Images

International, U.S.

New Cold War: U.S. taxpayers forced to send Ukraine $5.4-billion!

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During the 2013-14 so-called revolution in Ukraine (openly supported by U.S. politicians who actually went to Ukraine to call for revolution, like John McCain in December 2013), an apparently democratically elected government was overthrown by an obviously pro-NATO insurgency.  Since then, and according to a report issued on 10FEB2022 by the U.S. Air Force’s 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, U.S. taxpayers have shelled out $5.4-billion in military (“security/non-security”) assistance to Ukraine!

U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik, 10FEB2022.

On top of that, there are military shipments to Ukraine that are officially listed as a Foreign Military Sale.  On 10FEB2022, another ‘Foreign Military Sale’, things marked ‘explosives’, were loaded onto a giant transport aircraft on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, for shipment to Ukraine.

USAF photo by Roland Balik, 10FEB2022.

This latest ‘sale’ is so important that two officials from Ukraine were present to watch the loading of the aircraft, along with an official from the Biden administration:  From left to right; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova, Major General Borys Kremenetskyi, and Biden’s Deputy Assistant Secretary-Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Mira Resnick.

USAF photo by Roland Balik, 10FEB2022.

Vehicle I-D: 2S3 AKATSIYA (2C3 АКАЦИЯ), COLD WAR TO UKRAINE BORDER CRISIS!

Ukraine 2017: CALIFORNIA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF National Guard Operations IN UKRAINE!

Mother of all Money Pits:  KURDS TAKE THE FIGHT TO ‘ISLAMIC STATE’, WHILE U.S. TAXPAYERS FUND DINNER PARTIES!

 

Idaho, U.S.

New Cold War: Idaho Army National Guard MedEvacs wounded from Gowen Field!

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MedEvac=Medical Evacuation

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Captain Bonnie Blakely, 05FEB2022.

On the weekend of 04-06 February 2022, Idaho’s Gowen Field (on the south side of Boise Airport) was attacked.  Idaho’s A-10Cs responded with ‘combat turn’ air strike missions, while Air Guard medics responded to the cries of the wounded.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Captain Bonnie Blakely, 05FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 04FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard 124th Medical Group’s Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) called in the Idaho Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, G Company, 1-168th Aviation Regiment, to fly out the wounded on their UH-60 Black Hawks.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Captain Rebecca Solosabal, 04FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Captain Rebecca Solosabal, 04FEB2022.

This was all part of an intense weekend warrior training scenario on Gowen Field, to prep for future deployments: “The significance of this training is huge because it gives us an opportunity to train with the Army before being in a deployed environment.”-Senior Master Sergeant Virginia Holmgren, 124th CCATT

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Captain Bonnie Blakely, 04FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Captain Bonnie Blakely, 04FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Joseph Morgan, 05FEB2022.

The training was continued at the Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC), to simulate medevac ops from a Forward Operating Base (FOB).

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Joseph Morgan, 05FEB2022.

New Cold War: IDAHO’S GOWEN FIELD UNDER GAS ATTACK!

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

Idaho, U.S.

New Cold War: Idaho’s Gowen Field under gas attack!

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Even the 124th FW medics had to done MOPP gear while they tried to fight off attackers, using their M240 machine guns. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Captain Bonnie Blakely, 04-06FEB2022.

Airmen of Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing fighting for their lives after a gas attack on Gowen Field, the weekend of 04-06 February 2022, or at least that’s what it looked like.

Another Idaho Air National Guard medic reloads his M240. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Captain Bonnie Blakely, 04-06FEB2022.

It’s not easy fighting for your life while wearing full Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 04-06FEB2022.

124th Logistics Readiness Squadron fire fighters responded as best they could. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Captain Bonnie Blakely, 04-06FEB2022.

Idaho Guard personnel are inside! Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 04-06FEB2022.

Searching for victims. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 04-06FEB2022.

Got one, looks like his feet have been blown off! Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 04-06FEB2022.

Stay tuned, Idaho Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, G Company, 1-168th Aviation Regiment UH-60 Black Hawks are on their way for the MedEvac mission!  The 1-168th is based in Washington, with units spread across Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California and Arizona.

New Cold War: IDAHO’S 124TH PREPS FOR AIR STRIKES (after mock attack on Gowen Field)! OR, LABOR SHORTAGES CAN GIVE YOU A CASE OF THE BLUE BOMBS!

Technology

Cold War Vehicle I-D: Short lived Chenowth F-A-V, U.S. Army vs U.S. Navy

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U.S. Navy SeAL Team 5’s Scorpion Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV, now called Desert Patrol Vehicle or DPV), Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, January 1993. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Mike Poche.

USN SeAL Team 5’s three seat Scorpion Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV), Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, January 1993. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Mike Poche.

The Marine Corps Combat Development Command checked out the Chenowth Scorpion FAV in February 1992, on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. USMC photo by Lance Corporal S.D. Dommer.

Photo by Charles Mussi, October 1991.

Scorpion FAV with ASP 30mm chain gun, October 1991. Photo by Charles Mussi.

USN SeAL team parade their Scorpion FAVs through San Diego, California, 18MAY1991 (after Desert Storm). USN photo by Journalist Petty Officer First Class Joe Gawlowicz.

In May 1987, my father William Hutchins (a GS12 Contract Monitor on Edwards Air Force Base) became one of several people responsible for maintaining several of the original two seat Chenowth FAVs.

Sometime in the early 1990s, Edwards AFB, California.

In the early 1990s, my dad actually let me, and on another occasion my brother (Ernst F. Hutchins) and one of my brother’s friends, take an FAV for a joy ride.  I thought it was like any other Volkswagen powered dune buggy, I never liked those air cooled boxer motors.

Sometimes Ernie was the passenger…

My dad’s photos of my brother’s test drive make it look like he was enjoying it.

…sometimes the driver.

Ernie would go on to become an Officer in the U.S. Navy, his last duty assignment at CentCom HQ in Florida, before early retirement.

My father ended up retiring early (too early for him, anyway) from USAF Civil Service, in the mid-1990s.

The U.S. Air Force intent was to use the former U.S. Army FAVs in the development of its Mobile Targeting Systems (like the LANTIRN program that helped kill the N/AW-10), as moving ground targets.

U.S. Army ‘s 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry, 9th Infantry Division (Light) FAV during exercise Team Spirit, in Korea, March 1986. U.S. Army photo by Al Chang.

TOW missile armed FAV, exercise Team Spirit, March 1986. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Arnold W. Kalmanson.

TOW missile armed FAV, exercise Team Spirit, March 1986. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Arnold W. Kalmanson.

TOW missile armed FAV, exercise Team Spirit, March 1986. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Arnold W. Kalmanson.

Over-watching the Han River crossing operation, March 1986. USA photo by Al Chang.

Photo by Sergeant Jimmie T. Dugans Junior, March 1986.

FAV armed with Mark 19 40mm grenade launcher. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Arnold W. Kalmanson, March 1986.

FAV with a 30mm chain gun (bolt is electrically operated by a chain drive system). Photo dated October 1984.

FAV with a 30mm chain gun (bolt is electrically operated by a chain drive system). Photo dated October 1984.

FAV prototype being tested on Fort Lewis, Washington, September 1982. USA photo by Master Sergeant Gene D. Tackett.

Chenowth FAV prototype being tested on Fort Lewis, Washington, September 1982. USA photo by Master Sergeant Gene D. Tackett.

Chenowth FAV prototype with M60D and Mk19, Fort Lewis, Washington. Conflicting dates on the photo, some prints say September 1982 while others say October 1983. USA photo by Master Sergeant Gene D. Tackett.

FAV with M2 and M60D, Fort Lewis, Washington, September 1982. USA photo by Second Lieutenant Alan Knox.

WW2 Vehicle I-D: RARE KAMIKAZE TYPE 4 FOUND ON USMC BASE IN CALIFORNIA!

Cold War (and beyond) Vehicle I-D: SUOMALAISET SISU XA-203, XA-180M, 90M CROTALE & 6×6

Technology

WW2 Vehicle I-D: Rare Kamikaze Type 4 found on USMC base in California!

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In June 2020, it was revealed that among the many armored vehicles stashed on the Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow (one of the many duty assignments of my hardcore Marine Grandfather), California, was a very rare Japanese Type 4 Ka-Tsus amphibious tank.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Robert Jackson, 10JUN2020.

Apparently only 49 were made before he end of World War Two, and this is supposedly the only one left alive.

USMC photo by Robert Jackson, 10JUN2020.

It was based on the Type 95 hull, and was originally intended to carry personnel and supplies from ship to shore and back again.  However, somebody decided to also use them in suicide attacks on U.S. ships, but testing in 1944 showed they were much to slow and noisy for such a sneaky job.

The Japanese AmTrack could carry 13mm machine guns, and during the Kamikaze testing was able to carry and launch two torpedoes (after setting sail from its submarine transport).

The USMC originally had the Ka-Tsu on display on Camp Pendleton, also in California.

The U.S. Marines found the Ka Tsu after the massive July 1945 attacks on Kure Harbor, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

USMC 2020: LAST RIDE FOR 1ST, 2ND & 4TH TANK

Idaho, International, U.S.

Battle ‘Damage’: Turkey deployment reveals Idaho A-10s are a bunch of dirty Pigs!

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Missing a chunk of paint off the nose. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 24OCT2016.

In April 2016, U.S. President Obama ‘secretly’ deployed (the deployment was secretly planned in 2015) the Idaho Air National Guard’s A-10Cs to NATO Turkey (even though he hated the A-10 and wanted to retire it).  A failed coup attempt in the NATO country revealed where Idaho’s Warthogs had been sent.

March of the Pigs. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 24OCT2016.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 24OCT2016.

The 124th Fighter Wing/190th Fighter Squadron’s mission in Turkey was to attack DAIISH (DA for al-DAwla, I for al-Islamiya, I for al-Iraq, SH al-SHam [al-Sham=Syria]), aka Islamic State, aka ISIS, aka ISIL, positions inside Syria.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 23OCT2016.

When the 124th FW/190th FS finally returned to The Gem State of Idaho, in October 2016, taxpayers got to see that A-10Cs aren’t afraid of getting down and dirty.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 24OCT2016.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 24OCT2016.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 24OCT2016.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Joshua C. Allmaras, 24OCT2016.

2016, Turkish coup attempt: TURKEY LOCKS-DOWN U.S. LED NATO BASE! HALTS IDAHO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST ISLAMIC STATE!

2015-16:

IDAHO SHOWS A-10C PRIDE WITH CITY NOSE ART

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

Technology

NATO Vehicle I-D: Latviski M109A5Ö (the Ö is for Österreich)

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In 2017, the small NATO member Latvia purchase 47 Austrian (Österreichisch) rebuilt M109A5s.  The M109A5s were formerly owned by the United Kingdom’s Royal Army. By October 2018, Austria delivered all 47 rebuilt M109A5s.

Latvians try out their ‘new to them’ M109A5Ö, November 2018. Canadian Forces photo by Aviator Jérôme Lessard.

Since NATO-Canada is the lead NATO element (Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia) in Latvia, they have been training Latvian artillery crews how to operate the U.S. designed Cold War era self propelled artillery gun system.

Latvijas Armija (Latvian Army) prep-to-fire a M109A5Ö, 15NOV2018. Canadian Armed Forces photo by Aviator Jérôme Lessard.

Latvijas Armija fire a M109A5Ö, 15NOV2018. Canadian Armed Forces photo by Aviator Jérôme Lessard.

Latvian M109A5Ö. Canadian Armed Forces photo by Aviator Jérôme Lessard, 15NOV2018.

M109A5Ö interior, photo by Wolfgang Cevela.

The Minister of Defense gets taken for a ride. Aizsardzības Ministrija photo by Gatis Dieziņš, 21MAR2019.

Aizsardzības Ministrija photo by Armīns Janiks, 20FEB2020.

March 2021: U.S. taxpayers donate ammo for Latvian M109A5Ö!

May 2021: Latvia decides to buy more M109A5Ös!

On public display, next to a tiny FV107 Scimitar, in the city of Cesis, 21AUG2021. Latvijas Aizsardzības Ministrija (Latvia Ministry of Defense) photo by Gatis Dieziņš.

Latvijas Aizsardzības Ministrija photo by Gatis Dieziņš, 26OCT2021.

Latvia 2017:  U.S. ARMOR SHOOTS UP BORDER NEAR RUSSIA, during NATO’s Operation Reassurance, U.S. tankers sent to hospital! 

Latvia 2016: Florida & Ohio Air National Guard spend U.S. tax dollars rebuilding Latvian schools

Technology

Zombie Tank: U.S. brings dead Iraqi T-55 back to life!

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U.S. Army photo, 16FEB2010.

In February 2010, personnel with the U.S. Army’s 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, pulled a dead T-55 from a junkyard near Forward Operating Base Marez, Iraq.

USA photo by Specialist Gregory Gieske, 16FEB2010.

The T-55 was being brought back to life for the Iraqi Ground Forces.

USA photo by Specialist Gregory Gieske, 16FEB2010.

Prior to 2010, many dead Iraqi T-55s were brought back to life for the reborn Iraqi Ground Forces (القوات البرية العراقية), and were ready for action by 2005.

A resurrected T-55 heading out on patrol on 09JUL2005.

Another reborn T-55, 09JUL2005.

A reborn T-55 patrolling outside the village of Al-Tahimah, 09JUL2005. Notice that the T-55s don’t yet have the U.S. antenna mounted.

Patrol of T-55s arrive at Camp Taji, 12APR2007. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Jon Cupp.

Reborn T-55s on Camp Taji, 12APR2007. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Jon Cupp.

Vehicle I-D:

IRAQI ARMOR, AFTER THE INVASION

Iraq 2003:

ARMOR BATTLE DAMAGE

Vehicle I-D:

COLD WAR ZOMBIE TANK T-55, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

U.S.

Disaster 2022: FEMA preps local police for Social Collapse!

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30 January 2022  (10:25-UTC-07 Tango 06) 10 Bahman 1400/26 Jumada t-Tania 1443/28 Ji-Chou(12th month) 4719

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), normally associated with natural disaster ‘recovery’, is now giving local law enforcers lessons on ‘domestic control’!

It is conducted by FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness “Training the Best for the Worst”, and includes the use of ‘mobile field force teams’, and ‘Field Force Operations’ which include the ‘legal’ application of crowd/riot control methods.

Connecticut National Guard photo by Timothy Koster, 10JAN2022.

On 10JAN2022, FEMA held such a class inside Connecticut’s William A. O’Neill Armory, in Hartford.

Connecticut National Guard photo by Timothy Koster, 10JAN2022.

Connecticut National Guard photo by Timothy Koster, 10JAN2022.

Disaster 2021: IDAHO MILITIA & BOISE FD TRAIN FOR SWIFT WATER RESCUES, WITHOUT WATER!

Title 5: FOR FIRST TIME, AIR NATIONAL GUARD HIRES CIVILIAN COPS! COVERT OP TO EXPAND FEDERAL POLICE FORCE?

Cascadia Airlift: JUST IN CASE YOU GET ISOLATED BY THE MASSIVE QUAKE & TSUNAMI

Technology

Cold War Aggressor: EA-7L the ‘electric’ TA-7C Corsair-2

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At least six U.S. Navy TA-7C Corsair-2 training aircraft were sent to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron VAQ-34 and converted to EA-7L electronic ‘aggressor’ aircraft.  Apparently they were still marked as TA-7Cs?

In this photo you can see that these VAQ-34 EA-7Ls(?) are still marked as TA-7Cs on the fuselage sides. VAQ-34 also flew ‘pure’ TA-7Cs, but both these aircraft are carrying black nosed Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) pods.

VAQ-34 was created in 1983, and based at Point Magu in California.  Point Magu is also the home of the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC).

A view of a TA-7C ‘pre-EA-7L’ Corsair II aircraft fitted with a pod carrying a Radar Signal Simulator (RSS), parked in front of Building 351 at the Pacific Missile Test Center, California. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

The EA-7L was the result of Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) testing, also at the PMTC, in 1982.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, EA-7L/TA-7C fitted with Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, EA-7L/TA-7C fitted with a red RSS pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

Pacific Missile Test Center, Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, TA-7C/EA-7L fitted with a red Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, EA-7L/TA-7C fitted with a white RSS pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

EA-7L Aggressor during the U.S. 3rd Fleet North Pacific Exercise at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. U.S. Air Force photo by Sergeant W. Thornton, 08NOV1987.

Carrying a black nosed RSS pod. U.S. Air Force photo by Sergeant W. Thornton, 08NOV1987.

U.S. Air Force photo by Sergeant W. Thornton, 08NOV1987.

About to be retired, EA-7L Corsair II of the Pacific Missile Test Center, 30DEC1991. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Bruce Trombecky.

Photo by Aeroprints.

One EA-7L crashed in 1990, another EA-7L was sold to Greece, two appear to be missing and the rest of the EA-7Ls were retired in 1991, apparently now rotting away at The Bone Yard that is Davis Monthan Air Force Base.

Photo by Aeroprints.

VAQ-34 was disbanded by the end of 1993, due to ‘aggressor’ duties being transferred to U.S. Naval Reserve units.

USAF A-7D: COLD WAR MAINTENANCE WALK AROUND