June 3rd, 2011 W.O.T.

Before departing for a tour in Afghanistan, First Lieutenant Todd Weaver left a note to his 9 month year old daughter.Us-soldier-letter-to-daughterTodd Weaver was killed on September 9, 2010 by an improvised explosive device.

Dear Kiley, My Sweetie:

Although you may not remember me, I want you to know how very much your Daddy loves you. I left for Afghanistan when you were 9 months old. Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You are so very special to me sweetie – you are truly a gift from God. The best day of my life was the day you were born. Every time I saw you smile my heart would just melt. You were my sweetie – my life was not complete until you were born.

I am so sorry I will not be able to see you grow up. But remember, your Daddy is not gone. I am in heaven now smiling down on you every day. You are so very lucky to have such a wonderful Mom to take care of you. Make sure you are good for her and help her out whenever you can. Always remember to say your prayers at night and be thankful for all your many blessings. Never forget how important and special you are to so many people. We love you so very much. When you get older and start school, do your best and try to learn as much as you can about the world you live in. Always be nice and caring to others and you will discover that the world will be nice to you. But when things aren’t going your way, never forget that God knows what is best for you and everything will work out in the end.

You have such a bright and beautiful future ahead of you. Have fun. Enjoy it. And remember, your Daddy will always be proud of you and will always love you. You are and will always be my sweetie.

With very much love,

June 2, 2011: STRATEGY PAGE

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 31, 2011) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 drops inert ordnance during an air power demonstration over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza)

5/31/2011 STRATEGY PAGE

An M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from Company E, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, fires a round down range from its 120mm main gun during a training mission here May 22 as part of African Lion 2011. African Lion is an annually scheduled, bilateral exercise between the Kingdom of Morocco and the U.S. that involves more than 2,000 U.S. service members and approximately 900 members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Sean Worrell

FARAH, Afghanistan -A team from 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) detonated C-4 to remove the wings of a downed French F-2000 Mirage aircraft May 27, 2011.

All pictures HERE

5/25/2011 STRATEGY PAGE

A formation of C-130 Hercules fly May 18, 2011, during an exercise above the Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

5/23/2011 STRATEGY PAGE

Airmen assigned to the 820th RED HORSE Squadron jump from a C-17 Globemaster III May 12, 2011, during a training exercise above Alamo, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)

5/22/2011 STRATEGY PAGE

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (May 21, 2011) An aircraft carrier variant of the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter flies over Andrews Air Force Base, Md., during the Joint Service Open House. This is the first public appearance of a joint strike fighter aircraft at an air show. Lt. Cmdr. Eric "Magic" Buus piloted the aircraft. The F-35C is a fifth generation strike fighter with stealth capability and has larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for the demanding carrier environment. The aircraft is undergoing test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. (U.S. Navy photo by Andy Wolfe courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

Photos by Anno Gravemaker

19/05/11 By Anno Gravemaker Flight International

France is hosting the 50th anniversary NATO Tiger Meet at its Cambrai air base, with squadrons from 14 nations participating in the event from 17 May.

Aircraft involved include Dassault Mirage 2000s from two French air force formations, including Cambrai-based unit 1/12, Spanish air force Mirage F1s and Lockheed Martin F-16s from Belgium, Greece, Poland, Portugal and Turkey.

Others include Austrian air force Saab 105s, Gripens from the Czech Republic, German Panavia Tornados, RSK MiG-29s from Slovakia and Swiss Boeing F-18s.

The Czech Republic, Italy and the UK Royal Navy also sent Mil Mi-24, Agusta/Bell AB212 and AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin HM1 helicopters, respectively.

The Netherlands and Norway have withdrawn their planned participation due to the continuing coalition action to protect civilians in Libya.

May 18, 2011 GLOBE NEWSWIRE

5/15/2011 STRATEGY PAGE

NORFOLK (May 11, 2011) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) departs Naval Station Norfolk for its maiden deployment. George H.W. Bush, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, deployed as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Hall)