Iraqi Special Forces Qwat al-Khasah drill advanced marksmanship on a range near Baghdad,Iraq, Jan. 11, 2020.

This advanced marksmanship training enhances Qwat al-Khasah soldiers’ ability close with and defeat Daesh.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alec Dionne

Guinean Special Forces soldiers conduct weapons range training for both close quarters rifle and sniper skills during FLINTLOCK 20 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, February 17, 2020.

Flintlock is an annual, integrated military and law enforcement exercise that has strengthened key partner-nation forces throughout North and West Africa since 2005. Flintlock is U.S Africa Command’s premier and largest annual Special Operations Forces exercise.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Parker

October 3, 2025 - Canadian Forces Snowbirds performing the Finale at the Pacific Airshow 2025, Day 1, in Huntington Beach, California. This was the highlight of the entire Airshow! I am thankful that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds performed for us, because the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were unable to perform for us due to the U.S. Government Shutdown situation.

Réf. : IMG_2371

Kolugljúfur, chutes et canyon, un peu à l'est de Laugarbakki, Islande.

Best Large-

Standing on the Precipice (JHWatkins)

Standing on the precipice-

balanced at junctions,

space and time-

there are no excuses here

no explanations or rhymes.

Locked in lavish rhythm

far beyond the brink-

hid from help or rescue-

on jagged edge distinct.

Weighty voices-

tomorrows bearing-

form forces by the day...

Wound tight

in folds of failure-

by faltering historic foray.

Naked standing truth-

whirl winded and filleted-

open now -

body bleeding-

clean by choice-

ruthless rights parlayed.

Ring round the

restless righteous-

tormented tongues

twisted and advanced.

Weapons trained-

fitting filled-

hopelessness entranced.

New toys

for large little boys-

clicking clocks

in finest fashion.

Positioned perspective-

poisoned possessive power-

from places unimagined.

Whining women-

worn-out white wheezers-

talking days on end-

endless hours

of wasted words-

useless air-

precious spent.

Children torn

apart at seams-

families drugged

and drenched...

Callous toned

nightmares

running wild-

seeds scattered

in the wind.

Lost by generation's

darkened doubt-

aflame

the fearless world-

tossed aside by

hellish schemes-

now rampant-

flags unfurled.

Gone the green

and yearning years-

foundations

fairly laid-

of priceless pearl

in wisdom grown,

crown jewelry

on parade.

But new

the turning earth begins-

choice

once again delayed.

Come cold and calm

courageous men-

run boldly

to your fate.

And stand in

earnest errand bare,

an era

at the end-

now bind yourselves

betrothed and braced-

to finish

without fear. (James watkins 2004)

Guinean Special Forces soldiers conduct weapons range training for both close quarters rifle and sniper skills during FLINTLOCK 20 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, February 17, 2020.

Flintlock is an annual, integrated military and law enforcement exercise that has strengthened key partner-nation forces throughout North and West Africa since 2005. Flintlock is U.S Africa Command’s premier and largest annual Special Operations Forces exercise.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Parker

A member of the SkyHawks, Canada's only military parachute demonstration team, lands on the beach of the North Bay Waterfront during Armed Forces Day celebrations held on June 8, 2016.

Photo: Master Corporal Andrew Collins, 22 Wing North Bay

NB2016-0068-024

~

Un membre des SkyHawks, l’équipe de démonstration de parachutisme militaire canadienne, atterrit sur la plage du secteur riverain de North Bay lors des célébrations de la Journée nationale des Forces armées qui ont lieu le 8 juin 2016.

Photo : Caporal chef Andrew Collins, 22e Escadre North Bay

NB2016-0068-024

Janina Joutsen,

janina.joutsen@gmail.com,

+358400783822

Polish Soldiers from the elite 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów, 1 PSK (1st Special Commando Regiment, 1st Special Forces Regiment) during a training exercise - 2011

Norwegian Special Forces in Afghanistan

Norwegian Armed Forces Personnel from the Air Mobile Protection Team from NORTADII Guard a Norwegian C-130J Hercules aircraft in Gao, Mali as part of the UN Operation MINUSMA - 2019-06-24

Photo: Torbjørn Kjosvold / Forsvaret

Canadian Forces F-18 Hornet Jet Fighter & World War 2 MK IX Spitfire. Please see my Photostream for other images from the airshow.

Best Viewed Large on Black: View On Black

Members of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Air Force Band and Governor General’s Foot Guards Band rehearse their roles as part of the funeral service and celebration of life of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa, Ontario on 15 September 2022.

Please Credit: Corporal Jonathan King, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa/Gatineau) Imaging Services.

~

Des membres de la Musique centrale des Forces armées canadiennes, de la Musique de l’Aviation royale canadienne et de la Musique du Governor General’s Foot Guard sont en répétition en vue de leur participation au service commémoratif et à la célébration de la vie de Sa Majesté la reine Elizabeth II, à Ottawa, en Ontario, le 15 septembre 2022.

Photo : Caporal Jonathan King, Services d’imagerie du Groupe de soutien des Forces canadiennes (Ottawa-Gatineau)

NF 75 AB.........Guardbridge,Fife.

Swedish Armed Forces' Special Forces Operators (FM SF) of the Special Operational Group (SOG) during a training exercise.

Photo: Jimmy Croona/Försvarsmakten

Aquarelle sur carton, 24 x 23 cm, 1929, centre Paul Klee, Berne.

2023 Armed Forces Cross Country Championship held in conjunction with the USA Track and Field Cross Country National Championship in Richmond, Va. The Armed Forces Championship features teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy (with Coast Guard runners), and Air Force (with Space Force Runners). Department of Defense Photo by Mr. Steven Dinote - Released.

A row of 96th Security Forces Squadron Airmen stand at parade rest during the Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony May 16, 2016, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The ceremony honored fallen police officers from the previous year by reading their names aloud. Security forces Airmen from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Hurlburt Field, Fla., attended and participated in the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

A custom Forest Trooper mans the turret of a painted HISS. It's actually a 25th HISS so that I could preserve my original.

There's also a custom painted Driver to match, if you look through the canopy.

Latvian Special Forces during exercise Summer Shield - In Latvia, a training event is underway combining land, air and naval assets from Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Luxembourg, Canada and the U.S.

The annual event is referred to as Summer Shield, involving eleven hundred personnel. Summer Shield allows soldiers from NATO countries to train and improve interoperability in the Baltic region. This album includes various shots of soldiers on a firing range and on a exercise in a mock minefield.

Norwegian Special Forces during anti-piracy Ship Boarding exercise on the HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen – December 2013

Iraqi forces during fighting in west Mosul on April 8, 2017 in Mosul, Iraq. Despite air support from the U.S and U.K, Iraqi forces have had to engage Islamic State in house to house fighting as they continue their battle to retake Iraq's second largest city of Mosul. Despite now controlling most of the city, Iraqi forces continue to face extremely stiff resistance from I.S fighters who are now surrounded on all sides and are fighting to the death.

Photos: Carl Court

Afghan soldiers stand in formation after a live training demonstration of their skills in Kabul province, April 16, 2013. The training is part of the transition of security to the Afghan National Security Force before coalition forces depart in 2014. (U.S Army photo by Spc. Ryan DeBooy)

A C-17 Globemaster carrying reservists from the 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, sits on the flightline at Lajes Field, Azores, June 8, 2012. Members of the 419th LRS will join with the 65th LRS to complete annual training and to exercise the 65th Air Base Wing's force reception abilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lucas Silva)

Lithuanian Special Forces undergo timed range evaluations during a bilateral exercise with U.S. Special Forces, held in Kaunas, Lithuania, March 10, 2022.

A Lithuanian Special Forces member rapidly fires during a timed range evaluation as part of a bilateral exercise with U.S. Special Forces, held in Kaunas, Lithuania, March 10, 2022.

These joint range day evaluations are used to exchange tactics, enhance mission readiness and maintain advanced combat marksmanship skills while promoting a strong partnership with allied forces.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alisha Grezlik

Estonian Special Operations Forces, during operations in Mali.

@kaitsevagi.edf

Armed Forces Conduct Counter-terrorism Drill Ahead of Rio Olympics

Brazilian soldiers conduct a counterterrorism drill simulating an attack at the Deodoro train station on July 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil announced yesterday it was bolstering security for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games following the truck attack in Nice, France, which killed at least 84 people. Deodoro is one of four main venue locations for the upcoming Olympics which begin August 5.

Source: Mario Tama

Armed Forces Bike

Location : Quebec City (QC - CA)

2017 Armed Forces Softball Championship held at JB San Antonio, Texas (Fort Sam Houston) 19-23 September.

(FORT BENNING, Ga.) Combined Special Operations Forces Captain’s Career Course/Maneuver Captain’s Career Course Joint FTX, March 02 2016 at Selby MOUT Site. (Photos by: Patrick A. Albright/MCoE PAO Photographer)

French Special Forces soldiers of the 4th Helicopters Regiment simulate a hostage-rescue operation on April 28 2010, in a military aera in Tarbes, southwestern France.

Choose Something Like a Star

~ Robert Frost

O Star (the fairest one in sight),

We grant your loftiness the right

To some obscurity of cloud—

It will not do to say of night,

Since dark is what brings out your light.

Some mystery becomes the proud.

But to be wholly taciturn

In your reserve is not allowed.

Say something to us we can learn

By heart and when alone repeat.

Say something! And it says, 'I burn.'

But say with what degree of heat.

Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade.

Use language we can comprehend.

Tell us what elements you blend.

It gives us strangely little aid,

But does tell something in the end.

And steadfast as Keats' Eremite,

Not even stooping from its sphere,

It asks a little of us here.

It asks of us a certain height,

So when at times the mob is swayed

To carry praise or blame too far,

We may choose something like a star

To stay our minds on and be staid.

***************

Our Daily Challenge

"Magnify"

(As in the magnification of revolutions - centrifugal force...as in the mechanics of the universe...gravity, etc.)

and

Working Towards a Better World

*Dynamics*

and

I Believe In Magic

Happy Birthday Joy!

Members of the Iraqi Special Forces carry a mock casualty during a final air mobility operations exercise at Camp Taji, Iraq, Nov. 27, 2017. Camp Taji is one of four Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve building partner capacity locations dedicated to training partner forces and enhancing their effectiveness on the battlefield. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Rachel Diehm)

Exercice de saut en parachute à ouverture retardée. Préparation des chuteurs opérationnels du CPA 10 et des commandos marines avant le saut d'un Transall C 160 des FFDJ

Forces spéciales : Trépel, spécialistes de l’assaut

Basées à Lorient, les forces spéciales du commando Trépel sont spécialisées dans l’assaut à la mer et à la libération d’otages. Le commando porte le nom du capitaine Trépel, un des créateurs des commandos, disparu en 1944 au cours d’un raid en Hollande. La rédaction a partagé leur entrainement à 4 000 mètres d’altitude et dans le désert, à Djibouti.

The 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - an annual event combining military spectacle, cultural performance, vibrant music and international colour, set on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.

Hungarian armed forces

Iraqi Forces Battle ISIS Jihadists During an Ongoing Military Operation in the Al-Intisar Area of Eastern Mosul

Iraqi forces in the Al-Intisar area in eastern Mosul in an ongoing military operation against Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, on January 1, 2017..Iraqi forces have retaken more than 60 percent of eastern Mosul from the Islamic State group since the battle for the city began in mid-October.

Photos: Ahmad Al-Rubye

RAF Fairford July 2019