Today's Pix - Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

[He219]

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SAN DIEGO (June 7, 2012) Rigid-hull inflatable boats carry Special Boat Team (SBT) 12 Sailors and guests through San Diego Bay to an at-sea change of command. Cmdr. Shane C. Voudren relieved Cmdr. Michael Stull. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Geneva G. Brier/Released)

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SAN DIEGO (June 7, 2012) Jet skis parade the colors during the Special Boat Team (SBT) 12 at-sea change of command ceremony. Cmdr. Shane C. Voudren relieved Cmdr. Michael Stull. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Megan Anuci/Released)

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SAN DIEGO (June 7, 2012) Special Boat Team (SBT) 12 conducts an at-sea change of command ceremony. Cmdr. Cmdr. Shane C. Voudren relieved Cmdr. Michael Stull. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Megan Anuci/Released)

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ARABIAN SEA (June 9, 2012) Waves crash onto the bow of guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94). Nitze is deployed as part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group 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 Jeff Atherton/Released)

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WASHINGTON (June 11, 2012) In this undated file photo provided by Northrop Grumman, a RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle conducts tests over Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. (U.S. Navy photo by Erik Hildebrandt courtesy Northrop Grumman/Released)

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ARABIAN SEA (June 6, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), left, the Military Sealift Command replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), and the British Royal Navy type-45 destroyer HMS Daring (D32), right, conduct a replenishment-at-sea. Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tim D. Godbee/Released)

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SAN DIEGO (May 22, 2012) Los Angeles Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team members breach a room and engage hostile targets in a training exercise focusing on breach and clear tactics aboard maritime vessels. Naval Special Warfare Boat Team (SBT) 12 assisted in the operation by providing small boat insertion and extraction to and from the boarded vessel. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristopher Kirsop/Released)

[He219]

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NORFOLK (June 8, 2012) Tall ships make their way down the Elizabeth River during Operation Sail (OpSail) 2012 Virginia. OpSail 2012 Virginia will be Norfolk's largest gathering of international tall ships and naval vessels in more than 100 years. OpSail 2012 Virginia commemorates the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lacordrick Wilson/Released)

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NORFOLK (June 8, 2012) The U.S. Coast Guard cutter (USCGC) Eagle (WIX-327) makes its way down the Elizabeth River during Operation Sail (OpSail) 2012 Virginia. OpSail 2012 Virginia will be Norfolk's largest gathering of international tall ships and naval vessels in more than 100 years. OpSail 2012 Virginia commemorates the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lacordrick Wilson/Released)

The USS Iowa makes her way through the main channel of the Port of Los Angeles to her permanent home, Berth 87, in San Pedro, California June 9, 2012. The battleship, which served the United States through victory and tragedy during six decades at sea, will dock at San Pedro to become a floating museum.

An U.S. national flag is seen painted under the gun turrets of the battleship USS Iowa during its move to its final berth at the Port of Los Angeles, where it will become a floating museum in the San Pedro section of Los Angeles, California June 9, 2012. The USS Iowa served the U.S. for six decades, hosting U.S. presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. The warship carried President Roosevelt across the Atlantic to his historic meeting with Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin during World War Two.

Sailors, Marines, Navy Cadets and people are seen on the USS Iowa as she makes her way through the main channel of the Port of Los Angeles to her permanent home, Berth 87, in San Pedro, California June 9, 2012. The battleship, which served the United States through victory and tragedy during six decades at sea, will dock at San Pedro to become a floating museum.

The USS Iowa makes her way through the main channel of the Port of Los Angeles and under the Vincent Thomas Bridge, to her permanent home, Berth 87, in San Pedro, California June 9, 2012.

[He219]

A US Marine takes part in a landing operation during the multinational exercise “ BALTOPS 2012” on June 11, 2012 in Nemirseta (Palangos Distr. BALTOPS 2012 involved seven NATO countries - Lithuania, Estonia, the United States, Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands and Germany. During BALTOPS 2012, military forces will conduct joint maritime, air and land operations in the Baltic Sea region.

Lithuania's army troops conduct a landing operation during the multinational exercise “ BALTOPS 2012” on June 11, 2012 in Nemirseta (Palangos Distr. BALTOPS 2012 involved seven NATO countries - Lithuania, Estonia, the United States, Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands and Germany. During BALTOPS 2012, military forces will conduct joint maritime, air and land operations in the Baltic Sea region.

Lithuania's army troops conduct a landing operation during the multinational exercise “ BALTOPS 2012” on June 11, 2012 in Nemirseta (Palangos Distr. BALTOPS 2012 involved seven NATO countries - Lithuania, Estonia, the United States, Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands and Germany. During BALTOPS 2012, military forces will conduct joint maritime, air and land operations in the Baltic Sea region.

[bd popeye]

OUTSTANDING PIX He219!! OUTSTANDING!!

You stole some of my thunder..no matter..that's why there's an edit button!


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NORFOLK (June 8, 2012) Ships participating in Operation Sail (OpSail) 2012 Virginia, sail towards the downtown Norfolk waterfront. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ernesto Hernandez Fonte/Released)

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STRAIT OF HORMUZ (June 10, 2012) The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), front, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) transit the Strait of Hormuz. New York and Porter transited the strait with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). New York is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) and is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan P. Idle/Released)

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CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (June 11, 2012) Sailors assigned to USS Constitution handle the topsail during sail training on the mizzen mast of the ship. Sailors assigned to Constitution routinely work to improve seamanship skills in preparation for possibly sailing the ship for the bicentennial of the War of 1812. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Michael Achterling/Released)

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Pacific Partnership

MANADO, Indonesia (June 6, 2012) The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) sits off the coast of Manado to support Pacific Partnership 2012. Now in its seventh year, Pacific Partnership is an annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission U.S military personnel, host and partner nations, non-governmental organizations and international agencies to build stronger relationships and develop disaster response capabilities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Clay M. Whaley/Released)

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MAPUTO, Mozambique (June 8, 2012) High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) arrives in Port Maputo for a seven-day port visit to support Africa Partnership Station (APS) East 2012. Africa Partnership Station is an international security cooperation initiative intended to strengthen global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities to improve maritime safety and security in Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Suzanna Brugler/Released)

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PORTLAND, Ore. (June 10, 2012) The guided-missile destroyers USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) and USS Dewey (DDG 105), and the guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) are moored pierside at Tom McCall Waterfront Park during Fleet Week in Portland, Ore., to celebrate the 105th annual Portland Rose Festival. Navy warships have been coming to the City of Roses since USS Charleston's visit in 1907. Portland's Rose Festival is an opportunity for the Navy to raise awareness about the purpose of naval forces and sustain the strong relationship with the community. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott A. McCall/Released)

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PEARL HARBOR (June 7, 2012) The guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) returns home to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after a 6-month independent deployment to the Western Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Furey/Released)

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PEARL HARBOR (June 7, 2012) Gas Turbine System Technician Mechanical 2nd Class Brian Sacman meets his child for the first time after a 6-month deployment on the guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Furey/Released)

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PEARL HARBOR (June 7, 2012) Ships Serviceman 3rd Class Nathan Mawer proposes to his girlfriend, Sarah Bankston after a 6-month deployment aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Furey/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (June 4, 2012) Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2, climb a ladder into an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, during cast and recovery training. EODMU-2 is assigned to Commander Task Group (CTG) 56.1, which provides mine counter-measure, explosive ordnance disposal, salvage-diving, counter-terrorism, and force protection for the U.S. 5th Fleet. HSC-26 is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 53 providing fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy and coalition ships in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lynn Friant/Released)

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ARABIAN SEA (June 6, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), right, the Military Sealift Command replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), and the British Royal Navy type-45 destroyer HMS Daring (D32), rear, conduct a replenishment-at-sea. Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tim D. Godbee/Released)

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CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (June 10, 2012) Sailors assigned to USS Constitution march in the annual Bunker Hill Day parade. The parade honors the 237-year anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the first major engagements of the Revolutionary War. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Michael Achterling/Released)

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RED SEA (May 29, 2012) The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) fires a 25mm chain gun during a training exercise. Gunston Hall is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman/Released)

[bd popeye]

There's gun control in China is simple.. you can't have one! I wonder how many more thousands upon thousand s of weapons are hidden in China?

Confiscated illegal weapons are displayed in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, June 12, 2012. During a unified operation, police force destroyed more than 100,000 confiscated illegal guns and over 250 tons of explosives in 150 cities across China on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Over 100,000 illegal firearms, replica toy guns, machetes and swords, which were collected by the Ministry of Public Security, were destroyed in 150 cities all over China on Tuesday morning, local media reported.

[Slinky]

wow those guns look like they are from an airsofters arsenal

[He219]

Canadian special forces soldier take part in Aquatic tactics during the 9th edition of the commando forces competition at the military base of Tolemaida, Colombia on June 11, 2012. Elite troops from 21 American countries take part in the competition

Canadian special forces soldier take part in Aquatic tactics during the 9th edition of the commando forces competition at the military base of Tolemaida, Colombia on June 11, 2012. Elite troops from 21 American countries take part in the competition.

Canadian special forces soldiers fire their weapons at the Acuatic tactics during 9th edition of the commando forces competition at the military base of Tolemaida, Colombia on June 11, 2012. Elite troops from 21 American countries take part in the competition.

Canadian special forces soldier take part in Aquatic tactics during the 9th edition of the commando forces competition at the military base of Tolemaida, Colombia on June 11, 2012

Uruguayan special forces soldiers take part in Aquatic tactics during the 9th edition of the commando forces competition at the military base of Tolemaida, Colombia on June 11, 2012.

Brazil's special forces soldiers take part in Aquatic tactics during the 9th edition of the commando forces competition at the military base of Tolemaida, Colombia on June 11, 2012.

Belize's special forces soldier take part at the Acuatic tactics during 9th edition of the commando forces competition at the military base of Tolemaida, Colombia on June 11, 2012.

Belize's special forces soldier take part at the Acuatic tactics during 9th edition of the commando forces competition at the military base of Tolemaida, Colombia on June 11, 2012

US Rear Admiral Thomas L. Brown II command of Special Operations Command South talks whit Colombian Special force commando during 9th edition of the commando forces competition at the military base of Tolemaida, Colombia on June 11, 2012. Elite troops from 21 American countries take part in the competition.

[bd popeye]

wow those guns look like they are from an airsofters arsenal

Air soft is not illegal in China. I'm pretty sure it is under government control. air soft is organized by government air soft clubs. The events are closely supervised by government "officals"

BEIJING - Police in 150 Chinese cities jointly destroyed more than 100,000 illegal guns Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Security said.
About 250 tons of illegal explosives will also be disposed of in the next few days, according to the statement from the ministry.
A large portion of these guns were seized by police during raids, and others were submitted by citizens, the statement said.
Half of the guns were confiscated during a national campaign targeting illegal guns and explosives, which started in February and will last until December, it said.
So far, police have busted more than 180 criminal organizations and detained 7,800 suspects involved in the illegal possession of guns and explosives, the statement said.
Since January, the number of criminal cases involving guns has dropped by 9.7 percent from the same period of last year, and criminal cases involving explosives have fallen by 21.6 percent, the statement said.
Last year, the incidence of crimes involving guns and explosives was notably reduced by 46 percent and 39 percent, respectively, from 2010, thanks to a similar national campaign.
Chinese police will strike hard on illegal guns and explosives, and they welcome citizens to provide information, the statement said.

[He219]

A U.S. Army soldier of 5-20 Infantry Regiment attached to 82nd Airborne Division secures a road during a controlled explosion in Zharay district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan June 11, 2012.

Joel Sigfrid, a U.S. Army Specialist of 5-20 Infantry Regiment attached to 82nd Airborne Division, looks through the sight of his rifle as he holds a grenade launcher during a patrol in Zharay district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan June 12, 2012.

U.S. Army soldiers of 5-20 Infantry Regiment attached to 82nd Airborne Division patrol in Zharay district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan June 11, 2012.

A soldier from the United States' Army's Charlie Company, 1-12 Infantry, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, sleeps at Blocking Position one above Kamdesh in Afghanistan's Nuristan Province June 11, 2012.

Comrades block their ears as an Afghan National Army soldier fires a Dushka machine gun towards Taliban positions from Blocking Position one above Kamdesh in Afghanistan's Nuristan Province June 11, 2012.

An Afghan National Army soldier fires a recoilless rifle towards Taliban positions from Blocking Position one above Kamdesh in Afghanistan's Nuristan Province June 11, 201

A United States Army Apache helicopter flies over Blocking Position one above Kamdesh in Afghanistan's Nuristan Province June 11, 2012.

A United States' Army soldier from Charlie Company, 1-12 Infantry, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, mans a .50 caliber machine gun at Blocking Position two above Kamdesh in Afghanistan's Nuristan Province June 11, 2012.

Two 500 pound bombs explode at dusk on a Taliban fighting position near Blocking Position one above Kamdesh in Afghanistan's Nuristan Province June 11, 2012.

[bd popeye]

He219.. you are posting some smokin' hot pix!!

[Messiah UKF]

wow those guns look like they are from an airsofters arsenal

I was about to say the same, some of them look dubiously plastic...

[Konst]

Mafia??

[-DENO-]

Afghan Security


Marines with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, partnered with Afghan National Police, patrol through Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 1. The successes of the International Security Assistance Forces before Kilo Co. had in the area and the development of a strong Afghan National Security Force has allowed for a small coalition presence in Garmsir.




(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kenneth Jasik)

We Have You Covered


U.S. Marines with Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment (2/10) set up security and await an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team during a patrol through local Afghan settlements in Habbib Abad, Afghanistan, May 28, 2012. 2/10 conducted the patrol to interact with and record data from the local population of Boldak, in support of the International Security Assistance Force.




(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert Reeves)

[He219]

Rifle-carrying Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops in camouflage march in an urban area of Tokyo's Itabashi Ward as part of their training as rangers, in this photo taken by Kyodo on June 12, 2012. It was the first time armed GSDF troops marched through urban areas of Tokyo in 42 years, since the last such occasion which took place in 1970, according to the GSDF. Mandatory Credit.

Rifle-carrying Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops in camouflage walk past local residents holding a banner that reads, "Thank you for helping the disaster-hit area. But don't conduct military training in urban areas," in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward as part of their training as rangers, in this photo taken by Kyodo on June 12, 2012. It was the first time armed GSDF troops marched through urban areas of Tokyo in 42 years, since the last such occasion which took place in 1970, according to the GSDF. Mandatory Credit.

Members of the Philippines armed forces stand at attention while students look at their firearms, as they prepare to participate for the observation ceremony for the Philippine's 114th Independence Day at Luneta Park in Manila June 11, 2012. The Philippines will celebrate their 114th Independence Day on Tuesday

Visitors stand in front of a fixed-wing mini UAS drone, which is presented at the Eurosatory exhibition outside Paris, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. The Land Security and Defense International Exhibition takes place north of Paris from June 11 to June 15.

A member of a Vietnamese officers' delegation takes a picture of a Cassidian drone in front of the European aerospace firm EADS chalet at the Eurosatory 2012 defence and security exhibition in Villepinte near Paris on June 11, 2012.

Visitors walk past a Russian made military vehicle presented at the Eurosatory exhibition outside Paris, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. The Land Security and Defense International Exhibition takes place north of Paris from June 11 to June 15.

Protesters carry a banner reading, "Russia Go Forward without Putin" in Moscow, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Tens of thousands of Russians flooded Moscow's tree-lined boulevards Tuesday in the first massive protest against President Vladimir Putin's rule since his inauguration in May - a rally that came even as police interrogated key opposition leaders.

Opposition activists rally in Moscow, on June 12, 2012. Tens of thousands of protesters chanting 'Russia Will be Free' rallied today in Moscow against President Vladimir Putin's third term despite a police crackdown on their leaders a day earlier

[He219]

He219.. you are posting some smokin' hot pix!!

Thanks bd! Great pictures yourself!

The prison mug shots of convicts Frank Lee Morris, Clarence Anglin and John Anglin (L-R) in both their younger and older years are seen in this combination image made of handout photos from the U.S. Department of Justice released to ******* June 11, 2012. Morris and brothers Clarence and John Anglin, all serving time for bank robbery, vanished from the prison in San Francisco Bay on the night of June 11, 1962. Although many historians think it's likely they perished in the frigid treacherous currents surrounding the maximum-security island prison, their bodies were never found and some believe it's possible they made it to freedom.

A US soldier sits on the top of Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) during a live fire training exercise in the South Korean border county of Cheorwon on June 12, 2012

An U.S. Multiple Launch Rocket System vehicle moves to participate in a live fire drill during joint military exercises by the U.S. and South Korea in Cheorwon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

A rocket fired by a South Korean Multiple Launch Rocket System vehicle, unseen, flies over U.S. Multiple Launch Rocket System vehicles in a live fire drill during joint military exercises by the U.S. and South Korea in Cheorwon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

The back of the car, which was targeted in a convoy carrying Britain's ambassador to Libya, and hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, is seen in Benghazi June 11, 2012. Two of the ambassador's bodyguards were injured, in the most serious of a spate of assaults on foreign targets. It was not immediately clear if the ambassador, Dominic Asquith, was in the car which was hit.

The car, which was targeted in a convoy carrying Britain's ambassador to Libya, and hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, is seen in Benghazi June 11, 2012. Two of the ambassador's bodyguards were injured, in the most serious of a spate of assaults on foreign targets. It was not immediately clear if the ambassador, Dominic Asquith, was in the car which was hit.

In this undated photo provided by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Australian defense lawyer Melinda Taylor poses for a photograph at an unknown location. The International Criminal Court demanded the release on Saturday, June 9, 2012 of four of its staffers, including Taylor, which it says are being detained in Libya, where they are part of an official mission sent to meet with the imprisoned son of deposed dictator Moammar Gadhafi.