Tag Archives: China

Technology

World War 3 Vehicle I-D: YY-20, China’s new long range airborne fueler, offspring of the Il-76?

Video

YY-20 during Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Photo by Deng Hua, 08NOV2022.

I have heard many people say the Y-20 is China’s version of the U.S. Boeing C-17, but if you look at the main wing and nacelles, from above, it is clear it is a development of the old Cold War era Soviet Ilyushin 76.

Two Russian IL-76 transports on McChord Air Force Base, Washington. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 01NOV1995.

Model kit builders: Just take the the Il-76 and stick a C-17 tail on, then get rid of the glass nose.

YY-20 during Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Photo via Xinhua, 08NOV2022.

Some Chinese news releases are referring to the YY-20 as the YU-20.  In this excerpted air show video, released on 09NOV2022, notice that it starts with a graphic calling the tanker a YU-20:

YY-20 during Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Photo via Xinhua, 08NOV2022.

On 01AUG2022, the People’s Liberation Army(PLA)-Air Force announced the successful completion of YY-20 training, which just happened to take place near Taiwan. PLA-AF promotional video:

Also in August, the YY-20 was first used operationally to refuel aircraft taking part in a blockade of Taiwan.  I excerpted this video from a PLA Eastern Theater Command report dated 11AUG2022:

PLA Air Force promotional video released on 30AUG2022:

World War 3 Vehicle I-D:   CHINA MAKES SURPRISE(?) DELIVERY OF MILITARY AID TO RUSSIAN ALLY, USING NEW Y-20!

Labor Shortage: CHINA TURNS TO ROBOTS & DRONES TO SUPPLY ITS MILITARY!

Business/Economics, Technology

Labor Shortage: China turns to robots & drones to supply its military!

Video

06 November 2022 (12:28-UTC-07 Tango 06) 15 Aban 1401/11 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1444/13 Xin-Hai 4720/06 ноября 2022 года

Just a sampling of the robots the People’s Republic of China is making.

So-called Swarm UAV launcher. PLA photo published 04NOV2022.

In November 2022, China showed-off its new lightweight version of its vehicle mounted ‘Swarm’ R/C drones (UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) launcher.  It is considered a weapon system, but can used for reconnaissance missions and communication relay.

One of the so-called Rainbow drones.

Also, a family of autonomous A-I UAVs, called Rainbow, was displayed.  Their capabilities and configurations are designated by a number system.  They can be either fixed wing or rotary wing.  There are dozens of versions; long range, high altitude, high speed, heavy lift, naval versions, and stealth versions.  The first Rainbow, CH-1, apparently flew in 2000.  Several countries use a version of the Rainbow, including countries that are supposed to be allies of the United States.

In October, military units, local government agencies, and civilian (silly-vilian) contractors, took part in exercise Central Shandong Support-2022, in Zibo, Shandong Province.

Photo by Chen Maoxin, published 17OCT2022.

The exercise included the use of robots and UAVs to delivery anything from food to ammunition.  One exercise involved delivering ‘non-staple’ food-stuffs to 5-thousand military personnel for seven days.  At the same time, those robots and UAVs had to be protected from air attack: “This exercise serves to explore the ways of economic mobilization under the new situation, and has tested the capability of the professional support teams for national defense mobilization in Zibo City.”-Wang Peiquan, commander of the Zibo Military Sub-command

Use of human firefighters and robot firefighting vehicles. Photo by Chen Maoxin, published 17OCT2022.

Another exercise involved using A-I driven fire-fighting robots to respond to an enemy air attack on a civilian building.

Scorpion D UAV transport. Photo via Sichuan Tengden Sci-Tech Innovation.

Also in October 2022, China’s  Sichuan Tengden Sci-Tech Innovation (aka Tengden) unveiled a four engined UAV transport aircraft called Scorpion D.  It is based on earlier two engined transport drones.  They claim it can carry a maximum of 1.5-metric tons.

The robot ‘Kylin Fighter’, developed by a research team from the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT). Photo by Liu Ruochen, publishe 16SEP2022.

In September 2022, a team from the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) took top prize at the Unmanned Ground Vehicles Competition, in Cairo, Egypt.  The international contest is sponsored by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense.  The winning robot is called Kylin Fighter, it can be remote controlled or operate independently.  The PLA’s NUDT has been taking part in Egypt’s robot games since 2016, and has won four events.

PLA 80th Group Army video showing the use of robots during wargames, August 2022:

 

TP500

In June 2022, China’s AVIC First Aircraft Institute unveiled its UAV transport aircraft, known as TP500.  Its first flight was 27 minutes long.  They claim it can carry a 500-kilogram load as far as 500-kilometers.  The designers say it can travel as far as 1800-Km, or carry heavier loads.

PLA video report, from 12APR2022, showing a UAV medical transporter, a robot loader and a robot pickup truck used to supply ammo, and other robot/A-I things for logistical supply:

In October 2018, China turned the old Antonov 2 biplane into the world’s largest UAV cargo-plane. They call it the FH-98.

Labor Shortage, 2022: U.S. ARMY BEGGING SOLDIERS TO TRANSFER TO PANDEMIC PLAGUED KOREA!

U.S. LABOR SHORTAGE RESULTS IN MERGING OF MILITARY/CIVILIAN FIRE DEPARTMENTS!

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

U.S. Food Crisis + Labor Shortage: BIRD FLU SWARMS THE U.S., CHINA BLAMED! MILITARY PERSONNEL AS FOOD AID DISTRIBUTORS IS NOW Standard Operating Procedure!

World War 3/Vehicle I-D:  CHINA’S A-I-P ATTACK SUB REFRESHES TORPEDOES

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

Influenza

PANDĒMUS TOTALITARIAN: USN continues outright lies about new vax being ‘approved’!

Video

26 August 2022  (11:36-UTC-07 Tango 06) 04 Shahrivar 1401/28 Muharram 1444/29 Wu Shen 4720

On 13JUL2022, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authorized emergency use of Novavax. That is not technically, or legally, the same as being ‘approved’, yet the U.S. Navy continues to bold-face lie to military personnel by saying, repeatedly, that Pandemic vaccines with FDA emergency use authorization is the same as being approved!

On 26AUG2022, the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery issued a video, claiming that Novavax has been approved by the FDA, and also confusing the distinctly different FDA classifications of ‘authorized for emergency use’ and being ‘approved’:

The FDA states “Under section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), when the Secretary of HHS declares that an emergency use authorization is appropriate, FDA may authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions caused by CBRN threat agents when certain criteria are met, including there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.”  Please notice the repeated use of the word ‘unapproved’, and the statement that emergency use is authorized when “there are no…approved….alternatives” !

The process by which the FDA approves (the FDA actually calls it ‘licensing’) vaccines involves the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).  The FDA has provided a very simplified explanation of the complicated process to get a vaccine approved/licensed.

Pandēmus Totalitarian, August 2022: U.S. ARMY BEGGING SOLDIERS TO TRANSFER TO PANDEMIC PLAGUED KOREA!

U.S. Air Force ADMITS M-R-N-A vax INVOLVE BABY STEM CELLS, NOW ISSUES NEW MANDATORY VAX INVOLVING INSECTS, lies and says it is FDA approved!!!

Technology

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: Kamov 27 Helix

Video

The first look for NATO of a Ka-27, aboard Soviet destroyer Udaloy, somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, September 1982.

The first Kamov 27 flew in 1973, beginning naval service by 1982, today at least a dozen countries still use it. NATO calls it the Ka-27 Helix. China and India use the export version known as Ka-28. It is primarily used as an anti-ship weapons platform, but is also used for things like transport and fire fighting. The silly-vilian (civilian) version is Ka-32.

A Soviet Kamov 27 flying alongside a USN SH-3 Sea King. Location, date and photographer unknown.

Video of Cold War era film of Ka-27 action:

 

Somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea, Ka-27 Helix helicopters aboard Soviet aircraft carrier Baku (CVHG 103). USN photo by Lieutenant P.J. Azzolina, June 1988.

A Soviet Ka-32 Helix during Airshow Canada ’89 (Abbotsford Air Show), in British Columbia. Photo by Pat Nugent, August 1989.

Helix hangers on a Soviet Udaloy class guided missile destroyer. U.S. Navy photo dated October 1990.

In October of 1992, as the Soviet Union fell apart, a Kamov 27 (Red 46) made history by becoming the first Russian helicopter to land on not one, but two U.S. Navy (USN) ships.

Three Russian Ka-32 Helix-C in Bahrain, 16MAY1993. U.S. Navy photo by Lieutenant Junior Grade John Bouvia.

In June 1994, U.S. military personnel took part in a disaster response exercise on Vladivostok, Russia. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Charles W. Alley.

U.S. ally Republic of Korea (South Korea) uses the Ka-32C for Maritime Police actions. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Grenda, 19JUL1999.

Ka-27 on the fantail of the Russian Frigate Neustrashimy (712). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class George Sisting, 07JUN2004.

Kamov 27 Helix landing on the Ticonderoga Class Cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), somewhere in the Baltic Sea, 07JUN2004. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class George Sisting.

A Russian Ka-27 Helix takes part in a USN disaster response exercise on Santa Rita Naval Base, Guam, 31MAR2006. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Edward N. Vasquez.

A Russian Navy Ka-27 during anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, 09FEB2009. USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Jason Zalasky.

Kamov on the fantail of destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, Gulf of Aden. USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Jason Zalasky, 09FEB2009.

USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Jason Zalasky, 09FEB2009.

Ukrainian Ka-27 Helix aboard USS Taylor during NATO wargame Sea Breeze, 20JUL2010. USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Edward Kessler.

A NATO Portugal Ka-32A11BC fighting a wildfire.

14AUG2012 video of NATO Portuguese Ka-32A11BC fighting fires:

Indian Navy Ka-28 Helix lands on the flight deck of USS McCampbell (DDG 85), 07NOV2013. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Paul Kelly.

Ukrainian Helix aboard USS Ross (DDG 71) during a wargame, 02JUN2015. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Robert S. Price.

Ukrainian Ka-27 Helix during NATO’s Sea Breeze wargame, 22JUL2016. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Justin Stumberg.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Justin Stumberg, 22JUL2016.

Ka-28’s forward landing gear. PLA-Navy photo by Li Hengjiang, 24FEB2018.

PLA-Navy photo by Li Hengjiang, 24FEB2018.

PLA-Navy photo by Li Hengjiang, 24FEB2018.

NATO wargame Sea Breeze, in The Black Sea, July 2018. A Ukrainian Kamov aboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Justin Stumberg.

In September 2018, Russian Helicopters (which now includes Kamov) announced it had received more orders to build its latest version of the Helix, the Ka-32A11BC Heavy Utility Helicopter.

In December 2018, a Korean Ka-32T crashed into the Han River while fighting a wildfire. Two of the three crewmembers survived. The photo purports to show the same Ka-32T before the crash. Photo via Yonhap News Agency.

The Ka-32A11BC not only uses a bucket for fighting fires, it also uses a giant spray gun:

Russian Ministry of Defense video of the Ka-27 dropping bombs from its internal bomb bay, February 2020:

SWISSPOWERJET video of Ka-32 in action, April 2021:

Russian Navy Ka-27 during joint China-Russia wargames in the Peter The Great Gulf, Sea of Japan, 15OCT2021. PLA-Navy photo by Sun Jingang.

China uses the new Ka-32A11BC for fire fighting.

PLA Eastern Command Ka-28, photographed by Xu Ziyang, 21JAN2022.

HeliSwiss Ka-32. Since March 2022, and because of the Ukraine Crisis, the European Union has suspended certificate approval for Kamov helicopters operated by EU members.

In this People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-Navy video, about bad weather helicopter training, you can see a Ka-28 Helix, 31MAY2022:

Photo via Russian Helicopters.

Photo via Russian Helicopters.

Photo via Russian Helicopters.

In November 2021, Rostec (aka State Corporation for Assistance to Development, Production and Export of Advanced Technology), revealed that flight testing for the latest fire-fighting version began.  It is called the Ka-32A11M.

Photo via Russia Helicopters/Rostec, November 2021.

Cold War Helicopters: KAMOV 25 ‘HORMONE’

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: F-15 EAGLE NOW 50 YEARS OLD

MTLB, USED BY U.S., NATO, AND STILL USED BY RUSSIA!

Technology

Cold War & Beyond: Tupolev 16 Badger

Video

Tupolev 16, NATO reporting name Badger.

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

The prototype of the Soviet Tu-16 was the Tu-88, which first flew in Spring 1952, production of the Tu-16 began in December 1952. China still produces its own version.

Silent Soviet films, from 1957, showing-off their new Tupolev 16:

On 25MAY1968, the U.S. Navy (USN) carrier group led by USS Essex CVS-9 was ‘badgered’ by several Soviet aircraft, including variants of the Tu-16, while sailing through the Norwegian Sea.  It ended badly for one hot-shot Badger.

Silent USN film of Tu-16 Badger C:

Silent USN film of Badger C and Badger G:

A Badger gets danger-close to the USS Essex, while other Badgers fly at sea level:

The USN claimed one of the hot-shot Badgers crashed while sea skimming, and USN Sea Kings were dispatched to rescue the Soviet Tu-16 crew.  The silent, and faded, film shows a Tu-16 buzzing USS Essex, then on the horizon can barely be seen the smoke plume of the crashed Badger, other Tu-16s continue to overfly CVS-9:

Unfortunately the Badger crew did not survive, what was recovered by the USN was handed over to a Soviet Kotlin class destroyer with the hull number of 311, which had pulled along side the USS Essex:

After taking on the bodies of the Badger crew, hull number 311 gives a salute with its main guns, and sails away:

Photo released by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), 15MAR1974.

A seemingly neglected Egyptian Tu-16 Badger, December 1981. Photo by Staff Sergeant Bill Thompson.

A derelict Egyptian Tu-16 sits behind two USAF C-130s during wargame Bright Star 82.

Egyptian Tu-16s. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Donald Sutherland, dated 01NOV1980 (which is probably incorrect as the info also says it was during Bright Star 90).

This U.S. DoD released photo says it is a Badger C, sometime in 1981, however it is unknown who made the photo, or where the photo was recorded.

Somewhere over the north of the United Kingdom, September 1982.

Tu-16 Badger ‘C’ approaching the United Kingdom, September 1982.

Same incident, different Badger, September 1982.

Badger belly over the United Kingdom, September 1982.

Badgering a USN destroyer somewhere over the Indian Ocean, June 1983.

Tu-16 Badger C. Photo dated 1984, original source unknown.

Badger C, photo dated October 1985.

Badgering the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63), somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, January 1986.

Badger D spying on NATO naval wargames in September 1986. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Jeff Hilton.

Somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea, 11AUG1986.

A VF-1 Wolfpack F-14 Tomcat badgers two Badger ‘F’s, 14JUL1987.

The U.S. DoD released this photo in May 1989, without any other information.

In 1958 China received its first Tu-16, then in 1959, the first Xian Aircraft Corporation license built Tu-16 took flight, under the designation H-6.

PLA Eastern Theater Command video, edited by Lin Congyi, of Tu-16s (H-6), and the new H-6K, conducting night training, 02JUN2022:

PLA Southern Command photo by Gao Hongwei, 05JAN2022.

PLA video, edited by Chen Zhuo, Tu-16s (H-6), and the new H-6K, practice low level bombing, 29NOV2021:

Preparing for a night flight. PLA Eastern Command photo by Wang Jun, 16APR2021.

PLA Eastern Command photo by Li Bingxuan, 16APR2021.

PLA Eastern Command photo by Li Bingxuan, 16APR2021.

PLA Navy photo by Yang Ling, 09AUG2021.

PLA Navy photo by Yang Ling, 09AUG2021.

PLA Navy photo by Gao Hongwei, 06AUG2020.

PLA Navy photo by Gao Hongwei, 06AUG2020.

China is also using their new home grown version of the Tu-16, the H-6K.

Cold War Vehicle I-D: TU-95 ‘BEAR’

NASA’S RUSSIAN TUPOLEV 144 SST, MORE MONEY SPENT ON THE U.S. AIRLINER INDUSTRY

Idaho, Influenza, U.S.

U.S. Food Crisis: Bird Flu swarms the U.S., China blamed! Military Personnel as Food Aid Distributors is now S-O-P!

Video

Incomplete (tip-o-the iceberg) list of main stream news links announcing United States food supply shutdowns, emergencies, outbreaks and recalls as of 29 May 2022:

Jif Peanut Butter salmonella recall spreads to other food producers!

90 tons of bacon recalled due to metal contamination!

The current highly pathogenic Bird Flu was first identified in 1996, in China. A new study reveals which specific birds are the carriers of H5N1!

ALASKA: Poultry killing Bird Flu wiping out wild birds!

ARIZONA: State officials say feral pigs are threatening our food supply? (Why don’t they just let people hunt the wild hogs for food?)

CALIFORNIA: Mystery disease causing birds to starve to death, it is not Bird Flu:

Using the military to sort and/or delivery food aid in the United states is now Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Garrett Kiger, 26MAY2022.

U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy Sailors handed out food boxes at the Los Angeles Saint Francis Center, 26MAY2022.

U.S. Navy video, by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Pyoung K. Yi, of Sailors and Marines packing Los Angeles Region Food Bank boxes, 27MAY2022:

Silent U.S. Navy video, by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class David Negron, of Sailors and Marines packing Los Angeles Region Food Bank boxes, 28MAY2022:

CONNECTICUT: Advice on how to handle the growing pet food shortages admits it caused by the shipping/logistics industry, not actual food shortage.

IDAHO: State Fish & Game claims you can slow the spread of Bird Flu:

MICHIGAN: Penske Logistics halts Kroger food distribution operation at its recently opened Romulus center!

NEW JERSEY: Ducks and chickens going down with Bird Flu!

OREGON: Bird flu sparks lockdown in Malheur County! Fears for poultry at County Fair!

SOUTH CAROLINA: Poultry killing Bird Flu is causing ‘mass-die-off’ of vultures as well!

UTAH: More poultry killing Bird Flu:

Washington DC: China’s interest in U.S. agriculture poses security threat, federal report warns.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will spend $793-million in taxpayer funding to try and stop H5N1!

The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will spend $25-million in taxpayer funding to create a ‘pipeline’ of workers to meet expected increases in demand for meat! (Can you say more taxpayer funded immigrant farm workers?)

The USDA now says farmers can expand their fields onto land that was once considered environmentally protected!

WASHINGTON: First confirmed case of poultry killing Bird Flu, in Snohomish County, reported!

Bird Flu confirmed in Thurston County, state official wants poultry markets to be shutdown/locked down for the next month!

Global Food Crisis: BIRD FLU HITS NATO LATVIA & GERMANY, MILITARY GOES INTO ACTION!

U.S. Food Crisis: FEDEX TAXPAYER FUNDED, SHIPS ANTHRAX, THEN PPE & EXPERIMENTAL VACCINES, NOW FOREIGN MADE BABY FORMULA!

OPERATION FLY FORMULA; YOUR TAXES USED TO FUND THE BABY FORMULA INDUSTRY, DOMESTIC & FOREIGN!

FEMA PREPS FOR FOOD SUPPLY CATASTROPHE? “52% OF OUR POPULATION IS ONE CRISIS AWAY FROM POVERTY”

International, U.S.

Mother of all Money Pits: Biden spends Billions on Kuwait! To keep China out, or to cover-up economic collapse?

Video

It was revealed at the end of February 2022, that United States President Joseph R. Biden Junior authorized a $1-billion contract to build Kuwait a new defense ministry headquarters (HQ), but wait, that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Like all the other construction recently completed for Kuwait, the HQ building will be designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and built by U.S. contractors.

Some news sources say the latest U.S. tax dollar spending is about interfering with China’s global Belt and Road Initiative. However, this sudden decision to build Kuwait a new Defense HQ comes less than a week after the resignation of Kuwait’s Minister of the Interior and the Minster of Defense.

It turns out that resignations of government officials is commonplace in Kuwait, is that why it has become a Money Pit for U.S. taxpayers?

09MAR2022, Kuwait Names New Interior, Defense Ministers From Ruling Family.  Then, on 05APR2022, the entire government of Kuwait resigned, reports say that citizens of the oil rich OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) member are getting tired of the revolving door system!  On 03MAY2022, a report pointed out that despite Kuwait’s massive oil wealth, recent economic and political volatility (Pandemic, War) around the world could pull the rug out from Kuwait’s only source of income.  History shows that countries whose economies are based on ‘putting all their eggs in one basket’ can suffer catastrophic collapses.

It’s not the first time U.S. taxes will be spent on construction in Kuwait. The U.S. has been spending tax dollars on Kuwait since Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, three decades ago!

Keep that in mind when you learn that oil rich Kuwait has donated only $15.5-million to something called The Global Fund. Kuwait claims to be funding 1105 projects through the Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development, however the majority of those projects are listed as in ‘pipeline’/on hold status, only a very few are in ‘active’ status.

U.S. Air Force video report, by Senior Airman Natalie Filzen, published on 04APR2022, concerning how the 386th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron uses local vendors to supply U.S. personnel based on Ali Al Salem Air Base:

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Filzen, 14FEB2022.

On 14FEB2022, the U.S. Air Force’s 386th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron inspected the construction of eight new dorms on Ali Al Salem Air Base.

U.S. Army video report, by Sergeant Ian Valley, of 02FEB2022 ribbon cutting ceremony for U.S. taxpayer funded pier and water break at the Kuwait Naval Base:

In 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait announced $25-thousand grants for non-governmental organizations who could provide anything from CoViD-19 ‘resiliency’ to helping rich-brat Kuwaitis get a college education in the United States! I say rich-brats because according to the U.S. Department of State 85% of Kuwaitis have secure government sector jobs, and up until 2019 individual Kuwaitis were considered wealthier than any individual in any other country! The U.S. Department of State also issued a report on the investment climate in Kuwait.

But it turns out that Kuwait is in trouble financially, despite all that oil.  In 2012, Reuters reported that while Kuwait was rich it was backwards politically/economically/socially and highly vulnerable to long term oil price drops. As long as there is war and Pandemic keeping oil prices high Kuwait is safe.  In 2020, Pensions & Investments reported that Kuwait was running out of cash!

Mother of all Money Pits: NEVER ENDING SECURITY CHALLENGES! THE DOUBLE FACE OF NATO, HELPING KURDS WHILE BOMBING THEM!

Desert Storm: KUWAITI القوات الجوية الكويتية A-4KU SKYHAWK

Vehicle I-D:

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Quail, 22JAN2021.

KUWAITI C-17 الكويت

Technology

World War 3/Vehicle I-D: China’s A-I-P attack sub refreshes torpedoes

Image

PLA Northern Theater Command photo by Shi Jialong, 19APR2022.

PLA Northern Theater Command photo by Shi Jialong, 19APR2022.

The People’s Liberation Army-Navy calls these A-I-P subs Type 039B.  NATO reporting name for Type 039 class subs is ‘Yuan’, to make things more confusing NATO also calls the Type 041 class ‘Yuan”.

People’s Liberation Army-Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 23MAR2022.

PLA Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 23MAR2022.

Western/NATO analysts seem confused, sometimes calling the A-I-P the Type 039B, sometimes Type 039C, since they are China’s only known operational A-I-P subs lets just call them A-I-P.

People’s Liberation Army-Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 23MAR2022.

These appear to be Communist China’s AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) attack submarines.  AIP is a conventional power system that can draw oxygen from the water, like a fish’s gills, rather than from the air. This means the submarine does not have to rely on relatively short life batteries to stay submerged, it allows the submarine to stay submerged for long periods  like a nuclear powered submarine.

PLA-Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 23MAR2022.

PLA-Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 23MAR2022.

In July 2018, the People’s Liberation Army-Navy claimed their then new AIP submarines set new PLA-Navy records, such as underwater sailing distance and maximum depth reached.  China says their AIP powered subs can stay submerged for as long as three weeks.  They admitted that AIP technology makes their attack submarines more expensive.

Twin subs loading up with fresh rocket torpedoes, 22MAR2022. PLA-Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong.

Reportedly, China’s AIP are what is known as Stirling (sometimes incorrectly spelled Sterling, the system is named after Scottish engineer Robert Stirling) AIP, a system directly connected to SAAB, based in NATO ‘partner’ (not a member by considered a partner) Sweden.  (Sweden about to submit an official application for membership in NATO)

PLA-Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 22MAR2022.

PLA-Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 22MAR2022.

PLA-Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 22MAR2022.

For some reason Wikipedia lists China’s AIP subs as Type 041 and Type 032, yet the PLA-Navy itself says they are Type 039B.

PLA-Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 22MAR2022.

PLA Northern Theater Command photo by Wu Haodong, 04JAN2022.

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

Vehicle I-D: CHINA MAKES SURPRISE(?) DELIVERY OF MILITARY AID TO RUSSIAN ALLY, USING NEW Y20!

International

Biden’s NATO War: “New Strategic Concept”, buying new allies while keeping old enemies

Video

Just a little bit of what NATO is doing in relation to the Ukraine Crisis, for the month of April 2022.

U.S. Army photo by Chris Gardner, 17MAR2022.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is managing the construction of a new US$360-million Army Prepositioned Stock, or APS, facility in Powidz, NATO Poland.  So not only has NATO absorbed Eastern European countries, it is now expanding huge weapons storage facilities closer to the border with Russia.  The APS is the largest project in Poland being managed by U.S. Army Europe District’s Northern Europe Area Office.

NATO video from 03APR2022, showing French Combat Air Patrol operations over NATO Poland:

U.S. Army photo by Captain Angelo Mejia, 05APR2022.

On 05APR2022, the U.S. Army’s V Corps got a new (yet officially temporary) home in NATO Germany.  In 2012, V Corps was officially inactivated, but don’t blame the Ukraine crisis for its rebirth.  V Corps was officially reborn in 2020, with HQs in Kentucky and NATO Poland.  Now, V Corps is in Ansbach: “The United States Army and Bavaria go back for a long time, being loyal partners and friends for more than 65 years. Bavaria is proud to host the largest concentration of U.S. land forces in Europe and all the personnel working with the forces.”– Johannes Urban, Armed Forces Affairs, Security and Defense Policy in the Bavarian State Chancellery

Puerto Rico Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Agustín Montañez, 06APR2022.

German made Norwegian Leopard 2 tank prowling the forests of NATO Latvia during wargame Rising Griffin, 06APR2022.

New World Order! 06APR2022, NATO press conference reveals that Biden is using Russia/Ukraine crisis to build a neu NATO. Upcoming NATO Summit will be about creating “a new strategic concept” (new reason for existing) for NATO:

Puerto Rico Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sergeant Gabriel Rivera, 07APR2022.

On 07APR2022, soldiers of the U.S. Army’s repositioned V Corps began arriving in Torun, NATO Poland.

U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich, 07APR2022.

On 07APR2022, the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force met with NATO Norway’s Secretary of Defense, in the U.S. state of Virginia, to discuss the current structure of NATO (Norway was one of the founders of NATO) and the Ukraine crisis.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Maeson L. Elleman, 08APR2022.

On 08APR2022, NATO United Kingdom officially began Combat Air Patrol missions from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, in NATO Romania.

On 10APR2022, six Chinese Y20 transport aircraft flew through NATO airspace (Turkey and Bulgaria) to deliver antiaircraft missile systems to Russia’s long-time ally Serbia.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Jack Sanders, 11APR2022.

On 11APR2022, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Washington DC.  The United States is trying to convince India to to give up its ‘non-alignment’ policy, and move away from Russia.

U.S. Army Photo by Specialist Thurnapuf Valle, 11APR2022.

Also on 11APR2022, U.S. Congressional Representatives paid a congressional delegation visit with U.S. forces on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, NATO Romania.

Video, U.S. President  Joseph R. Biden Junior tries to woo over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, 11APR2022:

NATO video from 13APR2022, showing Romanian, French and Belgian soldiers training for war in NATO Romania:

Hungry U.S. Sailors onboard USS Ross (DDG 71) go through a pallet of food delivered by the French ship FS Marne (A 630) on 02APR2022. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Claire DuBois.

It was revealed, on 14APR2022, that the U.S. military is now spending U.S. taxpayers’ money on purchasing food directly from European NATO members!  It is known as the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), and the first deliveries of food went to the Sailors and Marines onboard the USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80).  The ACSA began in March, U.S. Navy officials blame it on government Pandemic Mandates which are interfering with globalized supply systems: “Due to time constraints and unique global supply chain challenges, the ACSAs to procure food entirely through our NATO Allies were crucial to our acquisition strategy to keep our ships in foreign waters at an optimal fill levels to maintain readiness and the health and well-being of personnel.”-Captain Douglas S. MacKenzie, U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella

U.S. Army photo by Jason Tudor, 16APR2022.

On 16APR2022, NATO Romania officially activated its Installation Operations Center, on Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base (MKAB).  It was immediately used for the U.S. Army Support Activity-Black Sea Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (ASA-Black Sea) exercise, which is all about moving U.S./NATO troops closer to the Russian border: “As ASA-Black Sea continues to move its force protection forward, we continue to work closely with our multinational partners and U.S. teams to ensure our readiness is a strength we can all count on in the event of an emergent event.”-John P. Smith the Third, chief of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security on  MKAB

On 18APR2022, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu, specifically about the Russian-Ukraine crisis.  Moldova is officially neutral, but is also a member of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, a kind of first step to joining NATO:

On 19APR2022, NATO deployed U.S. made Patriot missiles, operated by NATO personnel from Germany and Netherlands, to NATO Slovakia:

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Brittany A. Chase, 20APR2022.

On 20APR2022, Minister of National Defense for NATO Poland, Mariusz Błaszczak, spent time at the Pentagon.

West Virginia Air National Guard photo by Major Holli Nelson, 21APR2022.

From 19 April to 21 April 2022, West Virginia Army National Guard, and the North Carolina National Guard, took part in NATO’s Locked Shields which is considered to be the world’s largest international cyber defense wargame.  Locked Shields was conducted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, NATO Estonia.

U.S. Army photo by Major Joe Bush, 20APR2022.

From 11 April to 22 April 2022, U.S.-NATO conducted an artillery ‘seminar’ in NATO Estonia, as part NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Estonia.  NATO officials claim this was at the request of the Estonian Defense Force.

On 22APR2022, Ukraine’s Prime Minister spent time in Washington DC. U.S. Secretary of State said it is “…evidence….Ukraine is going to be around a lot long than Putin.”:

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Adam Henke, 26APR2022.

The U.S. Marine Corps deployed the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system to Siauliai Air Base, NATO Lithuania.

On 26APR2022, the U.S. Secretary of State met with the Foreign Minister of NATO Czech Republic:

U.S. Department of Defense photo by Chad J. McNeeley, 26APR202.

Also on 26APR2022, the U.S. Secretary of Defense led a meeting of  the Ukraine Defense Consultative Group with NATO counterparts, and other nations, on Ramstein Air Base in NATO Germany, discussing both the current and future military needs of Ukraine (can they predict the future?).

A USMC F/A-18D in Poland. USMC photo by Corporal Adam Henke, 27APR2022.

USMC F/A-18C/D Hornets of VMFA 312, 2nd MAW are now operating from Łask Air Base in NATO Poland.

On 27APR2022, the Indiana Army National Guard issues video (by Sergeant Hector Tinoco) explaining their part in sending Ukraine Viet Nam era M113 APCs:

New York Army National Guard-138th Public Affairs Detachment photo by Staff Sergeant Amouris Coss, 28APR2022.

On 28APR2022, Virginia Army National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a weapons qualification for NATO soldiers from Germany and Poland.  The weapons training was held on Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, and involved U.S. M4 assault rifles, M17 pistols and M249 machine guns.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Thomas Boatright, 28APR2022.

Somewhere in the Adriatic Sea, the command staff of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) watch as a C-2A Greyhound lands, 28APR2022. Onboard the Greyhound are the U.S. Ambassador to NATO Slovakia, as well as the Prime Minister of NATO Slovakia.

On 29APR2022, NATO issued yet another promotional video to justify their existence:

On 29APR2022, tiny NATO Latvia held an emergency meeting concerning refugees from Ukraine. It was decided to cap the number of Ukrainian refugees at 40-thousand.

NATO Response 2022: “THIS EFFORT IS AMERICA’S EFFORT.” ‘INTERNATIONAL LAW’ REVEALED TO BE ABOUT NATO? FUEL SANCTIONS BLOW-BACK ON USAF!

NATO Vehicle I-D: POLAND’S KRAB (HALF BRITISH, HALF KOREAN?)

Soviet era weapons now in use by NATO:

Official acceptance ceremony for Slovakia’s new Zuzana-2, 22JUL2021. Photo via Slovak Ministry of Defense.

DANA AND THE NEW ZUZANA

Business/Economics, U.S.

U.S. Logistics Shenanigans: Container ships going down, U.S. Taxpayers to the ‘rescue’!

Video

This follows the U.S. taxpayer funded federal government operations that assist the private sector’s container (aka ConEx, a portmanteau of Container and Express) operations, from 01 January 2022 through 29 April 2022:

U.S. Coast Guard-ANT Muskegon photo, 29APR2022.

On 29APR2022, the U.S. Coast Guard Lake Michigan sector was dispatched to rescue a commercial bulk carrier that ran aground on a sand bar at the entrance to Muskegon.

28APR2022: Empty shipping containers stack up at U.S. ports

U.S. Army Photo by Avery Schneider, 25APR2022.

On 25APR2022, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the gates on the Black Rock Lock for the first time this year. The Black Rock Lock is the only water route for deep draft ships between The Great Lakes and ports on the upper Niagara River.

Photo via the Office of the Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Center, Republic of Fiji Navy.

22APR2022, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro pays a visit to the Port of Suva, Fiji.  It is part of Operation Blue Pacific, to boost ‘security’ in the Indo-Pacific and counter ‘illegal activity’.

U.S. Coast Guard District 11 photo by Petty Officer Third Class Taylor Bacon, 10APR2022.

On 08APR2022, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention/Response, and Marin County went into action to save the 564-foot container ship Wan Hai 176. The Singaporean registered container ship lost power and went adrift approximately seven miles off the coast of Point Reyes, California. The Wan Hai 176 was towed into San Francisco Bay on 10APR2022.

USCG District 11 video, chasing down the Wan Hai 176, 09APR2022:

USCG District 5 photo, 13MAR2022.

On 13MAR2022, Hong Kong registered Evergreen container ship Ever Forward ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay, near the Craighill Channel, Maryland.  Ever Forward was on its way to Norfolk, Virginia.

USCG District 5 photo by Petty Officer Third Class Kimberly Reaves, 10APR2022.

On 10APR2022, ConEx boxes are removed in an attempt to lighten the ship.

USCG District 5 photo by Petty Officer Second Class Devin Erfourth, 17APR2022.

On 17APR2022, the USCG, Maryland Department of the Environment, and Evergreen Marine Corporation worked to refloat the Ever Forward. It took five weeks to repair damage caused by the grounding, and to unstick the 1-thousand-95-feet long ship.

Photo by George Mason University Department of Police and Public safety, 17APR2022.

The Ever Forward was then towed to the port.  On 19APR2022, the state of Maryland demanded that Evergreen pay at least $100-million to cover what the Maryland taxpayers spent rescuing the Ever Forward.

USCG District 9 photo by Petty Officer Third Class Jessica Fontenette, 08APR2022.

On 08APR2022, USCG District 9-Marine Safety Unit Cleveland conducted their routine inspection of containers coming through the Port of Cleveland.

Photo by Michael Dougherty, 23MAR2022.

On 23MAR2022, the USCG and the U.S. Army demonstrated their port defense operations on the Cape Fear River, in North Carolina.  The demonstration also included fly-overs by Florida Air National Guard F-15s, an Alabama Air National Guard KC-135, and a U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry.

USCG District 9 photo by Petty Officer Third Class Gregory Schell, 29MAR2022.

In March 2022, the Canadian Coast Guard joined with USCG in breaking the ice on Lake Superior, to provide a clear path for container ships heading to or from Duluth, Minnesota.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection photo by Glenn Fawcett, 07FEB2022.

In February 2022, the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations provided taxpayer funded Super Bowl security for the Port of Long Beach.

U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Drew Verbis, 31JAN2022.

On 31JAN2022, the CEO of FedEx Logistics made a statement  during a press conference onboard Port Hueneme (aka The Port), California.  FedEx now has a deal (Joint Use Agreement) with U.S. Naval Base Ventura County and the use of Port Hueneme, which is considered “a strategic West Coast deep water seaport“.  According to a press release by The Port, FedEx is being allowed to use the taxpayer funded Port Hueneme to avoid privately operated ports in California!

U.S. Army photo by Greg Nash, 27JAN2022.

In January 2022, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers inspected the Port of Baltimore’s Dundalk and Seagirt Marine Terminals in Maryland.  There are claims that the port is now the top ‘e-commerce’ port in the United States.  Port operators credit this to the ‘Pandemic’ shipping problems which resulted in a lot of container ships being rerouted from other overstressed ports.

Operation Jupiter: PANDEMIC LOGISTIC SHENANIGANS HIT U.S. MILITARY NANO-VAX OPERATIONS!

Biden’s War: USN CREATES NEW taxpayer funded POLICE OP TO PROTECT NATO’S OIL SUPPLY!

Pandemic Logistics Perfidy: YES, CALIFORNIA’S TRUCKING & EMPLOYMENT LAWS PARTIALLY TO BLAME FOR SUPPLY PROBLEMS!