Tag Archives: nato

U.S.

Biden’s War: New York deploys to The Middle East

On 10JUN2021, New York Army National Guard’s 501st Ordnance Battalion, 53rd Troop Command, held a deployment ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Glenville.

New York Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Sebastian Rothwyn.

The 23 personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) support headquarters company are, apparently, deploying to Kuwait.  Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Ambia admitted that their pre-deployment training was conducted ‘virtually’ due to the pandemic-panic-attack, but was confident enough to say “…I think we’ll be okay. Everybody is pretty good at what they do.”

Biden’s War:

PENNSYLVANIA DEPLOYS TO NORTH AFRICA

Technology

Solar flares to sink U.S. Navy?

“I study solar flares and I spent my career modeling them. We generally think of flares in terms of their size or their brightness, but we often ignore the part about their duration.”-Jeff Reep, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

On 15JUN2021, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory published a story concerning the expected increase in duration of solar flares, and the possibility that entire U.S. Navy (USN) fleets could be affected.

In a recent scenario a USN fleet was hit by a solar flare, destroying its electrical infrastructure and causing havoc to its electronic communications.  The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is working on a way to allow fleet commanders to conduct real-time forecasting of such solar flares, and to determine how long they will last.  (Forecasting the Remaining Duration of an Ongoing Solar Flare)

21JUN2021, Indian Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Third Class Jason Tarleton.

The USN scientists argue that how long a solar flare lasts is as important as how intense the flare is, yet we still can’t determine how long such solar events will last.  The research is part of a NASA program called Living With A Star.

U.S. MILITARY WARNS, SUN WILL INTERFERE WITH YOUR HI-DEF TV

U.S.

Biden’s War: Pennsylvania deploys to North Africa

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Pennsylvania Army National Guard photo by Joan Nissley.

On 15JUN2021, more than 2-hundred militia personnel of the 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, deployed to Texas (for deployment training on Fort Bliss), and then to northern Africa.

Pennsylvania ANG photo by Sergeant First Class Matthew Keeler.

On 14JUN2021, a deployment ceremony was held at Southampton Armory, Philadelphia.  According to a U.S. Army report, the Pennsylvania Army National Guard will end up in Egypt (Which is physically in Africa, not The Middle East. The U.S. government has been listing any Arab speaking/Muslim country as being in The Middle East/Southwest Asia. The only part of Egypt that is in Southwest Asia is the Sinai Peninsula.).

Biden’s War:  VERMONT DEPLOYS NEARLY 1-thousand, AFRICA, EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST!

Technology, U.S.

Rogue One ExEval: Oregon mass-casualty event!

Video

Oregon Air National Guard photo by First Lieutenant N. Daniel Delgado.

During the middle of June 2021, Oregon Air National Guard personnel responded to a mass-casualty CBRNE (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive) event at a place called Camp Rilea.

Oregon ANG photo by First Lieutenant N. Daniel Delgado.

Thankfully it was a training event, known as ‘Rogue One’ ExEval (sometimes meaning Exploitation Evaluation, or Exercise Evaluation, or External Evaluation, they can’t seem to make up their minds as I’ve seen all these used in military press releases), which takes place every two years (biennial).

Oregon ANG photo by First Lieutenant N. Daniel Delgado.

Crews were sent out to look for ‘victims’ who needed decontamination.

Oregon ANG photo by Staff Sergeant Sean Campbell.

A victim is brought in for decontamination.

Oregon ANG photo by First Lieutenant N. Daniel Delgado.

Oregon Air National Guard video by Major Samuel Lee, showing what you can expect if you become a victim and need to be decontaminated:

Oregon ANG photo by Staff Sergeant Sean Campbell.

Even the rescuers/responders are checked for contamination.

Oregon ANG photo by Staff Sergeant Sean Campbell.

Pacific Ring of Fire, May 2021:

WARNINGS FOR ALASKA, HAWAII & WASHINGTON

May 2021:

U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Second Class Brigitte Johnston.

FEMA REGIONS PREP FOR DISASTER & SPEND YOUR MONEY LIKE IT’S WATER

CBRNE, 2019:  FEMA REGION 4, FEMA REGION 6, CONTAMINATION EVENTS!

July 2019: ARKANSAS HIT BY UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE, USAF SCRAMBLED!

CBRNE, 2017: UTAH’S SECRET(?) WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION EVENT IN EAST IDAHO!

International

Pandemic Logistic Shenanigans: “a supply/demand mismatch” “New Normal”

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Incomplete list of links to industry news reports, as of 03 June 2021, which prove the Artificial Intelligence (A-I) driven (yet pandemic-panic-attack blamed) supply shortage is all about money:

A-I driven logistics research company Blue Yonder says supply shortage shenanigans are the New Normal!

Logistics Manager’s Index says demand for logistics will only increase: “This hard shift in economic activity is akin to going from standing still to a full sprint, and as would be expected, it has put tremendous pressure on supply chains. Many supply networks are currently suffering from the phenomenon known as the ‘bullwhip effect’ in which smaller variations in demand at the consumer level lead to wild swings further up the chain.”

Logistics Management article reveals true reason for supply shortage; ocean ports are overwhelmed with cargo ships that can’t unload their cargo: “Given the congestion at ports in San Pedro Bay, we’re seeing more interest in booking freight through Mexico and Canada. This is a trend that we expect to continue through the next Peak Season.”-Brian Nemeth, AlixPartners

Turkey based ‘route optimizer’ gets money from investors, including Ford.

New A-I driven logistic company called Locus gets investors to shell-out USD$50-million in latest round of fund raising!

New Project44 logistics solution company ‘milks’ investors of USD$202-million, and valued at $1.2-billion, claims it will help retail industry fix supply problems!

Prudential Financial-PGIM Real Estate sinks USD$323-million into Chinese logistics company!

E-commerce logistics company Delhiverly gets investors to shell-out USD$277-million before its Initial Public Offering!

New logistics company NextBillion gets USD$6.25-million from investors!

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Scott Jenkins.

In May, the U.S. Marine Corps conducted a record 18 vehicle convoy, approximately 5-thousand miles from North Carolina to California, and then back to North Carolina.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Scott Jenkins.

The four weeks long drive tested the ability to control a large movement of trucks using High Frequency (HF) beyond line-of-sight highly secure radio communications. HF radios are old tech, but turns out they might provide more radio security now that most ‘enemies’ are using the latest satellite communications and other radio technologies.  Also, it seems HF can handle more data.

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Scott Jenkins.

  “This mission has run smoothly due to the detailed preparation effort, and competency of the team on the road. All issues encountered have been solvable….”-Captain Adam Devine, 2nd Transportation Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Retailers are dealing with the leanest levels of inventory, relative to sales, on record: “…almost all companies we have spoken to alluding to a supply/demand mismatch.”-Simeon Siegel, BMO Capital Markets

Supply shortage shenanigans are actually causing established XPO Logistics to grow and improve its ‘free cash flow’.

Illinois based Redwood Logistics takes over software company and parcel delivery company!

Advance Realty Investors, Greek Development and PGIM Real Estate, are closer to completing 1.3-million acre Linden Logistics Center, in New Jersey.

California based Deckers Brands to build logistics center in Indiana.

New 1.8-million square feet logistics center to be built in California.

Canadian logistics company Pinnacle Logistics Solutions hired a ship to transport steel, in what is being considered a case study examining the benefits of when companies take direct control of the supply chain.

Lineage Logistics takes over UTI Forwarding, the latest in dozens of take overs by Lineage since the pandemic-panic-attack started.

Global Shortages During Coronavirus Reveal Failings of Japan/Toyota created Just in Time Manufacturing.
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Indian logistics company to deliver Russian CoViD vax.

Virginia based LaserShip credits pandemic-panic-attack for its expansion into Tennessee!

Interim director of Army Medical Logistics Command’s Medical Maintenance Policies and Analysis directorate, during a discussion at a healthcare technology management workshop, at Fort Detrick, Maryland. Photo by C.J. Lovelace.

U.S. Army Medical Logistics Command conducts first ever healthcare tech workshop.  The U.S. Army says the pandemic-panic-attack revealed a problem with current medical providers, including the U.S. military, in having enough workers on hand to handle a pandemic.

Three Maryland based companies sign contract to modernize the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Kentavist P. Brackin.

In the name of logistics (calling it the Aerial Port of the Future) the U.S. Air Force has created an Android based system which can monitor the location and activities of personnel involved with flightline activities, in real time.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Kentavist P. Brackin.

In Michigan, the USAF recently tested the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) and Android Team Logistics Awareness Switch (ATLAS), during Mobility Guardian 2021.

Supply companies in Communist China threaten to halt port operations, claiming they are losing money!

France based Robotics Specialist wants to invade the U.S. logistics market.

Global logistics robot market expected to be worth billions of U.S. dollars.

Pandemic Logistics Shenanigans, April 2021: CANNED PET FOOD? CONSPIRACY TO JACK-UP PRICES? BLAME CHINA?

U.S.

FEMA Regions prep for disaster & spend your money like it’s water, May 2021

Video

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has ten areas of responsibility.  The U.S. Department of Defense, state militias, and local emergency responders, work closely with FEMA to prepare for disasters.

Disney Institute Joins FEMA on Whole-of-America Response to CoViD-19

FEMA Issues Public Notice under disaster declaration DR-4595-KY

FEMA Updates State-Specific CoViD Funeral Assistance Information

FEMA Announces Operational Guidance for Disaster Response and Recovery in Pandemic Environment

On 06MAY2021, FEMA mass-vaccination sites in Region 4 & 7 claim to have administered 1-million doses of CoViD-19 drugs.  FEMA mass-vax sites are actually run by U.S. Army Northern Command and utilize personnel from the different branches of the military.  Slideshow by Technical Sergeant Megan Floyd:

Region 1: Vermont’s Emergency Feeding Program Receives Grant for More Than $1.9 Million

Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut Seeks more FEMA Reimbursement

FEMA Reimburses Bridgeport Hospital $8 Million for CoViD-19 

Department of Housing and Community Development Receives Nearly $7 Million FEMA Grant

More Than $41 Million Grant Provided to Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for CoViD-19

Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sara Kolinski.

Army and Air National Guard personnel, and local emergency responders, took part in a ‘downed aircraft’ emergency on Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, 13MAY2021.

Region 2:

Pennsylvania Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Brandy Fowler.

New Jersey and New York National Guard personnel traveled to Pennsylvania’s (Region 3) Fort Indiantown Gap to conduct Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear response training, 19MAY2021.

Puerto Rico Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Marimar Rivera Medina.

Puerto Rico National Guard fought real wildfires near Cayey, on 22MAY2021.

Region 3: Greenbelt Metro Vaccination Center in Maryland will Close

FEMA halted its operations at a mass-vax site in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ANG photo by Master Sergeant Brandy Fowler.

On 22MAY2021, Pennsylvania National Guard personnel conducted HAZMAT training, on Fort Indiantown Gap, for visiting National Guard units from other states/FEMA Regions.

Region 4:  $6.6 million for Orange Beach debris removal after Hurricane Sally

$6.5 Million Approved to Acquire 31 Flood-Prone Properties in Pender County

FEMA Approves 22 Additional Counties for Individual Assistance

Photo by Jenn DeHaan.

In Kentucky, Fort Knox fire fighters took part in an open manhole victim rescue training put on by Hardin County Water District-1.

FEMA Issues Public Notice for 29 Tennessee Counties

Tennessee Air National Guard photo Master Sergeant Mike R. Smith.

On McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, in Tennessee, a class was given on how to respond to an ‘active’ shooter (as opposed to an inactive shooter?).

U.S. Army photo by Scott C. Childress.

The U.S. Army has been experimenting with something they call a Speed Bag, on Fort Rucker, Alabama.  It is intended to allow fast delivery by helicopter of medical/emergency supplies.  I don’t know how much taxpayer money has been spent on the Speed Bag, but it looks like your usual insulated foam cooler box to me.

Town of North Topsail Beach Awarded $4.5 Million for Emergency Measures for Hurricane Florence

Town of Oak Island Awarded $1.3 Million for Debris Removal After Hurricane Isaías

FEMA Awards Indian River County $2.33 Million for Hurricane Dorian Beach Renourishment

FEMA approves $1.3 million for Gulf Breeze Hurricane Sally debris removal

FEMA Awards City of New Smyrna Beach $2.5 Million to Rebuild, Elevate Flood-Prone Homes

FEMA approves $2.27 million for Hurricane Michael recovery expenses

FEMA approves $36.3 million in Hurricane Michael Public Assistance grants

FEMA approves $11.4 million in Hurricane Michael Public Assistance grants

FEMA Awards $17.6 Million for Hurricane Irma Recovery

FEMA Awards Miami-Dade County $1.46 Million for Hurricane Irma Repairs

FEMA Awards $2.67 Million for Hurricane Irma Recovery

FEMA approves $2 million for Bay County emergency bypass pump

Photo by Sergeant First Class Carmen Fleischmann.

Florida Army National Guard learn to use the Tampa Microwave 95cm satellite antenna while training on Camp Blanding, for disaster response.  The antenna is part of the Joint Tactical Expeditionary Kit that allows phone communications for emergency responders during natural disasters.

The U.S. Air Force conducted Ready Eagle disaster response training on Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, 21MAY2021. Video report by Paul Wenzel:

Region 5: FEMA Awards $1.5 Million to Jefferson County, Wisconsin

FEMA Awards $4.1 Million for Community Safe Rooms

FEMA Provides $3.7 Million to City of Alton, Illinois

FEMA Provides $17.9 Million to NorthShore University Health System

FEMA Provides $1.3 Million to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer Second Class Brigitte Johnston.

U.S. Naval Station Great Lakes Police, Fire, and Emergency Services training during Citadel Gale 2021.  It is a disaster exercise held in Illinois every year.

FEMA Provides $16.3 Million to Michigan for CoViD-19

FEMA Provides $4 Million to Northwood University

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Charles T. Fultz.

U.S. Air Force personnel practiced large scale medical transfer of disaster victims on Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, 24MAY2021, during Mobility Guardian 2021.  The training involved transferring victims from C-17 cargo aircraft to busses.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Matthew Porter.

Mobility Guardian 2021 also tested the use of robots (semi-autonomous quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle).

New York National Guard Photo by Sergeant Sebastian Rothwyn.

National Guard/Army Reserve’s Guardian Response 2021 disaster response exercise was held April 12th to May 8th at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, in Indiana.  4-thousand-2-hundred personnel from U.S. Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard units from across the U.S. took part.

Photo by Staff Sergeant Eric W. Jones.

Military veterinarians also took part in Guardian Response, training with animal simulators (robots) to learn how to care for pets and farm animals: “We were clipping goat hooves and testing for parasites when we got a call from the decontamination line that a dog needed treatment for potential exposure to toxic chemicals. The dog had a temperature of 106 degrees [F] and was breathing heavily, and had a fast pulse. We started cooling measures by putting water on his paw pads and gave him room temperature fluids, reducing his temperature and then moved him to the veterinarian for treatment.”-Specialist Emily Zygarowski

FEMA Provides $4.7 Million to the Minnesota Department of Health

FEMA Provides $8.5 Million to the Minnesota Department of Health for Vaccine Distribution

Region 6: Oklahoma Air National Guard joined with local emergency responders to conduct a 72 hours training event, responding to natural and human made disasters. Video report by Leanna Maschino:

Region 7: FEMA Awards $50 million to Nebraska for Spencer Dam Project

Region 8: FEMA Supported Community Vaccination Site in Pueblo Will Close

FEMA Provides an Additional $1.8 Million to Thornton for CoViD-19

FEMA Sponsored Art Installation Opens in Denver

FEMA Provides an Additional $3.1 Million to Montana for COVID-19 Response

FEMA Provides Nearly $1.9 Million in Additional Funding to Montana for CoViD-19

FEMA Provides an Additional $3.4 Million to North Dakota for COVID-19 Response

FEMA Provides $1.6 Million to Stutsman County for Flood Recovery

South Dakota Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Taylor Solberg.

South Dakota’s Air National Guard 114th Fighter Wing tested its Disaster Relief Mobile Kitchen Trailer (DRMKT) by having militia personnel eat their meals from the DRMKT, 27MAY2021.

South Dakota ANG photo by Senior Airman Taylor Solberg.

The DRMKT is a customized trailer.

FEMA Provides an Additional $13.3 Million to Utah for CoViD-19 Response

Region 9:

Arizona Army National Guard photo by Specialist Thurman Snyder.

More than a year later, Arizona National Guard is still conducting food distribution operations under the guise of CoViD pandemic-panic-attack!

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Spur Fire

It seems the California Air National Guard, and other emergency responders, have been experiencing electronic attacks/problems on its communications systems during wildfire season, as $45-thousand were awarded to ‘innovators’ who took part in the National Security Innovation Network’s Beat the Blaze competition.  The ‘hackathon’ competition revealed there are problems with disaster response communications and data sharing: “This is helping us tackle a very important operational problem of data integration and dissemination….”– Lieutenant Colonel Michael Baird, California Air National Guard

Region 10: FEMA Awards $22 Million to Idaho for CoViD-19

FEMA Awards $7.5 Million to Alaska for CoViD-19 Response

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Benjamin Wagar.

On Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, U.S. Air Force and local fire fighters conducted a week long training event, called Super Drill.  It included scenarios like responding to high-rise building fires and clearing roads of downed trees.

 

Pacific Ring of Fire, May 2021, FEMA Regions 9 & 10: WARNINGS FOR ALASKA, HAWAII & WASHINGTON

FEMA Region 3, January 2020: U.S. ARMY DEPLOYS!

July 2019: THE U.S. MILITARY TRAINS TO SAVE YOUR PET FROM DISASTER!

Technology

Vehicle I-D: End of Days for the Sea Ranger

Video

After more than five decades, the U.S. Navy plans on retiring their aged fleet of TH-57 Sea Rangers in 2022-23.   It’s interesting that the Sea Ranger is being retired, as in 2019 a report came out about the U.S. Navy buying new TH-57 Sea Ranger flight simulators. 

Video by Julie Ziegenhorn, TH-57 Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field, Florida, February 2020:

Army Kiowas and Navy Sea Rangers are both based on the Bell 206 JetRanger.  The U.S. Navy began using the TH-57 in 1968.

U.S. Navy photo.

Hovering over a new outlying landing field, NAS Whiting Field, January 2019.

U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Antonio More.

TH-57Cs over Pensacola, Florida, February 2017.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Karlton Rebenstorf.

Pre-flight checks on a TH-57 Sea Ranger, June 2014.

USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Karlton Rebenstorf.

USN photo by Jay Cope.

August 2012, Sea Rangers crammed together in a hanger on NAS Whiting Field, in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac.

USN photo.

NAS Whiting Field, Florida, December 2008.

USN photo Lieutenant Michelle Parkington.

TH-57 carrying Santa visits Bennett C. Russell Elementary School, December 2007.

USN photo by Gary Nichols.

August 2006, TH-57 lands on Helicopter Landing Trainer (HLT) IX-514 Baylander.

USN photo.

Landing on the USS Lexington (AVT-16), October 1985.

Photo by Don S. Montgomery.

TH-57A instrument panel, May 1984.

Robot Wars: BEWARE THE ZOMBIE KIOWA!

U.S.

Biden’s War: Vermont deploys nearly 1000, Africa, Europe, Middle East!

Video

Since March 2021, Vermont Army National Guard has been quietly deploying its militia-personnel.  A total of 950 people are being deployed.   The deployments, spread over several months, will result in Vermont units being sent to Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Vermont Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Denis Nuñez.

On 11MAY2021, militia-personnel with the 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, officially said good bye before they got on the bus.

Vermont ANG photo by Joshua T. Cohen.

On 12 MAY2021, they boarded an aircraft bound for a 12 months deployment somewhere in Europe.

Official video explainer released on 13MAY2021:

Vermont ANG photo by Joshua T. Cohen.

Then on 14MAY2021, Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC) of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, held a ceremony for its deployment.

Vermont ANG photo by Joshua T. Cohen.

During the official good-bye, the deployment was ‘splained to Senator Bernie Sanders.

Vermont ANG photo by Don Branum.

Then on 18May2021, Vermont’s Task Force Mansfield and the 172nd Public Affairs Detachment said their official good-byes. Those units are supposedly the last of the Vermont Army Guard units to deploy.

Biden’s War: SOUTH CAROLINA’S F-16C/J LAUNCH TO SAUDI ARABIA!

 OREGON DEPLOYED TO POLAND!

U.S. FORCES ENTER SYRIA, AGAIN

NORTH DAKOTA DEPLOYING TO MIDDLE EAST!

MAINE DEPLOYS TO AFRICA!

NEBRASKA MILITARY POLICE DEPLOY TO MIDDLE EAST!

 MINNESOTA DEPLOYS TO KUWAIT!

ALASKA BLACKHAWKS DEPLOY TO MIDDLE EAST! RETURNING GUARDSMEN NOW IN QUARANTINE!

TENNESSEE DEPLOYS TO MIDDLE EAST!

CONNECTICUT DEPLOYS TO AFRICA!

Technology

Vehicle I-D M47: Dummies, Orphans, Targets & Gate Guards

Image

A photo from sometime in the early 1970s, an inflatable decoy (dummy) M47.

White Sands Missile Range photo by Warren Weaver.

December 1977, a M47 about to get taken-out by an M198 artillery fired M712 Copperhead on the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

WSMR photo by Tom Moore.

February 1984, another M47 about to bite the dust as an artillery fired Copperhead zeros-in, on the White Sands Missile Range.

WSMR photo by Tom Moore.

‘On the way!’

WSMR photo by Tom Moore.

‘Target, cease fire!’

U.S. Navy photo by Master Chief Petty Officer Terry Mitchell.

January(?) 1993, U.S. Marines discover an orphaned M47 in Somalia, during Operation Restore Hope.  They removed the live ammo.

USN photo by Master Chief Petty Officer Terry Mitchell.

U.S. Army video still by Specialist S. Paine.

December(?) 1993, U.S. Army troops found more orphaned/destroyed M47s during Op Restore Hope.

On 01AUG2012, personnel on Fort Carson, Colorado, moved a M47 gate guard from its spot on the Kit Carson ‘tank’ Park to a new location in front of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s headquarters building.

USA photo by Specialist Shardesia Washington, 14MAY2015.

In May 2015, U.S. Army personnel on Hohenfels, Germany, used a shot-up M47 target to practice their heavy lifting.

USA photo by Specialist Shardesia Washington, 14MAY2015.

USA photo by Specialist Shardesia Washington, 14MAY2015.

Towards the end of August 2015, the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, on Fort Riley, Kansas, got two M47s to perform guard duty in front of the unit’s motorpool headquarters.

USA photo by Specialist Courtney Hubbard.

Czech soldiers of the 74th Light Motorized Battalion, 7th Mechanized Brigade, reassemble a shot-up M47 target tank during exercise Allied Spirit-2, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, 09AUG2015.

New Jersey Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Andrew J. Moseley.

Shot-up M47 on New Jersey Air National Guard’s Warren Grove Bombing Range, April 2019.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Rachel Simones.

M47 target on the Edwards Air Force Base Precision Impact Range Area, August 2019.

White Sands Missile Range crazies: FAKE NEWS T-72, WORLD’S BIGGEST R/C TOY?

Iraq 2003: ARMOR BATTLE DAMAGE

Kit Bashing, Technology

Fake News T-72, world’s biggest R/C toy?

Video

In April of 2013, crazy guys at White Sands Missile Range, in New Mexico, tried to turn a little ATV into a big bad T-72 battle tank!

White Sands Missile Range photo by John Hamilton.

It was an attempt to create a cheap OpFor (Opposition Forces tank), to try and save taxpayer funding that is used on actual T-72s, or converting M113-based armored vehicles into Russian looking tanks.

WSMR photo by John Hamilton.

Also, this is actually for the U.S. Air Force, to test the ability of new aircraft targeting systems to identify enemy tanks.  The crazy guys were ordered to create a Fake-News BTR, BMP and T-72.

WSMR photo by John Hamilton.

The test run was made on the Condron Army Airfield.  Whoa, slow down there plastic tank, five miles per hour please!

The crazy-guys took what was once a static (stationary) corrugated plastic target, used for radar acquisition, and adapted it to fit over a small utility all terrain vehicle (ATV).  They then altered the ATV to be remote controlled, in other words, they created a giant R/C toy.

Video by John Hamilton of highly paid engineers playing with their giant R/C tank:

It also has tactically placed metal strips and heat generators to simulate the radar and heat signatures of a real tank. The experimental giant R/C tanks went to Edwards Air Force Base, California.  I have not been able to find any info on what happened to the corrugated R/C tanks, but I suspect they were used to test the F-35’s ability to identify and attack ground vehicles, that is because the F-35’s ground attack testing (at Edwards AFB) began about the same time that the fake-news tanks were created.

IDAHO’S 1:1 SCALE FAKE NEWS RUSSIAN RADAR TANK