War On Terror News

Technology team says goodbye to some of their own

U.S. Forces Iraq

Lt. Col. Angela Wannamaker, a team member of the Research, Development and Engineering Command’s Science and Technology Assistance Team addresses her friends and peers during the unit’s farewell ceremony here, June 25. The team had three team members redeploy as part of the U.S. military’s scheduled withdrawal.  Photo by Spc. Timothy Koster

06.28.3011 Story by Spc. Timothy Koster BAGHDAD, Iraq – As U.S. forces continue to re-posture, several units are redeploying individual team members as their orders expire as part of a responsible withdrawal where the military plans to reduce its footprint while still performing contingency operations.

The Research, Development and Engineering Command’s Science and Technology Assistance Team here, is a joint team which is sending home service members, including Col. John E. Shanklin Jr., chief advisor to the last RDECOM team in the country. Although the team will remain in theater until the withdrawal, no one is slated to replace Shanklin.

Government Tanks Enter Northern Syrian Province

29 June 2011 VOA News Syrian activists say government tanks have moved into the northern province of Idlib, the latest move in an on-going, violent crackdown against protesters calling for an end to the Syrian president's 11-year rule.

Activists say several tanks rolled into the village of Rama overnight, sending more people fleeing to Syria's border with Turkey, where thousands have sought refuge from the violence.

On Tuesday, Russian envoy Mikhail Margelov said Moscow wants Syria to implement "real" reforms and "put an end to violence" that has shaken the country since the start of a pro-democracy uprising in March.

Royal Marine commandos Reveal Improvement in Helmand

M Company, 42 Commando leads Operation Zamrod Olai, reveals signs of progress in Helmand district

Regional Command Southwest

Royal Marine commandos with M Company, 42 Commando, lead a clearance mission in northern Nad'Ali District, Helmand province, during Operation Zamrod Olai, June 25. The operation involved a helo-borne insertion of Marine commandos into an area that had previously seen very little coalition and Afghan security forces presence in order to disrupt insurgent operations and engage with locals.  Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Ross

06.28.2011 Story by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Ross PATROL BASE KHAMAAR, Afghanistan – When a helicopter-borne force of Royal Marine commandos with M Company, 42 Commando, dropped from the early morning sky at the outset of Operation Zamrod Olai, June 25, they came ready for a fight.

Instead of finding improvised explosive devices and small arms fire, however, the commandos discovered a relatively quiet set of communities.

The Marines had good reason to expect heavy enemy contact, said Maj. Matthew C. Parker, a native of Ashburton, England, and M Company’s officer commanding.

Gannett Hackers Get Data on US Military, Government Subscribers

29 June 2011 VOA News Hackers have stolen personal data from a media company that caters to U.S. government officials, military leaders, and rank-and-file soldiers.

The Gannett Government media company said Tuesday hackers had accessed files containing the full names and email addresses of its subscribers. In some cases, Gannett said the hackers had also accessed information about what military branch a subscriber served in, their duty status, pay grade and zip code.

However, Gannett said financial information,

Analysts: Warrant for Gadhafi Could Complicate His Possible Departure

Laurel Bowman | Washington VOA News With the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants for Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, his son and a trusted ally, some analysts say avenues could close for Mr. Gadhafi, should he want to leave Libya in defeat and find a safe haven.

The streets of rebel-held Misrata erupted in jubilation when news came Monday that the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant for embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Tuesday, the ICC’s top prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, called on Mr. Gadhafi’s top aides to hand him over.

“Today, it is time for arrest," Moreno-Ocampo said.

Crowdmapping Arab Spring: Next Social Media Breakthrough?

Hina Samnani and Lolla Mohammed Nur VOA News 

Six months ago, if someone told you that activists in the Middle East would use social media platforms to revolutionize - literally - the way information is used and disseminated, you probably would have been skeptical.

VOA Middle East Voices: Behind the Wall- Syria crowdmap

Six months later, Twitter and Facebook have played a crucial role in providing disenfranchised Arab citizens with a space to pressure regimes to democratize power and increase transparency. The impact of social media in the Arab Spring is undeniable.

But what about the use of crowdmaps? Similar to Twitter and Facebook, crowdmaps rely on user-generated videos, images, and reports; the difference is that information is verified and geo-plotted on online maps, usually by nonprofits or a trusted network of local citizens.

NATO Helicopters End Kabul Hotel Siege Killing Taliban Attackers

VOA News Afghan officials say 10 Afghan civilians were killed in a Taliban attack on a luxury hotel in the capital, Kabul, Tuesday night.

The officials said early Wednesday the figure did not include at least six suicide bombers who either blew themselves up or were killed by security forces.  They cautioned the death toll could still rise.

Early Wednesday, Interior Ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqi declared the five-hour siege of the Intercontinental Hotel over, saying Afghan security vehicles and ambulances were removing the dead and wounded from the building.   

A spokesman for the NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan said earlier two of its helicopters were called in and fired on the roof of the hotel where three militants had taken up positions, successfully eliminating them. 

Japan: From America, with love

Because every child needs a teddy bear!

06/27/2011 - A collection of stuffed animals sit ready to be sent June 27, 2011, to Japanese citizens affected by the March 11, 2011, 9.1-magnitude Tohoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Listeners of the “Ron and Don” show on KIRO, Seattle, Wash., radio donated the stuffed animals. The Pacific Northwest-based radio program organized and shipped more than 96,000 pounds of donated clothing, toys, food and other items destined for orphanages and other areas affected by the natural disaster. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew M. Bradley, U.S. Navy/Released)

War In Afghanistan News 29 June 2011

War in Afghanistan News reports provided by ISAF Joint Command. Operations are reported in the following provinces:  Nimroz, Zabul, Helmand, Ghazni and Paktika.

A combined Afghan and coalition force discovered a drugs cache in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, today. The cache consisted of 992 pounds (450 kilograms) of marijuana. During the operation, rocket-propelled grenade propellant and three chest rigs were also discovered. The weapons and drugs were safely destroyed on site.

Tailor the way you get your War in Afghanistan News

In other International Security Assistance Force Joint (ISAF) Command Operational News throughout Afghanistan: 

Somali-American Approved as New Prime Minister for Somalia

Somali Parliament Approves New Prime Minister 28 June 2011 VOA News Somali lawmakers have approved Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, a Somali-American economist, as the country's new prime minister.

Parliamentary Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden says lawmakers approved Ali on Tuesday by a vote of 437 to four, with two abstentions.

Ali, who was immediately sworn in after the approval, said he will focus on fighting terrorism and practicing good governance. The new prime minister said the government will push for national reconciliation and do more to address humanitarian issues.

RIP Cpl Michael C. Nolen

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

                Cpl. Michael C. Nolen, 22, of Spring Valley, Wis., died June 27 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine 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.”  (W.Shakespeare)  Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton

What happens when you insert a group of Special Forces soldiers into a foreign country, put them on horseback, send them out against the Taliban? 

Horse Soldiers is about just such an operation.  It takes place in Afghanistan, shortly after 9/11.  These men, many who had barely ridden and some not at all, formed teams and rode out with members of the Northern Alliance to fight the Taliban.  Days would go by with little or no food, drinking water from ditches when it could be found.  The soldiers of the Northern Alliance were running out of bullets but never lacked in spirit when it came to fighting from horseback or on foot.  The Americans shocked the Taliban with their high-tech weapons, calling in air strikes to back up their unique style of fighting. 

"It's as if the Jetsons had met the Flinstones," Special Forces soldier Ben Milo told the author.

Taking the Moral High Ground? Fazal Saeed "won't target" innocents, Pakistan military

'We abhor killing innocent people through suicide attacks and bomb blasts, attacks on our own army and destruction of social infrastructure,' a statement quoted him [Fazal Saeed] as saying in the Afghanistan Sun.

Fazal Saeed, a former commander of the terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has decided that killing innocent people/civilians AND attacking the army of Pakistan is unjustified morally.  According to Saeed, the targeting of "Muslims" is forbidden by Islam.  Saeed was a commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in the Kurram Agency, a part of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Product Review: 40 S&W FMJ SELLIER & BELLOT‏

We had a request to review product for the Bulk Ammo Company recently.  After exchanging several emails, we agreed that I would receive one box of ammo and in return, we would post a review of said merchandise.

The merchandise was shipped out on a Monday as promised and arrived promptly on Wednesday.  Unfortunately, they shipped a different caliber than I had requested, but after asking around, I found someone who would test fire it for me.  I am by no means an expert on weapons or ammunition and I left the review up to those who are.

The review I received back had this to say about the box of .40 S&W.....

Allen Vows to Emulate Petraeus' Leadership

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2011 - If he becomes the new commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John R. Allen said he'll seek to equal the strong leadership of his predecessor, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus.

"If confirmed, I will seek to emulate General Petraeus' resolute leadership," Allen said today during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Petraeus appeared before the committee last week for his confirmation hearing to become President Barack Obama's CIA director, replacing Leon Panetta, who becomes defense secretary on July 1.

"I assure you, I will do whatever I can to provide our forces with everything they need in Afghanistan and [for them] to arrive home safely," Allen said.

Two district level insurgent commanders killed by Special Forces

Afghan National Police and their Australian Special Forces partners have killed four insurgents, including two district level commanders, during an operation in Uruzgan on 24 June 2011.

The insurgent commanders, Mullah Ghulam and Mullah Gharfour, were killed by members of the Provincial Response Company - Uruzgan (PRC-U) and the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) during an exchange of fire in the Shahid-e Hasas district.

The Commanding Officer of the SOTG (who cannot be named for operational security reasons) said the removal of these insurgent commanders will have an immediate and significant effect on the ability for insurgents to operate in northern and western Uruzgan.

Muslims, Jews Upset over Ban on Ritual Slaughter of Animals

Dutch Move Toward Ban on Ritual Slaughter of Animals

28 June 2011 VOA News The Dutch parliament has taken a step toward a ban on the ritual slaughter of livestock, a move vocally opposed by the country's Muslim and Jewish minorities.

The lower house of parliament voted Tuesday to approve a bill that would ban killing animals without first stunning them. The bill still must be approved by the upper house before becoming law.

Afghan Police: Suicide Bomber Attacks Kabul Hotel

28 June 2011 VOA News Police in the Afghan capital, Kabul, say at least one suicide bomber attacked a major hotel frequented by Westerners late Tuesday.

There was no immediate word on casualties, but witnesses said gunfire was heard in the vicinity of the hotel.

Earlier in the day, NATO said increasing numbers of male militants are dressing as women to escape capture from security forces in Afghanistan.

Senators Quiz McRaven For Top Special Operations Slot

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2011 - Navy Vice Adm. William H. McRaven appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee today as the senators met to consider his promotion to the rank of admiral and appointment as commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.

McRaven currently commands Joint Special Operations Command. His previous assignments include service commanding Special Operations Command Europe, Naval Special Warfare Group 1 and SEAL Team 3.

BIO: General John R. Allen (Updated)

General John R. Allen assumed his duties as the Commander, International Security Assistance Forces – Afghanistan and United States Forces – Afghanistan on July 18, 2011.

Lieutenant General John R. Allen became a Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 2 June 2011.

Following commissioning, he attended The Basic School and was assigned to Second Battalion, 8th Marines where he served as a platoon and rifle company commander. His next tour took him to Marine Barracks 8th and I, Washington D.C. where he served at the Marine Corps Institute and as a ceremonial officer. Lieutenant General Allen then attended, and was the Distinguished Graduate of the Postgraduate Intelligence Program of the Defense Intelligence College. He would serve subsequently as the Marine Corps Fellow to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He was the first Marine Corps officer inducted as a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Military intelligence Marines speak on recent accomplishments

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)

06.28.2011 Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Flurry  CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - The military intelligence community of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) said they are finding new ways to stay ahead of insurgents in Afghanistan.

U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration.  Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Flurry

New software now enables the Marine Corps intelligence analysts to more quickly survey a suspected insurgent’s past activity and social ties, with the goal of providing a more accurate forecast of what he may do in the future, explained Cpl. Oscar Machuca, an intelligence analyst for the deployed wing.

“We can more easily recreate historical events so that we can better make decisions about the future,” said Machuca, a Pecos, Texas, native. “It’s able to link what they’ve done. It’s able to link criminal activity. I try not to make assumptions, I make assessments.”

Officer Recalls WAC Era: "We are a dying breed."

By Jon Connor
Deputy Commander-Regional Support, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan

Army Lt. Col. Kimberley Marlowe plans to retire in 2015 with 40 years of Army service. Marlowe enlisted in 1975 in the Women's Army Corps for three years before it ended. Marlowe is deployed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, with Regional Support Command-South. U.S. Army photo by Jon Connor (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 28, 2011 - The 1970s probably seem like a long time ago for today's new soldiers, but for one officer serving in Afghanistan, the era is still a vivid memory of when female soldiers were treated differently than men.

Army Lt. Col. Kimberly Marlowe is reminded of that time whenever she glances down at a gold ring she wears on her left hand. The ring is a symbol of her time as a member of the Women's Army Corps.

"We are a dying breed," said Marlowe, 53, who is deployed here with Regional Support Command-South, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. Marlowe serves as the command's transition officer for geographical and institutional functional areas.

When not deployed, Marlowe is an environmental quality analyst for the Military and Veterans Affairs Department in Grayling, Mich.

On her ring is a depiction of Pallas Athena, the insignia of the Women's Army Corps. Athena is a Roman and Greek goddess associated with a variety of womanly virtues. Athena, along with the traditional "U.S." was selected for the lapel uniform insignia -- cut out for officers and placed on discs for enlisted women.

The Women's Army Corps began as the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps in 1942, in the early part of World War II, but was shortened to WAC within a year. Its first director was Oveta Culp Hobby, a prominent society woman from Texas.

Afghanistan’s Top Banker Flees Nation, Resigns

28 June 2011 VOA News A spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called the country's top banker a “runaway governor,” disputing claims that he left the country because his life was in danger.

The spokesman, Waheed Omar, said that Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadir Fitrat did not go through official channels to resign, but instead escaped the country. He and other Afghan officials say Fitrat fled possible charges from the attorney general's office over alleged involvement in the Kabul Bank crisis.

Fitrat said on Monday he stepped down as head of the country's central bank and fled Afghanistan because he feared for his life following his role in investigating the corruption scandal involving the country's biggest lender, Kabul Bank.

ANSF and ISAF seize 550 kilos of bomb-making material in Bakwa

Regional Command West
2011-06-CA-663-182

FARAH, Afghanistan (June 28, 2011)- During a joint patrolling activity in Chicha village, Bakwa district, ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces seized 550 kilograms of ammonium nitrate in a abandoned compound of the village. The Afghan soldiers arrested two individuals involved in the hiding of the material.

Ammonium nitrate, normally used as fertilizer, is widely used for the creation of Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) and, for this reason, declared an illegal material by the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in a decree in effect since Feb. 22, 2010.

This seizure, in addition to the one that occurred a few days ago in the same area, represent the efficiency of the ANSF daily operational activities in order to secure the territory.

RIP 1LT Dimitri A. Del Castillo, SSG Nigel D. Kelly

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died June 25, at Kunar province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their units with small arms fire.

            Killed were:

            1st. Lt. Dimitri A. Del Castillo, 24, of Tampa, Fla.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and

            Staff Sgt. Nigel D. Kelly, 26, Menifee, Calif. He was assigned to 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

"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.”  (W.Shakespeare)  Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

RIP SPC Kevin J. Hilaman

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

            Spc. Kevin J. Hilaman, 28, of Albany, Calif., died June 26, in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

"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.”  (W.Shakespeare)  Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

Militant Cross-Dresser still Caught the Eye of Troops in Afghanistan

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader captured wearing burka

06.28.2011 KABUL, Afghanistan – A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader and two associates during a nighttime security operation in Kunduz District, Kunduz province, yesterday.

The leader, who also supported the Taliban network, was responsible for planning attacks against the Afghan National Police. He also facilitated suicide bomb operations and coordinated attacks against other Afghan security forces.

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader captured wearing burka

06.28.2011 KABUL, Afghanistan – A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader and two associates during a nighttime security operation in Kunduz District, Kunduz province, yesterday.

The leader, who also supported the Taliban network, was responsible for planning attacks against the Afghan National Police. He also facilitated suicide bomb operations and coordinated attacks against other Afghan security forces.

South Dakota National Guard Engineers build school in Suriname

129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Army Spc. Daniel Koupal, a mechanic with the 155th Engineering Company of the South Dakota Army National Guard, cuts a cement block during construction of a new clinic here June 25, 2011. Soldiers with the 155th are building the clinic as part of the 2011 New Horizons Training Exercise, which is a cooperative humanitarian mission between the Suriname government and the United States Southern Command with the goal of helping to improve the quality of life for the people of Suriname.  Photo by Sgt. Charlie Jacobson

06.26.2011 ALKMAAR, SURINAME – While many members of the South Dakota National Guard are fighting floods in South Dakota, soldiers with the 155th Engineering Company have been busy building a new clinic here during the 2011 New Horizons Training Exercise.

The 155th soldiers, based out of Rapid City, S.D., are supporting the collaborative humanitarian mission between the Surinamese and U.S. government by using their engineering skills to replace an outdated clinic for the people of Suriname.

RIP SPC Matthew R. Gallagher

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation New Dawn.

            Spc. Matthew R. Gallagher, 22, of North Falmouth, Mass., died June 26 in Wasit province, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident.  He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

"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.”  (W.Shakespeare)  Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

RIP SSG Russell J. Proctor, PFC Dylan J. Johnson

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation New Dawn.

            They died June 26, in Diyala province, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

            Killed were:

            Staff Sgt. Russell J. Proctor, 25, of Oroville, Calif.; and

            Pfc. Dylan J. Johnson, 20, of Tulsa, Okla.

"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.”  (W.Shakespeare)  Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

Schumacher loses tight race to teammate

U.S. Army Accessions Command

06.26.2011 Story by Sgt. 1st Class Scott Turner  NORWALK, Ohio - U.S. Army Top Fuel pilot Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher dropped a close quarterfinal round race to his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Spencer Massey here Sunday, June 26, in the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsport Park.

Massey's slight advantage at the starting line (.048-seconds to Schumacher's .062-seconds) proved to be the difference in the outcome as each driver posted identical 1,000-foot passes of 3.926-seconds.

Weapons Buy Back Program a Success in Deh Rawud, Uruzgan

Small Rewards Weapons Buy Back Program Successful in Uruzgan

Regional Command South
Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force- Afghanistan

URUZGAN, Afghanistan (June 27, 2011)– Local citizens in the Deh Rawud district of Uruzgan province are turning in ammunition through the coalition sponsored weapons buyback program, June 25.

This program was designed to allow Afghan citizens the opportunity to turn in dangerous ordnance while gaining compensation for their effort.

According to coalition officials, 70 rocket propelled grenades and warheads were removed from villages in Deh Rawud District, preventing these weapons from being used against Afghan and coalition forces.

“Weapons such as these often have a demoralizing, and at times, deadly effect against Afghan National Police and Afghan Local Police checkpoints, so it is important that we continue to engage local villagers,” said an ALP checkpoint commander.

Using word of mouth as a method to make more villagers aware of this program, coalition and Afghan forces said they expect this effort will continue throughout Deh Rawud district.

“This program will help improve security, stability and development by getting these weapons out of insurgents’ hands,” said a Coalition Special Operations team leader. “Less weapons on the street will lead to greater stability in this area.”

US Senate Deplores China’s Use of Force At Sea

28 June 2011 VOA News The U.S. Senate has condemned China's use of force in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

Senators voted unanimously Monday to adopt a resolution that “deplores the use of force” by Chinese vessels in the strategic maritime zone claimed by several countries. The resolution calls for a peaceful solution of these disputes.

In recent weeks, tensions have escalated in the area around the uninhabited Spratly and Paracel islands in the South China Sea, which China claims as its territory. The Philippines and Vietnam have reported incidents with Chinese vessels in the potentially resource-rich area.

Syrian Activists Meet in Damascus, Seek to End Violence

28 June 2011 VOA News More than 150 Syrian intellectuals and activists, including some of the country's most prominent opposition figures, met in Damascus Monday to discuss how to end months of violent upheaval and initiate a peaceful transition to democratic rule.

The gathering was the first since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's rule began in March.

In a final statement, participants pledged to support the goal of a democratic state that guarantees freedom and rights to all members of society. It called on authorities to end military assaults on cities and towns, withdraw security forces from the streets, release thousands of political prisoners held without trial and allow the rights of protest and assembly.

Some opposition figures refused to attend the conference, saying

Tanker's first flight over top of the world marks new era in efficiency

Headquarters Air Mobility Command Public Affairs 

Views from a KC-135 Stratotanker cockpit reveal icy plateaus over the Arctic on June 22. A tanker crew from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., flew over the North Pole for the first time June 21 to 22, as part of an “iron swap” mission along a new, more efficient route from Moses Lake, Wash., to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan.  Photo by Capt. Kathleen Ferrero

06.26.2011 By Capt. Kathleen Ferrero TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- The U.S. Air Force has gone to the ends of the earth to support operations in Afghanistan.

A KC-135 Stratotanker flew north until it started flying south, June 21 to 22 -- cutting a new pathway over the Arctic Circle and the North Pole between Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. It was the first time an Air Force air refueling tanker has ever flown this route.

The mission followed another historic flight that took place June 5 to 6 when a C-5M Super Galaxy traversed the Arctic Circle to fly the first direct delivery airlift mission from Dover Air Force Base, Del., to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.

A 2009 U.S.-Russia transit agreement helped make the new arctic routes possible, according to U.S. Transportation Command. The KC-135 flight over the North Pole alone saved the Air Force approximately 4.5 hours and $54,000.

Obama Takes Charge of Debt Talks

VOA News 28 June 2011 U.S. President Barack Obama has become directly involved in the stalled negotiations over the national debt and federal borrowing limit.  With a little more than a month until a deadline to raise the nation's debt limit, President Barack Obama met on Monday with the top U.S. Senate Democratic and Republican leaders to try to narrow differences in long-running talks on reducing government deficit spending and raising the government's borrowing limit.

The United States risks defaulting on its $14 trillion national debt unless Congress raises the debt ceiling by August 2. Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, insist that the rate at which the U.S. incurs debt must be cut sharply if they are to vote to raise the limit. The debt ceiling is the legal limit on the amount the U.S. government is allowed to borrow.

The head of the U.S. central bank, Benjamin Bernanke, says politicians must not allow the government to default on its loans, saying even a short-term break in payments could cause “severe disruptions” in financial markets.

Libya Dismisses International Court Warrants for Gadhafi, 2 Top Aides

VOA News Libya has dismissed arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for leader Moammar Gadhafi and two top lieutenants on war crimes charges linked to their suppression of an opposition uprising.

Justice Minister Mohammad al-Gamudi said Monday that Libya does not accept the legitimacy of the court.

The ICC issued the warrants earlier Monday against Gadhafi, his son Seif al-Islam and the head of Libyan intelligence, Abdullah al-Senussi.

The ICC indictment accuses Gadhafi and his aides of deterring protesters through the use of detention, torture and lethal force, such as ordering snipers to fire on civilians leaving mosques.

War In Afghanistan News 28 June 2011

War in Afghanistan News reports provided by ISAF Joint Command. Operations are reported in the following provinces:  Uruzgan, Zabul, Helmand and Kunduz.

Afghan Local Police in the Nawbahar district of Zabul province helped a combined team of Afghan and coalition Special Operations Forces reduce a series of pressure plate improvised explosive devices emplaced along a road, June 21.

The PPIEDs were located near Pinzo checkpoint, which was established recently by Nawbahar district police officials after a recent class of ALP members graduated from their training course, according to a district police commander.

After discovering the explosives buried just under the surface of a gravel road, ALP personnel notified a combined team of Afghan and coalition Special Operations forces who were returning from a patrol in the area, according to an ALP checkpoint commander.

A coalition Special Operations team leader said a combined Explosive Ordnance Disposal team indentified and detonated the PPIED, with the assistance of ALP.

Tailor the way you get your War in Afghanistan News

In other International Security Assistance Force Joint (ISAF) Command Operational News throughout Afghanistan:

RIP TSgt Daniel L. Douville

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

            Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, 33, of Harvey, La., died June 26 as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device on the border of the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. 

"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.”  (W.Shakespeare)  Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

Operation Qala Sharqay leaves Afghan Forces controlling Helmand Capital

Security transferred to Afghan Forces in Helmand’s capital

6/27/2011  By Cpl. Adam Leyendecker, II MEF (FWD) 

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan  — The sacrifices made by Afghan and coalition forces are beginning to make a difference in the Helmand province capital city of Lashkar Gah, where insurgents used to thrive and flourish by seizing control of poppy fields and safe houses.

Ten years into the war, Lashkar Gah is becoming the first major city in Afghanistan to be controlled completely by Afghan National Security Forces as coalition forces transfer the responsibilities to them.

The process began when Afghan National Army led Operation Qala Sharqay started, June 19, with the Afghan soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 215th Corps.

“Our young men are ready to take over the security operations,” said Brig. Gen. Sheren Shah, commanding general of 3rd Brigade, 215th Corps. “The coalition forces have done a great job at preparing and mentoring us for this process. We are confident in our ability to handle this task.”