By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 8, 2007 – NATO-led forces can counter the traditional Taliban-led spring offensive in Afghanistan if the allies prepare now, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today at a press conference following a day of informal NATO meetings. Each spring for the last several years, the Taliban have been more aggressive, and there has been a growing level of violence, the secretary said.
The allies agree that 2007 is a crucial year for Afghanistan, Gates said.
"I think there is consensus on the part of the ministers that it's important that we knock that back and bring the situation fully under control," he said.
Countering the Taliban offensive would help the Afghan people have confidence that their government is making progress and that the security picture is improving. This would allow for for greater economic development in the country, Gates said.
After visiting Afghanistan about three weeks ago, the secretary said he came away more optimistic about prospects in Afghanistan than when he arrived there. "Flying out to one of the forward operations bases near the Pakistani border, I was struck by the amount of new construction of buildings, roads and so on," he said.
"I think there are some real opportunities here, and I think that one of the reasons we're pushing as hard as we are is that we have an opportunity this spring to significantly disrupt the increasing cycles of violence that we've seen over the last several years caused by the Taliban," Gates said.
NATO's strategy for the spring, he said, will focus on enhancing border operations, enabling the faster delivery of good government and aid to the Afghan people and accelerating training and equipping Afghan national security forces.
The secretary said he agreed with Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak's determination that "the spring offensive should be our offensive."
Overall, Gates said the NATO allies' level of commitment in Afghanistan is extraordinary. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission there is the alliance's first deployment outside of Europe, and all 26 member countries are playing a role.
Gates noted that a number of NATO nations made new commitments to the mission during a November conference in Riga, Latvia, and some also agreed to look at lifting certain national caveats on how deployed troops could operate. A number of those caveats have now been lifted, allowing for great flexibility. Gates said that some allies also made new commitments today.
"I was very clear in saying that I believe that nations should fulfill all of the commitments that they have made," the secretary stressed. "I hope that they will do so promptly so they can have some impact during the spring offensive in the next few months.
Gates said he also reaffirmed the U.S. decision to extend a brigade of U.S. forces for 120 days, effectively doubling the U.S. commitment of maneuver forces in Afghanistan.
"This comes on top of the U.S. commitment over the next two years of $8.6 billion dollars for the Afghan national defense forces and $2 billion for development," he said.
The importance of taking a comprehensive approach in Afghanistan was the general theme of the day's meetings, the secretary said. Much of the discussion focused on the need to ensure that security and development go hand-in-hand.
"It's really important to accompany military action against the Taliban and others who are trying to break down the Afghan government ... with strong economic development and better government," he said. "There are a lot of non-military challenges that go hand in hand with the military in terms of trying to build a strong, democratic Afghanistan."
During tomorrow's meetings, Gates said he will urge the NATO ministers to join the United States in strengthening their commitment to defense by increasing their budgets for deployable forces.
"It seems to me that the lessons of the 21st century are pretty clear," he said. "The world needs a strong NATO, and that will require investment and burden sharing by all 26 members of the alliance."
International reporters queried the secretary about the bilateral meetings he'd had during the course of the day, particularly his meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. Gates, who formerly served as head of the CIA, said that as the two men sat down, they commented that they were "two old intelligence guys getting together."
"We had a very candid conversation, a very useful one, I thought," Gates said. "He has invited me to visit Russia and I agreed in principle to do that at a time to be determined. We do have differences. There's no question about that, but I think having conversations like this and having frank discussions is clearly the best way to go."
When a journalist asked Gates about reported Iranian missile tests conducted today, Gates calmly replied, "My impression is that they make threats like this from time to time.
"We have no intention of attacking Iran," he said. "The president said that. The secretary of state said it. I've said it before. Obviously when it comes to things like these tests, we watch them closely. Other than that, I think it's just another day in the Persian Gulf."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and police personnel and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
NOPD, IRA, IAD
Editors Note: The book by Bill Heard is about the war on terror against the IRA.
Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books, added three authors who have written on the separate subjects of the New Orleans Police Department, the Irish Republican Army and government corruption.
Lieutenant Don Brewer retired from the New Orleans Police Department in 1993. St Charles Nights is a fictional work based on his twenty-three years of experience, which included such assignments as Deputy Commander Internal Affairs, Deputy Commander of the Second and Seventh Police Districts, Traffic Fatality Commander and Commander of the New Orleans Police Academy. His final tour, prior to retirement, by choice, was the Sixth Police District, which is the actual inspiration for his book, St. Charles Nights.
James Wong spent over thirty years in law enforcement. He retired from the Louisiana State Police as a sergeant. While with the state police, he served as the in their intelligence division, criminal investigations division, as well as their uniform division.
After leaving the state police, he joined the U.S. Customs Service, where he worked in the areas of money laundering, narcotics and arms trafficking, as well as child pornography. He has held management positions at the first line and senior management. In 1999 he was transferred to the Internal Affairs Division, where he remained until the merger of the Customs Service into the Department of Homeland Security. There the Internal Affairs Division morphed into the Office of Professional Responsibility.
James Wong’s book, Corporate and Government Corruption, “defines the aspects of corporate and government corruption. The elements, motives, and causes, as well as the role of the investigator will be presented. Ethical issues and corporate considerations will be examined. Case studies from a civil, criminal and internal perspective are reviewed.”
Born into an English family with a military heritage dating back to the Boer War, Bill Heard was almost destined to pursue a military career. Resisting at first, a combination of the worst economic depression in recent English history and a sense of true Churchillian patriotism, quickly found him fighting a vicious terrorist war in the claustrophobic streets and alleys of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Years later, after immigrating to the United States first joining the US Army, then the Los Angeles Police Department, he found himself in yet two more armed conflicts.
His novel, Bravo November 283, is the first in a series of books and is about the struggle against global terrorism as seen through the eyes of someone who fought it from the trenches. The Book description says, “Long before Osama bin Laden gave terrorists all over the world a bad name, the Provisional Irish Republican Army was laying the foundation for what would be the future of many global insurgencies.
The almost thirty-year terrorist conflict in Northern Ireland, aptly called the troubles, was a brutal war that brought the province to the edge of a civil war. Readers will come to understand the longstanding animosity between the British government and Irish Republicans, yet will have to make their own minds up as to whether the terrorists ends justified the means. This novel is a ten-year personal account of one man fight against terror.”
Bill Heard is currently working on his second novel, 7 Zebra 7, in which he writes about his career with the LAPD. Bill was also added to the listing of authors at LAPDAuthors.com.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 315 police officers (representing 135 police departments) and their 736 books in six categorys, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.
Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books, added three authors who have written on the separate subjects of the New Orleans Police Department, the Irish Republican Army and government corruption.
Lieutenant Don Brewer retired from the New Orleans Police Department in 1993. St Charles Nights is a fictional work based on his twenty-three years of experience, which included such assignments as Deputy Commander Internal Affairs, Deputy Commander of the Second and Seventh Police Districts, Traffic Fatality Commander and Commander of the New Orleans Police Academy. His final tour, prior to retirement, by choice, was the Sixth Police District, which is the actual inspiration for his book, St. Charles Nights.
James Wong spent over thirty years in law enforcement. He retired from the Louisiana State Police as a sergeant. While with the state police, he served as the in their intelligence division, criminal investigations division, as well as their uniform division.
After leaving the state police, he joined the U.S. Customs Service, where he worked in the areas of money laundering, narcotics and arms trafficking, as well as child pornography. He has held management positions at the first line and senior management. In 1999 he was transferred to the Internal Affairs Division, where he remained until the merger of the Customs Service into the Department of Homeland Security. There the Internal Affairs Division morphed into the Office of Professional Responsibility.
James Wong’s book, Corporate and Government Corruption, “defines the aspects of corporate and government corruption. The elements, motives, and causes, as well as the role of the investigator will be presented. Ethical issues and corporate considerations will be examined. Case studies from a civil, criminal and internal perspective are reviewed.”
Born into an English family with a military heritage dating back to the Boer War, Bill Heard was almost destined to pursue a military career. Resisting at first, a combination of the worst economic depression in recent English history and a sense of true Churchillian patriotism, quickly found him fighting a vicious terrorist war in the claustrophobic streets and alleys of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Years later, after immigrating to the United States first joining the US Army, then the Los Angeles Police Department, he found himself in yet two more armed conflicts.
His novel, Bravo November 283, is the first in a series of books and is about the struggle against global terrorism as seen through the eyes of someone who fought it from the trenches. The Book description says, “Long before Osama bin Laden gave terrorists all over the world a bad name, the Provisional Irish Republican Army was laying the foundation for what would be the future of many global insurgencies.
The almost thirty-year terrorist conflict in Northern Ireland, aptly called the troubles, was a brutal war that brought the province to the edge of a civil war. Readers will come to understand the longstanding animosity between the British government and Irish Republicans, yet will have to make their own minds up as to whether the terrorists ends justified the means. This novel is a ten-year personal account of one man fight against terror.”
Bill Heard is currently working on his second novel, 7 Zebra 7, in which he writes about his career with the LAPD. Bill was also added to the listing of authors at LAPDAuthors.com.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 315 police officers (representing 135 police departments) and their 736 books in six categorys, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Cops Collaborate on Homeland Security
Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books, added three police officers who collaborated to produce a book on homeland security.
Daniel Byram, MA, is a retired police lieutenant from Mesa Police Department. He has extensive experience in the fields of intelligence, covert operations, tactical operations, and training. He has over 15 years in post-secondary education experience including the private and community college sectors.
Tom Avery has been an investigator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, CA, for over 10 years. Tom is currently assigned to the Technology Crimes Unit. He is a Technology Crime trainer for the California Department of Justice.
Rick Michelson has 30 years of law enforcement experience which includes holding rank as a Sergeant with the San Diego Police Department, the University of California police in San Diego, a Lieutenant with California Polytechnic University, Pomona police, and as "Interim" Chief with Grossmont Community College’s police. He is currently a Reserve Lieutenant with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department in their Backgrounds Unit. Rick holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration. He is a full-time criminal justice professor at a Grossmont Community College (San Diego area), and an adjunct professor at Webster University where he teaches Criminal Psychology and Emergency Planning at the Master’s level. Rick is certified as a Leadership & Ethics Trainer through a California State Chancellors' Community College grant (in conjunction with Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society).
Their book, Homeland Security Principles, Planning and Procedures, is a broad, in-depth look at security planning and procedures. Readers will be exposed to “skills in interviewing and interrogation techniques, intelligence gathering, surveillances, perimeter and crime scene security, criminal evidence preservation and collection, and principles of crowd and riot control. Additional topics include threat assessment and response, and facility security and vulnerabilities. This book targets the college student as well as the criminal justice professional because it also helps develop skills in substance abuse recognition, theft, sabotage and espionage. It also covers techniques for dealing with computer security, electronic criminal investigations, firewalls and security software as well as crime prevention techniques. Additional topics include crime prevention, security access control, and security force management.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 313 police officers (representing 135 police departments) and their 734 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.
Daniel Byram, MA, is a retired police lieutenant from Mesa Police Department. He has extensive experience in the fields of intelligence, covert operations, tactical operations, and training. He has over 15 years in post-secondary education experience including the private and community college sectors.
Tom Avery has been an investigator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, CA, for over 10 years. Tom is currently assigned to the Technology Crimes Unit. He is a Technology Crime trainer for the California Department of Justice.
Rick Michelson has 30 years of law enforcement experience which includes holding rank as a Sergeant with the San Diego Police Department, the University of California police in San Diego, a Lieutenant with California Polytechnic University, Pomona police, and as "Interim" Chief with Grossmont Community College’s police. He is currently a Reserve Lieutenant with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department in their Backgrounds Unit. Rick holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration. He is a full-time criminal justice professor at a Grossmont Community College (San Diego area), and an adjunct professor at Webster University where he teaches Criminal Psychology and Emergency Planning at the Master’s level. Rick is certified as a Leadership & Ethics Trainer through a California State Chancellors' Community College grant (in conjunction with Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society).
Their book, Homeland Security Principles, Planning and Procedures, is a broad, in-depth look at security planning and procedures. Readers will be exposed to “skills in interviewing and interrogation techniques, intelligence gathering, surveillances, perimeter and crime scene security, criminal evidence preservation and collection, and principles of crowd and riot control. Additional topics include threat assessment and response, and facility security and vulnerabilities. This book targets the college student as well as the criminal justice professional because it also helps develop skills in substance abuse recognition, theft, sabotage and espionage. It also covers techniques for dealing with computer security, electronic criminal investigations, firewalls and security software as well as crime prevention techniques. Additional topics include crime prevention, security access control, and security force management.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 313 police officers (representing 135 police departments) and their 734 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 2 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their Apache helicopter was forced to land during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Killed were:
Chief Warrant Officer Keith Yoakum, 41, of Hemet, Calif.
Chief Warrant Officer Jason G. Defrenn, 34, of Barnwell, S.C.
The incident is under investigation.
For additional information on these soldiers, contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993.
Killed were:
Chief Warrant Officer Keith Yoakum, 41, of Hemet, Calif.
Chief Warrant Officer Jason G. Defrenn, 34, of Barnwell, S.C.
The incident is under investigation.
For additional information on these soldiers, contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993.
Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a vehicular accident. They were assigned to the 57th Military Police Company, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Pacific, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Killed were:
Pfc. David C. Armstrong, 21, of Zanesville, Ohio.
Pfc. Kenneth T. Butler, 21, of East Liverpool, Ohio.
The incident is under investigation.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Schofield Barracks public affairs office at (808) 655-4815 or (808) 655-8729.
Killed were:
Pfc. David C. Armstrong, 21, of Zanesville, Ohio.
Pfc. Kenneth T. Butler, 21, of East Liverpool, Ohio.
The incident is under investigation.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Schofield Barracks public affairs office at (808) 655-4815 or (808) 655-8729.
Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Richard O. Quill III, 22, of Roswell, Ga., died Feb. 1 from a non-hostile cause in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Quill was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Camp Pendleton public affairs office at (760) 725-5044
Cpl. Richard O. Quill III, 22, of Roswell, Ga., died Feb. 1 from a non-hostile cause in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Quill was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Camp Pendleton public affairs office at (760) 725-5044
War on Terror Costs
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2007 – The war on terrorism has cost $545 billion to date, the department's top budget official said today. Pentagon Comptroller Tina Jonas told reporters in the Pentagon that Congress has appropriated $452 billion for the war on terrorism via emergency supplemental budget measures. Another $3 billion has been appropriated for Operation Noble Eagle, the mission providing a combat air patrol over the continental United States and security at airports that started after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, she said.
The comptroller said DoD is asking for another $93.4 billion as part of the emergency supplemental request for 2007.
She projected $141.7 billion in operational expenses in fiscal 2008. This will bring the total for the war on terrorism to about $690 billion.
Jonas also spoke about the $38.8 billion allocated for military health care for fiscal 2008. The budget assumes some change in military health care because health care expenses are rising well above inflation, Jonas said.
In 2006, the administration tried to raise the amount beneficiaries pay for health care. DoD officials said the benefit had to be updated to maintain the quality of care. Under changes suggested then, certain classes of beneficiaries would have to pay more.
Congress did not go along with the request and called for a task force to examine the problem. The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act called for DoD to appoint a 14-member Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare. DoD announced those selected to serve on the task force on Dec. 22. The task force is scheduled to turn in an interim report to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in May. The final report is due in December.
"We are waiting to see what the task force recommends," Jonas said.
Articles sponsored by police and military personnel who have become writers; and, criminal justice online leadership.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2007 – The war on terrorism has cost $545 billion to date, the department's top budget official said today. Pentagon Comptroller Tina Jonas told reporters in the Pentagon that Congress has appropriated $452 billion for the war on terrorism via emergency supplemental budget measures. Another $3 billion has been appropriated for Operation Noble Eagle, the mission providing a combat air patrol over the continental United States and security at airports that started after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, she said.
The comptroller said DoD is asking for another $93.4 billion as part of the emergency supplemental request for 2007.
She projected $141.7 billion in operational expenses in fiscal 2008. This will bring the total for the war on terrorism to about $690 billion.
Jonas also spoke about the $38.8 billion allocated for military health care for fiscal 2008. The budget assumes some change in military health care because health care expenses are rising well above inflation, Jonas said.
In 2006, the administration tried to raise the amount beneficiaries pay for health care. DoD officials said the benefit had to be updated to maintain the quality of care. Under changes suggested then, certain classes of beneficiaries would have to pay more.
Congress did not go along with the request and called for a task force to examine the problem. The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act called for DoD to appoint a 14-member Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare. DoD announced those selected to serve on the task force on Dec. 22. The task force is scheduled to turn in an interim report to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in May. The final report is due in December.
"We are waiting to see what the task force recommends," Jonas said.
Articles sponsored by police and military personnel who have become writers; and, criminal justice online leadership.
Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.
Killed were:
Capt. Kevin C. Landeck, 26, of Illinois. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Staff Sgt. Terrence D. Dunn, 38, of Houston. He was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
For further information on this soldier, contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.
Killed were:
Capt. Kevin C. Landeck, 26, of Illinois. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Staff Sgt. Terrence D. Dunn, 38, of Houston. He was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
For further information on this soldier, contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Randy J. Matheny, 20, of McCook, Neb., died Feb. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1074th Transportation Company, Sidney, Neb.
For further information on this soldier, contact the Nebraska Army National Guard public affairs office at (402) 309-7302.
Sgt. Randy J. Matheny, 20, of McCook, Neb., died Feb. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1074th Transportation Company, Sidney, Neb.
For further information on this soldier, contact the Nebraska Army National Guard public affairs office at (402) 309-7302.
Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 2 in Ramadi, Iraq, of injuries sustained when they came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire.
Killed were:
Spc. Alan E. McPeek, 20, of Tucson, Ariz. He was assigned to the 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany.
Pvt. Matthew T. Zeimer, 18, of Glendive, Mont. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
For more information about McPeek, contact the 1st Armored Division public affairs office at 011-49-0611-705-4859.
For additional information about Zeimer, contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at (912) 767-5667.
Killed were:
Spc. Alan E. McPeek, 20, of Tucson, Ariz. He was assigned to the 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany.
Pvt. Matthew T. Zeimer, 18, of Glendive, Mont. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
For more information about McPeek, contact the 1st Armored Division public affairs office at 011-49-0611-705-4859.
For additional information about Zeimer, contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at (912) 767-5667.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Iraqi Police Respond To Kirkuk Blasts, Rusafa Investigation Continues
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 4, 2007 – Seven car bombs, including one suspected suicide car bomb, detonated in various parts of Kirkuk this morning, killing three people and injuring 22 others, Multinational Forces Iraq officials reported. The attacks occurred as the investigation continues into a truck bombing yesterday in central Baghdad that left 105 Iraqis dead and 251 injured.
In Kirkuk today, Iraqi police and emergency response teams, along with coalition soldiers, responded to the blasts, treating the casualties and assessing the damage at each site.
"Were fortunate in the low number of casualties but also in the reaction by the Iraqi security forces," Army Col. Patrick Stackpole, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, said. "They reacted quickly to evacuate the innocent civilians and also prevented the terrorist from achieving all their intended effects."
Stackpole met with Maj. Gen. Sherko Shakir, chief of the Kirkuk provincial police, to assess the situation.
The police and its specialized emergency services unit have established additional checkpoints throughout the city to prevent further attacks. Iraqi police also announced an early curfew for the city to fully assess the situation and identify any additional threats.
"These are horrific acts of violence that test the people's resolve," Stackpole said. "The number of attacks today demonstrates an effort by the insurgents to destabilize the city and destroy the people's confidence."
The explosions appeared to be an organized effort to undermine the local government and raise public fear. Officials noted that two of the car bombs detonated near separate offices headed by Kurdish political parties.
Meanwhile, the investigation continues into yesterday's truck bombing in central Baghdad. The blast, from a bomb encased in a large truck, targeted civilians at a busy intersection in the Rusafa section.
A unit from the Iraqi Army and two companies from the 89th Military Police Brigade responded to the scene to assess damage while Iraqi emergency services transported the casualties to the local hospital, officials said.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have written books; and criminal justice online leadership.
Feb. 4, 2007 – Seven car bombs, including one suspected suicide car bomb, detonated in various parts of Kirkuk this morning, killing three people and injuring 22 others, Multinational Forces Iraq officials reported. The attacks occurred as the investigation continues into a truck bombing yesterday in central Baghdad that left 105 Iraqis dead and 251 injured.
In Kirkuk today, Iraqi police and emergency response teams, along with coalition soldiers, responded to the blasts, treating the casualties and assessing the damage at each site.
"Were fortunate in the low number of casualties but also in the reaction by the Iraqi security forces," Army Col. Patrick Stackpole, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, said. "They reacted quickly to evacuate the innocent civilians and also prevented the terrorist from achieving all their intended effects."
Stackpole met with Maj. Gen. Sherko Shakir, chief of the Kirkuk provincial police, to assess the situation.
The police and its specialized emergency services unit have established additional checkpoints throughout the city to prevent further attacks. Iraqi police also announced an early curfew for the city to fully assess the situation and identify any additional threats.
"These are horrific acts of violence that test the people's resolve," Stackpole said. "The number of attacks today demonstrates an effort by the insurgents to destabilize the city and destroy the people's confidence."
The explosions appeared to be an organized effort to undermine the local government and raise public fear. Officials noted that two of the car bombs detonated near separate offices headed by Kurdish political parties.
Meanwhile, the investigation continues into yesterday's truck bombing in central Baghdad. The blast, from a bomb encased in a large truck, targeted civilians at a busy intersection in the Rusafa section.
A unit from the Iraqi Army and two companies from the 89th Military Police Brigade responded to the scene to assess damage while Iraqi emergency services transported the casualties to the local hospital, officials said.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have written books; and criminal justice online leadership.
'Wolverines,' Iraqis Discover Massive Weapons Cache Near Baghdad
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 4, 2007 – Iraqi army and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers uncovered more than 1,100 81 mm high-explosive mortar rounds yesterday at a cache near Route Tampa, the main highway leading into Baghdad, officials said Troops from 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Troop B, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment "Wolverines," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), made the discovery during Operation Wolverine Alesia near Yusufiyah, just 10 miles southwest of the capital, officials said.
Acting on a tip from a local resident, the troops conducted a search of the area, which resulted in the largest cache find in 2nd "Commando" Brigade's history. In all, 1,129 mortar rounds were uncovered.
The cache, which was buried in the dirt, was larger than expected.
"These mortars rounds are in the configuration to use as improvised explosive devices," Army Lt. Col. Mark Suich, the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment's commander, said. "The mortar rounds in this state cannot be used for indirect fire; they are fabricated and stored to be used against the coalition and sectarian enemies as IEDs."
Suich said the seizure of so many munitions can only hurt terrorist operations. "We put a significant reduction in the enemy's ability to emplace (roadside bombs) in this area today," he said. "We are pretty sure that these are affiliated with al Qaeda in Iraq."
The area around Yusufiyah has long been identified as an al-Qaeda and former regime safe haven where attacks against Baghdad and coalition and Iraqi security forces originated.
"This is what we refer to as a weapons supermarket-type cache," Maj. Mark Aitken, the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment's executive officer. "The terrorists place a large cache of weapons in one place to draw from. They then pre-position what they draw in many other smaller caches around the countryside."
During the operation, Iraqi soldies detained four people for suspicious activity near the cache.
At a second cache site located nearby, Troop C, 1-89th found 120 mm mortar rounds, 81 mm mortar rounds, medium machine guns, rounds of machine gun ammunition, rifle scopes, fragmentation hand grenades, pounds of homemade explosives, boxes of 5.56 mm rifle ammunition and rocket-propelled grenade projectiles.
"Today we took over 1,100 IEDs off of the streets of Baghdad," said Army Maj. Web Wright, spokesman for the commando brigade. "Not only did we take these weapons off of the streets, 3-4-6 IA is fully integrated into this operation. Last night, they found three caches and were actively involved in finding these two."
The mortar rounds were destroyed during a controlled detonation by the explosive ordnance disposal detachment, creating a blast that could be heard for more than 20 miles.
The four suspects detained are being held for questioning.
A day earlier, the same Iraqi and coalition forces discovered two weapons caches two miles north of Yusufiyah, as part of the same operation.
The first cache included 81 mm mortar rounds, 120 mm artillery round, 57 mm anti-aircraft rounds, a high-explosive tank round, an improvised rocket-propelled grenade round made from industrial metal tubing, an armor-piercing RPG round, rounds of AK-47 assault rifle ammunition and a 60 mm mortar tube. Four prefabricated projectile canisters also were discovered.
At the second cache site, 300 yards away, Iraqi troops found 60 mm mortar rounds, sticks of dynamite, AK-47s, a case of AK-47 ammunition, 107 mm rockets, RPG rockets, shotgun shells and a medium machine gun.
Operation Wolverine Alesia is an ongoing joint operation designed to deny terrorist sanctuary along Route Tampa, the military designation for Iraqi Highway One, leading into Baghdad from the south.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have written books; and criminal justice online leadership.
Feb. 4, 2007 – Iraqi army and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers uncovered more than 1,100 81 mm high-explosive mortar rounds yesterday at a cache near Route Tampa, the main highway leading into Baghdad, officials said Troops from 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Troop B, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment "Wolverines," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), made the discovery during Operation Wolverine Alesia near Yusufiyah, just 10 miles southwest of the capital, officials said.
Acting on a tip from a local resident, the troops conducted a search of the area, which resulted in the largest cache find in 2nd "Commando" Brigade's history. In all, 1,129 mortar rounds were uncovered.
The cache, which was buried in the dirt, was larger than expected.
"These mortars rounds are in the configuration to use as improvised explosive devices," Army Lt. Col. Mark Suich, the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment's commander, said. "The mortar rounds in this state cannot be used for indirect fire; they are fabricated and stored to be used against the coalition and sectarian enemies as IEDs."
Suich said the seizure of so many munitions can only hurt terrorist operations. "We put a significant reduction in the enemy's ability to emplace (roadside bombs) in this area today," he said. "We are pretty sure that these are affiliated with al Qaeda in Iraq."
The area around Yusufiyah has long been identified as an al-Qaeda and former regime safe haven where attacks against Baghdad and coalition and Iraqi security forces originated.
"This is what we refer to as a weapons supermarket-type cache," Maj. Mark Aitken, the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment's executive officer. "The terrorists place a large cache of weapons in one place to draw from. They then pre-position what they draw in many other smaller caches around the countryside."
During the operation, Iraqi soldies detained four people for suspicious activity near the cache.
At a second cache site located nearby, Troop C, 1-89th found 120 mm mortar rounds, 81 mm mortar rounds, medium machine guns, rounds of machine gun ammunition, rifle scopes, fragmentation hand grenades, pounds of homemade explosives, boxes of 5.56 mm rifle ammunition and rocket-propelled grenade projectiles.
"Today we took over 1,100 IEDs off of the streets of Baghdad," said Army Maj. Web Wright, spokesman for the commando brigade. "Not only did we take these weapons off of the streets, 3-4-6 IA is fully integrated into this operation. Last night, they found three caches and were actively involved in finding these two."
The mortar rounds were destroyed during a controlled detonation by the explosive ordnance disposal detachment, creating a blast that could be heard for more than 20 miles.
The four suspects detained are being held for questioning.
A day earlier, the same Iraqi and coalition forces discovered two weapons caches two miles north of Yusufiyah, as part of the same operation.
The first cache included 81 mm mortar rounds, 120 mm artillery round, 57 mm anti-aircraft rounds, a high-explosive tank round, an improvised rocket-propelled grenade round made from industrial metal tubing, an armor-piercing RPG round, rounds of AK-47 assault rifle ammunition and a 60 mm mortar tube. Four prefabricated projectile canisters also were discovered.
At the second cache site, 300 yards away, Iraqi troops found 60 mm mortar rounds, sticks of dynamite, AK-47s, a case of AK-47 ammunition, 107 mm rockets, RPG rockets, shotgun shells and a medium machine gun.
Operation Wolverine Alesia is an ongoing joint operation designed to deny terrorist sanctuary along Route Tampa, the military designation for Iraqi Highway One, leading into Baghdad from the south.
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Anti-Insurgent Operations Continue in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 4, 2007 – Coalition forces killed a suspected terror-cell leader in Iraq this morning as anti-insurgent operations continue, with dozens of suspects and multiple weapons caches seized since Feb. 1, Multinational Force Iraq officials reported. Today, coalition forces disrupted explosives cells in Mosul and Baghdad, killing a suspected key car-bomb cell leader and detaining five suspected car bomb terrorists, officials said.
The raid in Mosul targeted a terrorist who is believed responsible for producing explosives used in attacks against coalition forces in the city.
Upon entering the targeted building, coalition forces encountered two suspected terrorists. One of the terrorists ignored their instructions and reached into his jacket. The troops responded with proper self-defense methods in response to the perceived threat, officials said. The terrorist subsequently died from his wounds.
The other suspect, also believed to be responsible for the attacks, as well as two other suspected terrorists believed to have ties to the Mosul car-bomb network, also were detained.
Coalition forces, acting on intelligence reports, also detained two suspected terrorists during a raid in Baghdad, officials reported. The troops searched the residence of a suspected terrorist believed to be actively planning, financing and executing car-bomb operations.
During the raid, ground forces found more than 250 cell phones and various types of bomb initiators, officials said. The troops seized the materials and also found a vehicle in front of the building that was wired for detonation. They destroyed vehicle's engine block, rendering it useless for future attacks.
In other news, coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 29 suspected terrorists during raids targeting foreign fighters and the al-Qaeda network throughout Iraq yesterday morning.
During a raid in Fallujah, coalition forces targeted a terrorist with known ties to a foreign-fighter network, Multinational Force Iraq officials reported.
As ground forces approached the targeted building, three armed terrorists attempted to fire on them. Coalition forces killed the three terrorists. They also detained 10 suspects.
West of Taramiyah, coalition forces targeted terrorists with ties to al Qaeda.
Upon approaching the objective, a suspected terrorist advanced toward the forces. They ordered the man to get on the ground. He initially complied, but then got up and charged toward the forces with what appeared to be a grenade, officials said.
Coalition Forces used proper escalation of force to mitigate the threat, and after searching the man, determined he had a rock in his hand, not a grenade.
The suspect died from his wounds.
The forces detained eight suspects during this raid.
Another five suspects were detained during an operation in Taramiyah after intelligence reports indicated they were involved in al-Qaeda kidnapping operations, placing roadside bombs and foreign-terrorist safe house activities. Coalition forces also uncovered a weapons cache consisting of AK-47 assault rifles, pistols, wire spools, 60 mm mortar rounds and a pressure plate during the operation.
In Ramadi, four terrorists suspected of operating a foreign-fighter safe house were detained, and another two suspects were detained in Kalar for their ties to foreign-fighter facilitation.
In Mahmudiyah yesterday, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers seized an Iraqi man suspected of murder, officials said.
A local witness reported the murder to a patrol from Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment. The man gave a description of the vehicle and the three men allegedly involved. The unit began a search for the vehicle, soon finding one that matched the description being towed by a repair truck.
Three men were found inside the vehicle, one of them with a 9 mm pistol and black ski mask and dried blood on his hands. All three suspects were detained and turned over to the Iraqi army, which is holding them for questioning.
Also in Iraq, three Iraqi civilians were killed and 11 wounded Feb. 2 by terrorist activity 15 miles southwest of Baghdad, officials said.
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment "Golden Dragons," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), heard mortar fire near Patrol Base Warrior Keep, just outside Sadr al Yusufiyah. After hearing the rounds impact, soldiers of 2nd Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment, responded with counter fire.
When the firing ceased, the Golden Dragons patrolled the area where the enemy mortars impacted and found three Iraqis dead and 11 wounded. Two of the dead were children.
"This attack is an example of the blatant disregard for the Iraqi people," Maj. Brock Jones, executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, said. "For them (the terrorists) to execute a deliberate attack on both women and children shows they have no thought for others."
Four of the residents were treated for minor wounds and seven were evacuated to receive further medical attention.
"The soldiers acted without hesitation in order to render as much aid as possible to the local nationals," Jones said.
The same day in Kahdra, a western Baghdad neighborhood, elements of the 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army seized a cache of weapons and explosives, officials reported.
Working from a tip to the 6th Iraqi Army headquarters, the troops searched an abandoned house and discovered 57 mm rockets, rocket-propelled-grenade rounds, 120 mm mortar rounds, 100 mm mortar rounds, 107 mm rockets, 130 mm artillery rounds, 122 mm artillery rounds, 152 mm artillery rounds, 85 mm projectiles, 155 mm artillery rounds, roadside bomb timers, a mortar tube, AK-47s and machine guns.
An explosives disposal team took the explosives to a U.S. base for disposal.
In other developments, Iraqi army soldiers detained 24 individuals during cordon-and-search operations Feb. 1 and 2 in the villages surrounding Tuz, about 110 miles north of Baghdad. The detainees are suspected of involvement in insurgent activities.
The Iraqi Army's 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, with coalition forces providing tactical overwatch and logistical support, conducted the two-day operation.
The soldiers also confiscated AK-47s, shotguns, bolt-action rifles, 9 mm pistols, grenades, basting caps and bomb-making materials.
On Feb. 1 north of Ramadi, members of the Iraqi 2nd Battalion Emergency Response Unit discovered a weapons cache while conducting a patrol.
The cache consisted of mortar rounds ranging from 60 mm to 120 mm, Katusha rockets, 155 mm rounds prepared as homemade bombs and mortar fuses.
That same day near Yusufiyah, Iraqi army soldiers running independent operations detained five men and seized two homemade bombs.
Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, discovered the bombs while conducting cordon-and-search operations near a village in rural farmlands 10 miles southwest of Baghdad.
Iraqi army troops searched a house and found a 120 mm artillery round and a 155 mm artillery round, both rigged as bombs and prepared for emplacement. The troops detained five men in the house and seized the bombs. The suspects are being held for questioning.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have written books; and criminal justice online leadership.
Feb. 4, 2007 – Coalition forces killed a suspected terror-cell leader in Iraq this morning as anti-insurgent operations continue, with dozens of suspects and multiple weapons caches seized since Feb. 1, Multinational Force Iraq officials reported. Today, coalition forces disrupted explosives cells in Mosul and Baghdad, killing a suspected key car-bomb cell leader and detaining five suspected car bomb terrorists, officials said.
The raid in Mosul targeted a terrorist who is believed responsible for producing explosives used in attacks against coalition forces in the city.
Upon entering the targeted building, coalition forces encountered two suspected terrorists. One of the terrorists ignored their instructions and reached into his jacket. The troops responded with proper self-defense methods in response to the perceived threat, officials said. The terrorist subsequently died from his wounds.
The other suspect, also believed to be responsible for the attacks, as well as two other suspected terrorists believed to have ties to the Mosul car-bomb network, also were detained.
Coalition forces, acting on intelligence reports, also detained two suspected terrorists during a raid in Baghdad, officials reported. The troops searched the residence of a suspected terrorist believed to be actively planning, financing and executing car-bomb operations.
During the raid, ground forces found more than 250 cell phones and various types of bomb initiators, officials said. The troops seized the materials and also found a vehicle in front of the building that was wired for detonation. They destroyed vehicle's engine block, rendering it useless for future attacks.
In other news, coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 29 suspected terrorists during raids targeting foreign fighters and the al-Qaeda network throughout Iraq yesterday morning.
During a raid in Fallujah, coalition forces targeted a terrorist with known ties to a foreign-fighter network, Multinational Force Iraq officials reported.
As ground forces approached the targeted building, three armed terrorists attempted to fire on them. Coalition forces killed the three terrorists. They also detained 10 suspects.
West of Taramiyah, coalition forces targeted terrorists with ties to al Qaeda.
Upon approaching the objective, a suspected terrorist advanced toward the forces. They ordered the man to get on the ground. He initially complied, but then got up and charged toward the forces with what appeared to be a grenade, officials said.
Coalition Forces used proper escalation of force to mitigate the threat, and after searching the man, determined he had a rock in his hand, not a grenade.
The suspect died from his wounds.
The forces detained eight suspects during this raid.
Another five suspects were detained during an operation in Taramiyah after intelligence reports indicated they were involved in al-Qaeda kidnapping operations, placing roadside bombs and foreign-terrorist safe house activities. Coalition forces also uncovered a weapons cache consisting of AK-47 assault rifles, pistols, wire spools, 60 mm mortar rounds and a pressure plate during the operation.
In Ramadi, four terrorists suspected of operating a foreign-fighter safe house were detained, and another two suspects were detained in Kalar for their ties to foreign-fighter facilitation.
In Mahmudiyah yesterday, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers seized an Iraqi man suspected of murder, officials said.
A local witness reported the murder to a patrol from Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment. The man gave a description of the vehicle and the three men allegedly involved. The unit began a search for the vehicle, soon finding one that matched the description being towed by a repair truck.
Three men were found inside the vehicle, one of them with a 9 mm pistol and black ski mask and dried blood on his hands. All three suspects were detained and turned over to the Iraqi army, which is holding them for questioning.
Also in Iraq, three Iraqi civilians were killed and 11 wounded Feb. 2 by terrorist activity 15 miles southwest of Baghdad, officials said.
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment "Golden Dragons," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), heard mortar fire near Patrol Base Warrior Keep, just outside Sadr al Yusufiyah. After hearing the rounds impact, soldiers of 2nd Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment, responded with counter fire.
When the firing ceased, the Golden Dragons patrolled the area where the enemy mortars impacted and found three Iraqis dead and 11 wounded. Two of the dead were children.
"This attack is an example of the blatant disregard for the Iraqi people," Maj. Brock Jones, executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, said. "For them (the terrorists) to execute a deliberate attack on both women and children shows they have no thought for others."
Four of the residents were treated for minor wounds and seven were evacuated to receive further medical attention.
"The soldiers acted without hesitation in order to render as much aid as possible to the local nationals," Jones said.
The same day in Kahdra, a western Baghdad neighborhood, elements of the 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army seized a cache of weapons and explosives, officials reported.
Working from a tip to the 6th Iraqi Army headquarters, the troops searched an abandoned house and discovered 57 mm rockets, rocket-propelled-grenade rounds, 120 mm mortar rounds, 100 mm mortar rounds, 107 mm rockets, 130 mm artillery rounds, 122 mm artillery rounds, 152 mm artillery rounds, 85 mm projectiles, 155 mm artillery rounds, roadside bomb timers, a mortar tube, AK-47s and machine guns.
An explosives disposal team took the explosives to a U.S. base for disposal.
In other developments, Iraqi army soldiers detained 24 individuals during cordon-and-search operations Feb. 1 and 2 in the villages surrounding Tuz, about 110 miles north of Baghdad. The detainees are suspected of involvement in insurgent activities.
The Iraqi Army's 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, with coalition forces providing tactical overwatch and logistical support, conducted the two-day operation.
The soldiers also confiscated AK-47s, shotguns, bolt-action rifles, 9 mm pistols, grenades, basting caps and bomb-making materials.
On Feb. 1 north of Ramadi, members of the Iraqi 2nd Battalion Emergency Response Unit discovered a weapons cache while conducting a patrol.
The cache consisted of mortar rounds ranging from 60 mm to 120 mm, Katusha rockets, 155 mm rounds prepared as homemade bombs and mortar fuses.
That same day near Yusufiyah, Iraqi army soldiers running independent operations detained five men and seized two homemade bombs.
Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, discovered the bombs while conducting cordon-and-search operations near a village in rural farmlands 10 miles southwest of Baghdad.
Iraqi army troops searched a house and found a 120 mm artillery round and a 155 mm artillery round, both rigged as bombs and prepared for emplacement. The troops detained five men in the house and seized the bombs. The suspects are being held for questioning.
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Vice Chairman 'Cautiously Optimistic' about New Iraq Approach
By Tech. Sgt. Sean P. Houlihan, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 3, 2007 – The nation's second-highest-ranking military officer said he is cautiously optimistic about the new approach to Iraq after a three-day visit there that ended yesterday. "It is clear that most of the senior officials (from the) coalition, Iraq and United States I talked with during my time in Baghdad are positive about the security plan as they see it," said Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani, Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, during an interview aboard an Air Force C-17 aircraft.
"You will see from the highest to the lowest levels (that) everyone feels optimistic about the plan and particularly optimistic about the Iraqi leadership involvement with the plan," he said. Giambastiani noted that U.S. military generals told him during Jan. 31 meetings that they felt confident with the leadership provided by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and senior Iraqi military leaders.
Part of that optimism comes from the Iraqi government's vow to not allow safe havens for terrorists, militias and extremists that have terrorized the streets of Baghdad, the admiral said.
As the new Iraq plan moves forward, Giambastini pointed out the need for a greater sustained economic effort by Iraqis and more U.S. government focus on Iraq's economic progress.
U.S. military efforts, including use of commander's emergency response funds, are an important step, but coalition partners, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other agencies and non-governmental organizations, as well as the Iraqi government, are critical to long-term economic progress, he said.
"I am more cautiously optimistic about seeing progress on the economic front that will affect the day-to-day living for the average citizen than in the past," he said.
Giambastiani said it will take focus on national reconciliation to reduce sectarian violence in the long term to help enable the United States to draw down its forces in Iraq.
During his visit, the admiral met with members from each of the U.S. military services. He visited with members of the 1st Cavalry Division before they left on a convey Jan. 31, ate breakfast with sailors assigned across Baghdad Feb. 1 and met with Marines and airmen stationed in Fallujah Feb. 2.
"When I leave the Pentagon, I always get pumped up because of the high quality of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines I meet," he said. "These are very impressive individuals with tremendous morale. They are very thoughtful (and) mission orientated, their spirits are high and they have a tremendous amount of energy.
"It is privilege to come out here... It is a pleasure to talk with them, work with them and give them coins," he said. "It is always a marvel to watch them. I always feel so much better after talking to them."
Visiting deployed troops is important, Giambastiani said. "That is why (Marine) General (Peter) Pace (chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), the service chiefs, senior enlisted leaders, congressional delegations and members of the executive branch all make it a point to come shake servicemembers' hands -- to thank them for the service, professionalism and focus to get the job done."
Giambastiani said getting out in the field also gives him the opportunity to see what items are needed in the field. "It is important that servicemembers realize they have someone like me that they can pass on these requests to, to ensure they have everything they need," he said.
The admiral also traveled to the Kurdish region in northern Iraq to visit and thank soldiers from the Republic of Korea's Camp Zaytun in Irbil.
"The 2,200 Republic of Korean armed forces personnel located in Irbil (are) a model for where we in the United States and coalition would like to be, provided the security situation would allow us," he said. "They are able to spend their time with vocational training, providing medical and health care to local residents, conducting social and athletic events in the Irbil area. This shows you the type of thing military forces are superb at doing; they are not actively engaging terrorist, insurgents and criminals every single day. These military forces bring a tremendous amount of capability."
Giambastiani called it comforting to see the progress taking place and said the Koreans should be commended for their efforts, attitudes and partnership in the coalition. "I could only wish that all of Iraq had the same basic security structure northern Iraq has," he said.
(Tech. Sgt. Sean P. Houlihan is assigned to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Office.)
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have written books; and criminal justice online leadership.
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 3, 2007 – The nation's second-highest-ranking military officer said he is cautiously optimistic about the new approach to Iraq after a three-day visit there that ended yesterday. "It is clear that most of the senior officials (from the) coalition, Iraq and United States I talked with during my time in Baghdad are positive about the security plan as they see it," said Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani, Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, during an interview aboard an Air Force C-17 aircraft.
"You will see from the highest to the lowest levels (that) everyone feels optimistic about the plan and particularly optimistic about the Iraqi leadership involvement with the plan," he said. Giambastiani noted that U.S. military generals told him during Jan. 31 meetings that they felt confident with the leadership provided by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and senior Iraqi military leaders.
Part of that optimism comes from the Iraqi government's vow to not allow safe havens for terrorists, militias and extremists that have terrorized the streets of Baghdad, the admiral said.
As the new Iraq plan moves forward, Giambastini pointed out the need for a greater sustained economic effort by Iraqis and more U.S. government focus on Iraq's economic progress.
U.S. military efforts, including use of commander's emergency response funds, are an important step, but coalition partners, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other agencies and non-governmental organizations, as well as the Iraqi government, are critical to long-term economic progress, he said.
"I am more cautiously optimistic about seeing progress on the economic front that will affect the day-to-day living for the average citizen than in the past," he said.
Giambastiani said it will take focus on national reconciliation to reduce sectarian violence in the long term to help enable the United States to draw down its forces in Iraq.
During his visit, the admiral met with members from each of the U.S. military services. He visited with members of the 1st Cavalry Division before they left on a convey Jan. 31, ate breakfast with sailors assigned across Baghdad Feb. 1 and met with Marines and airmen stationed in Fallujah Feb. 2.
"When I leave the Pentagon, I always get pumped up because of the high quality of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines I meet," he said. "These are very impressive individuals with tremendous morale. They are very thoughtful (and) mission orientated, their spirits are high and they have a tremendous amount of energy.
"It is privilege to come out here... It is a pleasure to talk with them, work with them and give them coins," he said. "It is always a marvel to watch them. I always feel so much better after talking to them."
Visiting deployed troops is important, Giambastiani said. "That is why (Marine) General (Peter) Pace (chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), the service chiefs, senior enlisted leaders, congressional delegations and members of the executive branch all make it a point to come shake servicemembers' hands -- to thank them for the service, professionalism and focus to get the job done."
Giambastiani said getting out in the field also gives him the opportunity to see what items are needed in the field. "It is important that servicemembers realize they have someone like me that they can pass on these requests to, to ensure they have everything they need," he said.
The admiral also traveled to the Kurdish region in northern Iraq to visit and thank soldiers from the Republic of Korea's Camp Zaytun in Irbil.
"The 2,200 Republic of Korean armed forces personnel located in Irbil (are) a model for where we in the United States and coalition would like to be, provided the security situation would allow us," he said. "They are able to spend their time with vocational training, providing medical and health care to local residents, conducting social and athletic events in the Irbil area. This shows you the type of thing military forces are superb at doing; they are not actively engaging terrorist, insurgents and criminals every single day. These military forces bring a tremendous amount of capability."
Giambastiani called it comforting to see the progress taking place and said the Koreans should be commended for their efforts, attitudes and partnership in the coalition. "I could only wish that all of Iraq had the same basic security structure northern Iraq has," he said.
(Tech. Sgt. Sean P. Houlihan is assigned to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Office.)
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Defense Leaders: Iraq Debate Focuses Not on Whether to Win, But How
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – Debate about operations in Iraq is completely appropriate, Defense Secretary Robert W. Gates said today, but he added that he believes those debates center not on whether there's any option except to win, but on the best way to reach that objective. "I don't know anyone on (Capitol) Hill who thinks that failure ... in Iraq ... would have anything other than very serious and negative consequences for the United States and for the region," Gates told reporters during a Pentagon roundtable briefing. He went on to define failure as "leaving Iraq in chaos."
"So I think what people are trying to do is figure out what is the ... best, constructive way forward to avoid that outcome in Iraq," he said. "And I think that's what the debate's about."
The debate also focuses on the best way to "incentivize the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future," Gates said. "I think that's a good debate to have."
Iraq continues to struggle with a complex set of challenges, Gates acknowledged, but he said the term "civil war," oversimplifies the situation. He called the "civil war" label "a bumper-sticker answer to what is going on in Iraq," that really doesn't fit the circumstances.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, agreed with Gates' assessment, noting that conditions in Iraq don't meet "civil war" criteria. "The Iraqi army is loyal to the central government," he said. "You do not have 'Iraqi army of the north fighting Iraqi army of the south' and other things like that."
Gates reiterated the view he expressed during his Dec. 5 Senate confirmation hearing, when he cited four separate and distinct situations in Iraq.
"I believe there are essentially four wars going on in Iraq," he said. Shiia-on-Shiia violence is occurring mostly in the south. Sectarian violence is centered on Baghdad, but occurs in other regions, too. An insurgency is under way, and al Qaeda is continuing its operations and attacking all those targets.
Both leaders said focusing on the best way ahead in Iraq is far more productive than trying to pin a label on the situation there.
"It's a very complex issue, and putting a bumper sticker on it really doesn't help solve the problem," Pace said. "The question is, 'Where are we? Where should we be? And how do we get from where we are to where we're supposed to be? And that is what the new plan is all about."
Gates told reporters he's "comfortable" supporting President Bush's orders to send additional troops to Iraq to support that plan, despite objections by some in Congress.
"The president is the commander in chief of the armed forces. The president has given the direction. We are carrying out his orders," the secretary said.
"Sometimes a president has to take a long view, and sometimes that puts him in opposition to public opinion and to sentiment in Congress," he said.
Gates offered a reminder that when President George H.W. Bush announced plans to remove Saddam Hussein's army from Kuwait, only 15 percent of the American people supported the decision. "After it was successful, 90 percent approved of it," he said.
Article sponsored by police and military personnel who have written books; and criminal justice online leadership.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – Debate about operations in Iraq is completely appropriate, Defense Secretary Robert W. Gates said today, but he added that he believes those debates center not on whether there's any option except to win, but on the best way to reach that objective. "I don't know anyone on (Capitol) Hill who thinks that failure ... in Iraq ... would have anything other than very serious and negative consequences for the United States and for the region," Gates told reporters during a Pentagon roundtable briefing. He went on to define failure as "leaving Iraq in chaos."
"So I think what people are trying to do is figure out what is the ... best, constructive way forward to avoid that outcome in Iraq," he said. "And I think that's what the debate's about."
The debate also focuses on the best way to "incentivize the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future," Gates said. "I think that's a good debate to have."
Iraq continues to struggle with a complex set of challenges, Gates acknowledged, but he said the term "civil war," oversimplifies the situation. He called the "civil war" label "a bumper-sticker answer to what is going on in Iraq," that really doesn't fit the circumstances.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, agreed with Gates' assessment, noting that conditions in Iraq don't meet "civil war" criteria. "The Iraqi army is loyal to the central government," he said. "You do not have 'Iraqi army of the north fighting Iraqi army of the south' and other things like that."
Gates reiterated the view he expressed during his Dec. 5 Senate confirmation hearing, when he cited four separate and distinct situations in Iraq.
"I believe there are essentially four wars going on in Iraq," he said. Shiia-on-Shiia violence is occurring mostly in the south. Sectarian violence is centered on Baghdad, but occurs in other regions, too. An insurgency is under way, and al Qaeda is continuing its operations and attacking all those targets.
Both leaders said focusing on the best way ahead in Iraq is far more productive than trying to pin a label on the situation there.
"It's a very complex issue, and putting a bumper sticker on it really doesn't help solve the problem," Pace said. "The question is, 'Where are we? Where should we be? And how do we get from where we are to where we're supposed to be? And that is what the new plan is all about."
Gates told reporters he's "comfortable" supporting President Bush's orders to send additional troops to Iraq to support that plan, despite objections by some in Congress.
"The president is the commander in chief of the armed forces. The president has given the direction. We are carrying out his orders," the secretary said.
"Sometimes a president has to take a long view, and sometimes that puts him in opposition to public opinion and to sentiment in Congress," he said.
Gates offered a reminder that when President George H.W. Bush announced plans to remove Saddam Hussein's army from Kuwait, only 15 percent of the American people supported the decision. "After it was successful, 90 percent approved of it," he said.
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Saturday, February 03, 2007
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Maj. Michael C. Mettille, 44, of West St. Paul, Minn., died Feb. 1 at Camp Adder, Iraq, from a non-combat related injury. Mettille was assigned to the 134th Brigade Support Battalion, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
The incident is under investigation.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Minnesota Army National Guard public affairs office at (651) 268-8949; after hours (651) 775-4392.
Sgt. Maj. Michael C. Mettille, 44, of West St. Paul, Minn., died Feb. 1 at Camp Adder, Iraq, from a non-combat related injury. Mettille was assigned to the 134th Brigade Support Battalion, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
The incident is under investigation.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Minnesota Army National Guard public affairs office at (651) 268-8949; after hours (651) 775-4392.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Movement Control Battalion Trains for Afghanistan Mission
By 2nd Lt. Anthony D. Buchanan, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – Soldiers of the 450th Movement Control Battalion are training here to ensure that they will be able to accomplish their mission when they deploy to Afghanistan in a few months. In Afghanistan, the soldiers, based out of Manhattan, Kan., will be responsible for ensuring that necessities like food, water and ammunition are delivered to the troops in the field.
The battalion will be charged with monitoring, controlling and supervising the movement of personnel, equipment and cargo. Although they are a movement control unit and specialize mostly in transportation tasks, all of the soldiers of the 450th MCB received additional training that they'll need in Afghanistan.
"The training we received was very thorough and detailed," said Staff Sgt. Belinda Hilton, a human resource specialist with 450th MCB. "I learned a lot from vehicle and personnel searches, but actually, doing what we learned was the best part of the training. We will be a better team once we get there. The training has helped the unit come together as a whole."
Spc. Brain Gerriets, a transportation management coordinator with the unit, was also grateful for the "theater immersion" training.
"Entry control point training is definitely going to come in handy," Gerriets said. "At the (forward operating base), they really hit us hard with non-stop training, giving us the confidence we are going to need when we go overseas. They definitely challenged us and made us think. Overall, the training was really good. It's going to be very useful."
In addition to their training preparing them for their upcoming mission, the soldiers said they were very pleased with their trainers, mostly volunteers with combat experience participating in the Operation Warrior Training Program.
"We had very good relationships between the trainers and trainees," said Hilton. "They are not here just to teach, but to help us understand."
(Army 2nd Lt. Anthony D. Buchanan is assigned to Camp Atterbury Public Affairs.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, personnel from the police and military service who have authored books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – Soldiers of the 450th Movement Control Battalion are training here to ensure that they will be able to accomplish their mission when they deploy to Afghanistan in a few months. In Afghanistan, the soldiers, based out of Manhattan, Kan., will be responsible for ensuring that necessities like food, water and ammunition are delivered to the troops in the field.
The battalion will be charged with monitoring, controlling and supervising the movement of personnel, equipment and cargo. Although they are a movement control unit and specialize mostly in transportation tasks, all of the soldiers of the 450th MCB received additional training that they'll need in Afghanistan.
"The training we received was very thorough and detailed," said Staff Sgt. Belinda Hilton, a human resource specialist with 450th MCB. "I learned a lot from vehicle and personnel searches, but actually, doing what we learned was the best part of the training. We will be a better team once we get there. The training has helped the unit come together as a whole."
Spc. Brain Gerriets, a transportation management coordinator with the unit, was also grateful for the "theater immersion" training.
"Entry control point training is definitely going to come in handy," Gerriets said. "At the (forward operating base), they really hit us hard with non-stop training, giving us the confidence we are going to need when we go overseas. They definitely challenged us and made us think. Overall, the training was really good. It's going to be very useful."
In addition to their training preparing them for their upcoming mission, the soldiers said they were very pleased with their trainers, mostly volunteers with combat experience participating in the Operation Warrior Training Program.
"We had very good relationships between the trainers and trainees," said Hilton. "They are not here just to teach, but to help us understand."
(Army 2nd Lt. Anthony D. Buchanan is assigned to Camp Atterbury Public Affairs.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, personnel from the police and military service who have authored books.
Iraq Situation 'Winnable,' Official Says
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – While the situation in Iraq is challenging, it is "winnable," U.S. Navy Rear Adml. Mark Fox told a group of online journalists and bloggers yesterday during an operational update by telephone. Fox, who has flown combat and contingency missions over Iraq in Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom, is now communications director for Multi-National Force, Iraq.
"Sectarian violence is now the gravest threat to our strategic objectives in Iraq, and to be honest, Iraq is a more complex strategic problem entering 2007 than it was this time last year," he said. However, he noted, he's seen cause to believe the struggle is winnable.
"I draw hope from the fact that we are joined, not opposed, by the overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people in this struggle," Fox said. "In polling conducted in November, 89 percent of Iraqis nationwide agreed with the statement: 'My first loyalty is to my country rather than my sect, ethnic group, or tribe.'"
Fox said he's pleased to be "working in partnership with the liberated people of Iraq as they work to build a stable, secure, and self-governing country." The fact that more Iraqis are joining police forces is cause for optimism, he said.
In December, 1,115 Iraqi men signed up to join the Police Forces. "To put this in context," Fox said, "eight months ago we had zero recruits from Ramadi. In one month, over 600 tribesmen in Ramadi alone qualified for enlistment."
In December, he added, Multinational Force officials restored responsibility for security in Najaf Province to Provincial Iraqi Control.
"Last week, Iraqi forces in Najaf detected and assessed a significant security threat, realized they were outnumbered and facing an entrenched enemy, and did exactly what American forces are trained to do in that tactical situation: call for airpower," he said. "In the end, we killed 262 anti-Iraqi forces, and captured 411. We also recovered 11 mortar systems and enough heavy machine guns to show this was not a group of pilgrims."
Fox attended a city council meeting in Fallujah that he described as raucous and disorganized. He said council members had some significant points of contention. "But it demonstrated even if the Iraqis are not at the levels of Jeffersonian democracy yet, they are eager to find solutions to their problems."
The Iraqi economy is also showing positive signs, Fox said.
"Each time I travel outside the International Zone, I'm amazed that virtually every house in Baghdad has a satellite dish on the roof," he said. "While everybody focuses on the violence in Baghdad, rural Iraq has experienced a post-Saddam boom that is employing and putting cash in the pockets of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi families."
Fox cautioned, however, that it's important to have realistic expectations about short-term progress.
"First, it will take some time for the effects of the additional troops being deployed to take hold," he said. "Second, although (U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David) Petraeus brings unparalleled experience and wisdom to this fight, Iraq's problems are systemic, and will not be turned around immediately in February and March."
Fox went on to highlight what he called "one of the most important intangibles" that doesn't make it through the mainstream media filter: "the sense of mission, and the morale of the people who are serving here.
"It's not every day that you have the opportunity to leave your fingerprints on great work," Fox said. "And this is one of those times where everybody that's here understands what an incredibly important mission we're engaged in.
"We're also focused on this mission to the point where we understand the vast majority of the American people support everything about the military," he continued. "And the people who disagree with the nature of the political decisions that brought us here, we still appreciate the fact that those people also support the military."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, personnel from the police and military service who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – While the situation in Iraq is challenging, it is "winnable," U.S. Navy Rear Adml. Mark Fox told a group of online journalists and bloggers yesterday during an operational update by telephone. Fox, who has flown combat and contingency missions over Iraq in Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom, is now communications director for Multi-National Force, Iraq.
"Sectarian violence is now the gravest threat to our strategic objectives in Iraq, and to be honest, Iraq is a more complex strategic problem entering 2007 than it was this time last year," he said. However, he noted, he's seen cause to believe the struggle is winnable.
"I draw hope from the fact that we are joined, not opposed, by the overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people in this struggle," Fox said. "In polling conducted in November, 89 percent of Iraqis nationwide agreed with the statement: 'My first loyalty is to my country rather than my sect, ethnic group, or tribe.'"
Fox said he's pleased to be "working in partnership with the liberated people of Iraq as they work to build a stable, secure, and self-governing country." The fact that more Iraqis are joining police forces is cause for optimism, he said.
In December, 1,115 Iraqi men signed up to join the Police Forces. "To put this in context," Fox said, "eight months ago we had zero recruits from Ramadi. In one month, over 600 tribesmen in Ramadi alone qualified for enlistment."
In December, he added, Multinational Force officials restored responsibility for security in Najaf Province to Provincial Iraqi Control.
"Last week, Iraqi forces in Najaf detected and assessed a significant security threat, realized they were outnumbered and facing an entrenched enemy, and did exactly what American forces are trained to do in that tactical situation: call for airpower," he said. "In the end, we killed 262 anti-Iraqi forces, and captured 411. We also recovered 11 mortar systems and enough heavy machine guns to show this was not a group of pilgrims."
Fox attended a city council meeting in Fallujah that he described as raucous and disorganized. He said council members had some significant points of contention. "But it demonstrated even if the Iraqis are not at the levels of Jeffersonian democracy yet, they are eager to find solutions to their problems."
The Iraqi economy is also showing positive signs, Fox said.
"Each time I travel outside the International Zone, I'm amazed that virtually every house in Baghdad has a satellite dish on the roof," he said. "While everybody focuses on the violence in Baghdad, rural Iraq has experienced a post-Saddam boom that is employing and putting cash in the pockets of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi families."
Fox cautioned, however, that it's important to have realistic expectations about short-term progress.
"First, it will take some time for the effects of the additional troops being deployed to take hold," he said. "Second, although (U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David) Petraeus brings unparalleled experience and wisdom to this fight, Iraq's problems are systemic, and will not be turned around immediately in February and March."
Fox went on to highlight what he called "one of the most important intangibles" that doesn't make it through the mainstream media filter: "the sense of mission, and the morale of the people who are serving here.
"It's not every day that you have the opportunity to leave your fingerprints on great work," Fox said. "And this is one of those times where everybody that's here understands what an incredibly important mission we're engaged in.
"We're also focused on this mission to the point where we understand the vast majority of the American people support everything about the military," he continued. "And the people who disagree with the nature of the political decisions that brought us here, we still appreciate the fact that those people also support the military."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, personnel from the police and military service who have authored books.
Air Strike Targets al Qaeda Leaders; Insurgents Captured
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – A coalition air strike targeted al Qaeda leaders today in Iraq, and Iraqi and coalition forces detained 45 terrorists and foiled attacks throughout Iraq this week, military officials reported. Coalition forces targeted the leadership of an al Qaeda in Iraq-related car bomb network during today's air strike operation near Arab Jabour.
Intelligence reports indicated that this network is responsible for a large and devastating number of car-bomb attacks in the Baghdad area. It also is responsible for roadside-bomb and sniper attacks against the Iraqi people and Iraqi and coalition forces, officials said.
Coalition officials said they believe several key terrorist leaders were killed during the air strike, but that results are still being assessed.
In another operation, coalition forces yesterday captured a suspected insurgent allegedly responsible for planning and conducting several improvised-explosive-device and car-bomb attacks in western Baghdad and Fallujah. The capture occurred in the Abu Ghraib district, east of Baghdad International Airport. Three additional suspected insurgents were detained by coalition forces.
Elsewhere, soldiers of the 1st and 9th Iraqi Army Divisions detained 11 suspected insurgents yesterday in northeastern Ramadi during operations with coalition advisors to capture the leader of an insurgent cell network.
The Iraqi-led operation was targeting a man who is believed to be running two cells conducting IED attacks and murders against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi security forces, officials said. The cell leader is suspected of being directly involved in the deaths of two Iraqi soldiers.
In Ramadi, coalition forces used precision-guided munitions in two separate incidents during hostile actions today and yesterday. Eighteen insurgents were killed in the attacks.
In both instances, coalition forces were attacked with small-arms fire from several insurgent positions. Coalition forces returned fire, and when the attacks did not cease, used machine-gun fire and tank main-gun rounds. The insurgent attacks continued and coalition forces used precision-guided munitions to halt the attacks.
In other news, coalition forces killed a foreign terrorist facilitator and detained 29 suspected terrorists while conducting operations yesterday throughout Iraq.
In Tarmiyah, coalition forces detained 18 suspected terrorists who reportedlyre a involved in al Qaeda kidnapping operations, IED emplacement and terrorist safe-house activities.
Intelligence reports indicated that a foreign-fighter network involved in vehicle hijackings, kidnappings and insurgency funding was operating in Muhammadi. As coalition forces approached the targeted area, one armed man chambered a round and attempted to fire at ground forces. Coalition forces shot and killed the armed terrorist and detained one suspected terrorist.
Coalition forces also detained five suspected terrorists northwest of Rutbah tied to foreign fighter activities in Syria and Iraq.
Four suspected terrorists were captured by coalition forces in the Baghdad area with ties to car bomb manufacturing and emplacement and foreign terrorist facilitation.
One suspect with ties to al Qaeda in Iraq was detained in Tikrit.
In a separate operation, special Iraqi army forces captured a suspected death squad leader yesterday during operations with coalition advisors in southern Baghdad.
The death squad leader allegedly is responsible for carrying out kidnappings and murders against innocent Iraqi civilians in the Hai al Aamel, Bayaa and Sayidiyah neighborhoods. The leader and his cell are implicated in the kidnapping of three Iraqi civilians Dec. 10 and burning them alive.
In another operation, coalition forces, with the help of a local imam and the Iraqi army, detained two suspected terrorists and uncovered a weapons cache yesterday inside a mosque near Tarmiyah.
Intelligence reports indicated that al Qaeda in Iraq foreign-fighter facilitation cells were operating in the area and were using the mosque for weapons storage.
The local imam and Iraqi army personnel entered the mosque and secured the two suspects, handing them over to coalition forces for questioning. The weapons cache consisted of several AK-47s and 10 60 mm mortar rounds.
In Baghdad, Iraqi national police and Multinational Division Baghdad troops discovered two caches in a joint operation in al Doura, a southern neighborhood, yesterday.
The munitions caches included multiple side-arms, an AK-47 with 3,000 rounds, a complete IED, 15 pounds of homemade explosives, two pounds of plastic explosives, a 125 mm projectile with detonation cord and fuse, 239 57 mm projectiles, and various protective gear.
An explosive ordnance team destroyed the confiscated materials at the site.
Elsewhere, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army, took quick action and prevented a car bomb attack on their compound when a member of al Qaeda attempted to penetrate the perimeter of the post Jan. 31 in Muqdadiya, Iraq.
At about 8:30 a.m., a fuel truck attempted to breach the gate of the compound. The guards immediately attempted to stop the truck with small-arms fire, killing the driver. The car bomb detonated outside the compound.
The detonation wounded 13 Iraqi army soldiers.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, personnel from the police and military service who have authored books.
Feb. 2, 2007 – A coalition air strike targeted al Qaeda leaders today in Iraq, and Iraqi and coalition forces detained 45 terrorists and foiled attacks throughout Iraq this week, military officials reported. Coalition forces targeted the leadership of an al Qaeda in Iraq-related car bomb network during today's air strike operation near Arab Jabour.
Intelligence reports indicated that this network is responsible for a large and devastating number of car-bomb attacks in the Baghdad area. It also is responsible for roadside-bomb and sniper attacks against the Iraqi people and Iraqi and coalition forces, officials said.
Coalition officials said they believe several key terrorist leaders were killed during the air strike, but that results are still being assessed.
In another operation, coalition forces yesterday captured a suspected insurgent allegedly responsible for planning and conducting several improvised-explosive-device and car-bomb attacks in western Baghdad and Fallujah. The capture occurred in the Abu Ghraib district, east of Baghdad International Airport. Three additional suspected insurgents were detained by coalition forces.
Elsewhere, soldiers of the 1st and 9th Iraqi Army Divisions detained 11 suspected insurgents yesterday in northeastern Ramadi during operations with coalition advisors to capture the leader of an insurgent cell network.
The Iraqi-led operation was targeting a man who is believed to be running two cells conducting IED attacks and murders against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi security forces, officials said. The cell leader is suspected of being directly involved in the deaths of two Iraqi soldiers.
In Ramadi, coalition forces used precision-guided munitions in two separate incidents during hostile actions today and yesterday. Eighteen insurgents were killed in the attacks.
In both instances, coalition forces were attacked with small-arms fire from several insurgent positions. Coalition forces returned fire, and when the attacks did not cease, used machine-gun fire and tank main-gun rounds. The insurgent attacks continued and coalition forces used precision-guided munitions to halt the attacks.
In other news, coalition forces killed a foreign terrorist facilitator and detained 29 suspected terrorists while conducting operations yesterday throughout Iraq.
In Tarmiyah, coalition forces detained 18 suspected terrorists who reportedlyre a involved in al Qaeda kidnapping operations, IED emplacement and terrorist safe-house activities.
Intelligence reports indicated that a foreign-fighter network involved in vehicle hijackings, kidnappings and insurgency funding was operating in Muhammadi. As coalition forces approached the targeted area, one armed man chambered a round and attempted to fire at ground forces. Coalition forces shot and killed the armed terrorist and detained one suspected terrorist.
Coalition forces also detained five suspected terrorists northwest of Rutbah tied to foreign fighter activities in Syria and Iraq.
Four suspected terrorists were captured by coalition forces in the Baghdad area with ties to car bomb manufacturing and emplacement and foreign terrorist facilitation.
One suspect with ties to al Qaeda in Iraq was detained in Tikrit.
In a separate operation, special Iraqi army forces captured a suspected death squad leader yesterday during operations with coalition advisors in southern Baghdad.
The death squad leader allegedly is responsible for carrying out kidnappings and murders against innocent Iraqi civilians in the Hai al Aamel, Bayaa and Sayidiyah neighborhoods. The leader and his cell are implicated in the kidnapping of three Iraqi civilians Dec. 10 and burning them alive.
In another operation, coalition forces, with the help of a local imam and the Iraqi army, detained two suspected terrorists and uncovered a weapons cache yesterday inside a mosque near Tarmiyah.
Intelligence reports indicated that al Qaeda in Iraq foreign-fighter facilitation cells were operating in the area and were using the mosque for weapons storage.
The local imam and Iraqi army personnel entered the mosque and secured the two suspects, handing them over to coalition forces for questioning. The weapons cache consisted of several AK-47s and 10 60 mm mortar rounds.
In Baghdad, Iraqi national police and Multinational Division Baghdad troops discovered two caches in a joint operation in al Doura, a southern neighborhood, yesterday.
The munitions caches included multiple side-arms, an AK-47 with 3,000 rounds, a complete IED, 15 pounds of homemade explosives, two pounds of plastic explosives, a 125 mm projectile with detonation cord and fuse, 239 57 mm projectiles, and various protective gear.
An explosive ordnance team destroyed the confiscated materials at the site.
Elsewhere, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army, took quick action and prevented a car bomb attack on their compound when a member of al Qaeda attempted to penetrate the perimeter of the post Jan. 31 in Muqdadiya, Iraq.
At about 8:30 a.m., a fuel truck attempted to breach the gate of the compound. The guards immediately attempted to stop the truck with small-arms fire, killing the driver. The car bomb detonated outside the compound.
The detonation wounded 13 Iraqi army soldiers.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, personnel from the police and military service who have authored books.
Gates, Pace: No Plans for War, But U.S. Won't Tolerate Iran's Interference
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – The United States has no plans to go to war with Iran, but it won't tolerate Iranian activities that are endangering U.S. troops in Iraq, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters today during a Pentagon news conference. "The president has made clear, the secretary of state has made clear, I've made clear ... we are not planning for a war with Iran," Gates said in response to a reporter's question.
Rather, he said, the United States is working "to counter what the Iranians are doing to our soldiers," most significantly their activities related to explosively formed projectiles, or EFPs, that are killing U.S. troops. EFPs are far more lethal than more traditional improvised explosive devices, Gates said, noting they are capable of taking out an M1-A2 Abrams tank.
"And so our effort is aimed at uprooting the networks that are providing these EFPS," as well as IEDs, to al Qaeda and other groups, Gates said. "These darn things account for about 70 percent of our casualties. And so there's a huge effort under way to try and uproot these networks and try to stop this."
"We are working day and night to disassemble these networks" that do everything from providing materials to construct these explosives to building them to delivering them and the firing devices," Pace told reporters. "And we do that without regard to nationality, but just with regard to who our enemies are."
Pace called it "instructive" that twice during the last month to 40 days, while "going after the networks, we have picked up Iranians."
"They happened to be policed up amongst the bad guys," he said.
Gates said he doesn't know at this point if the Iranian government or rogue elements within Iran are involved.
Multinational Force Iraq officials are preparing a briefing that will provide specifics about how Iranians supply these weapons, but Gates said he, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and National Security Advisor Steve Hadley asked them to delay it.
"(We) want to make sure that the briefing that is provided is absolutely accurate and is dominated by facts - serial numbers, technology and so on," he said. "And so we just want to make sure that the briefing that is provided is completely reliable."
The secretary declined to discuss if Iranians played any role in the Jan. 20 attack on the Provincial Joint Coordination Center in Karbala, Iraq, telling reporters the incident remains under investigation. In that incident, enemy fighters dressed in U.S. Army-style combat uniforms and carrying U.S.-type weapons penetrated Iraqi checkpoints, then went on to capture and kill four soldiers.
The secretary emphasized that deploying a second aircraft carrier, the USS John C. Stennis, to the Persian Gulf isn't a direct response to Iran. Rather, he said, it's designed to send a message to friends and potential adversaries alike.
"The purpose of that is simply to underscore to our friends, as well as to our potential adversaries in the region, that the United States has considered the Persian Gulf and that whole area - the stability in that area - to be a vital national interest," he said.
This policy has remained constant for decades and under numerous presidential administrations, he noted. "We simply want to reinforce to our friends, in particular, that they can count on us having a presence and being strong in their area in protecting our interests and in protecting theirs," he said.
As it addresses the immediate issue of potential Iranian support for activities endangering U.S. troops, Gates said another U.S. concern - about Iran's nuclear-enrichment program - is being addressed "strictly through the diplomatic process."
"It seems to be showing some progress," he said.
This article is sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers by authoring books.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – The United States has no plans to go to war with Iran, but it won't tolerate Iranian activities that are endangering U.S. troops in Iraq, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters today during a Pentagon news conference. "The president has made clear, the secretary of state has made clear, I've made clear ... we are not planning for a war with Iran," Gates said in response to a reporter's question.
Rather, he said, the United States is working "to counter what the Iranians are doing to our soldiers," most significantly their activities related to explosively formed projectiles, or EFPs, that are killing U.S. troops. EFPs are far more lethal than more traditional improvised explosive devices, Gates said, noting they are capable of taking out an M1-A2 Abrams tank.
"And so our effort is aimed at uprooting the networks that are providing these EFPS," as well as IEDs, to al Qaeda and other groups, Gates said. "These darn things account for about 70 percent of our casualties. And so there's a huge effort under way to try and uproot these networks and try to stop this."
"We are working day and night to disassemble these networks" that do everything from providing materials to construct these explosives to building them to delivering them and the firing devices," Pace told reporters. "And we do that without regard to nationality, but just with regard to who our enemies are."
Pace called it "instructive" that twice during the last month to 40 days, while "going after the networks, we have picked up Iranians."
"They happened to be policed up amongst the bad guys," he said.
Gates said he doesn't know at this point if the Iranian government or rogue elements within Iran are involved.
Multinational Force Iraq officials are preparing a briefing that will provide specifics about how Iranians supply these weapons, but Gates said he, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and National Security Advisor Steve Hadley asked them to delay it.
"(We) want to make sure that the briefing that is provided is absolutely accurate and is dominated by facts - serial numbers, technology and so on," he said. "And so we just want to make sure that the briefing that is provided is completely reliable."
The secretary declined to discuss if Iranians played any role in the Jan. 20 attack on the Provincial Joint Coordination Center in Karbala, Iraq, telling reporters the incident remains under investigation. In that incident, enemy fighters dressed in U.S. Army-style combat uniforms and carrying U.S.-type weapons penetrated Iraqi checkpoints, then went on to capture and kill four soldiers.
The secretary emphasized that deploying a second aircraft carrier, the USS John C. Stennis, to the Persian Gulf isn't a direct response to Iran. Rather, he said, it's designed to send a message to friends and potential adversaries alike.
"The purpose of that is simply to underscore to our friends, as well as to our potential adversaries in the region, that the United States has considered the Persian Gulf and that whole area - the stability in that area - to be a vital national interest," he said.
This policy has remained constant for decades and under numerous presidential administrations, he noted. "We simply want to reinforce to our friends, in particular, that they can count on us having a presence and being strong in their area in protecting our interests and in protecting theirs," he said.
As it addresses the immediate issue of potential Iranian support for activities endangering U.S. troops, Gates said another U.S. concern - about Iran's nuclear-enrichment program - is being addressed "strictly through the diplomatic process."
"It seems to be showing some progress," he said.
This article is sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers by authoring books.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. William M. Sigua, 21, of Los Altos Hills, Calif., died Jan. 31 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with the enemy using small arms fire during combat operations. Sigua was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661; after hours (910) 303-0691.
Sgt. William M. Sigua, 21, of Los Altos Hills, Calif., died Jan. 31 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with the enemy using small arms fire during combat operations. Sigua was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661; after hours (910) 303-0691.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Stephen D. Shannon, 21, of Guttenberg, Iowa, died Jan. 31, in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle was hit by a rocket during combat operations Jan. 30 in Ramadi, Iraq. Shannon was assigned to the 397th Engineer Battalion, Wausau, Wis.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Army Reserve 88th Regional Readiness Command public affairs office at (312) 371-8024.
Cpl. Stephen D. Shannon, 21, of Guttenberg, Iowa, died Jan. 31, in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle was hit by a rocket during combat operations Jan. 30 in Ramadi, Iraq. Shannon was assigned to the 397th Engineer Battalion, Wausau, Wis.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Army Reserve 88th Regional Readiness Command public affairs office at (312) 371-8024.
Navy Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Hospitalman Matthew G. Conte, 22, of Mogadore, Ohio, died Feb. 1 while his unit was conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Conte was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii serving as a hospital corpsman in Iraq under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force (forward).
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Navy public affairs office at (703) 697-5342.
Hospitalman Matthew G. Conte, 22, of Mogadore, Ohio, died Feb. 1 while his unit was conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Conte was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii serving as a hospital corpsman in Iraq under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force (forward).
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Navy public affairs office at (703) 697-5342.
Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Adam Q. Emul, 19, of Vancouver, Wash., died Jan. 29 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Emul was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Twentynine Palms Public Affairs Office at (760) 830-5476
Lance Cpl. Adam Q. Emul, 19, of Vancouver, Wash., died Jan. 29 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Emul was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Twentynine Palms Public Affairs Office at (760) 830-5476
Casey: New Iraq Strategy Can Work
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2007 – President Bush's new strategy for Iraq can work and set the conditions for the Iraqi government to deal with sectarian and ethnic divisions that are hurting the country's fledgling democracy, the top U.S. general in Iraq said here today. The new strategy is really an enhancement of the previous policy and retains a strong focus on transferring responsibility to Iraqi security forces, which is the key to success, Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of Multinational Force Iraq, told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing to become Army chief of staff. Iraqi forces cannot take control over the country, particularly in Baghdad, until the levels of violence are brought down, he emphasized.
"For the Iraqis to successfully assume and sustain security responsibility, their security forces must emerge as the dominant security forces in the country," Casey said. "To do this, political and militia influence over the security forces must be eliminated and levels of sectarian violence, particularly in the capital, must be brought down substantially -- brought down to the point where the people in Baghdad can be safe in their neighborhoods. This is what we are working toward in Baghdad. It will take time, and the Iraqis do need our help."
Casey, who has commanded in Iraq since July 2004, said he is generally opposed to increased U.S. troop levels in Iraq, because that would increase Iraqi reliance on the coalition. However, the new plan developed with the Iraqi government calls for more Iraqi forces in Baghdad, and those forces will need additional coalition support, he said.
"I don't think there is any question that the situation in the center of the country, particularly the capital, is bad, and we are working very hard to rectify that," Casey said. "The country won't be able to move forward with their security forces and won't be able to move forward politically or economically until they come to grips with that situation."
The five additional U.S. brigades Bush has pledged to Iraq will give commanders on the ground extra flexibility they need to accomplish the mission, Casey said.
The United States is relying more on Iraqi forces and requiring them to take responsibility for security in Baghdad, Casey said. However, the Iraqi population does not have high levels of confidence in the security forces, especially the police, he said. To deal with this problem, the coalition will team with Iraqi army and police units in daily operations.
"That's where the coalition comes in, because when they see us operating with the Iraqi police particularly, the population has a greater level of confidence that they'll be treated properly," he said.
The firefight that took place this week in Najaf was a perfect example of how Iraqi and coalition forces should work together, Casey said. The Iraqi police responded to a situation and found they couldn't handle it alone, so they called the Iraqi army; the Iraqi army arrived and needed support, so they called for coalition backup. "The Iraqis dealt with it with our support," he said.
Three provinces in northern Iraq will soon be under Iraqi control completely, and more provinces are to follow, Casey noted. Across Iraq, 14 of the 18 provinces have 10 or less incidents of violence per day, he added. However, he acknowledged that the situation in Baghdad is grave and said the city's importance as the center of government cannot be overlooked.
Casey outlined several things U.S. leadership can look for when measuring the success of the Iraq security plan. The first indicator will be a reduction in lawlessness and the level of sectarian killings, he said. Second is continuing work on the security situation in Baghdad until the people can feel safe in their neighborhoods. Another measure will be the emergence of the Iraqi security forces as the dominant force in the country. Also important are an improvement in basic services in Baghdad and the engagement of political and religious leaders in the peace process.
The situation in Iraq is not nearly where he thought it would be, Casey said, but he stressed that his experience in the country has strengthened him as a leader. He has dealt with the highest levels of U.S. government, mentored three Iraqi prime ministers, and dealt with different ambassadors, he said. "I have learned an awful lot about strategic leadership, and I believe that will help me greatly as the chief of staff of the Army," he said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2007 – President Bush's new strategy for Iraq can work and set the conditions for the Iraqi government to deal with sectarian and ethnic divisions that are hurting the country's fledgling democracy, the top U.S. general in Iraq said here today. The new strategy is really an enhancement of the previous policy and retains a strong focus on transferring responsibility to Iraqi security forces, which is the key to success, Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of Multinational Force Iraq, told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing to become Army chief of staff. Iraqi forces cannot take control over the country, particularly in Baghdad, until the levels of violence are brought down, he emphasized.
"For the Iraqis to successfully assume and sustain security responsibility, their security forces must emerge as the dominant security forces in the country," Casey said. "To do this, political and militia influence over the security forces must be eliminated and levels of sectarian violence, particularly in the capital, must be brought down substantially -- brought down to the point where the people in Baghdad can be safe in their neighborhoods. This is what we are working toward in Baghdad. It will take time, and the Iraqis do need our help."
Casey, who has commanded in Iraq since July 2004, said he is generally opposed to increased U.S. troop levels in Iraq, because that would increase Iraqi reliance on the coalition. However, the new plan developed with the Iraqi government calls for more Iraqi forces in Baghdad, and those forces will need additional coalition support, he said.
"I don't think there is any question that the situation in the center of the country, particularly the capital, is bad, and we are working very hard to rectify that," Casey said. "The country won't be able to move forward with their security forces and won't be able to move forward politically or economically until they come to grips with that situation."
The five additional U.S. brigades Bush has pledged to Iraq will give commanders on the ground extra flexibility they need to accomplish the mission, Casey said.
The United States is relying more on Iraqi forces and requiring them to take responsibility for security in Baghdad, Casey said. However, the Iraqi population does not have high levels of confidence in the security forces, especially the police, he said. To deal with this problem, the coalition will team with Iraqi army and police units in daily operations.
"That's where the coalition comes in, because when they see us operating with the Iraqi police particularly, the population has a greater level of confidence that they'll be treated properly," he said.
The firefight that took place this week in Najaf was a perfect example of how Iraqi and coalition forces should work together, Casey said. The Iraqi police responded to a situation and found they couldn't handle it alone, so they called the Iraqi army; the Iraqi army arrived and needed support, so they called for coalition backup. "The Iraqis dealt with it with our support," he said.
Three provinces in northern Iraq will soon be under Iraqi control completely, and more provinces are to follow, Casey noted. Across Iraq, 14 of the 18 provinces have 10 or less incidents of violence per day, he added. However, he acknowledged that the situation in Baghdad is grave and said the city's importance as the center of government cannot be overlooked.
Casey outlined several things U.S. leadership can look for when measuring the success of the Iraq security plan. The first indicator will be a reduction in lawlessness and the level of sectarian killings, he said. Second is continuing work on the security situation in Baghdad until the people can feel safe in their neighborhoods. Another measure will be the emergence of the Iraqi security forces as the dominant force in the country. Also important are an improvement in basic services in Baghdad and the engagement of political and religious leaders in the peace process.
The situation in Iraq is not nearly where he thought it would be, Casey said, but he stressed that his experience in the country has strengthened him as a leader. He has dealt with the highest levels of U.S. government, mentored three Iraqi prime ministers, and dealt with different ambassadors, he said. "I have learned an awful lot about strategic leadership, and I believe that will help me greatly as the chief of staff of the Army," he said.
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Pentagon Memorial Bench Prototype Unveiled
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2007 – Members of the Pentagon Memorial Fund Committee gave a sneak preview today of a prototype of the 184 benches incorporated in the memorial's design to honor those killed during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack on the Pentagon. "This is a great day to show another milestone" toward completion of the Pentagon Memorial, tentatively slated for September 2008, Jim Laychak, president of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, told reporters today. Ground was broken for the project in June.
Laychak and several other family members of those killed in the attack gathered today to view the prototype of 184 benches that will represent each victim. Laychak's brother, David, was an Army civilian employee who worked at the Pentagon and was killed in the attack.
Each sleek bench will have a lighted reflecting pool beneath it and a nameplate of a victim. Benches for the 125 people who died inside the Pentagon will be oriented toward the building, and benches for the 59 passengers and crew aboard hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 face away from the building, toward the sky, Laychak explained.
The benches will dot a 2-acre Pentagon Memorial Park just outside the crash site that Laychak said was designed to give visitors a place to remember the events of Sept. 11 and those lost. He expressed hope that it will bring comfort and a sense of reflection for those left behind.
"We wanted a place for people to think, not a place to tell them what to think," he said.
Once completed, the memorial will provide a lasting tribute to the victims of Sept. 11, both individually and collectively, and "tell a story of what happened," Laychak said. "It will be a unique place," he said. "(Just as) 9/11 was like no other day, we wanted a place (to remember it) like no other."
Rosemary Dillard, vice president of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, said seeing the prototype of the benches to those killed, including her husband, Eddie Dillard, "gave me goosepimples."
"The Pentagon Memorial has so much meaning to all of us, and we know it will have a lot of meaning to visitors here," she said. "We know (all the victims of the attack) are heroes, and they are going to all be remembered."
Fundraising for the memorial continues, with about $13 million collected so far, Laychak reported. While focusing on larger donations, including $1 million donated by AT&T in late 2006, smaller, private gifts are welcome too. "We want all Americans to feel that they are a part of this effort," he said.
For more information about or to donate to the Pentagon Memorial Fund, visit the organization's Web site.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2007 – Members of the Pentagon Memorial Fund Committee gave a sneak preview today of a prototype of the 184 benches incorporated in the memorial's design to honor those killed during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack on the Pentagon. "This is a great day to show another milestone" toward completion of the Pentagon Memorial, tentatively slated for September 2008, Jim Laychak, president of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, told reporters today. Ground was broken for the project in June.
Laychak and several other family members of those killed in the attack gathered today to view the prototype of 184 benches that will represent each victim. Laychak's brother, David, was an Army civilian employee who worked at the Pentagon and was killed in the attack.
Each sleek bench will have a lighted reflecting pool beneath it and a nameplate of a victim. Benches for the 125 people who died inside the Pentagon will be oriented toward the building, and benches for the 59 passengers and crew aboard hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 face away from the building, toward the sky, Laychak explained.
The benches will dot a 2-acre Pentagon Memorial Park just outside the crash site that Laychak said was designed to give visitors a place to remember the events of Sept. 11 and those lost. He expressed hope that it will bring comfort and a sense of reflection for those left behind.
"We wanted a place for people to think, not a place to tell them what to think," he said.
Once completed, the memorial will provide a lasting tribute to the victims of Sept. 11, both individually and collectively, and "tell a story of what happened," Laychak said. "It will be a unique place," he said. "(Just as) 9/11 was like no other day, we wanted a place (to remember it) like no other."
Rosemary Dillard, vice president of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, said seeing the prototype of the benches to those killed, including her husband, Eddie Dillard, "gave me goosepimples."
"The Pentagon Memorial has so much meaning to all of us, and we know it will have a lot of meaning to visitors here," she said. "We know (all the victims of the attack) are heroes, and they are going to all be remembered."
Fundraising for the memorial continues, with about $13 million collected so far, Laychak reported. While focusing on larger donations, including $1 million donated by AT&T in late 2006, smaller, private gifts are welcome too. "We want all Americans to feel that they are a part of this effort," he said.
For more information about or to donate to the Pentagon Memorial Fund, visit the organization's Web site.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Gunnery Sgt. Terry J. Elliott, 34, of Middleton, Tenn., died Feb. 1 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Elliott was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Hawaii public affairs office at (808) 257-8870.
Gunnery Sgt. Terry J. Elliott, 34, of Middleton, Tenn., died Feb. 1 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Elliott was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Hawaii public affairs office at (808) 257-8870.
Seven Terrorists Killed in Iraq, 10 Detained; Weapons Caches Found
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2007 – Coalition forces killed seven suspected terrorists and detained 10 more, and troops discovered six weapons caches during recent operations in Iraq. In two separate operations yesterday, Multinational Division Baghdad aircraft engaged insurgents placing roadside bombs around northwestern Baghdad. The aircraft killed seven terrorists in the operations, military officials said.
A day earlier in Iraq, soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment "Golden Dragons," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, detained 10 suspected terrorists and discovered a weapon cache while patrolling Rushdi Mullah. The cache contained eight AK 47 assault rifles, a medium machine gun and a fake Iraqi police badge.
Soldiers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, found two weapons caches Jan. 30 in a palm tree grove near Route Tampa, a main Baghdad highway.
The first cache contained a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, five RPG rounds and two RPG warheads, a roll of copper wire with a blasting cap and triggering mechanism, 23 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and 16 quarter-pound bags of homemade explosive. The second cache, found 20 yards away, yielded an additional 100 pounds of homemade explosives.
That same day in the Iraqi capital, soldiers from the Scout Platoon and Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment "Polar Bears," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division found a weapons cache containing two AK 47 assault rifles.
Elsewhere in Iraq that day, soldiers from Company D discovered two more weapons caches southwest of Rushdi Mullah. The caches contained a rocket, one homemade rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, a modified rifle with a scope, a crate of AK 47 ammunition, and an improvised explosive device detonator.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Feb. 1, 2007 – Coalition forces killed seven suspected terrorists and detained 10 more, and troops discovered six weapons caches during recent operations in Iraq. In two separate operations yesterday, Multinational Division Baghdad aircraft engaged insurgents placing roadside bombs around northwestern Baghdad. The aircraft killed seven terrorists in the operations, military officials said.
A day earlier in Iraq, soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment "Golden Dragons," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, detained 10 suspected terrorists and discovered a weapon cache while patrolling Rushdi Mullah. The cache contained eight AK 47 assault rifles, a medium machine gun and a fake Iraqi police badge.
Soldiers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, found two weapons caches Jan. 30 in a palm tree grove near Route Tampa, a main Baghdad highway.
The first cache contained a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, five RPG rounds and two RPG warheads, a roll of copper wire with a blasting cap and triggering mechanism, 23 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and 16 quarter-pound bags of homemade explosive. The second cache, found 20 yards away, yielded an additional 100 pounds of homemade explosives.
That same day in the Iraqi capital, soldiers from the Scout Platoon and Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment "Polar Bears," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division found a weapons cache containing two AK 47 assault rifles.
Elsewhere in Iraq that day, soldiers from Company D discovered two more weapons caches southwest of Rushdi Mullah. The caches contained a rocket, one homemade rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, a modified rifle with a scope, a crate of AK 47 ammunition, and an improvised explosive device detonator.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
82nd Airborne Accepts Responsibility for Afghanistan Task Force
By Pfc. Anna K. Perry, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – The 82nd Airborne Division accepted responsibility for Combined Joint Task Force 76 from the 10th Mountain Division in a transfer-of-authority ceremony here today. The task force supports NATO operations in eastern Afghanistan. The 10th Mountain Division has been in Afghanistan for about a year, conducting missions such as Operation Mountain Lion, Operation Mountain Thrust, Operation Mountain Fury and Operation Mountain Eagle.
"This has been a noble endeavor for the 10th Mountain Division, and we are honored to have been a part of this ... As we depart, we leave behind 3,200 battle-hardened soldiers to serve with the 201st and 203rd Corps under the great command of the 82nd Airborne Division," said Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commanding general for CJTF 76 and the 10th Mountain Division. "We know that they will work hard to continue the efforts that have been put forward over the past five years."
However, those efforts did not come without a significant price, the general noted. The Afghan and coalition servicemembers who gave their lives for the freedom of Afghanistan will forever be remembered and honored for their great sacrifice, Freakley said.
Thousands of 82nd Airborne paratroopers will be deployed throughout Afghanistan for more than year, continuing the combat, combat service and combat service support operations of their predecessors.
"I would like to thank the 10th Mountain Division for their significant progress over the past year. We accept this mission and the partnership with the Afghan people, the Afghan security forces and the Afghan government," said Army Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commanding general for the 82nd Airborne Division and the incoming commander of CJTF 76. "I look forward to our partnership in advancing governance, security and infrastructure development."
Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division plan on a year-long deployment to Afghanistan.
(Army Pfc. Anna K. Perry is assigned to the 19th Public Affairs Detachment.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2007 – The 82nd Airborne Division accepted responsibility for Combined Joint Task Force 76 from the 10th Mountain Division in a transfer-of-authority ceremony here today. The task force supports NATO operations in eastern Afghanistan. The 10th Mountain Division has been in Afghanistan for about a year, conducting missions such as Operation Mountain Lion, Operation Mountain Thrust, Operation Mountain Fury and Operation Mountain Eagle.
"This has been a noble endeavor for the 10th Mountain Division, and we are honored to have been a part of this ... As we depart, we leave behind 3,200 battle-hardened soldiers to serve with the 201st and 203rd Corps under the great command of the 82nd Airborne Division," said Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commanding general for CJTF 76 and the 10th Mountain Division. "We know that they will work hard to continue the efforts that have been put forward over the past five years."
However, those efforts did not come without a significant price, the general noted. The Afghan and coalition servicemembers who gave their lives for the freedom of Afghanistan will forever be remembered and honored for their great sacrifice, Freakley said.
Thousands of 82nd Airborne paratroopers will be deployed throughout Afghanistan for more than year, continuing the combat, combat service and combat service support operations of their predecessors.
"I would like to thank the 10th Mountain Division for their significant progress over the past year. We accept this mission and the partnership with the Afghan people, the Afghan security forces and the Afghan government," said Army Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commanding general for the 82nd Airborne Division and the incoming commander of CJTF 76. "I look forward to our partnership in advancing governance, security and infrastructure development."
Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division plan on a year-long deployment to Afghanistan.
(Army Pfc. Anna K. Perry is assigned to the 19th Public Affairs Detachment.)
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Thursday, February 01, 2007
DoD Official: 'Surge' Won't Leave Troops Ill-Equipped, Unprotected
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 31, 2007 – Force protection for deploying U.S. troops is a top priority, and the services are ensuring all units involved in the "surge" in Iraq have the equipment they need to protect themselves and do their jobs, a top Pentagon official told reporters today. "Force protection of our military servicemembers that are asked to go into a combat theater is a No. 1 priority," Bryan Whitman, deputy assistant secretary of defense, said today.
The military services, which are responsible for training and equipping their forces, are accelerating their efforts to get equipment, not just to deploying units, but also to those preparing to deploy. "They want to ensure that soldiers who are preparing to deploy have ... the maximum amount of time on the equipment are they actually going to be using in theater," Whitman said, "to train with and to be able to enhance their proficiency in terms of their tactics, their techniques and their procedures."
Whitman echoed the sentiment expressed yesterday by Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, whom President Bush nominated to take command of U.S. Central Command, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. If confirmed to the post, "I'll do everything in my power to ensure that our forces ... are the best-equipped, best-trained and best-prepared to conduct the operations we ask them to do," Fallon told the committee.
Today, Whitman cited examples of progress made in ensuring deployed troops are equipped to accomplish their missions as well as protect themselves. A "very robust industrial base" is producing body armor in the quantities needed, even in light of plans to send five additional U.S. combat brigades into Iraq, he said. He noted that the current theater requirement for 200,000 sets of body armor has been satisfied.
In addition, nearly all the Army's vehicles in Iraq - including some 14,000 Humvees - now have factory-produced armor on them, he said.
Whitman noted initiatives under way to ensure deployed and deploying troops are fully equipped. One involves tapping "drawdown stocks" to equip additional forces and another involves "cross leveling" equipment between units.
Fallon referred to the cross-leveling practice during his testimony yesterday. He noted that as commander of U.S. Pacific Command, he was asked to send to the Middle East "equipment that might be appropriate to soldiers and Marines that are headed in that direction."
Despite these and other initiatives, the troop surge in Iraq isn't without challenges, Whitman acknowledged. "But the services appear to be up to meeting the challenge of the additional equipment needs that will be needed for the plus-up," he said.
Both Army and Marine Corps leaders have expressed concerns that although they're ensuring the combat force has what it needs, they recognize that it's leaving gaps elsewhere in the force.
"Obviously, this surge will cause us to draw down other stocks," Lt. Gen. Stephen Speakes, Army deputy chief of staff for force development, told the House Armed Services Committee's Air and Land Forces Subcommittee Jan. 18.
"We'll need to replenish those," he said, urging Congress to approve the Army's budget supplemental requests by April. "That will be hard to do, but if we can get it from you what it'll enable us to do is to put money where we need it so we can keep systems flowing to soldiers," he said.
Speakes assured the committee that the Army won't deploy troops not equipped for their mission and the threats they will face. "We will not send soldiers who are improperly protected. Every soldier will get the Army standard for force protection," he told the committee.
"They'll get it because we have it," he said. "And the reason we can do it is because, thanks to your support, we have adequate quantities of critical equipment like up-armored Humvees and jamming devices on hand now so we can meet a search and requirements and not be desperate. And we will need your continued support."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and active, former and retired police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 31, 2007 – Force protection for deploying U.S. troops is a top priority, and the services are ensuring all units involved in the "surge" in Iraq have the equipment they need to protect themselves and do their jobs, a top Pentagon official told reporters today. "Force protection of our military servicemembers that are asked to go into a combat theater is a No. 1 priority," Bryan Whitman, deputy assistant secretary of defense, said today.
The military services, which are responsible for training and equipping their forces, are accelerating their efforts to get equipment, not just to deploying units, but also to those preparing to deploy. "They want to ensure that soldiers who are preparing to deploy have ... the maximum amount of time on the equipment are they actually going to be using in theater," Whitman said, "to train with and to be able to enhance their proficiency in terms of their tactics, their techniques and their procedures."
Whitman echoed the sentiment expressed yesterday by Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, whom President Bush nominated to take command of U.S. Central Command, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. If confirmed to the post, "I'll do everything in my power to ensure that our forces ... are the best-equipped, best-trained and best-prepared to conduct the operations we ask them to do," Fallon told the committee.
Today, Whitman cited examples of progress made in ensuring deployed troops are equipped to accomplish their missions as well as protect themselves. A "very robust industrial base" is producing body armor in the quantities needed, even in light of plans to send five additional U.S. combat brigades into Iraq, he said. He noted that the current theater requirement for 200,000 sets of body armor has been satisfied.
In addition, nearly all the Army's vehicles in Iraq - including some 14,000 Humvees - now have factory-produced armor on them, he said.
Whitman noted initiatives under way to ensure deployed and deploying troops are fully equipped. One involves tapping "drawdown stocks" to equip additional forces and another involves "cross leveling" equipment between units.
Fallon referred to the cross-leveling practice during his testimony yesterday. He noted that as commander of U.S. Pacific Command, he was asked to send to the Middle East "equipment that might be appropriate to soldiers and Marines that are headed in that direction."
Despite these and other initiatives, the troop surge in Iraq isn't without challenges, Whitman acknowledged. "But the services appear to be up to meeting the challenge of the additional equipment needs that will be needed for the plus-up," he said.
Both Army and Marine Corps leaders have expressed concerns that although they're ensuring the combat force has what it needs, they recognize that it's leaving gaps elsewhere in the force.
"Obviously, this surge will cause us to draw down other stocks," Lt. Gen. Stephen Speakes, Army deputy chief of staff for force development, told the House Armed Services Committee's Air and Land Forces Subcommittee Jan. 18.
"We'll need to replenish those," he said, urging Congress to approve the Army's budget supplemental requests by April. "That will be hard to do, but if we can get it from you what it'll enable us to do is to put money where we need it so we can keep systems flowing to soldiers," he said.
Speakes assured the committee that the Army won't deploy troops not equipped for their mission and the threats they will face. "We will not send soldiers who are improperly protected. Every soldier will get the Army standard for force protection," he told the committee.
"They'll get it because we have it," he said. "And the reason we can do it is because, thanks to your support, we have adequate quantities of critical equipment like up-armored Humvees and jamming devices on hand now so we can meet a search and requirements and not be desperate. And we will need your continued support."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and active, former and retired police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
Helicopters Attack Insurgents Placing Roadside Bomb in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 31, 2007 – Helicopters from Multinational Division Baghdad engaged insurgents preparing to emplace a roadside bomb south of the Iraqi capital today. Elsewhere in Iraq, U.S. and coalition troops found several weapons caches in recent days. Around 11:50 p.m. yesterday, U.S. air assets positively identified four insurgents digging on the shoulder of a road in Mahmudiyah and emplacing an improvised explosive device. Helicopters engaged the four-man insurgent team, killing two.
In other news, Iraqi and U.S. troops have found several weapons caches in recent days.
Iraqi troops and U.S. soldiers from Multinational Division Baghdad found a large military-equipment cache near an eastern Baghdad warehouse Jan. 29. Troops with the 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and the U.S. Army's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, discovered the cache, which included 200 pairs of military boots, 150 helmets, 150 flak vests, 75 armor plates, an improvised explosive device initiator, U.S. military field rations, and a variety of uniforms, including U.S. uniforms.
"There was enough gear in there to outfit a battalion," said Army Capt. James Ojeda, a fire support trainer with the brigade's Military Transition Team.
A few of the items were already being sold on the open market, Ojeda said, but most were still in the warehouse. The items in the market were discovered by chance when a brigade senior noncommissioned officer spotted them while returning from a combat logistics patrol. The items in the market were seized on the spot, and this led to the cordon-and-search mission, which uncovered the cache.
Ojeda gave high marks to the Iraqi troops, for both this mission and their overall performance. "They're performing well," he said. "The vast majority of missions we do are planned and executed by them, with our support."
He said this situation is different than that during his last Iraq deployment. "If you look at it compared to 2004, ... it's a huge difference," he said. "We had to hold their hand then. Now they're executing missions."
The equipment was seized to prevent uniforms and equipment from falling into insurgent hands.
In a separate mission that day, soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, discovered a weapons cache consisting of 34 mortar rounds east of As Sadiya.
Iraqi security forces were conducting a patrol near Sachooch Village when the discovery was made. They were in the village after local leaders asked for increased presence by Iraqi security forces. Local officials told Iraqi military leaders of concerns about sectarian attacks and of their desire to live together as they have for centuries.
"The people have a desire to live in peace, and they have enough confidence in the (Iraqi forces) to provide assessments of areas being affected by the terrorists. The people do not want the terrorists disrupting their lives," said Army Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, commander and senior coalition officer in Diyala province.
Elsewhere in Iraq, Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, and U.S. soldiers from 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered an improvised-explosive-device cache east of Baqubah on Jan. 28. The cache consisted of electrical blasting caps, electrical connectors, a remote firing system, and four bundles of explosives.
"These resources would have been used by the terrorists to continue to wage their war against the people of Diyala," Sutherland said.
Also that day, soldiers from 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division and 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, discovered 1,500 rounds of heavy machine gun ammunition while conducting operations in the Turki village area.
Earlier this week, Iraqi soldiers detained eight suspected terrorists Jan. 28 at the Karch oil facility, just northeast of Lutifiyah. After responding to small-arms fire near the oil facility, troops from 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, conducted a search. They discovered and detained eight Iraqi men with illegal weapons. One Iraqi soldier was slightly wounded in the incident.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and active, former and retired police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
Jan. 31, 2007 – Helicopters from Multinational Division Baghdad engaged insurgents preparing to emplace a roadside bomb south of the Iraqi capital today. Elsewhere in Iraq, U.S. and coalition troops found several weapons caches in recent days. Around 11:50 p.m. yesterday, U.S. air assets positively identified four insurgents digging on the shoulder of a road in Mahmudiyah and emplacing an improvised explosive device. Helicopters engaged the four-man insurgent team, killing two.
In other news, Iraqi and U.S. troops have found several weapons caches in recent days.
Iraqi troops and U.S. soldiers from Multinational Division Baghdad found a large military-equipment cache near an eastern Baghdad warehouse Jan. 29. Troops with the 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and the U.S. Army's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, discovered the cache, which included 200 pairs of military boots, 150 helmets, 150 flak vests, 75 armor plates, an improvised explosive device initiator, U.S. military field rations, and a variety of uniforms, including U.S. uniforms.
"There was enough gear in there to outfit a battalion," said Army Capt. James Ojeda, a fire support trainer with the brigade's Military Transition Team.
A few of the items were already being sold on the open market, Ojeda said, but most were still in the warehouse. The items in the market were discovered by chance when a brigade senior noncommissioned officer spotted them while returning from a combat logistics patrol. The items in the market were seized on the spot, and this led to the cordon-and-search mission, which uncovered the cache.
Ojeda gave high marks to the Iraqi troops, for both this mission and their overall performance. "They're performing well," he said. "The vast majority of missions we do are planned and executed by them, with our support."
He said this situation is different than that during his last Iraq deployment. "If you look at it compared to 2004, ... it's a huge difference," he said. "We had to hold their hand then. Now they're executing missions."
The equipment was seized to prevent uniforms and equipment from falling into insurgent hands.
In a separate mission that day, soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, discovered a weapons cache consisting of 34 mortar rounds east of As Sadiya.
Iraqi security forces were conducting a patrol near Sachooch Village when the discovery was made. They were in the village after local leaders asked for increased presence by Iraqi security forces. Local officials told Iraqi military leaders of concerns about sectarian attacks and of their desire to live together as they have for centuries.
"The people have a desire to live in peace, and they have enough confidence in the (Iraqi forces) to provide assessments of areas being affected by the terrorists. The people do not want the terrorists disrupting their lives," said Army Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, commander and senior coalition officer in Diyala province.
Elsewhere in Iraq, Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, and U.S. soldiers from 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered an improvised-explosive-device cache east of Baqubah on Jan. 28. The cache consisted of electrical blasting caps, electrical connectors, a remote firing system, and four bundles of explosives.
"These resources would have been used by the terrorists to continue to wage their war against the people of Diyala," Sutherland said.
Also that day, soldiers from 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division and 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, discovered 1,500 rounds of heavy machine gun ammunition while conducting operations in the Turki village area.
Earlier this week, Iraqi soldiers detained eight suspected terrorists Jan. 28 at the Karch oil facility, just northeast of Lutifiyah. After responding to small-arms fire near the oil facility, troops from 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, conducted a search. They discovered and detained eight Iraqi men with illegal weapons. One Iraqi soldier was slightly wounded in the incident.
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and active, former and retired police and military personnel who have become authors by writing books.
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