Videos

Technology

Cold War & Beyond: The long life & violent death of USS Denver

Video

Between July 22nd and 26th, 2022, the Austin-class amphibious transport dock-ship USS Denver (LPD 9) was slowly executed by U.S. and Japanese air and ground launched ‘firing squads’, more than 50 nautical miles north of Kauai, Hawaii, during wargame RimPac (Rim of the Pacific) 2022.  Dramatic U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Andre T. Richard:

The ground forces of the United States and Japan used Type 12 anti-ship missiles, as well as missiles launched by HIMARS.

F/A-18 Hornet takes off from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, armed with a Harpoon anti-ship missile. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Haley Fourmet Gustavsen, 22JUL2022.

The U.S. Navy (USN) used Hornets and Super Hornets to launch a variety of missiles while the U.S. Army used AH-64 Apache gunships to launch Hellfire anti-tank missiles, and the Marines used their AH-1Z Viper (Cobra) gunships.

AH-1Z leaves Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe, Hawaii. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Tyler Andrews, 22JUL2022.

USS Chafee (DDG 90) fires upon LPD-9 with its Mark 45 gun, the night of 22JUL2022. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Gwendelyn L. Ohrazda.

The USN’s guided-missile destroyer USS Chaffee (DDG 90) joined in by making pot-shots with its Mark 45, 5-inch gun.  The violent end to a long serving ship was part of something called a Sinking Exercise (SinkEx), and was overseen by officers of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

LPD 9 illuminated by flares fired by DDG 90, 22JUL2022. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Gwendelyn L. Ohrazda.

LPD 9 being towed to its execution, 20JUL2022. U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Quentin Todd.

U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Quentin Todd, LPD 9 towed out to sea to serve as a target, 20JUL2022:

LPD 9 was the second USN ship sunk during this year’s RimPac:

LIFE & VIOLENT DEATH OF USS RODNEY M. DAVIS

LPD 9’s keel was laid down on 07FEB1964, launched on 23JAN1965, commissioned on 26OCT1968.

Good Bye Japan, final voyage for LPD 9 as it heads back home to Hawaii, for decommissioning. USN photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Cameron McCulloch, 23JUL2014.

LPD 9 was decommissioned on 14AUG2014.  There were reports that the ship would be sold to Malaysia, but that obviously did not happen. U.S. Navy video/interviews, by Petty Officer Second Class Jerome Johnson, of decommissioning:

Department of Defense report:

Final wargame for LPD 9, off the coast of Korea, as part of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 27MAR2014. photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Michael Achterling.

In 2014, LPD 9 was the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy inventory. USN video, by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Bradley J. Gee, of an old World War Two era LCU backing out of the ‘well deck’ of LPD 9, March 2014:

02AUG2013, USNS Yukon (T-AO 202), resupplies LPD 9. In July 2000, Yukon and LPD 9 collided, causing major damage but no injuries to the crew. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Edward Guttierrez the Third.

Automatic boiler control. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Joshua Hammond, 26JUL2013.

Throttle control. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Joshua Hammond, 26JUL2013.

Somewhere in the Philippine Sea, 23SEP2012. LPD 9 was part of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) ARG. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lacordrick Wilson.

West Army Pier in Okinawa, Japan. USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Spencer Mickler, 23SEP2011.

Somewhere in the East China Sea, while part of the USS Essex (LHD 2) ARG. USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Andrew Ryan Smith, 08SEP2010.

2010 USN video report, LPD 9 suffered rudder damage:

U.S. Marines return to LPD 9, during their humanitarian response mission after the Sumatran earthquakes, 16OCT2009. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Rodolfo Toro.

MH-53E Sea Dragon lands on LPD 9, during humanitarian response to Typhoon Morakot, 19AUG2009.

Somewhere off the coast of California, 24JUN1997. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Jeff Viano.

A CH-46 Sea Knight lands aboard LPD 9, for more humanitarian supplies destine for Somalia, 14FEB1994. USN photo by Journalist Chief Petty Officer Millie J. Tamberg.

A UH-1N Iroquois (Huey) prepares to take-off from LPD 9 during humanitarian mission in Somalia, 14FEB1994. USN photo by Journalist Chief Petty Officer Millie J. Tamberg.

RimPac 1990.

Somewhere off the coast of California, 31MAY1986. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Grzezdzinski.

31MAY1986, USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Grzezdzinski.

31MAY1986, USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Grzezdzinski.

Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, 27JUN1985.

LPD 9 was reportedly the last USN ship to serve in Viet Nam, during the U.S. involvement in that Cold War conflict, helping to evacuate Vietnamese, and Cambodians, who did not want to be part of the communist system (called Operation Frequent Wind/Eagle Pull/New Life/Helping Hand). Very short piece of film of Operation Frequent Wind, which took place from April to May 1975:

Ode to LHD 6: SHORT LIFE OF USS BONHOMME RICHARD

Technology

Vehicle I-D, Cold War & Beyond: Jordanian Cobras الكوبرا الأردني, or How to rebuild your AH-1S/F.

Video

Eager Lion wargame, 14SEP2022. Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh via Xinhua News.

Towards the end of 2021, Jordan donated two of its Cold War era AH-1S/F Cobras to the Philippine Air Force.  The donation actually officially happened in 2018, but the Filipino pilots had been training in Jordan, including becoming AH-1S/F instructors, and were not ready until 2021 (delayed by the Pandemic?).

In 2020, there was a report that Jordan was getting rid of its AH-1S/F Cobras, which is shocking considering they underwent major upgrades in the United States in 2018-19.

U.S. Army photo by Richard Bumgardner, 10APR2019.

Towards the end of 2018, Royal Jordanian AH-1S/F Cobras (Bell 209) began upgrades at Northrop and Science and Engineering Services (aka SES) facilities in Huntsville, Alabama.

USA photo by Richard Bumgardner, 10APR2019.

The upgrades were coordinated through U.S. Army Security Assistance Command.  It is hoped Jordan can use the helicopter gunships for another 20 years. 

USA photo by Richard Bumgardner, 10APR2019.

U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Joshua L. DeMotts, 17APR2018.

Double trouble. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Joshua L. DeMotts, 17APR2018.

In 2017, there was a report that Jordan was donating AH-1S/F Cobras to the African country of Kenya.

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Ian Valley, 18MAY2016.

U.S. Marine Corps video report, by Lance Corporal Manuel Benavides, Eager Lion wargame, May 2016:

USA photo by Specialist Ian Valley, 18MAY2016.

In 2015, it was revealed that Israel donated U.S. contractor upgraded AH-1 Cobras to Jordan.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Sean Searfus, 18MAY2015.

U.S. Army photo by Major Brian Fickel, 05JUN2014.

USA photo by Major Brian Fickel, 05JUN2014.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Austin Hazard. 03JUN2014.

USMC photo by Sergeant Austin Hazard. 03JUN2014.

Jordanian Bell AH-1S/F Cobra during Exercise Eager Tiger, May 2014.

U.S. Air Force video, by Technical Sergeant Bryan Magee, Jordanian Cobras arrive, 12MAY2014:

USAF video, by Technical Sergeant Bryan Magee, Jordanian Cobra gunnery, 14MAY2014:

USAF video, by Staff Sergeant Roidan Carlson, Cobras attack, 14MAY2014:

USAF video, by Airman First Class Danny Rangel, infantry support, 14MAY2014:

In 2010, at the behest of the United States government, Jordan donated 16 AH-1S/F Cobras to Pakistan.

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

Despite the sequence of letters, the S variant actually came before the F variant.  During the Cold War, AH-1Q Cobras were upgraded to the AH-1S variant, with at least three additional upgrades which resulted in the AH-1F.

Photo by Staff Sergeant Mike Haggerty, 01AUG1985.

Jordan was one of the first foreign users of the AH-1S/F, beginning in 1985.

Photo by Staff Sergeant Mike Haggerty, 01AUG1985.

Photo by Staff Sergeant Mike Haggerty, 01AUG1985.

Vehicle I-D: Jordan donates IRAQI HUEY, U.S. taxpayers pay for it.

JORDANIAN SHIELD اردني درع

Technology

Cold War & Beyond: Life & violent death of USS Rodney M. Davis

Video

Image possibly recorded by California Air National Guard MQ-9A Reaper drone, 12JUL2022.

On 12JUL2022, naval forces from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and the United States, intentionally attacked the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate, USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), using Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

It was part of the Sinking Exercise (SinkEx), during the Rim of the Pacific (RimPac) wargames near Hawaii.  RimPac is conducted from June 29 through August 4, and involves 26 countries, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25-thousand personnel rampaging around Hawaii and California. RimPac wargames are left-over from the Cold War, starting in 1971.

Dramatic Royal Canadian Navy/U.S. Navy (USN) music video of death of FFG 60,  12JUL2022:

The Royal Malaysian Navy made history by launching anti-ship missiles, for the first time, outside of Malaysian territory. Royal Malaysian Navy video of Harpoon launch, 12JUL2022:

Silent USN video of death of FFG 60, 12JUL2022:

Royal Canadian Navy slo-mo video of Harpoon launch from HMCS Winnipeg, 12JUL2022:

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Brandon Vinson, 12JUL2022.

The USN launched their AGM-84D-1 Harpoons from Boeing P-8A Poseidons.

Photo via Todd Pacific Shipyards, 08FEB1985.

The keel for FFG 60 was laid on 08FEB1985, in Los Angeles, California, by Todd Pacific Shipyards.

Judy P. Davis, widow of FFG 60’s namesake Rodney Maxwell Davis, christens the guided missile frigate R.M. DAVIS (FFG-60). Photo via Todd Pacific Shipyards, 11JAN1986

FFG 60 was launched in Los Angeles, California, on 11JAN1986.

Photo via Todd Pacific Shipyards, 11JAN1986.

USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Michael D. P. Flynn, 09MAY1987.

FFG 60 was commissioned on 09MAY1987. It was decommissioned on 23JAN2015.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Justin A. Johndro, 19DEC2014.

On 19DEC2014, FFG 60 returned to its  home port of Everett, Washington.  Video of its final homecoming by Petty Officer Third Class Seth Coulter:

USN video, by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins, FFG 60 gets refueled by USNS Pecos, 21OCT2014:

Final firing of FFG 60’s Phalanx Close-In Weapons System, 29OCT2014. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins.

FFG 60 is dwarfed by oiler USNS Tippecanoe, while on its final cruise, somewhere in the Indian Ocean. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins, 04OCT2014.

Final live-fire of its Mark 38 25mm machine gun, 01OCT2014. The Mark 38 replaced the original missile launcher. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins.

Final Firing of the Mark 75 gun, 25AUG2014. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Derek A. Harkins.

Royal Canadian Armed Forces video, FFG 60 during RimPac 08JUL2014:

USN video, FFG 60 arrives for RimPac 27JUN2008:

The Mark 75 76mm/62-caliber gun mounted amidships. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Michael D. P. Flynn, 09MAY1987.

Cold War & Beyond: SOLD FOR ONE PENNY! The Humiliating DEATH OF THE COLD WAR RELIC USS KITTY HAWK

 

Technology

Ode to LHD-6: Short life of USS Bonhomme Richard

Video

U.S. Navy Wasp Class Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) had its keel laid down on 28JUN1995, at Ingalls Shipyard in Pasagoula, Mississippi. Launched on 14MAR1997.

Launch of LHD-6, Ingalls Shipyard at Pasagoula, Mississippi, 14MAR1997. USN photo.

LHD-6 was commissioned as USS Bonhomme Richard on 15AUG1998. Decommissioned on 15APR2021, due to massive damage caused by sabotage.

Non-operational, AV-8A Harrier static trainer (note missing canopy) onboard LHD-6, 26MAR2001. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Gilbert Lopez.

How you get your PT onboard LHD-6. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Gilbert Gomez, 27MAR2001.

25mm cannon, 27MAR2001, USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Felix Garza.

Bunks for the Marines. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Gilbert Gomez, 31MAR2001.

A MH-60S Sea Hawk lifts supplies from the deck of LHD-6, during humanitarian response to the December 2004 Indian Ocean quake/tsunami. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Juan E. Diaz, 06JAN2005.

Near the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, 08JAN2005. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Robert S. Cole.

Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC, hovercraft), from LHD-6, delivers humanitarian aid to the city of Meulaboh, on Sumatra, Indonesia, 10JAN2005. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Bart A. Baver.

LHD 6 returns to home-port San Diego, California, after a busy deployment. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Prince A Hughes the Third, 06JUN2005.

Taking part in the Parade of Ships in Seattle, Washington, 03AUG2005. USN photo by Journalist Petty Officer First Class Ralph Radford.

‘Vertical Replenishment’ (VertRep), USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Apprentice Bryan Niegel, 11APR2006.

AAV7A1 (Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7A1) heads for home, 26APR2006. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Mark Patterson the Second.

During wargame Rim of the Pacific (RimPac) 2006. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James R. Evans, 25JUL2006.

Taking part in Fleet Week, in San Francisco Bay, California, 07OCT2006. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Roland Franklin.

Mark 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System, 27NOV2006. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Emmanuel Rios.

USN video, by Petty Officer First Class Keith Jones, LHD 6 departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for PacRim 2010:

2011 USN interview, by Petty Officer Second Class Lawrence Davis, of Seattle resident Sarah Meyer who is impressed by LHD 6:

LHD 6 sails into Sasebo, Japan, 09APR2012. Notice the old 1st gen Harrier trainer on the deck. USN photo by Joe Kane.

Until April 2012, LHD 6 called San Diego, California, its home port.  Sasebo, Japan, became LHD 6’s new home port officially on 23APR2012.

LHD 6 relieved sibling ship LHD 2. USN photo by Joe Kane, 06APR2012.

The Mess Deck wasn’t just for meals; it was used for promotion exams, playing board games, watching the Super Bowl, cake eating ceremonies, etc. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lacordrick Wilson, 12OCT2012.

In April 2014, during rough weather, LHD 6 took part in the search for victims of the sunken Korean ferry Sewol.  USN video by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Christian Senyk:

LHD 6 bridge ops during Sewol recovery operation, April 2014. USN video by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Christian Senyk:

USN video by Petty Officer Third Class Cameron McCulloch, 30DEC2014, securing the anchor chains of LHD 6:

How many rubber boats can you get into LHD 6? USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Kevin V. Cunningham, 02FEB2015.

2015 USN video by Petty Officer Second Class Matthew Dickinson, how to shoot a M2HB .50 cal from the LHD 6:

LHD 6 led Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) of 2015.  USN music video by Petty Officer Second Class Matthew Dickinson:

Timelapse video by Petty Officer Third Class Cameron McCulloch, MV-22B Osprey launch from LHD 6, 13MAR2015:

In April 2016, LHD 6 took part in humanitarian ops after the Kumamoto Earthquake, in Japan.  Video report by Seaman Michael Sanchez:

AV-8B Harrier operations onboard LHD-6, August 2016. USMC video by  Lance Corporal David A. Diggs:

March 2017 gunnery (M2HB, M240 & Mark 35) fest video by Petty Officer Third Class Jeanette Mullinax:

March 2017, Mark 15 Phalanx loading and burping, video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Kyle Carlstrom:

In June 2017, LHD 6 was attacked by a Zombie Killer Tomato! USMC gunners repelled the attack using their trusty M240 light machine gun. USMC video by Lance Corporal Garett Burns:

July 2017, USN ‘birth canal’ point of view video, by Mass Communication Specialist second Class Diana Quinlan, of LHD 6 giving birth (and then taking it back!) to LCAC (hovercraft):

21 gun salute for lost MV-22 Osprey crewmembers, 09AUG2017. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Diana Quinlan.

On 05AUG2017, one of LHD 6’s MV-22 Osprey crashed in The Coral Sea. Three crewmembers were killed.

USN video by Mass Communication Specialist second Class Diana Quinlan, showing use of World War Two era LCU (Landing Craft Utility) for amphibious ops, August 2017:

In February 2018, USMC Lance Corporal Richard Lin talks about his first impressions of LHD 6. USMC video interview by Lance Corporal Austin Weck:

U.S. Army photo montage by Sergeant Dahnyce Baucom, of Pacific operations involving LHD 6, February 2018:

In 2012, LHD 6 was ‘forward deployed’ to Japan. In May 2018, LHD 6 returned to San Diego, California.  The plan was to take part in the 2018 RimPac, then return to San Diego for upgrades that would allow it to handle the new super-expensive F-35 Lightning-2.  Dramatic USN music video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Diana Quinlan:

USN video, by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Travis Litke, of hovercraft (LCAC) launch while the Star Spangled Banner can barely be heard in the background, during RimPac, 26JUL2018:

After what would become LHD 6’s final RimPac wargame, it made what would become its final port-of-call into San Francisco Bay, on 30SEP2018, for what would become its final Fleet Week. USN video by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Travis S. Alston:

COUNTDOWN TO THE END:

In a possible portent of things to come, on 31JAN2019 the crew of LHD 6, and the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, and San Diego Federal Fire Department, conducted a damage control drill. Video report by Petty Officer Second Class Benjamin Kittleson and Petty Officer Third Class Gavin T Shields:

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Cosmo Walrath, 07FEB2019.

On 07FEB2019, LHD 6’s outgoing commander held an All Hands Call, explaining to the crew that they needed to be “Ready Now, Ready Always”, and announces a new self-improvement program called ‘Rise Above’, saying “We’re going to have resources to help you personally and professionally. We’re going to have new events and training every month. You’re never going to be Ready Now! Ready Always! if you don’t self-improve.  Our primary goal is to have you leave this command better than when you arrived.” Sounds to me like there was a problem with crew morale.

Then in March 2019, and despite the All Hands Call that indicated crew morale problems, LHD 6 was given the Navy’s Retention Excellence Award (supposedly for achieving 75% reenlistments in fiscal year 2018), which is also known as The Golden Anchor Award! Video report by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Gavin Shields:

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Benjamin Kittleson, 26APR2019.

In April 2019, an LHD 6 crewmember was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, for capturing a woman who was threatening a religious congregation.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Gavin Shields, 13MAY2019.

In May 2019, the crew of LHD 6 conducted a quarterly ‘Safety Tune Up’.

In June 2019, an LHD 6 Sailor was killed in a single-vehicle accident, near Interstate 8 in San Diego.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Gavin Shields, 21NOV2019.

On 21NOV2019, LHD 6 got a new commanding officer.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Gavin Shields, 27APR2020.

In April 2020, the crew of LHD 6 begins CoViD (Corona Virus Disease) Pandemic mandate ops.

USS Bonhomme Richard, 2022: PUNISHMENTS FOR LACK OF LEADERSHIP

2021: STEEL INFERNO, ONE YEAR LATER, SABOTAGE & LACK OF LEADERSHIP=DEATH OF A SHIP!

July 2020: INTO THE STEEL INFERNO!

KNIGHTHAWKS FIGHT TO SAVE LHD 6!

Cold War Battle Damage: USS TRIPOLI LPH-10 DESERT STORM

Cold War Subs: USS NAUTILUS (SSN-571), STILL FIGHTING AFTER 67 YEARS! FIRST BORN IN LAND-LOCKED IDAHO?

Vehicle I-D: THE MANY LIVES OF LST-786

U.S.

U.S. Disaster 2022: Arizona Militia Sandbags latest Flooding

Video

Arizona Army National Guard image by Major Kyle Key.

On 16JUL2022, more than 30 personnel from the 850th Military Police Battalion deployed to help fill more than 5-thousand sandbags.  Then, the next day (17JUL2022), approximately 60 additional personnel of the Arizona National Guard deployed to the Coconino County Public Works Department, to help fill as many as 600-thousand sandbags before the end of the week.

This is due to monsoon flooding, which caused ‘shelter-in-place’ orders to be issued to some of the residents of areas that had been devastated by wildfires in recent years, the burn areas now become zones of large flash flooding during the monsoon season.

Arizona Army National Guard image by Major Kyle Key.

On 15JUL2022, administrators of Coconino County asked for help from the National Guard.  It turns out that many of the militia personnel were already taking part in their ‘summer camp’ training, just 25 miles away, and some of them actually live in Coconino County:  “We just pivoted those soldiers over there and re-directed them to the Coconino Public Works building… …There are some who are from this area. That is what’s beautiful about it. We are part of the community in which we serve.”-Major Kyle Key, Arizona Army National Guard

Arizona Army National Guard shows you how to ‘sandbag’ on the job, video by Major Kyle Key:

 

U.S. Disaster 2022: MONTANA MILITIA DEPLOYS AFTER MAJOR FLOODING!

IDAHO AIR GUARD DEPLOYS TO CHEROKEE NATION!

U.S. Food Crisis 2022: KENTUCKY MILITIA DEPLOYED FOR WATER SHORTAGE, “BAD WENT TO WORSE!”

Technology

Cold War Helicopters: Dragon crashes into Antarctic Ocean

Video

During the United States’ Operation Highjump (aka Project Highjump), in 1946-47, a Sikorsky HO3S-1 helicopter (called Dragonfly by the British) crashed into the Antarctic Ocean (aka Southern Ocean).

The silent color film, by U.S. Army Private E. Zinberg, dated 19JAN1947, shows the Dragonfly approaching USS Pine Island (AV-12), the film cuts out for a second then shows the Sikorsky diving into the water. The pilot, and the observer, are rescued:

There is an attempt to salvage the helicopter, but the order is given to let the Dragonfly go:

This crash happened about a week after the rescue of the crew, and passenger, of a U.S. Navy PBM-5 Mariner, code named George 1, which had been missing since 30DEC1946.  The search was frantic, not just because nobody knew what happened, but the commanding officer of the USS Pine Island was onboard the missing seaplane.  The crew and VIP (very important person) passenger that survived (three crewmembers died) the crash of George 1, were rescued on 12JAN1947.

According to Peter J. Anderson, who worked for the Office of Polar Programs-National Science Foundation, a total of seven helicopters were used during Operation Highjump.  On 19JAN1947, H03S-1 helicopter (Bureau Number [BuNo] 57996) was sent to find pack-ice that could launch aircraft for a photographic mission, ordered by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd.  The HO3S-1 returned early due to icing of the rotary wings.  Ironically, just feet from the deck of USS Pine Island, the icing suddenly became worse causing to HO3S-1 to drop straight into the ocean.  Just three days later, a second HO3S-1 was lost.  BuNo 579997 was launched from the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea, it was hit by a downdraft and shoved into the ocean, the crew was rescued.

The two HO3S-1 helicopters were two of the four aircraft lost during Operation Highjump.

Cold War Helicopters:

USAF photo.

SIKORSKY DRAGONFLY (WS-51 or R-5 or H-5/SH-5 or HO3S-1)

KAMOV 25 ‘HORMONE’

Kit Bashing, Technology

1:1 scale F-15E gets new colors, via vinyl decals.

Video

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Austin Salazar, 11JUL2022.

The U.S. Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing unveiled new heritage colors at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, in the United Kingdom.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Austin Salazar, 11JUL2022.

75 years of the U.S. Air Force.

USAF photo by Airman Austin Salazar.

USAF photo by Airman Austin Salazar, 11JUL2022.

80 years of U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE).

Video, with dramatic music, by Airman Seleena Muhammad-Ali:

USAF photo by Airman First Class Jacob Wood, 14JUL2022.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Jacob Wood, 14JUL2022.

2021: RE-BUILD A 1:1 SCALE F-15 CANOPY

World War 3: 1ST TIME LEGION POD SHOOT-DOWN FOR F-15 EAGLE

Vehicle I-D: The new F-15EX HAS ARRIVED! COMMANDER SAYS “IT’S AN EX-CITING DAY!”

2019: PAINTING A P-51 WITH VINYL DECALS?

U.S.

Biden’s War: Pennsylvania Militia trains in Texas, on way to Middle East.

Video

12 July 2022  (14:05-UTC-07 Tango 06) 21 Tir 1401/12 Dhu l-Hijja 1443/14 Ding-Wei 4720

M2HB heavy machine gun training,18JUN2022. Pennsylvania National Guard photo.

Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 252nd Quartermaster Company has been on Fort Hood, Texas, training for their deployment to somewhere in The Middle East (South West Asia).

Forklift training, 11JUL2022. Pennsylvania National Guard photo.

Being a ‘Quartermaster’ unit, their main job is logistics, so that is what much of the training focused on.  Don’t want any supply chain shortages for the troops in The Middle East.

On Fort Hood, 08JUL2022. Pennsylvania National Guard photo.

These Conex boxes contain the 252nd’s gear, for shipment to The Middle East.

Approximately 200 Soldiers got on the bus, 05JUN2022. Pennsylvania Army National Guard photo by Private First Class David Thomson.

Leaving for Texas, 05JUN2022. Pennsylvania Army National Guard video by Private First Class David Thomson:

The busses took them to the airport. Pennsylvania Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Zane Craig, 05JUN2022.

Biden’s War:  IDAHO, MONTANA, OREGON STUCK IN A DEPLOYMENT LOOP!

Biden-NATO War:  “A NEW SHOW”, MORE DEPLOYMENTS, “VIGILANCE ACTIVITY”!

U.S.

U.S. Food Crisis: Kentucky Militia deployed for Water Shortage, “Bad went to worse!”

Video

11 July 2022  (18:11-UTC-07 Tango 06) 20 Tir 1401/11 Dhu l-Hijja 1443/13 Ding-Wei 4720

Kentucky Army National Guard photo by Sergeant First Class Benjamin Crane, 01JUL2022.

“We can live without electricity, we can live without the Internet. One thing you definitely can’t live without is water. And it becomes something that we sometimes take for granted.”-Adam Ledford, City of Marion

Beginning 24JUN2022, personnel with Kentucky Army National Guard’s 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company, as well as the 206th Engineer Battalion, 201st Engineer Battalion, and 103rd Chemical Battalion, have been working to bring potable water to the town of Marion.

Kentucky Army National Guard photo by Sergeant First Class Benjamin Crane, 01JUL2022.

Side note: Despite what dictionaries/word-smiths say is the source of the word potable, people should pronounce potable as pot-able (or pot-a-bul), as in the water is able to be used in a pot for cooking/drinking. Non-potable, of course, is water that is not able to be used in a pot for cooking/drinking.

On 22JUN2022, it was reported that administrators in Crittenden County were scrambling to solve a water shortage problem caused by attempts by City of Marion administrators to drain Lake George.

Lake George was the primary water source for Marion, but in April erosion in the lake’s levee suddenly developed into a sink-hole.  An attempt was made to drain the Lake George, to prevent total failure of the levee and a resulting massive flood of the town.  At first the standard way of draining was not making good progress, so they decided to breech the levee on purpose.

Observing Old City Lake. Kentucky Army National Guard photo by Sergeant First Class Benjamin Crane, 01JUL2022.

Marion officials had ordered water collection to be switched to the smaller City Lake (aka Old City Lake, which looks more like a big pond), thinking it held one month’s worth of water, and that surely would be enough, but whoopsie, turns out City Lake held only 18-days worth!  Apparently what was negatively affecting Lake George is also affecting nearby lakes: “Throughout that process, we were able to begin to put together the picture that it looked like what was causing the issue had something to do with our intake system and damage to our intake system that runs underneath the levee and into the bottom of the lake. Bad went to worse, we lost over a week’s water supply just because of new data that was developed on our secondary source, which had now become our primary source. So, in essence, you can argue that we lost not only one water supply, but quite honestly, we lost two-plus water supplies in this process.”-Adam Ledford, City of Marion

There are several options for the City of Marion; rely on other cities and other counties for water, which will greatly jack-up water costs for Marion residents.  Or, have the Governor call in the National Guard and make emergency taxpayer funded water deliveries until a long term solution proves viable.

Kentucky Army National Guard photo by Sergeant First Class Benjamin Crane, 01JUL2022.

Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and initially deployed approximately 20 Army National Guard Combat Engineers.

WSIL video report, three days of potable water left as of 06JUL2022, multiple new leaks:

On 07JUL2022, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced it will attempt to connect Marion with water from the Crittenden-Livingston Water District.  Also, Webster County Water has been suppling water, and, Marion officials approved a plan to build a three miles long system to connect to the Caldwell County Water District in Princeton.  However, all these expensive water connections to other systems will supply only half of the City of Marion’s water needs. Additional efforts are being attempted.

The City of Marion is a rural city with a population of about 3-thousand.

U.S. Food Crisis, 2022: WALMART FEEDS FOR FREEDOM? THE MILITARY CHOWS DOWN ON THE REAL HUNGER GAMES!

U.S. Disaster, 2022: MONTANA MILITIA DEPLOYS AFTER MAJOR FLOODING!

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

Technology

Robot Wars, 2025: That’s no FLIR pod, that’s a robot flying that helicopter! Or, whatever happened to AACUS?

Video

U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams, 11DEC2015.

AACUS (pronounced Ay-Kus, and not to be confused with the new British empire/Biden alliance known as AUKUS) = Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System

Boeing AH/MH-6 (MD 500) supposedly operated by a robot. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Samuel Ellis, 27FEB2014.

On 27FEB2014, a public demonstration was made of a new technology that supposedly would make human pilots for helicopters a thing of the past.  Over U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico, in Virginia, a Boeing AH/MH-6 (aka MD 500) combat (yes, the MD500 is mainly a combat ‘copter, not cargo) rotary wing was supposedly flown by AACUS, a system of software and sensors, which purportedly could be applied to any existing helicopter.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Samuel Ellis, 27FEB2014.

“This is a Navy-Marine Corps team project. We’ve taken a landing system that can autonomously land an unmanned helicopter or aircraft into a very dangerous landing zone, potentially with the touch of a tablet. This is an expeditionary type of capability and there was no better place to test it than Quantico.”-Rear Admiral Matt Klunder

Supposedly this Kaman K-Max is being flown by a robot. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Samuel Ellis, 20MAR2014.

Then on 20MAR2014, over Marine Corps Base Quantico, a Kaman K-Max cargo helicopter was also flown by AACUS, mounted on the belly between the main landing gear.

According to the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps (USN/USMC), as of April 2014, AACUS had  cost taxpayers $98-million, since the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Innovative Naval Prototype program was started in 2012.

Notice the human pilot does not have his hands on the the control stick. U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams, 11DEC2015.

In December 2015, another AACUS demonstration was held using a Bell 206L (aka Kiowa), this time at the Flying Circus Aerodrome located in Bealeton, Virginia.

USN photo by John F. Williams, 11DEC2015.

USN photo by John F. Williams, 25MAY20216.

In May 2016, a different Bell 206 was tested with AACUS.

USMC video report by Corporal Thor Larson, 25MAY2016:

USN photo by John F. Williams, 30NOV2017.

Between February 2017 and November 2017, more public demonstrations, this time with a Viet Nam era Bell UH-1H ‘Huey’, and this time they were really talking-up AACUS: “This is more than just an unmanned helicopter. AACUS is an autonomy kit that can be placed on any rotary-wing platform and provide it with an autonomous capability. Imagine a Marine Corps unit deployed in a remote location, in rough terrain, needing ammunition, water, batteries or even blood. With AACUS, an unmanned helicopter takes the supplies from the base, picks out the optimal route and best landing site closest to the warfighters, lands, and returns to base once the resupply is complete, all with the single touch of a handheld tablet.”-Walter Jones, Executive Director of ONR

USMC natural sound video, by John F. Williams, of final testing of AACUS over Marine Corps Base Quantico, 12DEC2017:

USN photo by John F. Williams, 30NOV2017.

However, Lieutenant General Robert Walsh, of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, admitted they still didn’t know what to do with this latest & greatest technology, saying “…it’s up to us to determine how to use it…”

USN photo by John F. Williams, 15FEB2017.

Officials with the AACUS program also pointed out that the system can also be used to help human pilots in inclement weather: “It can be used as a pilot aid in degraded visual environments…”-Dennis Baker, AACUS program officer

USN photo by John F. Williams, 15FEB2017.

USMC dramatic music video explainer,  by Sergeant Laiqa Hitt, 13DEC20217:

It was also revealed that AACUS is a technology that is part of the Department of Defense’s Force 2025, a modernization program started in 1995 and based on hypotheticals of what future warfare my require.  Each branch of the DoD has their own term for it, the USMC calls theirs Marine Corps Force 2025, and for fiscal year 2017 they claimed that Phase II of Force 2025 was “way ahead”.

Dramatic video report, 13DEC2017, by John F. Williams (for some reason the audio for the last half of the report is silent):

USMC natural sound video, by John F. Williams, of presentation of AACUS to news media on Marine Corps Base Quantico, 15DEC2017:

USMC photo by Matt Lyman, 14MAY2018.

In 2018, AACUS testing was moved to Twenty Nine Palms, California.

Robot Huey refueling at a Forward Area Refueling Point. USMC photo by Matt Lyman, 14MAY2018.

Integrated Training Exercise 3-18 (in May 2018) is considered the first time an AACUS flown rotary wing aircraft flew, and delivered cargo, during a wargame.

Not much has been reported about AACUS since 2018, but in 2021, Vertical Magazine revealed that wildfire fighting contractor Columbia Helicopters was working with Aurora Flight Systems to apply AACUS to be able to conduct aerial fire fighting at night.

ASPNT Huey, photo via Aurora Flight Sciences.

On 10JAN2022, Aurora Flight Sciences revealed they were working on an upgraded AACUS which will use ‘detect & avoid’ systems to prevent midair collisions, and a ‘GPS-Denied’ system (All Source Position, Navigation, and Timing, aka ASPNT) to allow robot aircraft to fly where GPS is not available.

Aurora Flight Sciences is a subsidiary of Boeing, they are also involved with programs to integrate humans and robots, and developing anti-drone systems.

In June 2022, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (aka CAL FIRE) made the first, ever in the U.S., series of night time water bombings on a wildfire called the Electra Fire. The Sikorsky S70i Fire Hawk was modified by United Rotorcraft, there was no indication what type of night flying system was being used.

U.S. Army photo, September 2017.

In September 2017, the U.S. Army conducted a robot helicopter operation using two Bell 206s (officially called RMAX UAS) to lift a 20 pound object and then fly it through an aerial obstacle course over Moffett Federal Airfield, California.  It is part of the Army’s AMRDEC Aviation Development Directorate autonomous program, ongoing since 2002.

U.S. Air Force, 1996: An Operational Analysis for Air Force 2025

U.S. Army, 2015: Force 2025 and Beyond

Royal Canadian Army, 2022: Due to lack of labor (being short 8-thousand personnel), the Force 2025 structure was adopted and is now being implemented.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), 2022: Battle Force 2025, the U.S. plan to defend Taiwan 

Operation Jupiter: COMBONET A-I ROBOT SAYS REMDESIVIR IS THE NEW WONDER DRUG!

Zombie Tank: CHINA’S TYPE 59D TO LIVE-ON AS A ROBOT TANK?

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

Robot Wars: BEWARE THE ZOMBIE KIOWA!

Texas Air National Guard hires robots to wash their F-16s!