Tag Archives: taxes

Technology, U.S.

What is USACE doing with the Upper Ohio River, in Pennsylvania?

Video

A huge taxpayer funded Upper Ohio River Project as part of Presidential Executive Order 14063 on Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects.

In 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Pittsburgh District awarded a nearly $770-million contract to construct a new 110 feet by 6-hundred feet lock chamber at Montgomery Locks and Dam in Monaca, Pennsylvania.  It is part of the even bigger Upper Ohio Navigation Project, itself the result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which already authorized $934-million in taxpayer funding for the project.

It is hoped the project will help with the transportation of at least 12-million tons of products in and out of the Port of Pittsburgh: “Completing the new lock chamber’s plan marks a significant achievement for the district’s team. This project is vital to ensuring safe and reliable navigation on the upper Ohio River. With the contract awarded, we are ready to advance this critical infrastructure for the region and the nation.”-Colonel Nicholas Melin, USACE Pittsburgh District

The old lock is almost 1-hundred years old, and will disrupt the U.S. domestic supply chain if it fails. It is estimated that if the old lock fails it would cause the loss of nearly $150-million for the U.S. economy, per year of shutdown.

The Montgomery Locks and Dam project must first deconstruct the old auxiliary lock chamber, then the new primary lock chamber will begin sometime in mid to late 2025. But even before that, a new ‘pad’ had to be built in order to mix, on-site, a special type of concrete that will be used. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers video explainer via Michel Sauret, released 03JAN2025:

USACE in Idaho: Boise State University joins forces with USACE, it’s about water!

International, Technology, U.S.

NATO-Poland’s 1st F-35s arrive in Arkansas!

Video

“The arrival of Poland’s first F-35s is a significant milestone for our state, the nation, and our allies who will train on this fifth-generation fighter at Ebbing Air National Guard Base. I’m extremely proud of the whole team in the 188th Wing, and the staffs at Razorback Range and Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center for the planning and work that has resulted in the sound of freedom returning to the River Valley today. They’ve partnered with the active-duty Air Force to go from concept to jets being parked on the ramp in a compressed timeframe. We are thankful for the dedicated teamwork of those in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, our entire Congressional delegation, and state elected officials who have moved mountains to make this mission possible in Arkansas.”–Brigadier General Chad Bridges, Arkansas National Guard

Polish F-35A flybys, edited from videos via Airman First Class Miles Chrisman, of the Air National Guard’s 188th FW:

On 23DEC2024, a couple of ‘firsts’ took place; the first of several Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning-2 (named after the P-38 Lightning) for NATO-Poland were delivered, and secondly, the training for Polish pilots will take place on an Air National Guard base.

In July 2024, the United States Air Force (USAF) 85th Fighter Group (FG) was re-activated by the 33rd Fighter Wing (FW) specifically to train Polish pilots to fly the F-35A.  The 85th FG will conduct the training on Ebbing Air National Guard Base (ANGB), in Arkansas. When the 85th FG was deactivated, in 2006, its last assignment was in Iceland. The 85th FG is now part of the 33rd Fighter Wing (FW), which is part of the USAF’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC).

In May 2024, officials with the U.S. Foreign Military Sales, USAF and NATO-Poland, met on Ebbing ANGB, on Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Polish F-35A gets hosed, edited from videos via Airman First Class Miles Chrisman, Air National Guard 188th FW:

Ebbing ANGB is also home to Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Wing.

The decision to use Ebbing ANGB to train foreign pilots was made in 2023, after almost three years of comparing eligible air bases, both USAF and National Guard. Future F-35 training will include pilots from NATO-Finland, NATO-Germany, Singapore (one of several East Asian countries being wooed by NATO) and Switzerland (a NATO ‘partner’ but not a full member).

In November 2024, the USAF admitted it was all about supporting taxpayer subsidized Foreign Military Sales.

NATO-Belgium: First F-35A arrives in Arizona!

U.S.

National Guard end of year operations, 2024.

Video

Of course, this is just a fraction of what happened in December 2024.

The U.S. National Guard Bureau claims the National Guard is older than the United States, tracing its claim back to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which organized three permanent militia regiments on 13DEC1636.

ALASKA: Army National Guard’s 207th Aviation Troop Command airlifted paratroopers, with the Regular Army’s 11th Airborne Division, using their UH-60 Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinooks, during training on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Video via Seth LaCount andAlejandro Peña, 11DEC2024:

On 18DEC2024, the National Guard, and Salvation Army, delivered Santa Claus to the children of the tiny town of Yakutat (video by Sergeant Marc Marmeto):

ARKANSAS: Many of the part-time National Guard medical personnel are also full-time silly-vilian (civilian, private sector) medical personnel. On 08DEC2024, the Army National Guard opened its first dental treatment facility on Camp Robinson, making Arkansas only the fourth U.S. state to authorize Army Guard dentists to treat militia-personnel during normal weekend and Summer training drills. Video via First Sergeant Jim Heuston:

LOUISIANA: Air and Army Guard CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive) units went to Perry, Georgia, to take part in C-ERFP (CBRN-Enhanced Response Force Package) disaster response training. Video report via Garrett Dipuma, recorded on 06DEC2024, released on 11DEC2024:

MICHIGAN: The Air Guard’s 127th Wing looks back at a year of deployments & vaccinations.

MINNESOTA: On 11DEC2024, the first of more than 550 Minnesota ‘Red Bull’ militia personnel (34th Infantry Division) returned home after a ten months long deployment to The Middle East (Operation Spartan Shield-Operation Inherent Resolve).

MISSISSIPPI: The 172nd Airlift Wing held its 18th annual ‘Operation Angel Tree’ for the Salvation Army’s Flight to the North Pole, on 17DEC2024. Airman First Class Dawson Carter explains:

MONTANA: 120th Airlift Wing and 219th Red Horse Squadron boast of accomplishments. Video released on 04DEC2024:

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Despite Congress not officially declaring war (which means Martial Law and loss of Constitutional Rights), this year in review says we are ‘officially’ at war, video via Sergeant Kelly Boyer, edited 06DEC2024, released 11DEC2024:

NEW YORK:

Waterford, New York, photo via Stephanie Butler.

The National Guard reports that Empire State Air & Army Guard Honor Guard personnel provided at least 8-thousand-7-hundred funeral services by the end of 2024!

NORTH DAKOTA: Air & Army Guard year-in-review, drones and mass-casualties, video released 23DEC2024:

OHIO: Air Guard Colonel Andy Powers explains Ohio’s role in body recovery after Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina. This was taken from a Ohio Air Guard ‘Buckeye Guard’ newscast, released on 31DEC2024:

Ohio’s military planning with Serbia and NATO-Hungary (State Partnership Program), this was taken from a Ohio National Guard ‘Buckeye Guard’ newscast, released on 31DEC2024:

OKLAHOMA: Year-in-review video from Oklahoma National Guard, via Sergeant Haden Tolbert, 11DEC2024:

OREGON: Army National Guard’s Delta Company-1st Battalion-186th Infantry Regiment-41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team was on Camp McGregor, New Mexico, training with remote controlled weapons (Containerized Weapon System, CWS) as part of their upcoming deployment to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Video by Major Wayne Chris Clyne, recorded/edited 14DEC2024, released on 27DEC2024:

Army National Guard 3rd Battalion snipers (who are part of the Idaho based 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team) took part in the Winston P. Wilson Sniper Championship, on Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Video via Major Wayne Chris Clyne, recorded/edited on 11DEC2024, released on 30DEC2024:

PENNSYLVANIA: Air National Guard’s 111th Attack Wing looks back at 2024, video by Master Sergeant Tyrone Mitchell (released 27DEC2024):

SOUTH DAKOTA: It was revealed that the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing was going to train its tactical aircraft maintenance personnel by having them rebuild a ‘mystery’ F-89 found on Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California.

TENNESSEE: Air Guard boasts about a year of Reaper drone ops!

Air & Army Guard operations for 2024, video via Sergeant Olivia Gum:

UTAH: The day before the Gregorian Xmas (24DEC2024), the Army National Guard’s 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade return from a nine-month deployment to the ‘Horn of Africa’, arriving home on Roland Wright Air Base, Salt Lake City. Video via Robert Harnden:

VERMONT: The Air Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing issued its year-n-review for the “action packed” year of 2024:

Washington DC:

Photo via Sergeant Noel Williams, 16DEC2024.

District of Columbia National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Outreach (DDRO) warned “Seniors are rising in the percentage of overdoses, especially in DC. It’s interesting because you would think it would be the younger people, but because of so many factors such as pain management, multiple medications or drug interactions, seniors are vulnerable.”-Staff Sergeant Belita Lynum, DDRO

To back that statement up, the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), reported that from 2017 through October 31, 2023, approximately 72% of all fatal opioid overdoses are between the ages of 40-69 years old!

Super-Bowl 2024: CAP & Air Guard will cover your ass during Super Bowl-58!

International, Technology

Cold War era BMP-2 continues to stay alive via never ending ‘Berezhok’!

Video

BMP=Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty-Боевая Машина Пехоты, literally Combat Vehicle Infantry

‘Standard’ BMP-2s destroyed in combat.

The BMP-2 was first born during the ‘Cold War’, developed from the BMP-1 during the late 1970s, going into service in 1980.  It, along with the even older BMP-1, stays in service with never ending upgrades.

Russian forces trying out their new BMP-2M, somewhere in Belarus, December 2022.

The modern all-inclusive upgrades (armor, armament, power-pack, etc) for the BMP-2 are referred to, in Russian, as berezhok (бережок), and were first revealed at the end of 2019.  

By August 2021, the first BMP-2Ms entered service, with the Western Military District, Leningrad Region.

‘M’ series upgrades for weapons & targeting systems, on public display.

In addition to the BMP-2M’s 30-milimeter(mm) 2A42 gun, a long barreled 30mm AGS-17 (Avtomaticheskiy Granatomot Stankovyy, automatic grenade launcher), 7.62mm machine guns and four launchers for the 9M133 anti-tank ‘Kornet’ missiles, the targeting system is using second generation thermal sights for the gunner, and the TC (tank commander) now has a panoramic sight. 

BMP-2M without the armor upgrade, supposedly in the Northern Military District, sometime in 2023.

Also, the power-pack (motor/transmission) now uses a more powerful turbocharged diesel motor, and don’t forget the extra armor protection.

Armor upgrade being made in the field.

This ‘standard’ BMP-2 is being upgraded in the field with the newest armor protection.

At least it is getting the ‘M’ series armor?

In this video report, published on 20DEC2024, reporter Alexander Stroganov goes for a ride in the latest berezhok/upgrade:

Surprise! This BMP-2M berezhok turret is mounted on a BMP-3 hull.

How about on a BTR-90?

Forever Wars, 2023: Baptism-of-Fire for New ‘Berezhok’ BMP, in Ukraine!

Forever Wars, 2022: One month’s worth of abandoned or destroyed armor!

Vehicle I-D: Indian BMP-2, Cold War and beyond!

Technology, U.S.

F-89 Scorpion: 1950s Cold War interceptor still in use?

Video

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was developed after a 1945 U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) request for an all-weather, radar guided, twin jet powered bomber interceptor.  The only competitor was the XP-87 (aka XF-87) Blackhawk, which was nixed for being too slow.  The F-89 was first known as the N-24, as development progressed it was changed to XP-89, then to XF-89 when the Air Force become independent of the Army (after 1947).

Photo dated 26FEB1952, F-89 radar undergoing testing in freezing temperatures.

The F-89 entered service in 1950, but despite having advanced radar and turbines the production Scorpion was rapidly upgraded, from ‘A’ version to ‘J’ version by 1954.  Some of the final upgrades included radar guided Falcon anti-aircraft missiles and Genie nuclear armed rockets (first tested during Operation Plumbbob in 1957).

Date/location not known, poor quality silent film of F-89s in flight and launching rockets from the wingtip pods:

Poor quality silent film of 1958 William Tell fighter/interceptor competition over Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. I edited the film to show only the F-89J, some are being loaded with the AIR-2 Genie (MB-1 Ding-Dong) nuclear rocket:

Quick silent film of F-89J launching Falcon missile over Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 1958(?):

Scorpion was quickly retired from full-time active duty by 1961 (still serving in National Guard and Reserve units, at least until 1965).

Oregon Air National Guard F-89J Scorpion, November 1962.

Michigan Air National Guard F-89C ‘Gate Guard’.

Montana Air National Guard’s Scorpion ‘Gate Guard’.

Vermont Air National Guard promotional poster from January 2021.

In 2024, it was revealed that the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing was going to train its tactical aircraft maintenance personnel by having them rebuild a ‘mystery’ F-89 found on Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California. Video interview by Airman First Class Kyle St. Pierre, recorded on 05DEC2024, released for public use on 19DEC2024:

Gate Guards: How to sling load your 1:1 scale F-80 Gate Guard with a CH-47.

International, Technology, U.S.

NATO-Belgium’s 1st F-35A arrives in Arizona!

Video

“It’s a historic day for the Belgian air force. Our first jet just landed at Luke Air Force Base, marking the start of our training period. A lot of work has gone into making this moment possible and we are excited to begin flying and complete our training.”-Lieutenant Colonel Pierre-Yves Libert, 312th Fighter Squadron, 03DEC2024

The first Belgian Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning-2 arrived on Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona,  03DEC2024.

Video interview by Senior Airman Mason Hargrove recorded on 03DEC2024, released for public use on 19DEC2024:

Video van Senior Airman Mason Hargrove opgenomen op 3DEC2024, uitgezonden op 19DEC2024:

Vidéo du Senior Airman Mason Hargrove enregistrée le 03DEC2024, diffusée le 19DEC2024:

More F-35As for Belgium are expected on Luke AFB as it will be where the Belgian Air Force/Air Component will build its new ‘5th generation’ F-35 Lightning-2 squadron, eventually replacing their Cold War era F-16s.

NATO, December 2024: New U.S. MLRS arrives in NATO-Europe

F-35-I ADIR: “TOGETHER, WE WILL DOMINATE THE SKIES!” IS THE U.S. COMPLICIT IN GAZA GENOCIDE?

Technology, U.S.

Alpha-2: New U.S. MLRS arrives in NATO-Europe

Video

The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) was a creation of the Cold War, going into service in 1983.  It wasn’t until 2005 that the first big upgrade took place, creating the Alpha-1 MLRS (M270A1).  In 2019, the Alpha-2 (M270A2) upgrade began.

U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Grafenwöhr, NATO-Germany.

Alpha-2 supposedly has more accurate targeting for its rockets, a new diesel motor, upgraded transmission, increased armor protection, and can be adapted to any future next-generation rocket munitions.

U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Grafenwöhr, NATO-Germany.

Between October 2024 and mid-December 2024, the U.S. Army’s 41st Field Artillery Brigade became the first artillery unit to get the new M270A2.  The Alpha-2 MLRS took part in live-fire events during NATO’s Dynamic Front wargame, in November 2024.

Ravajärven Training Area, Rovaniemellä, Finland.

Preventive Maintenance Checks Services (PMCS) and loading rocket packs on new M270A2 MLRS, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Grafenwöhr, NATO-Germany, 16DEC2024 (I edited together videos from Specialist Hunter Carpenter and Private First Class Sar Paw).

Bravo Battery-1st Battalion-77th Field Artillery Regiment-41st Field Artillery Brigade conduct PMCS:

Rocket loading:

1st Battalion-6th Field Artillery Regiment’s M270A2 MLRS during NATO’s Dynamic Front wargame, Ravajärven Training Area, Rovaniemellä, Finland, 17NOV2024 (I edited videos from Specialist Elijah Magaña and Senior Airman Joshua Fontenot), intermittent audio:

MLRS Alpha-1, 2018: British Red Coats invade U.S. Army base in Germany!

Syrian Collapse:

North Dakota B-52s and Idaho F-15Es over Syria, Truman strike group arrives!

 

Idaho, U.S.

BSU joins forces with USACE, it’s about water!

Video

“This system has lost its channel-forming flows. Without seasonal inundation, we’re seeing a decline in riparian vegetation like black cottonwood forests and an overall loss of biodiversity.”-Marve Griffith, USACE Walla Walla District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Boise state University (BSU) are joining forces to tackle the dying Barber Pool Conservation Area (BPCA), which is part of the Boise River system.

The claim is that the BPCA has lost its ‘natural seasonal inundation’ due to the never ending Boise Metro Area construction of buildings and infrastructure upstream. Also, non-regulated human traffic through the BPCA: “Right now, it’s a warren of little trails. If we establish good, maintained pathways, people will use them, and it’ll reduce erosion and protect wildlife.”-Alan Crockett, local taxpayer

The result is that Barber Pool is not recharging, and that plant and animal biodiversity is rapidly disappearing.  The project is not only about restoring the Barber Pool area, but, by expanding the wetland it could also lower the current level of the floodplain.

On 20NOV2024, the USACE and BSU conducted a ‘Public Scoping’ meeting at the Barber Park Education and Events Center, a fancy way a saying they collected comments about the project from concerned taxpaying citizens.

USACE video report by Marcy Sanchez:

The efforts to restore the BPCA are part of the decades old (Cold War era) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

USACE Barber Pool project.

2024: Idaho wants to shutdown 500-thousand acres of farmland?

2023: Just revealed, Idaho got $26million in federal funding for clean-er water?

Idaho, International, Technology, U.S.

Syrian Collapse: North Dakota B-52s and Idaho F-15Es over Syria, Truman strike group arrives!

Video

On the 16th of December 2024, Pentagon officials announced that airstrikes had been launched against religious extremists in Syria.

F/A-18F Super Hornet, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, launches from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

Pentagon officials also announced that the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) arrived on a non-disclosed station in the U.S. Central Command (CentCom) ‘area of responsibility’, on 14DEC2024.

Idaho’s 389th Fighter Squadron ‘Thunderbolts’ F-15E somewhere over the Middle East.

Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB) 389th Fighter Squadron ‘Thunderbolts’ F-15E Strike Eagles are currently patrolling the Central Command area of responsibility (Middle East).

Idaho’s 389th Fighter Squadron ‘Thunderbolts’ F-15E somewhere over the Middle East.

B-52H somewhere over the Middle East.

Video by Technical Sergeant Philip Bryant, recorded 08DEC2024 (Middle East time, 07DEC2024 U.S. time), showing launch of North Dakota’s Minot AFB 23rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortresses (MT tail code, red stripe on tail) from a non-disclosed location in the “CentCom area of responsibility”:

Syrian Collapse: U.S. Bradley IFVs on hi-alert after prisoner release!

Idaho F-15E Strike Eagles, 2023: Bold Tigers invade Japan?

International, Technology, U.S.

Syrian Collapse: U.S. Bradley IFVs on hi-alert after prisoner release!

Video

“[The prison camp situation] presents a significant security concern in the sense that, were ISIS able to affect some type of breakout of any detention facility, that would be a significant setback and something that would be very concerning. [That’s] why we continue to work very closely with the SDF [Kurds] to ensure that those detainees can continue to be held, [and we’re also] working with the international community to attempt to repatriate many of those detainees; that is something that we’ll continue to communicate very closely with the SDF to ensure…”–Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder, 16DEC2024

These videos are via Master Sergeant Raymond Boyington, recorded on the days of the 12th and 14th of December 2024, at a non-disclosed U.S. base in Northern Syria, showing the activities of Task Force Wolverine:

World War 3, February 2023: Idaho invades Syria!