American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2008 - Coalition troops killed five terrorists and captured eight suspects during counterinsurgency operations in Iraq today, military officials reported.
-- U.S. forces detained four suspected Iranian-backed "special groups" terrorists and killed another individual during an operation in Baghdad. The deceased terrorist was linked to an explosives and weapons network tied to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
-- U.S. troops operating in eastern Baghdad killed an insurgent and destroyed a vehicle used in transporting rocket-launching rails. The terrorists were seen to launch four 107 mm rockets toward a coalition forward operating base. The terrorists departed the launch site in a white van, which was subsequently engaged by missiles fired by a coalition aircraft. The vehicle and driver were destroyed. "We killed a terrorist from a rocket team involved in the rocket attacks on the International Zone in Baghdad," said Army Col. Allen Batschelet, chief of staff for Multinational Division Baghdad.
-- Near Taji, coalition forces targeted an individual who attacked "Sons of Iraq" citizen security groups with roadside bombs and has ties to al-Qaida leaders in the region. Coalition forces killed an armed terrorist during a gun battle. The deceased person was identified as the targeted individual. Another person was detained in the operation. Two civilian Iraqi women were wounded in the firefight.
-- Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaida safe house east of Balad, where a leader in the Baghdad car-bombing network was believed to be staying. Coalition forces engaged two men, killing both.
-- In Beiji, coalition forces detained three individuals. One of the detainees is linked to the movement of terrorists and materials and also was allegedly involved in the placement of roadside mines.
In yesterday's Iraq operations:
-- U.S. air strikes killed nine special groups terrorists during counterinsurgency operations in Baghdad. An American air weapons team used Hellfire missiles to dispatch the terrorists.
-- Coalition forces in Mosul detained three suspected terrorists while targeting a known associate of al-Qaida in Iraq regional leadership wanted for conducting and coordinating attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces.
In April 4 operations:
-- Iraqi police secured a weapons cache in Jabr al Ansari after receiving information from a detainee. The cache contained rockets, machine guns, a mortar tube and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.
In other news, Iraqi forces in Qasim seized the largest explosively formed penetrator cache to date April 2. The armor-piercing munitions were loaded onto a 6-ton truck inside a garage. The cache contained more than 1,000 bomb-making components; more than 3,000 pounds of explosives; 45 107 mm rockets and stands; several devices used to detonate roadside bombs; 250 machine-gun rounds; 10 60 mm mortar shells and a 60 mm mortar stand. The rockets are believed to be Iranian-made, officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Monday, April 07, 2008
Charges Referred Against Detainee Mohammed Kamin
The Defense Department announced today that charges have been referred against Guantanamo detainee Mohammed Kamin of Afghanistan.
The charges allege that between January and May of 2003, Mohammed Kamin provided material support to terrorism by joining the terrorist organization al Qaeda and receiving training at al Qaeda training camps on making remote detonators for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), in modifying military ammunition, and on use of small arms for attacks against American and Coalition forces.
It is further alleged in the charges that Mohammed Kamin conducted surveillance on U.S. military bases, placed explosive devices under a bridge along the route to Zaina Khail Village in Afghanistan, placed missiles near the Khowst Customs House to launch into a U.S. or Coalition base and installed missiles near Khowst, Afghanistan. The charges also allege that Mohammed Kamin launched the missiles toward Khowst, then occupied by the United States and Coalition armed forces.
The military commissions provide the following protections for the accused: to remain silent and to have no adverse inference drawn from it; to be represented by detailed military counsel, as well as civilian counsel of his own selection and at no expense to the government; to examine all evidence presented to a jury by the prosecution; to confront and cross-examine every witness called by the prosecution; to be present during the presentation of evidence; to have no statements obtained by torture admitted; to obtain evidence and to call witnesses on his own behalf including expert witnesses; to have a military commission panel (jury) of at least five military members determine guilt or innocence by a 2/3 majority; and to appeal to the Court of Military Commission Review, and then seek review through the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The charges are only allegations that the accused has committed offenses under the Military Commissions Act, and the accused remains innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the accused faces up to life in prison.
The charges allege that between January and May of 2003, Mohammed Kamin provided material support to terrorism by joining the terrorist organization al Qaeda and receiving training at al Qaeda training camps on making remote detonators for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), in modifying military ammunition, and on use of small arms for attacks against American and Coalition forces.
It is further alleged in the charges that Mohammed Kamin conducted surveillance on U.S. military bases, placed explosive devices under a bridge along the route to Zaina Khail Village in Afghanistan, placed missiles near the Khowst Customs House to launch into a U.S. or Coalition base and installed missiles near Khowst, Afghanistan. The charges also allege that Mohammed Kamin launched the missiles toward Khowst, then occupied by the United States and Coalition armed forces.
The military commissions provide the following protections for the accused: to remain silent and to have no adverse inference drawn from it; to be represented by detailed military counsel, as well as civilian counsel of his own selection and at no expense to the government; to examine all evidence presented to a jury by the prosecution; to confront and cross-examine every witness called by the prosecution; to be present during the presentation of evidence; to have no statements obtained by torture admitted; to obtain evidence and to call witnesses on his own behalf including expert witnesses; to have a military commission panel (jury) of at least five military members determine guilt or innocence by a 2/3 majority; and to appeal to the Court of Military Commission Review, and then seek review through the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The charges are only allegations that the accused has committed offenses under the Military Commissions Act, and the accused remains innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the accused faces up to life in prison.
Coalition Forces Focus on Deadly Rocket, Mortar Squads
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2008 - Coalition forces are increasingly focused on rocket and mortar teams following attacks on two Baghdad sites yesterday that killed three U.S. servicemembers and wounded 26 others. Rockets rained on Baghdad's heavily fortified International Zone around 3:30 p.m. yesterday, killing two and wounding 17, military officials said. Several hours later, mortars struck a forward operating base in the eastern section of the Iraqi capital, killing one and injuring nine.
"We're definitely going after the mortar and rocket teams. They don't just hit us, they kill innocent civilians and governmental employees, and it's basically one of our focus areas right now," Army Lt. Col. Steve Stover, a Multinational Division Baghdad spokesman, said today. "Over the next several days, as long as they keep trying to do this, we're going to keep going after them."
In a separate attack around 5:30 a.m. today, coalition forces saw insurgents in a white van launching four 107 mm rockets at a forward operating base in the eastern Baghdad district of New Baghdad, according to a Multinational Force Iraq news release. It is unclear whether anyone was killed or injured in the attack. Coalition forces retaliated a half-hour later, firing two Hellfire missiles that destroyed the white van and killed its driver, the release said.
Military officials said those perpetrating the attacks are criminals formerly aligned with Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. They are in violation of a pledge by Sadr renewed last week to cease violence against coalition and Iraqi forces, officials said.
Violence in the Iraqi capital has been "contained to certain areas," Stover said, adding that coalition forces aim to engage rocket and mortar teams before they are able to launch attacks around Baghdad.
"If we can positively identify them and we can use a precision weapon to take those guys out, we will do it," he said. "We won't quit. Our main mission here is to protect the Iraqi people, and we take that job very seriously."
The ramped-up violence comes before Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker provide Congress a follow-up to the military and diplomatic progress update they delivered in September. The top U.S. military commander and diplomat in Iraq are slated to delivery their testimony tomorrow and the next day. They are expected to describe results of the 33,000-troop surge launched last year to tamp down violence in Iraq and help prepare Iraq's national security forces to maintain security.
The troop surge has been lauded as a successful U.S. strategic shift that helped quash sectarian clashes and other violence in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq.
One military official, speaking on background, suggested that increased rocket and mortar attacks in Baghdad likely are related to the upcoming hearings here.
"You'd be naïve to think that this uptick in violence has nothing to do with General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker's testimony on the Hill," the official said.
American Forces Press Service
April 7, 2008 - Coalition forces are increasingly focused on rocket and mortar teams following attacks on two Baghdad sites yesterday that killed three U.S. servicemembers and wounded 26 others. Rockets rained on Baghdad's heavily fortified International Zone around 3:30 p.m. yesterday, killing two and wounding 17, military officials said. Several hours later, mortars struck a forward operating base in the eastern section of the Iraqi capital, killing one and injuring nine.
"We're definitely going after the mortar and rocket teams. They don't just hit us, they kill innocent civilians and governmental employees, and it's basically one of our focus areas right now," Army Lt. Col. Steve Stover, a Multinational Division Baghdad spokesman, said today. "Over the next several days, as long as they keep trying to do this, we're going to keep going after them."
In a separate attack around 5:30 a.m. today, coalition forces saw insurgents in a white van launching four 107 mm rockets at a forward operating base in the eastern Baghdad district of New Baghdad, according to a Multinational Force Iraq news release. It is unclear whether anyone was killed or injured in the attack. Coalition forces retaliated a half-hour later, firing two Hellfire missiles that destroyed the white van and killed its driver, the release said.
Military officials said those perpetrating the attacks are criminals formerly aligned with Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. They are in violation of a pledge by Sadr renewed last week to cease violence against coalition and Iraqi forces, officials said.
Violence in the Iraqi capital has been "contained to certain areas," Stover said, adding that coalition forces aim to engage rocket and mortar teams before they are able to launch attacks around Baghdad.
"If we can positively identify them and we can use a precision weapon to take those guys out, we will do it," he said. "We won't quit. Our main mission here is to protect the Iraqi people, and we take that job very seriously."
The ramped-up violence comes before Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker provide Congress a follow-up to the military and diplomatic progress update they delivered in September. The top U.S. military commander and diplomat in Iraq are slated to delivery their testimony tomorrow and the next day. They are expected to describe results of the 33,000-troop surge launched last year to tamp down violence in Iraq and help prepare Iraq's national security forces to maintain security.
The troop surge has been lauded as a successful U.S. strategic shift that helped quash sectarian clashes and other violence in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq.
One military official, speaking on background, suggested that increased rocket and mortar attacks in Baghdad likely are related to the upcoming hearings here.
"You'd be naïve to think that this uptick in violence has nothing to do with General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker's testimony on the Hill," the official said.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Shane D. Penley, 19, of Sauk Village, Ill., died April 6 at Patrol Base Copper, Iraq, from wounds suffered while on duty at a guard post. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
The incident is under investigation.
For more information media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at (270) 798-9966.
Pfc. Shane D. Penley, 19, of Sauk Village, Ill., died April 6 at Patrol Base Copper, Iraq, from wounds suffered while on duty at a guard post. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
The incident is under investigation.
For more information media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at (270) 798-9966.
Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 6 in Balad, Iraq, when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Killed were:
Capt. Ulises Burgos-Cruz, 29, of Puerto Rico, who was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
Spc. Matthew T. Morris, 23, of Cedar Park, Texas, who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.
For more information on Burgos-Cruz, media may contact the Fort Riley public affairs office at (785) 239-3410.
For more information on Morris, media may contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours (254) 291-2591.
Killed were:
Capt. Ulises Burgos-Cruz, 29, of Puerto Rico, who was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
Spc. Matthew T. Morris, 23, of Cedar Park, Texas, who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.
For more information on Burgos-Cruz, media may contact the Fort Riley public affairs office at (785) 239-3410.
For more information on Morris, media may contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours (254) 291-2591.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Asia-Pacific Leaders Focus on Security Concerns, Cooperation
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - More than 60 military and government leaders from across Asia and the Pacific yesterday kicked off a six-week program that aims to help them work more effectively and cooperatively to promote regional security. The participants, mid-level leaders from 30 countries, converged at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies here for the Advanced Security Cooperation Course. The program is the flagship course among five offered at the center, which opened its doors in 1995 and operates under U.S. Pacific Command.
The course serves as a forum for participating "fellows" to explore together the challenges facing Asia and the Pacific, explained retired Army Brig. Gen. James T. Hirai, the center's deputy director.
These run the full spectrum, he said, from terrorism, ethnic conflict, poor governance, widening socioeconomic gaps, and natural disasters to longstanding acrimony between some regional neighbors and ever-increasing competition for energy sources.
The fellows, some out of their own countries for the first time and many experiencing their first interactions with their regional counterparts, are recognizing that to confront these threats, they need to do it together.
"When you look at all the challenges in Asia, you realize that many are transnational challenges -- challenges that don't respect borders," said Lee Endress, the center's academic dean. "So dealing with them requires collaboration, because no one nation can do it alone. ... We have to come together to do this."
That's a new revelation for some program participants, who begin to see beyond their own national perspectives through the program and now recognize security as a regional issue, Hirai said.
The curriculum emphasizes the "soft" aspects of national power -- which include political, economic and diplomatic elements -- as well as traditional military components. Fellows delve into the role of nongovernmental organizations, private-sector initiatives, the media and other entities that make up a comprehensive security strategy.
"Defense is an important aspect of security, but it's just one aspect," Hirai said. "We see our role here as broadening people's perspective so they have a greater understanding of the challenges facing the region and the importance of integrating the full range of capabilities toward meeting those challenges."
The discussions help some of the fellows recognize "stovepipes" within their own organizations that can limit their effectiveness. "The idea here is to promote inter-ministerial as well as international cooperation, and to break down stovepipes that stand in the way of that," Hirai said.
Lt. Col. Kim Yongchul of the South Korean army, who is beginning his second course at the center, said the instruction is giving him a new, broader perspective that he'll apply when he returns home. "This school emphasizes thinking out of the box and moving out of your comfort zone," he said. "It gives you a broader world view that you need to be a good leader."
Students looking for textbook solutions to the region's problems -- or for leading people to confront them -- will be disappointed, program manager Rouben Azizian said. "Some of the fellows come expecting us to teach them everything, but we don't do that," he said. "We have very advanced professors, but they don't dominate the instruction. They become colleagues, and as a result, we all learn from each other."
Scott Bush, one of just a few U.S. fellows in the program, said this interactive educational style transcends anything that could be delivered through standard classroom instruction.
"This program is not training. It's a way of thought, almost a way of living," he said. "What they do here is teach you to identify with other people, to rely on each other for information and ideas and to communicate. And when you get to the bottom of it, (one) of the root causes of problems is a lack of communication."
With the center's Comprehensive Crisis Management course already under his belt, Bush said he applies what he's learned here as a special agent in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Seattle field office. But Bush said those same lessons served equally well during his three deployments to Iraq as a Marine Corps reservist and will be just as valuable during his upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
"There's a lot of really worthwhile teaching that takes place here," Bush said, "and interacting with people is the key."
Endress said he sees a metamorphosis among the fellows as they develop a new level of trust and confidence in each other and in themselves.
"After about the third week, you can see that the group has transformed," he said. "You pick up the buzz and know that something has happened here."
Barriers broken down here and new relationships forged will have a big payoff when the fellows -- many of them future leaders and decision makers in the region -- return home, Endress said. He noted that many of the 3,000-plus alumni of the center's programs already have moved into top leadership positions within more than 50 countries' militaries and governments.
"If you can develop high-level relationships here, then you have people in decision-making positions throughout the region who already know and trust each other," he said. "That's a big step forward. ... This program is all about building relationships, because it creates new opportunities for the level of collaboration and cooperation needed to deal with the challenges the region faces."
The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is among five Defense Department centers dedicated to regional security issues. The first and largest center is the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, based in Germany. Three other small centers are the Washington-D.C.-based Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, the Near East South Asia Center and the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - More than 60 military and government leaders from across Asia and the Pacific yesterday kicked off a six-week program that aims to help them work more effectively and cooperatively to promote regional security. The participants, mid-level leaders from 30 countries, converged at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies here for the Advanced Security Cooperation Course. The program is the flagship course among five offered at the center, which opened its doors in 1995 and operates under U.S. Pacific Command.
The course serves as a forum for participating "fellows" to explore together the challenges facing Asia and the Pacific, explained retired Army Brig. Gen. James T. Hirai, the center's deputy director.
These run the full spectrum, he said, from terrorism, ethnic conflict, poor governance, widening socioeconomic gaps, and natural disasters to longstanding acrimony between some regional neighbors and ever-increasing competition for energy sources.
The fellows, some out of their own countries for the first time and many experiencing their first interactions with their regional counterparts, are recognizing that to confront these threats, they need to do it together.
"When you look at all the challenges in Asia, you realize that many are transnational challenges -- challenges that don't respect borders," said Lee Endress, the center's academic dean. "So dealing with them requires collaboration, because no one nation can do it alone. ... We have to come together to do this."
That's a new revelation for some program participants, who begin to see beyond their own national perspectives through the program and now recognize security as a regional issue, Hirai said.
The curriculum emphasizes the "soft" aspects of national power -- which include political, economic and diplomatic elements -- as well as traditional military components. Fellows delve into the role of nongovernmental organizations, private-sector initiatives, the media and other entities that make up a comprehensive security strategy.
"Defense is an important aspect of security, but it's just one aspect," Hirai said. "We see our role here as broadening people's perspective so they have a greater understanding of the challenges facing the region and the importance of integrating the full range of capabilities toward meeting those challenges."
The discussions help some of the fellows recognize "stovepipes" within their own organizations that can limit their effectiveness. "The idea here is to promote inter-ministerial as well as international cooperation, and to break down stovepipes that stand in the way of that," Hirai said.
Lt. Col. Kim Yongchul of the South Korean army, who is beginning his second course at the center, said the instruction is giving him a new, broader perspective that he'll apply when he returns home. "This school emphasizes thinking out of the box and moving out of your comfort zone," he said. "It gives you a broader world view that you need to be a good leader."
Students looking for textbook solutions to the region's problems -- or for leading people to confront them -- will be disappointed, program manager Rouben Azizian said. "Some of the fellows come expecting us to teach them everything, but we don't do that," he said. "We have very advanced professors, but they don't dominate the instruction. They become colleagues, and as a result, we all learn from each other."
Scott Bush, one of just a few U.S. fellows in the program, said this interactive educational style transcends anything that could be delivered through standard classroom instruction.
"This program is not training. It's a way of thought, almost a way of living," he said. "What they do here is teach you to identify with other people, to rely on each other for information and ideas and to communicate. And when you get to the bottom of it, (one) of the root causes of problems is a lack of communication."
With the center's Comprehensive Crisis Management course already under his belt, Bush said he applies what he's learned here as a special agent in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Seattle field office. But Bush said those same lessons served equally well during his three deployments to Iraq as a Marine Corps reservist and will be just as valuable during his upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
"There's a lot of really worthwhile teaching that takes place here," Bush said, "and interacting with people is the key."
Endress said he sees a metamorphosis among the fellows as they develop a new level of trust and confidence in each other and in themselves.
"After about the third week, you can see that the group has transformed," he said. "You pick up the buzz and know that something has happened here."
Barriers broken down here and new relationships forged will have a big payoff when the fellows -- many of them future leaders and decision makers in the region -- return home, Endress said. He noted that many of the 3,000-plus alumni of the center's programs already have moved into top leadership positions within more than 50 countries' militaries and governments.
"If you can develop high-level relationships here, then you have people in decision-making positions throughout the region who already know and trust each other," he said. "That's a big step forward. ... This program is all about building relationships, because it creates new opportunities for the level of collaboration and cooperation needed to deal with the challenges the region faces."
The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is among five Defense Department centers dedicated to regional security issues. The first and largest center is the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, based in Germany. Three other small centers are the Washington-D.C.-based Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, the Near East South Asia Center and the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Coalition Troops in Iraq Kill Two Terrorists, Detain 16 Suspects
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - Coalition forces in Iraq today killed two terrorists and detained 16 suspected extremists during operations targeting al Qaeda senior leaders and bomb networks, military officials reported.
-- West of Samarra, coalition forces targeted an individual linked to a senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist. The wanted individual attempted to breach a security perimeter and was wounded by coalition small-arms fire. The individual later died of his wounds. Seven suspected terrorists were detained in the operation.
-- In Sharqat, coalition forces killed one suspected terrorist and detained three other suspects. Coalition forces detained two more suspects during a second operation conducted further south.
-- In Habbaniyah, coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists linked to a car-bombing network north of Baghdad. One suspect was injured during the operation, but he was treated and transported to a military medical facility.
-- In Mosul, coalition forces detained a suspect who is linked to senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders in the area.
"Al Qaeda in Iraq is an extremist organization whose support is dwindling as more and more people turn their backs on the terrorists' indiscriminate violence and corrupt, Taliban-like ideology," said Navy Lt. David Russell, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "Iraqi and coalition forces will continue to dismantle the terrorist networks, increasing security and public safety for all Iraqis."
During operations yesterday:
-- East of Mahmudiyah, coalition forces killed three terrorists, including an alleged suicide bomber, during operations targeting a Baghdad region car-bombing network. Three men in the vehicle were killed, including the alleged suicide bomber.
-- In Mosul, coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist.
-- Northwest of Sinjar, coalition forces captured a suspected foreign terrorist facilitator who is linked to al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. During another raid conducted west of Baghdad, coalition forces captured two more alleged al Qaeda operatives.
"While Iraqi and coalition forces are taking apart al Qaeda in Iraq networks, capturing or killing their members, al Qaeda remains the biggest threat to security and stability in Iraq and there is still much work to be done," said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
In Basra, Iraqi security forces advised by U.S. Special Forces soldiers killed seven criminal and detained 18 suspects during a series of counterinsurgency operations:
-- Iraqi special operations forces in Basra killed five armed fighters and detained 10 individuals during the first operation. Among the detainees is a suspected Iranian-backed "special groups" leader who is linked to inciting attacks on coalition forces in Basra. Reports also link the detainee to kidnappings and murders of Iraqi soldiers and commandos. The detainee also is tied to local oil smuggling operations and foreign fighter networks.
-- An Iraqi commando team from Hillah killed two insurgents and detained three suspects during a separate counterinsurgency operation conducted in Basra.
-- During another Basra operation, an Iraqi emergency response team captured two suspected criminal linked to a recent ambush attempt against U.S. Special Forces soldiers. Three other suspects also are being held for questioning.
In April 2 operations:
-- U.S. soldiers seized a weapons cache while conducting a patrol in southern Baghdad. The cache contained rocket-propelled-grenade warheads, 81 mm mortar rounds, 60 mm mortar rounds, dozens of hand grenades and hundreds of 7.62 mm rounds.
-- Iraqi security forces advised by U.S. Special Forces soldiers detained one suspected criminal leader and seized a weapons cache site in separate operations in northwest and southern Iraq.
-- In Qaim, northwest of Baghdad near the Syrian border, Iraqi commandos detained a suspected criminal leader linked to roadside bombings, other attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces, and kidnappings. Three other suspects also are being held for questioning.
-- In another operation in the Dur an Naft district of Basra in southern Iraq, an Iraqi emergency response unit found a cache containing materials used to make roadside bombs. The cache contained an 82 mm mortar round, a 12-inch armor-piercing explosively formed projectile, seven rocket-propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled-grenade launchers, and hundreds of rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition. The cache was destroyed.
-- Coalition aircraft destroyed an enemy vehicle bearing a heavy machine gun during an air strike in Halaf. Six armed criminals riding in the vehicle were killed.
"Coalition forces are providing aircraft support for Iraqi security forces in Basra on an as-requested basis," said Navy Lt. Michael Street, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "We will continue to work with the government of Iraq to provide a secure and stable environment in Iraq."
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
April 4, 2008 - Coalition forces in Iraq today killed two terrorists and detained 16 suspected extremists during operations targeting al Qaeda senior leaders and bomb networks, military officials reported.
-- West of Samarra, coalition forces targeted an individual linked to a senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist. The wanted individual attempted to breach a security perimeter and was wounded by coalition small-arms fire. The individual later died of his wounds. Seven suspected terrorists were detained in the operation.
-- In Sharqat, coalition forces killed one suspected terrorist and detained three other suspects. Coalition forces detained two more suspects during a second operation conducted further south.
-- In Habbaniyah, coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists linked to a car-bombing network north of Baghdad. One suspect was injured during the operation, but he was treated and transported to a military medical facility.
-- In Mosul, coalition forces detained a suspect who is linked to senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders in the area.
"Al Qaeda in Iraq is an extremist organization whose support is dwindling as more and more people turn their backs on the terrorists' indiscriminate violence and corrupt, Taliban-like ideology," said Navy Lt. David Russell, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "Iraqi and coalition forces will continue to dismantle the terrorist networks, increasing security and public safety for all Iraqis."
During operations yesterday:
-- East of Mahmudiyah, coalition forces killed three terrorists, including an alleged suicide bomber, during operations targeting a Baghdad region car-bombing network. Three men in the vehicle were killed, including the alleged suicide bomber.
-- In Mosul, coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist.
-- Northwest of Sinjar, coalition forces captured a suspected foreign terrorist facilitator who is linked to al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. During another raid conducted west of Baghdad, coalition forces captured two more alleged al Qaeda operatives.
"While Iraqi and coalition forces are taking apart al Qaeda in Iraq networks, capturing or killing their members, al Qaeda remains the biggest threat to security and stability in Iraq and there is still much work to be done," said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
In Basra, Iraqi security forces advised by U.S. Special Forces soldiers killed seven criminal and detained 18 suspects during a series of counterinsurgency operations:
-- Iraqi special operations forces in Basra killed five armed fighters and detained 10 individuals during the first operation. Among the detainees is a suspected Iranian-backed "special groups" leader who is linked to inciting attacks on coalition forces in Basra. Reports also link the detainee to kidnappings and murders of Iraqi soldiers and commandos. The detainee also is tied to local oil smuggling operations and foreign fighter networks.
-- An Iraqi commando team from Hillah killed two insurgents and detained three suspects during a separate counterinsurgency operation conducted in Basra.
-- During another Basra operation, an Iraqi emergency response team captured two suspected criminal linked to a recent ambush attempt against U.S. Special Forces soldiers. Three other suspects also are being held for questioning.
In April 2 operations:
-- U.S. soldiers seized a weapons cache while conducting a patrol in southern Baghdad. The cache contained rocket-propelled-grenade warheads, 81 mm mortar rounds, 60 mm mortar rounds, dozens of hand grenades and hundreds of 7.62 mm rounds.
-- Iraqi security forces advised by U.S. Special Forces soldiers detained one suspected criminal leader and seized a weapons cache site in separate operations in northwest and southern Iraq.
-- In Qaim, northwest of Baghdad near the Syrian border, Iraqi commandos detained a suspected criminal leader linked to roadside bombings, other attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces, and kidnappings. Three other suspects also are being held for questioning.
-- In another operation in the Dur an Naft district of Basra in southern Iraq, an Iraqi emergency response unit found a cache containing materials used to make roadside bombs. The cache contained an 82 mm mortar round, a 12-inch armor-piercing explosively formed projectile, seven rocket-propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled-grenade launchers, and hundreds of rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition. The cache was destroyed.
-- Coalition aircraft destroyed an enemy vehicle bearing a heavy machine gun during an air strike in Halaf. Six armed criminals riding in the vehicle were killed.
"Coalition forces are providing aircraft support for Iraqi security forces in Basra on an as-requested basis," said Navy Lt. Michael Street, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "We will continue to work with the government of Iraq to provide a secure and stable environment in Iraq."
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson, 27, of Old Town, Maine, died April 3 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered April 2 while conducting dismounted combat operations in the Zahn Khan District, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at (910) 432-6005 or visit http://news.soc.mil.
Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson, 27, of Old Town, Maine, died April 3 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered April 2 while conducting dismounted combat operations in the Zahn Khan District, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at (910) 432-6005 or visit http://news.soc.mil.
Iraqi Villagers Receive Medical Treatment
By Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - Residents of Abu Amer, a small village in Iraq's Wasit province, received medical assistance March 28 from coalition forces during a medical civil action program designed to provide basic primary care. Using a school as a makeshift clinic, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, secured the area before announcing, via loudspeaker, the opportunity for residents to receive health care and humanitarian assistance. People poured in from the streets, forming a line just outside the school.
Army Maj. (Dr.) Howard Curlin, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion surgeon; Army Capt. (Dr.) Jacob Turnquist, 4th Brigade Combat Team surgeon; and Army Maj. Marilyn Lazarz, an Army public health nurse with Company B, 415th Civil Affairs, led the team examining, diagnosing, treating and advising the patients, along with the help of nine medics.
At the initial screening station, combat medics assisted by translators interviewed each patient for medical history and previous treatments and noted their ailments. Then the medics measured each patient's vital signs — pulse, temperature and blood pressure.
The people who received care were grateful, said Lazarz, who has been a public health nurse for 18 years. "Coalition forces continue to build relationships (and) make a difference in their everyday lives," she said.
As the day continued, medical personnel saw 212 patients, ranging from infants to elderly, with various ailments. Medical issues ranged from common joint and back pain to infections and gastrointestinal disorders.
"We're only equipped with a limited supply of medications," said Turnquist, a pediatrician by trade. "We know going in there that we're potentially going to see hundreds of people."
Most of the medications handed out were over-the-counter medicines, said the Rockford, Ill., native. Cold medicines, multivitamins, antibiotics and topical medicines for rashes were distributed.
Each patient received an evaluation, treatment, medicine if needed and humanitarian assistance such as food, soccer balls, Beanie Babies or candy, all donated by soldiers in the support battalion, said Capt. Casey Woody, commander of Company C, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion.
"We went in there assessing what the people were coming in with, what complaints they had, what their age range was and what their demographics were," Turnquist said. "That information itself is helpful hopefully down the road, when we can provide that to the Ministry of Health to see if they can get more long-term medical support to that area."
Overall, Woody said, he believes the event achieved its objective.
"I'm proud of my soldiers and how they conducted themselves," said the father of two from Plymouth, Mich. "If you can help a person, it's a good feeling. I think we're doing a lot of things, and we're working in the right direction with the (embedded provincial reconstruction team) and civil affairs. ... We know we're not going to fix this problem in a year, but we want to get them on the right start."
(Army Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis serves in the 3rd Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - Residents of Abu Amer, a small village in Iraq's Wasit province, received medical assistance March 28 from coalition forces during a medical civil action program designed to provide basic primary care. Using a school as a makeshift clinic, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, secured the area before announcing, via loudspeaker, the opportunity for residents to receive health care and humanitarian assistance. People poured in from the streets, forming a line just outside the school.
Army Maj. (Dr.) Howard Curlin, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion surgeon; Army Capt. (Dr.) Jacob Turnquist, 4th Brigade Combat Team surgeon; and Army Maj. Marilyn Lazarz, an Army public health nurse with Company B, 415th Civil Affairs, led the team examining, diagnosing, treating and advising the patients, along with the help of nine medics.
At the initial screening station, combat medics assisted by translators interviewed each patient for medical history and previous treatments and noted their ailments. Then the medics measured each patient's vital signs — pulse, temperature and blood pressure.
The people who received care were grateful, said Lazarz, who has been a public health nurse for 18 years. "Coalition forces continue to build relationships (and) make a difference in their everyday lives," she said.
As the day continued, medical personnel saw 212 patients, ranging from infants to elderly, with various ailments. Medical issues ranged from common joint and back pain to infections and gastrointestinal disorders.
"We're only equipped with a limited supply of medications," said Turnquist, a pediatrician by trade. "We know going in there that we're potentially going to see hundreds of people."
Most of the medications handed out were over-the-counter medicines, said the Rockford, Ill., native. Cold medicines, multivitamins, antibiotics and topical medicines for rashes were distributed.
Each patient received an evaluation, treatment, medicine if needed and humanitarian assistance such as food, soccer balls, Beanie Babies or candy, all donated by soldiers in the support battalion, said Capt. Casey Woody, commander of Company C, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion.
"We went in there assessing what the people were coming in with, what complaints they had, what their age range was and what their demographics were," Turnquist said. "That information itself is helpful hopefully down the road, when we can provide that to the Ministry of Health to see if they can get more long-term medical support to that area."
Overall, Woody said, he believes the event achieved its objective.
"I'm proud of my soldiers and how they conducted themselves," said the father of two from Plymouth, Mich. "If you can help a person, it's a good feeling. I think we're doing a lot of things, and we're working in the right direction with the (embedded provincial reconstruction team) and civil affairs. ... We know we're not going to fix this problem in a year, but we want to get them on the right start."
(Army Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis serves in the 3rd Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)
U.S. May Send More Troops to Afghanistan in 2009, Gates Says
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - The United States may send more troops to Afghanistan in 2009, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates confirmed today. President Bush said during the NATO summit conference that ended today that he expects the United States would make a significant additional contribution to the Afghanistan mission next year, Gates said.
But Gates backed off any specific commitment, saying the United States first wants to see how much support comes from other allies and how security efforts progress in 2008.
"I don't want to make significant long-term commitments of additional U.S. forces before giving the allies the opportunity to see what they're going to do," Gates said.
The French announced a battalion's worth of troops -- about 700 -- would take on part of the mission. Gates also said other nations made commitments for troops and special teams. A U.S. official at the summit said about a dozen or so countries have made commitments, but it would be a few weeks before final numbers could be tallied.
Gates said the 3,500 U.S. Marines deploying to Afghanistan this month through November will be able handle the 2008 fighting season, and that there is no reason to push sending more U.S. troops.
"Given explicit recognition by the alliance that this is a long-term project, I think waiting a while before committing additional forces of any consequence from the United States makes sense in a number of different areas," Gates said.
Also, because the mission there is an alliance undertaking, one of the considerations is how large a role the United States should play, as opposed to other allies being involved up front as well, he said.
The secretary did not say how many troops would be sent, but it likely will not be the 3,500 additional combat troops commanders on the ground have requested. He also did not say where the troops would be deployed, saying that decision likely would be made by the new International Security Assistance Force commander scheduled to be selected this summer.
Gates said progress in 2007 showed the Taliban they cannot win a conventional fight against NATO troops. The Taliban also now control no territory in the country, leading them to resort to terrorist tactics.
Successes in the country in 2008 will determine how many, if any, and what types of troops would be deployed, Gates said. Still, because of the importance of the mission there, Gates said, the United States is prepared to commit "substantial" troops. But he added that no specific plans to send additional troops are in the works.
Even with the war in Iraq extending troop deployments there and dwindling "dwell time" at home for troops between deployments, there is strong political and public support for sending additional troops to Afghanistan, Gates said.
The secretary said a "big piece" of any decision on troop levels in Afghanistan depends on whether deployments to Iraq can be shortened. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, is slated to report to Bush and Congress next week on progress and the way ahead in Iraq.
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - The United States may send more troops to Afghanistan in 2009, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates confirmed today. President Bush said during the NATO summit conference that ended today that he expects the United States would make a significant additional contribution to the Afghanistan mission next year, Gates said.
But Gates backed off any specific commitment, saying the United States first wants to see how much support comes from other allies and how security efforts progress in 2008.
"I don't want to make significant long-term commitments of additional U.S. forces before giving the allies the opportunity to see what they're going to do," Gates said.
The French announced a battalion's worth of troops -- about 700 -- would take on part of the mission. Gates also said other nations made commitments for troops and special teams. A U.S. official at the summit said about a dozen or so countries have made commitments, but it would be a few weeks before final numbers could be tallied.
Gates said the 3,500 U.S. Marines deploying to Afghanistan this month through November will be able handle the 2008 fighting season, and that there is no reason to push sending more U.S. troops.
"Given explicit recognition by the alliance that this is a long-term project, I think waiting a while before committing additional forces of any consequence from the United States makes sense in a number of different areas," Gates said.
Also, because the mission there is an alliance undertaking, one of the considerations is how large a role the United States should play, as opposed to other allies being involved up front as well, he said.
The secretary did not say how many troops would be sent, but it likely will not be the 3,500 additional combat troops commanders on the ground have requested. He also did not say where the troops would be deployed, saying that decision likely would be made by the new International Security Assistance Force commander scheduled to be selected this summer.
Gates said progress in 2007 showed the Taliban they cannot win a conventional fight against NATO troops. The Taliban also now control no territory in the country, leading them to resort to terrorist tactics.
Successes in the country in 2008 will determine how many, if any, and what types of troops would be deployed, Gates said. Still, because of the importance of the mission there, Gates said, the United States is prepared to commit "substantial" troops. But he added that no specific plans to send additional troops are in the works.
Even with the war in Iraq extending troop deployments there and dwindling "dwell time" at home for troops between deployments, there is strong political and public support for sending additional troops to Afghanistan, Gates said.
The secretary said a "big piece" of any decision on troop levels in Afghanistan depends on whether deployments to Iraq can be shortened. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, is slated to report to Bush and Congress next week on progress and the way ahead in Iraq.
Central Command Official Describes Priorities
By Seaman William Selby, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - As U.S. Central Command continues to focus on fighting terrorism in its area of responsibility, its main priorities are southern Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, a senior CENTCOM official told online journalists and "bloggers." Recent violence in Iraq's Basra province indicates a secular power struggle in southern Iraq as provincial elections approach later this year, Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert H. Holmes, CENTCOM's deputy director of operations, said during a conference call April 2.
The situation is unfortunate, he said, but more violence may erupt in other provinces as people posture for power.
CENTCOM pays close attention to developments in southern Iraq, Holmes said, but the command plans to let Multinational Force Iraq and the Iraqi government continue to control the situation. The Iraqi government demonstrated leadership in its response to the Basra situation, which Holmes said is encouraging.
"It's so important, in pursuing the governance line of operation, that we see (an) energetic and active government of Iraq," he said.
Holmes said CENTCOM never takes its focus off the conflict in Afghanistan. Recently, he said, the command has had an active role in identifying requirements for the extra allied forces that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates successfully rallied for at the NATO summit conference in Bucharest, Romania.
"The reason it's so important to generate ground forces with allied countries is to demonstrate international resolve," he said, "which I've always said in my mind is very, very important for Afghanistan to be successful."
CENTCOM's interest in Pakistan has increased in the wake of the country's national elections, which Holmes explained is due to the political changes' potential impact on Pakistan's relationship with the U.S. military. Pakistan remains a staunch and active U.S. ally in the war on terror, he said, and CENTCOM will focus on sustaining the relationship with the country's military.
(Navy Seaman William Selby works for the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - As U.S. Central Command continues to focus on fighting terrorism in its area of responsibility, its main priorities are southern Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, a senior CENTCOM official told online journalists and "bloggers." Recent violence in Iraq's Basra province indicates a secular power struggle in southern Iraq as provincial elections approach later this year, Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert H. Holmes, CENTCOM's deputy director of operations, said during a conference call April 2.
The situation is unfortunate, he said, but more violence may erupt in other provinces as people posture for power.
CENTCOM pays close attention to developments in southern Iraq, Holmes said, but the command plans to let Multinational Force Iraq and the Iraqi government continue to control the situation. The Iraqi government demonstrated leadership in its response to the Basra situation, which Holmes said is encouraging.
"It's so important, in pursuing the governance line of operation, that we see (an) energetic and active government of Iraq," he said.
Holmes said CENTCOM never takes its focus off the conflict in Afghanistan. Recently, he said, the command has had an active role in identifying requirements for the extra allied forces that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates successfully rallied for at the NATO summit conference in Bucharest, Romania.
"The reason it's so important to generate ground forces with allied countries is to demonstrate international resolve," he said, "which I've always said in my mind is very, very important for Afghanistan to be successful."
CENTCOM's interest in Pakistan has increased in the wake of the country's national elections, which Holmes explained is due to the political changes' potential impact on Pakistan's relationship with the U.S. military. Pakistan remains a staunch and active U.S. ally in the war on terror, he said, and CENTCOM will focus on sustaining the relationship with the country's military.
(Navy Seaman William Selby works for the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
Joint Effort Continues Toward Force-Generation Goal
By Seaman William Selby, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - A joint effort between the Coalition Army Advisory Training Team and the Iraqi Defense Ministry will have completed the Iraqi prime minister's objective for force generation by the end of the year, a senior military official said yesterday. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's objective is to build a force to combat the insurgency, Army Lt. Col. Daniel Swanson, deputy director for future plans and force generation for Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq's Coalition Assistance Army Training Team, said in a teleconference with online journalists and "bloggers."
"The prime minister has stated that his end objective for his counterinsurgency force is 13 divisions," Swanson said. "Each division consists of four brigades, and each one of those brigades is a three-battalion brigade."
Swanson said that because Iraq's enemies are insurgents, the prime minister realizes the importance of generating ground forces rather than field artillery.
After their initial training, Iraqi soldiers are sent to "unit set fielding," where they meet their leaders for the first time, Swanson said.
"The soldiers, during unit set fielding, become cohesive, and they go through driver training, weapons qualification, crew serve training, and a combat lifesavers course," he said.
Indicative of the progress the Iraqi forces have made, Swanson said, is that one of the two brigades in Iraq's Basra province fighting insurgents is a force-generated unit.
"We have members embedded at the schools to observe, participate, coach, teach and mentor the Iraqi army as we conduct the training," Swanson said.
However, Swanson said, logistics continues to be a major problem for Iraqi forces. The logistics continue to improve, but they are not where they need to be yet, he said.
"All I can say is that we're generating and supporting the Iraqi logistics and sustainment program through what we force-generate," he said.
"This war is certainly a challenge," Swanson said. "And it's not over, but I hope to build the Iraqi army so that they can sustain, maintain, and fight their battles, which they are doing, and standing up to the plate and doing that for the Iraqi people."
(Navy Seaman William Selby works for the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - A joint effort between the Coalition Army Advisory Training Team and the Iraqi Defense Ministry will have completed the Iraqi prime minister's objective for force generation by the end of the year, a senior military official said yesterday. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's objective is to build a force to combat the insurgency, Army Lt. Col. Daniel Swanson, deputy director for future plans and force generation for Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq's Coalition Assistance Army Training Team, said in a teleconference with online journalists and "bloggers."
"The prime minister has stated that his end objective for his counterinsurgency force is 13 divisions," Swanson said. "Each division consists of four brigades, and each one of those brigades is a three-battalion brigade."
Swanson said that because Iraq's enemies are insurgents, the prime minister realizes the importance of generating ground forces rather than field artillery.
After their initial training, Iraqi soldiers are sent to "unit set fielding," where they meet their leaders for the first time, Swanson said.
"The soldiers, during unit set fielding, become cohesive, and they go through driver training, weapons qualification, crew serve training, and a combat lifesavers course," he said.
Indicative of the progress the Iraqi forces have made, Swanson said, is that one of the two brigades in Iraq's Basra province fighting insurgents is a force-generated unit.
"We have members embedded at the schools to observe, participate, coach, teach and mentor the Iraqi army as we conduct the training," Swanson said.
However, Swanson said, logistics continues to be a major problem for Iraqi forces. The logistics continue to improve, but they are not where they need to be yet, he said.
"All I can say is that we're generating and supporting the Iraqi logistics and sustainment program through what we force-generate," he said.
"This war is certainly a challenge," Swanson said. "And it's not over, but I hope to build the Iraqi army so that they can sustain, maintain, and fight their battles, which they are doing, and standing up to the plate and doing that for the Iraqi people."
(Navy Seaman William Selby works for the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- April 4, 2008
Students 'Discover Public Health' at conference [University of Texas]
“UT students studying in the science and medical fields had the opportunity to learn more about public health and debunk common myths Wednesday at ‘Become a Disease Detective: Discover Public Health!’ […]The event featured representatives from 18 schools of public health, 12 scientific presentations, free books and a tour of a Mobile Analytical Laboratory System operated by the Texas National Guard's Sixth Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team. […]one goal of the event was to change what people understand about public health.” (The Daily Texan; 03Apr08; Katie Quinn).
http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/04/03/TopStories/Students.discover.Public.Health.At.Conference-3300986.shtml
New Report Finds Midwestern States Receive Least Federal Support for Public Health
“Midwestern states receive less funding from the CDC than other states, at an average of $16.24 per person. Western states receive the second least, with an average of $19.74 per person. Northeastern states receive an average of $23.37 per person. Southern states receive the most CDC funding, with an average of $29.40 per person. Federal funding for disease and injury prevention programs in states averages out to be $17.23 per person for fiscal year (FY) 2007. However, CDC funding for individual states can vary by more than $56 per person, according to the analysis.” (Trust for America’s Health; 02Apr08).
http://healthyamericans.org/newsroom/releases/release040208.pdf
State, federal officials to mark completion of Ricketts Laboratory [University of Chicago]
“On Sunday, April 6, representatives from the University Medical Center, Argonne National Laboratories, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health and the State of Illinois will cut a ribbon to celebrate the upcoming completion of the Howard T. Ricketts Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, located at Argonne. […] ‘The express purpose and specific design of the laboratory is to generate the very best science and technology in a safe, central, state-of-the-art facility to produce drugs, vaccines and diagnostic devices to counter bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases,’ said Olaf Schneewind, Professor and Chair of Microbiology, who heads the project. ‘Few laboratories in the United States are capable of safely working on multiple microbes that cause diseases such as anthrax or plague.’” (The University of Chicago Chronicle; 03Apr08; John Easton).
http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/080403/ricketts.shtml
EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and DHS [Department of Homeland Security] to Co-host Conference to Address High Priority Technical Challenges for Assessing Risk Exposure to Pathogens April 8-10, Bethesda, MD
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are teaming up to hold a three-day conference to address the real-world applications, technical challenges and solutions for conducting microbiological risk assessments.” (EPA Newsroom; 03Apr08).
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/92aef4dea4988090852574200057aad3?OpenDocument
Homeland project addresses outbreaks [Fort Bend, Texas]
“MRC's [Fort Bend County Medical Reserve Corps] purpose is to protect county residents in case of a bioterrorism or epidemic event, and the HPP helps organizations such as MRC prepare for various types of disasters by training volunteers. John Holleman, Richmond-Rosenberg HPP consultant, said medications have been stockpiled since 1999, and in case of a health emergency a 747 jet will transport medication to the Point of Distribution (POD) site. […] the local MRC is currently recruiting qualified individuals to build a strong volunteer base.” (Fort Bend Herald; 03Apr08; Marquita Griffin).
http://www.herald-coaster.com/articles/2008/04/03/news/news04.txt
Site-Selection Process for Lab to be discussed [New York State]
“The Department of Homeland Security has scheduled an April 15 meeting in Southold to discuss the site-selection process for a new laboratory that would replace or supplement the Plum Island Animal Disease Center [North Fork, New York]. […] While the current lab studies foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth that are not contagious for humans, the new lab will be a ‘Bio-Safety Level 4’ facility that would work with pathogens potentially fatal to humans, such as anthrax and botulism.” (Newsday; 03Apr08; Bill Bleyer).
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-nyindex5636385apr03,0,2269796.story
Biolab follies [Boston University Medical Center]
“Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) may still end up hosting a BSL-4 [Biosafety Level 4] facility, but this is hardly the sure thing it once was. In fact, given the current momentum of the debate, the smart money might actually be on the biolab not coming to fruition, at least as it was originally conceived.” (The Phoenix; 02Apr08; Adam Reilly).
http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid59049.aspx
'Anthrax' graffiti prompts probe at Port of Long Beach [California]
“Hazardous-materials teams investigating a cargo container that arrived at the Port of Long Beach this morning marked with black graffiti saying ‘Anthrax a gift from Osama’ found no initial signs of contaminants. […]Two teams conducted atmospheric monitoring tests of the inside of the container, and also swabbed surfaces for trace minerals, but found no signs of anthrax or other toxic chemicals, said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.” (Los Angeles Times; 03Apr08; Molly Hennessy-Fiske).
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-container3apr03,1,4159952.story
US Department of Defense to adopt UB [University of Buffalo, New York] invention
“The BioBlower, a recently-patented air sterilization technology developed at UB, will be used by the US military to immediately destroy airborne biological pathogens in the air. […] The device sterilizes a continuous flow of air via compressive heating - the very same process that heats up a tire when it is inflated, according to James F. Garvey, professor of chemistry and co-founder of Buffalo BioBlower Technologies, a UB spin-off company. […]The Buffalo BioBlower project is funded by the US Department of Defense, the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), UB's Office of Science Technology and Economic Outreach and the UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology.” (The Spectrum; 04Apr08; Nicole Difasi).
http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=36296
During CSEPP drill SFD stands out [Stuttgart Fire Department, in Stuttgart, Arizona]
“The Stuttgart Fire Department finished among the top tier at last Wednesday’s Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) drill that was held in Stuttgart.” (Stuttgart Daily Leader; 03Apr08; Leigh Kreimeier).
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/articles/2008/04/03/news/news01.txt
Man Accused of Cover-Up in Ricin Probe [Salt Lake City, Utah in connection with Las Vegas case]
“The cousin of a man who may have been sickened by the deadly toxin ricin has been accused of failing to report that the substance was being illegally produced. Thomas Tholen, 54, was indicted by a federal grand jury on the charge of misprision of felony — having knowledge of a crime but failing to report it.” (Associated Press; 03Apr08; Paul Foy).
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jM7qg8oXI4YiKn3zf0e_HoIubm-AD8VQDG3O0
N.S. cabinet minister’s office cordoned off after suspicious powder found [Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada]
“Authorities cordoned off Immigration Minister Len Goucher’s constituency office in the Halifax area Wednesday afternoon after one of his employees opened an envelope containing suspicious white powder. […] ‘There was an envelope delivered to the MLA’s office with some white powder in it. It was opened and exposed one of the people in the office,’ [Capt. Brad Connors of the Halifax fire department.] Connors said. […]’The police and fire came in to test it. It came up negative for anthrax, and there were a couple other things that they test for. Now we’re just going through a little bit of a decontamination process in the office.’” (Truro Daily News; 04Apr08; Canadian Press).
http://www.trurodaily.com/index.cfm?sid=123004&sc=518
Chemical agent destruction behind schedule [Richmond, Kentucky]
“Plans have fallen behind schedule to destroy 157 gallons of chemical agent stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot. Destruction of the nerve agent GB, commonly known as sarin, was set to begin in March after workers discovered last year that it was leaking from its storage container. […]In December, Blue Grass Chemical Activity officials outlined plans to drain, neutralize and remove the GB by May. The project, called Operation Swift Solution, will cost about $1.7 million and was scheduled to take 80 days to complete. Flamm [Kevin Flamm, program manager for Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives] said he might have been ‘overly optimistic’ in setting a March start date, but still hopes to finish sometime in May.”
(Lexington Herald-Leader; 03Apr08; Ashlee Clark).
http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/365793.html
Institute/USA: Bayer plant still home to MIC [methyl isocyanate] stockpile [West Virginia]
“At Bayer's Institute/West Virginia plant large quantities of the highly toxic chemicals methyl isocyanate (MIC) and phosgene are produced and stored. […]The Coalition against Bayer Dangers introduced a countermotion to Bayer’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting which demands not to ratify the board until the stockpiles are dismantled and the frequent spills of hazardous substances are stopped. The countermotion will be discussed in the meeting at Cologne/Germany on April 25.” (News Blaze; 03Apr08).
http://newsblaze.com/story/20080403113727tsop.np/newsblaze/NEWSWIRE/NewsBlaze-Wire.html
Iran to Attend Chemical Weapons Convention
“The delegation from Iran's Society for Chemical Weapons Victims Support (SCWVS) seeks to raise international awareness about the medical, psychological, social and environmental effects of chemical warfare […]” (Fars News Agency; 04Apr08).
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8701150193
Pakistan committed to non-proliferation of WMDs’
“Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan on Thursday inaugurated Wide Area Network (WAN) of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Implementation Mechanism during a function at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said a press release. […]It said Pakistan had to transmit data relating to import/export of certain categories of chemicals on annual basis to the OPCW and the establishment of the CWC Implementation Mechanism underscored its commitment to the non-proliferation of […] WMD.” (Daily Times, Pakistan; 04Apr08).
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C04%5C04%5Cstory_4-4-2008_pg7_21
U.S., Russia at Odds on Key Arms Issues
“Although unable to resolve their major disputes, the two sides vowed to continue work initiated last year on a ‘strategic framework document,’ which Rice said would ‘record all of the elements of the U.S.-Russia relationship.’ She cited as key examples joint projects to combat nuclear terrorism and provide nuclear fuel assurances to states forgoing uranium-enrichment and plutonium reprocessing capabilities that can be used to make nuclear bombs.” (Arms Control Association; 03Apr08; Wade Boese).
http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2008_04/USRussiaAtOdds.asp
Nuclear terrorism remains a threat
“DHS Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis Charles Allen said during testimony Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs that the threat of a terrorist obtaining nuclear material remains a constant concern. However, Allen estimated that the technical challenges of actually detonating an improvised nuclear devise in the United States remain a significant obstacle to terrorists […].” (United Press International; 03Apr08).
http://www.upi.com/International_Security/Emerging_Threats/Briefing/2008/04/03/nuclear_terrorism_remains_a_threat/1330/
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
“UT students studying in the science and medical fields had the opportunity to learn more about public health and debunk common myths Wednesday at ‘Become a Disease Detective: Discover Public Health!’ […]The event featured representatives from 18 schools of public health, 12 scientific presentations, free books and a tour of a Mobile Analytical Laboratory System operated by the Texas National Guard's Sixth Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team. […]one goal of the event was to change what people understand about public health.” (The Daily Texan; 03Apr08; Katie Quinn).
http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/04/03/TopStories/Students.discover.Public.Health.At.Conference-3300986.shtml
New Report Finds Midwestern States Receive Least Federal Support for Public Health
“Midwestern states receive less funding from the CDC than other states, at an average of $16.24 per person. Western states receive the second least, with an average of $19.74 per person. Northeastern states receive an average of $23.37 per person. Southern states receive the most CDC funding, with an average of $29.40 per person. Federal funding for disease and injury prevention programs in states averages out to be $17.23 per person for fiscal year (FY) 2007. However, CDC funding for individual states can vary by more than $56 per person, according to the analysis.” (Trust for America’s Health; 02Apr08).
http://healthyamericans.org/newsroom/releases/release040208.pdf
State, federal officials to mark completion of Ricketts Laboratory [University of Chicago]
“On Sunday, April 6, representatives from the University Medical Center, Argonne National Laboratories, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health and the State of Illinois will cut a ribbon to celebrate the upcoming completion of the Howard T. Ricketts Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, located at Argonne. […] ‘The express purpose and specific design of the laboratory is to generate the very best science and technology in a safe, central, state-of-the-art facility to produce drugs, vaccines and diagnostic devices to counter bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases,’ said Olaf Schneewind, Professor and Chair of Microbiology, who heads the project. ‘Few laboratories in the United States are capable of safely working on multiple microbes that cause diseases such as anthrax or plague.’” (The University of Chicago Chronicle; 03Apr08; John Easton).
http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/080403/ricketts.shtml
EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and DHS [Department of Homeland Security] to Co-host Conference to Address High Priority Technical Challenges for Assessing Risk Exposure to Pathogens April 8-10, Bethesda, MD
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are teaming up to hold a three-day conference to address the real-world applications, technical challenges and solutions for conducting microbiological risk assessments.” (EPA Newsroom; 03Apr08).
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/92aef4dea4988090852574200057aad3?OpenDocument
Homeland project addresses outbreaks [Fort Bend, Texas]
“MRC's [Fort Bend County Medical Reserve Corps] purpose is to protect county residents in case of a bioterrorism or epidemic event, and the HPP helps organizations such as MRC prepare for various types of disasters by training volunteers. John Holleman, Richmond-Rosenberg HPP consultant, said medications have been stockpiled since 1999, and in case of a health emergency a 747 jet will transport medication to the Point of Distribution (POD) site. […] the local MRC is currently recruiting qualified individuals to build a strong volunteer base.” (Fort Bend Herald; 03Apr08; Marquita Griffin).
http://www.herald-coaster.com/articles/2008/04/03/news/news04.txt
Site-Selection Process for Lab to be discussed [New York State]
“The Department of Homeland Security has scheduled an April 15 meeting in Southold to discuss the site-selection process for a new laboratory that would replace or supplement the Plum Island Animal Disease Center [North Fork, New York]. […] While the current lab studies foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth that are not contagious for humans, the new lab will be a ‘Bio-Safety Level 4’ facility that would work with pathogens potentially fatal to humans, such as anthrax and botulism.” (Newsday; 03Apr08; Bill Bleyer).
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-nyindex5636385apr03,0,2269796.story
Biolab follies [Boston University Medical Center]
“Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) may still end up hosting a BSL-4 [Biosafety Level 4] facility, but this is hardly the sure thing it once was. In fact, given the current momentum of the debate, the smart money might actually be on the biolab not coming to fruition, at least as it was originally conceived.” (The Phoenix; 02Apr08; Adam Reilly).
http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid59049.aspx
'Anthrax' graffiti prompts probe at Port of Long Beach [California]
“Hazardous-materials teams investigating a cargo container that arrived at the Port of Long Beach this morning marked with black graffiti saying ‘Anthrax a gift from Osama’ found no initial signs of contaminants. […]Two teams conducted atmospheric monitoring tests of the inside of the container, and also swabbed surfaces for trace minerals, but found no signs of anthrax or other toxic chemicals, said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.” (Los Angeles Times; 03Apr08; Molly Hennessy-Fiske).
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-container3apr03,1,4159952.story
US Department of Defense to adopt UB [University of Buffalo, New York] invention
“The BioBlower, a recently-patented air sterilization technology developed at UB, will be used by the US military to immediately destroy airborne biological pathogens in the air. […] The device sterilizes a continuous flow of air via compressive heating - the very same process that heats up a tire when it is inflated, according to James F. Garvey, professor of chemistry and co-founder of Buffalo BioBlower Technologies, a UB spin-off company. […]The Buffalo BioBlower project is funded by the US Department of Defense, the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), UB's Office of Science Technology and Economic Outreach and the UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology.” (The Spectrum; 04Apr08; Nicole Difasi).
http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=36296
During CSEPP drill SFD stands out [Stuttgart Fire Department, in Stuttgart, Arizona]
“The Stuttgart Fire Department finished among the top tier at last Wednesday’s Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) drill that was held in Stuttgart.” (Stuttgart Daily Leader; 03Apr08; Leigh Kreimeier).
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/articles/2008/04/03/news/news01.txt
Man Accused of Cover-Up in Ricin Probe [Salt Lake City, Utah in connection with Las Vegas case]
“The cousin of a man who may have been sickened by the deadly toxin ricin has been accused of failing to report that the substance was being illegally produced. Thomas Tholen, 54, was indicted by a federal grand jury on the charge of misprision of felony — having knowledge of a crime but failing to report it.” (Associated Press; 03Apr08; Paul Foy).
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jM7qg8oXI4YiKn3zf0e_HoIubm-AD8VQDG3O0
N.S. cabinet minister’s office cordoned off after suspicious powder found [Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada]
“Authorities cordoned off Immigration Minister Len Goucher’s constituency office in the Halifax area Wednesday afternoon after one of his employees opened an envelope containing suspicious white powder. […] ‘There was an envelope delivered to the MLA’s office with some white powder in it. It was opened and exposed one of the people in the office,’ [Capt. Brad Connors of the Halifax fire department.] Connors said. […]’The police and fire came in to test it. It came up negative for anthrax, and there were a couple other things that they test for. Now we’re just going through a little bit of a decontamination process in the office.’” (Truro Daily News; 04Apr08; Canadian Press).
http://www.trurodaily.com/index.cfm?sid=123004&sc=518
Chemical agent destruction behind schedule [Richmond, Kentucky]
“Plans have fallen behind schedule to destroy 157 gallons of chemical agent stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot. Destruction of the nerve agent GB, commonly known as sarin, was set to begin in March after workers discovered last year that it was leaking from its storage container. […]In December, Blue Grass Chemical Activity officials outlined plans to drain, neutralize and remove the GB by May. The project, called Operation Swift Solution, will cost about $1.7 million and was scheduled to take 80 days to complete. Flamm [Kevin Flamm, program manager for Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives] said he might have been ‘overly optimistic’ in setting a March start date, but still hopes to finish sometime in May.”
(Lexington Herald-Leader; 03Apr08; Ashlee Clark).
http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/365793.html
Institute/USA: Bayer plant still home to MIC [methyl isocyanate] stockpile [West Virginia]
“At Bayer's Institute/West Virginia plant large quantities of the highly toxic chemicals methyl isocyanate (MIC) and phosgene are produced and stored. […]The Coalition against Bayer Dangers introduced a countermotion to Bayer’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting which demands not to ratify the board until the stockpiles are dismantled and the frequent spills of hazardous substances are stopped. The countermotion will be discussed in the meeting at Cologne/Germany on April 25.” (News Blaze; 03Apr08).
http://newsblaze.com/story/20080403113727tsop.np/newsblaze/NEWSWIRE/NewsBlaze-Wire.html
Iran to Attend Chemical Weapons Convention
“The delegation from Iran's Society for Chemical Weapons Victims Support (SCWVS) seeks to raise international awareness about the medical, psychological, social and environmental effects of chemical warfare […]” (Fars News Agency; 04Apr08).
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8701150193
Pakistan committed to non-proliferation of WMDs’
“Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan on Thursday inaugurated Wide Area Network (WAN) of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Implementation Mechanism during a function at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said a press release. […]It said Pakistan had to transmit data relating to import/export of certain categories of chemicals on annual basis to the OPCW and the establishment of the CWC Implementation Mechanism underscored its commitment to the non-proliferation of […] WMD.” (Daily Times, Pakistan; 04Apr08).
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C04%5C04%5Cstory_4-4-2008_pg7_21
U.S., Russia at Odds on Key Arms Issues
“Although unable to resolve their major disputes, the two sides vowed to continue work initiated last year on a ‘strategic framework document,’ which Rice said would ‘record all of the elements of the U.S.-Russia relationship.’ She cited as key examples joint projects to combat nuclear terrorism and provide nuclear fuel assurances to states forgoing uranium-enrichment and plutonium reprocessing capabilities that can be used to make nuclear bombs.” (Arms Control Association; 03Apr08; Wade Boese).
http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2008_04/USRussiaAtOdds.asp
Nuclear terrorism remains a threat
“DHS Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis Charles Allen said during testimony Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs that the threat of a terrorist obtaining nuclear material remains a constant concern. However, Allen estimated that the technical challenges of actually detonating an improvised nuclear devise in the United States remain a significant obstacle to terrorists […].” (United Press International; 03Apr08).
http://www.upi.com/International_Security/Emerging_Threats/Briefing/2008/04/03/nuclear_terrorism_remains_a_threat/1330/
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
Air Force Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Del., died April 3 near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
For further information related to this release, please contact the Kirtland Air Force Base public affairs office at (505) 846-5991.
Staff Sgt. Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Del., died April 3 near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
For further information related to this release, please contact the Kirtland Air Force Base public affairs office at (505) 846-5991.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Charles A. Jankowski, 24, of Panama City, Fla., died March 28, in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at (912) 767-2479.
Spc. Charles A. Jankowski, 24, of Panama City, Fla., died March 28, in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at (912) 767-2479.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Coalition Team Assists in Building Combat Force
By Seaman William Selby, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - A joint effort between the Coalition Army Advisory Training Team and the Iraqi Defense Ministry will have completed the Iraqi prime minister's objective for force generation by the end of the year, a senior military official said yesterday. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's objective is to build a force to combat the insurgency, Army Lt. Col. Daniel Swanson, deputy director for future plans and force generation for Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq's Coalition Assistance Army Training Team, said in a teleconference with online journalists and "bloggers."
"The prime minister has stated that his end objective for his counterinsurgency force is 13 divisions," Swanson said. "Each division consists of four brigades, and each one of those brigades is a three-battalion brigade."
Swanson said that because Iraq's enemies are insurgents, the prime minister realizes the importance of generating ground forces rather than field artillery.
After their initial training, Iraqi soldiers are sent to "unit set fielding," where they meet their leaders for the first time, Swanson said.
"The soldiers, during unit set fielding, become cohesive, and they go through driver training, weapons qualification, crew serve training, and a combat lifesavers course," he said.
Indicative of the progress the Iraqi forces have made, Swanson said, is that one of the two brigades in Iraq's Basra province fighting insurgents is a force-generated unit.
"We have members embedded at the schools to observe, participate, coach, teach and mentor the Iraqi army as we conduct the training," Swanson said.
However, Swanson said, logistics continues to be a major problem for Iraqi forces. The logistics continue to improve, but they are not where they need to be yet, he said.
"All I can say is that we're generating and supporting the Iraqi logistics and sustainment program through what we force-generate," he said.
"This war is certainly a challenge," Swanson said. "And it's not over, but I hope to build the Iraqi army so that they can sustain, maintain, and fight their battles, which they are doing, and standing up to the plate and doing that for the Iraqi people."
(Navy Seaman William Selby works for the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - A joint effort between the Coalition Army Advisory Training Team and the Iraqi Defense Ministry will have completed the Iraqi prime minister's objective for force generation by the end of the year, a senior military official said yesterday. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's objective is to build a force to combat the insurgency, Army Lt. Col. Daniel Swanson, deputy director for future plans and force generation for Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq's Coalition Assistance Army Training Team, said in a teleconference with online journalists and "bloggers."
"The prime minister has stated that his end objective for his counterinsurgency force is 13 divisions," Swanson said. "Each division consists of four brigades, and each one of those brigades is a three-battalion brigade."
Swanson said that because Iraq's enemies are insurgents, the prime minister realizes the importance of generating ground forces rather than field artillery.
After their initial training, Iraqi soldiers are sent to "unit set fielding," where they meet their leaders for the first time, Swanson said.
"The soldiers, during unit set fielding, become cohesive, and they go through driver training, weapons qualification, crew serve training, and a combat lifesavers course," he said.
Indicative of the progress the Iraqi forces have made, Swanson said, is that one of the two brigades in Iraq's Basra province fighting insurgents is a force-generated unit.
"We have members embedded at the schools to observe, participate, coach, teach and mentor the Iraqi army as we conduct the training," Swanson said.
However, Swanson said, logistics continues to be a major problem for Iraqi forces. The logistics continue to improve, but they are not where they need to be yet, he said.
"All I can say is that we're generating and supporting the Iraqi logistics and sustainment program through what we force-generate," he said.
"This war is certainly a challenge," Swanson said. "And it's not over, but I hope to build the Iraqi army so that they can sustain, maintain, and fight their battles, which they are doing, and standing up to the plate and doing that for the Iraqi people."
(Navy Seaman William Selby works for the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)
Iraqis Equate Corruption with Terrorism, Inspector General Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - Iraqis eager for stable government institutions consider corruption tantamount to terrorism, a U.S. inspector general in Iraq said today. To strengthen the rule of law, each of Iraq's 31 ministries has an independent IG element charged with sniffing out fraud, waste and abuses of power, Marine Col. Shelia Bryant-Tucker said during a conference call today.
"The people here want to see a more stable government, and they look at corruption as being equal to terrorism, and want to see it all end," said Bryant-Tucker, who serves as special advisor to the commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq.
The IG office is charged with developing a network that promotes an efficient and honest Iraqi government while stamping out corruption. In addition, the IG is tasked with an advisory role to external watchdog agencies.
An example of success, she said, occurred while IG members helped create policies and procedures at Iraq's Defense Ministry. In the process, the IG found ministry officials had paid wages to absentee Iraqi army soldiers or to falsified soldiers who didn't exist.
"We're developing systems that will identify and detect that and eliminate that particular weakness," Bryant-Tucker said.
Last year, IG mentored the internal affairs division of Iraq's Interior Ministry as it conducted a sweeping corruption investigation of some 7,000 security forces. As a result, the ministry fired or disciplined almost 1,600 members, including 40 major generals and brigadier generals, and nearly 120 lieutenant colonels.
The role of the IG office was codified by a Coalition Provisional Authority order signed in early 2004. It empowers the IG to ensure "integrity, transparency and efficiency" and provide broad oversight in ministry operations and policies.
"This order establishes an effective program of audit, investigation and performance review to provide increased accountability, integrity and oversight of the ministries and to prevent, deter and indentify waste, fraud, abuse of authority and illegal acts," reads CPA Order Number 57, signed by CPA administrator L. Paul Bremer.
The order may be replaced by an Iraqi order that further clarifies the IG's role, Bryant-Tucker said. She added that the IG office is a member a working group that includes members from the U.S. Department of State.
The colonel said IG reforms in Iraq have been more successful within the military than in the civilian sector and conceded that progress is occurring more slowly than anticipated. But she expressed hope for the future of the oversight efforts.
"The concept that corruption is unacceptable has been embraced by the government of Iraq," she said.
Indicators of Iraqi interest in the clean-up push include an anti-corruption conference in January sponsored by the Iraqi government. The meeting outlined steps on implementing the rule of law and reducing illegal behavior by government workers.
In addition, Iraq recently took the first step toward enacting a United Nations resolution to solidify the country's stance against corruption, and a U.N.-sponsored convention last month was well attended by Iraqi officials, Bryant-Tucker said.
"It's an interesting and challenging opportunity here to work with the Iraqis, especially the workers, who really do want to see change," she said.
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2008 - Iraqis eager for stable government institutions consider corruption tantamount to terrorism, a U.S. inspector general in Iraq said today. To strengthen the rule of law, each of Iraq's 31 ministries has an independent IG element charged with sniffing out fraud, waste and abuses of power, Marine Col. Shelia Bryant-Tucker said during a conference call today.
"The people here want to see a more stable government, and they look at corruption as being equal to terrorism, and want to see it all end," said Bryant-Tucker, who serves as special advisor to the commander of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq.
The IG office is charged with developing a network that promotes an efficient and honest Iraqi government while stamping out corruption. In addition, the IG is tasked with an advisory role to external watchdog agencies.
An example of success, she said, occurred while IG members helped create policies and procedures at Iraq's Defense Ministry. In the process, the IG found ministry officials had paid wages to absentee Iraqi army soldiers or to falsified soldiers who didn't exist.
"We're developing systems that will identify and detect that and eliminate that particular weakness," Bryant-Tucker said.
Last year, IG mentored the internal affairs division of Iraq's Interior Ministry as it conducted a sweeping corruption investigation of some 7,000 security forces. As a result, the ministry fired or disciplined almost 1,600 members, including 40 major generals and brigadier generals, and nearly 120 lieutenant colonels.
The role of the IG office was codified by a Coalition Provisional Authority order signed in early 2004. It empowers the IG to ensure "integrity, transparency and efficiency" and provide broad oversight in ministry operations and policies.
"This order establishes an effective program of audit, investigation and performance review to provide increased accountability, integrity and oversight of the ministries and to prevent, deter and indentify waste, fraud, abuse of authority and illegal acts," reads CPA Order Number 57, signed by CPA administrator L. Paul Bremer.
The order may be replaced by an Iraqi order that further clarifies the IG's role, Bryant-Tucker said. She added that the IG office is a member a working group that includes members from the U.S. Department of State.
The colonel said IG reforms in Iraq have been more successful within the military than in the civilian sector and conceded that progress is occurring more slowly than anticipated. But she expressed hope for the future of the oversight efforts.
"The concept that corruption is unacceptable has been embraced by the government of Iraq," she said.
Indicators of Iraqi interest in the clean-up push include an anti-corruption conference in January sponsored by the Iraqi government. The meeting outlined steps on implementing the rule of law and reducing illegal behavior by government workers.
In addition, Iraq recently took the first step toward enacting a United Nations resolution to solidify the country's stance against corruption, and a U.N.-sponsored convention last month was well attended by Iraqi officials, Bryant-Tucker said.
"It's an interesting and challenging opportunity here to work with the Iraqis, especially the workers, who really do want to see change," she said.
U.S. Applauds Maliki's Strategic Intent in Basra
By Jim Garamone and John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 2, 2008 - U.S. leaders applaud Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's strategic attempt to curb criminal and thugs in Basra, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today during a Pentagon press briefing. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said American officials were informed of the Iraqi security forces operation in Basra, a southern oil port and the second-largest city in Iraq.
Mullen said the operation was entirely Iraqi planned with minor coalition support. "We all watched that operation very closely," he said. "We were informed about it, but in fact it was Iraqi-led. The strategic intent was Iraqi-originated."
Maliki asked for some coalition support as the security forces took on the growing criminal threat, Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said in a Baghdad news conference today. "We agreed to support their efforts, although no specific planning or requests had been initiated, and the prime minister implemented the decision on the exact timing and the scope of operations as an Iraqi decision."
Mullen applauded the prime minister's strategic intent in Basra. "We've been looking forward to when the Iraqi security forces would take the lead and be aggressive in providing for their own security," he said. "From that standpoint, that strategic intent was very positive."
Mullen said the operation "could have been planned better than it was," but the fact that Iraqi leaders and Iraqi troops launched the security operation is a positive step in its own right.
Some Iraqi security forces in Basra performed well, and others were challenged, Mullen said. "That's always the case," he added.
During his briefing, Bergner highlighted the efforts of Iraqi special operations forces. The Iraqi special force detained 20 suspected criminals, seized heavy machine guns, and discovered more than $250,000.
"The vast majority of the Iraqi security forces performed their mission, (but) there were those who were unable to do so," Bergner said. "That's being addressed by the government of Iraq and their Iraqi security force leaders and the minister of defense and the minister of interior."
The chairman said Iranian involvement in southern Iraq has not been very helpful. "We're still finding (roadside bombs); we're still finding weapons caches; we're finding rockets and mortars provided by Iranians," he said. "We've captured or killed Iraqis who have recently been trained in Iran. The overall thrust with respect to Iran's support is still very negative."
Bergner said Iranian-backed criminals are behind efforts to create "fear, division and distrust." Attacks included indirect fire into neighbors throughout the Iraqi capital and the Green Zone, which houses U.S. and Iraqi government buildings in central Baghdad.
"These are deplorable attacks that have caused physical and psychological damage to innocent Iraqi civilians," he said.
Iran has vowed to play a "constructive role" in helping improve Iraq's security situation, Bergner said. "We look forward to them fulfilling their pledge to halt the flow of weapons, of training, of funding and of other resources that the criminal groups are dependent on here," he said.
Specific evidence of Iranian influence emerged last year, when coalition forces discovered the relationship between Iran and "Special Groups" operating in Iraq. These criminal groups generally comprise Shiite militia members trained, funded and armed by Iranian Quds Force operatives, Bergner said.
Military officials further confirmed Iran's role through information gleaned from detained suspects who have admitted to receiving recent Quds Force training in Iran, Bergner said. He added that officials hope Iran's pledge to the Iraqi government reduces the kind of violence that occurred over the past week.
Meanwhile, the fight against al Qaeda in Iraq in the northern part of the country continues unabated. "We're still very focused on the battle in Mosul, and it continues to progress well," Mullen said. "It's very violent, very tough, very dangerous, but we're making progress."
The chairman said the fighting against al Qaeda and other extremist elements will continue for several more weeks in and around Mosul.
American Forces Press Service
April 2, 2008 - U.S. leaders applaud Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's strategic attempt to curb criminal and thugs in Basra, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today during a Pentagon press briefing. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said American officials were informed of the Iraqi security forces operation in Basra, a southern oil port and the second-largest city in Iraq.
Mullen said the operation was entirely Iraqi planned with minor coalition support. "We all watched that operation very closely," he said. "We were informed about it, but in fact it was Iraqi-led. The strategic intent was Iraqi-originated."
Maliki asked for some coalition support as the security forces took on the growing criminal threat, Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said in a Baghdad news conference today. "We agreed to support their efforts, although no specific planning or requests had been initiated, and the prime minister implemented the decision on the exact timing and the scope of operations as an Iraqi decision."
Mullen applauded the prime minister's strategic intent in Basra. "We've been looking forward to when the Iraqi security forces would take the lead and be aggressive in providing for their own security," he said. "From that standpoint, that strategic intent was very positive."
Mullen said the operation "could have been planned better than it was," but the fact that Iraqi leaders and Iraqi troops launched the security operation is a positive step in its own right.
Some Iraqi security forces in Basra performed well, and others were challenged, Mullen said. "That's always the case," he added.
During his briefing, Bergner highlighted the efforts of Iraqi special operations forces. The Iraqi special force detained 20 suspected criminals, seized heavy machine guns, and discovered more than $250,000.
"The vast majority of the Iraqi security forces performed their mission, (but) there were those who were unable to do so," Bergner said. "That's being addressed by the government of Iraq and their Iraqi security force leaders and the minister of defense and the minister of interior."
The chairman said Iranian involvement in southern Iraq has not been very helpful. "We're still finding (roadside bombs); we're still finding weapons caches; we're finding rockets and mortars provided by Iranians," he said. "We've captured or killed Iraqis who have recently been trained in Iran. The overall thrust with respect to Iran's support is still very negative."
Bergner said Iranian-backed criminals are behind efforts to create "fear, division and distrust." Attacks included indirect fire into neighbors throughout the Iraqi capital and the Green Zone, which houses U.S. and Iraqi government buildings in central Baghdad.
"These are deplorable attacks that have caused physical and psychological damage to innocent Iraqi civilians," he said.
Iran has vowed to play a "constructive role" in helping improve Iraq's security situation, Bergner said. "We look forward to them fulfilling their pledge to halt the flow of weapons, of training, of funding and of other resources that the criminal groups are dependent on here," he said.
Specific evidence of Iranian influence emerged last year, when coalition forces discovered the relationship between Iran and "Special Groups" operating in Iraq. These criminal groups generally comprise Shiite militia members trained, funded and armed by Iranian Quds Force operatives, Bergner said.
Military officials further confirmed Iran's role through information gleaned from detained suspects who have admitted to receiving recent Quds Force training in Iran, Bergner said. He added that officials hope Iran's pledge to the Iraqi government reduces the kind of violence that occurred over the past week.
Meanwhile, the fight against al Qaeda in Iraq in the northern part of the country continues unabated. "We're still very focused on the battle in Mosul, and it continues to progress well," Mullen said. "It's very violent, very tough, very dangerous, but we're making progress."
The chairman said the fighting against al Qaeda and other extremist elements will continue for several more weeks in and around Mosul.
Work Continues on Fallujah's Sewage Treatment Facility
By Kendal Smith
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Gulf Region Division is directing an $85 million central wastewater treatment facility for Fallujah's estimated 200,000 residents. Started in May, the project is the largest in Anbar province and is 45 percent complete, officials said.
The facility is projected to be sufficient for all of Fallujah's wastewater treatment needs when the city integrates its own collection systems later and through population expansion to 2025.
Included in the work is a collection system for 27 percent of the present city population, trunk mains for the projected 100 percent capability, pump stations and a wastewater treatment plant processing 10.5 million gallons daily. The Iraqi government will develop the remainder of the collection system.
The facility is a "four-train" facility – a term that describes a complete beginning-to-end treatment system that usually exists in parallel and complementary sets with other trains. An operational plant of Trains 1 and 2 should come on line by the end of August, while Trains 3 and 4 likely will be complete around October 2008, according to Peter Collins, a project manager with the Gulf Region Central district.
Having several trains enables a treatment facility to handle emergencies and to provide for future expansion, he explained. Two trains are sufficient for Fallujah at its current population, although the city is expanding faster than anticipated due to the improved security in Anbar province, he added.
Key to the operation are two central pump stations that are being finished more than 40 feet below ground level and will have a pumping capacity of 40 million gallons daily. Fallujah's sewage will be sent to inlet tanks, and then directed to aerated grit and oil removal tanks, on to aeration tanks more than 60 yards in diameter, sent to settling tanks and, finally, to a chlorination contact chamber before release into the Euphrates River.
"The impact on the people of Fallujah and the environment of the Euphrates River Valley will greatly improve the health of the citizens, particularly the infants, both within the city, but also downstream, where the Euphrates is the primary drinking source," Collins said. "By the end of this summer, there will be no wastewater in the collection-connected streets, and children will be able to play safely outside.
"This represents a monumental step forward for all Al Anbar province," he continued, "and that is a great motivating factor for those of us bringing this project on line."
Trains 1 and 2 are at the early stage of electro-mechanical work, pending delivery of the major electro-mechanical plant. Trains 3 and 4 are at the first stage of civil works. Earth fills for the two huge aeration tanks and four final settling tanks are in process, officials said.
Apart from a 450-member Iraqi work force, the project has 35 Iraqi engineers visiting the various project sites daily, checking on the quality of the ongoing construction and encouraging worker safety. GRD officials said they meet regularly with the various construction firms on 13 separate contracts, as well as with city and Iraqi ministry officials to ensure issues are worked out and the project continues to completion.
A resident Iraqi safety engineer is expected at Camp Fallujah soon. The addition of two safety engineers into the Fallujah quality-assurance team will then give the project a defined safety structure, officials said. Project supervisors can raise concerns from Camp Fallujah and have them transmitted in Arabic to the quality-assurance team, which will resolve the issues directly with the contractor.
Safety and security in other areas are also noteworthy, according to Awaf Abdul Rahim, a construction manager. Fallujah's citizens are benefitting all-around.
"People are happy, because our community is safer now and there are more American projects creating jobs in different areas," Rahim said. "It's helped Fallujah's unemployment. With the improvement in the security, we are inspired to work hard. Our construction crews became more serious and active and are now getting more done."
(Kendal Smith is a public affairs officer with the Gulf Region Central district, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iraq.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Gulf Region Division is directing an $85 million central wastewater treatment facility for Fallujah's estimated 200,000 residents. Started in May, the project is the largest in Anbar province and is 45 percent complete, officials said.
The facility is projected to be sufficient for all of Fallujah's wastewater treatment needs when the city integrates its own collection systems later and through population expansion to 2025.
Included in the work is a collection system for 27 percent of the present city population, trunk mains for the projected 100 percent capability, pump stations and a wastewater treatment plant processing 10.5 million gallons daily. The Iraqi government will develop the remainder of the collection system.
The facility is a "four-train" facility – a term that describes a complete beginning-to-end treatment system that usually exists in parallel and complementary sets with other trains. An operational plant of Trains 1 and 2 should come on line by the end of August, while Trains 3 and 4 likely will be complete around October 2008, according to Peter Collins, a project manager with the Gulf Region Central district.
Having several trains enables a treatment facility to handle emergencies and to provide for future expansion, he explained. Two trains are sufficient for Fallujah at its current population, although the city is expanding faster than anticipated due to the improved security in Anbar province, he added.
Key to the operation are two central pump stations that are being finished more than 40 feet below ground level and will have a pumping capacity of 40 million gallons daily. Fallujah's sewage will be sent to inlet tanks, and then directed to aerated grit and oil removal tanks, on to aeration tanks more than 60 yards in diameter, sent to settling tanks and, finally, to a chlorination contact chamber before release into the Euphrates River.
"The impact on the people of Fallujah and the environment of the Euphrates River Valley will greatly improve the health of the citizens, particularly the infants, both within the city, but also downstream, where the Euphrates is the primary drinking source," Collins said. "By the end of this summer, there will be no wastewater in the collection-connected streets, and children will be able to play safely outside.
"This represents a monumental step forward for all Al Anbar province," he continued, "and that is a great motivating factor for those of us bringing this project on line."
Trains 1 and 2 are at the early stage of electro-mechanical work, pending delivery of the major electro-mechanical plant. Trains 3 and 4 are at the first stage of civil works. Earth fills for the two huge aeration tanks and four final settling tanks are in process, officials said.
Apart from a 450-member Iraqi work force, the project has 35 Iraqi engineers visiting the various project sites daily, checking on the quality of the ongoing construction and encouraging worker safety. GRD officials said they meet regularly with the various construction firms on 13 separate contracts, as well as with city and Iraqi ministry officials to ensure issues are worked out and the project continues to completion.
A resident Iraqi safety engineer is expected at Camp Fallujah soon. The addition of two safety engineers into the Fallujah quality-assurance team will then give the project a defined safety structure, officials said. Project supervisors can raise concerns from Camp Fallujah and have them transmitted in Arabic to the quality-assurance team, which will resolve the issues directly with the contractor.
Safety and security in other areas are also noteworthy, according to Awaf Abdul Rahim, a construction manager. Fallujah's citizens are benefitting all-around.
"People are happy, because our community is safer now and there are more American projects creating jobs in different areas," Rahim said. "It's helped Fallujah's unemployment. With the improvement in the security, we are inspired to work hard. Our construction crews became more serious and active and are now getting more done."
(Kendal Smith is a public affairs officer with the Gulf Region Central district, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iraq.)
U.S. Silver Star Recipient Honored at NATO Summit
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - Deep within the cavernous marble walls of the Palace of the Parliament here today sat two Texans, casually talking about – what else – Texas. The first was President Bush, here for the first full day of NATO talks. The second was Army Spc. Monica Brown, here to help kick off the first full day of the talks.
Brown, 19, is first woman U.S. soldier to receive the Silver Star for combat in Afghanistan. Brown and 25 other soldiers, all from NATO allies who have served in NATO operations, gathered at the start of the day to be honored by those gathered for the largest summit conference in the alliance's history.
At the start of the first meeting of the North Atlantic Council this morning, the group marched before the great circle of presidents and prime ministers, heads of state and governments and hundreds of others gathered from around the world.
"Our soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines frequently put themselves in harm's way so that we can be safe in our countries and our homes," said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. "It is therefore appropriate that we start today's meeting by paying tribute to the professionalism and dedication of the more than 60,000 men and women who are currently deployed in NATO-led mission and operations."
A moment of silence followed in honor of those who have died fighting in NATO operations.
For the small-town girl turned combat medic, it was all a little "overwhelming" she said.
With only a few months more than two years of service, Brown's career has catapulted her from patching up troops under gunfire in Afghanistan to standing before some of the most powerful people on Earth. Vice President Richard B. Cheney presented her medal last month at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Today, Brown met with Bush.
"Overwhelming," Brown said just before her meeting with the president. "I can't believe I'm actually here and about to meet him.
"I didn't ever realize I would be meeting the president of the United States. It's amazing. Absolutely amazing," she said.
Brown's journey began at 17 years old in Lake Jackson, Texas, where she joined the Army with her older brother. He is her "best friend," Brown said, and they intended to attend training together. But he joined as an infantryman and was sent to a combat line unit that women are not allowed to join.
Her brother now serves in Afghanistan.
Brown received the Silver Star for heroism while providing aid under heavy gunfire to soldiers whose Humvee had been hit by an improvised explosive device during a convoy almost a year ago.
It was dusk on April 25, 2007, and Brown was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. The convoy was on a routine security patrol in Afghanistan's isolated Jani Khail district when her convoy was attacked by insurgents.
The Humvee following hers in the convoy was hit. Brown left her Humvee to give aid to the injured soldiers, and the group began taking small-arms fire from all directions.
"I was praying the whole time. I was hoping they weren't in a serious condition and they were still alive when I got to them. I'm just glad they all got out of there (alive)," Brown said.
Other soldiers in her platoon fired back. It was then that the situation went from bad to worse, when a truck loaded with ammunition caught fire and exploded rounds into the air.
According to reports, rounds were whizzing by inches away from Brown. But, she said, she wasn't paying attention to what was going on around her. Her focus was on two soldiers: Spcs. Stanson Smith and Larry Spray, who both had suffered life-threatening injuries.
Brown eventually was able, with the help of others, to load Smith and Spray into another vehicle and escape the gunfire and mortar rounds for a more stable area, where she continued rendering aid and called for a medical evacuation.
The event lasted about two hours in the dark of night. She later described it as a "blur."
Both soldiers lived, but today Brown hesitates to take too much credit. She is only the second woman since World War II to receive the Silver Star.
"I just did my job. I didn't expect any recognition for it," she said. "I think that the men I was with that day should be recognized more than me, because without them I wouldn't be alive right now."
Still, Brown said today is more about who she represents standing before the president and the other world leaders at the summit.
"It's an honor to be here to represent the United States, and the 82nd Airborne Division, and my unit and everyone that was in combat with me in Afghanistan," Brown said.
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - Deep within the cavernous marble walls of the Palace of the Parliament here today sat two Texans, casually talking about – what else – Texas. The first was President Bush, here for the first full day of NATO talks. The second was Army Spc. Monica Brown, here to help kick off the first full day of the talks.
Brown, 19, is first woman U.S. soldier to receive the Silver Star for combat in Afghanistan. Brown and 25 other soldiers, all from NATO allies who have served in NATO operations, gathered at the start of the day to be honored by those gathered for the largest summit conference in the alliance's history.
At the start of the first meeting of the North Atlantic Council this morning, the group marched before the great circle of presidents and prime ministers, heads of state and governments and hundreds of others gathered from around the world.
"Our soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines frequently put themselves in harm's way so that we can be safe in our countries and our homes," said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. "It is therefore appropriate that we start today's meeting by paying tribute to the professionalism and dedication of the more than 60,000 men and women who are currently deployed in NATO-led mission and operations."
A moment of silence followed in honor of those who have died fighting in NATO operations.
For the small-town girl turned combat medic, it was all a little "overwhelming" she said.
With only a few months more than two years of service, Brown's career has catapulted her from patching up troops under gunfire in Afghanistan to standing before some of the most powerful people on Earth. Vice President Richard B. Cheney presented her medal last month at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Today, Brown met with Bush.
"Overwhelming," Brown said just before her meeting with the president. "I can't believe I'm actually here and about to meet him.
"I didn't ever realize I would be meeting the president of the United States. It's amazing. Absolutely amazing," she said.
Brown's journey began at 17 years old in Lake Jackson, Texas, where she joined the Army with her older brother. He is her "best friend," Brown said, and they intended to attend training together. But he joined as an infantryman and was sent to a combat line unit that women are not allowed to join.
Her brother now serves in Afghanistan.
Brown received the Silver Star for heroism while providing aid under heavy gunfire to soldiers whose Humvee had been hit by an improvised explosive device during a convoy almost a year ago.
It was dusk on April 25, 2007, and Brown was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. The convoy was on a routine security patrol in Afghanistan's isolated Jani Khail district when her convoy was attacked by insurgents.
The Humvee following hers in the convoy was hit. Brown left her Humvee to give aid to the injured soldiers, and the group began taking small-arms fire from all directions.
"I was praying the whole time. I was hoping they weren't in a serious condition and they were still alive when I got to them. I'm just glad they all got out of there (alive)," Brown said.
Other soldiers in her platoon fired back. It was then that the situation went from bad to worse, when a truck loaded with ammunition caught fire and exploded rounds into the air.
According to reports, rounds were whizzing by inches away from Brown. But, she said, she wasn't paying attention to what was going on around her. Her focus was on two soldiers: Spcs. Stanson Smith and Larry Spray, who both had suffered life-threatening injuries.
Brown eventually was able, with the help of others, to load Smith and Spray into another vehicle and escape the gunfire and mortar rounds for a more stable area, where she continued rendering aid and called for a medical evacuation.
The event lasted about two hours in the dark of night. She later described it as a "blur."
Both soldiers lived, but today Brown hesitates to take too much credit. She is only the second woman since World War II to receive the Silver Star.
"I just did my job. I didn't expect any recognition for it," she said. "I think that the men I was with that day should be recognized more than me, because without them I wouldn't be alive right now."
Still, Brown said today is more about who she represents standing before the president and the other world leaders at the summit.
"It's an honor to be here to represent the United States, and the 82nd Airborne Division, and my unit and everyone that was in combat with me in Afghanistan," Brown said.
Afghanistan Graduates First Police Trauma Assistance Personnel
By Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino, USMC
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - The Afghan National Police Central Training Center graduated 24 police officers today from the first course for trauma-assistance personnel taught by U.S. Navy hospital corpsmen. Three Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Navy corpsmen from the ANP Medical Embedded Training Team here taught the eight-week course, which gives the ANP its first personnel certified in basic first aid and medical care skills.
"Just being able to put on a proper (wound) dressing is going to increase the probability of (saving policemen's lives) tenfold," said course instructor Petty Officer 1st Class Ed W. Scheinert, an Oxnard, Calif., native deployed to Afghanistan from Naval Station North Island, Calif.
The METT sailors said they modeled the course after the combat medic course taught to Afghan National Army soldiers, because ANP are just as likely as ANA soldiers to have contact with enemy fighters.
TAP Class 001 students learned to apply bandages and tourniquets and to correctly give intravenous injections, said Scheinert. They each successfully gave another student an IV injection.
Students said they benefited from the lectures and practical application.
Ahmad Fawad, one of two honor graduates, said he believes with confidence that he will be able to help his fellow police in medical emergencies.
Chief Petty Officer Manuel A. Rodriguez, a course instructor originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico, and deployed to Afghanistan from the Sewells Point Branch Medical Clinic, Norfolk, Va., said he plans to recommend six graduates to become future course instructors.
The TAP students graduated at a shared ceremony with ANP in other courses at the training center, then held a follow-up ceremony in their classroom. Each TAP graduate received a certificate, a TAP patch to wear on his uniform and a medical kit.
"That badge that you're wearing not only makes you a better (policeman), but (shows) you have the skills to help your fellow police," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Martin V. Aquino, senior enlisted advisor with the Combined Security Transition Command surgeon's office.
Scheinert said future classes will include ANP, Afghan National Civil Order Police and Afghan Border Police. TAP Class 002 is scheduled to begin April 12.
(Marine Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino serves with Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Public Affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - The Afghan National Police Central Training Center graduated 24 police officers today from the first course for trauma-assistance personnel taught by U.S. Navy hospital corpsmen. Three Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Navy corpsmen from the ANP Medical Embedded Training Team here taught the eight-week course, which gives the ANP its first personnel certified in basic first aid and medical care skills.
"Just being able to put on a proper (wound) dressing is going to increase the probability of (saving policemen's lives) tenfold," said course instructor Petty Officer 1st Class Ed W. Scheinert, an Oxnard, Calif., native deployed to Afghanistan from Naval Station North Island, Calif.
The METT sailors said they modeled the course after the combat medic course taught to Afghan National Army soldiers, because ANP are just as likely as ANA soldiers to have contact with enemy fighters.
TAP Class 001 students learned to apply bandages and tourniquets and to correctly give intravenous injections, said Scheinert. They each successfully gave another student an IV injection.
Students said they benefited from the lectures and practical application.
Ahmad Fawad, one of two honor graduates, said he believes with confidence that he will be able to help his fellow police in medical emergencies.
Chief Petty Officer Manuel A. Rodriguez, a course instructor originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico, and deployed to Afghanistan from the Sewells Point Branch Medical Clinic, Norfolk, Va., said he plans to recommend six graduates to become future course instructors.
The TAP students graduated at a shared ceremony with ANP in other courses at the training center, then held a follow-up ceremony in their classroom. Each TAP graduate received a certificate, a TAP patch to wear on his uniform and a medical kit.
"That badge that you're wearing not only makes you a better (policeman), but (shows) you have the skills to help your fellow police," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Martin V. Aquino, senior enlisted advisor with the Combined Security Transition Command surgeon's office.
Scheinert said future classes will include ANP, Afghan National Civil Order Police and Afghan Border Police. TAP Class 002 is scheduled to begin April 12.
(Marine Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino serves with Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Public Affairs.)
Wounded Marines Praise Medical Care, Relate Iraq Experiences
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - Two Marines who were injured in Iraq praised the medical care they've received at the National Naval Medical Center here during interviews yesterday in conjunction with a grand re-opening ceremony for their newly renovated outpatient quarters. Iraq combat veterans Cpl. Daniel B. Nicholson and Lance Cpl. Michael S. Stilson live in Mercy Hall on the medical center's campus.
Nicholson, a native of Brevard, N.C., joined the Marines in June 2005. The tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile gunner was wounded by a roadside bomb while riding in a truck in Anbar province in November 2006. He suffered injuries to his left arm and face. After arriving at Bethesda a few days after being wounded, he underwent numerous surgeries to repair his broken jaw and lacerated face.
The medical care provided at Bethesda is "tremendous," Nicholson said.
"The zeal of the staff here at the hospital is just outstanding. ... I couldn't ask for anything better," he emphasized.
Nicholson said his plans include marriage and going back to school to become a high school history teacher.
Wars have been fought since mankind began, Nicholson said. But war also produces peace, he added. The war against global terrorism is an important endeavor, he said, noting that fighting terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq precludes fighting them at home.
Nicholson said the excellent medical care he has received at Bethesda makes him feel appreciated and that his service in Iraq wasn't performed in vain.
"What the patients need, they get" at Bethesda, he said.
Stilson, who hails from Clarkston, Wash., was wounded by a roadside bomb while on dismounted patrol in Anbar province in September.
"Every bone in my left arm was broken," Stilson recalled, noting he'd also suffered severe shrapnel injuries to both of his legs. Stilson echoed Nicholson's praise of the medical care provided at Bethesda.
"You really don't have any other place, I don't think, that really cares for everybody like they do (at Bethesda)," he said.
Injured Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are getting the best medical care available at Bethesda, and "they do everything they can for the guys that got wounded over there," the Marine rifleman added.
Stilson, who joined the Marines in August 2006, said he believes the mission in Iraq isn't completed.
"When you're there, you want to finish the job for those guys who didn't make it back," he said.
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - Two Marines who were injured in Iraq praised the medical care they've received at the National Naval Medical Center here during interviews yesterday in conjunction with a grand re-opening ceremony for their newly renovated outpatient quarters. Iraq combat veterans Cpl. Daniel B. Nicholson and Lance Cpl. Michael S. Stilson live in Mercy Hall on the medical center's campus.
Nicholson, a native of Brevard, N.C., joined the Marines in June 2005. The tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile gunner was wounded by a roadside bomb while riding in a truck in Anbar province in November 2006. He suffered injuries to his left arm and face. After arriving at Bethesda a few days after being wounded, he underwent numerous surgeries to repair his broken jaw and lacerated face.
The medical care provided at Bethesda is "tremendous," Nicholson said.
"The zeal of the staff here at the hospital is just outstanding. ... I couldn't ask for anything better," he emphasized.
Nicholson said his plans include marriage and going back to school to become a high school history teacher.
Wars have been fought since mankind began, Nicholson said. But war also produces peace, he added. The war against global terrorism is an important endeavor, he said, noting that fighting terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq precludes fighting them at home.
Nicholson said the excellent medical care he has received at Bethesda makes him feel appreciated and that his service in Iraq wasn't performed in vain.
"What the patients need, they get" at Bethesda, he said.
Stilson, who hails from Clarkston, Wash., was wounded by a roadside bomb while on dismounted patrol in Anbar province in September.
"Every bone in my left arm was broken," Stilson recalled, noting he'd also suffered severe shrapnel injuries to both of his legs. Stilson echoed Nicholson's praise of the medical care provided at Bethesda.
"You really don't have any other place, I don't think, that really cares for everybody like they do (at Bethesda)," he said.
Injured Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are getting the best medical care available at Bethesda, and "they do everything they can for the guys that got wounded over there," the Marine rifleman added.
Stilson, who joined the Marines in August 2006, said he believes the mission in Iraq isn't completed.
"When you're there, you want to finish the job for those guys who didn't make it back," he said.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Forces Cooperate to Stop Violence in Multinational Division Center
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - Iraqi security forces, aided by coalition forces and local citizens, neutralized threats from an Iranian-backed "special group" in a Baghdad-area neighborhood last week, a U.S. Army brigade commander in the area said today. As Iraqi security and coalition forces clashed with Shiite special groups in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq, violence in the Multinational Division Center area of operations was very limited.
"There was a little bit of reaction, but because of the strength of the (combined force), nothing major happened," Col. Wayne Grigsby of Multinational Division Center said during a conference call.
The division's area near the Iraqi capital has a population of 1.2 million people, 70 percent of whom are Shiite. Grigsby said the majority of the area's Shiites continue to comply with a ceasefire pledge by Moqtada al-Sadr, a Shiite cleric with a large, armed following. Sadr, who vowed in August to suspend offensive operations against coalition forces and citizens, recently extended that pledge.
The 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team under Grigsby's command continues to track one special group, he said.
"We think their boundary runs over top of the river to the west into Baghdad, so we have one Shiite extremist special group that we think is not abiding by the Moqtada al-Sadr ceasefire, and they're continuing to try to threaten the good people of the (Diyala-region) town," Grigsby said.
Previously, Grigsby said, Multinational Division Center officials believed two such Shiite extremist groups were operating in the division's purview. Now, however, one of the groups, which had operated in the northern reaches of the area of operation, has been defeated, the colonel said.
The unit is achieving success against special groups and other criminals because of the nature of its operations, Grigsby said.
"We don't do these huge, raking operations where you go out into the neighborhoods and pick 40 to 50 people, because that would (anger) anybody," he said. Instead, units perform small-scale, intelligence-driven operations aimed at killing or capturing individual targets.
"When we go in and do that, the people of the neighborhood are thanking us," he said, noting that many of the citizens themselves help with security as members of "Sons of Iraq."
"The Sons of Iraq are helping us do it, the national police are helping us do it, because they know when we take those individuals out, in a couple weeks they will see progress in their neighborhood."
Grigsby said the Sons of Iraq have been a key to overall success.
"These brave Iraqis have stood between their families and violent extremists and truly thickened the lines of security," he said. "This program has provided us trusted allies better intelligence and also pumped money into the economy – local money into the local neighborhoods, and it's given us a boost."
In addition to added security, Grigsby said marks of progress include economic stimulation, improved water and electrical systems and other public works projects.
"(Iraqis) will see things starting in the positive once we take care of those one or two individuals," he said. "That has been my experience the entire time I've been here."
American Forces Press Service
April 3, 2008 - Iraqi security forces, aided by coalition forces and local citizens, neutralized threats from an Iranian-backed "special group" in a Baghdad-area neighborhood last week, a U.S. Army brigade commander in the area said today. As Iraqi security and coalition forces clashed with Shiite special groups in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq, violence in the Multinational Division Center area of operations was very limited.
"There was a little bit of reaction, but because of the strength of the (combined force), nothing major happened," Col. Wayne Grigsby of Multinational Division Center said during a conference call.
The division's area near the Iraqi capital has a population of 1.2 million people, 70 percent of whom are Shiite. Grigsby said the majority of the area's Shiites continue to comply with a ceasefire pledge by Moqtada al-Sadr, a Shiite cleric with a large, armed following. Sadr, who vowed in August to suspend offensive operations against coalition forces and citizens, recently extended that pledge.
The 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team under Grigsby's command continues to track one special group, he said.
"We think their boundary runs over top of the river to the west into Baghdad, so we have one Shiite extremist special group that we think is not abiding by the Moqtada al-Sadr ceasefire, and they're continuing to try to threaten the good people of the (Diyala-region) town," Grigsby said.
Previously, Grigsby said, Multinational Division Center officials believed two such Shiite extremist groups were operating in the division's purview. Now, however, one of the groups, which had operated in the northern reaches of the area of operation, has been defeated, the colonel said.
The unit is achieving success against special groups and other criminals because of the nature of its operations, Grigsby said.
"We don't do these huge, raking operations where you go out into the neighborhoods and pick 40 to 50 people, because that would (anger) anybody," he said. Instead, units perform small-scale, intelligence-driven operations aimed at killing or capturing individual targets.
"When we go in and do that, the people of the neighborhood are thanking us," he said, noting that many of the citizens themselves help with security as members of "Sons of Iraq."
"The Sons of Iraq are helping us do it, the national police are helping us do it, because they know when we take those individuals out, in a couple weeks they will see progress in their neighborhood."
Grigsby said the Sons of Iraq have been a key to overall success.
"These brave Iraqis have stood between their families and violent extremists and truly thickened the lines of security," he said. "This program has provided us trusted allies better intelligence and also pumped money into the economy – local money into the local neighborhoods, and it's given us a boost."
In addition to added security, Grigsby said marks of progress include economic stimulation, improved water and electrical systems and other public works projects.
"(Iraqis) will see things starting in the positive once we take care of those one or two individuals," he said. "That has been my experience the entire time I've been here."
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