Κυριακή 28 Δεκεμβρίου 2008
Israel pounds Gaza for second day
GAZA (Reuters) - Israel pounded Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip from the air Sunday for a second day and prepared for a possible invasion after killing nearly 290 Palestinians in the opening rounds of a fierce offensive.
Israel said the campaign that began Saturday was a response to almost daily rocket and mortar fire that intensified after Hamas, the Islamist group in charge of the enclave that Israel quit in 2005, ended a six-month ceasefire a week ago.
Despite the assault, militants fired some 80 rockets into Israel, emergency services said. Two rockets struck near Ashdod, a port 30 km (18 miles) from Gaza, causing no casualties.
Israeli tanks deployed on the edge of the Gaza Strip, poised to enter the densely populated enclave of 1.5 million Palestinians. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's cabinet approved a call-up of 6,500 reservists, a government official said.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who hopes to become prime minister after a February 10 election, appeared to rule out a large-scale invasion to restore Israeli control of the blockaded territory, once dotted with Jewish settlements.
"Our goal is not to reoccupy Gaza Strip," she said on NBC's "Meet the Press" program. Asked on Fox News if Israel was out to topple Gaza's Hamas rulers, Livni replied: "Not now."
Mark Regev, a spokesman for Olmert, said Israel would press on with the campaign "until we have a new security environment in the south, when the population there will no longer live in terror and in fear of constant rocket barrages."
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum urged Palestinian groups to use "all available means, including martyrdom operations" -- a reference to suicide bombings in Israel -- to "protect the Palestinian people."
Keeping pressure on Hamas after bombing runs that turned Saturday into one of the bloodiest days for Palestinians in 60 years of conflict, Israeli aircraft flattened the group's main security compound in Gaza, killing at least four security men.
Israel expanded its air campaign to the southern Gaza Strip, bombing some 40 smuggling tunnels running under the border with Egypt, a network that is a lifeline to the outside world.
Dozens of Gazans crossed into Egypt through holes opened in the border wall by bulldozers and explosives and Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire with Egyptian police who tried to stop the influx, witnesses said. Gaza hospitals said they treated 10 people wounded in the shooting.
Israeli bombs destroyed Hamas's southern headquarters and medical officials said several people were wounded.
The deaths raised to 287 the number of Palestinian dead since Saturday, when Israel launched what one Israeli newspaper columnist described as "shock and awe" air strikes against Hamas facilities. More than 700 Palestinians were wounded.
One Israeli was killed Saturday by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas estimated that at least 15 women and some children had been killed in the past two days. "Palestine has never seen an uglier massacre," said Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's leader in Gaza.
Livni said Israel was "trying to make all the efforts to target only terrorists and Hamas headquarters and places, but unfortunately, in a war, like any war, sometimes also civilians pay the price."
Israeli military affairs commentators said Israeli leaders, wary of taking the political risk of reoccupying the Gaza Strip ahead of an election, were trying to bolster Israel's deterrence power and force Hamas into a long-term truce.
Violence spread to the occupied West Bank, where Israeli soldiers opened fire at rock-throwing Palestinian protesters. Palestinian medical officials said one Palestinian was killed.
In Hebron, also in the West Bank, Palestinian forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah shot and wounded three people during a protest by Islamist groups in support of Hamas, a Reuters reporter at the scene said.
The U.N. Security Council called on all sides to cease fire. But an Israeli official said Israel was feeling little international pressure to halt its operations.
In the Gaza Strip, parents kept their children home from school as the roar of Israeli aircraft and thunder of explosions echoed. Schools in Israel's south, due to reopen Tuesday after the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, were ordered to stay shut.
Abbas, speaking in Cairo, accused Hamas, which seized the Gaza Strip from Fatah in 2007, of triggering Israel's raids by not extending the ceasefire that Egypt brokered in June.
U.S. President George W. Bush's administration, in its final weeks in office, put the onus on Hamas to prevent more violence.
Aid groups said they feared a humanitarian crisis. Gaza hospitals said they were running out of supplies because of a long-standing Israeli-led blockade of the territory.
Palestinian officials said 10 trucks of flour and medical supplies entered through an Israeli border terminal Sunday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSLS69391620081228?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
Δευτέρα 22 Δεκεμβρίου 2008
Special Air Service (SAS)
The Special Air Service (SAS) is a special forces regiment within the British Army which has served as a model for the special forces of other countries. The SAS forms a significant section of United Kingdom Special Forces alongside the Special Boat Service (SBS), Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR), and the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG).
The Special Air Service is divided into two distinct parts:
- 22 Regiment Special Air Service, the regular regiment of the SAS, which is the unit associated with most well-known SAS operations.
- Two Territorial Army units, 21 Regiment Special Air Service (Artists) and 23 Regiment Special Air Service.
World War II
Malayan Emergency
Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
Northern Irish Troubles
Falklands War
Iraq War
War In Afghanist
SAS Motto: Who Dares Wins
Their most famous operation was the assault of the Iranian embassy in May of 1980. Iranian Terrorist opposing Kohmeni's rule seized the embassy and twenty-six hostages. An eight man team rappelled from the roof while a four man team reached a balcony from adjoining buildings. Another team reportedly blew a whole in a previously weakened plaster wall. Only one terrorist had survived; he had hid within a group of female hostages who were protecting him.
Peterhead Prison
In October 1987, the SAS were called up again to stop a problem in their own country. However this operation would include no guns. The SAS were called in to Peterhead Prison in Scotland. Prisoners had taken over the prison and needed to be subdued. The SAS was the only unit at the time with the means to carry out such a mission.
The team pumped a mixture of smoke and tear gas into the building. Once that was completed, an assault team made entry. They entered the building through a hole in the ceiling that the prisoners had made. Instead of MP-5s, the SAS Team was armed with long staves(batons). The Team approached the hole to be greeted by a prisoner. Usuing a flash-bang, the team quickly subdued the prisoner. Another problem needed to be taken care of. A prison guard was also being held by the prisoners. The team found the officer and quickly hurried him out of the building toward more waiting SAS soldiers.
The prison assault showed everyone that the SAS was capable of using their best judgment for each situation. It showed the public that guns are not always needed to achieve a victory.
Gibraltar
Ethiopia
Gambia
Afghanistan
Bosnia/Kosovo
South America
Zaire
Afghan Airline Hijacking
Albania
Ειδική Κατασταλτική Αντιτρομοκρατική Μονάδα
Η Ειδική Κατασταλτική Αντιτρομοκρατική Μονάδα (Ε.Κ.Α.Μ.) είναι τμήμα των ειδικών δυνάμεων της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας, το οποίο έχει συγκροτηθεί για την αντιμετώπιση καταστάσεων υψηλού κινδύνου (τρομοκρατικές ενέργειες, αεροπειρατείες, απαγωγές ομήρων, κ.τ.λ). Η Ε.Κ.Α.Μ. επεμβαίνει ύστερα από έγκριση του αρχηγού της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας.
Η Ε.Κ.Α.Μ. περιλαμβάνει άτομα τα οποία είναι εκπαιδευμένα σε διάφορες ειδικότητες:
- Ειδικές ομάδες εφόδου
- Ελεύθερους σκοπευτές
- Ειδικούς σε θέματα παραβιάσεων (θυρών, τοίχων)
- Αλεξιπτωτιστές
- Βατραχανθρώπους
- Αναρριχητές - Καταρριχητές
- Χιονοδρόμους
- Νοσοκόμους πεδίου μάχης.
Η Ε.Κ.Α.Μ. συνεργάζεται, τόσο σε θέματα εκπαίδευσης, όσο και ανταλλαγής τεχνογνωσίας με αντίστοιχες ειδικές μονάδες του εξωτερικού:
- F.B.I. / Hostage Rescue Team.
- U.S. Marshals / Special Operation Group.
- U.S. Army Special Forces.
- New Scotland Yard / SO19.
- G.E.O. Spain.
- R.A.I.D. France
- S.E.K. Berlin Germany.
- Cobra Austria.
Εκτός από τη συνεργασία με ξένες χώρες, η Ε.Κ.Α.Μ. χρησιμοποιεί αεροσκάφη και ελικόπτερα των ελληνικών ενόπλων δυνάμεων, όπως και ελικόπτερα της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας για μεταφορές και τεχνικές καταρριχήσεων Fast Rope και αεραποβάσεις. Η Ε.Κ.Α.Μ. προσφέρει επίσης εκπαίδευση C.Q.B. στις ειδικές δυνάμεις των ενόπλων δυνάμεων και εκπαιδεύει προσωπικό της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας σε βασικές τεχνικές βολών και μάχης.
- Ασκήσεις Γίνονται και στο Εξωτερικό με άλλες Ομάδες της Αστυνομίας όπως την GIGN
· Πιστόλια SIG SAUER διαμετρήματος .357 με ειδικά πυρομαχικά.
· Πιστόλια Five Seven διαμετρήματος 5,7 Χ 28
· Περίστροφα RUGER .357 Mag
· Υποπολυβόλα MP-5 διαμετρήματος 9 mm με ειδικά πυρομαχικά.
· Υποπολυβόλα Ρ-90 διαμετρήματος 5,7 x 28.
· Τυφέκια Μ-16 / Μ-4 διαμετρήματος 5,56 Χ 45.
· Τυφέκια AK-47 διαμετρήματος 7,62 Χ 39.
· Πολυβόλα FN/MAG διαμετρήματος 7,62 Χ 51.
· Καραμπίνες REMINGTON 870.
σκόπευσης ημέρας – νύχτας.
και διόπτρες 6 x 44 τύπου mount.
· Τυφέκια SG1 διαμετρήματος 7,62 Χ 51 με διόπτρες CARL ZEISS 1,5-
6 x 42.
· Τυφέκια ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AW διαμετρήματος 7,62 Χ 51,
με διόπτρες Smith and Bender 3-12 X 50.
· Τυφέκια ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL ΑW διαμετρήματος .338
Lapua Magnum με διόπτρες Smith and Bender 3-12 X 50.
· Τυφέκια SR-25 STONER RIFLE διαμετρήματος 7.62 Χ 51 με
διόπτρες Leopold 3-12 X 50.
διόπτρες σκόπευσης ημέρας – νύχτας AN-PVS10 με ανάλογους αντάπτορες.
· Προσωπίδες αερίων.
· Ειδικής Σχεδίασης αλεξίσφαιρα γιλέκα.
· Επιχειρησιακές Στολές NOMEX.
· Γυαλιά εφόδου.
· Μέσα προστασίας γονάτων και αγκώνων (επιγονατίδες, επαγκωνίδες).
· Αντιβαλιστικές ασπίδες προστασίας.
· Εξοπλισμό προστασίας Χ.Β.Ρ.Π. ουσιών.
· Ατομικούς φακούς.
· Ατομικούς ασυρμάτους ICOM, MOTOROLA.
· Πολυεργαλεία.
· Συσκευές Night Vision Goggles.
των ειδικών αποστολών, όπως:
αυτοκινούμενες σκάλες κ.λ.π
· Φουσκωτά ταχύπλοα σκάφη.
· Υλικά αναρρίχησης – καταρρίχησης διαφόρων τύπων.
· Συλλογές Fast Rope για όλα τα ελικόπτερα
· Ειδικά Υλικά παραβιάσεως θυρών (υδραυλικά συστήματα, κριοί κ.λ.π.).
· Τυποποιημένα εκρηκτικά γεμίσματα.
· Ενδοσκόπια.
· Κάμερες θερμικής απεικόνισης
· Συσκευές υπέρυθρης παρατήρησης.
· Χειροβομβίδες κρότου – λάμψεως.
· Χημικές ουσίες, καπνογόνες ουσίες κ.λ.π.
Δευτέρα 1 Δεκεμβρίου 2008
Χιλιάδες στρατιώτες θα αναπτυχθούν στις ΗΠΑ
Σύμφωνα με την αμερικανική εφημερίδα, που επικαλείται πηγές του Πενταγώνου, το σχέδιο προβλέπει την ανάπτυξη τριών μονάδων ταχείας επέμβασης. Η πρώτη μονάδα που θα αποτελείται από 4.700 στρατιώτες, θα σταθμεύει στο Φόρτ Στιούαρτ, στην Τζόρτζια και θα είναι έτοιμη να αντιμετωπίσει καταστάσεις εκτάκτου ανάγκης, όπως δήλωσε ο στρατηγός Βίκτορ Ρινιούαρτ, επικεφαλής της βόρειας στρατιωτικής διοίκησης.
Άλλες δύο στρατιωτικές δυνάμεις θα έχουν στόχο να ενισχύσουν τις περίπου 80 μικρότερες μονάδες της εθνοφυλακής, για την αντιμετώπιση τρομοκρατικών επιθέσεων στο εσωτερικό με τη χρησιμοποίηση πυρηνικών, χημικών, βιολογικών όπλων αλλά και εκρηκτικών μεγάλης ισχύος.
Η εφημερίδα σημειώνει ότι ενώσεις για τα πολιτικά δικαιώματα και τις ατομικές ελευθερίες εκφράζουν την ανησυχία τους για τα σχέδια αυτά του Πενταγώνου, καθώς καταργεί τον νόμο που ισχύει εδώ και 130 χρόνια στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες και που περιορίζει τον ρόλο του στρατού στο εσωτερικό της χώρας στην διατήρηση της τάξης.
Παρασκευή 21 Νοεμβρίου 2008
UN agrees DR Congo troop increase
The United Nations Security Council has voted to send 3,000 more troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo following renewed fighting in the country's east.
The increase means the peacekeeping mission, Monuc, will have about 20,000 troops and police on the ground - the biggest UN force of its kind.
But correspondents say diplomats admit they do not know where the troops will come from, or when they will be sent.
The move coincided with a charity appeal to help victims of the fighting.
Clashes between the army and rebels led by Gen Laurent Nkunda have created a humanitarian crisis in recent weeks, with an estimated 250,000 people forced to flee their homes.
The rebels withdrew from positions north of the city of Goma on Wednesday to allow aid into the area. The move came after weekend talks with the UN envoy, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Aid appeal
The BBC's Laura Trevelyan at the UN says the Security Council, which first received the request for reinforcements six weeks ago, voted unanimously to send 2,785 more troops and 300 police officers.
 |  Children are being separated and orphaned by this intense conflict. Thousands of people are vulnerable to rape, malnutrition, abduction and disease  Charles Badenoch World Vision  |
Our correspondent says Monuc has been criticised for not doing enough to protect people from Tutsi rebels while the army retreated.
Gen Nkunda has said he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of taking part in the 1994 genocide.
The Security Council voted for the peacekeepers to implement their mandate "in full", through robust rules of engagement.
Our correspondent says this is supposed to make clear to commanders on the ground that they can use all means necessary to protect the local population.
Earlier, British and international aid agencies launched an appeal for more money to help victims of the conflict.
Charles Badenoch, of World Vision, part of the Disasters Emergency Committee umbrella group, said: "Children are being separated and orphaned by this intense conflict. Thousands of people are vulnerable to rape, malnutrition, abduction and disease."
"We urgently need your help to bring them relief, stability and hope."
US warned of China 'cyber-spying'
China has stepped up computer espionage against the US government and American businesses, according to an influential Washington congressional panel.
In its annual report to Congress, the panel warned that China was gaining increasing access to sensitive information from US computer networks.
It said China was aggressively pursuing cyber-warfare capabilities to gain an advantage over the US in any conflict.
There has been no comment so far from the Chinese on the report.
The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission was set up by Congress in 2000 to advise, investigate and report on US-China issues.
| China is stealing vast amounts of sensitive information from US computer networks Larry Wortzel Commission chairman |
It alleges that the Chinese are looking for diplomatic and military secrets in government databases, and potentially lucrative industrial secrets held by American corporations.
The report said the US government and economy were critically vulnerable to cyber-space attack since both depended heavily on computers and the internet.
The panel of six Democrats and six Republicans said China would continue to target the US using cyberspace as it was cheaper and less risky than traditional espionage activities.
Another advantage, they say, is that determining who infiltrated computer networks is often difficult to establish.
"China is stealing vast amounts of sensitive information from US computer networks," said Larry Wortzel, chairman of the commission.
His panel recommended that lawmakers should provide funds for US government agencies - including those run by the military and homeland security - that would monitor and protect sensitive information held on computer networks.
Steady relations
The panel also warned the expansion of Beijing's space programme was making the US more vulnerable.
Chinese satellite technology now lets its military locate US navy ships more quickly and accurately than ever before.
The Chinese authorities have not so far commented on the commission's findings.
But officials in Beijing have responded to past reports by saying China does not try to undermine other countries' interests and seeks healthy ties with the US.
The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says relations between the US and China have remained fairly steady in recent years, but this report suggests the impact of Beijing's growing power and influence should now be re-assessed.www.bbc.com
Σάββατο 1 Νοεμβρίου 2008
The "Military and Police" pistol is the latest offering from the legendary American Smith & Wesson company. First appeared in the summer of 2005, this pistol is obviously intended for police and military sales, but also will be offered for civilian markets. The "Military & Police" name was the trade mark of S&W for some 80 or so years, being permanently linked to the most successful double action revolver from this company, currently known as S&W Model 10. It is yet to be seen if the new M&P will have any success, like original had.
S&W Military and Police pistol is short recoil operated, locked breech pistol that uses Browning-type locking. Frame is made from high strength polymer, all steel components (incl. barrel and slide) are made from stainless steel. Pistol is striker fired, with double action only trigger. Since most of striker-fired pistols require the trigger to be pulled during disassembly, the S&W has a neat sear release lever which can be used to safely release the striker without pulling the trigger, and with the slide locked back open. The sear release lever is accessible only through the ejection port opening. S&W Military and Police pistol is a fully ambidextrous, with slide release levers located on either side of frame, and reversible magazine release button. For improved ergonomics, the rear part of the grip is easily replaceable, and gun comes with three grip panels of different size and shape. Front part of the frame, under the barrel, is shaped to form the Picatinny rail for accessories. Both front and rear sights are dovetailed to the slide and can be easily adjusted or replaced by optional tritium night sights.
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg165-e.htmΠαρασκευή 31 Οκτωβρίου 2008
P90 SANDARD
Just like the Five-seveN® pistol, the P90® submachine gun was developed around the 5.7x28mm ammunition to meet the Armies requirement in terms of efficiency.
Two versions are available:
- P90 Standard
- P90 Tactical
Either version can be fitted with an integrated visible laser or an infrared laser.
Benefits
- Stopping Power for Close Combat
The P90® submachine gun and the SS190 ball round team up to defeat the enemy in all close combat situations.
- High Accuracy
The high velocity of the 5.7x28mm ammunition guarantees a virtually flat trajectory up to 200m for outstanding accuracy.
- Fully Reliable
The simple design of the mechanism, the unique feed mechanism and the materials used to manufacture the P90® make it highly reliable, whatever the conditions.
- Rapid Deployment
The P90® is carried ready fire. There is no need to extend any folding buttstock. Despite its shortness, the P90® is designed to be fired from the shoulder, giving maximum stability.
- Quick Aiming
The P90® Standard is fitted with an integrated optical sight without magnification. The user can therefore shoot with both eyes open. Performance is fully retained in low light conditions thanks to a tritium capsule.
- Easy to Carry
The compactness of the P90® allows easy movement in confined areas. The magazine is fully integrated along the top of the P90® for optimized ergonomics.
- Fully Ambidextrous
The cocking handle and magazine catch are located on both sides of the P90®. The safety and fire selector is under the trigger and can be operated in either hand. Empty cartridge cases are ejected downwards. The P90® can therefore be handled by right- and left-handed without any modification.
- High Magazine Capacity
Since the 5.7x28mm rounds are light and small, the magazine fitted along the top of the barrel can accept up to 50 cartridges.
G3A3
| G3A3 | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Designer | |
| Production begins | 1958 |
| Production ends | 1997 |
| Weapon type | |
| Caliber | 7.62mm NATO (.308 win) |
| Action | Roller-delayed blowback |
| Overall length | 1026 millimeters |
| Barrel length | 450 millimeters |
| Weight empty | 4.5 kilograms |
| Magazine capacity | 20 rounds |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds per minute |
| Maximum effective range | 500 meters |
| Muzzle velocity | 780 meters per seco |
AK47
AK-74 Assault rifle
Developed: 1974
Caliber: 5.45mm
Cartridge: 5.45x39
Magazine capacity: 30
Loaded weight: 3,600g
Killing range: 1,350m
The M16 is still a general-issue rifle with the US Armed forces. It is also widely used by the US Law Enforcement agencies, either in military form (for example, the LAPD had some M16s, retired from Army), or in "civilian" semi-automatic only form. The AR-15 style rifles are made in the USA by at least dozen large companies, such as Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, FN Manufacturing, Hesse, Les Baer, Olympic, Wilson Combat, and by number of smaller companies, many of which do assembly their rifles from components made by some other major manufacturers. M16-type rifles also manufactured outside of the USA, most notably in the Canada, by Diemaco Co. China also makes some AR-15 type rifles at NORINCO state factories. M16 rifles are used by many foreign military groups, most notably the British SAS, who preferred the M16 over the infamous L85A1 rifle, and by many others.
At the present time almost all initial flaws of the M16 are bugged out, and it is considered among the best assault rifles in the world. While its reliability in the harsh conditions cannot match reliability of its main rival, the Kalashnikov AK-47 and AK-74, it is still a quite reliable rifle, especially when well maintained. It is also comfortable to fire and quite accurate.
Πέμπτη 30 Οκτωβρίου 2008
Triple Canopy
What We Do
Triple Canopy, an integrated security solutions company, mitigates risk and develops comprehensive security programs for government agencies, private corporations and non-governmental organizations working in high-risk environments across the globe.
We provide customized, cost-effective security solutions to help you create and sustain a secure environment to grow your business. We want to make sure you have the guidance and tools necessary to make security a top priority.
Our security services include:
Our Story
We were founded in Chicago in 2003 by U.S. Army Special Forces veterans. In 2005, our corporate headquarters relocated to Herndon, Va., just outside Washington, D.C. Triple Canopy has continued to enhance its service offering and expand its global presence by opening offices in Abu Dhabi and Nigeria.
In June 2007, we acquired Clayton Consultants, Inc., a crisis management security consultancy specializing in the prevention and resolution of kidnap for ransoms, extortions, product contamination and client risk. This acquisition further expanded our global footprint across the Americas, Asia and Europe.
Certifications
Triple Canopy is an ISO 9001:2000-certified company. In addition, our vulnerability assessments, security surveys and red team services are certified as qualified anti-terrorism technologies (QATT) under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (the SAFETY Act). Our SAFETY Act certification provides significant liability protections to our customers in the event of a terrorist attack.
Blackwater Worldwide
Innovation Begins with Experience
Blackwater Worldwide efficiently and effectively integrates a wide range of resources and core competencies to provide unique and timely solutions that exceed our customers’ stated needs and expectations.
We are guided by integrity, innovation, and a desire for a safer world. Blackwater Worldwide professionals leverage state-of-the-art training facilities, professional program management teams, and innovative manufacturing and production capabilities to deliver world-class, customer-driven solutions.
Our corporate leadership and dedicated family of exceptional employees adhere to essential core values- chief among these are integrity, innovation,excellence, respect, accountability, and teamwork.
America's Veterans Serving America
...Again
...Again
Ορισμός του μισθοφόρου
Ορισμός του μισθοφόρου
«Ο μισθοφόρος είναι κάποιος δεν ανήκει σε έναν τακτικό στρατό και που δεν είναι υπόλογος στην πειθαρχία του στρατού. Είναι κάποιος που θέτει τον εαυτό του προς πώληση στον αγοραστή με την μεγαλύτερη προσφορά για να συμμετάσχει σε στρατιωτικές επιχειρήσεις μακριά από την πατρίδα του»
