Now *that's* a picture!

Certainly is a wow pic.

Thanks, berdie. Lot of technological wow factor.

Amazing picture. Interesting explanation from berdie. I had no idea they did that. Makes perfect sense though.

When you are flying low level in a combat zone, the enemy tries to shoot you down using heat seeking missiles. To deter the missiles, pilots fire flares and this hopefully will attract the missile, enabling you to fight another day.

Pardon?

Sorry, berdie, I'm just not understanding what you're saying, not being up in military talk.

Can you explain the picture to me, please?

Who is firing the flares in the picture? The ship? The helicopter? Something else?

And why?

And whatever it all means, it's still an amazing picture

No they are anti missile flares, most fast jets and helicopters carry them. Those shoulder launched ground to air missiles are pretty good in the right hands, so the flares deter them.

Definitely boys with toys.

Helicopters on maneouvres don't usually advertise their presence with fireworks, do they?

Certainly a great picture, unless you are the enemy, and its an " Apache" helicopter, then your days are numbered.