Tag Archives: nato

Maintaining Satan’s Chariot

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?

NATO: Poland Sukhoi 22

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.

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

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

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):

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

Soviet era Armor used by NATO: Poland

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).

Video, 2S1 Gvodzika Self Propelled artillery guns, March 2017:

Polish designed MTLB engineer vehicle known as Opal or TRI, June 2017.

Quick video of TRI:

A PT-91(improved T-72) based WZT-3M recovery vehicle on public display in 2016 (note the Christian priest wearing the tanker helmet).

WZT-3M, June 2017.

Video of WZT-3M towing BMP-1, followed by BMP-1s, June 2017:

BMP-1 (known as BWP-1 in Poland), June 2016, NATO Exercise Anakonda.

Video from 2014, BMP-1 used to defend beach against wargame invasion:

Video, Poland BMP-1s invade Romania for NATO’s Noble Jump 2017:

The PT-91 is Poland’s version of a modernized T-72, this pic was taken in June 2018 during NATO’s Puma 2 Exercise-Saber Strike.

Here’s some PT-91 videos from 2017:

Video from 2016, 2K12 Kub (NATO code-name SA-6 Gainful) SAM launching, the 2K12 Kub is mounted on a highly modified MTLB chassis:

Video from 2014, S125 Neva SAM (Surface to Air Missile) mounted on T-55 chassis, with launch at the end of the video:

Soviet era Tanks used by NATO: BULGARIAN T-72

Vehicle I-D: UKRAINIAN ARMOR

FEMA building massive island hospital?

30 April 2020 / 04:28 (UTC-07 Tango 06) 11 Ordibehesht 1399/07 Ramadan 1441/08 Geng-Chen(4th) 4718

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) ordered Engineers from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Honolulu District, Naval Facilities Engineering Command-Marianas, Homeland Security, the territorial government of Guam, Guam Air National Guard and Guam Fire Department to find suitable locations for ‘Alternate Care Facilities’ (ACF).

Hangers at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport are being considered, 29APR2020.

Even the Hafa Adai Bingo Hall is a potential ACF site at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, 29APR2020.

FEMA officials, along with Guam’s governor, toured the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF), 29APR2020.

The Navy’s EMF was built for “expanded” use for military personnel infected with CoViD-19, but FEMA wants it to be expanded further in case of a massive ‘Civil Authorities Mission’.  Currently the EMF holds 150 patients.

Guam’s Air National Guard have already been busy prepping buildings for uptake of homeless people, under the guise of fighting CoViD-19.

Why all these preparations when some U.S. states are saying they’ve already passed their CoViD-19 peak?  Maybe it’s because FEMA says the CoViD-19 peak is still months away;  Guam Daily Post: FEMA says CoViD-19 peak will be in September/October.

29APR2020, video of thousands of potentially infected crew-members from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) leaving the ship for the first time, after weeks of disinfection and quarantine.  They will be staying in hotels located across Guam.  Thousands of new Sailors/Marines, considered free of CoViD-19, will now crew the aircraft carrier:

It has just been revealed that one hotel charged the territorial government of Guam $1.6-million to house potentially infected cruise ship passengers! 

So far Guam has had a total of 145 confirmed infections since March 15th.  The latest testing showed no new infections.

HOSPITAL SHORTAGE? DON’T BLAME PANDEMIC, BLAME OBAMACARE!

Vehicle I-D: Ukraine’s BTR-4E +

Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau’s BTR-4 is a private venture that can be configured in many ways.  The BTR-4 in this article is armed with a gun system similar to the BTR-3DA (30mm gun, 7.62mm gun, anti-tank missiles).   

Yavoriv, Ukraine, a BTR-4E fires its 30mm gun. New York Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Alexander Rector, 01DEC2017.

New York Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Alexander Rector, 01DEC2017.

BroneTransporteR=Armored Transporter

New York Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Alexander Rector, 01DEC2017.

Canadian Armed Forces photo by Corporal Andrew Kelly, 30NOV2017.

Video, Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau rep explains the BTR-4E features:

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kyle Larsen, 26SEP2019.

USA photo by Private Joanna Gaona Gomez, 26SEP2019.

Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau of some BTR-4 variants:

https://youtu.be/jltu95B9fRE

BTR-4KSH mobile command post.

BTR-4 Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV).

BTR-4 Recon/NBC.

BSEM-4K ambulance.

BTR-4MB1 heavy armor version.

Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau BTR-4MB1 promo video:

https://youtu.be/77TM8UR_jog

To make nomenclature identification more difficult, every country that has purchased the BTR-4 applies their own designation.

  In 2009 Iraq purchased 420 BTR-4s, but in 2014 sent back dozens of vehicles due to break downs and high levels of corrosion.  As of 2018 Iraq had received 280 BTR-4s of differing configurations.

SOVIET ERA TANKS NOW IN USE BY NATO: SLOVENIAN M84

NATO MIG-21

CH-47 CHINOOK COLLECTS MIL 8 ‘HIP’ BONES

Vehicle I-D: BTR-3DA

BroneTransporteR=Armored Transporter

Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau’s BTR-3DA, upgraded BTR-3, entering service with Ukraine National Guard in 2017.

Ukraine, September 2017

One 30mm ZTM-1 cannon, a 7.62mm machine gun, fully automated anti-personnel grenade launcher and smoke grenade launchers, two anti-tank missiles.

Carries a commander, a gunner, a driver, and six infantry troops.

Quick video:

 

Deutz BF6M 1015CP water cooled V-6 diesel engine, coupled to a 3200SP Allison transmission.

Ukraine, August 2017

Maximum speed of 104kmh (64mph), cruising range of 600km (373 miles).

The little covered rails on the driver’s right side of the turret are the mounts for the anti-tank missiles.

Video, river crossing assault:

VEHICLE I-D: GEORGIAN T-72 & BMP

VEHICLE I-D: IRAQI ARMOR, AFTER THE INVASION

Vehicle I-D: Iraqi Armor, after the invasion

On 13JUN2019, the Iraqi army unveiled a new tank; the al-Kafeel-1.  Note that it uses an M2 .50 caliber machine gun in a remote controlled mount.  Russian news sources say the tank is based on Iraq’s experience fighting Islamic extremists, and Iraq’s use of the M1A1M.   It is strange that most ‘western’ news sources didn’t report about the Iraqi developed tank until more than a year after its unveiling.  Speculative reports say it was developed with help from China.

Inside of BTR-80.  9th Iraqi Army Division Warrant Officer explains to U.S. troops how it works.
U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Mary S. Katzenberger, 27SEP2010.

 

Ukrainian made BTR-94, 2018.

Ukrainian made BTR-94 blocks 14th of July bridge in Baghdad, 15AUG2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob N. Bailey.

Ukrainian made BTR-4, reports say Iraq was not happy with the BTR-4, claiming they were not ‘new builds’ and had corroded bodies (Ukrainian investigation links the defective BTR-4s to the now infamous corruption scandal plaguing the Office of the U.S. President).

BTR-4 variants, the BSEM-4K ambulance and BTR-4 armored personnel carriers with 30mm gun turrets.

‎U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kalie Jones Frantz, 06FEB2016.

A mystery modified M113 seen at Camp Taji, February 2016.  It’s not a ACV or YPR765.  A homegrown modification?

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kalie Jones Frantz, 06FEB2016.

U.S. Army photo by Specialist William Lockwood, 11FEB2016.

Camp Taji, February 2016.

M113 ACAV, U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kalie Jones Frantz, 07FEB2016.

M113, U.S. Army photo by Sergeant David Strayer, 28APR2011.

M113, Kirkush Military Training Base, April 2011.

Notice the use of wide ‘snow’ tracks. Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 12MAY2005.

MTLB, May 2005.

Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 06MAY2005.

This one has the standard width tracks. Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 06MAY2005.

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Sean Hanson.

March 2007.  This tank is a Chinese Type 69 (Iraqi designation for Chinese Type 69 is T-55B), as denoted by the headlights on both fenders and the camera/laser sighting system on the mantlet.

Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 12MAY2005.

May 2005, Type 69/T-55B.

Notice the U.S. antenna. Texas Army National Guard photo by Specialist Maria Mengrone, 12MAY2005.

BMP-1, October 2005:

Rebuilt BMP-1s on Camp Taji, 07OCT2005.

BMP-1, January 2007:

BMP-1, Camp Taji. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Jon Cupp, 17JAN2007.

Video Camp Taji boneyard, T-72 turret lift, 2009:

T-62, March 2010:

T-62s in the ‘Bone Yard’. Tennessee Army National Guard photo by First Lieutenant Desiree Pavlick, 17MAR2010.

Graveyard of T-62 and T-72, October 2005:

Camp Taji ‘boneyard’, 10JUL2005.

T-72, Camp Butler/Butler Gunnery Range, February 2006:

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Brent Hunt, 16FEB2006.

Low quality video from February 2006, supposedly it was the first time Iraqis were able to fire their T-72s since the U.S. invasion:

T-72, Forward Operating Base Hammer, October 2008:

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Evan Loyd, 31OCT2008.

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Evan Loyd, 31OCT2008.

2008 Besmaya Range gunnery video (by U.S. Army Specialist Neil A. Stanfield):

T-72, Besmaya Range Complex, April 2010:

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Jared Eastman, 14APR2010.

Checking out a ‘newer’ T-72, apparently donated by NATO-Czech Republic, April 2016:

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Paul Sale, 05APR2016.

Iraqis began training on U.S. M1A1 Abrams in 2008-09:

Besmaya Range Complex, 31MAR2009. U.S. Army photo by Captain Thomas Avilucea.

According to a U.S. Defense Department news release, between August 2010 and the end of 2011, 140 M1A1M Abrams tanks were delivered to Iraq as part of a 2008 military sales agreement.

According to the the U.S. Army, these were the last of the 140 Abrams delivered to Iraq:

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Edward Daileg, 29AUG2011.

In 2016, BMP-1s were positioned for the Mosul Offensive against so-called Islamic State:

U.S. Army photo, 18OCT2016.

In February 2018, it was revealed that an Iraqi militia unit funded by Iran acquired nine of the M1A1Ms.

Blurry image showing Iranian funded Iraqi militia hauling an M1A1.

In June 2018, Iraq announced it was trading the M1A1M for the Russian T-90S.

The first T-90S and T-90SK were delivered by November 2019.

M109A1, Firebase Saham, December 2018.

U.S. Army photo by Captain Jason Welch, 03DEC2018.

For some strange reason the official U.S. Army information that accompanied the pic states this is a “M109 Paladin”, but it is clearly not an M109A6 Paladin (which is a radical upgrade of the M109 series), it is a M109A1.

In 2008, U.S. Army officials decided to allow Iraq to refurbish several M109A1s abandoned in the ‘boneyard’ of Camp Taji: “Last fall, our brigade commander was given guidance by the 9th IA commander to pull out of the Taji boneyard roughly a battalion’s worth of M109A1 howitzers.”-Major Matthew DeLoia, Military Transition Team-Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Field Artillery Regiment, July 2009

VEHICLE I-D: UKRAINIAN ARMOR

VEHICLE I-D: GEORGIAN T-72 & BMP

Vehicle I-D: Georgian T-72 & BMP

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Joseph Cannon, 06AUG2017.

USA photo by Sergeant Kalie Jones, 06AUG2017.

USA photo by Sergeant Kalie Jones, 06AUG2017.

U.S. Army photo by First Lieutenant Ellen C. Brabo, 04AUG2018.

USA photo by First Lieutenant Ellen C. Brabo, 04AUG2018.

T-72 with explosive reactive armor (ERA), Vaziani Training Area, August 2018.

U.S. Army infographic by Josh Wick.

USA photo by First Lieutenant Ellen C. Brabo, 15AUG2018.

U.S. Apache gunship flying over T-72s, during the Cold War it would’ve been a sure sign of war.

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Ethan Valetski, 09AUG2019.

T-72, live fire Orpholo Training Area, August 2019.

USA photo by Specialist Ethan Valetski, 09AUG2019.

USA photo by Specialist Ethan Valetski, 09AUG2019.

Video, live fire T-72 and BMP-2, August 2019:

USA photo by Specialist Ethan Valetski, 09AUG2019.

BMP-2, live fire Orpholo Training Area, August 2019.

USA photo by Specialist Ethan Valetski, 09AUG2019.

USA photo by Specialist Ethan Valetski, 09AUG2019.

USA photo by Specialist Ethan Valetski, 09AUG2019.

USA photo by Sergeant Shiloh Capers, 12AUG2017.

BMP-2, Vaziani Training Area, 2017.

Video, 2015 mech-infantry assault training with BMP-1 and MTLB:

USA photo by Specialist Cal Turner, 31JAN2007.

Georgia sent BMP-1s to help the U.S. patrol Iraq.

SOVIET ERA TANKS NOW IN USE BY NATO: SLOVENIAN M84

VEHICLE I-D: UKRAINIAN ARMOR

ZOMBIE TANK T-55, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

Vehicle I-D: Ukrainian Armor

Tennessee Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Timothy Massey, 05APR2019.

BRDM-2

Tennessee Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Timothy Massey.

T-84 during Independence Day, 24AUG2018.

Video, T-84 platoon Grafenwoehr, Germany, 2018 (no shooting until the end of the video):

Tennessee Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Timothy Massey, 06SEP2018.

T-64BV

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kyle Larsen, 26SEP2019.

BTR-4E

USA photo by Sergeant Justin Navin, 25SEP2019.

An old T-72 or T-64?

A T-72 with reactive armor in Starychi, 04NOV2015, Royal Canadian Forces photo.

T-72 

Video, BMP-1s and T-72s:

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Caleb Minor, 17SEP2019.

BMP-1

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Caleb Minor, 17SEP2019.

BMP-2

Video, BMP-2:

California Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Amanda H. Johnson, 24SEP2019.

Decontaminating an MTLB-ambulance

Wisconsin Army National Guard photo by Corporal Jared Saathoff, 15NOV2019.

Video, MTLB carrier:

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Alexander Skripnichuk, 07SEP2015.

KrAZ Cougar 

Video, decon KrAZ Cobra:

 

BAT-2

U.S. Army photo by Private Joanna Gaona Gomez, 18SEP2019.

Video, BAT-2:

Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Eric McDonough, 08JUN2017.

BTR-80

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Alexander Skripnichuk, 13SEP2015.

BTR-70

BTR-3DA

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kyle Larsen, 20SEP2019.

Kozak-2

U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Caleb Minor, 17SEP2019.

 ZSU-23-4

Oklahoma Army National Guard video by First Lieutenant Kayla Christopher, 2S1 Gvozdika live fire near Yavoriv, March 2017:

From 2017: CALIFORNIA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF FALSE FLAG OPS IN UKRAINE!

SOVIET ERA TANKS NOW IN USE BY NATO: BULGARIAN T-72

2016: Idaho based Snake River militia deploy M1A2 SEP to Ukrainian border!