Todays Pix! Tuesday, May 20th , 2008

[He219]

and sabot petals can be probably used as shrapnel.

Doubt the latter part; sabot penetrators are too dense and heavy as shrapnel.
Cutting them down ahead of time is very hard because they are made of [tungsten(?)]
.. therefore we've seen piles of sabot penetrators lying about without a purpose.
Booster propellants are required for EFP charges and other ad-hock IED's ..

1st Lieutenant Kevin Smith, of Sacramento, CA, of 1st Brigate Combat team, 4th Infantry Division, 4th Batallion, 42nd Field Artillery passes next to Iraqi civilians as he patrols in Karkh neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq, on Monday, May 19, 2008.

Iraqi boys swim in a pond by a house destroyed in recent fighting in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, May 20, 2004. Iraqi military spokesman said Tuesday that Iraqi troops have moved into Baghdad's Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City to seize control.

Iraqi soldiers stand guard in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in front of a poster showing a radical anti-US cleric Muqtada al Sadr in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, May 20, 2004. Iraqi military spokesman said Tuesday that Iraqi troops have moved into Baghdad's Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City to seize control.

An Iraqi soldier stands guard in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in front of a mural showing Mohammed Sadiq al-Sadr, late father of the radical anti-US cleric Muqtada al Sadr,and Mohammed Baqir al-Sadr, left, in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, May 20, 2004. Iraqi military spokesman said Tuesday that Iraqi troops have moved into Baghdad's Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City to seize control.

Iraqi soldiers stand guard in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, May 20, 2004. Iraqi military spokesman said Tuesday that Iraqi troops have moved into Baghdad's Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City to seize control

Iraqis soldiers stand guard in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, May 20, 2008. An Iraqi military spokesman said Tuesday that Iraqi troops have moved into Baghdad's Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City to seize control

Iraqi soldiers stand guard by a wall built recently by U.S. forces in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, May 20, 2004. An Iraqi military spokesman said Tuesday that Iraqi troops have moved into Baghdad's Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City to seize control

An Iraqi soldier stands guard in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in front of a mural showing Mohammed Sadiq al-Sadr, late father of the radical anti-US cleric Muqtada al Sadr, in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, May 20, 2004.

[bd popeye]

that first pic is awsome.

nice start as usual EMT

Yes it is..considering I posted that pic last week!

Great pix by all posters!

This is CVN-76 Fourth deployment in its short 5 year history. Bunches of pix at navy.mil on the USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76 deploying yesterday...Here are a few...


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SAN DIEGO (May 19, 2008) Sailors walk across the pier towards the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) before departing on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott (Released)

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SAN DIEGO (May 19, 2008) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Joseph Dean embraces his wife on the pier before boarding the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer S. Kimball (Released)

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SAN DIEGO (May 19, 2008) A Sailor says goodbye to a loved one during the early morning hours before deploying aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott (Released)

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SAN DIEGO (May 19, 2008) Sailors man the rails aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group departs on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin Brossard (Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (May 18, 2008) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Rough Raiders" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and multiple embarked fleet replacement squadrons are conducting Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRSCQ) off the coast of southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Walter M. Wayman (Released)

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DJIBOUTI, (May 9, 2008) Navy Seabee Jean Joseph, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa cooks goat meat for dinner during a 10-day French tactical desert survival training course. Forty U.S. Military members stationed at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti volunteered for the 10-day course taught by French marines of the 5th Regiment Overseas Infantry. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock (Released)

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PERSIAN GULF (May 15, 2008) Aviation Ordnanceman 3RD Class Daniel Reynolds, assigned to the "Kestrels" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, performs preflight checks on a bomb attached to the wing of an F/A-18E Super Hornet during flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Third Class Justin R. Blake (Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 15, 2008) The multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) deploys an Air Cushion Landing Craft (LCAC). Iwo Jima is participating in the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Integration Training (ESGINT). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky (Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 17, 2008) A Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 (ACU 4) disembarks the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima and ACU-4 are participating in the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group integration training. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chad R. Erdmann (Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 15, 2008) Gunner's Mate Seaman Marcus W. Stapert and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Elijah Harter perform maintenance on a .50 caliber(?) machine gun aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61). Ramage is participating in the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Integration Training (ESGINT). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky (Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (May 17, 2008) Surface search and rescue (SAR) swimmers Lt. Patrick Panjeti, right, and Seaman David Swan, conduct SAR training alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and embarked Training Air Wing 1 and 2 are conducting Naval Aviation Training Command carrier qualifications off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Katrina V. Sartain (Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (May 15, 2008) A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 165 lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu is conducting operations in the Pacific Ocean on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sarah E. Bitter (Released)

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PERSIAN GULF (May 15, 2008) Maintenance personnel assigned to the "Sun Kings" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW 116) prepare an E-2C Hawkeye for a mission aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (Released)

[He219]

He can you recognize anything else. I thought one of them were that chilean smg version of the sig/fal cant remember exactly. I wonder what the source of these are?

As I previously wrote, custom.
Pakistan is well known for their cottage weapons industry (home-made).


Open House in Austria

Soldaten des Jägerbataillons 26 aus Spittal an der Drau errichteten einen mobilen Kontrollpunkt.

Zwei begeisterte Nachwuchssoldaten im Kreise der Gebirgsjäger.

Hires

Doug Beckstead (right) and Kevin Rieders stand in front of an anti-aircraft weapon May 7 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Mr. Beckstead and Mr. Rieders are literally writing history as Department of Defense civilians deployed to Balad AB as historians in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Beckstead is deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska and Mr. Rieders is deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The weapon was used by the Iraqi military prior to the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes)

Nice Super Frelon ..

Soldiers wait at an airbase to get inside the earthquake site in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province, China, Tuesday, May 20, 2008. China said it was struggling to find shelter for many of the 5 million people whose homes were destroyed in last week's earthquake, while the confirmed death toll rose Tuesday to more than 40,000.

And a Primer for Friday ...
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Minnesota Viking cheerleaders Jessie, Sarah, Amanda, Peyton and Bailey perform a dance routine during the Viking cheerleaders’ tour at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 19. The ladies visited BAF with a promise to give their all and to help pump up the spirits of deployed servicemembers. (U.S. Army photo/Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace)

[offspring_18_87]

are those russian helmets?

[He219]

Good question.

BATUMI, Georgia — (May 16, 2008) †Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Donald C. Winter, speaks to sailors of the guided missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) May 16, 2008, about the role they are taking building partnerships with the nations of the Black Sea region, while the ship was at anchor here. John L. Hall is operating in the Black Sea promoting theater security and cooperation. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian A. Goyak)

Force Protection onboard HMS Chiddingfold with HMS Atherstone in the distance
[Picture: LA(Phot) Chris Winter]

From front to back: HMS Atherstone, HMS Blyth and HMS Ramsey during mine clearance operations in the Khawr Abd Allah waterway
[Picture: LA(Phot) Chris Winter]

Hires

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 19, 2008) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 comes in for a landing aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) at the start of the 2008 deployment for the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Kennedy

Hires

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 19, 2008) An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139 lands board the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) at the start of the 2008 deployment for the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group

Hires

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 19, 2008) An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113 lands aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) at the start of the 2008 deployment for the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Kennedy

Hires

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 19, 2008) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 heads towards the arresting gear cables on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) becoming one of the first aircraft to be flown onto the ship for it's 2008 deployment. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 flew onto Ronald Reagan hours after the ship departed from its homeport of San Diego for a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joe Painter

[phoebus]

20/5 17:20 Ο τερματισμός του «Ψυχρού Πολέμου» δεν έχει βάλει τέρμα και στους εξοπλισμούς. Το αντίθετο, μάλιστα. Το Διεθνές Κέντρο για την Ειρήνη και την Ανάπτυξη συνεχίζει να καταγράφει ανοδική τάση, με τη μεγαλύτερη να σημειώνεται στις ΗΠΑ, όπως επισημαίνεται σε δημοσίευμα της ιστοσελίδας της Ντόιτσε Βέλε. Σύμφωνα με τις έρευνες του Κέντρου, οι εξοπλισμοί έχουν φτάσει σε επίπεδα ρεκόρ, καθώς υπολογίζεται πως από το 2001 μέχρι το 2006 οι αμυντικές δαπάνες αυξήθηκαν κατά 30%.

20/5 17:20 The end of the “Cold War” has not put an end in arms race, quite the contary. The international Centre for the Peace and Growth continues recording ascendant tendency, with biggest to be marked in the USA, as it is pointed out in publication of web page of Deutche Welle. According to the research of the Centre, the military armament has reached in level records, while is calculated that from 2001 up to 2006 the defensive expenditure has increased by 30%.

20/5 15:48 Ο Πρόεδρος της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας Κάρολος Παπούλιας συνοδευόμενος από τον Βασιλιά Κάρολο XVI Γουσταύο επιθεωρούν τιμητικό άγημα έξω από τα Βασιλικά Ανάκτορα της Στοκχόλμης.

20/5 of 15:48 The President of Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoylias accompanied with the King Charles XVI Gustav they inspect a honorary regiment outside from the Royal Palaces of Stockholm.

20/5 13:08 Ο ιρακινός στρατός πραγματοποιεί σήμερα επιχείρηση για να επανακτήσει τον έλεγχο της συνοικίας Σαντρ Σίτι της Βαγδάτης. Ο υποστράτηγος Κασίμ Μουσάουι, εκπρόσωπος του στρατού, διευκρίνισε πως από νωρίς το πρωί βρίσκεται σε εξέλιξη η «Επιχείρηση Ειρήνη» σε περιοχή της ανατολικής Βαγδάτης.

20/5 of 13:08 the Iraqi army carried out operations in order to it recover the control of district Sadr City of Baghdad. Major General Kasim Mousaoui, army representative, clarified that from early morning "Operation Peace" is in development, at Eastern Baghdad.

[tuffaznalz]

are those russian helmets?

Mel Brooks knockoffs'

[He219]

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis Seymour, a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., who serves as the brigade master gunner for all aircraft and the standardization pilot for AH-64 Apache helicopters with Task Force 12, Multinational Division Baghdad, checks the fluid levels and every major component of his AH-64 Apache helicopter before a mission in Baghdad May 14, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Aaron Rosencrans, Multinational Division Baghdad;high-resolution image.

Army Col. Tim Edens (front), a native of Fruitland, Idaho, who serves as the commander of Task Force 12, Multinational Division Baghdad, and Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis Seymour, a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., who serves as the brigade master gunner for all aircraft and the standardization pilot for AH-64 Apache helicopters with Task Force 12, start up their Apache helicopter and perform final preflight checks before a mission in Baghdad May 14, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Aaron Rosencrans, Multinational Division Baghdad. Download high-resolution

Army Cpl. Jimmy Duenas, a Guam native who serves as an Apache mechanic and crew chief with Outlaw Troop, 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Task Force 12, Multinational Division Baghdad, drops his salute as Army Col. Tim Edens, a native of Fruitland, Idaho, who serves as the commander of Task Force 12, and Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis Seymour, a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., who serves as the brigade master gunner for all aircraft and the standardization pilot for AH-64 Apache helicopters with Task Force 12, depart for their night mission May 14, 2008, to provide aerial coverage for ground troops in Baghdad. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Aaron Rosencrans, Multinational Division Baghdad. Download high-resolution

Pro-independence Polisario Front rebel soldiers are seen during a military parade in the Western Sahara village of Tifariti, Tuesday May 19, 2008 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Polisario Army. After Spanish colonizers left Western Sahara in 1975, Morocco and Mauritania went to war over it. By 1979, Mauritania had pulled out and Morocco had taken over. But fighting continued between 15,000 Saharaui's Polisario guerrillas and Morocco's U.S. equipped army. A U.N. negotiated truce in 1991 called for a referendum on the region's future, but that vote never happened.

Women from the Pro-independence Polisario Front rebel soldiers are seen during a military parade in the Western Sahara village of Tifariti, Tuesday May 19, 2008 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Polisario Army.

Pro-independence Polisario Front rebel soldiers raise dust in their wake, during a military parade in the Western Sahara village of Tifariti, Tuesday May 19, 2008, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Polisario Army. After Spanish colonizers left Western Sahara in 1975, Morocco and Mauritania went to war over it. By 1979, Mauritania had pulled out and Morocco had taken over. But fighting continued between 15,000 Saharaui's Polisario guerrillas and Morocco's U.S. equipped army. A U.N. negotiated truce in 1991 called for a referendum on the region's future, but that vote never happened

U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey steps out of a vehicle as he arrives to tour the New Orleans police headquarters on Monday, May 19, 2008.

Security members stand guard as Attorney General Michael Mukasey, left, talks with U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, center, and New Orleans police Superintendent Warren Riley in front of the New Orleans police headquarters on Monday, May 19, 2008

[Dark Avenger]

Nice Super Frelon ..

CAIG Z-8K to be precise.

Oh, and He219, by saying sabot petals, I don't mean the penetrator cores, but the sectioned pieces that fall off as the APFSDS projectile leaves the barrel. (APFSDS rounds consist of the Sabot and the penetrator "dart")

[khukuri]

Algerias support of polisario is very evident...


He219

Yeah I knew about pakistans gunsmiths, didnt think theve started working on plastic parts yet, such as buttstocks.

[He219]

Roger that Dark Avenger!

A crew of a U.S. military Back Hawk helicopter wears a helmet painted with a "Spider Web" in the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad May 20, 2008

Check this out, looks like the slats are spaced too wide ..

An Iraqi soldier stands guard near an armored vehicle at a checkpoint in Baghdad's Sadr City May 20, 2008. Iraq's army moved on Tuesday to take control of Baghdad's Sadr City, power base of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, in another step to stamp government authority over areas previously outside its control.

A rabbit is seen in front of U.S. Marines, from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, near the town of Garmser in Helmand Province May 19, 2008.

A Cambodian flag is reflected in a glass display as the skulls of the victims of the Khmer Rouge are seen at a memorial stupa during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Choeung Ek, a "Killing Fields" site located 17km (11 miles) south of Phnom Penh, May 20, 2008. Thousands of Cambodians including 500 monks gathered at the site to remember those who perished during the radical communist group's 1975-79 regime

Traditionally dressed Serb royalists prepare a grilled sheep at Mt. Ravna Gora, central Serbia, Saturday, May 17, 2008. Thousands of people attended a church service and rally to the commemorate anniversary of execution of late Serbian royalist General Dragoljub Draza Mihajlovic. Mihajlovic, the commander of Serbian chetniks movement was caught and executed by communists on May 13, 1945.

Traditionally dressed Serb royalists are seen, marching, at Mt. Ravna Gora, central Serbia, Saturday, May 17, 2008. Thousands of people attended a church service and rally to commemorate the anniversary of the execution of late Serbian royalist General Dragoljub Draza Mihajlovic. Mihajlovic, the commander of Serbian chetniks movement was caught and executed by communists on May 13, 1945.

Traditionally dressed Serb royalists, look on, Mt. Ravna Gora, central Serbia, Saturday, May 17, 2008.

Milija Savic,center, a 99-year old Serbian WW II royalist veteran wears a traditional cap as he rests in front of polling station in the village of Pastric some 80 km (50 miles) south of Belgrade, Sunday, May 11, 2008. Serbs voted Sunday in elections that will decide whether the nation takes another step toward mainstream Europe or reverts to a hardline stance reminiscent of the late strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

[Laworkerbee]

Is that a 113A2?

[Dark Avenger]

No, looks like the M113 derived Pakistani-made Al-Talha APC. With an RPG cage... Or a tactical pushbar system, like those seen on Police intervention vehicles. 'Cause sure the slats look too widely spaced, as He219 said, but RPG cages also work by snagging the fold-out stabilizing fins of RPG rounds, IIRC.

[baboon6]

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...8012113029.jpg

I think these guys are from the National Intervention Unit rather than Special Task Force as the caption says. It was announced today that four platoons of the NIU have been deployed in the Johannesburg area.

[Lancero]

Nice pics gents!

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion PPCLA (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) out of Edmonton, Canada sit outside of compound of an Afghan family during an operation in the Zharey district, Southern Afghanistan May 20, 2008

Technicians and volunteers prepare to install on May 20, 2008 in Merville-Franceville-Plage, western France, a wing on a Dakota (Douglas C-47), an American fixed-wing, propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. This military plane which took part in the 1944 allied raid on the Normandy coast at the end of World war II, was brought back to western France to be restored, after being used as machine-gunned in Yugoslavia in 1995 and abandonned near Sarajevo.

Rounds of domestically made .223 caliber ammunition lie on a shooting target at Lynn Kartchner's gun shop in Douglas, Arizona May 14, 2008. This caliber is the predominant ammunition used by the U.S. military in weapons such as the AR-15, M-16 and the M-4 rifles according to Kartchner. Kartchner said a box of Russian made .223 caliber has risen from four dollars to eight in a year and a half due to price increases in the materials. Millions of shooters, hunters and even lawmen across the United States feel the pinch as sky-high metals prices and demand from wars abroad are driving up the price of bullets

Britain's Royal Air Force aerobatic team Red Arrows performs its display over RAF Akrotiri, a British military base near the coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, Tuesday, May 20, 2008. The nine-aircraft team performed their 25-maneuver routine to secure "public display authority" from a senior RAF officer, enabling them to perform at public venues. The "public display authority" is the culmination of seven months of practice by team members learning a new display routine for the new season.

Members of the Colombian Army guard a shipment of more than 600 Chinese rifles and ammunition, which were seizes during an operative made with the Technic Group of Investigation (CTI, as it stands in Spanish) in a house from the Vipasa neighborhood, at the facilities of the Third Division in North of Cali, Colombia, 20 May 2008. During this operation about 1.200 AKM caliber 7.62 suppliers were also seized, and one person was detained. According to authorities, the armaments belong to the 'Los Rastrojos' armed group, which worked with the drugdealers from the drug cartel in North of Valle department

South African police patrol during ongoing xenophobic clashes in Ramaphosa squatter camp east of Johannesburg, South Africa, 20 May 2008. An estimated 23 people have died with hundreds injured and thousands displaced after a week of violent attacks on foreign nationals