Todays Pics, Thursday, July 24th, 2008

[Ceriy]

Divers from Special Forces of Ukrainian Armed Forces participate in a competition. Divers from Naval Special Operations Center of Ukrainian Navy won.

Ukrainian Marines from Air Assault company are awarded German parachutist badges.

See Breeze 2008

[Jocker_89]

22.07.2008: Night training of 29th air-salvage squadron on Baltic Sea

23.07.2008: Soldiers from 2nd Engineering-rescue Battalion prepared activities for children from the sticks under cryptonym "Picnic on Florida"

[Lancero]

Nice pics

Gendarmes and customs officers search the vehicle of Johnny Schleck, father of CSC team riders Frank and Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, during the 18th stage of the Tour de France cycling race, between Bourg-d'Oisans and Saint-Etienne, in France, 24 July 2008. Johnny Schleck's vehicle was stopped and searched and escorted to a nearby police station

Ukrainian security arrests a protestor with the slogan ‘NATO stop’ on her t-shirt who tries to block the military training during Ukrainian-US Navy exercise 'Sea Breeze-2008' near of Novoozernoe village in Crimea, Ukraine, 24 July 2008. The 17 countries take part in the 'Sea Breeze-2008' Navy exercises for the peacemaking on the Black Sea coast in Ukraine which were started at 14 July. The Ukrainian left-wing political parties supporters try to block that exercises

A member of the German War Graves Commission (Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgraeberfuersorge) digs for the corpses of 33 Russian forced labourers and comes upon skeletal remains of a human being on a field near the cemetery in Bruellingsen am Moehnesee, Germany, 24 July 2008. A spokesperson said in the name of the district government of Arnsberg that the skeletal remains are believed to belong to two of the missing Russian labourers. Officials have started lookin for the corpses on the field, after witnesses reported that the cemetery was not the burial site. The Contemporary witness said, the men were killed and burried at the end of World War II

Democratic US presidential contender Barak Obama waves from his car upon leaving the chancellory in Berlin, Germany, 24 July 2008. Obama will give a public speech about his idea of the future transatlantic relations at Berlin's Victory Column tonight

Police officers arrest a man who was creating a disturbance prior to the meeting of German Chancellor Merkel and Democratic US presidential contender Obama in Berlin, 24 July 2008. Obama will give a public speech about his idea of the future transatlantic relations at Berlin's Victory Column tonight.

Members of the Lower-Rhenish syndicate 'Legio XV Primigenia' dressed as Roman legionaries march to Xanten along the river Lippe from Bergkamen, Germany, 24 July 2008. The 16 amateur legionaries try to re-enact the march formation of Roman legionaries including a field kit and weapons weighing up to 40 kilogrammes

Nepalese riot police disperse agitating Nepalese students after they have burned government vehicle during a protest against the price hike in public transportation in Kathmandu, Nepal, 24 July 2008. Hundreds of students activists of All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), staged anti government protests across the country to implement the decision by government to provide 45 per cent discount in public transportation, health and entertainment sectors to the students. The decisions was already promised by the government in last month.

Police officers place a police cordon in front of Brandenburg Gate and the hotel 'Adlon' in Berlin, Germany, 24 July 2008. Democratic US presidential contender Barack Obama arrived in Berlin for his first visit to Germany

Two actors dressed in military uniforms holding US flags serve as a tourist attraction in front of Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany, 24 July 2008. Democratic US presidential contender Barack Obama arrived in Berlin for his first visit to Germany and is expected later on at hotel 'Adlon'

Filipino policemen in a scuffle with student protesters in a rally near the gates of the US embassy in Manila, the Philippines, 24 July 2008. Four student protesters were arrested in a scuffle with the police

A Thai soldier walks up to a pagoda, as Cambodian soldiers (background), rest on guard near Preah Vihear temple near Thai border in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, 23 July 2008. Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, claiming he feared an 'imminent state of war', appealed to the 15-member UN Security Council to intervene in the Thai-Cambodian dispute over conflicting claims to territory adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple, perched on a cliff that partly defines the two neighbouring countries' common border.

The training ship from Ecuador navy "Buque Escuela Guayas" on his arrival at Harumi Harbour,in Tokyo, Japan 24 July 2008.The ship will be in Japan for four day visits before they will departure to Vladyvostok, Russia

Libyan soldiers carry coffins containing the remains of Libyan fighters upon arrival in Tripoli, Libya, 23 July 2008. The bodies were among the 197, delivered by Israel last week in exchange for the remains of two Israeli soldiers in a United Nations mediated deal

Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir (L) waves to supporters during a tour of el-Fasher north Darfur, Sudan, 23 July 2008. The Sudanese government has agreed to bring to justice all those who are accused of committing crimes in Darfur and to seek a political resolution to the conflict in the province, the Arab League said on 23 July

Detail of the destruction of one of the 986 weapons seized by Panamanian authorities in Panama City, Panama on 23 July 2008, as part of a National campaign against violence and gangs

[He219]

Nice pix all!



Hires

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 19, 2008) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Rene Tomkin sprays Oleoresin Capsicum spray, more commonly known as pepper spray, in the face of Operations Specialist Seaman Melinda Weber while participating in security force training aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Starkey/Released

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 21, 2008) Members of the visit, board, search, and seizure team aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), prepare to conduct a boarding exercise with the Training Support Vessel Prevail (TSV-1). Ramage is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 08-4 as a part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 21, 2008) The visit, board, search, and seizure team from the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) board the USNS Hunter (8202) to conduct a boarding exercise from a rigid hull inflatable boat. Vella Gulf is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 08-4 as a part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chad R. Erdmann/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 22, 2008) Capt. Dan Dixon, left, commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, speaks with First Master Patrice Lavolee of the French Navy on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during the first integrated U.S. and French carrier qualifications aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Laird/Released)

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Patrick Zimmermann; now that's an unusual French name ..

080722-N-7241L-006 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 22, 2008) Capt. Dan Dixon, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, right, speaks with Capt. Patrick Zimmermann, commanding officer of the French carrier air wing, on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during the first integrated U.S. and French carrier qualifications aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Laird/Released)

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Capt. Ladd Wheeler, right, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) speaks with Capt. Patrick Zimmermann, commanding officer of the French carrier air wing embarked aboard the ship for the first integrated U.S. and French carrier qualifications aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier.

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 22, 2008) A French F-2 Rafale launches from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during the first integrated U.S. and French carrier qualifications aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 22, 2008) A F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 flies over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wilyanna Harper/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) The Canadian support ship HMAS Success (AOR 304) and the amphibious ship HMAS Tobruk (LSH 50) steam in formation with the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during an underway replenishment. Bonhomme Richard is participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2008. RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational exercise and is scheduled biennially by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Participants include the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Patterson II/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) navigates in the Atlantic Ocean during integrated French and American carrier qualifications and cyclic flight operations. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder (Released)

[He219]

A Cambodian soldier stands with a Thai soldier near the Cekakiri Svarak pagoda of the Preah Vihear temple, about 245 km (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, July 24, 2008. Cambodia accused Thailand on Thursday of sending more troops to their joint border as a smouldering dispute over a 900-year-old temple showed no signs of easing.

Divers of the Royal Australian Navy get ready to leave the dock to practice underwater mine clearance and surveillance drills inside Pearl Harbor during the multi-national military training exercise known as RIMPAC in Honolulu, Hawaii July 23, 2008

Able Seaman William Paton of the Royal Australian Navy aims his weapon as divers prepare for underwater mine clearance and surveillance drills inside Pearl Harbor during the multi-national military training exercise known as RIMPAC in Honolulu, Hawaii July 23, 2008. Military branches from ten nations are participating in the biennial event.

Divers of the Royal Australian Navy prepare to get dropped into the water during underwater mine clearance and surveillance drills inside Pearl Harbor during the multi-national military training exercise known as RIMPAC in Honolulu, Hawaii July 23, 2008.

Divers of the Royal Australian Navy prepare to get dropped into the water

Able Seaman Stuart Callaghan of the Royal Australian Navy gets ready to deploy into the water during underwater mine clearance and surveillance drills inside Pearl Harbor

Petty Officer Sean Walker of the Royal Australian Navy gets his team ready for underwater mine clearance and surveillance drills inside Pearl Harbor during the multi-national military training exercise known as RIMPAC in Honolulu, Hawaii July 23, 2008. Military branches from ten nations are participating in the biennial event.

Leading Seaman Luke Horsfield (L) of the Royal Australian Navy aims a sonar gun used to detect underwater mines as Able Seaman Stuart Callaghan follows his compass during surveillance and mine clearance drills inside Pearl Harbor

Members of the Israeli military take position as they close off the area following an attack by Jewish settlers on the West Bank Palestinian village of Burin, some 20 kms south of the Israeli occupied northern West Bank city of Nablus on July 24 2008. The settlers from the Yitzhar settlement attacked homes, threw rocks and severed the electrical cables leading to the village.

[SBL]

Lots of good ones today, as usual. Thanks guys!

[He219]

French General Elrick Irastorza gives a press conference on July 24, 2008 in Paris on the French military reform. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon announced today the list of the army base closures as part of President Nicolas Sarkozy's military reforms. Sarkozy unveiled last month a new defence doctrine that calls for major cuts to the armed forces, with the savings reinvested in intelligence and technology, and France's return to NATO's integrated command, which it left in 1966.

A French gendarme stops the car of Johnny Schleck, the father of Team CSC Saxo Bank riders Frank and Andy Schleck of Luxembourg during the eighteenth stage of the 95th Tour de France cycling race between Bourg-d'Oisans and Saint-Etienne, July 24, 2008.

Johnny Schleck (L), the father of Team CSC Saxo Bank riders Frank and Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, talks with a French gendarme after his car was stopped during the eighteenth stage of the 95th Tour de France cycling race between Bourg-d'Oisans and Saint-Etienne, July 24, 2008.

Britain's Prince Charles stands backdropped by a framed Swastika flag, an Nazi adaption of the Imperial German Naval Battle Flag which was adopted by the Nazi Party prior to World War II, as he and his wife Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, not pictured, visit a World War II exhibition at Bletchley Park National Codes Centre in Bletchley, England, Thursday, July 24, 2008. The royal couple on Thursday visited the heritage site and museum which was the headquarters of Britain's World War II intelligence code breaking and housed machines which were employed in the breaking of the Enigma cipher, the backbone of German military and intelligence communications. In a letter Thursday to London's Times newspaper almost 100 leading academics warn that Bletchley Park is falling into disrepair and urged the government to preserve the centre.

Britain's Prince Charles, left, is shown a rebuild of "The Bombe" machine as he and his wife Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, not pictured, visit Bletchley Park National Codes Centre in Bletchley, England, Thursday, July 24, 2008. The royal couple on Thursday visited the heritage site and museum which was the headquarters of Britain's World War II intelligence code breaking and housed machines which were employed in the breaking of the Enigma cipher, the backbone of German military and intelligence communications. In a letter Thursday to London's Times newspaper almost 100 leading academics warn that Bletchley Park is falling into disrepair and urged the government to preserve the centre.

Sunbathers watch Russian marines training for Navy Day, on a beach of the Neva River in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 24, 2008. Navy Day is celebrated in Russia on the last Sunday of July.

People gather to watch Russian marines as they train for Navy Day on a beach of the Neva River in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 24, 2008. Navy Day is celebrated in Russia on the last Sunday of July.

U.S. Navy Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) assigned to Special Boat Teams 12 and 20 rig their rigid-hull inflatable boat to a CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to the 159th Aviation Regiment during a maritime external air transportation system (MEATS) training exercise in the Virginia Capes near Fort Eustis, Virginia, July 16, 2008. MEATS trains members of SWCC on extending their operational reach by attaching special operations crafts to helicopters for transport to remote locations for further training.

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24 July 2008
Australian submarine first to fire new heavyweight torpedo

The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today congratulated the crew of the Australian submarine, HMAS Waller, for being the first submarine to successfully fire a new heavyweight torpedo that has been jointly developed by Australia and the United States (US).
The firing occurred during the Rim of the Pacific 2008 (RIMPAC 08) exercise, involving multiple navies off the coast of Hawaii between June and July. This controlled exercise resulted in the planned sinking of a retired US warship.

“This represents the first new heavyweight torpedo warshot to be fired by either Navy. Just as significant is the fact that the warshot torpedo was assembled in Australia,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The MK 48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) torpedo is the latest enhancement for the MK 48.

Considered the world’s premier submarine-launched torpedo, the MK 48 Mod 7 represents a superior capability against both surface ships and submarines with sonar enhancements that make the torpedo an effective weapon in shallow water and in a countermeasure environment.

The development of the CBASS torpedo has been achieved under an Armaments Cooperative Program between the United States Navy (USN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This partnership has established common requirements, interfaces, configurations and maintenance standards enabling any Australian or US submarine to load torpedoes prepared by any Australian or US torpedo maintenance facility.

This submarine partnership has also led to co-development of a new replacement combat system, which is being progressively integrated into USN nuclear submarines and RAN diesel-electric submarines.

This successful live fire exercise underscores the maturity of the joint torpedo and submarine combat system programs for the RAN and USN.

“For Australia in particular, this exercise has been a successful demonstration of the ongoing capability of the Collins Class submarine,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

[MadOnionSix]

Nice pics

That breaks my haert !!!!

[Lancero]

Nice pics He

(FILE) A file photograph showing US President John F. Kennedy (C) welcoming the assembled members of the American Colony at street Clay-Allee in Berlin, Germany, 26 June 1963. Kennedy's seven and a half hour Berlin-visit culminated in his speech in front of Schoeneberg city hall. With his legendary sentence 'Ich bin ein Berliner' (I am a Berliner), Kennedy underlined his solidarity with the people of the city. US Democratic hopeful Barack Obama will make a keynote speech in Berlin, Germany, on 23 July 2008, on how he sees relations between USA and Europe developing. Thousands of people are due to gather to hear him make the only public speech of his tour at the Victory Column in Berlin.

(FILE) A file photograph showing the historic scene of US President John F. Kennedy during his speech in front of Schoeneberg city hall in Berlin, Germany, 26 June 1963. With his legendary sentence 'Ich bin ein Berliner' (I am a Berliner), Kennedy underlined his solidarity with the people of the city. US Democratic hopeful Barack Obama will make a keynote speech in Berlin, Germany, on 23 July 2008, on how he sees relations between USA and Europe developing. Thousands of people are due to gather to hear him make the only public speech of his tour at the Victory Column in Berlin.

Police and military officers check vehicles entering China's capital at a border crossing between Hebei and Beijing, China, 24 July 2008. Security in and around Beijing has been gradually increasing as the 2008 Olympics Games approach. Liu Shaowu, director of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) said that 110,000 security personnel will be on duty to ensure the Chinese capital enjoys a safe 2008 Olympics

Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol during a protest after Amarnath Yatra Sangrash Samiti activist Kuldeep Kumar committed suicide while protesting against revoking of land transfer to Amarnath Shrine Board, in the northern Indian city of Jammu, the winter capital of Kashmir, 24 July 2008. At least 14 persons were injured on 24 July 2008 as police clashed in Jammu with protestors during a bandh called by a Hindu outfit to protest the alleged suicide by a man over the Amarnath land row. Authorities had clamped curfew in Jammu and adjoining areas in view of high tension, a senior police officer said

In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military and made available on 24 July 2008, a guard looks from a tower above the Camp 4 detention facility, at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, in Cuba, 23 July 2008

[bd popeye]

Excellent photos gents! I see He219 beat me to the best navy.mil pics..Excellent selection He219!

Great SINKEX pix! That's an old "Spru-can" DD(Spruance Class Destroyer) being sunk by the Aussies..nice job!

Let me see what I can find..sorry for any repost.

Briton Leah Andrews (C) exits a police car outside a prosecutor's office at Heraklio town on the island of Crete, southern Greece July 24, 2008. A Greek prosecutor has charged Andrews with strangling her newborn baby after giving birth in a hotel room, a court official said.

Police patrol past the special court where war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic is detained, in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, July 24, 2008. Officials said Karadzic was captured in Belgrade on Monday and is awaiting extradition to the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.

Armed police officers stand guard in downtown Beijing, China, Thursday, July 24, 2008. China will allow a modicum of dissent at the Olympics, setting up special protest zones far from the main sports venues, in a shift that supporters and detractors said is meant to safely channel criticism and avoid disrupting the games.

Libyan police hold back a crowd of protestors carrying placards featuring the portraits of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi and his son Hannibal, in front of the Swiss embassy in Tripoli on July 24, 2008, during a second day of protests over the arrest of Hannibal and his wife in Geneva last week. Libya today said it will halt fuel supplies to key oil client Switzerland, in the latest reprisal for last week's brief detention in Geneva of Hannibal, a son of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, protestors gathered for a second day outside the Swiss embassy in Tripoli. The couple were freed on bail two days later.

Police try to push back protesters during a protest near the US embassy in Manila on July 24, 2008. The demonstrators were protesting against high inflation rate caused by oil price hikes and accused oil giant companies of manipulating retail prices.

Indian policemen stand guard at the scene of a grenade explosion in Srinagar July 24, 2008. Five people, including two children and a woman, were killed on Thursday when suspected Muslim separatist militants threw a grenade at a crowded bus terminal in Indian Kashmir's main city, police said. Another 22 civilians were wounded in the attack in the Batamaloo bus terminal in the heart of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

[ZoneOne]

Great pictures.

[Sirpad]

this one should be posted in the funny pics thread

[He219]

Nice job Lancero & Popeye!


Some sic pix today, starting with Ceriy & Jocker_89!

Activists of the WWF organisation for the protection of the environment demonstrate for climate protection in front of Berlin's landmark the Brandenburg Gate on July 24, 2008 in Berlin, where US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama was expeted for a visit. Obama arrived in Germany from Israel at the start of the European leg of his week-long international tour. He was due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

Supporters of US Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-AZ) stand outside Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama's hotel in Jerusalem July 22, 2008.

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The plane of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (L) passes the plane of US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama at Berlin's Tegel airport July 24, 2008. Obama, on a foreign tour he hopes will boost his election chances, on Thursday gives an outdoor speech in Berlin on transatlantic ties that is likely to draw thousands.

A supporter of Republican Presidential hopeful John McCain holds an umbrella in front of the Chancellery in Berlin where US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on July 24, 2008. Obama arrived in Germany from Israel at the start of the European leg of his week-long international tour. Obama was due to meet also German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

A supporter of U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., holds a poster meaning "Obama for Chancellor" prior to Obama's speech at the victory column in Berlin Thursday, July 24, 2008.

[bd popeye]

Fresh from navy.mil...


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NORTH ARABIAN SEA (July 23, 2008) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) steams through the North Arabian Sea supporting the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as well as maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Justin R. Blake/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) A French F-2 Rafale fighter performs a touch-and-go during combined French and American carrier qualifications aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sheldon Rowley/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) French F-2 Rafale M and American F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft perform a fly-by over the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during integrated French and American carrier qualifications and cyclic flight operations. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sheldon Rowley/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) A French F-2 Rafale M fighter launches off the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during combined French and American carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sheldon Rowley/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) Aviation Ordnancemen aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) attach ammunition to an MH-60S Seahawk assigned to the "Sea Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 as it delivers ammunition to the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) during a vertical replenishment. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sheldon Rowley/Released)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) A French F-2 Rafale assigned to the French navy 12th Squadron prepares to taxi and launch for the last time during combined French and American carrier qualifications aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John M. Stratton/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 23, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) navigates in the Atlantic Ocean before a French F-2 Rafale M, E-2C Hawkeye and American F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft fly-by over the deck during integrated French and American carrier qualifications and cyclic flight operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 22, 2008) Two SH-60F Seahawks land on spots four and five between flight evolutions aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is participating in Joint Task Force Exercise "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder/Released)

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The DDG-1000 program has been cancelled or reduced to two ships..

An artist rendering of the Zumwalt class destroyer DDG 1000, a new class of multi-mission U.S. Navy surface combatant ship designed to operate as part of a joint maritime fleet, assisting Marine strike forces ashore as well as performing littoral, air and sub-surface warfare. (U.S. Navy photo illustration/Released)

[Jass]

What exactly are thoes carrier qualifications? Some kind of French/American combined training program?