Reply With QuoteKenyan T-72AV on tank carriers getting ready for the "2nd Republic" celebrations when the new constitution is signed into law on Aug 27th.
Today's Photos - Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Afghanistan
An Afghan National Army soldier stands with a machine gun on the rear of a vehicle during a patrol on the outskirts of Kabul on August 23, 2010. Two NATO soldiers, one of them from the US, were killed in attacks in volatile regions of Afghanistan, the alliance said, a day after four US troops died in violence. An Afghan soldier stands guard near arrested Taliban suspects and confiscated arms and ammunition at a police compound in Herat, west of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 23, 2010.
An Afghan soldier stands guard near arrested Taliban suspects and confiscated arms and ammunition at a police compound in Herat, west of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 23, 2010.
An Afghan man sits with his relative who was injured in a landmine explosion in Herat, west of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010. Insurgents in Kandahar province, one of Afghanistan's most violent, killed the head of a private security company on Saturday, while one civilian was killed and five wounded by a land mine in Herat's Anjil district.
An Afghan policeman stands guard on a military vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010.
A motorcycle passes the ruins of the Darulaman Palace the former palace of Afghan King Amanullah (1920-1929), in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010. Afghanistan marked independence day Thursday as the long war drags on, with foreign troop deaths at record highs and the government under pressure to honour pledges on corruption and security.
Afghans Muslims policemen say their evening prayers at the Paul-e-Khishtee Mosque on August 18, 2010 in Kabul. Muslims observe Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink and *** from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan in order to purify themselves and concentrate their mind on Islamic teachings.
Last edited by VAMAN; 08-23-2010 at 09:56 AM.
Kenyan T-72AV on tank carriers getting ready for the "2nd Republic" celebrations when the new constitution is signed into law on Aug 27th.
Philippines - Bus hostage crisis in Manila
Negotiators approach a tourist bus where former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza has taken hostage foreign tourists at Manila's Rizal Park Monday Aug.23, 2010 in Manila, Philippines.
Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza stands by the entrance of a tourist bus as negotiators talk to him during a standoff at Manila's Rizal Park Monday, Aug. 23, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Mendoza, a dismissed policeman armed with automatic rifle, seized the bus in Manila Monday with 25 people aboard, mostly Hong Kong tourists in a bid to demand reinstatement, police said.
Four hostaged foreign tourists, three children and their mother (C), are escorted by negotiators (L and R) after their release from a bus after an ex-policeman armed with a high-powered assault rifle took hostage the tourist bus carrying more than 20 adults and children from Hong Kong in Manila on August 23, 2010 while another hostage (top L) looks out from the bus window. Six hostages, three of them children, were released by the gunman about three hours after the standoff began, with the drama being played out live on national television.
A former police officer turned hostage taker, whom according to local media is former Senior Inspector Rolando del Rosario Mendoza, stands at the entrance of a bus containing passengers who have been taken hostage while parked near Quirino Grandstand in Manila August 23, 2010. Two foreign tourists have been released from the bus being held by a heavily armed former policeman in central Manila, officials said on Monday. Radio station DZMM radio station said 25 foreign tourists, including some children, and three Filipinos were on the bus when the heavily armed man boarded it in downtown Manila.
Hostages peer through the window as negotiators add more fuel into the tourist bus where former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza has taken hostage foreigners at Rizal Park Monday Aug. 23, 2010 in Manila, Philippines.
armed police line up alongside hostage bus
cops prepare to storm bus
Goodness, I am no military expert and have not been in the military, but honestly, I think they could have done alot better storming that bus, just wondering, wasn't the US SF in Manila training the local police or something awhile back?
EDIT: I shouldn't have said anything without full knowledge of what went on, heres the article.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...ts-killed.html
Seven tourists killed and hostage-taking policeman shot dead as Manila bus siege ends in botched rescue operation
By Richard Shears
Last updated at 4:38 PM on 23rd August 2010
- At least seven Hong Kong tourists die and others are injured
- Former senior police inspector killed by colleagues to end siege
- Police earlier attempted armed rescue but forced to retreat under fire
A terrifying hostage drama involving 22 tourists on a bus in the volatile Philippines ended in a bloodbath last night when the crazed gunman holding them at gunpoint was shot dead in an operation that went horribly wrong.
Seven of the hostages were killed by either the kidnapper or by police when they stormed the bus - and questions were being asked why police commandoes had not shot the hijacker when they had a chance earlier.
They were seen talking to him - a disgruntled former senior police inspector - at the bus door before the final assault which resulted in a bloodbath.
Scroll down for video
Alive: A hostage is rushed from the scene of the incident in Manila to hospital
Rescued: An injured hostage is pulled clear of the bus by emergency service workers after the gunman was shot dead by police
Break-in: An officer uses a sledge hammer in vain, trying to gain access to the vehicle
Onlookers said they believed the police had the chance of shooting him through the door at the time but had hesitated.
Police said at least four of the remaining captives on the bus were confirmed alive after they had managed to escape through the back door when the climax of the crisis was played out but early reports about the others remained sketchy.
Several bodies were seen being brought from the bus, confirming a terrifying account by the bus driver, who had managed to escape, who said that the gunman had sprayed the passengers with bullets.
Rescue attempt: Police try to storm the bus using a sledge hammer after gunshots were heard. A former police inspector with a grievance against the local force earlier took 25 people hostage at gunpoint
Rescue attempt: Police surround the bus as their colleagues attempt to smash their way in to reach the gunman
Hostage-taker: Former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, stands at the entrance of the bus earlier in the siege
There were grave fears for the lives of most on board when only those four managed to leave the vehicle after the police had stormed it.
The body of the gunman was seen slumped at the main door of the bus.
A highly-trained police SWAT team had earlier stormed the bus but had failed to break in - before a second attempt was made as bullets flew.
According to police at the centre of the drama, which was played live on tv, the gunman had sprayed the passengers with gunfire shortly before the SWAT team managed to break in.
In the confusion screams ran out from the tourists, all from Hong Kong, who had been held for 12 hours by the gunman, former senior inspector Rolando Mendoza, who was demanding reinstatement after being sacked for extortion in 2008.
Horrific ordeal: A terrified woman is helped from the bus after the final shoot-out
Escape: The bus driver flees the vehicle before police move in
Tough talking: Two police negotiators talk to the gunman, who is wearing police uniform and is believed to be former senior inspector Rolando Mendoza, as the bus sits parked next to Manila's Rizal Park
Wearing his police uniform, Mendoza boarded the bus in a tourist district of Manila, telling the driver he wanted a free ride.
A tour guide on board tried to stop him but he eventually entered the bus and told the driver to lock the door.
The vehicle travelled from the historic walled city of Intramuros and came to a stop near the Jose Rizal Park alongside Manila Bay.
That is where the standoff began, with Mendoza using a mobile phone to tell his former fellow officers that he had taken the passengers hostage.
Released: Four hostages - a mother and three children - are escorted from the bus after being freed
Demands: A list of the gunman's grudges against the Manila police department are taped to the windscreen
He would be holding them until he reached a promise that he would be reinstated as a police officer. Failure to meet his demands, he threatened in a notice he put up on one of the windows, would result
in a 'big deal at 3pm' - understood to mean he would start killing the hostages.
Later he set an earlier deadline of 12.30pm, but nothing happened inside the bus and police negotiators tried to talk him into surrendering.
As night fell and rain poured down, police in helmets and flak jackets crouched beside the bus - now containing 15 people after a handful were released by the hijacker - and tried to break the
windows, but failed.
'I shot two Chinese. I will finish them all if they do not stop,' Mendoza told the Radio Mindanao Network.
Anxious: Hostages, all of them tourists from Hong Kong, peer out of the window
Safety: A police officer helps a hostage freed by Mendoza after tense negotiations
Bizarre: Earlier in the day, a random man appeared to cycle past the bus, watched by the armed kidnapper inside the vehicle
'I can see a lot of SWAT coming in. I know they will kill me. They should all leave because anytime I will do the same here.'
The SWAT team drew back - and prepared for another assault.
This time, hammers and axes were used to break the windows. The crackle of gunfire rang out into the night, from both outside and inside the vehicle.
According to Philippines newspapers, 55-year-old Mendoza was among five officers charged with robbery, extortion and grave threats after a Manila hotel chef filed a complaint alleging the policemen falsely accused him of using drugs to extort money.
No one sleep well in HK tonight ... RIP ...
Nice start, Vaman!
R.I.P to the dead.
I am from HK....I cannot sleep tonight.......
this is the end.....R.I.P
KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Brandon R. Romero of Los Alamos, N.M., and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Glenn K. Luce of Midwest City, Okla., with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, open fire on a nearby building during an Aug. 18 attack against troops visiting the village of Spinkay in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar Province. One U.S. Army Soldier was wounded during the insurgent attack, which included the use of mortars, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades against International Security Assistance and Afghan National Security Forces. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte, 300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army 1st Lt. James D. Horne of Fayetteville, N.C., a platoon leader with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, marks the boundary of crops outside Combat Outpost Monti in eastern Afghanistan's Kunar Province Aug. 17 that will be cut down to provide food for animals impacted by recent floods. Afghan farmers will be compensated for taking part in the program. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte, 300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army 1st Lt. Alexander H. Johnson of Evanston, Ill., an incoming platoon leader with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, takes notes during a visit with Afghan farmers and community leaders near Combat Outpost Monti in eastern Afghanistan's Kunar Province Aug. 17.
Helmand, Afghanistan
HiRes Image
U.S. Marines carry a comrade wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) to a waiting medevac helicopter, near the town of Marjah in Helmand Province, August 21, 2010.
HiRes Image
U.S. Marines carry a wounded comrade to a medevac helicopter near the town of Marjah in Helmand Province, August 20, 2010.
HiRes Image
A U.S. Marine injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is transported to a military hospital onboard a medevac helicopter near the town of Marjah in Helmand Province August 19, 2010.
HiRes Image
U.S. Army medic Staff Sergeant Rahkeem Francis (R) and crew chief Staff Sergeant Christopher Meece with Charlie Company, 6-101 Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, treat an Afghan boy with a broken leg onboard a medevac helicopter near the town of Marjah in Helmand Province, August 19, 2010.
HiRes Image
A medevac helicopter prepares to land near a smoke grenade to pick up a badly wounded Marine, near the town of Marjah, in Helmand Province, August 20, 2010.
Last edited by VAMAN; 08-23-2010 at 02:53 PM.
PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 17, 2010) Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class James Brisendine, from Girard, Kan., drills out corroded anchor nuts to repair an access cover on the engine nacelle of an E-2C Hawkeye from the Liberty Bells of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115 in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway helping to ensure security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam K. Thomas/Released)
NORCO, Calif. (Aug. 16, 2010) Steve VanWaus, item unique identification (IUID) logistics representative at Computer Sciences Corporation, affixes labels bearing IUID marks to glass slides preparing for abrasion testing at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division. Testing will establish how long such labels will last in the field and is one of 10 tests various labels will undergo before acceptance. (U.S. Navy photo by Greg Vojtko/Released)
PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug.22, 2010) Sailors participate in a late night fire drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are underway conducting local operations off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White/Released)
PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug.22, 2010) Sailors participate in a late night fire drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are underway conducting local operations off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White/Released)
PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug.22, 2010) Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling Airman Amber Lawson looks up at the moon after a late night fire drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are underway conducting local operations off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White/Released)
SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, Ca. (Aug. 20, 2010) U.S. Coast Guard Chief Maritime Enforcement Specialist Thomas Morgan, assigned to Port Security Unit 311, instructs Engineman 2nd Class Manuela Adame on operating the M203 grenade launcher during a live-fire exercise at the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 1 inaugural training school, Shark Tank 2010. Shark Tank is a new series of training exercises designed to hone and teach expeditionary warfare skills. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder/Released)
SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, Ca. (Aug. 20, 2010) Navy Reserve Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Michael Sprinkle and Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Derek Smith fire the M500 shotgun during a live-fire exercise at the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 1 inaugural training school, Shark Tank 2010. Shark Tank is a new series of training exercises designed to hone and teach expeditionary warfare skills. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder/Released)
SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, Ca. (Aug. 20, 2010) Navy Reserve Sailors fire an M2HB .50-caliber machine gun during a live-fire exercise at the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 1 inaugural training school, Shark Tank 2010. Shark Tank is a new series of training exercises designed to hone and teach expeditionary warfare skills. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder/Released)
Ukraine
A soldier of Ukraine's National Guard of Honor salutes the national flag on the eve of Ukraine's 19th Independence Day in Kiev Monday, Aug.23, 2010.
SpainUkraine's President Viktor Yanukovich inspects the guard of honour as he takes part in a ceremony to mark the Day of the State Flag in front of the presidential administration headquarters in Kiev, August 23, 2010.
A riot police officer runs looking for demonstrators during clashes following a protest in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday Aug. 21, 2010. Police officers broke up a rally in support of Laura Riera who left the jail on Saturday after nine years accused of collaboration with the Basque armed group ETA.
Demonstrators run away from riot police officers during clashes following a protest in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday August 21, 2010. Police officers broke up a rally in support of Laura Riera who left the jail on Saturday after nine years accused of collaboration with the Basque armed group ETA.
Children react as riot police officers clash with demonstrators during clashes following a protest in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday August 21, 2010.
Riot police take action after unrest breaks out during a support rally for Laura Riera, a member of the armed Basque separatist group ETA, on August 21, 2010 in Barcelona. The group gathered at Raspall Square in neighborhood of Gracia to mark her release from prison on August 21, 2010. However, on Friday, High Court judge Pablo Ruz banned such activities on the grounds that support for the woman with ties to ETA would be a glorification of her rap sheet.
Demonstrators argue with riot police officers during clashes following a protest in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday Aug. 21, 2010. Police officers broke up a rally in support of Laura Riera who left the jail on Saturday after nine years accused of collaboration with the Basque armed group ETA.
Nice pics today. Thx.
RIP to the HK hostages.
Agents are of the Brigada Móvil of Mossos d´Esquadra ( Mobile Brigade of the Catalonian Autonomous Police ) displease, have done very good job as undesirable wanted to honor a terrorist who has been nine years in prison for murderers of ETA inform . Que se jodan los guarros independentistas vascos y catalanes.-
U.S. Army Pfc. Christopher Powell, with Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, loads MK-19 ammunition prior to departing Forward Operating Base Tora. The PRT routinely performs missions throughout Kapisa to interact and engage with local leaders. The PRT's mission is to stabilize the region by enabling local governments to care for, educate, employ and protect their people through the construction of basic infrastructure and mentorship.
U.S. Army Cpl. James Foster, with Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, shows local Afghan children how to play American baseball during a mission to evaluate a proposed sports complex in the Surobi district of Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Capt. Rena Patierno-Hope, with Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, discusses a proposed sports complex with the captain of the Afghan national cricket team. The PRT's mission is to stabilize the region by enabling local governments to care for, educate, employ and protect their people through the construction of basic infrastructure and mentorship.
U.S. Army Sfc. Carl Whetsel, with Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, and French army Capt. Franz Najean discuss convoy operations prior to departure from Forward Operating Base Tora in the Surobi district of Afghanistan. The PRT routinely performs missions throughout Kapisa to interact and engage with local leaders. The PRT's mission is to stabilize the region by enabling local governments to care for, educate, employ and protect their people through the construction of basic infrastructure and mentorship
U.S. Army Sgt. Derick Eaddy, with Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, teaches a handshake to a young Afghan boy during a mission to inspect a newly completed bridge in the Surobi district of Afghanistan. The PRT's mission is to stabilize the region by enabling local governments to care for, educate, employ and protect their people through the construction of basic infrastructure and mentorship.
U.S. Army Spc. Russell Altman, with Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, enjoys the view from the gunners hatch of his Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle while traveling through the Surobi district of Afghanistan. The PRT routinely performs missions throughout Kapisa to interact and engage with local leaders. The PRT's mission is to stabilize the region by enabling local governments to care for, educate, employ and protect their people through the construction of basic infrastructure and mentorship.
Posting Permissions
