Photos from October, 2005

THIES MILITARY BASE, Senegal — Marine Cpls. Travis Burgialli, right, and Richard Hazenburg observe Italian army and navy personnel firing M-16 service rifles and M-4 carbine rifles here Oct. 29, 2005. The event is part of U.S. European Command’s West African Training Cruise ‘06. The training cruise enhances security cooperation and fosters new partnerships between the United States, NATO partners, and participating West African nations through training and engagement opportunities. (DoD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Steve Faulisi) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PENTAGON — Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, second from left, hosts a meeting with Czech Minister of Defense Karel Kuhnl, second from right, here Oct. 27, 2005. Rumsfeld, Kuhnl and their senior advisers are meeting to discuss a broad range of bilateral security issues. (DoD photo by R.D. Ward) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MONS, Belgium — Senior enlisted leaders gathered here Oct. 27 for the first International Senior Noncommissioned Officer Symposium. Top ranking enlisted leaders from NATO units and countries met here Oct. 24-27 to share experiences and knowledge so they can better support the strategy of the Alliance through the future development of NATO’s enlisted force. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dan Wilson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PENTAGON — Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, right, and Macedonian Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski speak to the press following their meeting here Oct. 26, 2005. The two leaders met to discuss defense issues of mutual interest. (DoD photo by Helene Stikkel) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Swedish Gen. Håkan Syrén and U.S. Air Force Gen. Charles Wald shake hands at the U.S. European Command headquarters here Oct. 25. Syrén, the supreme commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, visited here for briefings and discussions on EUCOM’s mission and future plans, specifically with regards to strategy in Africa and opportunities for bi- and multi-lateral special operations training and other engagements. Wald is the EUCOM deputy commander. (DoD photo by Adam Gramarossa) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SOUDA BAY, Crete — The crew of the guided missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) mans the rails as the ship arrives at the Marathi NATO Pier Facility here for a routine port visit Oct. 25, 2005. Mitscher is deployed from her homeport of Norfolk, Va., and is patrolling the Mediterranean to prevent terrorism and illegal activities. (DoD photo by Paul Farley) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROTA, Spain — A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from Fort Sill, Okla., is loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster here Oct. 24, 2005. Several helicopters will be assembled and flown to Pakistan to support humanitarian relief efforts following a devastating earthquake. (DoD photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Reynaldo Ramon) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROTA, Spain — U.S. Army Soldiers help load a CH-47 Chinook helicopter from Fort Sill, Okla., onto a C-17 Globemaster here Oct. 24, 2005. Several helicopters will be assembled and flown to Pakistan to support humanitarian relief efforts following a devastating earthquake. (DoD photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Reynaldo Ramon) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld listens to remarks at the NATO-Ukraine High Level Consultations here Oct. 24, 2005. Rumsfeld is here to attend the consultations and to conduct bilateral meetings with his counterparts. (DoD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. James Bowman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VILNIUS, Lithuania — U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, left, and Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus participate in a press conference here Oct. 23, 2005. Rumsfeld is in Lithuania to attend the NATO-Ukraine High-Level Consultations. (DoD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. James Bowman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS MOUNT WHITNEY, Tyrrhenian Sea — A U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Detachment Sailor uses a breaching torch to cut through steel during a demonstration for the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference participants here Oct. 21. The JCOC is a weeklong, multi-service orientation for civilian public opinion leaders. JCOC participants attend high-level briefings at the Pentagon, then observe exercises, fire weapons and participate in training at various locations, including Washington, D.C.; Germany; England; and Italy. (DoD photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Suzanne Day) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS MOUNT WHITNEY, Tyrrhenian Sea — Members of the "vessel-boarding search-and-seizure" team ride a rigid-hull inflatable boat during a demonstration of maritime interdiction operations here off the coast of Naples, Italy, Oct. 21. The demonstration is part of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference visit to the ship. (DoD photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Suzanne Day) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Guinea — The Ghanaian Naval Ship (GNS) Anzone, front, and the GNS Achimotaz follow astern of the USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) while participating in training as part of West African Training Cruise ‘06 here Oct. 20, 2005. The U.S. European Command training cruise enhances security cooperation and fosters new partnerships between the United States, NATO partners and the participating West African nations of Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and Morocco through training and engagement opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Steve Faulisi) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Guinea — Ghanaian Navy Lt. Agmire, left, and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Dewayne Crowder monitor a radar scope here during a training event Oct. 20, 2005, as part of West African Training Cruise ‘06. The U.S. European Command training cruise enhances security cooperation and fosters new partnerships between the United States, NATO partners and the participating West African nations of Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and Morocco through training and engagement opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Steve Faulisi) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44), Gulf of Guinea — U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. John MacLaughin and Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer John Hokenson discuss boarding, search and seizure tactics, and team assignments with Ghanaian military here Oct. 20, 2005. U.S. European Command’s West African Training Cruise 2006 brings military members from the United States, Italy and Spain to the participating host nations of Morocco, Guinea, Ghana and Senegal for training. The exercise runs from Sept. 27 to Dec. 2. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Clifton Williams) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Coast of Ghana — Sailors aboard Landing Craft Utility 55 leave the beach here Oct. 20 to head back to the amphibious ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) during the West African Training Cruise 2006. This annual U.S. European Command exercise brings military members from the United States, Italy and Spain to the participating host nations of Morocco, Guinea, Ghana and Senegal for training. The exercise runs from Sept. 27 to Dec. 2. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Clifton Williams) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44), Gulf of Guinea — A U.S. Sailor checks charts with two Ghanaian officers during West African Training Cruise ’06 here Oct. 20, 2005. This annual U.S. European Command exercise brings military members from the United States, Italy and Spain to the participating host nations of Morocco, Guinea, Ghana and Senegal for training. The exercise runs from Sept. 27 to Dec. 2. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Clifton Williams) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Official U.S. Navy file photo of the USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
LANDSTUHL, Germany — Kevin Bernzott, left, and Kevin Roberts, of the Department of Defense's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, visit with an injured Soldier and Marine at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center here Oct. 19. The two, along with other JCOC members, brought phone cards totaling more than 25,000 minutes and dozens of DVDs and CDs to wounded service members. JCOC is a weeklong, multiservice orientation for civilian public opinion leaders. Participants start their orientation with briefings from senior Pentagon leaders and then travel to various U.S. military locations around the world. (DoD photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Suzanne Day) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Katherine Fernandez Rundle, state attorney for Miami-Dade County, Florida, gets a Kevlar helmet fitted by a Soldier at the 7th Army Training Center here Oct. 19. Rundle was a participant in the Joint Civilian Orientation Course, a weeklong program designed to familiarize civilian business professionals with the military. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Sara Wood) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey — C-130s line the flightline here Oct. 19 in preparation to move cargo to Islamabad, Pakistan. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees is using the base as an "air-bridge" to transport 860 tons of needed supplies to the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. William Gomez.) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWÖHR ARMY FIELD, Germany — Joint Civilian Orientation Conference participant Kathleen Mason looks on as Air Force Tech. Sgt Juan Newman and Air Force Capt. Bob Blagg, 37th Airlift Squadron, work in a C-130 Hercules cockpit in the air here Oct. 19. The JCOC visited the field with all of the military services to observe exercises, fire weapons and participate in training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John Lasky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey — U.S. and Turkish Airmen from the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 10th Tanker Base Command unload blankets from a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees truck here Oct. 18, 2005. The UNHCR is using the base as an “air-bridge” to transport blankets, tents and stoves to Pakistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Larry Reid Jr.) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey — Airmen from the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron unload blankets from a U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees truck here Oct. 18. The UNHCR is using the base as an "air-bridge" to transport blankets, tents and stoves to victims of the earthquake in Pakistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. William Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
JUNGLE WARFARE SCHOOL, Ghana — A Ghanaian Soldier gives U.S. Marines Cpl. Travis Borgialli and Lance Cpl. Dante Dipasqua their scores following live-fire training here Oct. 18. The training is part of U.S. European Command’s West African Training Cruise ‘06. The training cruise enhances security cooperation and fosters new partnerships between the United States; participating NATO partners, Italy and Spain; and the West African nations of Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and Morocco through training and engagement opportunities. Borgialli and Dipasqua are with 2nd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. (DoD photo by Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Lomangino) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
JUNGLE WARFARE SCHOOL, Ghana — U.S. Marines Cpl. Joshua Thompaon and Lance Cpl. Alvaro Moran listen to instructions during a combined platoon exercise here Oct. 18. The exercise is part of U.S. European Command’s West African Training Cruise ‘06. Thompaon and Moran are with 2d Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and among about 60 other Marines participating in the training cruise. The event enhances security cooperation and fosters new partnerships between the United States; participating NATO partners, Italy and Spain; and the West African nations of Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and Morocco through training and engagement opportunities. (DoD photo by Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Lomangino) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ACHIASE, Ghana — U.S. Marine Cpl. Richard Hazenburg of 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, instructs Ghanaian soldiers on the M-240G medium machinegun at a jungle warfare school here Oct. 18, 2005, during West African Training Cruise '06. Hazenburg and about 60 other Marines are participating in the training cruise to enhance security cooperation and foster new partnerships between the United States, participating NATO partners Italy and Spain, and the West African nations of Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and Morocco through real-world training and engagement opportunities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Lomangino) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — A 5-ton truck from the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, Miesau, Germany, drives into the belly of a Russian An-124 Condor cargo aircraft here Oct. 17. The truck is part of the lead element of Task Force 212, deploying to Pakistan to aid U.S. allies in the relief of last week's magnitude 7.6 earthquake. The truck is pulling a trailer fitted with a mobile, self-contained, two-table operating room. Task Force 212 will eventually consist of about 200 Soldiers, many of whom just completed exercise MEDFLAG 2005 in Angola, which ended Sept. 22. (U.S. Army photo by Arthur McQueen) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Ghana — Spanish Marines inspect a Ghanaian Soldier's weapon upon boarding USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) here Oct. 15 during West African Training Cruise '06. The exercise, taking place off the coast of Ghana, enhances security cooperation and fosters new partnerships between the United States, NATO partners and the participating West African nations of Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and Morocco through training and engagement opportunities. (DoD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Steve Faulisi) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Air Force Gen. Charles Wald, right, U.S. European Command deputy commander, greets Minister President Günther Oettinger in from the command’s headquarters here Oct. 12. Oettinger is the minister president for the German state of Baden-Württemberg. During the visit, Wald thanked the minister president for the continued support the U.S. military receives from their German hosts and reassured that EUCOM will not move its headquarters from Stuttgart as the command transforms. In addition, the visit included a tour of EUCOM’s joint operations center and several briefings about EUCOM and military forces in Germany. (DoD photo by Delinda Hood) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Guinea — The Marines of 2d Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment re-embark aboard the USS Gunston Hall here Oct. 11, 2005, after the completion of training with the Guinean forces. About 60 Marines are participating in Western Africa Training Cruise ‘06. The event includes various exercises in Guinea, Ghana and Senegal to increase interoperability and enhance security and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Lomangino) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Guinea — Spanish military members and U.S. Marines of 2d Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conduct boat raid exercises off the coast here Oct.11, 2005. The Marines along with Spanish and Italian service members are embarked aboard the USS Gunston Hall and participating in Western Africa Training Cruise ’06. The event includes various exercises in Guinea, Ghana and Senegal to increase interoperability and enhance security and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Donald Preston) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RHEIN-MAIN AIR BASE, Germany — From left, Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Kelley, Air Mobility Command vice commander; retired Air Force Lt. Col. Gail Halvorsen; and Air Force Col. Bradley Denison, 469th Air Base Group commander, unveil the newly named C-17 Globemaster III "Spirit of Rhein-Main" during the base closure ceremony here Oct. 10. The ceremony officially marked an end of 60 years of airlift history. Flying at the base ended Sept. 30, and the "Gateway to Europe" mission now transitions to Ramstein and Spangdahlem air bases in Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Cassetty) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BENTI TRAINING AREA, Guinea — Guinean 1st Lt. David Haba, third from left, translates for U.S. Marines during preparation for ambush training here Oct. 10. About 60 Marines along with NATO military allies, Italy and Spain, are participating in the West Africa Training Cruise '06. The training event includes various exercises in Guinea, Ghana and Senegal to increase interoperability between those involved as well as enhancing security and stability in the region. The Marines are assigned Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. (DoD photo by Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Lomangino) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BENTI TRAINING AREA, Guinea — Marine Maj. Ryan Gutzwiller, left, meets with Guinean Maj. Gen. Kaba the 43 here Oct. 10, 2005. Gutzwiller and about 60 other Marines are participating in Western Africa Training Cruise ‘06. The cruise, operating from the USS Gunston Hall, involves training exercises in three western Africa countries along with NATO military allies from Italy and Spain. The event includes various exercises in Guinea, Ghana and Senegal to increase interoperability and enhance security and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Lomangino) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Guinea — Marine Pfc. Charlie West provides front security with his M-240G medium machine gun during a boat raid exercise off the coast here Oct. 10, 2005. West and about 60 other Marines are participating in Western Africa Training Cruise ‘06. The cruise involves training exercises in three western Africa countries along with embarked NATO military allies from Italy and Spain. The event includes various exercises in Guinea, Ghana and Senegal to increase interoperability and enhance security and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Lomangino) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, United Kingdom — Air Force Airman 1st Class Warren Booth tightens hoses and clamps on an oxygen tank inside a KC-135R Stratotanker here Oct. 10. Booth is with the 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here. His duties include checking oxygen tanks for low pressure during each aircraft’s monthly maintenance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Valerie Smith) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Mediterranean Sea — The U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) leads a NATO Response Force off the Italian coast of Sardinia during exercise Destined Glory (Loyal Midas) 2005 here Oct. 7. The exercise is a medium-scale NATO amphibious live exercise designed to certify selected NATO units and assigned forces. U.S. participation is to enhance the training for NATO partners and provide training for U.S. forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Timm Duckworth) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, United Kingdom — Air Force Airman 1st Class Chris Flatau conducts intermediate maintenances on a jet engine here Oct. 6. Flatau is an aerospace propulsion journeyman with the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristi Mulder) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — From left, Cmdr. Jim Conway, Headquarters USEUCOM Combined Federal Campaign coordinator; Army Col. Kenneth Juergens, 6th Area Support Group Commander; and Army Lt. Gen. Colby Broadwater III, U.S. European Command chief of staff, cut a CFC cake during the 2005 CFC kickoff celebration in the Patch Barrack Community Center Tuesday, Oct. 5. (Photo by John Thibodeau) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KRTSANISI, Georgia — Connecting the cord, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Nathan Guidry tries to get a local radio station while Georgian Jr. Sgt. Avto Gorbinishvili watches and learns here Oct. 5. Guidry is the communication chief for U.S. European Command’s Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program, or GSSOP. The GSSOP-trained 22nd Light Infantry Battalion troops are part of the dedicated force called for in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 to protect U.N. forces serving in Iraq. (DoD photo by Army Spec. Daevid Brown) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
CAMP VRELO, Kosovo — During Operation Balkan Hawk, a crowd riot control exercise conducted here Oct. 5, helicopters bring in reinforcements from the Portuguese army as the Kosovo Police Service and Belgian Soldiers attempt to keep a simulated riot in check. (Courtesy Photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MV 2ND LT. JOHN P. BOBO, Mediterranean Sea — Spanish commandoes storm the Maritime Pre-positioning Ship Squadron One’s flagship here Oct. 5. This training event took place as part of the maritime interception phase of the NATO-sponsored exercise Destined Glory 2005 held off the coast of Sardinia, Italy. Exercise participants included 39 ships from nine NATO countries. (DoD photo by Navy Ensign Noel Koeing) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
DARFUR, Sudan — Air Force Airman 1st Class Brian McCann, left, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Sean McCormick assist Rwandan peacekeepers boarding a C-130 Hercules from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, here Oct. 4. The peacekeepers are departing the Darfur region of Sudan and returning to Rwanda after a six-month deployment supporting the African Union missions. The Airmen are loadmasters with the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt. David Underwood Jr.) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KIGALI, Rwanda — Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Garcie, 786th Security Forces Squadron, consults with Rwandan security forces troops about entry control procedures here Oct. 4. Troops with the 786th SFS and 435th SFS are protecting people and aircraft during the 86th Air Expeditionary Group's airlift mission assistance the African Unions peacekeeping operations in the Darfur region of Sudan. (Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Elizabeth Culbertson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Air Force Airman 1st Class Jessi Allen, 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron, insures a truck is ready for quality control in the 435th VRS Special Purpose Shop here Oct. 4. The vehicles receiving the seasonal repairs are dump trucks with plows, snow sweepers, de-icers and snow blowers. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John Lasky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — About 50 U.S. military staff officers from U.S. European Command, NATO and the U.S. Mission to the European Union gather for a group photo here Oct. 4. The officers from the various U.S. missions and delegations met as part of a bi-annual conference to increase the understanding between the various organizations and EUCOM, discuss issues of mutual interests and foster working relationship between the respective staffs. The next conference will take place at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dale Yates) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
DARFUR, Sudan — Rwandan peacekeepers prepare to board a C-130 Hercules from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, here Oct. 4. The peacekeepers are departing the Darfur region of Sudan and returning to Rwanda after a six-month deployment supporting the African Union missions. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt. David Underwood Jr.) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MV 2ND LT. JOHN P. BOBO, Mediterranean Sea — Greek commandos tactically navigate around shipping containers on the main deck here Oct. 4 during NATO exercise Destined Glory 2005. The exercise took place off the coast of Sardinia, Italy, and included 39 ships from nine NATO countries. (DoD photo by Navy Ensign Noel Koeing) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Army Lt. Gen. Colby Broadwater III, U.S. European Command chief of staff, presents Cmdr. Jim Conway, Headquarters USEUCOM Combined Federal Campaign coordinator, with the first CFC donation of the year in Europe from Gen. Charles Wald, USEUCOM deputy commander, during the Combined Federal Champaign kickoff celebration in the Patch Barrack Community Center Monday, Oct. 3. (Photo by John Thibodeau) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Sudan — Rwandan peacekeepers board a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, here Oct. 2. The Rwandan troops are returning to Kigali, Rwanda, after six months of supporting the African Union mission in the Sudan. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt. David Underwood Jr.) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Sudan — A U.S. Airman assists a Rwandan peacekeeper load equipment aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, here Oct. 2. A group of Rwandan troops are returning to Kigali, Rwanda, after six months of supporting the African Union mission in the Sudan. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt. David Underwood Jr.) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...