Todays Photos - Tuesday 11th June 2013

[vor033]

Sailors prep for T-45C Goshawk launch

Lt. Thomas Doran, from Whiteford, Md., signals to a pilot of a T-45C Goshawk as it launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is conducting training operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailors prepare to launch a T-45C Goshawk from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is conducting training operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

[vor033]

Deep in the heart of the Bavarian countryside more than 2000 troops and 750 vehicles from 20th Armoured Brigade have spent the past month preparing for the range of scenarios likely to be faced in future conflicts.
MOD/Crown copyright - Images by Cpl Wes Calder RLC (phot)

A British Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT) live firing in Grafenwöhr (Germany)

A British Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT) live firing in Grafenwöhr (Germany)

A British Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting vehicle patrolling down the live firing range in Grafenwöhr (Germany)

The AS90 self-propelled gun with its 155mm shells in the fore ground.

A combination of British Challenger 2 Main battle Tanks(MBT) and the Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles on the live firing range at Grafenwöhr (Germany).

Soldiers from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG) Battle Group (BG) disembark a German CH-53G Stallion Helicopter.

Soldiers from B Company 2 Riles conduct house clearing through a village.

A soldier from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG) Battle Group (BG) moves to a firing position.

Soldiers from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG) Battle Group (BG) on a foot patrol.

A Javelin fire team from The 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (1PWRR).

A General Purpose Machine Gunner(GPMG) from The 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (1PWRR).

British Apache Attach Helicopter provides Close Air Support to the troops on the ground.

[~UNiOnJaCk~]

Stunning pics Vor!!! One slight thing however the fire team pictured is actually using a 'MBT LAW' AKA 'NLAW' as opposed to a 'Javelin' if im not much mistaken

[vor033]

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Edwin Ramos with Green 3 Security Force Advisory Team, 10th Mountain Division, holds his M9 pistol at the pistol-ready position while facing down range on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Sgt. 1st Class Ramos is preparing to move forward and fire for qualification.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class William Slayden with Green 0 Security Force Advisory Team, 10th Mountain Division, fires his M9 pistol down range on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Sgt. 1st Class Slayden assumed the standing firing position for weapons qualification.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class William Slayden with Green 0 Security Force Advisory Team, 10th Mountain Division, fires his M9 pistol down range on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Sgt. 1st Class Slayden assumed the standing firing position for weapons qualification.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Chad Hart with Green 0 Security Force Advisory Team, 10th Mountain Division, loads his M9 pistol on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Staff Sgt. Hart prepares to fire his M9 pistol down rage for qualification and training requirements.

U.S. Staff Sgt. Chad Hart with Green 0 Security Force Advisory Team, 10th Mountain Division, fires his M4 carbine down range on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Staff Sgt. Hart assumed the standing firing position for qualification.

U.S. Army Capt. Kristopher Melton with 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, aims his M4 carbine down range on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Capt. Melton is battle zeroing his rifle.

U.S. Army Capt. Kristopher Melton with 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, aims his M4 carbine down range on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Capt. Melton is battle zeroing his rifle.

U.S. Army Capt. Kristopher Melton with 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, adjusts the sandbags to provide a comfortable ****e supported position on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Capt. Melton is preparing to battle zero his M4 carbine.

U.S. Army Capt. Donald Thering with Green 0 Security Force Advisory Team, 10th Mountain Division, observes his first shot group on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Capt. Thering is battle zeroing his M4 carbine.

U.S. Army Capt. Mathew Hennan, Green 0 Security Force Advisory Team executive officer, 10th Mountain Division prepares to engage his target from the ****e unsupported position at the range on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Capt. Henaan is battle zeroing his M4 carbine.

U.S. Army Capt. Mathew Hennan, Green 0 Security Force Advisory Team executive officer, 10th Mountain Division, prepares to engage his target from the ****e unsupported position at the range on Khair Kot Garrison, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. Capt. Henaan is battle zeroing his M4 carbine.

[vor033]

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments.

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The Soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments

A cavalry scout with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, scans the horizon for enemy combatants during a route clearance patrol at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers of Alpha Troop are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments.

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments.

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments.

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments.

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments.

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments.

Cavalry Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-297th Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron, Alaska Army National Guard, conduct route clearance patrols at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10. The soldiers are at the training site for their annual training, where they are given the opportunity to enhance their skillsets for future deployments.

[hogdriver]

HiRes

An F-35A conventional take-off and landing aircraft completed the first in-flight missile launch of an AIM-120 over the Point Mugu Sea test range on June 5, 2013. (Courtesy F-35 Program Office)

[ZiggyMac]

...damn, what an absolute beast!!!

[vor033]

Soldiers with Afghan National Security Forces alongside U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, provide security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd class Cameron Kirk, a hospital corpsman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, exits a CH-53E Supper Stallion during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

Soldiers with Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, conduct Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

Soldiers with Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, conduct Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Gravers with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, directs Cane, a military working dog, during during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Gravers with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, scans the area during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dillion Hertweck, a radio operator with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Skylar Barrowman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7 provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

Soldiers with Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, conduct a patrol during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

Soldiers with Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, conduct a patrol during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

Soldiers with Afghan National Security Forces conduct a patrol during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

A Soldier with Afghan National Security Forces provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

A Soldier with Afghan National Security Forces provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Derek Turner, a squad leader with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, searches a compound during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

A U.S. Marine with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

A U.S. Marine with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7 provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

Soldiers with Afghan National Security Forces conduct a patrol during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Skylar Barrowman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7 provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, patrol through a village during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, patrol through a village during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd class Branden Johnson, a hospital corpsman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Evan Keel, a platoon commander with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Derek Turner, a squad leader with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, scans the area during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael Fox, a forward air controller with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, talks over the radio during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dillion Hertweck, a radio operator with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, provides security during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

A Soldier with Afghan National Security Forces provides security during a Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd class Cameron Kirk, a hospital corpsman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), Regimental Combat Team 7, conducts a patrol during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad, Afghanistan, June 6, 2013. Operation Nightmare was a clearing operation led by Afghan National Security Forces and supported by the Marines of 2/8

[hardmack]

Great Thumbs over... Apparently this SFC has never experienced the joys of slide bite or broken thumbs... #SENIORNCOSHOULDKNOWBETTER