Today's Pics! Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

[Jocker_89]

Afghanistan, 01.12.2008: Information action for inhabitants of Ghazni province

Afghanistan, 01.12.2008: Operation „ROXANA” held by Polish soldiers

Afghanistan, 22.11.2008: National Afghan Army supported by soldiers from Bravo Team made a search of village where one person was suspected for cooperation with Talibans from Fazatullah

A military helicopter transporting soldiers and engineers prepares to land near the Tangjiashan quake lake area at earthquake-hit Beichuan, Sichuan province, May 27, 2008. China has evacuated more than 150,000 people living below a swollen lake formed by this month's devastating earthquake amid fears it could burst and trigger massive flooding, state media said on Wednesday. The Tangjiashan lake was created when landslides caused by the May 12 earthquake blocked the Jianjiang river above the town and county of Beichuan in mountainous Sichuan province, near the epicentre of China's most destructive earthquake in decades.

Ultra Orthodox Jews stand in front of coffins with the remains of Israelis killed by armed militants in Nariman House in Mumbai, during a ceremony at a military aiport near Tel Aviv December 2, 2008.

Israeli air force officers carry a coffin with the remains of one of the Israelis killed by armed militants in Nariman House in Mumbai, during a ceremony at a military aiport near Tel Aviv December 2, 2008.

Israeli air force officers carry a coffin with the remains of one of the Israelis killed by armed militants in Nariman House in Mumbai, during a ceremony at a military airport near Tel Aviv December 2, 2008.

R.I.P

Miami-Dade police officers stand in front of a store at Dadeland Mall in Miami, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesman Lt. Eddy Ballester says one person was transported to the hospital by helicopter with reported gunshot wounds.

Palestinian Hamas police march during training through the streets of Gaza City on December 1, 2008. Israel kept all of its border crossings with the Gaza Strip sealed today in response to persistent fire by militants in the Hamas-ruled territory.

[Supplanter]

No captions for the Combat Camera pics.

www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca Hires


www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca Hires


www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca Hires

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Crane, AM, CSM, RAN, inspects the new Disruptive Pattern Navy Uniform (DPNU) that will be issued to the Royal Australian Navy. www.defence.gov.au Hires

The new Disruptive Pattern Navy Uniform (DPNU) that will be issued to the Royal Australian Navy. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Skeen West , Able Seaman Marine Technician Jeff Weller and Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Beau Harris take a look at the new Disruptive Pattern Navy Uniform (DPNU). www.defence.gov.au Hires

Petty Officer Boatswain Callum Blake, starts work in the new Disruptive Pattern Navy Uniform (DPNU). www.defence.gov.au Hires

Squadron Leader Jason Collyer from Canberra stands on the balcony of the Al Faw Palace, overlooking the Australian Headquarters. Squadron Leader Collyer is an Embed working along side coalition forces at Camp Victory, Baghdad Iraq. www.defence.gov.au Hires

(L-R) Majors Michael Bye from Carlton, NSW and Mic Doyle from Coogee, NSW stand upon the grand staircase of the Al Faw Palace in Camp Victory, Bahgdad Iraq. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Corporal Paul Gibson, 38, from Ellendale TAS, boxes up a Christmas gift for his wife as Corporal Natalie Dudman, 38, from Maryborough QLD, the postie within Baghdad helps ensure it safely gets back to Australia in time for Christmas. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Petty Officer Dave Connolly from Canberra ACT, a Senior Image Specialist from 1 Joint Public Affairs Unit, records Christmas messages to send back home from the troops at Camp Victory Baghdad, Iraq. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Left to right: Petty Officer Jayson Goodrick, 33, and Sergent Ben Maxwell both from Ulverstone TAS, reunited on Operation CATALYST from their school days while both are deployed with Force Level Logistic Asset Baghdad. www.defence.gov.au Hires

President of East Timor, Dr Jose Ramos Horta begins his inspection of the Military, Security, Police and Fire services on parade. www.defence.gov.au Hires

The national flag of East Timor is raised. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Traditionally dressed warriors led the parade of East Timor's Security Forces, as the crowds watched on. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Soldiers of the East Timor Defence Force (F-FDTL) display the Falintil banner. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Chief of the East Timor Defence Force (F-FDTL) Brigadier General Taur Matan Rouk; Interim Commander of the National Police East Timor (PNTL), Aonso De Jesus and Commander International Stabilisation Force East Timor, Brigadier Mark Holmes. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Left to right: 1 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Michael Krause; Timor Leste Battle Group V Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jake Elwood; Regimental Sergent Major Battle Group V, Warrant Officer Class 1, Craig Howe; Commander 1 Division, General Richard Wilson; HQ 1 Div RSM, WO 1 Wayne Giddings; and 1 Brigade RSM, WO1 Donald Spinx. www.defence.gov.au Hires

General Richard Wilson addresses the soldiers at the Forward Operating Base Chauvel, praising them for the job they are doing in East Timor. www.defence.gov.au Hires

A Troop in a Australian Light Armoured Vehicle from SECDET IVX drive through Camp Victory on route to the International Zone after a day of tasks from Australian Headquarters 633, Baghdad, Iraq. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Members of the Australian Headquarters in Baghdad proudly display their new hand crafted pens, kindly donated by Amos De Pasquale of Wooden Ink, Western Australia. www.defence.gov.au Hires

(L-R) Corporal Ben Candy, Captain Ed Stokes, Major Guy Bernard, Sergeant Mel Price and Flight Sergeant Linda Brown take turns reading Christmas postcards sent from the residents of Manning NSW. The postcards included many school children who took the time to wish the men and women serving overseas a very safe and merry Christmas. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Corporal Mark Jennings aged 37 of Kambolder WA, looks closely at the many pieces of building art around Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq while on deployment as a Signaller. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Major Guy Barnard tests his skills at golf with Christmas spirit during a quick break between duties at the Australian National Headquarters, Baghdad, Iraq. www.defence.gov.au Hires

Un char Leclerc français de la FINUL. www.defense.gouv.fr/ema

Revue des troupes. www.defense.gouv.fr/ema

Le Nivôse accompagne le vraquier Senorita. www.defense.gouv.fr/ema

Préparation du Panther pour une mission de surveillance maritime. www.defense.gouv.fr/ema

Patrouille du Panther au dessus du convoi. www.defense.gouv.fr/ema

Liaison logistique du Nivôse vers le Senorita. www.defense.gouv.fr/ema

Les marins du Nivôse assurent une veille permanente. www.defense.gouv.fr/ema

SAN DIEGO -- BM2 Aaron Insko enjoys time with his family during the Coast Guard Port Security Unit's family day on Sunday. The Families and members of PSU311 gathered at Coast Guard Air Station San Diego for a picnic prior to their deployment. Photo by Tina M. Epperson Hires

In this image released by the Coast Guard, a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Tillamook Bay, Ore., and an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria, Ore., search the waters near Tilamook for two men who fell overboard when the 42-foot crab boat Network capsized Friday, November 28, 2008. (U.S. Coast Guard/Air Station Astoria) Hires

President-elect Barack Obama has called for an increase in troops in Afghanistan, but military experts caution that reinforcements are unlikely to lead to the sort of rapid turnaround that occurred after the troop surge in Iraq.
Left, a joint foot patrol between Afghan and American troops to clear a mountain ridge near the Pakistani border. Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

U.S. soldiers responded to insurgent mortar and small-arms fire with their own mortar barrage in October.
"Afghanistan may be the 'good war,' but it is also the harder war," said David J. Kilcullen, a former officer in the Australian Army who recently left his job as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's senior adviser on counterinsurgency issues. Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

Viewed through night-vision equipment, American soldiers unloaded supplies in the dark from a Chinook helicopter in October at an Army combat outpost in northeastern Afghanistan. Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

The story and the rest of the pics http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/wo...ref=multimedia

Members of the Philippine National Police wear Santa Claus hats during the launch of the "Santa Cop 2008" initiative outside a mall in Manila December 2, 2008. Around 200 policemen wearing Santa Claus hats will be deployed from Tuesday in malls and other crowded areas to enhance the visibility of their patrols and crime prevention efforts during the holiday season, a police officer said. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

NATO military vehicles patrol a newly opened bridge at Bala Morghab, Badghis province in Afghanistan November 30, 2008. Building bridges in Afghanistan requires more than bricks-and-mortar. It requires deft diplomacy and an appreciation of tribal politics, especially if the bridge in question is to survive sabotage attempts by the Taliban. Picture taken on November 30 2008. To match feature AFGHAN-BRIDGE/ REUTERS/Golnar Motevalli (AFGHANISTAN)

[Bushranger]

cool pics Jocker, much appreciated as always.

[makavelli]

great pics as always..!

[ExInferis]

South Korean soldiers stand at attention during an end of mission ceremony in their military camp in Arbil, 310 km (190 miles) north of Baghdad, December 1, 2008. South Korean soldiers officially ended their four-year military mission in Iraq on Monday, and plan to bring back all of their remaining troops before Christmas, a U.S. military official said.



A South Korean soldier stands guard in their military camp in Arbil, 310 km (190 miles) north of Baghdad, December 1, 2008. South Korean soldiers officially ended their four-year military mission in Iraq on Monday, and plan to bring back all of their remaining troops before Christmas, a U.S. military official said.



Female service personnel line up before the National Day military parade in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. Romanians celebrate 90 years since the unification of Transylvania, Walachia and Moldova into one state in 1918.



Romanian Marines smile as a girl walks past, before the National Day military parade in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. Romanians celebrate 90 years since the unification of Transylvania, Walachia and Moldova into one state in 1918.



Pakistani security officials stand near burnt military vehicles parked near trucks that were hit by rocket-propelled grenades fired by militants, on the outskirts of Peshawar December 1, 2008. Two drivers of trucks transporting supplies to Western forces in Afghanistan were killed on Monday in a grenade and gun attack near Peshawar, a transport company official said.



Soldiers barricade the road with armored vehicles to stop protesting youths in the central Nigerian city of Jos, Plateau State, on December 1, 2008. The Nigeria military has deployed more troops and amoured vehicles to contain the ongoing civil unrest in Jos after two days of post-election violence between Christians and Muslims that left hundreds dead. The clashes were triggered by a rumour on November 28, 2008 that the majority-Muslim All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) had lost in a local election to the mainly Christian Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), according to a police spokesman.



Soldiers cross a flooded road in Poonaryn, northern Sri Lanka, an area the military recently recaptured during their military offensive against the Tamil Tiger rebels November 28, 2008. Picture taken November 28, 2008.

[He219]

Nice pix Jocker, Supplanter and ExInferis!

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon (2nd R, front) is pictured surrounded by officers of the French Navy on December 1, 2008 aboard the warship Surcouf off the coast of Toulon, south-eastern France, after a French Navy special forces squadron underwent training to combat piracy at sea. Fillon promised that the imminent European military operation to combat the piracy in the gulf of Aden would be 'a strong act of dissuasion'. Rampant piracy has sown panic across the shipping world with some shipping firms opting to re-route to the Cape of Good Hope, causing delays and hiking costs. The pirates still defy the presence of foreign navies in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean to carry out brazen attacks.

French commandos practice boarding a mock civilian ship off Toulon during a live demonstration of their capabilities to counter pirates on the high seas, on December 1, 2008. A bid by Somali pirates to hijack a luxury cruise ship was foiled by an international taskforce, officials said, as ransom negotiations for a Saudi super-tanker stretched into overtime. On September 15, Denmark took command of the multinational naval force Task Force 150, aimed at combatting acts of piracy and weapons smuggling in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. A spokesman for the Danish navy, the current lead nation in the NATO taskforce, confirmed the operation had stopped a group of pirates from boarding a civilian vessel which reports said was carrying some 400 passengers and 200 crew. A French navy warship, alerted by the Danish Navy, scrambled a helicopter to the scene, which sent the pirates fleeing, TV2 News said

French marine commandos practice arresting men acting as pirates, off Toulon during a live demonstration of their capabilities to counter pirates on the high seas, on December 1, 2008.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon (2nd R) surrounded by French Navy chief of staff Admiral Francois Forissier (C), French defence minister Herve Morin (3rd R) and unnamed head of the Navy special forces unit (R) views the special foces unit on December 1, 2008 aboard the warship Surcouf off the coast of Toulon, south-eastern France, after the squadron underwent training to combat piracy at sea

Handout picture released by Santa Catarina state's press office showing a Brazilian army soldier as inside a helicopter as they overfly the Itajay valley, southern Brazil, on December 1, 2008. Flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rain pounding southern Brazil for nearly two months have killed at least 84 people and forced more than 54,000 to flee. Brazilian government will give an aid of 1,8 billions reals (785 million dollars) to the victims of the floods.

Trucks hit by rocket-propelled grenades fired by militants are seen on the outskirts of Peshawar December 1, 2008. Two drivers of trucks transporting supplies to Western forces in Afghanistan were killed on Monday in a grenade and gun attack near Peshawar, a transport company official said.

South Korean soldiers stand at attention during an end of mission ceremony in their military camp in Arbil, 310 km (190 miles) north of Baghdad, December 1, 2008.

This undated picture, released from Korean Central News Agency on December 1, 2008 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (L) inspecting the air force unit 1016 of the Korean People's Army at undisclosed place in North Korea.

Thai soldiers arrive at Administrative court for security in Bangkok Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008. Hundreds of pro-government demonstrators swarmed around a court building forcing the relocation of judges who will rule on the fate of a Thai government beset by protests and a virtual shutdown of international air links.

[VAMAN]

Sorry to say but too much redundancy in the pictures today. Many had been posted in previous thread.

[Lancero]

Nice pics gents!

Police end the blockade of the border crossing point with Ukraine in Medyka, Poland in the night from 01 to 02 December 2008. The blockade was organised by people protesting against changes in customs law. The protest started in the night from 30 November to 01 December when new EU laws came into effect with a limit of 40 cigarettes (two packets) allowed to be carried by the border

Thai army soldiers guard the Administrive Court building in Bangkok where Thailand’s Constitutional Court announced it dissolved the ruling People Power Party and two coalition partners, forcing Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and dozens of leaders to step down and banning them from politics for five years, on 02 December 2008. Both Bangkok's airport remain closed and blocked by the anti-government protesters

A photograph provided by the Israeli Government Press Office shows the Israeli-flag draped coffins of six Israelis, including Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka, lined up at a military airport next to Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, near Tel Aviv, on their return to Israeli from Mumbai, India late on 01 December 2008 as a short ceremony gets underway. Funerals will be held on December 02

plane of the Colombian Armed Forces is loaded with food and humanitarian aids for people affected by rains in Bocas del Toro province, 600 kms west from Panama City, Panama, 01 December 2008. The strong rains caused ten deaths, 23,614 injured and 1,165 houses damaged

Pakistani Rangers personnel (in black) and Indian border security force personnel carry their country's flag after the flag lowering ceremony at the joint border Wagah near Lahore Pakistan on 01 December 2008. Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on November 30 called off a four-day visit to Hong Kong as he continued with his deliberations with political leaders over the fallout of November 26, Mumbai attacks, in which India has suspected some elements in Pakistan, to be behind

King of Bakhrain Sheikh Hamad ibn `Isa Al Khalifah (R) reviews honor guards during an official meeting ceremony upon his arrival in Sheremetievo airport in Moscow, Russia, 01 December 2008. Sheikh Hamad ibn `Isa Al Khalifah arrived on an official visit.

Pakistani Rangers personnel seen on patrol to maintain law and order, as violence continuted for the third consecutive day in Karachi Pakistan 01 December 2008. So far 33 people have been killed and dozens injured in clashes between rival political parties and the situation still could not be controlled

Presidential Honour Guard soldiers march during the National Day military parade, in Bucharest 01 December 2008. Romanians celebrate 90 years since the unification of Transylvania, Walachia and Moldova into one state in 1918

A Christie's auction house staff poses with a 24 carat gold plated replica gun signed by actors Roger Moore and Christopher Lee at Christie's auction house in London, Britain, 01 December 2008. The gun from the Bond film 'The Man with the Golden Gun' is expected to fetch 2,000 - 2,500 euros at Christie's Pop Culture Sale 4 December

Italian soldiers of NATO's International Security Assitance Force (ISAF) are seen on patroll, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 01 December 2008. Italy has around 2,300 soldiers in Afghanistan, with bulk of them stationed in peaceful western province of Herat and some around Kabul

French Secretary of State in charge of the Human Rights Rama Yade shakes hands with a Uruguayan soldier from the MONUC as she arrives at the airport of the Provincial Capital of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 30 November 2008. Rama Yade is in DR Congo for a two days visit, to take stock on the humanitary situation in the refugees camps

Members of the Peruvian Army parade during the commemoration to mark the anniversary of Marshal Andres de Santa Cruz Calahumana, in Huarina, Bolivia, 30 November 2008. Marshal Andres de Santa Cruz y Calahumana created an armed forces command soon after taking office in 1829 and established the Military Academy (Colegio Militar) in 1835

International participants of a security training exercise in Nir Am, near the Gaza Strip border, Israel on 30 November 2008. An Israeli company called International Security Academy (ISA) puts on training courses in advance protection and counter terrorism training which includes a course solutions to overcoming maritime piracy as well as practical training for high risk protection specialists. Agents from countries as diverse as the US, Russia, Kenya, Nigeria and Fiji, Azerbaijan and Zambia take part in the courses

Daniel Rudolf Anrig, new Commander of the Swiss Guard (R) with his second in command Jean Daniel Piteloud (L) during his inauguration at the Vatican on 30 November 2008. The Swiss Guard are responsible for the pope's personal security and protection of the Vatican since 1506

Participants pass by a Lebanese soldier during the annual Beirut International Marathon in Beirut, Lebanon on 30 November 2008. More than 30,000 participates from 61 European and Arabic countries took part in the Beirut Marathon 'Run against Cancer'

Pakistani police on patrol in Karachi 30 November 2008 to maintain law and order, a day after clashes between rival political parties claimed at least 17 lives and injured dozens. Seventeen people have so far been killed in various shooting incidents during the last 24 hours in the city and the situation was still not under control

Iraqi soldiers carry the coffins bearing the remains of Iranian soldiers at the Shalamcha Border Crossing, southern Iraq on 30 November 2008. Iraq returned to neighbouring Iran the remains of 41 Iranian soldiers killed during the 1980's Iraq-Iran war in exchange for the remains of Iraqi soldiers on 30 November, Iraqi officials said

Afghan security officials inspect a damaged vehicle of the German embassy, after a suicide bomber detonated explosives strapped to his body near the vehicle, in Kabul Afghanistan on 30 November 2008. Two Afghanis were killed

Thai police on standby near the besieged Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, 30 November 2008. Brushing off bomb attacks on his followers and mounting damages done to the country, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) vowed to remain at Bangkok's airports until they were victorious in toppling the government.

Rebels Soldiers of NCDP (National Congress for the Defence of the Poeple) salute Chairman Laurent Nkunda before a meeting with former President of Nigeria Olesegun Obasango and former President of Tanzania Benjamin Mukapa in Jomba, near the city of Rutshuru, North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 29 November 2008. Former President Obasango comes as a mediator between DR Congo President Joseph Kabila and Laurent Nkunda. Obasango reports that President Joseph Kabila would be ready to negociate in case of peace process in a neutral field as Nairobi, Kenya.

Six intensive care units are being mounted in an SAS Boeing 737-800 passenger jet converted into an advanced ambulance aircraft for SNAM (Swedish National Airambulance) at SAS Technical Services at Arlanda airport, north of Stockholm, Sweden on 29 November 2008. The conversion of the passenger jet into an ambulance aircraft with six advanced intensive care units and six ordinary stretchers takes less than six hours. The aircraft took off heading for Mumbai, India, with a medical staff of nine doctors and eleven nurses on 29 November following a request from the European Union (EU) to fly home persons injured in the terror attacks.

National Security Guard (NSG) commandos along with sniffer dogs stand outside the Taj Mahal hotel after a search operation in the hotel in Mumbai, India, 29 November 2008. Elite commandos ended a 59-hour siege on 29 November by killing three terrorists holed up inside the Taj Mahal hotel and capturing one alive after coordinated attacks by the gunmen across the city killed nearly 150 people, officials said. A previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attacks - the worst in Mumbai since more than 180 people were killed in a series of bombings in 2006

A child stands in front of an Urugayan UN soldier from the MONUC as he patrolls at Kibati camp near the Provincial Capital of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 28 November 2008 as the UNHCR (United Nation High Commissionary for the Refugees) decided to remove some of the 60 000 habitants of Kibati, to another camp, Mugunga 1, for their security, due to the proximity of the front line

[VAMAN]

Good post Lancero.

Originally Posted by Lancero

Nice pics gents!

Where they are looking at? In many cultures it would be considered as a threatening posture, doesn't look like a welcome. Just stating my views.

[Macs.]

Originally Posted by VAMAN

Where they are looking at? In many cultures it would be considered as a threatening posture, doesn't look like a welcome. Just stating my views.

They look at the leaders walking by.

How is a rifle pointed at the sky, with the hands/fingers clearly off the trigger threatening ?

[Dark Avenger]

It appears that it is customary in many Armies for the honor guard detail to follow the visiting dignitary by turning the head up to a point, whereupon they go back to looking straight forward.

[VAMAN]

Originally Posted by Macs.

They look at the leaders walking by.

How is a rifle pointed at the sky, with the hands/fingers clearly off the trigger threatening ?

I was referring to their facial gestures which seem to be aggressive.

Originally Posted by Dark Avenger

It appears that it is customary in many Armies for the honor guard detail to follow the visiting dignitary by turning the head up to a point, whereupon they go back to looking straight forward.

Okay thanks for the explanation. Before I thought they are looking up towards the sky.

[GETSOME]

Great pics,thanks guys.

[Lancero]

Around 200 young people from over 40 countries from all over the world participating in the 'Solidarity Express' visiting the site of the former German Nazi Auschwitz death camp in Oswiecim, 02 December 2008. 'Solidarity Express' was organized in connection with the 25th anniversary of awarding Lech Walesa with a Nobel Peace Prize. Participants are traveling with a special train for 4 days, visiting Krakow, Oswiecim, Warsaw and finally Gdansk and Westerplatte

Jewish settlers run for cover after Israeli border police threw a stun grenade towards them in the West Bank city of Hebron 02 December 2008. Jewish settlers and Palestinians threw stones in clashes on Monday that injured five in Hebron where Jews want to stop the eviction of 13 settler families, witnesses said

A visitor points a photo picturing German pilot Manfred Von Richthofen during the opening of a photo exhibition on World War I at Catalonian History Museum in Barcelona, Spain, 02 December 2008. Photos from Palace's General Archives, founded by Spanish king Fernando VII in 1808, are displayed in this exhibition which features photos from WWI.

Thai troops march during the parade to mark the king's 81st birthday in Bangkok, Thailand, 02 December 2008. The parade is held every year to mark the birthday of the world's longest reigning monarch, who will turn 81 on 05 December 2008.

[Jocker_89]

Originally Posted by Lancero

More pics