Category Archives: Technology

Singapore Sky Pirates & Idaho Gunslingers

Video May 16, 2020 Hutchins AAron

In March 2022, Idaho’s Gov’na, Brad Little, poses with Singapore’s Buccaneers. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sergeant Joshua Hoskins, 21MAR2022.

In December 2021, the Buccaneers flew from Idaho to Florida, to take part in the Weapons System Evaluation Program. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Betty R. Chevalier, 08DEC2021.

The Buccaneers take part in Red Flag, in Nevada, March 2021.
USAF photo by Senior Airman JaNae Capuno.

Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho, is home to F-15SG Buccaneers (428th Fighter Squadron Republic of Singapore) and F-15E Gunfighters (U.S. Air Force 366th Fighter Wing). They fly their own colorfully painted ‘flagships’. The tiny Republic of Singapore is part of the British empire’s Commonwealth of Nations.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Andrew Kobialka, 15MAY2020.

Buccaneers F-15SG flagship flying alongside an F-15E from a different squadron (Bold Tigers) of the same Fighter Wing, and Idaho National Guard A-10Cs, as part of CoViD-19 morale booster operations 15MAY2020. The Buccaneers are flown by the The Republic of Singapore Air Force, but are based at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 15MAY2020.

About to deploy from Idaho to Utah, for Combat Hammer. USAF photo by Airman First Class Jeremy D. Wolff, 02MAY2017.

Combat Hammer, 2017.

USAF photo by Senior Airman Jeremy L. Mosier, 02MAY2017.

Official USAF video report about Combat Hammer, Singapore bombs Utah:

USAF photo by Senior Airman Connor J. Marth, 27FEB2017.

Over Mountain Home AFB, February 2017.

USAF photo by Airman Alaysia Berry, 08APR2016.

Buccaneers bomb crew getting instructions at the start of weapons loading competition at Mountain Home AFB, April 2016.

Singaporean F-15SG crews competed against USAF F-15E crews for best weapons loading, on Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. USAF photo by Airman First Class Chester Mientkiewicz, 08APR2016.

USAF photo by Senior Airman James Hensley, 19NOV2015.

Landing at Luke AFB, Arizona, for exercise Forging Saber, November 2015.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Thomas Spangler, 11JUL2014.

Red Flag Nevada, July 2014.

Video, Red Flag Nevada night take-off, afterburners:

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jim Araos, 09OCT2012.

Idaho’s, I mean Singapore’s Buccaneers taking part in Red Flag Alaska, October 2012.

USAF photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton, 16OCT2012.

Only one of the F-15SGs has fancy paint on its tails, the others are plain.

The Republic of Singapore began flying F-15SG Strike Eagles at Mountain Home AFB in 2009. The U.S. Air Force re-activated the 428th Fighter Squadron specifically for the RSAF (as part of the Peace Carvin V program). The 428th Fighter Squadron (FS) is officially part of the 366th Fighter Wing (FW).

(MATTIS DISCOVERS SINGAPORE’S INVASION OF IDAHO)

And now for Idaho’s Gunfighters:

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jeremy L. Mosier, 12JUN2019.

‘Flagship’ F-15E Strike Eagle of the 366th FW, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

Video, 2019 ‘elephant walk’ at Mountain Home AFB:

USAF photo by Todd Cromar, 15AUG2018.

Taking part in Combat Hammer at Hill AFB, Utah, 15AUG2018.

USAF photo by Airman First Class JaNae Capuno, 22MAY2018.

Gunfighter flagship over Mountain Home AFB, 22MAY2018.

USAF photo by Airman First Class JaNae Capuno, 23MAY2018.

The 366th FW ‘Gunfighters’ (represented by the 20mm Vulcan-gun carrying Spook) includes 389th FS ‘Thunderbolts’ (represented by the lightening bolt), 391st FS ‘Bold Tigers’ (represented by the orange field with black tiger stripes [like Idaho State University’s colors]) and 428th FS ‘Buccaneers’.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Javier Cruz, 13DEC2016.

A 391st Fighter Squadron Bold Tigers F-15E Strike Eagle over Saylor Creek bombing range, near Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Kevin Wallace, 16OCT2013.

NEW TAIL FEATHERS FOR OREGON EAGLE, B-17 BOMBER STYLE!

D-DAY F-15E STRIKE EAGLE

LOCATION OF MISSING IDAHO F-15E STRIKE EAGLES REVEALED? OR, WHY HI-TECH DOESN’T EQUAL FEWER HUMANS?

IDAHO F-15E WALK-AROUND

Technology

Steel Skeletons of Soviet Afghanistan

Video May 12, 2020 Hutchins AAron

BRDM-2 somewhere near Kandahar International Airport. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Captain Charles G. Grow, 18JAN2002.

T-54B near Bagram Air Base, 29MAY2002. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Arlo K. Abrahamson.

T-55 Bagram Air Base, 03NOV2003. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Scott T. Sturkol.

Canadian Forces photo by Master Corporal Kevin Paul.

14JUL2007, plenty of T-62s in the Kandahar tank graveyard.

Canadian Forces photo by Master Corporal Kevin Paul.

Same time and place, but these are T-55s.

Canadian Forces photo by Master Corporal Kevin Paul.

BRDM in the tank graveyard, Kandahar, 14JUL2007.

Canadian Forces photo by Master Corporal Kevin Paul.

BMP-2s, Kandahar graveyard, 14JUL2007.

Camp Shaheen.

November 2010, a maintenance supervisor with Company D, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team cuts-up an old Soviet occupation armored vehicle in Durani Village, Parwan Province, Afghanistan. The villagers were able to sell the pieces of steel to recyclers for cash.

USMC video report on U.S. Army’s 832nd Engineer Company chopping up old tanks:

BTR-80, Panjshir Province, Afghanistan, January 2010.

Quick video, steel skeletons of Panjshir:

Photo by Staff Sergeant Teddy Wade, 02JAN2010.

Panjshir Province, BMP in between T-54 and T-62, January 2010.

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Ken Scar, 12OCT2011.

Tank graveyard, Combat Outpost Red Hill, Parwan Province, October 2012.

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Ken Scar.

BMP-1, Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, 06JUN2011.

T-54/55, Bamyan Province.

Nowzad, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, February 2011. Children line up for school while a relic (T-55) of the 1980s Soviet occupation rusts away in the background.

Derelict World War Two era Soviet T-34/85 in Muqer District, Ghazni Province, March 2012.

T-55 in Nowzad, Helmand Province, Afghanistan February 2012.

Remains of ZSU-23-4, Bala Hissar Fortress, August 2013. You can see where the anti-aircraft tank took a direct hit in the side.

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant First Class Kenneth Foss, 26AUG2013.

Bala Hissar Fortress, August 2013.

BMP-1s and a T-54/55 (without bore evacuator) in Bamyan Province, February 2013.

Soviet occupation era T-55 still in use. The U.S. Marine Corps observed Afghan government forces use it against rebel troops in Sangin District, Helmand Province, August 2018.

Vehicle I-D: ZOMBIE TANK T-55, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

Zombie ‘Copter: HOW THE HIND RETURNED TO AFGHANISTAN, AND WHY IT WON’T DIE

Technology

Vehicle I-D: Iraqi Huey

Video May 10, 2020 Hutchins AAron

According to a 2007 Reuters report, the neighboring country of Jordan donated their old UH-1H helicopters to Iraq, but the U.S. taxpayers paid to rebuild the Hueys at a cost of $3.5-million, each!

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Randy Redman, 18APR2011.

April 2011, Exercise Lion.

U.S. Army photo by First Lieutenant Jason Sweeney, 18MAY2011.

Air Assault training on Camp Mejid, photo by Staff Sergeant Tanya Thomas, 11NOV2010.

Prior to 2010, the Iraqis used a smaller flag on their Hueys.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Michael Keller, 14JUL2009.

Here’s the smaller flag.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Michael Keller, 17JUL2009.

Iraqi Bell UH-1H Huey take-off from Taji Air Base, July 2009.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Michael Keller, 17JUL2009.

Their mission is to pick-up a soldier, who is considered recovered enough from being gut-shot, at the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Michael Keller, 17JUL2009.

U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer First Class Carmichael Yepez, 31JUL2009.

The same Iraqi Huey (#206) is taking off from Forward Operating Base Diamondback in Mosul, at the end of July 2009.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Carmichael Yepez, 31JUL2009.

Video, pre-flight checks:

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Chuck Gill, 28SEP2008.

Al Taji Air Base, 11SEP2008.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Paul Villanueva the Second, 11SEP2008.

Flaming engine start.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Paul Villanueva the Second, 11SEP2008.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Paul Villanueva the Second, 12SEP2008.

Door gunner uses Soviet era PK-C machine gun.

Camp Taji, USAF photo by Senior Airman Julianne Showalter, 28APR2008.

Video, over-fly Taji:

Vehicle I-D: IRAQI ARMOR, AFTER THE INVASION

RECOVERING UH-1 SKELETONS

Technology

Mil 17 crash & burn

Image May 10, 2020 Hutchins AAron

In early May 2011, one of the U.S. taxpayer funded Russian built Afghan Mil 17B(V)-5 crashed in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. Nine people onboard were slightly injured.

The Hip was part of the first deliveries of U.S. taxpayer funded Russian made helicopters between 2009 and 2010. NATO/ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) reported the Mil-17s sent to Afghanistan cost about $15-million each! Dozens more were given to Afghanistan in the years after this crash, in fact the United States signed a new delivery contract with Russia about a week after this crash.

U.S. Army Pathfinders were ordered to remove ‘sensitive’ equipment from the NATO reporting-name Hip, and then dismantle and burn it to the ground.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Brian Christiansen, 12MAY2011.

Parts of the Mi-17, that could be reused, were sling loaded away by CH-47 Chinook.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Brian Christiansen, 12MAY2011.

The fire was started using phosphorus grenades. When aluminum gets hot enough it burns like paper, almost nothing is left but ash.

This was not the first time a U.S. taxpayer funded ‘Hip’ was blown-up by U.S. forces.

U.S. Army photo by Corporal Patrick Gleason, 23DEC2010.

On 23DEC2010, a contracted Mi-17 was blown-up by U.S. forces on Combat Out-Post (COP) Spera in Khowst Province. The Hip actually crashed on COP Spera several years earlier.

The result of packing an Mi-17 with excess ammo, and then blowing it up. USA photo by Corporal Patrick Gleason, 23DEC2010.

The Hip was packed with ‘left-over’ munitions, which were detonated. The destruction of the derelict Hip was an excuse to get rid of excess ammo, as COP Spera was being shut-down.

CH-47 CHINOOK LOVES COLLECTING MIL 8 ‘HIP’ BONES

MAINTAINING SATAN’S CHARIOT (Afghan Mi-24V)

AFGHANISTAN GETS MORE U.S. TAXPAYER FUNDED HELICOPTERS & GUNS!

TAXPAYER FUNDED AIRCRAFT ABANDONED THEN TURNED INTO SCRAP METAL!

U.S. TAXPAYERS TO RESCUE “DONATED” C-130

U.S. TAXPAYERS DELIVER MD-530F CAYUSE WARRIOR TO KENYA

U.S. TAXPAYERS SEND AUSSIE PRIME MINISTER A MODEL BOAT!

U.S. TAXPAYERS FUND POLICE TRAINING & CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN VIETNAM!

Technology

U.S. Navy keeps old U.S. Army Boat-Truck afloat

Video May 9, 2020 Hutchins AAron

The Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo-5 tons capacity (LARC-V) was developed by the U.S. Army in the 1950s. Just short of 1-thousand of the aluminum hulled boat-trucks were made, almost half being intentionally destroyed as the United States ended its occupation of Vietnam. About 1-hundred are now privately owned. Perhaps in response to concerns about climate change, the U.S. Navy ordered a SLEP (Service Life Extension Program) refurbishment of the versatile LARC-5, and since 2006 has accepted 42 of the upgraded decades old swimming trucks.

U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Brandon Raile, 17SEP2019.

In September 2019, the U.S. Navy used LARC-5 Duck Boats to transport equipment that would allow Navy ships to transfer fuel oil to Alaskan villages onshore. It’s part of preparations for an expected major natural disaster that could cut-off remote villages along the U.S. Pacific coast.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Jack D. Aistrup, 12JUN2019.

Landing Craft Utility (LCU) ship with a couple of boat trucks during Baltic Operations (BaltOps) 2019.

Video of boat-truck (Duck Boat) actions on Kallaste Beach, NATO-Estonia, during BaltOps 2019:

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Jacob I. Allison, 19OCT2018.

Vice Admiral Richard Brown, then Commander of Naval Surface Force-U.S. Pacific Fleet, inspects the increasingly relevant (despite their old age) LARC-5s in San Diego, California, October 2018.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jacob Owen, 14JUL2017.

Inside the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), July 2017.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jacob Owen, 14JUL2017.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sabyn L. Marrs, 14JUL2017.

USN photo by Mass Communications Specialist Third Class Kenneth Gardner, 22MAY2017.

May 2017, launching a LARC-5 from astern the USNS SGT WILLIAM R. BUTTON during NATO’s Saber Strike 17, in Latvia.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Ricardo Davila, 22MAY2017.

Driver’s position.

USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Jeanette Mullinax, 29OCT2016.

Entering the well deck of amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20), October 2016.

Video, LARC-5s coming aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) via an LCU, October 2016:

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Raymond Minami, 22MAR2016.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Raymond Minami, 23MAR2016.

Entering USS Bataan (LHD 5), March 2016.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Raymond Minami, 23MAR2016.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class David A. Cox, 13AUG2015.

In August 2015, LARC-5s were used to help survivors of Typhoon Soudelor, on the Marshal Islands.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class David A. Cox, 13AUG2015.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Elizabeth Merriam, 02SEP2014.

Driving into the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20), September 2014.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Tamara Vaughn, 30JUL2014.

Inside amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), July 2014.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Tamara Vaughn, 30JUL2014.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Edward Gyokeres, 05JUN2012.

An abandoned and rusting (yes, aluminum does corrode) LARC-5 at Mackall Army Airfield, North Carolina, June 2012.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Brien Aho, 07JUL2010.

LARC-5s took part in a landing at Salinas Beach, Peru, July 2010.

USN photo, 17SEP2009.

September 2009, this boat-truck helped with the salvage of an abandoned and wrecked sailboat, near Coronado, California.

USN photo by Chief Petty Officer Daniel Taylor, 14JUN2009.

Fun in the sun at Camp Onslow Beach, North Carolina, June 2009.

Hurricane Harvey: MARINES USE AMPHIBIOUS COMBAT TANKS TO SAVE LIVES!

Bare Metal: NASA Trucks

1942 FORD FIRETRUCK RETURNS TO SERVICE WITH THE USAF!

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAINTAIN A FLYING MILITARY FIRETRUCK?

Technology

Bare Metal: NASA Trucks saving the Trucking Industry

Image May 9, 2020 Hutchins AAron

According to NASA, it was in 1973 that one of its employees became intrigued with how high speed tractor-trailer rigs created massive ‘suction’ as they drove-by slower moving vehicles. In 1975 a study showed that big-rig trucks moving at 55 miles per hour (the national speed limit at that time) displaced as much as 18 tons of air for every mile traveled. About half of the truck’s horsepower was needed just to overcome aerodynamic drag.

After leasing a cab-over tractor-trailer from a Southern California firm, Dryden (Edwards Air Force Base) researchers added sheet metal modifications that look very much like what you see on today’s big-rigs. They rounded the front corners and edges, and placed a smooth fairing on the cab’s roofs and sides extending back to the trailer. During the investigation of truck aerodynamics, the techniques honed in flight research proved highly applicable. By closing the gap between the cab and the trailer, for example, researchers discovered a significant reduction in aerodynamic drag, one resulting in 20% to 25% increase in fuel economy.

NASA estimates that its contribution to the ground vehicle industry has reduced fuel consumption by as much as 6-thousand-8-hundred gallons per year per vehicle!

Researchers also installed a boat tail structure on a passenger van. During the tests, the vehicle’s sides were fitted with tufts, or strings, that showed air flow. The investigators concluded that rounding the vertical corners front and rear reduced drag by 40%, with at a decrease in the vehicle’s internal volume by only 1.3%. Rounding both the vertical and horizontal corners cut drag by 54%, resulting in a 3% loss of internal volume. Adding a faired underbody helped reduce drag by about 15%.

In a kind-of control test, the passenger van was first covered with a sheet metal box with intentionally squared corners.

It was discovered that simply rounding the corners resulted in a huge reduction in aerodynamic drag.

One of the most effective, and simple, NASA discoveries is saving the trucking industry big money on fuel costs today; the ‘Airtab’.

Bare Metal: KC-135R GETS STRIPPED

NASA’S TUPOLEV 144 SST

Technology

Maintaining Satan’s Chariot

Video May 9, 2020 Hutchins AAron

U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Cecilio Ricardo, 09APR2007.

What does it take to keep what the Afghan’s call Satan’s Chariot in the air?

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Angelita Lawrence, 02OCT2009.

Video from September 2009, live fire prep, 12.7mm chin-gun and 57mm rockets:

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Angelita Lawrence, 02OCT2009.

Video from September 2009, the awesome sight and sounds of live fire training:

Loading the 12.7mm four barreled gatling chin-gun, May 2010.

Don’t forget the 57mm rockets.

These pics were taken at Kabul International Airport during a 100 hours inspection of a Mil 35 (Mi-24V, NATO Hind-E), in October 2011.

Video from June 2015, maintaining the Hind Legs of the Hind-E (and the front leg as well):

Before we go, live fire training 12.7mm chin-gun and 23mm under-wing gun-pods, from 2014:

Zombie ‘Copter:

Afghan Mi-24 Hind-D.

HOW THE HIND RETURNED TO AFGHANISTAN (with the help of the U.S./NATO), AND WHY IT WON’T DIE

Vehicle I-D:

NATO photo, 15MAR2018.

MIL 24 HIND ‘SATAN’S CHARIOTS’, in use by almost everybody including NATO

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAINTAIN A FLYING MILITARY FIRETRUCK?

Technology

NATO: Poland Sukhoi 22

Video May 9, 2020 Hutchins AAron

The Sukhoi 22M4 is the export version of the Sukhoi 17M4. The NATO reporting name for both is Fitter-K. Poland began using Su-22s in August 1984, when it was a member of the Cold War era Warsaw Pact. Poland joined NATO in 1997. Polish officials want to phase-out the Su-22 by 2026.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant Dengrier M. Baez, 07JUN2018.

Note the shark mouth painted external fuel tanks on this Polish Su-22M4, NATO Baltic Operations (BaltOps), June 2018.

U.S. Army video, by Sergeant Jacob Holmes, Su-22s over the Gora Hetmanska Range in Drawsko Pomorskie, 15FEB2017:

A Polish Su-22 now a museum piece. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Lauren Harrah, 13AUG2016.

Swedwin, Poland, 08JUN2016. USA photo by Private First Class Antonio Lewis.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Matthew Plew, 05JUN2016.

Polish Su-22M4s in Estonia, taking part in NATO’s Spring Storm wargames, June 2016.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Matthew Plew, 05JUN2016.

Tight formation break-away during Spring Storm 2016. For kit builders, note the new larger blade antenna behind the cockpit.

Video showing Su-22M4s along with F-15s and SAM batteries:

USAF photo by Airman First Class Kyle Gese, 13JUN2014.

Polish Su-22M4s take-off from Lask Air Base during NATO’s Eagle Talon, June 2014. Note the smaller original blade antenna behind the cockpit.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Kyle Gese, 13JUN2014

Video, Polish Su-22 during NATO Exercise Anakonda 2014:

Apparently there are only a handful of countries using the Su-22, with Poland being the only NATO member flying the Fitter-K. Peru has less than a dozen Su-22s in reserve status. In 2012 Peru signed a ‘codification’ agreement with NATO but is not considered a member, or partner, of NATO.

NATO MiG-21

Vehicle I-D: Sukhoi 24

Technology

Zombie ‘Copter: How the Hind returned to Afghanistan, and why it won’t die

Video May 8, 2020 Hutchins AAron

The first time the Afghan military used the NATO-reporting-name Hind was during the Soviet occupation (1979-1989). It was during that occupation that Mujaheddin on the receiving end of the Mi-24D nicknamed it Satan’s Chariot. After the Soviets left, Afghanistan managed to operate a few Mi-24s (NATO reporting-name Hind-D), some sources say right up until the 2001 U.S. invasion.

Apparently the Mil 35 is the export version of the Mil 24V (NATO reporting-name Hind-E), and apparently there’s wasn’t much difference between the Soviet version and the export version. However, don’t confuse a Mi-35 with the newer Mi-35M (prototype Mi-24VM). Along with many internal upgrades the basic visual differences between Mi-24/25 (another ‘export’ designation)/35 and a true Mi-35M are the landing gear, wings and chin-gun. The Mi-35M has fixed landing gear (apparently in an effort to reduce weight and keep production costs down), shorter span wings and a twin barreled 23mm chin-gun.

Kabul International Airport/Air Base. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Cecilio Ricardo, 02APR2007.

In December 2008, Czech Republic started deliveries of at least six refurbished Mi-24Vs (NATO Mi-35 Hind-E), along with several Mi-17s, to help build Afghanistan’s air power.

The push to build Afghan government controlled air power was seen as a way of reducing reliance on U.S./NATO forces, a way of avoiding getting stuck in a ‘Tar Baby’ the way the Soviets did in the 1980s.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Edward Gyokeres, 27MAY2009.

Live fire at East River Range Complex near Bagram Air Base, May 2009.

June 2009 video of Czech technicians training Afghans for live fire exercise:

According to the exalted Wikipedia, it states the Czech Hinds were “purchased” by Afghanistan and training was done by technicians from India. Wrong! Here’s an official NATO report from July 2009:

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Thomas Dow, 09SEP2009.

2009, U.S. Air Force video report explaining what the plan is for the Afghan Hinds:

USAF photo by Airman Brian Ybarbo, 15DEC2009.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Manuel J. Martinez, 11MAY2010.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Oshawn Jefferson, 15MAY2010.

Quick live fire video from June 2010:

USAF photo, 26JAN2011.

Photo by Vladimir Potapenko, 05MAR2011.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Elvis Umanzor, 18SEP2013.

In 2014, it was revealed that the United States supplied Afghanistan with 30 Russian built new model Mi-17B-5 helicopters. But the affair with Russia ended over the shenanigans in Ukraine and Crimea. U.S. officials instead pushed for U.S. made helicopters to be given to Afghanistan.

In a 2015 New York Times article an Afghan colonel criticized the U.S. for forcing Afghanistan to accept MD 530F scout helicopters (at U.S. taxpayer expense). The colonel pointed out the MD 530Fs were easily shot down saying “This plane is a total mess”, and expressed a desire to get more Hinds.

In 2019, the arrogant U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) stated the Czech gifted “…Mi-35s were removed from the authorized fleet in 2015, but the Afghans continue to attempt to sustain them. DoD has advised them against doing so….”, and seemed perplexed at Afghan military leaders wanting a more reliable and survivable gunship like the Mi-24.

Sensing an opportunity to make points with the Afghan government, India gifted four refurbished Hinds (originally purchased from Belarus) between 2015 and the end of 2019. The Indian Hinds were denoted as Mi-25s and Mi-24Vs by the Indian news media and even Jane’s Defence Weekly, U.S. news sources refer to the Indian gifted Hinds as Mi-35s.

Moral of the story is; if you want to make Afghans happy just give them more Satan’s Chariots!

Update, 11AUG2021, Taliban capture Mil 24V (Mil 35):

#BREAKING: Taliban Captures Mi-24 attack helicopter which was gifted by India to Afghan Government in May 2019. This afternoon Taliban today captured Kunduz airport in Afghanistan. Video released by Taliban. pic.twitter.com/9YkMYmYrKD

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 11, 2021

VEHICLE I-D: ZOMBIE TANK T-55, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

Technology

Soviet era Armor used by NATO: Poland

Video May 5, 2020 Hutchins AAron

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Lauren Harrah, 19JUL2016.

Polish modified ZSU-23-4, known as ZSU-23-4MP Biała, July 2016.

Very quick video of Polish ZSU-23-4MP, a mine throwing TRI-Kroton (aka Opal, modified MTLB) and some 2S1 SP guns, in Romania for NATO wargames in 2017:

USA photo by Sergeant Justin Geiger, 18JUN2017.

Cold War era Warsaw Pact Czechoslovak designed/built 152mm Samohybná Kanónová Húfnica vzor 77 (ShKH vz. 77, or self-propelled cannon howitzer model 77), June 2017. It’s also known as DANA (Dělo Automobilní Nabíjené Automaticky, or gun vehicle loaded automatically).