War On Terror News

Vandenberg officials launch Delta II rocket

Vandenberg officials launch Delta II rocket

A Delta II rocket successfully launches at 7:28 p.m. Oct. 24 from the Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The rocket took off carrying the Thales Alenia-Space COSMO-SkyMed 3 satellite. (Courtesy photo) Download HiRes

10/27/2008 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Vandenberg Air Force Base officials successfully launched a Delta II rocket carrying the Thales Alenia-Space COSMO-SkyMed 3 satellite at 7:28 p.m. PDT Oct. 24 from Space Launch Complex-2 here. 

The 30th Space Wing team supported the United Launch Alliance in preparing for the launch just six weeks after the successful launch of the GeoEye-1 satellite in September. 

Normally Space Launch Complex-2 crews have three to four months to prepare for a launch. 

The Delta II is an expendable launch, medium-lift vehicle. It carries civil and commercial payloads into low-earth, polar, geosynchronous transfer and stationary orbits. For approximately two decades, the Delta II has been a workhorse in the world of spacelift with 134 successful launches.

The COSMO-SkyMed 3 satellite, entirely developed and produced in Italy, is an end-to-end Earth observation dual-use (civilian and military) system composed of four satellites and ground stations. The first two COSMO-SkyMed satellites were launched at Vandenberg AFB in June and December 2007.

"People don't always think about it, but this is rocket science, and our Airmen and industry partners make it look easy," said Col. David Buck, the 30th Space Wing commander and the spacelift commander for this mission. "(Vandenberg Airmen were a) part of an international effort to assure our allies a gateway to space."

War In Afghanistan News - October 27, 2008

News From NATO

Operation “Tornado” storms through Uruzgan

Afghan children welcome ISAF soldiers during a joint Afghan and ISAF operation against insurgents the Mirabad area here.

KABUL, Afghanistan - More than a thousand Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and ISAF soldiers have swept through the Mirabad area, Uruzgan province in a successful operation against insurgents.

Code-named Operation Bor Barakai (Pashtun for “tornado”), the week-long operation saw Afghan, Dutch, British, Australian and French units working together in an effort to reduce insurgent influence and improve security.

The joint unit recovered enough homemade explosives to make more than 40 roadside bombs, and a large quantity of small arms, grenades and other munitions.

Soldiers with a joint Afghan and ISAF unit meet with local leaders in the Mirabad area here. The soldiers were conducting a joint Afghan and ISAF operation against insurgents in the area. (ISAF photo by Dutch Sergeant Dave de Vaal)

Led by the Task Force Uruzgan Commander Colonel Kees Matthijssen, the operation was designed to interrupt enemy attacks against local people, ANSF and ISAF troops. One major cache of 650 kilograms of explosives and components was found by the security forces.

Afghan people generally responded positively to the ANSF and ISAF presence, taking part in various shuras where elders discussed the security situation and their vision for the future.

Uruzgan Provincial Governor Hamdam personally arranged two shuras, where he announced that he was dedicated to improving security for the development of the local villages.

As the ANSF continues to patrol the area, Afghan authorities are working with the local ISAF Provincial Reconstruction Team and the foreign affairs office to conduct consultations on the delivery of development and reconstruction projects.

Afghan, Pakistan military, ISAF discuss border security

Members of the Border Security Sub-Committee Meeting pose for a photo. From the left, they are Afghan Brigadier General Patyani, chief of staff for the 205th Corps; Pakistani Brigadier General Amjad, director of military operations; Major General Lessard, commander of ISAF’s Regional Command-South; Major General Wahdat, regional chief of police; and Afghan Colonel Sharif, deputy commander 3rd Zone Afghan Border Police. (ISAF photo)

KABUL, Afghanistan - The Border Security Sub-Committee Meeting (BSSM) met at Kandahar Airfield 27 October.

Afghan, Pakistan military and ISAF discussed a variety of topics including improving communication and cooperation on border issues between Pakistan and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

Major General Lessard, commander of ISAF’s Regional Command-South, hosted the event.

“Regional Command-South was delighted to host this important meeting between representatives of the Pakistan military, the Afghan National Security Force and the International Security Assistance Force. It was the second such meeting in five weeks for the southern region,” Major General Lessard said. “Not only were the discussions useful for information sharing and the enhancement of cross border, communication and procedures, they were extremely frank and cordial.”

“We [the] ANSF [along with] ISAF [and] Pakistani border security forces work closely together to find a solution to the border problems,” said Afghan Brigadier General Paytani, chief of staff of the 205th Corps. “This meeting remains very important to the ANSF and our joint cooperation must continue.”

“Both Afghanistan and Pakistan suffer attacks from insurgents based in the border districts, and so it is vital that we make real progress in enhancing border security cooperation and coordination,” said Regional Chief of Police Major General Wahdat. “The stability in Afghanistan is as important as the stability in Pakistan and vice versa.”

The meeting was positive and productive. The Afghanistan and Pakistan delegations were united in their desire to increase their efforts and pursue and defeat extremists operating in the border districts.

The BSSM is a sub-committee of the Tripartite Commission. It takes place about every two months, and the meeting is held alternately in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The purpose of a BSSM is to coordinate cross border security efforts between ANSF, ISAF and their counterparts in Pakistan.

Yorkshire soldiers guard ISAF Headquarters

Members of the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment conduct a random vehicle inspection during a foot patrol around Kabul, Oct. 24. The British soldiers are helping ISAF in assisting the Afghan government in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country, creating the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction.

KABUL, Afghanistan — British Army soldiers with the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment Force Protection and Transportation Company have been providing security to the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters since Aug. 12.

“The mission of the British soldiers during their six-month deployment is to provide a safe working environment in and around ISAF headquarters,” said Sgt. Maj. Wayne Fuller, the British Force Protection and Transportation Company sergeant major.

The British soldiers are helping ISAF in assisting the Afghan government in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country, creating the security for stabilization and reconstruction to take place.

“It’s hard work, but [his men] are alright, they are bearing it,” said Fuller, a native of Nottingham, England. “Force protection is a job people take for granted. The guys do go outside the wire, they do patrol, and they do get into sticky situations.”

Cpl. Martin S. Richardson, a British Force Protection and Transportation Company team commander and native of Sheffield, England, said he enjoys providing security and patrolling the city of Kabul.

“I volunteered to come out here, but don’t tell my family that,” joked Richardson, who is on his second tour in Afghanistan. “We work at least 12 hours a day with our body armor on. They are long days, the guys are working very hard.”

Fuller said the deployment has been going very well and they have no complaints.

“It’s hard work for the guys, but the morale of the soldiers is very good; we’ve got a very close knit company,” said Fuller. “There is no job more responsible than force protection. For anybody in this camp to sleep safe at night, these guys need to do their job. That’s the bottom line.”

Coalition service member killed in IED attack

from Headquarters United States Forces Afghanistan

10/27/2008 - KABUL, Afghanistan -- One coalition service member died of wounds sustained when the vehicle he was riding in struck an IED this afternoon in western Afghanistan. 

The incident took place about 2 p.m. 

Coalition personnel have secured the scene. The incident is under investigation. 

The name and nationality of the service member is being withheld until next of kin are notified.

Afghan troops assist villagers

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Hit MWR gets facelift, raises spirits

MWR Center Helps Marines in Iraq Keep Connected

10/25/2008  By Lance Cpl. Sean Cummins, Regimental Combat Team 5 

HIT, Iraq — 

Even during the fast tempo of a deployment, Marines do what they can to relax when they get down time.

With the help of Staff Sgt. Ruben Garcia, relaxing has gotten a lot easier for 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5.

HIT, Iraq-Cpl. Ryan D. Marmon, 20, a vehicle commander with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, from Houston, calls home to his friends at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center at Camp Hit, Iraq, Oct. 14. The MWR Center features numerous phones and computers that Marines can use to stay connected to their loved ones during their deployment to Iraq. Lance Cpl. Sean Murray, 10/15/2008 1:20 AM

Garcia, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation coordinator for 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, has worked hard since arriving at Camp Hit to make the MWR Center a suitable place for Marines to call home and hang out.

“We had 20 computers here and only four were working; and we had five phones and only two were working,” said Garcia, 29, from Hondo, Texas. “Since then, we have set up six more computers and set up another suite, so right now we have 26 computers that are working and 13 phones for the Marines on the camp.”

His initiative hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Marines here.  The MWR Center is full of Marines checking e-mail and calling home throughout the day.

“It’s definitely nice knowing that I can call home whenever I get some free time between going out on convoys and training at the camp,” said Lance Cpl. Travis D. Whitaker,  20, a driver with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, from Topeka, Kansas

Though phones and computers do help keep the Marines happy, it takes more than just that to boost the morale of hundreds of Marines during a long deployment.

“We’ve been working on morale stuff like getting TVs (and video game systems).  Things that we don’t have on this camp to boost the morale of the Marines after work,” said Lance Cpl. Ivan Colon, 21, a company clerk from Portsmith, Va., with Headquarters and Support Co., who assists Garcia in coordinating events and improving the MWR facilities already in place.

Additionally, Garcia and Colon are trying bring entertainers to the multiple camps across the battalion’s area of operation.

“The main thing right now is not just the MWR (Center), but working with outside agencies,” said Garcia.  “We’re working on getting some comedians to hopefully come out next month.  Hopefully for November and December, we’ll have some things to boost morale for Christmas and Thanksgiving.”

Garcia’s dedication to helping the Marines is about more than just entertainment, it’s about making sure that even though they are deployed, they can maintain their relationships back home.

“With what were doing now, and what our mission is, it’s essential for us to have this stuff to keep the Marines busy and to communicate back to home,” Garcia said.  “The Marines obviously have lives back home.  Some of them are about to have their first child.  I’m just trying to do anything and everything I can to get what we need to (to help the morale) of the Marines.”

HIT, Iraq-Seaman Apprentice Josh L. Steen, 21, a corpsman with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, calls home to talk to his family in Richland, Wash., at the Marine Welfare and Recreation Center at Camp Hit, Iraq, Oct. 14. The Marines at Camp Hit now have 26 computers that are working and 13 phones to help stay in touch with friends and family. Lance Cpl. Sean Murray, 10/24/2008 11:10 AM

War In Iraq Daily News - October 27, 2008

Rainy Day Doesn’t Stop Sadr City Business, Employment Fair

Monday, 27 October 2008

Women show off an information booth for Iraqi business women at the Sadr City Road Show, a business and employment fair, in the Sadr City District of Baghdad, Oct. 25, 2008. Photo by Maj. Michael Humphreys, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs.

BAGHDAD — Heavy rains flooded the streets in front of the Sadr City District council building, but that didn’t stop a deluge of more than 150 Iraqi business owners and hundreds more Iraqi residents from the first business and employment fair in the popular Baghdad district, Oct. 25.

A colorful tent longer than a football field was erected on the street in front of the Sadr City District Advisory Council for the Sadr City Road Show where business owners from the region compared services and highlighted their wares to an anxious crowd of citizens and non-government organizations (NGO).

Organizers said the overall purpose of the event was to establish a business directory, highlight services available to business and to the people, and to demonstrate economic development in the region.

“The idea is to spotlight local business owners and NGO, to gather everyone in one place, get national and local government involved, and let the people voice their concerns,” said Raad Omar, CEO of the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Omar, members of the district council and regional market councils organized the event to demonstrate to the rest of Iraq and the world that after months of destructive fighting and subsequent reconstruction, Sadr City is open for business.

“A key objective is to make people see how safe the area is now,” said Sheik Mohammed Haraj Azeez, chairman of the Jamilla Market council.

The Jamilla Market is the largest market in north Baghdad and during the months of March through May absorbed much of the fighting between Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and their partners in the Iraqi Army against Special Groups criminals who extorted money from business owners to fund their attacks and intimidation of civilians.

Azeez said business in the Jamilla Market is growing rapidly again thanks in part to reconstruction efforts and economic development programs like micro-grants from MND-B and the government of Iraq.

“A few months ago, many businesses were destroyed,” Azeez said. “Today we answer the question on how we are doing now.”

Omar said Sadr City now joins five other districts of Baghdad where the road show has promoted growth and development, creating jobs and new opportunities for entrepreneurs ready to put violence behind them.

“We want to show the people that Sadr City is ready to move on,” Omar said.

The Sadr City Road Show culminated Oct. 26 adding to an expanding Baghdad business directory.

Omar said the success of this road show, even under driving rain, inspires hope that Sadr City will again host such an economically important event in the near future.

(By Maj. Mike Humphreys, 4th Infantry Division)

 

Corps of Engineers: More Mega Watts for Iraq’s Electrical Grid

BAGHDAD — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division’s largest remaining electrical generation project added two work shifts to keep pace on one of Iraq’s most important infrastructure projects, the Qudas Generation Plant.

The Qudas expansion initiative, first started in September 2006, will result in an additional 200 mega watts of power added to the electrical grid.  More than 200 Iraqi skilled and semi-skilled laborers are working hard to finish construction, and begin commissioning and testing in early 2009. Full electrical production is scheduled for April 2009.

 

Iraqi Army Takes Over Patrol Base Inchon

CAMP STRIKER — The Iraqi Army (IA) officially assumed authority of Patrol Base Inchon during a base turnover in Qarghuli Village, Oct. 20.

The 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army Division took over from Co. D, 3rd Bn., 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

 

Children to Receive Donated School Books

RAMADI — Servicemembers with the Ramadi embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT), Regimental Combat Team 1, met with the mayor of Ramadi recently to donate educational books to local schools.

The books, intended for children in elementary school from first through sixth grade, will be given to teachers in the city for use in their students’ daily curriculum.

 

Interactive Iraq :: Video News

Iraqi Freedom Minute, Oct. 26

• This edition features a story on the release of detainees and housing some of Iraq's dangerous insurgents.

Sunday, 26 October 2008	Adding mega watts to Iraq’s electrical grid
Sunday, 26 October 2008	IP, IA, MND-B Soldiers find caches north of Baghdad

 

Patriot

 

Sunday, 26 October 2008	MND-B Soldiers defeat IED, detain SGC
Sunday, 26 October 2008	MND-B Soldiers, ISF detain 2, find roadside bomb

 

The Smile Train

 

Sunday, 26 October 2008	DoD Identifies Army Casualty (Baqubah)
Sunday, 26 October 2008	Iraqi NCO education system approved (Baghdad)

 

Down Low

Sunday, 26 October 2008 Army engineers provide training, guidance to ensure sustainable infrastructure for the future of Ira

Doors Opening

 

Sunday, 26 October 2008	Al Kendy School opens in Qahira
Sunday, 26 October 2008	Students at Fahama Primary School cheer brighter beginning (Istaqlal)

 

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

                Pfc. Cody J. Eggleston, 21, of Eugene, Ore., died Oct. 24 at the National in Bethesda, Maryland, of wounds suffered on October 16 in Baqubah, Iraq, when he received indirect fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

 

Terror in Its Own Words - Part 3 of 6

Mothers send their children to their Deaths:

.

SGT Jack Bodani, Bronze Star, Army, Afghanistan, Centerville, MD

Jack Bodani

On a mission in Afghanistan, then-Specialist Jack Bodani was in an up-armored humvee column when a massive explosion ripped through his vehicle, engulfing it in a fireball. Simultaneously, automatic weapons fire and well-aimed mortar rounds began hitting dangerously close to the convoy. Bodani, burned on the face and neck from the conflagration, got out of the vehicle and immediately helped another trapped soldier escape.

Safely evacuating the first soldier away from the vehicle, Bodani realized there was another unaccounted for, so he disregarded his own wounds and again ran back to the burning vehicle. At the humvee, the heat of the fire reached a critical temperature and ordinance and rifle ammunition began exploding in every direction. From the east, insurgent attacker became increasingly accurate with their weapons fire. Ignoring all of this, Bodani, and with the aid of another, extracted the dazed soldier.

Still in the height of the ambush and far from safety, Bodani reached for a rifle at the casualty collection point and provided vital security from the brazen enemy fighters. Because of Bodani’s brave acts, the wounded soldiers survived to receive a medevac and receive the urgent care they needed.

Then-Specialist Jack Bodani was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his courageous actions.

Hometown: Centerville, MD

Awarded: Bronze Star

Interview:

• Sep. 18, 2008 – Pentagon Channel (1.36 MB)
• Sep. 23, 2008– ABC (935kb)
• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/bodaniJ.html

Army Intel Officer Builds Bridges in Afghanistan

Officer Builds Bridges With Language

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

MONTEREY, Calif., Oct. 23, 2008 – Every Afghan soldier on a base in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, wants to shoot at Army Capt. Nathan Iglesias.

Army Capt. Nathan Iglesias, an embedded trainer with the 2nd Brigade, 201st Afghan National Army Corps, poses in front of the Middle East School I building Oct. 21, 2008, on the campus of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, Calif., where he learned the Afghan language Dari. DoD photo by Samantha Quigley   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Luckily for Iglesias -- a proficient speaker of the Afghan language Dari -- these volleys come in the form of questions, not bullets.

“For me to walk across the base 300 meters can take over an hour, because all the Afghans want to talk to me,” Iglesias, an embedded trainer with the 2nd Brigade, 201st Afghan National Army Corps, said in an interview during his mid-deployment leave. Iglesias has since returned to Afghanistan, where his deployment will continue until May 2009.

Prior to his deployment in April, the captain studied Dari in an intensive 47-week course at the Defense Language Institute’s Foreign Language Center here. He attributes his popularity, and his success as an intelligence officer, to his ability to speak to foreign counterparts in their native tongue.

“It’s like instant rapport,” the 26-year-old soldier said. “They know that I have interest in their culture. They know it’s more than just lip service to them, because I know their customs, I’m familiar with their culture, their history -- I’ve studied them.

“This is more than just job for me,” he continued. “It’s a passion. And I think that that’s conveyed simply by my ability to communicate with them in their own language.”

Dari is one of the more difficult languages students learn at the institute. It uses phonetic components that are awkward for native English speakers, a construction that places the verb at the end of the sentence, and a writing system that bears no resemblance to the Latin alphabet. That Iglesias, a native of Pacific Grove, Calif., can converse in Dari provides an endless source of wonder to local forces.

With insatiable curiosity, Afghans ask him about American culture, and especially about religious pluralism in the United States. Some are surprised to learn that the United States has mosques and millions of Muslims who worship inside them – it debunks their belief that they would be forced to convert if they relocated to America. Others inquire about what it’s like to have Jewish friends.

“I tell them ‘Not only do I have Jewish friends, but I have Jewish friends fighting in Afghanistan for their country,’” Iglesias said. “And that just boggles their mind.”

In fact, the captain’s comprehension of Dari so fascinates Afghans that in some instances it even trumps their desire for basic necessities.

“When I go on humanitarian assistance missions, they don’t even care about what I’m giving out any more,” Iglesias said. “We just sit down, we drink chai together, and they have nonstop questions for me.”

In addition to earning him the respect and admiration of Afghans, Iglesias’ linguistic and cultural training has allowed him to communicate with his Afghan National Army intelligence counterparts.

During one conversation, Iglesias explained to Afghan intelligence operators how the U.S. military’s intelligence summary, or insum, is compiled and distributed up the chain of command. To compose this daily briefing, intel officers like Iglesias aggregate intelligence from subordinate units and security units, vet and compare the various sources and create a document that informs commanders’ decisions on the battlefield.

“I asked them ‘What is your experience with this?’ They said, ‘We’ve never done it,’” Iglesias recalled. “So I said, ‘This is what we’re going to start doing.’”

The captain declassified his own insum and, in Dari, explained it to the Afghans. He incorporated some of their ideas into their layout, and what quickly emerged was the first Afghan intelligence summary, which is now a staple of the Afghan military forces.

“They were the first ones to do it in the country, and theirs would go all the way to the minister of defense,” Iglesias said. “It’s a daily product.”

Zalmai Roashan, one of Igelsias’ instructors at DLI, suggested that his former student’s ability to connect with Afghans may be due to his understanding of Afghanistan’s etiquette of respect. This certainly allowed him to help implement the intelligence briefing, he said.

“He was able to frame it in such a way that they were not threatened by this initiative,” the professor explained. “When the reports kept on coming, and with the degree of accuracy and perhaps depth of information, everybody was happy, and so was he.

“Once you have the foothold then you – not necessarily push – but present your ideas,” Roashan continued. “And that is exactly what Captain Iglesias has been doing. And I attribute the success to his ability to communicate, not only verbally, but culturally, with the Afghans.”

The professor expressed pride in Iglesias’ accomplishments in Afghanistan, and said the captain’s ability to communicate in Dari exceeds his expectations. Roashan added that Iglesias’ training has allowed him both to perform his military mission in Afghanistan and create bridges between the Afghan people and the U.S. military, an assertion with which the young captain agrees.

“A lot of people think we’re very centered on ourselves, that [we think] the world revolves around the United States,” Iglesias said. “If we show that we’re willing to devote time and resources and energy to studying their culture and their language, that just means so much to them, as well as it would for anyone.”

Related Sites:
Defense Language Institute

Related Articles:
Linguists Play Key Threat-Reduction Role, Agency Director Says
Experts in Russian Language, Culture Join Threat Reduction Agency

Professor Zalmai Roashan, a former instructor of Dari at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, Calif., sits in his office on campus on Oct. 22, 2008. Roashan now serves as one of the department chairs of the Pashto program. Photo by Natela Cutter

Words Of Wisdom From Chaplain Flowers

It is hard to believe we are already into the "holiday season" yet I woke up this morning to snow flying through the air and the yards coated in a white layer of snow.  Every year I read tips on how to help get through the holidays with less stress, more smiles and a better time for all.  And every year, the cycle repeats itself.  I have made some improvements through the years.  With age comes practice and wisdom, and a desire to not repeat those late nights, last minute crunches that always seem to occur.

Chaplain John Flowers is with the North Dakota Air National Guard.  Here are some points to consider.  My particular favorite is what Emerson had to say about the stars in the sky.......

MsMarti

Decorations appeared at retail outlets in early October this year. It always makes me feel like somebody is jumping the gun by skipping Thanksgiving and going directly to the holiday season. Sometimes it seems like our whole culture is wired to overlook the giving of thanks.

Even in uncertain economic times, we remain the most blessed, prosperous and secure people in history. But we’re not often very grateful. We enjoy a standard of living beyond the wildest dreams of most people who ever lived on this planet, but we find reasons to complain.

One writer put it this way: “You’d think that merely not having bubonic plague would put us in a good mood. But no, we want a hot tub too.”

Mark Twain famously stated, “If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principle difference between a dog and a man.”

I think he was talking about our tendency toward ingratitude. We get so accustomed to our blessings that we begin to take them for granted. From there, it’s a short step toward ungrateful attitudes and complaints.

Emerson imagined what would happen if the stars in the night sky appeared only once a year.  Everyone would stay up all night just to gaze at them. We would be filled with anticipation and wonder at the spectacular beauty of the heavens. There would be celebration! But we are so accustomed to seeing the stars that we often don’t even notice them.

This year, why not pause on the way to December. Take a breath before you plunge into holiday stress and business. Or better yet, don’t get wrapped up in holiday stress at all. Be thankful. Make a list of God’s blessings in your life.

There’s an old song that says, “Count your many blessings; name them one by one … And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

Chaplain John Flowers
ND Air National Guard

Copyright 2008 MsMarti. All rights reserved.

Terror In Its Own Words - Part 2 of 6

Part 2 in the Series: Suicide Bomber Recruitment: .

War In Afghanistan News - October 26, 2008

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 3 Militants; Taliban Leader Dies

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2008 – Afghan and coalition forces killed three insurgents and uncovered a weapons and ammunition cache in Farah province’s Bala Boluk district Oct. 23, military officials said.

Afghan and coalition helicopters patrolling the area were attacked by small-arms and heavy-weapons fire from insurgents situated inside a cave. Afghan and coalition forces returned fire, killing three insurgents.

A search of the area following the attack uncovered a cache of weapons and ammunition.

In other news, Taliban commander Sharif Agha and 14 other militants were killed during an Oct. 21 coalition airstrike in Oruzgan province’s Deh Rawood district.

Agha was a known improvised explosive device and suicide bombing facilitator in Helmand and Oruzgan provinces.
Coalition forces positively identified Agha and 14 other militants near a riverbed in the vicinity of a known insurgent compound located in a remote area away from local villages. Reports confirmed that the militants were coordinating an attack against coalition forces.

Close-air support was employed, killing Agha and the other militants with a precision air strike.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)



News From NATO



Romanian Army Day celebrated in Zabul

A representative of the 30th Manoeuvre Battalion here gives a certificate of appreciation to Afghan General Nazer Ali Wahadee.

KABUL, Afghanistan — ISAF soldiers in Zabul celebrated the Romanian Army Day Oct. 25. This is a special day for Romanian soldiers, and they decided to celebrate the day with the other ISAF and ANSF soldiers.

During an initial ceremony, a silent moment was observed in the honour of the lost soldiers in Afghanistan.

There was an official lunch, with Romanian food, to which local dignitaries were invited along with ANSF leaders from the province and ISAF commanders. ANSF leaders received certificates of appreciation for their excellent cooperation with, and commitment towards, the Romanian Army.

New clinic opens in Kabul

Haji Mohammad Mohaqeq, chief of Religious and Educational Commission of Afghan Parliament; and Colonel Andrea Mulciri, the commander of the Italian contingent, cut the ceremonial ribbon for a new clinic in Police District 13 here Oct. 18.

KABUL, Afghanistan — A new clinic opened in Shahrak-e-Dwazdah Imam, Kabul, Oct. 18.

ISAF’s Italian contingent built the $75,000 project, which is part of the civil-military activities aimed at improving the health system in Kabul’s Police District 13.

The new clinic will allow the medical and paramedical staff of the Cooperation for Afghan Future Organization (CFAFO) to operate more conveniently for the benefit of the people of PD 13, in particular, Shahrak-e-Dwazdah Imam village.                                                                                       

Haji Mohammad Mohaqeq, chief of the Religious and Educational Commission of Afghan Parliament; and Colonel Andrea Mulciri, the commander of the Italian contingent, cut the ceremonial ribbon. The head of the shura and the religious leaders of the PD 13 communities also attended the ceremony.

Local leaders expressed their deep gratitude to ISAF and highlighted the fact that the successful opening of new wells, roads, schools and bridges has re-established the community in Kabul province.

ISAF engages insurgents in Nad e Ali district, Helmand province

KABUL, Afghanistan — ISAF are aware of an incident which took place yesterday morning in which an ANSF led patrol was attacked and became involved in an exchange of fire in Nad e Ali district, Helmand province.

During this incident, insurgent forces used mortars, rocket propelled grenades and heavy machine guns indiscriminately. In order that forces could extract from their position, ISAF air support utilised a precision weapon against a selected and positively identified enemy firing point.

We are aware of reports received after the event that civilians presented themselves to BOST hospital. Currently, there is no evidence to link these events.

Marine Corps Marathon October 26, 2008 Updates

 

I am proud to announce that ALL members of the Team Semper Fi/White family have now completed the Marine Corps Marathon.   Wooooo Hooooo !!!!!!!!!

I was also able to track the progress of Sgt. William "TJ" Edwards also.  He finished the marathon in just under 4 hours (correct time is 6:11:01)  Congratulations Sgt. Edwards!!!

You will need to go to the White's donation site to see their results!!

Teamsemperfi08/PWhite176

I see they are still receiving donations, so if you thought it was too late to donate, no it is not!!

Congratulations Jonathan, Peg and Joshua!!!

 

Copyright 2008 MsMarti.  All rights reserved.

This article was edited on 11/5/08 by MsMarti.  A final update on this effort can be found here!

War In Iraq Daily News - October 26, 2008

A ‘Vision of Hope’ in Tarmiyah

Sunday, 26 October 2008

By Ken Griffin
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

 

Iraqi Sheiks Nadeem (left) and Sa'ed Jassem (left) say goodbye to other area sheiks at the end of ceremonies in the city of Tarmiyah Iraq, Oct. 22, 2008. Photo by Ken Griffin.

CAMP TAJI — Residents of Tarmiyah, a small city on the Tigris River northwest of Baghdad, stood tall with smiles on their faces Oct. 22, as they spoke words of hope and reconciliation.

According to those gathered, the date was yet another dramatic turning point in their recent history.

Led by Sheik Sa’ed Jassim al-Mashadani, chairman of the Municipality Committee of al Tarmiyah Qada, Tarmiyah’s local officials hosted a number of provincial and government of Iraq representatives at their first Civic Expo.

City residents hope to accomplish a number of tasks in the future, and they chose a unique, effective way to accomplish their goals, such as bringing government of Iraq officials to them so they could show, firsthand, the economic and political progress they’ve made in the area.

“Two years ago, an event like this would not have been possible,” said Capt. Calvin Kline, an information operations officer with 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. “Even one year ago, the security situation would not have allowed it.”

Kline, who played a key role in supporting Tarmiyah’s planning for the event, should know. He’s witnessed the gradual transformation of Tarmiyah from one of the “worst places in Iraq” to the booming economic center it is today.

Soldiers from 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt., shared the brunt of the work with residents to get the city where it is. During the past year, they’ve seen their role in the area shift after effectively training Iraqi Security Forces in the area and witnessing the Sons of Iraq stand up for their security. They now serve more as advisers in an overwatch position with Iraqis responsible for their own security.

This is also true of the construction there. The majority of reconstruction funds in Tarmiyah come from the GoI. As such, Iraqis are now planning and supervising their own projects in coordination with the GoI, explained Kline. Local officials recognize the Soldiers’ role in reconstruction but are anxious to continue on their own.

“I want this information to reach others,” said Sheik Qassim Khalifa, vice president of the Tarmiyah Qada Council. “Most of the armies around the world are used for destruction. The mission of the American Army is to construct, not destruct.”

When the event kicked off, sheiks from the surrounding areas poured into Bukhari Hall, followed by government officials from Baghdad.

Inside the packed hall, city officials and their guests talked about the display they’d worked all night to construct. There were presentations highlighting construction, industrial progress and their struggles against the extremists.

“Today we’ll show you all of our accomplishments,” Jassim announced. “We’ll show you the huge burden and suffering we went through. With our Sons of Iraq efforts, we were able to defeat terrorists.”

The sheik may be one of Tarmiyah’s best examples of the blood and sweat residents have put into securing the city. He’s lost two sons to terrorism, and his eldest son was wounded by a suicide bomber.

The overall message of the expo was unity, said to Lt. Col. Tom Boccardi.

“Not only did it bring together the Sons of Iraq, Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army – it also brought the local government together with the tribes and government of Iraq,” he said. “Bottom line, they had a vision that I interpret as one of hope.”

Basrah Neighborhood Welcomes New Primary Healthcare Center BASRAH — A newly-opened primary healthcare center in Basrah is providing improved medical care and much-needed jobs for the local community.

“We plan to double our staff of 30 personnel within the next few months and offer additional services,” said Dr. Hadeel Sami, the PHC’s administrator who reports serving about 90 patients daily. “Local families tell us they’re very happy to have this facility in their community.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversaw construction of the new two-story medical facility, which serves the Hai Al Muhandiseen neighborhood of about 10,000 residents.

Army Engineers Provide Training, Guidance to Ensure Sustainable Infrastructure KIRKUK — Engineers with the Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are teaching and mentoring their Iraqi counterparts on every aspect of reconstruction project development, preparing them to continue building and managing Iraq’s infrastructure after the Coalition leaves.

Lt. Col. Jack Hourguettes is an Army engineer assigned to the Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team - a joint effort to integrate infrastructure projects in the province; such as training, coaching, advising, increasing engineering expertise, and improving decision-making; while balancing political and engineering requirements.

Saturday, 25 October 2008	Iraqi Security Forces capture 15 in northern Iraq
Saturday, 25 October 2008	ISF capture 9 during operations in central Iraq
Saturday, 25 October 2008	IA captures suspected criminal leader, detains two other suspects in Najaf operation

Nemo In The Lead

Saturday, 25 October 2008	Iraqi funds help Improve Mosul medical facility
Saturday, 25 October 2008	Garry Owen Battalion scores ‘goal’ in Amarah
Saturday, 25 October 2008	Iraqi Army takes over PB Inchon

T'Shir Reflection

Saturday, 25 October 2008	Iraqi Army takes over PB Inchon
Saturday, 25 October 2008	Patrol reveals Iraqis seek to improve city

 

Combined Ops

 

Saturday, 25 October 2008	Airmen assume IP Transition Team responsibilities in Rashid
Saturday, 25 October 2008	ISF and mayor visit Numaniyah girl schools

Stockton Stride

Saturday, 25 October 2008	ISF, CF partners discuss security issues
Saturday, 25 October 2008	Iraqi Air Force firefighters conduct joint training exercise with U.S. Force
Saturday, 25 October 2008	Coalition forces hit AQI networks, detain five suspected terrorists

Face of Defense: Soldier Leads Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team

Soldier Leads Team To Dispose of Ordnance

By Army Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret
Special to American Forces Press Service

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, Oct. 24, 2008 – Looking like an astronaut in a green space suit, the soldier carried on his shoulder a contraption that might have been a moon rock pulverizer, for all anyone knew.

Army 1st Lt. Ryan Fisher, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 760th EOD Company, carries a device used for pinpoint destruction of bomb components during his final test to receive his EOD team leader certification on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Oct. 14, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

A fellow soldier stood by to supervise. He told a group of people watching to give the man in the suit some room.

“You may want to stand back,” he said to the small crowd. “That thing’s actually loaded, and it can blow.”

That “thing” was a percussion-actuated neutralizer, a tool used to disarm explosive devices by destroying components that allow bombs to explode. The suit was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal 9 bomb suit, which weighs around 50 pounds. The man inside the suit was Army 1st Lt. Ryan Fisher, and this was his final test to earn his certification as an EOD team leader.

This test, which included searching a suspect vehicle and disarming the explosive threat, was one of about 40 tests Fisher had to pass to prove he’s fit to lead.

“It’s relieving and satisfying at the same time,” Fisher said of completing his certification after two months of testing. “It’s nice to know I’ll be moving into a position where I’ll have a greater opportunity to employ the EOD skills that I’ve been practicing the last six months.”

Six months is how long it took Fisher, a Pittsburgh native, to prepare for all the testing. The biggest challenge, he said, was that he’s not in a training environment; he’s in Iraq, completing real missions that affect lives of U.S. and Iraqi soldiers and citizens.

Fisher is deployed as an EOD technician with the 760th EOD Company here, which operates in the regions of North Babil, just south of Baghdad.

When patrolling soldiers come across improvised explosive devices, or roadside bombs, EOD soldiers are the people they call, and the company sends a three-person team to either destroy or disable the explosive threat. The logo above the EOD company’s entrance boasts, “They make ’em, we break ’em.”

With his certification, Fisher now will be able to go out on those missions and supervise the team.

“That’s probably the best part about it,” Fisher said of the certification. “It’s satisfying to know that I’ll be moving into a position that’s more hands-on … and going on more EOD missions.”

The training and the testing for this position took so long and covered so much ground because of everything team leaders must handle once they arrive at the threat site, Fisher said. Team leaders manage more than just their two teammates; they also must take charge of soldiers already on the scene and ensure they cordon the area and keep watch for secondary threats.

With lives at risk, the EOD team leader is personally responsible for the safety of everyone in the area, so disposing of the device properly is vital. Each task requires attention to detail and a thorough knowledge of all EOD skills, from disposing of ammunition to employing a remote-controlled robot.

Typically, soldiers of the rank of sergeant and staff sergeant become team leaders after spending time as EOD team members. As a lieutenant, Fisher didn’t have the benefit of that exposure, so he said he relied heavily on the help of senior noncommissioned officers in his company to help him get up to speed.

“I think the certification process, for me, really gave me a lot of faith and taught me to really rely on the knowledge and experience of my senior NCOs,” Fisher said. “A lot of these guys have been working in the EOD field for six, eight, 10 years, and they’ve basically taken me and imparted all their knowledge and all their experience into the training process.”

Fisher has been in the EOD field for 11 months, and has spent most of that time serving in Iraq. He said the deployment has given him a chance to truly appreciate the training, because here is where it really counts.

“It was actually a great jump-start to my EOD experience, and I think the learning curve has been a lot steeper as a result,” he said. “But I think that’s a good thing. I think it’s really provided me an opportunity to learn a lot faster than I would have, maybe, back in the States.”

Fisher now has seven months left in his deployment to put his new certification to work.

“We’re responding to actually serve the local populace here to ensure any explosive hazards that they discover are handled in a safe fashion,” he said. “So it’s very satisfying being able to help these people and basically eliminate these dangerous devices. … That’s our responsibility.”

(Army Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret serves with the 3rd Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)

Related Sites:
Multinational Corps Iraq

Army 1st Lt. Ryan Fisher, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 760th EOD Company, won first place in an Army 10-mile run on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Oct. 5, 2008, and soon completed his certification as an EOD team leader. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

NAPA Comes Thru For MSgt. White - He Exceeded His Goal For The Marine Corps Marathon!!

 

A few days ago, when I gave you an update on MSgt. White and his marathon run, he had only reached 43% of his fund raising goal.  He was positive that he would make his goal!

Quite frankly, I was worried, as the donations had been completely flat for so long.  Then there was a flurry of donating this past week, but they only brought the total up to first 38% and then 43%.  I was in email contact with Jon during the week, and he was excited by the donations that had come in.  He then assured me that he would have the money in hand before he stepped foot on the race course, this Sunday morning.

The MSgt. had mentioned having an "ace up his sleeve" but I wasn't so sure.  Let this be a lesson to myself and anyone else who has been following their progress.......NEVER doubt a Marine when he says he has an ace up his sleeve.  I am embarrassed to admit, I was doubtful.

I don't know all the details as of yet, and probably won't until sometime next week, but this I do know.  The MSgt. was on a pretty tight schedule, had it all planned out, for when he, Peg and Joshua would arrive in DC.  Don't forget, he was coming in from Germany, and  (Jon had to go to 29 Palms, CA the week before the marathon for desert training, which meant Peg had to travel alone with Joshua from Germany to D.C.) we all know how the military can have a sudden need and plans will change.  No problems with that, it was clear sailing, they were all set to arrive on Friday  Thursday evening, giving them a day to unwind and prepare for the race, early Sunday morning.

Little did he realize, that a week prior to his leaving, he would be asked to stop over in Atlanta Friday night, and on Saturday speak before a group of business owners at their convention.  Turns out, that NAPA had been looking around for a cause to support, they came across the fund raiser Jon was doing along with his wife and son for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.  They were interested in making a donation, and would he please come and speak to them at their convention.   "NAPA  was having a semi-annual convention to discuss the upcoming year.  One of their family ran across the article YOU wrote and brought it to the attention of their Chairman and Staff.  (This is a VERY Patriotic group of individuals)  That’s when NAPA got the idea to support the Injured Marine Fund.  A Mrs Amy Feste went to extraordinary lengths to track me down.  They had done a ton of research on Team Semper Fi and why we were running AND because there are a lot of veterans in the NAPA family."   "How could I refuse?" he told me on Friday, while waiting for his plane.  So Jon took a detour by himself to Atlanta, arriving very late Friday night (Saturday morning at 1am or 0100).  He  They would not get into DC until very late Saturday night.

All I can tell you is this.  His donation site shows his fund raising to be at 118% of his goal, with a total amount collected of $5912.  I couldn't believe it when I looked before shutting down my computer!!!!!  Wow!!!  Thanks to those 450 business owners from NAPA, they made their goal, and then some!

NAPA I want to extend a huge THANK YOU for your part in helping not only MSgt. White and his family meet their fund raisng goal, but more importantly for supporting the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.  Your money will mean a great deal to those Marines, Sailors and their families.

I also want to thank all the individuals who donated to Jonathan's cause.  He exceeded his goal because each and every one of you stepped up to the plate for him and those Marines, Sailors and their families!  Congratulations!

Thank you all for your generosity!!

I am still curious as to how NAPA found out about him.  As soon as more details become available you will be able to read about it here on this site!  Any corrections for accuracy will be made at that time, or as soon as the facts become available to me.

I have their bib numbers, and I believe I will be able to track their progress at the online Marathon site.  Each one has an individual GPS for tracking their times as they pass by checkpoints.  I also will update you on how Sgt. "TJ" Edwards did in the marathon.

I don't see how I am going to be able to sleep tonight, I am so excited for Jon, Peg and Joshua.  There were some weather concerns, it was rainy there today, but I just checked and it is clearing.  Tomorrow it should be sunny with a high of 70 degrees.  Sounds pretty near perfect conditions to me!

It will be fun to get the details on how their journey ended.  Sunday, they will each travel 26.2 miles, hopefully, injury free.  God Bless them all.  More to follow next week!

 

Copyright 2008 MsMarti. All rights reserved.

This article was edited on 11/5/08 by MsMarti.  A final update on this effort can be found here!

 

Strengthen you marriage through P.R.E.P.

Strengthen you marriage through P.R.E.P.

10/24/2008  By Lance Cpl. Zachary J. Nola

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms 

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.  —  — 

The Combat Center Chaplain’s Religious Enrichment Development Operation will be hosting a Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program workshop Oct. 30 and 31 at the Combat Center’s Protestant Chapel.

Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey A. Schadler, a religious program manager with the Religious Ministries Directorate, said CREDO provides active duty Marines, sailors and their dependents with  a non-military environment while helping them with issues ranging from personal growth and spiritual development, to marriage enrichment.

“CREDO and PREP are geared to provide avenues for creating and maintaining basic life skills at home or in home management,” he explained. “Not all programs are taught for religious needs or spiritual reformation.”

Schadler, a native of Covington, Ky., said the PREP class is aimed at building healthier relationships between engaged and married couples, while teaching those couples better communication skills and a better understanding of their roles as a spouse.

“It’s to help couples find satisfaction in their marriage,” said Lt. Terry L. Moran, a battalion chaplain with the Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School who served as the Combat Center’s PREP coordinator for 13 months, and has three years experience working with military couples in marriage enrichment.

Lt. Chris Hester, also a battalion chaplain with the Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School and the current PREP coordinator, said in the upcoming course couples can expect to learn the consequences of inappropriate expectations, how to be proactive, and communication skills, as well as other tools that will be helpful in preventing divorce, enhancing existing relationships, and creating a happier and more satisfying marriage.

“PREP is considered one of the premium services of today,” said Hestor, native of LaGrange, Ga. “They can expect to learn some things that will help them in their marriage.”

Hester, who holds a master’s degree in human services with a concentration in marriage and family counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., also said participants will learn the speaker-listener technique, which is aimed at helping couples cool down arguments so both spouses understand what the other is saying so they can move toward solving the problem together.

Hester also said the class, which is taught through power point slide shows, videos, lectures, and practical application, is not intended for marriages in crisis, but more to prevent crisis, and couples contemplating attending the class should not hesitate to attend.

“It’s a statement that your marriage means something to you,” said Hester, who is also a board certified pastoral counselor.

At the end of the course, graduates receive a certificate of completion as well as a chance to evaluate the course.

Hester and Moran, said they have both seen positive and encouraging remarks on course evaluation sheets, and encourage both new and old couples, of both the enlisted and officer community to attend.

For more information and for registration visit the Protestant Chapel in building 1541 or call (760) 830-6464.

Oct. 24 airpower summary: F-16 strikes enemy

Oct. 24 airpower summary: F-16 strikes enemy

10/25/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb unit-38 and fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces using small arms fire against coalition forces in the vicinity of Shurakian. The mission was confirmed a success by an on-scene joint terminal attack controller. 

Coalition aircraft performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Qalat and Malek Din. JTACs reported the missions successful.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a GBU-12 onto enemy positions in a building that was using rocket propelled grenades against coalition forces near Lashkar Gah. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC. 

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted multiflight shows of force to provide armed aerial overwatch to a coalition convoy that had struck multiple IED's and to deter insurgent activities in the vicinity of Soltani. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

An A-10 performed a show of force near Gardez to deter enemy activities. The mission was confirmed a success by a JTAC.

In total, 50 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Fifteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions
as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 37 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-eight Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. 

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn
of Africa.

Approximately 130 airlift sorties were flown, 390 tons of cargo delivered, and 3,100 passengers were transported. This included approximately 21,600 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On October 23, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 million pounds of fuel to 290 receiving aircraft.

Oct. 23 airpower summary

Oct. 23 airpower summary

10/25/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired rockets and cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces using a rocket launcher in the vicinity of Gardez. Furthermore, an A-10 conducted a show of force to deter further hostile activity in the area. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers. 

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator used a Hellfire missile against two enemy fighters who were firing mortars and/or rockets at coalition forces in the vicinity of Gardez. In addition, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity in the same area. JTACs reported the missions successful.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-38 onto enemy fighters who were hiding in a tree line and firing rocket propelled grenades against coalition forces near Bari Kowt. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC. 

An F/A-18C dropped a GBU-38 onto anti-Afghan forces who were using rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire against coalition forces in the vicinity of Shurakian. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet and a coalition aircraft conducted multiple shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Sangin. The missions were confirmed a success by JTACs. 

A coalition aircraft performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Kajaki Dam. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

A-10s performed shows of force in the vicinity of Bagram, Morghab, Ghazni and Tarin Kowt to deter enemy activities. The missions where confirmed a success by JTACs.

In total, 73 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Thirteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 43 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-five Air Force, Navy and coalition ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. 

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 140 airlift sorties were flown, more than 480 tons of cargo delivered, and more than 3,600 passengers were transported. This included approximately 22,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Oct. 22, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 38 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.8 million pounds of fuel to 276 receiving aircraft.

Video Afghanistan Progress Report with a little Sweet Justice

Progress, Unreported Successes, Countering the solely negative news:

Taliban has achieved Zero of its goals. Running out of time.

1LT Stephen Boada, Silver Star, USMC, Afghanistan, Bristol, CT

Stephen Boada

The Story:

1st Lt. Boada was attached to a platoon on routine patrol in the mountains of Afghanistan when over two dozen extremists attacked the Marines. As the unit’s forward air controller, Boada directed air attacks on insurgent positions. After two Marines were hit by fire while approaching an enemy cave entrance, Boada and a fellow Marine worked their way from boulder to boulder across roughly 25 meters to rescue them, all the while under machine gun fire from the cave. Boada hurled grenades into the cave, killing the fighters inside. Boada later directed further air strikes to cover the platoon’s withdrawal. 1st Lt. Boada received the Silver Star on February 1, 2006. When asked about his role that day, he said simply, "The Marines I was with that day deserve the recognition. They all need to be talked about, talked about more than me, they are all amazing.

Hometown: Bristol, CT

Awarded: Silver Star

Interview:

• Feb. 28, 2007 (3.0MB)
  WDAY 970 AM
• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/boadaS.html

War In Afghanistan News - October 25, 2008

Coalition Troops Kill Three, Detain Four Militants in Paktika Province

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2008 – Coalition forces killed three armed militants and detained four others during an operation targeting the Haqqani terrorist network in Paktika province yesterday, military officials reported.

Troops searched a compound in Ziruk district, targeting a Haqqani commander suspected of foreign fighter and weapons facilitation, officials said. He is also believed to finance Haqqani terrorist operations throughout eastern Afghanistan, they said.

As the force searched the compound, they received small-arms fire from several armed militants, officials said. Coalition forces returned fire, killing three armed militants. A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47s and other military style equipment, they said.

(Compiled from a U.S. Forces Afghanistan news release.)

DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

 

Cpl. Adrian Robles, 21, of Scottsbluff, Neb., died Oct. 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

 

Lance Cpl. San Sim, 23, of Santa Ana, Calif., died Oct. 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1^st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

             The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

 

            Spc. Deon L. Taylor, 30, of Bronx, N.Y., died Oct. 22 in Bela Beluk, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New York Army National Guard, Syracuse, N.Y.



Coalition forces kill three, detain four in Paktika

from U.S. Forces Afghanistan

10/23/2008 - KABUL, Afghanistan -- Coalition forces killed three armed militants and detained four suspected militants during an operation targeting the Haqqani terrorist network in Paktika province, Thursday.

Coalition forces searched a compound in Ziruk District, targeting a Haqqani commander suspected of foreign fighter and weapons facilitation. He is also believed to finance Haqqani terrorist operations throughout eastern Afghanistan.

As the force searched the compound, they received small-arms fire from several armed militants. Coalition forces returned fire, killing three armed militants. A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47s and other military style equipment.




Afghan docs put PRT's 'strong food' to test, malnourished children on path to health

by Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
U.S. AFCENT News Team

10/23/2008 - QALAT, Afghanistan -- It might be hard to imagine something as sweet as the center of a peanut butter cup saving lives. But thanks to the ingenuity of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff, a four-week regiment of their tasty "strong food" has brought hundreds of malnourished Afghan children back to health.

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Capt. (Dr.) James Arnold shows medical professionals from the Zaubl province how to make "strong food." "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement used to combat malnutrition. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. Dr. Arnold is deployed from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)



The PRT members introduced "strong food," known locally as Qavi Ghiza, to the Shajoy hospital two months ago. The area's public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children.

"This program has been going very well and giving positive results; people know about it," said Dr. Zamarai Sultan, Public Health Administration nutrition officer. "It is going to be even more successful in the future."

Dr. Sultan has monitored the "strong food" program in Shajoy closely. In a patient sampling of 60 children, 78 percent have shown positive growth. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking the vitamin enriched and calorie heavy supplement.

"People from this area are very poor," Dr. Sultan said. "They don't have enough money for their baby's special food. As long as we have this kind of program it is going to succeed. Now people know this good thing about the 'strong food;' that is why more patients come in and get this food."

The success of "strong food" in the Shajoy area and a positive backing by Dr. Sultan provided Capt. (Dr.) James Arnold the momentum he needed to expand the program.

"Giving this program to Dr. Sultan has actually been the biggest help to us because he is well invested in it," said Dr. Arnold, deployed from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. "He is a nutritionist; he deals with the malnourishment problem for the entire Zabul province."

Dr. Arnold said Dr. Sultan's positive reputation in the medical field has helped convince his fellow doctors to join the program. "[As] the voice of this project, (he) can better influence anything I can do," he added.

The two doctors met local medical experts with pediatric specialties to go over the results.

"We are trying to make all of our projects Afghan run because we are not going to stay around the long haul," said Dr. Arnold, a native of Grass Valley, Calif. "We [want] to give them something they can do on their own and sustain on their own."

After a demonstration on how to make "strong food," the medical professionals made a batch themselves with ingredients available locally. The concoction was blended using donated mixing sets.

The mixing sets came courtesy of Michael Morgan, an Eagle Scout candidate with Boy Scout Troup 157 out of Salem, Ore.

"Boy Scouts are taught to seek opportunities to help others," said the West Salem High School senior. "I wanted to provide service that was meaningful as I sought to complete my requirements for the obtaining of the rank of Eagle. This project seemed challenging but perfect."

Dr. Arnold applauds the young Mr. Morgan's quest to help malnourished Afghan children.

"I think it is remarkable that a 16-year-old boy saved money and did such a wonderful thing," said the Des Moines University graduate. "It is kind of impressive. It is one of those things I am not sure if he quite understands [the impact of] what we are doing out here. For what he was able to do, we tried to give him the most bang for his buck."

Likewise, Dr. Sultan is grateful for the effort the PRT put into launching the "strong food" program.

"I am very thankful to this team," he said. "This is a very active team, and they have really wanted to work and [it] has been seen."

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Capt. (Dr.) James Arnold shows medical professionals from the Zaubl province how to make "strong food." "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement used to combat malnutrition. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. Dr. Arnold is deployed from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

SHAJOY. Afghanistan -- Dr. Zamarai Sultan begins treating a malnourished Afghan child with "strong food" a vitamin enriched and calorie heavy supplement. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the areas extremely high infant mortality. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Capt. (Dr.) James Arnold shows medical professionals from the Zaubl province how to make "strong food." "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement used to combat malnutrition. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. Dr. Arnold is deployed from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

SHAJOY. Afghanistan -- Dr. Zamarai Sultan begins treating a malnourished Afghan child with "strong food" a vitamin enriched and calorie heavy supplement. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the areas extremely high infant mortality. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff discuss how to divide up “strong food” ingredients with local medical professionals from the Zabul province hospitals. "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement to combat malnutrition. The PRT is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Capt. (Dr.) James Arnold shows medical professionals from the Zaubl province how to make "strong food." "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement used to combat malnutrition. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. Dr. Arnold is deployed from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

SHAJOY. Afghanistan -- Dr. Zamarai Sultan begins treating a malnourished Afghan child with "strong food" a vitamin enriched and calorie heavy supplement. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the areas extremely high infant mortality. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff discuss how to divide up “strong food” ingredients with local medical professionals from the Zabul province hospitals. "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement to combat malnutrition. The PRT is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

(Right) Dr. Zamarai Sultan discusses results he has seen using "strong food" over the course of two months to treat malnourished children from the Shajoy public health administration office. "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement used to combat malnutrition. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Capt. (Dr.) James Arnold shows medical professionals from the Zaubl province how to make "strong food." "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement used to combat malnutrition. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. Dr. Arnold is deployed from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

SHAJOY. Afghanistan -- Dr. Zamarai Sultan begins treating a malnourished Afghan child with "strong food" a vitamin enriched and calorie heavy supplement. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the areas extremely high infant mortality. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff discuss how to divide up “strong food” ingredients with local medical professionals from the Zabul province hospitals. "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement to combat malnutrition. The PRT is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

(Right) Dr. Zamarai Sultan discusses results he has seen using "strong food" over the course of two months to treat malnourished children from the Shajoy public health administration office. "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement used to combat malnutrition. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

SHAJOY. Afghanistan -- An Afghan mother gives her daughter a taste of "strong food" a vitamin enriched and calorie heavy supplement. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the areas extremely high infant mortality. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

Afghan docs put PRT’s ‘strong food’ to test

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Capt. (Dr.) James Arnold shows medical professionals from the Zaubl province how to make "strong food." "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement used to combat malnutrition. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. Dr. Arnold is deployed from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

SHAJOY. Afghanistan -- Dr. Zamarai Sultan begins treating a malnourished Afghan child with "strong food" a vitamin enriched and calorie heavy supplement. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the areas extremely high infant mortality. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff discuss how to divide up “strong food” ingredients with local medical professionals from the Zabul province hospitals. "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement to combat malnutrition. The PRT is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the extremely high infant mortality in the area such as unsanitary water supplies and malnutrition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

(Right) Dr. Zamarai Sultan discusses results he has seen using "strong food" over the course of two months to treat malnourished children from the Shajoy public health administration office. "Strong food" is a vitamin enriched high calories food supplement used to combat malnutrition. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

SHAJOY. Afghanistan -- An Afghan mother gives her daughter a taste of "strong food" a vitamin enriched and calorie heavy supplement. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team is working with local heath officials to combat the main causes of the areas extremely high infant mortality. The Shajoy public health administration staff has been using the low-cost and locally produced food supplement to treat more than 400 malnourished children in two months. The doctor said he has seen most patients gain 1 to 1.5 kilograms a week while taking “strong food.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

QALAT. Afghanistan -- Zabul Governor Delbar Jan Arman shows his appreciation for the work being done to fight malnutrition by the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team. The team developed "strong food" using local ingredients easily accessible by Afghan medical professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown)  Download Full Image




General Schwartz tours Bagram, addresses Airmen's questions

Air Force Chie of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz holds an Airman's Call at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Oct. 21. General Schwartz hosted an open forum for Airmen to directly ask him questions about his vision for the future of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse/Released)


BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- The 19th Air Force chief of staff, Gen. Norton Schwartz, accompanied by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley, made his first official trip to Bagram Air Field Oct. 21.

General Schwartz toured the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group to learn more about the growing efforts to support the mission here, and the Craig Joint Theater Hospital to visit staff and injured service members. A prior C-130 pilot, the general also visited the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Attack Squadron.

Before departing Bagram, General Schwartz hosted an Airman's Call where he shared his vision of the Air Force's role in the war on terrorism.

"What is happening here is profoundly important," he said. "Frankly, what has been over time an economy of force operation here in Afghanistan, is about to change. The main focus of activity in Central Command area of responsibility is going to be right here. What you have done - what your predecessors have done - to establish this location as the engine of certainly Air Force activity and other mission activities in this country on behalf of the United States armed forces, is so very, very important."

"This is about the United States Air Force finding new and better ways to contribute to the fight," he added. "There are obvious ways we do it, and there are less obvious ways. My basic point here is that everyone here is all in. It doesn't matter what discipline you are in, what job you have or what specialty you share -- everybody matters, everybody contributes. We all do our thing because this is a team sport."

The chief of staff also took questions from Airmen in the audience.

"This is the kind of feedback we need to have," he said. "The battlefield is a more complicated place. If there is something we are doing that you consider not value-added, pass that to me."

Questions for General Schwartz ranged from the status of the CSAR-X development to civilianization of jobs to the way we fight. One question concerned pre-deployment training and ensuring the right people received the appropriate training to prepare them for the work they will be doing in theater.

"I would argue to everybody here, our Air Force isn't sitting in Alconbury, and Bentwater, and Ramstein and Mildenhall anymore ready to go fight--we're here, we're in Baghdad," he said. "One hopes we did the right thing preparing them for that role. I would not be doing my job if I did not prepare you to do it, inside or outside the wire. I certainly agree that those folks who have less likelihood of going outside the fence need a different curriculum than those who do."

General Schwartz was also asked about his feelings toward the Airman's Creed.

"What's embedded in the creed is a fundamental notion that we have obligations to one another, to our Air Force teammates, to our other service's teammates, and certainly to the country. These obligations are profound. This is what the creed suggests - that we are a member of a warrior team, all of us have obligations to one another, and we keep our promises. That is what makes us different."

Finally, General Schwartz talked about getting the Air Force back to basics and ensuring the right things are done right.

"For everybody here, this is really about the success of the joint team," he said. "Take satisfaction in knowing that people depend on you for what you do. Make sure the people who depend on us turn out to be our greatest champions. That is the way for all of us to be more successful."

	Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Afghan defence minister hold news conference (mp3/9.79MB) - 23 Oct. 2008
	Gereshk Med Cap - Oct. 2008
	Highlights - ISAF activities in Western Afghanistan - Oct. 2008

Enhanced VA mortgages possible for vets in distress

Enhanced VA mortgages possible for vets in distress

10/24/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFNS)  -- Veterans with conventional home loans now have new options for refinancing to a Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed home loan. These new options are available as a result of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which President Bush signed into law Oct. 10.

"These changes will allow VA to assist a substantial number of veterans with subprime mortgages refinance into a safer, more affordable, VA guaranteed loan," said Dr. James B. Peake, VA secretary. "Veterans in financial distress due to high rate subprime mortgages are potentially the greatest beneficiaries."

VA has never guaranteed subprime loans; however, as a result of the new law VA can now help many more veterans who currently have subprime loans.

The new law makes changes to VA's home loan refinancing program. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of the property. These types of loans were previously limited to 90 percent of the value.

Additionally, Congress raised VA's maximum loan amount for these types of refinancing loans. Previously, these refinancing loans were capped at $144,000. With the new legislation, such loans may be made up to $729,750 depending on where the property is located.

Increasing the loan-to-value ratio and raising the maximum loan amount will allow more qualified veterans to refinance through VA, allowing for savings on interest costs or even potentially avoiding foreclosure.

Originally set to expire at the end of this month, VA's authority to guaranty adjustable rate mortgages and hybrid ARMs also was extended under this new law through Sept. 30, 2012. Unlike conventional ARMs and hybrid ARMs, VA limits interest rate increases on these loans from year to year, as well as over the life of the loans.

Since 1944, when home loan guaranties were offered with the original GI Bill, VA has guaranteed more than 18 million home loans worth more than $911 billion. This year, about 180,000 veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and survivors received loans valued at about $36 billion. 

For more information, or to obtain help from a VA loan specialist, veterans may call VA at (877) 827-3702 or visit VA home loan guaranty Web site.

Lasers may aid missile defense, engine crack detection

Lasers may aid missile defense, engine crack detection

Lasers may aid missile defense, engine crack detection

by Maria Callier
Air Force Office of Scientific Research

10/24/2008 - ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)  -- Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded work at the University of Colorado at Boulder could lead to possible future technologies that use the high energy densities of lasers. 

Studies by university officials explore how atoms and molecules respond to light pulses, which could show cracks in high-performance engines.

Ultrafast flashes of X-rays can eject an electron from a molecule, leaving the molecule in a super excited state that eventually causes it to break apart. The interaction of atoms and molecules is both useful for making coherent X-rays which, in the future, may show previously undetectable cracks in jet turbine blades. (Courtesy image)  Download Full Image

The husband and wife research team of Dr. Henry Kapteyn and professor Margaret Murnane has developed new, practical, laser-like sources in the ultraviolet and soft X-ray regions based on the most extreme form of nonlinear optics.

In this work, an intense femtosecond laser is focused into a gas-filled hollow waveguide. The interaction between the laser field and the atoms in the gas is so strong that electrons are violently accelerated, and then liberate their energy as a coherent beam of X-rays.

Ultrafast coherent beams of X-rays have a myriad of applications in technology and science -- from next-generation microscopes that have the capability to image thick samples in 3-D, to understanding how heat flows in nanostructures or how electrons move at interfaces relevant to energy harvesting.

This research impacts the Air Force by making ultrafast lasers useful in remote sensing, missile defense and adapted optics. The femtosecond lasers that the couple develops to power the X-ray source are also used in micro-machining and may be applied to aircraft aerodynamics and high-performance engines.

"Our research straddles the boundary between laser science and technology," Ms. Murnane said. "We take ideas all the way from conception to integration in systems that can then be used by other scientists. This takes a team of physicists, engineers and chemists all working together. We discovered that the interaction of atoms and molecules is both useful for making coherent X-rays which, in the future, may image previously undetectable cracks in jet turbine blades."

A major future challenge is to find ways of generating coherent X-ray beams which require the scientists to control quantum phenomena at very high laser intensities. The challenges have also yielded new demands on the technology the couple uses to meet their goals.

"After a number of years of exploiting the laser technology that we already developed, we are now planning a new push for high-power laser technologies," Ms. Murnane said.

Lasers may aid missile defense, engine crack detection

Ultrafast flashes of X-rays can eject an electron from a molecule, leaving the molecule in a super excited state that eventually causes it to break apart. The interaction of atoms and molecules is both useful for making coherent X-rays which, in the future, may show previously undetectable cracks in jet turbine blades. (Courtesy image)  Download Full Image | E-mail a friend

Extreme nonlinear optical techniques have succeeded in upconverting visible laser light into X-rays, making a tabletop source of coherent soft X-rays possible. The interaction of atoms and molecules is both useful for making coherent X-rays which, in the future, may show previously undetectable cracks in jet turbine blades. (Courtesy photo/University of Colorado)   Download Full Image

War In Iraq Daily News - October 25, 2008

Cortoba School Celebrates Completion

Saturday, 25 October 2008 By Staff Sgt. Brock Jones
Multi-National Division - Baghdad
 

A boy writes at his desk during class at the Cortoba school in the Mansour District of western Baghdad, Oct. 21, 2008. Photo by Staff Sgt. Brock Jones.

BAGHDAD — Teachers, children and Coalition forces celebrated the completion of construction and renovation projects at the Cortoba school in Muhallah 603 of the Mansour District of Baghdad, Oct. 21, 2008.

The projects included building a new bathroom for the students, replacing tile floors, fixing lighting and electrical problems and a fresh coat of various shades of blue paint.

“For this school, we would come here about once a week to ensure that the quality control was up kept,” said Capt. Tom Mcinnis, who serves as a civil affairs team leader with Company A, 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion. Mcinnis and his team oversaw the project and ensured the work of local contractors was up to par with the agreed upon standards. “This is certainly not a new school, but it is much better than it was.”

With improvements in security throughout Baghdad, the focus of U.S. and coalition efforts shifted from fighting, to seeking out areas in which improvements were sorely needed, such as schools, and then seeing those projects through from start to finish.

“With schools, they’re such a bang for the buck because everyone sends their kids to school, and no one wants their kids to be in an environment where they’re not able to learn or focus on learning,” said Mcinnis.

“And with the security being better, the ministry of education is now able to maintain its schools much better.”

Lt. Col. Monty Willoughby, commander of 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt., attended the ceremony and took a tour of the school, greeting the students and listening as they recited chants and songs.

“This is probably the fifth or sixth school opening this week for the squadron and the second this week for my troop,” said Capt. Michael Poche, commander of Troop B “Blackfoot,” 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt., whose unit is responsible for the area where the school is located.

Students, teachers, and school officials were all appreciative of the work that had been done at their school.

“We have 390 children at our school,” said Afaf Abdel Khader, headmistress of the Cortoba school. “They are so happy and feel so good about [the improvements].

She went on to explain exactly why investing money and time in schools and the lives of Iraq’s children is money well-spent.

“Education is very important. Period. We are forming a new generation and the new country depends on these kids.”

Iraqi Police Train to Replace Iraqi Army in Urban Areas

WASHINGTON — U.S. advisers are working with Iraq's Interior Ministry to move the Iraqi Police into a "primacy role" in securing urban areas, a coalition training commander said on Oct. 23, 2008.

The Iraqi Army currently works alongside Coalition forces in providing security for most of Iraq's major cities and towns, Army Col. Chris Fulton told military bloggers during a conference call. Fulton is chief of staff for the Directorate of Interior Affairs, Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq.

 

SWAT: Iraqi Scorpions Sting at the Heart of Criminal and Terrorist Activities in Iraq
 
BALAD — A group known as the “Scorpions,” symbolized by a scorpion holding a dagger, are successfully stinging at the heart of criminal and terrorist activities in central Iraq.

The Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics team is disrupting insurgent activities throughout the province and bringing them to justice. Through a foreign internal defense partnership with Coalition Soldiers, these Iraqi Soldiers are working to rid the communities of anti-Iraqi forces that threaten the peace and prosperity for their families and countrymen.

Friday, 24 October 2008	DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty (Balad Air Base)
Friday, 24 October 2008	Odierno visits Turkey, discusses military cooperation
Friday, 24 October 2008	MND-B Soldiers detain SGC cell leader, accomplice in Abu T’shir
Friday, 24 October 2008	IA arrests suspected terrorist (Fallujah)

 

Quick Reaction

 

Friday, 24 October 2008	Muhallahbiyah Water Office refurbishing project in progress
Friday, 24 October 2008	Violence drops as operation in Mosul continues
Friday, 24 October 2008	Downtown al Kut, signs of normalcy

 

School Supplies

 

Friday, 24 October 2008	U.S. and Iraqi Sustainment Warrant Officers break bread and build bonds
Friday, 24 October 2008	Cortoba School celebrates completion of construction (Baghdad)
Friday, 24 October 2008	SoI arrest known Special Groups criminal in Aamel; tips lead MND-B Soldiers to caches in Baghdad

 

Taking Control

Friday, 24 October 2008	MND-B Soldiers captured 5 suspected criminals in early morning raids
Friday, 24 October 2008	IPs find TNT stashed in concrete plant
Friday, 24 October 2008	Local citizen leads MND-C Soldiers to large cache in North Babil

 

Reason to Smile

 

Friday, 24 October 2008	Iraqi Air Force celebrates another milestone
Friday, 24 October 2008	Senior Iraqi Non-commissioned Officers Symposium
Friday, 24 October 2008	First Formal Inspector General Foundation Course graduates 64 students
Friday, 24 October 2008	Coalition forces detain eight suspects, degrade AQI car bomb networks

DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty

 

             The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

            Staff Sgt. Brian P. Hause, 29, of Stoystown, Pa., died Oct. 23 of non-combat related medical causes at Balad Air Base, Iraq. He was assigned to the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

Tricare, Medicare work together for eligible beneficiaries

Tricare, Medicare work together for eligible beneficiaries

10/22/2008 - FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) -- Tricare officials want beneficiaries who receive a disability check to ensure they are getting the Tricare coverage they are entitled to receive. 

In general, most beneficiaries become eligible for Medicare at age 65; however, many beneficiaries younger than 65 also qualify for Medicare and there is one critical fact they need to know.

"Most Tricare beneficiaries who are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A are required under federal law to enroll in Medicare Part B to keep Tricare benefits," said Anne Breslin, the Tricare For Life program manager. 

Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities. It also covers hospice and some home health care. 

Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It helps cover outpatient and physician services as well as some physical and occupational therapies and home health care. The Medicare Part B monthly premium currently is $96.40 and will remain the same for 2009. Individual premiums could be higher, based on income. 

When Medicare coverage is effective, it becomes the primary insurance, while Tricare becomes the secondary. Beneficiaries who take appropriate steps to maintain their Tricare eligibility often will have no out-of-pocket expenses for health care services covered by Medicare and Tricare. 

Generally, beneficiaries who receive Social Security disability benefits begin receiving Medicare benefits after two years, and they may choose between options such as Tricare Prime or Tricare For Life. Most will need to have Medicare Part B, although there are some exceptions.

"Whatever they choose, we can't emphasize enough that beneficiaries need to look carefully at their options before making decisions that could result in a loss of Tricare coverage," said Ms. Breslin.

Factors beneficiaries must take into consideration before making a decision when it comes to Medicare and Tricare include: whether their spouse is on active duty; if they are disabled because of injuries suffered while serving on active duty; if they have other health insurance; or if they are enrolled in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan or Tricare Reserve Select.

Other factors also may apply, but help is available to understand the complexities of this benefit. Detailed information on how Medicare and Tricare work together for eligible beneficiaries younger than 65 is available through the Tricare Web site, where users can also download a new "Using Tricare and Medicare" flier.

For more information, check the Medicare Web site or call (800) 633-4227; visit the Social Security Administration Web site or call (800) 772-1213; or call Tricare for Life at (866) 773-0404. (Courtesy of Tricare)

Airmen speed delivery of lifesaving medicine

The call went out to the Army Medical Material Center and within hours the needed anti-venom was in the hands of the doctor.  This involved coordinating several flights, along with keeping the medicine cooled below a certain temperature the entire time.   It was too hot for the medicine to sit out without either ice packs or being in a refrigerator.  Read below to see who the patient was.  You might be surprised!  MsMarti certainly was!

Airmen speed delivery of lifesaving medicine

by Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

10/24/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS)  -- Coordination and hustle between several American military agencies here enabled a lifesaving package to reach an Iraqi snakebite victim and save a life Oct. 15 here. 

Senior Airman Michael Rodriguez stacks cold bricks on top of medical supplies as Staff Sgt. Michael Bonecutter logs the reicing time Oct. 23 at an air base in Southwest Asia. The unit processes thousands of pounds of medical supplies and equipment for shipment to units in the area of responsibility. Airman Rodriguez, an 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron special handling technician, is a native of Saint John, Mich. He is deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Sergeant Bonecutter, an 8th EAMS special handling supervisor, is a native of Pilot Grove, Mo. He is deployed from Little Rock AFB, Ark. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)

Download HiRes

The Army Medical Materiel Center Southwest Asia staff received an urgent request for anti-venom to help a young Iraqi woman who was in critical condition, and the staff immediately turned to members of the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron for help.

"We have a very strong partnership with the 8th EAMS and we simply could not do our mission without their assistance," said Army Maj. Jennifer Allouche, the chief of support operations at the center. "I know that when I call the 8th EAMS team for assistance, they will make it happen 100 percent of the time. They have never said no or told me they could not support our requirement."

Master Sgt. Todd Lunge, the 8th EAMS superintendent of air freight, received the call and immediately started checking flight schedules to get the package to Baghdad right away.

"Right after the call from Major Allouche, I started calling those I knew would be involved and telling them to be ready," he said.

The cargo arrived within two hours and Airmen from 8th EAMS special handling processed the package and got it ready for shipment in 15 minutes.

"Whenever the mission is ready, we process it in the system so we have visibility over it and we can track it all the way to its destination," said Staff Sgt. Richard Nedrow, the NCO in charge of special handling deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. "(On this package) we had to make sure the temperature was maintained, which is hard out here because it is so hot. We have to keep it below certain limits. We store it (in refrigerated rooms) until it gets ready to ship out. We track the ice times to make sure the ice is good."

Sergeant Lunge found a C-130 Hercules mission that could take the package to Baghdad less than two hours after it arrived on base. However, after 1.5 hours the Air Terminal Operations Center staff notified 8th EAMS members that a maintenance problem would delay the flight until the evening.

"When the C-130 broke, they said it would be another hour before they would know if it could take off, so I started looking for another mission," said the native of Buffalo, N.Y.
 
He found a C-17 Globemaster III mission leaving in 10 minutes that wasn't scheduled to take cargo. 

Capt. Keith Grawert, a C-17 pilot with the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, got the call and made the decision to hold the aircraft to wait for the lifesaving package.

"All we were told was that it was a 'life-or-death' shipment of cargo," Captain Grawert said. "It's not every day that we hear those words, so it seemed like a straightforward decision to go ahead and wait for it. The interesting thing about airlift is that one never knows for sure what impact a particular mission may have on someone's life regardless of how routine it may seem to us."

The aircraft taxied away as soon as the package was on board. As soon as the aircraft was airborne, Sergeant Lunge contacted the Combined Air and Space Operations Center staff, which coordinated with other agencies in Baghdad to pick up the package and deliver it to its final destination.

The anti-venom arrived and was administered in time to help the snakebite victim, who improved over the next few days.

The box of anti-venom was one of four life-or-death deliveries 8th EAMS has handled in the past five months.

"Without immediate resupply of the items to the hospital, patients' lives were at risk," Major Allouche said. "This is incredible support that no commercial carrier could provide to our organization."

Army Lt. Col. Sam Haddad of the Army Medical Materiel Center Southwest Asia said the strong relationship with the 8th EAMS Airmen ensures mission success daily.

"They are our muscle and provide USAMMC-SWA with a strategic lift capability unmatched by any of our logistics partners," he said. "The service they provide for us is nothing less than phenomenal and plays a vital role in ensuring lifesaving materiel gets into the hands of those who need it."

Terror In Its Own Words - Part 1

The Written Word is important.  Read the Know Your Enemy Series.

Here is the Video Version, stressing different things, Part 1:

.

Face of Defense: MP Spices Up Life for Marines at Remote Outpost

Officer Spices Up Chow Hall

By Marine Corps Capt. Paul Greenberg
Special to American Forces Press Service

COMBAT OUTPOST TREBIL, Iraq, Oct. 23, 2008 – When you step into the chow hall here, the first thing you notice is the smell of gourmet coffee. Next, you notice an orderly array of shelf-stable meals displayed in cubbies along the plywood walls, available to the post’s Marines 24 hours a day.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jennifer Shell, a military policewoman who is currently serving as the chow hall manager at a combat outpost near the Port of Trebil in western Iraq, enjoys a visit with children at an Iranian Kurd refugee camp, May 15, 2008. Shell is with Military Police Company B, 4th Marine Logistics Group, based in North Versailles, Pa. Photo by Dhurgham Takleef Abdulzahra   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

If you come during morning or evening chow hours, you will find home-cooked meals, made mostly from scratch.

These amenities were made possible, in large part, by the knowledge, skills and experience of one of the post’s most junior Marines, Lance Cpl. Jennifer Shell, who serves as the chow hall manager here.

Shell, a 31-year-old military police officer and reserve Marine from Uniontown, Pa., joined the Corps at 27 after graduating from culinary school in New York in 2003 and from Pennsylvania State University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management.

Shell said she enlisted in the Marine Corps “because of the pride associated with it, and more importantly because of my dad, who served on [Marine Security Guard] detail in Singapore during the Vietnam War.”

Although she was well qualified, Shell said, she was not interested in Marine Corps Officer Candidate School.

“I love the camaraderie of being an enlisted Marine,” she said. “You can’t find this anywhere else. Sitting on post, staring out into the desert for hours on end, you learn a lot about each others’ lives.”

The first five months of Shell’s tour here were spent serving in the role of military police officer, responsible for the outpost’s security and supporting the various U.S. military advisor training teams and convoy escort personnel that the base houses when they aren’t out on missions in this remote and barren region.

The military police officers describe their seven-month tour here as “one long Groundhog Day.” The standard routine is six hours on guard post, followed by six hours on patrol. After returning from foot or vehicle patrols, the MPs have six hours on stand-by as a quick reactionary force. They then have six hours to sleep, and then they begin the schedule all over again.

A member of Military Police Company B, 4th Marine Logistics Group, based in North Versailles, Pa., Shell and four other reserve Marines from her unit deployed as individual augmentees to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment’s Task Force MP.

Five months into her unit’s tour, Shell’s squad leader, Cpl. Kristyn Stewart, from Pittsburgh, recommended that Shell be appointed to take over management of the chow hall from a more senior Marine.

“She’s a restaurant manager and graduate of culinary school,” said Stewart, 26, who is on her third mobilization and tour in Iraq. “I identified a need, and [Shell] was a perfect fit for the job.”

Cpl. Nathan Dahlheimer, 28, is a military policeman and squad leader from Monticello, Minn., attached to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines. “The menu became really monotonous after five months, and everything was boiled, usually in a bag,” he said. “Lance Corporal Shell prepared real meals from scratch. She helped improve morale, as her meals gave us something to look forward to every night.”

Shell’s experience not only created better meals, but also enhanced the overall service of the chow hall in a number of ways.

“The difference in the organization of the chow hall was amazing,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jason Stephens of San Diego. Stephens, 35, arrived here in mid-August and is serving as team chief for the Port of Entry Transition Team.

“She’s kept the shelves restocked every day,” Stephens said. “The overall cleanliness of the chow hall is excellent. People actually want to sit down and eat there now, as it is a nice place to hang out. I think she brought here everything she learned in the civilian community and applied it to the chow hall. Her experience in managing restaurants in the civilian world was key to this success.”

Stephens explained that because of the aesthetic transformation in the atmosphere of the chow hall, it became the outpost’s social hub, where Marines congregate in the evening to play cards and watch satellite TV.

“I thought it was outstanding,” he said. “I was very impressed with Shell, as a junior Marine, taking over the job and running with it.”

Shell is scheduled to return to her home town later this month. After demobilization, she will go back to her career as a restaurant manager in western Pennsylvania.

Although she will arrive in time for her favorite time of the year -- the Pittsburgh Penguins’ hockey season -- she said she will miss the camaraderie she feels with her fellow Marines here in Iraq.

“Cooking for people here is much more fulfilling than cooking in the civilian world,” Shell said with an ear-to-ear smile. “The Marines simply appreciate it more.”

(Marine Corps Capt. Paul Greenberg serves with Multinational Force West.)

Related Sites:
Multinational Force West

Far Left Call for Military Cuts During War, Before they have the Absolute Power

" NEW BEDFORD — After the November election, Democrats will push for a second economic stimulus package that includes money for the states' stalled infrastructure projects, along with help paying for healthcare expenses, food stamps and extended unemployment benefits, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank said Thursday.

In a meeting with the editorial board of The Standard-Times, Rep. Frank, D-Mass., also called for a 25 percent cut in military spending, saying the Pentagon has to start choosing from its many weapons programs, and that upper-income taxpayers are going to see an increase in what they are asked to pay."

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081024/NEWS/810240332/-1/NEWS10

 

Someone needs to tell Barney Frank, the election has not yet occurred, even if the polls say "The Party" will have absolute power come January.

This is a dangerous course of action which Rep. Frank appears to believe is a done deal.  The polls currently indicate an Obama landslide, a SuperMajority in the Senate and significant gains for "The Party" in the House of Representatives. 

I try to stay away from direct commentary on Politics and Parties to the extent that I am able but this is a monumental election with significant consequences to our National Security as well as the future of our economic system.  As demonstrated on these pages, we are at War against a brutal enemy in two Nations. 

In Iraq, we have achieved Sustained Successes due to the Petraeus Plan which was consistently opposed by key members and the majority of the DNC.  We have turned over the primary responsibility of Security to Iraqis in 12 of 18 provinces.  Violence has been significantly reduced.

But we have streched our Military far beyond expectations to achieve that fragile Victory.  While we are currently on the verge of the probability of a drawdown in Iraq, this is the wrong time to be calling for massive cuts in the Military.

The DNC has controlled Congress for the last two years, the resullt of an anti-war backlash against the Republican Party, which to its credit has in large part supported National Victory, though many members of that party has been tepid in that support.  There are members of both parties that need to be sent home. 

But we must look at who has supported General Petraeus and his plan for Victory and who has opposed even recognition of the Sustained Successes of his plan.  We must remember who has betrayed the American People and Our Troops by attempting to demoralize the Troops and undermine support of the Mission with a constant barrage of only stories of enemy victories.

We, as a Nation, cannot afford to give absolute power to any party, not even "The Party."  We cannot afford to allow Rep Frank-D the ability to scrap our Military in a time of War.  But if the predictions of the polls today become the reality of November 5th, a SuperMajority in the Sen. Reid ruled Senate, an increased majority in the Pelosi ruled House of Reprehensibles, and an Obama Presidency, the same Rep. Frank, that engineered the Mortgage Crisis, authored the $700 Billion Bailout Bill, and pushed through the $700 Billion Bailout Bill will have the political weight to push through a 25% Cut in Military Spending in a time of war, with our Troops already stretched thin.

Most of us have 3 critical votes on November 4th (or before).  Your vote should be on the issues, not the party but we need to look at the records of those 3 politicians that have been paid by Corporations and the Rich to buy airtime to sloganeer your vote.  I put forth that the Most Important Issue is National Security, specifically the War On Terror, and within it the Support for the Mission in Iraq.  While my readers come from across the Nation, I cannot recommend specific legislators in your area, but I cannot recommend the presidential nominee who has opposed Victory consistently for his entire unfinished first term in office.

Of his party, I can recommend Senator Lieberman-D-CT and Rep Marshall-D-GA.  In the party of McCain, whom I can recommend, I can recommend Rep. Blackburn, R-TN.  These are politicians that have put Nation before party, before their own ambitions.  These are Representatives of the People who have put The Troops and Veterans First.  I'm sure there are more that have done so, but these are the ones with records clear enough that I can get behind.

UPDATE: Unsurprisingly, we see The Party moving forward on this.

AF officials agree to ship 18 cargo planes to Afghanistan

AF officials agree to ship 18 cargo planes to Afghanistan

by Wayne Crenshaw
78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

10/22/2008 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) -- The deal is done for the Air Force officials to ship 18 G-222 cargo planes to the Afghan National Air Corps.

Officials signed the $287 million contract at Robins AFB Sept. 29. The Italian-built planes are being purchased from Alenia North America and will be refurbished, with 16 to serve as medium tactical support transport aircraft and two others will get VIP configurations to serve as aircraft for the president of Afghanistan. The contract calls for shipment to begin in September 2009 with deliveries to continue through 2011.

Although Robins won't be doing any work on the planes, the contract was signed here because the program office is here, said Debbie Mashburn, the security assistance program manager.

The planes are known in the Air Force as the C-27A Spartan, though the Air Force no longer uses the planes. The planes are capable of delivering 10 tons of cargo, transporting vehicles and providing medical evacuation for 36 patients, said Ms. Mashburn.

She said the Air Force has determined that the planes are vital to helping the Afghanistan government provide humanitarian assistance, medical evacuation and logistic support throughout the country.

The G-222, she said, has a reputation as a rugged aircraft that is well suited for take off and landing from unprepared and short landing strips.

SFC Raymond Bittinger, Silver Star, Army, Iraq, Chicago, IL

Raymond Bittinger

The Story:

It's that feeling in the pit of your stomach - when you know something is wrong. For Staff Sgt. Bittinger, that feeling came on April 9, 2004, as his troops approached the small town of Behriz, Iraq. Military intel and a recent attack suggested insurgents were planning actions against U.S. forces in the area. And now Bittinger and his team found themselves in what appeared to be a ghost town: not an Iraqi in sight and no security visible.

Suddenly, the men spotted movement in the palm groves; insurgents unleashed a torrent of RPG and small-arms fire. During the battle, as enemies directed their fire toward specific targets, Bittinger weaved in and out of the line of fire, protecting his comrades by drawing gunfire to his own vehicle. As they fought, Bittinger's gunner took a hit, and fell from his seat. Bittinger quickly removed his flak jacket, used it to pressure the wound, and then jumped behind the gun and kept firing.

In the heat of battle, Bittinger knew that if his men stayed where they were, they'd be sitting ducks for the better-positioned insurgents. He had his driver move their Bradley between the enemy fire and the other soldiers, allowing them to move to a better tactical location. Eventually, Bittinger and his men subdued the enemies as they left the area.

Later that night, 20 to 30 insurgents attacked Coalition forces in the heart of Baqubah. Bittinger rounded up a crew of volunteers and headed out to help. En route, Bittinger's vehicle took out insurgents who were firing RPGs and using small arms. Before arriving at the scene, Bittinger's vehicle was hit by an IED, but they continued forward. Before he reached Baqubah, Bittinger received orders to instead secure a bridge over the Diyala River. So his team took a turn and headed toward the river.

April 9th was a hard and busy day for Bittinger and his soldiers. They killed at least 10 insurgents and wounded several others at Behriz; on their route to Baqubah, they killed five and wounded an additional four. For his bravery, Bittinger received the Silver Star on July 19, 2004.

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Awarded: Silver Star

External Links:

• Defend America news story
• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/bittingerR.html

War In Iraq Daily News - October 24, 2008

Iraqi Army Takes Lead in Ghazaliyah Medical Event

Friday, 24 October 2008

A local doctor examines an infant boy while his mother looks on during a joint medical operation in Ghazaliyah, Oct. 13, 2008. Photo by Sgt. Matthew Vanderboegh, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs.

BAGHDAD — Iraqi security and Coalition forces, working side by side with local physicians in Ghazaliyah, held a joint medical exercise in this northwest Baghdad neighborhood Oct. 13, to provide free healthcare to the citizens, many of whom cannot afford medical treatment.

As word quickly spread of the free medical care and humanitarian assistance boxes available, more than 700 local citizens crowded the entrance of the clinic.

“This is a wonderful thing for the neighborhood and for the Iraqi people,” said Dr. Hyder, the lead physician at the clinic. “I know that there are some people that are in desperate need for care.”

“We are very grateful for the Iraqi Army to provide this for us. I have not had any medical care for a very long time,” said Abu Assad, a man waiting to receive treatment for his back pain. “I own a small [convenience] shop and I cannot afford the medicines. There are many here who are in the same position.”

This event marks the fourth time since its inception that the Iraqi Army, Coalition forces and local physicians have cooperated in conducting these events. Each time the actual presence of the Coalition forces has diminished from security and command and control to now simply serving in an advisory role.

“The only things that we were responsible for were to [security check] the area and find a suitable place to set this up,” said Capt. Michael Haith, a native of Yorktown, Va., and commander of Company C, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). “The medical officer coordinated for the medicines and the civil affairs officer coordinated with the Iraqi contractor to supply the humanitarian aid boxes. The Iraqi Army has provided the security and their medics are handing out the medicines.”

An Iraqi contractor, working with Capt. Robert Laudoff, a civil affairs officer with the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, provided five wheel chairs and 150 boxes filled with cooking oil, soap, towels, tomato paste and cheese. There were also bags of rice, bulgur, beans and chick peas.

“We had an additional 200 boxes of hygiene items to give out,” said Laudoff, a native of Green Bay, Wisc.

At the end of the day, as the people begin spilling out of the clinic, many of them approached Haith noting how well the Iraqi Army performed.

“I came into this knowing that there would be some setbacks,” said Haith. “However, everyone is receiving medical care and no one is leaving empty handed.”

(By Sgt. Matthew Vanderboegh, 101st Airborne Division)

 

General Says Economic Progress Now Tops Anbar Priorities

WASHINGTON — With life returning to normal in Iraq’s Anbar province, the way forward now is driven more by the economy than security, the commander of Multi-National Force - West said yesterday.

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly spoke to Pentagon reporters from his headquarters in Fallujah (Transcript). He said Coalition forces continue to mentor Iraqi security forces, but the Iraqis are in the lead and have become more capable and confident.

 

Security Responsibility Returns to Iraqis in Babil Province WASHINGTON — Coalition forces turned over primary security responsibility for Iraq’s Babil province to the Iraqis yesterday, another sign of improvements being made in Iraq, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said at a news conference here today.

“[President Bush] is appreciative of all the work that our forces have done, but also recognizes that the Iraqis have done a lot of work too to get to this point,” Perino said.

 

Iraqi Air Force Supports Training Exercise

NEW AL MUTHANA AIR BASE — The Iraqi Air Force reached another milestone Oct. 22 when an all-Iraqi flight crew took to the air in the King Air Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft for the first time in support of an Iraqi special operations forces training exercise.

The air crew, connected via radio link to the special operations forces on the ground, provided reconnaissance and over-watch surveillance for convoy operations as the special operations forces conducted their training.

 

Interactive Iraq :: Pentagon Press Briefings

DoD News Briefing: Maj. Gen. John Kelly, Oct. 23

DoD News Briefing from Iraq with Maj. Gen. John Kelly, commander, Multi-National Force – West.

 

Transcript   Watch Now

 

Interactive Iraq :: Video News

Iraqi Freedom Minute, Oct. 23

• This edition features a story on an ancient monastery in Mosul and the historical tours given by an Army Chaplain.

Watch Now

Freedom Journal Iraq, Oct. 22

• This edition features stories on U.S. and Iraqi leaders meeting to discuss reconstruction efforts and how an Airman is using his medical skills to save lives.

Watch Now

 

Thursday, 23 October 2008	DoD Identifies Marine Casualty (Anbar province)
Thursday, 23 October 2008	ISF captures 22 suspected terrorists and criminals in separate operations in northern Iraq
Thursday, 23 October 2008	ISF capture 15 in separate operations
Thursday, 23 October 2008	ISF captures 21 suspected terrorists, criminals in operations throughout northern Iraq

 

Greetings

 

Thursday, 23 October 2008	CF and ISF find weapons cache in Mosul
Thursday, 23 October 2008	ISF captures 8 suspected terrorists in operations throughout northern Iraq
Thursday, 23 October 2008	3rd ESC troops host First Army commander (Balad)
Thursday, 23 October 2008	Weapons cache secured near Suwayrah

 

Border Patrol

 

Thursday, 23 October 2008	MND-B Soliders detain 2 suspected criminals in raids
Thursday, 23 October 2008	General Transportation Regiment graduates training at Taji
Thursday, 23 October 2008	MND-B Soldiers capture EFP-making materials in Aamel
Thursday, 23 October 2008	Meeting held to sync security, reconstruction efforts in Mosul

 

Combined Ops

 

Thursday, 23 October 2008	Christian community leaders visit Ninewa operations command to discuss improved security
Thursday, 23 October 2008	3rd ESC troops host Army Material Commander (Balad)
Thursday, 23 October 2008	Iron Claw Academy graduates first class (Camp Taji)
Thursday, 23 October 2008	Iraqi National Police give Sha’ab schools clean slate
Thursday, 23 October 2008	8 Iraqis killed, 14 injured in blast (Baghdad)

 

Vote!

 

Thursday, 23 October 2008	Oqba Bin Nafea School reopens in Rusafa
Thursday, 23 October 2008	MND-B Soldiers find weapons in Baghdad
Thursday, 23 October 2008	Coalition forces apprehend Special Groups suspects
Thursday, 23 October 2008	Forces capture two suspected terrorists, disrupt AQI bomb facilitation network (Baghdad)

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

 

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

Lance Cpl. Stacy A. Dryden, 22, of North Canton, Ohio, died Oct. 19 from injuries sustained in a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. She was assigned to 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

 

The incident is under investigation.

Sweet Justice: Marine Snipers Kill Enemy Using Kids as Shields

This is the most despicable type of act I can think of!!  Download the picture and enlarge it, if you have any doubts.  True to form, our guys rained on their parade, lead rain that is.  Thank you for a job well done!   -MsMarti

Insurgents use children as human shields

.JPG/64Kb

KABUL, Afghanistan — Insurgents used two Afghan children as shields while they attempted to emplace IEDs in a road in Farah province Oct. 18.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment were conducting counter IED operations along a route in Golestan to ensure the safe passage of civilian traffic and ground convoys when they observed four insurgents attempting to emplace an IED in the road.

Initially the Marines observed four adults and two children in a truck laden with burlap sacks and shovels. The adults began digging holes. Once the burlap sacks were removed from the truck and opened, the Marines were able to see IED materiel in the sacks and that the holes being dug in the road were for IEDs.

Marine snipers shot two of the positively identified insurgents as they emplaced an IED. After the initial shots were fired, the other two insurgents grabbed the two children they had brought with them and held them in front of them to use them as shields.

The Marines waited until the children were let go and ran away before snipers shot the remaining two insurgents. The children fled in the direction of a mosque and were unharmed.

“We know that the insurgents often display a blatant disregard for civilian life. They frequently attempt to exploit our adherence to the rule of law. Unfortunately for them, our Marines are well trained in positively identifying targets before engaging them,” said Colonel Peter Petronzio, commanding officer for the Interim Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan.

The Veterans’ Voice

Here is an interesting site I found the other day, The Veterans’ Voice.  On my way to discovering The Veterans’ Voice, I first came across this story that was passed on through a Veterans Group I am in.  I have not been able to track down who the original author is, so I can’t give them credit, where credit is do for a wonderful story.  This story is a perfect example of how easy it can be to support our veterans.  It is but one of many ways to do so.  The Veterans Voice offers more ways.

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down
in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I
have a good book to read. Perhaps I'll get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the
aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally
surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated
nearest to me.

'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks
for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq.'

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made
that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be
several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly
decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for
my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to
buy lunch.

'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack
lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to

Chicago.' His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying
lunch.

I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight
attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.'

She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with
tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost
like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the
soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked,

'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked.

She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a
minute later with a dinner plate from first class.

 
'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the
plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you
did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five
dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain
coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked. I hoped
he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers
only on my side of the plane.

When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his
hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the
Captain's hand.

With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I
was a military pilot.

Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness
I never forgot.'

I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the
other passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could
stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in
front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine.

He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and
started to deplane.

Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who
stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned,
and walked away without saying a word.
Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering
for their trip to the base.

I walked over to them and handed them
seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to
reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.

God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect
of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a
prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our
country. I could only give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a
blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an
amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is honor and there are way too
many people in this country who no longer understand it. But for those who do,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

--
Forever Grateful For Our Veterans,
Marnie Mowles

 

After reading this, I had to find out more about who Marnie Mowles was and what The Veterans’ Voice was all about.   The owner of the site is Miss Clairice Stills, and Marnie Mowles is a volunteer with The Veterans' Voice.  When I went to the site, I remembered having visited it before, when looking at the pictures of veterans who are honored there.

Do you know someone now serving that you would like to honor?  Or perhaps a family member from a previous war who stands out in your mind?  This is the place to do so.  Marnie Mowles, will publish a photo you can submit to her, as her way to honor our military members, past or present.  She gathers those that have been sent in, and each month, publishes them on her page.  There is a regular newsletter that they publish, to which you can subscribe if you wish.  These photos are published online and in the newsletter.

On her home page, you will find a great source of information, especially if you might be a Vietnam Vet.  There are many links to current day problems our veterans are encountering, along with links to the VA, Our Heroes, as well as current news.  In other words, she is an advocate for our veterans!  If you know anything about our veteran advocates then the name Jim Strickland will be familiar to you.  She has a link on the left, just look for his name. 

So whether you want to leave a memorial for a veteran, learn more about what is happening in the struggle facing our veterans with their healthcare claims or just become more informed about those veteran issues you keep hearing in the news, you should check out The Veterans’ Voice.

 

Copyright 2008 MsMarti. All rights reserved.

War In Afghanistan News - October 24, 2008

Medical Task Force Keeps Busy in Afghan Province

By Army Staff Sgt. Adora Medina
Special to American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Oct. 24, 2008 – As soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, fight in the Taliban-infested terrain of Afghanistan’s Konar province, Task Force Spader medics are busy fighting a completely different battle: one to save lives.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Lane, a 1st Infantry Division medical platoon sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, examines an Afghan boy involved in a vehicle rollover, Oct. 1, 2008. The patient and his family were treated at the aid station at Forward Operating Base Blessing, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Adora Medina   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“We have, unfortunately, received quite a few casualties, and we’ve also had a few fallen heroes, but the fighting is daily,” said Army 1st Lt. Timothy Anderson, a 1-26th medical officer and Knoxville, Tenn., native.

“I don’t remember a day being here that at least one of our companies within Task Force Spader hadn’t had some type of enemy attack against them,” Anderson said. “So every day it’s a potential that we will be conducting some type of evacuation.”

Due to frequent encounters with enemy fighters, the 1st ID medics must respond quickly when treating the wounded. To ensure they are ready for combat, new medics arriving to the task force must pass a series of training events before being pushed out into the battle space.

“For each soldier coming here, we conduct trauma lanes, and basically it just gives us as leaders an assessment of their medical reaction skills,” Anderson explained. “It’s not that we don’t feel that they’re proficient in their actual skills, but how they will react in a simulated combat environment.”

So far, the medics have surpassed their leaders’ expectations, going above and beyond to keep their fellow infantrymen in the fight.

“I only got to the unit two months before we deployed,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Lane, a 1-26th medic platoon sergeant, and El Paso, Texas, native.

“I was kind of worried that I never really got to train with them and see what they can do,” Lane said. “But they surprised me, especially our line medics that are out there in the [forward operating bases]. They’re out there alone, and they do an outstanding job.”       More...

Medical Engagements Provide More Than Health Care

By Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens
Special to American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2008 – Government officials and the medical team assigned to the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province coordinated with local leaders in two districts to augment health care services to 563 Afghans, including more than 150 women and 320 children, during medical engagements recently.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Janine Duschka, a medic for the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province, looks on while an interpreter explains medication dosages to a girl during the medical engagement Oct. 16, 2008, at Obdara clinic in the province’s Anaba district. U.S. Army photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

A representative from the Directorate of Women’s Affairs and two Afghan National Police officers accompanied the PRT medical team to Estayca Village in Rokha district for a medical engagement Oct. 14. Inaccessible by road, the isolated Afghan village lacks basic medical services.

Air Force Capt. (Dr.) Glenn Little, chief medical officer, coordinated in advance to have local manpower waiting near the Panjshir River to transport medical supplies needed for the event across the footbridge and trail leading to the village.

“Coordination with village elders can be the most difficult aspect of conducting these engagements, but serves as a critical task in ensuring a successful outcome,” Little said.

The PRT’s role is not to meet all the needs of the Afghans, but rather to support the local elders as they take the lead providing essential services to people in their villages, he explained.

Working with the village elders, the team set up temporary treatment facilities. Women were seen on the balcony of a private residence, and men were seen a short distance away outdoors in the centrally located village gathering place.

The team conducted medical screenings and provided routine treatment for 202 patients and provided two referrals for Afghans requesting to be seen at the Egyptian hospital at Bagram.

“The village elder suffers from suspected carpal tunnel syndrome, and another adult male presented with varicose veins,” Little reported.     More...

Combined Joint Task Force-101
Operation Enduring Freedom

Blue Spader medics set the standard

Monday, 20 October 2008
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (Oct. 20, 2008) – The fight is continual in the Konar province of Afghanistan, so as 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Soldiers fight in and around the Taliban-infested terrain, Task Force Spader medics are busy fighting a completely different battle… one to help save lives.

“We have unfortunately received quite a few casualties and we’ve also had a few fallen heroes, but the fighting is daily,” said Lt. Timothy Anderson, 1-26 medical officer and Knoxville, Tenn., native.

“I don’t remember a day being here that at least one of our companies within task force Spader hadn’t had some type of enemy attack against them,” Anderson said, “so everyday it’s a potential that we will be conducting some type of evacuation.”

Due to the high kinetic activity in the region, the 1st ID medics must respond quickly when treating the wounded. To ensure they are ready for combat, new medics arriving to the Spader family must pass a series of training events before being pushed out into the battle space.

“For each Soldier coming here we conduct trauma lanes and basically it just gives us as leaders an assessment of their medical reaction skills,” Anderson said. “It’s not that we don’t feel that they’re proficient in their actual skills, but how they will react in a simulated combat environment.”

So far the medics have surpassed their leaders’ expectations, going above and beyond to keep their fellow infantrymen in the fight.

“I only got to the unit two months before we deployed,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Lane, 1-26 medic platoon sergeant, and El Paso, Texas, native.

“I was kind of worried that I never really got to train with them and see what they can do,” he said. “But they surprised me, especially our line medics that are out there in the [forward operating bases]. They’re out there alone and they do an outstanding job.”

The line medics cover a lot of ground as they are spread out amongst the 1-26 companies, and they won’t stop at anything to save the lives of their comrades, even if it means putting themselves in harm’s way.

“We had a Soldier up at the [Korengal Outpost] and the report I received was as he was injured he was still treating the six other casualties,” Anderson said. “He still stayed with the philosophy of Soldiers first and treated his patients to make sure that they were squared away.”

The Soldiers first philosophy seems to be mutual amongst the Blue Spader medics as a similar incident occurred with Sgt. Reagan Stockman, another forward deployed medic. While conducting a mission with his company, Stockman came under enemy contact and with no regard for his own safety he went out to administer aid to the injured.  It wasn’t until every casualty was properly treated that he received any type of care for himself.

“It’s a pattern, we consistently get those same types of reports that that’s how the forward combat medics conduct business,” Anderson said.

Aside from saving Soldiers’ lives, the medics also provide care to the local population, opening their gates to the sick and wounded during daily sick call hours.

“Within our first six weeks here we’ve seen [more than] 750 patients, mainly local nationals and we’ve seen through our aid station here alone probably around 20 or 30 trauma patients,” Lane said.

Medical care doesn’t end there as the medics travel around to the various towns and villages to cater to the medical needs of the community.

In providing care to the infantrymen on the ground and the locals in Konar province, the Blue Spader medics are winning the war, one patient at a time.

ANSF, Coalition forces disrupt insurgent activity in Farah

Thursday, 23 October 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces today killed three insurgents and uncovered a weapons and ammunition cache in Bala Boluk...
+ Full Story

3 Coalition servicemembers killed, 1 wounded in IED attack

Thursday, 23 October 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan – Three Coalition servicemembers were killed and one was wounded today in western Afghanistan when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive...
+ Full Story

ANSF, Coalition forces kill 3 militants in Oruzgan

Thursday, 23 October 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces today killed three militants in Khas Oruzgan District, Oruzgan province. ANSF and Coalition...
+ Full Story

Coalition air strike kills Taliban leader, 14 militants

Thursday, 23 October 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan – A Coalition air strike Tuesday killed Taliban Commander Sharif Agha and 14 other militants in Deh Rawood District, Oruzgan province. Agha was a...
+ Full Story

+ Full StoryANSF, Coalition forces kill 55 militants in Oruzgan province

Thursday, 23 October 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces killed 55 militants Tuesday in Deh Rawood District, Oruzgan province. ANSF and Coalition...
+ Full Story

News From NATO

Military Committee concludes its visit to Afghanistan

Kabul, Afghanistan – NATO’s Military Committee (MC) concluded its visit to Afghanistan today. Military Representatives from the 26 NATO nations and from the non-NATO Troop-Contributing Nations to ISAF were updated on NATO’s operation ISAF, and the current evolution of the security situation in Afghanistan. “We wanted not only to testify to NATO’s continuing military commitment in Afghanistan with ISAF, but also to get a firsthand knowledge of the situation on the ground from the perspective of local authorities and commanders”, said Admiral Di Paola, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, heading the NATO delegation.

International soldiers, Afghan firm help lead the way out of minefields for Afghan citizens

23 Oct. - Civilians who previously risked life and limb scrounging for scrap metal in minefields surrounding Bagram now have an opportunity to enjoy a safer existence and work in paid jobs, thanks to efforts of an Afghan firm and soldiers from Australia and the United States.

Canadian Mounties share skills with Afghan Police

23 Oct. - The security of Afghanistan is dependant on an effective police force. The police spend more time with people in their communities, and are more familiar with the region than other national security forces.

ISAF shoots suspected suicide bomber

KABUL, Afghanistan — Early this afternoon one local national male was killed by ISAF soldiers who followed escalation of force procedures when a motorbike approached their ISAF mentored ANA patrol in Sangin district, Helmand, having failed to react to four warning shots.



NATO Military Committee delegation visits RC-West

KABUL, Afghanistan — This morning, a delegation of three general officers from NATO’s Military Committee visited Regional Command-West in Herat. The representatives were Italian General Gian Piero Ristori, Ukrainian General Haraschuk and Slovenian General Humar.



Rahmadin Debiazor’s story

KABUL, Afghanistan — Rahmadin Debiazor is a brave 11-year-old Afghan boy. He was injured Aug. 27 during combat action between insurgents and Afghan forces near his village, Bala Murgab, Baghdis.

Luckily, ISAF forces in the area were able to save his life. Thanks to a paramedic, he was operated on immediately in the field. He was stabilized then evacuated to an ISAF medical facility in Herat.

One bullet had gone through Rahmadin’s stomach and was lodged near his spinal column. After the initial surgery, he had to be moved to an ISAF hospital in Mazar el Sharif, where he was successfully operated on again, in order to remove the bullet.

He remained at the hospital until Oct. 18 then moved back to Herat. He finally returned home Oct. 21. He was accompanied by his father, who after a long time, could finally smile again.

At the ISAF clinic in Herat, the Spanish and Bulgarian staff, who saved the boy’s life, will always remember Rahmadin’s story.

Security Responsibility Returns to Iraqis in Babil Province

Iraqis Take Control of Security in Babil

By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2008 – Coalition forces have turned over primary security responsibility for Iraq’s Babil province to the Iraqis today, another sign of improvements being made in Iraq, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said at a news conference here.

 

 

“[President Bush] is appreciative of all the work that our forces have done, but also recognizes that the Iraqis have done a lot of work too to get to this point,” Perino said.

Babil, south of Baghdad, became the 12th of Iraq’s 18 provinces to take the lead for its own security operations, she said.

“[Coaltion forces and the Iraqi government] are working together to provide the security needed for the stability and prosperity Iraqis need to move forward in their lives,” Navy Cmdr. Abram McGull, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said today.

Multinational Division Center, for which the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division provides the headquarters, maintains about 3,800 combat and support troops throughout Babil, providing a secondary role in security efforts there. If Iraqi forces need help, local authorities can request coalition assistance through the provincial governor, McGull explained.

“As in any place in the world, you will still have isolated, condemnable incidences of senseless violence, no matter the stability of the area,” McGull said. “As we have always said, al-Qaida and other terrorist groups here have been dealt a serious blow by Iraqi security forces, the Iraqi people and coalition forces, but they are still a dangerous element.”

A provincial reconstruction team made up largely of State Department personnel operates in Babil and will also continue their work with the Iraqis. They’ve been helping provincial officials with infrastructure improvements, health care, rule of law, education, and agricultural and economic development, he said.

Coalition forces and the PRT will continue to train and mentor the Iraqi security forces, assist with the protection of the Iraqi people and the country’s borders, and support the Iraqi government through economic development, he said. “This is a very important partnership that works well and has accomplished much for the Iraqi people,” McGull added.

Iraq’s defense ministry recently announced that Wasit province, just east of Babil, will more than likely be the next province to take over primary security responsibilities. The transition may occur as early as November, Pentagon officials said.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki chairs Iraq’s national security council and has the final approval authority for provincial turnovers, McGull said. As was the case with Babil and the other 11 provinces now under Iraqi control, the security council and coalition members will evaluate Wasit’s security state, the readiness and capability of Iraqi forces there, the regional government’s proficiency and the supporting ability of coalition forces.

Related Sites:
Multinational Force Iraq
Multinational Corps Iraq

 

 

 

 

SSgt Timothy Bishop, USAF, Bronze Star, Afghanistan, Tennessee

Timothy Bishop

The Story:

Staff Sgt. Bishop planned and controlled 120 close-air support missions in Afghanistan over a 4,600 square kilometer area. During one 48-hour firefight in August 2005, he provided vital support to two Special Forces teams, calling in air strikes on the enemy that ultimately kept those units alive. Operations he supported resulted in the seizure of more than 100,000 enemy munitions. Bishop has trained Special Forces members on close-air support tactics, and developed pre-deployment training programs. For his actions, he received the Bronze Star with Valor. Bishop was named one of the 12 2006 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. While serving in Korea in 2005, he was selected as Pacific Air Forces Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

Home State: Tennessee

Awarded: Bronze Star

Navy Recognizes Outstanding Energy Programs

Navy Recognizes Effective Energy Programs

Story Number: NNS081023-08
Release Date: 10/23/2008 6:12:00 AM

From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Headquarters Public Affairs

Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Nitze (DDG 94), which was one of several commands recognized recently for energy conservation programs.

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy (DoN) recognized six Navy and Marine Corps organizations Oct. 22 that have made notable progress toward DoN and federal goals to reduce energy and water consumption at its annual Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Awards ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington.

"Energy challenges are everywhere. That's why the Department of the Navy has a multi-layered approach to energy efficiency, energy security and energy independence," said B.J. Penn, assistant secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment and guest speaker.

"I'm personally excited about the opportunities ahead for embracing energy and water efficiency…and increased use of renewable energy, and making it mainstream in our operations," he remarked.

The six commands awarded the SECNAV 2008 Energy and Water Management Award for innovative energy management, successful use of energy, superior awareness and energy conservation principles during FY 2007 included:

Naval Base Ventura County (Pt. Mugu, Calif.) – Navy Large Shore Category. Naval Base Ventura County achieved a 14 percent reduction from their fiscal year (FY) 2003 energy baseline. Their projects included HVAC and control system upgrades, daylighting, hangar and warehouse lighting upgrades, and compressor replacements. They also made numerous improvements in water efficiency through water reclamation, smart landscaping, reduced irrigation, xeriscaping and the installation of low-flow spray nozzles at galleys. They implemented $13 million in energy and water efficiency measures that save $1.7 million per year in utility cost.

Naval Base Point Loma (San Diego) – Navy Small Shore Category. Naval Base Point Loma has achieved a 25 percent reduction from their FY 2003 baseline. The base combined a strong energy awareness program with projects such as installing a 57.8 kilowatt photovoltaic system and replacing a 20-year-old boiler with microturbines and smaller high efficiency boilers. A focus on locating and repairing water leaks is saving more than 20 million gallons of water. A $1 million investment in energy and water initiatives is saving nearly $500,000 annually in utility costs.

Naval Sea Systems Command's (NAVSEA) Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (Bremerton, Wash.) - Industrial Category. NAVSEA Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility achieved a 13 percent reduction from their FY 2003 baseline. Their projects included installing rapid access cargo doors and replacing single pass water-cooled chillers that support waterfront temporary services. They performed upgrades to exterior lighting, lighting in temporary offices and in the berthing barges that house ship's force when a ship is in overhaul. A project to convert steam-driven forge hammers to compressed air will significantly reduce the energy required to maintain the temperature of the hammers when not in use. Air movers that exhaust welding smoke from ships in overhaul will be converted from compressed air to electric in most applications. A total investment of nearly $9 million in energy and water-saving initiatives is reducing utility cost by $1.7 million per year.

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) 29 Palms (29 Palms, Calif.) - Marine Corps Category. MCAGCC 29 Palms has achieved a 22 percent reduction from their FY 2003 baseline. The combat center supported a well rounded program including a capital investment of $5 million for energy improvements. Focus was on converting several buildings from evaporative cooling to chilled water systems with full Energy Management and Control System (EMCS) packages and extending EMCS to additional buildings. Other projects included upgrading 15 inoperable solar water heating systems, installing lighting and photocell controls and upgrading the EMCS controls for a large chiller. The combined utility cost savings from these initiatives is more than $1 million annually.

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) - Large Ship Category. Bonhomme Richard saved more than 37,446 barrels of fuel in FY 2007 compared to the LHD 1 class average fuel usage. The $3.6 million in fuel savings is attributed to a strong command commitment to energy conservation and senior leadership participation in NAVSEA's energy conservation seminars and workshops. As an example of command commitment, the commanding officer and executive officer conducted weekly tours through all engineering spaces aboard, assessing methods to improve energy usage. The presence of senior leadership on the deck plates motivated junior personnel to participate in energy awareness and aggressive fuel management practices.

USS Nitze (DDG 94) - Small Ship Category. Nitze saved more than 20,500 barrels of fuel in FY 2007 compared to the DDG 51 class average fuel usage, a savings of nearly $2 million. A strong commitment from senior leadership was key to their success, demonstrated by extensive all hands attendance at energy conservation training classes and strict adherence to implementing energy efficiency checklists. While underway, Nitze operates in Fuel Efficient Pitch Mode and consistently exhibits 10 percent fuel savings on average. Nitze routinely monitors equipment to ensure that redundant ship's systems are left off until they are needed.

The Department of the Navy Energy Program is on target to achieve the federal goals of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Executive Order 13423 for efficient use of energy and water resources and the increased use of renewable energy sources. The program avoids millions of dollars in annual commodity costs through innovation, investment in energy efficient technologies and increased community awareness and participation.

To achieve its current success, DoN has relied on a comprehensive energy program, with centralized resources and program management operating in partnership with regional and installation level resources and implementation. As a result of energy program initiatives worldwide, DoN is avoiding $400 million annually in energy costs, adjusted for inflation, compared to expenditures in 1985.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.

Related Stories:
Project to Save $32 Million in Energy Costs - 10/10/2008
NAVFAC ESC Invests in Energy Savings, Conservation - 10/6/2008
USS Mitscher Sailors Think 'Green' - 10/1/2008
BHR Saves Millions, Earns Energy Conservation Award... Again - 9/18/2008

History Forgotten

It was not long ago, barely 5 years ago:

I was reminded today by a friend of the realities of Iraq following the Invasion. She sent me an article by Dr. Paul Kengor, a Professor of Political Science who opens with this:

"A casualty of the left's hatred for President George W. Bush has been a destructive inability to separate fact from fiction in the ongoing history of the war in Iraq."

"The latest case, which, sadly, has dug its way into the head of the Democratic presidential nominee, is the allegation that American troops, when they liberated Baghdad in April 2003, were not welcome as liberators. This inaccurate appraisal, shocking given that it's made by people who watched the liberation on TV, was leveled again on Tuesday evening by Barack Obama for the second time in consecutive presidential debates. Both times, Obama criticized John McCain for predicting that Americans would be greeted as liberators in Iraq."

http://www.wmicentral.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2264&dept_id=581907&newsid=20167919&PAG=461&rfi=9

One Iraqi told Kristof: "A thousand thanks to Bush! A thousand thanks to Bush's mother for giving birth to him!"

But now, at last, Ali was free. He told Kristof: "I'd like to make a statue in gold of President Bush."

"Mr. Bush gave a speech in which he said the terrorists of the world would be hunted down," recalled Juad. "The next time my mother brought me food I told her of my conviction that [Saddam] would not last."  "I believe that Allah worked through Mr. Bush to make this happen," said Juad. "If I met Mr. Bush, I would say, 'thank you, thank you, you are a good human, you returned me from the dead.'"

 

It seems that we have indeed become a Nation of Forgetfulness.  We have forgotten the sacrifices necessary to win.  We have forgotten WWII.  We have forgotten the dangers of communist tyranny, we have forgotten the attacks of the Weathermen, we have forgotten the Defeatism of the 70's, we have forgotten the naivete of the Carter years, we had forgotten the War in Afghanistan until the left returned our focus there to get it off the successes in Iraq, we forgot the reactions of Iraqis to their newfound freedoms.

Let us remember the truth.  Let us remember the facts of how the Iraqis did greet us as liberators.  Let us remember the challenges Our Troops faced in the Interim.  Let us remember how General David Petraeus, despite the opposition of many in Congress and with the support of a former POW, overcame those challenges to provide us Sustained Success in Iraq.

And let us remember what the last great Democrat did say:

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall
pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
JFK Inaugural address, January 20, 1961.

Honesty and Trust
For the great enemy of truth is very often not the
lie--deliberate, contrived and dishonest--but the
myth--persistent, persuasive--of our forebears.
We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort
of thought.
John F. Kennedy, Yale, 6-11-1962

Democratic Party
Our duty as a party is not to our party alone, but
to the nation and, indeed, to all mankind. Our
duty is not merely the preservation of political
power but the preservation of peace and freedom.
John F. Kennedy, speech planned for Dallas Texas

Undeniable Abuse of Children in Iraq

Who can deny this is not child abuse:

Seriously, this is how Our Troops treat Iraqi Kids.

Q&A: Is Diplomacy OR Military Action the Way to Peace? (No, Both must be the Strategy)

Re: Are We At War With Islamic Fundamentalist Totalitarianism? posted at 10/23/2008 11:47 AM CDT on a regional forum

tp First post: 1/15/2008 Last post: 10/23/2008 Total posts: 2554

You guys are so funny. Obama never said we weren't at war with Islamic fundamentalists...and the other three never said we were. Stop making distinctions where distinctions don't exist. There is no doubt we are at war with a group of people who hate us....the question is, how do we fight such a war? Well, McCain did sing Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran....so I assume his solution of choice is a military one. Palin is in his corner so she supports that. The problem is the problem isn't country based.....fundies exist everywhere.....a military solution, while it may help in certain specific situations is not and never will be the answer.  Rather the correct answer is to win hearts and minds.  The McDonalds rule of foreign policy applies....Obama recognizes that...so does Biden. You talk to your enemies, build the economies so they have more to lose in the case of a military intervention, and you make it so they have more to lose than gain. Right now the fundies are dirt poor...they have nothing to lose and need someone to blame...we are convenient....but notice that as we empower people economically in these countries....watch how patraeus is talking to everybody and empowering them...getting them to build their economies and really explaining to them they have far more to lose than gain and you will have a model on how to do this correctly. We must lead diplomatically and leave military intervention as the means of last resort....but I also include, in the diplomatic side, blackops activities.

General Petraeus is a military leader.  He has attained Sustained Success in Iraq using a comprehensive plan which includes Military Action, including aggressive targeting of islamist terrorists and militants, as well as reconstruction, construction, and empowerment of people against our common enemies.

I do appreciate that Tek has acknowledged the Sustained Successes of the Petraeus Plan, but must again point out that it does not rest on one simple point of it, but rather the same comprehensive plan that we have enacted on a National/International level and MUST continue to do.