Tag Archives: romania

Cold War to Battle for Ukraine: ROMÂNIA MLI-84M1 Jder, not your father’s BMP!

NATO-Romania’s MLI-84M1 Jder (Marten) is a radically modified Cold War era Soviet BMP (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty-Боевая Машина Пехоты, literally Combat Vehicle Infantry).  In 1982, when Romanian was still part of the Warsaw Pact, a license to build and modify the BMP-1 was accepted, the result was the MLI-84 which looked like the original BMP-1.

MLI-84M1. Photo via Romanian Ministry of Defense, 16DEC2022.

Essentially, the MLI-84 hull was lengthened and widened to allow the fitment of a larger more powerful Romanian diesel motor and a larger fuel tank. Some of the MLI-84s had a 12.7x108mm DShK heavy machinegun (Soviet .50 cal) mounted above the infantry compartment.  The original BMP-1 turret and 73mm Grom gun was retained.

MLI-84M1 in Grafenwoehr, Germany. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Bryan Rankin, 27JUN2014.

In 1995, after the fall of the Soviet Union, Romania contracted with an Israeli company to create the MLI-84M1.  The ‘Western-NATO’ style turret was added, armed with an Oerlikon 25mm main-gun, a 12.7x108mm DShK heavy machinegun and two ‘Spike’ Anti-Tank Guided Missiles in the ready position. The Romanian diesel motor was replaced by a U.S. made motor.

MLI-84M1. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant William A. Tanner, 23APR2015.

In 2004, Romania joins NATO.

USA photo by Sergeant William A. Tanner, 23APR2015.

U.S. Army video, by Sergeant Alan Brutus, wargame Wind Spring April 2015:

USA photo by Major Brett Sullenger, 09NOV2022.

This is NATO video from November 2022‘s Justice Sword wargames:

USA photo by Specialist Jabari Clyburn, 23MAR2021.

Notice the ‘pland-emic’ mask wearing. USA photo by Specialist Jabari Clyburn, 23MAR2021.

North Carolina Army National Guard photo by Specialist Hannah Tarkelly, 11OCT2018.

NATO Vehicle I-D:

ARMURĂ ROMÂNIA

From Cold War to Battle for Ukraine: ROMÂNIA GARDIENII CERULUI GEPARD

World War Three, 2016: MONTANA MILITIA ENJOYS BEING THE ‘BAD GUY’ IN ROMANIA!

OREGON CAPTAIN EXPLAINS WHY IDAHO BASED MILITIA INVADED ROMANIA!

Cold War to Battle for Ukraine, Vehicle I-D: ROMÂNIA Gardienii Cerului Gepard

Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).

The Gepard (German for Cheetah) is a Cold War era self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system based on the German Leopard-1 battle tank.  The Gepard uses radar guided 35mm auto-cannons.  When the non-declared Cold War ended in 1991, Romania left the Warsaw Pact and eventually joined NATO.  Romania acquired 43 Gepard 1A2s from the reunified Germany.  Officially the Gepards were ‘donated’ to Romania, under a 1998 agreement, finally being delivered in 2004.

Ukraine Crisis: February 2014 (NATO backed coup) to present.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Steven M. Colvin, 26OCT2015.

U.S. Army video by Staff Sergeant Michael Zahnow, July 2017:

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Timothy Villareal, 15JUL2017.

Gepard shoot-em-up video, by Laurens Vermeire, July 2017:

Romanian Gepards on Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, 02FEB2021. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Elizabeth O. Bryson.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Elizabeth O. Bryson, 02FEB2021.

USA photo by Specialist Osvaldo Fuentes, 30JUN2021.

USA photo by Sergeant First Class Adrian Patoka, 27JUL2021.

Sky Guardians fire their anti-aircraft Gepards during a live fire at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, 27JUL2021. USA photo by Specialist Osvaldo Fuentes.

NATO promotional video (by U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Adrian Patoka), Romanian Gepards night-fire over Poland, July 2021:

In August 2021, Forbes reported that “NATO Is Desperate For Front-Line Air-Defenses. Romania’s Old Gepards Are The Best It’s Got.”  Which actually is not good.

Quick U.S. Army video by First Class Adrian Patoka, Romanian Gepard in Poland, 24AUG2021:

Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, 03NOV2021. USA photo by Private First Class Jacob Bradford.

USA photo by Private First Class Jacob Bradford, 09NOV2021.

Romanian Gepards light-up the night sky over Poland. USA photo by Private First Class Jacob Bradford, 24NOV2021.

In April 2022, it was reported that Germany was sending Ukraine what remained of its mothballed Gepards.

In February 2023, Romanian news media reported that gossip about Romanian Gepards deploying to the border with Moldova was “fake news”.

Also in February 2023, Rheinmetall announced it would re-start production of 35mm ammo for the Gepard.

On 14MAR2023, it was reported that Germany delivered the 34th Gepard to Ukraine.

NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group-Poland/Task Force Ivy (Croatia, Poland, Romania, United Kingdom, United States) conducted a Combined Arms Live Fire EXercise (CALFEX) at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, on 05AUG2023. Romania brought their German made Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, U.S. Army video by Sergeant Alex Soliday:

Battle for Ukraine: NATO A-W-A-C-S DEPLOY TO UKRAINE!

From Cold War to Battle for Ukraine: CHALLENGER, A CHILD OF SERENDIPITY?

NATO Vehicle I-D: ARMURĂ ROMÂNIA

Battle for Ukraine: A-W-A-C-S deploy to Ukraine!

03 February 2023 (11:37-UTC-07 Tango 06) 14 Bahman 1401/12 Rajab 1444/13 Jia-Yin 4721/03 февраля 2023 года

Photo via NATO, 17JAN2023.

On 17JAN2023, NATO deployed deployed three Boeing E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to NATO-Romania, which borders Ukraine.  Up until now, the NATO AWACs had been operating out of Geilenkirchen, in NATO-Germany.

NATO video showing AWACS deploying from Germany to Bucharest, Romania, 17JAN2023:

Photo via NATO, 17JAN2023.

NATO interview with AWACS tactical officer, Belgian Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Denis:

Photo via NATO, 17JAN2023.

NATO also revealed, without giving details, that it has created new multinational battlegroups for its ‘Enhanced Forward Presence’ in countries that border Russia!

Battle for Ukraine: 60+ BRADLEYS DEPLOY!

TaCaMO: E-6B MERCURY, launching nuclear ICBMs from the air

River Gun Boat: România, guardians of the Danube

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:

Gunboat target practice, video posted April 2013:

The Jamestown Foundation has a article with more info about Romania’s Danube Flotilla.

Fellow NATO member Turkey sold to the Romanian Border Police 12 SNR-17 river patrol boats. 

Vehicle I-D: ARMURĂ ROMÂNIA

U.S. NAVY KEEPS OLD U.S. ARMY BOAT-TRUCK AFLOAT

THE MANY LIVES OF LST-786

Vehicle I-D: Armură România

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 UROVESA VAMTac (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-85M1 Bizonul (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.

 In 2015 Romania expanded its NATO role by deploying additional troops to Afghanistan.  Romanian troops operate U.S. made Oshkosh M-ATV MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected).

Photo by Sergeant William Tanner, 18APR2015.

TR-85, Smardan Training Area, Romania, April 2015.

Video, PMA T-55 bridge layer in action, 2015:

Romanian Armed Forces video of bridge tank operation: https://fb.watch/3bZYmB3S-C/

USA photo by Sergeant William Tanner, 18APR2015.

MLI-84Ms drive around a German made Gepard (Cheetah) anti-aircraft tank, April 2015.

USA photo by Sergeant William Tanner, 18APR2015.

TABC-79/ABC-79M on Smardan Training Area, Romania. USA photo by Sergeant William Tanner, 18APR2015.

Once called the TABC-79, the Scout/Recon vehicles are now called ABC-79M.

DMT-85M1. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Melanye Martinez, 07DEC2015.

A DMT-85M1 engineer vehicle, based on the TR-85M1, December 2015.

(Click/tap here to see my alma matter Idaho/Montana/Oregon National Guard’s M1A2 SEP live fire in Romania, from 2016)

T-55. USMC photo by Sergeant Kirstin Spanu, 28SEP2016.

From September 2016, a T-55AM (aka TR-77-580).

USA photo by Sergeant Timothy Villareal, 15JUL2017.

Romanian BMP ambulance conversion, July 2017.

Video by Staff Sergeant Michael Zahnow, how to cross a Romanian river (the Danube):

 

TAB-71/BTR-60. USA photo by Specialist Emily Houdershieldt, 19JUL2017.

BTR-60 (TAB-71) just outside Ramnicu Valcea, July 2017.

Video, BTR-70 (aka TAB-77) from 2017 maneuvers:

Video, by Specialist Jacob Banuelos, TR-85 live fire, Smardan Training Area in December 2017:

 

USA photo by Sergeant Jeremiah Woods, 30MAY2019.

TAB-77 (BTR-70), May 2019.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant True Thao, 20JUN2019.

Piranha-3 crosses the Danube river during Saber Guardian 2019.

Video, by Specialist Drake Chandler, of NATO Saber Guardian 2019 wargames, Romanian Swiss made Piranha cross a pontoon bridge:

Saber Guardian 2019 music video, by Michigan National Guard Specialist Brian Pearson and Romanian Captain Mariana Dinu:

More live fire video, Saber Guardian 2019, TR-85 and T-55 (TR-77-580):

Photo by Sergeant H. Marcus McGill. Piranha joins a U.S. convoy to the Black Sea for Exercise Rapid Falcon, 19NOV2020.

More Romanian Armed Forces videos: www.facebook.com/Romanian.Armed.Forces/videos

Soviet era tanks in use by NATO:  POLAND

NATO: MiG-21 

World War Three, 2016: SNAKE RIVER Militia M1A2 SEP, LIVE FIRE ROMANIA!

MONTANA Militia ENJOYS BEING THE ‘BAD GUY’ IN ROMANIA!

Vehicle I-D: Cold War Zombie tank T-55, they’re everywhere!

I calls it a zombie tank because it’s six decades old and refuses to die.

People’s Republic of China, 2021:

CHINA’S TYPE 59D, UPDATED COLD WAR T-54/55, TO LIVE-ON AS A ROBOT TANK?

CHINA STILL USES THE NATO GUNNED TYPE 88 WARSAW PACT BASED T-54/55 TANK

Lost your hull?  No problem, mount your turret on a truck trailer:

Syria 2012 to present:

Date and location unknown, possibly inside Syria, a T-55 somehow ended up on its turret!

Government T-55s.

Insurgent T-55.

With a mine-roller.

Iraq 2020: They still like those Chinese Type 69s. See more in Iraqi Armor after the Invasion.

Romanian T-55s taking part in NATOs Saber Guardian, June 2019:

U.S. Navy photo by Lieutenant Alex Cornell du Houx, 13JUN2019.

Video August 2018, Afghan government T-55 Boom Stick in action in Sangin District, while U.S. Marines watch:

Kurdish Peshmerga T-55, Iraq, May 2016: 

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Sergio Rangel, 29MAY2016.

Click here to watch extremist insurgents execute captured Syrian soldier with a T-55 tank!

Romanian T-55s, April 2016:

African Union T-55AMV, 2015:

African Union female T-55 crew:

Bamyan, Afghanistan, 2012:

An old T-54.

See more in Steel Skeletons of Soviet Afghanistan.

Daymirdad, Afghanistan, 2011: 

T-55, U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Sean Casey, 09JAN2011.

Iraq 2010:  U.S. BRINGS DEAD IRAQI T-55 BACK TO LIFE!

Iraqi T-54/55 ARV, Salman Pak, November 2008:

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Chase Kincaid, 15NOV2008. 

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Chase Kincaid, 15NOV2008.

T-55 Salman Pak, Iraq, November 2008:

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Chase Kincaid, 15NOV2008.

Al Ja’ara village, Iraq, January 2008:

U.S. Defense Department photo, 14JAN2008.

Iraq 2003:

Chinese Type 69 (‘upgraded’ T-55). USN/USMC photo.

See more in Iraq 2003 Battle Damage.

Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, 2002:

Ventilator on turret top and small hole for bow machine gun on front slope indicates this was a T-54. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Arlo K. Abrahamson, 29MAY2002.

Cambodia: 

Iraqi Chinese made T-55 assaults Iranian infantry line during Iran-Iraq War:

Vietnam, T-54:

Supposedly upgraded Nicaraguan T-55:

Bosnia & Herzegovina 1996-98:

Croat (HVO) T-55 crew fires-off their 12.7mm gun, on the Barbara Range in Glamoc, Bosnia and Herzegovina. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sergeant Kim Price, October 1998.

A U.S. Army First Lieutenant tries to keep flames from spreading. This Serbian T-55 was deliberately blown-up with C-4 plastic explosive by the U.S. Army, on Camp Dobol, Bosnia-Herzegovina. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Angel Clemons, 15MAR1997.

T-55 ‘upgraded’ with vulcanized rubber armor, Broko area of Bosnia-Herzegovina. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sergeant Jon E. Long, January 1996.

Iraq 1991:

What’s left of an Iraqi Type 69, a Chinese ‘upgrade’ of the T-55. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Reeve, March 1991.

Smoldering Iraqi T-55 on the border with Kuwait. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Joel Torres, 28FEB1991.

CzechoSlovakia 1989:

Just a few years before the end of the unofficial Cold War, Czechoslovakia upgraded their T-55s with ‘Western-NATO’ targeting systems.

CzechoSlovak T-54, date and photographer unknown.

Egypt 1985:

Notice the ‘Western’ style square search light. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Captain Mark Beberwyck, August 1985.

U.S.A. 1987:

Captured T-54/55, Foreign Materiel Intelligence Group Training Detachment, Fort Irwin, California. U.S. Army photo by Donna Fulghum, 10MAR1987.

Peru 1983:

Factory fresh/parade ready T-54 (indicated by the bow machine gun hole in the front slope), 1983(?).

U.S.A. 1984:

Photo taken by ‘yours truly’, while on a California Army National Guard drill weekend on Fort Irwin, National Training Center, California.  You can see the hole in the front slope of the hull for the bow machine gun, which is typical of the T-54.  Early T-54s also had a ventilator on the turret top.

T-54 (it has a ventilator on top of the turret) captured by Israel then turned over to the United States, notice the U.S. military antenna mast mounted on top of the turret. Photo dated November 1984.

Israel 1974:

Photo dated May 1974, location unknown, however it appears to be captured T-55s put to use by the Israeli Defense Forces.

Being cannibalized for parts.

Egypt 1974:

Egyptian T-55 destroyed by Israel, 1974. Notice somebody marked the penetration hole in the turret.

Iraq, November 1963:

Iraqi T-54 during coup led by pro-Egyptian (Nasserists) against the Ba’ath Party, November 1963.

Germany 1961:

U.S. Embassy photo. The then brand new T-54/55 is deployed in response to the U.S. deploying its then brand new M48A1, which were deployed in response to older T-34-85s being deployed in what became the Berlin Crisis which led to the creation of the Berlin Wall.

See (photos & film), and read, more in BERLIN KRISE, ‘GAME OF CHICKEN’ M48A1 VS. T-54/55!

This is a terrible Cold War era U.S. Army vehicle I-D image of a T-54.

Soviet Union:

Cold War film, late 1950s or early 1960s, Soviet T-55s getting decontaminated in NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) exercise:

A variety of variants:

So many model kits, so little time!

 

T-55 data @ ArmyRecognition.com

VEHICLE I-D: IRAN BUILDS ITS OWN MRAP

IRAN BUILDS ITS OWN ‘JEEP’

HOW TO BUILD A 1/1 SCALE TIGER-1 TANK

World War Three, 2016: Snake River M1A2 SEP, Live Fire Romania!

08 August 2016 (00:11 UTC-07 Tango 01) 18 Mordad 1395/04 Dhu I-Qa’da 1437/06 Bing-Shen 4714

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 07JUL2016.

My ‘alma matter’ 116th Armored Cav in Cincu, Romania, July 2016.  (SNAKE RIVER IFVS INVADE ROMANIA!)

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 28JUL2016.

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Kyle J. Warner, 02AUG2016.

During the last days of Saber Guardian 2016, Idaho, Montana & Oregon Army National Guard’s 116th CBCT M1A2 SEP tanks conduct live fire with their 120mm Rheinmetall guns, and there’s some vid of Canadian infantry firing their personnel weapons:

Small UAV (R/C drone) aerial video:

116th Cavalry (pronounced Cav-al-ry, not cal-vary) Brigade Combat Team Colonel Farin Schwartz and Romanian Colonel Julian Daniliuc comment about Saber Guardian:

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Captain John Farmer, 06AUG2016.

Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (Oregon chapter) shooting up the Romanian Land Forces Combat Training Center.  (OREGON CAPTAIN EXPLAINS WHY IDAHO BASED MILITIA INVADED ROMANIA!)

USAF F-35A “COMBAT READY” IN UTAH

45 YEARS OF C-130 MAFFS OPS

OBAMA DEPLOYS INDIANA BLACKSNAKES A-10s TO SLOVAKIA

C-17 DUMPS HMMWVS ON SOUTH CAROLINA, AWESOME VID!

Snake River 116th’s 2015 NTC rotation on video (including Combined Arms Live Fire)

Brand new Black Hawks: Canucks join Snake River militia, Air Assault Move to Contact, Romania!

01 August 2016 (17:12 UTC-07 Tango 01) 11 Mordad 1395/26 Shawwal 1437/29 Yi-Wei 4714

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Private First Class Jessica L. Pauley, 31JUL2016.

Saber Guardian 2016: British empire’s Charlie Company, 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, links up with Snake River’s Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 1/116th CBCT in Sibu, Romania.  FYI, the British empire spells Saber S-A-B-R-E.

The new UH-60M had almost everybody’s attention. Oregon Army National Guard photo by Captain John Farmer, 30JUL2016.

UH-60M Air Assault load up:

The below boring Move to Contact Vid is mainly Snake River guys, the Canucks wearing the darker green camo.  Move to Contact is usually boring, unless you actually make contact:

 

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Captain John Farmer, 30JUL2016.

Black Hawk pilot explains the brand new UH-60M (and the company commander gives the usual ‘It’s so great to work with other country’s militaries’ speech):

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Captain John Farmer, 30JUL2016.

MONTANA MILITIA ENJOYS BEING THE ‘BAD GUY’ IN ROMANIA!

VEHICLE ID: SNAKE RIVER IFVs INVADE ROMANIA!

VEHICLE ID: OREGON CAPTAIN EXPLAINS WHY IDAHO BASED MILITIA INVADED ROMANIA!

BLACK HAWK DOWN JAPAN: U.S. ARMY TRAINS YOKOHAMA TO RESCUE DOWNED UH-60 CREWS

SIGN OF THINGS TO COME: KENTUCKY MILITIA BLACK HAWKS TRAINS FOR WATER RESCUES IN INDIANA!

116TH SNAKE RIVER’S 2015 NTC ROTATION, with CALFEX video

World War Three, 2016: Montana militia enjoys being the ‘Bad Guy’ in Romania!

31 July 2016 /22:47 UTC-07 Tango 01 (11 Mordad 1395/26 Shawwal 1437/29 Yi-Wei 4714)

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 30JUL2016.

Company D, 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, Montana Army National Guard playing Opposing Forces (OpFor) at the Romanian Land Force Combat Training Center.

National Guard M1A2 SEP(System Enhancement Package) plays the ‘Bad Guy’ in Romania:

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 30JUL2016.

How to hide your M1A2 SEP in Romania.

“This is kind of neat for our unit. This is the first time the National Guard has been asked to conduct Saber Guardian as the OpFor, and for them to call on the state of Montana it means a lot to us, it makes us proud. We take a lot of pride where we are from, and to come here and provide a legitimate challenge to the BlueFor for this mission is challenging and rewarding. We are proud for our unit and proud for our state.”-First Sergeant Mathew Kemp, Delta Company, 1/163 Infantry, Montana National Guard

Montana OpFor Bradley’s (and a M113) ‘invading’ Romania. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 30JUL2016.

Montana’s 1/163 Infantry Regiment is part of the National Guard’s ‘Snake River’ 1/116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s ‘invasion’ of former Warsaw Pact member Romania.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Corey Baltos, 30JUL2016.

Montana’s Bravo and Delta infantry companies are playing the role of Opposition Forces (OpFor, OPFOR) during Saber Guardian 2016.  The U.S.-NATO wargame concludes by 07 August 2016.

‘Combatants’ are using MILES (multiple integrated laser engagement system), it’s one of the first laser tag systems, developed by the military decades ago: “The MILES gear provides a realistic force on force training opportunity. This realistic training gives our guys an idea of what they need to work on, what skills they need to develop and what they are proficient at.”-Staff Sergeant  Joseph Thacker, Delta Company, 1/64th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Me at a rare Pocatello Airport air show, in 1999, wearing my OPFOR shirt that I got after Idaho's NTC wargame at Fort Irwin in 1998.

Me at a rare Pocatello Airport air show, in 1999, wearing my OPFOR shirt that I got after Idaho’s NTC wargame at Fort Irwin in 1998.

“THIS IS WHERE ARMOR FIGHTS!” IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD

World War Three, 2016: Snake River I-F-Vs invade Romania!

IFV=Infantry Fighting Vehicle

116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team Bradley IFV, 30JUL2016. Oregon Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Corey Grogan.

30 July 2016 (17:08 UTC-07 Tango 01) 09 Mordad 1395/24 Shawwal 1437/27 Yi-Wei 4714

Video of National Guard 116th CBCT (Idaho, Montana, Oregon) M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and M113 support vehicles, as well as Snake River mech-infantry inside Romania:

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Corinna Baltos, 28JUL2016.

Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, Idaho Army National Guard.

Wearing the Snake River patch. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Corinna Baltos, 28JUL2016.

Montana chapter of the 116th Cav plays ‘bad guy’ in Romania. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Corinna Baltos, 30JUL2016.

M2A3 of 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, Montana Army National Guard, at the Romanian Land Force Combat Training Center.

 OREGON CAPTAIN EXPLAINS WHY IDAHO BASED MILITIA INVADED ROMANIA!