US Military Pictures thread

[Equation]

It's amazing to see that all soldiers are equipped with gears that are only imaginable for special forces, as recent as only 20 years ago. When could China do the same and pour so much money into each individual soldier?

For both combat and combat support units? That's pretty expensive to do every single one. I can see the infantry and all related combat units needs those equipment, but for combat support units such as medical, logistic, administration, communication, and engineer (non-combat) I don't see it as necessary because they're not at the front line.

[TerraN_EmpirE]

Unless they fallow the G36 pattern where in the optics and accessory's are built in from square one.

[bd popeye]

Afghanistan

(All Photos Released 3rd June 2012)



KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Kevin Williams, a native of Ft. Worth, Texas, provides security as members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar travel the Mazar Valley Road May 26.




KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Cone, a native of Issaquah, Wash., provides security as members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar travel the Mazar Valley Road May 26.




KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joel Miles, a native of Capperas Cove, Texas, provides security as members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar travel the Mazar Valley Road May 26.




KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army National Guard Capt. Jared Siedl, a native of Cazenovia, Wis., observes the work done along the Mazar Valley Road May 26.




KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Adam Priebe, a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., provides security as members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar travel the Mazar Valley Road May 26.




KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Adam Priebe, a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., provides security as members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar travel the Mazar Valley Road May 26.




KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joel Miles, a native of Capperas Cove, Texas, provides security as members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar speak to locals at the Narang Girls School, while Spec. Roy Jerue, a native of Houston, Texas, jokes with local kids May 26.




KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Jason McIntosh, a native of Austin, Texas, provides security as members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar visit the Narang Girls School May 26.

---------- Post added at 10:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 AM ----------

Exercise Eager Lion 12

Eager Lion 12 is taking place throughout the month of May and is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of more than 19 participating partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU who, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater security and crisis response force. (Photos Released 3^rd June 2012)




U.S. Marine and Jordanian Air Force Cobras fly together during a training flight over the desert here, May 18, as part of Exercise Eager Lion 12. The Marine Cobra, right, is an AH-1W with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Jordanian Cobra is an AH-1F.





U.S. Marine and Jordanian Air Force Cobras fly together during a training flight over the desert here, May 18, as part of Exercise Eager Lion 12. The Marine Cobra, right, is an AH-1W with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Jordanian Cobra is an AH-1F.





U.S. Marine and Jordanian Air Force Cobras fly together during a training flight over the desert here, May 18, as part of Exercise Eager Lion 12. The Marine Cobra, right, is an AH-1W with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Jordanian Cobra is an AH-1F.





U.S. Marine and Jordanian Air Force Cobras fly together during a training flight over the desert here, May 18, as part of Exercise Eager Lion 12. The Marine Cobra, right, is an AH-1W with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Jordanian Cobra is an AH-1F.





A Jordanian Air Force AH-1F Cobra helicopter flies above the desert during a bilateral training flight with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Exercise Eager Lion here, May 18.





U.S. Marine and Jordanian Air Force Cobras fly together during a training flight over the desert here, May 18, as part of Exercise Eager Lion 12. The Marine Cobra, right, is an AH-1W with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Jordanian Cobra is an AH-1F.





U.S. Marine and Jordanian Air Force Cobras fly together during a training flight over the desert here, May 18, as part of Exercise Eager Lion 12. The Marine Cobra, right, is an AH-1W with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Jordanian Cobra is an AH-1F.

[bd popeye]

UK and US soldiers strengthen ties with jump onto Salisbury Plain

Over 150 paratroopers from the UK and the United States have parachuted together onto Salisbury Plain as part of an annual exchange programme called Exercise Airdrop Warrior.

Pudsey-based soldiers from 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment (4 PARA) joined forces with members of the US Army's Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) who are based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
The paratroopers built on their knowledge and experience of airborne operations by jumping using each other's equipment and both nations' Hercules C-130 aircraft.

The opportunity to parachute in another nation's parachute equipment allows the soldier to wear that country's coveted wings.
The US paratroopers flew into the UK only days before jumping with the Brits. They are over in Europe not only to establish and continue working relations with the Paras, but also to take part in a parachute jump into Normandy.

This will be the 68th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and was when the partnership was first forged. The American reserve unit has been taking part in the re-enactment for the last 17 years. Two US C-130 aircraft were brought over for the occasion but the US paratroopers got to jump out of a British Hercules.





Members of the US Army's Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) ready to jump from a British Hercules C-130 over Salisbury Plain [Picture: Captain Tom McShane, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]




Members of the US Army's Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) ready to jump from a British Hercules C-130 over Salisbury Plain [Picture: Captain Tom McShane, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]




Members of the US Army's Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) ready to jump from a British Hercules C-130 over Salisbury Plain [Picture: Captain Tom McShane, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]




A member of the US Army's Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) prepares to jump during Exercise Airdrop Warrior[Picture: Captain Tom McShane, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]




Soldiers from 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment (4 PARA) ready to jump from a Hercules C-130 over Salisbury Plain

[Nem116]

[QUOTEU.S. Army paratroopers of 1st Platoon, Blackfoot Company, conduct a security patrol, supporting a post blast analysis of an improvised explosive device that detonated hours earlier in Terezayi district June 1. Blackfoot Company is part of the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom.[/QUOTE]

[asif iqbal]

nice to see those Royal Jordanian Cobra helos

Jordan got

24 x AH-1 around the same time Pakistan got theirs between 1982-1985
then again 9 x AH-1 in 2001

Total Cobras is 33

[bd popeye]

US Marines from Kilo Company of the 3rd Battalion 8th Marines Regiment patrol at Bahlul Khan village in Garmser district, in southern Helmand Province on June 21, 2012.

US Marine Captain Ryan R Kinder from Weapons Company of the 3rd Battalion 8th Marines Regiment sits inside a MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle on his way to a shura meeting in Garmser, in southern Helmand Province on June 21, 2012.

Two US Marines from Kilo Company of 3rd Battalion 8th Marines Regiment check a school while patroling in Khastey, Helmand Province on June 20, 2012.

US Marine Sgt. Eugene Hwang from Kilo Company of 3rd Battalion 8th Marines Regiment patrols in Khastey, Helmand Province on June 20, 2012.

An Afghan child receives pencils from a US Marine from Kilo Company of 3rd Battalion 8th Marines Regiment during a patrol in Khastey, Helmand Province on June 20, 2012.

US Marine 1st Lt. Darren Mitchell from Kilo Company of 3rd Battalion 8th Marines Regiment leads a patrol from Forward Operating Base Delhi in Garmser, southern Helmand Province on June 20, 2012.

An Afghan sheperd with his son walk past patrolling US Marines from Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines Regiment in Khastey, Helmand Province on June 20, 2012.

[Nem116]

U.S. Army Cpl. Brian Lewis, a native of Duluth, Minn., and team leader points out a possible enemy location to U.S. Army Pfc. Josh Ball, a native of Elizabeth, Colo., and designated marksman, both assigned to 1st Platoon, Blackfoot Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment in Shaway Valley, June 2, 2012.

Brig. Gen. Jack L. Briggs, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, test fires the M14, an enhanced battle rifle, during a training mission at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 24, 2010. The training mission, led by the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, provided a glimpse of what the 33rd ERQS brings to the fight.

A pararescueman secures a sector of the landing zone before assisting “injured” personnel during an exercise at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. 2010. The exercise tested the rescue squadron’s ability to provide medical aid to U.S. and coalition forces

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Zarlenga, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, fires his M4 carbine at insurgent forces June 15, 2012, near Joint Security Station Hasan, southern Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.

Spc. Shane Marks, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, provides security in an overwatch position during Operation Southern Strike II in Afghanistan, June 6, 2012.

[Equation]

Thanks for posting those wonderful pics Nem116 and Popeye!

[TerraN_EmpirE]

TE notes
for post 1421
first ans second pics that is a M14 based DMR in this case the Us Army's MK14 with one serious rifle scope. the Mk14 is built by taking the bolt and action form a M14 in national stocks ( mostly left overs form early Vietnam post Korea that were held by National guard Armorys) sending them too a military armorer who rebuilds the action takes it from it's walnut stock and beds it in an aluminum one with a shorter barrel. final toppings on this vintage weapon pizza? A harris bi pod and variable power scope with optional suppressor.
third pic Note this Airman's M4 has a paint job and that optic is a Sopmod block2 Elcan SpecterDR 1-4x Optical Scope and magpul Pmag. also note the lack of a front sight post. Socom can do that in there special builds.
fourth pic note if you compare it too the last pic you can see the differences between standard issue and Socom but in the US service it's more and more a blurred line.
pic 5 note Another M320 you get too see the under grip mounted under the launcher's barrel in this one.

[Equation]

TE notes
for post 1421
first ans second pics that is a M14 based DMR in this case the Us Army's MK14 with one serious rifle scope. the Mk14 is built by taking the bolt and action form a M14 in national stocks ( mostly left overs form early Vietnam post Korea that were held by National guard Armorys) sending them too a military armorer who rebuilds the action takes it from it's walnut stock and beds it in an aluminum one with a shorter barrel. final toppings on this vintage weapon pizza? A harris bi pod and variable power scope with optional suppressor.
third pic Note this Airman's M4 has a paint job and that optic is a Sopmod block2 Elcan SpecterDR 1-4x Optical Scope and magpul Pmag. also note the lack of a front sight post. Socom can do that in there special builds.
fourth pic note if you compare it too the last pic you can see the differences between standard issue and Socom but in the US service it's more and more a blurred line.
pic 5 note Another M320 you get too see the under grip mounted under the launcher's barrel in this one.

Thanks TerraN_Empire, I knew I can always count on you to describe in details what the weapons are and the history behind it. Good job.

Could you also take a look at the ROK Marines weapon that Popeye posted also and tell me what kind of rifles are those?

[bd popeye]

Operation Trap House

(Photos from the end of May and released 30th June)

Operation Trap House was designed to reduce the enemy's ability to launch or fund any offensive operations from the Zamindawar region during the traditional fighting season.




A U.S. Marine Corps Anti-Tank missileman attached to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 uses the command launch unit of a Javelin anti-tank missile system to observe enemy movement during Operation Trap House in the village of Deh Mushek in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 27, 2012.




U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Charles E. Mackey III, attached to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 supports a patrol in a compound during Operation Trap House in the village of Deh Mushek in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 26, 2012.




An Afghan Uniformed Policeman (AUP), right, enters a compound room to search it for weapons during Operation Trap House in the village of Deh Mushek in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 26, 2012.




U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Joshua V. Armstrong, a police advisor attached to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, looks into a room before entering during Operation Trap House in the village of Deh Mushek in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 26, 2012.




U.S. Marines with Alpha Compnay, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 conduct pre-combat checks before a patrol during Operation Trap House in the village of Deh Mushek in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 26, 2012.




A U.S. Marine Corps sniper with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 observes enemy movement from a rooftop during Operation Trap House in the village of Deh Mushek in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 25, 2012.




A U.S. Marine with 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 observes enemy movement with a pair of binoculars during Operation Trap House in the village of Deh Mushek in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 25, 2012




U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Egan, a squad leader with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, observes enemy movement with his personal periscope during a clearing operation in the village of Deh Mushek during Operation Trap House in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 25, 2012




A U.S. Marine Corps machine gunner with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 provides security as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician enters an empty enemy fighting position in the village of Deh Mushek during Operation Trap House in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 22, 2012.




A U.S. Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 enters an empty enemy fighting position after checking it for improvised explosive devices in the village of Deh Mushek during Operation Trap House in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 22, 2012.




A U.S. Marine Corps machine gunner, left, with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 provides security as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician checks an empty enemy fighting position for improvised explosive devices in the village of Deh Mushek during Operation Trap House in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 22, 2012.




A U.S. Marine Corps Explosives Ordnance Disposal technician, right with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 checks an empty enemy fighting position for improvised explosive devices in the village of Deh Mushek during Operation Trap House in Kajaki, Helmand province Afghanistan May 22, 2012.

[bd popeye]

306th Rescue Squadron – HC-130 Transition

A pararescueman with the 306th Rescue Squadron waits for his turn to jump from an HC-130P at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012. Pararescuemen must complete training operations to maintain readiness for real world scenarios.




A pararescueman with the 306th Rescue Squadron waits for his turn to jump from an HC-130P at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012. Pararescuemen must complete training operations to maintain readiness for real world scenarios.




A pararescueman with the 306th Rescue Squadron waits for his turn to jump from an HC-130P at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012. Pararescuemen must complete training operations to maintain readiness for real world scenarios.




Pararescuemen with the 306th Rescue Squadron load onto an HC-130P to conduct a training jump at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012. Pararescuemen must complete training operations to maintain readiness for real world scenarios.




Pararescuemen with the 306th Rescue Squadron wait to conduct a training jump from an HC-130P at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012. Pararescuemen must complete training operations to maintain readiness for real world scenarios.




Pararescuemen with the 306th Rescue Squadron prepare to conduct a training jump from an HC-130P at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012. Pararescuemen must complete training operations to maintain readiness for real world scenarios.




Pararescuemen with the 306th Rescue Squadron conduct a training jump from an HC-130P at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012. Pararescuemen must complete training operations to maintain readiness for real world scenarios.




Pararescuemen with the 306th Rescue Squadron conduct a training jump from an HC-130P at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012. Pararescuemen must complete training operations to maintain readiness for real world scenarios.




A pararescueman with the 306th Rescue Squadron conducts his training jump from an HC-130P at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012. Pararescuemen must complete training operations to maintain readiness for real world scenarios.

[bd popeye]

306th Rescue Squadron – HC-130 Transition

Pararescuemen from the 306th RQS parachuted from the HC-130J as part of a heritage flight as D-M transitions from the HC-130P/N King.




U.S. Air Force pararescuemen from the 306th Rescue Squadron daisy chain the lines on parachutes after jumping from the new HC-130J Combat King II on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012.




A U.S. Air Force pararescueman from the 306th Rescue Squadron pulls in his parachute after landing as other pararescuemen head towards the drop zone on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012.




U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Joshua Swartz, 306th Rescue Squadron, daisy chains the lines on a parachute after jumping from the new HC-130J Combat King II on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012.




U.S. Air Force pararescuemen from the 306th Rescue Squadron land near the designated drop zone on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012.




A U.S. Air Force pararescueman, also known as PJs, from the 306th Rescue Squadron, lands near the designated drop zone on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012.




U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jake Thompson, 306th Rescue Squadron, measures the velocity of the wind before pararescuemen, also known as PJs, parachute from the new HC-130J Combat King II on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012.




U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Michael Jones performs a jump master personnel inspection on Tech. Sgt Jeffrey Hamilton, both from the 306th Rescue Squadron on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012.




U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, from the 306th Rescue Squadron strap on their parachutes before boarding an HC-130J Combat King II on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012




U.S. Air Force Maj. Ryan Montanez, 306th Rescue Squadron, helps suit up Capt. Kevin Deibler, 943rd Rescue Group, before he boards the new HC-130J Combat King II on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 27, 2012.

[bd popeye]

Operation Blue Jay

(Photos released 29th June )



U.S. Army Pfc. Derek Phan serving with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, provides security in the village of Badu Khel, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 19, 2012




U.S. Army Pfc. Haley serving with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, provides security in the village of Badu Khel, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 19, 2012.




U.S. Army Pfc. Derek Phan serving with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, provides security in the village of Badu Khel, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 19, 2012.




A U.S. soldier serving with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division watches his area in the village of Badu Khel, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 19, 2012.




U.S. soldiers serving with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division provide security in the village of Badu Khel, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 19, 2012.




U.S. soldiers serving with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division provide security on top of a roof in the village of Badu Khel, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 19, 2012.




U.S. soldiers serving with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division provide security from a rooftop in the village of Badu Khel, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 19, 2012.




U.S. soldiers serving with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division provide security from a rooftop in the village of Badu Khel, Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 19, 2012.