Today's Pics, Friday, April 18th, 2008

[bd popeye]

Woo-Hoo! The Big Daddy BEATDOWN!

Welcome back!

Thanks! Anyone want to ask me for Hi-res pix???

[He219]

Rust zacht..

RiP Dutch soldiers and Israeli Sgt. David Papian along all those KIA ..

Cuban Navy sailors attend a welcoming ceremony after disembarking from the navy training vessel ship "Antonio Maceo" in Havana, Friday, April 18, 2008.

Cuban Navy sailors attend a welcoming ceremony after disembarking from the navy training vessel ship "Antonio Maceo" in Havana, Friday, April 18, 2008

A sea star lies under clear water at the Icacos beach, inside the former Vieques Naval Training Range, on Vieques island, Puerto Rico, Thursday, April 17, 2008.

A sign warns away those who might wander into the brush beyond Icacos beach, inside the former Vieques Naval Training Range, on Vieques island, Puerto Rico, Thursday, April 17, 2008. The U.S. Navy has set aside US$200 million for the cleanup on the old bombing range, authorities announced last month. The Navy previously used Vieques as its main Atlantic training site, combining air, sea and land maneuvers on land which is now a refuge for wildlife

Smoke and dust clears after unexploded ordinance was blown up in a controlled demolition at the former Vieques Naval Training Range, on Vieques island, Puerto Rico, Thursday, April 17, 2008.

Canisters for cluster bombs sit in a stack ready for recycling, at a processing area at the former Vieques Naval Training Range, on Vieques island, Puerto Rico, Thursday, April 17, 2008.

Contractors stand by their trucks near a pile of military ordinance collected at the former Vieques Naval Training Range, on Vieques island, Puerto Rico, Thursday, April 17, 2008. The U.S. Navy has set aside US$200 million for the cleanup on Vieques, authorities announced last month. The Navy previously used Vieques as its main Atlantic training site, combining air, sea and land maneuvers. About 775 acres have been cleared since the cleanup began in 2005, according to authorities

Chris Brown, a contractor for Pika International, gestures near a pile of soon to be destroyed dummy training bombs at the former Vieques Naval Training Range, on Vieques island, Puerto Rico, Thursday, April 17, 2008.

Christopher Penny, left, head of the Vieques Restoration Program, walks near heaps of destroyed military hardware, at a processing area of the former Vieques Naval Training Range, on Vieques island, Puerto Rico, Thursday, April 17, 2008. The U.S. Navy has set aside US$200 million for the cleanup on Vieques, authorities announced last month. The Navy previously used Vieques as its main Atlantic training site, combining air, sea and land maneuvers. About 775 acres have been cleared since the cleanup began in 2005, according to authorities.

An Afghan man sprays water on his rooster during a ****-fighting tournament in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, April 18, 2008. During the tournament, owners are allowed to stop the fight temporarily to refresh their roosters, and check their wounds, before sending them into battle again. Though the fights are not to the death, the roosters are bloodied and sometimes blinded before a winner is decided. **** fighting, an old tradition in Kabul, was banned during the rule of the Taliban

An Afghan man gives water to his rooster during a ****-fighting tournament in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, April 18, 2008

Afghan men watch a ****-fighting tournament in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, April 18, 2008.

A U.S. soldier of 101st Airborne Division stands guard as an Afghan police officer enters a house for search in Mandozai, in Khost province, Afghanistan, Friday, April 18, 2008. U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan now top 32,000, the highest number of American forces in the country since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban

[momojoe]

An Iraqi army soldier searches a vehicle during a joint clearance mission to kick off Operation Marne Piledriver, April 15, outside Mahmudiyah.Photographer: Pvt. Christopher McKenna

Iraqi army soldiers dig through the side of a canal searching for potential caches. This was during a joint clearance effort between coalition and Iraqi forces to kick off Marne Piledriver, April 15.Photographer: Pvt. Christopher McKenna

An Iraqi army soldier walks ahead of both coalition and other Iraqi army soldiers during a clearance mission, April 15, starting Operation Marne Piledriver in the Mahmudiyah area.Photographer: Pvt. Christopher McKenna

Cars stolen by al-Qaida in Iraq litter the yard of a house in Bayija. The cars were taken by the Iraqi criminal investigation department, April 14, to be used as evidence against members of AQI.Photographer:
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

Iraqi soldiers with Military in Transition Team 0720, 7th Iraqi Army Division, make a headcount on an Iraqi convoy Apr. 6. After checking the convoy's manifest and counting the number of soldiers, the Iraqi soldiers on the gate radio the information to Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).Photographer: Cpl. Scott McAdam

A Forward Operating Base Kalsu laundry facility worker prepares to empty a bag of laundry on April 10 into one of the 136 washers in the facility. The facility washes up to 1,000 loads a day.Photographer: Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky

Iraqi Pvt. Selam Felah, military policeman, Military in Transition Team 0720, 7th Iraqi Army Division, gets a head count on a convoy heading to Mejid Iraqi army compound Apr. 7. Iraqi soldiers have performed security on the entry control point to Al-Asad Air Base for appoximately a week.Photographer: Cpl. Scott McAdam

Sgt. Lucas Anderson, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division personal security detail, smiles after dropping off his laundry on April 10 at the Forward Operating Base Kalsu laundry facility. The laundry facility does anywhere from 700 to 1,000 loads of laundry a day.Photographer: Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky

Iraqi soldiers with Military in Transition Team 0720, 7th Iraqi Army Division allow an Iraqi convoy to pass after inspection Apr. 6. The Iraqi soldiers work in conjunction with Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, to maintain security at the entry control point.Photographer: Cpl. Scott McAdam

Iraqi Pfc. Abdul Star Shaker, Intelligence soldier, Military in Transition Team 0720, 7th Iraqi Army Division, waves a green flag, signaling to Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The green flag indicates to the Marines that the Iraqi soldiers checked the Iraqi convoy and is okay to pass.Photographer: Cpl. Scott McAdam

Iraqi Pvt. Kalieph Qayes, military policeman with Military in Transition Team 0720, 7th Iraqi Army Division, searches an Iraqi national before coming aboard Al-Asad Air Base Apr. 6. All local national coming on base are subject to a search by the Iraqi soldiers manning the gate.Photographer: Cpl. Scott McAdam

Residents gather near the destroyed vehicles after an air strike in Baghdad's Sadr City April 17, 2008. Three people were killed while seven others were wounded in the attack in Sadr City early on Thursday, hospital sources said. *******/Kareem Raheem

Police arrest a Tibetan exile during a protest outside the hotel where the Olympic torch is being kept in New Delhi April 17, 2008.*******/Adnan Abidi

Sgt. Richard Ray, from Fayetteville, N.C., Company C, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, provides security at the Arch of Cfesiphon in Salman Pak, Iraq, during a visit by the Iraqi ministry of tourism, April 15. (Photo/Sgt. 1st Class Scott Maynard)

Sgt. Brian Busby, from Lucedale, Miss., Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, provides security at the Arch of Cfesiphon in Salman Pak, Iraq, April 15. The crack in the wall behind him happened more than 1,800 years ago. (Photo/Sgt. 1st Class Scott Maynard)

Col. Ryan J. Kuhn, from Clarks, Neb., the deputy commander of the 3rd BCT, thanks Nasser Ghanem, Deputy General of Tourism, for visiting Salman Pak and committing the ministry to restoring the city as Iraq's center of tourism, April 15. (Photo/Sgt. 1st Class Scott Maynard)

[baboon6]

Great pix guys!
And welcome back BigDaddy ..


I take it Canadian Captain Michael Bennett is on exchange with British forces in A'stan ..

This guy is definitely British Army, a Major in the Mercian Regt (look at the rank tab and beret badge).

[He219]

This guy is definitely British Army, a Major in the Mercian Regt (look at the rank tab and beret badge).

I knew there was something funny about the caption ..
Thanks.

Polar bear cub "Wilbaer" swims in the outdoor enclosure at the zoo of Stuttgart, southern Germany, on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Zoo officials introduced Germany's latest polar bear cub Wednesday to the public.

The German team of Lisa Lacker and Iris Zeppenfeld perform during the duet synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in Beijing

The German team of Lisa Lacker and Iris Zeppenfeld perform during the duet synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in Beijing.

The Great Britain team of Olivia Allison and Jenna Randall performs during the duet synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in Beijing

The team of Anastasia Gloushkov and Inna Yoffe, of Israel, perform during the duet synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in Beijing.

The Venezuelan team of Anna Carolina Soto Espinoza and Mary Alejandra Soto Espinoza performs during the duet synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in Beijing, China

The Swiss team of Magdelena Brunner and Ariane Schneider performs during the duet synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in Beijing, China

The Greek team practices their technical routine during the Good Luck Beijing synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Thursday, April 17, 2008, in Beijing

The Costa Rican team of Mayana Aparico Acevedo and Violeta Mitinian Diakova performs during the duet synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in Beijing, China.

A member of the Japanese team is thrown into the air during a practice of the technical program at the Good Luck Beijing synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Thursday, April 17, 2008, in Beijing

The Italian team practices their technical routine during the Good Luck Beijing synchronized swimming competition at the National Aquatics Center, Thursday, April 17, 2008, in Beijing

A Pakistani protester chants slogans at a rally against the republishing of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in Danish newspapers in Karachi, Pakistan on Thursday, April 17, 2008. The Netherlands has shifted its embassy in the Pakistani capital to a luxury hotel because of security worries following the release of a film criticizing Islam. Headband of protester reads "Muhammad is Prophet of God".

A Tibetan exile covered in anti-China slogans are apprehended by security personnel as they forcibly enter into a secure zone near the venue of the Beijing Olympics torch run in New Delhi, India, Thursday, April 17, 2008. Chinese cheerleaders and Tibetan protesters greeted the Olympic flame Thursday amid a massive security clampdown for the latest leg of the international torch relay in India, home to the world's largest Tibetan exile community

U.S. Sgt Robert Kidwell, of of the 101st Airborne Division, examines an Afghan boy during a patrol in Khost province, Afghanistan, Thursday, April 17, 2008. U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan now top 32,000, the highest number of American forces in the country since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban

U.S. 1st Lt. Nick Dewhirst Robert Kidwell, of the 101st Airborne Division surveys the area during a night patrol in Khost province, Afghanistan, Thursday, April 17, 2008. U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan now top 32,000, the highest number of American forces in the country since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban.

US soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division guards during a night patrol in Khost province, Afghanistan, Thursday, April 17, 2008, in this image taken through night vision equipment.

A U.S. soldier of 101st Airborne Division stand guard as Afghan police search the house in Mandozai, in Khost province, Afghanistan, Friday, April 18, 2008. U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan now top 32,000, the highest number of American forces in the country since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban

U.S. 101st Airborne Division SSG Mac Blocker, right, stands guard as Ist Lt. Shane Oravsky comes out from inside after a house search with Afghan police in Mandozai, in Khost province, Afghanistan, Friday, April 18, 2008. U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan now top 32,000, the highest number of American forces in the country since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban.

A U.S. soldier of the 101st Airborne Division patrols as Afghan girls look on in Khost province, Afghanistan, Thursday, April 17, 2008

An Afghan girl looks on as U.S. soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division patrols in Khost province, Afghanistan, Thursday, April 17, 2008. U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan now top 32,000, the highest number of American forces in the country since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban.

An Afghan man, hold his **** as others are seen chatting to find a pair to fight during a ****-fighting tournament in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, April 18, 2008. During the tournament, owners are allowed to stop the fight temporarily to refresh their roosters, and check their wounds, before sending them into battle again. Though the fights are not to the death, the roosters are bloodied and sometimes blinded before a winner is decided. **** fighting, an old tradition in Kabul, was banned during the rule of the Taliban

Bulgarian army soldiers are seen during a send-off ceremony at the military base in the town of Karlovo, east of the Bulgarian capital Sofia Thursday, April 17, 2008. Bulgaria will send a combat unit of 200 on a guarding mission to Kandahar, Afghanistan

A U.S. Army soldier from B Company, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment peers around a corner after hearing shots fired during their patrol in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq on Thursday, April 17, 2008

U.S. Army soldiers from B Company, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment search a school during their patrol in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, April 17, 2008.

Greg Hovey, right, a research assistant for University of Pittsburgh, closes the door on the Bodpod while Rob, an East Coast-based Navy SEAL, sits inside on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Va. The Bodpod measures body fat. The Navy's most elite warriors now can use sports medicine advances and training techniques developed for top athletes to better prepare for battle _ and maybe save their lives

Will, an East Coast-based Navy SEAL, works out his shoulder on a Biodex machine on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Va. The machine measures force. The Navy's most elite warriors now can use sports medicine advances and training techniques developed for top athletes to better prepare for battle _ and maybe save their lives.

[Fireball Sanchez]

Great pics there HE!

(April 16, 2008) A group of U.S. Marines stand on the mess decks of landing transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD 13) after completing maritime interdiction operations training as part of Phoenix Express 2008 (PE) 2008. PE-08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles L. Ludwig)

(April 16, 2008) Marines aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD 13) study orders for maritime interdiction operations during Phoenix Express (PE) 2008. PE-08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles L. Ludwig)

(April 17, 2008) Visit, board, search and seizure team members from the guided-missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) return to their rigid hull inflatable boat after conducting a boarding on Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1661) during Phoenix Express (PE) 2008. PE-08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. Exercises like PE-08 enable participants to advance information sharing which is crucial to maintaining a region free from transnational threats, as well as enhance capability to conduct multinational peacekeeping missions.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Clayton)

(April 17, 2008) Visit, board, search and seizure team members from the guided-missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) take control of Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1661) after boarding the vessel by rigid hull inflatable boat during Phoenix Express (PE) 2008. PE-08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. Exercises like PE-08 enable participants to advance information sharing which is crucial to maintaining a region free from transnational threats, as well as enhance capability to conduct multinational peacekeeping missions.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Clayton)

(April 17, 2008) Visit, board, search and seizure team members from the guided-missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) take control of Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1661) after boarding the vessel by rigid hull inflatable boat. Phoenix Express (PE) 2008 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. Exercises like PE-08 enable participants to advance information sharing which is crucial to maintaining a region free from transnational threats, as well as enhance capability to conduct multinational peacekeeping missions.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Clayton)

(April 17, 2008) A visit, board, search and seizure team member from the guided-missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) stands guard over crew members of Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1661) after boarding the vessel by rigid hull inflatable boat during Phoenix Express (PE) 2008. PE-08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. Exercises like PE 08 enable participants to advance information sharing which is crucial to maintaining a region free from transnational threats, as well as enhance capability to conduct multinational peacekeeping missions.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Clayton)

U.S. Army Heavy Equipment Transportation Trucks carrying t-wall barriers arrive in the southern portion of the Sadr City District of Baghdad on April 8. Multi-National Division - Baghdad engineers set up the barriers to help Iraqi army better secure the area.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Photographer:Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz : 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs )

U.S. Army MND-B Spc. Andrew Martin, a native of Doylestown, Pa., assigned to the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, provides security in the southern portion of the Sadr City District of Baghdad as U.S. Army engineers arrive to set up t-wall barriers around the city on April 8.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Photographer:Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz : 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs)

Spc. Andrew Martin, a native of Doylestown, Pa., assigned to the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, provides security in the southern portion of the Sadr City District of Baghdad as U.S. Army engineers arrive to set up t-wall barriers around the city on April 8. Tech.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Photographer:Sgt. Adrian Cadiz : 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs)

Staff Sgt. Jason Condreay, a native of Greeley, Colo., assigned to the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division ? Baghdad, provides security in the southern portion of the Sadr City District of Baghdad as U.S. Army engineers arrive to set up t-wall barriers around the city on April 8.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Photographer:Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz : 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Cline of the 56th Military Police Company, 101st Airborne Division, and International Police Advisor Dustin Reynolds, search an Iraqi Police station in Wynot, Iraq.
(Photographer: Spc. Jordan Huettl : Joint Combat Camera Center)

[Dean1962]

Great pix guys!
And welcome back BigDaddy ..


I take it Canadian Captain Michael Bennett is on exchange with British forces in A'stan ..

...either that or he has very cunningly disguised himself as a Mercian Regiment Warrant Officer!!!

[pj669]

it is an IDF Israeli made zeev(wolf)

What IDF vehicle is that? It bears a resemblance to the German Dingo.

[pj669]

g-d bless those who die for defending their country. Israel we (me in Texas) are with you in the war against terror!

May his soul be bound in the bond of everlasting life.

RIP my brother...

[ed316]

This picture is just awesome.

[Big Lebowski]

Crazy foto. Would like to know how that was identified as a hostile target...

[Greg27]

Crazy foto. Would like to know how that was identified as a hostile target...

that can't be good for IDF PR...

was this a press convoy? odds of having another photographer shooting back a pic seconds after hit are pretty slim. can't blame pallywood on this one i guess...

RIP to the photographer. they provide us all the pics we enjoy everyday on this thread.

[TOTENKOPF 3RD]

Im sorry but my imaturity couldnt let this pass up....


Quote:
An Afghan man, hold his **** as others ........

[1911-a1]

Crazy foto. Would like to know how that was identified as a hostile target...

I think it was when the camera man placed something on his shoulder and "aimed" at a tank.

[JJC]

Nice pics!

Would anyone know what riot gear Gendarmes use? The design looks very well thought out.