The 10 most stunning pictures taken by the Irish Defence Forces in 2013

We've had a look through and picked out best 10 - and some of them are really something special.

Have a look at our selection below and check out the rest on Flickr.

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1. SISTERS AT SEA

(The LE Eithne as seen by the Air Corps during the annual Naval Exercise - June 25)

2. ROUNDING THE SKELLIG

(LE Niamh passes the Skelligs on patrol - August 7)

3. FLASHES OF FIRE

(Early dawn during a military exercise in Donegal involving both reserve and permanent members of the Defence Forces - August 12)

4. WINGTIP TO WINGTIP

(The Aer Corp's Eagle Section of Pilatus PC-9s practice formation flying - September 8)

5. FLIGHTFEST DUBLIN - THE IRISH AVIATION GATHERING

(The view from the Formation of CASAs and PC-9s as the crowds below look on - September 15)

6. HOWTH HEAD AND THE SCATTERED LIGHTS OF DUBLIN

(Night air ambulance mission seen from the Air Corps CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft - October 26, 2013)

7. RED BLAZE AT NIGHT

(A Cavalry Corps Medium Recce Vehicle engages target at night - December 10, 2013)

8. FORCES OF THE FUTURE

(Cavalry Shoot in the Glen of Imaal - Three Scorpion Tanks engage a target at night - December 10, 2013)

9. LOOK OUT BELOW

(A parachutist on a practice jump makes a deliberate unstable exit as part of his training over the Curragh - December 22)

10. ALL FOR ONE

(Defence Forces Parachutists make a free fall exit from the CASA Aircraft - December 22)

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All pictures used with kind permission of the Irish Defence Forces