The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Phaneuf, 38, of Eastford, Conn., died Dec. 15 in Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Brigade, Hartford, Conn.
For further information related to this release, contact the Connecticut National Guard Public Affairs Office at (860) 524-4857.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Three Soldiers Killed in Iraq; DoD Identifies Previous Casualties
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2006 – Three soldiers died yesterday in Iraq, military officials reported, and the Defense Department released the identity of five servicemembers killed recently supporting the war on terror.
The soldiers, assigned to Multinational Division Baghdad, died when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle north of Baghdad. The soldiers' identities are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. In other news, the Defense Department has released the identities of five soldiers killed earlier in Iraq.
-- Army Pfc. Paul Balint Jr., 22, of Willow Park, Texas, died Dec. 15 in Ramadi of injuries suffered when his unit came in contact with the enemy using small-arms fire during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Theodore A. Spatol, 59, of Thermopolis, Wyo., died of a non-combat-related illness in Thermopolis on Dec. 14. He had been medically evacuated from Iraq. Spatol was assigned to the 1041st Engineer Company, Rock Springs, Wyo.
-- Army Spc. Nicholas P. Steinbacher, 22, of La Crescenta, Calif., died of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee in Baghdad on Dec. 10. Steinbacher was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
-- Army Pfc. Albert M. Nelson, 31, of Philadelphia, and Pfc. Roger A. Suarez-Gonzalez, 21 of Miami died Dec. 4 in Ramadi of injuries suffered from small-arms fire while conducting security and observation operations. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
The soldiers, assigned to Multinational Division Baghdad, died when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle north of Baghdad. The soldiers' identities are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. In other news, the Defense Department has released the identities of five soldiers killed earlier in Iraq.
-- Army Pfc. Paul Balint Jr., 22, of Willow Park, Texas, died Dec. 15 in Ramadi of injuries suffered when his unit came in contact with the enemy using small-arms fire during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Theodore A. Spatol, 59, of Thermopolis, Wyo., died of a non-combat-related illness in Thermopolis on Dec. 14. He had been medically evacuated from Iraq. Spatol was assigned to the 1041st Engineer Company, Rock Springs, Wyo.
-- Army Spc. Nicholas P. Steinbacher, 22, of La Crescenta, Calif., died of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee in Baghdad on Dec. 10. Steinbacher was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
-- Army Pfc. Albert M. Nelson, 31, of Philadelphia, and Pfc. Roger A. Suarez-Gonzalez, 21 of Miami died Dec. 4 in Ramadi of injuries suffered from small-arms fire while conducting security and observation operations. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Theodore A. Spatol, 59, of Thermopolis, Wyo., died of a non-combat related illness in Thermopolis on Dec. 14. Spatol was assigned to the 1041st Engineer Company, Rock Springs, Wyo.
For further information related to this release, contact the Wyoming National Guard Public Affairs Office at (307) 772-5253.
Staff Sgt. Theodore A. Spatol, 59, of Thermopolis, Wyo., died of a non-combat related illness in Thermopolis on Dec. 14. Spatol was assigned to the 1041st Engineer Company, Rock Springs, Wyo.
For further information related to this release, contact the Wyoming National Guard Public Affairs Office at (307) 772-5253.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Dec. 4 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, of injuries suffered from small arms fire while conducting security and observation operations. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Killed were:
Pfc. Albert M. Nelson, 31, of Philadelphia
.Pfc. Roger A. Suarez-Gonzalez, 21 of Miami
.The incident is under investigation.For further information related to this release, contact the Fort Carson Public Affairs Office at (719) 526-3420.
Killed were:
Pfc. Albert M. Nelson, 31, of Philadelphia
.Pfc. Roger A. Suarez-Gonzalez, 21 of Miami
.The incident is under investigation.For further information related to this release, contact the Fort Carson Public Affairs Office at (719) 526-3420.
Political Progress Essential in Iraq, Afghanistan, Rumsfeld Says
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
Dec. 15, 2006 – The U.S. military can't lose in Iraq or Afghanistan, but the situation won't improve beyond a certain point without significant political progress, outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said last night. "We're in that unusual situation where the Department of Defense is looked at for the situations in those countries, when the reality is that we can't lose a single military battle in either country at all, not possible," Rumsfeld said in an interview with Brit Hume on Fox News Channel. "But we can't win without help from others."
The U.S. State Department and the Department of Agriculture, among other organizations, need to step up and help develop the economic, criminal justice and agricultural systems necessary for a fully functional society, Rumsfeld said. For example, the banking system in Iraq needs to be improved so Iraqi soldiers don't have to leave their units to take their pay to their families, he said.
More U.S. troops should only be sent into Iraq if there is a strong military objective for them to achieve, Rumsfeld said. "You ought to have something that you believe is military in nature that can be accomplished," he said. "Otherwise you are putting people into a risky situation, where they are just more targets for the enemy to shoot at. And if you don't have an understood military objective, I can't see that there is much purpose in doing it."
Rumsfeld emphasized that the level of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan has always been driven by commanders on the ground, not leaders in Washington. The commanders who make those recommendations are talented, serious people who are not influenced by politics, he said.
As he begins his last few days in office, Rumsfeld said he is proud of the military transformation that has taken place in the last few years. The transformation, which he said is essential to success in the 21st century, started before he took office and will continue when he leaves, he said.
"You know, you think about it, this institution basically was designed to fight big armies, big navies and big air forces," he said. "And that isn't what we're doing today, and that isn't what we're likely to do in the period immediately ahead. We simply have to be able to deal with irregular warfare and the asymmetrical challenges that are so advantageous to the enemy."
Rumsfeld leaves office Dec. 18, when defense secretary designee Robert Gates takes over. Rumsfeld's farewell ceremony is today at the Pentagon.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Dec. 15, 2006 – The U.S. military can't lose in Iraq or Afghanistan, but the situation won't improve beyond a certain point without significant political progress, outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said last night. "We're in that unusual situation where the Department of Defense is looked at for the situations in those countries, when the reality is that we can't lose a single military battle in either country at all, not possible," Rumsfeld said in an interview with Brit Hume on Fox News Channel. "But we can't win without help from others."
The U.S. State Department and the Department of Agriculture, among other organizations, need to step up and help develop the economic, criminal justice and agricultural systems necessary for a fully functional society, Rumsfeld said. For example, the banking system in Iraq needs to be improved so Iraqi soldiers don't have to leave their units to take their pay to their families, he said.
More U.S. troops should only be sent into Iraq if there is a strong military objective for them to achieve, Rumsfeld said. "You ought to have something that you believe is military in nature that can be accomplished," he said. "Otherwise you are putting people into a risky situation, where they are just more targets for the enemy to shoot at. And if you don't have an understood military objective, I can't see that there is much purpose in doing it."
Rumsfeld emphasized that the level of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan has always been driven by commanders on the ground, not leaders in Washington. The commanders who make those recommendations are talented, serious people who are not influenced by politics, he said.
As he begins his last few days in office, Rumsfeld said he is proud of the military transformation that has taken place in the last few years. The transformation, which he said is essential to success in the 21st century, started before he took office and will continue when he leaves, he said.
"You know, you think about it, this institution basically was designed to fight big armies, big navies and big air forces," he said. "And that isn't what we're doing today, and that isn't what we're likely to do in the period immediately ahead. We simply have to be able to deal with irregular warfare and the asymmetrical challenges that are so advantageous to the enemy."
Rumsfeld leaves office Dec. 18, when defense secretary designee Robert Gates takes over. Rumsfeld's farewell ceremony is today at the Pentagon.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Elections Represented Hope for Iraqis
By Jim Garamone
Dec. 15, 2006 – A year ago today was Election Day in Iraq. For the first time, millions of Iraqis had a real choice in their government, and they took advantage of it. President Bush, visiting with Iraqis voting absentee from the United States, lauded Iraqis for "being courageous and in defying the terrorists and refusing to be cowed into not voting."
"I believe freedom is universal," Bush said. "I believe the Iraqi citizen cares just as much about freedom and living a free life as the American citizen does."
Under Saddam Hussein, there was one choice in so-called elections: him. Now Iraqis have gone to the polls to elect 275 people, 25 percent of whom had to be women, to represent them.
The ballot for the Dec. 15, 2005, election was incredibly complicated, with hundreds of candidates running for office. Some were affiliated with nascent political parties, others ran on their own. Some parties were affiliated with a particular sect or tribe. Others cut across ethnic and religious boundaries.
Election Day in Iraq was also a triumph for the Iraqi security forces. "All the time and money you have spent training the Iraqi army, you harvest it today," Iraqi army Maj. Gen. Mobdir Hatim Hothya al-Delemy told then-3rd Infantry Division Commander U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Webster following a tour of polling places that day.
Election Day dawned clear, cool and quiet. The interim government had banned traffic in Baghdad, and people treated the day as a secular holiday. At 6 a.m., with the sun just peeking over the horizon, people were walking to their polling stations In Baghdad, this usually meant a short walk to a school, firehouse or municipal building. In the country, the walk could be longer, but people packed picnic baskets and turned the occasion into a family outing.
Women in traditional "abayas" walked along the sides of roads, often followed by a line of children. Men usually walked a bit ahead.
With the absence of traffic, all of Baghdad became a playground. Children set up soccer "fields" in the middle of wide avenues. Whole neighborhoods were on the streets, and people visited in the shaded areas.
By mid-day, the stream of voters to the polls became a flood. In Sadr City, an area under the responsibility of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, lines of people waited to vote.
Security was tight. Iraqi police guarded polling places themselves. They searched everyone who came into the polling places. A bit farther back from each polling station, Iraqi soldiers maintained a ring of security. They stopped cars, checked out suspicious activities, and interacted with the people. Further back, coalition forces stood ready to assist if the Iraqi forces encountered any problems they couldn't handle. They were never needed.
Iraqis were glad to see their soldiers on the street. In downtown Rusafa, an area just east of the Tigris River, a crowd surrounded an Iraqi platoon and began singing and dancing. Nearby, a woman danced into a polling place set up in a Christian school. At polling places, men and women brought their children in and polling workers allowed the children to put the dye on their fingers signifying a vote.
Sunnis, who had boycotted the Jan. 30, 2005, election for a constitutional assembly, voted across Baghdad and across the country. More than 12 million Iraqis voted nationwide. The turnout was almost 80 percent of eligible voters.
"The Iraqi people have had a great day today," Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of coalition forces in Iraq, said that day.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Dec. 15, 2006 – A year ago today was Election Day in Iraq. For the first time, millions of Iraqis had a real choice in their government, and they took advantage of it. President Bush, visiting with Iraqis voting absentee from the United States, lauded Iraqis for "being courageous and in defying the terrorists and refusing to be cowed into not voting."
"I believe freedom is universal," Bush said. "I believe the Iraqi citizen cares just as much about freedom and living a free life as the American citizen does."
Under Saddam Hussein, there was one choice in so-called elections: him. Now Iraqis have gone to the polls to elect 275 people, 25 percent of whom had to be women, to represent them.
The ballot for the Dec. 15, 2005, election was incredibly complicated, with hundreds of candidates running for office. Some were affiliated with nascent political parties, others ran on their own. Some parties were affiliated with a particular sect or tribe. Others cut across ethnic and religious boundaries.
Election Day in Iraq was also a triumph for the Iraqi security forces. "All the time and money you have spent training the Iraqi army, you harvest it today," Iraqi army Maj. Gen. Mobdir Hatim Hothya al-Delemy told then-3rd Infantry Division Commander U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Webster following a tour of polling places that day.
Election Day dawned clear, cool and quiet. The interim government had banned traffic in Baghdad, and people treated the day as a secular holiday. At 6 a.m., with the sun just peeking over the horizon, people were walking to their polling stations In Baghdad, this usually meant a short walk to a school, firehouse or municipal building. In the country, the walk could be longer, but people packed picnic baskets and turned the occasion into a family outing.
Women in traditional "abayas" walked along the sides of roads, often followed by a line of children. Men usually walked a bit ahead.
With the absence of traffic, all of Baghdad became a playground. Children set up soccer "fields" in the middle of wide avenues. Whole neighborhoods were on the streets, and people visited in the shaded areas.
By mid-day, the stream of voters to the polls became a flood. In Sadr City, an area under the responsibility of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, lines of people waited to vote.
Security was tight. Iraqi police guarded polling places themselves. They searched everyone who came into the polling places. A bit farther back from each polling station, Iraqi soldiers maintained a ring of security. They stopped cars, checked out suspicious activities, and interacted with the people. Further back, coalition forces stood ready to assist if the Iraqi forces encountered any problems they couldn't handle. They were never needed.
Iraqis were glad to see their soldiers on the street. In downtown Rusafa, an area just east of the Tigris River, a crowd surrounded an Iraqi platoon and began singing and dancing. Nearby, a woman danced into a polling place set up in a Christian school. At polling places, men and women brought their children in and polling workers allowed the children to put the dye on their fingers signifying a vote.
Sunnis, who had boycotted the Jan. 30, 2005, election for a constitutional assembly, voted across Baghdad and across the country. More than 12 million Iraqis voted nationwide. The turnout was almost 80 percent of eligible voters.
"The Iraqi people have had a great day today," Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of coalition forces in Iraq, said that day.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
U.S. Army's 3rd Corps takes on Multinational Corps Iraq Mission
By Sgt. Curt Cashour, USA
Dec. 15, 2006 – Nearly 300 people gathered outside Al Faw Palace here yesterday for a ceremony that marked the transfer of authority over Multinational Corps Iraq, which includes more than 160,000 U.S. and coalition troops, from the U.S. Army's 5th Corps to 3rd Corps.
Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of Multinational Force Iraq and the top U.S. commander in the country, lauded the achievements of the Germany-based Task Force Victory, which is commanded by Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli. In the nearly 11 months since they assumed the MNCI mission, Chiarelli and his troops oversaw the seating of Iraq's first democratically elected government and watched the Iraqi government's first democratically elected prime minister take office, and the corps' efforts led to the killing of al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Casey said.
"Violence and progress (co-)exist in Iraq. When you look back over the course of a year, you can really marvel at the progress," Casey said.
While TF Victory was in charge of the MNCI mission, Iraqi security forces continued to make progress toward self-sufficiency, increasing the number of divisions taking the lead in combat operations, Chiarelli said. He added that the coalition must continue to make strides to build a stable Iraq. "We must not let apathy, selfishness or indifference stray us from the course," he said.
The task of building on the progress made by TF Victory is now in the hands of Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, new MNCI commander, and the soldiers of 3rd Corps, a unit based at Fort Hood, Texas.
The soldiers of 3rd Corps are committed to stabilizing the security situation in Iraq, reducing sectarian violence and strengthening the Iraqi government and its security institutions, Odierno said.
"We will succeed," he said, adding that the contributions of Iraqis have been vital to the efforts thus far.
"The Iraqis have shown an incredible resiliency to succeed, despite the dangers they have endured," Odierno said.
During a news conference after the ceremony, Odierno said the 3rd Corps strategy hinges on a combination of diplomatic, economic and military options to quell the violence and strengthen the Iraqi government.
On the diplomatic side, Odierno said he will work closely with the Iraqi government to help build strategies for dealing with the country's militias, policies regarding de-Baathification of the government and guiding the country toward provincial elections.
Topping the list of economic challenges is getting Iraqis back to work, he said. But even with diplomatic and economic progress, extremists will still be a threat and will be dealt with militarily, Odierno said.
Odierno also noted that a large portion of the 3rd Corps staff are serving in Iraq for the second or third time, a fact that will contribute to the unit's effectiveness. "We have a personal stake in the mission here," he said.
Odierno and the 3rd Corps are scheduled to hold the MNCI reins for about one year.
(Army Sgt. Curt Cashour is assigned to Multinational Corps Iraq Public Affairs.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Dec. 15, 2006 – Nearly 300 people gathered outside Al Faw Palace here yesterday for a ceremony that marked the transfer of authority over Multinational Corps Iraq, which includes more than 160,000 U.S. and coalition troops, from the U.S. Army's 5th Corps to 3rd Corps.
Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of Multinational Force Iraq and the top U.S. commander in the country, lauded the achievements of the Germany-based Task Force Victory, which is commanded by Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli. In the nearly 11 months since they assumed the MNCI mission, Chiarelli and his troops oversaw the seating of Iraq's first democratically elected government and watched the Iraqi government's first democratically elected prime minister take office, and the corps' efforts led to the killing of al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Casey said.
"Violence and progress (co-)exist in Iraq. When you look back over the course of a year, you can really marvel at the progress," Casey said.
While TF Victory was in charge of the MNCI mission, Iraqi security forces continued to make progress toward self-sufficiency, increasing the number of divisions taking the lead in combat operations, Chiarelli said. He added that the coalition must continue to make strides to build a stable Iraq. "We must not let apathy, selfishness or indifference stray us from the course," he said.
The task of building on the progress made by TF Victory is now in the hands of Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, new MNCI commander, and the soldiers of 3rd Corps, a unit based at Fort Hood, Texas.
The soldiers of 3rd Corps are committed to stabilizing the security situation in Iraq, reducing sectarian violence and strengthening the Iraqi government and its security institutions, Odierno said.
"We will succeed," he said, adding that the contributions of Iraqis have been vital to the efforts thus far.
"The Iraqis have shown an incredible resiliency to succeed, despite the dangers they have endured," Odierno said.
During a news conference after the ceremony, Odierno said the 3rd Corps strategy hinges on a combination of diplomatic, economic and military options to quell the violence and strengthen the Iraqi government.
On the diplomatic side, Odierno said he will work closely with the Iraqi government to help build strategies for dealing with the country's militias, policies regarding de-Baathification of the government and guiding the country toward provincial elections.
Topping the list of economic challenges is getting Iraqis back to work, he said. But even with diplomatic and economic progress, extremists will still be a threat and will be dealt with militarily, Odierno said.
Odierno also noted that a large portion of the 3rd Corps staff are serving in Iraq for the second or third time, a fact that will contribute to the unit's effectiveness. "We have a personal stake in the mission here," he said.
Odierno and the 3rd Corps are scheduled to hold the MNCI reins for about one year.
(Army Sgt. Curt Cashour is assigned to Multinational Corps Iraq Public Affairs.)
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Nicholas P. Steinbacher, 22, of La Crescenta, Calif., died of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 10. Steinbacher was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
For further information related to this release, contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993.
Spc. Nicholas P. Steinbacher, 22, of La Crescenta, Calif., died of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 10. Steinbacher was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
For further information related to this release, contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993.
Iraqi, Coalition Troops Detain 13, Find Three Weapons Caches
Dec. 15, 2006 – Coalition forces and Iraqi police this week detained 13 suspected terrorists in Iraq and discovered three weapons caches. Paratroopers from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, found a weapons cache and detained three suspected insurgents during a raid south of Baghdad today.
Troops found two AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, three cellular phones, eight rocket-propelled grenades, two $100 bills, a hand gun, two 105 mm artillery rounds, and other improvised explosive device-making materials.
The paratroopers secured the cache and transported it back to their base camp for further analysis. The suspects are being held for questioning.
Iraqi police with coalition advisors yesterday captured three insurgents, including the suspected leader of an insurgent cell during operations in eastern Mosul. The cell is responsible for multiple attacks against Iraqi security forces in the area, and the suspect is allegedly directly responsible for murdering at least one Iraqi police officer.
Minimal damage occurred during the operation, and no casualties were reported among Iraqi civilians, Iraqi forces or coalition forces.
With the aid of coalition "fusion cells" strategically located throughout Iraq, coalition forces have captured key suspected terrorists near Baghdad and Fallujah over the last four days.
Among those captured are a known improvised-explosive-device maker and an al Qaeda kidnapping cell leader. The captured al Qaeda terrorist also is suspected to be responsible for killing individuals in the Adhamiyah area in northeastern Baghdad. During one of the missions, ground forces recovered several cell phone devices used to detonate IEDs, an AK-47 assault rifle with four magazines, and two hand grenades.
Elsewhere yesterday, Iraqi army forces with coalition advisors detained three people during operations in Baghdad to capture the leader of an illegal armed group responsible for multiple attacks against Iraqi security forces in the area.
Iraqi forces entered a mosque that was reportedly used as a meeting place for illegal armed group members and searched for the group leader. Minimal damage was done to the objective, officials said, and there were no casualties among Iraqi civilians, Iraqi forces or coalition forces.
A day earlier, Iraqi army forces and coalition advisors captured a member of an illegal armed group responsible for manufacturing and placing car bombs and improvised explosive devices for use against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi army forces. The detainee is responsible for abducting an Iraqi soldier and holding him ransom until the soldier's family paid for his release.
Iraqi forces detained two additional suspects who said a machine gun was located on the roof of a nearby mosque in the Abu Ghraib area. Iraqi security forces entered the mosque and confiscated the weapon. They also confiscated five automatic assault rifles and a hand gun. Minimal damage was done to the objective, and no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi security force or coalition casualties were reported.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Troops found two AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, three cellular phones, eight rocket-propelled grenades, two $100 bills, a hand gun, two 105 mm artillery rounds, and other improvised explosive device-making materials.
The paratroopers secured the cache and transported it back to their base camp for further analysis. The suspects are being held for questioning.
Iraqi police with coalition advisors yesterday captured three insurgents, including the suspected leader of an insurgent cell during operations in eastern Mosul. The cell is responsible for multiple attacks against Iraqi security forces in the area, and the suspect is allegedly directly responsible for murdering at least one Iraqi police officer.
Minimal damage occurred during the operation, and no casualties were reported among Iraqi civilians, Iraqi forces or coalition forces.
With the aid of coalition "fusion cells" strategically located throughout Iraq, coalition forces have captured key suspected terrorists near Baghdad and Fallujah over the last four days.
Among those captured are a known improvised-explosive-device maker and an al Qaeda kidnapping cell leader. The captured al Qaeda terrorist also is suspected to be responsible for killing individuals in the Adhamiyah area in northeastern Baghdad. During one of the missions, ground forces recovered several cell phone devices used to detonate IEDs, an AK-47 assault rifle with four magazines, and two hand grenades.
Elsewhere yesterday, Iraqi army forces with coalition advisors detained three people during operations in Baghdad to capture the leader of an illegal armed group responsible for multiple attacks against Iraqi security forces in the area.
Iraqi forces entered a mosque that was reportedly used as a meeting place for illegal armed group members and searched for the group leader. Minimal damage was done to the objective, officials said, and there were no casualties among Iraqi civilians, Iraqi forces or coalition forces.
A day earlier, Iraqi army forces and coalition advisors captured a member of an illegal armed group responsible for manufacturing and placing car bombs and improvised explosive devices for use against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi army forces. The detainee is responsible for abducting an Iraqi soldier and holding him ransom until the soldier's family paid for his release.
Iraqi forces detained two additional suspects who said a machine gun was located on the roof of a nearby mosque in the Abu Ghraib area. Iraqi security forces entered the mosque and confiscated the weapon. They also confiscated five automatic assault rifles and a hand gun. Minimal damage was done to the objective, and no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi security force or coalition casualties were reported.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Three Servicemembers Killed in Iraq; DoD Identifies Previous Casualties
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2006 – Two Marines died yesterday, and one soldier died Dec. 12 in Iraq, military officials reported, and the Defense Department released the identity of 11 servicemembers killed recently supporting the war on terror.
-- One Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5 and one Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 died yesterday from wounds suffered during combat in Anbar province.
-- A Task Force Lightning soldier assigned to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, died Dec. 12 from wounds suffered during combat in Ninewa province. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Meanwhile, the Defense Department has released the identities 11 U.S. servicemembers killed earlier in Iraq:
-- Army Maj. Gloria D. Davis, 47, of St. Louis, died Dec. 12 in Baghdad from a non-combat related incident. She was assigned to the Defense Security Assistance Agency, Washington, D.C. -- Army Sgt. Brent W. Dunkleberger, 29, of New Bloomfield, Pa., died of injuries suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle during a convoy security mission in Mosul on Dec. 12. Dunkleberger was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
-- Marine Master Sgt. Brian P. McAnulty, 39, of Vicksburg, Miss., died Dec. 11 when the CH-53 helicopter he was riding in crashed just after takeoff in Anbar province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Marine Cpl. Matthew V. Dillon, 25, of Aiken, S.C.; Lance Cpl. Budd M. Cote, 21, of Marana, Ariz.; and Lance Cpl. Clinton J. Miller, 23, of Greenfield, Iowa, died Dec. 11 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province. They were assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Thomas W. Clemons, 37, of Leitchfield, Ky., died Dec. 10 in Diwaniyah from a non-combat health-related incident. Clemons was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armor, Leitchfield, Ky.
-- Army Sgt. Brennan C. Gibson, 26, of Tualatin, Ore.; Spc. Philip C. Ford, 21, of Freeport, Texas; and Spc. Shawn M. Murphy, 24, of Fort Bragg, N.C., died Dec. 10 in Baghdad of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were all assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
-- Marine 1st Lt. Nathan M. Krissoff, 25, of Reno, Nev., died Dec. 9 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Anbar province. Krissoff was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
-- One Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5 and one Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 died yesterday from wounds suffered during combat in Anbar province.
-- A Task Force Lightning soldier assigned to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, died Dec. 12 from wounds suffered during combat in Ninewa province. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Meanwhile, the Defense Department has released the identities 11 U.S. servicemembers killed earlier in Iraq:
-- Army Maj. Gloria D. Davis, 47, of St. Louis, died Dec. 12 in Baghdad from a non-combat related incident. She was assigned to the Defense Security Assistance Agency, Washington, D.C. -- Army Sgt. Brent W. Dunkleberger, 29, of New Bloomfield, Pa., died of injuries suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle during a convoy security mission in Mosul on Dec. 12. Dunkleberger was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
-- Marine Master Sgt. Brian P. McAnulty, 39, of Vicksburg, Miss., died Dec. 11 when the CH-53 helicopter he was riding in crashed just after takeoff in Anbar province. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Marine Cpl. Matthew V. Dillon, 25, of Aiken, S.C.; Lance Cpl. Budd M. Cote, 21, of Marana, Ariz.; and Lance Cpl. Clinton J. Miller, 23, of Greenfield, Iowa, died Dec. 11 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province. They were assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Thomas W. Clemons, 37, of Leitchfield, Ky., died Dec. 10 in Diwaniyah from a non-combat health-related incident. Clemons was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armor, Leitchfield, Ky.
-- Army Sgt. Brennan C. Gibson, 26, of Tualatin, Ore.; Spc. Philip C. Ford, 21, of Freeport, Texas; and Spc. Shawn M. Murphy, 24, of Fort Bragg, N.C., died Dec. 10 in Baghdad of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were all assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
-- Marine 1st Lt. Nathan M. Krissoff, 25, of Reno, Nev., died Dec. 9 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Anbar province. Krissoff was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
Iraqi Police, Civilians Display Courage Under Fire
By Gerry J. Gilmore
Dec. 15, 2006 – The commander of a U.S. Army brigade that partners with and trains Iraqi soldiers and police in Iraq's Diyala province today praised the recent actions of local security forces and civilians there. Terrorists in Diyala province continue to try to destabilize the democratic Iraqi government through the use of improvised explosive devices, snipers, kidnappings and threats to innocent Iraqis, Col. David Sutherland, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, told Pentagon reporters during a satellite-carried news conference from his headquarters in Baqubah, Iraq.
"However, it does not mean that they have won the battle there; in fact, far from it," Sutherland said of the terrorists' efforts in his area of operations.
Iraqi soldiers and police in his area aren't being cowed by the terrorists' actions, Sutherland said. "The Iraqi people are responding with great courage," he said, noting he'd recently witnessed bravery by a detachment of Iraqi police at a checkpoint who came under insurgents' small-arms fire.
"These men were low on ammunition, food and water, but they did not break," Sutherland said of the Iraqi police. "They stood their post, stood their post diligently."
Since assuming responsibility for security operations in Diyala province in early November, Sutherland said, his soldiers have been busy training Iraqi soldiers and police while taking the fight to extremists.
"Second, we are conducting stability and reconstruction operations to help the people of Iraq build a new life and a stable and secure environment," the colonel said.
Sutherland said his troops work closely with Iraqi police and soldiers. "This is a cooperative relationship. Coalition forces provide assistance and planning, logistics and operations, but increasingly, it is the Iraqi security forces that are in the lead," he said.
Diyala province is about the size of Maryland and has an ethnically-mixed population of about 1.5 million people, Sutherland said. The province is so ethically diverse, he said, that it is known as "Little Iraq."
Agriculture is the province's main industry, he said, noting the region's date harvest was up 75 percent from a year earlier, while its rice production jumped 50 percent from a year ago.
Baqubah's open-air markets are open for business, Sutherland said, adding that the provincial government is functioning and doing its work. A notable provincial government program actively seeks to more fully engage the area's various tribal and ethnic groups in the political process. "This sort of initiative is critical to the long-term stability of the province," Sutherland said.
Iraqi security forces are developing new tactics to use against terrorists operating in the province, Sutherland said, while his troops continue to train local police and Iraqi soldiers. "We are dedicated to helping the Iraqi security forces become a professional force that treats people with respect and enforces the rule of law, a force that is non-sectarian, professional and devoted to the safety and security of all Iraqis in the province," Sutherland said.
Developing a multi-ethnic, democratic culture in a land that's only known dictatorship for decades isn't an easy task, and it will take time, the colonel said.
Yet, despite challenges, he said, the 3rd BCT's troops are working hard in Diyala province, teaching Iraqi army and police leaders "how to be good representatives working on behalf of their people."
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have written books.
Dec. 15, 2006 – The commander of a U.S. Army brigade that partners with and trains Iraqi soldiers and police in Iraq's Diyala province today praised the recent actions of local security forces and civilians there. Terrorists in Diyala province continue to try to destabilize the democratic Iraqi government through the use of improvised explosive devices, snipers, kidnappings and threats to innocent Iraqis, Col. David Sutherland, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, told Pentagon reporters during a satellite-carried news conference from his headquarters in Baqubah, Iraq.
"However, it does not mean that they have won the battle there; in fact, far from it," Sutherland said of the terrorists' efforts in his area of operations.
Iraqi soldiers and police in his area aren't being cowed by the terrorists' actions, Sutherland said. "The Iraqi people are responding with great courage," he said, noting he'd recently witnessed bravery by a detachment of Iraqi police at a checkpoint who came under insurgents' small-arms fire.
"These men were low on ammunition, food and water, but they did not break," Sutherland said of the Iraqi police. "They stood their post, stood their post diligently."
Since assuming responsibility for security operations in Diyala province in early November, Sutherland said, his soldiers have been busy training Iraqi soldiers and police while taking the fight to extremists.
"Second, we are conducting stability and reconstruction operations to help the people of Iraq build a new life and a stable and secure environment," the colonel said.
Sutherland said his troops work closely with Iraqi police and soldiers. "This is a cooperative relationship. Coalition forces provide assistance and planning, logistics and operations, but increasingly, it is the Iraqi security forces that are in the lead," he said.
Diyala province is about the size of Maryland and has an ethnically-mixed population of about 1.5 million people, Sutherland said. The province is so ethically diverse, he said, that it is known as "Little Iraq."
Agriculture is the province's main industry, he said, noting the region's date harvest was up 75 percent from a year earlier, while its rice production jumped 50 percent from a year ago.
Baqubah's open-air markets are open for business, Sutherland said, adding that the provincial government is functioning and doing its work. A notable provincial government program actively seeks to more fully engage the area's various tribal and ethnic groups in the political process. "This sort of initiative is critical to the long-term stability of the province," Sutherland said.
Iraqi security forces are developing new tactics to use against terrorists operating in the province, Sutherland said, while his troops continue to train local police and Iraqi soldiers. "We are dedicated to helping the Iraqi security forces become a professional force that treats people with respect and enforces the rule of law, a force that is non-sectarian, professional and devoted to the safety and security of all Iraqis in the province," Sutherland said.
Developing a multi-ethnic, democratic culture in a land that's only known dictatorship for decades isn't an easy task, and it will take time, the colonel said.
Yet, despite challenges, he said, the 3rd BCT's troops are working hard in Diyala province, teaching Iraqi army and police leaders "how to be good representatives working on behalf of their people."
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Thursday, December 14, 2006
Detainee Transfer Announced
The Department of Defense announced today that it transferred 16 detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Saudi Arabia. These detainees were all recommended for transfer by an administrative review board conducted at Guantanamo Bay.
With today's transfer, approximately 100 detainees remain at Guantanamo who the U.S. government has determined eligible for transfer or release through a comprehensive series of review processes. Departure of these remaining detainees approved for transfer or release is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.
The United States does not desire to hold detainees for any longer than necessary. The department expects that there will continue to be other transfers and releases of detainees.
There are ongoing processes to review the status of detainees held at Guantanamo. A determination about the continued detention or transfer of a detainee is based on the best information and evidence available at the time, both classified and unclassified.
This transfer increases the number of detainees who have departed Guantanamo this year to 96. Since 2002, approximately 360 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, and Yemen.
Approximately 415 detainees remain at Guantanamo.
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With today's transfer, approximately 100 detainees remain at Guantanamo who the U.S. government has determined eligible for transfer or release through a comprehensive series of review processes. Departure of these remaining detainees approved for transfer or release is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.
The United States does not desire to hold detainees for any longer than necessary. The department expects that there will continue to be other transfers and releases of detainees.
There are ongoing processes to review the status of detainees held at Guantanamo. A determination about the continued detention or transfer of a detainee is based on the best information and evidence available at the time, both classified and unclassified.
This transfer increases the number of detainees who have departed Guantanamo this year to 96. Since 2002, approximately 360 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, and Yemen.
Approximately 415 detainees remain at Guantanamo.
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Federal Court Rules Against Guantanamo Detainee
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
Dec. 14, 2006 – Upholding the legality of October's Military Commissions Act, a federal court ruled here yesterday that detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, do not have the right to challenge their detention in U.S. courts. Judge James Robertson issued a decision and order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissing the habeas corpus case of Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for Osama bin Laden who is being held at Guantanamo Bay. Robertson concluded that the Military Commissions Act unambiguously withdraws the right of habeas corpus -- which allows people who are imprisoned to go before a judge and challenge their detention -- from detainees and that this withdrawal is constitutional.
"The Suspension Clause does not guarantee the right to petition for habeas corpus to non-resident enemy aliens captured and detained outside the United States," Robertson wrote in his decision. In other words, Congress may constitutionally deprive these detainees of the writ of habeas corpus.
Defense Department officials said they were pleased with Robertson's ruling, as it removes federal court jurisdiction over Hamdan's case and similar cases. Officials noted that Congress did provide in the Military Commissions Act that detainees may challenge their detention before fair military tribunals with an appeal to the D.C. Circuit, and that is more process than the U.S. has ever provided to enemy combatants in past conflicts.
"We are, of course, pleased with the ... ruling," said Bryan Whitman, DoD spokesman. "We are continuing to implement the provisions of the Military Commissions Act passed by Congress, and we hope to bring individuals before commissions by next summer. There are still facilities that need to be built in order for commissions to proceed, and we're working on that."
Robertson granted Hamdan's first habeas petition in November 2004, and the case made it to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in June that President Bush had overstepped his authority in creating the military commissions. In September, Congress passed the Military Commissions Act, authorizing military commissions and clarifying the rights of detainees, specifically on the issue of access to courts.
The Military Commissions Act changes the nature of Hamdan's case, Robertson said in his ruling.
"Hamdan is to face a military commission newly designed, because of his efforts, by a Congress that finally stepped up to its responsibility, acting according to guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court," he wrote. "It is difficult to see how continued habeas jurisdiction could make further improvements in his tribunal."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and police and military personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 14, 2006 – Upholding the legality of October's Military Commissions Act, a federal court ruled here yesterday that detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, do not have the right to challenge their detention in U.S. courts. Judge James Robertson issued a decision and order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissing the habeas corpus case of Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for Osama bin Laden who is being held at Guantanamo Bay. Robertson concluded that the Military Commissions Act unambiguously withdraws the right of habeas corpus -- which allows people who are imprisoned to go before a judge and challenge their detention -- from detainees and that this withdrawal is constitutional.
"The Suspension Clause does not guarantee the right to petition for habeas corpus to non-resident enemy aliens captured and detained outside the United States," Robertson wrote in his decision. In other words, Congress may constitutionally deprive these detainees of the writ of habeas corpus.
Defense Department officials said they were pleased with Robertson's ruling, as it removes federal court jurisdiction over Hamdan's case and similar cases. Officials noted that Congress did provide in the Military Commissions Act that detainees may challenge their detention before fair military tribunals with an appeal to the D.C. Circuit, and that is more process than the U.S. has ever provided to enemy combatants in past conflicts.
"We are, of course, pleased with the ... ruling," said Bryan Whitman, DoD spokesman. "We are continuing to implement the provisions of the Military Commissions Act passed by Congress, and we hope to bring individuals before commissions by next summer. There are still facilities that need to be built in order for commissions to proceed, and we're working on that."
Robertson granted Hamdan's first habeas petition in November 2004, and the case made it to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in June that President Bush had overstepped his authority in creating the military commissions. In September, Congress passed the Military Commissions Act, authorizing military commissions and clarifying the rights of detainees, specifically on the issue of access to courts.
The Military Commissions Act changes the nature of Hamdan's case, Robertson said in his ruling.
"Hamdan is to face a military commission newly designed, because of his efforts, by a Congress that finally stepped up to its responsibility, acting according to guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court," he wrote. "It is difficult to see how continued habeas jurisdiction could make further improvements in his tribunal."
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Two Insurgents Killed; Rockets Discovered in Kirkuk
Dec. 14, 2006 – Coalition forces killed two insurgents in Ramadi, and Iraqi police and U.S. soldiers discovered enemy weapons in operations yesterday and today in Iraq. Insurgents attacked coalition forces with yesterday with small-arms fire, and the coalition forces retaliated, firing a precision-guided munition and destroying the building. Two insurgents were killed, and there were no reports of civilian or coalition casualties.
Elsewhere in Iraq yesterday, Iraqi police discovered three rockets while on patrol in Kirkuk. The insurgents' rockets were set on fabricated launchers aimed at Forward Operating Base Warrior and were equipped with improvised timing devices.
Iraqi Police patrolling a southwestern neighborhood of the city identified a suspicious vehicle in the area. When the police officers approached, the vehicle abruptly sped away. They then discovered the rockets at the location. The Provincial Joint Communication Center notified a coalition forces' explosive ordnance disposal team, which disarmed the rockets and detonated the ordnance at the site.
Though aimed at the U.S. base, the improvised setup and relative inaccuracy of the rockets also posed a credible hazard to the citizens in the neighborhood, U.S. military officials said.
Today, paratroopers from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, found a cache near Yahya al Hindawi, south of Baghdad. The cache consisted of 16 .50-caliber casings, nine AK-47 magazines with 7.62 rounds, a hand grenade, three trucks, two large-caliber rounds, an ammunition can with 7.62 rounds and 295,000 Iraqi dinar.
The soldiers secured the cache, taking it back to their base camp for further analysis by an explosive ordnance detachment.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and police and military personnel who have become writers.
Elsewhere in Iraq yesterday, Iraqi police discovered three rockets while on patrol in Kirkuk. The insurgents' rockets were set on fabricated launchers aimed at Forward Operating Base Warrior and were equipped with improvised timing devices.
Iraqi Police patrolling a southwestern neighborhood of the city identified a suspicious vehicle in the area. When the police officers approached, the vehicle abruptly sped away. They then discovered the rockets at the location. The Provincial Joint Communication Center notified a coalition forces' explosive ordnance disposal team, which disarmed the rockets and detonated the ordnance at the site.
Though aimed at the U.S. base, the improvised setup and relative inaccuracy of the rockets also posed a credible hazard to the citizens in the neighborhood, U.S. military officials said.
Today, paratroopers from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, found a cache near Yahya al Hindawi, south of Baghdad. The cache consisted of 16 .50-caliber casings, nine AK-47 magazines with 7.62 rounds, a hand grenade, three trucks, two large-caliber rounds, an ammunition can with 7.62 rounds and 295,000 Iraqi dinar.
The soldiers secured the cache, taking it back to their base camp for further analysis by an explosive ordnance detachment.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and police and military personnel who have become writers.
DoD Announces Soldier's Captured Status
The Department of Defense announced today a change in the status of a soldier serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom from duty status whereabouts unknown (DUSTWUN) to missing-captured.
Spc. Ahmed K. Altaie, 41, of Ann Arbor, Mich., was declared missing-captured on Dec. 11.
On Oct. 23, Altaie was categorized as DUSTWUN when he allegedly was kidnapped while on his way to visit family in Baghdad, Iraq. The soldier is assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team Baghdad. fforts continue to obtain the successful and safe return of Altaie.
For further information related to the situation, contact the Coalition Press Information Center-Baghdad at (703) 270-0299 or (703) 270-0320. Change-in-status questions can be directed to Shari Lawrence, deputy public affairs officer, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Alexandria, Va., at (703) 325-8856.
For the public affairs officer assisting Altaie's family, contact the Michigan National Guard public affairs office, at (517) 481-8140.
Spc. Ahmed K. Altaie, 41, of Ann Arbor, Mich., was declared missing-captured on Dec. 11.
On Oct. 23, Altaie was categorized as DUSTWUN when he allegedly was kidnapped while on his way to visit family in Baghdad, Iraq. The soldier is assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team Baghdad. fforts continue to obtain the successful and safe return of Altaie.
For further information related to the situation, contact the Coalition Press Information Center-Baghdad at (703) 270-0299 or (703) 270-0320. Change-in-status questions can be directed to Shari Lawrence, deputy public affairs officer, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Alexandria, Va., at (703) 325-8856.
For the public affairs officer assisting Altaie's family, contact the Michigan National Guard public affairs office, at (517) 481-8140.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Maj. Gloria D. Davis, 47, of St. Louis, Mo., died Dec. 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. She was assigned to the Defense Security Assistance Agency, Washington, D.C.
The incident is under investigation.
For further information related to this release, contact the Defense Security Assistance Agency at (703) 601-3670.
Maj. Gloria D. Davis, 47, of St. Louis, Mo., died Dec. 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. She was assigned to the Defense Security Assistance Agency, Washington, D.C.
The incident is under investigation.
For further information related to this release, contact the Defense Security Assistance Agency at (703) 601-3670.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Military Health Care Making Advances
The military has made tremendous advances in health care in the last decade and specifically since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the top Defense Department official for health care said here yesterday. Body armor, eyewear, new surgical techniques and improved medical data collection in this conflict have all contributed to the low
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Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Brent W. Dunkleberger, 29, of New Bloomfield, Pa., died of injuries suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle during a convoy security mission in Mosul, Iraq, Dec. 12. Dunkleberger was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
For further information related to this release the media can contact the Fort Bliss public affairs office at (915) 568-4505.
Sgt. Brent W. Dunkleberger, 29, of New Bloomfield, Pa., died of injuries suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle during a convoy security mission in Mosul, Iraq, Dec. 12. Dunkleberger was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
For further information related to this release the media can contact the Fort Bliss public affairs office at (915) 568-4505.
U.S. to Increase Role of Military Transition Teams
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
Dec. 13, 2006 – To speed the development of Iraqi security forces, the United States is accelerating its use of military, police and border transition teams, a coalition spokesman in Baghdad said today. "Iraqis need capable and honest security forces that are loyal to all of their people," Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said in a news conference with U.S. and Iraqi media. "They need forces that can run complex operations against terrorists and criminal elements. And the best way for Iraqi security forces to enhance these capabilities is through the mentorship and partnership of our coalition transition teams."
The coalition has done a great job in training and equipping a large number of Iraqi forces in a relatively short time, Caldwell said, and now the emphasis needs to be on developing those forces further. The Iraqi force is filled with junior leaders with little experience, so the daily influence of coalition advisors is helpful in developing basic leadership skills, he said.
The military transition teams already are making the Iraqi forces more capable and competent, Caldwell said. The coalition influence has decreased the amount of absences in the Iraqi force and has increased the attention to detail.
"The (military transition teams) provide on-the-job training out there, where they continue to work improving the professionalism and leadership," Caldwell said. "That's why it's so important to have more of them out there than we do today, because we're seeing the benefit from that."
While there isn't a lot of quantifiable data showing the effectiveness of the military transition teams, reports from commanders on the ground are consistently positive, Caldwell said.
"When you have commanders on the ground at the lowest level -- company commanders, young captains, young sergeants -- that are telling you that they see an improvement, that's probably one of the best measures you can possibly use," he said.
The Iraqi security forces, though still not at the level of being able to conduct independent operations, are making progress and becoming more competent, Caldwell said. In a Dec. 7 operation, Iraqi army, national police and local police forces worked together to detain 10 suspected insurgents and seize three weapons caches. Iraqi forces also worked together to free 23 kidnapping victims near Abu Ghraib yesterday, he said.
"This is significant because it demonstrates that Iraqi forces are making progress in working more together," he said.
The Iraqis want to assume greater control over their security, Caldwell said, and the Iraqi government is working on plans to transition responsibility away from coalition forces. Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of Multinational Force Iraq, and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, are working closely with the Iraqi government on these plans, he said.
"The challenge we have is they want to take greater control of their security," Caldwell said. "If that's a problem, it's a great problem to have on our hands -- that they want to assume greater control and be more responsible for their overall security. Our mission is to figure out how we can best help them achieve that as rapidly as we can."
As the transition to Iraqi security forces begins, the level of violence is rising in Iraq, as coalition leaders expected it to, Caldwell said. He acknowledged that the level of violence in Baghdad is unacceptable, but emphasized that the solution cannot be only military.
"Ultimately, this is going to require a political solution," he said. "It's going to require political parties and political leaders coming together and reconciling their differences. Our military will not lose a battle; they just won't. But we can't win the peace. It's going to take the Iraqis finding a solution to the Iraqi problems."
The thing that is always reassuring, Caldwell noted, is that the Iraqi people are dedicated to peace and are rejecting violence every day. "The overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people want to live in a safe and secure environment," he said.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 13, 2006 – To speed the development of Iraqi security forces, the United States is accelerating its use of military, police and border transition teams, a coalition spokesman in Baghdad said today. "Iraqis need capable and honest security forces that are loyal to all of their people," Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said in a news conference with U.S. and Iraqi media. "They need forces that can run complex operations against terrorists and criminal elements. And the best way for Iraqi security forces to enhance these capabilities is through the mentorship and partnership of our coalition transition teams."
The coalition has done a great job in training and equipping a large number of Iraqi forces in a relatively short time, Caldwell said, and now the emphasis needs to be on developing those forces further. The Iraqi force is filled with junior leaders with little experience, so the daily influence of coalition advisors is helpful in developing basic leadership skills, he said.
The military transition teams already are making the Iraqi forces more capable and competent, Caldwell said. The coalition influence has decreased the amount of absences in the Iraqi force and has increased the attention to detail.
"The (military transition teams) provide on-the-job training out there, where they continue to work improving the professionalism and leadership," Caldwell said. "That's why it's so important to have more of them out there than we do today, because we're seeing the benefit from that."
While there isn't a lot of quantifiable data showing the effectiveness of the military transition teams, reports from commanders on the ground are consistently positive, Caldwell said.
"When you have commanders on the ground at the lowest level -- company commanders, young captains, young sergeants -- that are telling you that they see an improvement, that's probably one of the best measures you can possibly use," he said.
The Iraqi security forces, though still not at the level of being able to conduct independent operations, are making progress and becoming more competent, Caldwell said. In a Dec. 7 operation, Iraqi army, national police and local police forces worked together to detain 10 suspected insurgents and seize three weapons caches. Iraqi forces also worked together to free 23 kidnapping victims near Abu Ghraib yesterday, he said.
"This is significant because it demonstrates that Iraqi forces are making progress in working more together," he said.
The Iraqis want to assume greater control over their security, Caldwell said, and the Iraqi government is working on plans to transition responsibility away from coalition forces. Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of Multinational Force Iraq, and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, are working closely with the Iraqi government on these plans, he said.
"The challenge we have is they want to take greater control of their security," Caldwell said. "If that's a problem, it's a great problem to have on our hands -- that they want to assume greater control and be more responsible for their overall security. Our mission is to figure out how we can best help them achieve that as rapidly as we can."
As the transition to Iraqi security forces begins, the level of violence is rising in Iraq, as coalition leaders expected it to, Caldwell said. He acknowledged that the level of violence in Baghdad is unacceptable, but emphasized that the solution cannot be only military.
"Ultimately, this is going to require a political solution," he said. "It's going to require political parties and political leaders coming together and reconciling their differences. Our military will not lose a battle; they just won't. But we can't win the peace. It's going to take the Iraqis finding a solution to the Iraqi problems."
The thing that is always reassuring, Caldwell noted, is that the Iraqi people are dedicated to peace and are rejecting violence every day. "The overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people want to live in a safe and secure environment," he said.
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Language Familiarity, Cultural Awareness Critical to Iraq Fight
By Jim Garamone
Dec. 13, 2006 – Language training and awareness of Iraqi and Arab culture are absolutely necessary for servicemembers deploying to Iraq, the outgoing commander of Multinational Corps Iraq said in Baghdad yesterday. Army Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who gives up command tomorrow, told Baghdad-based journalists that a poll conducted among 1st Cavalry Division soldiers following their 2004 deployment to Iraq pointed out how important they believed language skills to be.
The idea is not to have every soldier fluent in Arabic, but rather to have an understanding of some common phrases they need to use on a daily basis, he said. Troops need to have that knowledge when they arrive, and not three months later after having to learn them via "the school of hard knocks," the general said.
He said he was surprised the soldiers felt the cultural awareness piece was so important. Chiarelli commanded the 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad in 2004. He said he pushed such training before the division's deployment in 2004 because he felt his soldiers needed to understand that the culture in Iraq is totally different from that of Americans. "And you'd better understand that," he said. "It makes all the difference in the world."
The need for this type of training highlights the complicated nature of the conflict in Iraq. Cultural sensitivity helps prevent soldiers from creating problems for themselves through ignorance, and this improves force protection, Chiarelli said. "It means that coalition soldiers are not fired at, shot at, or have (improvised explosive devices) go off on them when they can go into an area, or they have less," he said. "They can go into an area and are viewed by the people as being somebody that people want to see in their neighborhood, because they acquit themselves the way they're supposed to in this culture."
The general said he believes the training U.S. servicemembers receive is superb, but that the fight they enter is tough and unlike anything the U.S. military has encountered before. The enemy doesn't attack with formations. Ten insurgents attacking is a large number. Instead, it is usually two or three insurgents planting improvised explosive devices, rigging up car bombs or sniping at coalition and Iraqi forces, he said.
The days of a pitched battle in Iraq are over, Chiarelli said, adding that there is no traditional "front line."
"I still believe that that's the way many Americans think this fight is," he said. "And I find it just absolutely frustrating. I don't even necessarily believe the Vietnam comparisons are right."
In Vietnam, there was a guerilla enemy, the Viet Cong, but there were also battles with large formations of North Vietnamese army soldiers. "We don't see that out here," he said. "We see Baghdad, a city of anywhere from 5.5 to 7.5 million people ... where no one's wearing a uniform. (It's) very, very difficult to pick out who's for you and who's against you. And it's an extremely difficult fight."
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have become writers.
Dec. 13, 2006 – Language training and awareness of Iraqi and Arab culture are absolutely necessary for servicemembers deploying to Iraq, the outgoing commander of Multinational Corps Iraq said in Baghdad yesterday. Army Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who gives up command tomorrow, told Baghdad-based journalists that a poll conducted among 1st Cavalry Division soldiers following their 2004 deployment to Iraq pointed out how important they believed language skills to be.
The idea is not to have every soldier fluent in Arabic, but rather to have an understanding of some common phrases they need to use on a daily basis, he said. Troops need to have that knowledge when they arrive, and not three months later after having to learn them via "the school of hard knocks," the general said.
He said he was surprised the soldiers felt the cultural awareness piece was so important. Chiarelli commanded the 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad in 2004. He said he pushed such training before the division's deployment in 2004 because he felt his soldiers needed to understand that the culture in Iraq is totally different from that of Americans. "And you'd better understand that," he said. "It makes all the difference in the world."
The need for this type of training highlights the complicated nature of the conflict in Iraq. Cultural sensitivity helps prevent soldiers from creating problems for themselves through ignorance, and this improves force protection, Chiarelli said. "It means that coalition soldiers are not fired at, shot at, or have (improvised explosive devices) go off on them when they can go into an area, or they have less," he said. "They can go into an area and are viewed by the people as being somebody that people want to see in their neighborhood, because they acquit themselves the way they're supposed to in this culture."
The general said he believes the training U.S. servicemembers receive is superb, but that the fight they enter is tough and unlike anything the U.S. military has encountered before. The enemy doesn't attack with formations. Ten insurgents attacking is a large number. Instead, it is usually two or three insurgents planting improvised explosive devices, rigging up car bombs or sniping at coalition and Iraqi forces, he said.
The days of a pitched battle in Iraq are over, Chiarelli said, adding that there is no traditional "front line."
"I still believe that that's the way many Americans think this fight is," he said. "And I find it just absolutely frustrating. I don't even necessarily believe the Vietnam comparisons are right."
In Vietnam, there was a guerilla enemy, the Viet Cong, but there were also battles with large formations of North Vietnamese army soldiers. "We don't see that out here," he said. "We see Baghdad, a city of anywhere from 5.5 to 7.5 million people ... where no one's wearing a uniform. (It's) very, very difficult to pick out who's for you and who's against you. And it's an extremely difficult fight."
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have become writers.
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