War On Terror News

Marine Sets the Bar Higher

I watch a video today.  There is no one better to tell you how an organization works, then the people who are being helped by that very organization.

I am hoping you will watch this video which I have posted below.  Take time to listen as Cpl Josh Bleill talks about his injuries (double amputee) and the ways in which he felt the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund helped him after he was wounded.  He also talks about the different areas the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund has helped others.  Brigadier General Gregg Sturdevant speaks to the commitment the Marine Corps has to its Marines.

Russia Plagued by Decades of Islamist Separatist Violence

Islamist militants in Russia's North Caucasus likely to be involved in Moscow subway bombing

VOA News 29 March 2010

Islamist militants in Russia's North Caucasus have carried out numerous attacks since Russia first sent troops to crush the separatist uprising in Chechnya in the early 1990s.

Among the most notable attacks are:

Civil Affairs Soldiers Make Difference in Iraq

United States Division-North By Spc. Michael Adams

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Staff Sgt. Michael Clemency, will redeploy to the U.S. this spring. After he returns and in-processes, he'll arrive home just in time to be with his family for the birth of his niece.

He looks forward to re-uniting with his own family and sharing the stories of when he met and helped Iraqis and their families.

Clemency, of China Grove, N.C., is a civil affairs specialist with the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion attached to Task Force Marne.

He spent his deployment meeting with village mayors throughout northern Iraq to see how his battalion could assist them with renovations and construction.

Clemency was on one of many Civil Affairs teams attached to the brigades assigned to TF Marne. His team worked in support of 1st Battalion, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. He worked primarily in the Sinjar area. The teams met with town mayors to determine what kind of amenities the city or town needed.

First Corporals Course Kicks Off at Camp Leatherneck

Marine Aircraft Group 40 Story by Cpl. Samuel Nasso

03.28.2010  CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Becoming a noncommissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps consists of more than an additional stripe above the cross rifles and an increased paycheck. Corporals make up approximately 20 percent of the Marine Corps and are an essential link in the chain of command as small unit leaders.

On March 14, 38 corporals and one petty officer 3rd class eagerly awaited the start of the first Corporals Leadership Course here, when they were broken up into squads for the first event of the course.

The initial event was a test given by the instructors to measure the knowledge and proficiency of the students. This test will be given again near the end of the course to measure the student's progress following the two week course.

The mission of Corporals Course was to equip and prepare Marines to make the transition from troops following orders to

Pakistan Rebuffed on Civilian Nuclear Deal For Now

VOA  Gary Thomas | Washington 29 March 2010

The announcement the United States and India have ironed out the final details of their nuclear energy deal comes only days after the first  U.S. high-level strategic dialogue with Pakistan, which made clear it too craves a nuclear energy deal.  The Obama administration did not say yes, but it did not say no.

At the heart of the strategic dialogue was overcoming the trust deficit.  Pakistan continues to suspect the United States sees Pakistan as a partner of convenience to be discarded when its aim of defeating the Taliban and al-Qaida is achieved.  

On the U.S. side, there are many in policy circles who question the depth of Pakistan's anti-terrorism commitment.

Iraqi Police capture suspected Baghdad AQI attack-cell member

Written by United States Forces - Iraq PAO Sunday, March 28, 2010

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Police captured a suspected member of an al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) attack cell during a joint security operation conducted in western Baghdad today.

Iraqi Police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for the suspected AQI member believed to be part of an AQI cell responsible for assassinations and bank robberies in the region.

AFG School Shura Increases Emerald Sales in Panjshir

Provincial Reconstruction Team Panjshir Story by 2nd Lt. Jason Smith

03.27.2010  PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Five project sites, two meetings, a soccer match, an impromptu shura and a lot of off-road driving made a busy March 27 for the civil engineers of Provincial Reconstruction Team Panjshir.

The CE team, based out of Forward Operating Base Lion, currently has more than 35 working projects and many more in various stages of the recommendation and approval process.

Having so many projects comes with a hefty price tag of quality assurance and quality control visits. March 27 started with an inspection of the Massoud Technical School Dormitory site.

The team next went to the Khenj District Center and split their efforts. One part of the group went to meet government officials at the district center while another group looked at the construction site of the Khenj Communications Center. During their respective meetings, the members of the PRT, including a mujahedeen guard, who remained with the vehicles, were drawn into a soccer match with some local kids.

"It felt like playing in a stadium because there were so many kids around," said Spc. Allison Cherkosly, PRT Panjshir civil affairs. "At first there was only like eight of them playing. I had some lollipops, so I was handing out the lollipops. Then they asked me to join them and play."

Car Bombs Kill 5 in Iraqi Holy City

VOA News 29 March 2010

Iraqi officials say two car bombs in the Shi'ite holy city of Karbala have killed at least five people and wounded about 55.

Police say the first bomb exploded Monday near the Imam Hussein shrine, a holy site for Shi'ite Muslims.

Officials say a second blast went off minutes later in the vicinity, near a provincial office.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

Fallujah SWAT arrests suspected weapons facilitator and AQI member

Written by United States Forces - Iraq PAO Sunday, March 28, 2010

RAMADI, Iraq – A suspected Al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons facilitator was arrested Wednesday by the Fallujah Special Weapons and Tactics unit during a joint security operation, with U.S. advisors, conducted in Fallujah.

The suspect is believed to be linked to the smuggling of weapons and improvised explosive device making materials in support of AQI operations.

US, India Reach Reprocessing Agreement as Part of Civil Nuclear Deal

VOA  Steve Herman | New Delhi 29 March 2010

The U.S. State Department says negotiations have been "finalized" with India on the procedures for the reprocessing of spent atomic fuel - one of the last unsettled elements of the landmark 2008 civil nuclear energy deal between the two countries.

Despite the nuclear cooperation deal, approved by the U.S. Congress in October, 2008, there have been some loose ends to bundle before American companies can start building nuclear power plants in India.

One of them involved permission for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel that originated in the United States.  This was complicated by the fact that India, which has nuclear weapons, has never signed international nuclear non-proliferation treaties.

U.S. Airmen Train First Afghan C-27 Loadmaster

U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs Story by Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson

03.28.2010AFGHANISTAN – Airmen from the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Afghan soldiers with the Afghanistan national army air corps reached another historic milestone after completing a successful check ride for the nation's first qualified C-27A Spartan loadmaster, March 28.

"I could not be more proud of what we are accomplishing out here," said Senior Master Sgt. Mike Crews, 538th AEAS superintendant and loadmaster advisor, deployed from the 1st Special Operations Support Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla. "Today's successful mission shows we are making progress and continuing to pave the way toward bringing a professional air force to Afghanistan and keeping its nation and people safe."

RIP LCpl Jacob A. Ross

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

 

Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Ross, 19, of Gillette, Wyo., died March 24, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, IIMarine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)

Soldiers deliver donations to Iraqi residents

Written by Sgt. Ryan Twist, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Sunday, March 28, 2010

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE TAJI – U.S. Soldiers with the 3666th Support Maintenance Company provided clothing and other donated items to local residents during a humanitarian aid mission near this base, March 21.

Spc. Zandrast R. Rast, a supply clerk with the 3666th Support Maintenance Company, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), hands out items during a humanitarian aid mission near Contingency Operating Base Taji, Iraq, March 21, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ryan Twist.

The items were donated through the Arizona Army National Guard by the Arizona organization called “Students Helping Students,” started by a U.S. Soldier to help Iraqis in need.

Staff Sgt. Rose L. Mattie, the operations non-commissioned officer in charge with the 3666th SMC out of Phoenix, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a Phoenix native, said the mission provided a chance for the local community to see the Soldiers do something positive and also gave the Soldiers a chance to see the culture and life outside the wire.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Raymond L. Baxter, an Allied Trades supervisor with the 3666th SMC, said the opportunity to conduct the mission came before they left the U.S.

Chairman Calls Kandahar Operations 'Critical'

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs Story by Jim Garamone

SHANNON, Ireland - Kandahar is the center of gravity for operations in Afghanistan for at least the rest of this year, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.

"I think Kandahar is as critical in this timeframe in Afghanistan as Baghdad was in Iraq during the surge," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said to reporters traveling with him to Afghanistan.

Russia Suspects Northern Caucasus in Moscow Subway Bombing

Russian authorities blame female suicide bombers for the two explosions at metro stations during rush hour Monday morning

VOA  Peter Fedynsky | Moscow 29 March 2010

Senior Russian officials say terrorists from the troubled Northern Caucasus could be behind two deadly explosions that ripped through Moscow's subway during morning rush hour on Monday.   Female suicide bombers are suspected of carrying out the bomb attacks that killed at least 38 people and injured dozens more.

The blasts occurred during the morning rush hour in central Moscow.  The first was at the Lubyanka metro station near the headquarters of the Russian State Security Service, known as the FSB, the successor to the Soviet KGB.   The second came 40 minutes later

Iraq Plans a Newer, Brighter Future

135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment  Story by Sgt. Chad Nelson

03.27.2010  CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – A massively-scaled reconstruction planning effort in the Ninewa province of Iraq is underway.

The Ninewa government, with assistance from the 130th Engineer Brigade's Ninewa Reconstruction Cell, is building a plan for the future of the Iraqi province.

Instead of several small construction projects, the Ninewa provincial government is working on a vision statement. The goal of this statement is to focus on the future, long-term effects of

A lasting legacy from Army vet dubbed 'Herriot of Helmand'

A People In Defence news article 26 Mar 10

The British Army veterinary officer who started up pioneering veterinary clinics for Afghan farmers around Camp Bastion has now started helping the farmers in the area where Operation MOSHTARAK has been taking place.

Sergeant Major Greg Reeve (right) helps Captain Miles Malone treat a cow in Helmand
[Picture: Major Paul Smyth, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Captain Miles Malone of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps is the British forces' only vet in Afghanistan.

His principal job is caring for the dogs that sniff for roadside bombs and provide protection to the troops on duty. Keeping them at their peak is important, as the work they do saves lives.

But in the seven months he has been deployed he has become known as the 'Herriot of Helmand', and a minor sensation in the province after

RIP Rifleman Daniel Holkham

Rifleman Daniel Holkham from 3rd Battalion The RIFLES, serving with 3 RIFLES Battle Group, was killed during the afternoon of 27 March 2010. Rifleman Holkham died as a result of an explosion which occurred in an area 1km to the east of Sangin DC, in Helmand Province.

• Rifleman Daniel Holkham, aged 19, from Chatham, Kent

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)

"Eyes and Ears" Over Northern Iraq

Task Force Wing's Hunter Provides 'eyes and Ears' on the Battlefield in Northern Iraq

25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Story by Sgt. Mike Alberts

03.27.2010 CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – It's invisible to the enemy, can cover distances of up to 250 kilometers, can fly at altitudes of 20,000 feet for more than 10 hours, and can gather and transmit visual information in real time to ground force commanders.

What is it?

It's the Hunter -- a 23 foot-long, remotely operated, unmanned aircraft system maintained and operated by a team of aviation Soldiers with Troop F, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Diamond Head and approximately 30 Northrop Grumman Corporation civilian contractors from Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq. To those it serves, it's an invaluable and indispensible part of Task Force Wings and 3rd Infantry Division operations throughout U.S. Division-North.

Among other tactical advantages, the Hunter provides Soldiers with state-of-the-art intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, along with target acquisition and communications relay platforms.

Obama Underscores U.S.-Afghan Partnership

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs Story by John Kruzel

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama, in a surprise trip that marked his first visit to Afghanistan as U.S. president, underscored his administration's continuing partnership with Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government while also pressing for greater reform.

Obama landed under the cover of darkness at Bagram Airfield with a delegation of U.S. officials before flying by helicopter to Kabul, where he met one-on-one with Karzai for about a half hour.

Adm. Losey Assumes Command of CJTF-HOA

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa  Story by Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson

Rear Adm. Brian L. Losey assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa during a change-of-command ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27.

Losey, a native of Tacoma, Wash., relieved Rear Adm. Anthony M. Kurta, who led the command since February 2009 and has been reassigned as director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy Division, N13, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

CJTF-HOA became part of U.S. Africa Command in October, 2008, to assist building regional security capacity and relationships when Camp Lemonnier began transitioning from an expeditionary base to an enduring location for support to U.S. AFRICOM's long term commitment to African stability.

The Same Malcontents, A Different War: Al-Qaeda & Afghanistan

I've said it before, but when I last returned from combat, the American People were seriously questioning the possibility of losing in Iraq.  Many people asked me in all seriousness if things were of an impossible nature, if it was all for naught, if American lives were being wasted.  It was the overwhelming nature of their sincerity that forced me to realize that explaining the reality solely to those I knew or came across was insufficient.

A Viet Nam Vet and friend had warned me of the sour mood of our citizenry and apologized to me that he and his brothers had been unable to turn the tide.  I had assured him I was mentally prepared, having studied the worst treatment in history of returning Warriors: the Viet Nam Veterans.  I was not prepared for sincere belief in partisan political propaganda that had eroded Support for Our Troops and the Mission.

Veterans and Soldiers banded together in organizations such as Vets For Freedom and Vets 4 Victory in tens of thousands to combat the perceptions that the few hundred weak of the "Iraq Veterans" Against the War spoke for anyone other than their own desire for a spotlight.

Arizona-based Unit Brings Clothing to Give to Local Community

13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Story by Sgt. Ryan Twist

03.27.2010  CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers with the 3666th Support Maintenance Company provided clothing and other donated items to the local community during a humanitarian aid mission March 21 near Contingency Operating Base Taji, Iraq.

The items were donated through the Arizona Army National Guard, by a local organization in Arizona called Students Helping Students, started by a fellow Soldier to give to those in need.

Staff Sgt. Rose L. Mattie, the operations non-commissioned officer in charge with the 3666th SMC out of Phoenix, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a Phoenix native, said the mission provided a chance for the local community to see the Soldiers do something positive and also gave the Soldiers a chance to see the culture and life outside the wire.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Raymond L. Baxter, an Allied Trades supervisor with the 3666th SMC, said the opportunity to conduct the mission came before they left the U.S.

Baxter, a Phoenix, Ariz., native, said he was approached a week before the deployment by Lt. Col. Dawn E. Latting, the Defense Movement Coordinator for the Arizona National Guard and a special education teacher who started the program, and asked if the unit would be interested in bringing clothing to distribute to the local Iraqi children.

29 March 2010 #MoS Moments of Silence on #MilitaryMon #HonorTheFallen 1PM EDT - 1:12PM EDT

1 PM Eastern is Kabul 22:30/10:30PM, Baghdad 20:00/8PM, London 18:00/6PM, San Diego 10AM

He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be rememberd. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)

REQUEST that all afford my Brothers a Moment of Silence each on Monday 28 beginning 1:00 PM, Eastern Time.  REQUEST that each Moment of Silence be dedicated each Monday to my Fallen Brothers in order of notification since prior Monday.

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1PM to 1:02 EDT: PFC #Bowe Bergdahl, Kidnapped by Taliban, Two Minutes until he comes home #MIA #SOT #MoS

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:02-1:03 EDT: SGT Joel D. Clarkson, Fairbanks AK 03/16/10 Landstuhl Germany (AFG) 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:03-1:04 EDT: Chief Petty Officer Adam Brown, Hot Springs AR 03/18/10 AFG East Coast-based SEAL Team

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:04-1:05 EDT: SPC Robert M. Rieckhoff, Kenosha WI 03/18/10 Baghdad Iraq 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:05-1:06 EDT: Cpl Darren J. Fitzpatrick, Prince George B.C. 03/20/10 Zharey AFG 3th Battalion Princess Patricias Canadian

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:06-1:07 EDT: LCpl Justin J. Wilson, Palm City FL 03/22/10 Helmand AFG 3/10 2D MarDiv

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:07-1:08 EDT: Serjeant Steven Campbell, Durham UK 03/22/10 AFG 3rd Battalion The Rifles

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:08-1:09 EDT: SFC Carlos M. Santos-Silva, Clarksville TN 03/22/10 Kandahar AFG 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th BCT

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:09-1:10 EDT: SgtMaj Robert J. Cottle, Whittier CA 03/24/10 Helmand AFG 4LAR, 4D MarDiv

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:10-1:11 EDT: LCpl Rick J. Centanni, Yorba Linda CA 03/24/10 Helmand AFG 4LAR, 4D MarDiv

· #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:11-1:12 EDT: Lance Corporal of Horse Jonathan Woodgate, Lavenham in Suffolk UK 03/26/10 AFG Household Cavalry Regiment

 

Please Remember, the Moments of Silence are in Honor of Our Fallen. It is a collaborative effort in recognition of their sacrifice and the families effected by it. It is encouraged to tweet only the above during their INDIVIDUAL moments.

A special thanks to @US_Fallen of www.USFallen.org who puts together the video in honor of those that have sacrificed all in defense of Freedom each week in an Honorable, Dignified manner without political or financial gain as motivation.

2-69 Soldiers say goodbye to fallen comrade

Story by Sgt. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs Office

CONTINGINCY OPERATING STATION KALSU, Iraq – They gathered in the COS Kalsu chapel with heavy hearts and somber silence. The tiny chapel was filled to capacity, but the overwhelming stillness that filled the small building signaled the somberness of the event. The memorial ceremony of Spc. Michael Snelgrove, on Feb. 12, was a bitter-sweet event that highlighted the life of an exceptional Soldier and attempted to give answers to a group grasping to come to grips with the loss of a treasured member.

With a picture of Michael Snelgrove lighting the screen behind him, Spc. James Jenner, a combat medic

A smaller me: How I did it

By Staff Sgt. Natalie Hedrick  3rd HBCT Public Affairs Office

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE KALSU, Iraq – I’ve done it! I have found a way to lose weight and not loathe doing it.

Losing weight has been an uphill battle for me, and with all that extra weight, hills weren’t really my thing. At my heaviest, I was 175 pounds. I tried everything under the sun, over the counter, on the TV to lose that weight. I was miserable while trying the “fad” diets, and even more miserable when I would put the weight back on after giving up.

I would lose sleep the day before a physical fitness test because I knew it would be a toss-up if I pass the height and weight evaluation.

Guard Units Support Each Other to Support Iraqi Democracy

49TH MILITARY POLICE BRIGADE Story by 1st Lt. WILLIAM MARQUEZ

03.27.2010  BAGHDAD – As millions of Iraqi citizens voted in their nation's parliamentary elections, following multiple morning attacks intended to scare them from going to the polls, Guardsmen worked together to help ensure that this historic vote was brought to the attention of the world and a world leader was brought to the people casting votes.

On March 7, the headquarters and headquarters troop of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 301st Chemical Company secured the escort of Ad Melkert, the special representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Iraq, to a voting site in Central Baghdad. Along with Melkert, the 278th and 301st escorted news crews from CNN and from the popular Middle East news agency, Alarabiya.

As the outgoing unit, re-deploying after nine months of conducting personal security escort missions in Baghdad, the 301st considered this mission as their most significant. Cpt. Gary Barr of Evansville, Indiana was the senior officer from the 301st directly participating on the election security convoy. For him, the mission was historically important. At the end of the mission brief, before the start of the mission, Cpt. Barr told the group of 301st and 278th Soldiers, "Today, you are making history. This will probably be one of the most important days of your military career. You will never forget this day."

To ensure that this historically important mission did not fail,

Aiding an Afghan Child Injured by IED

An Afghan girl recuperating and bonding with the staff at Role 3 Multi-National Hospital on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan after receiving life-threatening injuries from an improvised explosive device. Tech. Sgt. Elicia Summerville has more from Afghanistan.

Obama Speaks to Karzai, U.S. Troops While in Afghanistan

Obama In Afghanistan On Surprise Trip

VOA  Michael Bowman | Washington 28 March 2010

U.S. President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Sunday to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. troops. Mr. Obama pressed the Afghan leader to improve governance and crack down on corruption.

Mr. Obama's first trip to Afghanistan since becoming president came under a cloak of secrecy and darkness, with news organizations learning of the visit only when his plane landed at Bagram Air Base outside of Kabul.  After a helicopter ride into the capital, President Obama and met with his Afghan counterpart at the presidential palace.

ESGR Conference Honors Employers, Service Members

100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Story by Staff Sgt. Daniel Griego

03.26.2010  The Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve recognized the outstanding efforts of one such support system at its annual conference, held March 25 and 26 at the Radisson Hotel & Suites in Austin, Texas.

The event honored six Texas employers with the distinguished Pro Patria award for celebrated appreciation of their guard and reserve employees.

Tyler Sieswerda, news anchor for ABC-affiliate KVUE-TV in Austin, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the awards banquet Thursday night.

"Pro patria is a latin term," Sieswerda said, "meaning for one's country. One of ESGR's missions is to recognize those employers who excel at supporting their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve."

Recipients included

At Least Five Killed in Iraq Bombings

VOA News 28 March 2010

Iraqi police say at least five people were killed in a series of bombings Sunday in western Iraq, near the border with Syria.

Investigators say the blasts in the city of Qaim wounded at least 15 people.

Police say at least one bomb exploded near a home being built by a prominent Sunni militia leader who supported

MEDEVAC Unit Provides Care for America's Heroes in AOR

379th Air Expeditionary Wing Story by Staff Sgt. Kelly White

03.26.2010  Editor's Note: This is the second of a 2-part story about the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. Part 1 was published in the March 14 issue of the Desert Eagle.

They consider theirs the best patients in the world – patients they serve with honor and pride.

The members of the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron are prepared to fly anywhere in the area of responsibility to ensure their esteemed patients – America's wounded warriors – get the medical attention they need.

Mortarmen Bring 81s to the Fight

Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs Story by Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde

MARJAH, Afghanistan – The Marines and Soldiers were going about their daily business, setting up their new company operating base in Marjah, Afghanistan, March 21. There wasn't much going on at the time.

Without warning, the dull afternoon was interrupted by gunshots. Insurgents in the area were attacking the troops with small-arms fire.

While Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and soldiers from the Afghan national army shot back, mortarmen from 1st Section, 81-mm Mortars Platoon, attached to India Co., dashed to their pits to prepare their mortars for fire.

"We got on the (mortar) guns and direct-laid on the enemy's muzzle flashes," said Sgt. Dennis Leanes, the first section leader for the platoon.

Direct-laying, meaning to

ISAF Helicopter Crashes in Zabul Province

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan - An ISAF helicopter crashed today in Zabul province in southern Afghanistan.

According to initial reports, there were no fatalities in the incident, and all personnel on board have been evacuated to nearby ISAF medical treatment facilities.

The cause of the incident is under investigation, but there are no indications that it was caused by insurgent action.

Tomahawks Bring the Heat in the Iraqi Desert

3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Story by Pfc. Adrian Muehe

03.27.2010  DIYALA, Iraq – "Hang it," repeated Spc. Nicholas Keim, of Olympia, Wash., and an assistant gunner for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, while holding a 120mm mortar round steady over the massive gun pointed out of the back of a Stryker vehicle. While waiting for the call to release, he maintained this position as sweat dripped off his brow in the Iraqi desert.

"Fire," said Spc. Stephan Forbes of Denver, a gunner for HHC, 1/23 Inf. After this call, Keim repeated his order. He dropped the mortar into the tube and immediately braced himself for the recoil. A few seconds later the round fired. The back of the Stryker vehicle sunk down from the force of the shot, sending the dry dirt resting under the vehicle into the air causing a massive cloud of dust. Flames erupted from the end of the mortar tube as it fired the 120mm shell down range. All eyes immediately went to the target,

Why We Fight

"Why We Fight" contains never before Released footage of the Afghanistan Special Forces, Strike Force Lion, who describe their own personal reasons why they continue to fight the war against terrorist threats within their country. Strike Force Lion is a hand selected elite group of Afghan Fighters trained by U.S. Special Forces in Khost Province. Produced by Spc. Matthew Freire.  Watch the video here.....

Hey, Where's Your Buddy?

72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (36th Infantry Div) Story by Sgt. Melissa Shaw

03.27.2010  BAGHDAD -- As numbers go, 344 doesn't seem that bad until it is set at the front of the following sentence; "military service members committed suicide in 2009."

Behind this number, 344, are the names and faces of countless others affected by a permanent solution to a temporary problem; families, friends, unit leaders and professional colleagues.

Whether they were pushed to their decision by the stresses of increased deployment cycles, decreased down time or a deadly combination of both factors, all levels of our American military forces have committed to reducing the numbers for 2010.

"Army leaders are fully aware that repeated deployments have led to

RIP Lance Corporal of Horse Jonathan Woodgate

Lance Corporal of Horse Jonathan Woodgate from the Household Cavalry Regiment, serving as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, was killed by a grenade attack on the afternoon of 26 March 2010.

• Lance Corporal of Horse Jonathan Woodgate, aged 27, from Lavenham in Suffolk

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)

Bombs Kill 6 Civilians in Afghanistan

VOA News 28 March 2010

Afghanistan's Interior Ministry says roadside bomb blasts in southern Helmand province have killed six civilians.

The Interior Ministry said the deaths occurred Saturday in two places after the victims drove over the devices.

Meanwhile, a joint NATO-Afghan security force has killed

Convoy Security Team Keeps Vehicles Safe on the Road

139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Story by Sgt. Ryan Twist

CAMP BUERHING, Kuwait – Soldiers with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment received Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Level 2 training in preparation for their upcoming mission in Iraq at Camp Buerhing, Kuwait, Feb. 13.

Soldiers deployed throughout Iraq traveled to Kuwait to train approximately 2,400 incoming Soldiers with their Mine-Resistant, Armored-Protected vehicles on how to find and react to IEDs Feb. 9 through Feb. 24.

Lt. Col. Edwin N. Gomez, a C-IED officer in charge with the 210th Regional Support Group out of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, attached to the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), said the training they have in Kuwait was normally taught when they got into country.