Away the boarding party (VBSS and SWOs with guns); Marines, too!

[Steve Wilkins]

091218-N-1291E-001 GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 18, 2009) The visit, board, search and seizure team assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) practice weapons handling and dry firing with both their primary and secondary weapons. Chosin is the flagship of Combined Joint Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Edgington/Released)

Notice the Surefire light attached to the bottom of the dude's pistol. I love those things and to this day, I keep one on me wherever I go.

 

[HeyJoe]

Notice the Surefire light attached to the bottom of the dude's pistol. I love those things and to this day, I keep one on me wherever I go.

LOL. I just had to hunt for my wife's Loppers that she left in yard and opened drawer and saw a Maglite that I bought for her, but decided I needed some real light and went to car for my Surefire.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

LOL. I just had to hunt for my wife's Loppers that she left in yard and opened drawer and saw a Maglite that I bought for her, but decided I needed some real light and went to car for my Surefire.

Haha, that's awesome.

 

[HeyJoe]

Haha, that's awesome.

Difference is so significant (as you surely know), that I upgraded my Maglites with an LED kit that boosts the range and brightness, but I find I like the heft and feel of the SureFire better.

 

[HeyJoe]

091112-N-2600H-003 INDIAN OCEAN (Nov. 12, 2009) Ensign Yevgeni Kamenski closes the dust cover on his rifle aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) as Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Brian Ashcroft hands him a magazine before visit, board, search and seizure operation . Chosin is part of Carrier Strike Group 11 and is conducting anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew A. Hepburn/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091211-N-0260R-045 GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 11, 2009) Sonar Technician 2nd Class Peter Baehler provides security on an open hatch during a visit, board, search and seizure team training exercise aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65). Chosin is the flagship of Combined Joint Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations under a mission-based mandate to actively deter, disrupt, and suppress piracy off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Raile/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091213-N-0260R-022 GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 13, 2009) A member of the visit, board, search and seizure team assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) posts security while the rest of the team conducts a mock clearing of a vessel during a training evolution. Chosin is the flagship for Combined Joint Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Raile/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091015-N-4154B-203 GULF OF ADEN (Oct. 15, 2009) Gas Turbine Technician (Machinery) 3rd Class Brandon Tysinger, a member of the visit, board, search and seizure team from the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) searches the cargo of a vessel during a boarding. During the boarding the team seized and disposed of more than four tons of hashish. Anzio is the flagship for Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Bash/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091116-N-1522S-011 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 16, 2009) A Sailor assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) climbs the Jacob's ladder during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise aboard the Military Sealift Command Stalwart-class modified tactical auxiliary general ocean surveillance ship USNS Prevail (TSV-1). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leah Stiles/Released)

091116-N-1522S-002 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 16, 2009) A Sailor assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) climbs the Jacob's ladder during visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations aboard the Military Sealift command Stalwart-class modified tactical auxiliary general ocean surveillance ship USNS Prevail (TSV-1). Hue City's VBSS team participated in their final pre-deployment training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leah Stiles/Released)

091116-N-1522S-001 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 16, 2009) A Sailor assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) conducts a visit, board, search and seizure exercise aboard the Military Sealift Command Stalwart-class modified tactical auxiliary general ocean surveillance ship USNS Prevail (TSV-1). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leah Stiles/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091116-N-6692A-034 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 16, 2009) Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) fast-rope from a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter during visit, board, search and seizure training exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46). Tortuga is part of the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group participating in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX 21G), a bilateral exercise conducted by the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino/Released)

091116-N-2218S-223 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 16, 2009) Marine reconnaissance forces assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) secure the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise. Tortuga is part of the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group participating in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX 21G), a bilateral exercise conducted by the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew Smith/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091112-N-0260R-039 GULF OF ADEN (Nov. 12, 2009) Machinery Technician 1st Class Dan Morales, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security and Safety Team Galveston 91104, directs members of a visit, board, search, and seizure team from the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) during a training evolution. Chosin is the flagship of Combined Joint Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Raile/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091109-N-0260R-018 GULF OF ADEN (Nov. 9, 2009) Machinery Technician 2nd Class Jason Taylor, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security and Safety Team Galveston 91104, briefs members of a visit, board, search, and seizure team from the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) during a training evolution. Chosin is the flagship of Combined Joint Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Raile/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091114-N-9950J-072 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 14, 2009) Marines rappel from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) onto the deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise. The 31st MEU is embarked aboard Essex to participate in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 21G, a bilateral interoperability exercise conducted yearly with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photograph by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091029-N-7095C-112 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 29, 2009) Lt. Colin Turner, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), directs a joint boarding team during an exercise aboard the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193). The training exercise consisted of U.S. and Australian sailors assigned to visit, board, search and seizure teams participating in exercise Deep Sabre II. Deep Sabre is a multi-national maritime interdiction exercise, with units from Brunei Darussalam, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Singapore as well as the U.S. and Australia. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard units are embarked aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Seth Clarke/Released)

091029-N-7095C-026 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 29, 2009) Members of a combined boarding team participate in a training exercise aboard the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193). The training exercise consisted of U.S. and Australian sailors assigned to visit, board, search and seizure teams participating in exercise Deep Sabre II. Deep Sabre is a multi-national maritime interdiction exercise, with units from Brunei Darussalam, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Singapore as well as the U.S. and Australia. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard units are embarked aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Seth Clarke/Released)

091029-N-7095C-137 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 29, 2009) Marine Science Technician 2nd Class John Daughters, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), conducts a security sweep during a training exercise aboard the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193). The training exercise consisted of U.S. and Australian sailors assigned to visit, board, search and seizure teams participating in exercise Deep Sabre II. Deep Sabre is a multi-national maritime interdiction exercise, with units from Brunei Darussalam, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Singapore as well as the U.S. and Australia. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard units are embarked aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Seth Clarke/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

091027-N-4154B-077 GULF OF ADEN (Oct. 27, 2009) Machinery Technician 1st Class William Porter, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team 91104, climbs out of a hold aboard a fishing vessel. Porter and members of the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) visit, board, search and seizure team boarded the fishing vessel after being invited on board by the vessel's master. Anzio is the flagship for Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Bash/Released)

091027-N-4154B-082 GULF OF ADEN (Oct. 27, 2009) Lt. j.g. Jerod Hitzel, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) 91104, interviews the master of a fishing vessel. Hitzel and members of the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) visit, board, search and seizure team boarded the fishing vessel after being invited on board by the vessel's master. Anzio is the flagship for Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Bash/Released)

091027-N-4154B-261 GULF OF ADEN (Oct. 27, 2009) Lt. j.g. Andrew Mechling receives a report from Cryptologist 3rd Class Vincent Luke on items found aboard a fishing vessel in the Gulf of Aden. Mechling and Luke are assigned to the visit, board, search and seizure team of the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68). The team, and members of U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team 91104 boarded the vessel to verify the registration and ensure proper documentation after being invited aboard by the vessel's master. Anzio is the flagship for Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Bash/Released)