Daily Photos Monday 7th May 2012

[vor033]

Afghanistan

(Photos from 20th to 24th April and Released from 1st May)

The Other Government Agencies Platoon is part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team based at Multi National Base Tarin Kot. Its main role is to provide security to civilian contractors and other government agencies such as the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and members of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This enables personnel from different agencies to go outside the wire in order to accomplish their missions without added security concerns.

Corporal Michael Ring from the Other Government Agency Platoon provides security during a site inspection at the Tarin Kot Hospital.

Private Scott Ramsdale from the Other Government Agency Platoon chats to local children during a site inspection at the Tarin Kot Hospital.

Private Hamish Moncrieff from the Other Government Agency Platoon during a site inspection at the Tarin Kot Hospital.

Private Samuel Holt from the Other Government Agency Platoon provides security during a site inspection at the Tarin Kot Hospital.

Private Adrian Hodgens from the Other Government Agency Platoon provides security during a site inspection at the Tarin Kot Hospital.

Provincial Reconstruction Team Engineers from the Other Government Agency Platoon clear a path of improvised explosive devices to a security overwatch position near the Sajawul Crossing in Uruzgan.

Personnel from the Other Government Agency Platoon in Tarin Kot on their way to a site inspection.

Personnel from the Other Government Agency Platoon in Tarin Kot on their way to a site inspection.

Personnel from the Other Government Agency Platoon conduct a vehicle check point search near the Sajawul Crossing in Uruzgan during a security patrol.

Private Jacob Major from the Other Government Agency Platoon near the Sajawul Crossing in Uruzgan during a security patrol.

Provincial Reconstruction Team Engineer Sapper Ben Johnstone, from the Other Government Agency Platoon, clears a path near the Sajawul Crossing in Uruzgan during a security patrol.

Private Julian Lim from the Other Government Agency Platoon provides security near the Sajawul Crossing in Uruzgan.

Private Julian Lim from the Other Government Agency Platoon provides security near the Sajawul Crossing in Uruzgan.

Private Julian Lim from the Other Government Agency Platoon near the Sajawul Crossing in Uruzgan.

Private Nikau Pieters from the Other Government Agency Platoon provides security near the Sajawul Crossing in Uruzgan.

Private Julian Lim from the Other Government Agency Platoon patrols near the Sajawul Crossing in Uruzgan.

[vor033]

The Swiss Guard, founded in 1506, consist of 100 volunteers who must be of Swiss nationality, Catholic, single, at least 174 cm (5.7 ft) tall and without a beard. They celebrate their 503rd anniversary this year. New recruits are sworn in every year on May 6 to commemorate the day where 147 Swiss soldiers died defending the Pope during an attack on Rome in 1527.

New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard stand during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012

A new recruit of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard gestures during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012.

A new recruit of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard gestures while holding a flag during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012.

New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard stand during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012.

New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard stand during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012.

New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard stand during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012.

New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012.

New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012.

New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012.

New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012

New recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march during the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican May 6, 2012.

[vor033]

Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) have been practicing the urban combat skills they might need as part of the Army's rapid reaction force.

Exercise Bayonet Strike, which took place in Suffolk this week, has honed the compound clearance skills developed by B Company, 3 PARA, during their deployment to Afghanistan in 2010/11.

A paratrooper takes part in a compound clearance exercise[Picture: Corporal Obi Igboebisiokwu, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

A paratrooper runs up a flight of stairs with a handheld battering ram[Picture: Corporal Obi Igboebisiokwu, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

Members of 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment take part in a compound clearance exercise[Picture: Corporal Obi Igboebisiokwu, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

[trikora88]

Nice start vor033!



Hi-Res

The final F-22 Raptor (# 4195) delivered to the U.S. Air Force on May 2, 2012. Marietta, Ga.

Hi-Res

The final F-22 Raptor (# 4195) delivered to the U.S. Air Force on May 2, 2012. Marietta, Ga.

Hi-Res

F-22 #4195 and #4193 take their final company flight around the Metro Atlanta Area.

[vor033]

Colombian Commandos during a Hostage Rescue Demonstration at Escuela de Policía Militar (ESPOM) May 2012

For more Photos check out this excellent site: http://www.facebook.com/groups/117513008295394/photos/

[Roebuck]

the first batch of photos are Australians. what the hell is "OTHER GOVENRMENT AGENCY"?

[vor033]

the first batch of photos are Australians. what the hell is "OTHER GOVENRMENT AGENCY"?

Just added a main caption with a bit more info (meant to add it with the post) which should help explain whats meant

[vor033]

Afghan forces are ready to take responsibility for security in 2013, the defence ministry said on May 7, reacting to a pledge to withdraw French troops early by president-elect Francois Hollande. Hollande made a campaign promise to pull French soldiers out of Afghanistan this year, ending his country's combat role two years earlier than NATO's carefully crafted plan to hand security control to Afghans by 2014.

An Afghan policeman stops a vehicle at a checkpoint in Kabul on May 7, 2012

Afghan policemen search a car at a checkpoint in Kabul on May 7, 2012.

An Afghan policeman stands guard as commandos ride past a checkpoint in Kabul on May 7, 2012.

Burqa-clad Afghan women walk past a policeman standing guard at a checkpoint in Kabul on May 7, 2012.

Afghan policemen stand guard at a checkpoint in Kabul on May 7, 2012.

A burqa-clad Afghan woman walks past a policeman standing guard at a checkpoint in Kabul on May 7, 2012.

[vor033]

Estonian Soldiers during a live fire training exercise using light Anti-aircraft Guns during the Kevadtorm 2012 (Spring Storm) series of Exercises 6^th May 2012

[vor033]

The Lakota is the Army’s most modern Light Utility Helicopter. Hawaii is one of the first states to receive the new rotary-wing aircraft manufactured by American Eurocopter. The helicopters will be maintained and flown by the soldiers of Detachment 2, Company B, 3/140 Aviation Regiment.

The mission of the detachment will be to provide aerial command and control, surveillance and reconnaissance, and search and rescue capabilities. It is equipped with video equipment that can see in infrared and its communications suite is compatible with civil authorities such as fire fighters and police. It is also designed to be able to medevac injured patients to a hospital.

The UH-72A provides the Hawaii National Guard with much greater capabilities to support civil authorities during times of natural disasters or to help county fire fighters and police locate missing people in remote locations. It has two engines and can fly from Hilo to Lihue without having to refuel. It can remain on station for up to three hours. Pastor Charles Kama provided the blessing and benediction over the aircraft at today’s ceremony. The helicopters were transported to Hawaii from the manufacturing plant about two weeks ago via U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft.

The Hawaii Army National Guard today dedicated its two new UH-72A Lakota helicopters at the Guard’s Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Hilo. The Lakota helicopters have replaced the older model OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.

The Hawaii Army National Guard today dedicated its two new UH-72A Lakota helicopters at the Guard’s Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Hilo. The Lakota helicopters have replaced the older model OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.

The Hawaii Army National Guard today dedicated its two new UH-72A Lakota helicopters at the Guard’s Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Hilo. The Lakota helicopters have replaced the older model OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.

The Hawaii Army National Guard today dedicated its two new UH-72A Lakota helicopters at the Guard’s Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Hilo. The Lakota helicopters have replaced the older model OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.

The Hawaii Army National Guard today dedicated its two new UH-72A Lakota helicopters at the Guard’s Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Hilo. The Lakota helicopters have replaced the older model OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.

[vor033]

Estonian Soldiers during a field training exercise while taking part in the Kevadtorm 2012 (Spring Storm) series of Exercises 6^th May 2012

[Big Mo]

my first thoughts:

damn, what is the US Army doing with the Steyr AUG.....upps.....these are Aussie.....damn is there a lot multicam out today....

[BLUE THOR]

OGA is the name for the security force blokes who escort mil / other Aussie Govt mobs ( I guess AUSAid etc) around the traps. Basically instead of being part of a combat team as such they are a security / escort team.

[sgtfcm]

ultra nationalist greek party Golden Dawn - Chrysi Avgi - polled almost 7%

[calimero2]

Parade rehearsal in Vladivosok:










Many more picures here:
http://dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=2184