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International, U.S.

Al-Aqsa Storm-Swords of Iron: The fire spreads! The world turns against Israel?

Video

02 November 2023 (13:58-UTC-07 Tango 06) 11 Aban 1402/18 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1445/19 Gui-Hai 4721/02 ноябрь 2023 года

These reports are just the tip of the spear!

“Iraq is preparing for possible Israeli attacks on its territory if the current confrontation widens. They do not want to become a new version of Syria, subject to repeated Israeli strikes without a response.”-Iraqi official speaking under the condition of anonymity, 30OCT2023, concerning efforts to build an air defense system that can destroy any Israeli attack

There are reports that a drone bomb hit a U.S. military barracks in Iraq, it did not detonate! The Times of Israel reports that U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have been attacked at least 23 times since the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza!

Voice of America says the U.S. blames Iran:

Today, it has been revealed that yesterday’s secretive meeting between Secretary of State Blinken and the Defense Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, was about finding a fast end to the current Israeli war on Palestinians. The Defense Minister of KSA says the Israel/Palestine war is spilling over and impeding their efforts in Yemen!

The Times of Israel, 01NOV2023: Rebels in Yemen “launched a large batch of drones during the past hours at several targets”!

Haaretz, 01NOV2023: Surprise rocket attacks by rebels in Yemen will force the U.S. to change its support of Israel!

Here is the strange U.S. Department of State ‘press conference’ video from 01NOV2023, in which Blinken refuses to make any statement, or take questions from reporters:

Also today, Secretary of State Blinken left for Jordan and Israel for emergency meetings to discuss allowing hundreds of U.S. citizens in Gaza to leave (Israel controls the border crossings and has not been allowing foreigners to leave Gaza), a “humanitarian pause” (the new official phrase for cease fire) and peace deal, and the creation of a Palestinian State (among other things), in an effort to stop the war from spreading to other countries!

On 01NOV2023, the Kingdom of Jordan recalls envoy to Israel, says Israel is to blame for Gaza crisis!

On 01NOV2023, the Foreign Ministers of NATO-Turkey and Islamic Republic of Iran issued a joint warning to Israel!

02NOV2023, Hamas militia Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (aka Qassam Brigades) units operating in Lebanon launches 12 rockets, hitting the northern Israeli Kiryat Shmona settlement! Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system failed to identify the rockets launched from Lebanon! An Israeli military barracks was bombed by drones! Israeli officials in the Kiryat Shmona settlement report they are under drone attack, residents ordered to remain in bomb shelters! Lebanon’s Hezbollah reports they have also begun attacks on Israeli military positions!

Israeli settlers in The West Bank are now rampaging, burning down Palestinian homes and business, and killing Palestinians! United Nations says at least 1-thousand West Bank Palestinians have been displaced, this is legally known as Ethnic Cleansing!

United Nations threatens War Crimes charges due to massive civilian deaths (at least 9-thousand), and after Israel bombs another UN operated elementary school in a Gaza refugee camp!  This is not the first time during this war that Israel targeted a UN school: 11 UN staff, 30 pupils at UN schools, killed in Gaza!

Russia says Israel’s continued attacks on Syria are not “acceptable”! On 30OCT2023, the United Nations special envoy in Syria says Israel is spilling the war into Syria!

The Times of Israel, 31OCT2023: Egypt deploys armor near Rafah border crossing!

All Arab News, 30OCT2023: Egypt threatens to end relations with Israel after Israel attacks Egyptian border guards!

Back in June 2023, Israeli and Egyptian border guards engaged in a firefight!

Al Aqsa Storm-Swords of Iron: BIDEN’S BABY BEHEADINGS=FAKE NEWS?

The ancient empire of Babylon covered and area from present day Israel in the West, to Iran in the East. “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”-from Revelation 18 (supposedly King James Bible)

International, U.S.

Forever Wars: U.S. deployments to Middle East ramp up!

Video

Incomplete list of current U.S. Department of Defense deployments to The Middle East.

U.S. Army photo by Amber Osei, 16OCT2023.

On 16OCT2023, Alpha ‘Assassin’ Battery-5th Battalion-5th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) on Fort Sill, Oklahoma, deploying to a non-disclosed location in The Middle East.

During the early morning of 16OCT2023, additional F-15E Strike Eagles of the 494th Fighter Squadron (FS) 48th Fighter Wing (FW), on Lakenheath, England, United Kingdom, deployed for a non-disclosed location in The Middle East.  Video by Staff Sergeant Gaspar Cortez:

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Alexander Frank, 15OCT2023.

On 15OCT2023, the first of many U.S. eXpeditionary Air Base (XAB) Airmen began arriving on Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A-10C Thunderbolt-2s, from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, arrived in a non-disclosed location (looks like Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq) on 14OCT2023. Video by Airman First Class Christian Silvera:

On 14OCT2023, the USS Eisenhower ‘Ike’ (CVN 69) aircraft carrier deployed from Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, to join the USS Ford aircraft carrier already in the Eastern Mediterranean, to provide support for Israel. Video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Anderson W. Branch:

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Brandon J. Vinson, 13OCT2023.

The destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) deployed from Naval Station Mayport, Florida, for a so-called “regularly scheduled deployment” on 13OCT2023.

On 13OCT2023, the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) guided missile cruiser deployed from Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, to join other U.S. Navy surface vessels providing Israel with military support. Video by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Ryan Seelbach:

The guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) departs Naval Station Norfolk, 13OCT2023, for Israel. Video by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Ryan Seelbach:

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Seleena Muhammad-Ali, 13OCT2023.

On 13OCT2023, the 494th FS-48th FW began deploying F-15E Strike Eagles from their home base on Lakenheath, England, United Kingdom, to a supposed non-disclosed location (which looks a lot like Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq).

On 08OCT2023, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin the Third announced that “I have directed the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). We have also taken steps to augment U.S. Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region. The U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required.”

On 02OCT2023, about one hundred Soldiers of Alaska Army National Guard’s Bravo Company(aka Bison Company)-1st Battalion-297th Infantry Regiment departed to Fort Bliss, Texas, the first step in their deployment to Iraq/Kuwait/Syria for Operation Spartan Shield. Video by Balinda O’Neal:

Forever Wars: U.S. GENERAL SAYS ALL PARTS OF GOVERNMENT ARE ‘MILITARY’!

NATO GREATLY INCREASES TAXPAYER FUNDING, EXPANDS GLOBAL AMMO SUPPLY, FORMS ‘BIRDS COALITION’ WITH UKRAINE!

NATIONAL GUARD DRUG & BORDER DEPLOYMENTS! CYBER WAR! DEPLOYMENTS DESTROYING FAMILIES!

Al-Aqsa Storm-Swords of Iron: BIDEN’S BABY BEHEADINGS=FAKE NEWS?

International, U.S.

Al-Aqsa Storm-Swords of Iron: Biden’s Baby Beheadings=Fake News?

Video

Operation al Aqsa Flood=official name of Palestinian attack

Operation Swords of Iron=official name of Israeli attack

“I never thought that I would, see and have confirmed, pictures of terrorists beheading children.”-Joseph Robinette Biden Junior, President of the United States, during 11OCT2023 meeting with Jewish leaders in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House

The next day, White House staff claimed Biden was actually referring to news media reports, but they failed to give the exact news reports.

The Times of Israel: Biden has not seen or independently confirmed Hamas beheaded Israeli children!

SkyNews: “During the tour we didn’t see any evidence of this, and the army spokesperson or commanders also didn’t mention any such incidents.”-independent Israeli journalist Oren Ziv, after touring the so called massacre site

Multiple news outlets revealed that the claim of babies being beheaded came from a known instigator, who is also an Israeli settler and a Major in the Israeli army reserve (by the way, many ‘civilian’ settlers are army reservists), David Ben Zion.

Mondoweiss: There is no proof Palestinian fighters ‘beheaded’ babies. The only source is a radical settler.

The Grayzone: Source of dubious ‘beheaded babies’ claim is Israeli settler leader who incited riots to ‘wipe out’ Palestinian village

The ancient empire of Babylon covered and area from present day Israel in the West, to Iran in the East. “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”-from Revelation 18 (supposedly King James Bible)

Al-Aqsa Storm-Swords of Iron: Israeli Defense Forces issues warning, ordering 1.1-million Palestinians to somehow quickly move south towards Egypt!

ELON MUSK?

International

Al-Aqsa Storm-Swords of Iron: Gaza Invasion begins?

Israeli Defense Forces issues warning, ordering 1.1-million Palestinians to somehow quickly move south towards Egypt!

Operation al Aqsa Flood=official name of Palestinian attack

Operation Swords of Iron=official name of Israeli attack

Al-Aqsa Storm: Elon Musk?

International, Technology

Al-Aqsa Storm: Elon Musk?

Image

On 10OCT2023, the European Union (EU) sent Elon Musk an ultimatum:

Musk responded by essentially demanding the EU show him proof of ‘misinformation’. They responded with typical cancel-culture hyperbole, in other words they have no proof.

Al-Aqsa Storm: IRAQIS VOW TO ATTACK U.S. BASES! IRAQ & IRAN JOIN FORCES?

The ancient empire of Babylon covered and area from present day Israel in the West, to Iran in the East. “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”-from Revelation 18 (supposedly King James Bible)

International

Al-Aqsa Storm: Iraqis vow to attack U.S. bases! Iraq & Iran join forces?

Image

“Our missiles, drones, and special forces are ready to … strike the American enemy in its bases and disrupt its interests if it intervenes in this battle!”-Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Kata’ib Hezbollah (an Iraqi Shia militia), 10OCT2023

The above statement was made as the USS Ford carrier strike group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

NATO-Norway’s Telemark Battalion conduct operations from Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Clark, 13SEP2023.

On 09OCT2023, another Iraqi Shia militia,  Harakat Hezbollah Nujaba, made the same threat. Yet another Iraqi Shia group, the Badr Organization, said “If they (the Americans) intervene, we would intervene … we will consider all American targets legitimate.”

U.S. Army Combat Medics conduct a Mass-Casualty Drill at an non-disclosed location in Iraq, on 21SEP2023. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Jenise Burnette.

But wait, it is not just Iraqi Shia militias, on 07OCT2023 Basim al-Awadi, spokesperson of the Iraqi government, said “Today’s Palestinian actions respond to longstanding oppression by the Zionist occupation, which ignores international resolutions. We urge global intervention to restore Palestinian rights, cautioning against escalation that could destabilize the region, and call for an urgent Arab League meeting on the Palestinian situation.”

Recently, Iraq, Kuwait and the U.S. conducted Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training. U.S. Navy photo, 02OCT2023.

Historically, Iraq has always sided with Palestine. On 10OCT2023, Iraq and Iran entered into a new joint security agreement.

An Iraqi ‘small’ boat approaches the USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142), 02OCT2023. U.S. Navy photo.

The ancient empire of Babylon covered and area from present day Israel in the West, to Iran in the East. “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”-from Revelation 18 (supposedly King James Bible)

Al-Aqsa Storm: ESCALATION! FALSE FLAG?

World War Three, March 2023: CHINA BRINGS PEACE TO IRAN AND Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, DAYS LATER N-A-T-O & IRAQ PREP FOR WAR!

International, Technology

NATO Vehicle I-D: MiG-29 Bŭlgariya

Video

The Republic of Bulgaria is now a member of NATO, during the non-declared Cold War (1947-1991) the People’s Republic of Bulgaria was a member of the Warsaw Pact.  Warsaw Pact Bulgaria first received the MiG-29 during the last years of the Cold War, starting in 1989.  Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004.

U.S. Air Force video report, from 13OCT2010, explaining wargame Thracian Star:

MiG-29 taxis past a Minnesota Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing F-16, Graf Ignatievo Air Base, 26MAY2014.

A Bulgarian MiG-29UB pilot helps a Louisiana Air National Guard F-15 Eagle pilot attach his oxygen mask before a familiarization flight in a MiG-29UB during a training mission at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, 20APR2015. Louisiana Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Toby M. Valadie.

In May 2015, Louisiana Air National Guard F-15C Eagles trained alongside Bulgarian MiG-29s. Video by Master Sergeant Toby M. Valadie, edited by me to focus on the MiG-29:

New Jersey Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew J. Moseley, 13JUL2015.

MiG-29UB, Graf Ignatievo Air Base, 15JUL2015. New Jersey Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew J. Moseley.

F-16s, MiG-29 and MiG-21. New Jersey Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew J. Moseley, 20JUL2015.

Bulgaria began NATO ‘policing’ of the Black Sea in 2016. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Joe W. McFadden, 08SEP2016.

USAF video, by Staff Sergeant Ashley Corkins, MiG-29s during NATO’s first ever ‘joint air policing’ (along with California & Massachusetts Air National Guard F-15 Eagles) of the Black Sea, on 09SEP2016:

Bulgaria began NATO ‘policing’ of the Black Sea in 2016. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Joe W. McFadden, 09SEP2016.

NATO video released 13OCT2020, showing ‘air policing’ operations over supposed NATO Black Sea territory. Video was edited by me to highlight the MiG-29:

MiG-29UB. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Brooke Moeder, 13JUL2021.

MiG-29UB excerpt from U.S. Air Force promo video (by Airman First Class Brooke Moeder, 15JUL2021):

MiG-29UB. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Brooke Moeder, 20JUL2021.

USAF Airman First Class Brooke Moeder shows you MiG-29 action during wargame Thracian Star, July 2021:

In 2019, NATO-Bulgaria paid Lockheed Martin, in full, for eight U.S. made F-16 Falcons, however, on 17MAY2023, BulgarianMilitary.com reported that the United States government/Department of Defense canceled any additional F-16 purchases and told Bulgaria to continue using the MiG-29!

On 11AUG2023, The Sofia Globe reported that NATO-Bulgaria is paying NATO-Poland 9.5-million Euros to rebuild six MiG-29s!

Cold War & Beyond: Микоян и Гуревич (Mikoyan & Gurevich) МиГ-29 (MiG-29)

Post Cold War: NATO’s MiG-21s (including Bulgaria)

International, Technology

Cold War & Beyond: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29

Video

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

During the Cold War it was known as Mikoyan & Gurevich (Микоян и Гуревич), hence MiG (МиГ). The MiG-29 began military service in 1983.  NATO reporting name Fulcrum.

U.S. Department of Defense concept of what a MiG-29 looked like, image released to the public on 23MAY1984.

From 1983 to 1985 the MiG-29 was kept out of public sight, then the leadership of the Soviet Union changed, adopting a concept called Glasnost which resulted in public demonstrations of the MiG-29 all over the world.

Photo of MiG-29 number 01, published in Western NATO countries in January 1987.

Photo of MiG-29 number 02, published by the NATO-West in January 1987.

In 1989, the Soviet Union was trying so hard to be ‘open’ that they sent one of their new MiG-29s to an airshow in NATO-Canada.

U.S. Air Force personnel help Soviet personnel refuel a MiG-29 that stopped at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, enroute to an airshow in British Columbia, Canada. USAF photo by Sergeant Gregory A. Suhay, 01AUG1989.

The Soviet Union released this photo to the NATO-West in September 1989.

A Warsaw Pact East German (German Democratic Republic/Deutsche Demokratische Republik) Mig-29, on Preschen Airfield sometime in 1990. Photo by Rob Schleiffert. East Germany ceased to exist in October 1990.

U.S. Department of Defense photo showing the remains of an Iraqi MiG-29, after Operation Desert Storm in March 1991.

(See more in Desert Storm: AIRCRAFT GRAVEYARD)

Post Cold War, Balkan Wars, War on Terror, Battle for Ukraine, 1992 to present. Since the end of the Cold War the company is known as Mikoyan and is now part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), but the aircraft are still referred to as MiGs.

A former Warsaw Pact East German (German Democratic Republic/Deutsche Demokratische Republik) Mig-29UB, now wearing unified NATO-Germany markings, parked next to a USAF F-16B on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 11AUG1993. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Gary Tomoyasu.

Former Warsaw Pact Romania MiG-29, 23MAR1996. Romania would officially join NATO in 2004. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Russ Pollanen.

NATO-Germany MiG-29 flies alongside a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet, somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea, in Summer 1996.

The USAF claims this F-15C shot down the first Serbian MiG-29, during Operation Allied Force. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Ken Bergmann, 24MAR1999.

Oregon Air National Guard F-15C Eagle taxis with a NATO-Poland MiG-29, on Minsk-Mazowiecki Air Base, during wargame Eagle Sentry, 29APR2001. Former Warsaw Pact Poland joined NATO in 1999. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jerry Bynum.

A former Warsaw Pact Czechoslovakia MiG-29, now wearing independent Slovakia colors, 09JUN2001. Slovakia would join NATO in 2004. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Mitch Fuqua.

USAF officers get a tour of a NATO-Hungary MiG-29, 15MAY2002. Former Warsaw Pact Hungary joined NATO in 1999. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Colette M. Horton.

Final flight of NATO-Germany’s MiG-29s over the Gulf of Mexico, 14MAY2003. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Michael Ammons.

In the late 1980s, MiG developed a ‘K’ navalized version of the MiG-29 (first flight 23JUL1988), but there were no takers.  In 2004, India decided they wanted the MiG-29K for their small aircraft carrier fleet.  The training version MiG-29KUB first flew in 2007. The KUB version can also act as an electronic warfare aircraft.

Russian navalized MiG-29Ks.

Apparently, the fact that India liked the MiG-29K influenced the Russian Military Maritime Fleet to buy their own MiG-29Ks in 2009.

In 2011, California Air National Guard F-16s flew to Ukraine to take part in wargame Safe Skies. This video, by Senior Master Sergeant Christopher Drudge, shows a Ukrainian MiG-29UB taxiing past the California F-16s:

MiG-35 Fulcrum-F

In 2016, UAC-Mikoyan introduced a new ‘MiG-29’ called the MiG-35 (which looks a lot like the navalized MiG-29K).  NATO calls it the Fulcrum-F.

This is from a NATO promotional video about Poland’s MiG-29 (edited by me), released in Spring 2018:

U.S. Department of Defense video claiming to show Russian MiG-29s operating over war-torn Libya, 05JUN2020:

Indian Air Power, 2021: Includes the MiG-29KUB

NATO-Bulgaria MiG-29 escorting U.S. Air Force B-52H, 24MAY2021, video (no audio) by Senior Airman Daniel Hernandez:

Ukraine Crisis, 2022: SLOVAKIA SUDDENLY RETIRES THEIR MiG-29 FULCRUM, AT NATO’S BEHEST

NATO video, 21MAR2023, NATO-Poland’s MiG-29UB launching from Malbork Air Base in Poland, and flying over the Baltic Sea:

On 16SEP2023, for the first time Republic of Serbia MiG-29s took part in an airshow in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.  Serbian Air Force-Air Defense video:

Post Cold War: NATO’s MiG-21s

International, Technology

Cold War & Beyond: Russia’s ‘Hip’ Helicopters

Video

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

NATO reporting name Hip. The Михаил Мил Ми-8 (Mikhail Mil Mi-8) rotary wing began military service in 1968, with the Soviet Union. First production was done in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.  The Mi-17 Hip has more powerful turbines than the Mi-8 Hip, also, the position of the tail rotor is different.

A Soviet Aeroflot silly-vilian Hip, early 1970s.

The Mi-8 is also used by silly-vilian (civilian) transport companies. I have several Western/NATO publications from the 1970s that speculate that the Mi-8 started military service prior to 1967.  The earliest photos I’ve found of the Hip are from the early 1970s.

Fresh Hip for Pakistan, early 1970s.

Warsaw Pact Poland’s PWL license built the silly-vilian Hip, early 1970s.

Purportedly a Hungarian Hip, early 1970s.

Soviet military Hips, early 1970s.

Silly-vilian ambulance version, photo published 1980.

Slov-Air airliner Hip, 1980.

1980.

Warsaw Pact Czechoslovakia Hip, 1980.

Fueling a Warsaw Pact Czechoslovak Hip, during a snow storm, 1980.

Egyptian Hips, photo dated 10SEP1983.

Soviet Hip visiting Little Diomede, Alaska, part of Operation Bering Bridge to help Alaskan Eskimos visit their relatives in the Soviet Union. Photo by Master Sergeant Ed Boyce, 23APR1989.

Vietnamese Hip, 08FEB1991. Photo by Master Sergeant Jose Lopez.

Abandoned Iraqi Hip, after Desert Storm, 03MAR1991. Photo by Staff Sergeant Dean W. Wagner.

Post Cold War, Balkan Wars, War on Terror, Battle for Ukraine, 1992 to present:

Last days of a former East German Mi-8S VIP transport. Photo credit C.J. van Gent, published 1993.

Kazak Hip during the international Central Asian ‘Peacekeeping’ Battalion 2000 so-called humanitarian wargame in Kazakhstan. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Jim Varhegyi, 10SEP2000.

The remains of an Afghan Hip, 18JAN2002. Photo by Captain Charles G. Grow.

In 2005, a new Hip was created with improved turbines, larger cargo door, it was called the Mi-8AMT, but the export version is known as the Mi-171.

United Nations’ Hip during Operation Jingle Air in Afghanistan, 07JUN2008. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Charles Brice.

Iraqi Hip, 17OCT2009. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Travis Zielinski.

U.S. Air Force video (by Technical Sergeant Scott Wilcox), Afghans prep their new U.S. taxpayer funded Hip for take-off, 10NOV2009:

Vehicle I-D, 2009-2018:

AFGHAN Mil Mi 8/17

Russian Hips in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, moments before taking off to support the landing of another Soyuz spacecraft, 08MAR2010. Photo credit Bill Ingalls.

Lithuanian Mi-8 lands onboard USS Mount Whitney during a NATO wargame, 17SEP2010. U.S. Navy photo.

Vehicle I-D, 2010-2017:

MARINA ARMADA DE MÉXICO MIL 17

Croat Mi-171 Hip, 29MAY2012, U.S. Army video by Staff Sergeant Jose Ibarra:

Czech Republic (Czechia) Hips on the Baumholder Training Support Center, Germany, for a NATO wargame, 12SEP2014. U.S. Army photo by Ruediger Hess.

Laotian Hip, 13DEC2017. U.S. Army photo via Clayton Harrison.

Мил Ми-8MTV5 (Mil Mi-8MTV5, export version Mi-17V5) during Russia’s Vostock wargame in the Eastern Military District, 11-17SEP2018:

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant James Lefty Larimer. A ‘hip’ Egyptian helicopter (Mil 17V-5) conducting med-evac (medical evacuation) training during Bright Star 2018.

(See more Egyptian helicopters.)

Sling Load 2019: CH-47 CHINOOK COLLECTS MIL 8 ‘HIP’ BONES

Government Shenanigans 2020: UH-60 FOR AFGHANISTAN, KILLED-OFF BY THE MIL 17, U.S. TAXPAYERS RAPED TWICE?

Photo via Russian Helicopters.

Photo via Russian Helicopters.

NATO wargame Rapid Trident 2021: UKRAINE’s MIL 8MT/MSB-V 

June 2022: Ukraine now using the Hips they were supposed to repair for Afghanistan

January 2023: Nigér loses Mi-17Sh helicopter during training

February 2023: Iraq gives up it fleet of Hips due to lack of spare parts

Croatia prepares to send 14 Mi-8 helicopters to Ukraine
.

NATO-Poland Hip gives British Royal Lancers a lift, as part of NATO’s Task Force Ivy training. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Alex Soliday, 19JUL2023.

July 2023: The Kyrgyz Air Force Receives A New MI-17V-5 Helicopter From Russia

August 2023: Russian pilot defects to Ukraine with an Mi-8 assault helicopter

NATO-Poland to replace its Hip helicopters

Cold War & Beyond: MIL 26 HALO, COLD WAR HELICOPTER WITH NO PLANS TO RETIRE!

Vehicle I-D: T-34-85, FROM PATRIOTIC WAR TO COLD WAR AND BEYOND?

International, Technology

Whore-Dog-of-War: Slovakia gets new Leo-2A4s, at NATO taxpayer’s expense!

Video

As of 11SEP2023, NATO-Slovakia now has six NATO-Germany supplied Leopard 2A4 battle tanks.

Photo via Slovak Defense Ministry.

The taxpayers of NATO-Germany should be proud that they are funding 15 rebuilt Cold War era Leopard 2A4 battle tanks for NATO-Slovakia! It is part of a deal Slovakia made to give 30 Cold War era BVP-1 (BMP-1) Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine.

Official Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic video of the first live-fire training of the Leo-2A4 for Slovak tank crews, in August 2023:

German tankers teach Slovak tankers how to boresight the Rheinmetall 120mm gun, August 2023. Photo via Slovak Defense Ministry.

Bore-sighting the Rheinmetall 120mm gun, August 2023. Photo via Slovak Defense Ministry.

The 120mm round has a silver/gray casing which is combustible plastic, not metal. This one has a Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS, aka Sabot) projectile, the blue color indicates it is a training round. Photo via Slovak Defense Ministry.

These are 120mm HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) rounds. Photo via Slovak Defense Ministry.

A Leo-2A4 delivered to Slovakia, April 2023. Photo via Slovak Defense Ministry.

Forever Wars: UKRAINE DEAL GETS NATO-CZECH REPUBLIC ‘NEW’ taxpayer funded LEO 2A4