Weekend Photos 18th and 19th August 2012

[vor033]

U.S. Marines Tackle Water Obstacle Course in Djibouti

U.S. Marines set up a water obstacle course on Arta Beach in Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2012. The Marines are assigned to the 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The French 5th Marine Regiment hosted the event.

U.S. Marines navigate through a water obstacle course on Arta Beach in Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2012. U.S.

U.S. Marine Cpl.'s Travis Bryant, front, and John Kelley, back, navigate through a water obstacle course on Arta Beach in Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2012

U.S. Marines help each other navigate through a water obstacle course on Arta Beach in Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2012.

U.S. Marines navigate through a water obstacle course on Arta Beach in Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2012. U.S.

U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Richard Mostoller leaps from an obstacle during a water obstacle course on Arta Beach in Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2012.

[vor033]

One of the Royal Australian Air Force's transport workhorses, the C-130H Hercules, took part in its final major tactical exercises as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2012. After a career spanning three decades with Air Force, the No. 37 Squadron C-130H evaded enemy fighters and ground threats while picking up No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team personnel and their quad bikes from Nackaroo Airstrip during a mission at Exercise Pitch Black 2012. Exercise Pitch Black 2012 aims to enhance the interoperability between participating nations as they combine forces in the premier air combat exercise in the region.

No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team (4SQN CCT) members prepare to load their quad bikes onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team (4SQN CCT) members prepare to load their quad bikes onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team (4SQN CCT) members prepare to load their quad bikes onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team (4SQN CCT) member prepares to load his quad bikes onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team (4SQN CCT) member loads a quad bikes onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team (4SQN CCT) member lon board a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team (4SQN CCT) member loads a quad bikes onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team (4SQN CCT) member loads a quad bikes onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Team (4SQN CCT) member stands behind a C-130H Hercules aircraft.

[vor033]

The Australian Army's domestic counter-terrorism response unit, the Tactical Assault Group East (TAG-E), supported by elements of the Australian Defence Force and several Victorian and Federal Government authorities, conducts maritime counter-terrorism and emergency response scenario training around Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, between 27 July and 12 August 2012.

Tactical Assault Group East soldiers make preparations for an early morning Maritime Counter Terrorist exercise in Port Philip Bay, Victoria.

Tactical Assault Group East soldiers make preparations for an early morning Maritime Counter Terrorist exercise in Port Philip Bay, Victoria.

Tactical Assault Group East soldiers make preparations for an early morning Maritime Counter Terrorist exercise in Port Philip Bay, Victoria.

A Black Hawk is towed into position and Tactical Assault Group - East personnel prepare their equipment during an early morning exercise call out.

Black Hawk helicopter crews wait for orders to fly in support of a Maritime Counter Terrorist exercise in Victoria.

Tactical Assault Group - East soldiers prepare equipment for an early morning Maritime Counter Terrorist exercise scenario.

Tactical Assault Group - East soldiers make preparations for an early morning Maritime Counter Terrorist exercise in Port Philip Bay, Victoria.

A Black Hawk is towed into position and Tactical Assault Group - East personnel prepare their equipment during an early morning exercise call out.

Black Hawk helicopter crews wait for orders to fly in support of a Maritime Counter Terrorist exercise in Victoria.

Tactical Assault Group East personnel fast-rope from Black Hawk helicopters onto HMAS Tobruk during a Maritime Counter Terrorist exercise in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria.

[vor033]

The Australian Army's Special Operations Command has successfully completed maritime counter-terrorism and emergency response scenario training around Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay, Victoria

[vor033]

In preparation for the annual international contest the Cambrian Patrol being held in October in Wales - Men from 17 Armored Infantry Battalion’s reconnaissance platoon was training in the mountainous terrain of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Germany, including skills such as abseiling and tactical water crossing and various tactical scenarios – 14^th August 2012

[vor033]

Police Special Task Force vehicle drive through Lonmin mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Friday, Aug. 17, 2012.

Police officers look at protesting miners near a platinum mine in Marikana on August 16, 2012.

A policeman runs from teargas after police opened fire on striking miners at the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012.

Policemen in teargas and dust open fire on striking miners at the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012.

Police open fire on striking miners at the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012.

Striking mineworkers throw stones as police open fire on striking miners at the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012.

Police keep watch as striking miners gather outside a South African mine in Rustenburg, 100 km (62 miles) northwest of Johannesburg, August 15, 2012.

Armed policemen keep an eye on protesting women at the Lonmin mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Friday Aug. 17, 2012

Women protest against the police near the scene of the shooting of miners Thursday at the Lonmin mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Friday, Aug. 17, 2012.

A South African police officer walks across open field at the Lonmin mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Friday, Aug. 17, 2012.

[vor033]

Georgian army soldiers from the 32nd Light Infantry Battalion assist a simulated casualty into a LUH-72 Lakota helicopter during a mission rehearsal exercise (MRE) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Aug. 13, 2012.

Georgian army soldiers from the 32nd Light Infantry Battalion evacuate a casualty to a LUH-72 Lakota helicopter during a mission rehearsal exercise (MRE) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Aug. 13, 2012.

Georgian army soldiers from the 32nd Light Infantry Battalion talk to a local civilian during a mission rehearsal exercise (MRE) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Aug. 13, 2012.

Georgian army soldiers from the 32nd Light Infantry Battalion evaluate a simulated casualty during a mission rehearsal exercise (MRE) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Aug. 13, 2012.

[vor033]

Marines with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012. Approximately 150 Marines are visiting the Combat Center from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. as part of their Tactical Small Unit Leaders Course.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

Lance Cpl. Thomas Overzet, rifleman, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

Lance Cpl. Petaluma Overzet, team leader, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conducts buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct buddy rushes on Range 105 Aug. 14, 2012.

[gastrion]

An F-35A's first flight:

[vor033]

Belgian Soldiers serving with ISAF-MAT 12/06 (Military Advisor Team) – This detachment is responsible for training the Afghan military brigade level, and also operates in Kunduz - ISAF-MAT 12/06 is composed of soldiers from the Headquarters of the Brigade Medium Leopoldsburg - 17^th August 2012

[vor033]

Belgian Snipers serving with Md Bn 1/3L - Bataillon Médian 1/3 Lanciers (Marche-en-Famenne):On the range during a training exercise at Camp de Lagland (Arlon), August 2012

[wuxing]

What kind of shoes are they wearing and why?

---

Here's my small contribution



Bulgarian Air Force with Eurocopter AS532 Cougar from Krumovo airbase trains for evacuation of civilians at peak Malka Kamenitsa, Pirin mountain, Bulgaria.

[DID]

Nice pics today ( I like the belgium army pictures, they have nice equipment).

[sgtfcm]

What kind of shoes are they wearing and why?

Vibram Fivefingers

[hogdriver]

HiRes

Maintainers with the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron work on a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II during phase maintenance at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, August 8, 2012. While deployed, USAF aircraft endure increased flight hours and more combat maneuvers, which increases the need for routine maintenance and inspections. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Capt. Raymond Geoffroy)