Military Views: Year in Pictures 2012

A paratrooper with the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade exits a UH60 Black Hawk helicopter on Sept. 19, 2012, above White Lake near Elizabethtown, N.C. He and fellow paratroopers are practicing water jumps. (Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod/U.S. Army)

Military Views: Year in Pictures 2012 -- ABC News

Throughout the year, we are inundated with images of wars from all over the world taken by the media, freelance journalists and passerby. A striking selection of images from military photographers released by the Defense Department as the “Year in 2012″ collection shows how the US Military views itself.

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WNU Editor: For more pictures, go here.

The Defining Images Of 2012 (Photo Gallery)

The Defining Images Of 2012: Stunning Pictures From The World Press Photo Awards Capture Every Extreme Of Human Life, From Olympic Glory To Indian Poverty To Despair In War-Torn Gaza -- Daily Mail

* Swedish photographer Paul Hansen won with a picture of two Palestinian children killed in an Israeli missile strike
* Others include riots in Spain, Olympic fencing, Indian slums, torture in Syria and penguins in Antarctica
* Although the overwhelming majority of winners came from various regions of the conflict-ravaged Middle East

They are the defining images of the world in 2012, each one reflecting a single, fleeting moment of a year gone by.

Whether it is of the misery of a loved one killed by an enemy missile attack, the overwhelming joy at winning Olympic gold, or the intimate devotion of an elderly wife to her dying husband, each photograph provides a fascinating snapshot of life on Earth.

The winners of the World Press Photo Awards, one of photojournalism's most prestigious contests, were announced today, issuing awards in nine categories to 54 photographers of 32 nationalities.

The overall winner was Swedish photographer Paul Hansen for his picture of two Palestinian children killed in an Israeli missile strike being carried to their funeral.

WARNING: This story contains images that some readers may find distressing.

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My Comment: An incredible collection of pictures.

Spectacular Images Capture A Glorious Year For The U.S. Air Force

Deadly convoy: Dozens of U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons demonstrate an 'Elephant Walk' as they taxi down a runway during an exercise at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, to practise for a wartime mission. This picture is among a gallery of images chosen to showcase a year in the life of the U.S. Air force in 2012

Flares, Football Flybys... And A Nap During Training: Spectacular Images Capture A Glorious Year For The U.S. Air Force -- Daily Mail

The nature of modern warfare requires troops more than ever to be multi-skilled and, above all, versatile.

And as this stunning collection of pictures shows, those qualities are possessed in no small part by the United States Air Force.

The images range from a fleet of F-16s taxiing on a runway in South Korea while preparing for a wartime mission and a triumphant flyby over an American football game to firefighters tackling a cargo plane fire and a snoozing airman having a well-earned nap during training.

They were chosen by a team of Air Force journalists and photographers who were tasked with choosing the best images to represent the 2012 Air Force Year in Photos.

A U.S. Air Force spokesperson said: 'These photos showcase Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America.'

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My Comment: Yup .... a cool collection of pics.

Stars And Stripes' Best Photos From Afghanistan, 2012

U.S. Department Of Defense: Year In Photos 2012

Sunset Soldiers - Soldiers assigned to Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, Illinois National Guard finish a hard day in the field during training on Camp Ripley, Minn., July 22, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Allison Lampe

WNU Editor: From the U.S. Department of Defense ....

The men and women of the U.S. military serve in operations around the world. They also are family members, athletes and sports fans who embrace life. Military photographers provide a visual record of their activities. In this review, Year in Photos 2012, we offer a selection of some of the most compelling pictures they produced.

Their photo gallery is here.

65 Impressive Photos Of The US Military In 2012

Capt. Michael Stackhouse, of Lima, Ohio, and 1st Sgt. Christopher Roche, of Alexandria, Va., both with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Saber, place gold combat spurs on the feet of Saber Troopers, March 2, 2012. Gold combat spurs are presented to troopers serving more than 30 days in a combat zone with a cavalry unit -- a tradition beginning in the Civil War. (March 2, 2012 - Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon ). U.S. Army / Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon

WNU Editor: An impressive collection of pictures. The photo gallery starts here.

A Collection Of Award-Winning British Army Photos (Photo Gallery)

A shot by photographer Cpl Steve Blake RLC (Army Photographer), a Pro Portfolio runner-up

Shooting Stars: Stirring Collection Of Award-Winning Army Photos Shows Britain's Servicemen At War And Relaxing On The Frontline -- Daily Mail

A stirring collection of award-winning army photos unveiled today shows Britain’s soldiers at work and play.

The pictures in the annual Army Photographic Competition have been taken by amateur and professional soldier cameramen and show troops in frontline action, on ceremonial occasions and taking part in sport.

Many have been snapped in Afghanistan, while others have been taken on training exercises at home in the UK.

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WNU Editor: A nice collection of pics.

Japan Holds A Live-Fire Military Exercise In Front Of Mount Fuji (Photo Gallery)

Tracer bullets ricochet off their targets as Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force armoured tanks fire machine guns during an annual night training session in front of Mount Fuji. Picture: REUTERS/Issei Kato

WNU Editor: An impressive photo gallery. The link starts here.

A Photo Gallery Of America's Air Fleet

F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter crew chief, Tech. Sgt. Brian West, watches his aircraft approach for the first time at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., July 14. Aircraft 0747 is the newest Department of Defense aircraft. Photo by Samuel King, Eglin AFB.

Supersonic: For Decades, These American Jets Have Ruled The Skies. -- Foreign Policy

After the Pentagon announced it was increasing funds for the new model of the F-35 by another $289 million -- on top of the $379.4 billion already allocated to the program -- criticism of the ballooning budget has been sharp. As Winslow Wheeler writes for Foreign Policy, "[T]he F-35 will replace most of the air-combat aircraft in the inventories of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and at least nine foreign allies, and it will be in those inventories for the next 55 years. It's no secret, however, that the program -- the most expensive in American history -- is a calamity."

Here's a visual tour of the planes that have caused all this controversy, a few of the alternative fighter jet models, and a sample of other designs of American planes.

WNU Editor: The photo gallery starts here.