Tag Archives: soviet

International, Technology

From Cold War to the Battle for Ukraine: ZU-23-2 (2A13) ADA

Video

The ZU (Зенитная Установка/Zenitnaya Ustanovka-antiaircraft installation)-23-2 is a Soviet-Cold War era twin gunned towed Air Defense Artillery (ADA) system using 23mm-by-152mm rounds.

The ZU-23-2 is also known as 2A13.

The ZU-23-2 was developed in the late 1950s from a prototype known as ZU-14.  It entered service with the Soviet Union in 1960, and is still in production in Russia (upgraded to launch missiles and be remotely controlled), including licensed production in several former Warsaw Pact countries which are now part of NATO.  Even Israel has helped Viet Nam develop its own version of the ZU-23-2, known as the 23-2M.

Sometime during the Cold War, a Yugoslavian(?) ZU-23-2.

Interestingly, during the Cold War most books about Soviet weaponry, published in the NATO West, never mention the ZU-23-2. Yet, today the ZU-23-2 is being used by at least 74 countries, by both ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’.  It has also been mounted on all sorts of military and silly-vilian (civilian) vehicles.

U.S. Marines check-out a captured ZU-23-2 on the island of Grenada, 28OCT1983. U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate Second Class David Wujcik.

Iraqi ZU-23-2 during the early years of the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988).

Iranian ZU-23-2 during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988).

Operation Praying Mantis; the U.S. attacks the Iranian navy during the Iran-Iraq War. U.S. marines check-out a ZU-23-2 on a captured Iranian offshore oil rig, 18APR1988. USMC photo by Corporal John Hyp.

Afghan ZIL-131 truck with ZU-23-2, under tow on Kandahar Airport, 17JAN2002. USMC photo by Captain Charles G. Grow.

Iraqi MTLB armed with ZU-23-2. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Jennifer A. Krusen, 11APR2003.

Iran loves the ZU-23-2 so much that in 2010 an eight barreled radar guided version (ZU-23-8?) entered production, it’s called the Mesbah-1.

In 2013, NATO-Greece modified their Soviet era BMP-1s by mounting ZU-23-2s on them.

November 2016, U.S. Army video (by Sergeant Jacob Holmes) of Ukrainian troops training with their ZU-23-2:

August 2017, U.S. Army promotional video (by Sergeant Anthony Jones) explaining the Ukrainian ZU-23-2:

On the left is a NATO-Romanian ground mount (towed) Oerlikon GDF 35mm guns, on the right is a NATO-Polish truck mounted ZU-23-2. U.S. Army photo by Gary Loten-Beckford, 06DEC2017.

NATO-Bulgarian ZIL-131 with ZU-23-2, during U.S. Army sponsored wargame Shabla 19. USA photo by Sergeant Thomas Mort, 12JUN2019.

Interestingly, during the false flag ‘Arab Spring’ rebellions that swept across North Africa and the Middle East, rebel/extremist groups were magically supplied with Toyotas equipped with ZU-23-2s. This photo (supposed taken in 2021) shows the new Libyan National Army with brand new ZU-23-2 equipped Toyotas.

Russian armored Ural ‘Tornado’ truck armed with ZU-23-2 (2A13) somewhere in the battle for Ukraine, April 2022.

In August 2022, the Houthis paraded their ZU-23-2 armed Toyotas in Sanaa, Yemen.

Russian remote controlled ZU-23-2 (2A13), June 2023. Photo via Russian Union of Mechanical Engineers.

Moldovan troops pose with their ZU-23-2, 13SEP2023. North Carolina Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Brendan Stephens.

NATO video from March 2024, showing NATO-Poland’s upgraded ZUR-23-2, which can also launch anti-aircraft missiles:

Cold War to Battle for Ukraine: ROMÂNIA Gardienii Cerului Gepard

End of the Cold War: Those decades when U.S. taxpayers supplied Russia with USAID!

 

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

End of Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: Those decades when U.S. taxpayers supplied Russia with USAID!

Image

USAID photo, date and location not given.

According to U.S. federal government sources, the official date of the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), and the end of the undeclared Cold War, was December 1991. But even before that, in December 1990, the United States had begun distributing taxpayer funded humanitarian aid to the Soviet Union, via the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere).

USAID photo, date and location not given, but you can see by the 1980s Ford pick-up marked with the Marriott Hotel logo that it’s possibly somewhere in the U.S.

Russian Ilyushin Il-76 (NATO reporting name Candid) cargo planes were allowed onto U.S. territory to be loaded with Project HOPE supplies. I assume that the USAID photos seen here are from the December 1990 to December 1991 period, as the planes still carry the flag of the Soviet Union on their tails.

Tail-end of Russian Il-76 filled with Project HOPE supplies. USAID photo.

I discovered that USAID itself does not talk about the deliveries to the USSR during the last year of the Cold War, referring only to the former republics (like Russia), or the ‘former’ Soviet Union, when talking about their taxpayer funded deliveries.

U.S. taxpayer funded aid increased in 1992, due to the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act.

USAID began their official involvement with Ukraine in 1992.

In August 1995, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published assessments of several USAID operations inside Russia.  It revealed that “Hundreds of U.S. contractors and grantees are responsible for implementing individual projects in the 13 sectors.” Also that “USAID did not adequately manage some projects it funded. The devolution of management and monitoring responsibility from USAID’s Washington office to its Moscow office delayed decision-making and created confusion among contractors. Furthermore, USAID’s management information systems were inadequate, and it did not adequately monitor or coordinate some projects.” 

In September 2012 (the year the Ukraine Crisis actually began, the coup taking place in 2014), USAID announced they were halting their Russian operations at the request of the Russian government. Russia accused USAID of funding/supplying Russian rebels.

Project HOPE was created during the early years of the Cold War, in 1958, by the United States. Its mission statement was to help poorer countries with healthcare needs.

End of Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: NO MORE OPEN SKIES, OR WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE OC-135B?

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: ILYUSHIN 76/78, RUSSIA & NATO?

Peacekeeper ’95: RUSSIA INVADES NATO UNITED STATES! RED DAWN FOR REALS?

Cold War Finale: SOVIET HELIX BOARDS U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER!

Technology

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: H-A-W-K, Homing All-the Way Killer

Video

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

Raytheon began developing what would become the MIM (Mobile Interceptor Missile)-23 HAWK (Homing All-the Way Killer) in the early 1950s.  Northrop developed the launcher system.  The U.S. Army (USA) began using it in 1959, the U.S. Marine Crops (USMC) in 1960.

First-gen HAWK being launched by U.S. Marines from Chu Lai, Viet Nam, 1965.

Between 1971 and 1978, HAWK missiles got improved radar systems, so that they could engage low-altitude aircraft.  But that was just the beginning, there were many other HAWK improvement projects that continued up until 1996.

U.S. Army (USA) M727 self-propelled HAWK surface-to-air missile system, somewhere in NATO-West Germany. USA photo, 1973.

According to the USA (U.S. Army), “The cost per missile is $250,000; per fire unit, $15 million; and per battery, $30 million.”

A HAWK missile launcher, on Cherry Point, North Carolina. USMC photo by Sergeant Rozalyn Dorsey, 20JUN1979.

A HAWK transporter-loader, on Cherry Point, North Carolina. USMC photo by Sergeant Rozalyn Dorsey, 20JUN1979.

A HAWK High-Power Illuminating Radar (HPIR) unit, on Cherry Point, North Carolina. USMC photo by Sergeant Rozalyn Dorsey, 20JUN1979.

Inside a HAWK Battery Control Central (BCC) unit, a Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS). USA photo by Staff Sergeant William B. Belcher, 04AUG1980.

During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), Iran adapted the HAWK missile to be carried by their F-14 Tomcats, this was due to supplies of U.S. made Phoenix missiles being cut-off by the Reagan Administration.  Iran was one of dozens of countries that used HAWK missiles, and after U.S. sanctions, was able to easily reverse engineer it for their own production and calling their version the Mersad.

A HAWK battery control console, on Fort Bliss, Texas. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Robert C. Simons, 10NOV1982.

HAWK BCC units (containing the JTIDS), Onslow Beach, North Carolina. USMC photo by Corporal C. Cope, 22FEB1986.

BCC units also contain the Information Control Center (ICC) and the Platoon Command Post (PCP), all using the same trailered containers making them visually identical.

HAWK BCC units can be loaded onto 5-ton trucks, creating mobile control vans. USMC photo by Corporal C. Cope, 22FEB1986.

Operation Desert Storm, 17JAN1991–28FEB1991. 

According to the information released with this photo, these U.S. HAWKs are based in Al Salman, Iraq, shortly after the end of Desert Storm. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Dean Wagner, 03MAR1991.

In 1994, the USA decided to replace their HAWKS with Patriot missiles, due to the success of the Patriots during Desert Storm.  In 2002, the USMC decided to replace their HAWKS with the FIM-92 Stinger.

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) soldiers prep their Hawk for launch over the McGregor Range Complex, New Mexico, 17NOV2012. USA photo by Specialist Adam Garlington.

JGSDF HAWK PAR. USA photo by Specialist Adam Garlington, 17NOV2012.

JGSDF HAWK launch. USA photo by Specialist Adam Garlington, 17NOV2012.

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

USA video report, 15OCT2015, South Korean HAWK launches during wargame:

NATO Romania launches HAWK missiles towards the Black Sea, 19JUL2017. USA photo by Private First Class Nicholas Vidro.

USA video by Sergeant Mark Brejcha, NATO-Romania HAWK launch, 19JUL2017:

On 20OCT2018, Japanese army personnel launched ‘Improved’ HAWK missiles from Fort Bliss, Texas. USA-Reserve photo by Sergeant Christopher A. Hernandez.

AN/MPQ-50 Pulse Acquisition Radar (PAR) for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) ‘Improved’ HAWK. USA-Reserve photo by Sergeant Christopher A. Hernandez, 20OCT2018.

NATO-Spain HAWK HIPR unit during war game held in NATO-Norway, 02NOV2018. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Menelik Collins.

Loading NATO-Spain HAWKs during war game held in NATO-Norway, 02NOV2018. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Menelik Collins.

The Iranians call their reversed engineered HAWK PAR system the Kavosh.

In 2019, photos published by the Iranian news media revealed that Iran was still using the AN/MPQ-50 Pulse Acquisition Radar originally designed for the HAWK, but this time Iran is using it for their own homemade anti-aircraft missile known as the Sayyad-2.

2021: South Korea retires last MIM-23 HAWK

On 04NOV2022, the NATO United States Department of Defense (DoD) announced the latest taxpayer funded giveaway for Ukraine, which includes rebuilt & upgraded Cold War era U.S. HAWK anti-aircraft missiles (to go with the four HAWK launchers being sent by NATO Spain).

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: M1117, GUARDIAN OF SECURITY OR A FRANKENSTEIN?  Originating with Viet Nam era V100, now being given away to Ukraine!

Technology

Cold War Battle Damage: Steel Infernos of Desert Storm

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

Operation Desert Storm, 17JAN1991–28FEB1991 

Just a smattering of armor destruction from Desert Storm:

A shot-up Iraqi Faun Herkules, hauling a ZSU-23-4, failed at trying to escape Kuwait via the Basra-Kuwait Highway. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Holmes, 28JAN1991.

Iraq used a lot of Soviet and Chinese armored ground vehicles, including both the T-55 and Type 69-2.  The Chinese Type 69 series is the result of combining hull parts of a T-62 and a T-54, then adding an infrared spotlight and laser range finder over the main gun mantlet, and headlight groups on the both fenders.  The Type 69 retained the roof mounted ventilator of the T-54.  Early versions of the Type 69 series did not have the turret mounted stowage racks, which were actually a stand-off armor design that doubled as stowage racks.  The main gun of the Type 69-1 was a Chinese designed 100mm with smooth-bore (bore evacuators on the guns varied in their position), the Type 69-2 has a 100mm rifled bore.  The Type 69-2 had fender skirts, but it seems that most of the Iraqi Type 69s did not use the skirts.

Destroyed Chinese made Iraqi Type 69 (indicated by the T-62 style rear end) inside Kuwait. Photographer unknown, photo dated 01FEB1991.

This shows the squared-off butt of a Soviet built T-55. Photographer unknown, dated 01FEB1991.

This appears to be a T-55 with skirts. No evidence of turret top ventilator, no laser ranger, no stand-off/stowage racks. The Iraqis did modify their vehicles. Photographer unknown, dated 01FEB1991.

A Chinese built Iraqi Type 69-2 (note ventilator on turret roof and remains of stowage rack/stand-off armor, barely visible is evidence of fender mounted light groups), charred by an air strike. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Elliot, 07FEB1991.

The remains of an MTLB(?) on a highway south of Kuwait City. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Kit Thompson, 27FEB1991.

Photo dated 28FEB1991, an Iraqi tank explodes after an attack by the First United Kingdom Armoured Division. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Holmes.

Photo dated 28FEB1991, a Type 69 burns after an attack by the First United Kingdom Armoured Division. Photographer unknown.

One tank was trying to tow the other out of Kuwait, when they were both hit. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Reeve, 28FEB1991.

Same T-55 tanks, different angle. Turret has no roof ventilator, and has the single T-55 headlight group on the front slope. The ‘ring’ sticking out of the ground behind the T-55 is the mount for the 12.7mm heavy machine gun. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Reeve, 28FEB1991.

Iraqi T-72 in Kuwait. Destroyed or abandoned? U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant J.R. Ruark, 01MAR1991.

Bullet hole to an Iraqi T-55, Jalibah Airfield, Kuwait. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Otero, 02MAR1991.

Type 69 destroyed by the French Sixth Light Armored Division. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Dean Wagner, 02MAR1991.

This T-55 died on Al Mutla Pass, north of Kuwait City. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Perry Heimer, 02MAR1991.

Same T-55 still on Al Mutla Pass, more than one month later, covered by graffiti. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Joe Coleman, 18APR1991.

Stopping to check out a burned-out T-72. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Dean Wagner, 03MAR1991.

Just outside Kuwait City, a T-55 failed to escape on the Basra-Kuwait Highway. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Bill Mohl, 04MAR1991.

Same tank, different angle. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Bill Mohl, 4MAR1991.

Same tank, different angle. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Bill Mohl, 4MAR1991.

A line of destroyed armor, Euphrates River Valley, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Dean Wagner, 04MAR1991.

A destroyed BMP-1 and what is left of a T-72, Euphrates River Valley, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Dean Wagner, 04MAR1991.

Chinese made YW-531 (Type 63 family) followed by a Soviet made MTLB, Euphrates River Valley. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Dean Wagner, 04MAR1991.

What happened to the main gun? U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Reeve, 04MAR1991

The rear end indicates this is a Chinese Type 69 flipped on top of a U.S. made Chevy van. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Billings, 06MAR1991.

MTLB, U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Billings, 06MAR1991.

Iraqi T-55, indicated by single headlight group on front slope. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Reeve, 27MAR1991.

A Chinese made Iraqi Type 69 (note laser ranger on the mantlet, turret-top ventilator, but no stand-off armor/stowage racks, has the fender mounted light groups) and a Chinese made YW-701 (Type 63 family) Command Post. The Type 69 was towing the YW-701 when they were both hit. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Reeve, 27MAR1991

T-72 with dozer blade. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Reeve, 27MAR1991.

Iraqi T-72 near Ali Al Salem Air Base. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Joe Coleman, 18APR1991.

A big bullet hole (probably a SABOT) in an Iraqi T-72. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Joe Coleman, 18APR1991.

Iraqi T-62 near Ali Al Salem Air Base. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Joe Coleman, 18APR1991.

Same T-62, from behind. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Joe Coleman, 18APR1991.

Cold War Battle Damage: ALL HAIL THE HAIL BUSTER! WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FLY YOUR C-130E THROUGH A HAILSTORM?

USS TRIPOLI LPH-10 DESERT STORM

THE HIND-END OF DESERT STORM

 STEEL SKELETONS OF SOVIET AFGHANISTAN

Iraq 2003: ARMOR BATTLE DAMAGE (Déjà vu)

October 2008:  IRAQI T-72, LIVE FIRE BESMAYA GUNNERY RANGE

March 2011: U.S. ARMY BLOWS-UP BRITISH MADE IRANIAN CHIEFTAIN IN IRAQ!

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: M1117, GUARDIAN OF SECURITY OR A FRANKENSTEIN?

Vehicle I-D: COLD WAR ZOMBIE TANK T-54/55, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

International, Technology, U.S.

Biden’s War: U.S. taxpayers to upgrade Cold War era T-72B for Ukraine! That’s just the tip of the latest U.S. funded weapon systems give-away!

Video

06 November 2022 (11:29-UTC-07 Tango 06) 15 Aban 1401/11 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1444/13 Xin-Hai 4720/06 ноября 2022 года

On 04NOV2022, the NATO United States Department of Defense (DoD) announced the latest taxpayer funded giveaway for Ukraine; $400-million! This brings U.S. taxpayer military funding (does not include the humanitarian funding!), under U.S. President Joseph Robinette Biden Junior, to $18.9-Billion!  (could they have canceled all student loan debts?)

The DoD also boasted that since 2014 (when the NATO backed coup took place, under the Obama regime, for control of natural gas), the U.S. taxpayer has sent (unknowingly for most taxpayers) more than $21-Billion in military assistance to Ukraine!

This latest free-bee for Ukraine is a new ‘contracting phase’ in which new and refurbished weapons will be sent.

First-gen HAWK being launched by U.S. Marines from Chu Lai, Viet Nam, 1965.

The new free-bees include rebuilt & upgraded Cold War era U.S. HAWK (Homing All The Way Killer) anti-aircraft missiles (to go with the HAWK launchers being sent by NATO Spain), new Phoenix Ghost drone (UAV, aka UAS) bombs, armored river boats, rebuilt Iraq occupation M1117 Armored Security Vehicles, and NATO Netherlands and NATO Czech Republic will be paid by U.S. taxpayers to upgrade, to NATO standards, 45 T-72B Cold War era Soviet designed battle tanks.

Captured T-72M being used by U.S. Marine Corps as Opposition Force tank, June 1997.

Destroyed Ukrainian T-72B, photo published 18MAY2022.

No images of the so called Phoenix Ghost are available, apparently it was just a proposal for the U.S. Air Force.  It is a remote controlled suicide drone, reportedly designed specifically for use against Russia.  The bomb UAV was promised to Ukraine in the DoD’s assistance announcement back in April 2022.

Is this the Armored Riverine Boat they are talking about? U.S. Army photo, Basra, Iraq, 04MAR2010.

M1117 Armored Security Vehicle, Tikrit, Iraq. U.S. Army photo, 03NOV2006.

Video of Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singhd, announcing the weapons funding plan, 04NOV2022:

U.S. DoD: $400 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine

Biden’s War: BILLIONS OF $ WORTH OF GEAR BEING TAKEN FROM U.S. TROOPS, GIVEN TO UKRAINE! It is called the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA)!

May 2022: It has been revealed that the U.S. M113 Armored Personnel Carriers for Ukraine are coming from the Army National Guard inventories of at least five states!

Ukraine Battle Damage, early 2022:

Ukrainian Azov militia T-72.

ARMOR, ABANDONED OR DESTROYED

Trident of Poseidon, 2021: NATO’S NEW U.S. based Head Quarters FULLY OPERATIONAL!

ALREADY-PAID-FOR OBAMA-ERA PATROL BOAT, SUNK BY BIDEN? RE-FLOATED BY UKRAINE CRISIS!

Sumerian Lament, March 2014: NAZI GERMANY vs SOVIET UNION = UNITED STATES-NATO vs RUSSIA

Vehicle I-D:

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Timothy Reynolds.

SOVIET ARMOR OF THE U.S. MARINE CORPS

International, Kit Bashing

Cold War Boats: Revell’s Spy Trawler is for reals! Or, who told the Soviets about Exercise Teamwork?

Video

A Soviet fishing trawler alongside its ‘mother ship’, U.S. Coast Guard photo, August 1963.

In 1964, NATO navies conducted Exercise Teamwork.  This is interesting because non-military interweb sites (like the wiki-web-sites) claim NATO’s biennial (every other year) Exercise Teamwork didn’t begin until 1982!   The proof that Exercise Teamwork actually started in 1964 comes from the declassification of a once secret NATO document.  That document was a letter of concern regarding how the Soviet Union found out about the wargame, and sent several ‘spy’ fishing trawlers to shadow the NATO navies.

The NATO letter blames it on the main stream U.S. news media, specifically Time magazine, for publishing statements made during a U.S. trial of a spy. But then, there was a journalist working for Time, who was onboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA-62) during the wargames, who claimed that somebody in NATO tipped-off the Soviets!

Apparently, NATO’s first Exercise Teamwork, off the coast of NATO Norway, was a diversion from an established NATO wargame called FALLEX (Fall [as in Autumn] Exercise).   A once secret NATO letter discussing FALLEX 62 suggested making changes for the upcoming FALLEX 64.  Apparently, FALLEX 64 became Exercise Teamwork 64, possibly because of what was publicized about the trial of a spy in the United States.

U.S. Navy film, dated 1964 and titled Exercise Teamwork, showing ‘Russian Spy Fishing Trawler’. The smoke stack on this ship is  different than the Revell kit’s stack:

But 1969 is the year the U.S. Navy really took an interest in all the Soviet fishing trawlers hanging around NATO navies, and even off the coast of the United States.

USN film, February 1969, showing Soviet ‘spy’ fishing trawlers operating off the coast of the U.S. state of Virginia, at least three different ships according to the USN info:

On 09APR1969, the USN spied on Soviet Mediterranean fleet operations, near the Rock of Gibraltar, and interestingly among all those big Soviet warships was a lone Soviet fishing trawler (you can see it as the camera pans from warship to warship), I edited for just the trawler scenes:

A May 1969 USN film documenting what was believed to be various Soviet surveillance ships, showing a similar ‘spy trawler’, with a different stack, location not indicated:

Now you know where the tech term phishing originated, Cold War era spy fishing boats, fishing for your country’s military info.

In 1970, model kit company Revell issued its Russian Spy Fishing Trawler Volga. Revell’s spy ship kit seems to combine attributes of all the trawlers seen in the USN films.

Is this the trawler the Revell kit is based on? Image taken from USN film dated February 1969.

NATO called this a Okean class intelligence collection ship. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Jeff Hilton, August 1986.

NATO called this a Moma class intelligence collection ship. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Jeff Hilton, August 1986.

The kit is continuously re-issued, but in 1998 the name was changed to Northsea Fishing Trawler.

Cold War & Beyond: LIFE AND VIOLENT DEATH OF USS TUSCALOOSA

LIFE & VIOLENT DEATH OF USS RODNEY M. DAVIS

MOSKVA CLASS SUBMARINE HUNTERS, STOP CALLING THEM AIRCRAFT CARRIERS!

 

Technology

Cold War & Beyond: Tupolev 16 Badger

Video

Tupolev 16, NATO reporting name Badger.

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

The prototype of the Soviet Tu-16 was the Tu-88, which first flew in Spring 1952, production of the Tu-16 began in December 1952. China still produces its own version.

Silent Soviet films, from 1957, showing-off their new Tupolev 16:

On 25MAY1968, the U.S. Navy (USN) carrier group led by USS Essex CVS-9 was ‘badgered’ by several Soviet aircraft, including variants of the Tu-16, while sailing through the Norwegian Sea.  It ended badly for one hot-shot Badger.

Silent USN film of Tu-16 Badger C:

Silent USN film of Badger C and Badger G:

A Badger gets danger-close to the USS Essex, while other Badgers fly at sea level:

The USN claimed one of the hot-shot Badgers crashed while sea skimming, and USN Sea Kings were dispatched to rescue the Soviet Tu-16 crew.  The silent, and faded, film shows a Tu-16 buzzing USS Essex, then on the horizon can barely be seen the smoke plume of the crashed Badger, other Tu-16s continue to overfly CVS-9:

Unfortunately the Badger crew did not survive, what was recovered by the USN was handed over to a Soviet Kotlin class destroyer with the hull number of 311, which had pulled along side the USS Essex:

After taking on the bodies of the Badger crew, hull number 311 gives a salute with its main guns, and sails away:

Photo released by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), 15MAR1974.

A seemingly neglected Egyptian Tu-16 Badger, December 1981. Photo by Staff Sergeant Bill Thompson.

A derelict Egyptian Tu-16 sits behind two USAF C-130s during wargame Bright Star 82.

Egyptian Tu-16s. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Donald Sutherland, dated 01NOV1980 (which is probably incorrect as the info also says it was during Bright Star 90).

This U.S. DoD released photo says it is a Badger C, sometime in 1981, however it is unknown who made the photo, or where the photo was recorded.

Somewhere over the north of the United Kingdom, September 1982.

Tu-16 Badger ‘C’ approaching the United Kingdom, September 1982.

Same incident, different Badger, September 1982.

Badger belly over the United Kingdom, September 1982.

Badgering a USN destroyer somewhere over the Indian Ocean, June 1983.

Tu-16 Badger C. Photo dated 1984, original source unknown.

Badger C, photo dated October 1985.

Badgering the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63), somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, January 1986.

Badger D spying on NATO naval wargames in September 1986. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Jeff Hilton.

Somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea, 11AUG1986.

A VF-1 Wolfpack F-14 Tomcat badgers two Badger ‘F’s, 14JUL1987.

The U.S. DoD released this photo in May 1989, without any other information.

In 1958 China received its first Tu-16, then in 1959, the first Xian Aircraft Corporation license built Tu-16 took flight, under the designation H-6.

PLA Eastern Theater Command video, edited by Lin Congyi, of Tu-16s (H-6), and the new H-6K, conducting night training, 02JUN2022:

PLA Southern Command photo by Gao Hongwei, 05JAN2022.

PLA video, edited by Chen Zhuo, Tu-16s (H-6), and the new H-6K, practice low level bombing, 29NOV2021:

Preparing for a night flight. PLA Eastern Command photo by Wang Jun, 16APR2021.

PLA Eastern Command photo by Li Bingxuan, 16APR2021.

PLA Eastern Command photo by Li Bingxuan, 16APR2021.

PLA Navy photo by Yang Ling, 09AUG2021.

PLA Navy photo by Yang Ling, 09AUG2021.

PLA Navy photo by Gao Hongwei, 06AUG2020.

PLA Navy photo by Gao Hongwei, 06AUG2020.

China is also using their new home grown version of the Tu-16, the H-6K.

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Technology

Vehicle I-D: China’s H-6K

Video

One China’s latest bombers, the Xian H-6K, is a development of their H-6 which itself is a license built Cold War era Soviet Tupolev 16.  It debuted in 2007.  The most recent version is the H-6N (debuted in 2019) which looks just like the H-6K, but can be identified by the refueling probe sticking out of the nose.

H-6K bomber patrolling the oil rich South China Sea. Xinhuanet (Xinhua) photo, not dated.

China Defense Ministry promotional video explainer/walkaround report of the ‘new’ H-6K, December 2021:

China Defense Ministry video of scramble and patrol of H-6 & H-6K, November 2021:

In November 2021, two Chinese H-6K joined with two Russian Tupolev 95MC (NATO reporting name Bear) in a patrol flight over The Sea of Japan and The East China Sea.  It was the third such joint China-Russia aerial patrol of that area.

People’s Liberation Army photo by Yu Hongchun.

The most noticeable differences between the H-6 and H-6K are the cockpit/nose area and the engine air intakes.

PLA-Central Command photo by Yu Hongchun.

PLA-Central Command photo by Yu Hongchun.

PLA-Navy photo by Yang Ling, dated 09AUG2021.

PLA-Eastern Command photo by Wang Jun, dated 30MAR2021.

PLA-Central Command photo by Yu Hongchun, March 2021.

PLA-Southern Command photo by Gao Hongwei, August 2020.

PLA-Southern Command photo by Gao Hongwei, August 2020.

Notice that the tail gunner’s position of the H-6/Tu-16 is faired over on the H-6K.

PLA-Southern Command photo, 15OCT2018.

Attending Russia’s International Army Games-Aviadarts, 01AUG2018, photo by Yang Pan.

H-6K bomb bay, Russia’s International Army Games-Aviadarts, 01AUG2018, photo by Yang Pan.

Attending Russia’s International Army Games-Aviadarts, 01AUG2018, photo by Yang Pan.

Xinhuanet (Xinhua) video report, edited by Li Jiayao, for first time H-6K participates in the Russia hosted International Army Games 2018:

Anti-ship missile armed H-6K patrols near Taiwan along with J-11s. Xinhuanet photo, 11MAY2018.

2018 Xinuanet video, edited by Li Jiayao, promoting the H-6K and showing what it takes to become an H-6K pilot:

2018 Xinhuanet music video of H-6K:

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Technology

Cold War Vehicle I-D: BRDM-2, now being used as Taxis?

Video

For some unknown reason, for a short time during the Cold War the U.S./NATO called both the BRDM-1 and BRDM-2 the BTR-40.

Warsaw Pact Poland BRDM-2 crossing a river.

BRDM-2 captured by U.S. forces during the invasion of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury). U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Mike Creen, October 1983.

U.S. Marines captured this BRDM-2 during Operation Urgent Fury. U.S. Navy photo by Peter D. Sundberg, October 1983.

BRDM Sagger anti-tank missile version, referred to as the BTR-40 in some Western publications. U.S. Department of Defense photo dated November 1984.

Sagger missile launcher retracted. U.S. Department of Defense photo dated November 1984.

Launcher raised, one Sagger AT-3 onboard. U.S. Department of Defense photo dated November 1984.

A 1987 Czechoslovak film (including 1980s ‘East Bloc’ music) promoting the BRDM-2:

Photo released in the United States in April 1989, BRDM-2s follow behind a BTR-50P.

On display, Fort Irwin, National Training Center, California. U.S. Army photo dated January 1991.

On display, Fort Irwin, National Training Center, California. U.S. Army photo dated January 1991.

The U.S. Army added ‘Fake News’ Spandrel anti-tank missiles to this BRDM. Fort Irwin, National Training Center, California. U.S. Army photo dated January 1991.

Abandoned Iraqi BRDM-2 in Kuwait, during Operation Desert Storm. Apparently it was being used to haul trash. U.S. Department of Defense photo dated February 1991.

Several years after the unofficial Cold War ended, the U.S. Marine Corps was using BRDM-2s in a war game called Kernel Blitz ’97. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Self, 21JUN1997.

In 2014, a BRDM-2 was seen being used as a taxi in Saint Petersburg, Russia:

Russian Western Military District photo, August 2021.

Vehicle I-D, 1997: SOVIET ARMOR OF THE U.S. MARINE CORPS

Vehicle I-D, 2021: Ukraine still uses BRDM-2s