Today's PIX - Wednesday, July 4th, 2012

[m4rs75]

Happy 4th of July!

A Singapore Armed Forces' Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) unit member takes part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent the possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Singapore Armed Forces' Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) unit members in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

A South Korean soldier in protective gear takes part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

South Korean soldiers in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

South Korean soldiers in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

South Korean soldiers in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

South Korean soldiers in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

A South Korean soldier (C) leaves off his protective gear as Japan's Self-Defense Forces personnel look on, as they takes part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent the possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Japan's police officers in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

Japan's police officers in protective gear take part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent the possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

A member of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) takes part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent the possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

A member of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) takes part in a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (NBC) exercise, held as a part of a drill for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Air Interdiction Exercise "Pacific Shield 12", at New Chitose airport in Chitose on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido July 4, 2012. Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore are taking part in the three-day drill to improve their capability to prevent the possible transport of weapons of mass destruction by air.

[m4rs75]

U.S. General John Allen, commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in Afghanistan, speaks during U.S. Independence Day celebrations in Kabul July 4, 2012.

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya and former two-star Air Force general Scott Gration, speaks to audience at a U.S. Independence Day event held at the ambassador's residence in Nairobi, Kenya Wednesday, July 4, 2012. Gration announced his resignation on Friday, June 29, 2012 ahead of the publication of a U.S. government audit that is expected to be critical of his leadership of the most important embassy in East Africa, though Gration said he was resigning because of differences in priorities between him and Washington, adding that his resignation would become effective Saturday, July 28, 2012.

Cooks prepare 'Stars and Stripes' desserts, fashioned as the US national flag, for a buffet, on July 4, 2012, before a ceremony for the July 4th Independence Day celebrations at the US Embassy in Paris.

(From L to R) French Interior Minister Manuel Valls, French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, daughter and son of US Ambassador to France, Lily and Elias, and US Ambassador to France, Charles Rivkin attend, on July 4, 2012, a ceremony for the July 4th Independence Day celebrations at the US Embassy in Paris.

(From L to R) French Interior Minister Manuel Valls, French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, and daughter and son of US Ambassador to France, Charles Rivkin, Lily and Elias, attend, on July 4, 2012, a ceremony for the July 4th Independence Day celebrations at the US Embassy in Paris.

(From R to L) US Ambassador to France, Charles Rivkin, his wife Suzan Tolson, their son Elias and daughter Lily, listen to French Prime Minister's speech, on July 4, 2012, during a ceremony for the July 4th Independence Day celebrations at the US Embassy in Paris.

US Ambassador to France, Charles Rivkin (C, on a stage) and French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault (R) listen to the US national anthem while US soldiers stand guard at the US Embassy in Paris, on July 4, 2012, during a ceremony for the July 4th Independence Day celebrations.

People attend, on July 4, 2012, a ceremony for the July 4th Independence Day celebrations in the gardens at the US Embassy in Paris.

Cooks grill corn for Independence Day in preparation for celebrations at the White House in Washington July 4, 2012.

[Big Mo]

there has been a hostage taking in Karlsruhe, Germany. a man (apears to be the former house owner) took the new house owner, a facility manager, a locksmith and [an other person] a marshal hostage. sek & mek is/was on site. they stormed the place after smelling smoke and found 5 dead.

edit: he also shot his wife in the stomach. reports show he had a shotgun, a "long gun", 2 pistols and an exerice grenade

source (german): http://www.swr.de/nachrichten/bw/-/i...dub/index.html

[T-5 Killer]

Happy 4th of July! What a great start to the daily photos thread. Kudos to everyone!!!

[m4rs75]

A gunner on board a US CH-47 Chinook helicopter is seen during a flight over Kapisa Province on July 4, 2012. The French military July 4 handed over a key Afghan province to local forces, completing an important stage in France's accelerated withdrawal from the war-torn country. The province of Kapisa was the last area of Afghanistan under the control of French troops, the bulk of whom are due to leave by the end of 2012, two years earlier than the main NATO deadline.

Gunners on board a US CH-47 Chinook helicopter are seen during a flight over Kapisa Province on July 4, 2012. The French military July 4 handed over a key Afghan province to local forces, completing an important stage in France's accelerated withdrawal from the war-torn country. The province of Kapisa was the last area of Afghanistan under the control of French troops, the bulk of whom are due to leave by the end of 2012, two years earlier than the main NATO deadline.

A pair of US military CH-47 Chinook are pictured in Mahmud Raqi, Kapisa Province on July 4, 2012. The French military July 4 handed over a key Afghan province to local forces, completing an important stage in France's accelerated withdrawal from the war-torn country. The province of Kapisa was the last area of Afghanistan under the control of French troops, the bulk of whom are due to leave by the end of 2012, two years earlier than the main NATO deadline.

A French soldier (L) from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stands alert as a US CH-47 Chinook is seen in the background in Mahmud Raqi, Kapisa Province on July 4, 2012. The French military July 4 handed over a key Afghan province to local forces, completing an important stage in France's accelerated withdrawal from the war-torn country. The province of Kapisa was the last area of Afghanistan under the control of French troops, the bulk of whom are due to leave by the end of 2012, two years earlier than the main NATO deadline.

French troops from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stand alert in Mahmud Raqi, Kapisa Province on July 4, 2012. The French military July 4 handed over a key Afghan province to local forces, completing an important stage in France's accelerated withdrawal from the war-torn country. The province of Kapisa was the last area of Afghanistan under the control of French troops, the bulk of whom are due to leave by the end of 2012, two years earlier than the main NATO deadline.

French troops from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stand alert in Mahmud Raqi, Kapisa Province on July 4, 2012. The French military July 4 handed over a key Afghan province to local forces, completing an important stage in France's accelerated withdrawal from the war-torn country. The province of Kapisa was the last area of Afghanistan under the control of French troops, the bulk of whom are due to leave by the end of 2012, two years earlier than the main NATO deadline.

A French soldier from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stands alert in Mahmud Raqi, Kapisa Province on July 4, 2012. The French military July 4 handed over a key Afghan province to local forces, completing an important stage in France's accelerated withdrawal from the war-torn country. The province of Kapisa was the last area of Afghanistan under the control of French troops, the bulk of whom are due to leave by the end of 2012, two years earlier than the main NATO deadline.

Fuel tanker trucks, used to transport fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan, are seen parked near oil terminals in Pakistan's port city of Karachi on July 4, 2012. Pakistan confirmed that it had decided to reopen vital NATO supply routes into Afghanistan which have been closed since November, a government spokesman said. The official announcement came after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Pakistan was re-opening the roads and that the United States was 'sorry' for losses suffered by the Pakistani military in November. The supply routes have been shut since November when an American aircraft mistakenly killed 24 Pakistan soldiers, aggravating already difficult relations between Washington and Islamabad.

Fuel tanker trucks, used to transport fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan, are seen parked near oil terminals in Pakistan's port city of Karachi on July 4, 2012. Pakistan confirmed that it had decided to reopen vital NATO supply routes into Afghanistan which have been closed since November, a government spokesman said. The official announcement came after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Pakistan was re-opening the roads and that the United States was 'sorry' for losses suffered by the Pakistani military in November. The supply routes have been shut since November when an American aircraft mistakenly killed 24 Pakistan soldiers, aggravating already difficult relations between Washington and Islamabad.

Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, right, shakes hand with his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani before the start of delegation level talks in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, July 4, 2012. Officials from India and Pakistan have started another round of peace talks after the recent arrest of a key suspect in the terror attack on India s financial capital four years ago.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani (2R) and Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai (L) take part in delegation level talks in New Delhi on July 4, 2012. Top Indian and Pakistani foreign ministry officials have met to bolster a fragile peace dialogue undermined by fresh tensions over the 2008 Mumbai attacks and political flux in Pakistan. New Delhi suspended a four-year peace process with Islamabad after the attacks on India's financial capital by 10 Islamist gunmen that left 166 people dead.

In this picture released by the Iranian Fars News Agency, a surface-to-surface missile is launched during the Iranian Revolutionary Guards maneuver in an undisclosed location in Iran, Tuesday, July 3, 2012. Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards test fired several ballistic missiles on Tuesday, including a long-range variety capable of hitting U.S. bases in the region as well as Israel, Iranian media reported.

In this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), a surface-to-surface missile is launched during the Iranian Revolutionary Guards maneuver in an undisclosed location in Iran, Tuesday, July 3, 2012. Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards test fired several ballistic missiles on Tuesday, including a long-range variety capable of hitting U.S. bases in the region as well as Israel, Iranian media reported.

[socom6]

Happy 4th of July to my American friends!

[muck]

I'll second that - Happy Independence Day!

And nice pictures today.

[m4rs75]

An aerial view of an oil exploration site in Bulisa district, approximately 244 km (152 miles) northwest of Kampala in this undated handout photo from Tullow Oil Uganda, received by ******* July 4, 2012. Canada's Africa Oil said on Wednesday it has found an additional 43 metres of potential oil pay in its Ngamia-1 well in northern Kenya where the east African country announced its first oil discovery in March. The Ngamia-1 well in Kenya Block 10BB, which is operated by Africa Oil's partner Tullow, was drilled to a depth of 2,340 metres and will now be suspended for future flow testing. The commercial viability of the find has yet to be ascertained.

An aerial view of an oil exploration site in Bulisa district, approximately 244 km (152 miles) northwest of Kampala in this undated handout photo from Tullow Oil Uganda, received by ******* July 4, 2012. Canada's Africa Oil said on Wednesday it has found an additional 43 metres of potential oil pay in its Ngamia-1 well in northern Kenya where the east African country announced its first oil discovery in March. The Ngamia-1 well in Kenya Block 10BB, which is operated by Africa Oil's partner Tullow, was drilled to a depth of 2,340 metres and will now be suspended for future flow testing. The commercial viability of the find has yet to be ascertained.

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Major General (Rtd) Scott Gration (R) and his wife Judy (C) stand next to Kenya's Agriculture Minister Sally Kosgei below a giant U.S. flag as they sing the national anthem during the U.S. Independence Day celebrations in Nairobi, July 4, 2012.

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Major General (Rtd) Scott Gration (L) talks to Auma Obama, half-sister of U.S. President Barack Obama, during the U.S. Independence Day celebrations in Kenya's capital Nairobi, July 4, 2012.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: US President Barack Obama steps off Marine One at Ft McNair July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. On this Independence Day President Obama will attend a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members and host a 4th of July celebration picnic on the South Lawn.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: U.S. President Barack Obama talks with Commander of US Army Military District of Washington Major General Michael S. Linnington, as he steps off Marine One at Ft McNair July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. On this Independence Day President Obama will attend a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members and host a 4th of July celebration picnic on the South Lawn.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: US President Barack Obama talks with Commander of US Army Military District of Washington Major General Michael S. Linnington, as he steps off Marine One at Ft McNair July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. On this Independence Day President Obama will attend a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members and host a 4th of July celebration picnic on the South Lawn.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: Active duty service members take the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony in the East Room of the White House July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed the new citizens on America's 236th Independence Day.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: U.S. President Barack Obama looks on as Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano (unseen) delivers the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. Obama welcomed the new citizens on America's 236th Independence Day.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: U.S. President Barack Obama looks on as Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano delivers the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. Obama welcomed the new citizens on America's 236th Independence Day.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: U.S. President Barack Obama applauds after Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano delivered the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. Obama welcomed the new citizens on America's 236th Independence Day.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: USMC Lance Cpl. Byron Acevedo leads U.S. President Barack Obama (L), Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas and other guests in the Pledge of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House July 4, 2012, in Washington, DC. Obama welcomed the new citizens on America's 236th Independence Day.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: U.S. President Barack Obama embraces USMC Lance Cpl. Byron Acevedo during a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. Obama welcomed the new citizens on America's 236th Independence Day.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 4: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) shakes hands with newly sworn-in U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House July 4, 2012 in Washington, DC. Obama welcomed the new citizens on America's 236th Independence Day.

[Dave76]

Somali children stand next to a Transitional Federal Government (TFG) soldier in Balad, Middle Shebelle region of Somalia, on July 3, 2012. Situated 30kms north of Mogadishu, Balad is an area rich in farmland and reports have circulated of terrorist group Al-Shebab extorting money from the town's farmers. TFG and African Union (AU) troops took control of the town forcing out Al-Shebab fighters on June 26, 2012. Balad is a key strategic town connecting Mogadishu to central Somalia regions as well as Puntland regions. Balad is 50kms from Jowhar, the provincial town of Middle Shabelle region. AFP PHOTO/ Mohamed Abdiwahab

An African Union (AU) soldier patrols in front of their military base in the lower Shabelle region, outside Somalia's capital Mogadishu July 3, 2012. *******/Feisal Omar

African Union (AU) soldiers walk past a woman selling fruits as they patrol in front of their military base in the lower Shabelle region, outside Somalia's capital Mogadishu July 3, 2012. *******/Feisal Omar

Pakistani border guards check private trucks en-route to neighboring Afghanistan, in the Pakistani tribal area of Khyber, Wednesday, July 4,2012. Trucks carrying NATO troop supplies are set to resume shipments to Afghanistan on Wednesday following a deal between the U.S. and Pakistan that ended Islamabad's seven-month blockade. (AP Photo/Qazi Rauf)

Two Blackhawk helicopters from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade load passengers to take away from Combat Outpost Nangalam in the Pech River Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province July 3, 2012. *******/Lucas Jackson

Private First Class Ronnie Berryman from 4th Platoon, Daggery Company of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment sits with Captain Katie Kopp as he pets therapy dog Hank during Hank's visit to Combat Outpost Nangalam in the Pech River Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province July 3, 2012. Hank is the only Boston Terrier therapy dog deployed in this region to interact with soldiers as a stress relief. *******/Lucas Jackson

An Afghan National Army soldier talks with Captain Katie Kopp from 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division as she holds therapy dog Hank during Hank's visit to Combat Outpost Nangalam in the Pech River Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province July 3, 2012. Hank is the only Boston Terrier therapy dog deployed in this region to interact with soldiers as a stress relief. *******/Lucas Jackson

Private First Class Ronnie Berryman from 4th Platoon, Daggery Company of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment laughs as he grabs his meal from therapy dog Hank during Hank's visit to Combat Outpost Nangalam in the Pech River Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province July 3, 2012. Hank is the only Boston Terrier therapy dog deployed in this region to interact with soldiers as a stress relief. *******/Lucas Jackson

Sergeant Edward Jackson from 4th Platoon, Daggery Company of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment pets therapy dog Hank during Hank's visit to Combat Outpost Nangalam in the Pech River Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province July 3, 2012. Hank is the only Boston Terrier therapy dog deployed in this region to interact with soldiers as a stress relief. *******/Lucas Jackson

Captain Katie Kopp from 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division talks to therapy dog Hank during Hank's visit to Combat Outpost Nangalam in the Pech River Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province July 3, 2012. Hank is the only Boston Terrier therapy dog deployed in this region to interact with soldiers as a stress relief. *******/Lucas Jackson

Captain Katie Kopp from 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division walks therapy dog Hank back to their room during Hank's visit to Combat Outpost Nangalam in the Pech River Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province July 3, 2012. Hank is the only Boston Terrier therapy dog deployed in this region to interact with soldiers as a stress relief. *******/Lucas Jackson

Therapy dog Hank pants in the evening heat during a visit to Combat Outpost Nangalam in the Pech River Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province July 3, 2012. Hank is the only Boston Terrier therapy dog deployed in this region to interact with soldiers as a stress relief. *******/Lucas Jackson

Sergeant Eric Frederickson (R) from the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division looks at a package he received from a night time helicopter drop at Combat Outpost Nangalam in the Pech River Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province July 3, 2012. *******/Lucas Jackson

Members of rebel group Khaled ibin al Walid Fighters pose with their weapons at the frontline fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces at Hamidiyeh district in the central city of Homs July 1, 2012. Picture taken July 1, 2012. *******/Yazen Homsy

Russian space agency rescue team members carry U.S. astronaut Donald Pettit (C) shortly after the landing of the Russian Soyuz TMA-03M space capsule, about 150 km south-east of the Kazakh town of Dzhezkazgan on July 1, 2012. The Soyuz capsule, which carried U.S. astronaut Donald Pettit, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, and Netherlands' astronaut Andre Kuipers safely returned to Earth on July 1 after a half-year stint on the international space station, with a landing on the Kazakh steppe. AFP PHOTO / POOL / MIKHAIL METZEL

[flanker7]

Hm, Lilly is fine!

[Token White Guy]

Hm, Lilly is fine!

Lilly has a fantastic bum. Yummy.

[CreepingDeath]

Hm, Lilly is fine!

x2. especially in that tight red dress.

[bd popeye]

Excellent pix posted today!

Happy Fouth of July




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BOSTON (JULY 3, 2012) A Boston police officer rides his duty motorcycle across the brow of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during Boston Navy Week 2012. Boston Navy Week is one of 15 signature events planned across America in 2012. The eight-day event commemorates the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, hosting service members from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and coalition ships from around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kenneth Robinson/Released)

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 30, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), left, the Military Sealift Command fleet-replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) conduct an underway replenishment at sea. Eisenhower and Winston S. Churchill are on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Jamieson/Released)

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SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 4, 2012) Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class John Van Ells and other Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) participates in a visit, board, search and seizure drill while at sea. McCampbell is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Declan Barnes/Released)

[hogdriver]

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Weapons loaders assigned to the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, prepare to load munitions on an F-16 with the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 3, 2012. Members of the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., are deployed to KAF in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Swamp Fox F-16’s, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment early April to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

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Weapons loaders assigned to the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, prepare to load munitions on an F-16 with the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 3, 2012. Members of the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., are deployed to KAF in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Swamp Fox F-16’s, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment early April to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

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Staff Sgt. Michael Stockslager, a weapons loader with the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, guides Senior Airman Doug Meadows on a jammer while they load munitions on an F-16 on July 3, 2012. Members of the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., are deployed to KAF in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Swamp Fox F-16’s, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment early April to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

Hires

Lt. Col. Brian “Dieter” Tenbrunsel, an F-16 pilot with the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron currently assigned to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, runs through a pre-flight inspection before a day-time mission over Afghanistan, July 4, 2012. Members of the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., are deployed to KAF in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Swamp Fox F-16’s, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment early April to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

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A crew chief with the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron checks the engine on an F-16 with the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

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Lt. Col. Brian “Dieter” Tenbrunsel, an F-16 pilot with the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron currently assigned to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, runs through a pre-flight checklist in an F-16 before a day-time mission over Afghanistan, July 4, 2012. Members of the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., are deployed to KAF in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Swamp Fox F-16’s, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment early April to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

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An F-16 with the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, flown by Maj. Stephen “Boards” Kaminski, takes off at Kandahar Airfield for a daytime mission over Afghanistan July 1, 2012. Personnel are deployed from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Swamp Fox F-16s, pilots, and support personnel began their air expeditionary force deployment in early April to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

[Lerch]

x2. especially in that tight red dress.

Guaranteed every service member present thought the same