Weekend Photos 7th and 8th January 2012

[vor033]

US Navy rescues Iranian fishing vessel from pirates in Arabian Sea

Guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd responded to a distress call from the master of the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai, who stated he was held captive by pirates. The Kidd's visit, board, search and seizure team, detained 15 suspected pirates, who were reportedly holding a 13-member Iranian crew hostage for several weeks. Kidd is conducting counter-piracy and maritime security operations while deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

A sailor aboard a safety boat observes a visit, board, search and seizure team, assigned to guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd, board the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai. The Kidd's VBSS team detained 15 suspected pirates, who were holding a 13-member Iranian crew hostage for several weeks, according to the members of the crew. The Kidd is conducting counter-piracy and maritime security operations while deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

A U.S. Navy SH-60S Seahawk provides support to a visit, board, search and seizure team in a 7-meter rigid-hull inflatable boat, assigned to guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd. The VBSS team boarded an Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai after the dhow's master stated he was being held captive by pirates. The Kidd's VBSS team detained 15 suspected pirates who were reportedly holding a 13-member Iranian crew hostage for the last two months. The Kidd is conducting counter-piracy and maritime security operations while deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

[vor033]

A Marine from 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), uses a metal detector to sweep a culvert during a route reconnaissance mission of Route Red, which extends from Highway 1 to Shir Ghazay, Jan. 2.

Two Marines from 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), use a metal detector to sweep a culvert during a route reconnaissance mission of Route Red, which extends from Highway 1 to Shir Ghazay, Jan. 2.

Two Marines from 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), use metal detectors to sweep a hill during a route reconnaissance mission of Route Red, which extends from Highway 1 to Shir Ghazay, Jan. 1.

A Marine from 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), uses a metal detector to sweep to a culvert during a route reconnaissance mission of Route Red, which extends from Highway 1 to Shir Ghazay, Jan. 3.

[Ceriy]

Nice early start.

Dutch soldiers help set up barriers to prevent flooding.

Ukrainian Navy band concert.

KV Nordkapp (W 320) from Royal Norwegian Navy is anchored in Sortland
.

KV Nordkapp ligger til kai på base Sortland.

[vor033]

Singapore Army Recruits from Taurus and Falcon Companies undergoing their Basic Military Training – 6^th January 2012


Photos: Cyberpioneer

[vor033]

Singapore Army Recruits from Kestrel Company undergoing basic field craft training during their Basic Military Training – 6^th January 2012

Photos: Cyberpioneer

[vor033]

Latvian Soldiers from the 54.Inženiertehniskā National Guard Battalion Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company group of soldiers in Ventspils district, neutralize a Russian 250kg heavy aviation bomb left over from World War 2 - The bomb was found in the woods about 100 meters from the main Riga-Ventspils Highway – 4^th January 2012

Photo: Normunds Mežiņš

[vor033]

U.S Soldiers serving with the 172 Infantry Brigade, Blackhawks, Paktika Province, Afghanistan 29^th December 2011 (released 6^th January 2012)

[vor033]

The Air Portable Fuel Containers Mk 5 are enormous rubber balls which enable essential fuel supplies to be delivered by air to more remote areas of operations.

The balloon-like containers, which hold up to two tonnes of fuel each, also contain the polymer Kevlar, a flexible plastic commonly used in body armour, to keep the contents protected from enemy fire.

Measuring 4.5 feet (1.37m) in diameter when full, the Mk 5 containers can be easily transported in a sling under a helicopter or in the back of a transport aircraft. The Kevlar protection means they can also be parachuted into locations or dropped from heights of up to 25 feet (7.62m).

It means that personnel stationed at forward operating bases or check points - who rely on fuel to power the generators which provide them with heat, light, medical facilities and communications equipment - do not have to wait as long as they would for the vital supplies to be transported by road.

Designed and built in the UK, the containers have been bought under a £2m, five-year agreement with GKN Aerospace, based in Portsmouth.

Two Air Portable Fuel Containers Mk 5 are attached to a helicopter for transport[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Two Air Portable Fuel Containers Mk 5 are lifted by a helicopter[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

A pair of the new Kevlar-reinforced Air Portable Fuel Containers Mk 5 [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

[Nickchios]

High res.

ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 6, 2012) A Sailor assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd’s (DDG 100) visit, board, search and seizure team greets a crew member of the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai. Kidd's visit, board, search and seizure team detained 15 suspected pirates, who were holding a 13-member Iranian crew hostage for several weeks, according to the members of the crew. Kidd is conducting counter-piracy and maritime security operations while deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

[Arg]

Great pics, thx all

[Dave76]

U.S Soldiers serving with the 172 Infantry Brigade, Blackhawks, Paktika Province, Afghanistan 29th December 2011 (released 6th January 2012)

That's not correct, images were taken in September last year:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvids/6...in/photostream

[facundo]

friends

Good pictures today.

The Kamov KA-32, I can not identify who he is. Russian Civil?

Saludos

[Dark Avenger]

friends

Good pictures today.

The Kamov KA-32, I can not identify who he is. Russian Civil?

Saludos

The ER registration indicates it's Moldovan.

[-DENO-]

Turkey/Kars the people commemoratedThe dead soldiers at the battle of Sarihamish 1917

[-DENO-]

Turkey/Sırnak the villager kids welcomed soldiers back from the operations...