Today's Pix - Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

[He219]

Russian President Vladimir Putin watches soldiers march past during a ceremony at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier on the eve of the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, May 8, 2012.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers to the memorials commemorating the valour of inhabitants of various cities during a ceremony in honour of World War II veterans, heroes and battles near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow on May 8, 2012 in commemoration for those killed during WWII on the eve of the Victory Day holiday celebrating the end of the war.

France's outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy (C) flanked by president-elect Francois Hollande (L) lights a fire as he takes part in a ceremony marking the 67th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, on May 8, 2012 at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Hollande and ousted rival Sarkozy laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris today as France marked the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. In his first official function since defeating Sarkozy on Sunday, Hollande took part in ceremonies to mark the anniversary at the Arc de Triomphe along with the outgoing Sarkozy.

Outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and newly-elected president Francois Hollande attend a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe to mark the end of World War II in Paris May 8, 2012.

[He219]

Fire billows from explosions during a military display by Jordanian special forces at the opening of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) at King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman on May 8, 2012. The exhibition showcases the latest technologies by defence manufacturers around the world.

Jordanian special forces take part in a military drill during a parade at the opening of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) at King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman on May 8, 2012. The exhibition showcases the latest technologies by defence manufacturers around the world.

Jordanian special forces take part in a drill during a parade at the opening of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) at King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman May 8, 2012.

Jordan's King Abdullah (2nd R) talks with Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Prince Khaled Bin Sultan (C) at the opening of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) at King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman May 8, 2012.

Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Prince Khaled Bin Sultan (L) laughs during his visit to the Chinese section, at the opening of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) at King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman May 8, 2012.

Geoffrey Herring of ARES Defense Systems, Inc from the U.S. , shows rifles to Chinese officers at the opening of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) at King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman May 8, 2012.

Chinese Communist officers check rifles at the stand of American company ARES Defence Systems Inc. at the opening of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) at King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman on May 8, 2012. The exhibition showcases the latest technologies by defence manufacturers around the world.

[He219]

Soldiers from the Royal Household Cavalry Regiment man a check point on a busy stretch of road in Helmand Province Afghanistan. One soldier waits to stop on coming traffic while he is covered by members of his unit in a Jackal, Mobility Weapon-Mounted Installation Kit. (UK Defence Images photo)

MANAMA, Bahrain (May 6, 2012) A Sailor stands watch next to a .50-caliber machine gun aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II/Released)

[Foxtrot Alpha Whiskey]

Dual .50s, haven't seen that in a while.

[kevlar308]

Dual .50s, haven't seen that in a while.

sandbags on board the carrier as well. Very 1942.

[gastrion]

And a couple of Iranian f-14 kamikazes would make it complete

[Ordie]

Need to wear a steel pot and dungarees to make it complete.

[Dark Avenger]

And watercooled fifties...

[AliceInWonderland]

.. with the big hump shaped ammo cans.

[santana]

Download HiRes

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 6, 2012) Lt. Jonathan Wendth from the Nightdippers of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 5 pilots an HS-60F Sea Hawk helicopter during flight operations for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Dwight D. Eisenhower, the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 8, is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julia A. Casper/Released)

Download HiRes

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 6, 2012) Naval Air Crewman 3rd Class Benjamin Mosley from the Nightdippers of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 5 operates a sonar device in an HS-60F Sea Hawk helicopter during flight operations for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julia A. Casper/Released)

Download HiRes

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 7, 2012) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) approaches supply ship the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Bighorn (T-AO 198) for a replenishment at sea. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 8, is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class A.J. Jones/Released)

Download HiRes

BANGOR, Wash. (May 6, 2012) Family members await the return of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, following its strategic deterrent patrol. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Ed Early/Released)

Download HiRes

NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 5, 2012) Chinese Minister of National Defense Gen. Liang Guanglie, center, speaks with Cmdr. Jennifer Ellinger, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100), following a briefing on counterpiracy operations aboard the ship. Liang and his delegation are visiting military bases on both the east and west coasts. The visits emphasize the importance of improving our capacities to cooperate in areas of mutual interest, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and counter-piracy. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Rick Chernitzer/Released)

Download HiRes

NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 5, 2012) Chinese Minister of National Defense Gen. Liang Guanglie departs the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) following a tour of the ship. Liang and his delegation are visiting military bases on both the east and west coasts. The visits emphasize the importance of improving our capacities to cooperate in areas of mutual interest, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and counter-piracy. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Rick Chernitzer/Released)

Download HiRes

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 6, 2012) Spanish Navy frigate SPS Blas de Lezo (F 103) is alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) while an F/A-18 Super hornet takes off. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 8, is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julia A. Casper/Released)

Download HiRes

MANAMA, Bahrain (May 6, 2012) Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Julia Velasquez inspects an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Blue Blasters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II/Released)

Download HiRes

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 5, 2012) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Alejandro Abreu, left, assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 4 teaches proper weapon handling of an M2HB .50-caliber heavy machine gun to Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Sarah Eickholt aboard High-Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift. Swift is preparing to participate in Africa Partnership Station 2012, which is an international security cooperation initiative aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities to improve maritime safety and security in Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Garcia/Released)

Download HiRes

MARINETTE, Wis. (May 3, 2012) The future littoral combat ship USS Forth Worth (LCS 3) is underway for acceptance trials on Lake Michigan. Fort Worth successfully completed the trials, testing the ship's major systems and equipment in port and underway. Acceptance trials are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship to the Navy. The ship was presented to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey with high levels of completion. (U.S. Navy photo by Mike Rote/Released)

Download HiRes

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (May 4, 2012) Sailors from the U.S. 7th Fleet Band rock ensemble, Far East Edition, play a traditional Cambodian song with local singers during a concert at Teal Beach. The band is embarked aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) is in Cambodia for a port visit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone/Released)

Download HiRes

SAN DIEGO (May 4, 2012) Rear Adm. Peter A Gumataotao, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11 is piped through side boys during a change of command ceremony for Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23 at Naval Base San Diego. Capt. Jesse A. Wilson Jr. was relieved by Capt. William J. Parker III. (U. S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eddie Harrison/Released)

Download HiRes

WASHINGTON (May 8, 2012) An artist rendering of the next Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116). The ship is named after Thomas Hudner, a Medal of Honor recipient and retired Naval aviator. (U.S. Navy illustration by Lt. Shawn Eklund/Released)

[ubermensche]

A toy MLRS! I've always wanted one! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

[-DENO-]

Sighting In

The Afghan Special Operations Unit recently provided a live demonstration of their capabilities for a gathering of Afghan and coalition dignitaries at one of their training bases May 8. (DoD photo)

Knock Knock

The demonstration featured a simulated operation to detain insurgents and live-fire exercise, and showcased the skills the unit displays in anti-insurgent operations around the country. (DoD photo)

Take the Hill

The purpose of the event was to show Afghan and coalition leaders that the transition of security responsibilities to Afghan forces is proceeding as scheduled. (DoD photo)

On Target

The Afghan Special Operations Unit has conducted over 400 operations with coalition support since December 2011. (DoD photo)