At most of the antiquities sites in Egypt, there are armed guards like this. They all beckon you over (and you pretty much have to go because why would you ever risk disrespecting a man wearing a black wool uniform in the desert sun and carrying an assault-rifle) and when you go over and say hi - they ask you to take a picture of them, then do their best to shake you down for a "tip" for the privilege of capturing them in their uniform.
