Members of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment control a fire started by an explosion during their hasty minefield breach during Exercise ORNERY RAM 2019 at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Garrison training area in Wainright, Alberta, April 7, 2019.

Photo: Caporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos

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Des membres du 1er Régiment du génie de combat maîtrisent un incendie causé par une explosion lors de l’ouverture rapide d’une brèche dans un champ de mines au cours de l’exercice ORNERY RAM 2019, dans le secteur d’entraînement de la Base de soutien de la 3e Division du Canada à Wainwright, en Alberta, le 7 avril 2019.

Photo : Caporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos

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WAINWRIGHT, Alberta, Canada (May 13, 2022) - Canadian Army soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment conduct surveillance and overwatch of a defensive position during a ground battle exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright during Exercise Maple Resolve 2022, May 13, 2022.

(U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Seelbach)

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WAINWRIGHT, Alberta, Canada (13 mai 2022) - Des soldats de l’Armée canadienne affectés au 1erBataillon du Royal Canadian Regiment assurent la surveillance et la protection d’une position défensive lors d’un exercice de bataille terrestre à la Base des Forces canadiennes Wainwright au cours de l’exercice Maple Resolve 2022, le 13 mai 2022.

(Photo de la U.S. Navy prise par le spécialiste des communications de masse de 1re classe Ryan Seelbach)

Light Armoured Vehicles patrol the perimeter of the training area during Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE in Wainwright, Alberta on May 29, 2016.

Photo: Cpl Andrew Wesley, Directorate of Army Public Affairs

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Des véhicules blindés légers patrouillent dans le périmètre du secteur d’entraînement au cours de l’exercice MAPLE RESOLVE, à Wainwright, en Alberta, le 29 mai 2016.

Photo : Cpl Andrew Wesley, Direction des Affaires publiques de l’Armée de terre

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check.

Exercising with Good Housekeeping

Members of 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, conduct a range during exercise PATRICIA STRIKE at 3rd Canadian Division Forces Base Edmonton Detachment Wainwright training area on November 19, 2020. Photo: Corporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos

Des membres du 1er Bataillon, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, participent à un exercice de tir dans le cadre de l’exercice PATRICIA STRIKE, dans le secteur d’entraînement du détachement Wainwright, à la Base de soutien de la 3e Division du Canada Edmonton, le 19 novembre 2020.

Photo : Caporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos

Private Greg Klassen of 3rd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) occupies an all-around defence in a wooded area waiting for the enemy during a simulated attack near Namsos, Norway during Exercise COLD RESPONSE on March 4, 2016.

Photo: MCpl Maggie Gosse, Garrison Imaging Petawawa

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Le soldat Greg Klassen, membre du 3e Bataillon du Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR), adopte une position de défense tous azimuts dans un secteur boisé et attend l’ennemi lors d’une attaque simulée près de Namsos, en Norvège, au cours de l’exercice COLD RESPONSE, le 4 mars 2016.

Photo : Cplc Maggie Gosse, Services d’imagerie de la garnison Petawawa

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A Leopard tank from the German-Dutch 414 Armoured Battalion crosses the training area during Eager Leopard 2021 near Pabrade, Lithuania on 23rd September 2021. Eager Leopard 2021 was a combined multinational exercise testing the capabilities of both enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Lithuania and US forces assigned to Lithuania in performing joint operations. The exercise also included members of eFB Battle Groups Estonia and Latvia.

Military members from 7 countries (Guyana, the U.S., Dominican Republic, Mexico, Belize, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago) fast-rope from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to simulate a safe and effective method of inserting and removing personnel to and from specific locations where it would be difficult or impossible to land an aircraft safely. This exercise was a part of TRADEWINDS23 at Aviation Base London, Guyana, on July 17, 2023.

Please credit: MCpl Genevieve Lapointe, Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Des militaires provenant de sept différents pays (Guyana, États Unis, République dominicaine, Mexique, Belize, Sainte Lucie, Trinité-et-Tobago) effectuent une descente rapide à la corde depuis un hélicoptère UH-60 Black Hawk lors d’un exercice de simulation permettant de mettre en pratique une méthode d’insertion et de retrait du personnel sécuritaire et efficace dans des endroits particuliers où il serait difficile, voire impossible, de faire atterrir un aéronef de manière sécuritaire. Il s’agit d’un exercice effectué dans le cadre de l’exercice TRADEWINDS23 à la base aérienne de London, au Guyana, le 17 juillet 2023.

Photo : Cplc Genevieve Lapointe, Caméra de combat des Forces canadiennes, Forces armées canadiennes

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Kyle Nielson, with 2nd Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team out of Norfolk, Va., demonstrates how FAST Marines transition from primary to secondary weapons for Australian Army Soldiers with 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, Australia, Nov. 23, 2011. FAST Marines are attending Exercise Semper Fast 2011, a combined training event hosted by 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment focusing on small arms ranges, direct fire ranges, military operations on urban terrain, and light infantry operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau)

Members of 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment march towards the enemy for a simulated attack during Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE in Fremo, Norway on October 31, 2018.

Photo: MCpl Pat Blanchard Photographer, 2 Div CA det Saint-Jean

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Des membres du 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment marchent sur l’ennemi pour une attaque simulée durant l’exercice TRIDENT JUNCTURE à Fremo, Norvège, le 31 octobre 2018.

Photo: MCpl Pat Blanchard Photographer, 2 Div CA det Saint-Jean

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Her Majestyâs Canadian Ship (HMCS) MONTREAL and HMCS ATHABASKAN conduct minefield transit training during Exercise SPARTAN WARRIOR 16 in the Atlantic Ocean on November 1, 2016.â¨â¨Photo: MCpl Jennifer Kusche, Canadian Forces Combat Camera â¨IS15-2016-0003-068

Two members of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron watch as a CH-146 Griffon helicopter lands in the snow during Exercise Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 22-02, Fort Wainwright, Alaska on March 12, 2022.

Please credit: Corporal Angela Gore, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

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Deux membres du 450e Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères observent un hélicoptère CH-146 Griffon se poser sur la neige au cours de l’exercice Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 22-02, à Fort Wainwright, en Alaska, le 12 mars 2022.

Photo : Caporale Angela Gore, Forces armées canadiennes

30 June 2015

London Ambulance Service is today involved in a major exercise to test the emergency services and government response to a terrorist attack in central London.

More than 140 operational and support staff alongside specialist London Ambulance Service teams will be testing their emergency medical response to this kind of incident.

Director of Operations, Jason Killens, said: “Our response involves getting to the scene as quickly as possible and assessing, triaging and treating any patients there.

“In a real life situation we would also be taking these patients to the most appropriate hospital for their care.

“We have specialist teams who receive specialist training to work at the scene of mass casualty firearms attacks. The specialist kit includes ballistic vests, helmets and personal protective equipment."

This operation, which has been planned for over six months, has been developed jointly by the Metropolitan Police Service and the Home Office. Over 14 different organisations and agencies are taking part.

Jason said: "We regularly carry out live exercises to test our plans about how we and the other services would respond to an incident like this.

"This exercise will also test our tactical response including working with our emergency services partners and other parts of the NHS.”

A full debrief will be carried out after the exercise to make sure that any learning is properly captured.

For More info contact:

Communications Department

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

220 Waterloo Road

London SE1 8SD

Phone: 020 7783 2286

Exercise your mind as well as your body!

An exercise was conducted at Liverpool Marina on Merseyside during 3rd April, 2023 to test the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service response to a simulated blaze on board a vessel at the lock gate end of Brunswick Dock.

Pumps and crews from Kirkdale, Toxteth and City Centre stations were involved in the drill which took place over a two hour period.

MFRS Scania New Generation P280 DG71TXB, Fleet Number 1405, based at Kirkdale, is seen parked outside the marina.

(With thanks to Thomas Riley for additional information.)

Members of Task Force Tomahawk (TFTH) conduct Combat Team Level live fire training during Exercise RUGGED BEAR at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre in Wainwright, Alberta on April 20, 2017.

Photo: Master Corporal Malcolm Byers, Wainwright Garrison Imaging

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The crew of Motor Vessel ASTERIX replenishment unit lines the starboard side of the ship as she passes Georges Island for Exercise JOINT WARRIOR, at Halifax, NS on September 20, 2020.

Photo: MCpl Manuela Berger, Canadian Armed Forces

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L’équipage de l’unité de ravitaillement MV ASTERIX est aligné sur le côté tribord du navire lors de son passage devant l’île Georges en vue de l’exercice JOINT WARRIOR, à Halifax, en N.-É., le 20 septembre 2020.

Photo : Cplc Manuela Berger, Forces armées canadiennes

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A CH-148 Cyclone helicopter prepares to land onboard Her Majestyâs Canadian Ship (HMCS) MONTREAL in the Atlantic Ocean during Exercise SPARTAN WARRIOR 16 on October 31, 2016.

Photo: MCpl Jennifer Kusche, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

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Un hélicoptère CH-148 Cyclone sâapprête à atterrir à bord du Navire canadien de Sa Majesté (NCSM) MONTREAL, dans lâocéan Atlantique, au cours de lâexercice SPARTAN WARRIOR 16, le 31 octobre 2016.

Photo : Cplc Jennifer Kusche, Caméra de combat des Forces canadiennes

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Bilder von der Übung " SCHUTZ 2014" des öster. Bundesheeres . Die Bilder sind in Innsbruck und Umgebung aufgenommen . Mehr Bilder unter folgenden LINK : www.flickr.com/photos/pzbrig15/sets/72157645173487622/

Pictures by the Exercise 2 SCHUTZ 2014" , Austrian Armed Forces ( Bundesheer) . More Pictures : www.flickr.com/photos/pzbrig15/sets/72157645173487622/

all Pictures Copyright © PzBrig15

3 United States Air Force (USAF) C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying German Special Forces paratroopers prepare for take-off during Exercise MAPLE FLAG at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta on June 3, 2016.

Photo: Corporal Ian Thompson, 4 Wing Imaging

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Airmen from the 108th Civil Engineering Squadron conduct hazardous materials training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 13, 2015. During the June Unit Training Assembly, Airmen conduct training to maintain their skills for future operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Maria C. Rella/Released)

Take Aim ~ Habit.

Exercise is a great Habit.

A Canadian Armed Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) member installs explosives under a car during a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) scenario as part of RIMPAC 16 at K bay, "Boondocker" range, Wahiawa, Hawaii, USA on July 29, 2016.

Photo: MCpl Mathieu Gaudreault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

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Un membre de l’équipe de neutralisation des explosifs et munitions (NEM) des Forces armées canadiennes installe des explosifs sous une voiture lors d’un scénario impliquant un dispositif de circonstance placé dans un véhicule (VBIED) au cours de l’exercice RIMPAC 16, au champ de tir « Boondocker » de K bay, à Wahiawa, à Hawaï (É. U.), le 29 juillet 2016.

Photo : Cplc Mathieu Gaudreault, Caméra de combat des Forces canadiennes

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HMCS BRANDON sails along the coastline of Alaska during Exercise ARCTIC EDGE 2022, near the town of Juneau Alaska on March 6, 2022.

Please credit: Master Sailor Dan Bard Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Canadian Armed Forces photo

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Le NCSM BRANDON navigue le long de la côte de l’Alaska au cours de l’exercice ARCTIC EDGE 2022, près de la ville de Juneau, en Alaska, le 6 mars 2022.

Photo : Matelot chef Dan Bard, Caméra de combat des Forces canadiennes, Forces armées canadiennes

Members of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron move a CH-147 Chinook helicopter onto the flight line during Exercise Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 22-02, Fort Wainwright, Alaska on March 12, 2022.

Please credit: Corporal Angela Gore, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

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Des membres du 450e Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères déplacent un hélicoptère CH-147 Chinook sur l’aire de trafic au cours de l’exercice Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 22-02, à Fort Wainwright, en Alaska, le 12 mars 2022.

Photo : Caporale Angela Gore, Forces armées canadiennes

Revisit

Leading Seaman Zack Verdun, Clearance Diver with Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic), observes Caribbean divers as they inspect the hull of an American landing craft utility boat on Exercise TRADEWINDS 15 in St. Kitts and Nevis on June 5, 2015.

Photo: Master Seaman Peter Reed, Formation Imaging Services, Halifax

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Le matelot de 1re classe Zack Verdun, plongeur démineur de l’Unité de plongée de la Flotte (Atlantique), observe les plongeurs caribéens qui inspectent la coque d’un engin de débarquement américain lors de l’exercice TRADEWINDS, à Saint Kitts et Nevis, le 5 juin 2015.

Photo : Matelot chef Peter Reed, Services d’imagerie de la formation, Halifax

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Note: this photo was It was published in an undated (Jan 2010) Squidoo blog titled "Fastest Way to Lose Weight." And it was published as an illustration in an undated (Jan 2010) Squidoo blog titled "Free Printable Exercise Log - Get in Shape for 2010!" It was also published in a Mar 28, 2010 Health Knowledge blog and an Apr 24, 2010 Shakeway blog, with the same title as the caption that I used on this Flickr page. It was also published in a Jun 21, 2010 blog titled "Placer, diversión y salud son las principales motivaciones para ejercitarnos." And it was published in an Aug 20, 2010 blog titled "what is the fastest way to lose 10 pounds?" It was also published in a Sep 21, 2010 blog titled "Help, I need to lose my “Just had a baby weight” FAST! Any ideas?" as well as a Sep 28, 2010 blog titled "Unsafe Ways To Lose Weight – My When – Fastest To Lose Weight." It was also published in an undated (Oct 2010) Weight Loss Shakes City blog, with the same title as the caption that I used on this Flickr page; and it was published in an undated (late Oct 2010) blog titled "Workout With An Exercise Bike." It was also published in an undated (mid-Dec 2010) blog titled "LA HCG Weight Loss Program Is Based On Cutting Edge Techniques," as well as a Dec 14, 2010 Buy HCG Cookbook blog with the same title and detailed notes as what I had written on this Flickr page.

In 2011, the photo was published in a Jan 2, 2011 Exercise BIke Zone blog, with the same title and detailed notes that I had written on this Flickr page. It was also published in a Jan 7, 2010 blog titled "What Is The Best Exercise Machine For Weight Loss?" and two undated (early Jan 2011) "Weight Loss Helps" blogs titled "The Big Role of Insulin In Your Exercise Program ," and "You Are Not Alone… The True Role of Supplements in Weight Loss and Muscle Building." It was also published in an undated (early Jan 2011) blog titled "Does anyone recommend any good fast weight loss diets?", as well as a Jan 11, 2011 blog titled "Weight Loss Supplement At Work – Is There A Special One?" It was also published in a Jan 19, 2011) blog titled "Finding the Best Weight Loss Supplements." And it was published in a Jan 20, 2011 blog titled "How To Lose 37 Pounds & Melt Away Belly Fat By Going Against Mainstream Diet & Exercise Advice!"

It was also published in a Feb 27, 2011 blog titled "How to Get People to Read My Blog." And it was published in a Mar 16, 2011 blog titled "The Poll Results About Solo Slim Side Effects Have Been Tallied!", as well as another Mar 16, 2011 blog titled "Get Rid of that Muffin Top and Enjoy a Free Waistband Best Diet to Lose Belly Fat." It was also published in an Apr 4, 2011 blog titled "Mejorar la salud con disciplina." And it was published in a May 20, 2011 blog titled "Get Fit Lake Mary! Fitness Classes @ Lake Mary Farmers’ Market." It was also published in a Jun 29, 2011 blog titled "Ab Workouts: Three Exercises for Fast Abs." And it was published in a Jul 3, 2011 "Cellulite Patches" blog, with the same caption and detailed notes that I had written on this Flickr page. It was also published in an Aug 16, 2011 blog titled "Tenersi in forma col wellness coach." It was also published in an Oct 25, 2011 blog titled "Nice Exercise Programs And Weight Loss photos," with the same caption and detailed notes I had written on this Flickr page.

Moving into 2012, the photo was published in a Jan 5, 2012 blog titled "Some thoughts about exercise and motivation," as well as a Jan 5,2012 blog titled "what is the best weight loss programme from an indian point of view?", and a Jan 6, 2012 blog titled "Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers and LA Weight Loss is the variation among what?" It was also published in a Jan 31, 2012 blog titled Exercise fights chronic disease sadness," as well as an undated (early Feb 2011) blog titled "Exercise for Depression: Suggestions for Making It Possible." And it was published in a May 31, 2012 blog titled "Exercise could be, er, bad for your heart, study says." It was also published in a Jun 4, 2012 blog titled "After Drug and Alcohol Rehab: Healthy Living." And it was published in a Jun 6, 2012 blog titled "Question by needtoknow: What is a good AB workout machine under 0?" It was also published in a Jun 22, 2012 RAAL blog, with the same caption and detailed notes that I had written here on this Flickr page. And it was published in an Aug 11, 2012 blog titled "Take A Look At These Muscle Building Tips!" It was also published in an undated (early Sep 2012) blog titled "How To Choose A Gym," as well as a Sep 5, 2012 blog titled "Exercise Your Mind And Improve Your Mental Health Before You Have A Breakdown." And it was published in a Dec 3, 2012 blog titled "How much weight do you have to lose to have excess skin?"

Moving into 2013, the photo was published in a blog, "Pack On More Muscle With This Weight Training Advice." It was also published in a Jan 6, 2013 blog titled "Tips For Getting The Right Amount Rest In Between Muscle Building Sets." And it was published in a Jan 8, 2013 blog titled "Great Advice To Help Build Muscle Fast!" It was also published in a Jan 20, 2013 blog titled "Ways On How You Could Achieve Bigger Muscles," as well as a Jan 25, 2013 blog titled "Aerobic Exercise is Best for Weight Loss, Study Says." And it was published in a Feb 14, 2013 blog titled "Exercises You Should Do For Putting On Muscles," as well as a Feb 18, 2013 blog titled "Muscle Development Tips That Will Help Get You Your Dream Body." It was also published in a Feb 24, 2013 blog titled "Discover The Muscle Building Tips Of The Pros." And it was published in a Mar 11, 2013 blog titled "Muscle Building Tips People Don’t Want You To Know! " It was also published in a Mar 17, 2013 blog titled, simply, "Exercise," as well as an undated (mid-March 2013) Dude Mountain blog titled "The Most Effective Muscle And Strength Building Tips." And it was published in an undated (mid-Apr 2013) blog simply titled "Exercise," as well as an Apr 14, 2013 blog titled "Tips That Will Help You Build Your Muscles." It was also published in an Apr 17, 2013 blog titled "10 Ways To Be Healthier In 10 Minutes Or Less," as well as an Apr 22, 2013 blog titled "Use These Ideas To Gain Bigger Muscles," and a May 7, 2013 blog titled "Helpful Ways to Build New Muscle Fast." It was also published in a May 8, 2013 blog titled "What is Mind/Body Exercise, And Why Should I Do It?", as well as a May 15, 2013 blog titled " Want To Increase The Size Of Your Muscles? Consider These Tips! " And it was published in an undated (mid-June 2013) website titled Lean Green Cleaning Machine. It was also published in a Jun 22, 2013 blog titled "Exercise and Harm," as well as a Jun 28, 2013 blog titled "Haftada 150 Dakika Spor YeterliyMİŞ" and a Jun 28, 2013 blog titled "Training Techniques In Order To Avoid Injury." And it was published in a Jul 11, 2013 Mother Nature Network blog titled "Exercise."

Moving into 2014, the photo was published in a Jan 8, 2014 blog titled "Terrific Abdominal Workouts Can Make You Cash." It was also published in a Jan 14, 2014 blog titled " LESSON 6: OVEREATING WHEN SAD DOESN’T CUT IT FOR ME." And it was published in a Mar 17, 2014 Mother Nature Network blog titled "Exercise." It was also published in a Dec 14, 2014 blog titled "The Geek That Just Needs To Work Out."

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For the past several years, my family has spent a week, in early January, at the Club Med village in Punta Cana, on the southwestern shore of the Dominican Republic. (Our first visit to Club Med was back in 1985, and some photos of last year's trip can be seen here.)

This year's visit coincided with the awful earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti -- about 260 miles away, on the eastern coast of the island of Hispaniola. From what I understand, the fault line went straight west, in our direction, but then cut south at approximately the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In any case, none of the vacationers at Club Med felt even the slightest tremor; we got all of our news of the ensuing events just like everyone else, by watching CNN. But because we expected the capitol city of Santo Domingo to be chaotic and congested with relief efforts, I decided to skip a daylong trip that I had tentatively planned to photograph the churches and markets of what turns out to be the oldest city in the Western hemisphere (settled in 1497 by Christopher Columbus' brother).

In recent years, most of my photographic efforts have focused on the vacationers who fill the beaches and pool -- especially the children, who come from Canada, France, Venezuela, and various other parts of the world besides the United States. So I decided to focus on something else this year, and ... well, you can judge the results for yourself...

Canadian Armed Forces members from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, with the support of helicopters from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, conduct a level 5 range during Exercise AGILE RAM at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Detachment Wainwright training area, May 29, 2021.

Photo: Corporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

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Des membres des Forces armées canadiennes du 1er Groupe brigade mécanisé du Canada dirigent un exercice de tir de niveau 5, avec l’appui d’hélicoptères du 408e Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères, au cours de l’exercice AGILE RAM, dans le secteur d’entraînement de la Base de soutien de la 3e Division du Canada, détachement Wainwright, le 29 mai 2021.

Photo : Caporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos, Forces armées canadiennes

A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 Polaris from 437 Transport Squadron takes off to conduct an air-to-air refueling mission during Exercise MAPLE FLAG 51 at 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta on June 12, 2018.

Photo: OS Seymour, 4 Wing Imaging

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An American Blackhawk helicopter from the Wisconsin National Guard lands on a football field during a medical evacuation rehearsal for Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE in Wainwright, Alberta on April 29, 2021.

Please credit: Cpl Rachael Allen, Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Canadian Armed Forces photo

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Un hélicoptère Blackhawk américain de la Garde nationale du Wisconsin atterrit sur un terrain de football lors d’une répétition d’évacuation médicale en préparation à l’exercice MAPLE RESOLVE, à Wainwright, en Alberta, le 29 avril 2021.

Photo : Cpl Rachael Allen, Caméra de combat des Forces canadiennes, Forces armées canadiennes

many many hands

LiuZhou, Guangxi, China.

Morning exercise by the Liujiang River.

Members of the Canadian Army pass an Eagle feather during a sharing circle with American and Canadian military to mark the beginning of Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE at CFB Wainwright on May 9, 2022.

Please credit: Master Sailor Dan Bard, Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Canadian Armed Forces photo

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Des membres de l’Armée canadienne se passent une plume d’aigle pendant un cercle de partage organisé avec des militaires américains et canadiens pour souligner le début de l’exercice MAPLE RESOLVE à la BFC Wainwright, le 9 mai 2022.

Photo : Matelot-chef Dan Bard, Caméra de combat des Forces canadiennes, Forces armées canadiennes

HMCS BRANDON assists Clearance divers from the Royal Canadian Navy, Fleet Diving Unit Pacific as they both participate in Exercise ARCTIC EDGE 2022, near the town of Juneau Alaska on March 6, 2022.

Please credit: Master Sailor Dan Bard Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Canadian Armed Forces photo

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L’équipage du NCSM BRANDON appuie les plongeurs-démineurs de l’Unité de plongée de la Flotte (Pacifique) de la Marine royale canadienne lors de leur participation à l’exercice ARCTIC EDGE 2022, près de la vielle de Juneau, en Alaska, le 6 mars 2022.

Photo : Matelot chef Dan Bard, Caméra de combat des Forces canadiennes, Forces armées canadiennes

Übung des öster. Bundesheeres zum Schutz der Bevölkerung und der Infrastruktur im Grossraum Innsbruck / Hall

Alle Bilder unterliegen dem Copyright © PzBrig15

( keine unerlaubte Weitergabe oder Nutzung )

Exercise by the Austria Armed Forces ( Bundesheer) at Innsbruck / Hall ( Tirol)

weitere Bilder : www.flickr.com/photos/pzbrig15/sets/72157645173487622/

Canadian Armed Forces members deployed on Exercise Arctic Warrior, Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Capability 22-02 perform a 50 hour Consolidated Maintenance Schedule inspection on a CH-147 Chinook at Fort Wainwright, Alaska on March 2, 2022.

Please credit: Corporal Angela Gore, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

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Des membres des Forces armées canadiennes en déploiement dans le cadre de l’exercice Arctic Warrior, Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Capability 22-02, effectuent l’inspection d’un hélicoptère CH-147 Chinook selon le calendrier de maintenance consolidé de 50 heures, à Fort Wainwright, en Alaska, le 2 mars 2022.

Photo : Caporale Angela Gore, Forces armées canadiennes

The cage above the exercise yard in the KGB museum in Riga, where the guards would stand to keep a very close eye on the prisoners, who experienced outside air for only an hour a day.

This summer we took a trip to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Flying first to Riga and staying there a couple of nights before catching the bus to Tallinn.

When I arrived in Arizona, a coworker and I started discussing off-roading in all of the beautiful remote places the state had to offer. My coworker told me I needed 4 things:

1. A good pair of sunglasses

2. Tinted windows

3. A wide-brimmed hat

4. A gun

I'd never even handled or fired a gun until I came to Arizona. The idea of getting one both scared me and intrigued me. I'm not a conservative or a Republican, but I've always believed in gun rights from a theoretical standpoint. It has always shocked me when I hear stories of mass shootings. I always wonder, why didn't any of those innocent bystanders have a gun? The answer isn't always "because it's illegal" (i.e. school campuses). Most people have come to believe that it's acceptable to outsource our personal security to the police. I respect and admire the police. I have friends and relatives who are police officers. But realistically, the job of the police is to get there as soon as they can, clean up the mess, maybe do a little detective work, and every now and then, catch a bad guy (or girl).

"When seconds count, the police are minutes away." --bumper sticker

Living on the East Coast for so long might have had something to do with my inexperience with guns. The more-Democratic "blue" states on the coasts are much less gun-friendly than the more-Republican "red" states in the middle. Our country has an important history with guns, and that's why it's written right into the Constitution that our right to own guns "shall not be infringed." What's been happening over the past few decades, however, has been that gun rights have been infringed--er, "regulated"--more and more, bit by bit.

Nevertheless, in many places out west, it's still perfectly legal to carry a gun on your hip, with no special permits or anything. To me, an Easterner, this seems like an overtly political act. All the employees at the gun store (who are also the teachers of my gun classes) carry guns on their hips (at least when they are at work). They tell stories of being harassed by law enforcement and confronted by concerned strangers. One of my teachers said that if he's not allowed to carry a gun into an establishment, he stops visiting that establishment. Places he's been kicked out of include the local mall and the county fair. He says he hasn't been to either in a decade. After hearing those stories, I realized that it is a very political act to carry a gun, especially openly, and I admire them for it.

The biggest hassle of carrying a gun is dealing with all the places you're not allowed to go. It's absurd that a gun owner is not considered a threat outside the post office, but inside it she is (federal law). There are so many surprising and difficult-to-abide-by gun laws that almost every gun owner inadvertently violates one or two of them occasionally. This is one reason why people often prefer to carry concealed. If you have no way to be sure you're not violating a law without hiring a lawyer to follow you around everywhere, it's easier to avoid scrutiny by concealing your weapon. This can be done legally here, with a permit acquired after a couple classes in safety, shooting, and the legal issues involved with gun ownership and concealed-carry.

The problem with concealed-carry is that criminals won't have the sight of a gun on your hip to deter them, so you may be mugged even though you're carrying. Then you have to decide what to do. That's a tough decision to make, and it's an even tougher one to execute properly if your plan involves actually pulling out your gun. Usually, the best thing to do, carrying or not, is throw your money on the ground and run.

The advantage to concealed carry is you'll be harassed less by people who don't realize that guns are legal and safe when used correctly (or not used at all, which is usually the correct thing to do). It's often the police themselves that don't even realize it's legal for regular citizens to carry guns on their hips, since it happens so rarely (especially in states where permits are required and nearly impossible to obtain). The best thing about concealed-carry is that it has the potential to reduce crimes committed against everyone, even those who aren't carrying guns, since criminals cannot know who is and who isn't carrying.

The next thing to rant a bit about is the War on Drugs. I've never used or sold drugs and never will. Nevertheless, I think the drug war is absurd. One of the most frightening aspects of it is that police have abandoned the "knock and announce" procedure they used to follow when serving warrants. Nowadays, if you're suspected of a drug crime, they will simply throw small bombs (flash-bang grenades, intended as a non-lethal distraction, but which occasionally permanently injure or kill) into your house and break in through windows and doors while shouting "Police! search warrant!" Of course, home invading criminals are quite capable of shouting "Police!" just as well as the police can. Police enter homes this way because it is very easy to flush a large amount of drugs down a toilet in a small amount of time.

The problem with this is, what if they have the wrong house? It happens fairly often. What if they're acting on bad information? That also happens fairly often. These situations often lead to police officers being shot and the shooters being convicted of murder when the shooters only thought they were defending their homes against invading criminals.

What a mess.

Another thing I've come to understand is why "gun nuts" stockpile guns and ammunition.

In researching all of these arcane gun laws, I've discovered that one trick that is often used by gun-fearing legislators is to chip away at gun rights rather than take them away altogether. They will outlaw some kind of gun, but only if you don't own a gun like that already. This angers gun owners and pro-gun legislators, but since it doesn't require people to turn in their existing guns to the police, it is seen as less of a draconian violation of rights. Automatic weapons were outlawed in the 80s, but only if you didn't own one already. In Washington DC, handguns were outlawed in the home in the 70s, but if you already had one you were exempt. This pattern is repeated time and time again.

Imagine yourself as a gun owner, wanting to preserve your rights. Wouldn't it make sense to buy as many guns and as much ammunition as you could? Tomorrow they might outlaw revolvers or semiautomatics. Perhaps they will outlaw guns of a certain caliber. Perhaps they will outlaw hollow-point ammunition (it is more likely to kill, which of course makes it more useful for both crimes and self-defense). But you can rest assured that, if you own that stuff already, you'll be exempt.

No, i'm not stockpiling guns or ammo. and no, I'm not turning into a gun nut. If I could wish every gun off the face of the earth, I would. but since guns exist, I believe that I should be able to have one in case I need it. I see it as a tool. I have no emotional attachment to the hammer in my toolbox, and I have no emotional attachment to my gun.

"Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it." --bumper sticker