Today's Pix - Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

[He219]

Hires

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2008) A ground-based interceptor lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The launch, designated FTG-05, was a test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. The missile successfully intercepted a long-range target launched from Kodiak, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joe Davila)

Hires

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan (Dec. 7, 2008) U.S. Senators John McCain, left, and Joe Lieberman leave the airfield aboard Camp Bastion. U.S. Military service members and British Royal Army personnel briefed U.S. Senators McCain, Joe Lieberman, and Lindsey Graham on the progress and status of their area of operations in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Pete Thibodeau)

I took this ^ pic about two weeks ago ..

Hires

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Dec. 7, 2008) A Sailor from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band plays taps during a joint U.S. Navy/National Park Service ceremony commemorating the 67th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The theme of this year's historic commemoration, "Pacific War Memories: The Heroic Response to Pearl Harbor," emphasized the brave efforts of those who fought at sea, on land, and in the air, to turn the tide in the Pacific. More than 2,000 distinguished guests and the general public joined service members, Pearl Harbor survivors and their families and friends for the annual observance. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist David Rush/Released)

Hires

PEARL HARBOR (Dec. 7, 2008) Daniel Martinez, historian for the National Park Service at the USS Arizona Memorial, walks with the cremains of Seaman 1st Class Charles Guerin Jr. during an interment ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial. Guerin was a former Sailor stationed aboard the battleship USS Arizona (BB 39) during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay C. Pugh (Released)

Hies

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Dec. 7, 2008) Members of the Japan Religious Committee for World Federation participate in a Prayer for Peace ceremony aboard the USS Arizona Memorial. The prayer ceremony followed a joint U.S. Navy/National Park Service ceremony commemorating the 67th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The theme of this year's historic commemoration, "Pacific War Memories: The Heroic Response to Pearl Harbor," emphasizes the brave efforts of those who fought at sea, on land, and in the air, to turn the tide in the Pacific. More than 2,000 distinguished guests and the general public joined service members, Pearl Harbor survivors and their families and friends for the annual observance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron/Released)

Hires

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Dec. 7, 2008) Pearl Harbor Survivors render honors for a Joint Service Color Guard during a joint U.S. Navy/National Park Service ceremony commemorating the 67th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The theme of this year's historic commemoration, "Pacific War Memories: The Heroic Response to Pearl Harbor," emphasized the brave efforts of those who fought at sea, on land, and in the air, to turn the tide in the Pacific. More than 2,000 distinguished guests and the general public joined servicemembers, Pearl Harbor survivors and their families and friends for the annual observance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron/Released)

Hires

Hires

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Dec. 7, 2008) Woody Derby, a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, salutes the names of the deceased at the USS Arizona Memorial during a Prayer for Peace ceremony sponsored by the Japan Religious Committee for World Federation. The prayer ceremony followed a joint U.S. Navy/National Park Service ceremony commemorating the 67th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The theme of this year's historic commemoration, "Pacific War Memories: The Heroic Response to Pearl Harbor," emphasizes the brave efforts of those who fought at sea, on land, and in the air, to turn the tide in the Pacific. More than 2,000 distinguished guests and the general public joined service members, Pearl Harbor survivors and their families and friends for the annual observance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay C. Pugh/Released)

[Anthony91]

Fantastic Pearl Harbor pictures.

R.I.P. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and civilians who perished on that tragic sunday morning.

[He219]

*PERSEC Deletion*

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason McLoud gives a jump brief to a group of soldiers selected from an airborne jump lottery in support of Operation Toy Drop on Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 5, 2008. McLoud is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Civil Affairs Team, Psychological Operations Command, 82nd Airborne Division, on Fort Bragg, N.C.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle

U.S. Army soldiers practice parachute landing falls after donating toys for an airborne jump lottery during Operation Toy Drop on Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 5, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division prepare to board a C-130 Hercules aircraft during Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008.
U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock

A U.S. Army soldier assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division parachutes from a C-130 Hercules aircraft during Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller

U.S. Army soldiers descend from an aircraft during Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Operation Toy Drop is an annual airborne jump on Fort Bragg, N.C.
U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division walk to a rally point, while others parachute from a C-130 Hercules aircraft during Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller

Irish Defense Force Sgt. Anthony MaGuire, a jumpmaster from the Army Ranger Wing, Curragh Camp, County Kildare, Ireland, prepares to award U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., Irish army jump wings during Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6, 2008.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle

A grateful refugee camp resident in Kabul, Afghanistan, kisses U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Yevsey Goldberg, who helped bring more than 550-kilograms of rice and other supplies, Dec. 6, 2008. Goldberg is deployed to International Security Assistance Force Headquarters. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Aramis Ramirez

A young Iraqi boy finds comfort in the touch of a U.S. soldier attached to 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Multinational Division Baghdad, Nov. 29, 2008, during a patrol in the Hadar community of southern Baghdad, Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Todd Frantom

A British soldier looks at a boy pretending to be a soldier holding a weapon during a patrol in Basra, 420 km (260 miles) southeast of Baghdad November 25, 2008. For the first time since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraqis could be seeing election candidates kissing babies and canvassing neighbours when a new polling system comes into force in January 2009. Picture taken November 25.

Former Blackwater Worldwide security guards Nick Slatten (2nd L) and Donald Ball (3rd L), arrive with their lawyers at the U.S. District Court before surrendering to authorities in Salt Lake City, Utah December 8, 2008. Five former Blackwater guards were indicted for their roles in a 2007 shooting in Baghdad that claimed the lives of 17 Iraqi civilians.

In this photo released on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 by the French Defense ministry, and taken from French anti-submarine frigate "Jean de Vienne", two armed French Navy officers taking part in the "Atalante" escorting and protection mission, supervise a convoy of cargo ships sailing through the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia's coasts, in this photo taken Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. About 50 cargo ships travel daily through the Gulf of Aden, a strategic waterway that links the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.

A Dutch navy gunman stands guard as cargo ship MV Jumbo Javelin passes near the Gulf of Aden on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. Dutch warship De Ruyter is escorting the cargo ship through the Gulf of Aden, which has become the world's top piracy hotspot this year.

Dutch navy Lt. Cmdr **** Van der Neut, left, takes notes as he discusses the journey, with Anton van Koldam, second right, the Dutch captain of Dutch cargo ship MV Jumbo Javelin on Monday Dec. 8, 2008. Dutch warship De Ruyter is escorting the MV Jumbo Javelin through the Gulf of Aden, which has become the world's top piracy hotspot this year.

In this photo released on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 by the French Defense ministry, a French Navy officer from the EPE, an embedded protection team, is seen aboard the French luxury yacht "Le Ponant" checking the horizon using binoculars while a Lynx helicopter is about to land on French anti-submarine frigate "Jean de Vienne", as part of the "Atalante" protection mission of ships in the gulf of Aden, off Somalia's coasts, in this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 . About 50 cargo ships travel daily through the Gulf of Aden, a strategic waterway that links the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.

[NathS]

All photos from defence.gov.au

Australian and Dutch Engineers work together in repairing a road in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 27 November 2008) hires

An Australian Army interpreter talks to a local goat herder during a patrol in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 26 November 2008) hires

The Commanding Officer of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force One, Lieutenant Colonel Shane Garbriel (centre) observes a brief engagement through his binoculars between Australian troops and a small insurgent force in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 26 November 2008) hires

An Australian soldier keeps a look out over the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 26 November 2008) hires

An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle moves up a ridge towards an overwatch position in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 26 November 2008) hires

An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle passes locals during a patrol through the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 26 November 2008) hires

An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle waits behind a camel train during a patrol through the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 26 November 2008) hires

Bushmaster Crew Commander and Driver Private Doug Lynch navigate their way through Tarin Kowt on a patrol into the Baluchi Valley.
(Date taken: 26 November 2008) hires

An Australian patrol takes up an overwatch postion in the Baluch Valley, southern Afghanistan. Australian positions can be seen in the far left and right of the image.
(Date taken: 26 November 2008) hires

EDIT : I'm an idiot, high-res pics exceed the weight limit so I can't upload them. I'll put direct links.

[Marvin!!]

Good stuff, mate! That Bushmaster looks awesome

[NathS]

Good stuff, mate! That Bushmaster looks awesome

I fell in love with it when it was still competing with the Taipan

So far 2 high-res pics uploaded. It's gonna be fun.

[He219]

Nice pix NathS, thanks for sharing!



RiP

The caskets carrying Private Demetrios Diplaros, Corporal Mark Robert McLaren, and Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson are carried from an aircraft to waiting hearses at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, December 8, 2008. The Infantrymen with First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa, were killed by an improvised explosive device west of Kandahar, Afghanistan on December 5, 2008. They bring the number of soldiers killed on the Afghanistan mission to 100.

Trenton residents pay tribute to Private Demetrios Diplaros, Corporal Mark Robert McLaren, and Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson as hearses leave the Canadian Forces Base Trenton, for Toronto, December 8, 2008. The Infantrymen with First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa, were killed by an improvised explosive device west of Kandahar, Afghanistan on December 5, 2008. They bring the number of soldiers killed on the Afghanistan mission to 100.

An officer salutes near Cobourg, Ont., on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 as Canadians line the bridges along Highway 401 to show their support as a row of hearses carry the caskets of three fallen Canadian soldiers, Private Demetrios Diplaros, 25, Corporal Mark Robert McLaren, 23, and Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson, 27, all infantrymen with the First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa, Ont., The three soldiers were killed as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on their armored vehicle during a joint patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers in the Arghandab District.

Family members and friends mourn at the funeral of Master Sgt. Anthony Davis, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Davis's widow Anna Davis, and son Mark Anthony, 9, stand at graveside. Davis, 43, was delivering food and relief supplies near Biaj in Iraq when he and six others were shot, according to the Department of Defense.

Maj. Gen. David B. Lacquement (L) reaches out to touch nine-year-old MarcAnthony Davis (R) as he rests his head on the American flag that covered his father's casket and sits with his mother, Maj. Anna Davis, during burial services for Master Sgt. Anthony Davis at Arlington National Cemetery December 9, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia. Master Sgt. Anthony Davis, 43, of Deerfield, Florida, died November 25 in Baaj, Iraq, after being shot by an Iraqi Security Force soldier while he was conducting a dismounted humanitarian food drop. Also pictured is Davis' widow, Maj. Anna Davis.

Chuck Hemmerlin holds a Blue Star flag for his returning son U.S. Army PFC Chad Hemmerlin of Apache Junction, Arizona during a homecoming ceremony for 200 soldiers with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team December 8, 2008 in Fort Stewart, Georgia. The brigade soldiers returned home after a 14-month deployment south of Baghdad

Alexandria McBroom, left, hugs her husband U.S. Army PFC Dustin McBroom during a homecoming ceremony for 200 soldiers with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team December 8, 2008 in Fort Stewart, Georgia. The brigade soldiers blocked weapons from entering the Iraqi capital, protected the local population, and trained Iraqi security forces during a 14-month deployment south of Baghdad.

Four Australian Army Black Hawk helicopters patrol the coastline over Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 9, 2008. Following the terrorists attacks in Mumbai which claimed the lives of over 170 people, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned Australians to be vigilant against the risk from terrorism.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev toasts with World War II veterans during a "Glory of War" awards ceremony at the Moscow Kremlin, Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. Medvedev presented Monday "Glory of War" awards to representatives of several cities, the cites of the fierce battles between Red Army and Nazi Germany's troops during WWII.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pays last respects to the late Patriarch Alexy II, during his funeral in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008. Candles flickered and white-robed elders chanted prayers as Russia bade farewell Tuesday to Patriarch Alexy II, who guided the country's dominant Russian Orthodox Church through its remarkable recovery after decades of Communist-era oppression.

In this photo released on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 by the French Defense ministry, and taken from French anti-submarine frigate "Jean de Vienne", two armed French Navy officers, seen, taking part in the "Atalante" escorting and protection mission supervise a convoy of cargo ships sailing through the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia's coasts, in this photo taken Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. About 50 cargo ships travel daily through the Gulf of Aden, a strategic waterway that links the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.

A member of the Dutch special forces stands guard near the bridge of Dutch cargo ship MV Jumbo Javelin as it passes near the Gulf of Aden on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. The Dutch warship De Ruyter, seen in the background, is escorting the cargo ship through the Gulf of Aden, which has become the world's top piracy hotspot this year.

Dutch warship De Ruyter seen from the bridge of the Dutch cargo ship MV Jumbo Javelin near the Gulf of Aden on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. De Ruyter is escorting the Jumbo Javelin through the Gulf of Aden, which has become the world's top piracy hotspot this year.

Dutch warship De Ruyter near the Gulf of Aden on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. De Ruyter is escorting Dutch cargo ship MV Jumbo Javelin through the Gulf of Aden, which has become the world's top piracy hotspot this year.

[flanker7]

Private Demetrios Diplaros

RIP

Is there a photo of him. He's of Greek desent and Diplaros is a very common sirname in Cyprus

[He219]

RIP

Is there a photo of him.

A combination photo shows undated file photos of Canadian soldiers Corporal Mark Robert McLaren (L), Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson (C) and Private Demetrios Diplaros released to ******* on December 5, 2008. The three soldiers were killed in an attack by improvised explosive device on their armoured vehicle during a joint patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers in the Arghandab District on Friday.

[randy10]

Nice pix NathS, thanks for sharing!


RiP

RIP and strength to the families.

[flanker7]

Thank you He. Once more, RIP

[Bay_of_Pigs]

A Pakistani police officer stands guard as Muslims offer Eid al-Adha prayers in a mosque in Multan, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008. Eid al-Adha celebrates the Quran's account of God's allowing Abraham to sacrifice a sheep instead of his son.

U.S. General David Petraeus, the commander overseeing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, talks during a conference in Rome December 9, 2008.

A woman tries to avoid tear gas as she walks past riot police as riotcontinued for a fourth day in Athens, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008. Greek police are bracing for renewed violence at the afternoon funeral of a teenager who was shot dead by an officer Saturday. The shooting triggered four days of the worst violence the country has seen in decades,with hundreds of shops, banks and cars were damaged in central Athens. Similar riots occurred in several other Greek cities.

The moon rises as riot police stand guard in front of Greek parliament during a protest in Athens December 9, 2008. Riot police fought running battles with hundreds of protesters outside Greece's parliament on Tuesday while the opposition socialist party called for elections to end four days of protests.

Wounded marines are treated at a military hospital in Zamboanga City on December 9, 2008. Government troops suffered 5 casualties and 24 wounded in the fresh fighting last December 6, 2008 with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the town of Albarka at Basilan.

[jocker_89]

Residents weep while visiting the grave of a member of Shi'ite Mehdi army militia in a Sadrist cemetery during the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, December 9, 2008.

An Australian army Black Hawk helicopter flies past the AMP tower in central Sydney December 9, 2008. Shoppers and office workers stopped in the streets to watch the low altitude exercise as four helicopters made numerous passes over the central business district.

A U.S. flag-draped casket is carried to a U.S. Air Force aircraft by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, JPAC, team of the U.S. military during a repatriation ceremony at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008. On Tuesday, four remains believed to be those of U.S. military personnel transported back to the U.S. for final forensic testing.

Local area school kids wave at Marine One, carrying President Bush, as he leaves the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, for a trip to make remarks on defense transformation at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

A protester tries to escape from riot policemen during a demonstration in Athens December 9, 2008. Hundreds of protesters threw stones and bottles at lines of riot police outside the Greek parliament on Tuesday, in a fourth day of anti-government clashes triggered by police killing a teenager.

A man stands in front of riot policemen during a demonstration in Athens December 9, 2008. Hundreds of protesters threw stones and bottles at lines of riot police outside the Greek parliament on Tuesday, in a fourth day of anti-government clashes triggered by police killing a teenager.

A protester tries to escape from riot policemen during a demonstration in Athens December 9, 2008. Hundreds of protesters threw stones and bottles at lines of riot police outside the Greek parliament on Tuesday, in a fourth day of anti-government clashes triggered by police killing a teenager.

Chad, 08.12.2008: Polish soldiers on a patrol in Chad

Chad, 08.12.2008: New rotation of Polish soldiers in Chad

Poland, 05.12.2008: One-day military promotion for students from high schools

Poland, 09.12.2008: Members of Riflemen's Association during training

[NathS]

Australian and Dutch Engineers work together in repairing a road in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 27 November 2008) defence.gov.au hires

Lance Corporal Corey Wooten of the 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, keeps a lookout during reconstruction work in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 27 November 2008) defence.gov.au hires

Corporal Nathen Webb of the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, keeps a lookout during reconstruction work in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 27 November 2008) defence.gov.au hires

7th Regiment of the Royal Australian Regiment, Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One David Allen hands pencils and colouring in books to local children during reconstruction work in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 27 November 2008) defence.gov.au hires

Lance Corporal Giancarlos Taraborrelli with the Operational Mentoring and Liason Team provides guidance to a member of the Afghanistan National Army at an observation post in southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 28 November 2008) defence.gov.au hires

Australian Light Armoured Vehicles make their way up the Baluchi Valley during a patrol in southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 28 November 2008) defence.gov.au hires

An Australian Bushmaster Personnel Mobility Vehicle travels through Tarin Kowt after a patrol in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 28 November 2008) defence.gov.au hires

Flight Sergeant Mathew Howell, an airfield defence guard, pauses from digging defensive positions in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 03 December 2008 defence.gov.au hires

[sp2c]

no captions but the keel was laid down for the first of 4 new Patrol vessels for the Royal Netherlands navy. The ship will be named Holland, the others will be named Zeeland, Friesland en Groningen. The ship should come into service in 2011.
The Defence minister welded a historical coin into the keel of the ship for luck