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Kodiak Mace, May 2019, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska.
Getting ready to jump outta perfectly good airplane.
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Videos of various U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J ops:
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BLACK LETTER C-130J; IT’S A BYATCH!
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Kodiak Mace, May 2019, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska.
Getting ready to jump outta perfectly good airplane.
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Videos of various U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J ops:
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BLACK LETTER C-130J; IT’S A BYATCH!
In December 2018, a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J was refueling a F/A-18 over Okinawa, Japan, when they aircraft made contact. Both the F/A-18 and KC-130J went down, only one person survived.
It was not until the end of May of 2019 that the KC-130J’s cockpit voice recorder and digital flight recorder, along with human remains. And it was not until June of 2019 that the information was made public. As the investigation is still ongoing no further details were released.

A real 193rd Special Operations Wing EC-130J Commando Solo, October 2020. Air National Guard photo by Munnaf Joarder.
In April 2019, Pennsylvania’s 193rd Special Operations Wing’s Fabrication Shop recently was given the opportunity to repaint the EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft model outside the wing HQ building.
Video of repairs to model that has been on display since 2006:
Kit Bashing:
WORLD’S LARGEST C-141B STARLIFTER MODEL?
In June 2019, a C-130J in Japan was proclaimed to have achieved Black Letter proficiency; no maintenance problems!
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In the official video report, USAF 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs explain just how hard it is to get the rare Black Letter:
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Here’s official Ramstein Black Letter C-130J video report from May 2018:
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VEHICLE I-D: LAST ‘SPOOKY’ DAYS OF THE AC-130U GUNSHIP?
In April 2012, I published a series of pics of the F-101B Voodoo ‘gate guard’ at Pocatello Airport, Idaho. That was before it underwent renovation, when it was surrounded by a fence, faded and dirty.
Before you go on to look at the pics, I was allowed to see a secret room in the main airport building where a very nice 1/48 scale Monogram model diorama of the very same F-101B was gathering dust. The diorama showed tail code AF-90 PO-417 on the flightline in Germany during the Cold War. Today’s gate guard is painted to match that diorama except it doesn’t have the Native American chief in his warbonnet painted on the nose of the aircraft, near the cockpit. There was a small plaque on the diorama explaining the aircraft history, but I didn’t get much time to read it. I asked if I could get my camera and take a pic of it, but was told I shouldn’t even be in the ‘room’. So, supposedly PO-417 was an actual F-101B, yet a quick internet search revealed no such thing (apparently ‘PO’ isn’t a real USAF tail code).
To update this story, I was recently ‘gifted’ a little red book called The First Fifty Years: Michaud Flats, U.S. Army Base, Pocatello Regional Airport. It explains the Pocatello Voodoo was originally slated to be burned up as a fire trainer for the Utah Air National Guard. It was one of two such planes that were already fully dismantled, the Utah Guard decided it wasn’t worth the effort to put them back together just to set them on fire. Around 1988, Idaho Senator Jim McClure used his pull to get one of the dismembered Voodoo’s to the Pocatello Airport. Funding for the project came from several donors including the J.R. Simplot Company (which at that time had its corporate HQ in Pocatello, along the border with Chubbuck), and the actual rebuilding of the plane was done by Idaho State University (ISU) Aviation Mechanics School (still located at the airport today). It was the ISU students who decided on the paint scheme, and created the fake afterburners as the real afterburners were missing.
The 238 paged, hardcover book was published in 1993, it’s available directly from the Pocatello Airport (208) 234-6154. I was also told the Idaho Unlimited gift shop carried the book, but it didn’t show up when I searched their website.
Click the pics to make bigger:
Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.
M1 57mm Anti-Tank gun from World War-2 (clicking the pics makes them bigger:
World War-2 M4A3 Sherman:
Cold War era M109A5(?) Self Propelled Howitzer:
Related: POKEY AIRPORT, IDAHO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD M109
Cold Ware era M548 cargo carrier:
Cold War era M60A3:
Armored Gate Guards: ARMOR MUSEUM FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI

MiG-17 on the left, Fury in the middle, MiG-15UTI on the right. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tristan Truesdell, 13JUL2019.
In July 2019, the state of Montana was invaded by marauding MiG-15UTI and MiG-17, and a lone FJ-4 Fury came to The Big Sky state’s defense.
It was part of an air show at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
VEHICLE I-D: MIG 17 V U.S. NAVY FERRARI
POCATELLO AIRPORT 02 AUGUST 2014: MIG-15 UTI & MIG-17
POCATELLO AIRPORT 02 AUGUST 2014: FJ-4 FURY
Currently known as Electronic Warfare Tactical Vehicle (EWTV), testing began in September 2018 at Yuma Army Proving Grounds, in Arizona.
In January 2019, testing shifted to Fort Irwin National Training Center, in California.
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Testing is being conducted by the U.S. Army 1st Division’s 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team ‘Greywolf’. The EWTV is based on a MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected) MaxxPro Dash.
The new vehicle allows ground forces to intercept and jam electronic communications (electromagnetic spectrum) from a ‘safe’ distance. It will be a good use for artillery units because it can pin-point the source of electronic sources and then call-for-fire on those sources (the modern version of triangulating radio signals).
It can integrate with existing ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) vehicles like the VROD (Versatile Radio Observation & Direction) and VMAX (VROD Modular Adpative Transmit) systems.
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VEHICLE I-D: GIANT R-C TANKS SEEN TEARING-UP WASHINGTON STATE!
Incomplete list, mainly links to main stream news media reports, of U.S. internet/high-tech/communications job destruction and cyber-chicanery announcements in January 2019:
At the end of January, U.S. led NATO countries converged on Estonia to conduct cyber warfare ops. Cyber operations included attempted attacks on industrial control systems, physical security systems, unmanned aerial vehicles and maritime surveillance systems, according to U.S. 24th Air Force/Air Forces Cyber.
During the ongoing U.S. meddling in Syrian politics, a female U.S. Navy Cryptologic Technician was killed in Manbij, on 16JAN2019.
The looming danger in high-tech car safety systems
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
CALIFORNIA: Space Exploration Technologies issued a layoff WARN, 577 people in Hawthorne to become jobless in March! Solid state battery maker Seeo issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Hayward, 45 jobs gone in March. Online entertainment company Machinima issued multiple WARNs, at least 81 jobs in Burbank gone in March. Carlisle Interconnect Technologies issued shutdown WARNs for its ops in El Segundo and Riverside, 338 jobs gone by October! Automotive pricing and information website TrueCar eliminating 35 jobs by mid-March. Verizon subsidiary Oath eliminating 71 jobs by the end of March. Symantec continues killing jobs, this time 14 people were suddenly laid off. Photonics company Invuity finally revealed to state unemployment officials that it laid off 81 people back in October 2018. Texas based AT&T issued several WARNs, 78 jobs gone by the end of March. Software maker VMware issued a layoff WARN for its Palo Alto ops, 126 jobs gone by April!
Helicopters and drones with hi-tech surveillance equipment will ostensibly be used to count how many homeless people live in San Diego County (interesting that apparently nobody has a problem with this, but many people have a hissy about the government counting non-citizens)
Viacom’s Paramount Pictures lays off 20 people
Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group suddenly lays off 22 people
Palo Alto based online home improvement platform Houzz lays off 180!
Elon Musk founded, Palo Alto based Tesla eliminating 3-thousand jobs due to lack of profitable sales!
Elon Musk founded, Hawthorne based Space X eliminating about 7-hundred jobs!
Mojave based Virgin Galactic lays off 40 employees ahead of transition to New Mexico spaceport
Santa Clara based McAfee suddenly lays off 2-hundred employees!
Cupertino based Apple eliminated 2-hundred jobs from its self-driving car program!
After nine years of hype, San Francisco based online meal delivery company Munchery is now dead: “Today, with a heavy heart, we’re reaching out to announce that Munchery is closing its doors and ending operations effective immediately.”
“They can hear you!” The new electronic warfare ‘Greywolf’ vehicle spotted at U.S. Army’s Fort Irwin National Training Center, 13JAN2019.
COLORADO: Cable TV company WideOpenWest (aka WOW!) shutting down a call center, 2-hundred jobs gone by March!
ILLINOIS: Cable TV company WideOpenWest (aka WOW!) issued a layoff WARN, 56 jobs in Warrenville gone by March. Audio/video equipment maker Harman International issued a shutdown WARN for its Vernon Hills ops, 59 jobs gone in March.
MARYLAND: On 04JAN2019, the U.S. Navy Reserve created a new Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group (NCWDG) Reserve unit: “There is a growing demand for Reservist skill sets from all designators. This is where it all comes together. Regardless of their designator, they have impressive skill sets from their civilian work they can apply to Navy needs.”-Captain James Lee, commander of new unit
In the following official USAF video report, new recruits are told that modern warfare IS about creating better video games:
MICHIGAN: Reprise Media issued a layoff WARN for its ‘Search, Social, Mobile Media’ ops in Birmingham, 92 jobs gone. Also in Birmingham, global media advertiser Universal McCann Worldwide issued a WARN, 116 jobs gone! Once again in Birmingham, ‘communication, media and technology specialists’ Mediabrands issued a shutdown WARN for its I-T ops, effective in March.
MINNESOTA: ‘Backup’ security software maker Code42 suddenly laid off 55 people due to crashing global sales
NEW YORK: Concentrix-Convergys issued a shutdown WARN for its call center in Watertown, between 114 and 540 people affected by the end of April! Sun & Earth Energy company issued a layoff WARN, between 47 and 58 jobs gone. Monolith Solar issued a layoff WARN, as many as 23 employees affected.
App ‘savant’ kills self with cocaine and heroin!
NYC based global communications company Ketchum warns of Double-Digit Job Cuts
NYC based Verizon eliminating 8-hundred jobs!
Washington state founded, yet headquarters based in NYC (news media still says its based in Washington, for some reason), online make-up seller Julep suddenly lays off 102 people and goes bankrupt busted!
Texas based AT&T shutting down Syracuse call center, 150 jobs gone! (the official WARN says 155 jobs gone as operations are Escaping from New York to Florida)
NORTH CAROLINA: Conduent to lay off 61 employees
OHIO: Teleperformance shuts down Fairborn facility, 334 layoffs!
OREGON: Bend based Western Communications now chapter 11 bankrupt-busted
TEXAS: Official report about taxpayer funded ‘Hack-of-the-Drones’ involving personnel from the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy: DVIDS_News_306568_791ccf518d402d1c6fe40a3ebe93e655210305df63065fd0dc3cec6e2e893243
Dallas Morning News suddenly laid off 43 people due to crashing revenues
WASHINGTON: On 11JAN2019, the U.S. Army created the new Intelligence, Information, Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Space unit (known as I2CEWS) at Joint Base Lewis McChord: “Today we’ll activate the Army’s first I2CEWS detachment, which is the critical unit in the Multi-Domain Task Force and the centerpiece of how the Army will conduct Multi-Domain operations in the future.”-Lieutenant General Gary Volesky, I-Corps
U.S. Tech/Communications breakdown, December 2018: “UNFORTUNATELY OUR RENT IS TOO HIGH”
Incomplete main-stream-news links of announced United States food supply shutdowns, emergencies, outbreaks and recalls for the month of February, 2019:
Over one weekend, 03-04FEB2019, three USAFR C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft delivered food to three of the countries flooding the U.S. with illegal immigrants; Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras. The U.S. Air Force Reserve described the food aid mission as occurring periodically through out the year. The food is supposedly donated, but the cost of flying it to the recipients rests on the U.S. taxpayers.
In Djibouti, Africa, taxpayer funded U.S. Army veterinarians were deployed to help locals improve their livestock. It’s called a Veterinary Civic Action Project (VetCAP).
A very small number of crops are dominating globally: That’s bad news
Climate change is cooking salmon in the Pacific Northwest
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
$43.3 million in federal taxes awarded to Auburn for agriculture facility
ALASKA: Proposed state budget includes elimination of Division of Agriculture
Taxpayer subsidized fishing towns could lose millions under new governor
Bering Sea Pacific cod fishery could move toward quota system
Tribe takes state to court in attempt to protect herring
As the Bering Sea warms, this skipper is chasing pollock to new places
98% of Alaska’s fish are exported for use by non-Alaskans
ARIZONA: lawmakers exempt farmers from paying sales taxes…
Family farms made Phoenix livable, so why are so many going away?
If the above is true, then why are farmers being cut off from river water?
ARKANSAS: Al’s Bar-B-Q shutdown after 47 years
Plant Board Votes To Loosen Dicamba herbicide Restrictions
CALIFORNIA: Germany based maker of containers for food, Bericap, issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Ontario, 30 jobs gone by mid-April. TGI Friday’s issued yet another shutdown WARN, this time for its restaurant in El Cajon, 48 jobs gone by mid-April. Iconic maker of restaurant coffee makers, Bunn-O-Matic, issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Cerritos, 20 jobs gone by mid-April.
Nantucket Restaurant shutdown after 89 years, no reason given
After 102 years, Estrada’s Fine Mexican and Caribbean Cuisine shutdown
Chicken-killing Newcastle disease prompts widespread quarantines
‘dry farmers’ grow crops without irrigation
California must abandon 535,000 acres of prized farmland to meet water conservation goals
California expecting smallest avocado crop in a decade
In the leftist-liberal socialist ‘Golden State’, U.S. Navy sailors still have to help deliver food for the Meals on Wheels program in San Diego. Since January 2018, Makin Island Sailors delivered more than 550 meals to the local San Diego community.
CONNECTICUT: After at least 40 years Lynn’s Restaurant and Delicatessen shutdown
Compost heat recovery helps cut costs, boost revenue
DELAWARE: Federal prisoners to be used to operate Vertical Farms?
FLORIDA: Hamburger Mary’s closing two more locations due to Hep A investigation
Krewe De Gras shutdown after ten years
After 32 years Connie’s Hams & Catering shutdown by a greedy landlord
farmers plot new course after Hurricane Michael
hemp production still a cloud of smoke
GEORGIA: Months after Hurricane Michael, farmers still trying to recover
U.S. Army Officer Cadet School trainees took part in a 16FEB2019 food drive, in partnership with the Midland Feeding the Valley Food Bank, and Columbus Community Warriors Incorporated.
GUAM: Ban on scuba fishing proposed
Marine life at risk in U.S. Navy’s 2019 environmental impact statement
HAWAII:Still Lacks Enough Local Food Production
Indigenous agriculture has potential to contribute to food needs
Costco considers farming in Hawaii
Since July 2018, the U.S. Coast Guard and the British empire’s Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans joined forces to enforce international fishing laws across the Indo-Pacific: “Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing threatens food security, impacts the sustainability of fisheries, and causes irreparable damage to marine and freshwater ecosystems across the globe. Partnerships, like this one with Canada’s Department of National Defence and the United States Coast Guard, are the key to tackling IUU fishing that threatens many vulnerable coastal communities. We will continue to work with other countries and assist small island developing states in combating IUU fishing to increase security and protect the health of fish stocks around the world.”-Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
IDAHO: Legislation adds up costs of new hemp program
Land purchase paves way for nation’s largest research dairy
Idaho proposes requiring farmer consent for annexation
once-low-key Idaho Hop Growers Association is getting more active
ILLINOIS: Next money ‘crop’ for Illinois farmers, Solar panels?
Prisoners are prepped for farming
Taxpayer funded Grants Awarded to Grow Specialty Crop
IOWA: Pizza chain Old Chicago shutdown one of its seven locations in Iowa
Iowa’s first $260-million ‘agrihood’ promises farm-like living conditions in a congested metro area
loan delinquencies reach highest point in 9 years as crops prices slump (no thanks to capitalistic globalization markets)
KENTUCKY: Long John Silver’s suddenly laid off 20 people at its Louisville HQ
As tobacco sales dry up, farmers look to the state’s original crop; hemp
LOUISIANA: Dean of Southern University’s Agricultural College Resigns
Company sues state agriculture agency over faulty marijuana testing
MAINE: British empire Canada based Future Farm Technologies Extends 100-Acre Lease for CBD-Producing Hemp
MARYLAND: Long Beach Oyster House suddenly shutdown because “the new management had to walk away.”
farmers demand to use toxic pesticides despite warnings
MASSACHUSETTS: Papa Gino’s is closing six locations in Massachusetts and one in New Hampshire.
Big Y shutting down its grocery store in Adams, 90 jobs gone
After three years restaurant Roadworthy suddenly shutdown
nonprofits face eviction from taxpayer-owned farmland
Residents Urged To Check Plants For Invasive Lanternfly
MICHIGAN: ‘Taste’ and nutrition company Kerry issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Kentwood, 107 jobs gone by the end of April!
Tom’s Food Markets shutdown its 36 years old location south of Grand Travis Resort
D&W Fresh Market sutting down its location in Portage, 50 jobs gone in March
A $30 million eel-fish farm in Michigan?
MINNESOTA: ‘Senior Dinning’ service Morrison Community Living issued WARNs for several locations, more than 250 jobs threatened by the end of April!
After six years Crave Burger shutdown
MISSISSIPPI: Taxpayer funded vaccines equal bigger catfish?
MISSOURI: After nearly 90 years of serving food in the River Market, Cascone’s Grill shutdown
MONTANA: Five Loaves Coffee House & Bakery shutdown after 14 years
6500 Montanan farmers sign up for $14 million in taxpayer funded tariff relief payments
NEBRASKA: After more than 60 years Conroy’s Family Bakery shutdown
Asian jumping worm poses future threat
loan delinquencies highest in 9 years
Man Killed by Bull While Checking Cattle
NEVADA: Farmers challenge new ‘water market’
Strangles disease killing horses
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Local ‘organic’ Farmers Frustrated by Recent USDA Labeling Decisions
Labor Shortage, Climate Change Challenges
NEW JERSEY: Belgium owned Anheuser-Busch issued a WARN for its Jersey City sales ops, 80 jobs gone by the end of April.
Why North Carolinian boats are fishing off New Jersey’s coast
NEW MEXICO: Local dairies now ground zero for PFAS contamination by the USAF
Air Force pollution forces dairy to kill 4-thousand cows!
NEW YORK: Raul’s Candy Store shutdown after 40 years
Local ag economy faces low profits, big risks
NORTH CAROLINA: Restaurant chain owner Monica Eats now chapter 11 bankrupt busted
That trendy CBD product in your smoothie is still illegal in North Carolina
NC State Study: Aquaculture Does Little, if Anything, to Conserve Wild Fisheries
NORTH DAKOTA: Senator misleads with her claim of record number of bankruptcies in ‘farm country’
State House passes bill that expands the strange ‘family’ corporate farm law
State Senate passes revised trespassing bill
State law’s definition of ‘farmer’ makes it almost impossible for farmers to get a tax exemption
OHIO: Actual Brewing now bankrupt dead after losing $558-thousand in 2018, due to low sales
After more than 43 years the Golden Dawn grocery store shutdown, the owners refused to comment
Farm Bureau members are disappointed with the results of the LEBOR vote
Popular Oklahoma City restaurant Chelino’s shutdown after 25 years
Bill would allow Oregon farmland to be rezoned along border with Idaho
Organic farms want taxpayer support
PENNSYLVANIA: The owners of La Trattoria suddenly halted the renovations to their restaurant and quit to focus on another business
PUERTO RICO: Chef José Andrés fights for an independent Agricultural Sector
1.4 million Puerto Ricans will face food aid cuts
Midwest states Look to Puerto Rico for Workers
RHODE ISLAND: Criminal Probe of Slaughterhouse Sought After Cows Shot and stabbed Multiple Times
Rhode Island farmland has the highest national average cost per acre at $13,800
SOUTH CAROLINA: Lincoln Park Bar and Grill suddenly shutdown
SOUTH DAKOTA: foreclosure case could involve more than 31-thousand head of cattle
TENNESSEE: After only a year Taco Garage shutdown
After 44 years the Gold Rush Bar shutdown due to expenses going through the roof
Top ten agriculture plants in Tennessee
TEXAS: Boiler Nine Bar + Grill shutdown due to not being able to pay management fees
Grocery giant Kroger shutdown its 59 years old store in Denison, 60 jobs affected
Taylor Farms Recalls Chicken Products Due To wrong labels
UTAH: Newcastle chicken disease found in Utah home
Controversy over water reform rules
VERMONT: Renewable energy growing among animals and crops
tiered system of fees imposed on hemp growers
VIRGINIA: About 25 Navy and Air Force culinary students, instructors and support staff lent their skills to the lunchtime feeding operation at The Hope Center, with the goal of easing hunger and financial stress for less-fortunate citizens: “This is the first time since I’ve been down here that we’ve had the military come down in a volunteer capacity to cook.”-Scott Fisher, executive director The Hope Center
After only one year Smokey T’s Southern Kitchen shutdown
Ledo Pizza suddenly shutdown its Short Pump location
Virginia Diner Shoppe shutdown its Richmond-Carytown location, not willing to renew the lease
WASHINGTON: Food service company HMS Host issued a mass-layoff WARN for its ops at SeaTac, 202 jobs gone by the end of March! Legacy Fruit Packers suddenly shutdown its ops in Wapato, 199 jobs instantly gone! Also in Wapato, Valley Fruit suddenly shutdown, 1-thousand and nine jobs instantly gone! In Seleh, Larson Orchard Management suddenly shutdown, 807 jobs instantly gone! Last year the above fruit growing/packing companies were sued by H-2A immigrant workers (Larson Orchard settles lawsuit with H-2A workers), as a result the above affected fruit growing/packing farms were forced to shutdown and sell-out (confirms purchase of Washington fruit companies) to several companies, including a company partly owned by billionaire Bill Gates!
Washington DC: U.S. farm debt soars: “Farm debt has been rising more rapidly over the last five years, increasing by 30% since 2013 – up from $315 billion to $409 billion, according to USDA data, and up from $385 billion in just the last year, to levels seen in the 1980s.”-Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Dairy farmers get more taxpayer funded help under new farm bill
WEST VIRGINIA: State Department of Agriculture employees get into a physical fight
A volunteer with the Fort McCoy Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers group helps distribute food 4FEB2019, at the Oasis Church in Tomah.
WYOMING: Earliest known seed-eating perching bird originated in Wyoming
Highway shutdown due to badly behaving bison
Wyoming ranch manager goes missing in Canada
U.S. FOOD CRISIS, January 2019: “WE ARE BEATING A DEAD HORSE!”