Operations photos on Flickr

Operation Fezzan by Greater Manchester Police

Special constables of Greater Manchester Police and Cheshire Police have today, 9 January 2015, taken part in Operation Fezzan.

The overall aim of the joint operation was to disrupt illegal activity between the two counties and deny criminals the use of the roads.

By using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras officers were able to monitor vehicles that crossed between the two counties, stopping any that were on the roads illegally or were linked to criminal activity.

The operation was centred around the forces' border near Poynton.

Special constables are volunteer police officers who give up their time to help keep our communities safe. They have the same powers as regular officers and provide police forces across the country with thousands of hours of additional policing every month.

To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.

www.gmp.police.uk

You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.

Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.

You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

Operation UNIFIER by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

On 29 January 2021, members from the Combined Arms Training Group deployed on Operation UNIFIER conducted NATO Call For Fire training with the 356th Artillery Training Regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Starychi.

Please credit: Cpl Melissa Gloude, Canadian Armed Forces photo

Le 29 janvier 2021, des membres du groupe d’instruction interarmes en déploiement dans le cadre de l’opération UNIFIER ont donné une formation de l’OTAN sur les demandes de tir au 356e régiment d’entraînement d’artillerie des forces armées ukrainiennes, au Centre international de sécurité et de maintien de la paix, à Starychi, en Ukraine.

Photo : Cpl Melissa Gloude, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation Longford by Greater Manchester Police

1

Police have launched a two-day operation to protect the most vulnerable members of the community.

The initiative codenamed Operation Longford will see officers from across the Force and specialist units including traffic, tactical aid and the ANPR intercept teams take to the streets in a bid to target vulnerability in the community.

Some of the work as part of the days of action (Friday 29 to Saturday 30 May) will include visits to licensed premises, policing open spaces that attract youths and alcohol, takeaway enforcement, visit to shisha bars in addition to Metrolink and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) patrols.

Superintendent Craig Thompson operational lead said: “Safeguarding vulnerable people is an on-going priority for the Force which makes days of action like this so important. By having mechanisms in place and working alongside our partners we can ensure those at greater risk in our community are protected before the actions such as exploitation and abuse begin.

“As with our day to day policing we will also carry out enforcement work and will target offenders for a range of offences including, human trafficking, Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE*), antisocial behaviour and general criminality.”

As part of the operation officers from the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team and partners such as Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner will launch the partnership Safe Haven scheme. It is a place of safety for anyone who is out and about in the city centre on a Friday or Saturday night and in need of help, support, a place of safety or a designated meeting point for when you lose your friends.

Superintendent Thompson added: “We want Operation Longford to show our community that their safety comes first and will always be our priority. We will make use of all of our disruption tactics to put a stop to criminals.”

For live updates from the operation follow #OpLongford from the GMP twitter accounts. You can find your local Twitter account by visiting: www.gmp.police.uk/socialmedia.

Operation UNIFIER by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Armed Forces of Ukraine recruits extract a simulated casualty on Tactical Combat Casualty Care training instructed by the Canadian Armed Forces in the United Kingdom during Operation UNIFIER on May 13, 2023.

Photo: Master Sailor Valerie LeClair, Canadian Armed Forces photo

Des recrues des forces armées ukrainiennes transportent une victime simulée lors d’une instruction sur le secourisme en situation de combat donnée par les Forces armées canadiennes dans le cadre de l’opération UNIFIER au Royaume-Uni, le 13 mai 2023.

Photo : Matelot-chef Valerie LeClair, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation Desert Storm by Lietmotiv

7

A bow view of the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) underway with various aircraft parked on the flight deck during Operation Desert Storm.

Operation AVRO- Wigan by Greater Manchester Police

Operation AVRO is a forcewide initiative that delivers a surge of extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month.

This month saw the operation take place in Wigan.

The operation targets crimes that members of the public in that district have told us give them the most concern.

Members of the press and key partners, including local representatives, are invited to attend Operation AVRO deployments to see results first-hand and conduct important multi-agency work, such as welfare visits.

More details on AVRO can be found by visiting gmp.police.uk and following us on social media.

You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.

Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.

You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

You can access many of our services online at www.gmp.police.uk

Operation LENTUS by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Members of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry arrive near Grande Prairie, Alberta and set up camp in support of Operation LENTUS 23-01 on 10 May 2023.

Photo: MCpl Cass Moon, Canadian Armed Forces photo

Des membres du 3e Bataillon, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, arrivent près de Grande Prairie, en Alberta, et installent leur campement, au cours de l’opération LENTUS 23-01, le 10 mai 2023.

Photo : Cplc Cass Moon, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation ARTEMIS by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Lieutenant (Navy) Wilson Gonese, a Padre aboard HMCS CALGARY, says a prayer for the children of the Kamloops Indian Residential School during a ceremony in the port of Duqm in Oman during Operation ARTEMIS and as part of Combined Task Force 150, on June 2, 2021.

Please credit: Corporal Lynette Ai Dang, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

~

Le lieutenant de vaisseau Wilson Gonese, aumônier à bord du NCSM CALGARY faisant partie Force opérationnelle multinationale 150, récite une prière pour les enfants du pensionnat indien de Kamloops lors d’une cérémonie dans le port de Douqm, à Oman, au cours de l’opération ARTEMIS, le 2 juin 2021.

Photo : Caporal Lynette Ai Dang, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation Florin by Greater Manchester Police

1 1

Five people have been arrested as part of an operation to target mortgage fraud and money laundering in Rochdale.

These raids are the result of an intelligence-led operation, code named Operation Florin, aimed at people buying properties with false documents and money made from criminal activities.

Warrants were executed at addresses in the Milnrow and Cutgate areas just after 7am this morning, Wednesday 17 November 2010.

Two men and three women have been arrested on suspicion of fraud and money laundering.

Officers from the Rochdale division carried out the raids with the support of force resources such as Tactical Aid Units and those in custody will be interviewed by officers from the Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team while the houses are searched.

Operation Florin was launched after officers found up to a quarter of a million pounds worth of cannabis during a raid at a house on Higher Calderbrook Road, Littleborough on 21 April 2010.

Officers then began an investigation into the ownership of that and other properties in Rochdale and Manchester.

Sergeant Karl Ward, from Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Today is the culmination of months of hard work by the NPT and our financial investigator and proves that when we find drugs, our work does not stop there.

"When we found the cannabis plants and stopped those drugs from getting on to the streets of Greater Manchester, it was a good result but we were not satisfied to let it rest there and decided to look at every aspect behind it such as the ownership of the house involved.

"We will always try to tackle drug dealers as they cause misery on a number of levels - to those using drugs, to the community that has to put up with the antisocial behaviour and intimidation that goes with it and those who suffer the burglaries and robberies that fund addictions.

"However, today shows that it can go much deeper. We are in a recession and honest residents are already struggling to make ends meet.

"Criminals who buy property with ill-gotten gains and false documents can affect house prices in the area and damage the firms they borrow from with their perilous financial position, only adding to the problems of law-abiding people who are already struggling."

The Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team (Littleborough Lakeside, Wardle and West Littleborough, Smallbridge and Firgrove and Milnrow and Newhey) can be contacted on 0161 856 4556 / pennineparnership@gmp.police.uk

Anyone who is concerned about drug dealing and its associated criminal activity in their area should ring Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

For more information about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.

www.gmp.police.uk

Medical Cannabis Growing Operation in Oakland, California by Rusty Blazenhoff

1

A rotating lazy susan device turns the cannabis plants to optimize exposure to lights.

I had to wear sunglasses in this room.

photo by Rusty Blazenhoff

laughingsquid.com/a-rare-look-inside-a-commercial-medical...

Operation UNIFIER by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Sergeant Chris Payne from the Operation UNIFIER Medical Training Group (MTG) and training volunteer Aviator Mason Woof demonstrate “Stress Lane” training to the candidates of the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU) Basic Combat Medic Course at the NGU Training Center in Zolochiv, Ukraine on 12 March 2021.

Stress Lane training is a mix of mental and physical tasks done at speed and design in a way that candidates will operate in a stressful environment.

Please credit: Cpl Melissa Gloude, Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician

Le sergent Chris Payne, du Groupe de formation médicale (GFM) de l’opération UNIFIER, et l’aviateur Mason Woof, qui s’est porté volontaire, font une démonstration durant l’entraînement axé sur le stress à l’intention des candidats du cours élémentaire de personnel médical de combat de la Garde nationale ukrainienne (GNU), au centre d’entraînement de la GNU à Zolochiv, en Ukraine, le 12 mars 2021.

Cet entraînement axé sur le stress est constitué de tâches à la fois mentales et physiques que les candidats doivent réaliser rapidement, comme ils devront le faire dans un environnement stressant.

Photo : Cpl Melissa Gloude, technicienne en imagerie des Forces armées canadiennes

Operation NEON by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Members of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy greet His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver at the Port of Busan during Operation NEON, Canada's contribution to the multinational initiative to enforce maritime sanctions on North Korea, in Busan, South Korea on October 4, 2022.

Please credit: Master-Corporal Matthieu Racette, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

~

Des membres des forces maritimes de la République de Corée saluent le Navire canadien de Sa Majesté (NCSM) Vancouver au port de Busan au cours de l’opération NEON, la contribution du Canada à une initiative multinationale visant à appuyer la mise en œuvre des sanctions maritimes contre la Corée du Nord, à Busan, en Corée du Sud, le 4 octobre 2022.

Photo : Caporal chef Matthieu Racette, Caméra de combat des Forces canadiennes

Operation IMPACT by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

1

A member of Air Task Force - Iraq takes advantage of some downtime between flights to get in a work out at the gym during Operation IMPACT on March 2, 2015.

Photo: OP Impact, DND

GD2015-0091-05

~

Un membre de la Force opérationnelle aérienne en Irak profite d’une période de repos entre deux vols pour s’entraîner au gymnase, dans le cadre de l’opération IMPACT, le 2 mars 2015.

Photo : Opération Impact, MDN

GD2015-0091-05

Operation REASSURANCE by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

1

Crew members from Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Toronto conduct a live fire range in order to practice some marksmanship skills while on a moving ship during Operation REASSURANCE on 23 August 2020.

Photo Credit: Cpl White-Finkle, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Des membres d’équipage du Navire canadien de Sa Majesté Toronto pratiquent leurs habiletés au tir lors d’un exercice de tir réel à bord d’un navire en mouvement au cours de l’opération REASSURANCE, le 23 août 2020.

Photo : Cpl White-Finkle, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation Manchester by Greater Manchester Police

1

Yesterday (Wednesday 11 March 2020), officers from Greater Manchester Police and the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) executed a number of warrants at Great Ducie Street, Manchester.

Officers from GMP and the City of London Police - the national policing lead for fraud – worked alongside UK immigration, meaning a total of 100 officers and staff members were involved in the operation.

The search warrant, which developed from a previous operation that involved the sale and distribution of counterfeit items, saw thousands of labels, computer equipment and cash seized.

Detectives are currently exploring links between the counterfeit operation and Serious Organised Crime, helping to fund criminal activity beyond Greater Manchester.

15 people were arrested, after officers uncovered an estimated £7.5 million worth of branded clothing, shoes and perfume suspected to be counterfeit.

Chief Inspector Kirsten Buggy, of GMP’s North Manchester division, said: “Yesterday’s operation is one of the largest of its kind ever carried out in the area and has taken a meticulous amount of planning and preparation.

“I am thankful to colleagues from the City of London Police, who as the national policing lead for fraud, have worked in partnership with officers from GMP and helped bring about yesterday’s direct action. I am also grateful to those from UK Immigration for their help.

“Such partnerships are absolutely vital when tackling counterfeit operations, as they bring specialisms from across the country together in a bid to make an impactive and real difference. Steps such as yesterday are often only the start when it comes to investigating the scale of these operations and we will continue to work in conjunction with the City of London’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit to tackle this type of offending to its’ very core.

“It is important to recognise the far-reaching and serious impact of sophisticated and large scale counterfeit operations such as this one; and I would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public of the repercussions of this kind of offending and the link to organised criminal activity. Please be under no illusion- this type of crime is not victimless.”

Police staff investigator Charlotte Beattie, of the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), said:

“The counterfeit goods business is a deceiving one and the key message to be take away from this operation, is that counterfeiting is not a victimless crime.

“An individual may think that when buying counterfeit goods they are only affecting a multi-million pound brand, and won’t matter, when in fact they are helping to fund organised criminal activity. Counterfeit goods also pose a health risk to individuals as they usually are not fit for purpose or have not gone through the legal health and safety checks.

“Working in partnership has ensured that today’s operation has been a success. We will continue to work with Greater Manchester Police and UK Immigration to tackle the scourge of the counterfeit goods problem.”

To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website. www.gmp.police.uk

You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.

Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.

You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

You can access many of our services online at www.gmp.police.uk.

Operation IMPACT by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

1

A Canadian Armed Forces member soaks the side of a tent during fire brigade training in Kuwait during Operation IMPACT on December 30, 2015.

Photo: Op IMPACT, DND

KW04-2015-0415-004

~

Un membre des Forces armées canadiennes asperge le panneau d’une tente au cours de la formation du corps de pompiers au Koweït, dans le cadre de l’opération IMPACT, le 30 décembre 2015.

Photo : Op IMPACT, MDN

KW04-2015-0415-004

Operation REASSURANCE-MTF by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

1

A crew member of the French navy’s Sunfish helicopter speaks with Corporal Bradley Mac of HMCS FREDERICTON’s air detachment following his hoist transfer to the flight deck of the Canadian ship on 25 September 2021.

Photo: Cpl Laura Landry, Canadian Armed Forces

~

Un membre de l'équipage de l'hélicoptère français Sunfish échange avec le caporal Bradley Mac du détachement aérien du NCSM FREDERICTON lors de son transbordement par treuil sur le pont d'envol du navire canadien, le 25 septembre 2021.

Photo : Cpl Laura Landry, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation LENTUS 2021 by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron aircrew escort British Columbia (BC) Wildfire Service members into the CH-147 Chinook helicopter at YKA Kamloops Airport, to assist with personnel transportation in support of Operation LENTUS to help provincial and local authorities stabilize the BC wildfire situation in Kamloops, BC, on July 10, 2021.

Photo by: Sailor 1st Class Victoria Ioganov, MARPAC Imaging Services, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

~

L’équipage du 450e Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères accompagne des employés des services de lutte contre les feux de forêt de la Colombie Britannique (C. B) à bord de l’hélicoptère CH-147 Chinook, à l’aéroport de Kamloops (YKA), pour aider au transport du personnel dans le cadre de l’opération LENTUS, qui vise à aider les autorités locales et provinciales à stabiliser la situation des feux de forêt en C. B., à Kamloops, en C. B., le 10 juillet 2021.

Photo : Matelot de 1re classe Victoria Ioganov, Services d’imagerie des FMAR(P), Forces armées canadiennes

Operation REASSURANCE by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

1

Her Majesty's Canadian Ship FREDERICTON's CH-124 Sea King helicopter prepares to hoist a crew member from the foc'sle as part of a training exercise while transiting to the Mediterranean Sea for Operation REASSURANCE on January 3, 2015.

Photo: Maritime Task Force - OP Reassurance, DND

L’hélicoptère CH-124 Sea King du Navire canadien de Sa Majesté Fredericton se prépare à hisser un membre de l’équipage à partir du gaillard d’avant durant un exercice d’entraînement tenu pendant que le Fredericton navigue vers la mer Méditerranée pour prendre part à l’opération REASSURANCE, le 3 janvier 2015.

Photo : Force opérationnelle maritime - Op REASSURANCE, MDN

HS2015-C001-020

Operation Fezzan by Greater Manchester Police

2

Special constables of Greater Manchester Police and Cheshire Police have today, 9 January 2015, taken part in Operation Fezzan.

The overall aim of the joint operation was to disrupt illegal activity between the two counties and deny criminals the use of the roads.

By using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras officers were able to monitor vehicles that crossed between the two counties, stopping any that were on the roads illegally or were linked to criminal activity.

The operation was centred around the forces' border near Poynton.

Special constables are volunteer police officers who give up their time to help keep our communities safe. They have the same powers as regular officers and provide police forces across the country with thousands of hours of additional policing every month.

To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.

www.gmp.police.uk

You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.

Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.

You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

Operation REASSURANCE-MTF by Royal Canadian Navy / Marine royale canadienne

Commander Dale St Croix, Commander of HMCS HALIFAX provides a tour of the ship to his guests during Operation REASSURANCE while alongside Riga, Latvia on 22 April 2022.

Please credit: Pte Connor Bennett Canadian Armed Forces photo

Operation ARTEMIS by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Chief Petty Officer Second Class John Logan, the Logistics Chief of HMCS CALGARY, prepares a syringe for administrating COVID-19 vaccinations in Manama, Bahrain during Operation ARTEMIS and as part of Combined Task Force 150, on May 23, 2021.

Photo by: Captain Jeffery Klassen, Public Affairs Officer, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

~

Le premier maître de 2e classe John Logan, chef de la logistique à bord du NCSM CALGARY faisant partie de la Force opérationnelle multinationale 150, prépare une seringue qui servira à administrer le vaccin contre la COVID-19, à Manama, au Bahrain, au cours de l’opération ARTEMIS, le 23 mai 2021.

Photo : Capitaine Jeffery Klassen, officier des affaires publiques, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation COVID-19 by New York National Guard

1

New York Army National Guard Soldiers of the 133rd Composite Supply Company, part of the 53rd Troop Command, unpack cots at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City March 26, 2020. The convention center will be an alternate care site to ease the bed shortage of New York Hospitals as part of the state response to the COVID-19 outbreak (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sean Madden)

Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Portrait of a Canadian Ranger from 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group during Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut on March 13, 2023.

Photo by: Corporal Antoine Brochu, Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs), Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Photo d’un membre du 1er Groupe de patrouilles des Rangers canadiens au cours de l’opération NANOOK-NUNALIVUT, à Rankin Inlet, au Nunavut, le 13 mars 2023.

Photo : Caporal Antoine Brochu, Sous ministre adjoint (Affaires publiques), Forces armées canadiennes

Operation REASSURANCE by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

1

Members of the Air Detachment deployed with Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Toronto, conduct Hot Fuelling, and Helicopter in Flight Fuelling during Operation REASSURANCE on 5 September 2020.

Photo Credit: Cpl White-Finkle, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

1:72 Lockheed F2V-2P "Shooting Star"; aircraft “PP 15 (BuNo 121782)” of the U.S. Navy Composite Squadron Sixty-One (VC-61; "Eyes of the Fleet"); on board of U.S.S. Boxer (CV-21), Task Force 77; Yellow Sea, mid 1951 (Whif/Modified Airfix kit) by Dizzyfugu

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based on historical facts. BEWARE!

Some background:

The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was the first jet fighter used operationally by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Designed and built by Lockheed in 1943 and delivered just 143 days from the start of the design process, production models were flying, and two pre-production models did see very limited service in Italy just before the end of World War II.

Designed with straight wings, America's first successful turbojet-powered combat aircraft, it helped usher in the "jet age" in the USAF. The US Navy was also keen to enter the jet age, so several P-80A Shooting Stars were transferred beginning 29 June 1945, retaining their P-80 designations. At Naval Air Station Patuxent River, one Navy P-80 was modified with required add-ons, such as an arrester hook, and loaded aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt at Norfolk, Virginia, on 31 October 1946.
The following day the aircraft made four deck-run takeoffs and two catapult launches, with five arrested landings, flown by Marine Major Marion Carl. A second series of trials was held on 11 November. The tests were passably successful, but the P/F-80A C was not a very suitable carrier aircraft. Even with the arresting hook and the bridle attachment points it still lacked a lot desired for carrier operations: No wing fold (greatly hampering parking on the deck and below in the hangar deck, and elevator handling), not protected against the salt water environment, not optimized for low speed handling around the carrier, and perhaps most troublesome it did not have a structure robust enough for sustained carrier operations.

In parallel, the U.S. Navy had already begun procuring its own jet aircraft, but the slow pace of delivery was causing retention problems among pilots, particularly those of the Marines who were still flying Vought F4U Corsairs. To increase land-based jet-transition training in the late 1940s, 50 F-80Cs were transferred to the U.S. Navy from the U.S. Air Force in 1949 as jet trainers. Designated TO-1 by the Navy (changed to TV-1 in 1950), 25 were based at Naval Air Station North Island, California, with VF-52, and 16 assigned to the Marine Corps, equipping VMF-311 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. These aircraft were eventually sent to reserve units. The success of these aircraft led to the procurement by the Navy of 698 T-33 Shooting Stars (as the TO-2/TV-2) to provide a two-seat aircraft for the training role.

Concerning the single-seat fighter, the US Navy was by late 1948 impressed (or desperate) enough to order a navalized version of the F-80C, with an uprated J-33-A-35 engine, an ejection seat and fitted with 260 US gal (220 imp gal; 980 l) tiptanks. This became the F2V, which addressed many of the early carrier trial shortcomings. For instance, the wings were modified with folding hinges at about half the wings' span, and tanks in the outer wing panels were deleted. This structural weakness precluded the carriage of the F-80C's large tip tanks, though, so that smaller, integral tip tanks were added to the wing tips. Internal structure and landing gear were reinforced, externally recognizable through a slightly higher stance of the aircraft on the ground. An arrester hook was added under the rear fuselage as well as catapult launch cable hooks under the air intakes. For better low-speed handling the flaps could be lowered more strongly than on the F-80, and slats were added to the outer wing panels. In order to provide the pilot with a better field of view esp. during carrier landings, a bigger and taller teardrop canopy was fitted, with a raised position for the pilot. The armaments consisted of six 0.5" machine guns with 300 RPG, plus underwing hardpoints fo up to eight inch HVARs or two 1.000 lb bombs, similar to the USAF's F-80C.

In 1951, immediately after the first F2V-1s had been delivered and sent to Korea, a second order for an upgraded variant was placed. Basically, the F2V-2 did not differ much from its predecessor, it was just outfitted with a slightly uprated J33-A-35A engine and the internal armament was changed to four 20mm Colt Mk. 12 cannon with 100 RPG in the nose. 32 F2V-2s were ordered, plus 12 additional F2V-2Ps, an unarmed photo reconnaissance version which had a similar camera nose as the RF-80. The standard equipment included a K-17 camera with a 6" lens and two split vertical K-22 cameras with 24" lenses. While the F2V-2P did not carry any offensive capability anymore, the underwing hardpoints were retained for photo flash cartridge dischargers, allowing a limited night photography capability.

USAF F-80Cs as well as USN F2Vs saw active combat service in the Korean War and were among the first aircraft to be involved in jet-versus-jet combat. They flew both air-to-air and air-to-ground sorties, claiming several aerial victories against North Korean Yak-9s and Il-10s. But despite initial claims of success, the speed of the straight-wing F-80s was inferior to the 668 mph (1.075 km/h) MiGs, and the heavier F2V fared even worse. A further problem of the F2Vs was their poor resistance against sea water-related aircraft wear. Even though Lockheed had tried to save the airframe and the internal systems from higher humidity and salt exposure, corrosion and electrical defects plagued the aircraft during its whole career, which was relatively short. The fighters were soon replaced by the more capable Grumman F9F Panther, and type that had been from the start been designed as a naval aircraft and was built by a company with more experience in this field of work.

When sufficient Sabres were in operation to counter the MiG-15s, the Shooting Stars flew exclusively ground-attack and photo reconnaissance missions. For the latter task, 20 surplus F2V-1s were modified in field workshops to F2V-1Ps. These were basically of the same technical standard as the F2V-2P, but retained the weaker engine. In fact, by the end of hostilities, the only Shooting Stars in USAF and USN service still flying in Korea were photo-reconnaissance variants. After the Korean War, the F2V fighters were quickly phased out, just the photo reconnaissance versions were still flying in reserve units, but were also soon replaced by Grumman Panthers and Douglas Banshee recce variants. By 1958, all F2Vs were already retired.

Lockheed's experience with the F2V was not futile, though. The USN's persisting need for a carrier-compatible trainer led to a further, more advanced design development of the P-80/T-33 family, which came into being with the Lockheed designation L-245 and USN designation T2V. Lockheed's demonstrator L-245 first flew on 16 December 1953 and production deliveries to the US Navy began in 1956.

Compared to the T-33/TV-2/F2V, the T2V was almost totally re-engineered and fully optimized for carrier landings and at-sea operations. This included a redesigned tail, naval standard avionics, a further strengthened undercarriage (with catapult fittings) and lower fuselage (with a retractable arrester hook), power-operated leading-edge flaps (to increase lift at low speeds) to allow carrier launches and recoveries, and an elevated rear (instructor's) seat for improved instructor vision, among other changes. The T2V eventually had a much higher ability to withstand sea water-related aircraft wear from higher humidity and salt exposure.

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 34 ft 5 in (10.49 m)

Wingspan: 40 ft 9 1/2 in (12,45 m) incl. tip tanks

Height: 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)

Wing area: 234.8 sq ft (21.81 m²)

Aspect ratio: 6.37

Airfoil: NACA 65-213

Empty weight: 9,273 lb (4,210 kg)

Gross weight: 14,392 lb (6,534 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 17,280 lb (7,846 kg)

Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0134

Frontal area: 32 sq ft (3.0 m²)

Powerplant:

1× Allison J33-A-35A centrifugal compressor turbojet with 4,900 lbf (22 kN) dry thrust

and 6,100 lbf (27.2 kN) with water injection'Allison J33-A-24/24A turbojet,

Performance:

Maximum speed: 590 mph (950 km/h, 513 kn) at sea level

Maximum speed: Mach 0.75

Cruise speed: 439 mph (707 km/h, 381 kn)

Range: 825 mi (1,328 km, 717 nmi)

Ferry range: 1,380 mi (2,220 km, 1,200 nmi)

Service ceiling: 46,800 ft (14,300 m)

Rate of climb: 6,870 ft/min (34.9 m/s)

Time to altitude: 20,000 ft (6,100 m) in 5 minutes 30 seconds

Lift-to-drag: 17.7

Wing loading: 51.3 lb/sq ft (250 kg/m²

Thrust/weight: 0.364

0.435 with water injection.

Armament:

No cannons installed

Underwing hardpoints for up to 2× 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs, but typically left empty or outfitted with photo flash

cartridge dispensers for night photography

The kit and its assembly:

This build is another submission the "In the Navy" group build at whatifmodellers.com in early 2020, and it was a spontaneous decision, following the discussions under a "F-80 in USN service" thread elsewhere in the forum (www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=33956.0).

I remembered that I had an Airfic F-80C in the stash, and the idea was born to build a kind of a missing link between the USN's purely land-based TO/TV-1 and the later, dedicated T2V-1 carrier-capable trainer.

I wanted the modified Shooting Star to stay close to the land-based original, but with some upgrades. These included foldable wings (hinted at with profiles on the upper wings surfaces, hiding the respective joints), a raised cockpit in the form of a new/bigger canopy (from a Hasegawa F9F Panther, with an added dorsal fairing) and a modified landing gear. For the latter, the main gear was taken over, but I raised the main legs by maybe 2mm - not much, but I wanted a rather stalky, Skyhawk-esque look that conveys the upgraded landing gear. For the same reason I replaced the front leg with a leftover donor piece from a Matchbox A-4M - it has a different construction and is also longer, so that the F2V now had a nose-up stance for a better angle of attack when launching from a carrier. I contemplated and actually tried a fin fillet, but found after hardware trials that this, together with the more bulbous canopy, totally ruined the F-80's elegant lines, so it went off again.

An extra of this conversion is the camera nose, taken from the Heller T-33/RT-33 kit, a straightforward mod because the same nose was also mounted onto the RF-80C photo recce variant of the Shooting Star. However, once again the challenges of body transplants on model kits should not be underestimated. While, in theory, the RT-33 nose should have been easy to graft onto the F-80 body, it was not. While the dorsal area would fit quite well, the lower shapes, esp. in front of the air intakes, differ considerably between the models. I assume that the Airfix F-80C is slightly too narrow/sleek at its front end. Integrating the different nose necessitated some serious PSR, and while the parts do not match as good as one might have suspected, the outcome looks fine and I am happy that I now have "something different", not just a standard fighter.

I also wanted to add wing tip tanks, but neither the early underwing tanks that come with the Airfix kit, nor the large tanks from the T-33 - I found them both to be too big for a carrier-borne aircraft. Finding suitable donor parts was not easy, though; initially I dug out a pair of leftover tip tanks from a Matchbox T-2 Buckeye. which are pretty slender, but they eventually looked too modern and streamlined for an aircraft from the early Fifties. I tried some further mods but eventually rejected them. The final choice became a pair of underwing drop tanks from a Hobby Boss MiG-15 that lost their fins.

Painting and markings:

Once more, a conservative approach. While the real TO/TV-1s of the US Navy retained their bare metal finish with black markings, I gave the T2V a classic all-blue livery, because I thought that it would suit the elegant lines of the F-80 well.

The F2V was painted overall in FS 35042 (from Modelmaster), later treated with a black ink wash and some post-shading. The interior surfaces of cockpit, air brakes and landing gear wells were painted with an individually mixed zinc chromate green, consisting of Humbrol 80 and 159 in a roughly 1:1 ratio. The silver wing leading edges were created with decal material, a more convenient solution than trying to mask and paint them. The landing gear struts and wheel discs were painted in aluminium (Humbrol 56).

Decals and markings were puzzled together. The "Stars and Bars" come from an Artmodel F8F Bearcat, as well as the "Navy" tag on the fuselage. The VC 61 markings come from a Hobby Boss F9F Panther, and I added some F-80/T-33-specific markings from various aftermarket sheets. The red highlights on nose and fin were done with paint (Revell 330), framed by thin white decal strips. The ranging radar was framed with similar material, just in silver.

Even though I considered opening the camera windows in the nose and glazing them, I left them closed, since a lot of lead had to be hidden inside for a proper stance. Instead, the windows were simply filled with black, clear paint, for a glossy finish. The rest of the aircraft was sealed with a mix of matt and semi-gloss Italeri acrylic varnish, which turned out duller than hoped for - but I left it that way.

A relatively simple project - or so I thought! The rhinoplasty was more complicated than expected, the wing tip tanks became a trial-and error odyssey and the different landing gear and the canopy were also not without trouble. The resulting fictional aircraft is very subtle, though - even more so through the standard USN livery, which suits the Shooting Star VERY well and might onlookers mislead to see a Fifties Banshee or a Panther. The F2V just blends right between these types.

Operation IMPACT by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Captain DeWolfe (seated) with Petty Officer 2nd Class Veras review briefing notes from Joint Task Force – IMPACT / Task Force – Central, in Lebanon on September 10, 2020.

Please credit: MCpl J.W.S Houck, JTF-I – Public Affairs

La capitaine DeWolfe (assise) et le maître de 2e classe Veras examinent les notes d’information de la Force opérationnelle interarmées – IMPACT / Force opérationnelle (Centre), au Liban, le 10 septembre 2020.

Photo : Cplc J.W.S Houck, Affaires publiques – FOI-I

Operation IMPACT by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Canadian traffic technicians deployed as part of Operation IMPACT work in partnership with the United States Air Force, United States Army and the Royal Danish Army to load a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130 Hercules at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, on March 27, 2020. The plane will deliver supplies to Coalition members in other parts of the Middle East.

Image by: Cpl Nicolas Alonso

~

Les techniciens des mouvements canadiens déployés dans le cadre de l'opération IMPACT travaillent en partenariat avec l’armée et l’aviation américaines, ainsi que l’Armée royale danoise, pour charger un CC-130 Hercules de l’Aviation royale canadienne à la base aérienne Ali Al Salem (Koweït) le 27 mars 2020. L'avion livrera du matériel aux membres de la coalition dans d'autres régions du Moyen-Orient.

Image par : Cpl Nicolas Alonso

Operation Deep Water by Maryland National Guard

3

The Maryland National Guard’s 32nd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team conducted training at Garrett College and Garrett County Airport August 20-24, 2012 in Western Maryland. The 32nd WMD-CST's mission was to build a partnership with local responders and assess the team's response and travel time. The Survey Team checked for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats and collected samples. Spc. April-Mae Ridenour (left) and Cpl. Jeffrey Jones of the 32nd CST, do a final equipment check as they prepare to enter a building at Garrett College during training Operation Deep Water at Deep Creek Lake, Md.

Operation ARTEMIS by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

HMCS CALGARY’s boarding party team and command team stand with heroin seized during counter-smuggling operations in the Arabian Sea during OPERATION ARTEMIS and as part of Combined Task Force 150, on June 6, 2021.

Please credit: Corporal Lynette Ai Dang, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

~

L’équipe d’arraisonnement du NCSM CALGARY et l’équipe de commandement du navire posent avec l’héroïne saisie lors d’opérations de lutte contre la contrebande menées par la Force opérationnelle multinationale 150 dans la mer d’Arabie, au cours de l’opération ARTEMIS, le 6 juin 2021.

Photo : Caporal Lynette Ai Dang, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation AVRO - Bury by Greater Manchester Police

Operation AVRO is a forcewide initiative that delivers a surge of extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month.

This month saw the operation take place in Bury.

The operation targets crimes that members of the public in that district have told us give them the most concern.

Members of the press and key partners, including local representatives, are invited to attend Operation AVRO deployments to see results first-hand and conduct important multi-agency work, such as welfare visits.

More details on AVRO can be found by visiting gmp.police.uk and following us on social media.

You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.

Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.

You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

You can access many of our services online at www.gmp.police.uk

Operation Barkhane by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

2

French and Chad military participate in a flag ceremony to commemorate the launch of Operation Barkhane. Operation Barkhane is an anti-terrorist operation in Africa's Sahel region beginning in July 2014. It consists of a 3,000-strong French force, which will be permanent and headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad. The operation has been designed with five countries, and former French colonies, that span the Sahel: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. (U.S. Army Africa photos by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Martin S. Bonner)

To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil

Official Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/usarmyafrica

Official Vimeo video channel: www.vimeo.com/usarmyafrica

Join the U.S. Army Africa conversation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArmyAfrica

Operation ARTEMIS by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

1

A French Navy NH90 helicopter from NATO Task Force 473 conducts drills with HMCS REGINA during Operation ARTEMIS in the Pacific Ocean on April 23 2019.

Photo: Corporal Stuart Evans, BORDEN Imaging Services

XA01-2019-0035-469

Operation Safe Return by Greater Manchester Police

4

Greater Manchester Police has launched a major operation that will see more than 50 officers a day, alongside Manchester City Council and university staff carry out a number of tactics to tackle student-related crime.

Statistics show that 1 in 10 students will become a victim of crime while studying in Manchester, so this operation aims to ensure the 70,000 students descending on universities across the city have a safe and enjoyable experience.

"Greater Manchester is a fantastic place for people to study and we want to welcome new and returning students. However, many students become so busy enjoying their new lives that they forget personal safety issues.

"We understand that crime prevention will not be one of their top priorities, but unfortunately some criminals do see students as easy targets. In particular, over the last three years, 16 per cent of burglaries within the city of Manchester involved students," said Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson heading up the operation.

"We will be doing everything in our power to prevent students becoming victims of crime by working with the universities to provide students with advice on keeping themselves and their property safe and ensuring those responsible are caught and brought to justice."

Over the coming months Operation Safe Return will see GMP working alongside Manchester City Council and staff at each university carrying out high-profile patrols on foot, bicycles and in vehicles, targeting the main hotspot areas.

Video cameras will be used to gather intelligence and known offenders of student crime will be targeted. PCSOs will be visiting the homes of students who live in vulnerable areas to carry out crime prevention surveys and provide advice.

Officers will also deliver face-to-face talks to welcome new students to the city and urge them to become more security savvy. While other students will be shown a DVD, including information about how to keep themselves and their property safe.

Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson continues: "There are some really simple steps that students can take to protect themselves becoming a victim of crime. Our advice is that while out and about, you should keep to well-lit areas, stay in groups and keep valuables such as phones and MP3 players out of sight.

"At your student accommodation, make sure that doors and windows are locked - even when you are in and remember to set the alarm. If you're going out at night, leave a light on to give the impression someone is home."

Cllr Jim Battle, Manchester City Council's Deputy Leader, said: "Manchester is a great city for students, and we want to send out a clear message that by sticking to a few simple steps, they can make sure they remain safe during their time here."

Posters advising students on how to stop themselves falling victim to robbery and burglary will be displayed around the university campus' and in the residential areas. Crime prevention messages will also be displayed on lamppost banners down the Oxford Road corridor.

Students are also encouraged to register their valuables on www.immobilise.com. It's a quick, easy and free way of logging the details of your property on a national database that police can access and compare against items that have been found or recovered from suspected criminals.

For more advice on keeping safe, students can log on to: www.manchester.gov.uk/StudentSafety

Operation REASSURANCE by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

The Ambassador of Canada to Romania, Annick Goulet, Canada’s ambassador for Women Peace and Security, Jacqueline O'Neill with Canadian Armed Forces members, Romanian Army members and United States Army representatives attend the Women, Peace and Security event in Bucharest, Romania on November 2, 2022.

Please credit: Corporal Eric Chaput, Canadian Armed Forces photo

~

L’ambassadrice du Canada en Roumanie, Annick Goulet, l’ambassadrice du Canada pour les femmes, la paix et la sécurité, Jacqueline O'Neill, ainsi que des membres des Forces armées canadiennes, des membres des forces armées de la Roumanie et des représentants de l’armée américaine assistent à un événement sur le thème des femmes, de la paix et de la sécurité à Bucarest, en Roumanie, le 2 novembre 2022.

Photo : Caporal Eric Chaput, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation Reassurance-ATF by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

1

A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornet sits in a hangar at sunset during Air Task Force - Romania in support of Operation REASSURANCE at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base on September 14, 2021.

Photo by: Aviator Avery Philpott, 4 Wing Imaging, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

~

Un CF-188 Hornet de l’Aviation royale canadienne est remisé dans un hangar au coucher du soleil durant le déploiement de la Force opérationnelle aérienne – Roumanie à l’appui de l’opération REASSURANCE, à la base aérienne Mihail Kogalniceanu, le 14 septembre 2021.

Photo : Aviateur Avery Philpott, Services d’imagerie de la 4e Escadre, photo des Forces armées canadiennes

Operation VECTOR by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Canadian Armed Forces members provide support to a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Saint-Georges en Beauce, Quebec during Operation VECTOR, January 8, 2022.

Please credit: Pte Kelly-Ann Lepage, Valcartier Imaging Section, Canadian Armed Forces photo

~

Des membres des Forces armées canadiennes prêtent main forte à une clinique de vaccination à Saint Georges, en Beauce (Québec), dans le cadre de l’opération VECTOR, le 8 janvier 2022.

Photo : Sdt Kelly-Ann Lepage, Imagerie Valcartier, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation REASSURANCE by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Members of HMCS FREDERICTON install the awning on the flight deck prior to hosting a reception for the Canadian Embassy in Split, Croatia during Operation REASSURANCE, on 12 March 2023.

Please credit: Cpl Noé Marchon, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Des membres d’équipage du NCSM FREDERICTON installent l’auvent sur le pont d’envol en préparation à une réception pour l’ambassade du Canada, à Split, en Croatie, au cours de l’opération REASSURANCE, le 12 mars 2023.

Photo : Cpl Noé Marchon, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation PROJECTION by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

Commander Annick Fortin, the Commanding Officer of HMCS WINNIPEG, and the crew onboard HMCS WINNIPEG conduct a PASSEX with the Royal Thai Navy, HTMS Sukhothai, after the departure of Thailand during Operation PROJECTION on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

Photo: S1 Melissa Gonzalez, Canadian Armed Forces photo

~

La capitaine de frégate Annick Fortin, commandante du NCSM WINNIPEG, et l’équipage à bord du NCSM WINNIPEG effectuent un PASSEX avec le navire HTMS Sukhothai de la marine royale thaïlandaise après leur départ de la Thaïlande au cours de l’opération PROJECTION, le mardi 11 octobre 2022.

Photo : Mat 1 Melissa Gonzalez, Forces armées canadiennes

Operation NEVUS by Combat Camera / Caméra de combat

4

A CC-138 Twin Otter aircraft from 440 Transport Squadron, Yellowknife, lands at Tanquary Fiord, Nunavut to pick up deployed members of Operation NEVUS en route to Eureka, Nunavut on June 15, 2016.

Photo: PO2 Belinda Groves Task Force Imagery Technician

YK-2016-041-003

~

Un aéronef CC-138 Twin Otter du 440e Escadron de transport Yellowknife atterrit au fjord Tanquary, au Nunavut, pour aller chercher des militaires qui participent à l’opération NEVUS et les transporter à Eureka, au Nunavut, le 15 juin 2016.

Photo : M2 Belinda Groves, technicienne en imagerie de la force opérationnelle

YK-2016-041-003

Operation AVRO - Bury by Greater Manchester Police

Operation AVRO is a forcewide initiative that delivers a surge of extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month.

This month saw the operation take place in Bury.

The operation targets crimes that members of the public in that district have told us give them the most concern.

Members of the press and key partners, including local representatives, are invited to attend Operation AVRO deployments to see results first-hand and conduct important multi-agency work, such as welfare visits.

More details on AVRO can be found by visiting gmp.police.uk and following us on social media.

You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.

Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.

You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

You can access many of our services online at www.gmp.police.uk

Operation Unity by Greater Manchester Police

Police seized 41 vehicles during a two-day traffic operation earlier this week.

Officers were out in force with partner agencies as part of Operation Unity, which targeted a range of offences on the roads.

Check sites were set up in Gorton, Eastlands, Bolton and Manchester and during the course of the two days 575 vehicles were stopped.

Twelve vehicles were seized for being used illegally in the UK, 24 vehicles were seized for no insurance, two were seized for being driven without a licence and three were seized by the DVLA.

Police also issued 100 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) to motorists, including 43 to drivers using a mobile phone and 16 for seatbelt offences.

The Drive & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued 55 prohibitions to commercial drivers for vehicle defects.

One vehicle was dealt with for red diesel, six taxi drivers were suspended and a 50-year old man was arrested on suspicion of two robberies in Tameside and remains in police custody for questioning.

Sergeant Garry Lyle from GMP’s Traffic Enforcement Unit said: “Partners and officers came together over the last two days to target offenders and send a stark reminder out to motorists that we will not let them compromise the safety of others on our roads.

“The Traffic Enforcement Unit deals with offences such as these on a daily basis but not to the same extent. We’re really grateful to our partners for assisting us throughout the operation and look forward to doing more of the same in the very near future.”

To report a crime please call police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To keep up-to-date with GMP’s Traffic Unit, follow them on twitter - @gmptraffic