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Technology

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis, Vehicle I-D: MTLB, used by U.S., NATO, and still used by Russia!

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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).

The MTLB is a direct descendant of the PT-76 amphibious tank, as is the BTR-50, ASU-85, ZSU-23-4, and the 1S91 SURN-2K12 Kub antiaircraft missile system.  However, all those other PT-76 relatives are rear engine/rear drive, the MTLB is mid-engine/front drive.

Photo dated March 1983, no other information.

The later MTLBu (also called M1976 by U.S./NATO) artillery command tank (mid-engine/front drive), 2S1 SP gun (front engine/front drive), and UR-77 (2S1 chassis) are based on a stretched MTLB chassis (with seven roadwheels instead of six, per side).  The even later BMP-23 is based on the 2S1 chassis.

Photo I took one California National Guard drill weekend on NTC, California, in 1984. There were about a dozen MTLBs working with OpFor.

For some reason, NATO likes to add a dash between MT and LB, I have not found this to be the case with Russian sources.  The MTLB comes from the Latinized Russian nomenclature;  Mnogotselevoy Tyagach Legky Bronirovanny.  In Russian Cyrillic it is Многоцелевой Тягач Легкий Бронированный, МТЛБ which is MTLB.  In English it means Multipurpose Tractor Light Armored (MTLA).  Light armored is for sure, I’ve checked out the MTLBs on Fort Irwin and the armor is so thin that I would not be surprised if 12.7mm (.50 cal) ball ammo could make Swiss cheese out of it.

Photo my father took of MTLB engineer vehicle at USAF air show in California, Summer 1986.

One of my Cold War era books on Soviet vehicles claims the MTLB was an armored version of the MTL (this claim is currently also being made by a internet ‘encyclopedia’).  I haven’t found anything about an MTL, what I found is that the predecessor of the MTLB was the ATP, which has no relation to the PT-76 or MTLB.  It’s not the first time NATO/U.S. was wrong about anything Soviet (COLD WAR BOATS: MOSKVA CLASS SUBMARINE HUNTERS, STOP CALLING THEM AIRCRAFT CARRIERS!).

During the Cold War, the U.S. Air Force managed to get their own Soviet MTLB. This one was seen on Bolling Air Force Base (now Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling), Washington DC. Photo by Don S. Montgomery, October 1986.

Photo by Don S. Montgomery, October 1986.

U.S. Army Opposition Forces (OpFor) MTLB on Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC), California, 31MAR1988.

Anti-aircraft MTLB Strela from one of the last parades under the Soviet Union, November 1989.

An Iraqi MTLB damaged during the last battle of the Cold War; Desert Storm, March 1991. Photo by Staff Sergeant Dean W. Wagner.

U.S. Marines test drive a captured Iraqi MTLB during Desert Storm. Photo by Chief Warrant Officer-4 J.M. Rodriguez, February 1991.

Since the end of the unofficial Cold War, the MTLB has been continually modified by the many countries that still use it.

Several years after the end of the unofficial Cold War, the U.S. Marine Corps was using MTLBs in wargame Kernel Blitz ’97. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Timothy J. Reynolds, 21JUN1997.

USMC MTLBs, June 1997. USMC photo by Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Mobley.

See more here: SOVIET ARMOR OF THE U.S. MARINE CORPS

A USA (U.S. Army) AH-64 Apache versus a USA MTLB armed with Strela antiaircraft missiles (NATO reporting name Gopher missiles) during an All Service Combat Identification Evaluation Test (ASCIET), on Fort Stewart, Georgia, March 1999.

The remains of another Iraqi MTLB, but this time it is 2003, and it is a ZSU-23-2 antiaircraft gun version. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Jennifer A. Krusen, 11APR2003.

An Iraqi MTLB, near that infamous prison, 11MAY2005. Notice the use of wide ‘snow’ tracks. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Ronald Shaw.

See more of Iraqi MTLB in IRAQI ARMOR, AFTER THE INVASION.

Ukrainian MTLB towing artillery into the disputed Donbas area, sometime in 2015.

Bulgarian MTLB mortar track. U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Corporal Justin T. Updegraff, 07JAN2016.

Bulgarian MTLB mortar track. U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Corporal Justin T. Updegraff, 07JAN2016.

See video of Bulgarian MTLB mortar tracks launching rounds in SOVIET ERA ARMOR USED BY NATO: BULGARIA, PLUS THE BULGARIAN BMP-23.

Russian Northern Fleet photo of artic MTLB (notice wider snow tracks), dated March 2016.

Pink camo MTLB mortar carrier, during artillery competition in Kazakhstan. Photo dated April 2017.

Convoy of artillery towing Ukrainian MTLB, sometime in 2018.

April 2018, Ukraine shows off its new MTLB ambulances to the public.

Finnish MTLB during wargame Arrow 18, on Pohjankangas Training Area near Kankaanpaa, Finland, 18MAY2018. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Averi Coppa.

Polish MTLB, NATO’s Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia, during Operation Reassurance at Camp Ādaži, Latvia, 26JUL2018. Photo via Canadian Armed Forces.

Bulgarian Army MTLB during NATO Exercise Platinum Lion. North Carolina Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Jamar Marcel Pugh, 02AUG2018.

Video from Kazakhstan, 2021‘s International Army Games-Masters of Artillery Fire competition, showing the Russian team’s MTLB mortar carrier action:

September 2021, Russian Black Sea Fleet MTLB-9A35 launch their 9K35 Strela-10 (NATO reporting name SA-13 Gopher) missiles:

‘Z’ marked MTLB, Donbas AO, end of February 2022.

Russian MTLB in the Donbas Area of Operation, March 2022.

An abandoned/captured Ukrainian specialized MTLB, March 2022.

The 2S1 self propelled artillery gun is based on a stretched MTLB chassis:

2S1, FROM COLD WAR TO UKRAINIAN BORDER CRISIS!

NATO Bulgaria’s BMP-23 is based on the 2S1 chassis: BULGARIAN SOVIET ARMOR, PLUS THE BULGARIAN BMP-23

Cold War Vehicle I-D: BRDM-2, NOW BEING USED AS TAXIS?

IDAHO’S 1:1 SCALE FAKE NEWS RUSSIAN MTLB BASED 1S91 SURN TANK

RUSSIA INVADES FLORIDA with 2K12 KUB

International, U.S.

Peacekeeper ’95: Russia invades NATO United States! Red Dawn for reals?

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U.S. Air Force personnel de-ice a Russian Il-76 on McChord Air Force Base, Washington, before its flight to Kansas, 24OCT1995. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow.

Russian troops off-load their gear on McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, 24OCT1995. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow.

Russia’s 27th Guards Motorized Rifle Division troops march on McConnell AFB, Kansas. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 24OCT1995.

In October/November 1995, Russian Ilyushin 76 cargo aircraft landed in Illinois, Kansas and Washington, loaded with Russian troops!

A Russian IL-76 takes off from McChord AFB, Washington, heading for McConnell AFB, Kansas, 25OCT1995. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow.

A Russian Il-76 sits on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 01NOV1995.

Russian officers try to explain to the local news media in Kansas why they are on U.S. soil. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 01NOV1995.

Russia’s 27th Guards, Motorized Rifle Division board their IL-76 transport at McConnell AFB, Kansas, United States. USAF photo by Senior Airman Tony Jergens, 01NOV1995.

It was the first time the Russian military set foot on the United States.  According to a Los Angeles Times article, Peacekeeper ’95 was about preparing U.S. and Russian personnel to work together during their joint deployment to the former Yugoslavia/Bosnia-Herzegovina for peacekeeping duties.

Two Russian IL-76 transports on McChord AFB, Washington. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 01NOV1995.

Russian troops going home, unload their souvenirs of their ‘invasion’ of the U.S., before boarding the Il-76 waiting to take them back to Russia. USAF photo by Senior Airman Tony Jergens.

Cold War Finale: Soviet Navy helicopters swarm U.S. Navy ships?

World War 3: USAF PREPS TO USE C-130 ON U.S. HIGHWAYS! RED DAWN FOR REALS?

Technology

MiG 31 crashes in Novgorod

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Supposedly, on 29JAN2022 a MiG-31 (NATO reporting name Foxhound) crashed in Novgorod Oblast.

Unconfirmed reports say the plane was trying to take off but could not generate the speed necessary, running off the runway and bouncing off a snow drift.

Looking at the photos (source unknown) it is clear that there was a fire involving the rear cockpit, which caused the forward cockpit and fuselage to drop off.

It is common for MiG-31s to crash, usually blamed on “technical malfunction”.

Vehicle I-D:

MIG-31K HYPERSONIC KINZHAL LAUNCHER

Technology

Zombie Tank: China’s Type 59D, updated Cold War T-54/55, to live-on as a Robot Tank?

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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).

People’s Liberation Army 77th Group Army photo by Guo Yuhui, 26MAY2021.

China’s Type 59 (aka WZ-120) is a license built version of the Soviet T-54A.  Many were sold/given to Viet Nam during the U.S. occupation of that South East Asian country, it was the first time the Type 59 experienced actual combat.   In the last decade of the non-official Cold War (the 1980s) China upgraded its tanks with NATO’s 105mm L7 gun, designed in United Kingdom.

Type 59D of the PLA 77th Group Army, 20MAR2018. Photo by Yang Qishuai.

The latest version of the Type 59 is the Type 59D (WZ-120D) with explosive reactive armor and a longer barreled 105mm L7 main gun (which is now called the ZPL-94/Type 94 gun).  Apparently it is able to launch anti-tank guided missiles from the ZPL-94 gun.

Type 59D of the PLA 77th Group Army, 20MAR2018. Photo by Yang Qishuai.

Type 59D of the PLA 77th Group Army, 20MAR2018. Photo by Yang Qishuai.

Type 59D of the PLA 77th Group Army, 16MAR2018.

Type 59D of the PLA 77th Group Army, 16MAR2018.

Type 59D of the PLA 77th Group Army, 16MAR2018.

Video still from a China Central TV (CCTV) report about remote controlled Type 59 tanks.

In March 2018, the PLA announced that many of the retiring Type 59 tanks are being converted to be used as remote control tanks, or even robot tanks: “A large number of due-to-retire Type 59 tanks can be converted into unmanned vehicles if equipped with artificial intelligence.”-Liu Qingshan, chief editor of Tank and Armoured Vehicle

Vehicle I-D: CHINA STILL USES THE NATO GUNNED TYPE 88 WARSAW PACT BASED TANK

Zombie Tank: COLD WAR ZOMBIE TANK T-54/55, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

World War 3: CHINA DEVELOPS/DEPLOYS MILITARY SYSTEMS SPECIFICALLY FOR UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION!

Terminator: U.S. ARMY TRIPLES INVENTORY OF COMBAT ROBOT TANKS!

Technology

Zombie Tank: China still uses the NATO gunned Type 88 Warsaw Pact based tank

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Type 88A in the Gobi Desert, sometime in 2021. People’s Liberation Army-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Li Renxi.

During the last decade of the non-official Cold War, China began experimenting with the Soviet designed T-54/55 tank, and the NATO United Kingdom designed 105mm L7 main gun.  One of the results was the Type 88.

Type 88A conducts live-fire gunnery in the Gobi Desert, sometime in 2021. People’s Liberation Army-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Shi Jinguang.

In the 1990s, testing by South Africa revealed the NATO 105mm gun could not penetrate the armor of the upgraded Russian T-72, and that the Russian 125mm gun could easily destroy the Type 88.  This revelation killed export sales of the Chinese tank, but amazingly China still uses the Type 88A (with the long barreled version of the L7 gun known as ZPL-94/Type 94).

Type 88A in the Gobi Desert, sometime in 2021. PLA-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Li Renxi.

Type 88A in the Gobi Desert, sometime in 2021. PLA-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Li Renxi.

Type 88A in the Gobi Desert, sometime in 2021. PLA-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Li Renxi.

Gobi Desert sometime in 2021. PLA-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Shi Jinguang.

The old Type 88A is being replaced with the new Type 15 Light Tank (aka ZTQ-15), which is also armed with the 105mm gun.

PLA-Xinjiang Military Command live-fire gunnery, April 2020. Photo by Han Qiang.

PLA-Xinjiang Military Command live-fire gunnery, April 2020. Photo by Han Qiang.

Type 88A, Uyghur Autonomous Region on 30MAR2020. Photo by Yuan Kai.

Type 88A, Uyghur Autonomous Region on 30MAR2020. Photo by Yuan Kai.

These PLA-Xinjiang Military Command Type 88As are equipped with something similar to the U.S. MILES lazer-tag wargame system. Photo by Sun Bo, 19MAR2020.

Not only are these PLA-Xinjiang Military Command Type 88As equipped with something similar to the U.S. MILES lazer-tag wargame system, their main antenna looks very much like a U.S. antenna. Photo by Sun Bo, 19MAR2020.

Night maneuvers Uygur Autonomous Region, January 2020. PLA-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Yuan Kai.

Can you identify a Type 88A at night?

Night maneuvers Uygur Autonomous Region, January 2020. PLA-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Yuan Kai.

Night maneuvers Tianshan Mountains, October 2019. PLA-Xinjiang Military Command photo.

Uygur Autonomous Region, August 2018. PLA-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Yuan Kai.

The exhaust pipes of the Type 88A are on the opposite side of the Grandfather T-54/55, and they are two large round pipes.

Uygur Autonomous Region, January 2020. PLA-Xinjiang Military Command photo by Yuan Kai.

In the above photo you can see a Type 88A being hauled away by an old fashioned T-54/55 ARV, notice the standard T-54/55 single exhaust pipe.

Vehicle I-D: CHINA’S H-6K

Zombie Tank: U.S. BRINGS DEAD IRAQI T-54/55 BACK TO LIFE!

International

Germany destroys U.S. bombers in Ukraine!

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During the night, the German Luftwaffe destroyed several U.S. bombers on the ground of Poltava Airbase in Ukraine.  The U.S. bombers, of the 452nd Bomb Group, had arrived from United Kingdom as part of a ‘shuttle’ mission (aka Shuttle Raid).

The attack took place on 21JUN1944.  Interestingly, the U.S. Army’s  8th Air Force claims they did not receive the photo negatives until December 1945, the photos of the destroyed B-17s were not even released in the United States until 22JUL1949, kept secret years after the war ended by the U.S. Air Force Historical Office!

The 8th Air Force was using Poltava Airbase as a rest & recovery area for its bombers and crews, after conducting bombing missions against Germany, and other targets in Eastern Europe, during the Second World War.

According to the Historical Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 21JUN1944 was also the first time B-17s were used for Shuttle Raids.  I did find a photo dated April 1944 showing a B-17 on Poltava, but it doesn’t indicate if it was taking part in a Shuttle Raid.

U.S. Army Air Force crewmen stand next to a Soviet soldier, the day after the German airstrike.

During World War Two, Ukraine was one of the dozens of republics who were part of the Soviet Union, as was Russia.

U.S. Army Air Force personnel gaze at a portrait of Stalin, 04JUN1944.

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and at the beginning of 1944 U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt convinced Stalin to allow U.S. combat aircraft to land in the Soviet Union.

A Soviet solder, based on Poltava, painted portraits of Stalin and Roosevelt, completed on 28DEC1944.

 

1939 V 2019; GERMANY INVADES POLAND AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH THE HELP OF NATO!

Recovery Ops: DKM PRINZ EUGEN 2018, OR THE NINE ANCHORS

Kit Bashing, Technology

Vehicle I-D: “The Dud Scud” Fake News Ballistic Missile

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During the 1990s, following the end of the non-declared/non-official Cold War, the United States held a yearly massive NATO wargame called Roving Sands, in New Mexico.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Marv Lynchard, 23APR1995.

One of the many oddities that made an appearance at these war games was the U.S. military’s “The Dud Scud”; a 5-ton dump-truck (some of the info says duce-n-a-half, other info says 5-ton) with ballistic missile looking things mounted on top of the dump-bed.  Scud is the NATO reporting name for a Soviet tactical ballistic missile launcher system.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Marv Lynchard, 23APR1995.

Of course the Dud Scud doesn’t look anything like a real Scud, they were just meant to simulate a generic ballistic missile launcher.

The Dud Scuds were positioned at various locations across Fort Sumner, New Mexico. USAF photo by Sergeant Nicole Snell, 29APR1995.

Because of the experience of having to hunt down Iraqi Scuds during Desert Storm, NATO exercise Roving Sands incorporated such a scenario into the yearly wargame.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Marv Lynchard, 23APR1995.

Cold War Vehicle I-D:

Photo attributed to Bernd Hartmann, Germany 1978.

FAKE NEWS ZSU-23-4 INTO THE J-A-W-S OF DEATH!

Technology, U.S.

Cold War: Going ‘Gangbusters’ with Texas F-4C & Georgia F-105G!

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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).

Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

The U.S. National Archives makes available a lot of cool imagery, but unfortunately a lot of the info issued with it is wrong.  Can’t blame the National Archives, they simply repost what was given to them, so a lot of the ‘false’ info actually comes from the source; the U.S. Department of Defense.  The following is a case-in-point; photos of Cold War era Exercise Gangbuster #11 show both F-4C Phantom-2s and F-105G Thunderchief ‘Wild Weasels’, it lists both aircraft as being with the “128th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 116th Tactical Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guardsmen”.  For the record, the F-4s are part of the Texas Air National Guard but not the 128th TFS/116th TFW, the F-4Cs belong to the 182nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 149th Tactical Fighter Wing.  The F-105Gs are part of the 128th TFS/116th TFW, which is Georgia Air National Guard.  In some photos the obvious belly of an F-105G is shown, yet the info says it is an F-4 Phantom II.  Also, the exalted U.S. Air Force/National Guard info calls the F-105 the “Delta Dart”! Maybe this was an attempt to deceive the Soviets?

A faded ‘blue bomb’, hi-drag ‘snake eye’, is brought to a waiting Texas F-4C. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Georgia Air National Guard F-105G gets bombed-up with a cement filled Blue Bomb. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

This is one of the photos that was listed as being an F-4. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Gangbuster XI took place on Stewart Airfield, Georgia, in April 1981.  It was about bombing accuracy, and included the USS Clifton Sprague (FFG-16) as a floating target in The Atlantic Ocean.

Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Messing with the drogue ‘chute of the F-105G. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

The F-105G used water injection for take-off runs. Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

Photo by Airman First Class Sheryl D. Barnett, 10APR1981.

I could find only two photos of Texas F-4Cs at Gangbuster XI, so here’s a photo of a 182nd TFS/149th TFW F-4C ‘intercepting’ a Soviet Tu-95 ‘Bear’ near Iceland, in 1981:

Photo dated 26AUG1981.

Weapon I-D: MARK 82, COLD WAR & BEYOND

Vehicle I-D: ROKAF 대한민국 공군 PHANTOMS

Idaho, Technology

New Cold War: Idaho Air National Guard trains with USMC F-35!

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Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 08JAN2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 08JAN2022.

“This is the first time we’ve worked with F-35s and we continue to build these types of relationships throughout all services and airframes. Other units outside of Idaho continue to come here because we have some of the best ranges in the world, thanks to the outstanding Airmen in the Idaho Air National Guard.”-Lieutenant Colonel Mike Hampton, director of operations for Idaho’s 190th Fighter Squadron/124th Fighter Wing

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

Four U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs, from Yuma Marine Corps Air Station, Arizona, spent the weekend of 07-09JAN2022 over Gowen Field, Idaho, playing tag with the Idaho Air National Guard’s A-10Cs, it was a first.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

“This shows that one of the best attack aircraft in the inventory, the mighty A-10 Thunderbolt II, can lethally integrate with the newest, most advanced aircraft in the world, the F-35 Lightning II. Additionally, it is an opportunity for two services to train together in anticipation of fighting alongside each other in future conflicts.”-Lieutenant Colonel Mike Hampton, director of operations for Idaho’s 190th FS/124th FW

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

“Training with other units is a critical component to our wing maintaining combat readiness. We typically operate in a joint combat environment, working hand-in-hand with other services, and this training is imperative to prepare our pilots for combat operations.”-Colonel Chad Kornberg, 124th Fighter Wing commander

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 09JAN2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 08JAN2022.

New Cold War: IDAHO’S 124TH PREPS FOR AIR STRIKES! OR, LABOR SHORTAGES CAN GIVE YOU A CASE OF THE BLUE BOMBS!

Vehicle I-D: IDAHO GETS NEW UH-60M

Idaho, Technology

Vehicle I-D: Idaho gets new UH-60M

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“It’s an exciting and unprecedented opportunity to have access to the newest air frame in the U.S. Army’s fleet. It’s exciting being on the leading and cutting edge of aviation. The M model has really set us up as a state and a National Guard entity to continue to lead the way and be on par with active duty counterparts.” -Lieutenant Colonel Nicole Washington, 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion commander

Brand new UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters line the tarmac on Gowen Field. Idaho National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JAN2022.

Idaho Army National Guard’s 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion has completed the transition to the new UH-60M.  As of January 2022, Idaho now has 20 of the newest Black Hawk.

Idaho National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JAN2022.

Pilots says the UH-60M is a long distance runner; crews don’t feel as exhausted after an all day mission, compared to the older Black Hawks, because for one thing the UH-60M has less vibration. Improvements include stiffer rotary wings for more lifting power, a new airframe, more powerful engines and advanced digital avionics inside the enlarged ‘glass’ instrument panel, being able to track yourself in relation to enemy/friendly forces, etc.

Idaho National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JAN2022.

Idaho’s 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion has already put to use the UH-60M, last year they dumped more than 200-thousand gallons of water on forest fires in the Northern part of The Gem State.

Idaho National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JAN2022.

The 1-183rd AHB flew the AH-64A Apache for almost 20 years before transitioning to the AH-64D Longbow model in 2012, and then to the UH-60A/L Black Hawk through 2016-2018.  In 2019 they went through UH-60M training. The unit received its first UH-60M on Gowen Field in June 2020 and flew the remaining 19 airframes back from New Jersey to Boise since then.  On 16JAN2022, the last two of a total of 20 UH-60Ms arrived on Gowen Field.

“Combined with the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s modernized armor equipment, the Idaho Army National Guard is one of the most modernized states in the Army National Guard. Modernized equipment enhances our capability to be interoperable with our active duty peers.”-Brigadier General Farin Schwartz, commander of the Idaho Army National Guard

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

The first time the Idaho/Oregon/Montana Army National Guard experienced the UH-60M was while taking part in NATO wargames in Romania, in 2016: BRAND NEW BLACK HAWKS: CANUCKS JOIN SNAKE RIVER MILITIA, AIR ASSAULT MOVE TO CONTACT, ROMANIA!

New Cold War: IDAHO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MEDEVACS WOUNDED FROM GOWEN FIELD!

Disaster 2021: Idaho Army National Guard UH-60 & UH-72 rescue Boise fire fighters from raging rapids…..truck trailer?

IDAHO BLACK HAWKS HEAD SOUTH, DOWN CENTRAL AMERICA WAY, YOU PAID FOR IT!