Today's Pics! Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

[Supplanter]

Deh-e-Bagh, Afghanistan – General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, speaks with Amadullah Nazek, the District Leader of Dand, during his visit on September 10th. General Natynczyk toured Deh-e-bagh to speak with locals and see the progress coalition and Afghan forces have made in the area.

The Afghan village of Deh-e-Bagh, in Dand district of Kandahar province, was chosen to be a pilot project by the Kandahar government in the spring after 250 tribal elders came together and rejected the Taliban and asked for assistance from the provincial government and Canada. Photo courtesy of Captain Stéphanie Godin. www.forces.gc.ca

MCpl Mathieu Leclerc of the 3rd of the Royal 22nd Regiment (3 R22R) prepares the M-134D machine gun which is used on the Griffon helicopter for a forthcoming sortie. MCpl Leclerc deployed to Kandahar with the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) with the 430 Tactical Helicoptre Squadron Photo: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Imagery Section, Valcartier Garisson www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca hires

Singer Bruce Cockburn performs on the boardwalk on the Kandahar base during the visit of Team Canada. Photo: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Imagery Section, Valcartier Garisson www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca hires

Former Montreal Alouettes, Eric Lapointe and Bruno Heppell, distribute Alouettes calendars to troops stationed in Kandahar as part of the visit of Team Canada in Afghanistan.

Team Canada consisted of personalities, including retired players from Hockey National Hockey League (NHL), the Canadian Football League (CFL) and other sports as well as personalities of the arts and journalism. The purpose of this visit is to provide an opportunity for these personalities to come and demonstrate their support for troops deployed in Afghanistan. During their visit, they met the troops in their workplace, give a concert and played some ball hockey with the soldiers. Photo: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Imagery Section, Valcartier Garisson www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca hires

An Australian soldier from Battle Group Wantok, lies in the grassy fields of Papua New Guinea after being inserted by an A25 Black Hawk on the morning of the Amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

An A25 Black Hawk lands in the fields of Papua New Guinea to insert Australian and Papua New Guinea soldiers during the morning of the amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

An A25 Black Hawk inserts Papua New Guinea Army personnel out bush during the morning of amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

An A25 Black Hawk drops of Papua New Guinea Army personnel out bush during the morning of amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

A member of the Papua New Guinea Army, is ready to carry on with the mission after being inserted by Black Hawk in to the combat zone, during the amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Captain Mark Quinlan and Sergeant Shannon Grantham, at Tahira Wharf, Papua New Guinea, on the morning of the Amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

A Landing Craft Medium with Australian and Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel, prepares to land troops ashore at Tahira Wharf, Papua New Guinea, on the morning of the Amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

A Landing Craft Medium with Australian and Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel, lands troops ashore at Tahira Wharf, Papua New Guinea, on the morning of the Amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

A Landing Craft Medium lands troops and vehicles ashore at Tahira Wharf, Papua New Guinea, on the morning of the Amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force aboard HMAS KANIMBLA receive a flying brief for an A25 Black Hawk, before conducting rehearsal flights, in the lead up to the amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Members of the Australian Army and the Papua New Guinea Army wait in the hanger ready to take part in a familiarisation flight in an A25 Black Hawk, aboard HMAS KANIMBLA, in lead up to the amphibious phase of Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Australian and Papua New Guinea Defence Force Members embark a Landing Craft Medium whilst conducting a stern door marriage with HMAS KANIMBLA, in order to conduct a rehearsal run, in lead up to the amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

A Landing Craft Medium conducts a stern door marriage with HMAS KANBIMBLA, in order to embark Australian and Papua New Guinea Defence Force Personnel for a rehearsal run, in lead up the amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Members of the Australian Army, watch whilst a Landing Craft Medium, conducts a stern door marriage with HMAS KANIMBLA, ready to embark Australian and Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel to conduct a rehearsal run, in lead up to the amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

A Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo V5 (LARC) is climb's it's way up the stern door of HMAS KANIMBLA, from the water whilst conducting a rehearsal run, for the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, in the lead up of the amphibious phase of Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Tents are erected for medical purposes to treat the locals for Malaria, at Kerea area school grounds, during Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Members of Forces Command and Head Quarters 3rd Brigade, are welcomed by the locals of Kerea and given scarf's as a welcoming gesture upon arrival. www.defence.gov.au hires

Visiting members of Forces Command and Head Quarters 3rd brigade, sit for the back briefing at Kerea, given by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, during Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Members of 3 Combat Engineer Regiment and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, carefully pick out bits of fruit and vegetables cooked on an open fire between banana leaves, for lunch whilst undergoing jungle survival training for Exercise Wantok Warrior, during Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Lieutenant Commander Medical Officer (Reservist) John McHugh, checks over a 3 month old baby girl, for signs of sickness at Kerea, whilst undertaking a Community activity to the local village people providing anti-malarial medications and public health information, during Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

Major General David Morrison, Commander Forces Command, presents the Headmaster of the Kerea local school, with a small token of appreciation for the use of their land by Australian Defence Force and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, during Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2009. www.defence.gov.au hires

A spectacular display of fireworks were exhibited throughout Brisbane on the 12th September to celebrate the annual River Fire Festival. The city of Brisbane displayed the show of fireworks from the Story Bridge, Southbank, Kangaroo Point and the summit of many high rise buildings, concluding the evening with an impressive display from two of No. 6 Squadron’s F-111 aircraft performing the infamous “dump and burn” over the iconic Story Bridge. Crowds were in awe as the almighty F-111’s roared over the city in what was their last display at River Fire before the aircraft is retired. www.defence.gov.au hires

A spectacular display of fireworks were exhibited throughout Brisbane on the 12th September to celebrate the annual River Fire Festival. The city of Brisbane displayed the show of fireworks from the Story Bridge, Southbank, Kangaroo Point and the summit of many high rise buildings, concluding the evening with an impressive display from two of No. 6 Squadron’s F-111 aircraft performing the infamous “dump and burn” over the iconic Story Bridge. Crowds were in awe as the almighty F-111’s roared over the city in what was their last display at River Fire before the aircraft is retired.

This image has been digitally manipulated www.defence.gov.au hires

Officer Cadets Alex Burns (left) and John-Paul Thorbjornsen brief the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin on the details of the Australian Defence Force Academies Aeronautical Civil and Mechanical Engineering (ACME) Racing Teams activities. www.defence.gov.au hires

Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Members would have to be quick if they were going to salute the Chief of Air Forces (CAF’s) new star plated “RAAF 1”, at the ADFA Racing Circuit (aka Netball Courts) last week. Air Marshal Mark Binskin, CAF, swapped the boardroom for the race track when he visited the Aeronautical Civil and Mechanical Engineering (ACME) Racing Team, at the Australian Defence Force Academy. www.defence.gov.au hires

Chief of Air Force (CAF), Air Marshal (AIRMSHL) Mark Binskin (seated in the car) with the Aeronautical Civil and Mechanical Engineering (ACME) Racing Team. www.defence.gov.au hires

A military nurse-aid station attends an Afghan civilian. Afghanistan: medical aid in Kapisa(google translation) www.defense.gouv.fr/ema Un militaire-infirmier du poste de secours s'occupe d'un civil afghan. Afghanistan : l’aide médicale en Kapisa

A child's burned feet(google translation) www.defense.gouv.fr/ema Une enfant brûlée aux pieds

After care(google translation) www.defense.gouv.fr/ema Après les soins

CEMA received Lieutenant General Pitarch. CEMA received Lieutenant General Pitarch, commander of the European Corps(google translation) www.defense.gouv.fr/ema Le CEMA reçoit le lieutenant-général Pitarch. Le CEMA reçoit le lieutenant-général Pitarch, commandant le Corps européen

Modernized Super-Etendard and Rafale. As part of the reactivation of the nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and of retraining of pilots of carrier air groups, based naval aviation Nimes - Garons from Monday 14 to Friday, September 18, 2009 a detachment of Fleet 11F and 12F-based Landivisiau. This detachment, consisting of 6 aircraft type Upgraded Super-Etendard, and on time 2 type aircraft Rafale's primary mission is to conduct simulated landing on the runway (ASSP).(google translation) www.defense.gouv.fr/marine Super-Étendard modernisé et Rafale. Dans le cadre de la reprise des activités du porte-avions nucléaire Charles de Gaulle et du réentraînement des pilotes du Groupe Aérien Embarqué, la base d'aéronautique navale de Nîmes - Garons accueille du lundi 14 au vendredi 18 septembre 2009 un détachement des flottilles 11F et 12F basées à Landivisiau . Ce détachement, composé de 6 aéronefs de type Super-Étendard Modernisé , et ponctuellement de 2 aéronefs de type Rafale a pour mission principale d'effectuer de l'appontage simulé sur piste (ASSP).

The Mirage 2000 N participate in Bold Avenger. Exercise Bold Avenger began in Denmark(google translation) www.defense.gouv.fr/air Les Mirage 2000 N participent à Bold Avenger. L’exercice Bold Avenger a débuté au Danemark

A ceremony of symbolic colors took place, Friday, September 11, 2009, Air Force Base 113 Saint-Dizier. Moreover, all bases honor this date each year.

Out of respect for the duty of memory and by the desire to convey military values, this official event was held to commemorate the death of pilot Georges Guynemer, September 11, 1917.

The captain, hero of the First World War, died in battle at Poelkapelle after three years of struggle. Symbol of courage and unshakable faith in victory, Captain Guynemer bequeathed to the French soldier an imperishable memory quick to exalt the spirit of sacrifice and to raise the most noble emulation.

The ceremony has been an opportunity for the Friedling colonel commanding the base, put decorations. The cross of the military value was awarded to Captain Gallas the squadron 1 / 91 "Gascony" for distinguished service in combat during Operation Hercules at Kandahar, while the medal overseas was awarded to Sergeant Amblard squadron for protection, for his soldiers during an overseas operations performed in Chad.(google translation) www.defense.gouv.fr/air Une cérémonie des couleurs hautement symbolique s’est déroulée, le vendredi 11 septembre 2009, sur la base aérienne 113 de Saint-Dizier. D’ailleurs, toutes les bases honorent cette date chaque année.

Par respect pour le devoir de mémoire et selon la volonté de transmettre les valeurs militaires, cet événement officiel a été organisé pour commémorer la disparition du pilote Georges Guynemer, le 11 septembre 1917.

Ce capitaine, héros de la Première Guerre mondiale, est mort au champ d’honneur, à Poelkapelle, après trois années de lutte. Symbole de courage et de foi inébranlable dans la victoire, le capitaine Guynemer lègue au soldat français un souvenir impérissable prompt à exalter l’esprit de sacrifice et à susciter les plus nobles émulations.

La cérémonie a ainsi été l’occasion pour le colonel Friedling, commandant la base, de remettre des décorations. La croix de la valeur militaire a été décernée au capitaine Gallas de l’escadron de chasse 1/91 «Gascogne» pour s’être distingué au combat lors de l’opération Héraclès à Kandahar, tandis que la médaille d’outre-mer a été remise au sergent Amblard de l’escadron de protection, pour ses qualités militaires lors d’une opération extérieure effectuée au Tchad.

In this group photo, celebrity Matt Damon visits with members from Coast Guard Station New York, Manhattan, Sept. 15, 2009. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Johnson) hires

[Supplanter]

Gunner Grant Guy MC [Picture: Corporal Ian Forsyth, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk

Gunner Grant Guy MC (left) with his stepfather, Alexander [Picture: Corporal Ian Forsyth, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk

Gunner honoured for 'inspirational example' under fire

A soldier from the Royal Regiment of Artillery has been awarded the Military Cross for his heroic actions in aiding an injured comrade and relaying critical information while exposed and under fire during a battle in Afghanistan.

Gunner Grant Guy, aged 20, was awarded the prestigious medal for going to the aid of a wounded marine and making three crossings of an open area known as the 'killing area' whilst under accurate enemy fire to relay critical information that his exposed position was able to establish and as a result regained the initiative from the enemy.

During the battle Gunner Guy placed himself in direct enemy fire when he went to the aid of a fallen comrade who had been shot in the head and was lying exposed to further enemy attack during a deadly and co-ordinated ambush on Gunner Guy's patrol company.

Joined by two colleagues he administered emergency care while the remainder of the company engaged to suppress enemy fire.

On identifying a further enemy firing point that was engaging his position that was out of the reach of his covering fire, Gunner Guy made the perilous dash back across the killing area to advise the fire support team commander of the position to direct artillery fire.

His citation states that this action was the turning point in the company's fight to regain the initiative.

Gunner Guy then moved for the third time, completely exposed to heavy fire, across the killing area to return to the wounded marine, where he calmly briefed the medical officer who had arrived on the scene.

He then turned his attention to directing the machine gun group's fire to suppress the last enemy position - giving the medical officer a respite from enemy fire to treat the wounded marine ready for evacuation. www.mod.uk Full Story

A female Afghan National Police member carries out small arms training on a firing range in Helmand, southern Afghanistan [Picture: Corporal Steve Wood, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk
MOD police officer helps empower Afghan women in ANP
Thirteen women are quietly making history in the most conservative corner of Afghanistan thanks to the support and mentoring of an MOD police officer.

MOD police officer Isabella McManus trains female Afghan National Police members to use the Sig Sauer 9mm pistol [Picture: Corporal Steve Wood, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk

MOD police officer Isabella McManus observes female Afghan National Police members on the firing range [Picture: Corporal Steve Wood, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk

A female Afghan National Police member practises using her 9mm pistol on the firing range [Picture: Corporal Steve Wood, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk

Her Majesty The Queen presents the newly established Elizabeth Cross to Miss Tracey Hazel and Mr Christopher Leaning, the parents of Corporal Ben Leaning of the Queen's Royal Lancers who was killed on active service [Picture: Cpl Jim Barron RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk
Queen personally presents Elizabeth Crosses
During a visit to the Queen's Royal Lancers in Catterick Her Majesty The Queen has presented the new Elizabeth Cross honour to the relatives of six soldiers killed on active service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Her Majesty The Queen presents the newly established Elizabeth Cross to Mrs Sharon Turton, the widow of Trooper Kristen Turton of the Queen's Royal Lancers who was killed on active service [Picture: Cpl Jim Barron RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk

HRH The Princess Royal with members of the Household Cavalry Regiment at Combermere Barracks in Windsor [Picture: Sergeant Ian Houlding, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk
Household Cavalry receive Royal visitor prior to Afghan tour
As they prepare for their deployment to Afghanistan next month, soldiers from the Household Cavalry Regiment were visited by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at their barracks in Windsor, yesterday, Monday 14 September 2009.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meets staff from Combermere Barracks during her visit to the Household Cavalry Regiment on Monday 14 September 2009 [Picture: Sergeant Ian Houlding, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk

Vice Admiral Tim Laurence (left) with Sergeant Adrian Roberts and his wife, Nerys, at their newly refurbished home in Dale Barracks, Chester [Picture: Chris Barker, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk
Defence Estates chief visits Royal Welsh before Afghanistan deployment
Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, the Chief Executive of Defence Estates, today visited families of 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh at Dale Barracks in Chester in advance of their forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Matthew Thacker with his wife, Vicky, and daughter, Honey Pumpkin, in their Dale Barracks home [Picture: Chris Barker, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] www.mod.uk

Horses from the Kings Troop, the Royal Horse Artillery, are ridden through the sea in Blackpool, northern England, September 16, 2009. The regiment have brought the horses to the Lancashire seaside resort as a break from their usual ceremonial duties in London. *******

Horses from the Kings Troop, the Royal Horse Artillery, gallop along the beach in Blackpool, northern England, September 16, 2009. The regiment have brought the horses to the Lancashire seaside resort as a break from their usual ceremonial duties in London. *******

A Royal Honour Guard waits for the arrival of Bolivia's President Evo Morales before a dinner at Madrid's Royal Palace September 14, 2009. *******

Canadian soldiers rest between patrols at an outpost in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province, September 14, 2009. *******

Canadian soldiers rest between patrols at an outpost in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province, September 14, 2009. *******

A Canadian soldier scans for insurgents after gunfire broke out at the scene of a roadside bomb explosion that wounded an Afghan National Army soldier in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province, September 14, 2009. *******

A French soldier from the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), dressed in medieval French army gear, poses for a picture next to French army veterans Marcel Martin (L), 91, and Lebanese Ali Chams, 88, during a medal parade held ahead of next week's troop rotation, at the French battalion's base in the sourthern Lebanese town of Tireh, near the border with Israel, on September 15, 2009. With a 1,600-strong force of 'blue helmets', France is the second largest contributor to UNIFIL, beefed up after the UN-brokered truce between Lebanon and Hezbollah took effect in August 2006. ***** Images

French soldiers from the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) take part in a medal parade held ahead of next week's troop rotation at their base in the sourthern Lebanese town of Tireh, near the border with Israel, on September 15, 2009. With a 1,600-strong force of 'blue helmets', France is the second largest contributor to UNIFIL, beefed up after the UN-brokered truce between Lebanon and Hezbollah took effect in August 2006. According to UNIFIL, France has lost 28 soldiers during service in Lebanon since it started sending peacekeeping troops to the east Mediterranean country in 1978. ***** Images

French soldiers from the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) take part in a medal parade held ahead of next week's troop rotation at their base in the sourthern Lebanese town of Tireh, near the border with Israel, on September 15, 2009. With a 1,600-strong force of 'blue helmets', France is the second largest contributor to UNIFIL, beefed up after the UN-brokered truce between Lebanon and Hezbollah took effect in August 2006. According to a UNIFIL statement released on September 15, 2009, France has lost 28 soldiers during service in Lebanon since it started sending peacekeeping troops to the east Mediterranean country in 1978. ***** Images

French soldiers from the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) take part in a medal parade held ahead of next week's troop rotation at their base in the sourthern Lebanese town of Tireh, near the border with Israel, on September 15, 2009. With a 1,600-strong force of 'blue helmets', France is the second largest contributor to UNIFIL, beefed up after the UN-brokered truce between Lebanon and Hezbollah took effect in August 2006. According to a UNIFIL statement released on September 15, 2009, France has lost 28 soldiers during service in Lebanon since it started sending peacekeeping troops to the east Mediterranean country in 1978. ***** Images

An interior ministry officer keeps watch at the site of a bomb explosion in the city of Grozny September 16, 2009. A suicide bomber blew herself up beside a police car in the capital of Russia's southern region of Chechnya on Wednesday, wounding six people. *******

NYPD Emergency Service Unit police use a chainsaw to cut away a tree that fell across the street on the Upper East Side of New York City September 15, 2009. ***** Images

NYPD Emergency Service Unit police use a chainsaw to cut away a tree that fell across the street on the Upper East Side of New York City September 15, 2009. ***** Images

Mexican Federal Police escort Ignacio Paez Soto (C) alias Nachillo Paez, a member of the Mayo Zambada drug trafficking gang, as he is presented to the media at the federal police center in Mexico City September 15, 2009. According to the police, Soto is one the main distributors of cocaine to the U.S. *******

Mexican Federal Police stand guard beside Ignacio Paez Soto (C) alias Nachillo Paez, a member of the Mayo Zambada drug trafficking gang, as he is presented to the media at the federal police center in Mexico City September 15, 2009. According to the police, Soto is one the main distributors of cocaine to the U.S. *******

A bull mauls a car of the Spanish police during the running of the bulls in Tordesillas, on September 15, 2009. ***** Images

Members of the military police ride on an army van at Farmgate in Dhaka September 15, 2009. Troops on the streets of the Bangladeshi capital are usually a sign of emergency but the soldiers manning Dhaka's intersections from Tuesday are only trying to ease the city's notorious traffic congestion. *******

French policemen wait for the arrival of French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux (not pictured) after a meeting with French police forces in Paris September 14, 2009 to present the new urban police for Paris and its region. *******

Thai soldiers inspect rifles and weapons captured from Muslim militants in Thailand's restive southern Narathiwat province on September 14, 2009. Suspected militants shot dead five soldiers after a Ramadan meal in Thailand's troubled south, where a bloody insurgency has spiked during the Muslim holy month, police said. ***** Images

[flanker7]

Is this a tactical thing or a religius one?

This one is tactical 100% though

[quote][/guote]

[muck]

Cool pictures, thanks a lot!

[VAMAN]

Nice blend of technology and tradition. Very nice start today thanks.

[Supplanter]

Nice blend of technology and tradition. Very nice start today thanks.

Here's a another guard, better view of the uniform.

A female Royal Honour Guard waits for the entrance of Bolivia's President Evo Morales before a dinner at Madrid's Royal Palace September 14, 2009. *******

[Lerch]

Very cool event, but first thing I thought of was the bridge scene from Apocolypse Now

[sepia]

Ummmm!Big capture weapons from Muslim militants,M-16A1x5 Shotgunx1.

[VAMAN]

Found one more image

The flame trail of two RAAF F-111's light up the night sky above Brisbane during the city's Riverfire on September 12, 2009. This year's dump and burn may have been the last, as the F-111's - the only plane capable of such a spectacle - are set to be replaced by Super Hornets.

[Eagle The Lightning]

A soldier stands before a carpet of red poppy wreaths at a Remembrance Parade in London
[Picture: Sergeant Mick Howard, Crown Copyright/MOD]

Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark, Crown Copyright/MOD]

Sentry aircraft ZH106 nears the end of its repair at RAF Waddington
[Picture: RAF Waddington Photographic Section]

The yellow towing aid left a huge hole in the aircraft, repaired by Forward Support (Fixed Wing) from RAF St Athan
[Picture: RAF Waddington Photographic Section]

The repair team often had to work in cramped conditions
[Picture: RAF Waddington Photographic Section]

Royal Navy Medical Assistant Kate Nesbitt will receive the MC in recognition of her 'exemplary performance' on operations in Afghanistan
[Picture: Petty Officer Dave Husbands, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

MA Kate Nesbitt (centre) is to be awarded the Military Cross for her actions in Afghanistan
[Picture: Petty Officer Dave Husbands, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/home

[dlat83]

Oustanding, you have got to love the corpman and medics in service. They seem to be one the most courageous-unselfish lot in unifrom.

[akd]

Is this a tactical thing or a religius one?

Obviously 100% tactical ninjas.

[He219]

Nice pix!


Pop Quiz: ID the pistols .. (experts; sit this one out)

[marlowe]

Pop Quiz: ID the pistols

S&W Sigma SW9VE- Allied Forces

[Fireball Sanchez]

Nice pics guys, yeah I was going to say S&W Sigma also

Afghan National Police officers and U.S. Marines cross a river during a security patrol in the Garmsir district of the Helmand province of Afghanistan Sept. 12, 2009. The Marines, who are assigned to Military Police Company, 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, are deployed with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to train and mentor ANP in counterinsurgency operations.
(Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Nolan Espiritu jumps across at a canal during a security patrol through Helmand province's Nawa district, Afghanistan, Sept. 10, 2009. Espiritu is assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marines conduct security patrols to decrease insurgent activity and gain the trust of the Afghan people.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg)

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, stand guard at a detainment facility during the final exercise of Mojave Viper training aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 1, 2009. The final exercise was a 72-hour war that tested the abilities of the Marines to utilize the clear, hold, build concept taught during Mojave Viper.
(Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson)

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, patrol through the streets of Fatwan, a town in the middle of the Mojave Desert and was the scene of the final exercise during Mojave Viper training aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 1, 2009. The final exercise was a 72-hour war that tested the abilities of the Marines to utilize the clear, hold, build concept taught during Mojave Viper.
(Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson)

A Marine from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, provides security for the flanks of a forward observation base during the final exercise of Mojave Viper training aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 1, 2009. The final exercise was a 72-hour war that tested the abilities of the Marines to utilize the clear, hold, build concept taught during Mojave Viper.
(Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson)