Tag Archives: nato

International, U.S.

Big Bang star supports the National Guard on international USO tour

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First stop on a whirlwind six day USO (United Service Organizations) tour; Kosovo.  Actress and real neuroscientist Mayim Bialik (Big Bang Theory); singer Laura Bryna; comedian Anjelah Johnson; Nia Franklin (2019 Ms. America); actress Toni Trucks (Seal Team); The Voice champ Cassadee Pope; and former UFC champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson are traveling across Europe, Africa and the Middle East to boost the moral of state National Guard personnel.

In Kosovo, 04JUL2019.

Stare-down with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin.

Justin Eason.

Anjelah Johnson and Laura Bryna.

Toni Trucks (in the blue and white shirt) takes a push-up challenge.

Cassadee Pope tries on an anti-bomb suit.

Did you forget your lines?

Mayim Bialik

The six day USO tour will hit six countries, the celebrities on the tour are unpaid volunteers, as are the overwhelming majority of USO workers.  The USO is officially a non-profit charity with more than 2-hundred locations around the world.

Idaho, Technology

Idaho A-10C warthogs wallowing in the California dirt, June 2019

Video

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Mason Cutrer, 13JUN2019.

Idaho’s Air and Army National Guard, as well as a unit from Oregon’s Army National Guard, took part in U.S. Army NTC wargames from the end of May to the middle of June, 2019.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Mercedee Wilds, 11JUN2019.

The U.S. Army’s OpFor (Opposition Force) used UH-72 Lakotas against National Guard ground troops.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 11JUN2019.

Brazilian Air Force TACP (Tactical Air Control Party) allied themselves with the Idaho Air Guard TACPs.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 11JUN2019.

Brazilian A-29 Super Tucanos took part in the invasion of California, as well.

Video (by Master Sergeant Joshua Allmaras), TACP calls in A-10 airstrikes, unfortunately you don’t see the A-10s, just their bombs impacting on the ground (also video of M1A2 and M2 live fire):

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Mason Cutrer, 05JUN2019.

A-10C Thunderbolt-2 assigned to the 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, lands on the NTC desert.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 11JUN2019.

Video (by Private First Class Bailey Breving), dirt field landing and take-off:

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 11JUN2019.

Not only did Idaho’s A-10s take part in wargames in California, but at the same time took part in Green Flag West at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada!

January 2019: A-10C SNOWBLIND WALKAROUND IN IDAHO!

Vehicle I-D, 2016: A-29B SUPER TUCANO, GREEN FLAG EAST

Idaho, International

116th Armored Cav NTC, June 2019. Overseas deployment in 2020!

Video

Video, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, M1A2 SEP and M2 Bradley live fire (the voice you hear in the video is one of the first female armor platoon leaders in the U.S.):

At the end of May, 2019, the  Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (which includes personnel from Oregon, Montana and Nevada) deployed more than 3-thousand troops to the U.S. Army’s Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC) in California.

Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing also deployed their A-10C Thunderbolt-2s to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, to provide close air support at NTC.  Even Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) personnel from Brazil joined in.

Video explainer of helicopter ops:

Specialist James Patrick launches a RQ-11 Raven Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, drone).

Another 1-thousand-plus support troops from several other state militias (Arizona, California, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Puerto Rico), and several Army Reserve units, joined the 116th Armored Cav.

Specialist Brett Neal on his M1 Abrams based M1150 Assault Breacher.

Video, M1150  Assault Breacher live fire:

11th Cav OpFor ‘surrogate vehicle’ is an M113 dressed up to look ‘Russian’.

The state militias faced off against the U.S. Army’s 11th Cav Opposition Force (OpFor), who provided what’s now called ‘near peer’ threats.  Near peer is a reference to China and Russia.

Even Idaho Air National Guard’s 266th Range Squadron played bad guy, deploying fake 1/1 scale models of ‘enemy’ anti-air vehicles.

The wargame lasted 14 days.  The official report stated that this training is preparation for 116th’s deployment to NATO Germany in Spring 2020.

VEHICLE I-D: M1A2-V2-SEP ABRAMS IDAHO LIVE FIRE, FEBRUARY 2019, preps for NTC

116TH SNAKE RIVER’S 2015 NTC ROTATION

Technology, U.S.

Kentucky dog trains to rescue Alaskans from a HC-130J!

Video

Tennessee Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Darby Arnold, 25JUN2019.

K9 Callie and her handler, Technical Sergeant Rudy Parsons, a para-rescueman (aka Para-Jumper, PJ) with the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard, wait to jump into the icy water off Alaska, 25JUN2019.

Tennessee Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Darby Arnold, 25JUN2019.

Video (by SSgt Darby Arnold) of people jumping out of a perfectly good Alaskan National Guard HC-130J Combat King-2 (I think the dog was just along for the ride on this one):

Tennessee Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Darby Arnold, 25JUN2019.

K9 Callie, a Dutch Shepherd, trained for search and rescue, sits on the ramp of an HC-130J aircraft awaiting training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, 25JUN2019.

VEHICLE I-D: ALASKA MILITIA GETS NEW HC-130J

THAT’S NOT A C-130J, IT’S STILL THE OLD C-130H!

Technology

Vehicle I-D: U.S. military(?) Ferrari and Lamborghini

Image

 

USAF photo by Airman First Class Gage Daniel, 26MAY2018.

MiG-17 races a ‘Navy’ Ferrari at Cannon AFB, May 2018.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Gage Daniel, 27MAY2018.

Racing the USN Ferrari, from the cockpit of the challenging USAF Lamborghini, Cannon AFB, May 2018.

Whiskey Papa races a Ferrari during the 42nd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day, May, 2018.

For some reason there were a lot of Ferraris at the 42nd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day.

And they’re off!  2016 Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day.

For some reason the USAF is now using Lambos to attract potential recruits during Eglin AFB, Florida, ‘resiliency’ events.

Lamborghini Gallardo speeds along the flight line during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July, 2018.

Lamborghini accelerates past a BT-13, June 2018.  “Sunday driver!” yelled the BT-13 pilot.

POKEY AIRPORT, 2012 & 2014: VULTEE BT-13, stripped 

Technology

World War 3(?): Soviet MiG 17 vs U.S. Navy Ferrari, only in ‘Amerika’

Video

MiG 17, NATO reporting name Fresco.

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maxwell Daigle, 17MAY2019.

USAF video, by Staff Sergeant Philip Bryant, MiG-17F attacks Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, 17MAY2019.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Damon Kasberg, 17MAY2019.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Parker J. McCauley, 15JUN2019.

MiG-17F taxis on Whiteman AFB, Missouri, June 2019.

This Soviet made MiG 17 has a U.S. made ejection seat. USAF photo by Senior Airman Lane T. Plummer, 26MAY2018.

MiG-17 at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, May 2018.

USAF photo by Senior Airman Lane T. Plummer, 26MAY2018.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Gage Daniel, 26MAY2018.

MiG-17 races a ‘Navy’ Ferrari at Cannon AFB, May 2018.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Gage Daniel, 27MAY2018.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Vernon R. Walter the Third, 27MAY2018.

(U.S. military[?] Ferraris & Lamborghinis)

Polish MiG 17PF ‘invades’ New York? USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Ryan Campbell, 18JUL2015.

MiG-17PF over Niagara Falls, New York, July 2015.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Ryan Campbell, 18JUL2015.

POKEY AIRPORT 02 AUGUST 2014: MIG-15 UTI & MIG-17

U.S.

F-86H Hog gate guards

Video

U.S. Air Force photo by Jerry Saslav, 12DEC2022.

U.S. Air Force photo by Jerry Saslav, 09AUG2022.

F-86H Sabre Hog static display at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, 09AUG2022.

USAF photo by Jerry Saslav, 09AUG2022.

The Hog has been on Hanscom AFB ‘gate guard’ duty since 24APR1980!

Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Kerri Spero, 08JUN2019.

A North American F-86H Sabre static display was dedicated at Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, 08JUN2019.

Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Kerri Spero, 08JUN2019.

Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Kerri Spero, 08JUN2019.

Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Timothy Sandland, 13DEC2018.

In December 2018, the same F-86H was moved across the street, video by Staff Sergeant Thomas Swanson:

Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Kerri Cole, 16JUL2013.

In 2013, the same Hog was in bad shape.

A new home for an old Hog. USAF photo by Ashley Williamson, 17MAR2016.

U.S. Air Force photo by Aaron J. Jenne, 06OCT2015.

In October 2015, the F-86H gate guard was ‘stolen’ from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

USAF photo by Aaron J. Jenne, 06OCT2015.

USAF photo by Aaron J. Jenne, 06OCT2015.

Supposedly the F-86H was being returned to the original owner; the city of Goldsboro.

Maryland Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Gareth Buckand, 09JUL2014.

In 2014, the Maryland Air National Guard used their Hog gate guard for aircraft recovery training.

More gate guards: F-100 SUPER SABER 

Kit Bashing

New F-16 Digital Ghost?

Video

U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis, 28JAN2021.

F-16C Falcon with digital ghost paint scheme, Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada, 28JAN2021.

U.S. Air Force photo by Ronald Nial Bradshaw, 03JUN2020.

In 2020, Hill AFB, Utah, painted an F-16 in ‘digital ghost’ style.

USAF photo by Ronald Nial Bradshaw, 03JUN2020.

USAF photo by Ronald Nial Bradshaw, 03JUN2020.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Bryan Guthrie, 01MAY2019.

In May 2019, at Nellis AFB in Nevada, F-16 ‘aggressors’ underwent extensive re-paint to become digital ghost fighters.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Bryan Guthrie, 08MAY2019.

Time lapse video of paint stripping:

USAF photo by Airman First Class Bryan Guthrie, 16MAY2019.

Time lapse video (with overly dramatic music) of the painting process:

USAF photo by Airman First Class Bryan Guthrie, 23MAY2019.

First flight video (more overly dramatic music included):

 

VEHICLE I-D: ‘NEW’ F-16 VISTA

International, U.S.

F-100 Super Saber gate guards

Video

Saber=U.S. English spelling

Sabre=Queen’s English spelling (and also the spelling accepted by North American and USAF)

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Matthew Seefeldt, 07JAN2019.

An F-100 Super Sabre on display at Kadena Air Base, Japan, January 2019.

New Jersey Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew J. Merlock, 27JUL2017.

New Jersey Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew J. Merlock, 27JUL2017.

New Jersey Air National Guard personnel cleanup the 177 Fighter Wing’s F-100F gate guard in Egg Harbor, July 2017.  Note the bird spikes mounted on the top of the fin.

Ohio Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Ralph Branson, 17NOV2017.

In November 2017, retired Major John Bartine traveled from Texas to Ohio to visit an old friend, the F-100 he flew on 336 missions in Viet Nam.

June 2017 video report of Warner Robins Museum dedication, and interview with F-100 pilot responsible for the restoration project who discovered what a small world it was (during Vietnam) when his crew chief turned out to be from the same city he was from, Ogden, Utah:

Ohio Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Joe Harwood, 20DEC2016.

Frost bitten 179 Airlift Wing’s F-100 gate guard, December 2016.

Indiana Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Lonnie Wiram, 03DEC2016.

December 2016, Stanley Richardson, a former Crew Chief in the Indiana Air National Guard reminisces about keeping his aircraft airborne.

Maryland Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant John Hillier, 08AUG2016.

In August 2016, this F-100F took one last flight to the top of a giant display stand at the Air National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, in dedication to all the Guard pilots that flew it.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Diana Quinlan, 30OCT2014.

This F-100F landed in Hangar 79 of the Pacific Aviation Museum (PAM) Pearl Harbor on Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, October 2014.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Stacey Jeanpaul, 29JUN2004.

Washing a F-100 gate-guard on  Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, England in United Kingdom, June 2004.

USAF photo by Airman Garizaldy Paterson, 22OCT1997.

Thor’s Hammer used to be an Italian Aeronautica Militare F-100, but it was given to the USAF.  It was assigned gate-guard duty on Aviano Air Base, in October 1997.

January 1979, Hill AFB, Utah.

In January 1979, a retired F-100 took its last flight via a CH-54 Skycrane, to its new post as a gate-guard on Hill Air Force Base, in Utah.

Drone Wars: QF-100 SUPER SABRE

1:72 F-100 SUPER SABER KIT KLASH, OR MORE REASONS WHY YOU CAN’T TRUST SCALE DRAWINGS

Kit Bashing, Technology, U.S.

Repairing 1/1 scale T-38 Talon and other Whiteman Gate Guards (and a reduced scale B-2 bomber)

Video

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Parker J. McCauley, 18JUN2019.

During the middle of June, 2019, 509th Maintenance Squadron ‘low-observable maintenance’ Airmen began work to restore Whiteman Air Force Base’s (in Missouri) T-38 gate guard named Spirit of Heartland.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Parker J. McCauley, 18JUN2019.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Parker J. McCauley, 18JUN2019.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Parker J. McCauley, 06AUG2019.

The T-38 is one of several 509th Bomb Wing static displays on base which also includes the B-29 Superfortress, B-47 Stratojet, B-52 Stratofortress and the FB-111A Aardvark.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Parker J. McCauley, 06AUG2019.

In May 2018, the B-29 The Great Artiste was restored.  According to the official report  “…the original aircraft was lost during a crash landing at Goose Bay Air Base, in Labrador, Canada, in 1949. So, another B-29 was painted as a replica for static display. The static display was eventually moved to Whiteman AFB from Pease AFB when the New Hampshire base closed in 1991.”

USAF photo by Airman Michaela Slanchik, 10AUG2017.

In August 2017, a reduced scale B-2 Spirit was donated by Northrop-Grumman.  The B-2 replica weighs 600 pounds and is 22 feet in length compared to the actual B-2’s true length of 172 feet.  It is one of 50 donated by Northrop Grumman.

USAF photo by Senior Airman Joel Pfiester, 13SEP2016.

In September 2016, the FB-111A gate guard underwent corrosion prevention painting, some calling it operation Dark Vark.

In 2015, the Missouri Air National Guard 131st Bomb Wing moved to Whiteman AFB, and brought their F-4, F-15 and F-100 gate guards with them. Missouri Air National Guard video by Technical Sergeant Elise Rich, June 2015:

Guam: 1/1 SCALE F-4 PHANTOM-2 MODEL

Wyoming Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Charles Delano.

Down in the mud, shot-up, Wyoming SLUF