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Landing exercise for helicopter pilot aspirants

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Su30 fighter with from Vietnamese engineer improved Kh29T/L antiship missile

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It is only one part of the training and cant express the efficiency and ability of Vietnamese army.
I'm aware, that was just recruit training. I still find it fascinating though, offers an insight into how they're built up from civilians into troops.
 
Vietnam's most important event of the year: APEC 2017. Leaders of 21 countries of the Pacific rim are expected to attend, including the US and China presidents. The German carmaker Audi provides over 350 special made edition cars to chauffeur the guests. Ok Donald Trump will certainly use his own armor limousines. Maybe Xi Jinping and Shinzo Abe will rely on their own limousines too.

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Great new, guys. Its seem VN is about to receive an Ex-ROKN ASW Pohang class ship. This is confirm by the Philipine which also about to receive one. This would greatly bolster our elderly Petya class ships.

Finally, the Philippine Navy (and Vietnam) are Set to Receive a Pohang-class Flight III Corvette from South Korea
MaxDefense Philippines finally received a confirmation from its sources that after more than 2 years of waiting, the Philippine Navy will be receiving a Pohang-class corvette from South Korea. This is NOT the same ship that was reported since 2014, which is a totally different project.

After conducting of the Joint Visual Inspection by the Philippine Navy in Jinhae Naval Base in South Korea, spearheaded by the Offshore Combat Force's commanding officer himself, the Philippine Navy decided to finally accept the offer made by the South Korean government to transfer the Pohang-class Flight III anti-submarine corvette. It appears that only 1 ship was offered by the South Korean government, while the other decommissioned Flight III ships will be going to 2 other countries. The ship is expected to be in service with the Philippine Navy by 4th quarter of 2017.

While the deal appears that the ship is free, the Philippine Navy will have to spend around Php 200 million for the entire transfer process, including reactivation, repair, minor refurbishing works, replacement of obsolete systems required for safe use of the ship, crew billeting and training, and other expenses.

The ship is expected to be assigned with the Offshore Combat Force (OCF) of the Philippine Fleet, and will be the primary anti-submarne warfare (ASW) platform of the service until the introduction of other ASW-capable units.



Pohang-class corvette ROKS Chungju (PCC-762), the unit reportedly assigned for transfer to the Philippine Navy.
Credits to owner of photo.



The Ship in Brief:

The ship, reported to be the former ROKS Chungju (PCC-762), was built by Korea Tacoma Shipyard, was commissioned with the Republic of Korea Navy in 1987, and served until it was decommissioned in December 2016. Based on these dates, the ship is around 30 years old, or at least 20 years younger than the Hamilton-class cutters acquired by the Philippine Navy from the US Coast Guard.






It is considered a Flight III sub-class of the Pohang-class combat corvette, which is configured for anti-submarine warfare. It is equipped with two Oto Melara 76mm Compact naval guns, two Breda twin 40mm/70 naval guns, two Mk. 32 triple torpedo tubes, and two Mk.9 depth charge racks. It was previously fitted with Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, and while they are not included in the transfer, the ship won't need major alterations and adjustments for launchers to be re-installed again.

The ship's sensors suite include Raytheon AN/SPS-64 radar, Signaal WM-28 Fire Control system, and a Raytheon AN/SQS-58 hull mounted sonar which replaced an older model.



The ROKS Chungju is equipped with two Mk.32 triple torpedo launchers, similar to the photo above.
Photo taken from Wikipedia.



As an Anti Submarine Warfare Training Ship:

The ship's Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) gear is the primary reason of the Philippine Navy's interest in the Pohang-class. With no warship in its fleet with ASW capability, the PN has almost zero capability in detecting and hunting submarines, as well as providing practical and actual ASW training to its personnel.

The ASW training is very important since the Philippine Navy is expecting the delivery of two new ASW-capable frigates in the next few years, and the training of potential crew members should start as early as possible. According to our sources, the Republic of Korea Navy will primarily assist in training PN personnel in ASW, while the PN will also be getting assistance from other friendly navies in growing the knowledge and experience base.



What Happened to the Earlier Offer:

In 2014, it was reported that the Philippine Navy will be receiving the Pohang-class Flight II ASuW corvette ROKS Mokpo (PCC-759) as a donation by the South Korean government. While the ship itself is free, the ship will need to undergo rehabilitation and refurbishing before it can set sail for the Philippines. And expenses for this would be paid for by the Philippine government.

A Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) team from the Philippine Navy found in 2014 that the ROKS Mokpo was in very poor condition, and will need a huge investment in time and money to be brought to tip top shape. Also, it is not an ASW-configured warship, and this is what the PN is actually putting priority in what they are looking for. Thus, the Philippine Navy rejected the offer, and instead requested the Korean government to provide an alternative offer.

The latest proposal made by the Korean government has reached the Philippine Navy late last year, resulting to this latest arrangement for the transfer of ROKS Chungju.

While we were all hoping that the Koreans may have offered more than just 1 ship, MaxDefense received confirmation that the other available Flight III corvettes were earmarked for Vietnam, and another one for a South American country.

Until now there are reportedly no takers yet of the former ROKS Mokpo, suggesting that the inspection results from the PN may hold weight.

So let's stop looking for the Mokpo, shall we?



Future Plans:

The Philippine Navy has requested funding for a combat system upgrade for a single Pohang-class corvette as part of the AFP Modernization Program's Horizon 2 phase, as submitted by the AFP and DND to Malacanang. This will enable the PN to install a heavier weapons system like anti-ship missiles, while also upgrading its weapons and sensor suite.

Aside from that, the Philippine Navy is also hoping that the South Korean government will again offer more Pohang-class corvettes, as the PN wanted to have at least 3 units in its fleet. This is logical, considering that operating a single Pohang-class ship does not make sense, and would be a logistical problem for the PN since it uses parts and systems that are currently not in their logistics and maintenance chain. More ships of the class in PN service makes its continued use more reasonable in both operations and logistics point of view.

These ships are also expected to replace some of the World War 2-era assets of the Philippine Navy, which they wanted to retire from service by year 2020.



The Pohang-class are actually configured to carry and fire Harpoon anti-ship missiles, as seen on the photo above. The combat system upgrade requested by the PN for the Pohang-class under the Horizon 2 phase of the Navy's modernization programme may include the acquisition and installation of such systems, enabling the ship to have the capability to engage enemy ships in longer distances.
Credits to the owner of the photo.


MaxDefense will update this blog entry as more information comes in the near future. Meanwhile, MaxDefense readers are adviced to also read our old blog entry regarding the Pohang-class acquisition by the Philippine Navy, which I believe is still relevant up to now:

"OVERVIEW ON ROKN'S POHANG-CLASS CORVETTES, AND TRANSFER OF 1 SHIP TO THE PN" - First posted on June 8, 2014.
 
Great new, guys. Its seem VN is about to receive an Ex-ROKN ASW Pohang class ship. This is confirm by the Philipine which also about to receive one. This would greatly bolster our elderly Petya class ships.

Finally, the Philippine Navy (and Vietnam) are Set to Receive a Pohang-class Flight III Corvette from South Korea
MaxDefense Philippines finally received a confirmation from its sources that after more than 2 years of waiting, the Philippine Navy will be receiving a Pohang-class corvette from South Korea. This is NOT the same ship that was reported since 2014, which is a totally different project.

After conducting of the Joint Visual Inspection by the Philippine Navy in Jinhae Naval Base in South Korea, spearheaded by the Offshore Combat Force's commanding officer himself, the Philippine Navy decided to finally accept the offer made by the South Korean government to transfer the Pohang-class Flight III anti-submarine corvette. It appears that only 1 ship was offered by the South Korean government, while the other decommissioned Flight III ships will be going to 2 other countries. The ship is expected to be in service with the Philippine Navy by 4th quarter of 2017.

While the deal appears that the ship is free, the Philippine Navy will have to spend around Php 200 million for the entire transfer process, including reactivation, repair, minor refurbishing works, replacement of obsolete systems required for safe use of the ship, crew billeting and training, and other expenses.

The ship is expected to be assigned with the Offshore Combat Force (OCF) of the Philippine Fleet, and will be the primary anti-submarne warfare (ASW) platform of the service until the introduction of other ASW-capable units.



Pohang-class corvette ROKS Chungju (PCC-762), the unit reportedly assigned for transfer to the Philippine Navy.
Credits to owner of photo.



The Ship in Brief:

The ship, reported to be the former ROKS Chungju (PCC-762), was built by Korea Tacoma Shipyard, was commissioned with the Republic of Korea Navy in 1987, and served until it was decommissioned in December 2016. Based on these dates, the ship is around 30 years old, or at least 20 years younger than the Hamilton-class cutters acquired by the Philippine Navy from the US Coast Guard.






It is considered a Flight III sub-class of the Pohang-class combat corvette, which is configured for anti-submarine warfare. It is equipped with two Oto Melara 76mm Compact naval guns, two Breda twin 40mm/70 naval guns, two Mk. 32 triple torpedo tubes, and two Mk.9 depth charge racks. It was previously fitted with Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, and while they are not included in the transfer, the ship won't need major alterations and adjustments for launchers to be re-installed again.

The ship's sensors suite include Raytheon AN/SPS-64 radar, Signaal WM-28 Fire Control system, and a Raytheon AN/SQS-58 hull mounted sonar which replaced an older model.



The ROKS Chungju is equipped with two Mk.32 triple torpedo launchers, similar to the photo above.
Photo taken from Wikipedia.



As an Anti Submarine Warfare Training Ship:

The ship's Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) gear is the primary reason of the Philippine Navy's interest in the Pohang-class. With no warship in its fleet with ASW capability, the PN has almost zero capability in detecting and hunting submarines, as well as providing practical and actual ASW training to its personnel.

The ASW training is very important since the Philippine Navy is expecting the delivery of two new ASW-capable frigates in the next few years, and the training of potential crew members should start as early as possible. According to our sources, the Republic of Korea Navy will primarily assist in training PN personnel in ASW, while the PN will also be getting assistance from other friendly navies in growing the knowledge and experience base.



What Happened to the Earlier Offer:

In 2014, it was reported that the Philippine Navy will be receiving the Pohang-class Flight II ASuW corvette ROKS Mokpo (PCC-759) as a donation by the South Korean government. While the ship itself is free, the ship will need to undergo rehabilitation and refurbishing before it can set sail for the Philippines. And expenses for this would be paid for by the Philippine government.

A Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) team from the Philippine Navy found in 2014 that the ROKS Mokpo was in very poor condition, and will need a huge investment in time and money to be brought to tip top shape. Also, it is not an ASW-configured warship, and this is what the PN is actually putting priority in what they are looking for. Thus, the Philippine Navy rejected the offer, and instead requested the Korean government to provide an alternative offer.

The latest proposal made by the Korean government has reached the Philippine Navy late last year, resulting to this latest arrangement for the transfer of ROKS Chungju.

While we were all hoping that the Koreans may have offered more than just 1 ship, MaxDefense received confirmation that the other available Flight III corvettes were earmarked for Vietnam, and another one for a South American country.

Until now there are reportedly no takers yet of the former ROKS Mokpo, suggesting that the inspection results from the PN may hold weight.

So let's stop looking for the Mokpo, shall we?



Future Plans:

The Philippine Navy has requested funding for a combat system upgrade for a single Pohang-class corvette as part of the AFP Modernization Program's Horizon 2 phase, as submitted by the AFP and DND to Malacanang. This will enable the PN to install a heavier weapons system like anti-ship missiles, while also upgrading its weapons and sensor suite.

Aside from that, the Philippine Navy is also hoping that the South Korean government will again offer more Pohang-class corvettes, as the PN wanted to have at least 3 units in its fleet. This is logical, considering that operating a single Pohang-class ship does not make sense, and would be a logistical problem for the PN since it uses parts and systems that are currently not in their logistics and maintenance chain. More ships of the class in PN service makes its continued use more reasonable in both operations and logistics point of view.

These ships are also expected to replace some of the World War 2-era assets of the Philippine Navy, which they wanted to retire from service by year 2020.



The Pohang-class are actually configured to carry and fire Harpoon anti-ship missiles, as seen on the photo above. The combat system upgrade requested by the PN for the Pohang-class under the Horizon 2 phase of the Navy's modernization programme may include the acquisition and installation of such systems, enabling the ship to have the capability to engage enemy ships in longer distances.
Credits to the owner of the photo.


MaxDefense will update this blog entry as more information comes in the near future. Meanwhile, MaxDefense readers are adviced to also read our old blog entry regarding the Pohang-class acquisition by the Philippine Navy, which I believe is still relevant up to now:

"OVERVIEW ON ROKN'S POHANG-CLASS CORVETTES, AND TRANSFER OF 1 SHIP TO THE PN" - First posted on June 8, 2014.

More info on the Pohang class:

Class overview
Name: Pohang class
Operators:
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Republic of Korea Navy
Preceded by: Donghae class
Succeeded by: Incheon class
In commission: 18 December 1984 - present
Completed: 24
Active: 16
Lost: 1
Retired: 7
Preserved: 1
General characteristics
Type: Corvette
Displacement: 1,200 tonnes (1,200 long tons; 1,300 short tons)
Length: 88.3 m (289 ft 8 in)[1]
Beam: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)[2]
Draft: 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)[1]
Propulsion: CODOG unit[2]
Speed:
  • Maximum: 32 knots (59 km/h)
  • Cruising: 15 knots (28 km/h)[2]
Range: 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km)[2]
Crew: 95
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • ASUW Version:
  • [3]
  • - AN/SPS-64 Surface Search Radar
  • - Signaal WM 28 Fire Control System
  • - Signaal LIOD (Lightweight Optronic Director)
  • ASW Version:
  • - Marconi ST-1810 Surface Search Radar
  • - ST-1802 Fire Control System
  • - Radamec 2400 Optronic System
  • - Signaal PHS-32 Hull Mounted Sonar
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
  • ASUW Version:
  • - 4 x Mel Protean Chaff Launchers
Armament:
Pohang Class Patrol Combat Corvettes
The Pohang is a class of Patrol Combat Corvette (PCC) of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). A total of 24 ships were built by Korea Shipbuilding Corporation, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Korea Takoma. Pohang Class is preceded by Donghae class corvette.

The lead ship in class, Pohang (PCC-756), was delivered to ROKN in 1984. Remaining ships including Gunsan (PCC-757), Gyeongju (PCC-758), Mokpo (PCC-759), Gimcheon (PCC-761), Chungju (PCC-762), Jinju (PCC-763), Yeosu (PCC-765), Jinhae (PCC-766), Suncheon (PCC-767), Iri (PCC-768), Wonju (PCC-769), Andong (PCC-771), Cheonan (PCC-772), Bucheon (PCC-773), Seongnam (PCC-775), Jecheon (PCC-776), Daecheon (PCC-777), Sokcho (PCC-778), Yeongju (PCC-779), Namwon (PCC-781), Gwangmyeong (PCC-782), Sinseong (PCC-783) and Gongju (PCC-785) were delivered by 1993.

The Pohang class ships are divided into ASUW (anti-surface warfare) and ASW (anti-submarine warfare) variants according to the weapon systems fitted onboard. The ASUW type includes four ships and ASW type comprises 20 ships. ROKN currently operates 22 Pohang Class corvettes. The first ship in class, Pohang, was retired and used for training exercises. Cheonan was sunk by the torpedo attack from North Korea on 26 March 2010.

Design

"The versatile design allows the operators to equip the ship for multi-role missions."
The external form is identical to the Tonghae class. The versatile design allows the operators to equip the ship for multi-role missions.

Pohang class has a length of 88.3m, a beam of 10m and a draft of 3m. Displacement of the ship is 1,200t.

The vessel has a maximum speed of 32kt and can complement over 90 crew members.

Pohang Class missions

The primary mission of the corvette is coastal line patrolling. Pohang class is deployed as a main force to monitor defence in the South Korean coast. These ships were equipped to perform anti-submarine, anti-ship and anti-aircraft warfare operations in the littoral environment.

Pohang Class missiles

The ASUW type ships are armed with two MM-38 Exocet anti-ship missiles, while ASW variants are equipped with four Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The MM-38 is a short-range ship launched cruise missile developed by MBDA. The missile has a maximum range of 40km and can carry a 165kg warhead.

Pohang Class guns

The first four ships are fitted with an Oto Melara 76mm gun and two Emerson 30mm anti-aircraft guns. ASW type vessels are equipped with two OTO Melara 76mm guns and two Breda 40mm guns. Oto Melara has a rate of fire of 120 rounds a minute and a range of 16km.

The torpedo travels at a speed of 45kt and is equipped with active and passive homing."
Anti-submarine warfare

ASW variants are equipped with Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes for Mark 46 torpedoes. These tubes can launch six torpedoes against submarines.

The torpedo travels at a speed of 45kt and is equipped with active and passive homing and a 44.5kg warhead. There are 12 Mark 9 depth charges also available for anti-submarine operations.

Pohang Class countermeasures

The ASUW ships are equipped with Mel Protean chaff launchers. Each launcher comprises four cells, with 36 grenades. The magazine can also be replaced with three IR flare containers, each accommodating 21 decoys. Other countermeasure equipment includes Thorn EMI or NobelTech intercept or jammer.

Sensors/radars

The Raytheon SPS-64 surface search radar, Signaal WM 28 fire control radar, Signaal LIOD (Lightweight Optronic Director) and SRN 15 TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) Sonar are fitted on the ASUW type corvettes. The ASW type ships are equipped with Samsung or Marconi ST-1810 surface search radar, ST-1802 fire control radar, Samsung or Radamec 2400 optronic system and Signaal PHS-32 Hull mounted Sonar.

Propulsion

The Pohang Class corvettes are powered by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion system. The system comprises two MTU diesel engines and a LM2500 gas turbine. Theses engines driving two shafts through the gearboxes provide 6,260SHP. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 32kt and a range of 4,000nm at a cruise speed of 15kt.


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Vietnam made radar RV-02, VHF band, aircraft detection range 350 km, especially made to detect enemy stealth aircraft. The system is a further development of a Belarus radar, is said can detect US F-117A Nighthawk from 74 kilometers away, F-22 in 57 kilometers away in a jammed environment. The radar is linked to S-300 surface-to-air missiles. Vietnam wants to deploy 21 RV-02 stealth radar systems by 2020.

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Once antistealth radar RV-02 is deployed throughout territories, no aircraft remains undetected, when it approaches Vietnam controlled airspace. and beyond. Great stuff.

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Japanese Emperor, Empress host tea party following Vietnam visit

Last update: 11:16 | 18/04/2017

Japanese Emperor and Empress hosted a tea party at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, on April 17 to celebrate the success of their Vietnam visit from February 28 – March 5.


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Japanese Emperor and Empress



Attending the event were Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ministers, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong and his spouse.

Emperor Akihito thanked the Vietnamese leaders and people for their warm and hospitable welcome during the visit, and hoped that it would further strengthen ties between Vietnam and Japan.

Talking with Ambassador Cuong, the royal couple said they were touched by sincere sentiment that the Vietnamese leaders and people gave to them during the first historic visit, saying that they will keep images of a beautiful and hospitable Vietnam in memory forever.

Cuong conveyed Vietnamese Party and State leaders’ regards for the Emperor and Empress. He affirmed that the visit is a specially important milestone in the development of Vietnam-Japan ties.

VNA
 
Japanese PM sends condolences to murdered girl’s family

Last update: 11:06 | 18/04/2017
VietnamNet News

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has extended his condolences to the family of Le Thi Nhat Linh, a nine-year-old Vietnamese girl murdered in Matsudo city, Chiba prefecture, in late March.


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Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong.


During a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong in Tokyo on April 17, PM Abe asked the diplomat to convey his sympathy to Linh’s family.

He also affirmed that the Japanese Government is sparing no effort to help Linh’s family to overcome the great loss.

Cuong thanked the Japanese Prime Minister, Government and people for their care and sympathy after the tragedy. He expected that Japan’s relevant agencies will soon determine and handle the culprit stringently in accordance with the Japanese law.

At the meeting, PM Abe also said he is expecting that Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will pay an official visit to Japan this year in a bid to strengthen the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
 
Vietnam War


April 1970

Trying to kill a sniper

An entire Army base versus a lone Viet Cong

by Alex Q. Arbuckle


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James Speed Hensinger


In April 1970, 22-year-old James Speed Hensinger, an enlisted man in the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, was stationed at a compound in Phu Tai, west of the coastal city of Qui Nhon, Vietnam.

Over the course of several nights, a lone Viet Cong fighter had repeatedly crept in among the rocks on a mountain overlooking the base and sprayed the camp with automatic AK-47 fire, perforating the sheet-metal roofs of the Americans’ hooches, killing one man and vexing the rest.

The soldiers were told that an overwhelming response would be prepared for the next time the “sniper” decided to strike.

Hensinger, sensing an opportunity, stuffed his Nikon camera, 50mm f/1.4 lens, and Ektachrome film (with a speed of ISO 64, usually used only in bright daylight) into the pocket of his fatigues. He timed his appearance for guard duty to make sure that he would be assigned to the watch tower with the widest view of the mountain and base.

Each tower had three men, and I was off watch duty when the shit started. When the first shots rang out, he rested his camera on a sandbag and pointed it toward the action. Using a cable release, he captured a series of long exposures, 15 to 60 seconds long, as the Army unleashed a hellish barrage.

An M42 “Duster” tank swept the mountain with twin 40mm anti-aircraft autocannons, while soldiers in guard towers opened up with a .50-caliber machine gun and M60 machine guns.

The rocky hillside was illuminated by hand-launched flares, high-explosive rounds and tracer rounds (which were loaded into the ammo belts one for every four normal bullets — meaning the visible streaks in the images represent only a fifth of the rounds being poured out).


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The M42 tank fires an opening salvo at the sniper's approximated position with 40mm anti-aircraft cannons.


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Hand-launched flares illuminate the hills as soldiers fire M60 machine guns with red tracers. One round can be seen ricocheting near the top of the mountain.

IMAGE: JAMES SPEED HENSINGER


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Flares continue to burn as soldiers pepper the hillside with M60 fire.

IMAGE: JAMES SPEED HENSINGER


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IMAGE: JAMES SPEED HENSINGER

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The M42 sprays the hillside with .50-caliber high explosive machine gun fire.

IMAGE: JAMES SPEED HENSINGER

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M60 machine guns join the .50-caliber fire.

IMAGE: JAMES SPEED HENSINGER

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The M42 once again opens up with the 40mm autocannons as the M60s and .50-cal continue firing.

IMAGE: JAMES SPEED HENSINGER

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IMAGE: JAMES SPEED HENSINGER

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IMAGE: JAMES SPEED HENSINGER

At daybreak, patrols went up the mountain, searching among the massive boulders for a sign of their target. They found a small blood trail one morning, but the sniper had vanished.

During his tour of duty, Hensinger mailed dozens of rolls of film home, but asked his parents not to have them developed without him there — he had lied about his situation in Vietnam and didn’t want them worrying about his safety.

Hensinger now lives outside Denver, Colorado, and still enjoys shooting pictures.
 
vov_5_ZYES.jpg


This is a maori dance of friendship I believe. Less well known than the war like haka...but its quite nice to see when they are in the tribal wear...I have seen the poi dance performed, very enjoyable!
 
Vietnam War


April 1970

Trying to kill a sniper

An entire Army base versus a lone Viet Cong

by Alex Q. Arbuckle

James Speed Hensinger

In April 1970, 22-year-old James Speed Hensinger, an enlisted man in the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, was stationed at a compound in Phu Tai, west of the coastal city of Qui Nhon, Vietnam.

Over the course of several nights, a lone Viet Cong fighter had repeatedly crept in among the rocks on a mountain overlooking the base and sprayed the camp with automatic AK-47 fire, perforating the sheet-metal roofs of the Americans’ hooches, killing one man and vexing the rest.

The soldiers were told that an overwhelming response would be prepared for the next time the “sniper” decided to strike.

Hensinger, sensing an opportunity, stuffed his Nikon camera, 50mm f/1.4 lens, and Ektachrome film (with a speed of ISO 64, usually used only in bright daylight) into the pocket of his fatigues. He timed his appearance for guard duty to make sure that he would be assigned to the watch tower with the widest view of the mountain and base.
Pity he didn't have a camcorder at that time.
 
vov_5_ZYES.jpg


This is a maori dance of friendship I believe. Less well known than the war like haka...but its quite nice to see when they are in the tribal wear...I have seen the poi dance performed, very enjoyable!
Beautiful tradition, Maori dance of the woman greeting distinguished guests or Haka war dance of the men before a battle

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