Tag Archives: afghanistan

Technology

Vehicle I-D: Mil 24 Hind ‘Satan’s Chariots’, Cold War and beyond

Video

Mil Mi-24/25/35, NATO reporting name Hind.

From a U.S. Army vehicle identification poster, September 1981.

Russian news media propaganda report on Mi-24P (30mm guns) and Ka-52 action in Ukraine, October 2022:

This is a Ukrainian Mi-24V, supposedly of those donated by NATO Czech Republic.

In August 2022, Russia revoked licensed Mil helicopter operations for NATO-Czech Republic and NATO-Bulgaria, after they donated Hinds to Ukraine. 

In August 2022, Brazil flew its 12 Mi-35M4s for the last time, officially.  Brazil calls its Hinds the AH-2 Saber.  Brazil has been operating Saber-Hinds since at least 2011.  Local news media reports say the high cost of maintaining them was exacerbated by recent U.S./NATO sanctions on Russia.

Video from June 2022, Russian ‘Z’ Hinds (Mi-35M, with 23mm guns in the chin-turret), somewhere over Ukraine:

In May 2022, NATO Czech republic claims to have given Ukraine some of their Mi-24Vs.

March 2022: Hinds with invasion stripes?

In December 2021, a video appeared claiming to show rebels in Yemen now have a usable Hind helicopter:

In August 2021, Taliban took control of donated Mi-35 helicopters, after the sudden withdrawal of U.S./NATO forces from Afghanistan.  See more about the more than four decades long love affair the Afghans have for ‘Satan’s Chariot’ in ZOMBIE ‘COPTER: HOW THE HIND RETURNED TO AFGHANISTAN (with the help of NATO), AND WHY IT WON’T DIE.

U.S. Army photo by Major Robert Fellingham.

In June 2021, U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches and NATO-Bulgarian Hinds took part in a joint Apache-Hind wargame, supposedly for the first time.

In August 2020, Rostec State Corporation’s Russian Helicopters division announced it will begin mass-production of its new export Hind, the Mi-35P. 

Belarussian Mi-24.

At the beginning of August 2020, Belarus claimed that NATO-Lithuania invaded its territory.  The ‘invasion’ was stopped with the help of Belarusian Mi-24s.

Kazakhstan Mi-35M, June 2020.

In June 2020, Kazakhstan received four new-build Mi-35Ms.  Kazakhstan now has 12 Mi-35Ms.

Kazakhstan Mi-35M, June 2020.

Kazakhstan Mi-35M, June 2020.

Libyan ‘Haftar’ Mi-35.

In April 2020, it was reported that an Mi-35, used by the ‘Haftar’ forces in Libya, was shot down, the crew was killed.  It should be noted that the Haftar forces (aka Libyan National Forces) are supported by both Russia and NATO-France!  The 2011 NATO instigated civil war in Libya never ended!

Ukrainian Mi-24P, with 30mm side mounted guns.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Jacob T. Stephens, 20NOV2019.

Mil (Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant) 24 gunship flies over Ryan Airfield, Arizona, 20NOV2019.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Jacob T. Stephens, 20NOV2019.

The U.S. Air Force claims it is using the Mil 24 to teach basic helicopter maneuver training to SAR (Search And Rescue) HH-60G Pave Hawk crews.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Jacob T. Stephens, 18NOV2019.

Mil 24 parked next to HH-60G Pave Hawk, Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.

International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2019.

In August 2019, Russia announced it is upgrading its Mi-24Ps to Mi-24P1M standards. 

International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2019.

The Mi-24P1M will have the latest electronics, including an anti-aircraft missile launch warning system. The ‘1M’ version will also be several hundred kilograms lighter in weight.

International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2019.

In the NATO ‘west’, export versions of Mil 24 are also known as Mil 25 or 35, depending on the accessories (or who is writing the report).

NATO photo, 15MAR2018.

Polish Mil 24 picks up NATO troops during Frozen Fury wargame, March 2018.

U.S. Army photo by Captain Gary Loten-Beckford, 30JAN2018.

Polish Mil 24s swarm a NATO battlefield, January 2018.

Russian Mi-24 flying over Roman era ruins in Syria, possibly 2017.

Russia flies Mi-24s in the NATO-instigated-civil-war-torn country of Syria.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Justin Stumberg, 14JUL2017.

Ukrainian Mil 24, over Kulbakino Air Base in Mykolaiv, during NATO/U.S. Sea Breeze wargame, July 2017.

U.S. Army video by Sergeant Timothy Pike, soldier’s view of Mi-24 Hind-D during NATO wargame on Hohenfels, Germany, March 2017:

U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Matthew Hulett, 24MAR2017.

Maintenance on Czech Mil 24 on Hohenfels, Germany, for Exercise Allied Spirit, March 2017.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Zachary M. Ford, 11APR2016.

Mil 24 over Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, California, April 2016, in support of U.S. Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) training.

Video, Mil 24 Hinds in action, Syria, October 2015:

Mi-24 Hind-D onboard Yuma Marine Corps Air Station, Arizona. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant Artur Shvartsberg, 09OCT2015.

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, October 2015.

USMC photo by Staff Sergeant Artur Shvartsberg, 09OCT2015.

NATO video from 2014, Afghans deploy their Mil 24 and Mil 17 (171):

The Mil 24 is called Hind by NATO, there is no official name in Russia but crews have used many nicknames for it.  In Afghanistan it’s known as Satan’s Chariot.  NATO video report from 2012:

U.S. Army Photo by Specialist Alan Moos, 21JAN2008.

NATO-Poland Mil 24 in Iraq, Camp Echo, January 2008.

USA photo by Specialist Alan Moos, 21JAN2008.

NATO-Poland’s old Hind-D over Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, January 2008.

Iraq, May 2006, USA photo.

NATO-Poland Mil 24 and U.S. Apache AH-64 working together, somewhere in Iraq,  May 2006.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Hill-Wales, 03JUL1996.

The above photo shows three Mi-24 Hind-Ds, of the newly independent Czech Republic (now known as Czechia), attending an air show in NATO-Italy, July 1996.  The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999.

The U.S. Army captured an almost intact Iraqi Hind-D, during Desert Storm, January 1991.

The U.S. Army first started flying the Mil 24 in the early 1990s, after French and Chadian forces seized an abandoned Libyan Mil 25 Hind-D in 1987.  The helicopter was flown to the U.S. onboard a C-5 Galaxy in 1988.

The Hind-D was based at Fort Bliss, Texas.  It was routinely deployed to Fork Polk, Louisiana, to play the part of the enemy, or Opposition Force (OpFor) in wargames.

This 1995 U.S. Army photo shows the Hind-D equipped with Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems (MILES) ‘laser-tag’ wargame device on the chin-gun.  It has Tasmanian Devil nose art.

From U.S. Army FM 44-80, Visual Aircraft Recognition, July 1993 edition.

Beginning in the early 1980s, the U.S. Army used Huey helicopters to represent Hinds!

U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency photo, released 27APR1989.

The above photo was made in July 1988, but was not released to the U.S. public until 27APR1989.

Photo released by U.S./NATO, March 1985.

Photo released by U.S./NATO, August 1982.

These Hinds had a four-barreled 12.7mm gun in a chin-turret.

Photo released by U.S./NATO, August 1982.

Mil Mi-24 Hind-A. Photo released by U.S./NATO, 01AUG1982.

Czech-o-Slovak Mi-24D, photo by Eduard Karkan, published in 1980.

TASS photo of Soviet Mi-24D, published in late 1970s.

TASS photo of Soviet Mi-24D, published in late 1970s.

TASS photo of Soviet Mi-24D, published in late 1970s.

The Hind-A had a single-barreled 12.7mm heavy machine gun in the nose.

The first production version of the Hind, sometimes called the Drinking Glass, Mi-24A Hind-A.  Riga Airport Latvia Russian Aircraft Museum, in NATO-Latvia.

Prototype Mil V-24.

In 1968 the Soviet Union ordered a new helicopter, combining transport and gunship capabilities.  By June 1970, what would become the Mil 24 was accepted for testing.  The Mil 24A officially began service in 1972.

VEHICLE I-D: MD-530F CAYUSE WARRIOR, AFGHANISTAN

HOW TO USE C-4 & THERMITE TO KILL A ZOMBIE TANK

Kit Bashing, Technology

Vehicle I-D: Cold War Zombie tank T-55, they’re everywhere!

Video

I calls it a zombie tank because it’s six decades old and refuses to die.

People’s Republic of China, 2021:

CHINA’S TYPE 59D, UPDATED COLD WAR T-54/55, TO LIVE-ON AS A ROBOT TANK?

CHINA STILL USES THE NATO GUNNED TYPE 88 WARSAW PACT BASED T-54/55 TANK

Lost your hull?  No problem, mount your turret on a truck trailer:

Syria 2012 to present:

Date and location unknown, possibly inside Syria, a T-55 somehow ended up on its turret!

Government T-55s.

Insurgent T-55.

With a mine-roller.

Iraq 2020: They still like those Chinese Type 69s. See more in Iraqi Armor after the Invasion.

Romanian T-55s taking part in NATOs Saber Guardian, June 2019:

U.S. Navy photo by Lieutenant Alex Cornell du Houx, 13JUN2019.

Video August 2018, Afghan government T-55 Boom Stick in action in Sangin District, while U.S. Marines watch:

Kurdish Peshmerga T-55, Iraq, May 2016: 

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Sergio Rangel, 29MAY2016.

Click here to watch extremist insurgents execute captured Syrian soldier with a T-55 tank!

Romanian T-55s, April 2016:

African Union T-55AMV, 2015:

African Union female T-55 crew:

Bamyan, Afghanistan, 2012:

An old T-54.

See more in Steel Skeletons of Soviet Afghanistan.

Daymirdad, Afghanistan, 2011: 

T-55, U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Sean Casey, 09JAN2011.

Iraq 2010:  U.S. BRINGS DEAD IRAQI T-55 BACK TO LIFE!

Iraqi T-54/55 ARV, Salman Pak, November 2008:

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Chase Kincaid, 15NOV2008. 

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Chase Kincaid, 15NOV2008.

T-55 Salman Pak, Iraq, November 2008:

U.S. Army photo by Specialist Chase Kincaid, 15NOV2008.

Al Ja’ara village, Iraq, January 2008:

U.S. Defense Department photo, 14JAN2008.

Iraq 2003:

Chinese Type 69 (‘upgraded’ T-55). USN/USMC photo.

See more in Iraq 2003 Battle Damage.

Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, 2002:

Ventilator on turret top and small hole for bow machine gun on front slope indicates this was a T-54. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Arlo K. Abrahamson, 29MAY2002.

Cambodia: 

Iraqi Chinese made T-55 assaults Iranian infantry line during Iran-Iraq War:

Vietnam, T-54:

Supposedly upgraded Nicaraguan T-55:

Bosnia & Herzegovina 1996-98:

Croat (HVO) T-55 crew fires-off their 12.7mm gun, on the Barbara Range in Glamoc, Bosnia and Herzegovina. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sergeant Kim Price, October 1998.

A U.S. Army First Lieutenant tries to keep flames from spreading. This Serbian T-55 was deliberately blown-up with C-4 plastic explosive by the U.S. Army, on Camp Dobol, Bosnia-Herzegovina. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Angel Clemons, 15MAR1997.

T-55 ‘upgraded’ with vulcanized rubber armor, Broko area of Bosnia-Herzegovina. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sergeant Jon E. Long, January 1996.

Iraq 1991:

What’s left of an Iraqi Type 69, a Chinese ‘upgrade’ of the T-55. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Reeve, March 1991.

Smoldering Iraqi T-55 on the border with Kuwait. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Joel Torres, 28FEB1991.

CzechoSlovakia 1989:

Just a few years before the end of the unofficial Cold War, Czechoslovakia upgraded their T-55s with ‘Western-NATO’ targeting systems.

CzechoSlovak T-54, date and photographer unknown.

Egypt 1985:

Notice the ‘Western’ style square search light. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Captain Mark Beberwyck, August 1985.

U.S.A. 1987:

Captured T-54/55, Foreign Materiel Intelligence Group Training Detachment, Fort Irwin, California. U.S. Army photo by Donna Fulghum, 10MAR1987.

Peru 1983:

Factory fresh/parade ready T-54 (indicated by the bow machine gun hole in the front slope), 1983(?).

U.S.A. 1984:

Photo taken by ‘yours truly’, while on a California Army National Guard drill weekend on Fort Irwin, National Training Center, California.  You can see the hole in the front slope of the hull for the bow machine gun, which is typical of the T-54.  Early T-54s also had a ventilator on the turret top.

T-54 (it has a ventilator on top of the turret) captured by Israel then turned over to the United States, notice the U.S. military antenna mast mounted on top of the turret. Photo dated November 1984.

Israel 1974:

Photo dated May 1974, location unknown, however it appears to be captured T-55s put to use by the Israeli Defense Forces.

Being cannibalized for parts.

Egypt 1974:

Egyptian T-55 destroyed by Israel, 1974. Notice somebody marked the penetration hole in the turret.

Iraq, November 1963:

Iraqi T-54 during coup led by pro-Egyptian (Nasserists) against the Ba’ath Party, November 1963.

Germany 1961:

U.S. Embassy photo. The then brand new T-54/55 is deployed in response to the U.S. deploying its then brand new M48A1, which were deployed in response to older T-34-85s being deployed in what became the Berlin Crisis which led to the creation of the Berlin Wall.

See (photos & film), and read, more in BERLIN KRISE, ‘GAME OF CHICKEN’ M48A1 VS. T-54/55!

This is a terrible Cold War era U.S. Army vehicle I-D image of a T-54.

Soviet Union:

Cold War film, late 1950s or early 1960s, Soviet T-55s getting decontaminated in NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) exercise:

A variety of variants:

So many model kits, so little time!

 

T-55 data @ ArmyRecognition.com

VEHICLE I-D: IRAN BUILDS ITS OWN MRAP

IRAN BUILDS ITS OWN ‘JEEP’

HOW TO BUILD A 1/1 SCALE TIGER-1 TANK

International

“peaceful coexistence and inclusion.”: Global Migrant Wars, April 2019

Citizens of each country might think they’re the only people dealing with mass-human-migration problems, this incomplete list is meant to show that the tsunami of humans looking for a better place to live is global.  It can be blamed on never ending War on Terror, War on Drugs, Regime Change, War for Resources, what I call Operation Jupiter disease operations, climate change, and (believe it or not) the population Death Spiral of the ‘developed’ Western World.  But most of all it’s about the money.

United Nations boasts that more than 12-thousand-5-hundred migrants entered Europe in 4 months

European Union wants world’s biggest Biometric Database: Common Identity Repository (CIR) will consolidate biometric data on almost all visitors and migrants 

Are Spain and Italy covering up the number of migrant arrivals?

Who’s funding the migrant caravans?

‘Immigrants send record remittances to sub-Saharan Africa’

East Africa accounts for least number of immigrants

Are we on the cusp of the Third Age of Migration?

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Migrant Walked 4000 Miles to Greece, Found Hell, Went Home

ALGERIA: Left to die: how Algeria deports migrants

AUSTRALIA: The Land Down Under is now the number one destination for super-rich migrants wanting to avoid taxes in their home countries!

commences 5 year temporary visa for parents

changes introduced to Migration under Federal Budget 2019

BOSNIA: Border guards in this soon to be a new member of NATO deny putting migrants into cages

BOTSWANA: President Likens Elephants to European Migrant Crisis

CANADA: In a twist, Canada asks U.S. for help cracking down on its southern border

Revealed: Exploitation of migrant workers in Canada

The rise of an uncaring Canada

The new BC PNP Entrepreneur Regional Pilot is launched by the immigration authorities in British Columbia

issued 3,350 invitations to Express Entry candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence, even with scores as low as 451

CHINA: Money lures migrants to overstay their work visa 

Domestic (not home workers, meaning they’re not from other countries) migrant workers becoming older, less willing to go where the jobs are, and expensive

COLUMBIA: Colombia Is Losing the Race Against the U.S. instigated Venezuelan Migrant Crisis

British empire United Kingdom, as well as U.S. based World Bank, funds Columbia’s refugee program for Venezuelans

FRANCE: United Nations says refugees are being systematically evicted

GERMANY: “The German public has the right to find out about the truth about the possible consequences of illegal mass immigration”-Ronald Glaeser, Alternative für Deutschland political party, referring to the immigrant crisis in the U.S. as an example of failed leftist-liberal policies

GREECE:  police clash with migrants, blamed on ‘fake news’ report

INDIA: considers making specific religious beliefs mandatory for citizenship

Indians show off the mansions they built for themselves using the money they made as migrant workers

ISRAEL (PALESTINE): Israeli occupation forces wound 110 people in the world’s biggest refugee camp known as Gaza

ITALY: 146 migrants land in Italy in United Nations organized Libya evacuation

‘Migrants are a burden for us, they should be equally divided’

JAPAN: population death spiral accelerates despite record number of legally allowed immigration

KENYA: Chinese ‘christians’ find new home in Africa

KYRGYZSTAN: Returned labor migrants’ entrepreneurial skills are underutilized. A new project seeks to change that.

LEBANON: What’s it like to spend 71 years as a Palestinian refugee

Japan makes $6-million USD contribution to Palestinian refugee camps

LIBYA: United Nations evacuates 325 refugees out of Tripoli 

‘Western’ backed Prime Minister warns that 800-thousand migrants are heading to Europe!

MALAYSIA: Apparently police knew about death camps for illegal migrants months before they were revealed to the public

MEXICO:  Experiences Unprecedented Number Of illegal immigrants

Migrant caravan goes global, attracts refugees from across world

United Nations and the the International Olympic Committee opens refurbished sports facilities for migrants in order to promote “peaceful coexistence and inclusion.”

Cuban migrants deported

MOROCCO: At least 16 migrants killed 

NETHERLANDS:  The imperial Dutch Caribbean island called Curaçao is accused by the United Nations of abusing and imprisoning U.S. instigated refugees from Venezuela 

NEW ZEALAND: The Skilled Migrant Category of New Zealand Residence Program is available for those candidates who have the skills to contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth

NIGER: United Nations dumps 163 refugees from Libya

NIGERIA: Potential migrant workers warned not to go to Middle East due to “booming” human organ harvesting scams!

PERU: With Venezuela in turmoil, migrants and refugees turn to Peru

PHILIPPINES: Are migrant workers humans or commodities: The United Nations has estimated a hefty $466-billion USD in remittances from migrant workers worldwide

POLAND: Does ‘no migrants’ policy explain lack of terror attacks?

SOUTH AFRICA: archbishop says oppression of migrants in South Africa recalls apartheid

SRI LANKA: Almost a thousand Muslim refugees and asylum seekers were displaced after landlords came under local pressure to evict them.

TURKEY: Over 370 ‘irregular’ migrants held 

Palestinian children in Turkey long for their homeland

UGANDA: Asylum for sale: Male refugees victimized by sexual violence

UNITED STATES: Corporations, state and local governments HIGH ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

More proof ‘American christians’ are behind global migration conspiracy:  Washington DC based Catholic Legal Immigration Network remembers one of their own who led the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Migration and Refugee Services, one of the world’s largest refugee resettlement agencies.

President Trump wants an immigration system ‘like they have in Canada.’ 

UZBEKISTAN: Revealed that this Central Asian country makes money off sending migrant workers to other countries, last Gregorian year $5.1-billion USD was remitted by migrants in Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and the United States. 

VATICAN: Pope funds migrant caravan heading to U.S.

YEMEN: The war torn country detains more than 2000 migrants

MY IMMIGRANT IDAHO 2018: THE “SPANISH SECTION” KEEPING IDAHO FARMS STRONG!

CONTROL THROUGH CHAOS 2016: USING THE BIBLE AS YOUR GUIDE TO DESTROY SOCIETY!

SUMERIAN LAMENT 2015: GERMANY SAYS MIGRANT-REFUGEE FLOOD WILL PERMANENTLY CHANGE EUROPE! HISTORY SHOWS IMMIGRANTS ARE GREATEST SELF-INFLICTED THREAT TO EMPIRES!

U.S.

Great Reneger: Oregon air militia deploys

Image
“We are going to have to stop being the policemen of the world.”-Donald Trump, August 2015 interview with Hugh Hewitt

112 Oregon Air National Guardsmen from the 142nd Fighter Wing deploying to the United States African Command (AfriCom), the United States Central Command (CentCom) and other international destinations.

They should be home by September 2020.

GREAT RENEGER: PUERTO RICO MILITIA PREPS TO DEPLOY

U.S.

Great Reneger: Puerto Rico militia preps to deploy

Video

More than 170 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Airmen set to deploy for multiple worldwide operations.  During the first week of March 2019, Airman began their Personnel Deployment Function (PDF): “The PDF is great and it makes me feel like I have all my documents up to date and my affairs in order. I’m headed to Afghanistan for six months.”-Senior Airman Daniel Morales, 156th Ariel Port Squadron

Puerto Rican Airmen will be deployed to Middle East and Europe.

Video interview in English & Español:

Video entrevista en español:

“We are going to have to stop being the policemen of the world.”-Donald Trump, August 2015 interview with Hugh Hewitt

MARIA: ARMY RESERVE RESPONDE AL LLAMADO DE AYUDA EN PUERTO RICO!

MARIA: MILITARIZATION OF PUERTO RICO & VIRGIN ISLANDS

Idaho, U.S.

Great Reneger: Idaho & North Carolina militias deploy to Afghanistan, again!

18APR2018 /23:04 UTC-07 Tango 06  (30 Farvardin 1397/03 Sha’ban 1439/04 Bing-Chen 4716)

“We are going to have to stop being the policemen of the world.”-Donald Trump, August 2015 interview with Hugh Hewitt

Idaho gov’na Butch Otter says goodbye to personnel of the 1/168 General Support Aviation Battalion, 19APR2018

Just over 30 personnel of Idaho Army National Guard’s 1st of the 168th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) deploying to Afghanistan.  They’ll be joining about a dozen other Idaho militia members that have already deployed.  It’s the eighth deployment for the 1/168 GSAB. (STOP YOUR BITCHIN’: IDAHO WOMAN COMMANDS 1ST FEMALE COMBAT TEAM!)

IDAHO MILITIA TOP GUNS

Almost 3-hundred personnel from North Carolina National Guard’s 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion and Detachment 1-B Company-638th Aviation Support Battalion deploying to train the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.  This crusade has been going on for so long that for some it’s now a family affair: “I’m going with my son, so it will be a unique experience, probably my last big hoo-rah probably. What better way to graduate from the Guard than a deployment with your son.”-Command Sergeant Major J.P. Cole

To prove this a religious war the deployment ceremony was held in the Hope Community Church.

GREAT RENEGER: SOUTH CAROLINA MILITIA DEPLOYS TO GERMANY!

Idaho, International

Stop Your Bitchin’: Idaho woman commands 1st female combat team!

In 2018, it was revealed that in 2013 the Idaho Army National Guard because the first to have all female UH-60 helicopter crews, operating inside Afghanistan as part of Task Force Shadow.

“When we first arrived in Afghanistan, the task force was already established and halfway through its rotation. We were like a puzzle piece replacing the Utah Army National Guard. When the 101st arrived to assume the mission from the 82nd, we had been in country for four months and went from being the newbies to the subject matter experts for the new task force.”-Major Nicole Washington recalling her 2012-13 Afghan adventure, when she was known as Captain Nicole Smith

All female Task Force Shadow team, 14JAN2013, Afghanistan. Idaho Army National Guard photo by Captain Robert Taylor. Back row: Nicole Smith, Jackie Keel, Sarah Kitson and Jocelyn Wilk. Front Row: Delia Baldwin, Carlane Birch, Corinth Barrett and Janica Hanover.

(the photographer was a man, sorry you feministas)

This happened in January 2013, but for some reason the story wasn’t released to the public until March 2018, perhaps because ‘traditionalists’ would consider it a true sign that America is Spread Thin.

Alpha Company-1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion-Idaho Army National Guard deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, it was commanded by Captain Nicole Smith (now Major Nicole Washington) and its was a first for The Gem State militia.

The company flew UH-60A/L Black Hawks.  On 14JAN2013, two Black Hawks with all female crews took off on a Task Force Shadow mission. It was a first for Task Force Shadow: “It was an honor to participate in that mission, not just because it was all females, but because of what it meant to be able to have the freedom to do so. To have that crew combination of all women flying a combat mission in a land where some of the local women aren’t allowed to drive or even sit in the front seat of a car, much less fly a helicopter… it was the unspoken message behind the mission that meant so much to all of us.”-Major Nicole Washington recalling her Afghan adventure, when she was known as Captain Nicole Smith

Gov’na Butch Otter named the Alpha Company-1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion the outstanding unit of the year upon their return to Idaho in 2013.

“Everyone had a great attitude. Everyone worked hard and long hours for the success of the company. There were no egos, just a desire to see the company succeed and for everyone to come home safe, and we did it together”-Major Nicole Washington

It wasn’t the first time Nicole Smith/Washington was in Afghanistan, she deployed in 2007 with Idaho’s 1-183d Aviation Battalion’s AH-64 Apache gunships.

STOP YOUR BITCHIN’: QUEEN OF THE BATTLEFIELD

AMERICA SPREAD THIN: HAWAII MILITIA CHINOOKS SENT ‘STATE-SIDE’ TO HELP STRESSED GUARD UNITS!

Idaho

Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, update

Video

14MAR2018  (02:52 UTC-07 Tango 06)  23 Esfand 1396/26 Jumada t-Tania 1439/27 Yi-Mao 4716

Currently personnel with USAF 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron (home base Mountain Home, Idaho) are deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan.

But while they’re away the rest of the gang on Mountain Home AFB got a visit from the top brass of the 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern Command, 06-09MAR2018:

Also during the week of 06MAR2018, the U.S. Marines invaded Mountain Home.

U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269 flew north to Idaho, supposedly for cold weather training (ain’t been too cold here lately).

U.S. Marine AH-1W Super Cobras, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho

January 2018: MATTIS DISCOVERS SINGAPORE’S INVASION OF IDAHO’S MOUNTAIN HOME AFB!

Idaho, International

America Spread Thin: Afghanistan

Video

U.S. and Afghan government special ops against ISIS-K, Jowzjan province, 22MAR2018

Night video of special ops raid on a village of Mughul, Darzab District, Jowzjan Province:

Ohio Air & Army National Guard, with their Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) Intercept weapon system (USN calls it Phalanx) at Kandahar, 10MAR2018

USAF Captain Victoria Snow, HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot, 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Kandahar, 13MAR2018

15MAR2018, Video USAF 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron conduct rescue training in the high Afghan mountains:

KC-10 Extender refuels F-16 Falcon over Afghanistan, 09MAR2018:

A-10C Thunderbolt-2 gets refueled over Afghanistan

U.S. taxpayer funded A-29 Super Tucano and MD-500 in use by Afghan Air Force:

In the first two weeks of March, U.S. and Afghan government forces conducted airstrikes and ground raids in Jowzjan, Paktika, Khost and Nangarhar provinces.

U.S. Marines, at Camp Shorab, launch 120mm mortars on 10MAR2018

Official video slideshow, USMC Camp Shorserack, Operation Maiwand 12:

U.S. Marine teaches map reading to Afghans, 07MAR2018

455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron (home base Idaho), Bagram, 08MAR2018:

USAF Guardian Angel high-altitude-high-opening pararescue over Afghanistan, 04MAR2018

Video how to build a ‘corporal’ MACE:

Personnel of the California Army National Guard took part in a Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response exercise in Kandahar: “Over my years of service I have participated in floods, fires, and earthquakes as part of the guard. You can’t plan for every scenario but by staging vehicles, equipment, having Soldier or personnel trained, food or water packaged you can speed up the reaction time and ultimately be able to save people’s lives and homes.”-Sergeant Major Aaron Cardoza, Marietta, California

“We are going to have to stop being the policemen of the world.”-Donald Trump, August 2015 interview with Hugh Hewitt

GREAT RENEGER: NATIONAL GUARD APACHE FOB AFGHANISTAN

AFGHANISTAN WAR, IT’S BACK, BABY! TRUMP DEPLOYS 3,000 MORE TROOPS AS ICC ACCUSES U.S. OF MORE WAR CRIMES!

WAR DEPLOYMENTS PREVENT IOWA MILITIA FROM DEALING WITH MOTHER EARTH!