PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- Paratroopers from 3rd Platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division prepare to load a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter in the Bermel District of the Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan, Oct. 13, during an air-assault mission to detain a known militant. (Photo by U.S. Army Pfc. Andrya Hill, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs)
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Thomas G. from U., PaisleyPitbull, and 153 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Der Theo © 45 months ago | reply
Great!
kitplummer 45 months ago | reply
What's the black tubed thing with the shoulder sling?
p38_comminus 45 months ago | reply
@kitplummer, it's a Tactical Leaf-blower. For when you need a couple of M-18's but left them laying on your bunk - thankfully you packed your Tactical Leaf-blower!!
LOL, seriously though, what is that?
kitplummer 45 months ago | reply
@p38_comminus - that's frackin' hilarious. Perhaps its all the crap flying everywhere that invokes that image - but, it sure does look like a leaf blower.
RowleyWEEfan 45 months ago | reply
@kitplummer & p38_commimus, i beleive that is a mortar.
here you can see a similar tube and that square base thing half visible on the right side of the pic:
www.25idl.army.mil/Deployment/OEF Afghanistan/Deployment/Big/OEF Jul13_2004 2-35 IN Mortars root marches with mortar 2.jpg
and on this one you you can see a very similar tube (and the round-cool!):
www.blackfive.net/photos/uncategorized/2009/02/18/mortar_...
and yes with the way this Soldier is holding it and with the roto-wash it looks like a leaf blower. very cool picture.
p38_comminus 45 months ago | reply
@RowleyWEEfan, thanks! You must be or know some 11C's to recognize that!!
This photo is very cool!
SouthernBreeze 44 months ago | reply
Man!
This is a FRONT PAGE quality picture!
Kudos galore, to you, U.S. Army Pfc. Andrya Hill!
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Seen in some comments. ( ?² )
SSG Wells [deleted] 44 months ago | reply
yeah, great capture
olmer2009 44 months ago | reply
Wow!
SkyShaper 44 months ago | reply
An exceptional work
.Alexander [deleted] 44 months ago | reply
Awesome picture.
☞Today's✿Addiction☜ 44 months ago | reply
BEAUTIFUL SHOT!!!
YOU ARE INVITED TO DISPLAY YOUR IMAGE
FLICKR'S got TALENT - Post 1 Award 5
REMEMBER TO AWARD 5
latte11 44 months ago | reply
From a thumbnail view, this looks magical. I had no idea what is was - So much motion and flight.
M-Medlock 44 months ago | reply
Right, a great picture! The object in the right foreground appears to be the tube of a M224 60mm Mortar.
Σταύρος 44 months ago | reply
holy moly , that's the real deal !
{ JHGagle | Photo } 43 months ago | reply
The action in this really takes you into the scene. Great shot! Brings back memories.
m.chreptowicz 42 months ago | reply
Awesome ! just awesome ..... even more !:D
en-paz 35 months ago | reply
thanks for the picture.
www.en-paz.de
BlatantWorld.com 33 months ago | reply
We have used this image within this article>
Major Armed Conflicts In The World
Thanks so much for sharing it with the World!
Jovii153 26 months ago | reply
it's a 60mm mortar it fires a 25lbs rocket that can travel 3500 meters and hit a box the size of your TV and then destroy your entire house. HIGH ANGLE HELL DEATH AND DESTRUCTION FROM ABOVE! is the slogan for these infantry mortar men. The mortar is an indirect fire weapon it is capable of shooting over large mountains or even on top of mountains, and even in cities.It's pin point accuracy results in minimal collateral damage. it also has multiple fuse settings and munitions the most common is HE (High Explosive) it can be fired on Impact which is when the round hits the target mostly used for buildings and armored vehicles. Near Surface Burst. The round will explode 3 ft. above the ground best for enemy troops. and the last fuse setting would be delay the round explodes 2-3 seconds after impact this is best for dug in fighting positions such as bunkers and fox holes. Besides HE there is also WP ( White Phosphorus) which has all the same fuse settings and is used to destroy equipment. Illumination is the last type of round and it is bursts on a time setting once the round bursts it deploys a light that will illuminate a large area underneath of it for Fellow comrades to spot the enemy or to adjust fire.
PFC U.S ARMY
82nd ABN DIV
3BCT
2-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment