nd Brigade, October 2018:
NATO video, Netherland’s CV90s in Poland for wargame, February 2017:
NATO video, public unveiling of Norway’s latest version of the CV90 (the Mark-3 which can engage multiple targets with multiple weapons at the same time) and live-fire display, September 2015:
U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Lloyd illanueva, 08NOV2014.
CV9035DK of NATO-Denmark’s Royal Life Guards, taking part in wargames on Hohenfels, NATO-Germany, November 2014.
Ukraine Crisis: February 2014 (NATO backed coup) to present.
Finland, not a NATO member but a NATO ‘partner’, has CV-90s:
In January 2009, the U.S. Navy officially retired (from ‘fleet service’ aboard aircraft carriers, with final USN retirement in 2016) its Lockheed S-3B Viking aircraft. In 2001, one lucky Viking got a new life with the National Aeronautics Space Administration.
Glenn Research Center, Ohio, NASA photo dated 2001.
NASA photo dated 2006, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
NASA Airborne Science Program’s N601NA Viking before getting its new NASA clothing, still wearing its worn-out U.S. Navy uniform.
NASA photo dated 2007, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
This NASA image, of Viking N601NA with its new NASA uniform, is from 2007.
NASA photo dated 2007, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
NASA began using the Viking, to supplement their other aircraft, to fly aircraft SatCom (satellite communication) relay viability missions over Illinois.
NASA photo dated 2007, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
NASA photo dated 2007, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
Photo by Louis DePaemelaere.
N601NA stopping in Grand Junction, Colorado, for fuel. N601NA was taking part in icing research.
NASA photo dated 2008.
A 1/3 scale model section of S-3B Viking wing inside NASA’s icing tunnel.
Final approach to the runway at Air Force Plant 42, NASA Dryden’s Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, California, October 2010. The large cargo pod has been modified by NASA to carry electronic sensing devices for various missions.
S-3B Viking taking off from Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Illinois.
The last flight of two U.S. Navy Air Test & Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30 Bloodhounds) S-3B Vikings over Point Mugu, California, 18DEC2015.
U.S. Navy photo, 18DEC2015.
According to the information that came with these U.S. Navy photos, in January 2016 one of these Air Test & Evaluation Squadron 30’s Vikings was sent to be mummified in ‘the boneyard’, while the other got a new life working for NASA. However, I can’t find anything from NASA confirming they took possession of another Viking. I’ve even seen some blogs that claim NASA has three Vikings which, again, I haven’t found anything from NASA backing that up. Current NASA information indicates there was only one Viking in their possession, N601NA, operating out of Glenn Research Center in Ohio.
During May 2016, the Oregon Air National Guard spread their F-15C Eagle (Kotkat) wings all the way to Finland (Suomi), for NATO’s Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Oregon Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 10MAY2016.
One of the 173rd’s Eagles was decked-out with a special one year only paint scheme in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Oregon Air National Guard.
Oregon Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 10MAY2016.
Oregon’s 173rd Fighter Wing operated out of Finland’s Rissala Air Base, aka Kuopio Airport.
Finnish Defense Forces video of Oregon’s visit:
Kuopio Airport/Rissala Air Base is home to Finland’s Karelia Air Command. This is the flag of Karelia Air Command.
Oregon Air National Guard explainer video report:
Oregon Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 10MAY2016.
Oregon’s F-15Cs flew alongside Finland’s F/A-18s, fighting against Swedish Saab aircraft during the NATO wargame.
The primary identifying feature between Mil 8 and 17 versions is; the Mil 8 has the tail rotor on the pilot’s right side, the Mil 17 has the tail rotor on the pilot’s left side. All other details are subject to change.
Video by Bob Ditchey, Hip door gunner live-fire, 13MAY2018:
2014 video, Mil 17B(V)-5 helicopters inflight over Afghanistan:
2014 video, by Senior Airman Brandi Hansen, of NATO member Czech Republic advisers on a training flight, with live-fire door gunning, in an Afghan Mil 17B(V)-5 helicopter. Czech Republic has a long history of using Mil helicopters and was sent to help train Afghans:
2013 NATO video report; Uruzgan based 4th Brigade of the Afghan National Army conducted resupply and casualty evacuations:
Forward Operating Base Shank in Logar province, 04AUG2012. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Austin Berner.
Photo by Technical Sergeant Dennis Henry.
In 2012, NATO member Czech Republic deployed air-crews to Afghanistan. They got acquainted with the terrain by taking rides in Afghan Mil 17B(V)-5.
Photo by Technical Sergeant Dennis Henry.
Photo by Technical Sergeant Dennis Henry.
Photo by Technical Sergeant Dennis Henry
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Second Class Jonathan David Chandler. Sun rises on a Mil-8 helicopter on Camp Bastion, Helmand province, 23OCT2011.
Video by Sergeant Bryan Spradlin, October 2010, showing U.S. and Afghan forces refueling and rearming a Hip:
During Afghan national elections Hip helicopters are used to deliver empty ballot boxes, and then retrieve full ballot boxes after voting. These pics are from September 2010.
Maybe it’s time the United States use its military to control ballots during national level elections?
Photo by Petty Officer Second Class Ernesto Hernandez Fonte.
August 2010, U.S. advisers fire the rockets of a Mil 17. U.S. advisers were prepping to train-up Afghan aircrews in using the Hip as a gunship.
Photo by Staff Sergeant Teddy Wade. Contracted Mil Mi-8 helicopter lands at FOB Airborne, 25NOV2009.
Hip door gunners, 03OCT2009. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Angelita Lawrence.
By November 2008, Afghanistan had received three new U.S. taxpayer funded Mi-17 Hips. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Keith Brown, 25NOV2008.
NATO Romania’s armored river gunboats are operated by a unit called Division 88. Romania has been operating river gunboats on the Danube River since 1860, making Romania the oldest ‘modern’ navy to do so.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, October 2021.
This Shield of Dobrogea video, posted in March 2021, shows gunboat ops during exercise Danube Protector:
Arizona Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Adrian Borunda, 15JUL2017.
Romanian armored gunboat F-178 Smârdan in action on the Danube (Dunăre), during NATO’s Saber Guardian 2017.
NATO video, quad 23mm anti-aircraft guns blazing on the Smârdan during Saber Guardian 2017:
Mihail Kogălniceanu class F-47 gunboat, U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Nicholas Vidro, 16JUL2017.
Romanian river monitor F-47 Lascăr Catargiu, Saber Guardian 2017.
NATO video of river patrol boat, armored gunboats, and larger monitors, supporting Danube river crossing operations, big guns firing (wait for it):
Smârdan class F-176 Rohave, USA photo by Specialist Christopher Estrada, 22JUN2019.
Armored gunboat F-176 Rahova provides cover for Danube river crossing, Saber Guardian June 2019.
NATO video of Danube river crossing, armored gunboats and a monitor, Saber Guardian 2019:
Romania has three Mihail Kogălniceanu class river monitors, beginning operations in the 1990s:
F-45 Mihail Kogălniceanu, photo via Naval Forces Romania, February 2022.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, October 2021.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, October 2021.
F-47 Lascăr Catargiu.
F-47 on public display, photo via Naval Forces Romania, August 2021.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, August 2020.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, August 2020.
F-46 Ion C. Brătianu.
Mihail Kogălniceanu class and Smârdan class launching rockets. Photo via Naval Forces Romania, October 2021.
Five Smârdan class armored river gunboats, beginning operations in the late 1980s-early 1990s:
F-176 Rohave, photo via Naval Forces Romania, June 2021.
F-177 Opanez, photo via Naval Forces Romania, May 2021.
F-177 Opanez, photo via Naval Forces Romania, May 2021.
Rocket launchers are optional, photo via Naval Forces Romania, April 2021.
F-178 Smârdan, photo via Naval Forces Romania, June 2021.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, September 2021.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, July 2021.
F-179 Posada, photo via Naval Forces Romania, May 2021.
F-179 Posada, photo via Naval Forces Romania, May 2021.
F-179 equipped with two optional rocket launchers, photo via Naval Forces Romania, October 2021.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, August 2020.
F-180 Rovine, photo via Naval Forces Romania, July 2021.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, October 2021.
F-180 with one optional rocket launcher, photo via Naval Forces Romania, October 2021.
Photo via Naval Forces Romania, October 2020.
Division 88 operates about a dozen of these non-named VD-141 river patrol boats. The VD-141 class began operations in the 1980s:
Patrol boat F-147, February 2022, photo via Naval Forces Romania.
Shield of Dobrogea video posted in January 2020, Division 88’s smaller river patrol boats:
Guns of a VD-141 class, photo via Naval Forces Romania, June 2021.
Shield of Dobrogea video of Division 88 river gunboats in action, posted November 2019 (although a lot of the video is actually from 2017):
Official Romanian Navy promotional video about Division 88 river gunboat operations, posted April 2019:
River gunboat ops, posted by Shield of Dobrogea, May 2018:
More gunboat action, posted April 2018:
River gunboat report posted April 2017:
A long video about Romania’s river gunboats, from 2015:
Former Soviet Bloc member Romania became a member of NATO in 2004.
One of the first operations as a member of NATO was to deploy troops to Iraq in 2007. Video of Romanian TAB-B33 Zimbru (Romanian built BTR-80) heading out for patrol in Iraq, April 2007:
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Brendan Stephens, 15OCT2008.
In 2008, Romanian troops operated U.S. made armored HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle), as well as their BTR-80s (aka TAB-B33 Zimbru [Aurochs, or wild cattle]) while patrolling outside the city of Nasariyah, Iraq.
Camp Dracula, Dhi Qar, Iraq, 01DEC2008. USA photo by Specialist Donte Baltimore.
Since July 2006, Romanian troops have also been working alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan. U.S. Army video from 16OCT2010, showing Romanians training for deployment to Afghanistan:
U.S. Army (USA) video report from 2009, revealing that the U.S. Army has expanded into Romania:
The UROVESAVAMTac (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico) looks like a U.S. HMMWV, but it is actually made in NATO-Spain.
Tennessee Army National Guard learns to shoot the Cold War era Soviet 12.7mm heavy machine gun on the Babadag Training Area, Romania, 13AUG2009. Photo by Sergeant Marla Keown.
Live prep & fire video, by Sergeant Ellis McDaniels, TR-85M1Bizonul (The Bison) invade Grafenwoehr, Germany, June 2014:
TR-85M1 blasting away on Grafenwoehr, Germany, 13JUN2014. USA photo by Captain Sandra Stover.
Romanian Armed Forces video of tank live-fire, from point of view of the top of the turret: https://fb.watch/3b_7nPPEy8/
Romanian MLI-84M on Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, 27JUN2014. USA photo by Gertrud Zach.
A modified BMP, the Romanian MLI-84M Jder (Marten), in Germany, 2014.
In 2015, the U.S. issued MRAPs to Romanian troops operating in Kandahar, Afghanistan. USA photo, 02MAR2015.
Finland: OREGON KOTKAT LENTÄÄ SUOMEN YLI
Final approach to the runway at Air Force Plant 42, NASA Dryden’s Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, California, October 2010. The large cargo pod has been modified by NASA to carry electronic sensing devices for various missions.
S-3B Viking taking off from Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Illinois.
Kuopio Airport/Rissala Air Base is home to Finland’s Karelia Air Command. This is the flag of Karelia Air Command.
During Afghan national elections Hip helicopters are used to deliver empty ballot boxes, and then retrieve full ballot boxes after voting. These pics are from September 2010.
Maybe it’s time the United States use its military to control ballots during national level elections?
Fellow NATO member 
