Military History of the "Golden Years"

Focus on US, NATO and Allied Forces during the "Golden Years". Cold War, the "wild" 1990s and the GWOT.

[reforger1985]

The fact that it was pretty complicated, difficult and expensive to aquire or transport modern Soviet military equipment during the height of the Cold War to the US, led to some interesting modified US vehicles for the OPFOR (Opposing Forces) role.

One example of such vehicles were a small number of M109 Self Propelled Howitzers, which were modified in such a way that they looked (at least a bit) like the Soviet ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" Self Propelled Air Defense System. For this modification, the Army used the chassis of the M109, removed the gun barrel and replaced it with a mock quad cannon and installed a mock radar antenna on top of the turret of the M109. Pretty cheap and pretty effective. The photos were made in 1977 at Fort Ord, Central California during a exercise, which trained the cooperation of air and ground assets of the Army and Air Force.

Its not like that US allies never captured any "real" intact "Shilkas". Israel for example captured dozens of them during the Yom Kippur War in October 1973. And US agencies were pretty aware of the secrets of this Soviet air defense system. But beside the fact that Israel used some of them as part of their Armed Forces, why to spend much money into transport etc. to just have a "real" vehicle for the OPFOR role. That made no sense, so the US preferred solutions like with the modified M109s, or modified M551 "Sheridan" which were also "disguised" as "Shilkas".

[reforger1985]

Groups of "Hunter Killer" teams of AH-1S "Cobras" And OH-58A "Kiowas" thundered over the hot deserts en route to their targets deep into the barren wasteland. Their target were enemy troop concentations, specifically Mechanized Formations. Their major goal this day? To eliminate at least 70-80% of them. It was a concept which proved already in South East Asia it`s effectiveness. Teams of "Cobras" and "Kiowas" on the hunt for enemy tanks and armoured vehicles. Something which US Armed Forces perfected during Operation "Desert Storm" in early 1991, at that time with another team constellations. "Apaches" and "Kiowas", a much deadlier formation as decades earlier.

But these great photos were not made in South East Asia, nor in Iraq or Kuwait. But in the deserts of Southern California in July 1986 during the exercise "Gallant Eagle 86`". A truly interesting exercise series which was launched for the first time in 1981, but evolved during the following years to one of the largest military exercises within the United States. In 1986 it had a pretty interesting purpose. Just three years earlier USCENTCOM was officially created, the US Central Command for Armed Forces in the Middle Eastern region, already during the 1980s a global hot spot.

Just recall the bloody civil war in Lebanon which was still ongoing mid of the 1980s, the tense situation with Iran, but also Syria and of course Libya, which became to one of the major threats for US forces in the region at that time. Just few months before "Gallant Eagle 86`" was launched, US Air and Naval forces conducted massive Air strikes against Libya as part of Operation "El Dorado Canyon". Libyan dictator Gaddafi even threatened Ronald Reagan openly with his assassination. It was the peak of tensions between the two nations.

So "Gallant Eagle 86" trained and prepared US Air Force, Army, Navy and USMC assets for possible Operations in envoirements similar to the Middle East and surely specifically Libya. There were plans of the Reagan administration to use ground forces as the last option, if tensions with Libya increased in a major way. But the exercise was also a strong signal to Gaddafi that US forces were prepared. It were the times as the US openly and often "flexed its muscles", not only towards the USSR, but also Libya or Iran.

"Gallant Eagle 86" included over 35.000 soldiers of all branches of the US Armed Forces with a fictional training scenario of an Allied nation in the Middle East, which requested US support for its defense against an invader. Part of it were also large numbers of helicopters which supported the forces on the ground.

Visible on the photos were dozens of AH-1S "Cobras", a improved second generation version of the AH-1. The "S" version got several sub-versions, each with specific improvements like more powerful engines or the capabiltiy to carry and operate the TOW anti tank wire guided missile system. The latter one is also visible on the photos. The OH-58A "Kiowa" entered service already during the late 1960s and was used in a very effective way together with AH-1G`s in South East Asia during the early 1970s. The "Kiowas" which were operated during the 1980s were upgraded "A" versions of the helicopter.

"Gallant Eagle 86`" was one of several large US exercises which were more as just exercises. They were a show of force and power and a major signal to dictators, thugs and communists all over the world. No matter if Libya, Nicaragua, Iran or the USSR.

[reforger1985]

It is always interesting to see which countries supported IFOR and later SFOR on the Balkans mid of the 1990s. A great example are the contingents of Finland and Sweden, which both supported the NATO mission as non NATO member states at that time. Both nations operated as part of the Nordic Polish Brigade, which included as the name already says, all NATO and non NATO member states from Northern Europe which supported IFOR/SFOR.

Beside Sweden and Finland, also Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania sent troops to the Balkans. Interestingly all mentioned nations (Except Denmark) were future NATO member states. Poland joined the alliance in 1999, the Baltic states in 2004 and Sweden and Finland recently.

The Swedish and Finnish contingents were compared to US, British or French ones small and included just units on battalion size. Finland sent a Engineer Battalion and Sweden a Mechanized one. But it was a great example of the willingness of both nations to support the alliance actively in peacekeeping missions on the Balkans, in this case Bosnia Herzegovina.

The photos show Finnish made Sisu 6x6 APC`s in use of both, Finland and Sweden, plus a Swedish soldier armed with the Ak 5, a improved Swedish version of the Belgian FN FNC rifle. The Ak 5 was at the time when the photos were made, the standard one of the Swedish Army.

Both contingents remained in Bosnia and were from late 1996 on part of SFOR which replaced IFOR. The late 1990s saw some replacements and changes among the Finnish contingent, until SFOR ended in 2004.

At least for me it`s interesting to see which nations participated among such multinational missions, beside the well known players. So expect some more posts about that topic in the future. For example in Somalia during the early 1990s, or Iraq in 2003.

[reforger1985]

Great photos which were made on board of the US aircraft carrier USS "George Washington" (CNV-73) in early 1998. At that time, the carrier and its Air Wing supported Operation "Southern Watch" in the Persian Gulf. A US led multinational Operation which established a No Fly Zone over Southern Iraq to prevent Saddams Forces, specifically its Air Force to conduct air strikes against civilians in Southern Iraq. Operation "Southern Watch" resulted of an UN resolution which led to the established of this No Fly Zone. This came not without any reason, as Iraqi Forces already attacked Shiits in the South of Iraq, which launched an uprising against Saddams regime in the aftermath of the Gulf War in 1991.

"Southern Watch" included Air and Naval assets from the US, France, Great Britain and Saudi Arabia and lasted from late 1992 until March 2003, the start of the US led invasion of Iraq.

Visible are some greatly painted F-14B "Tomcats of VF-102 "Diamondbacks". I personally love the times where US Navy jets were still very colorful, something which sadly vanished during the early 2000s. At that time the squadron was part of Carrier Air Wing 1, which consisted in early 1998 a mix of F-14Bs and F/A-18Cs, with VF-102 the only squadron on board of the carrier which operated the "Tomcat". F/A-18C`s were used among attack squadrons. (Plus of course additional assets like E2C "Hawkeye", S3 "Viking" etc.)

The armament of the F-14s which is visible on the photos is pretty typcial for some CAP missions. It included 1-2 AIM-54 "Phoenix" AAM and 2-4 AIM-9L "Sidewinder" AAM carried under the inner wings. Thats in this case interesting, as the AIM-54 was mostly carried on pylons under the fuselage of the "Tomcat". Note also the LANTIRN (Low Altitude Naviation and Targeting Infrared for Night) POD, carried under the right wing which is visible on some photos. Such capabilties were introduced to the F-14Bs (Later also to the few manufacutured F-14Ds) mid of the 1990s, which gave the "Tomcat" from the late 1990s on a real effective ground attack capabiltiy and possibitily to use in a effective way laser guided ammuntion. The "Tomcat" changed to the "Bombcat".

"Southern Watch" included many still pretty unknown air strikes and Operations against Saddams Forces on the ground and in the air. Including many intercepts of Iraqi jets and nearby "kills" of Iraqi MIG`s. Pretty interesting!

[reforger1985]

A series of photos which were made during the Joint US-South Korean exercise "Bear Hunt 84" in February 1984 at two "famous" military training grounds in South Korea. Famous at least for generations of US soldiers deployed to the country. One of them is called "Nightmare Range", located just South of the notorious DMZ, the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas. A former battlefield of the Korean War, the range was established during the late 1950s as a military training ground for US and South Korean forces, which also included regular live firing exercises by tanks, artillery and helicopter units. The difficult mountainous terrain with valleys, hills and only a handful of useable streets, plus the fact that its landscape looked at some places like the moon surface, makes it pretty obvious why it was named "Nightmare Range".

The other training ground where these photos were made was the "Chipori" training ground, also located south of the DMZ and which is still in use by US and South Korean forces in 2026. Visible on the photographs were M60A1 MBTs of the 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion of the 3rd US Marine Division, based at Camp Schwab, Okinawa. "Bear Hunt 84`" involved forces of the USMC, US Army and South Korean Forces which intensively trained Mechanized Warfare, supported by Artillery, Helicopters and Air Strikes. The small red and green flags on the tanks indicates the status of the tanks. A green flag indicates that the tube is clear, no firing intended. A red flag is used during actual firing.

Goal of such exercises was to prepare US and South Korean Forces for the worst case scenario. A second North Korean invasion into the South. Another disastrous surprise like in June 1950 should be prevented. During the Cold War era the US had a permament deployment of around 30.000 soldiers in South Korea, including Air Force and Navy assets plus a number of tactical nuclear weapons. This force should create a major deterrence to prevent another North Korean invasion.

Since the 1950s, South Korea became to one of the most important US allies in the region, a powerful bastion against Communism, located in a important region directly between the USSR and Red China.

So what kind of Bear was on the target list in 1984? Probably the "Big Red Bear" from the North, who knows.

[reforger1985]

After Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait in August 1990 and tensions in the Gulf Region reached a new peak, not only US forces prepared for a possible combat mission in the Persian Gulf. It became pretty clear that also Great Britain as one of Americas oldest Allies would participate in a possible war to liberate Kuwait. Part of the British detachment to the Gulf region was also a batch of warriors from the Cold War era, the SEPECAT "Jaguar" GR1A. Developed during the 1960s as a tactical fighter bomber for both, the French and British Air Forces, its main role in Central Europe was for several decades a Nuclear one. Armed with British WE-177 tactical nuclear bombs, British "Jaguars" would have penetrated Eastern European airspace on low level flights to deliver its deadly ordnance in a case of an Soviet invasion into Western Europe.

As No. 41 Squadron, based at RAF Coltishall, located in the East of England, deployed with their "Jaguars" first to Oman and then in late 1990 to Bahrain, they were fully prepared for their mission. Their aircraft got a new temporary Desert paint with the typical British light pink tone in it and some improvements and upgrades for their mission in the Gulf. This upgrade package, named after the Operational Name of the British part of the Operation, "Granby", included several specific modifications. The Rolls Royce engines were for example modified for the hot climate in the region, new radio equipment was installed and the "Jaguars" were equipped with AN/ALQ 101 ECM pods, carried under the left inner wing (Also visible on the photos) and Philips-MATRA Phimat chaff dispensers, carried on inner right wing (Also visible on the photos).

Main armament during Operation "Granby" were AIM-9L "Sidewinder" AAM and 1000lbs bombs, rocket pods and cluster ammunition. One large 264 lmp Gallon tank was carried on a centerline pylon, which freed the underwing pylons for other payloads like up to four 1000lbs bombs. This tank is also visible on the photos.

Different to it`s Cold War mission, RAF planners decided against low level missions and instead followed USAF tactics with medium level sorties. A much safer way as both Air Forces expected a dense and powerful Iraqi air defense network. But the British "Jaguars" not only conducted air strikes, but also reconaissance flights. One of the main tasks of No.41 Squadron during the Cold War era, as the unit used their Jaguars in both roles. Ground attack and reconaissance. For that role the "Jaguars" in the Gulf carried BAe reconaissance pods.

It became quickly clear that the "Jaguars" performed in a pretty effective way, despite of their age of almost 40 years in 1991. They became quickly to a kind of workhorse of British RAF forces in the Gulf and conducted over 150 combat sorties against Iraqi forces until the liberation of Kuwait in late February 1991.

These Cold War Warriors hammered in a very effective way on Iraqi troop concentrations, SAM sites and military installations. It was the first time that British "Jaguars" performed in its primary role as ground attack aircraft and proved extremely well.

Iraqi forces experienced a deadly bite of the Jaguar in early 1991.

[reforger1985]

Some great photographs of UH-1N`s of the 20th Special Operations Squadron in the area around Hurlburt Field, Florida during some training exercises of the unit. The photos were made during the early 1980s and I personally love the camouflage pattern which they used on their "Hueys" at that time. Hurlburt Field became from the mid 1970s on the homebase of the 20th SOS, a unit with a absolutely interesting and rich history.

Its "real" story as helicopter squadron for special and clandestine operations started mid of the 1960s (At that time still under the designation 20th Helicopter Squadron) as the United States became more and more involved in a new bloody conflict in Asia. A first batch of helicopters of the 20th HS arrived at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Saigon in 1965. During the following months, the squadron became fully operational and involved into the escalating war in South East Asia. From 1966 on they changed their mission type and entered the clandestine stage of warfare in South East Asia. Known as the "Pony Express", the 20th HS supported not only US Forces in South Vietnam, but also the covert war of the CIA in Laos, which armed tens of thousands members of indigenious tribes to fight against North Vietnamese regulars, the Pathet Lao Communists and the VC within Laos.

During the following years the unit not only changed its designation to 20th Special Operations Squadron, but also received some batches of gunships with UH-1Fs and "P" helicopters. The former a much more powerful version of the "Huey", equipped with a new engine and the latter a heavily armed version of the UH-1. It was also in South East Asia where they received their nickname "Green Hornets".

Deactivated in 1972, it needed just few months until the unit was again re-activated at Hurlburt Field, Florida in early 1973. This time with a main focus on Special Operations and equipped with types like the UH-1N and later the HH-53H and MH-53H "Pave Low" helicopters.

The 1980s saw several deployments, no matter if during Operation "Urgent Fury", the small scale US Invasion on the Island of Grenada in the Carribean in 1983, missions as part of the Reagans administrations "War on Drugs", or Operation "Just Cause" which removed the notorious leader of Panama, Manuel Noriega from power in 1989.

Operations in Kuwait, Iraq, the Balkans and Afghanistan followed during the 1990s and early 2000s. Helicopters of that unit also supported Emergency units at the Pentagon, just days after the Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

A truly interesting unit which history could fill a book (which it does, as I can highly recommend the book "Green Hornets: The History of the U.S. Air Force 20th Special Operations Squadron" by Wayne Mutza) and which story continues until today, with clandestine operations all around the globe.

[reforger1985]

Military exercises in Arctic regions were and still are a major challenge for humans and equipment. This photo series shows that in a very impressive way. Made in March 1992 in a Fjord near the Norwegian city of Trondheim, it shows US sailors which not fights a particular enemy, but the weather. Heavy snowfall led to difficult conditions on the flightdeck of the Amphibious landing ship USS "Guadalcanal" (LPH-7). At the time these photos were made, the vessel was part of "Teamwork 92`", a major NATO exercise in and around Norway, which trained the cooperation and capabilties of different NATO member states in a simulated scenario of an Soviet attack against Norway.

For many years the far north of Norway with its border to the USSR was one of the weaknesses of NATOs defense plannings in a case of war in Central and Northern Europe. Exercises like "Teamwork", first held in 1982, were created to strenghten NATO´s Northern flank and to improve the defense capabilties of the US and its European allies to defend Northen Europe against any Soviet aggression. This included also plannings and trainings of rapid movements of US naval and USMC assets within 24 hours to Norway. This kind of "Rapid Reaction Force" should support Norwegian defense capabilties, until more NATO troops arrived in the area. Amphibious Landing Ships like the USS "Guadalcanal" played among such plannings a crucial role, especially cause of the pretty unique terrain in Norway, with its thousands of fjords and waterways.

A major challenge in this region was of course the weather, extremely low temperatures, snow and ice made any Naval and flight operations pretty challenging and difficult. Also this aspect was intensively trained during such exercises. It improved and strenghtened NATO`s capabilties for Arctic warfare and led to new tactics and improved equipment.

The USS "Guadalcanal" was part of the "Iwo Jima" class of Amphibious Landing Ships of the US Navy, which were the first vessels particulary designed and developed for that role. Visible on the photos were also serveral CH-46E, CH-53E, AH-1W "Super Cobra" ( A highly improved second generation version of the "Cobra", capable of operating a large variety of missile armament), UH-1N and SH-2F "Seasprite" helicopters.

"Teamwork 92" included forces of 11 NATO member states with in total 170 ships, 300 aircraft and nearly 50.000 soldiers. Pretty impressive numbers, especially for 1992. Recall that the USSR and the whole Communist Bloc collapsed between 1989 and 1991, so there was no major enemy anymore. This was also the reason why "Teamwork 92`" was the last major exercise which trained the defense of Norway. For many years, there was no need to train the defense of Northern Europe anymore. But nowadays NATO should re-think about the creation of a new series of large military exercises for the defense of Northern Europe, which includes now three major member states. Norway, Sweden and Finland.

[usafphantom2]

#SortieSunday #TwoForOne I had to completely create from scratch the YF-17 as none of my production models aren't like it one bit. This absolute pain in my fuckin ass models to do. It took 12 hours for me to construct these and apply hand-made fuselage, wings, both vertical and horizontal stabilizers, logos, liveries, etc. There were two YF-17 Cobra prototypes that flew 288 test flights, totaling 345 hours. It attained a top speed of Mach 1.95, a peak load factor of an impressive 9.4 G's and a maximum altitude of over 50,000 ft.

Later, McDonnell Douglas joins Northrop and came up what is familiar to Americans as the Hornet. Later in 1995, Boeing builds the larger more advanced F/A-18E & F Super Hornet.

This is one of the few prototypes that looks nearly identical to the production model only smaller and less robust landing gear the production Hornets received for carrier ops. Today, most Legacy Hornets are all but retired except in the USMC. Legacy models also played aggressor/adversary roles in it's twilight years. Also included in this thread, is a cool cutaway of the Cobra and better close-ups of my Cobra builds.

@Ryukuanripper via X

[reforger1985]

The US Navy sent their powerful and massive aircraft carriers not only to military hot spots all around the world, but also to places where humanitarian support and help was badly needed. This photo series shows that in a very impressive way. The photos were made in January 2005, just weeks after a massive Earthquake shattered the Indian Ocean, which led to one of the largest Tsunamis in modern human history. The massive wave hit the coastlines of 15 countries and led especially in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia to death and destruction.

Large coastal areas were flooded, cut off from the rest of the country and created a humanitarian worst case scenario with hundreds of thousands of people which needed food, water, medical supplies and more. Not to mention the tens of thousands of wounded persons which urgently needed medical assistance. The United States offered immediately it`s assistance and sent in late 2004 Carrier Strike Group 9, led by the aircraft carrier USS "Abraham Lincoln" (CVN-72) to areas off coast of Indonesia, mainly Sumatra, which was hit in a extremely worse way by the Tsunami. During the following days several more US Navy assets arrived in the area, including Amphibious Landing and Hospital Ships.

The core element of support became the helicopter squadrons of the "Abraham Lincoln", mainly Helicopter Anti Submarine Squadron 2 "Golden Falcons", which operated in 2005 the SH-60B "Seahawk" visible on the photos. Nearly all areas which were affected by the Tsunami were heavily destroyed, including road networks, which made it nearly impossible to move supplies to areas on the ground. The SH-60B`s of the "Golden Falcons" created a kind of air lift between the carrier and the mainland and transported large numbers of supplies, medical equipment and everything what was needed to the areas on the ground. They also transported wounded persons to the US hospital ships off coast of Indonesia. For many weeks the US "Seahawks" were a major sign of hope and support for the Indonesian people in areas which were completely destroyed and without any connection to the rest of the country. The Operation with the name "Unified Assistance" ended officially in April 2005, after thousands of flights were conducted by the helicopter squadrons of the USS "Abraham Lincoln".

The SH-60B "Seahawk" is a very interesting Naval version of the well known UH-60 "Blackhawk" used by the US Army. The SH-60B is much heavier as its Army counterpart as it got some extra equipment and avionics for its US Navy use. Most parts of the helicopter were foldable, a important aspect on a carrier, where space is one of the most important things. The fuel capacity was enlarged and a new powerful AN/APS-124 search radar was installed in the nose section of the helicopter. It also got systems which enabled it for the active hunt for submarines, including a MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector) and sonar buoy launcher system. It was a powerful Naval version of the iconic "Blackhawk" and as "Unified Assistance" proved, it was also extremely effective as transport helicopter.

[reforger1985]

A series of photos which were made in April 1986 on board of the US aircraft carrier USS "America" (CV-66) off coast of Libya. Visible are A-7E "Corsair II" of the squadrons VA-72 "Blue Hawks" and VA-46 "Clansmen", which were prepared for their mission against military facilities of the Libyan Armed Forces near the city of Benghazi. One photo shows also F-14A "Tomcats" of squadrons VF-102 "Diamondbacks" and VF-33 "Starfighters".

At that time the USS "America" was part of Operation "El Dorado Canyon", a massive aerial retalitation strike against Gaddafis Libya after a terrorist bombing struck the "La Belle" discotheque in West Berlin earlier that month which killed two US soldiers and a civilan. The attack which originated in Libya, targeted this place as it was a very popular and well frequented spot among US soldiers deployed to West Berlin. Supported by the East German agency STASI, the attack occured during a phase of increased tensions between the US and Libya. With the bombing, this tensions reached a first major peak.

"El Dorado Canyon" included assets of the USAF and USN, also three aircraft carriers, USS "America", USS "Coral Sea" and USS "Saratoga", plus several F-111Fs of the USAF which conducted long range strikes from its bases in the UK.

Carrier Air Wing 1 on board of USS "America" targeted mainly the Benina Airfield, South of the city of Benghazi and the Jamahiriyah Guard Barracks. The latter one was mainly used as a training compound for the military education and training of terrorist groups, something which reached during the 1980s a peak, as Gaddafi offered support for dozens of such groups all around the world. The main attack was conducted by A-6E "Intruder" of VA-34 "Blue Blasters", with A-7E`s as supporting element for SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense) of the Libyan air defense network around Benghazi.

The F-14As of VF-102 and VF-33 conducted MIGCAP over the area. The A-7Es were mainly armed with AIM-9L "Sidewinder" AAM, AGM-45 "Shrike" ARM and MK 20 "Rockeye II" cluster ammunition. The F-14s with AIM-9L and AIM-7M AAM for their MIGCAP role.

The whole Operation not really reached all of it`s targets, but it was a massive iron hammer for Gaddafi which also proved, that the US would not tolerate any attacks from Libyan side against their Armed Forces or civilians, no matter where. At the end it was more a kind of large show of force.

[reforger1985]

Some great photos of B-52Hs of the 23rd Bomb Squadron "Barons" in the skies over Egypt as part of the multinational exercise "Bright Star 87" in August 1987. They came all the way from Minot AFB, North Dakota on a 15.000 miles trip and conducted bombing raids on a improvized airfield, constructed for training purposes in the Egyptian desert. Such missions demonstrated in a impressive way SACs capabilities to conduct such non stop long range raids against targets all around the world. Something which became just few years after "Bright Star 87" reality, as B-52`s conducted non stop bombing missions from the US against targets in Iraq, as part of the aerial campaign of "Desert Storm" in 1991.

The "Bright Star" exercises evolved in 1979/80 from the major changes in Egyptian politics towards Israel and the US. The Camp David Accords of 1978, which led to a first real peace treaty between the two nations in 1979 created also a new base for the relations between the US and Egypt. From 1980 on Egypt became to a new important strategic ally for the US in the region. A fact which led to the first major deliveries of modern US arms, equipment and technology to the country. The first Joint US-Egyptian exercise, "Bright Star 80`" was held in 1980. From 1981 on the exercises were also opened for friendly and Allied nations in the region or NATO member states. Sudan, Somalia or Jordan participated for example during the 1980s, same with Great Britain. "Bright Star" is still an actual and important military exercise in the region with the last held in 2025 in Egypt.

[usafphantom2]

A USAF RF-4C Phantom II assigned to the 67TRW out of BERGSTROM AFB MAR83 (bill thompson)

@kadonkey via X

[reforger1985]

Some interesting photographs which were made during the Joint US Navy/Army exercise "Chili Flag 90" in March 1990. Some great examples of pre GWOT Special Forces kit and equipment here. "Chili Flag 90`" was held near Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, home of the 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing. It was this unit which not only organized this exercise, but also provided most of the transport capabilities with their helicopters. Core element of "Chili Flag" were topics like in and exfiltration of highly specialized teams of the US Navy Seals in a mainly maritime envoirement. (In the case of this exercise, the Elephant Butte Reservoir, South of Albuquerque New Mexico).

The 1550th was a very "young" unit. Activated in 1971, it was the result of experiences made in South East Asia regarding Combat Search and Rescue Operations in a highly hostile envoirement. The 1550th should be used as main training unit for future search and rescue Operations in such envoirements. Their syllabus included later also Operations with Special Forces units of the US Army and Navy. In and exfiltration, covered penetration into enemy airspace etc. Their fleet of aircraft included HH-3E, CH-3E, MH-53J and CH-53A helicopters plus several HC-130H and HC-130E aircraft. Some of them are also visible on the photos, like the MH-53J and the CH-3E which is seen on one of the photos swimming on the Elephant Butte Reservoir. Interesting to see as this version was fully amphibious. The MH-53J Pave Low III was at that time the most powerful and capable transport helicopter in US service. Fully packed with at that time state of the art electronics and avionics like terrain following radar or FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared sensors) it was the perfect choice for clandestine Operations deep behind enemy lines.

Interesting to see that the Navy Seals used at that time still the good ol` M14 rifle. It is in general interesting to compare this pre GWOT Special Forces kit with this which came during the early 2000s.

Special Forces units like the US Navy Seals should become a decade later to key elements in a completely new kind of war. This one against global terrorism, which included small Operations, conducted by highly trained small units like the Seals or Deltas. But in 1990 such scenarios were far away. The Communist system in Eastern Europe was already history at that time, but the USSR was still in place and the enemy number one.

[reforger1985]

A series of interesting photos which were made during the Joint US-Canadian exercise "Northern Edge" in March 2001. "Northern Edge" was part of a long row of joint military exercises which were held in the far North of the United States, mainly Alaska for decades. During the Cold War such exercises had the major goal to prepare and train US and Canadian forces to defeat a possible "invasion" of Soviet Forces into Alaska. To read such words creates directly the imagination of a kind of full scale invasion like in the Computer Game "Command & Conquer Red Alert 2" or the iconic movie "Red Dawn". Much more possible would have been the penetration of US and Canadian airspace by Soviet aircraft of smaller Commando raids, also with Airborne Forces. To be prepared for all of such cases both Nations held dozens of large exercises in Alaska during the Cold War era.

But during the 1990s the situation changed in a major way. After the end of the Cold War, the major threat in the East, the USSR vanished. Russia became a kind of "nice neighbor" during the 1990s and early 2000s and was replaced step by step by a new major threat. International Terrorism. Interestingly "Northern Edge" in 2001 was not mainly designed as an Anti Terrorist exercise and kept it`s main military character.

The main objectives of the exercise were topics like securing of important ports in the exercise area, coastal operations by the US Coast Guard, training jumps into simulated enemy held areas in the Alaskan wilderness and the defense of cities alongside the coast. So yes, the US and Canada still prepared for possible Commando Raids into Alaska. Recall that as "Northern Edge" was held in March 2001, nobody ever thought that a direct terrorist attack in any significat size on US soil was possible. That changed of course few months later, but in March 2001 US and Canadian Forces focused on other topics.

The exercise included over 10.000 soldiers from the US and Canada, including several units of the Alaskan National Guard, the US Coast Guard, US and Canadian Air Force and Navy and supporting units. One photo shows also the US Amphibious Dock Ship USS "Ogden" at the port of Ketchikan, a city located in the far South of Alaska, close to the Border to Canada. The USS "Ogden" supported US and Canadian Operations during the exercise in a major way.

Definetely interesting to see that both nations still prepared for a possible "invasion" of Alaska in early 2001. Just few months later such exercises became a completely different character.

[reforger1985]

Times and equipment surely changed, but not the fact that US Cavalry Forces appeared at any point and any time where they were needed. No matter which kind of "hot spot". In 1996 this was a small nation on the Balkans, heavily destroyed and shaped by years of extremely bloody civil war. Bosnia and Herzegovina. A US and NATO led Peacekeeping and Stabilization mission, called "IFOR" (Implementation Force), should support the long and difficult path after this civil war ended in 1995.

Part of this mission were the guys of the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry which deployed from Fort Hood, Texas to the Bosnian city of Tuzla in October 1996. They took with them not their horses, but something more powerful. Dozens of AH-64 "Apache" attack helicopters and supporting assets like OH-58 "Kiowas" and UH-60 "Blackhawks".

This firepower was a powerful argument to not challenge the peace process in Bosnia or even to try to interrupt it. During their deployment, which lasted several months, 2nd Squadron operated from Camp Comanche, near Tuzla. A major flight operations base which housed at it`s peak far over 1000 men and women, plus their helicopters.

The AH-64 proved in a very impressive way how effective and deadly it was during "Desert Storm" in early 1991. Something which also Serbian Forces knew pretty well. During their deployment 2nd Squadron fired not a single missile in anger. Just their powerful presence was enough to support the peace process in Bosnia.

The photos show AH-64 of the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry at Camp Comanche in late 1996. Note the armament of the helicopters. The racks of laser guided AGM-114C "Hellfires" are very good visible. The AH-64 was able to carry in total 16 of these deadly missiles. Beside such guided ammunition it was also possible to carry pods for unguided 70mm "Hydra" rockets, plus of course the 30mm cannon, mounted under the nose section of the helicopter.

[reforger1985]

Before we dive into these awesome photos, some words about the intention of this page and what is it about and what not. This page will focus on the so called "Golden Years" of Western Military technology and Military Forces. A timespan, which reached from the 1970s, as US forces underwent a major re-structuring and re-building process in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, to the early 2000s, as the GWOT rang in the end of the "Golden Years" and the entry into a new complex and difficult geopolitical era and world. But between these two decades laid the powerful Reagan years with it`s dozens of "hot" Cold War conflicts, no matter if Grenada, Libya or Nicaragua, the "wild" 1990s with some turbulent years in East and West and of course the re-structuring of the world in the post Cold War era. This page will be not about politics, it will focus on Military technology, partly history and powerful aesthetics. It will not dive into any of the former topics in detail, nor is that the intention of this page.

One of this powerful aesthetics were these photographs which shows the US battleship USS "New Jersey" (BB-62) during her deployment to the Mediterranean in September 1983. The "Big J" had a long and rich history in US Navy service. Laid down in 1940, it entered USN service in 1943 and saw intense combat action against Japanese forces in the Pacific until wars end. Her first decomission in 1948 was not the end of her career. In total, she was recalled to arms three impressing times and supported US and Allied troops in Korea and Vietnam against Communist Forces during the 1950s and 1960s. 1969 marked the year where it really seemed that "Big J" reached the end of her career. She was again removed from active service, but not for long. In 1982 she was again reactivated and became part of the Reagans administrations plans for a powerful and large so called "600 ships Navy", which also included several modernized US battleships of the "Iowa" class. Including "Big J". She was again back in buisness.

In 1983 she was ordered to the Mediterranean off coast of Lebanon, where she should support US and Allied Forces which tried to stabilize the complex and difficult situation among the small Middle Eastern nation. From the late 1970s on the country sank into a bloody civil war, fought between dozens of different fractions, which reached its bloody peak in 1982 with the Israeli invasion of South Lebanon. US Marine Corps forces arrived in the country in 1983 as part of a Multinational Peacekeeping Force which should stabilize the difficult situation in and around Beirut, once called the "Paris of the Middle East". Something which evolved just months later into a bloody mistake. In October 1983 two suicide bombings against the barracks of USMC and French Forces killed and wounded hundreds of soldiers of both nations. Attacks with connections to some sinister circles in Syria and Iran.

In 1983 it was Syria which controlled large parts of Northern Lebanon and areas around Beirut. During a reconaissance mission near the city, conducted by carrier based US aircraft, Syrian AAA fire hit one US aircraft. A terrible mistake for the Syrians.

In December 1983 "Big J" got the order to retaliate the attack against US aircraft. On December 14th, she targeted with her powerful 16 inch guns Syrian anti aircraft positions near Beirut and shot in total 11 shells on these positions. The Syrian guys surely thought a heavy freight train would come in as they heard the massive shells coming closer. The damage was small but the psychological effect powerful.

After tensions between Syrian and US forces increased in early 1984, "Big J" got again the order to show the Syrians the Iron Fist of the Navy. In February 1984 she conducted the heaviest shore bombardement since the Korean War and hammered 288 16 inch shells on Syrian positions near Beirut. A powerful demonstration of force. During the following months she also covered the withdrawal of US forces from Lebanon.

Visible on the photo is also a SH-3H "Sea King" of Helicopter Combat Squadron 5, "Nightdippers". At the time the photos were made, the squadron was deployed on board of the US carrier USS "Dwight D. Eisenhower" (CVN-69). The SH-3H was a highly modernized and improved version of the "Sea King". Beside a new more powerful engine it got also improved sonar and radar equipment.