Elite army training for killing Gaijin and Journalist

[vir-jin]

masamania promotion FG's enough humour?

http://masamania.com/archives/2005/03/elite_army_air.html#more

[Charles]

What a bunch of old junk. Those Iroquois ("Huey") and Chinook helicopters date back to 1962. The US Army stopped flying the Huey a long time ago, and the Chinook is currently being phased out. One of the pictures shows an old WWII era Willys Jeep, I don't think they've made those since the Korean War.

I guess now we know where the US dumps all its used junk.

[GuyJean]

This time, helicopter come without dangling.

It's always sexual with this guy, isn't it?..

Nice shots, Masa!

GJ

[Taro Toporific]

....This man is boss of Japanese army, Mr Oono.

Note that gay-n-cheerful boutonniere that the Minister of State for Defense, Mr. Oono, is wearing, hee, hee.

Also note that in 1961 Mr. Oono was a Fulbright Exchange Student in "international relations" and he ought to know that these photos might fall into the hands of foreigners who don't understand Japan's unique and subtle culture.

[vir-jin]

[Socratesabroad]

One of the pictures shows an old WWII era Willys Jeep, I don't think they've made those since the Korean War.

To be more accurate the jeep in question is an SDF modified/updated version of the Willys by Mitsubishi. For more info:
http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/World/JapanMilitary.html

But Charles is spot-on. The HMMWV and its equivalents are a response to modern combat with a higher ground clearance, wider wheelbase, and larger engine/powertrain to afford some protection from landmines, ford small streams and creeks/avoid turtling (i.e. getting stuck on berms with no traction), and carry light armor (but any armor is good armor to us grunts).
HMMWV specs
http://www.csctce.com/demos/hmmwv_char/character.htm


So, yep, the SDF's equipment is very dated.

[Taro Toporific]

... modified/updated version of the Willys by Mitsubishi. For more info:
...The HMMWV and its equivalents are a response to modern combat with a higher ground clearance, wider wheelbase, and larger engine/powertrain ...

I was about to write the same thing about the Mitsubishi Willys but So-Cates' info is a lot more factual.
When I came to Japan, I could not believe I was seeing all these brandnew Willys....until I spotted tiny Mitsubishi logos.
If you notice most of the vehicles are small in Masamanai's pictures. Japan stuck to the narrow wheelbase Willys-style because the they could out-maneuver an attacking force on Japanese narrow roads. Remember: it's supposed to be the SELF-Defence Force.

[Charles]

I was about to write the same thing about the Mitsubishi Willys but So-Cates' info is a lot more factual.
When I came to Japan, I could not believe I was seeing all these brandnew Willys....until I spotted tiny Mitsubishi logos.
If you notice most of the vehicles are small in Masamanai's pictures. Japan stuck to the narrow wheelbase Willys-style because the they could out-maneuver an attacking force on Japanese narrow roads. Remember: it's supposed to be the SELF-Defence Force.

I presume this self-defense thing does not apply to defending the life of the driver of the jeeps, since they were notorious for flipping or rolling over under the least provocation.

I have to laugh whenever I see a Willys Jeep, because I used to work on the backlots at Universal in Studio City, and they had a fleet of about a dozen stunt jeeps, rigged to "explode" on cue. They were specially outfitted with propane gas cylinders in the back, hooked up to outlets just under the front bumper. The driver would press a button, and a big smoke and flash charge would detonate, igniting the gas for a nice big explosion effect and big flames afterwards. Then hose em down to rinse off the soot, slap on a little paint if necessary, and they're ready for the next scene. They must have used these stunt jeeps in about every cheap TV series from The A-Team onwards, I used to see them on TV over and over and laugh my ass off every time at the cheapo effects.

[kotatsuneko]

remember the ol' Tamiya Willy's Jeep? the one with the phat wheelies? ah.. youth!

[Blah Pete]

I presume this self-defense thing does not apply to defending the life of the driver of the jeeps, since they were notorious for flipping or rolling over under the least provocation.

A friend if mine had a army jeep roll over on him during training and is paralyzed from the waist down.