Russian and post-Soviet Airborne

[IEDmagnet]

Wish the powers that be would loose the dogs of war completely. Free the chains and tell the generals to win the fight at all cost. One or two times of us running nations over and walking would stop anyone who began to contemplate our demise.

[Bell]

Wish the powers that be would loose the dogs of war completely. Free the chains and tell the generals to win the fight at all cost. One or two times of us running nations over and walking would stop anyone who began to contemplate our demise.

This.

[Sgt.Raven]

Few pictures from the "Union Shield".
http://englishrussia.com/2011/09/29/...11/#more-69379

On the forefront is Kazakhstan's Airborne Unit, one of the most capable Airborne forces among the former USSR.
Blue Berets and striped tank tops is a carried over proud legacy of the Soviet Airborne.
(Borat/Kohen, if anyone even remembers him, is a retarded cheapshot moron; Kazakhstan went from nomad's steppes into the spacebed of USSR in few short decades, and remains one of the most balanced and stabile decendants of the Soviet Union).

[Jeff82]

What, they dress in ACU's and Converse tennies now? That's what the 'Mericans wear!!

[Sgt.Raven]

Combining the best of both worlds, Brother!

I knew few ethnic Kazakh MoFos: you can't describe them otherwise (in a good meaning of it).
The last one, Platoon SGT Arslanov, was one crazy dude: smart and fearless.
He could give a look, freaky enough for cherries to start trembling.
And f*cker could run with full pack like coyote.

We called him "Tovarishch Genghis-Khan" (behind his back, of course).
I was on par with him in rank and title, plus I was Recon School grad and his buddy, but never had a guts to call him that in his face.
Good warrior.
Crazy MoFo, though...

[Eagle9294]

VDV marching in the VE parade. Mostly last four minutes of the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5ADS...eature=related

[Sgt.Raven]

Here is interesting slideshow of Russian Airborne Special Ops unit popping their cherry (" Hollywoodski").

Every jumper (spare Officers) pack their own 'chute under supervision of Riggers and Jumpmasters.
Massive, batallion-level packing takes half of the day or longer, since each step has to be inspected one-'chute'at-a time.

But one minute of descent well worth of most of the day's pain in the @$$ packing.


AIRBORNE!!!

[P-Chop]

I want one of those helmets......go with my Sizzler costume just fine!

[Sgt.Raven]

Here we go: (LINK).

"Ribbed" olives are newer, current style.

Bare "condoms" are old style (thank you, Comrades Generals!).
Some are fakes or mismarketed and misrepresented ("KGB", Spetsnaz" and other BS); watch for distinctive factory tags and quality control stamps.
This appears to be genuine:
http://compare.ebay.com/like/2709673..._lwgsi=y&cbt=y

Overview:


Helmet1.jpg
Close view: Factory stamp; steel vented grommets and double-"D"-s for chin strap.
Helmet1a-m.jpg

[VB]

I want one of those helmets......go with my Sizzler costume just fine!

You're not wearing that tutu again are you?

[OldSoldier54]

Dang! Just found this thread - OUTSTANDING SGT Raven!

[Eagle9294]

Is this Sgt Raven?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlQ6KqTlyfk

[OldSoldier54]

For some reason, I thought a Mi-8 was smaller than what I'm seeing. A Hind must be HUGE, que no?

[Sgt.Raven]

Is this Sgt Raven?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlQ6KqTlyfk

Thanks, Brother, but no.
Appreciate the thought, but I am not that handsome, and I can't sing.
Mistaken identity: must be the Blue Beret...

For some reason, I thought a Mi-8 was smaller than what I'm seeing. A Hind must be HUGE, que no?

Mi-8 (NATO reporting name: Hip): "The Mil Mi-8 (Russian: Ми-8, NATO reporting name: Hip) is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter,[1] and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mi-8
"There are numerous variants, including the Mi-8T which is armed with rockets and anti-tank guided missiles, in addition to carrying 24 troops. The Mil Mi-17 export version is employed by around 20 countries; its equivalent in Russian service in the Mi-8M series. The only visible difference between the mi-8 and mi-17 is that the tail rotor is on the starboard side (right side) of the mi-8, whereas in mi-17 it is on the left side. Also mi-17 also has some improved armour plating for its crew. The naval Mil Mi-14 and attack Mil Mi-24 are also derived from the Mi-8. The Mi-8 remains in production in 2009".

I've flown in Mi-8 (mostly Mi-8MT) many times (more than a thousand) for variety of reasons, from transporting to jumping, and this is the Work Horse of helicopters.
Capacity is determined by number of internally mounted fuel tanks (one or two, depending on intended range/ AO). Most of the times it was a single-tanker.
This bird is bigger and bulkier ("fatter") than Mi-24, but tiny in comparison to Mi-6 and Mi-26 flying monsters:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mi-26

---
Mi-8M (in Russia and satellite countries) or Mi-17 in export version: "The Mil Mi-17 (also known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service, NATO reporting name "Hip") is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. Mil Mi-8/17 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-17


---
"The Mil Mi-24 (Russian: Миль Ми-24, NATO reporting name: Hind) is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter[1] and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations".
"In NATO circles, the export versions, Mi-25 and Mi-35, are denoted with a letter suffix as "Hind D" and "Hind E" respectively. Soviet pilots called the Mi-24 the "flying tank", or летающий танк (letayushchiy tank). More common unofficial nicknames were "Crocodile" (Крокодил or Krokodil) due to the helicopter's camouflage scheme[2] and "Glass" (Стакан or Stakan) because of the flat glass plates which surround the cockpit of the Mi-24".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-24

It is impresive machine, but frankly is far from as comfy troop carrier as Mi-8. It has very tiny troop compartment with small side hatch for a door; too small to fit a full Airborne or Infantry squad with full gear.
It is extremely effective as gunship, combined with use for quick re-supply missions and drop-off of small fireteams.

[Jeff82]

I know why the helicopter looked strange in the above vid (at 1:34)! They took the clamshell doors off the Mi-8!