Some personal pictures from Kosovo... Not for 56k'ers.

[Marsuitor]

Thought i'd share some more pictures from my year in place. Mostly assorted stuff of interest. Enjoy!
Oh, thank you so much Picture Hangar!

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082565490_img_0261.jpg
Goles summit during winter whiteout...

[deutschersoldat]

intereeesting pictures

[Undo]

Great post! Very interesting photos.

[intelligenzija]

Good post! I really enjoyed it ! woot

[WolverineBlue]

Really cool pix -- thank you!

[shrek]

Great stuff!

I bet those pics say so much more to you than they mean to us, no?

[MKtexan]

Thanks for posting those pics, they are good!

[CannibalSquirel]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082565490_img_0261.jpg

This pic is amazing.

BTW, I noticed that guy reading the Maxim magazine. Good taste... ;)

[Gringo]

Nice pics.

However be careful as there is now an Angry Albanian out there who flames everyone and anyone who mentions the "K" word. :D

[Marsuitor]

Thanks so much for comments everyone!
Here's some more from a stay we had in Mitrovica;
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082582002_0729go251.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082581943_0729go231.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082581968_0729go242.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082582099_mitrovica_eskorte_7.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082582124_mitrovica_eskorte_9.jpg
Assorted Mitrovica...

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082582077_gendarmerie.jpg
French Gendarmerie showing off their public order gear.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082582040_0729go277.jpg
Church service for those interested.

I'll see if i can dig up some more later...

Cheers,
Marcus

[gorg]

I'll see if i can dig up some more later...

Cheers,
Marcus

Please do :D

[kinghk]

Bra bilder

[Marsuitor]

Takk skal du ha! ;)
Mer imorgen tenker jeg...

I'll get some more stuff up tomorrow at some point, thanks again for comments!

Cheers,
Marcus

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Great pics dude woot
keep up the good work Marcus

[nerdman]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082566711_109-0951_img.jpg
Aah, that's life... But gets a bit tedious after four or five weeks.

Is that Maixm he (bottom center) is reading?

[scrybe]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082565490_img_0261.jpg
Goles summit during winter whiteout...


Do you have any higher res version of this pick? I know higher sounds crazy, but I run 1280x1024 and would love to use that as a desktop.

[Marsuitor]

Sure, i'll post a link or mail you later. Not at my home computer ATM...

Btw, yeah, he's reading Maxim. Excellent mag! ;)

[Haiw]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082565490_img_0261.jpg
Goles summit during winter whiteout...


Do you have any higher res version of this pick? I know higher sounds crazy, but I run 1280x1024 and would love to use that as a desktop.
I second that, although I use 1600x1200. :D

[Marsuitor]

Aye, 1600x1200 coming up...
Also, do anyone have any requests for new ones they'd like to see? I've got quite a collection and could cater for most wishes.. i think. I'm halfway through my Picture Hangar account, but thinking of signing up for Photobucket later. So i reckon i'll get my piccie editing software cranking soon for resizing and stuff. If nothing, i'll just put whatever i find... Also if there's any questions about the photos, don't hesitate to ask. ;)

Cheers,
Marcus

btw, if you're interested, you might want to check out my Militaryphotos album: http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/Norwegian_Infantry_in_Kosovo
Big thanks to Hood for hosting!

[Haiw]

Just ask that TBolt guy if you can get a bigger account. Then just give us everything you got. :D

[Marsuitor]

K, some more piccies. Have the patience to let them load... ;)

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082647774_003_0.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082647815_004_1.jpg
High speeds from UNMIK Team 6 pose with members of 1st platoon after a long day with training. Also Italian Carabinieri showing off public order kit and drills.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649075_skytedemo.jpg
This was actually taken back home in Norway, but i thought it would be cool to include anyway. Nightime firing of GPMG's and .50's with CG Illum rounds in the air.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082647836_28.jpg
Some ones freedom fighters, other ones terrorists...

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082647875_84.jpg
Jocks from the Black Watch providing the entertainment for the evening.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082647957_102-0248_img.jpg
Swedish EOD gives a hand during a search operation

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082647901_101-0160_img.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082647932_101-0161_img.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082648156_fustica.jpg
Just some random patrol...

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082647996_102-0255_img.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082648026_102-0262_img.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082648047_102-0272_img.jpg
Joint shootout between us, Brits and Swedes. A video from this is available at militaryvideos.net

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082648068_133-3327_img.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082648209_goteborg1.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082648799_goteborg2.jpg
Us doing public order training. This time against British engineers at Waterloo Lines.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082648830_img_0186.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082648862_img_0187.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082648900_img_0241.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082648926_img_0249.jpg
Lower two from Goles during winter. Top one a Russian BTR-80 again, then a photo from a random VCP.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082648949_lagscamp.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082651060_wiesel.jpg
Some more from Bootleg. First one a squad camp high up somewhere. Second is a German Wiesel as seen on my first post.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649008_pepper.jpg
I'm Johnny Knoxville, and this is self defence. p-)

Some more from Mitro
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649033_sisuer3.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082648979_gohome.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649094_slagord.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082648094_eskorte15.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082648121_fengselet.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649120_stormere.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082647795_003_.jpg

Last, by popular demand :lol:, this picture:
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082565490_img_0261.jpg
@ 1600x1200
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082651649_goles-big.jpg

[scrybe]

Awesome, thank you.

[HELEX]

You guys have a strange understanding of "fun" :lol:

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649008_pepper.jpg

[deutschersoldat]

from which country are they?

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082648949_lagscamp.jpg

[Marsuitor]

Norway. We had an approx two month deployment to bootleg to assist Germany in patrolling and enforcing the border between Macedonia and Kosovo. There was alot of illegal crossings and weapon smuggling at the time. This would be a radio relay and OP base at the time.

[FDF_Hemppis]

I never realized there were so many Pasis (Patria XA-series) in use. Does Norway use these "back home" too, or just for the peacekeeping ops?

And please, keep the pics coming. They're great! woot

[Marsuitor]

I never realized there were so many Pasis (Patria XA-series) in use. Does Norway use these "back home" too, or just for the peacekeeping ops?

And please, keep the pics coming. They're great! woot

They used to be unique to our unit some years ago, but have now been replaced by CV9030's both at home and when on deployment. There's talk about giving a number of XA's to the Kings Guard battallion at some stage, but nothing as of yet. The rest of the XA's per now are either in storage at home, still in Kosovo with the contingent there, or in Iraq.

I'll give my HDD a now look for pictures :)

Cheers,
Marcus

[FDF_Hemppis]

I never realized there were so many Pasis (Patria XA-series) in use. Does Norway use these "back home" too, or just for the peacekeeping ops?

And please, keep the pics coming. They're great! woot

They used to be unique to our unit some years ago, but have now been replaced by CV9030's both at home and when on deployment. There's talk about giving a number of XA's to the Kings Guard battallion at some stage, but nothing as of yet. The rest of the XA's per now are either in storage at home, still in Kosovo with the contingent there, or in Iraq.

I'll give my HDD a now look for pictures :)

Cheers,
Marcus

Hmm, so you traded the good stuff for some Swedish crap? (j/k! :D)
Were there any specific reason you gave those up? Their roles are maybe a bit different, but anyway... (i.e. better armor, and weapons)

And why keep good vehicles on storage? One would think you'd come up with some use for those, yours even seem to be the new XA-203 model.

And Pasis in Iraq?? Whoa, gotta get pics from those! You wouldn't happen to have any friends that way, would you? ;)

Cheers, m8!

[Grim]

Very interesting pictures Marcus. Wich unit did you belong? Keep the good pics coming. Stå på! :D

[HumanShield]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649008_pepper.jpg
Pepper spray?

[ZoneOne]

awsome pictures

much thanks


especially the one of Goles Summit or whatever its called


almost looks like heaven minus the barbed wire

[Steve Railsback]

Great pictures dude!
when did you serve in Kosovo?

[FDF_Hemppis]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649008_pepper.jpg

Yeah, that's the spirit!
My own experiences are limited only to CS gas. In the FDF it was voluntary to get a dose of that, but everyone took it :D
And it's not the same out in the open, you gotta do it like we did:
1. Take a big-ass tent.
2. Fill it with CS gas.
3. Put people with gas masks inside
4. Have the people take the gas masks off.
5. Have fun! ;)

Anyway, you get somewhat used to that pretty quickly. First time I got inside that tent, I was out in 5sec. The fifth time I could stay 30sec.

[Far]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing!

[Haiw]

Wohoo woot! Thanks for the 1600x1200 version!

[Marsuitor]

New batch,
Different stuff. Three from patrols, mounted and foot. Then some guy from C-company inspecting a Czech weapon. Last a chap checking the CG during fortnightly maintenance.

For those who thought Goles was heaven, first some reminders of whose been there, then evening entertainment in the bar. The lads above being three very sexy British signallers. :lol:

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/434_1082670787_midgard1.jpg
Our camp and my home for a year. Camp Midgaard, A-Company, TMBN.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/434_1082670832_vernemaske.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/434_1082670858_bifrost.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/434_1082670880_utsikt.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082670448_eagle.jpg
Last four pretty much speak for themselves... Second being a Norwegian and Swede standing guard at Camp Bifrost, Gate 4.

[Marsuitor]

Hemppis,
Don't worry, they'll be put in good use again soon! ;)
The change to CV90's was due to a requirement of much heavier firepower and mobility in the unit. It's one of those rapid reaction and deployment things you see...
As for Pasis in Iraq, the lads i knew there went off during rotation two months ago. However, there should be pictures available at Forsvarsnett. I'll give it a look!

Grim, Railsback,
Served two years with Telemark Bataljon. One at home and one out. KFOR was from July 2001 to July 2002. Heading back in this summer most likely, selection's up in three weeks...

Cheers all! :D

[Marsuitor]

Not much, but still something... Patria in Iraq:
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00036/txtBygger-vei_36054a.jpg
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00034/Bes_k_samlet-370_34677a.jpg
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00039/ke_Kristian_Egeland__39745a.jpg
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00039/ke_Aronsen_og_Sunde__39744a.jpg
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00039/ke_Sanitet_370_39748a.jpg
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00039/NES_-_uke*******_1_t_39364a.jpg
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00039/NES_-_Uke*******_1_m_39363a.jpg
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00039/NES_-_Uke*******_1_S_39358a.jpg
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00039/tksanitet_39652a.jpg
http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00039/ke_Tolvsju_370_39572a.jpg

Well, that's it for pictures today... :)

[Ria]

Those are just...wow. Thanks so much Marcus :D

[Falco]

Any pics of canadians? p-)

[Hydro]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649008_pepper.jpg

Yeah, that's the spirit!
My own experiences are limited only to CS gas. In the FDF it was voluntary to get a dose of that, but everyone took it :D
And it's not the same out in the open, you gotta do it like we did:
1. Take a big-ass tent.
2. Fill it with CS gas.
3. Put people with gas masks inside
4. Have the people take the gas masks off.
5. Have fun! ;)

Anyway, you get somewhat used to that pretty quickly. First time I got inside that tent, I was out in 5sec. The fifth time I could stay 30sec.

I've done something like that in the British Army, except it's compulsory :) They shepherd eight or so of you into a small hut in full Nuclear, Biological and Chemical protection suits, and burn off little CS pellets. Then you remove your respirator and attempt to answer in full questions you are asked by the NCO. The first time is horrible, tears and snot everywhere, felt like someone had slapped me with a leather belt round the face. You are not allowed to leave until you've answered everything clearly. Oh, how it burns... :)

[Ichhabe]

Nice pictures Marcus. By the way, do you remember the old Canadian name of Camp Midgaard?

[FDF_Hemppis]

@Marcus:
Thank you so much for those pics!
And here in Finland our readiness brigades also got some CV9030s to partially replace the Pasis, mostly for the same reasons, I believe. Those brigades that didn't get CVs, will get AMVs. The rest of the FDF still largely rely on the XA-series of vehicles.

@Hydroquip:
I hear ya!:D
Those little pellets are nasty stuff. Throw one of those to your mate’s campfire, and you'll have plenty of friends in no time! p-)
It's a good experience, though. It really gets your throat clean, doesn't it?

[khukuri]

yeah ive tried somethin similar to

Ive tried 3 kinds
first something that you can by in the stores (not in sweden thou), it made a "cloud" which stayed in the air, and then i walked throu it, i remember my friends telling me that my eyes became red and a lot off tears.

the second one ive tried was teargas used by checzh republik anti riot teargas, this was something different, not only did your eyes hirt but you had hard to breathe too. If you got stressed and hurried to run away you just couldnt breath and start to panic. But if you took it easy you could breath alittle, problem were they were throwing flahbangs at the same time which made it hard to not panic.

third was in military service when my mask wasnet fastened hard enough, whe went inside a house full of cs, First it went good, then we were ordered to jump around and do stuff, it leaked in in mine



http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649008_pepper.jpg

Yeah, that's the spirit!
My own experiences are limited only to CS gas. In the FDF it was voluntary to get a dose of that, but everyone took it :D
And it's not the same out in the open, you gotta do it like we did:
1. Take a big-ass tent.
2. Fill it with CS gas.
3. Put people with gas masks inside
4. Have the people take the gas masks off.
5. Have fun! ;)

Anyway, you get somewhat used to that pretty quickly. First time I got inside that tent, I was out in 5sec. The fifth time I could stay 30sec.

I've done something like that in the British Army, except it's compulsory :) They shepherd eight or so of you into a small hut in full Nuclear, Biological and Chemical protection suits, and burn off little CS pellets. Then you remove your respirator and attempt to answer in full questions you are asked by the NCO. The first time is horrible, tears and snot everywhere, felt like someone had slapped me with a leather belt round the face. You are not allowed to leave until you've answered everything clearly. Oh, how it burns... :)

[Threelions]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/431_1082649008_pepper.jpg

Yeah, that's the spirit!
My own experiences are limited only to CS gas. In the FDF it was voluntary to get a dose of that, but everyone took it :D
And it's not the same out in the open, you gotta do it like we did:
1. Take a big-ass tent.
2. Fill it with CS gas.
3. Put people with gas masks inside
4. Have the people take the gas masks off.
5. Have fun! ;)

Anyway, you get somewhat used to that pretty quickly. First time I got inside that tent, I was out in 5sec. The fifth time I could stay 30sec.

I've done something like that in the British Army, except it's compulsory :) They shepherd eight or so of you into a small hut in full Nuclear, Biological and Chemical protection suits, and burn off little CS pellets. Then you remove your respirator and attempt to answer in full questions you are asked by the NCO. The first time is horrible, tears and snot everywhere, felt like someone had slapped me with a leather belt round the face. You are not allowed to leave until you've answered everything clearly. Oh, how it burns... :)

it was compulsory in the Canadian forces as well. They Had us put on our bunny suits and masks, then made us run about for 10 mins. Once we were sweating and panting for breath they put us into a tent filled with C/S gas. Then they had us remove our masks and enjoy all the burning goodness. After a minute of exposure we put our masks back on and did a clearing drill. Meaning, huffing as much rotten hair out of the mask as possible. Eventually we were allowed back out side. Thankfully there was snow on the ground so most guys jumped straight into that. Loads of fun!! Not to mention i was just recovering from a case of mono when i had to go in to that tent. Extremely sore throats and CS gas dont go together very well!!

Cheers

[Scottie]

Marcus your in the Telemark Bataljonen, Engineers? Storm?

[Marsuitor]

Marcus your in the Telemark Bataljonen, Engineers? Storm?

No mate, i was in before FIST/H times. Served as an ATGM Gunner during the last conscript contingent and served in KFOR IV and V.
The Iraq piccies are from Forsvarsnett. I'm going to selection for MEKINFKP, TMBN May 12th, and hopefully be in by July sometime ;)

Ichhabe,
Old name was Camp Abel if i'm not mistaken.. Never quite understood why they'd change it toi Midgaard. Btw, Crows Nest was given back to the locals during KFOR-V, so there went the last sign of Canadians out of Kosovo... :(

[Ichhabe]

Marcus your in the Telemark Bataljonen, Engineers? Storm?

No mate, i was in before FIST/H times. Served as an ATGM Gunner during the last conscript contingent and served in KFOR IV and V.
The Iraq piccies are from Forsvarsnett. I'm going to selection for MEKINFKP, TMBN May 12th, and hopefully be in by July sometime ;)

Ichhabe,
Old name was Camp Abel if i'm not mistaken.. Never quite understood why they'd change it toi Midgaard. Btw, Crows Nest was given back to the locals during KFOR-V, so there went the last sign of Canadians out of Kosovo... :(

That was it, Camp Abel. Well, Charlie Company tok over the controle of Camp Abel in KFOR II, and in III, the Canadians were gone I think. So they might wanted to have an all out Norwegian name.

Crows Nest, oh memories. There we got drunk as skunks in totally secret in KFOR II.

[drgonzo777]

Respect Mineclearing 113!!! Nice work... :lol:

[Steve Railsback]

Marcus your in the Telemark Bataljonen, Engineers? Storm?

No mate, i was in before FIST/H times. Served as an ATGM Gunner during the last conscript contingent and served in KFOR IV and V.
The Iraq piccies are from Forsvarsnett. I'm going to selection for MEKINFKP, TMBN May 12th, and hopefully be in by July sometime ;)

Ichhabe,
Old name was Camp Abel if i'm not mistaken.. Never quite understood why they'd change it toi Midgaard. Btw, Crows Nest was given back to the locals during KFOR-V, so there went the last sign of Canadians out of Kosovo... :(

That was it, Camp Abel. Well, Charlie Company tok over the controle of Camp Abel in KFOR II, and in III, the Canadians were gone I think. So they might wanted to have an all out Norwegian name.

Crows Nest, oh memories. There we got drunk as skunks in totally secret in KFOR II.

You engineers always hade an excuse for drinking or throwing a party in camp Lebane, so I don’t understand why you hade to drink in secret. ;)

I remember one time when Norway hade beaten Canada in hockey, and the next day, Crows Nest was packed with Norwegians. I wonder why? :D

[Marsuitor]

Hehe... the Lebane bunch, three bars, a PX, best food in the AO and recently a shared 2mbit internet line leased from Pristina. It's a dogs life! p-)
And getting pissed off the top with the canucks, you should be ashamed! However, i'm not that innocent myself... :lol:

Btw, did you spend any time with C-coy? I know a couple of people who were there during KFOR 2 and 3...

[Steve Railsback]

Is it me you’re asking? Well my team was assigned to work in the KpC AO, so I was a lot of times in camp Midgaard and Crows Nest. So the missions we hade in KpC AO where usually launched from these two camps. We only had contact with a couple of people their, but the rest of the soldiers there seemed to be cool.

Btw, I thought the best food was in Midgaard :)

I hated the Norwegian PX. Damn corrupt **** ass store, with the laziest bunch of local hired people I have ever seen. :fork:
I was so delighted to read about the bankruptcy of this business.
woot woot woot woot woot woot woot woot woot woot

[Marsuitor]

Lol, KFOR IV saw the worst food ever for the Norwegian troops in Midgaard i reckon. We had some ****head chef from Bergen who saw it as his mission to cut costs on food and catering. Had us eating on the dirt cheap for six months only to top it off with a massive "seafood evening" toward rotation including just about everything with gills, scales and claws. And i HATE seafood! rofl
Anyhow, he pissed off and we got a replacement who was a complete contrast. Tacos and kebabs all the way! woot

Our platoon sergeant during V was from C-coy. Spent I in Lebane and II Midgaard, or Abel since they hadn't changed the name yet. Had some good stories from the days with the CAF at Crow's. Also two of our drivers were there during 2 and 3.
Btw, were you engineer too, or? Seeing you were attached to C-coy (or A-coy after KFOR-3)?

Cheers,
Marcus

[Marsuitor]

yeah ive tried somethin similar to

Ive tried 3 kinds
first something that you can by in the stores (not in sweden thou), it made a "cloud" which stayed in the air, and then i walked throu it, i remember my friends telling me that my eyes became red and a lot off tears.

the second one ive tried was teargas used by checzh republik anti riot teargas, this was something different, not only did your eyes hirt but you had hard to breathe too. If you got stressed and hurried to run away you just couldnt breath and start to panic. But if you took it easy you could breath alittle, problem were they were throwing flahbangs at the same time which made it hard to not panic.

third was in military service when my mask wasnet fastened hard enough, whe went inside a house full of cs, First it went good, then we were ordered to jump around and do stuff, it leaked in in mine.

Remember attending an NBC Search and Clearing course some time into my service. Pretty much to act as a platoon advisor on matters until proper NBC personell from ENG-Coy could take over. Anyhow part of it was the use of complete hazard suits for a prolonged time in a contaminated environment, that would be the CS chamber for 90 minutes doing various stuff. What really sucked was that my respirator filter had buggered since our basic training session in there with the result of it not working @ 100% efficiency. Ended up hanging in there for an hour not having the best of time, and to top it off, it had rained the whole day. So when we emerged to kit off, i instinctively rubbed my eyes with wet, CS soaked hands. My God that hurt and ruined the rest of my day! :lol:

[Steve Railsback]

I was not a engineer, I was in the jeger platoon, and each team got “assigned” to the different Coy’s AO. But we all had missions all over the place. Many times there was a lot to do in one of the AO’s so they dispatched all the teams there, and KpC AO wasn’t ethnic diverse as the two other AO’s, so it was much calmer there (or maybe you guys just did an excellent job ;) )

[Marsuitor]

Oh, you were in that batch. Well in that case, you probably know more about the place than i do. ;)
Could be old news, but we actually found out there were a few Gypsy camps scattered around. AO wasn't as ethnically "pure" as one first should believe... Take care,

Cheers,
Marcus

[Marsuitor]

Since it's the 28th today, i'm posting a couple more:
Some other Patria stuff. Generally i really liked this vehicle alot. It had a very spacious and comfortable fighting compartment (especially compared to the VAB, CV90, Warrior and Bradley which i've also had a sit in), and the 186's we had in Norway also had builtin cooking facilities for boiling water (which meant bringing tons of pot noodles with us on excercise). The only negatives i can think of on the 203 was that is was quite underpowered IMO. This was due to it being very well armored. It can take .50 in the sides, as well in the windows if the additional armor is lowered over them. They also have exceptional protection vs. mines due to the frame design. The armor is also modular = quick battlefield replacement, and also spaced to provide extra protection against RPG's. Speaking of that, i also heard a story about a Swedish Patria in Bosnia during the early 90s that took two AT-3 Saggers (or Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian equivalent) in the side before the crew had to bail, leaving the third to finish it off. But this could be an urban legend... Anyone other heard of this?

[anonymous individual]

Nice pictures, dude!!! woot That was totally awesome.

[MARINO]

Nice topic :)

[Steve Railsback]

Great pictures once again Marcus

woot woot

[Celareon]

Great pictures, best topic in the forum for a couple days now :D

Keep 'em coming, im sure alot of other people feel the same way i do!

[Mike 1-3]

Very nice pictures! Maybe I'll have to post some of mine...

Yeah, Sisu/Patria XAs are nice vehicles. Liked them a lot - they're not fighting vehicles per se but reliable, spacious and relatively comfortable tools for everyday peacekeeping. Nice to have enough space to fit just about everything a squad needs for a few weeks or so...

Here's a tip if you need to use it as a mobile base ever again; stuff your rucksacks and all the gear you don't need to have immediately on hand on the centre aisle (?), and spread the sleeping mats on top of that. Or have some folding camp beds side by side. It's really a "Class A" accomodation!

About their armour - I rather like the old XA-180 and 185 series with lighter armour - much more mobile yet with sufficient armour (proof against non-AP 7,62) for peacekeeping. Of course, having more metal around the meat is always a nice thing to have, but digging a stuck Sisu from a swamp ain't much fun...been there done that ;).

The mine survivability is top-notch. Have you ever seen pictures of a Finnish XA-180 which drove over an anti-tank mine in Lebanon? Had the front axle torn loose and front left tire shredded... yet some guys swear they could have driven the beast back home for repairs...:)

[Marsuitor]

Thanks for comments once again!
Think this'll be the last batch until further notice...

Mike 1-3,
Thanks for input... We had our own nice way of getting a satisfactory liedown in the Patria. The strether length was just so that you could fit it across the seats inside. Great for those mobile OP's when you were running four man crew only. One observing from gunner position with the ERYX thermal and binos, one on standby to drive off in a hurry and two sleeping in the back. Excellent!

[Iceman]

Brilliant pictures. Great, good show.

[[AFSOC]]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/421_1082565057_013_10.jpg

The 2nd guy on the left looks like a total douche bag.

QUEER

[mustamato]

Speaking of that, i also heard a story about a Swedish Patria in Bosnia during the early 90s that took two AT-3 Saggers (or Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian equivalent) in the side before the crew had to bail, leaving the third to finish it off. But this could be an urban legend... Anyone other heard of this?

There was a incident where one SISU had a engine failure or something like that
and was abandoned, it was obviously in some not so nice place in Bosnia. It was
shot at with everything the combatants had, and was pretty burned out and destroyed
beyond all repair afterwards. It´s possible that they might have fired AT-3´s
against the SISU as well, but I don´t know.

About the AT-3 Saggers that is a another story. It was Pbv 302´s (those that look
like M113). One took one direct hit in the front, amazingly no one was killed.
I don´t remember correctly how it was, but I think that another one took a hit
from the side as well, the blast went practically straight thru the vehicle, and
also in that case no one was killed. When the first vehicle was hit personell
standing up in the hatches of another Pbv 302 was injured because of shrapnel.
The Serbian AT-3 gunner obviously was on the other side of a valley, several
kilometers away, so from his point of view it was perfect hits. The Swedish soldiers
also received fire from a HMG in a nest. The gunner in the first vehicle re-entered
the vehicle and fired of the ammunition against the nest with his 20 mm automatic
cannon. A Carl-Gustaf gunner also managed to hit the HMG nest with a smoke
grenade, the distance was obviously 1700 meters (which makes it a pretty good
shot).

Sorry if I got something wrong, it was some time ago I read about this, but it
was something like that. Excellent pictures by the way. Thanks for posting them.

[Marsuitor]

]
The 2nd guy on the left looks like a total douche bag.

QUEER

:roll:
Bloody hell, i'm a gay douchebag as well now am i? :lol:

[Marsuitor]

There was a incident where one SISU had a engine failure or something like that
and was abandoned, it was obviously in some not so nice place in Bosnia. It was
shot at with everything the combatants had, and was pretty burned out and destroyed
beyond all repair afterwards. It´s possible that they might have fired AT-3´s
against the SISU as well, but I don´t know.

About the AT-3 Saggers that is a another story. It was Pbv 302´s (those that look
like M113). One took one direct hit in the front, amazingly no one was killed.
I don´t remember correctly how it was, but I think that another one took a hit
from the side as well, the blast went practically straight thru the vehicle, and
also in that case no one was killed. When the first vehicle was hit personell
standing up in the hatches of another Pbv 302 was injured because of shrapnel.
The Serbian AT-3 gunner obviously was on the other side of a valley, several
kilometers away, so from his point of view it was perfect hits. The Swedish soldiers
also received fire from a HMG in a nest. The gunner in the first vehicle re-entered
the vehicle and fired of the ammunition against the nest with his 20 mm automatic
cannon. A Carl-Gustaf gunner also managed to hit the HMG nest with a smoke
grenade, the distance was obviously 1700 meters (which makes it a pretty good
shot).

Sorry if I got something wrong, it was some time ago I read about this, but it
was something like that. Excellent pictures by the way. Thanks for posting them.

K, thanks for that. I must have gotten the two incidents mixed up. I've heard of the 1700m CG shot before. That really takes some skill!

[Grim]

MEKINFKP? What unit is this marcus, and what kind of selction are we talking about?

[Marsuitor]

I'm heading to Rena next week for initial selection for the infantry portion of Telemark Bataljon-FIST/H. A couple of days worth of interviews, medicals and physical tests. After that, providing i pass phase one, i head back in July to start final selection which is around a month getting myself back up to standard (haven't been in the military for a year and a half), and then begin my six month probation in the unit before being a full member.
All with a little luck and charming personality... :lol::roll:

[Grim]

Good luck to you! Rena is a nice and new base, but wtf is up with the kitchen and their food?!