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Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

The U.S. Military is the single greatest force for freedom and stability on the planet, so when Business Insider published 45 “beautiful” pictures recapping the military’s year, we knew we had to bring some of them to you.

From pulse-pounding combat photos and heart-warming humanitarian missions in Afghanistan to excruciating training back home, these photos capture many poignant moments with our courageous men and women in uniform. Here are the 25 pictures we chose to represent  the year-in-review of the our armed forces in 2011.

All photos and descriptions courtesy of U.S. military from Army.mil.

Enjoy.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/ Staff Sgt. Ryan Matson

Spc. Michael Scarsbrook, an infantryman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Ironman, from Iowa Falls, Iowa, looks down on a spot in Tupac, Afghanistan, Jan. 21, where his unit had been attacked by an improvised explosive device two days earlier. TF Ironman is a part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Task Force Red Bulls.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/Staff Sgt. Whitney Hughes

Pvt. Stephen Justice, an infantryman from Haverhill, Mass. with Company C, 3/172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) of the New Hampshire National Guard, acts as an assistant gunner and feeds rounds through a M240B machine gun, while the gunner, Spc. Trevor Seaton, an infantryman from Rochester, N.H., fires with the weapon at Fort Devens, Mass., Oct. 2. The Soldiers were participating in a weapons qualification course, a yearly requirement for NHNG Soldiers, to practice their basic Soldier skills in preparation of state and federal missions.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army Sadie Bleistein

Sgt. David Smitt provides overwatch security during an air assault patrol with U.S. Soldiers and British gunners in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, Feb. 10. Smitt is assigned to 101st Combat Aviation Brigade and the gunners are assigned to the Royal Air Force Regiment’s 15th Squadron.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army Spc. Ken Scar

Spc. Devon Boxa, a member of Company B, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, looks out the back door of a CH-47D Chinook helicopter as another Chinook follows. The helicopters were flying from Kabul to Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Dec. 17.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/US Air Force Sr Airman Christopher Gross

Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Silvernale, platoon sergeant of the Company C, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne), yells out commands to his troops during air assault training where UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters took them into a section of Alaska’s Chugach Range to engage an opposing force, May 12.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/US Air Force Tech Sgt. Manuel Martinez

A Soldier with the 10th Special Forces Group and his military working dog jump off the ramp of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment during water training over the Gulf of Mexico as part of exercise Emerald Warrior 2011, March 1. Emerald Warrior is an annual two-week joint/combined tactical exercise sponsored by U.S. Special Operations Command designed to leverage lessons learned from operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom to provide trained and ready forces to combatant commanders.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/US Air Force Tech Sgt. Kevin Wallace

Pfc. Ben Bradley (left), a Bulldog Troop, Red Platoon scout of 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, ducks away from small-arms fire, as fellow scout Sgt. Jeff Sheppard, launches a grenade at the enemy’s position, during a combat engagement in northern Bala Murghab Valley, Baghdis province, Afghanistan, April 4. Bradley, Sheppard, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Lee and his military working dog ‘Valdo’ were all wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade blast in the engagement. All service members suffered minor wounds and Valdo was critical, but survived the attack.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/ Sgt. Michael MacLeod

Sgt. 1st Class Eric Lloyd, a paratrooper with 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, grades the sit-up event of an Army Physical Fitness Test during early-morning rain at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 19. Just a week earlier, Fort Bragg was gripped in ice.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/ Capt. Angela Chipman

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, currently deployed to the U.S. Army’s National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., fire the M777 A2 Howitzer, Feb. 19.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army Spc. Ken Scar

Members of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, work at dislodging their M-777 155mm howitzer from the three-foot deep hole it dug its spades into after firing several rocket-assisted projectiles, Sept. 4. The huge weapon weighs 9,000 pounds and can launch projectiles over 30 kilometers.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/ Spc. Scott Davis

Soldiers from Company A, 101st Division Special Troop Battalion, air assault into a village inside Jowlzak Valley, Parwan province, Afghanistan. Afghan National Police searched the village while Soldiers provided security and conducted key-leader engagements.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/US Air Force Sgt. Daniel Shook

Afghan commandos with the Afghan National Army’s 3rd Commando Kandak shield their faces from flying debris after loading a wounded commando on a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a village clearing operation in Zhari district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, July 6. The commandos, supported by service members with Special Operations Task Force – South, found and destroyed several caches consisting of homemade explosives and improvised explosive device-making materials, as well as a weapons cache.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

A 120mm mortar round flies out of the tube as Staff Sgt. Ramey J. Brown (left), a section sergeant from Marshville, N.C., Spc. Tyler L. Dillon (center), a team leader from Williamstown, W. Va., and Pvt. Gabriel C. Fields (right), from Fort Worth, Texas, all mortarmen assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Bandits, take cover while at Observation Post Mustang in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province on Jan. 26, 2011.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army Staff Sgt. Travis Surber

Staff Sgt. Travis Surber, a native of Franklin County, Va., and a paratrooper with the 173rd Brigade Combat Team’s Battle Company of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, parachutes out of a C-130 Hercules Transport Aircraft and into the Ukraine sky.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army Sgt. Gene Arnold

Cpl. Jose Pacheco, Headquarters and Headquarters Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, practices rappelling techniques during the basic-mobility portion of Mountain Exercise 08-11 at the Marine Corps’ Mountain Warfare Training Center in Northern California’s Toiyabe National Forest, Sept. 22. Pacheco and his fellow Soldiers will use the technical skills they learn during basic-mobility to gain a tactical advantage over their adversaries during the subsequent force-on-force exercise.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/Sgt. Michael MacLeod

A civilian instructor coaches two paratroopers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, on how to use a Carl Gustav 84 mm recoilless rifle during a certification class at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/Pfc Cameron Boyd

A Soldier with the 101st Airborne Division returns fire with a M249 light machine gun during combat operations in the valley of Barawala Kalet, Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 29.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army Sgt. Thomas Duval

Spc. Ricardo Gonzalez, a San Bernardino, Calif., native assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, spends his Thanksgiving pulling security at an entry control point at Forward Operating Base Lindsey, Afghanistan, Nov. 24.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/Spc. Breanne Pye

Pfc. Kevin March kneels atop a cliff overlooking the Arghandab River Valley to provide security for his squad as they climb up the cliff from the valley below in the Arghandab district, Afghanistan, Jan. 31. March is assigned to the 4th Infantry Division’s Company C, 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/Spc. Breanne Pye

Spc. Nicholas Francioso, an armored crewman assigned to 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, kneels atop a cliff overlooking the Arghandab River Valley to provide security for his squad as they climb up the cliff from the valley below, Jan. 31. Francioso, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, conducts a foot patrol with his squad to search orchards throughout the district and interact with the local population.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/US Air Force Tech Sgt. Michael Holzworth

Staff Sgt. Hector Hoyas, an Aerial Delivery Field Service Department instructor from Fort Lee, Va., and Senior Airman Matthew Phillips, an airborne pavements and equipment operator, from the 820th Red Horse Squadron, turn away from the prop wash as a Nevada Army National Guard 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment CH-47 Chinook helicopter takes off with a Humvee sling-load, April 15.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: US Army/ Sgt 1st Class Thomas Benoit

A Soldier from the 2nd Detachment, Company C, 147th Aviation Battalion, oversees the liftoff of a UH-60 Black Hawk flown during medical evacuation training in harsh weather conditions at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

credit: U.S. Army / U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson

Sgt. 1st Class Manuel Delarosa, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, Shinkai Detachment, finds a pair of shoes for a young girl while helping Afghan National Security Forces distribute winter supplies in Safidar Village, Afghanistan, Feb. 1.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

photo credit: Mollie Miller

Abigail Castro, a 21-month-old, clings to her daddy, Spc. Kory Castro, following his return to Fort Riley, Kan., Oct. 21. Spc. Castro, assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, was one of more than 250 Soldiers of 1st Infantry Division, who returned from a 12-month deployment to Iraq as part of the Dagger brigade’s first “main body” flight. The remainder of the brigade’s 3,000 Soldiers will return to Fort Riley throughout the next several weeks.

Here Are 25 Of The Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos From The Past Year

US Army/ Spc. Ryan Hallock

A Soldier from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, unloads his Stryker armored fighting vehicle after a long day of conducting fire missions at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.

You can see more of these military slides courtesy of Business Insider, right here.

 

Comments (157)

1 2 3 4
  • moparcar
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:31pm

    I am glad the pay and benefits went up. I was getting $134 a month in 71 and there were no disablity given to vets unless major wounds. Not a lot for fighting and dieing in Vietnam.
    It sure has changed.

    Report Post »  
    • LookTowardsTheLight
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:43pm

      The only tax increase I’ll accept is any that will give these guys and gals an even BIGGER raise. God Bless Our Armed Forces for their sacrifices.

      Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 2:07pm

      Thanks for the screen savers! Where do I enlist? LOL

      (PS, Blaze, when I read the headline, I was also hoping to see amazing photos of Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coasties. They used to be considered “US Military” too.)

      TEA

      Report Post » MONICNE  
    • eagle2715
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 2:34pm

      Monicne aka Encinome…

      Army has a way better PR campaign than the other branches minus the Air force….The whole thing is probably part of something the army put together….

      Report Post » eagle2715  
    • Gary Fishaholic
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 2:40pm

      Agreed God Bless our troops!

      Report Post » Gary Fishaholic  
    • PeachyinGA
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 3:14pm

      @LOOKTOWARDSTHELIGHT Amen!

      Report Post » PeachyinGA  
    • EJames439
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 3:42pm

      Looktowards…I join you in your comments! God Bless the United States Military members – every one of them.

      Report Post » EJames439  
    • NotaLemming
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 3:47pm

      I think that the Congress and Senators should not be paid any greater benefits than the lowest rewarded military personal receive. After all I think getting elected is still supposed to be them SERVING the electorate. Not use perpetually serving them.

      Report Post » NotaLemming  
    • USABloodline
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 3:59pm

      I was in 1960, before Vietnam. Imagine what I got paid. I wasn’t rated 100 percent disabled until 15 years ago. Our warriors deserve respect, honor, and care. They deserve everything we can give them.

      Report Post »  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 6:32pm

      Very nice pics, although several of them remind me what it was like during my first parachute jump years ago, and I’m still having residual reality cramps about that…lol!….not the jump itself, but the consequences of asking if it would be ok if I just waited until the plane landed to get off, rather than hurling myself out the back door….the phrase “pt until you die” comes to mind”…..ah, memories…..

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 9:00pm

      More military worship to prepare you for troops on your streets disarming and shooting your fellow countrymen.

      Make sure you lick every crevice of that boot.

      V-MAN MACE  
    • GPS-Tech
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 10:29pm

      @D-Bag mace
      You are seriously effed up, but you already know that.

      Report Post » GPS-Tech  
    • lwnmwrmn
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 1:12am

      THANK YOU to all that have served

      Report Post » lwnmwrmn  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 1:15am

      GPS-TECH

      And you’re a hero-worshipping bootlicker and coward, but you already know that as well.

      V-MAN MACE  
    • LookTowardsTheLight
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 11:39am

      @ V-MAN MACE

      WE believe in true patriots like the men and women depicted in these photographs.

      Not false mesiahs like your beloved Ron Paul.

      Your comment is essentially a spit in the face to these HEROES. I hope you feel proud of yourself cause the rest of us aren’t.

      As far as I’m concerned when you disrespect our soldiers, you become my enemy.

      Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
    • LookTowardsTheLight
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 11:41am

      @V-MAN MACE

      You are such a child. Did your momma take away your bottle.

      Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 12:40pm

      LookTowardsTheLight

      You believe in men?

      I believe in YHWH.

      You should really step it up on your beliefs.

      You’re a hero-worshipper. I only have one hero..the Real “Chi Rho”. Jesus Christ.

      I’m not your enemy. Satan is your enemy.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • ImMadAsHell
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 4:40pm

      Boy can I relate to 1971 pay. I enlisted in May 1969 and first paycheck was $85. I got out in Dec 1971 and I believe I was making maybe $325. I came back in in 1980 (Warrant Officer flight school (Ft. Rucker) and retired 1st time in 1997 making $57,000. I was recalled out of retirement for active duty in Dec 2007 for 3 years due to blackhawk pilot shortage and for a deployment with the 1st Cav and retired for good in November 2010. I was making $99,850. What a huge difference. I’m still flying helicopters as an EMS pilot. CIAO

      Report Post »  
    • LookTowardsTheLight
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 6:22pm

      @V-MAN MACE

      “You are such a child. Did your momma take away your bottle.” – I take this comment back

      I don’t WORSHIP the children of God. My BELIEF is in The Lord Thy God.

      How do you confuse supporting, having gratitude, and showing respect & praise for our Soldiers with worshiping them? If I said “Hey V-Man! Nice job doing (insert accomplishment here)!”, does that make me out like I’m going to dress in my Sunday best, get on my knees and pray to V-Man?

      Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
    • DESKOCCUPANT
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 8:50pm

      Thanks, MOPARCAR for your service. God bless you and yours.

      Report Post » DESKOCCUPANT  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 2:28pm

      Look Towards The Light

      You responded to my comment when it wasn’t directed at your personally. You must have a guilty conscience.

      If it doesn’t apply, then let it fly. I assume you took offense to my comment because you resemble the remark.

      And who is the “we” you are referring to? Is there some special club I should know about? You speak for yourself and don’t project your values, opinions, ethics, and morals onto others. Stand on your own two feet.

      You said out of your mouth (or mind, heart, whatever) : “WE ***believe*** in true patriots like the men and women depicted in these photographs. Not false mesiahs like your beloved Ron Paul.”

      So I’m just taking you at your word that you believe in men, and you assume I believe in men calling Ron Paul my messiah, projecting your own beliefs onto me.

      BTW, RON PAUL 2012.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • Workforit
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Way to go boy’s! Great shots!

    Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 3:20am

      I was so emotionally moved by these photos. Our military deserves the highest pay and benefits, above all of the population. I would gladly agree to higher taxes for thrm. How incredible are these men and women who volunteer and make the sacrifices that they do. It makes me feel proud and I have such respect for them. God Bless them and their families. I just want to thank them and let them know how much I appreciate the work and committment they give to our country.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
  • joshcomm
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Under the second picture what was written bothered me: “Pvt. Stephen Justice, an infantryman from Haverhill, Mass. with Company C, 3/172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) of the New Hampshire National Guard, acts as an assistant gunner and feeds rounds through a M240B machine gun, while the gunner, Spc. Trevor Seaton, an infantryman from Rochester, N.H., fires with the weapon at Fort Devens, Mass., Oct. 2. The Soldiers were participating in a weapons qualification course, a yearly requirement for NHNG Soldiers, to practice their basic Soldier skills in preparation of state and federal missions.”

    Now why would they need to use machine guns in state and federal missions??? Those missions are in the continental United States. Are they planning to use them on citizens?

    Report Post » joshcomm  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:34pm

      Technically, the National Guard is not supposed to leave our borders (ha! like that’s followed any longer), so in theory, they could be practicing machinegun drills in order to prepare for the eventual invasion from Canada. Stupid Canadians, can‘t trust’em! :)

      We’re such a mishmash of “old should be” and “new we don’t care what you want” with things these days that everything is confusion.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • Rainman3769
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:44pm

      I will put your fears to rest joshcomm. Army regulations require any soldier who is to, or may have to, use a certain weapon system, to meet a minimum standard of accuracy and weapons knowlage. These guys and gals maybe use these machine guns once a year. Furthermore, even though its unlikely to happen now that Iraq is behind us, NG units deployed overseas ALOT. Its only natural they be trained on those weapons systems then isnt it? Most importantly, soldiers defend the constitution of the United States and its people, and when I was enlisted, I never met anyone who said they would follow an order to kill their own people unless they were fired on first. A somewhat understandable fear, but in the end, needless.

      Report Post » Rainman3769  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 3:00pm

      JOSHCOM,
      Sigh….,Get your learn on. In the last decade the Guard has been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other trouble spots overseas as much as our active military.
      I believe it began during Desert Storm because our military had been so decimated by various Administrations and Congress.
      Gone are the days of just using the Guard to protect the Home Front. That went the way of the draft.

      President Dunham’s speech yesterday about a leaner, meaner, lighter, military should be reason for alarm. Budget cuts…,oui. Decimation …,NON!

      Report Post »  
    • mother2nextgen
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 3:22pm

      @JOSHCOMM
      Last I checked we had a War on Drugs (I know, it’s not PC to call it that anymore) that the Natl. Guard is actively fighting. Now we have definitive proof, because of the Fast and Furious debacle, our enemies in this war defiantly have assault weapons. So why wouldn’t our NG practice for state and federal missions?

      Report Post »  
    • molbersen
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 5:10pm

      Related to your question
      http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/legal-and-law-enforcement/internment-resettlement-specialist.html See the link and take a close look at “Advanced Responsibilities” – especially the 3rd and 4th bullets

      That someone in the WH said during his campaign in’08 that we would have a national security force equal to or greater than our military. Not an exact quote, but that’s the essence of it.

      Report Post »  
    • NavArch
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 5:15pm

      Prior to WWII, one of the NM National Guard units was a coastal defense artillery unit. While I will admit that southern NM has a 500 mile beach in just about any direction you want to go, it was highly unlikely that the Mexican Navy would have have gotten very far up the Rio Grand River. This unit was sent to man the battery on Corregidor, the Philippines, prior to WWII, and suffered in the Bataan death march. I do not have details, but I am willing to bet that other NG units served overseas in WWII. So, the National Guard serving overseas isn’t really that new. Just an observation.

      Report Post »  
  • another_mormon_4_Ron_Paul
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:27pm

    Great pics! And I have some great pics of my own from my son who was in Afghanistan last year. They include an awesome double rainbow over the hills near his base in Afghanistan, a freeze frame of an artillery shell coming out of an artillery piece just a few feet out of the muzzle, and a great video of a hailstorm with hailstones the size of golf balls.

    Report Post »  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 4:15pm

      my son leaves for Afghanistan in May…back from Iraq last Nov…in fact…picture 24..second from the bottom was one of the guys he was deployed with …my son is currently at Fort Riley, KS… now a Cpl training for his Sgt’s exam….not bad after only 3 years in…

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
    • okinawawallace
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 6:41am

      I’d like to see ur photos. One of those 25 is mine, and I have a ton more, plus related stories at http://afghan-journal.blogspot.com

      Report Post »  
  • marthasusan40
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:22pm

    God Bless our military and their families….May God Keep them safe and out of harms way.

    Report Post »  
  • BetterDays
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:19pm

    Huzzah !
    But who is Yuri Kochiyama ? Perhaps a better question is by what name does Obama call her? Or by what name does she call him ? Barry or Bari ?
    The greatest enemy to our nation lies not on a foreign shore, but in an area we call District of Columbia. I pray that a vast majority of our soldiers know the difference between constitutionally lawful orders and those that are not, for such unconstitutional orders I fear are forthcoming .
    Obama is a fraud, but he was born here and is constitutionally able to be president. But had America know who’s son he truely is, he would never have stood a realistic chance of being elected in the first place. Because of the challenge in Georgia, we will all learn very soon whom his legal parents are. We shall also learn that our electoral process is horribly co opted when despite the vast majority crying out for his removal because of the outright fraud, he gets reappointed as president.he takes what should be a mortal wound, visa vie the exposure of his massive fraud against Americans, yet by a “miracle or satanic origin” he maintains his power. Obamas last name is Shabazz.

    Report Post »  
  • SurroundedinNH
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:18pm

    True Americans, god bless them!!

    Report Post » SurroundedinNH  
  • JACKW33
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:18pm

    The best of the best! Thank you to all who serve! God Bless America!

    Report Post »  
  • P8riot
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:09pm

    Outstanding.

    Report Post » P8riot  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:05pm

    God bless our brave Military!! You had better enjoy these pictures. When Obama get through
    gutting our military, there will be pictures of soldiers greeting you at Wal-Mart.

    Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:22pm

      Well, we could always dust off our unused Arms and form actual Constitutional militias again, and start practicing with all men between the ages of 16 and 60, as was supposed to be our model. Just sayin’.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • GollygeeMrwilson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 4:34pm

      @ Ghost I’m 64 and my trigger finger works just fine!

      Report Post » GollygeeMrwilson  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:51pm

    Very cool photos, i hope they all come home safe and sound !!!

    Report Post »  
  • village idiot
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:51pm

    The black jimmy carter hates them and will reduce their numbers. It is a crime what he is doing to our nation and military.

    Report Post » village idiot  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:58pm

      You think soldiers don’t want to come home?

      Report Post »  
    • Justagrunt
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:12pm

      Coming home was great, coming home to the smallest payraise since 1962 was not. Watching our military being gutted is pretty depressing. I thought as long as I did my job and did it well I would be able to serve as long as my body held out. Now… now things aren’t so certain.

      Report Post » Justagrunt  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 4:26pm

      Starting pay for the military should be the Federal poverty line…we have soldiers going in making $1200/ month…that is minimum wage…
      Yes they get free healthcare and room but they are charged $300/month for food and $100/month goes to retirement.. after taxes to the FED…they are making only about $600 a month…

      the base military pay should be AT LEAST equal to the lowest paid worker in the Federal government that ISN’T putting his life on the line or being deployed into combat…

      $22K per year should be the base military pay…for a PVT 3rd class just out of Basic…then tie the military raise each year to ANY raise given to ANY Congressional aide or worker, including the Congressmen…in fact…the soldiers should get DOUBLE what Congress gets..and they get theirs FIRST!!

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
  • ModerationIsBest
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:47pm

    Great pictures!

    Report Post »  
  • Brents Torts
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:41pm

    These soldiers have true grit. God bless them.

    Report Post » Brents Torts  
  • Vechorik
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:38pm

    Support our troops

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUFpwokJd9w

    Report Post »  
  • Pontiac
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:37pm

    [Most Amazing U.S. Military Photos ]
    [The Blaze uploads 900x600 images...]

    Amazing? More like AMAZINGLY SMALL!!!
    FFS this is 2012, not 1999! My monitor is 1920×1200. My collection of “AMAZING” images (many of which are HDR) are no less than 2000pixels in height and width. Hell an ancient 2megapixel camera is 1600 x 1200. As I think I said before with the shuttle images, why bother? If you’re going to make a article about “incredible amazing stupendous photos” at the very least provide them in their original resolution!

    Report Post » Pontiac  
    • DFMhellboy
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:46pm

      +1, come on guys.

      Report Post »  
    • jdare
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:25pm

      Shut the hell up. This story is about soldiers not your dumbass computer capabilities.

      Report Post » jdare  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:33pm

    nice pics.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • momrules
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:30pm

    God I love these brave men and I pray everyday for their safe return home.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:27pm

    I was hoping for a shot of the sniper jacking Ventura’s jaw.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:37pm

      My most-beloved cousin (more like brother) enlisted because he needed a job and couldn’t get into college with his grades. He was killed in Viet Nam. God bless Pvt. Victor Michael Stribling.

      Report Post »  
  • Al J Zira
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:26pm

    Wait until PETA get a hold of the image of the dog jumping from an airplane.

    Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • valarie
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:24pm

    God Bless all of our Troops.

    Report Post » valarie  
  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:23pm

    I‘ve often found Faramir’s speech to Frodo rather instructional, regarding the greatness of men and how it is accounted for by all good people.

    In essence, and highly paraphrasing, he states that being martial, being a warrior, is all fine and well, but one should not celebrate and fawn over one’s war making ability or martial prowess, to be the highest caliber of man. That’s not to say one should not be a good warrior, rather, one should look at it as a duty of necessity which one should execute with exact precision and skill, as opposed to celebrating the warrior and his job as one of the highests goal of life. The former type of man engages in war only when he has to, and ends it as quickly as possible by defeating the enemy soundly, then goes home to cultivate a life of peace, accomplishment and family. The later type of man devotes himself to the near worship of the martial and war, and becomes rugged and formidable, to the exclusion of all other pursuits. The former type of man is the High born, the latter a notch down as Middle. The Low of course is the savage and wild type men.

    One of the glaring faults I’ve always found with the Right is their near unquestioning worship of the military and anybody in a government uniform. Respect (for the individual soldier) is fine, but veneration of all except “the bad apple” is quite another.

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • randy
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:32pm

      Hey, how about giving it a rest?
      We all know you hate this country.

      Report Post » randy  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:36pm

      “Master betrayed us. Wicked, tricksey, false. We ought to wring his filthy little neck. Kill him. Kill him. Kill them both, and then we take the Precious and we be the master.”
      Was that Gollum about Frodo or Obama about Bush?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:42pm

      @Randy

      Oh? I do? Do you even bother to read my other posts, or was that a generic comment you throw out at people who do not tow what you consider “the line”?

      I said what I believe, and used the analogy Tolkien provided, which is one that the Founders themselves advocated time and time again. The whole of the citizenry should be the militia, but none should crave war, and the life of the honest man is better directed towards peaceful pursuits of liberty, than engaged in the bloody hell of war. Why anybody would disagree with that notion, I simply do not know.

      I will not denigrate the military or soldiers, I hold no animus towards them as individuals. But I’m not going to coo over them either in a festival of “cool photos!”. Anytime a man sets up a weapon in order to kill another man who has done him no harm, I find the world a bit more hollow and sad. War is sometimes necessary, but that hasn’t been the case in this nation since the end of WW2, so don’t expect me to praise it or pictures of it from any time after that. Sorry.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • BannedByHuffpo
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:42pm

      “and gentlemen in England, now abed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap while any speaks who fought with us upon St. Crispin’s Day.”

      Report Post » BannedByHuffpo  
    • Dustoff
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:43pm

      Pound sand Jerk!

      Report Post » Dustoff  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:45pm

      @Gonzo

      Heh. I recognize the inherent danger of using Tolkien to illustrate a point. However, he provides a perfect analogy for the Christian (and anti-government) viewpoints via his stories (and own admissions), and his works are widely recognized. If I were to spout off about some obscure dusty author to make my points though, nobody would grasp nor care what I had to say. Since Tolkien provides a good foundation of commonality, I use him where possible.

      Slainte! :)

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • deeberj
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:53pm

      The problem is the right WANTS to end wars quickly by winning and then going home to “to cultivate a life of peace, accomplishment and family”, but the left won’t let that happen. They don’t want any war in the first place, so they pussyfoot around and don’t get down to the business of winning.

      Report Post » deeberj  
    • Notsureishoulddothis
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:54pm

      You paraphrase a fictional movie – FICTIONAL dude – to rain sneering cynicism down on real life men and women serving their country voluntarily, risking the loss of life and/or limb(s) in the process. What sacrifice of life and limb have you made lately?

      Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:02pm

      @Deeb

      Where have you come to the conclusion that the Left does not desire war? Until the end of Vietnam, they exclusively wanted war, being the chief saber rattlers in this nation. If you check history, the former slogan of the GOP, at least through the 1950′s, was “The party of peace and prosperity”.

      I honestly don‘t care who does or doesn’t want war. In a just, free society, when war was required, it would be a matter of mutual agreement since, in said society, that would mean that we were attacked first. Similar to Pearl Harbor, if you will. No good man would ever back down from the *real* defense of his nation, family or neighborhood.

      There was a bit of hesitation before I entered my first post on this thread, but honestly I wanted to provide a counter voice to what I expected to turn into military worship that did NOT come from the Left. The Left hates the military, but loves to use them at all opportunities (explain that one, lol). When they crank against soldiers as individuals, I too find that repugnant. They rarely if ever are against unjust war though, just wars that they don‘t approve of or didn’t start.

      You’ll never see me screaming insults at individual soldiers, having been one myself as it turns out. I simply do not participate in military worship, and wanted to add that component to this discussion.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • justangry
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:08pm

      @Randy, I believe Ghost is a true patriot. I don’t see anything distasteful about his statement. If you ask any service member who’s been in war, I think most would tell you how horrible it is. Or tell you that they don’t want to talk about it. I‘m probably guilty of that blind loyalty he’s referring to, but I’m a simple man. They had my back when I served and I still feel that way about any serviceman/veteran (except the bad apples) even if I’ve just met them due to shared experiences.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:09pm

      Hi Notsure

      Faramir didn’t make that speech in the movie. I was using the book, which predates the movies by several long decades. Literature or stories have been used by many men throughout history to provide analogies. Jesus himself was fond of using stories as analogies, it was one of His main ways of communicating His points in a more digestible form to His followers. If you have a problem with abstracting above concretes in order to demonstrate a point, then we don‘t share much in the realm of communication I’m afraid.

      Far from sneering at the soldiers, I have stated repeatedly that I have nothing at all against them. What I do not celebrate and send out congratulations to, is the notion that we’re in conflicts around the globe for no good reason, and hey, look at these cool pictures of our boys setting up weapons to kill others.

      Peace and prosperity are my goals and aims on this earth. Things counter to that must sometimes be tolerated (Just Wars), but never celebrated. Do it, be done, get out, get back to raising a family and being productive in your own pursuit of happiness.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:15pm

      @Justangry

      Thank you for the kinds words. You‘re getting where I’m coming from.

      There’s always that nagging voice in my head when I post on these types of threads that says “Hmmm…maybe not”, but I feel compelled to offer a different viewpoint, even if it means that most will demonize me for it. My hope is that, over time, some will pick up on the larger picture I’m trying to draw their eyes to.

      Anybody who has dealt with me on this site knows I’m anything but unpatriotic. That should suffice I’d hope.

      Slainte!

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • NOBAMA201258
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:40pm

      GHOSTOFJEFFERSON Methinks you should leave politics out of this and be grateful we have such men and women serving our country,my nephew is on his way home from Iraq,via Ft.Riley and I’m very proud of him and all our troops,let‘s not forget the ones who didn’t make it back,as far as the right is concerned,it’s the left that is destroying our way of life like our POS socialist president

      Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:52pm

      @Nobama

      I made no overtly political statement (initially). My statement was a reflection of how I view the world, and how most Americans *used* to view the world, back in the days when we celebrated (wildly, I may add) the *end of wars* as opposed to their continuation into perpetuity, as we do today. If we value and celebrate war and warriors and agents of the State over the common citizen and his magnificent accomplishments through liberty, we get what we’re cheering for in the end.

      The Progressive Woodrow Wilson was the initial advocate of us having boots around the globe in continual unconstitutional conflicts, and the one that initiated our policy to pusue that goal. I do not subscribe to any of his views, whether domestic or regarding foreign policy.

      I whimsically long for the days when newspapers carried column after column of news describing marvelous new inventions made by the common “civilian” citizens, proclaiming how wonderful they would make our lives and our pursuit of happiness. A daydream, for certain.

      War when necessary and only when attacked first, no longer than need be, and ended as soon as possible after victory. The American man has better things to do, far better, than die on some foreign shore in pursuit of…God knows what these days.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • objectivetruth
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 4:12pm

      Thank you,
      You remind me much of my own father in some of your postings.I know that you did serve and more
      than likely in ww2.Many of the older soldiers had and have this point of view.The younger generation doesn’t get it quite yet.Its impossible for them to underrstand the true atocities of death and destruction on the scale of world war two.They feel slighted by this attitude.I can’t quite figure out why.They have served honorably and truly are heroes.Yet they take to task those who fought before them in one of the worst wars around.

      Report Post »  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 4:32pm

      GhostOfJefferson

      Well to go with your thought process of “You’ll never see me screaming insults at individual soldiers, having been one myself as it turns out. I simply do not participate in military worship”. “I will not denigrate the military or soldiers, I hold no animus towards them as individuals. But I’m not going to coo over them either in a festival of “cool photos!”. Anytime a man sets up a weapon in order to kill another man who has done him no harm,I find the world a bit more hollow and sad.” You sound like our military members are just randomly shooting unarmed civilians. Being Retired Army I know the rules of engagement prevent that from happening so it sounds like you speak of something you know nothing about. If our military had the choice of defending Individuals freedoms instead of everyone‘s my guess is your name wouldn’t be on that list.

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:23pm

    And to think, they are all volunteers. God Bless

    Report Post » JLGunner  
    • Harry Assenback
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:30pm

      Perfect comment.

      Report Post » Harry Assenback  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:35pm

      Most military enlist to get a JOB and education benefits.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUFpwokJd9w

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:42pm

      A lot of them join out of a sense of duty to their country Vechorik. Why do you feel the need to denegrate them?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:46pm

      Gonzo
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:42pm

      A lot of them join out of a sense of duty to their country Vechorik. Why do you feel the need to denegrate them?
      —————————————-
      I’m a Viet Nam vet. I denigrate no one who serves.

      Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 2:01pm

      @Vechorik

      Gonzo is correct. This isn’t the draft military any longer, those joining do so primarily for two reasons: Financial ( free college, etc) or out of a sense of honor and duty. The draft military was an entirely different scenario.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
  • schroeder123
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:22pm

    Thanks !

    Report Post » schroeder123  
  • randy
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:22pm

    God bless everyone of these soldiers and their little dog jumping out of the back of that plane too!

    Report Post » randy  
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