“Operation Summer Rains” - Friday, June 30, 2006

(Note: More up to date post- are above this one)
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(Note: This post will stay on top today – More post below)
“Operation Summer Rains”
UPDATED- Friday, June 30, 2006

>>> 12:25pm CDT Let’s get today started with a read at IsraelNationalNews.com... Israel Defense Forces are pounding Gaza with artillery and air strikes in order to pressure the population to force Hamas terrorists to give up their hostage, 19-year-old IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit. Read this story in full HERE

>>> 1:50pm CDT Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya has denounced Israel's offensive in Gaza as an attempt to bring down the Hamas-led government. In his first public address since Israel's campaign began, Mr. Haniya said Hamas would not change its policies... Read this story at BBCnews.co.uk

>>> 7:10pm CDT Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Angela Kane called on the Palestinian Authority to stop holding hostages and end indiscriminate rocket attacks, saying “nothing justifies” such actions. She also called on Israel to stop destroying civilian infrastructure, ensure civilians are protected, and allow for humanitarian assistance to get through. In addition, she expressed concern at the arrest of large numbers of the elected Palestinian Government.

“This is a grave crisis. The slightest turn of events could easily set off another full-scale conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, bringing greater dangers to civilians, and with serious regional repercussions. All parties must recognize this, and act with wisdom and care, and in full conformity with international humanitarian law,” she said. Read this story in full at the UN News CENTRE

>>> 9:55pm CDT A second Israeli soldier has been kidnapped and will be killed unless Israel ends its military offensive in the Palestinian territories, the radical Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades declared overnight. There has been no immediate Israeli response to this kidnapping claim. Read this story in full at TheAustralian.news.com.au

>>> 11:55pm CDT The Herald Sun is reporting that the crisis surrounding the kidnapping of an Israeli army corporal by Palestinian militants has deepened with fresh demands by the hostage-takers and a claim that a second soldier had been seized. The three Palestinian militant groups that captured Corporal Gilad Shalit six days ago in the Gaza Strip demanded that Israel free 1000 prisoners. Read this story in full HERE

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Let’s pray diplomacy and politics can work here and now... and also pray no harm has come to this Israeli soldier. History is on hold-- we shall know its direction soon enough.
God speed Israel...
AubreyJ.........
NOTE: More ongoing updates can be found at YnetNews.com

Bin Laden praises slain Zarqawi in new Audio/Video

Osama Bin Laden praised the slain leader of Iraq's al Qaeda wing, Abu Musab al Zarqawi, in a new website audio tape.
Read story at EuroNews.net (This link has Video)

Today a Website is saying Bin Laden is planning to release another internet message dealing with Somalia and Iraq.
Read this story at the Guardian.co.uk

More on those Iraqi WMDs: The Russian Connection

... Senator Rick Santorum's announcement last week of over 500 weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq went largely ignored by the mainstream media. The National Ground Intelligence Center's newly-declassified report proves conclusively that Saddam Hussein lied... and George Bush and Bill Clinton told the truth about Iraq's WMDs. This doesn't square, of course, with the media's mantra that "Bush lied, kids died," so they gave it short shrift...
Read this story by Rod D. Martin in full at RenewAmerica.us
(NOTE: This post has been added to my “Captured Prewar Iraqi Documents - AubreyJ.org” Blog for future reference)

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 625-06 June 30, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Ryan. J. Clark, 19, of Lancaster, Calif., died on June 29 in the Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained on June 17 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Clark was assigned to the 40th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the Army Public Affairs Office at (703) 692-2000.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 624-06 June 30, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cpl. Aaron M. Griner, 24, of Tampa, Fla., died in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on June 28, of injuries sustained when his vehicle struck a mine during combat operations. Griner was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Office at (315) 772-7634.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 622-06 June 30, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Jeremy S. Jones, 25, of Omaha, Neb., died on June 27 of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device during dismounted combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. Jones was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (254) 291-2591.

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. 620-06 June 30, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Michael J. Potocki, 21, of Baltimore, Md., died on June 26, of injuries sustained in Al Asad, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy force’s small arms fire during combat operations. Potocki was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office at 011-49-611-337-4862.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

No. 618-06 June 30, 2006
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Rex A. Page, 21, of Kirksville, Mo., died June 28 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Media with questions about this Marine can call the Camp Pendleton Public Affairs Office at (760) 725-5044.

OPERATIONS IN BOTH EASTERN, SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN CONTINUE - 14 Militants Killed in Eastern Afghanistan

U.S. - led coalition forces in Afghanistan say they killed 14 militants Friday in an attack on a hideout in eastern part of the country.
Read this story in full at VOA.news.com
Read more detail about this story at CENTCOM.mil

Photo for the Day- June 30, 2006

U.S. Army Soldiers finish searching a house during a combined air and ground assault house raid conducted with Iraqi army soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division in Mosul, Iraq Saturday June 17, 2006. The Soldiers are from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Wainwright, Alaska. (Ph0to courtesy of MNF-I)

The Supreme Court and Terrorist Combatants- Message by Bill Frist, M.D.

Yesterday, in the case of Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, the Supreme Court ruled that, under current law, the terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay may not be tried by the military commissions currently set up by the Bush Administration. They did so by a vote of 5-3.

The Court did not contest the President's power to hold enemy combatants for the duration of the War on Terror and it did not challenge the Congress' authority to create new, constitutional military commissions to try these terrorists outside of our civilian court system. Indeed, Justice Breyer, in a concurring option, wrote "Nothing prevents the president from returning to Congress to seek the authority he believes necessary."

So, following the July 4th recess, I will introduce legislation, in consultation with the Administration and my colleagues, that authorizes military commissions that -- along with appropriate due process procedures -- will pass constitutional muster and enable the United States of America to try and convict known terrorists like Salim Ahmed Hamdan, the man who served as Osama bin Laden's driver in Afghanistan.

Foreign fighters captured on the battlefield have never been tried by our civilian courts -- if we are to keep America safe in the War on Terror, they shouldn't start now. In response to yesterday's Supreme Court decision, Congress should work with the President to update our laws on terrorist combatants to respond to the new threats of a post-9/11 world. And, since this issue so directly impacts our national security, I will pursue the earliest possible action in the United States Senate.

Bill Frist, M.D
June 30, 2006

Doctor – Day two...

I’ll get everything updated as soon as I get back from the Doctor. Two mornings in a row now!!!
Be back soon...
AubreyJ.........

Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Intensifies

(Note: This post will stay on top today – More post below)
“Operation Summer Rains”
UPDATED- Thursday, June 29, 2006

>>> 7:15am CDT
Let’s get today started with a read at Newsday.com (Their post time- 5:57am CDT)
... Arab officials reacted with alarm to the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, with some countries condemning Israel's offensive in Gaza and others pressing Palestinian militants to free a kidnapped Israeli soldier... Read in full HERE

>>> 7:55am CDT
Arutz Sheva reports...
... Two Kassam rockets fired from northern Gaza hit Sderot late this morning - two people were injured and were treated for shock - while Israel attacks Hamas targets in Gaza... Read this story in full HERE

>>> 11:30am CDT
Middle East Online... Syria vowed Thursday to defend itself after Israel threatened to kill Hamas militants based in Damascus and flew warplanes over a Syrian presidential palace. Israel, meanwhile, was on high alert for possible retaliation. Read story in full HERE

>>> 12:30pm CDT
Mail&Guardian online is reporting Israel has postponed a planned incursion into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanun, apparently to allow negotiations to continue... We are in one of the most significant moments with respect to deciding the rules of the game between us and terrorist elements in the Palestinian Authority," Defence Minister Amir Peretz was quoted as saying today. Read this story in full HERE

>>> 3:00pm CDT
Here’s a take on what DEBKAfile is reporting...
Israel’s Gaza Operation is put on hold Thursday – according to DEBKAfile’s exclusive sources by a deadlocked dispute between Prime Minister Olmert and Defense Minister Peretz... Read this story in full HERE
Read more from DEBKAfile’s homepage HERE

>>> 4:45pm CDT
YnetNews.com is reporting IDF delays entry into northern Gaza Strip, but fire continues... Palestinian sources reported Thursday evening that two power stations were hit by artillery shells, causing a black out. Meanwhile, six Qassam rockets fired Thursday from the northern Gaza Strip landed in the western Negev. Two of the rockets landed near the industrial zone south of Ashkelon, narrowly missing a strategic site. Two rockets were fired at Sderot, one landing near a school's gymnasium. The other two rockets landed near Kibbutz Mavkiim. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Read this story in full HERE
(Note: Has VIDEO)

>>> 6:45pm CDT
IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Official Website got updated a while back and has some good info within their reports. Here’s one titled “Operation Summer Rains: Night Events” (Has a VIDEO of airstrikes that runs over 4-1/2 minutes.) Be sure to check out the rest of the site while you’re there. As said... lots of info in today’s update...

Let’s pray diplomacy and politics can work here and now... and also pray no harm has come to this Israeli soldier. History is on hold-- we shall know its direction soon enough...
God speed Israel...
AubreyJ.........

NOTE: More ongoing updates can be found at YnetNews.com

Munitions Found in Iraq Meet WMD Criteria, Official Says

The 500 munitions discovered throughout Iraq since 2003 and discussed in a National Ground Intelligence Center report meet the criteria of weapons of mass destruction, the center's commander said here today.

"These are chemical weapons as defined under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and yes ... they do constitute weapons of mass destruction," Army Col. John Chu told the House Armed Services Committee.

The Chemical Weapons Convention is an arms control agreement which outlaws the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons. It was signed in 1993 and entered into force in 1997.

The munitions found contain sarin and mustard gases, Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Maples, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said. Sarin attacks the neurological system and is potentially lethal.

"Mustard is a blister agent (that) actually produces burning of any area (where) an individual may come in contact with the agent," he said. It also is potentially fatal if it gets into a person's lungs.

The munitions addressed in the report were produced in the 1980s, Maples said. Badly corroded, they could not currently be used as originally intended, Chu added.

While that's reassuring, the agent remaining in the weapons would be very valuable to terrorists and insurgents, Maples said. "We're talking chemical agents here that could be packaged in a different format and have a great effect," he said, referencing the sarin-gas attack on a Japanese subway in the mid-1990s.

This is true even considering any degradation of the chemical agents that may have occurred, Chu said. It's not known exactly how sarin breaks down, but no matter how degraded the agent is, it's still toxic.

"Regardless of (how much material in the weapon is actually chemical agent), any remaining agent is toxic," he said. "Anything above zero (percent agent) would prove to be toxic, and if you were exposed to it long enough, lethal."

Though about 500 chemical weapons - the exact number has not been released publicly - have been found, Maples said he doesn't believe Iraq is a "WMD-free zone."

"I do believe the former regime did a very poor job of accountability of munitions, and certainly did not document the destruction of munitions," he said. "The recovery program goes on, and I do not believe we have found all the weapons."

The Defense Intelligence Agency director said locating and disposing of chemical weapons in Iraq is one of the most important tasks servicemembers in the country perform.

Maples added searches are ongoing for chemical weapons beyond those being conducted solely for force protection.

There has been a call for a complete declassification of the National Ground Intelligence Center's report on WMD in Iraq. Maples said he believes the director of national intelligence is still considering this option, and has asked Maples to look into producing an unclassified paper addressing the subject matter in the center's report.

Much of the classified matter was slated for discussion in a closed forum after the open hearings this morning.
(Above courtesy of DoD – American Forces Press Service and written by Samantha L. Quigley)
NOTE: This post has been added to my “Captured Prewar Iraqi Documents - AubreyJ.org” Blog for future reference)

House Votes to End Ban on Offshore Drilling

Late this afternoon, by a vote of 232- 187, the House voted to end a quarter-century long Offshore Drilling Ban. All I can say is YEAH!!!!!!! But getting this sucker through the Senate is going to be another story. One can hope...
AubreyJ........

Now here are some words of fact as to how far the left has carried this country.
They go as follows...
"This is not about oil companies," insist Rep. John Peterson. "This is about America competing. ... We're the only society that has said we're going to lock up our resources."
Read this story in full at phillyBurgs.com

The U.S. Supreme Court rejects Guantanamo Military Tribunals

The Supreme Court decided that President Bush's proposed trials for certain detainees at Guantanamo Bay were illegal under U.S. Law and the International Geneva conventions. However... a separate opinion, written by Justice Stephen Breyer, appeared to invite the President to go to Congress to seek the authority to change that...
Read this story in full at Forbes.com

Here’s what some of the Bloggers have to say on this...

>>> Jay at Stop The ACLU...
... I knew this wouldn’t take long! The ACLU are breaking out the champaign glasses and popping the cork! It is celebration time for the left, as Al Qaeda terrorists now have ‘protections’ via the Geneva Conventions thanks to the US Supreme Court...
Read in full HERE

>>> Amy at Bottom Line Up Front...
... Dissenting from the ruling were justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito. Chief Justice Roberts did not vote. Some dissenting remarks are: ... Click them out HERE

Iraqi security forces capture terrorist facilitator

June 29, 2006, BALAD, Iraq
Iraqi security forces conducted an early morning raid south of Baghdad on June 27, capturing the key member and facilitator of an insurgent cell in the Arab Jabor area.

Abdullah Haydar Nasir Al-Juburi, a facilitator of local terrorist operations, was captured at his home by Iraqi security forces during a pre-dawn raid just west of Salmanpak. Coalition forces advisers were on hand to assist the Iraqi forces.

Al Juburi facilitates terrorist activities by using his home to harbor terrorists of a local cell who train, live and operate in this area. This cell is responsible for mortar and improvised explosive device attacks against Coalition forces, including two IED attacks on convoys that killed three Coalition Soldiers.

No Iraqi or Coalition forces were injured during this operation.
(Above courtesy of MNF-I - Combined Press Information Center, Baghdad, Iraq and taken from press release A060629a)

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 617-06 June 29, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Terry O.P. Wallace, 33, of Winnsboro, La., died on June 27, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations in Taji, Iraq. Wallace was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (254) 287-7013.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 614-06 June 29, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Fuerst, III, 26 of Tampa Fla., died in Panjway District, Afghanistan, on June 24, when his HMMWV came in contact with enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire during combat operations. Fuerst was assigned to the Army National Guard's 53rd Infantry Brigade, Pinellas Park Fla.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the Florida National Guard Public Affairs Office at (904) 823-0168.

Israeli Troops Push into Gaza Strip

(Note: This post will stay on top today – More post below)
“Operation Summer Rains”

UPDATED Wednesday, June 28, 2006

>>> 4:30am CDT
israel.jpost.com...
The IDF took control of the abandoned airport in Dahaniyeh and the town of Shuka in southern Gaza Wednesday morning in a move to cement their foothold in areas east of Rafah, a city on the Egyptian border.
IDF captures airstrip, gains foothold east of Rafah (Has photos – this link updates every now and then)

CNN.COM......
... Palestinian senior negotiator Saeb Erakat told CNN: "I condemn in the strongest possible terms this attack on our infrastructure. We have 1.3 million people under siege in Gaza...
Israeli troops roll into Gaza (Has videos and photos – this link updates every now and then)

Note: Almost all the News Media out there has gone silent again... on just what the troops are doing... after the first volley of reporting when Israel first charged into Gaza earlier this morning.

>>> 11:30am CDT
It has just been reported by Fox News that a 3rd Israeli has be now been Kidnapped.

Fox News reported a short time ago that an Israeli Cabinet minister said that Hamas' Syria-based leader, Khaled Mashaal, is a target for assassination for ordering the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip... "He is definitely in our sights ... he is a target," Justice Minister Haim Ramon told Army Radio. "Khaled Mashaal, as some who is overseeing, actually commanding the terror acts, is definitely a target." Read in full HERE

From the Horse’s Mouth- (IDF) Israel Defense Forces
"We must understand that this campaign against terror is not a campaign of 'bang and we're done,'" explained Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dan Halutz. Rather, he said, "this is an ongoing campaign. We must do everything required, in a continuing manner, to deal with them. It would seem that the ceasefire has been misinterpreted by the other side. The facts speak for themselves."
Read this report in full at IDF’s Official Website (Has good video feed... yet it might take a few to load and the sound comes and goes. It’s about the tanks moving in last night.)
Note: When IDF gets the Airstrikes up on their website... I'll post them too.

>>> 1:00pm CDT
ELY TIMES & COUNTRY is reporting...
Israel turned up the pressure on Palestinian militants to release a captive soldier Wednesday, sending its warplanes to bomb a Hamas training camp after knocking out electricity and water supplies for most of the 1.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip. Also, Israel said its warplanes flew over the home of Syrian President Bashar Assad, in a message aimed at pressuring him to win the release of a captured Israeli soldier.
Israelis turn up heat on Hamas, Assad

>>> 1:45pm CDT
Fox News reports that Syria claims to have fired on Israel Jets and ran them off as they flew over the home of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
I say... they might have fired on them... but I’m sure they didn’t run Israel off as they claim. If Israel had wished it so... the Syrian President’s house would be rubble right now...

>>> 4:15pm CDT
Blogs.USAToday.com covers a lot of ground with different news sources and they have lots of comments to go through too. Click it out HERE

>>> 4:45pm CDT
Canada.com is reporting... Arabs across the Mideast on Wednesday criticized an Israeli ground offensive into Gaza aimed at pressuring Palestinian militants to release a captured soldier, even as Arab leaders continued to work behind the scenes to get the soldier freed. Read more on this story HERE

YnetNews.com is now reporting that Israeli Navy Battleships have fired shells toward some Qassam launching sites in the Northern Gaza Strip.

>>> 8:00pm CDT
18 year old civilian Israeli that was being held captive is being reported to have been executed. If this report is true ... it’s hammer time. Fox News is also reporting the Israeli forces have arrested the deputy prime minister of the Hamas government, two other Cabinet ministers and four lawmakers in a raid on a complex of buildings in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Read story HERE

>>> 9:30pm CDT
TimesInline.co.uk
Good read on Gilad Shalit and his mark on history.
Click it out at link below... (HT to- The Drudge Report)
Shy boy whose fate could change history

>>> 10:20pm CDT
TurkishPress.com is reporting...
An armed group loosely affiliated to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party claimed Thursday to have fired a chemical warhead at Israel in response to Gaza incursions and arrests in the West Bank. Read story HERE

CourierMail.com has more on claims of a Chemical Warhead being fired at Israel HERE

(From a Post I did on Monday, June 26, 2006: “Al-Aksa claims to have WMD and will use it...”)

(God speed Israel)
NOTE: More ongoing updates can be found at YnetNews.com

Russian President Vladimir Putin orders secret services to destroy diplomats killers

... Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered Russian special services to take all measures to "locate and destroy" those responsible for the deaths of four Russian diplomats in Iraq, the Kremlin said...
Read this story in full at English.Eastday.com

New message from Osama bin Laden?

... The world may soon be hearing a new message from Osama bin Laden.
According to a message on an Islamic militant Web site...
Read story in full HERE

Afghanistan: Two suicide bombers attempted attack on a U.S. Convoy fails

...Two suicide bombers attacked a U.S. military convoy Wednesday in southern Afghanistan, killing only themselves while soldiers escaped unhurt, police said. The attack came as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Afghanistan and promised victory over a resurgent Taliban...
Read story in full at Washingtonpost.com

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 613-06 June 28, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Terry M. Lisk, 26, of Fox Lake, Ill., died on June 26 of injuries sustained in Ar Ramadi, Iraq when his unit received indirect fire from enemy forces during combat operations. Lisk was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office at (011) 49-611-705-4862.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

No. 610-06 June 28, 2006
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Jason W. Morrow, 27, of Riverside, Calif., died June 27 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq, on June 26. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Media with questions about this Marine can call the Camp Pendleton Public Affairs Office at (760) 725-5044.

Israel Air Strikes and Troop Movement into Gaza has started!!!

As of 4:00pm CDT, Fox News is reporting that Israel Air Strikes and Troop movement have started. Lots of Jets in the Air and Tank movement...
More to come as news comes in...

Update: 5:00pm CDT
Israel Aircraft blew up a key strategic bridge in the northern Gaza Strip shortly before midnight on Tuesday. However-- Israeli Army denies an Israel Radio report that the armored forces had actually begun a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip.

Note: Almost all the News Media out there has gone silent over this after the first news came out on troop movement. We’ll see soon enough what’s going on over there as the evening drags on...
AubreyJ.........

More Updates:
>>> 5:30pm CDT- Fox News
Gaza Strip— Israeli planes attacked three bridges in central Gaza late Tuesday and early Wednesday, the military said, and Israeli tanks were on the move after a limited operation was approved, a response to a weekend Palestinian attack in which two soldiers were killed and a third captured.
Israeli Military on Move After 'Limited Operation' in Gaza Approved

>>> 6:00pm CDT
Fox News is reporting that Israel Aircraft have taken out all electricity in Gaza and lights are now out. Tanks are on the move... Fox just showed some video feed on the tanks and such. All I can say is... this is going to be a long night for the bad guys in Gaza...

>>> 6:30pm CDT
Fox News is reporting that Israel Ground Forces are NOW entering southern Gaza. This is a force of over 3000 strong...

>>> 6:45pm CDT
CNN is showing large fires inside of Gaza City now. Possibly caused by Air strikes.

>>> 8:40pm CDT
Ynet News reports a spokesman for the al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad’s armed wing, said his organization, as well as other Palestinian groups, are preparing “surprises for the Zionist enemy in Gaza.”
(AubreyJ says: Better not have anything to do with WMD... The world is not ready for what would come afterwards.)

God speed Israel
NOTE: More ongoing updates can be found at YnetNews.com

Atlantic SPECIAL TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENT

2:28 PM EDT Tuesday June 27, 2006
RECENT INFORMATION FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT INDICATES THE AREA OF DISTURBED WEATHER IS CENTERED ABOUT 35 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA. WHILE THERE IS A SMALL AREA OF GALE FORCE WINDS ON ITS EAST SIDE... THE SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE A CLOSED SURFACE CIRCULATION... AND IS THEREFORE NOT A TROPICAL CYCLONE AT THIS TIME. THE AIRCRAFT WILL CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE SYSTEM THIS AFTERNOON.

THERE IS STILL THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS SYSTEM TO DEVELOP INTO A TROPICAL STORM AS IT MOVES NORTH TO NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD AT 20 TO 25 MPH. RESIDENTS IN COASTAL REGIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA... VIRGINIA... AND THE DELMARVA PENINSULA SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM TODAY AS TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS COULD BE REQUIRED WITH LITTLE NOTICE. EVEN IF THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT FORM INTO A TROPICAL CYCLONE... IT WILL PRODUCE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS ACROSS THE MID-ATLANTIC AREA TODAY AND TONIGHT.

UPDATE: 4:30pm CDT
THE SMALL AREA OF LOW PRESSURE INVESTIGATED BY RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT EARLIER TODAY MOVED INLAND NEAR MOREHEAD CITY BEFORE IT COULD DEVELOP A CLOSED CIRCULATION. THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WITH THE SYSTEM IS BECOMING LESS ORGANIZED AND DEVELOPMENT INTO A TROPICAL CYCLONE IS BECOMING LESS LIKELY. HOWEVER... THIS SYSTEM IS STILL PRODUCING WINDS OF 35 TO 40 MPH OVER PORTIONS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA OUTER BANKS AND ADJACENT WATERS.

LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD NORTHWARD THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES AND INTO NEW ENGLAND OVER THE NEXT DAY OR SO.
(Above & Satellite Imagery courtesy of NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL)

Note: For additional information specific to your area... please consult products issued by your local National Weather Service Forecast Office.
(Will update if needed)

Click here to view GOES- Satellite Imagery Loops
(Refreshes every 30 minutes)

Israeli Tanks and Troops massed near Gaza waiting for Orders - Jewish Settler possibly seized by Palestinian militants

Israeli tanks and troops massed near Gaza for a threatened offensive against the Palestinians, and the Israeli government said it would target Hamas leaders if a captured soldier was not freed.
Read more on this story at TheStandard.com.hk

Saddam set for trial on August 21, for Genocide

... Saddam Hussein and his former top army commanders will go on trial on August 21 on charges of killing tens of thousands of Iraq's Kurds in 1988 in a military operation to force them from their villages...
Read story in full at NEWS.com.au

Military Continues Investigation to Find Killers of U.S. Soldiers

The U.S. military is conducting an aggressive investigation to find those responsible for the deaths this month of three U.S. soldiers - one of whom died in an initial attack on the checkpoint the soldiers were manning, and two of whom were found dead four days later not far from the checkpoint, a top general in Iraq said today.
Read story in full at DOD
View Video HERE (Courtesy of Pentagon Channel – High-speed connection needed)

DoD Identifies Marine Corps Casualty

No. 609-06 June 27, 2006
DoD Identifies Marine Corps Casualty

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

Cpl. Paul N. King, 23, of Tyngsboro, Mass.
Staff Sgt. Raymond J. Plouhar, 30, of Lake Orion, Mich.

King died June 25 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Ayer, Mass.

Plouhar died June 26 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Media with questions about King can call the 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment Public Affairs representative at (978) 796-2839. Media with questions about Plouhar can call the Camp Pendleton Public Affairs Office at (760) 725-5044.

Missing World War II Airmen are Identified

No. 608-06 June 27, 2006
Missing World War II Airmen are Identified

The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that nine airmen missing in action from World War II have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

The nine are:
2nd Lt. Hugh L. Johnson Jr., Montgomery, Ala.
2nd Lt. Byron L. Stenen, Northridge, Calif.
2nd Lt. John F. Green, Watertown, N.Y.
2nd Lt. John M. Meisner, Pembroke, Mass.
Staff Sgt. Walter Knudsen, Sioux City, Iowa
Cpl. John A. DeCarlo, Newark, N.J.
Cpl. Robert E. Raney, Monon, Ind.
Cpl. William G. Mohr, Mt. Wolf, Pa.
Cpl. Michael J. Pushkar, Mahanoy City, Pa.
All were assigned to the U.S. Army Air Forces.

The individually identified remains of Stenen, Green, Meisner, Mohr and Pushkar, as well as the group remains representing all nine crewmen, are being buried today at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. Johnson, Knudsen and Raney will be buried elsewhere.

On the morning of Oct. 9, 1944, the crew took off on a training mission from Nadzab, New Guinea, in their B-24D Liberator. The aircraft was not seen again, and it was speculated that it had encountered bad weather.

In early 2002, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby reported the discovery of two dog tags by villagers from a World War II crash site in Morobe Province. Specialists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) traveled to Papua, New Guinea, in November 2002 to investigate several World War II aircraft losses. The team interviewed the two villagers who gave them the dog tags, then surveyed the site where aircraft wreckage and human remains were found.

A joint team of JPAC and Papua, New Guinea specialists mounted a full-scale excavation at the site January through February 2003, when they recovered additional human remains and crew-related artifacts from the wreckage field. JPAC scientists and Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory specialists used mitochondrial DNA as one of the forensic tools to help identify the remains. Laboratory analysis of dental remains also confirmed their identification.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call (703) 699-1169.

A 'broad' Gaza offensive is vowed by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert

... With troops poised to invade Gaza, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday ruled out bargaining with the captors of an Israeli soldier and promised a "broad and ongoing" military offensive. But large-scale army action appeared unlikely...
Read story in full at dfw.com

Al-Aksa claims to have WMD and will use it...

...The Aksa Martyrs Brigades announced on Sunday that its members have succeeded in manufacturing chemical and biological weapons...
Read this story in full at The Jerusalem Post

More on this story below...
... One Al Aqsa source said the group's work in Gaza so far has been limited mostly to Al Aqsa members who are studying chemistry at local universities where biological agents are not available and chemical agents are limited. They said "outside parties" were helping the group add agents to missiles, but would not comment on the current status of the program or name the outside parties...
Read in full at WorldNetDaily.com

Note: I’ve only seen a couple of stories on this so far. If it is true... and they are used and kill people... a new war of mass murder will have just started. If outside help was used to make these possible WMD weapons and that help came from another country...
Well......
We all pray that day never comes... for many thousands of people would soon be dead in said country...
AubreyJ.........

Hamas and Al-Qaeda Videos

Here’s two reads and two must see videos at Palestinian Media Watch.
The Hamas Video is relatively new and focuses on the Palestinian Islamic ideology. The Al-Qaeda Video is similar in message.
A must read and see...
Click them out at link below...
Hamas: Islam will conquer US and Britain

Wake up America...
AubreyJ.........

IDF Soldier Gilad Shalit is Alive

... Arutz-7's Kobi Finkler heard from a senior IDF officer in Gaza that the Army has prepared very detailed plans for a massive offensive into Gaza, and is waiting for the go-ahead from Olmert. "The IDF is ready for a three-part offensive in Gaza," the officer said. "It begins with a siege around Gaza, continues with a strike at all infrastructures, including cutting off electricity, and the third stage is to attack all the Hamas leaders, from top to bottom..."
Read this story in full at IsraelNationalNews.com

Bottom line is... Israel is going to get this young man back and soon...
AubreyJ.........

President Bush Answers

Question: Sir, several news organizations have reported about a program that allows the administration to look into the bank records of certain suspected terrorists. My questions are twofold: One, why have you not gone to Congress to ask for authorization for this program, five years after it started? And two, with respect, if neither the courts, nor the legislature is allowed to know about these programs, how can you feel confident the checks and balances system works?

THE PRESIDENT: Congress was briefed. And what we did was fully authorized under the law. And the disclosure of this program is disgraceful. We're at war with a bunch of people, who want to hurt the United States of America, and for people to leak that program, and for a newspaper to publish it does great harm to the United States of America. What we were doing was the right thing. Congress was aware of it, and we were within the law to do so.

The American people expect this government to protect our constitutional liberties and, at the same time, make sure we understand what the terrorists are trying to do. The 9/11 Commission recommended that the government be robust in tracing money. If you want to figure out what the terrorists are doing, you try to follow their money. And that's exactly what we're doing. And the fact that a newspaper disclosed it makes it harder to win this war on terror.
(Taken from a press briefing... held after the President met with some supporters of the U.S. Military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Read comments and Q & A in full HERE)

Yes... he was just a little HOT while answering this above Question...
AubreyJ.........

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 606-06 June 26, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on June 24 in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained when they encountered enemy forces small arms fire, and an improvised explosive device which detonated during a dismounted patrol. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Killed were:
Sgt. Benjamin J. Laymon, 22, of Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Sgt. Justin D. Norton, 21, of Rainier, Wash.

Media with questions about these soldiers can call the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (254) 291-2591.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 605-06June 26, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Master Sgt. Thomas D. Maholic, 38, of Bradford, Pa., died on June 24 in Ghecko, Afghanistan, when his patrol unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire during a cordon and search mission. Maholic was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office at (910) 432-3383 / 8650 / 7585.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 604-06 June 26, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Channing G. Singletary, 30, of Sylvester, Ga., died in Baghdad, Iraq on June 23, from a non-combat-related cause. Singletary was assigned to the Army National Guard's 122nd Support Center, Savannah, Ga. The incident is under investigation.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office at (678) 569-6064.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 603-06 June 26, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Devon J. Gibbons, 19, of Port Orchard, Wash., died on June 23, in the Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained on April 11 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations in Taji, Iraq. Gibbons was assigned to the 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (254) 291-2591.

Japan to Get U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missiles

... Japan has agreed to a U.S. deployment of advanced Patriot interceptor missiles on American bases by the end of the year, officials said Monday, amid concerns that North Korea may be about to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile...
Read this story in full at phillyBurbs.com...

Documenting Saddam's Link to Terror through all those Captured Documents - Part 3

Ray Robison, currently a military operations research analyst specializing in aviation and missile research in Huntsville, Ala., has at last come out with Part Three – “Was Saddam Regime a Broker for Terror Alliances?”

This is the final installment in a three-part series, (for Foxnews.com,) concerning a notebook kept by an Iraqi Intelligence Service (IIS) agent called Khaled Abd El Majid, and covers events taking place in 1999. The translation is provided by Robison's associate, known here as “Sammi.”

Here’s a little taste of what can be read within...
... As we researched the Maulana, a picture came into focus that our team was not looking to find: The Maulana is a senior leader of an affiliation of Pakistani groups supportive of Islamic jihad. These groups include the JUI and the Jamaat Islami (JI). The JUI provided direct support to both the planner and paymaster of the 9/11 attacks. The Pakistani government accused the JI of working with Al Qaeda. The Maulana mediated an intelligence pact between the IIS and the Taliban... Clearly, this evidence indicates that the Maulana was in a position to procure assistance from Iraq for the 9/11 attacks...
Read Part Three in full HERE

Go to the “Saddam Dossier” Archive by FoxNews.com HERE
(This post has been added to my “Captured Prewar Iraqi Documents - AubreyJ.org” Blog for future reference)

Again I'll ask for you to be sure to click these out. There really is some good stuff in these Translations/Analysis...
AubreyJ.........

Pro-Taliban Militants in Afghanistan ask for a Month-Long Cease-Fire

Fox News reported earlier today that Pro-Taliban militants in Afghanistan are asking for a Month-Long Cease-Fire.

Oh... Heck NO!!!
Went through this once before and Osama bin Laden got away...
More to come as this story comes out more...
AubreyJ.........

UPDATE: 6:30pm CDT
Pro-Taliban militants announced a month-long ceasefire on Sunday in a Pakistani region on the Afghan border to give tribal elders a chance to broker a settlement after months of fierce fighting.
Read more on this story at tvnz.co.nz

U.S. Commander in Iraq Outlines Plan to Cut Back Troops

Headlines are running wild because of another “LEAK” story that came out by The New York Times today.

Some of the Headlines follow...
>>> U.S. commander in Iraq outlines plan to sharply cut back troops
>>> Report: U.S. Troop Cuts Drafted
>>> NYT: General says most troops home by 2008

General George Casey, the U.S. commander in charge of coalition forces in Iraq, does have plans to cut troops in Iraq over the next few years... Yet he also has plans to add more troops if need be.

The latter of the two is not getting much press headlines today and the Dems running around trying to make political hay over this story better step back before they hurt themselves even more. (We know The New York Times only ran this story to put out another Left of Left Political spin point. Not working!!!)

These are not cut and run plans people... General Casey’s plans do stay in step with what the White House has been saying all along. Conditions on the ground will dictate...

Bottom line on all of this is-- yet again The New York Times takes it upon themelves to tell the enemy more of what we might just be doing. Had enough...?

AubreyJ.........
June 25, 2006

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, left, with Deputy Speaker Khalid Attiya, announces his plans to unify and secure Iraq

... Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki proposed new ideas Sunday to diminish violence in Iraq and reduce dependence on Coalition forces helping to secure the country. Although there is no timeline for Coalition forces to withdraw, al-Maliki proposed strengthening forces within the ministries of Defense and Interior...
(Photo courtesy of MNF-I)
Read this story in full at...
>>> MNF-I......
Iraqis present plan for future

Photo for the Day- June 25, 2006

An Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter descends to extract U.S. Army soldiers from an area west of Forward Operating Base Summerall, Iraq, during operations on June 9, 2006. The soldiers are attached to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. (DoD photo by...
Spc. Charles W. Gill, USA)

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 600-06 June 25, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Virrueta A. Sanchez, 33, of Houston, Texas, died in Balad, Iraq on June 24 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Sanchez was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Caron, Colo.
Media with questions about this Soldier can call the Fort Carson Public Affairs Office at (719) 526-1269 or (719) 526-3420.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 599-06 June 25, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl Ryan J. Buckley, 21, of Nokomis, Ill., died in Baghdad, Iraq on June 23 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Buckley was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Media with questions about these Soldiers can call the 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs Office at (270) 798-9966.

The Real Scandal on WMDs

WMDs: The real scandal
This Column in part went as follows:

... Senator Santorum confirmed... that these weapons were the kind used to kill 5000 Kurds by Saddam. Saddam only needed 3 of these missiles to accomplish that feat - we've uncovered 500. That's enough nerve agents to kill more than 8.3 million people - or the Island of Manhattan, or the city of Chicago...

Now here’s a great read you all might want to click out.
Read this essay by Kevin McCullough, in full at townhall.com

Japan considers sanctions against North Korea if they go ahead with a test launch

... Japan warned on Sunday that it would consider "all options" against North Korea, including sanctions on oil and food sales, if the reclusive communist country goes ahead with a test launch of a long-range missile...
Read story in full at MontereyHerald.com

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 598-06 June 24, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on June 23 in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Mario J. Bievre, 34, of Constantinople, Ill.
Pfc. Paul A. Beyer, 21, of Jamestown, N.D.

Media with questions about these Soldiers can call the 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs Office at (270) 798-9966.

Afghan, Coalition forces conduct attacks, kill an estimated 65 extremists

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan
June 24, 2006

Afghan National Army and Coalition forces continued Operation Mountain Thrust on June 23, applying heavy pressure on extremists in Uruzgan Province.

Afghan and Coalition forces engaged more than 40 extremists with small-arms and joint fires after receiving enemy fire from fighters hiding in an orchard, ridgeline and compound near the village of Mirabad, northeast of Tarin Kowt. The combined Afghan and Coalition force maneuvered swiftly to gain the advantage over the extremist positions and engaged the enemy for more than five hours.

There were no Afghan civilian injuries reported.
In a separate action, Afghan and Coalition forces engaged a large group of extremists in the Zharie District of Kandahar Province. The combined Afghan and Coalition force maneuvered against the enemy, killing 25 fighters in the village of Bayanzi during a three-hour battle. Several extremists broke contact by using innocent Afghan civilians as shields to escape into nearby villages.

“ANA and Coalition forces continue to demonstrate how well they work together to defeat our common enemies,” said Lt. Col Paul Fitzpatrick, Combined Joint Task Force - 76 spokesperson. “Afghan and Coalition forces will continue to place heavy pressure on Taliban insurgents hiding in southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Mountain Thrust.”

Above courtesy of:
COMBINED FORCES COMMAND - AFGHANISTAN
COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

APO AE 09356
http://www.cfc-a.centcom.mil

News Desk: 070-223-758
Press Center: 070-276-545
Kabul-Presscenter@cfc-a.centcom.mil
Taken from Press Release #060624-03

June 24, 2006

500 WMD Munitions found in Iraq

Did anyone see anything in the news Friday about these weapons???
Nope... me neither......
AubreyJ.........

Al-Zawahri paid tribute to the slain al-Zarqawi in a new video Friday

... Al-Zawahri called Al-Zarqawi was "a soldier, a hero, an iman (Islamic cleric) and the prince of martyrs." He said that his death would not set back the insurgency in Iraq. In fact "the death of al-Zarqawi has defined the struggle between the crusaders and Islam in Iraq..."
Read this story in full at Chron.com

Weather Conditions now favorable for North Korea Missile Test

... Clouds covered the missile's launch site for much of this week, possibly delaying any launch plans, but the U.S. military sources said clear weather and favorable upper atmospheric conditions were forecast for the weekend...
Read this story in full at CNN.com

Read more below...
>>> DOD......
... June 23, 2006 – The Missile Defense Agency and the Navy conducted a successful "hit to kill" missile defense test yesterday off the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The test involved the launch of a Standard Missile 3 from the Aegis-class cruiser USS Shiloh to hit a "separating" target, meaning that the target warhead separated from its booster rocket, officials said...
Missile Defense Test Yields Successful 'Hit to Kill' Intercept

Japan and the United States sign joint missile defense deal

... Japan and the United States signed an agreement Friday to expand their cooperation on a joint ballistic missile defense shield, moving to protect themselves amid signs North Korea could test a ballistic missile...
Read story in full at CHINAdaily.com

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

No. 597-06 June 23, 2006
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Riley E. Baker, 22, of Pacific, Mo., died June 22 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Media with questions about this Marine can call the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 451-9033.

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 596-06 June 23, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died on June 21 in Naray, Afghanistan.

Killed were:
Pfc. Brian J. Bradbury, 22, of Saint Joseph, Mo., died in the vicinity of Naray, Afghanistan, when he encountered enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades during combat operations. Bradbury was assigned to the 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Staff Sgt. Heathe N. Craig, 28, of Severn, Md., died when his UH-60 helicopter hoist malfunctioned while attempting to evacuate Pfc. Bradbury during combat operations. Craig was assigned to the 159th Air Ambulance Medical Company, Wiesbaden, Germany.
The incident is under investigation.

Media with questions about Bradbury can contact the 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Office at (315) 772-7634. Media with questions about Craig can contact the 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office at 011-49-611-705-4862/4859.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 595-06 June 23, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Sirlou C. Cuaresma, 25, of Chicago, Ill., died in Baghdad, Iraq on June 21, from a non-combat related cause. Cuaresma was assigned to the 68th Engineer Company, 62nd Engineer Battalion, 13th Containment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood, Texas. This incident is under investigation.
Media with questions about this soldier can call the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (912) 767-5671 or (912) 257-1433.

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. 592-06 June 23, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Jason J. Buzzard, 31, of Constantinople, Calif., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 21 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HEMTT cargo truck during combat operations. Buzzard was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Media with questions about this soldier can contact the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (912) 767-5671 or (912) 257-1433.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

No. 591-06 June 23, 2006
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Whyte, 21, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died June 21 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Media with questions on this Marine can call the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 451-9033.

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 589-06 June 23, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, on June 21, when they encountered enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:
Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti, 30, of Raynham, Mass.
Staff Sgt. Patrick L. Lybert, 28, of Ladysmith, Wis.

Media with questions about these soldiers can call the 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Office at (315) 772-7634.