Weekend Photos 29th and 30th December 2012

[vor033]

Electronic attack squadron flight operations

An EA-18G "Growler" from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 lands on the runway of Misawa Air Base after returning from a flight. VAQ-132 is currently on a six-month deployment at Naval Air Facility Misawa in support of U.S. 7th Fleet

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Alfredo Rosado, from Chicago, and assigned to Patrol Squdaron (VP) 10, paints a mural in the squadron's hangar at Naval Air Facility Misawa in northern Japan. VP-10 recently began a six-month deployment at NAF Misawa in support of U.S. 7th Fleet.

Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Kenia Palacio, from El Paso, Texas, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132's Line Division, signals to the aircrew of an EA-18G "Growler" as it taxis off the flight line at Naval Air Facility Misawa. VAQ-132 is currently on a six-month deployment at NAF Misawa in support of U.S. 7th Fleet.

Avionics Technician 3rd Class Samantha Davis, from Warsaw, Ind., assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132's Line Division, stands at parade rest as an EA-18G "Growler" powers down after returning from a flight at Naval Air Facility Misawa. VAQ-132 is currently on a six-month deployment at NAF Misawa in support of U.S. 7th Fleet

Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Kenia Palacio, from El Paso, Texas, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132's Line Division, signals to the aircrew of an EA-18G "Growler" as it taxis off the flight line at Naval Air Facility Misawa. VAQ-132 is currently on a six-month deployment at NAF Misawa in support of U.S. 7th Fleet.

[vor033]

light Lt. Daniel Shaw, a Royal Air Force/United States Marine Corps Pilot Exchange officer with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and a London, native, checks the inside of ordnance for discrepancies before a training flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec. 20. As a pilot with the British Royal Air Force, Shaw must learn to fly the F/A-18 Hornet as well as learn the strategies of the Marine Corps.

Flight Lt. Daniel Shaw, a Royal Air Force/United States Marine Corps Pilot Exchange officer with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and a London, native, walks to his aircraft before a flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec.20. Shaw is one of about a dozen service members of the British Royal Air Force who are currently training with U.S. armed forces.

Flight Lt. Daniel Shaw, a Royal Air Force/United States Marine Corps Pilot Exchange officer with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and a London, native, checks flight data that is kept in a binder before a flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec. 20. Shaw is training in the United States as part of a three year exchange program to learn how to support ground troops in an F/A-18 Hornet.

Flight Lt. Daniel Shaw, a Royal Air Force/United States Marine Corps Pilot Exchange officer with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and a London, native, prepares for a flight Dec. 20. Shaw, who is in the British Royal Air Force, is training to fly the F/A-18 Hornet while learning the tactics of the Marine Corps as part of the program.

Flight Lt. Daniel Shaw, a Royal Air Force/United States Marine Corps Pilot Exchange officer with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and a London, native, straps in before a training flight in an F/A-18 Hornet for a training flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec. 20. Shaw is one of approximately a dozen service members of the British Royal Air Force who are currently training with U.S. armed forces.

[vor033]

Snipers from around the globe gather to Fort Bragg, North Carolina to hone their skills and compete against each other to find out who is the best of the best in this tightly knit community. 12.26.2012

[vor033]

U.S. Army Spc. Thaxal Potter, a security force team member for Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, provides security during a mission in Farah City, Dec. 26.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Louis McCray, right, commanding officer, Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, chats with U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Ryan Schulte, left, before a mission in Farah City, Dec. 26.

U.S. Army Spc. Thaxal Potter, left, a security force team member for Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, catches a round while buddy clearing Sgt. Calixto Inot's weapon following a mission in Farah City, Dec. 19.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Sal Somoza, security force platoon sergeant for Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, pulls security outside the Provincial Governor's compound in Farah City, Dec. 19.

U.S. Army Spc. Thaxal Potter, a security force team member for Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, stands-by prior to a mission to Farah City, Dec. 19.

U.S. Army Sgt. Calixto Inot, a security force team member for Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, preps for a a mission in Farah City, Dec. 19.

U.S. soldiers, serving with 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, look over an area in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Dec. 12, 2012.

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Newly arrived Belgian, German and Hungarian ISAF Soldiers serving in Afghanistan with the Kunduz MAT Bde, undergoing training prior to deploying on operations – 28^th December 2012

[vor033]

Czech Soldiers form the 71. Mechanizovaného Praporu (71st mechanized battalion) Part of the Czech 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade and is training for deployment to Afghanistan as part of the Czech combat maneuver element. The CME is preparing for their mission in Afghanistan by focused training on basic activities for dealing with a combat situation - the decision-making process for commanders, performance of operational tasks, combat orders and responding to improvised explosive systems. 3rd December 2012

[vor033]

Images taken on patrol with Bravo Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines,in the vacinity of Torghai, Narh-e-Saraj, Central Helmand, Afghanistan on the 14 and 15 Dec 12. The patrol was conducted to disrupt insurgent activity in the surrounding area.

All Photos: LA(Phot) Rhys O'Leary, 40 Commando Royal Marines Unit Photographer - Crown Copyright 2012

[Arg]

A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels an F-15 Eagle during a training sortie. The 909th Air Refueling Squadron provides combat ready KC-135 tanker aircrews to support peacetime operations in all levels of conflict in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tyler Prince)

[vor033]

Australian soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group conduct a range practise in Uruzgan province, southern Afghanistan.

Australian soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group conduct a range practise in Uruzgan province, southern Afghanistan.

Australian soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group conduct a range practise in Uruzgan province, southern Afghanistan.

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Australian soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group prepare to board a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Multi-National Base – Tarin Kot, Uruzgan province, southern Afghanistan, as they head out on another mission.

Australian soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group board a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter after a mission in Uruzgan province, southern Afghanistan.

A U.S. Army helicopter overflies Australian Special Operations Task Group and Afghan National Security Force elements during a cordon and search mission in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan.

A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter prepares to land on a hillside to extract Afghan National Security Force and Australian Special Operations Task Group elements after completing a clearance of a cave system in Uruzgan province, southern Afghanistan.

An Australian soldier from the Special Operations Task Group watches for insurgent activity during a mission in Uruzgan province, southern Afghanistan.

Two Australian soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group take cover during a mission in Uruzgan province, southern Afghanistan.

An Australian soldier from the Special Operations Task Group provides security for Afghan and Australian personnel preparing to board a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter after a counter-narcotics mission in Uruzgan province, southern Afghanistan.

Australian soldiers from the Special Operations Task Group monitor activity from an overwatch position as force elements clear a compound nearby, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.

An Australian special forces soldier walks ahead of his Afghan National Security Force and Australian Special Operations Task Group comrades after a mission in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.

[droopy]

Thanks for sharing.

[Simon-wales]

Some great images.

[wildheart]

Interesting flag 'mod'. Must be a Republican Great pics as ever Gents.

[AnoSynum]

Interesting flag 'mod'. Must be a Republican Great pics as ever Gents.

Interesting helmet, too. Crye Airframe. You don't see those all that often.

[dlat83]

Very outstanding pictures today. Thanks for posting!!