Citizenside - News for and by you

An indo-us joint military exercise : Yudh Abhyas 2009

2009-10-30T13:09:46+02:00

"The exercise, Yudh Abhyas is a regularly-scheduled bilateral exercise hosted by the Indian and U.S. Armies, says our member.

The exercise is designed to promote cooperation among the two militaries while sharing training, cultural exchanges and improving partnership readiness.

The Yudh Abhyas partnership exercise commenced in 2004, at Chaubatiya in the Himalayan foothills, and was followed in 2005 with US Army contingents coming to train with Indian troops at the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairangte, Mizoram. In Yudh Abhyas 2006, Indian troops went to Hawaii for training.

In 2007 there were two phases of the exercise; both in Fort Wainwright (Alaska). In 2008 the exercise shifted back to Hawaii on Fort Shafter Flats. In 2009, Indian Army soldiers from the 31st Armored Division are working with US counterparts from Hawaii, in a multi-echelon, full-spectrum, combined operation.

Yudh Abhyas 2004 – Yudh Abhyas 04 was the first conventional Army-to-Army training in India since 1962. During Yudh Abhyas 04, the two forces focused on basic infantry skills, including individual marksmanship, reflexive firing, battle drills, ambush, patrolling, and a fast roping technique called slithering, and land navigation and survival in the jungle.

They also focused on dealing with terrorists and insurgents, including interrogation techniques and identifying improvised explosive devices. The Indian-U.S. troops learned the tactics of the counterinsurgents as well as terrorists.

In 2006 the exercise had two phases. Phase I was in India and Phase II was in Hawaii.

The first phase of the exercise focused on counter-terrorist operations in forest and under-developed terrain. Phase I was held in the thickly forested environment. Phase II was at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and focused on counter-insurgency operations.

Yudh Abhyas 2007 – Yudh Abhyas 07 was also conducted in two phases; both at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Soldiers from B Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, trained with Indian soldiers from 4 Rajput, Indian Army from Sept. 9 to 24 in a combat tactics and cultural exchange at Donnelly Training Area.

Yudh Abhyas 2008 – Yudh Abhyas 08 was back in Hawaii at Fort Shafter Flats. Soldiers from the Army Reserve’s 9th Mission Support Command (MSC) and the California Army National Guard’s 40th Infantry Brigade Combat Team took part in the opening ceremony of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2008, a two-week joint military exercise conducted with the Indian Army’s 49th Brigade.

Yudh Abhyas 2009 – This year’s YA takes place from October 12-27, at Babina, Uttar Pradesh, India.
This year the exercise will include a multi-echelon, full spectrum combined operation focusing on a United Nations Peace Keeping Operation scenario, while executing a maneuver live-fire exercise. This year’s Yudh Abhyas features 17 Stryker vehicles — the largest deployment of the vehicles outside of Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S. Pacific Rim forces. Along with the 17 Strykers, the U.S. will showcase the Javelin Anti-Tank Missile system, employed to defeat current and future threat armored combat vehicles.
YA 2009 constitutes the largest troop exchange since the YA partnership exercise commenced in 2004. Indian Army Soldiers from the 31st Armored Division are working with U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry regiment, “Strykehorse,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Mariah Carey in Rio and scenes from Lapa (nightlife area)

2009-10-26T17:29:18+02:00

Brazilian fans go crazy as Mariah Carey approaches them outside the Copacabana Palace hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Afterwards she went to sing at an event organized by Calvin Klein.

Julia Roberts shooting in Bali

2009-10-21T14:24:16+02:00

"Julia Roberts, one's of the most popular Hollywood actress, is now shooting in Bal since the 15th of October, according to our member Citizenside, who shot this video today at 12.00pm local time on the Labuan Sait beach (or Padang-Padang beach).

The title of the film is" Eat, Pray and Love", directed by Ryan Murphy, which is an adaptation from the book of Elizabeth Gilbert.

The story is about Gilbert's journey in India and Bali.

A demonstration in Paris for the women's rights

2009-10-18T18:50:27+02:00

About 5000 french men and women gathered at La Bastille in Paris to demonstrate for the women's rights.

Two Sumatran Tiger killers jailed in Indonesia

2009-10-12T18:48:34+02:00

Two villagers of Tanjung Simpang village, Riau (Indonesia), have been sentenced to one year in prison on the 8th of October for the killing of three endangered Sumatran tigers on the 10th and the 16th of February, 2009.

"I shot this video nearby Kerambutan (conservatory forest in Tembilahan, Riau), our Citizenside member says. The tiger had entered a village ang eaten some goat, chicken and dog owned by the villagers. They got mad and trapped the tiger. Villagers finally killed the tiger.

I took the pictures with a cell phone video camera. I had to hide the camera because it was too dangerous to take pictures around those mad lawbreakers."

Indian Air Force Day

2009-10-10T19:05:48+02:00

IAF celebrates 77th Airforce Day
Breathtaking display of air power by its frontline fighter aircrafts Sukhoi 30, Jaguars, Mig 29 and Mirage 2000, the maiden entry of AWACS – IAF’s eye in the sky and the rotary power of Mi-17, 25 and 35, marked the 77th Airforce Day celebrations, at Hindan near Delhi . Air Chief Marshal PV Naik took the salute and inspected the parade. It was witnessed among others by Marshal of the Air Force, Arjan Singh and Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor . IAF flew in an impressive flypast a total of 54 aircrafts.

The air display commenced with Para Motor and powered Hang Glider performance followed by flag bearing skydivers of Akash Ganga Team dropping out of an AN-32 aircraft. This was followed by the parade led by Group Captain S.K Vidhate and comprising of 30 officers and 213 air warriors. The air warriors gave general salutes to AOC-in-C, Western Air Command, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Marshal of IAF and Chief of Air Staff. The commencement of the Air Force Day Parade was marked by a fly past of three Mi-17 helicopters in Victory formation trooping the Air Force Ensign at a height of 60 metres at the speed of 80 kmph. A Chakra formation comprising three Mi-25/Mi-35 then came in followed by a spectrum comprising of one Dornier in the lead with two AVRO and two AN-32 aircraft in echelon position on either side.
The next was an investiture ceremony where the Air Chief Marshal P V Naik awarded Vayu Sena Medals, Vishisht Sewa Medals and Citations for the year 2008-2009. The Numbers Six (Fighter), Twenty Five (Transport)and one Hundred Eleven (Helicopter) units received the citations. This was followed by the address of the Chief of Air Staff.

A 28-member rifle air warrior drill team’s performance with a motto Drill to Thrill, was a display of clockwork precision and expertise in managing both the mind and machine in hand. This was followed by a spectacular air display and aerobatics. Both the Sarang helicopter team and Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT) enthralled the audience with their display of synchronized low level manoeuvring as a part of formation aerobatics. The nation for the first time saw the AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems) aircraft, escorted by two SU-30 s.

The fighter fly past was led by three Jaguars in Vic formation closely followed by Vic formation of three each Bison (Mig-21), Baaz (Mig-29), Vajra (Mirage 2000) aircraft and a SU-30 MKI aircraft. One Sukhoi aircraft of the formation then carried out four turn in Vertical Charlie manoeuvre. The entire air performance was operated and controlled by five different air bases in the Western Air Command.

The IAF was officially established on October 8, 1932, as an auxiliary air force of the Indian Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during the World War II. After India achieved independence from the British in 1947, the prefix Royal was dropped and replaced by the word Indian. The Air Force Colour, presented by the first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 01April.1954, was paraded in its full glory at the 77th Airforce Day.

Postal Worker Demonstration in Paris

2009-09-23T14:52:33+02:00

The postal workers demonstrated in Paris yesterday against the privatization of the postal service, the successive attempts to limit employment, and the politics of the base salary, our contributor said.

The demonstration was organized by the syndicate SUD PTT of the Ile-de-France.
The postal workers were also joined in the rally by railroad workers and illegal immigrants demanding rights.

March of Illegal Immigrants in Paris

2009-09-23T14:53:09+02:00

A large crowd of illegal immigrants gathered yesterday at the Postal Workers rally, who were demonstrating against the proposed privatization of the French Postal Service.

Those who joined the rally were demanding the legalization of immigrants still living in France with illegal status.

The demonstration occurred on the same day of the closing of the migrant camp in Calais by the minister of immigration, Eric Besson.

Dust wind turns the sky of Sydney into orange

2009-09-23T09:32:55+02:00

The wind was so strong that the sky of Sydney turned into orange.

"Yesterday's dust storm was (...) from the salt lakes of South Australia, that include Lake Eyre and Lake Frome." (Sydney Morning Herald)

"NSW, said John Leys, a scientist with the Department of Environment and Climate Change, was now experiencing ''something like 10 times more dust storms than normal''. (Sydney Morning Herald)

An oil spill from the Black Rose threatens the marine ecosystem across the Bay of Bengal

2009-09-22T12:30:06+02:00

A deep sea oil spill from the sunken ship Black Rose is suspected as the cause of the recent emergence oily substances on the beaches of the Bay of Bengal. A variety of dead fish have also started floating onto the coast of the Bay of Bengal near India's Paradeep port, indicating considerably high levels of water toxicity.

Soaking marks on the beach suggest that there has been a leakage of petroleum oil in the sea, and to support this conjecture, oil floating on the surface of the sea can be seen from many places along the coast of Bay of Bengal near Paradeep Port.

Oily substances found on the coast have raised serious concerns about the marine life in the Bay of Bengal. This leakage could gravely impact the lives of those living in fishing communities who depend on fishing to earn their livelihood.

About 926 tons of furnace oil and 50 tons of diesel were stored in the vessel Black Rose and environmentalists fear that such huge amount of oil would wreak havoc on the marine ecosystem across the Bay of Bengal.

The ship sank into the sea on September 9th, possibly due to its heavy load of iron ore. The Indian port authorities blame the Singapore-based vessel owner for the non-responsive attitude with which he has regarded the sinking of Black Rose, whereas local fishermen blame the port authorities for their careless stance towards the spill and the danger it presents to the coastal marine life, and the inhabitants of the fishing villages themselves.

The incident has created panic among the fishing communities, as environmentalists fear that the imminent threat could potentially affect the entire ecosystem of the Bay of Bengal.

Plane accident on Koh Samui Island in Thailand

2009-08-05T17:08:27+02:00

"According to the eyewitness freaky wind gust was the main cause of the Samui plane accident, our Citizenside member says. Similar happening caused just less than two weeks ago Junk’s landing on Samui shore – less than 2 kilometers where the plane hit the old air traffic control tower and neighboring building (Citizenside; “Fortune Landed on Paradise”, story published 27th July).

Pilot of the plane died and originally 10 people were taken to the Bangkok-Samui hospital (in video) while majority of the passengers were taken to a luxury hotel where they received crisis assistance.

During night time crew emptied the plane of the kerosene and in the early morning hours it was dragged to near by plot. Plane’s cockpit is covered with black sheet.

Video- and photographers were aloud to take pictures only outside the airport perimeter. As I climbed in at a coconut three one local assisted by holding tripod legs to get “somewhat steady” closer shots of the plane. Noticeable fact is that one of the planes propellers is missing. ATR-72 twin turboprop may have lost it when it hit one of the hangars where the airports emergency vehicles were kept. How is that for ironic?

Footage also includes one of the first planes landing to Samui after its reopening and airport road that closes when planes are landing. According to schedule Wednesday saw 45 flights leaving or arriving to Samui.

Official Bangkok Airways Releases on Wednesday August 5th, 2009

Samui Airport re-opened early this afternoon with the first departure on PG 100 leaving Samui at 14.00 hrs and arriving at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 15.00 hrs. The first departure from Suvarnabhumi Airport was PG 153 at 14.00 hrs with an arrival in Samui at 15.00 hrs.

Captain Puttipong Prasattong-Osoth (last shot in video), the President of Bangkok Airways, is scheduled to be in Samui today for an on-site inspection as well as to visit the remaining 8 passengers with injuries at the Bangkok Samui Hospital. Passengers with minor injuries have all returned to hotel, and those who have not been injured are taken care of at a designated hotel under a close look of psychiatrists.

Upon his visit, he released a statement of sympathy: “On behalf of Bangkok Airways, I would like to, again, express my sympathy towards our passengers and crews who have been affected from the unfortunate accident of PG 266 in Samui, particularly my deepest condolence to the family of Captain Chatchai Punsuvan, who lost his life in this accident. While the investigation of this accident remains underway, Bangkok Airways’ management reassures that we continue to take safety as priority in all aspects of our operations,” said Captain Puttipong, “We are conforming to our Crisis Management standard in order to regain our status in normalcy the fastest possible,” added Captain Puttipong.

Bangkok Airways had extra flights on standby the whole night at Suratthani Airport with necessary transfers arranged for all stranded passengers between Suratthani Airport (alternate airport) and Samui on both ferry and airlift mobilization by helicopters from Bangkok Hospital and the National Police Bureau, due to the temporary closure of Samui Airport since yesterday."

Fortune Landed On Paradise Island

2009-07-28T11:29:53+02:00

Samui Island in Gulf of Thailand has prospected in the past. However past year has been exceptionally misfortunate. Despite lowered hotel rates and special promotions and discounts tourism is expected to fall 30 plus percent % from last year. Political unrest, economical collapse and swain flu are main reasons for this downward spiral.

Many luxury hotels and boutique villas, including that of David Beckham, have risen to this paradise island in fast pace but now shops, bar, hotels, restaurants and other businesses and holding breath and keeping thumbs up that end of the year will get better.

La Fortune junk was unlucky when winds suddenly picked up. Scale forced winds came from nowhere. In order to save the dock being pulled off, junk took off and tried to head in to deeper waters. Instead engines failed to help out enough and it was close to run into smaller speedboats and even hit a bar on the beach on its battle to stay off shore.

Eventually it landed heavy on sand with five speedboats along the Bangrak beach. Junk did get a minor damages but nothing crew couldn’t handle. After four days of digging and fixing La Fortune was waiting tide to set sails back in to its regular business.

Brief 10 minute typhoon kind of wind blast caused other wise only minor damages. Heavier winds lasted for couple hours on Friday afternoon.

Maybe “La Fortune’” landing on Samui’s will bring fortunes for its people too. At least one of the crew members saw it jokingly that way.

- La Fortune is owned by two French men. It makes charters on Samui – Koh Phagnan waters.

Lance Armstrong in Bourg-Saint-Maurice on the Tour de France

2009-07-26T16:19:36+02:00

Lance Armstrong in Bourg-Saint-Maurice on the Tour de France

Area cordoned off after a crime in Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham)

2009-07-27T10:47:16+02:00

One man has been killed and two people injured in the early hours of Saturday, July 25, in Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham) when a car was driven onto a footpath near The Place 2 B pub on Chester Road.

Antony Stephen Ames, 21, was killed, and the car - a green Citroen C4 - was later found burned out in the Kingstanding area. A 33-year old man has been arrested and is being questioned by the police.

A quarrel burst out between two groups of people during a birthday party held at the pub. Both of them moved outside and one group left while the others stood there. Not much later, the car arrived and ploughed into this group of people.

"Saw some flowers being laid, presume murder from Friday Evening. Nearby pub' The Place 2 B' closed off, some broken flowerpots scattered around car park", our member says.

In Corsica, firemen fight the flames

2009-07-25T07:53:29+02:00

In the night, many firemen of Corsica and Nice fight the wilfires in Aullene village.

Wildfires ravage South of Corsica

2009-07-25T05:13:48+02:00

The wildfire in Alta Rocca in Corsica is going near to Aullene village during the night.

During the night, wilfires gain ground in Corsica

2009-07-24T23:39:27+02:00

Images of Aullene village in south of Corsica, where wildfires are gaining ground in Alta Rocca.

Firemen fight violent wildfires in Corsica

2009-07-24T18:27:27+02:00

At 6 p.m, firemen fight against violent flames in the plain of Peri, near to Ajaccio, in Corsica.

Paris Plages: beaches open in the center of Paris!

2009-07-20T18:07:39+02:00

From July 20th to August 20th, Paris Plage transform the banks of the River Seine into an artificial seaside, offering low cost relaxation to Parisians hit by the financial crisis.

Popular Disney song to learn english at a chinese summer camp!

2009-07-19T15:50:01+02:00

Young primary Chinese children rehearsing song for Closing Ceremony of 2 week English learning summer camp.