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Thursday, April 26, 2007
Forces Capture Six Terrorists; Iraqi Police Find Weapons in Mosque
American Forces Press Service
April 25, 2007 – Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists during operations around Iraq today, and Iraqi police and U.S. soldiers found a weapons cache inside a Baghdad mosque April 23. Coalition troops detained three suspected terrorists today during a raid southeast of Salman Pak, officials said. Coalition forces were targeting senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders and a group that provides foreign fighters.
Also today, coalition forces nabbed two more suspected terrorists during a raid north of Karmah, while another suspected terrorist was detained in an operation in Mosul.
"We are continuing to disrupt the al Qaeda network and stop those who harm civilians and security forces," Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said.
Meanwhile, Iraqi national police and U.S. soldiers uncovered a weapons cache at the al Nur Mosque in Baghdad's Jihad neighborhood April 23 thanks to a tip from local residents, according to officials.
Forces from the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraqi National Police Division, raided the location after locals reported seeing insurgents firing mortars and fleeing into the mosque. They also reported that the mosque hadn't been used for religious purposes in months.
Soldiers assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, cordoned off the area, as the Iraqi police entered the mosque to search for insurgents and contraband.
The Iraqi police found a cache that included four 155 mm artillery rounds, 21 blocks of military-grade C-4 explosives, two propane tanks with C-4 explosive attached, three rolls of wire, one 107 mm rocket rigged as an improvised explosive device, a rifle, and a roll of wire wrapped around a soda bottle, officials said.
No U.S. forces entered the mosque at any time during the operation, officials said.
In other news, U.S. officials announced today that coalition forces had killed a wanted al Qaeda leader linked to recent chlorine-gas bombings in Iraq. The terrorist was killed April 20 during a coalition operation, according to U.S. military officials.
Coalition officials said they've positively identified al Qaeda operative Muhammad Abdullah Abbas al-Issawi as one of several terrorists killed during an anti-terrorist operation northwest of Baghdad.
Issawi, also known as Abu Abd al-Sattar, was a known al Qaeda terrorist leader known to operate in the Karmah and Ameriyah areas and was the al Qaeda in Iraq security chief for eastern Anbar province, according to officials.
Coalition forces were searching for associates of a known senior leader within al Qaeda in Iraq. During the operation the terrorists engaged coalition ground forces with small-arms fire. Coalition forces responded, killing two terrorists, including the al Qaeda security chief, while detaining one person. Assault vests, weapons, hand grenades and suicide vests were seized as contraband.
Issawi had links to al Qaeda kingpin Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He was also a weapons supplier to insurgent forces, officials said. He was also linked to recent chlorine truck-bomb attacks staged across Iraq. Intelligence reports also indicate that his terror network used 12- to 13-year-old children as car-bomb drivers.
"Abu Abd al-Satter's death is a serious disruption to al Qaeda in Iraq's (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) network," Garver said.
The terrorist's demise also "represents one more victory in the war against those that would deny safety and security to the Iraqi people," he said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
April 25, 2007 – Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists during operations around Iraq today, and Iraqi police and U.S. soldiers found a weapons cache inside a Baghdad mosque April 23. Coalition troops detained three suspected terrorists today during a raid southeast of Salman Pak, officials said. Coalition forces were targeting senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders and a group that provides foreign fighters.
Also today, coalition forces nabbed two more suspected terrorists during a raid north of Karmah, while another suspected terrorist was detained in an operation in Mosul.
"We are continuing to disrupt the al Qaeda network and stop those who harm civilians and security forces," Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said.
Meanwhile, Iraqi national police and U.S. soldiers uncovered a weapons cache at the al Nur Mosque in Baghdad's Jihad neighborhood April 23 thanks to a tip from local residents, according to officials.
Forces from the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraqi National Police Division, raided the location after locals reported seeing insurgents firing mortars and fleeing into the mosque. They also reported that the mosque hadn't been used for religious purposes in months.
Soldiers assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, cordoned off the area, as the Iraqi police entered the mosque to search for insurgents and contraband.
The Iraqi police found a cache that included four 155 mm artillery rounds, 21 blocks of military-grade C-4 explosives, two propane tanks with C-4 explosive attached, three rolls of wire, one 107 mm rocket rigged as an improvised explosive device, a rifle, and a roll of wire wrapped around a soda bottle, officials said.
No U.S. forces entered the mosque at any time during the operation, officials said.
In other news, U.S. officials announced today that coalition forces had killed a wanted al Qaeda leader linked to recent chlorine-gas bombings in Iraq. The terrorist was killed April 20 during a coalition operation, according to U.S. military officials.
Coalition officials said they've positively identified al Qaeda operative Muhammad Abdullah Abbas al-Issawi as one of several terrorists killed during an anti-terrorist operation northwest of Baghdad.
Issawi, also known as Abu Abd al-Sattar, was a known al Qaeda terrorist leader known to operate in the Karmah and Ameriyah areas and was the al Qaeda in Iraq security chief for eastern Anbar province, according to officials.
Coalition forces were searching for associates of a known senior leader within al Qaeda in Iraq. During the operation the terrorists engaged coalition ground forces with small-arms fire. Coalition forces responded, killing two terrorists, including the al Qaeda security chief, while detaining one person. Assault vests, weapons, hand grenades and suicide vests were seized as contraband.
Issawi had links to al Qaeda kingpin Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He was also a weapons supplier to insurgent forces, officials said. He was also linked to recent chlorine truck-bomb attacks staged across Iraq. Intelligence reports also indicate that his terror network used 12- to 13-year-old children as car-bomb drivers.
"Abu Abd al-Satter's death is a serious disruption to al Qaeda in Iraq's (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) network," Garver said.
The terrorist's demise also "represents one more victory in the war against those that would deny safety and security to the Iraqi people," he said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Raids Net Bomb Components, Suspects in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
April 25, 2007 – A series of joint Afghan-coalition raids conducted over the past few days in southern Afghanistan have netted weapons, bomb-making components and suspects, according to U.S. military news releases. Afghan and coalition forces found improvised explosive device-making components and ammunition during an early-morning raid on a suspected militant safe house yesterday.
Another raid performed the same day targeted a local Islamic school, which was suspected of harboring extremists. Both raids were conducted in the Garboz district of Khowst province.
Two suspected militants were detained as a result of the operations, officials said. The seized ammunition and explosive material was destroyed.
"Enemies of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan continue to place innocent people in harm's way by conducting illegal activities within common living areas and schools, placing women and children at risk," coalition spokesman Army Maj. Chris Belcher said.
Intelligence indicated the compounds were harboring terrorist facilitators operating in Khowst province who posed a serious threat to peace and stability in Afghanistan, Belcher said.
None of the children at the school were harmed in the operation, officials said. No one was injured, and no shots were fired at either raid location.
Another joint Afghan-coalition forces raid resulted in the detention of two suspected militants in Paktika province April 23.
Information led the combined force to a compound of buildings suspected of sheltering weapons smugglers working for the Haqqani network, officials said. The smuggled weapons are suspected of being used against coalition forces and peaceful Afghans in the area.
During the operation, one inhabitant fled the compound and was soon apprehended by combined forces unharmed. The other inhabitants surrendered and were not harmed. No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported as a result of the operation, officials said.
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
April 25, 2007 – A series of joint Afghan-coalition raids conducted over the past few days in southern Afghanistan have netted weapons, bomb-making components and suspects, according to U.S. military news releases. Afghan and coalition forces found improvised explosive device-making components and ammunition during an early-morning raid on a suspected militant safe house yesterday.
Another raid performed the same day targeted a local Islamic school, which was suspected of harboring extremists. Both raids were conducted in the Garboz district of Khowst province.
Two suspected militants were detained as a result of the operations, officials said. The seized ammunition and explosive material was destroyed.
"Enemies of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan continue to place innocent people in harm's way by conducting illegal activities within common living areas and schools, placing women and children at risk," coalition spokesman Army Maj. Chris Belcher said.
Intelligence indicated the compounds were harboring terrorist facilitators operating in Khowst province who posed a serious threat to peace and stability in Afghanistan, Belcher said.
None of the children at the school were harmed in the operation, officials said. No one was injured, and no shots were fired at either raid location.
Another joint Afghan-coalition forces raid resulted in the detention of two suspected militants in Paktika province April 23.
Information led the combined force to a compound of buildings suspected of sheltering weapons smugglers working for the Haqqani network, officials said. The smuggled weapons are suspected of being used against coalition forces and peaceful Afghans in the area.
During the operation, one inhabitant fled the compound and was soon apprehended by combined forces unharmed. The other inhabitants surrendered and were not harmed. No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported as a result of the operation, officials said.
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Jeremy E. Maresh, 24, of Jim Thorpe, Pa., died Apr. 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident.
His death is under investigation.
Maresh was assigned to C Battery, 1st Battalion, 213th Air Defense Artillery, Spring City, Pa. For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Pennsylvania Army National Guard at (717) 861-8468.
Spc. Jeremy E. Maresh, 24, of Jim Thorpe, Pa., died Apr. 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident.
His death is under investigation.
Maresh was assigned to C Battery, 1st Battalion, 213th Air Defense Artillery, Spring City, Pa. For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Pennsylvania Army National Guard at (717) 861-8468.
Soldier Dies in Non-Combat Incident; Earlier Casualties Identified
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 26, 2007 – A Multinational Corps Iraq soldier died April 24 in a non-combat-related incident, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has identified 13 servicemembers killed while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan in recent days.
The Multinational Corps Iraq soldier's name and home unit are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification, and the incident is under investigation, officials said.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department has identified the following servicemembers who were killed in action in recent days:
-- Marine Lance Cpl. Dale G. Peterson, 20, of Redmond, Ore., died April 23 while conducting combat operations in Iraq's Anbar province. Peterson was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Steven R. Tudor, 36, of Dunmore, Pa., died April 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire during combat operations. Tudor was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
-- Army Pfc. Jeffrey A. Avery, 19, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died April 23 in Muqudadiyah, Iraq, from wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during checkpoint operations. He was assigned to the 571st Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.
-- Army Cpl. Ray M. Bevel, 22, of Andrews, Texas, died April 21 in Yusifiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol operations. Bevel was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Marlon B. Harper, 34, of Baltimore, died April 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using a rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire during combat operations. Harper was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
-- Army Sgt. William W. Bushnell, 24, of Jasper, Ark., died April 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade during combat operations. Bushnell was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
-- Pfc. Christopher M. North, 21, of Sarasota, Fla., died April 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire during combat operations. North was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
-- Pfc. Michael J. Slater, 19, of Scott Depot, W.Va., died April 21 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle rolled over during combat operations. Slater was assigned to the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
-- Army Chief Warrant Officer Dwayne L. Moore, 31, of Williamsburg, Va., died April 19 in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire. Moore was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
-- Army Cpl. Wade J. Oglesby, 27, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Army Cpl. Michael M. Rojas, 21, of Fresno, Calif., died April 18 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
-- Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffery A. Bishop, 23, of Dickson, Tenn., died April 20 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Anbar province. Bishop was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
-- Army Sgt. Alexander Van Aalten, 21, of Monterey, Tenn., died April 20 in Sangin, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when a land mine detonated near his unit during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Defense Department news releases.)
WASHINGTON, April 26, 2007 – A Multinational Corps Iraq soldier died April 24 in a non-combat-related incident, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has identified 13 servicemembers killed while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan in recent days.
The Multinational Corps Iraq soldier's name and home unit are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification, and the incident is under investigation, officials said.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department has identified the following servicemembers who were killed in action in recent days:
-- Marine Lance Cpl. Dale G. Peterson, 20, of Redmond, Ore., died April 23 while conducting combat operations in Iraq's Anbar province. Peterson was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Steven R. Tudor, 36, of Dunmore, Pa., died April 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire during combat operations. Tudor was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
-- Army Pfc. Jeffrey A. Avery, 19, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died April 23 in Muqudadiyah, Iraq, from wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during checkpoint operations. He was assigned to the 571st Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.
-- Army Cpl. Ray M. Bevel, 22, of Andrews, Texas, died April 21 in Yusifiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol operations. Bevel was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Marlon B. Harper, 34, of Baltimore, died April 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using a rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire during combat operations. Harper was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
-- Army Sgt. William W. Bushnell, 24, of Jasper, Ark., died April 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade during combat operations. Bushnell was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
-- Pfc. Christopher M. North, 21, of Sarasota, Fla., died April 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire during combat operations. North was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
-- Pfc. Michael J. Slater, 19, of Scott Depot, W.Va., died April 21 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle rolled over during combat operations. Slater was assigned to the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
-- Army Chief Warrant Officer Dwayne L. Moore, 31, of Williamsburg, Va., died April 19 in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire. Moore was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
-- Army Cpl. Wade J. Oglesby, 27, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Army Cpl. Michael M. Rojas, 21, of Fresno, Calif., died April 18 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
-- Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffery A. Bishop, 23, of Dickson, Tenn., died April 20 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Anbar province. Bishop was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
-- Army Sgt. Alexander Van Aalten, 21, of Monterey, Tenn., died April 20 in Sangin, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when a land mine detonated near his unit during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Defense Department news releases.)
Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Dale G. Peterson, 20, of Redmond, Ore., died April 23 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Peterson was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the II Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs Office at (910) 450-7200.
Lance Cpl. Dale G. Peterson, 20, of Redmond, Ore., died April 23 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Peterson was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the II Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs Office at (910) 450-7200.
Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of nine soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Apr. 23 in As Sadah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their location.
Killed were:
1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers, 26, of Hastings, Neb.
Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Locker Jr., 28, of Wakefield, Neb.
Staff Sgt. William C. Moore, 27, of Benson, N.C.
Sgt. Randell T. Marshall, 22, of Fitzgerald, Ga.
Sgt. Brice A. Pearson, 32, of Phoenix, Az.
Sgt. Michael L. Vaughan, 20, of Otis, Ore.
Spc. Jerry R. King, 19, of Browersville, Ga.
Spc. Michael J. Rodriguez, 20, of Sanford, N.C.
Pfc. Garrett C. Knoll, 23, of Bad Axe, Mich.
All were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661.
Killed were:
1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers, 26, of Hastings, Neb.
Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Locker Jr., 28, of Wakefield, Neb.
Staff Sgt. William C. Moore, 27, of Benson, N.C.
Sgt. Randell T. Marshall, 22, of Fitzgerald, Ga.
Sgt. Brice A. Pearson, 32, of Phoenix, Az.
Sgt. Michael L. Vaughan, 20, of Otis, Ore.
Spc. Jerry R. King, 19, of Browersville, Ga.
Spc. Michael J. Rodriguez, 20, of Sanford, N.C.
Pfc. Garrett C. Knoll, 23, of Bad Axe, Mich.
All were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Soldiers Killed in Attack on U.S. Patrol Base
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Nine Task Force Lightning soldiers died as a result of injuries suffered from an explosion near a patrol base in Iraq's Diyala province yesterday, military officials reported.
Twenty soldiers and one Iraqi civilian were wounded when a car bomb attacked the patrol base. Twelve soldiers were returned to duty after initial medical care, and eight soldiers and the Iraqi civilian were evacuated to a coalition forces medical treatment facility for further care. Three of those soldiers were later returned to duty.
Also yesterday, a Multinational Corps Iraq soldier died at about 12:45 p.m. after an improvised explosive device exploded near his location in Muqudadiyah. The names of the deceased soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the identities of eight soldiers and one Marine who were killed recently supporting the war on terror.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Marlon B. Harper, 34, of Baltimore, died Apr. 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using a rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire. Harper was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
-- Army Sgt. William W. Bushnell, 24, of Jasper, Ark., died Apr. 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle. Bushnell was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
-- Army Pfc. Christopher M. North, 21, of Sarasota, Fla., died Apr. 21, in Baghdad of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. North was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
-- Army Pvt. Michael J. Slater, 19, of Scott Depot, W.Va., died Apr. 21 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle rolled over during combat operations. Slater was assigned to the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. -- Army Sgt. Alexander Van Aalten, 21, of Monterey, Tenn., died Apr. 20 in Sangin, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when a land mine detonated near his unit. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg.
-- Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffery A. Bishop, 23, of Dickson, Tenn., died April 20 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. Bishop was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
-- Army Chief Warrant Officer Dwayne L. Moore, 31, of Williamsburg, Va., died Apr. 19 in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire. Moore was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
-- Army Cpl. Wade J. Oglesby, 27, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Army Cpl. Michael M. Rojas, 21, of Fresno, Calif., died Apr. 18 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Defense Department news releases.)
April 24, 2007 – Nine Task Force Lightning soldiers died as a result of injuries suffered from an explosion near a patrol base in Iraq's Diyala province yesterday, military officials reported.
Twenty soldiers and one Iraqi civilian were wounded when a car bomb attacked the patrol base. Twelve soldiers were returned to duty after initial medical care, and eight soldiers and the Iraqi civilian were evacuated to a coalition forces medical treatment facility for further care. Three of those soldiers were later returned to duty.
Also yesterday, a Multinational Corps Iraq soldier died at about 12:45 p.m. after an improvised explosive device exploded near his location in Muqudadiyah. The names of the deceased soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the identities of eight soldiers and one Marine who were killed recently supporting the war on terror.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Marlon B. Harper, 34, of Baltimore, died Apr. 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using a rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire. Harper was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
-- Army Sgt. William W. Bushnell, 24, of Jasper, Ark., died Apr. 21 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle. Bushnell was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
-- Army Pfc. Christopher M. North, 21, of Sarasota, Fla., died Apr. 21, in Baghdad of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. North was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
-- Army Pvt. Michael J. Slater, 19, of Scott Depot, W.Va., died Apr. 21 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle rolled over during combat operations. Slater was assigned to the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. -- Army Sgt. Alexander Van Aalten, 21, of Monterey, Tenn., died Apr. 20 in Sangin, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when a land mine detonated near his unit. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg.
-- Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffery A. Bishop, 23, of Dickson, Tenn., died April 20 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. Bishop was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
-- Army Chief Warrant Officer Dwayne L. Moore, 31, of Williamsburg, Va., died Apr. 19 in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire. Moore was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
-- Army Cpl. Wade J. Oglesby, 27, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Army Cpl. Michael M. Rojas, 21, of Fresno, Calif., died Apr. 18 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Defense Department news releases.)
Bush: U.S. Security Tied to Success in Iraq
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Although most Americans would like to see the conflict in Iraq end and U.S. troops come home, America must persevere in Iraq to ensure its own future security, President Bush said here today. "No matter how frustrating the fight can be and no matter how much we wish the war was over, the security of our country depends directly on the outcome in Iraq," Bush said in a White House statement on the 2007 Iraq war supplemental spending bill.
Bush spoke against Congress's proposed bill, which ties funding for the war with withdrawal deadlines for U.S. troops from Iraq. Setting withdrawal deadlines would let the enemy know exactly how long they have to wait before they can try to take over Iraq and use it as a base for future attacks, he said.
"A lesson of 9/11 is that allowing terrorists to find a sanctuary anywhere in the world can have deadly consequences on the streets of our own cities," Bush said. "Precipitous withdrawal from Iraq is not a plan to bring peace to the region or to make our people safer at home. Instead, it would embolden our enemies and confirm their belief that America is weak."
Withdrawing from Iraq before the job is done would be an invitation to terrorists to attack America and its allies around the world, Bush said, and would increase the chance that American troops would have to return to Iraq one day and face a stronger enemy.
Bush said he listened when, in the November 2006 election, the American people voiced a desire for change in the strategy in Iraq. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the new commander of Multinational Force Iraq, is carrying out a strategy that's drastically different from the previous strategy, Bush said. While the people voted for change in Iraq strategy, Bush added, "the American people did not vote for failure."
"The price of giving up (in Iraq) would be paid in American lives for years to come," Bush said. "It would be (an) unforgiveable mistake for leaders in Washington to allow politics and impatience to stand in the way of protecting the American people."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Although most Americans would like to see the conflict in Iraq end and U.S. troops come home, America must persevere in Iraq to ensure its own future security, President Bush said here today. "No matter how frustrating the fight can be and no matter how much we wish the war was over, the security of our country depends directly on the outcome in Iraq," Bush said in a White House statement on the 2007 Iraq war supplemental spending bill.
Bush spoke against Congress's proposed bill, which ties funding for the war with withdrawal deadlines for U.S. troops from Iraq. Setting withdrawal deadlines would let the enemy know exactly how long they have to wait before they can try to take over Iraq and use it as a base for future attacks, he said.
"A lesson of 9/11 is that allowing terrorists to find a sanctuary anywhere in the world can have deadly consequences on the streets of our own cities," Bush said. "Precipitous withdrawal from Iraq is not a plan to bring peace to the region or to make our people safer at home. Instead, it would embolden our enemies and confirm their belief that America is weak."
Withdrawing from Iraq before the job is done would be an invitation to terrorists to attack America and its allies around the world, Bush said, and would increase the chance that American troops would have to return to Iraq one day and face a stronger enemy.
Bush said he listened when, in the November 2006 election, the American people voiced a desire for change in the strategy in Iraq. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the new commander of Multinational Force Iraq, is carrying out a strategy that's drastically different from the previous strategy, Bush said. While the people voted for change in Iraq strategy, Bush added, "the American people did not vote for failure."
"The price of giving up (in Iraq) would be paid in American lives for years to come," Bush said. "It would be (an) unforgiveable mistake for leaders in Washington to allow politics and impatience to stand in the way of protecting the American people."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Civilian Leaders Converge to Learn About Military
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Decked out in their new military-issue combat boots and with bags packed in preparation for a trip to 90-degree climates, 45 civic and business leaders converged on the nation's capital April 22 to take part in the oldest public affairs program sponsored by the Defense Department. Pentagon officials invited leaders from across the nation to participate in the 73rd Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, a weeklong journey covering 18,000 miles to introduce civilians to members of the armed forces who carry out military operations in Southwest Asia and the Horn of Africa.
Defense Secretary James Forrestal initiated the program in 1948 in an effort to introduce influential community members to the scope and breadth of the armed forces. Initially, participants only visited U.S. military installations; however, the program has spread to include overseas areas pertinent to today's military operations.
Before boarding an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport jet to fly nearly 8,000 miles for their stop in Djibouti, participants visited the Pentagon, where they had breakfast with top leaders from each branch of service. They also received briefings by military officials in preparation for their trip to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"We appreciate your curiosity to learn about the men and women who defend your freedom," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communication and public liaison. "We know that you are very busy people, and it honors us that you're giving up a week of your time for us."
A range of leaders from chief executive officers of energy corporations and professional sports franchises came together with entertainment industry executives and political leaders to see first-hand what each branch of service does to protect the freedom of the United States in addition to helping fledgling nations learn to do the same for themselves.
"I'm hoping to learn more about the world through the eyes of the military," said Gary Cohen, superintendent of the Port Angeles School District, in Port Angeles, Wash.
He said he plans to use his experiences during the trip to teach his students about world geography. By playing "Where in the World is Dr. Cohen?" he wants to challenge the third graders in his school district to learn more about Southwest Asia.
"This trip is not about politics. It's about your defense and what the men and women in uniform are doing every day," Barber told participants. "I encourage you to have robust, interactive conversations with our troops during this trip."
Maine State Sen. Lisa Marrache said she plans to use her experiences during the trip to communicate with her constituents and do a better job in her position as the state's veterans affairs chairman.
As the daughter of a career soldier, Marrache said, she understands this war isn't like Vietnam, but something completely different. She said she plans to have outreach events upon her return to share her experiences.
"This trip will help me be better informed to dispel myths while providing more dimension to the nation's participation in the war," she said. "Nobody is against supporting our troops, but I'm hoping to get some unbiased answers over the course of the trip."
For military supporters like Chris Kanazawa, president and chief executive officer of Parker Ranch, Inc., in Kamuela, Hawaii, the trip will provide a better sense about what troops are doing to support the global war on terror.
Kanazawa, whose father served in World War II, was draft-eligible during the Vietnam War. He said he wants to make sure that troops feel supported back home.
"All I learn about the military is from what I read in newspapers," said. "This war is very different from ones in the past. This trip will help me better understand and spread the word about how dedicated, focused and well-trained our troops are."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Decked out in their new military-issue combat boots and with bags packed in preparation for a trip to 90-degree climates, 45 civic and business leaders converged on the nation's capital April 22 to take part in the oldest public affairs program sponsored by the Defense Department. Pentagon officials invited leaders from across the nation to participate in the 73rd Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, a weeklong journey covering 18,000 miles to introduce civilians to members of the armed forces who carry out military operations in Southwest Asia and the Horn of Africa.
Defense Secretary James Forrestal initiated the program in 1948 in an effort to introduce influential community members to the scope and breadth of the armed forces. Initially, participants only visited U.S. military installations; however, the program has spread to include overseas areas pertinent to today's military operations.
Before boarding an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport jet to fly nearly 8,000 miles for their stop in Djibouti, participants visited the Pentagon, where they had breakfast with top leaders from each branch of service. They also received briefings by military officials in preparation for their trip to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"We appreciate your curiosity to learn about the men and women who defend your freedom," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communication and public liaison. "We know that you are very busy people, and it honors us that you're giving up a week of your time for us."
A range of leaders from chief executive officers of energy corporations and professional sports franchises came together with entertainment industry executives and political leaders to see first-hand what each branch of service does to protect the freedom of the United States in addition to helping fledgling nations learn to do the same for themselves.
"I'm hoping to learn more about the world through the eyes of the military," said Gary Cohen, superintendent of the Port Angeles School District, in Port Angeles, Wash.
He said he plans to use his experiences during the trip to teach his students about world geography. By playing "Where in the World is Dr. Cohen?" he wants to challenge the third graders in his school district to learn more about Southwest Asia.
"This trip is not about politics. It's about your defense and what the men and women in uniform are doing every day," Barber told participants. "I encourage you to have robust, interactive conversations with our troops during this trip."
Maine State Sen. Lisa Marrache said she plans to use her experiences during the trip to communicate with her constituents and do a better job in her position as the state's veterans affairs chairman.
As the daughter of a career soldier, Marrache said, she understands this war isn't like Vietnam, but something completely different. She said she plans to have outreach events upon her return to share her experiences.
"This trip will help me be better informed to dispel myths while providing more dimension to the nation's participation in the war," she said. "Nobody is against supporting our troops, but I'm hoping to get some unbiased answers over the course of the trip."
For military supporters like Chris Kanazawa, president and chief executive officer of Parker Ranch, Inc., in Kamuela, Hawaii, the trip will provide a better sense about what troops are doing to support the global war on terror.
Kanazawa, whose father served in World War II, was draft-eligible during the Vietnam War. He said he wants to make sure that troops feel supported back home.
"All I learn about the military is from what I read in newspapers," said. "This war is very different from ones in the past. This trip will help me better understand and spread the word about how dedicated, focused and well-trained our troops are."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – The global war on terror is more than a military fight; it is a war that will require the work of many U.S. and coalition agencies, a senior military official told a group of civilian leaders attending the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference here yesterday. Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute, the Joint Staff's director of operations, briefed 45 civilian business, academic and community leaders before their weeklong trip to several countries in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, including the Horn of Africa.
Terrorists use a flat, open network of communications and pass their information mainly through the Internet, Lute said as he briefed the group at the Pentagon. These are aspects that defy U.S. military capability.
"We buy airplanes, ships and tanks and recruit and train soldiers to deal with the geographics of a tangible target," he said. "We can bomb training camps, and we can hunt down the enemy, but we can't bomb the Internet."
By using a nodal network to spread their extremist ideologies, Lute said, terrorists are able to easily recruit members, acquire weapons, build leaders and receive financial backing.
Lute said the United States and its coalition partners will also need a network approach to combat against terrorism. By "lacing together networks," Lute said, organizations such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, and departments of State, Justice, and Treasury must work to apply constant pressure on the al Qaeda network.
As the group prepared for its 18,000-mile journey over the next week, Lute told the civilian leaders he wanted to put into perspective the importance of what they would be seeing as they viewed CENTCOM operations.
"The bottom line is to not forget where we started," Lute said.
Many Americans believe that the global war on terror began in the United States with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, he said. It actually began 20 years earlier, the general told the civilian leaders, with the fall of the shah of Iran, the Iran hostage crisis, the burning to the ground of the American Embassy in Pakistan, and the Soviet Union invading Afghanistan.
"The main enemy you will be hearing about over and over during the next few days is al Qaeda," Lute said. "But al Qaeda is not the only enemy today in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Lute told the group that even before Sept. 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden advocated the overthrowing of every legitimate government in the Southwest Asia region.
If bin Laden could be successful in planning terrorist attacks from Afghanistan -- what many people call one of the most remote places in the world -- imagine what he could do in Iraq, the crossroads of the Middle East, Lute said.
"The most compelling reason that Iraq is important to us today is because al Qaeda has declared that's where they want to plant their flag," he said. "We can't tolerate al Qaeda in Iraq. We can't let bin Laden get a toehold in there."
By working with 93 coalition partners, Lute said, the United States can assist the Iraqi government while the "window of opportunity" is still open.
"One of the design features of JCOC is to show you that the U.S. military is not the sole solution to any of these challenges," Lute said. "It's important for you to understand this isn't merely a military fight."
The military is there to provide space and time for Iraq to build its political structure, he said, while other arms of American government help them to develop local solutions for local problems.
"It may take us years or decades to get a local solution in these places," Lute said. "But this must be an Iraqi solution."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – The global war on terror is more than a military fight; it is a war that will require the work of many U.S. and coalition agencies, a senior military official told a group of civilian leaders attending the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference here yesterday. Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute, the Joint Staff's director of operations, briefed 45 civilian business, academic and community leaders before their weeklong trip to several countries in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, including the Horn of Africa.
Terrorists use a flat, open network of communications and pass their information mainly through the Internet, Lute said as he briefed the group at the Pentagon. These are aspects that defy U.S. military capability.
"We buy airplanes, ships and tanks and recruit and train soldiers to deal with the geographics of a tangible target," he said. "We can bomb training camps, and we can hunt down the enemy, but we can't bomb the Internet."
By using a nodal network to spread their extremist ideologies, Lute said, terrorists are able to easily recruit members, acquire weapons, build leaders and receive financial backing.
Lute said the United States and its coalition partners will also need a network approach to combat against terrorism. By "lacing together networks," Lute said, organizations such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, and departments of State, Justice, and Treasury must work to apply constant pressure on the al Qaeda network.
As the group prepared for its 18,000-mile journey over the next week, Lute told the civilian leaders he wanted to put into perspective the importance of what they would be seeing as they viewed CENTCOM operations.
"The bottom line is to not forget where we started," Lute said.
Many Americans believe that the global war on terror began in the United States with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, he said. It actually began 20 years earlier, the general told the civilian leaders, with the fall of the shah of Iran, the Iran hostage crisis, the burning to the ground of the American Embassy in Pakistan, and the Soviet Union invading Afghanistan.
"The main enemy you will be hearing about over and over during the next few days is al Qaeda," Lute said. "But al Qaeda is not the only enemy today in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Lute told the group that even before Sept. 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden advocated the overthrowing of every legitimate government in the Southwest Asia region.
If bin Laden could be successful in planning terrorist attacks from Afghanistan -- what many people call one of the most remote places in the world -- imagine what he could do in Iraq, the crossroads of the Middle East, Lute said.
"The most compelling reason that Iraq is important to us today is because al Qaeda has declared that's where they want to plant their flag," he said. "We can't tolerate al Qaeda in Iraq. We can't let bin Laden get a toehold in there."
By working with 93 coalition partners, Lute said, the United States can assist the Iraqi government while the "window of opportunity" is still open.
"One of the design features of JCOC is to show you that the U.S. military is not the sole solution to any of these challenges," Lute said. "It's important for you to understand this isn't merely a military fight."
The military is there to provide space and time for Iraq to build its political structure, he said, while other arms of American government help them to develop local solutions for local problems.
"It may take us years or decades to get a local solution in these places," Lute said. "But this must be an Iraqi solution."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Suicide Bombings Backfire on Taliban, U.S. Officer Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Recent suicide-bombing attacks against innocent Afghans indicate a changed Taliban strategy that is backfiring on the radical Islamic group, a senior U.S. military officer in Afghanistan told Pentagon reporters today. A spate of suicide bombings targeting residents of the city of Khowst and other areas in Afghanistan have turned Afghans against the Taliban, Army Col. Martin Schweitzer, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, said during a satellite-carried news conference. Schweitzer's command operates in Paktika, Paktia, Lowgar, Ghazni and Khost provinces in the southeastern part of the country.
"Khowst is a pretty developed city in Afghanistan, and it has been a target of suicide (improvised explosive devices)," he said. "We think it is going to continue to be a target of IEDs for the Taliban."
However, the Taliban's plan to intimidate Khowst's citizens into not cooperating with the Afghan government or its coalition partners "is just not working for them," the colonel said.
Angry residents of Khowst and other towns plagued by terror bombings are telling the Taliban not to attack their children, families or schools, Schweitzer said.
Earlier this year, U.S., coalition and Afghan army forces launched a pre-emptive military strategy to head off an anticipated spring offensive by Taliban fighters, he said.
Now, the Taliban seem to be employing suicide bombs as a desperation move, the colonel said, noting that terrorist activity along the Afghan-Pakistani border is down from a year ago.
"We don't think this is an effective offensive ... If that's as good as they've got, we're in pretty good shape," Schweitzer said. "I kind of hope it is, because the Afghan national security forces are going to get to develop their capacity over time without being interrupted by this threat."
Current anti-Taliban strategy involves heightened security to interdict trans-border movements of Taliban fighters between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Schweitzer explained, as well as increased presence of Afghan National Army and coalition forces in areas where the Taliban are operating.
Such activity is frustrating the Taliban, he said, because the terrorists don't like to engage coalition or Afghan troops in stand-up battles they invariably lose.
The Taliban have apparently switched their strategy and are attacking Afghan civilians, Schweitzer said, which they consider the "soft underbelly" of Afghan society. Yet, employing suicide bombers to carry out that strategy has damaged the Taliban's cause, he pointed out.
"They're using these IEDs, and they're targeting the population; they're targeting the kids; they're targeting the schools; they're targeting the medical clinics," Schweitzer said.
As a consequence, regional Afghan leaders are clamoring for Afghan National Army protection against the Taliban, the colonel said, noting Afghans are now working with fellow Afghans to rid themselves of the Taliban.
"That has been incredibly effective in the last three months," he said.
Afghans are disgusted by the Taliban's tactic of using suicide bombers, the colonel said. "It is backfiring on the enemy," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Recent suicide-bombing attacks against innocent Afghans indicate a changed Taliban strategy that is backfiring on the radical Islamic group, a senior U.S. military officer in Afghanistan told Pentagon reporters today. A spate of suicide bombings targeting residents of the city of Khowst and other areas in Afghanistan have turned Afghans against the Taliban, Army Col. Martin Schweitzer, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, said during a satellite-carried news conference. Schweitzer's command operates in Paktika, Paktia, Lowgar, Ghazni and Khost provinces in the southeastern part of the country.
"Khowst is a pretty developed city in Afghanistan, and it has been a target of suicide (improvised explosive devices)," he said. "We think it is going to continue to be a target of IEDs for the Taliban."
However, the Taliban's plan to intimidate Khowst's citizens into not cooperating with the Afghan government or its coalition partners "is just not working for them," the colonel said.
Angry residents of Khowst and other towns plagued by terror bombings are telling the Taliban not to attack their children, families or schools, Schweitzer said.
Earlier this year, U.S., coalition and Afghan army forces launched a pre-emptive military strategy to head off an anticipated spring offensive by Taliban fighters, he said.
Now, the Taliban seem to be employing suicide bombs as a desperation move, the colonel said, noting that terrorist activity along the Afghan-Pakistani border is down from a year ago.
"We don't think this is an effective offensive ... If that's as good as they've got, we're in pretty good shape," Schweitzer said. "I kind of hope it is, because the Afghan national security forces are going to get to develop their capacity over time without being interrupted by this threat."
Current anti-Taliban strategy involves heightened security to interdict trans-border movements of Taliban fighters between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Schweitzer explained, as well as increased presence of Afghan National Army and coalition forces in areas where the Taliban are operating.
Such activity is frustrating the Taliban, he said, because the terrorists don't like to engage coalition or Afghan troops in stand-up battles they invariably lose.
The Taliban have apparently switched their strategy and are attacking Afghan civilians, Schweitzer said, which they consider the "soft underbelly" of Afghan society. Yet, employing suicide bombers to carry out that strategy has damaged the Taliban's cause, he pointed out.
"They're using these IEDs, and they're targeting the population; they're targeting the kids; they're targeting the schools; they're targeting the medical clinics," Schweitzer said.
As a consequence, regional Afghan leaders are clamoring for Afghan National Army protection against the Taliban, the colonel said, noting Afghans are now working with fellow Afghans to rid themselves of the Taliban.
"That has been incredibly effective in the last three months," he said.
Afghans are disgusted by the Taliban's tactic of using suicide bombers, the colonel said. "It is backfiring on the enemy," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Efforts Against Extremists Continue in Baghdad
By Master Sgt. Dave Larsen, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Efforts by Iraqi security forces and the coalition to reduce the violence in Baghdad continue as Operation Law and Order enters its ninth week. "Progress is measured neighborhood by neighborhood in an attempt to rid the capital city of extremists who are intent on terrorizing the population and undermining the elected government here," said Army Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, the deputy commanding general for maneuver with Multinational Division Baghdad and the 1st Cavalry Division.
He said joint security stations manned by coalition and Iraqi forces continue to stand up throughout the city and improve the overall security situation by maintaining a permanent presence in troubled neighborhoods.
"Threatened by the success of joint security stations across Baghdad, al Qaeda in Iraq continues to attack them with a combination of mortars, small-arms fire and car bombs," Campbell said.
On April 16, at a security station along the main highway out of northern Baghdad, soldiers on guard noticed a dump truck advancing erratically toward the compound. When they engaged the vehicle, the driver attempted to evade and tipped the truck over, spilling its contents and failing to detonate.
Checkpoints also have been successful and are working to prevent additional civilian deaths, Campbell said. He pointed out that Iraqi national police running a checkpoint outside of Sadr City on April 21, stopped a vehicle for inspection and prevented it from detonating inside Sadr City.
Another initiative to improve security is the placement of temporary concrete barriers around Baghdad neighborhoods that have experienced high levels of violence, Campbell said.
"The barriers are not meant to keep people out or shut people in," Campbell explained. "What they allow Iraqi and coalition forces to do is to closely monitor the traffic in and out of the area though and help ensure the safety of the residents."
Clearing operations and cordon-and-search operations continue throughout the multinational Division Baghdad area of operations. Two recent security operations -- one on Baghdad's west side and the other in Diwaniyah, Iraq, a city south of the Iraqi capital -- have been very successful.
Operation Arrowhead Strike 9 began April 2 in the Mansour district, Campbell said. Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 49 suspects and found 23 caches, demonstrating to the Iraqi people the commitment to secure the city by targeting insurgents, he said.
Operation Black Eagle, which continues in Diwaniyah, began April 6 with the intention to disrupt illegally armed militia activity in that city. Campbell said more than 100 suspects have been detained there, 10 weapons caches have been uncovered and 11 explosively formed projectiles were found in two separate caches.
Successes also are occurring regularly inside Baghdad, as Iraqi security forces and their coalition partners aim to disrupt insurgent networks through precision intelligence-driven targeting. Some of that intelligence is coming from the local populace.
In one such instance, Shiia militia elements loyal to the rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi leader known as Abu Dura launched multiple rockets into Baghdad's heavily fortified International Zone on April 21, Campbell explained, as a response to the recent detention of several key leaders in this criminal group.
"In a sign that average Iraqis increasingly trust their security forces, a resident tipped off the national police to a second rocket launch site," he said. "The national police responded and disrupted the planned attack. Ten rockets were recovered before they could be fired. The police disabled the firing mechanism and removed the rockets for exploitation."
To date, more than 200,000 patrols have been conducted in support of Operation Law and Order. More than 300 caches have been uncovered and more than 800 improvised explosive devices have been found. The Iraqi army, police and national police continue to lead the security effort in support of the operation, Campbell said.
The number of attacks against the civilian population of Baghdad has declined over the last six months, Campbell said. In November 2006, 41 percent of all attacks reported in the city were directed against civilians, he noted. During the month of April, 20 percent of attacks targeted the civilian population.
Campbell said that while attacks have continued to decline over the first nine weeks of the new security plan, some attacks have been very lethal in nature, noting the four car bomb detonations within the Multinational Division Baghdad footprint April 18.
"Al Qaeda in Iraq indiscriminately targets civilians across Baghdad, intent only on causing chaos to undermine the government of Iraq and dishearten the Iraqi people," Campbell said.
Shiia militia members also have brought their own brand of lethality to Iraq, in the form of explosively formed projectiles. Since Jan. 1, Campbell said, 54 EFPs have detonated within his division's area of operation, killing 19 servicemembers and wounding 84 more.
Despite the bombings, the level of sectarian violence in the Iraqi capital also has decreased, Campbell said. There has been a sharp decline in the number of murders in Baghdad security districts.
"The April daily rate for murder victims is the lowest in the past six months," Campbell said.
He said there has been a 27 percent reduction in murders compared to last month and a 65 percent decline compared to November 2006.
"The bottom line is that we are in a very tough fight with our Iraqi security force brothers and the government of Iraq," Campbell said. "We remain committed to them and the Iraqi people."
(Master Sgt. Dave Larsen is assigned to 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Efforts by Iraqi security forces and the coalition to reduce the violence in Baghdad continue as Operation Law and Order enters its ninth week. "Progress is measured neighborhood by neighborhood in an attempt to rid the capital city of extremists who are intent on terrorizing the population and undermining the elected government here," said Army Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, the deputy commanding general for maneuver with Multinational Division Baghdad and the 1st Cavalry Division.
He said joint security stations manned by coalition and Iraqi forces continue to stand up throughout the city and improve the overall security situation by maintaining a permanent presence in troubled neighborhoods.
"Threatened by the success of joint security stations across Baghdad, al Qaeda in Iraq continues to attack them with a combination of mortars, small-arms fire and car bombs," Campbell said.
On April 16, at a security station along the main highway out of northern Baghdad, soldiers on guard noticed a dump truck advancing erratically toward the compound. When they engaged the vehicle, the driver attempted to evade and tipped the truck over, spilling its contents and failing to detonate.
Checkpoints also have been successful and are working to prevent additional civilian deaths, Campbell said. He pointed out that Iraqi national police running a checkpoint outside of Sadr City on April 21, stopped a vehicle for inspection and prevented it from detonating inside Sadr City.
Another initiative to improve security is the placement of temporary concrete barriers around Baghdad neighborhoods that have experienced high levels of violence, Campbell said.
"The barriers are not meant to keep people out or shut people in," Campbell explained. "What they allow Iraqi and coalition forces to do is to closely monitor the traffic in and out of the area though and help ensure the safety of the residents."
Clearing operations and cordon-and-search operations continue throughout the multinational Division Baghdad area of operations. Two recent security operations -- one on Baghdad's west side and the other in Diwaniyah, Iraq, a city south of the Iraqi capital -- have been very successful.
Operation Arrowhead Strike 9 began April 2 in the Mansour district, Campbell said. Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 49 suspects and found 23 caches, demonstrating to the Iraqi people the commitment to secure the city by targeting insurgents, he said.
Operation Black Eagle, which continues in Diwaniyah, began April 6 with the intention to disrupt illegally armed militia activity in that city. Campbell said more than 100 suspects have been detained there, 10 weapons caches have been uncovered and 11 explosively formed projectiles were found in two separate caches.
Successes also are occurring regularly inside Baghdad, as Iraqi security forces and their coalition partners aim to disrupt insurgent networks through precision intelligence-driven targeting. Some of that intelligence is coming from the local populace.
In one such instance, Shiia militia elements loyal to the rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi leader known as Abu Dura launched multiple rockets into Baghdad's heavily fortified International Zone on April 21, Campbell explained, as a response to the recent detention of several key leaders in this criminal group.
"In a sign that average Iraqis increasingly trust their security forces, a resident tipped off the national police to a second rocket launch site," he said. "The national police responded and disrupted the planned attack. Ten rockets were recovered before they could be fired. The police disabled the firing mechanism and removed the rockets for exploitation."
To date, more than 200,000 patrols have been conducted in support of Operation Law and Order. More than 300 caches have been uncovered and more than 800 improvised explosive devices have been found. The Iraqi army, police and national police continue to lead the security effort in support of the operation, Campbell said.
The number of attacks against the civilian population of Baghdad has declined over the last six months, Campbell said. In November 2006, 41 percent of all attacks reported in the city were directed against civilians, he noted. During the month of April, 20 percent of attacks targeted the civilian population.
Campbell said that while attacks have continued to decline over the first nine weeks of the new security plan, some attacks have been very lethal in nature, noting the four car bomb detonations within the Multinational Division Baghdad footprint April 18.
"Al Qaeda in Iraq indiscriminately targets civilians across Baghdad, intent only on causing chaos to undermine the government of Iraq and dishearten the Iraqi people," Campbell said.
Shiia militia members also have brought their own brand of lethality to Iraq, in the form of explosively formed projectiles. Since Jan. 1, Campbell said, 54 EFPs have detonated within his division's area of operation, killing 19 servicemembers and wounding 84 more.
Despite the bombings, the level of sectarian violence in the Iraqi capital also has decreased, Campbell said. There has been a sharp decline in the number of murders in Baghdad security districts.
"The April daily rate for murder victims is the lowest in the past six months," Campbell said.
He said there has been a 27 percent reduction in murders compared to last month and a 65 percent decline compared to November 2006.
"The bottom line is that we are in a very tough fight with our Iraqi security force brothers and the government of Iraq," Campbell said. "We remain committed to them and the Iraqi people."
(Master Sgt. Dave Larsen is assigned to 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Forces Detain Terrorists; Car Bombs Kill Iraqis
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – Coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists in Iraq today, and three Iraqi civilians and six police officers were killed and 49 people were injured in car bomb attacks yesterday and today, military officials reported. Coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists and uncovered a cache of weapons in several operations in central Iraq today.
Three coordinated coalition forces raids apprehended 10 individuals suspected of operating with al Qaeda in Iraq and facilitating foreign fighters southeast of Fallujah.
In Baghdad, coalition forces discovered a weapons cache containing rockets, mortars, terrorist propaganda and improvised explosive device-making materials. Explosive ordnance disposal teams neutralized the cache.
"We will continue to work diligently to eliminate foreign terrorists, who are killing innocent Iraqis every day and destabilizing the country," said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
Elsewhere, three civilians were killed and 36 were injured after two suicide bombers detonated their vehicles in western Ramadi today.
The first attack occurred after two trucks approached the Huriyah police station. The lead vehicle exploded near the entrance at 1:18 p.m., causing a nearby house to collapse, killing three civilians and injuring 31, including five police officers.
"Two trucks came around the corner; the lead truck exploded, and the second truck sped away," an Iraqi police officer who was at the Huriyah police station said.
About 15 minutes later, two kilometers southwest of the first attack, a sedan exploded near a restaurant in the 5-Kilo district, injuring five.
Yesterday, a car bomb detonated at an Iraqi police checkpoint near Diyala's provincial council headquarters, killing six policemen on site and wounding 13 more, one of whom died later.
"This will not deter the work of the honorable and dedicated (people) to bring about security, peace and prosperity," said Diyala Gov. Raad Hameed al-Mula Jowad al-Tamimi, who said he condemns the criminal and cowardly acts by the terrorists.
Although a provincial council meeting was about to begin, the target of the attack is unknown since the vehicle detonated as the Iraqi police were directing traffic, allowing a coalition forces convoy to pass through the checkpoint unhindered.
"The provincial council, who was meeting to discuss the 2007 provincial budget, continued their meeting despite the attack," said Army Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander and senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala. "The council members refuse to be intimidated or swayed by this attack, realizing security and stability for the people is necessary."
Iraqi army and police were on site immediately to execute emergency procedures and secure the area. Nine of the wounded Iraqi police were transferred to a coalition force medical facility for treatment. The additional police officers were transferred to Baqouba General Hospital.
"The responsiveness of the Iraqi army and police was critical in today's attack, as it prevented the death of local citizens and possibly, government officials," Sutherland said. "Their quick response shows the increasing progress of their forces and their desire to protect the people of Diyala."
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
April 24, 2007 – Coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists in Iraq today, and three Iraqi civilians and six police officers were killed and 49 people were injured in car bomb attacks yesterday and today, military officials reported. Coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists and uncovered a cache of weapons in several operations in central Iraq today.
Three coordinated coalition forces raids apprehended 10 individuals suspected of operating with al Qaeda in Iraq and facilitating foreign fighters southeast of Fallujah.
In Baghdad, coalition forces discovered a weapons cache containing rockets, mortars, terrorist propaganda and improvised explosive device-making materials. Explosive ordnance disposal teams neutralized the cache.
"We will continue to work diligently to eliminate foreign terrorists, who are killing innocent Iraqis every day and destabilizing the country," said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
Elsewhere, three civilians were killed and 36 were injured after two suicide bombers detonated their vehicles in western Ramadi today.
The first attack occurred after two trucks approached the Huriyah police station. The lead vehicle exploded near the entrance at 1:18 p.m., causing a nearby house to collapse, killing three civilians and injuring 31, including five police officers.
"Two trucks came around the corner; the lead truck exploded, and the second truck sped away," an Iraqi police officer who was at the Huriyah police station said.
About 15 minutes later, two kilometers southwest of the first attack, a sedan exploded near a restaurant in the 5-Kilo district, injuring five.
Yesterday, a car bomb detonated at an Iraqi police checkpoint near Diyala's provincial council headquarters, killing six policemen on site and wounding 13 more, one of whom died later.
"This will not deter the work of the honorable and dedicated (people) to bring about security, peace and prosperity," said Diyala Gov. Raad Hameed al-Mula Jowad al-Tamimi, who said he condemns the criminal and cowardly acts by the terrorists.
Although a provincial council meeting was about to begin, the target of the attack is unknown since the vehicle detonated as the Iraqi police were directing traffic, allowing a coalition forces convoy to pass through the checkpoint unhindered.
"The provincial council, who was meeting to discuss the 2007 provincial budget, continued their meeting despite the attack," said Army Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander and senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala. "The council members refuse to be intimidated or swayed by this attack, realizing security and stability for the people is necessary."
Iraqi army and police were on site immediately to execute emergency procedures and secure the area. Nine of the wounded Iraqi police were transferred to a coalition force medical facility for treatment. The additional police officers were transferred to Baqouba General Hospital.
"The responsiveness of the Iraqi army and police was critical in today's attack, as it prevented the death of local citizens and possibly, government officials," Sutherland said. "Their quick response shows the increasing progress of their forces and their desire to protect the people of Diyala."
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
U.S. Working to Pop Afghanistan's Drug Market Bubble
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – The United States has a "five-pillar" plan to counter the Afghan narcotics industry, which supplies about 93 percent of the world's opium and has a virtual monopoly over the global heroin market, a top Defense Department official said here today. "The five pillars are public information, alternative livelihoods, eradication, interdiction and justice reform," Richard J. Douglas, deputy assistant secretary of defense for counternarcotics, counterproliferation and global threats, told reporters at the Pentagon.
Narcotics trade in Afghanistan hinders the country's economic growth and undermines its democratic institutions by providing extremists, terrorists and other dissidents the resources to oppose the central government, Douglas said.
The Defense Department is using the five pillars to "increase the capacity of the government of Afghanistan ... to stop narcotics trafficking," he said. "When the Afghan government is in a better position to pick up the load, it's going to take a lot of pressure off of our people, and that's what we're hoping to see."
Douglas, who visited with the governor of Afghanistan's Helmand province last year, said that despite some "sobering challenges" operationally, there is "quite a bit of political will on the part of the Afghan government to deal with this problem."
"The fact is, we're better off than we were three years ago when we started the program," he said. "There's certainly cause for optimism that Afghans themselves ... are going to be able to deal with this mission."
Drug Enforcement Agency mentors are training and equipping a specialized Afghan interdiction unit to directly address traffickers. "We are developing an Afghan intelligence fusion cell, a communications system and a number of bases of operation," Douglas said.
Additionally, a squadron of MI-17 HIP H helicopters will support the interdiction unit. "The helicopter squadron is very important because of the need for air mobility in a country with extremely rugged terrain (like Afghanistan)," he said.
In conjunction with the State Department, the Defense Department will engage in the "border management initiative, which will assist in hindering the flow of drugs leaving Afghanistan and the importation of precursor chemicals needed to turn opium into heroin," he said.
Douglas said the tactical training Afghan border police are receiving "has already reduced casualties during confrontations with narco-traffickers at the border."
The Defense Department also is cooperating with counternarcotic authorities in Central Asian "transit zone" countries to help clamp down on illicit drug exports from Afghanistan -- the "source zone."
"We have efforts under way in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan," Douglas said. "The idea is to do similar efforts to build capacity on the other side of the border, so the Afghan and bordering authorities are able to cooperate and work better together."
A softer approach in which the departments of State and Defense are jointly engaged is the "alternative livelihood pillar" that aims to introduce new crops or alternative yields into Afghanistan's agriculture to wean Afghan farmers off the poppy crop used for opium and heroin production.
Douglas said international challenges are exacerbated by consumerism in "arrival zone" countries. "The No. 1 narcotics problem we face is demand in the United States," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 24, 2007 – The United States has a "five-pillar" plan to counter the Afghan narcotics industry, which supplies about 93 percent of the world's opium and has a virtual monopoly over the global heroin market, a top Defense Department official said here today. "The five pillars are public information, alternative livelihoods, eradication, interdiction and justice reform," Richard J. Douglas, deputy assistant secretary of defense for counternarcotics, counterproliferation and global threats, told reporters at the Pentagon.
Narcotics trade in Afghanistan hinders the country's economic growth and undermines its democratic institutions by providing extremists, terrorists and other dissidents the resources to oppose the central government, Douglas said.
The Defense Department is using the five pillars to "increase the capacity of the government of Afghanistan ... to stop narcotics trafficking," he said. "When the Afghan government is in a better position to pick up the load, it's going to take a lot of pressure off of our people, and that's what we're hoping to see."
Douglas, who visited with the governor of Afghanistan's Helmand province last year, said that despite some "sobering challenges" operationally, there is "quite a bit of political will on the part of the Afghan government to deal with this problem."
"The fact is, we're better off than we were three years ago when we started the program," he said. "There's certainly cause for optimism that Afghans themselves ... are going to be able to deal with this mission."
Drug Enforcement Agency mentors are training and equipping a specialized Afghan interdiction unit to directly address traffickers. "We are developing an Afghan intelligence fusion cell, a communications system and a number of bases of operation," Douglas said.
Additionally, a squadron of MI-17 HIP H helicopters will support the interdiction unit. "The helicopter squadron is very important because of the need for air mobility in a country with extremely rugged terrain (like Afghanistan)," he said.
In conjunction with the State Department, the Defense Department will engage in the "border management initiative, which will assist in hindering the flow of drugs leaving Afghanistan and the importation of precursor chemicals needed to turn opium into heroin," he said.
Douglas said the tactical training Afghan border police are receiving "has already reduced casualties during confrontations with narco-traffickers at the border."
The Defense Department also is cooperating with counternarcotic authorities in Central Asian "transit zone" countries to help clamp down on illicit drug exports from Afghanistan -- the "source zone."
"We have efforts under way in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan," Douglas said. "The idea is to do similar efforts to build capacity on the other side of the border, so the Afghan and bordering authorities are able to cooperate and work better together."
A softer approach in which the departments of State and Defense are jointly engaged is the "alternative livelihood pillar" that aims to introduce new crops or alternative yields into Afghanistan's agriculture to wean Afghan farmers off the poppy crop used for opium and heroin production.
Douglas said international challenges are exacerbated by consumerism in "arrival zone" countries. "The No. 1 narcotics problem we face is demand in the United States," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Iraqi Security Force Deserves Support of its Countrymen, General Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 23, 2007 – Iraqi civilians need to support security force members who sacrifice their own safety for their fellow Iraqis, a top U.S. military official said. "Soldiers and police are suffering every day for the Iraqi people. In return, the people of Iraq must support their security forces." Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq commander, told reporters during a briefing yesterday.
In the past two years of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 8,123 Iraq soldiers and police have died, and 18,236 others were wounded in action. With "the right information and the right cooperation of the people," Iraq's military and police forces can defeat the terrorists who are trying to destroy the country, he said.
Dempsey, who is responsible for assisting the Iraqi government in developing, organizing, training, equipping and sustaining Iraqi security forces, said Iraq is developing new Army and police force units, replacing individual losses and fielding billions of dollars worth of equipment. "The security ministries have invested in modern weaponry through a foreign military sales agreement with the United States," he said.
M-16 and M-4 assault rifles - U.S. military standard issue weapons - will soon replace the AK-47 assault rifles Iraq security forces currently use, and over the next 18 months, the United States will commit $5 billion toward "decreasing the dependence and increasing the self-reliance" of Iraq's security forces, Dempsey said.
Additionally, hundreds of camps and stations are under construction, and communications, logistics, and intelligence architecture is being established, "all while fighting a brutal enemy who's trying to destroy (the) country," he said. "Considering all that, progress has been pretty remarkable," the general added.
The Iraqi government has shown its dedication to security by committing 20 percent of the 2007 fiscal year budget to security forces. "Iraqi units from all over the country are deploying to Baghdad, to assist and support the government, and protect the people in a way that would not have been possible just one year ago," he said.
This year, the Iraqi army plans to add about 25 battalions, enlist roughly 20,000 soldiers and build two division headquarters, Dempsey said. Iraq's "small, but important" air force has a functioning fleet of C-130s the force uses to deliver equipment and medical supplies, and it is currently growing a helicopter fleet, he said.
"The Iraq air force, by the end of the year will have ... a transportation capability, some surveillance and intelligence capability," Dempsey said, "and helicopters which will allow the army to ferry soldiers around the country as needed on a more rapid basis."
Iraq's navy is serving the "vital purpose" of guarding the country's 31-mile coastline and protecting its oil platforms, he added.
Dempsey said that many years ago, the U.S. Army taught black and white men to live and work together. "I think Iraq security forces have a chance to provide the same kind of example - an example where all Iraqis will learn to live and work together," he said.
"That's the dream of Iraq's military and police leaders," Dempsey said. "We will do everything possible to help them achieve that dream."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 23, 2007 – Iraqi civilians need to support security force members who sacrifice their own safety for their fellow Iraqis, a top U.S. military official said. "Soldiers and police are suffering every day for the Iraqi people. In return, the people of Iraq must support their security forces." Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq commander, told reporters during a briefing yesterday.
In the past two years of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 8,123 Iraq soldiers and police have died, and 18,236 others were wounded in action. With "the right information and the right cooperation of the people," Iraq's military and police forces can defeat the terrorists who are trying to destroy the country, he said.
Dempsey, who is responsible for assisting the Iraqi government in developing, organizing, training, equipping and sustaining Iraqi security forces, said Iraq is developing new Army and police force units, replacing individual losses and fielding billions of dollars worth of equipment. "The security ministries have invested in modern weaponry through a foreign military sales agreement with the United States," he said.
M-16 and M-4 assault rifles - U.S. military standard issue weapons - will soon replace the AK-47 assault rifles Iraq security forces currently use, and over the next 18 months, the United States will commit $5 billion toward "decreasing the dependence and increasing the self-reliance" of Iraq's security forces, Dempsey said.
Additionally, hundreds of camps and stations are under construction, and communications, logistics, and intelligence architecture is being established, "all while fighting a brutal enemy who's trying to destroy (the) country," he said. "Considering all that, progress has been pretty remarkable," the general added.
The Iraqi government has shown its dedication to security by committing 20 percent of the 2007 fiscal year budget to security forces. "Iraqi units from all over the country are deploying to Baghdad, to assist and support the government, and protect the people in a way that would not have been possible just one year ago," he said.
This year, the Iraqi army plans to add about 25 battalions, enlist roughly 20,000 soldiers and build two division headquarters, Dempsey said. Iraq's "small, but important" air force has a functioning fleet of C-130s the force uses to deliver equipment and medical supplies, and it is currently growing a helicopter fleet, he said.
"The Iraq air force, by the end of the year will have ... a transportation capability, some surveillance and intelligence capability," Dempsey said, "and helicopters which will allow the army to ferry soldiers around the country as needed on a more rapid basis."
Iraq's navy is serving the "vital purpose" of guarding the country's 31-mile coastline and protecting its oil platforms, he added.
Dempsey said that many years ago, the U.S. Army taught black and white men to live and work together. "I think Iraq security forces have a chance to provide the same kind of example - an example where all Iraqis will learn to live and work together," he said.
"That's the dream of Iraq's military and police leaders," Dempsey said. "We will do everything possible to help them achieve that dream."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Ray M. Bevel, 22, of Andrews, Texas, died Apr. 21 in Yusifiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol operations. Bevel was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.
Cpl. Ray M. Bevel, 22, of Andrews, Texas, died Apr. 21 in Yusifiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol operations. Bevel was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Steven R. Tudor, 36, of Dunmore, Pa., died Apr. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire during combat operations. Tudor was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.
Staff Sgt. Steven R. Tudor, 36, of Dunmore, Pa., died Apr. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire during combat operations. Tudor was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Methamphetamine Driven Combat Operations
Based on combat observations and medical studies by the US and British military it is becoming apparent that methamphetamine use among the terrorist population is on a dramatic increase. Used as a strategic tool methamphetamine offers those in the Iraqi Area of Operations a whole new trend of issues that compromise the safety of those combating terrorism. Whether operating as a contractor or a soldier the dangers associated with methamphetamine use among those you are fighting need to be addressed.
First reports of the drug appear to have come out of the Basra area. Known as “pinkies” the stimulant was in the form of a tablet.
Stimulants in the combat zone are nothing new. The fact that we are encountering them in the “War on Terror” should not surprise us in the least. The Germans used methamphetamine during World War II. We all heard of the blitzkrieg conducted by German forces during the early days of the war. German soldiers would march for days taking up large pieces of land and conquering everything in their wake. Everyone thought that the German soldier was some sort of “super” soldier that could not be stopped. They marched, fought and destroyed with little food or rest.
READ ON
First reports of the drug appear to have come out of the Basra area. Known as “pinkies” the stimulant was in the form of a tablet.
Stimulants in the combat zone are nothing new. The fact that we are encountering them in the “War on Terror” should not surprise us in the least. The Germans used methamphetamine during World War II. We all heard of the blitzkrieg conducted by German forces during the early days of the war. German soldiers would march for days taking up large pieces of land and conquering everything in their wake. Everyone thought that the German soldier was some sort of “super” soldier that could not be stopped. They marched, fought and destroyed with little food or rest.
READ ON
Bush: Extra Troops Will Give Iraqi Government 'Breathing Space'
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
April 23, 2007 – About half of the U.S. troops involved in the surge to Baghdad and Anbar province have arrived in Iraq and are beginning their work of providing security so the Iraqi government can move forward, President Bush said here today. "These troops are all aimed at helping the Iraqi government find the breathing space necessary to do what the people want them to do, and that is to reconcile and move forward with a government of and by and for the Iraqi people," Bush said after a White House meeting with Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq.
Bush thanked Petraeus for his visit to Washington, during which he is scheduled to brief a joint session of Congress on progress in Iraq. Bush noted that "it's a tough time" in Iraq, but there has been progress. He called Petraeus "a straightforward man who is implementing a very good plan to achieve our strategic objectives."
"General Petraeus has taken on a very important assignment for the security of our country and for the peace of the world, and that is to help this young Iraqi democracy become stable, evolve into a country that can defend itself and govern itself, and serve as an ally in this war against extremists and radicals who wish to do us harm," Bush said.
Bush also again emphasized that he will reject any artificial timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. "An artificial timetable of withdrawal would say to an enemy, 'Just wait them out,'" he said. "It would say to the Iraqis, 'Don't do hard things necessary to achieve our objectives;' and it would be discouraging for our troops."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 23, 2007 – About half of the U.S. troops involved in the surge to Baghdad and Anbar province have arrived in Iraq and are beginning their work of providing security so the Iraqi government can move forward, President Bush said here today. "These troops are all aimed at helping the Iraqi government find the breathing space necessary to do what the people want them to do, and that is to reconcile and move forward with a government of and by and for the Iraqi people," Bush said after a White House meeting with Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq.
Bush thanked Petraeus for his visit to Washington, during which he is scheduled to brief a joint session of Congress on progress in Iraq. Bush noted that "it's a tough time" in Iraq, but there has been progress. He called Petraeus "a straightforward man who is implementing a very good plan to achieve our strategic objectives."
"General Petraeus has taken on a very important assignment for the security of our country and for the peace of the world, and that is to help this young Iraqi democracy become stable, evolve into a country that can defend itself and govern itself, and serve as an ally in this war against extremists and radicals who wish to do us harm," Bush said.
Bush also again emphasized that he will reject any artificial timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. "An artificial timetable of withdrawal would say to an enemy, 'Just wait them out,'" he said. "It would say to the Iraqis, 'Don't do hard things necessary to achieve our objectives;' and it would be discouraging for our troops."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
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