... Iran has successfully test-fired a missile with the ability to avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously...
Read story in full at Iranian.ws......
Iran fires hi-tech missile Capable of carrying nuclear warhead
AubreyJ says: Sorry Mr. President but talks are fruitless from here on out... It’s too late.
Let’s see...
> Means of delivery... CHECK
> Know-how to make a bomb... CHECK
> Place to make material needed to make a bomb... CHECK
> Enough material to make the Nuclear Bomb... ?????????
(I'll say it again... The end game has already started)
Friday, March 31, 2006
Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Enemy Fighter- Seize Weapons
Friday, March 31, 2006- Afghan and coalition forces engaged an insurgent group this morning, killing one and seizing munitions in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province, military officials reported.
A combined Afghan National Army and coalition patrol saw and engaged a small group of insurgents carrying rocket-propelled grenade launchers in the province's Chora district, officials said. A subsequent search uncovered assault rifles, pistols and ammunition, mortar sights, a homemade bomb and materials for making more and rocket-propelled grenades.
"This operation is another fine example of how the ANA and coalition are working together to rid Afghanistan of the perpetrators of violence and unrest," said Army Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, spokesman for the Coalition's Combined Joint Task Force 76.
(Courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and taken from a Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news release)
A combined Afghan National Army and coalition patrol saw and engaged a small group of insurgents carrying rocket-propelled grenade launchers in the province's Chora district, officials said. A subsequent search uncovered assault rifles, pistols and ammunition, mortar sights, a homemade bomb and materials for making more and rocket-propelled grenades.
"This operation is another fine example of how the ANA and coalition are working together to rid Afghanistan of the perpetrators of violence and unrest," said Army Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, spokesman for the Coalition's Combined Joint Task Force 76.
(Courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and taken from a Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news release)
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 265-06 March 31, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Sean D. Tharp, 21, of Orlando, Fla., died in Baghdad, Iraq on March 28, when his element came under enemy small arms fire while conducting dismounted patrol operations. Tharp was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty
No. 262-06 March 31, 2006DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Tech. Sgt. Walter M. Moss Jr., 37, of Houston, Texas, was killed in the explosion of an improvised explosive device while conducting safing operations in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq on March 29. Moss was assigned to the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.
For further information related to this release, please contact the Mountain Home Air Force Base Public Affairs Office at (208) 828-6800 or after duty hours at (208) 599-4212.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Iraqi, Coalition Forces Targeted Kidnapping Cell, not Mosque
... As the world celebrated the release of kidnapped American journalist Jill Carroll, U.S. Major General Rick Lynch reminded reporters in Baghdad that every day, innocent Iraqis are kidnapped by criminals, insurgents and terrorists who fund their activities with ransoms.
“We have reason to believe and evidence to support [the fact] that terrorists and foreign fighters are using kidnapping as a way to finance their operations.” Lynch said during a March 30 press briefing in the Iraqi capital...
Read story in full at USINFO.STATE.GOV
“We have reason to believe and evidence to support [the fact] that terrorists and foreign fighters are using kidnapping as a way to finance their operations.” Lynch said during a March 30 press briefing in the Iraqi capital...
Read story in full at USINFO.STATE.GOV
Photo for the Day- March 30, 2006
U.S. Army Spc. Osvaldo Fernandez kneels down beside a Humvee as he provides security during counterinsurgency operations near the town of Tarmiyah, Iraq, on March 28, 2006. Fernandez and his fellow soldiers with 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, are searching for hidden weapons caches in the area. (Courtesy of DoD) DoD photo by...
Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Larson, USN
Terrorist Cell Leader Captured- Soldiers Destroy Weapons Caches
Iraqi and U. S. soldiers captured a terrorist cell leader, and more weapons caches have been found and destroyed, military officials reported.
Officials at Forward Operation Base Kalsu said soldiers from 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, conducted the main assault effort to capture the terrorist March 26 in the town of Haswa, about 60 miles south of Baghdad. U. S. soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provided outer cordon security, officials said.
The suspected cell leader and six others were captured. No damage to personnel, equipment or buildings occurred during the raid, officials said. Elsewhere, soldiers of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Band of Brothers, found four weapons caches March 28 in Salah Ad Din province, about 80 miles northwest of Baghdad.
Pathfinders... infantry soldiers specially trained to provide navigational assistance and advisory services to military aircraft... discovered weaponry and ammunition as they searched several locations in the Sheri Lake area.
The caches contained 20 rockets, 53 rocket-propelled grenades, three anti-aircraft missiles with two launchers, an anti-tank missile, 24 mortar rounds, a mortar tube, and a variety of small-caliber artillery rounds. In addition to the ordnance, soldiers found items commonly used in roadside bombs.
Explosive ordnance disposal personnel destroyed all of the items, officials said.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from MNF-I news releases)
Officials at Forward Operation Base Kalsu said soldiers from 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, conducted the main assault effort to capture the terrorist March 26 in the town of Haswa, about 60 miles south of Baghdad. U. S. soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provided outer cordon security, officials said.
The suspected cell leader and six others were captured. No damage to personnel, equipment or buildings occurred during the raid, officials said. Elsewhere, soldiers of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Band of Brothers, found four weapons caches March 28 in Salah Ad Din province, about 80 miles northwest of Baghdad.
Pathfinders... infantry soldiers specially trained to provide navigational assistance and advisory services to military aircraft... discovered weaponry and ammunition as they searched several locations in the Sheri Lake area.
The caches contained 20 rockets, 53 rocket-propelled grenades, three anti-aircraft missiles with two launchers, an anti-tank missile, 24 mortar rounds, a mortar tube, and a variety of small-caliber artillery rounds. In addition to the ordnance, soldiers found items commonly used in roadside bombs.
Explosive ordnance disposal personnel destroyed all of the items, officials said.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from MNF-I news releases)
Radio Interview with Secretary Rumsfeld on Colorado's Morning News Program
Part of interview went as follows...
TUBBS: You gave some comments earlier this week at the War College and I just wanted to quote one sentence, Mr. Rumsfeld that you said. "In today's debate possibly the most significant division is between those who realize that we are a nation at war and those who do not."
With that said from earlier in the week... I'm wondering what do you think is the biggest misperception of the war that maybe people out there have???
SECRETARY RUMSFELD: That's a fascinating question.
If one goes back and thinks throughout history the wars that our country's been engaged in, they have always been unpopular, they have always been difficult, they have always been challenging, and there has always been opposition to them. I get the impression -- Even the Cold War that was the case. There were people constantly offering amendments in Congress to pull the troops out of Europe and to toss in the towel, and that Euro Communism wasn't really all that bad, and that the Soviet Union would not really expand the way it was expanding. People forget that. They think that each situation is a brand new one and it's the first time it's ever happened.
So I think if one thinks about it the persistence that our predecessors showed in the revolutionary War and certainly in the Civil War and in World War I and World War II, the persistence they showed and demonstrated has changed the face of the earth and it's made this country what it is. That's why the President is absolutely determined to be steadfast and to be persistent and to see this through, and he recognizes that the center of gravity of this war is not in Baghdad, it is in Washington, D.C., and it's in the United States, and the enemy knows they do not have to beat us on the battlefield, they know they can't. They won't even win a single battle on the battlefield. They know that they have to beat us in a test of wills and that's what their hope and prayer is...
Read DoD’s full News Transcript HERE...
TUBBS: You gave some comments earlier this week at the War College and I just wanted to quote one sentence, Mr. Rumsfeld that you said. "In today's debate possibly the most significant division is between those who realize that we are a nation at war and those who do not."
With that said from earlier in the week... I'm wondering what do you think is the biggest misperception of the war that maybe people out there have???
SECRETARY RUMSFELD: That's a fascinating question.
If one goes back and thinks throughout history the wars that our country's been engaged in, they have always been unpopular, they have always been difficult, they have always been challenging, and there has always been opposition to them. I get the impression -- Even the Cold War that was the case. There were people constantly offering amendments in Congress to pull the troops out of Europe and to toss in the towel, and that Euro Communism wasn't really all that bad, and that the Soviet Union would not really expand the way it was expanding. People forget that. They think that each situation is a brand new one and it's the first time it's ever happened.
So I think if one thinks about it the persistence that our predecessors showed in the revolutionary War and certainly in the Civil War and in World War I and World War II, the persistence they showed and demonstrated has changed the face of the earth and it's made this country what it is. That's why the President is absolutely determined to be steadfast and to be persistent and to see this through, and he recognizes that the center of gravity of this war is not in Baghdad, it is in Washington, D.C., and it's in the United States, and the enemy knows they do not have to beat us on the battlefield, they know they can't. They won't even win a single battle on the battlefield. They know that they have to beat us in a test of wills and that's what their hope and prayer is...
Read DoD’s full News Transcript HERE...
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 261-06 March 30, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class John T. Stone, 52, of Norwich, Vt., died March 28 in Lashkagar, Afghanistan as a result of enemy mortar and small arms attacks during combat operations. Stone was assigned to the Army National Guard's 15th Civil Support Team, South Burlington, Vt.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Oil... $100 a barrel this year???
... Countries of the West, especially the United States, have become "Petroholics," addicted to cheap oil, and OPEC is our dealer, happy to supply our much-needed fix at ever increasing prices. As a consequence, we are now stuck in what New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman calls the era of "Petrolism" — corrupt antidemocratic practices in which producing nations use oil to buy off their citizens with subsidies, and to intimidate their enemies...
A somewhat lengthy, but interesting read today at ‘The Prague Post Online’
Click it out- Oil prices could reach a dangerous $100 a barrel soon
** President Bush was right about us needing to change our ways on oil consumption... and finding and implementing new technologies to help us do just that...
AubreyJ.........
A somewhat lengthy, but interesting read today at ‘The Prague Post Online’
Click it out- Oil prices could reach a dangerous $100 a barrel soon
** President Bush was right about us needing to change our ways on oil consumption... and finding and implementing new technologies to help us do just that...
AubreyJ.........
Iraq- Kidnapped U.S. Freelance Reporter Jill Carroll Freed
After a long... nearly three months ordeal in captivity in Iraq... kidnapped U.S. freelance reporter, Jill Carroll was suddenly freed today by her captors...
Welcome back Jill... Now bring yourself home......
AubreyJ.........
Read more on topic below:
>>> Fox News......
Kidnapped U.S. Reporter Jill Carroll Freed
Welcome back Jill... Now bring yourself home......
AubreyJ.........
Read more on topic below:
>>> Fox News......
Kidnapped U.S. Reporter Jill Carroll Freed
Radio Interview with Secretary Rumsfeld
“It's very difficult to compete with people who lie consistently. Bin laden and Zawahiri and Zarqawi have media committees and they sit down and they plan how they're going to manipulate the press, because they know in a free system the press is free and whatever lie they can come up with gets printed. Then we have to go out and figure out what the truth is and try to nail it down. There's no penalty for bin Laden and Zawahiri lying, but any time we say something that's inaccurate, because we go too fast or too quick, then there's a penalty for that. So we have to take time.
Right now there was an attack in Baghdad, north of Baghdad recently, in the last few days, and the terrorists who were firing at all of the Iraqi forces that went in to conduct that attack are putting out lies and claiming that it was this and it was that, and our people then have to go in and try to precisely figure out what took place.
What they found in there was when they pulled up to this target that they'd been watching for days, they started getting fired at from houses all around the target. Then they got inside the target, these Iraqi Security Forces for the most part. They got inside and they found rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47s, IEDs, they found a hostage bound and gagged and taped in the basement. This was a hostage-taking ring, it was a bomb-making factory, and the press is reporting what the terrorists have said, that it was a mosque and that these people were praying and that type of thing.
Now that hurts our side, and when I gave us a low grade it's because we haven't figured out how we compete effectively against liars...”
Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld
March 28, 2006
(Taken from DoD News Transcript)
Read in full the Radio Interview with Secretary Rumsfeld, on the 830 AM WCCO Radio Talk Show HERE...
Right now there was an attack in Baghdad, north of Baghdad recently, in the last few days, and the terrorists who were firing at all of the Iraqi forces that went in to conduct that attack are putting out lies and claiming that it was this and it was that, and our people then have to go in and try to precisely figure out what took place.
What they found in there was when they pulled up to this target that they'd been watching for days, they started getting fired at from houses all around the target. Then they got inside the target, these Iraqi Security Forces for the most part. They got inside and they found rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47s, IEDs, they found a hostage bound and gagged and taped in the basement. This was a hostage-taking ring, it was a bomb-making factory, and the press is reporting what the terrorists have said, that it was a mosque and that these people were praying and that type of thing.
Now that hurts our side, and when I gave us a low grade it's because we haven't figured out how we compete effectively against liars...”
Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld
March 28, 2006
(Taken from DoD News Transcript)
Read in full the Radio Interview with Secretary Rumsfeld, on the 830 AM WCCO Radio Talk Show HERE...
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Many Americans are asking legitimate questions
“Today, some Americans ask whether removing Saddam caused the divisions and instability we're now seeing. In fact, much of the animosity and violence we now see is the legacy of Saddam Hussein.”
President George W. Bush
March 29, 2006
Read President’s Democracy in Iraq Speech with Freedom House, in full HERE
It was a good speech and Q & A after. Be sure to click it out....
AubreyJ........
President George W. Bush
March 29, 2006
Read President’s Democracy in Iraq Speech with Freedom House, in full HERE
It was a good speech and Q & A after. Be sure to click it out....
AubreyJ........
The Big Five finally agree on a Statement to Iran
After three weeks of negotiations... the five veto holding nations of the UN Security Council... Russia, China, Britain, France and the United States... finally agreed today, (Wednesday, March 29, 2006,) on a statement that would call on Iran to suspend parts of its nuclear program.
And so it begins...
AubreyJ.........
Read more on topic below:
>>> UN NEWS CENTRE......
March 29, 2006– Expressing serious concern that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is unable to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran, the United Nations Security Council today called upon that country to re-establish full and sustained suspension of all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, in a manner that is verified by the Agency...
UN Security Council calls on Iran to suspend enrichment-related activities
>>> Bloomberg.com......
... Iran will be given 30 days to show compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency requirements, including the suspension of uranium enrichment...
UN Council's Permanent States Demand Iran End Atomic Enrichment
And so it begins...
AubreyJ.........
Read more on topic below:
>>> UN NEWS CENTRE......
March 29, 2006– Expressing serious concern that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is unable to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran, the United Nations Security Council today called upon that country to re-establish full and sustained suspension of all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, in a manner that is verified by the Agency...
UN Security Council calls on Iran to suspend enrichment-related activities
>>> Bloomberg.com......
... Iran will be given 30 days to show compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency requirements, including the suspension of uranium enrichment...
UN Council's Permanent States Demand Iran End Atomic Enrichment
Saddam's Slow War
... From March 1991 to March 2003, Saddam fought The Slow War savvily and savagely, utilizing an array of political, military and economic ploys. Moreover, by early 2003, Saddam believed he was winning...
Great read today by Austin Bay at StrategyPage.com...
Click it out HERE
Great read today by Austin Bay at StrategyPage.com...
Click it out HERE
Unmanned Predator Kills Three Terrorists
An MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle engaged three insurgents in the process of planting a homemade bomb along a road near Balad Air Base, Iraq, yesterday evening and launched an AGM-114 Hellfire missile against the group.
The Predator monitored the three terrorists for about a half hour while they used a pick ax to dig a hole in the road, placed an explosive round in the hole, and strung wires from the hole to a ditch on the side of the road. When it was clear the individuals were placing a bomb, the Predator launched the 100-pound Hellfire missile, killing all three insurgents.
"This is a prime example of how airpower is supporting the fight on the ground," Air Force Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad, said. "We're able to provide a persistent view of the battlefield to commanders on the ground and, if called upon, put a weapon on a target within minutes.”
Using joint Army and Air Force trend analysis and past incident reporting from the area, the Predator was assigned to monitor the general location where the insurgents were ultimately found. "Based on the information we had available, we had a pretty good idea there might be some activity in the area, and we were right," Gorenc said. "This strike should send a message to our enemies that we're watching you, and we will take action against you any time, day or night, if you continue to stand in the way of progress in Iraq.”
(Above Courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from MNF-I and U. S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases)
AubreyJ says: I wish DoD would release the video of this... Time to show the Mujahidin Brothers some of what we can do... REAL Propaganda War at its finest... YES!!!?
The Predator monitored the three terrorists for about a half hour while they used a pick ax to dig a hole in the road, placed an explosive round in the hole, and strung wires from the hole to a ditch on the side of the road. When it was clear the individuals were placing a bomb, the Predator launched the 100-pound Hellfire missile, killing all three insurgents.
"This is a prime example of how airpower is supporting the fight on the ground," Air Force Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad, said. "We're able to provide a persistent view of the battlefield to commanders on the ground and, if called upon, put a weapon on a target within minutes.”
Using joint Army and Air Force trend analysis and past incident reporting from the area, the Predator was assigned to monitor the general location where the insurgents were ultimately found. "Based on the information we had available, we had a pretty good idea there might be some activity in the area, and we were right," Gorenc said. "This strike should send a message to our enemies that we're watching you, and we will take action against you any time, day or night, if you continue to stand in the way of progress in Iraq.”
(Above Courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from MNF-I and U. S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases)
AubreyJ says: I wish DoD would release the video of this... Time to show the Mujahidin Brothers some of what we can do... REAL Propaganda War at its finest... YES!!!?
Democrats 'Real Security' Plan???
In this new Democrat plan, they will promise to "eliminate" Osama bin Laden and finish the job in Afghanistan... discuss a "responsible redeployment" of U.S. forces from Iraq, (but set no timetable for withdrawal,) advocate full Iraqi sovereignty... and call for port security and alternative energy sources...
"Sound familiar??? It should," said Sen. John Cornyn, (R-Tex.) Writing for the National Review Online Wednesday, Cornyn said the Democrats are outlining policy items that the Bush administration and Republican Congress have implemented...
or that Democrats have blocked...
Read story in full at CNSNEWS.COM...
"Sound familiar??? It should," said Sen. John Cornyn, (R-Tex.) Writing for the National Review Online Wednesday, Cornyn said the Democrats are outlining policy items that the Bush administration and Republican Congress have implemented...
or that Democrats have blocked...
Read story in full at CNSNEWS.COM...
Photo for the Day- March 29, 2006
About Photo: Hundreds of students gather at Agam High School for its official reopening ceremony March 25 in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. The 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, funded the school's rehabilitation with $25,000 in Commander's Emergency Response Program funds. (Courtesy of DoD)Photo by Capt. Dan Huvane, USMC
Read story in full HERE...
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 258-06 March 29, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Michael D. Rowe, 23, New Port Richey, Fla., died in Rutbah, Iraq on March 28, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Rowe was assigned to the 46th Engineer Battalion, Warrior Brigade, Fort Polk, La.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
32 Taliban Killed - Afghan Movement Agency Makes First Delivery
Wednesday, March 29, 2006- Coalition forces killed 32 insurgents and destroyed two Taliban headquarters buildings in Afghanistan's Helmand province today, officials at Bagram Air Base said.
The early-morning engagement continued into daylight hours as coalition forces defeated a large enemy element that was attempting to retreat into sanctuaries.
Coalition forces also discovered large caches of munitions as they overran the Taliban compound and the enemy fled. Coalition forces destroyed the munitions, which included weapons and bomb-making materials, causing multiple secondary explosions and destroying the compound and all enemy military equipment inside.
"The capturing of these two compounds with boots on the ground produced significant intelligence and allows us to continue to put pressure on the enemy," Army Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Tata, deputy commander of Combined Joint Task Force 76, said. "With our coalition partners and the government of Afghanistan, we are committed to continuing offensive operations against the Taliban and other terrorists that are attempting to disrupt the considerable progress of reconstruction and governance in Afghanistan.”
In other news from Afghanistan, after several training deliveries, the Afghan National Army's Central Movement Agency conducted its inaugural movement operations recently, delivering military rations to forward operating units in the Kabul area, officials said today.
This event, officials said, highlights the progress the agency has made toward total self-sufficient capability. The agency consists of 90 Afghan army troops and 33 new vehicles, and will mature to 890 people and 627 vehicles organized into four transportation companies. It will serve as the Afghan army's national transportation system and stand ready to provide vital military transportation services for the army across Afghanistan, U. S. officials said.
Training sessions attended by all of the unit's vehicle operators covered basic preventive maintenance checks and services, driver responsibilities, vehicle-specific operation, and safety. The training also included professional military topics, such as mentoring junior officers, command-level decision-making, and noncommissioned officers' roles and responsibilities.
"The CMA needs to continue training and make sure we put the correct personnel into the correct sections. Also, we need more people and equipment to make sure we're ready for future missions," Afghan army Sgt. 1st Class Muhammad Ali said.
CMA operators rotated through the intensive, formal and hands-on courses and used Kabul area cargo-movement missions as training events. They put skills learned in the classroom to use behind the wheel. Drivers are now driving newly acquired 7-ton medium tactical vehicles.
"We must keep our professional attitudes and military discipline to accomplish each future mission safely," Afghan army Maj. Muhammad Esrar said.
The agency's commander, Col. Ghulan Rasoul, and his team of officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers said they are eager to begin independent operations and are enthusiastic about the future. "The Afghan people are ready to see their army providing supplies to all army units," Rasoul said. "I feel comfortable with our current soldiers' capabilities and am excited to continue the training for the missions to come. Soon we will provide the nationwide services currently provided by commercial contractors. "
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news releases)
The early-morning engagement continued into daylight hours as coalition forces defeated a large enemy element that was attempting to retreat into sanctuaries.
Coalition forces also discovered large caches of munitions as they overran the Taliban compound and the enemy fled. Coalition forces destroyed the munitions, which included weapons and bomb-making materials, causing multiple secondary explosions and destroying the compound and all enemy military equipment inside.
"The capturing of these two compounds with boots on the ground produced significant intelligence and allows us to continue to put pressure on the enemy," Army Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Tata, deputy commander of Combined Joint Task Force 76, said. "With our coalition partners and the government of Afghanistan, we are committed to continuing offensive operations against the Taliban and other terrorists that are attempting to disrupt the considerable progress of reconstruction and governance in Afghanistan.”
In other news from Afghanistan, after several training deliveries, the Afghan National Army's Central Movement Agency conducted its inaugural movement operations recently, delivering military rations to forward operating units in the Kabul area, officials said today.
This event, officials said, highlights the progress the agency has made toward total self-sufficient capability. The agency consists of 90 Afghan army troops and 33 new vehicles, and will mature to 890 people and 627 vehicles organized into four transportation companies. It will serve as the Afghan army's national transportation system and stand ready to provide vital military transportation services for the army across Afghanistan, U. S. officials said.
Training sessions attended by all of the unit's vehicle operators covered basic preventive maintenance checks and services, driver responsibilities, vehicle-specific operation, and safety. The training also included professional military topics, such as mentoring junior officers, command-level decision-making, and noncommissioned officers' roles and responsibilities.
"The CMA needs to continue training and make sure we put the correct personnel into the correct sections. Also, we need more people and equipment to make sure we're ready for future missions," Afghan army Sgt. 1st Class Muhammad Ali said.
CMA operators rotated through the intensive, formal and hands-on courses and used Kabul area cargo-movement missions as training events. They put skills learned in the classroom to use behind the wheel. Drivers are now driving newly acquired 7-ton medium tactical vehicles.
"We must keep our professional attitudes and military discipline to accomplish each future mission safely," Afghan army Maj. Muhammad Esrar said.
The agency's commander, Col. Ghulan Rasoul, and his team of officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers said they are eager to begin independent operations and are enthusiastic about the future. "The Afghan people are ready to see their army providing supplies to all army units," Rasoul said. "I feel comfortable with our current soldiers' capabilities and am excited to continue the training for the missions to come. Soon we will provide the nationwide services currently provided by commercial contractors. "
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news releases)
Fed up on the Question of WMD in Iraq? Take a look for yourself...
... Fed up with western intelligence? Think you could have done better on Iraq? Or maybe you believe the weapons of mass destruction are still out there? Well, here's your chance to prove it...
Hundreds of thousands of captured prewar Iraqi documents are now on the web, courtesy of the US Army Foreign Military Studies Office - Joint Reserve Intelligence Center.
Read a great article on topic at Guardian.co.uk......
Hundreds of thousands of captured prewar Iraqi documents are now on the web, courtesy of the US Army Foreign Military Studies Office - Joint Reserve Intelligence Center.
Read a great article on topic at Guardian.co.uk......
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
President has made errors, but one thing he has not been guilty of is bad faith
... When coalition forces failed to find caches of weapons, the cry on the left was "Bush lied." It doesn't even make logical sense. Why would Bush want to launch a war on false pretenses???
Read story in full at courant.com...
President Made Errors; Remains On Right Course
Read story in full at courant.com...
President Made Errors; Remains On Right Course
Lifesaving knowledge- Innovation emerge in War Clinic
... Today, the Pentagon is asking civilian researchers to develop dehydrated blood products that can be stored up to two years... a portable battlefield device that stops internal bleeding with ultrasound... a non-addictive painkiller as powerful as morphine... and prosthetics that respond to brain waves...
Read story in full at USATODAY.com
(Hat Tip to our friend Paul at prying1)
Read story in full at USATODAY.com
(Hat Tip to our friend Paul at prying1)
Bush's Chief of Staff, Andrew Card Resigns
About Photo: President George W. Bush shakes the hand of Josh Bolten Tuesday, March 28, 2006, after introducing him as the new Chief of Staff, succeeding Secretary Andrew Card. " No person is better prepared for this important position, and I'm honored that Josh has agreed to serve," said the President.(Courtesy of the White House)
White House photo by David Bohrer
Read sory in full HERE...
Caspar Weinberger Has Died
Caspar Weinberger,
who was President Ronald Reagan's
Defense Secretary,
has died at the age of 88 years old.
Caspar Weinberger
1917- - 2006
In memory of...
AubreyJ.........
1917- - 2006
In memory of...
AubreyJ.........
Read more HERE
Official DoD photo
No Mosque entered, damaged in Iraqi Special Forces raid
About Photo: Three Soldiers from the 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade search a vehicle that contained weapons and IED making materials during an operation in northeast Baghdad March 26 to detain individuals involved in kidnapping and execution activities. (Courtesy of MNF-I)(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Earnest Christian)
See more Photos HERE...
... As reports from the [MSM] media continued to focus on an Iraqi Special Operations raid in Adhamiyah, Coalition Forces emphasized that no forces entered or damaged any mosque in the Sunday actions...
Read UPDATED STORY, (Tuesday, March 28, 2006,) in full HERE...
Now... How are some reporting this story:
>> In pictures: Mosque complex raid
What story are they trying to tell here at BBC News???
The same story a lot of the MSM is trying to insinuate I’d think...
I'm sorry for the wording here... but this kind of reporting from the MSM really... REALLY... pisses me off!!!
AubreyJ.........
Suicide Attackers blow themselves up in Afghan southern province of Kandahar
... Two suicide attackers blew themselves up in Afghan southern province of Kandahar Tuesday when the police wanted to check them, the province governor said...
Read more of story below: (I did not make up this Headline—they did!!!)
Suicide Attackers Blow Themselves in S. Afghanistan
(Sorry about that...)
Read more of story below: (I did not make up this Headline—they did!!!)
Suicide Attackers Blow Themselves in S. Afghanistan
(Sorry about that...)
Israel Votes
March 28, 2006- Ariel Sharon’s main legacy has been to plant the idea that Israel doesn’t need to wait for a formal peace treaty to separate itself from the Palestinians and his successor... acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert... has positioned himself as the man who will most likely make that happen. Today Israel goes to vote... and we will soon enough see.
Read more on topic at:
>>> posted at 2:50pm CST- YNETNEWS.com......
... For the first time in the nation's history, a newly formed party will form the government, after Kadima scored an impressive election victory Tuesday, the Ynet/Rafi Smith poll shows...
Poll: Kadima wins with 30 seats
>>> posted 12:30pm CST- 11alive.com......
... Israelis voted Tuesday in an election billed as a referendum on the future of the West Bank, with the leading candidate, acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, promising to pull back from most of the territory and draw Israel's final borders by 2010...
Israelis Vote on West Bank Future
>>> HAARETZ.com...
... Polling stations opened at 7 A.M. Tuesday morning as Israelis began voting in the elections for the 17th Knesset. 5,014,622 voters are to participate in the elections. The polling stations - there are 8,280 across the country - will close at 10 P.M., at which time the three main TV stations will release exit polls...
Kadima and Likud fear voter turnout will be low
Read more on topic at:
>>> posted at 2:50pm CST- YNETNEWS.com......
... For the first time in the nation's history, a newly formed party will form the government, after Kadima scored an impressive election victory Tuesday, the Ynet/Rafi Smith poll shows...
Poll: Kadima wins with 30 seats
>>> posted 12:30pm CST- 11alive.com......
... Israelis voted Tuesday in an election billed as a referendum on the future of the West Bank, with the leading candidate, acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, promising to pull back from most of the territory and draw Israel's final borders by 2010...
Israelis Vote on West Bank Future
>>> HAARETZ.com...
... Polling stations opened at 7 A.M. Tuesday morning as Israelis began voting in the elections for the 17th Knesset. 5,014,622 voters are to participate in the elections. The polling stations - there are 8,280 across the country - will close at 10 P.M., at which time the three main TV stations will release exit polls...
Kadima and Likud fear voter turnout will be low
Monday, March 27, 2006
Taking a moment to remember our Fallen
Some of our bravest gave their all these last few days... Take a
moment to read their names, (in the posts below/above this one,)
and in your own way thank them for all they have done and were
willing to do for you-- me and this great country of ours…
God bless each and every one of them and their
families, friends and loved ones…
AubreyJ………
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 249-06 March 27, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Frederick A. Carlson, 25, Bethlehem, Pa., died in Taqqadum, Iraq on March 25, from a non-combat related cause. Carlson was assigned to the Army National Guard's 228th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Division, Bethlehem, Pa. The incident is under investigation.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 248-06 March 27, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Christopher L. Robinson, 36, Brandon, Miss., died in Sangain District, Afghanistan on March 25, when his HMMWV came under enemy small arms fire during combat operations. Robinson was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Jackson, Miss.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Russia Questions U.S. Motives
... Russia's foreign minister accused the United States on Monday of having “hidden political motives” for a report that said Moscow turned over information on American military plans to Saddam Hussein during the invasion of Iraq...
Read story in full at guardian.co.uk...
Read story in full at guardian.co.uk...
Photo for the Day- March 27, 2006
About Photo: Lt. Col. John Tien, a battalion commander with the 1st Armor Division hands out candy at a school in Tall Afar. He, along with Mayor Najim Abdullah Jabouri, met with the school’s principal to discuss what the school needs to improve learning.(Courtesy of MNF-I)
U.S. Army photo by...
Spc. Orlando Claffey
Seven Soldiers from same platoon re-enlist together
As of March 15, more than 270 Soldiers in 3HBCT have again raised their right hand and pleaded to protect America from enemies both foreign and domestic.
Read story in full at MNF-Iraq.com......
Read story in full at MNF-Iraq.com......
Trial on hold as Judge Rejects Case against Christian Convert in Afghanistan
Furious protests erupted in Afghanistan, after a local judge rejected the case against an Afghan Muslim who converted to Christianity.
Read story in full at VOANews.com...
Read story in full at VOANews.com...
UPDATE- Officials Release More Details on Weekend Operation
This as an UPDATE from the POST just below this one- “Iraqi Special Ops Forces Conduct Baghdad Raid”
March 27, 2006- U. S. officials in Iraq have released further details on an operation in a Baghdad neighborhood yesterday.
The mission, carried out by Iraqi commandos and soldiers with from the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade, consisted of a coordinated operation to capture and detain insurgents responsible for "kidnapping and execution activities," officials said in a statement today.
The Iraqi troops killed 16 insurgents and wounded three others during a house-to-house search on an objective with multiple structures in the Adhamiyah neighborhood in northeastern Baghdad. The troops also detained 18 other individuals, discovered a significant weapons cache and secured the release of an Iraqi being held hostage, according to the release.
The weapons cache discovered at the objective included 32 AK-47 assault rifles, five grenades, four rocket-propelled grenades, two RPG launchers, two RPK heavy machine guns, 12 crush switch indicators used to make improvised explosive devices, and several rounds of ammunition. The cache was destroyed on the scene along with two vehicles that contained weapons and IED-making material.
The hostage, a dental technician with the Ministry of Health, was kidnapped earlier yesterday as he was walking outside of his office. During the next 12 hours, his captors beat him and threatened to torture him, according to the release. After the Iraqi soldiers rescued him, they took him to an undisclosed location, where he received medical care from Iraqi doctors. No further information on his condition was available.
No Iraqi soldiers were killed during the operation. One Iraqi soldier was wounded in the arm, but his injury is not life threatening. The three wounded insurgents received medical treatment on the scene, officials said.
U. S. special operations forces advised the Iraqi troops during the mission, which was conducted at a time that mitigated risk to innocent Iraqi bystanders and minimized the risk of collateral damage, U. S officials said.
Press reports cite Iraqi insurgents claiming U. S. soldiers killed innocent civilians in a mosque. However, the military news release stated, no mosques were entered or damaged during this operation.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service)
March 27, 2006- U. S. officials in Iraq have released further details on an operation in a Baghdad neighborhood yesterday.
The mission, carried out by Iraqi commandos and soldiers with from the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade, consisted of a coordinated operation to capture and detain insurgents responsible for "kidnapping and execution activities," officials said in a statement today.
The Iraqi troops killed 16 insurgents and wounded three others during a house-to-house search on an objective with multiple structures in the Adhamiyah neighborhood in northeastern Baghdad. The troops also detained 18 other individuals, discovered a significant weapons cache and secured the release of an Iraqi being held hostage, according to the release.
The weapons cache discovered at the objective included 32 AK-47 assault rifles, five grenades, four rocket-propelled grenades, two RPG launchers, two RPK heavy machine guns, 12 crush switch indicators used to make improvised explosive devices, and several rounds of ammunition. The cache was destroyed on the scene along with two vehicles that contained weapons and IED-making material.
The hostage, a dental technician with the Ministry of Health, was kidnapped earlier yesterday as he was walking outside of his office. During the next 12 hours, his captors beat him and threatened to torture him, according to the release. After the Iraqi soldiers rescued him, they took him to an undisclosed location, where he received medical care from Iraqi doctors. No further information on his condition was available.
No Iraqi soldiers were killed during the operation. One Iraqi soldier was wounded in the arm, but his injury is not life threatening. The three wounded insurgents received medical treatment on the scene, officials said.
U. S. special operations forces advised the Iraqi troops during the mission, which was conducted at a time that mitigated risk to innocent Iraqi bystanders and minimized the risk of collateral damage, U. S officials said.
Press reports cite Iraqi insurgents claiming U. S. soldiers killed innocent civilians in a mosque. However, the military news release stated, no mosques were entered or damaged during this operation.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service)
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Iraqi Special Ops Forces Conduct Baghdad Raid
March 26, 2006: Iraqi special operations forces conducted a twilight raid today in the Adhamiyah neighborhood in northeast Baghdad to disrupt a terrorist cell responsible for attacks on Iraqi security and coalition forces and kidnapping Iraqi civilians in the local area.
As elements of the 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade entered their objective, they came under fire. In the ensuing exchange of fire, the Iraqi forces killed 16 insurgents. As they secured their objective, they detained 15 more individuals.
Also, one individual being held hostage by the insurgents was freed. That person, a non-Westerner, whose identity was not made public, was being debriefed and repatriated.
While searching the objective, the Iraqi special operations forces also discovered a cache with materials used to make improvised explosive devices and other weapons and ammunition. The materials were destroyed at the scene.
U. S. special operations forces were on scene to advise only. No Iraqi or U. S. forces were killed during this operation. One Iraqi soldier received a wound that is not life threatening.
This intelligence-focused, precision operation was conducted during twilight hours to ensure no civilians were in the area and to minimize the possibility of collateral damage.
No mosques were entered or damaged during this operation.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and taken from a MNF-I news release.)
>>>> Of course some have a different take on this report as reported HERE at the Daily Times...
As elements of the 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade entered their objective, they came under fire. In the ensuing exchange of fire, the Iraqi forces killed 16 insurgents. As they secured their objective, they detained 15 more individuals.
Also, one individual being held hostage by the insurgents was freed. That person, a non-Westerner, whose identity was not made public, was being debriefed and repatriated.
While searching the objective, the Iraqi special operations forces also discovered a cache with materials used to make improvised explosive devices and other weapons and ammunition. The materials were destroyed at the scene.
U. S. special operations forces were on scene to advise only. No Iraqi or U. S. forces were killed during this operation. One Iraqi soldier received a wound that is not life threatening.
This intelligence-focused, precision operation was conducted during twilight hours to ensure no civilians were in the area and to minimize the possibility of collateral damage.
No mosques were entered or damaged during this operation.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and taken from a MNF-I news release.)
>>>> Of course some have a different take on this report as reported HERE at the Daily Times...
IAEA Secretary General Mohamed ElBaradei Blasts UN Security Council for being ineffective
“... Too often, the Security Council’s engagement is inadequate, selective, or after the fact. The tragedies of recent years in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Darfur are cases in point. In the case of Rwanda in mid-1994, the Security Council was unable to move much beyond hand wringing, with the result that 800 000 people lost their lives in the span of a few months. In the Second Congo War, the Security Council’s efforts in the interest of diplomacy and peacekeeping were not enough to prevent the deaths of an estimated 3.8 million people.
And whatever the lessons learned from these admitted failures, the more recent case of Darfur continues to suffer from the inability of the Security Council to muster sufficient peacekeeping troops and sufficient resources to prevent the continuing atrocities.
In specific cases of arms control, the Security Council’s efforts have not been very systematic or successful.
** In the case of Iraq, the Council for over a decade imposed a series of blanket economic sanctions - which were manipulated to the advantage of the ruthless regime in power, and resulted in the death and suffering of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. The Council could not later agree, in 2003, on either the need for or the timing of the use of force in Iraq.
** In the case of India and Pakistan, the Council in 1998 requested both countries to stop further nuclear testing and the development of their nuclear weapons programme. The resolution was not implemented by either country.
** In 1981, Israel was also requested to submit all its nuclear facilities to IAEA safeguards. The resolution was not implemented.
** The case of North Korea was reported to the Council first in 1993, and again in 2003, in connection with North Korea’s decision to withdraw from the NPT.
While the Council in 1993 adopted a resolution asking North Korea to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the Treaty, it was not able to agree on how to respond to the North Korean decision to finally withdraw in 2003.
I should also note here that the Security Council has not engaged itself in the whole question of formulating a system for the "regulation of armaments", as mandated by Article 26 of the UN Charter. This is, admittedly, a complex assignment, given that the five permanent members of the Council are also the five nuclear-weapon States recognized by the NPT. But for the Council’s approach to be equitable - a key to its credibility - this mandate cannot continue to be ignored.
In sum, when dealing with threats of nuclear proliferation and arms control, the Security Council has too often fallen short. It has made little effort to address nuclear proliferation threats in context, by dealing with the ‘drivers’ of insecurity that give rise to proliferation. It has not responded or followed up effectively to the emergence of new countries with nuclear weapons. And it has not exercised its arms limitation mandate. It is clearly time for the Security Council to be reformed, expanded and strengthened, as part of the current efforts to reform and revitalize the United Nations...”
IAEA Secretary General Mohamed ElBaradei
Taken from Speech given on March 25, 2006 - Karlsruhe, Germany
(Courtesy of IAEA.org)
Read speech in full HERE...
Read more on topic at:
>>> newKerala.com......
... The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed ElBaradei has called for an urgent reform of the UN Security Council, saying it has too often failed to effectively address international crises...
IAEA chief criticizes UNSC for bungling, urges reform
And whatever the lessons learned from these admitted failures, the more recent case of Darfur continues to suffer from the inability of the Security Council to muster sufficient peacekeeping troops and sufficient resources to prevent the continuing atrocities.
In specific cases of arms control, the Security Council’s efforts have not been very systematic or successful.
** In the case of Iraq, the Council for over a decade imposed a series of blanket economic sanctions - which were manipulated to the advantage of the ruthless regime in power, and resulted in the death and suffering of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. The Council could not later agree, in 2003, on either the need for or the timing of the use of force in Iraq.
** In the case of India and Pakistan, the Council in 1998 requested both countries to stop further nuclear testing and the development of their nuclear weapons programme. The resolution was not implemented by either country.
** In 1981, Israel was also requested to submit all its nuclear facilities to IAEA safeguards. The resolution was not implemented.
** The case of North Korea was reported to the Council first in 1993, and again in 2003, in connection with North Korea’s decision to withdraw from the NPT.
While the Council in 1993 adopted a resolution asking North Korea to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the Treaty, it was not able to agree on how to respond to the North Korean decision to finally withdraw in 2003.
I should also note here that the Security Council has not engaged itself in the whole question of formulating a system for the "regulation of armaments", as mandated by Article 26 of the UN Charter. This is, admittedly, a complex assignment, given that the five permanent members of the Council are also the five nuclear-weapon States recognized by the NPT. But for the Council’s approach to be equitable - a key to its credibility - this mandate cannot continue to be ignored.
In sum, when dealing with threats of nuclear proliferation and arms control, the Security Council has too often fallen short. It has made little effort to address nuclear proliferation threats in context, by dealing with the ‘drivers’ of insecurity that give rise to proliferation. It has not responded or followed up effectively to the emergence of new countries with nuclear weapons. And it has not exercised its arms limitation mandate. It is clearly time for the Security Council to be reformed, expanded and strengthened, as part of the current efforts to reform and revitalize the United Nations...”
IAEA Secretary General Mohamed ElBaradei
Taken from Speech given on March 25, 2006 - Karlsruhe, Germany
(Courtesy of IAEA.org)
Read speech in full HERE...
Read more on topic at:
>>> newKerala.com......
... The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed ElBaradei has called for an urgent reform of the UN Security Council, saying it has too often failed to effectively address international crises...
IAEA chief criticizes UNSC for bungling, urges reform
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
... No where in the modern history of Israel, has an elected leader ruled from a death like, comatose state. But then again, we have had no kings such as Ariel Sharon for many centuries...
Read story in full about the man and his beloved country at IsraelNewsAgency.com
Sharon Leads Israel With Eyes Closed
AubreyJ says: How soon everyone forgets about such a great man in history... May the upcoming Israel elections this Tuesday go by smoothly and may a great man finally find his peace at last......
Read story in full about the man and his beloved country at IsraelNewsAgency.com
Sharon Leads Israel With Eyes Closed
AubreyJ says: How soon everyone forgets about such a great man in history... May the upcoming Israel elections this Tuesday go by smoothly and may a great man finally find his peace at last......
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Fire the United Nations... NOW!
Again it’s time to FIRE the worthless bunch within the United Nations and go again to the ‘Coalition of the willing’ to bring forth a strong and powerful statement to Iran... One they understand completely without any questions or negotiations needed. Talk time is up... The end game has started...
AubreyJ.........
AubreyJ.........
The Russian Mole in CENTCOM
... Here's the deal: The "mole", if there was one, was almost certainly one of the Russian liaison officers at CENTCOM...
Now here’s an informative read for all to click out...
Bubblehead at ‘The Stupid Shall Be Punished’ has it pretty well worked out for us in his post on topic titled:
Russian "Mole" In CENTCOM... In Clear View
Be sure to click it out!
AubreyJ.........
Now here’s an informative read for all to click out...
Bubblehead at ‘The Stupid Shall Be Punished’ has it pretty well worked out for us in his post on topic titled:
Russian "Mole" In CENTCOM... In Clear View
Be sure to click it out!
AubreyJ.........
Iraqi Army division assumes battlespace responsibility
CAMP TAJI, Iraq– The 1st Mechanized Battalion, 1st Mechanized Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, assumed battlespace north of Baghdad from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division's Special Troops Battalion, during a ceremony Monday.
The battle space assumption further increases the area of responsibility for the 9th IAD by about 9-square miles.
“The Iraqi Army is getting better every day,” said Col. James Pasquarette, commander of 1st BCT. “They are a capable security force. They impress me because they can gather intelligence from the Iraqi citizen better than we can.”
“They (the Iraqi Army) are motivated and trained to take over the mission. I was really impressed,” said Capt. Lou Castillo, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, STB, 1st BCT. “They are a ready and trained force.”
The STB transitioned from land management to project management of all the infrastructure, reconstruction and essential services projects occurring in the brigade's area of operations.
“It's a good thing to have the Iraqi Army assuming more of the battlespace,” Pasquarette added. “It's our goal for them to take over our entire area of operations before we leave.”
“Since we are no longer responsible for the battlespace that we had, that's a company that does not have to return to Iraq and is freed up to do something else,” said Maj. David Patton, the operations officer for 1st STB. “Now we manage 73 projects valued over $38 million throughout the Raider Brigade area. We will continue to be very busy.”
In the BCT's area of operation, the 1st Mechanized Brigade, 9th IA Division, is conducting independent operations. The 2nd Tank Brigade, 9th IA Division, will assume their portion of the battle space in a few months.
(Above courtesy of MNF-I and taken from a Multi-National Division – Baghdad, 4th Infantry Division, Camp Liberty- Press Release)
The battle space assumption further increases the area of responsibility for the 9th IAD by about 9-square miles.
“The Iraqi Army is getting better every day,” said Col. James Pasquarette, commander of 1st BCT. “They are a capable security force. They impress me because they can gather intelligence from the Iraqi citizen better than we can.”
“They (the Iraqi Army) are motivated and trained to take over the mission. I was really impressed,” said Capt. Lou Castillo, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, STB, 1st BCT. “They are a ready and trained force.”
The STB transitioned from land management to project management of all the infrastructure, reconstruction and essential services projects occurring in the brigade's area of operations.
“It's a good thing to have the Iraqi Army assuming more of the battlespace,” Pasquarette added. “It's our goal for them to take over our entire area of operations before we leave.”
“Since we are no longer responsible for the battlespace that we had, that's a company that does not have to return to Iraq and is freed up to do something else,” said Maj. David Patton, the operations officer for 1st STB. “Now we manage 73 projects valued over $38 million throughout the Raider Brigade area. We will continue to be very busy.”
In the BCT's area of operation, the 1st Mechanized Brigade, 9th IA Division, is conducting independent operations. The 2nd Tank Brigade, 9th IA Division, will assume their portion of the battle space in a few months.
(Above courtesy of MNF-I and taken from a Multi-National Division – Baghdad, 4th Infantry Division, Camp Liberty- Press Release)
Friday, March 24, 2006
Who is the Mole in CENTCOM???
Who is the Mole???
How are we going to catch him???
And should he be executed for his crimes???
Will the left leaning MSM make much hay out of this story???
What to do with Russia now???
These are the Questions AubreyJ is asking right now...
This Story has legs and needs to RUN!!!!!!
Or does it???
AubreyJ.........
Read more on topic at:
>>> Guardian.co.uk......
... Documents apparently from Saddam's regime, seized by the Americans, described how Russia collected crucial plans from "inside the American central command", and channeled it via Moscow's ambassador in Baghdad, Vladimir Titorenko...
Russia spied for Saddam in war - Pentagon report
>>> FoxNews.com......
... The Russian government had sources inside the American military command as the U.S. mounted the invasion of Iraq, and the Russians passed information to Saddam Hussein on troop movements and plans...
Pentagon: Russia Gave Saddam War Intel
>>> LATIMES.com......
... Russian diplomats passed detailed...though sometimes inaccurate... tactical information about American troop movements to senior Iraqi officials as U.S. troops closed in on Baghdad during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, according to Iraqi intelligence documents captured by the American military that raise new questions about Moscow's role in Iraq...
Russians Passed Sensitive Invasion Data to Iraq
>>> today.reuters.co.uk......
... Russia's ambassador in Baghdad gave intelligence on U.S. military movements to Iraq's government in the opening days of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, a Pentagon report stated on Friday, quoting from captured Iraqi documents...
Pentagon report says Russia gave Iraq intelligence
>>> Saturday, March 25, 2006- ABC News......
... Russia dismissed a Pentagon report that claimed Russia's ambassador in Baghdad gave intelligence on U.S. military movements to Iraq’s government...
Russia denies envoy gave Iraq intelligence
How are we going to catch him???
And should he be executed for his crimes???
Will the left leaning MSM make much hay out of this story???
What to do with Russia now???
These are the Questions AubreyJ is asking right now...
This Story has legs and needs to RUN!!!!!!
Or does it???
AubreyJ.........
Read more on topic at:
>>> Guardian.co.uk......
... Documents apparently from Saddam's regime, seized by the Americans, described how Russia collected crucial plans from "inside the American central command", and channeled it via Moscow's ambassador in Baghdad, Vladimir Titorenko...
Russia spied for Saddam in war - Pentagon report
>>> FoxNews.com......
... The Russian government had sources inside the American military command as the U.S. mounted the invasion of Iraq, and the Russians passed information to Saddam Hussein on troop movements and plans...
Pentagon: Russia Gave Saddam War Intel
>>> LATIMES.com......
... Russian diplomats passed detailed...though sometimes inaccurate... tactical information about American troop movements to senior Iraqi officials as U.S. troops closed in on Baghdad during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, according to Iraqi intelligence documents captured by the American military that raise new questions about Moscow's role in Iraq...
Russians Passed Sensitive Invasion Data to Iraq
>>> today.reuters.co.uk......
... Russia's ambassador in Baghdad gave intelligence on U.S. military movements to Iraq's government in the opening days of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, a Pentagon report stated on Friday, quoting from captured Iraqi documents...
Pentagon report says Russia gave Iraq intelligence
>>> Saturday, March 25, 2006- ABC News......
... Russia dismissed a Pentagon report that claimed Russia's ambassador in Baghdad gave intelligence on U.S. military movements to Iraq’s government...
Russia denies envoy gave Iraq intelligence
Australian PM John Howard Sickened by Plight of Afghan Convert
... Australian Prime Minister John Howard, (I for one truly like this man too...) a close U.S. ally who sent troops to support the U.S.-led liberation of Afghanistan, says he was sickened to hear that an Afghan convert to Christianity was facing the possibility of execution for apostasy...
Read story in full at CNSNEWS.COM......
AubreyJ says that at this time in Afghanistan’s history, this country seems to have a split personality of a government. The old Taliban way of law is still within this new Afghan government rule and the old has to be forever removed and soon... It will not be tolerated...
Read story in full at CNSNEWS.COM......
AubreyJ says that at this time in Afghanistan’s history, this country seems to have a split personality of a government. The old Taliban way of law is still within this new Afghan government rule and the old has to be forever removed and soon... It will not be tolerated...
Pakistani Forces Kill 15 to 20 Militants near Afghan Border
... Pakistani security forces have killed at least 15 pro-Taleban militants in the latest in a series of violent clashes near the Afghan border. Al-Qaida and Taleban linked insurgents are reportedly gaining ground in the volatile area...
Read story in full at VOANEWS.com......
Read story in full at VOANEWS.com......
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 246-06 March 25, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt 1st Class Randy D. McCaulley, 44, Indiana, Pa., died in Habbaniyah, Iraq on March 23, when his dismounted patrol came under enemy small arms fire during combat operations. McCaulley was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Indiana, Pa.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 245-06 March 24, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Brock A. Beery, 30, of White House, Tenn., died in Habbaniyah, Iraq on March 23, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his LMTV followed by enemy small arms fire during combat operations. Beery was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armor Regiment, Bowling Green, Ky.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 244-06 March 24, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Antoine J. McKinzie, 25, of Indianapolis, Ind., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 21, when his HMMWV came under enemy small arms fire during combat operations. McKinzie was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Search for suspected terrorists underway in five villages
Kirkuk, Iraq: Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division are conducting combined offensive operations in and around Kirkuk March 24, simultaneously searching five villages in the region for suspected terrorists.
The operation is being supported by 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
Operation Scorpion began at 4 a.m. with Soldiers from 1st and 5th battalions of the Iraqi Army's 2nd Brigade systematically moving through the villages, searching for selected targets based on Iraqi-generated intelligence. 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment is supporting operations at each of the five villages.
The operation was developed and planned by Maj. Gen. Anwar, commander of the Iraqi 2nd Brigade, and his staff.
This is the second major operation developed and conducted by the Iraqi 2nd Brigade in the past two months.
(Above courtesy of MNF-I and taken from a Press Release by Multi-National Division – North, 101ST Airborne Division ((Air Assault)), Tikrit, Iraq ((FOB SPEICHER))
The operation is being supported by 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
Operation Scorpion began at 4 a.m. with Soldiers from 1st and 5th battalions of the Iraqi Army's 2nd Brigade systematically moving through the villages, searching for selected targets based on Iraqi-generated intelligence. 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment is supporting operations at each of the five villages.
The operation was developed and planned by Maj. Gen. Anwar, commander of the Iraqi 2nd Brigade, and his staff.
This is the second major operation developed and conducted by the Iraqi 2nd Brigade in the past two months.
(Above courtesy of MNF-I and taken from a Press Release by Multi-National Division – North, 101ST Airborne Division ((Air Assault)), Tikrit, Iraq ((FOB SPEICHER))
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Operation Swarmer Ends With All Objectives Met
March 23, 2006: Operation Swarmer, a combined operation involving Iraqi soldiers and police commandos and coalition forces wrapped up yesterday without any casualties and all of the tactical objectives met, Multinational Force Iraq officials announced today.
The mission began with the helicopter transport of about 1,500 Iraqi and coalition soldiers and Iraqi police commandos into a 10-by-10-square-mile area northeast of Samarra on March 16. The initial insertion aircraft and subsequent air security provided by the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade moved the force, made up of units from Iraq's 1st Commando Brigade, 1st Brigade, 4th Army Division, and the U. S. 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
The combined force moved through the area using intelligence and planning provided primarily by the Iraqi security forces, officials said. The operation, they added, resulted in 104 suspected insurgents being detained and questioned and 24 weapons caches discovered.
The caches included:
> Six shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles
> More than 350 mortar rounds and three mortar systems
> 26 artillery rounds
> A variety of bomb-making materials and other military items
> More than 120 rockets
> More than 3,200 rounds of small-arms ammunition
> 86 rocket-propelled grenades and 28 launchers
> Six land mines
> 12 hand grenades and 40 rifle grenades... and
> 34 rifles and machine guns of various types.
All units have safely returned to their garrison locations and forward
operating bases preparing for future operations, officials said.
In other news from Iraq, elements of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, found five weapons cache sites west of Baghdad yesterday. The caches contained 17 pressure plate initiators, 18 106 mm heat rounds, 400 blasting caps, 20 radios with timers, 40 artillery rounds of various sizes and a large amount of 50-caliber rounds. (Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from MNF-I news releases)
AubreyJ says: Damn good job men.... You make your countries proud.
No matter how much the MSM tried to play down your efforts and mission......
The mission began with the helicopter transport of about 1,500 Iraqi and coalition soldiers and Iraqi police commandos into a 10-by-10-square-mile area northeast of Samarra on March 16. The initial insertion aircraft and subsequent air security provided by the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade moved the force, made up of units from Iraq's 1st Commando Brigade, 1st Brigade, 4th Army Division, and the U. S. 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
The combined force moved through the area using intelligence and planning provided primarily by the Iraqi security forces, officials said. The operation, they added, resulted in 104 suspected insurgents being detained and questioned and 24 weapons caches discovered.
The caches included:
> Six shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles
> More than 350 mortar rounds and three mortar systems
> 26 artillery rounds
> A variety of bomb-making materials and other military items
> More than 120 rockets
> More than 3,200 rounds of small-arms ammunition
> 86 rocket-propelled grenades and 28 launchers
> Six land mines
> 12 hand grenades and 40 rifle grenades... and
> 34 rifles and machine guns of various types.
All units have safely returned to their garrison locations and forward
operating bases preparing for future operations, officials said.
In other news from Iraq, elements of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, found five weapons cache sites west of Baghdad yesterday. The caches contained 17 pressure plate initiators, 18 106 mm heat rounds, 400 blasting caps, 20 radios with timers, 40 artillery rounds of various sizes and a large amount of 50-caliber rounds. (Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from MNF-I news releases)
AubreyJ says: Damn good job men.... You make your countries proud.
No matter how much the MSM tried to play down your efforts and mission......
Iran and the Dirty Bomb
A short note before I go and hit the couch again....
With all this talk on Iran... and the possibility of them soon being able to make an Atomic Bomb, (months by some – years by others,) why does no one bring up the fact that right now... TODAY.... Iran could produce ‘Dirty Bombs’ by the Hundreds... They got everything there they need... and the missiles to deliver them with... Not to mention all the terrorist running around within their country to hand them over to... too.......
Just a thought from the couch......
AubreyJ.........
With all this talk on Iran... and the possibility of them soon being able to make an Atomic Bomb, (months by some – years by others,) why does no one bring up the fact that right now... TODAY.... Iran could produce ‘Dirty Bombs’ by the Hundreds... They got everything there they need... and the missiles to deliver them with... Not to mention all the terrorist running around within their country to hand them over to... too.......
Just a thought from the couch......
AubreyJ.........
And I finally awake from Day Surgery this morning
This morning I had a big old shot put in my lower back during a Day Surgery procedure. They gave me some la-la. Med during the procedure and it has had me asleep most of the day. Plus-- I haven’t really wished to be sitting up in front of this computer today either...
I’ll try to post some this evening...
Take care... and for those overseas......
Be safe as always...
AubreyJ.........
I’ll try to post some this evening...
Take care... and for those overseas......
Be safe as always...
AubreyJ.........
Photo for the Day- March 23, 2006
Staff Sgt Calvin Newman maintains perimeter security for his fellow soldiers while on patrol in East Baghdad, Iraq, on March 15, 2006. Newman is attached to the U.S. Army's 506th Regimental Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. (Courtesy of DoD)DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class
Bart A. Bauer, USN
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
The UN is the most useless piece of.........
After two long weeks of talks... the 15-member Security Council is still unable to agree on any statement that would reinforce the demands by the IAEA for Iran to halt its activities of uranium enrichment and so on... The UN is the most useless piece of................
I believe talk time is up. It’s time to demand... and if that doesn’t work... Light the fires....
To our true friends who live in Iran... If I was you and just happened to live anywhere near or downwind of these possible targets in your country, (you know what the targets are already,) I think I’d be finding other places to live and fast...
AubreyJ.........
I believe talk time is up. It’s time to demand... and if that doesn’t work... Light the fires....
To our true friends who live in Iran... If I was you and just happened to live anywhere near or downwind of these possible targets in your country, (you know what the targets are already,) I think I’d be finding other places to live and fast...
AubreyJ.........
President Discusses War on Terror - Progress in Iraq
March 22, 2006- President speaks at Capitol Music Hall, Wheeling, West Virginia: Now my favorite part of the question and answers session, after the President’s speech today, was the following......
Q: I have a comment, first of all, and then just a real quick question. I want to let you know that every service at our church you are, by name, lifted up in prayer, and you and your staff and all of our leaders. And we believe in you. We are behind you. And we cannot thank you enough for what you've done to shape our country. (Applause.)
This is my husband, who has returned from a 13-month tour in Tikrit.
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, yes. Thank you. Welcome back. (Applause.)
Q: His job while serving was as a broadcast journalist. And he has brought back several DVDs full of wonderful footage of reconstruction, of medical things going on. And I ask you this from the bottom of my heart, for a solution to this, because it seems that our major media networks don't want to portray the good. They just want to focus -- (applause) --
THE PRESIDENT: Okay, hold on a second.
Q: They just want to focus on another car bomb, or they just want to focus on some more bloodshed, or they just want to focus on how they don't agree with you and what you're doing, when they don't even probably know how you're doing what you're doing anyway. But what can we do to get that footage on CNN, on FOX, to get it on headline news, to get it on the local news? Because you can send it to the news people -- and I'm sorry, I'm rambling -- like I have --
THE PRESIDENT: So was I, though, for an hour. (Laughter.)
Q: -- can you use this, and it will just end up in a drawer, because it's good, it portrays the good. And if people could see that, if the American people could see it, there would never be another negative word about this conflict.
(Taken from part of the full transcript by the White House)
>>> Hats off to this lady and her husband. If anyone should come across these videos of theirs on the web... please send me a note. Thanks...
AubreyJ.........
Read the President’s Speech in full HERE...
Q: I have a comment, first of all, and then just a real quick question. I want to let you know that every service at our church you are, by name, lifted up in prayer, and you and your staff and all of our leaders. And we believe in you. We are behind you. And we cannot thank you enough for what you've done to shape our country. (Applause.)
This is my husband, who has returned from a 13-month tour in Tikrit.
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, yes. Thank you. Welcome back. (Applause.)
Q: His job while serving was as a broadcast journalist. And he has brought back several DVDs full of wonderful footage of reconstruction, of medical things going on. And I ask you this from the bottom of my heart, for a solution to this, because it seems that our major media networks don't want to portray the good. They just want to focus -- (applause) --
THE PRESIDENT: Okay, hold on a second.
Q: They just want to focus on another car bomb, or they just want to focus on some more bloodshed, or they just want to focus on how they don't agree with you and what you're doing, when they don't even probably know how you're doing what you're doing anyway. But what can we do to get that footage on CNN, on FOX, to get it on headline news, to get it on the local news? Because you can send it to the news people -- and I'm sorry, I'm rambling -- like I have --
THE PRESIDENT: So was I, though, for an hour. (Laughter.)
Q: -- can you use this, and it will just end up in a drawer, because it's good, it portrays the good. And if people could see that, if the American people could see it, there would never be another negative word about this conflict.
(Taken from part of the full transcript by the White House)
>>> Hats off to this lady and her husband. If anyone should come across these videos of theirs on the web... please send me a note. Thanks...
AubreyJ.........
Read the President’s Speech in full HERE...
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 241-06 March 22, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Amy A. Duerksen, 19, of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 11, from a non-combat related injury. Duerksen was assigned to the 4th Combat Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
U. S., Iraqi Forces Net Suspects, Seize Weapons, Foil Kidnapping
March 22, 2006- U. S. and Iraqi forces have detained 32 suspects and seized three weapons caches in Iraq since March 19, with one detention resulting from an Iraqi citizen's tip that foiled a kidnapping, Multinational Division Baghdad officials reported.
>> Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, along with their Iraqi counterparts from 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, were attacked with small-arms fire south of Latfiyah today. They returned fire, killing one terrorist and detaining another 11 suspected terrorists. The troops also confiscated a Dishka heavy machine gun and 55-gallon drums filled with munitions found nearby.
>> Iraqi army soldiers and U. S. soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, were attacked with small-arms fire near Iskandariyah today. They returned fire, wounding one terrorist and detaining three suspects. Soldiers confiscated AK-47 assault rifles and a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher found near the site of the attack.
>> Elements of Multinational Division Baghdad's 1st Battalion, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, yesterday detained two individuals suspected of manufacturing roadside bombs southwest of Baghdad. After seeing a suspicious vehicle near the site of a roadside bomb, the soldiers searched the vehicle and questioned the occupants. The soldiers determined the individuals had been handling bomb-making materials.
>> Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division detained 15 suspected terrorists and uncovered a weapons cache southeast of Baghdad yesterday. The patrol, detained the suspects after a search of their home yielded a weapons cache. The cache included rocket-propelled-grenade launchers with RPG rounds, an RPK light machine gun, with a spare barrel, 100-round ammunition belts, AK-47 assault rifles, AK-47 magazines, AK-47 ammunition, a tactical vest, a Glock pistol with ammunition, hunting rifles with magazines and ammunition, a pellet rifle, a shotgun, grenades, and $4,700 in U. S. currency and 300,000 Iraqi dinar.
Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers also continue to assist Iraqi security forces in securing areas in the Babil province for pilgrims making a trek to Karbala to participate in a religious commemoration, officials said.
In other news, an Iraqi citizen's tip led a patrol from Multinational Division Baghdad's 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, to foil a kidnapping attempt in the New Baghdad district of Baghdad on March 19.
Soldiers received a tip that armed men were driving around in a black car, and the patrol located and pulled over the vehicle. During a search of the car, the soldiers noticed pounding and screaming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon opening the trunk, they discovered an Iraqi man who said he had been kidnapped. The driver of the vehicle was detained, and Iraqi authorities are investigating the incident.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from MNF-I news releases)
>> Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, along with their Iraqi counterparts from 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, were attacked with small-arms fire south of Latfiyah today. They returned fire, killing one terrorist and detaining another 11 suspected terrorists. The troops also confiscated a Dishka heavy machine gun and 55-gallon drums filled with munitions found nearby.
>> Iraqi army soldiers and U. S. soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, were attacked with small-arms fire near Iskandariyah today. They returned fire, wounding one terrorist and detaining three suspects. Soldiers confiscated AK-47 assault rifles and a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher found near the site of the attack.
>> Elements of Multinational Division Baghdad's 1st Battalion, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, yesterday detained two individuals suspected of manufacturing roadside bombs southwest of Baghdad. After seeing a suspicious vehicle near the site of a roadside bomb, the soldiers searched the vehicle and questioned the occupants. The soldiers determined the individuals had been handling bomb-making materials.
>> Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division detained 15 suspected terrorists and uncovered a weapons cache southeast of Baghdad yesterday. The patrol, detained the suspects after a search of their home yielded a weapons cache. The cache included rocket-propelled-grenade launchers with RPG rounds, an RPK light machine gun, with a spare barrel, 100-round ammunition belts, AK-47 assault rifles, AK-47 magazines, AK-47 ammunition, a tactical vest, a Glock pistol with ammunition, hunting rifles with magazines and ammunition, a pellet rifle, a shotgun, grenades, and $4,700 in U. S. currency and 300,000 Iraqi dinar.
Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers also continue to assist Iraqi security forces in securing areas in the Babil province for pilgrims making a trek to Karbala to participate in a religious commemoration, officials said.
In other news, an Iraqi citizen's tip led a patrol from Multinational Division Baghdad's 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, to foil a kidnapping attempt in the New Baghdad district of Baghdad on March 19.
Soldiers received a tip that armed men were driving around in a black car, and the patrol located and pulled over the vehicle. During a search of the car, the soldiers noticed pounding and screaming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon opening the trunk, they discovered an Iraqi man who said he had been kidnapped. The driver of the vehicle was detained, and Iraqi authorities are investigating the incident.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from MNF-I news releases)
Plotters Sought Atomic Bomb
Seven men accused of planning al-Qaida-linked terrorist attacks in Britain were in court today. Their potential targets are alleged to have been pubs, clubs and trains... and they tried to get a Nuclear Bomb, yet that was doubtful......
Now this is some spooky stuff here folks... As I tried to point out in my short slideshow I did last year titled, “AXIS,” If they should get together and find a way... don’t think they would not try...
AubreyJ....
Read story on topic in full at links below:
>>> BBC News......
... On Tuesday, prosecutor David Waters QC said the men had acquired "most of the necessary components" to launch a bombing campaign, with 600kg of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and a smaller amount of aluminum powder recovered by detectives...
'Terror plot' evidence outlined
>>> CNN.com......
... The defendants, all of whom are British and have pleaded not guilty, are accused of having acquired ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder "for bombs to be used in destructive attacks in the United Kingdom..."
UK 'plotters sought atomic bomb'
>>> DailyMail.co.uk......
... The plan was to buy the device from the Russian mafia in Belgium, prosecutor David Waters QC said...
'Terror gang tried to buy nuclear bomb'
>>> Turkish Weekly......
... In 2001, when Salahuddin Amin had been in Pakistan, he had been asked by Abu Munthir, a man he had met at a mosque in his hometown of Luton, to contact a man named Abu Annis about a "radio-isotope bomb", prosecutor David Waters QC told the jury...
Suspect 'had nuclear bomb plan'
Now this is some spooky stuff here folks... As I tried to point out in my short slideshow I did last year titled, “AXIS,” If they should get together and find a way... don’t think they would not try...
AubreyJ....
Read story on topic in full at links below:
>>> BBC News......
... On Tuesday, prosecutor David Waters QC said the men had acquired "most of the necessary components" to launch a bombing campaign, with 600kg of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and a smaller amount of aluminum powder recovered by detectives...
'Terror plot' evidence outlined
>>> CNN.com......
... The defendants, all of whom are British and have pleaded not guilty, are accused of having acquired ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder "for bombs to be used in destructive attacks in the United Kingdom..."
UK 'plotters sought atomic bomb'
>>> DailyMail.co.uk......
... The plan was to buy the device from the Russian mafia in Belgium, prosecutor David Waters QC said...
'Terror gang tried to buy nuclear bomb'
>>> Turkish Weekly......
... In 2001, when Salahuddin Amin had been in Pakistan, he had been asked by Abu Munthir, a man he had met at a mosque in his hometown of Luton, to contact a man named Abu Annis about a "radio-isotope bomb", prosecutor David Waters QC told the jury...
Suspect 'had nuclear bomb plan'
Combined operations net 11 suspects
... We didn’t know what to expect as we went into this uncharted territory, but we are very pleased with the results, said Capt. Dave Zaino, commander, Company A, 2-8 Inf. “Although we went in with a “strong fist,” the outcome was one of friendship and trust among the Samra villagers, the Iraqi army and Coalition Forces...
This is a very powerful read at MNF-iraq.com today.
Please click it out HERE...
I have no idea who wrote this Press Release but I’d like to thank them for it...
Thanks!!!
AubreyJ.........
This is a very powerful read at MNF-iraq.com today.
Please click it out HERE...
I have no idea who wrote this Press Release but I’d like to thank them for it...
Thanks!!!
AubreyJ.........
Al-Qaida terror cells set up shop in West Bank
Two Nablus residents suspected of heading an Al-Qaida terror cell yesterday became the first West Bank Palestinians to be indicted on charges of belonging to Osama bin Laden's worldwide terror network.
Read story in full at HAARETZ.com
Al-Qaida sets up cells in West Bank
Read story in full at HAARETZ.com
Al-Qaida sets up cells in West Bank
Photo for the Day- March 22, 2006
U.S. Marines and Iraqi army soldiers advance up a dirt road as they search for weapons caches and materials used to make improvised explosive devices during a patrol along the Euphrates River in Fallujah, Iraq, on March 17, 2006. Marines from 3rd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 and Iraqi soldiers are from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Division are conducting the joint patrol.
(Courtesy of DoD)
DoD photo by......
Cpl. Adaecus G. Brooks, USMC
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Am I the only one having HECK with B Blogger???
Am I the only one having HECK with B Blogger??? Google email isn’t what it use to be either...
Over the last few weeks Blogger has done everything but run right... Photos want load half the time-- In fact my Blog doesn’t want to load up half the time either....
(Just griping out loud....)
AubreyJ.........
Over the last few weeks Blogger has done everything but run right... Photos want load half the time-- In fact my Blog doesn’t want to load up half the time either....
(Just griping out loud....)
AubreyJ.........
Surprise Press Conference by President Bush this morning
(I’ll leave this post on top so I can update it throughout the day)
That was one heart felt Press Conference the President gave today. So much so was it... that all the major news channels covered it. (That just doesn’t happen very often these days... by such a left leaning MSM.)
Now when I say all of them-- I mean all of them... ABC- NBC- CNBC- MSNBC- CNN- CBS and yes... FOX NEWS too...... Never did flip over to the C-SPAN channels, so those I don’t know about. If anyone knows if they did or not show it, let me know...
More to come...
AubreyJ.........
But for now check out the links below:
>>> CBS NEWS......
... President Bush challenged the Democrats to go into the November midterm elections in opposition to eavesdropping on suspected terrorists. "They ought to stand up and say, 'The tools we're using to protect the American people should not be used,'" he said...
Bush Battles Back On Iraq
>>> Fox News......
... "We all recognize there is violence, that there is sectarian violence, but the way I look at it is the Iraqis decided not to go to civil war," President Bush said in answering a reporter's question...
Bush Pledges to Stick With It in Iraq
>>> MSNBC......
... “If I didn’t believe we could succeed, I wouldn’t be there. I wouldn’t put those kids there,” Bush declared...
Bush defends Iraq policies, sees progress
>>> CNN......
... "We are doing the right thing. A democracy in Iraq is going to affect the neighborhood. A democracy in Iraq is going to (inspire) reformers in a part of the world that is desperate for reformation," Bush said...
Bush: U.S. will succeed in Iraq or troops will leave
(That’s how they read his words in this headline-- not me...)
>>> CNSNEWS.COM......
... "We're making progress [in Iraq], and that's important for the American people to understand," President Bush told a news conference on Tuesday...
Bush Asked About His 'Real Reason' for Going to War
>>> The White House...
Press conference in full HERE......
That was one heart felt Press Conference the President gave today. So much so was it... that all the major news channels covered it. (That just doesn’t happen very often these days... by such a left leaning MSM.)
Now when I say all of them-- I mean all of them... ABC- NBC- CNBC- MSNBC- CNN- CBS and yes... FOX NEWS too...... Never did flip over to the C-SPAN channels, so those I don’t know about. If anyone knows if they did or not show it, let me know...
More to come...
AubreyJ.........
But for now check out the links below:
>>> CBS NEWS......
... President Bush challenged the Democrats to go into the November midterm elections in opposition to eavesdropping on suspected terrorists. "They ought to stand up and say, 'The tools we're using to protect the American people should not be used,'" he said...
Bush Battles Back On Iraq
>>> Fox News......
... "We all recognize there is violence, that there is sectarian violence, but the way I look at it is the Iraqis decided not to go to civil war," President Bush said in answering a reporter's question...
Bush Pledges to Stick With It in Iraq
>>> MSNBC......
... “If I didn’t believe we could succeed, I wouldn’t be there. I wouldn’t put those kids there,” Bush declared...
Bush defends Iraq policies, sees progress
>>> CNN......
... "We are doing the right thing. A democracy in Iraq is going to affect the neighborhood. A democracy in Iraq is going to (inspire) reformers in a part of the world that is desperate for reformation," Bush said...
Bush: U.S. will succeed in Iraq or troops will leave
(That’s how they read his words in this headline-- not me...)
>>> CNSNEWS.COM......
... "We're making progress [in Iraq], and that's important for the American people to understand," President Bush told a news conference on Tuesday...
Bush Asked About His 'Real Reason' for Going to War
>>> The White House...
Press conference in full HERE......
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
No. 235-06 March 21, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on March 18, when they came under small arms fire by enemy forces during combat operations. Both solidiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Ricardo Barraza, 24, of Shafter, Calif.
Sgt. Dale G. Brehm, 23, of Turlock, Calif.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Predator Crashes in Iraq; Operation Swarmer Continues
March 21, 2006- An unmanned aerial vehicle crashed this morning in Iraq, and combined operations continued in Salah ah Din province as part of Operation Swarmer.
A pilot at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. , was piloting an Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, based with the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq, when the aircraft crashed. Army and Air Force personnel recovered the wreckage and returned it to Balad Air Base.
The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV system. Its primary mission is interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Each Predator costs about $5 million.
An interim safety investigation board president has been appointed and will conduct an investigation, officials said.
In other news, Operation Swarmer continues in central Salah ah Din province today, as Iraqi security forces and coalition forces, began their sixth day of combined operations today. Participating units include 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, and 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
Units continue to sweep across the area to deny terrorist forces the freedom of movement and reduce their ability to operate in the province. These efforts also uncovered two weapons caches containing small arms, ammunition and materials used in making improvised-explosive devices yesterday.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from U. S. Central Command Air Forces Forward and MNF-I news releases)
A pilot at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. , was piloting an Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, based with the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq, when the aircraft crashed. Army and Air Force personnel recovered the wreckage and returned it to Balad Air Base.
The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV system. Its primary mission is interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Each Predator costs about $5 million.
An interim safety investigation board president has been appointed and will conduct an investigation, officials said.
In other news, Operation Swarmer continues in central Salah ah Din province today, as Iraqi security forces and coalition forces, began their sixth day of combined operations today. Participating units include 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, and 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
Units continue to sweep across the area to deny terrorist forces the freedom of movement and reduce their ability to operate in the province. These efforts also uncovered two weapons caches containing small arms, ammunition and materials used in making improvised-explosive devices yesterday.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from U. S. Central Command Air Forces Forward and MNF-I news releases)
Photo for the Day- March 21, 2006
About photo: Iraqi Soldiers give food to village children while searching homes during Operation Swarmer March 19 near Samarrah , Iraq . This operation has demonstrated the continued level of proficiency of the Iraqi Security Forces and their outstanding cooperation with Coalition Forces as they continue to assume more responsibility for Iraq 's security needs.(Courtesy of MNF-I)
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ryan Matson
Monday, March 20, 2006
US could wipe out Iran nuke program in two days
"The Iranians have to know that we mean business. They will either disarm or we will destroy their facilities. No ifs, ands, or buts. They present a threat to peace in the Middle East. They present a threat to Israel. We cannot accept that..."
Gary Berntsen - former senior CIA operative
Read The Jerusalem Post interview of Berntsen in full HERE...
Gary Berntsen - former senior CIA operative
Read The Jerusalem Post interview of Berntsen in full HERE...
President Discusses War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom
About photo: President George W. Bush answers a question from an audience member at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio, following his remarks on the global war on terror, Monday, March 20, 2006, to members of the City Club of Cleveland.(Courtesy of the White House)
White House photo by Paul Morse
“The central front on the war on terror is Iraq. And in the past few weeks, we've seen horrific images coming out of that country. We've seen a great house of worship -- the Golden Mosque of Samarra -- in ruins after a brutal terrorist attack. We have seen reprisal attacks by armed militia on Sunni mosques. We have seen car bombs take the lives of shoppers in a crowded market in Sadr City. We've seen the bodies of scores of Iraqi men brutally executed or beaten to death.
The enemies of a free Iraq attacked the Golden Mosque for a reason: They know they lack the military strength to challenge Iraqi and coalition forces in a direct battle, so they're trying to provoke a civil war. By attacking one of Shia Islam's holiest sites, they hoped to incite violence that would drive Iraqis apart and stop their progress on the path to a free society.
The timing of the attack in Samarra is no accident. It comes at a moment when Iraq's elected leaders are working to form a unity government...”
President George W. Bush
March 20, 2006
Read speech in full HERE...
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
No. 231-06 March 20, 2006DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Tikrit, Iraq, on Mar. 16, when a mortar round detonated.
Killed were:
Sgt. Amanda N. Pinson, 21, of St. Louis, Mo.
Spc. Carlos M. Gonzalez, 22, of Middletown, N.Y.
Pinson and Gonzalez were assigned to the 101st Military Intelligence Detachment, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
U. S., Iraqi Troops Detain 66 Suspects, Seize Weapons
In the past week, U. S. and Iraqi forces detained more than five dozen suspected insurgents in Iraq, U. S. military officials reported.
Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, captured 20 detainees and a small cache yesterday near Khalis, Iraq. The detainees and cache contents were turned over to authorities for further investigation. The original intent of the operation was to target 10 individuals believed to be associated with a local kidnapping and assassination cell.
Elsewhere, soldiers from two battalions of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, in conjunction with Iraqi security forces, detained 46 suspected insurgents during numerous cordon-and-search missions within the last week in Kirkuk and Hawijah, military officials said.
With engagements occurring almost daily, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, have killed two terrorists, wounded one, and detained a total of 25 suspects during the seven-day period. "The combination of aerial and ground patrols is paying huge dividends," Army Capt. Tim Meadors, an operations officer from 1st Battalion, said.
In one incident, aviators spotted four men emplacing an improvised explosive device next to a truck parked alongside a road. Two of the men jumped back in the truck and headed to a nearby village, while the other two took off on foot toward another nearby village. The pilots radioed their sighting to commanders on the ground and then followed the men until ground forces arrived at both locations. That incident resulted in the capture of 11 of the 25 individuals detained by that unit, officials said.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, have conducted numerous combined cordon-and-search operations with Iraqi police in Kirkuk, resulting in the detention of 21 suspected insurgents. These searches have resulted in the confiscation of IED materials, weapons and false documentation, officials said. They also have provided soldiers with additional information on many different insurgency cells.
"Most detainees are leading to more suspects," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Lawson Adkins, the noncommissioned officer in charge of 2nd Battalion's intelligence section. "Eventually we would like to degrade the cells to become nonexistent. Hopefully we will see a drop in activity and reduce the current threat," Adkins said.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq and MNF-I news releases)
Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, captured 20 detainees and a small cache yesterday near Khalis, Iraq. The detainees and cache contents were turned over to authorities for further investigation. The original intent of the operation was to target 10 individuals believed to be associated with a local kidnapping and assassination cell.
Elsewhere, soldiers from two battalions of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, in conjunction with Iraqi security forces, detained 46 suspected insurgents during numerous cordon-and-search missions within the last week in Kirkuk and Hawijah, military officials said.
With engagements occurring almost daily, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, have killed two terrorists, wounded one, and detained a total of 25 suspects during the seven-day period. "The combination of aerial and ground patrols is paying huge dividends," Army Capt. Tim Meadors, an operations officer from 1st Battalion, said.
In one incident, aviators spotted four men emplacing an improvised explosive device next to a truck parked alongside a road. Two of the men jumped back in the truck and headed to a nearby village, while the other two took off on foot toward another nearby village. The pilots radioed their sighting to commanders on the ground and then followed the men until ground forces arrived at both locations. That incident resulted in the capture of 11 of the 25 individuals detained by that unit, officials said.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, have conducted numerous combined cordon-and-search operations with Iraqi police in Kirkuk, resulting in the detention of 21 suspected insurgents. These searches have resulted in the confiscation of IED materials, weapons and false documentation, officials said. They also have provided soldiers with additional information on many different insurgency cells.
"Most detainees are leading to more suspects," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Lawson Adkins, the noncommissioned officer in charge of 2nd Battalion's intelligence section. "Eventually we would like to degrade the cells to become nonexistent. Hopefully we will see a drop in activity and reduce the current threat," Adkins said.
(Above courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and compiled from Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq and MNF-I news releases)
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