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SAMMARA, IRAQ: An Iraqi man shows the shell of a rocket to a US soldier from the 1st Infantry Division that landed on his home in the northern city of Samarra 13 November 2004. The rocket caused some damage to the property, but injured no one. AFP PHOTO/MEHDI FEDOUACH
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739719.jpg]

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SAMARRA, IRAQ: A general view of the base occupied by the 1st Infantry Division in Samarra, a majority Sunni Muslim city some 125 kilometers (75 miles) north of Baghdad 14 November 2004.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739721.jpg]

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SAMARRA, IRAQ: Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division repair their vehicles in Samarra, a majority Sunni Muslim city, some 125 kilometers (75 miles) north of Baghdad 14 November 2004.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739723.jpg]

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SAMARRA, IRAQ: A soldier of the 1st Infantry Division sits on the roof scanning the area in Samarra, a majority Sunni Muslim city some 125 kilometers (75 miles) north of Baghdad 14 November 2004.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739743.jpg]

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SAMARRA, IRAQ: Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division read their electronic mail while sitting at a computers or speak on the telephone at their base in Samarra, a majority Sunni Muslim city some 125 kilometers (75 miles) north of Baghdad 14 November 2004. Caught between long periods of mind-numbing boredom punctuated by short bursts of blood and chaos, US troops in the flashpoint Iraqi city of Samarra can only count the days till they go home. AFP PHOTO/MEHDI FEDOUACH
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739755.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: US marines from the 3/5 Lima company walks through the destruction past the "old" bridge in the restive city of Fallujah 14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad. From this same bridge four US security officers' charred bodies were hung on display earlier in the year.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739760.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 14: A wounded Jordanian Jihad fighter is treated by medics from the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division 2-2 Task Force on November 14, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739763.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: Flames are seen rising from a building as US marines from the 3/5 Lima company walks through the destruction along a street in the restive city of Fallujah 14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad. US-led forces will probably need up to five more days to finish clearing Fallujah of rebels after a week of fierce fighting that left more than 1,200 insurgents dead, US marine officers said today. AFP PHOTO/PATRICK BAZ
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739768.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: US marines from the 3/5 Lima company walks through the destruction along a street in the restive city of Fallujah 14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739777.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 14: Iraqi translators (L) ask a wounded Palestinian Jihad fighter questions about his wounds as he is treated by medics from the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division 2-2 Task Force on November 14, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. The foreign fighter was wounded along with two other foreign fighters and one Iraqi while battling U.S. and Iraqi forces who have retaken the insurgent stronghold city of Fallujah over the past 6 days. Both American and Iraqi forces now claim to have regained complete control of the city although sporadic pockets of fierce resistance remain in some southern areas of the city. (Photo by Scott Nelson/Getty Images)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739783.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: US marines from the 3/5 Lima company ride in their Humvees along the main high street of the restive city of Fallujah 14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad. US-led forces will probably need up to five more days to finish clearing Fallujah of rebels after a week of fierce fighting that left more than 1,200 insurgents dead, US marine officers said today. AFP PHOTO/PATRICK BAZ
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739798.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: Family photographs are seen stuck to a door of an armoured vehicle as a US marine from the 3/5 Lima company aims his rifle during operations in the restive city of Fallujah, 13 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad. US troops tightened their grip on Fallujah but clashed with rebels in Iraq's third city of Mosul and outside Baghdad where insurgents shot down a Black Hawk helicopter injuring three crew members. AFP PHOTO/PATRICK BAZ
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739889.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: US marines from the 3/5 Lima company walk towards a the bridge that crosses the Euphrates River in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739872.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: A US marine from the 3/5 Lima company points his rifle at a building as it burns in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad. US-led forces will probably need up to five more days to finish clearing Fallujah of rebels after a week of fierce fighting that left more than 1,200 insurgents dead, US marine officers said today. AFP PHOTO/PATRICK BAZ
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739859.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: A US marine from the 3/5 Lima company sits injured in the back of a truck during clashes in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739902.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: An arrested Iraqi man kneels on the ground as a US marines from 3/5 Lima company searches his belongings in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51739967.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: US marines from the 3/5 Lima company have their picture taken at the bridge that crosses the Euphrates River in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51740013.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: A US marine from the 3/5 Lima company walks towards a destroyed building along the main street in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51740019.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: Military photographers with the US marines 3/5 Lima company document the damage along the main street in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad. The bridge became famous after the death of US security officers' charred bodies were hung on display at the end of March 2004.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51740020.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: A US marine of the 3/5 Lima company carries ammunition found during searches along a main street in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad. US-led forces will probably need up to five more days to finish clearing Fallujah of rebels after a week of fierce fighting that left more than 1,200 insurgents dead, US marine officers said today. AFP PHOTO/PATRICK BAZ (Photo credit should read PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51740048.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: A US marine of the 3/5 Lima company points to C4 explosives hidden in a cushion during searches in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51740054.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: US marines of the 3/5 Lima company show off their find of detonators and black masks during searches in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad. The masks are similar to those seen on video tapes released by militants and posted on their internet web sites.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/51740059.jpg]

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FALLUJAH, IRAQ: A US marine of the 3/5 Lima company looks over as he and his comrades make their way along a street in the restive city of Fallujah,14 November 2004, 50 kms west of Baghdad.
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/capt_ans10211141446_iraq_fallujah_ans102.jpg]

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US Marine of the 1st Division push further into the western part of Fallujah, Iraq Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004. U.S. military officials said Saturday that US Forces had now 'occupied' the entire city of Fallujah. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/capt_ans10711141538_iraq_fallujah_ans107.jpg]

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US Marines of the 1st Division pass a mutilated body which they believe to be a western woman, in the western part of Fallujah, Iraq Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004. The remains, which were found lying in the street covered with a blood-soaked cloth, are to be subjected to a DNA test to try and determine identity. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/capt_ans11011141554_iraq_fallujah_ans110.jpg]

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US Marines of the 1st Division approach the bridge in the western part of Fallujah, Iraq where the bodies of two American contractors killed by militants were strung up in March, 2004, sparking the earlier U.S. siege, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/041111-F-2034C-028.jpg]

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Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) members from Detachment 1, 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron attached to 1-4 Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division and members of Charlie Troop, 1-4 Cav, 1st ID conduct a creator analysis on November 11, 2004 from two 1,000 lbs GBU 32 bombs that were dropped the night before during a terrain denial and show of force air strike mission on an island in the Tigris River outside of Ad Dwr, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo 041111-F-2034C-028(RELEASED)
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OVER FLORIDA -- An F-15 Eagle from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., returns from a live weapons-fire exercise during William Tell 2004 here Nov. 10. Two weeks of competition will challenge pilots, weapons loaders and maintainers from five F-15 fighter wings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/040930-F-8424K-016.jpg]

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BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - A rainbow shines on an F-16 Fighting Falcon static display here recently. Colorado's unpredictable weather in one day offered rain, slush, sun and a pot of gold. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Annadele Kenderes)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/1.jpg]

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041110-N-9079D-012 Pacific Ocean (Nov. 10,2004) - The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) approaches the guided missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) while preparing for a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) are currently deployed to the Western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ronald Dallatorre (RELEASED)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/2.jpg]

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041111-N-3019M-004 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Nov. 11, 2004) - Ceremonial Color Guard, assigned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, renders a 21-gun salute aboard the memorial battleship Missouri during a Veteran’s Day sunset ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and featured a keynote address by World War II veteran, William Paty Jr., a former prisoner of war. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Ryan C. McGinley (RELEASED)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/3.jpg]

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041110-N-9319H-038 Pacific Ocean (Nov. 10, 2004) - An MH-60S Knighthawk assigned to the “Gunbearers” of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Eleven (HC-11), transports supplies from the Military Sealift Command (MSC) oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) to the flight deck aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is currently conducting Tailored Ships Training Availability I/II/III and Final Exercise Problem off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Angel G. Hilbrands (RELEASED)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/4.jpg]

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041110-N-9183C-001 Pacific Ocean (Nov. 10, 2004) – The guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) conducts an emergency breakaway exercise after completing a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Jacob Childre (RELEASED)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/5.jpg]

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041110-N-5384B-045 Pacific Ocean (Nov. 11, 2004) - The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), right, and the guided missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), underway with Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9). CSG-9 headed by USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) is currently deployed to the Western Pacific Ocean. CSG-9 is the first to be used in a surge role in support of the Chief of Naval Operations' Fleet Response Plan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Justin R. Blake (RELEASED)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/6.jpg]

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041110-N-4565G-001 Arabian Gulf (Nov. 10, 2004) - A Naval Aviator assigned to the “Sunliners” of Strike Fighter Squadron Eight One (VFA-81), completes final pre-flight checks on a AGM-65 Maverick missile prior to flight operations aboard the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The AGM-65 Maverick is a tactical, air-to-surface guided missile designed for close air support, interdiction and defense suppression missions. Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) embarked aboard Kennedy are supporting ground troops in Fallujah, Iraq, under Operation Al Fajr (New Dawn). Kennedy and embarked CVW-17 are currently on deployment in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Tommy Gilligan (RELEASED)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/7.jpg]

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041110-N-4565G-004 Arabian Gulf (Nov. 2004) - An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the “Sunliners” of Strike Fighter Squadron Eight One (VFA-81), launches from the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) embarked aboard Kennedy are supporting ground troops in Fallujah, Iraq, under Operation Al Fajr (New Dawn). Kennedy and embarked CVW-17 are currently on deployment in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Tommy Gilligan (RELEASED)
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041110-N-4385W-005 Freeland, Wash. (Nov 10, 2004) - Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Vern Clark, tours the Nichols Brothers shipyard where the Navy's "X-Craft" is currently under construction. The X-Craft transformational program is a high-speed, aluminum catamaran consisting of an advanced hull geometry, designed to give the craft speeds of 50 knots or more. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has initial plans to conduct hydrodynamic experimentation as a test bed for Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical (HME) concepts for the Navy's new class of warship, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael D. Winter (RELEASED)
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041110-N-4374S-005 Arabian Gulf (Nov. 10, 2004) - Sailors prepare for morning flight operations on the fight deck of the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in support of ground troops in Fallujah, Iraq under Operation Al Fajr (New Dawn). Kennedy and embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) are currently on deployment in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg (RELEASED)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/90.jpg]

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041110-N-4374S-008 Arabian Gulf (Nov. 10, 2004) - The guided missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) sails through the Arabian Gulf during sunrise. Vicksburg is part of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Carrier Strike Group, currently on a scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg (RELEASED)
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[התמונה הבאה מגיעה מקישור שלא מתחיל ב https ולכן לא הוטמעה בדף כדי לשמור על https תקין: http://www.myimageshack.com/data/500/308/92.jpg]

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041110-N-1281L-015 Pacific Ocean (Nov. 10, 2004) - The guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), left, completes a replenishment at sea with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class John S. Lill (RELEASED)
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כתבה מערוץ 2 על הקרבות האחרונים בפאלוג'ה:

http://gifs.msn.co.il/WOW/channel2/news6/faloga.wmv

יש 99% שכל מה שרשמתי הוא טעות.

בתמונות 30 ו 33 רואים את השפעת גובה הספינה על היציבות שלה, היא מטלטלת בזוויות נוראיות. אני לא מקנא במי שנמצא בתוך הספינה, בייחוד בעכברי המי"ק (מוכמי"ם, בקרים וקשרים למיניהם) שרובם בטח רואים פעמיים את רוב הארוחות שלהם.

The X-Craft transformational program is a high-speed, aluminum catamaran consisting of an advanced hull geometry, designed to give the craft speeds of 50 knots or more. Initially, it will be used by ONR for purposes of hydrodynamic experimentation and as a test bed for Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical (HME) concepts for the Navy's new class of warship, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

The X-Craft’s deck will have two helicopter landing spots capable of handling a variety of aircraft up to the size of the H-60-series helicopter. With a design displacement of approximately 1,100 long tons, the X-Craft will be self-deployable and of flexible design for spiral technology insertion. The vessel measures approximately 73 meters in length and 22 meters in breadth.

The X-Craft has a maximum speed of at least 50 knots (40 knots in Sea State 4). It will be self-deployable (4000 nautical miles unrefueled), and capable of landing and refueling SH-60R helicopters.

The craft must be delivered fully operational not later than June 2004. In order to meet this delivery requirement, the Government negotiated on a sole source basis with Titan Corporation, San Diego CA as prime contractor / systems integrator. Titan has conducted concept exploration and design for this project under two previous contracts beginning in 1998 and continuing through the present. As a part of its overall integration responsibilities, Titan will finalize the X-craft design and, subject to Navy review, conduct competitive selection of the actual shipyard subcontractor.

A Combined Gas Turbine or Diesel (CODOG) propulsion plant will propel the X-Craft to speeds of 50 knots or more. The vessel’s Mission Module Bay will be capable of fully supporting simultaneously two or three mission packages designed for the Navy’s littoral combat support.

The design is the result of two years research into fuel efficient catamaran hulls giving a very comfortable ride at high speed in moderate sea states. The US Navy’s requirement is for the X-Craft to remain fully operational in sea state 4 at 40 knots. Model tests on the hull form have shown that this condition can easily be met and in fact the craft can remain fully operational well into sea state 5. Previous catamarans have normally been designed for high volume, low weight cargoes, such as cars and passengers. In the case of the X-Craft the design philosophy has been geared to high weights of payload and fuel.

The vessel has been designed for simplicity of construction and operation. The flush upper deck has a landing area for two helicopters, which can also be refuelled with the craft underway. Access to the main payload deck is via a large lift down from the flight deck or over folding ramps at the stern. The structure of the vessel is all aluminium with propulsion by waterjets driven by gas turbines for high speed operation and diesel engines for lower speed loitering.

When delivered the X-Craft will demonstrate to the US and other navies the versatility of a very high speed, high payload capability vessel which can cross oceans quickly, and operate in shallow coastal waters on missions which include mine counter measures and antisubmarine warfare.

In September 2002 the United States Navy’s Office of Naval Research in Washington DC has chose Titan Corporation of San Diego, California and Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd of Southampton, England to design a new vessel for the US Navy known as the X-Craft.

The US joint venture shipyard of WA-based Austal Ships was short-listed to build the X-Craft. Prime contractorTitan Systems Corporation selected Austal USA as one of five shipyards to participate in the final tender round, which closed early in 2003.

The X-Craft NG427 configuration was designed by United Kingdom-based Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd. The company is a full service design office with 40 employees offering the full range of design capability from Concept Design through to Detailed Shop Floor drawings. In April 2003 Nigel Gee and Associates Ltd, specialists in the design of high speed, innovative mono and multi-hull vessels was acquired by British Maritime Technology Ltd (BMT). BMT is a leading, multi-disciplinary engineering and technology consultancy, specialising in design, design support, risk and contract management and marine surveying, principally in the defence, energy, environment, insurance and transportation sectors.

On February 25, 2003, the Office of Naval Research awarded Titan a $59.9 million contract to develop and build the Navy’s X-Craft. Work will be performed in Whidbey Island, Wash. (60%), and San Diego, Calif. (40%), and is expected to be completed by October 2004. This contract modification was procured under a justification and approval, dated Oct. 3, 2002.

On February 25, 2003, Titan announced that it is awarding to Nichols Bros. Boat Builders, Inc., a subcontract to provide hull, mechanical, and electrical ship systems for the U.S. Navy's new X-Craft. This award to Nichols Bros. completes an RFI and RFP effort initiated by Titan less than six months earlier. Nichols Bros. Boat Builders, headquartered in Freeland, Washington, specializes in the building of high-speed catamarans and other vessels.

The new X-Craft high-speed catamaran will be powered by MTU 16V 595 engines and GE LM 2500 gas turbines. MTU is providing the integrated propulsion system for the X-Craft. MTU will also deliver the modules for the LM2500. The ship's monitoring and control system will be MTU's modern MCS5 Type 2 and RCS 5 system. In addition, the ship's electric power supply will be generated by four diesel generator-sets with MTU Series 60 diesel engines. As a system integrator, MTU will deliver the main X-Craft propulsion components, marking it the first application of the MTU Series 595 diesel engines in a CODOG configuration for the US Navy. Two well-proven MTU 16V 595 TE90 diesel engines and two GE LM2500 gas turbines will be used in a COmbined Diesel Or Gas turbine (CODOG) configuration with a corresponding gearbox, propelling the X-Craft with four waterjets to speeds of more than 50 knots. Rolls-Royce announced 27 March 2003 that its Kamewa waterjets have been selected for X-Craft, an experimental high-speed aluminum catamaran. Under the contract, awarded by prime contractor The Titan Corporation (NYSE: TTN), four high-efficiency Rolls-Royce Kamewa 125 SII waterjets will accommodate 50.4MW of power driving the vessel to speeds of up to 50 knots while offering greater maneuverability. The installation of two or more independent units makes sideways movement possible, simplifying operations and berthing. Mixed-flow type pumps used in Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjets provide higher than 90 percent efficiency ratings.

מקור: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/x-craft.htm

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Thanks and you have explained it very nicely.