SKY.com has this report today. It goes in part like this... Nine people are in custody after being arrested by police investigating an alleged Iraq-style kidnapping and beheading plot in the UK... It has been reported the alleged plotters intended to post a video of the hostage being tortured and killed on the internet...
Read this troubling story in full at link below...
Terror Plot: Nine Are Held (Has several Videos and Photos)
If this is to be the new and coming face of terror... god help us and the victims of such murders.
AubreyJ.........
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
No. 117-07 January 31, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died January 27th in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during convoy operations. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Killed were:
Cpl. Timothy A. Swanson, 21, of San Antonio, Texas.
Pfc. Jon B. St. John II, 25, of Neenah, Wis.
Pfc. David T. Toomalatai, 19, of Long Beach, Calif.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours (254) 291-2591.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Hezbollah Leader Accuses Bush - Calls For Liberating Lebanon's Shebaa Farms
YIBNAN.com, in part, had this to say... In an address marking the Ashoura Anniversary, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah told the crowd in part that the U.S. President George Bush “should be punished.” He said the U.S. President and his Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had “ordered the Zionists to launch war against Lebanon.” He accused Washington of devising a “conspiracy to retaliate against resistance movements by instigating civil wars in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq.” The alleged plot, according to Nasrallah, was to start “civil wars and inter-communal fighting” in states hosting resistance movements.
Read more at links below:
>>> YIBNAN.com...
Nasrallah calls for liberating Lebanon's Shebaa farms
>>> IHT.com...
Hezbollah leader accuses Bush of seeking to foment civil war in Lebanon
Read more at links below:
>>> YIBNAN.com...
Nasrallah calls for liberating Lebanon's Shebaa farms
>>> IHT.com...
Hezbollah leader accuses Bush of seeking to foment civil war in Lebanon
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 110-07 January 30, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Mickel D. Garrigus, 24, of Elma, Wash., died January 27t in Taji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat patrol. Garrigus was assigned to the 543rd Military Police Company, 91st Police Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
No. 111-07 January 30, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died January 28th in Najaf, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their helicopter crashed during combat operations. They were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Killed were:
Capt. Mark T. Resh, 28, of Pittsburgh.
Chief Warrant Officer Cornell C. Chao, 36, of California.
The incident is under investigation. For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254)287-9993; after hours (254)291-2591.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 108-07 January 30, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Carla J. Stewart, 37, of Sun Valley, Calif., died January 28th in Tallil, Iraq, of injuries suffered when her convoy vehicle rolled over. Stewart was assigned to the 250th Transportation Company, El Monte, Calif. The incident is under investigation.
For further information on this soldier the media can contact the Army Reserve 63rd Regional Readiness Command public affairs office at (562) 795-2356; after hours call (562) 343-3354.
Israeli Army Reserve Colonel gave Ride to Suicide Bomber
TheAustralian.news.com.au has this story today. It goes in part like this... EXTRAORDINARY details emerged yesterday of how an Israeli army reserve colonel gave a lift to a suicide bomber and considered running him over when he suspected his true mission.
Read this story in full at link below...
Israeli officer gave bomber a ride
Read this story in full at link below...
Israeli officer gave bomber a ride
Speaking at his first Pentagon roundtable with reporters since taking office, Gates said Commanders Will Get Troops They Need
January 26, 2007
While U.S. commanders in Iraq do not have a “blank check” to request additional troops, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today he will consider all their recommendations and ensure they have the forces they need to accomplish their mission.
Speaking at his first Pentagon roundtable with reporters since taking office, Gates said he has asked commanders what troop levels they need. He added that those recommendations will go through a thorough vetting process before being approved.
“I would say what we have done, I hope, is create an environment in which the commanders feel open to requesting what they think they need, and then we will evaluate it here in the department to see what’s available and how much of that request we can satisfy,” Gates said. Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, who was confirmed today by the Senate to lead Multinational Force Iraq, has indicated the additional troops allocated for Iraq will be sufficient to accomplish the mission, Gates said. The Defense Department is evaluating whether the deployment of some or all of the five brigades President Bush has pledged to Iraq can be accelerated, he said.
Gates warned that anything that would undermine support of the U.S. mission in Iraq, such as Congressional resolutions opposing troop increases in Iraq, would embolden terrorists. “I think it’s hard to measure that with any precision, but it seems pretty straightforward that any indication of flagging will in the United States gives encouragement to (terrorists),” he said. “And I’m sure that that’s not the intent behind the resolutions, but I think it may be the effect.”
As the additional troops are sent to Iraq and the new Iraq strategy is implemented, it is possible there will be a rise in U.S. casualties, Gates said. Another possibility is that terrorists will go into hiding and try to wait out the surge, he added.
“The key here is the fact that the Iraqi military are going to be in the lead on this, and we are going to be in a support role,” he said. “It would be my expectation that the Iraqi military would be there for a very long period of time, and once we got the level of violence down to a certain point that it would be entirely manageable by the Iraqi army, that would be there for a protracted period of time.”
In his confirmation hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee Jan. 23, Petraeus said that the entire U.S. government needs to mobilize and contribute to the Iraq effort. Today Gates agreed, but said that no decisions will be made until Petraeus arrives in Iraq and evaluates the situation.
“It’s an issue that I’ve felt strongly about from the beginning -- that the reconstruction and economic development part of this strategy of clear, hold and build, is critically important to its long-term success,” Gates said. “We will wait until General Petraeus arrives on the scene and get his estimation of what he needs.”
(Taken from DoD - American Forces Press Service and written by Sgt. Sara Wood, USA)
While U.S. commanders in Iraq do not have a “blank check” to request additional troops, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today he will consider all their recommendations and ensure they have the forces they need to accomplish their mission.
Speaking at his first Pentagon roundtable with reporters since taking office, Gates said he has asked commanders what troop levels they need. He added that those recommendations will go through a thorough vetting process before being approved.
“I would say what we have done, I hope, is create an environment in which the commanders feel open to requesting what they think they need, and then we will evaluate it here in the department to see what’s available and how much of that request we can satisfy,” Gates said. Army Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, who was confirmed today by the Senate to lead Multinational Force Iraq, has indicated the additional troops allocated for Iraq will be sufficient to accomplish the mission, Gates said. The Defense Department is evaluating whether the deployment of some or all of the five brigades President Bush has pledged to Iraq can be accelerated, he said.
Gates warned that anything that would undermine support of the U.S. mission in Iraq, such as Congressional resolutions opposing troop increases in Iraq, would embolden terrorists. “I think it’s hard to measure that with any precision, but it seems pretty straightforward that any indication of flagging will in the United States gives encouragement to (terrorists),” he said. “And I’m sure that that’s not the intent behind the resolutions, but I think it may be the effect.”
As the additional troops are sent to Iraq and the new Iraq strategy is implemented, it is possible there will be a rise in U.S. casualties, Gates said. Another possibility is that terrorists will go into hiding and try to wait out the surge, he added.
“The key here is the fact that the Iraqi military are going to be in the lead on this, and we are going to be in a support role,” he said. “It would be my expectation that the Iraqi military would be there for a very long period of time, and once we got the level of violence down to a certain point that it would be entirely manageable by the Iraqi army, that would be there for a protracted period of time.”
In his confirmation hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee Jan. 23, Petraeus said that the entire U.S. government needs to mobilize and contribute to the Iraq effort. Today Gates agreed, but said that no decisions will be made until Petraeus arrives in Iraq and evaluates the situation.
“It’s an issue that I’ve felt strongly about from the beginning -- that the reconstruction and economic development part of this strategy of clear, hold and build, is critically important to its long-term success,” Gates said. “We will wait until General Petraeus arrives on the scene and get his estimation of what he needs.”
(Taken from DoD - American Forces Press Service and written by Sgt. Sara Wood, USA)
Monday, January 29, 2007
Juan Williams at NPR Interviews President George W. Bush
Monday, January 29, 2007
During the interview, President Bush had this to say... I'm optimistic, I'm realistic, I understand how tough the fight is, but I also understand the stakes, and it's very important for our citizens to understand that a Middle East could evolve in which rival forms of extremists compete with each other, you know, nuclear weapons become developed, safe havens are in place, oil would be used as an economic weapon against the West. And I'm confident that if this were to happen, people would look back at this year and say, what happened to those people in 2006? How come they couldn't see the impending threat???
Read Transcript in full HERE (Has Audio too)
During the interview, President Bush had this to say... I'm optimistic, I'm realistic, I understand how tough the fight is, but I also understand the stakes, and it's very important for our citizens to understand that a Middle East could evolve in which rival forms of extremists compete with each other, you know, nuclear weapons become developed, safe havens are in place, oil would be used as an economic weapon against the West. And I'm confident that if this were to happen, people would look back at this year and say, what happened to those people in 2006? How come they couldn't see the impending threat???
Read Transcript in full HERE (Has Audio too)
Iraqis, Coalition Reestablish Security On Haifa
About Photo: Sgt. Kevin McCallum , a native of Aikens, S.C., with Company C,1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, looks for his next accurate shot on insurgents on Hiafa Street, January 24th. Photo and story below by...
Cpl. Shea Butler
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Story below from January 27th
The company of Soldiers starts the day before the sun, knowing in the back of their minds that it is going to be a long day full of fire fights with the enemy. As grenades detonate around them and bullets fly by, they target the enemy and engage immediately, proving that "courage is the absence of fear."
For the second time in the past several weeks, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division teamed up with Iraqi Army troops to take on insurgents on Haifa Street, in Baghdad’s Karkh district Jan. 24.
The Haifa Street operation, dubbed Operation Tomahawk Strike 11, aimed to disrupt insurgents in order to establish security, said Capt. Isaac Torres, commander, Company C, 1-23 Inf.
The Soldiers started the operation at 3 a.m. when they gathered for pre-combat inspections, received the updated status of the area of operation and piled in their Strykers. They were prepared for a long day. They expected enemy fire.
"We knew we were going to get fired at, and we were ready for it," said Sgt. Kevin McCallum, a native of Aikens, S.C., with Co. C.
Their assumptions were accurate. It wasn’t long after entering their objective area that the enemy threw grenades. It was continuous from that point on.
"There was pretty much constant firing back and forth all day with (only a) few slow periods," McCallum said.
Despite all the noise coming from various weapons being fired, Co. C kept up communication between one another which helped the success of the mission.
"The communication was great. Everyone was relaying information about targeting and identifying the enemy. Some of it was over the radio and some was just yelling back and forth," McCallum said. Noncommissioned officers communicated to everyone in their sectors of fire, constantly rotating around the building the company had secured. NCOs made sure that Soldiers were staying out of windows and were doing well.
While the NCOs were vigilant, the junior enlisted troops didn’t need much guidance. They have been in similar dangerous fire fights.
"They have all been in enough fire fights to know what is going on," McCallum said. "They know all the rules of engagement."
Training is part of what helped these Soldiers through the long day, but adrenaline helped too.
"It was a long day but there was so much adrenaline it made easier," he said. "We took shots through some windows and adrenaline really kicked in. We immediately got on line, located the enemy and suppressed fire."
Firing slowed down greatly towards the end of the day. When the smoke cleared, 21 insurgents had been detained and a weapons cache uncovered.
"The mission was a success," Torres said. "The enemy was greatly disrupted and the Iraqi Army and coalition forces made an impact"
(Taken from the MNF-I website)
Note...
I can not help but believe that the following story is another take of the same Operation that I got at the New York Times the other day. View it in a post I did on January 25th.
“Troubling Story Out Of Iraq”
AubreyJ.........
VIEW Operation Tomahawk Strike 11 VIDEO...
View some military video of Operation Tomahawk Strike 11, HERE. This was just one in a series of raids targeting illegal militia activity...
About Video...
Unit(s) Involved: 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division; 6th Iraqi Army Division
Force(s) Involved: Army, Iraqi Forces
Component(s) Involved: Active
Submitting Unit: 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Video Length: 4:53 minutes
Date Taken: January 24, 2007
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
No. 107-07 January 29, 2007DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Anthony C. Melia, 20, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., died January 27th while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For further information related to this release, contact the Camp Pendleton public affairs office at (760) 725-5044.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 106-07January 29, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Maj. Alan R. Johnson, 44, of Yakima, Wash., died January 26th in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee at Muqdadiyah, Iraq, the same day. He was assigned to the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Tonawanda, N.Y.
For further information on this soldier, contact the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command public affairs office at (910) 824-4628.
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
No. 105-07 January 29, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died January 25th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Killed were:
Sgt. Alexander H. Fuller, 21, of Centerville, Mass.
Pfc. Michael C. Balsley, 23, of Hayward, Calif.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at (719) 526-3420; after hours (719) 526-5500.
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died January 25th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Killed were:
Sgt. Alexander H. Fuller, 21, of Centerville, Mass.
Pfc. Michael C. Balsley, 23, of Hayward, Calif.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at (719) 526-3420; after hours (719) 526-5500.
Navy Aviator Missing In Action From the Vietnam War Identified
No. 104-07 January 29, 2007Navy Aviator Missing In Action From the Vietnam War Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
He is Navy Cmdr. Peter Mongilardi Jr., of Haledon, N.J. He will be buried on April 11 at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington D.C.
On June 25, 1965, Mongilardi departed the USS Coral Seain his A-4C Skyhawk on an armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. His flight encountered bad weather and enemy fire over Thanh Hoa Province, causing the wingman to lose visual and radio contact with Mongilardi. Contact was never re-established and the aircraft failed to return to the carrier.
In 1993, a joint U.S.-Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) archival team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), obtained information concerning the crash while researching documents, artifacts and photographs at the Central Army Museum in Hanoi. Later that year, another joint U.S./S.R.V. team conducted an investigation in Thanh Hoa Province. The team interviewed two local Vietnamese citizens who recalled the crash and said the pilot died in the impact. The men then led the team to the crash site.
In 1994, another joint team excavated the crash site and recovered human remains and pilot-related items, including a belt tip, boot heel, pieces of flight boot and other items worn by the pilot.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used nuclear DNA in the identification of the remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO.
Three Killed By Suicide Bomber In Israel's Red Sea Resort Of Eilat
Three people were killed Monday by a suicide bomber in a bakery... in the first suicide bombing to strike Israel's southernmost city... the Israel's Red Sea resort of Eilat. This is the first such attack inside the Jewish state in nine months, police said...
Read the story at YNET.news.com
Update:
>>> 10:15am CST
Bloomberg.com has this update. It goes in part like this... Saraya al-Quds, a militant wing of the Islamic Jihad, said Palestinian Mohammed al-Siksik, 21, undertook today's attack. The group said the bombing was carried out jointly with the armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction. Al- Siksik left his hometown in the Gaza Strip for Jordan, where he spent seven months preparing for the assault, a masked Islamic Jihad member said at a news conference in Gaza City...
Israel Bakery Hit by Suicide Bombing, Three Killed (Update4)
>>> 4:30pmCST
FM Livni Responds to Today's Terror Attack
Jerusalem, January 29, 2007
Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem on Monday, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Lizni commented on today's terror attack in the south:
"The Israeli government will decide on the necessary steps to be taken in order to give Israeli citizens security. Israel has shown extraordinary restraint in order to give the Palestinians an opportunity to fight terror and stop the attacks. Unfortunately the Palestinians failed to stop them. It is crucial for the international community to put pressure on the Hamas-led government, and the Israeli government will decide upon the necessary steps."
(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau - Information Department, Israel Foreign Ministry - Jerusalem)
I for one wonder just how Israel is going to react to this latest murder... If they even do anything at all. If they should sit back and do nothing... look out for major hell to go down on the terrorist amongst the Palestinian people in the very near future.
AubreyJ.........
Read the story at YNET.news.com
Update:
>>> 10:15am CST
Bloomberg.com has this update. It goes in part like this... Saraya al-Quds, a militant wing of the Islamic Jihad, said Palestinian Mohammed al-Siksik, 21, undertook today's attack. The group said the bombing was carried out jointly with the armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction. Al- Siksik left his hometown in the Gaza Strip for Jordan, where he spent seven months preparing for the assault, a masked Islamic Jihad member said at a news conference in Gaza City...
Israel Bakery Hit by Suicide Bombing, Three Killed (Update4)
>>> 4:30pmCST
FM Livni Responds to Today's Terror Attack
Jerusalem, January 29, 2007
Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem on Monday, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Lizni commented on today's terror attack in the south:
"The Israeli government will decide on the necessary steps to be taken in order to give Israeli citizens security. Israel has shown extraordinary restraint in order to give the Palestinians an opportunity to fight terror and stop the attacks. Unfortunately the Palestinians failed to stop them. It is crucial for the international community to put pressure on the Hamas-led government, and the Israeli government will decide upon the necessary steps."
(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau - Information Department, Israel Foreign Ministry - Jerusalem)
I for one wonder just how Israel is going to react to this latest murder... If they even do anything at all. If they should sit back and do nothing... look out for major hell to go down on the terrorist amongst the Palestinian people in the very near future.
AubreyJ.........
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Major Battle around Najaf, Iraq - US Chopper Reported Down
Reports are coming out, (I first heard it on FOX,) saying a major battle is ongoing right now around Najaf, Iraq... Fox News reports that at least 250 to 300 gunmen have been killed and a US helicopter is believed to have gone down in the fighting also.
2:00pm CST: Fox News just reported the US Military has confirmed that a US Helicopter has gone down in the battle. Two crew members were killed in the crash.
There is a cell phone video of some of the ongoing fighting and black smoke is in the background, said to be the downed US Helicopter. I’ll post the video as soon as it comes up on the web.
3:30pm CST: DOD - American Forces Press Service have put this report out:
Two U.S. soldiers were killed today when a Multinational Division Baghdad helicopter crashed north of Najaf, Iraq, military officials reported.
Officials said the helicopter was involved in operations to assist Iraqi security forces who had been attacked.
A news release announcing the crash did not report the type of helicopter and did not say whether it went down as a result of enemy action. Officials said operations continue in the area, the soldiers' bodies have been recovered, and that the incident is under investigation.
The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release)
>>> FOXnews.com has this report on their website...
Coalition Forces Reportedly Kill at Least 250 Militants in Iraq (I believe they will be updating this link as more news comes in)
>>> TVNZ.co.nz has this report HERE (I believe they too will be updating this link as news comes in)
>>> Here’s a little info I found on the Battle at NEWS.com.au
More to come...
AubreyJ.........
>>> UPDATE: Monday, January 29, 2007
“Iraqi Army Killed Leader of Shiite Cult”
Guardian.co.uk has this story today and it goes in part like this... Iraq’s Army announced Monday it killed the leader of a heavily armed cult of messianic Shiites called “the Soldiers of Heaven” in a fierce gunbattle aimed at foiling a plot to attack leading Shiite clerics and pilgrims in the southern city of Najaf on the holiest day of the Shiite calendar.
Read the rest of the story HERE
2:00pm CST: Fox News just reported the US Military has confirmed that a US Helicopter has gone down in the battle. Two crew members were killed in the crash.
There is a cell phone video of some of the ongoing fighting and black smoke is in the background, said to be the downed US Helicopter. I’ll post the video as soon as it comes up on the web.
3:30pm CST: DOD - American Forces Press Service have put this report out:
Two U.S. soldiers were killed today when a Multinational Division Baghdad helicopter crashed north of Najaf, Iraq, military officials reported.
Officials said the helicopter was involved in operations to assist Iraqi security forces who had been attacked.
A news release announcing the crash did not report the type of helicopter and did not say whether it went down as a result of enemy action. Officials said operations continue in the area, the soldiers' bodies have been recovered, and that the incident is under investigation.
The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release)
>>> FOXnews.com has this report on their website...
Coalition Forces Reportedly Kill at Least 250 Militants in Iraq (I believe they will be updating this link as more news comes in)
>>> TVNZ.co.nz has this report HERE (I believe they too will be updating this link as news comes in)
>>> Here’s a little info I found on the Battle at NEWS.com.au
More to come...
AubreyJ.........
>>> UPDATE: Monday, January 29, 2007
“Iraqi Army Killed Leader of Shiite Cult”
Guardian.co.uk has this story today and it goes in part like this... Iraq’s Army announced Monday it killed the leader of a heavily armed cult of messianic Shiites called “the Soldiers of Heaven” in a fierce gunbattle aimed at foiling a plot to attack leading Shiite clerics and pilgrims in the southern city of Najaf on the holiest day of the Shiite calendar.
Read the rest of the story HERE
Saturday, January 27, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 102-07 January 27, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Nathan P. Fairlie, 21, of Candor, N.Y., died of injuries suffered in Baqubah on January 26th when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. Fairlie was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. For further information related to this release, contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Russian Man Trying To Sell Uranium Case, Underscores Nuke Safety Fears
I almost ran a post on this story several times yesterday but decided to go ahead and wait until today. I was waiting to post as I tried to take in all the info I could as to the... who... what... when... and why...
Today I ran across this story by RadioFreeEurope – RadioLiberty that I thought covered most of what I was looking for... and it goes in part as follows... Moscow and Tbilisi have traded harsh words after Georgia revealed it had arrested a Russian man last year trying to sell weapons-grade uranium.
The incident marks a new low in already strained Russian-Georgian relations and raises fresh fears worldwide that some of Russia's huge nuclear stockpiles could fall into terrorist hands...
Read the story in full HERE
Saturday Update: January 27, 2007
NDTV.com has this story today...
“Uranium came from Russia, investigators told”
My take on all of this is said in one word... “IRAN”.
Everyone is worried about Iran producing enriched weapons grade Uranium... and this is a major problem being worked on, (somewhat, to very little) by the major players in the world today. But what doesn’t seem to be getting everyone’s attention is the fact Iran doesn’t have to make it themselves...
Can Iran make a Nuke and deliver it???
* All they need is the cash to buy Weapons Grade Uranium and a source. (Very... very possible it is... as this arrest and the one the other year has already proven.)
* Do they actually have the know... as to how to make a weapon? From what I’ve seen... the answer would be yes. Can you say North Korea – Pakistan?
* Last but least they need a means of delivering such a weapon. (I found this disturbing new Iranian Missile story in the news today. Click HERE to read the story in full.) Not to forget that Iran was at North Korea’s long-range missile test that caused such a ruckus last year. Bottom line... I’d have to say YES!!!
Dangerous times we live in, I’d say... Dangerous times indeed.
AubreyJ.........
Today I ran across this story by RadioFreeEurope – RadioLiberty that I thought covered most of what I was looking for... and it goes in part as follows... Moscow and Tbilisi have traded harsh words after Georgia revealed it had arrested a Russian man last year trying to sell weapons-grade uranium.
The incident marks a new low in already strained Russian-Georgian relations and raises fresh fears worldwide that some of Russia's huge nuclear stockpiles could fall into terrorist hands...
Read the story in full HERE
Saturday Update: January 27, 2007
NDTV.com has this story today...
“Uranium came from Russia, investigators told”
My take on all of this is said in one word... “IRAN”.
Everyone is worried about Iran producing enriched weapons grade Uranium... and this is a major problem being worked on, (somewhat, to very little) by the major players in the world today. But what doesn’t seem to be getting everyone’s attention is the fact Iran doesn’t have to make it themselves...
Can Iran make a Nuke and deliver it???
* All they need is the cash to buy Weapons Grade Uranium and a source. (Very... very possible it is... as this arrest and the one the other year has already proven.)
* Do they actually have the know... as to how to make a weapon? From what I’ve seen... the answer would be yes. Can you say North Korea – Pakistan?
* Last but least they need a means of delivering such a weapon. (I found this disturbing new Iranian Missile story in the news today. Click HERE to read the story in full.) Not to forget that Iran was at North Korea’s long-range missile test that caused such a ruckus last year. Bottom line... I’d have to say YES!!!
Dangerous times we live in, I’d say... Dangerous times indeed.
AubreyJ.........
Photo for the Day – January 26, 2007
U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Castillo, from 1st Cavalry Division, provides security while his team members check a mortar hole during a patrol in Khalis, Iraq, Jan. 25, 2007.DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall, USAF
Karbala, Iraq Attackers Used U.S. Army-Styled Uniforms To Gain Access
January 26, 2007
Insurgents who attacked the Provincial Joint Coordination Center in Karbala, Iraq, were dressed in U.S. Army-styled combat uniforms and carried U.S.-type weapons, convincing Iraqi checkpoints to allow them passage, military officials released today.
During the Jan. 20 attack, the enemy fighters captured and killed four U.S. soldiers. Another soldier was also killed and three others wounded in the attack on the center, located about 30 miles south of Baghdad.
Local officials and Iraqi and coalition security forces meet at the center to address security needs.
"The precision of the attack, the equipment used and the possible use of explosives to destroy the military vehicles in the compound suggests that the attack was well rehearsed prior to execution," said Army Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, spokesman for Multinational Division Baghdad. "The attackers went straight to where Americans were located in the provincial government facility, bypassing the Iraqi police in the compound."
At about 5 p.m. that day, a convoy consisting of at least five sport utility vehicles entered the Karbala compound and about 12 armed militants attacked the American troops with rifle fire and hand grenades, officials said.
One soldier was killed and three others wounded by a hand grenade thrown into the center's main office. Other explosions within the compound destroyed three Humvees.
The attackers withdrew with four captured U.S. soldiers and drove out of the Karbala province into the neighboring Babil province. Iraqi police began trailing the assailants after they drew suspicion at a checkpoint.
Three soldiers were found dead and one fatally wounded, along with five abandoned vehicles, near the town of Mahawil. Two were found handcuffed together in the back of one of the vehicles. The other two were found nearby on the ground. One soldier was found alive but died en route to a nearby hospital. All suffered from gunshot wounds.
Also recovered at the site were U.S. Army-type combat uniforms, boots, radios and a non-U.S. made rifle, officials said.
Officials are investigating the breach in security at the center. "We are looking at all the evidence to determine who or what was responsible for the breakdown in security at the compound and the perpetration of the assault," Bleichwehl said. "Our hearts go out to the families of the fallen warriors from Karbala. They were true heroes who fought to the last."
The names of four of the soldiers have been released. The fifth name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Killed were:
* Army 1st Lt. Jacob N. Fritz, 25, of Verdon, Neb.
* Army Spc. Johnathan B. Chism, 22, of Gonzales, La.
* Army Pfc. Shawn P. Falter, 25, of Cortland, N.Y.
* Army Pvt. Johnathon M. Millican, 20, of Trafford, Ala.
The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
(Taken from a news article by American Forces Press Service that was compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and DoD news releases)
Insurgents who attacked the Provincial Joint Coordination Center in Karbala, Iraq, were dressed in U.S. Army-styled combat uniforms and carried U.S.-type weapons, convincing Iraqi checkpoints to allow them passage, military officials released today.
During the Jan. 20 attack, the enemy fighters captured and killed four U.S. soldiers. Another soldier was also killed and three others wounded in the attack on the center, located about 30 miles south of Baghdad.
Local officials and Iraqi and coalition security forces meet at the center to address security needs.
"The precision of the attack, the equipment used and the possible use of explosives to destroy the military vehicles in the compound suggests that the attack was well rehearsed prior to execution," said Army Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, spokesman for Multinational Division Baghdad. "The attackers went straight to where Americans were located in the provincial government facility, bypassing the Iraqi police in the compound."
At about 5 p.m. that day, a convoy consisting of at least five sport utility vehicles entered the Karbala compound and about 12 armed militants attacked the American troops with rifle fire and hand grenades, officials said.
One soldier was killed and three others wounded by a hand grenade thrown into the center's main office. Other explosions within the compound destroyed three Humvees.
The attackers withdrew with four captured U.S. soldiers and drove out of the Karbala province into the neighboring Babil province. Iraqi police began trailing the assailants after they drew suspicion at a checkpoint.
Three soldiers were found dead and one fatally wounded, along with five abandoned vehicles, near the town of Mahawil. Two were found handcuffed together in the back of one of the vehicles. The other two were found nearby on the ground. One soldier was found alive but died en route to a nearby hospital. All suffered from gunshot wounds.
Also recovered at the site were U.S. Army-type combat uniforms, boots, radios and a non-U.S. made rifle, officials said.
Officials are investigating the breach in security at the center. "We are looking at all the evidence to determine who or what was responsible for the breakdown in security at the compound and the perpetration of the assault," Bleichwehl said. "Our hearts go out to the families of the fallen warriors from Karbala. They were true heroes who fought to the last."
The names of four of the soldiers have been released. The fifth name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Killed were:
* Army 1st Lt. Jacob N. Fritz, 25, of Verdon, Neb.
* Army Spc. Johnathan B. Chism, 22, of Gonzales, La.
* Army Pfc. Shawn P. Falter, 25, of Cortland, N.Y.
* Army Pvt. Johnathon M. Millican, 20, of Trafford, Ala.
The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
(Taken from a news article by American Forces Press Service that was compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and DoD news releases)
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 101-07 January 26, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Darrell W. Shipp, 25, of San Antonio, Texas, died January 25th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
For further information on this soldier, contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993.
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
No. 098-07 January 26, 2007DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Mark D. Kidd, 26, of Milford, Mich., died January 25th from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Kidd was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Mount Clemens, Mich.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Marine Forces Reserve public affairs office at (504) 678-4177.
US Senate Confirms Army General David Petraeus as Top US Commander in Iraq
The Democratic-led Senate confirmed General Petraeus' nomination after less than an hour of debate... General Petraeus, who will be making his third tour of duty in Iraq, is the principal author of the Army's new counter-insurgency manual, and is one of the U.S. military's most experienced field commanders.
Read the story in full at VOAnews.com
As so many said before me, these last few days...
God’s Speed, General.
AubreyJ.........
Read the story in full at VOAnews.com
As so many said before me, these last few days...
God’s Speed, General.
AubreyJ.........
Iraq PM dubs Security plan to target all militants as "Operation Imposing Law"
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told parliament Thursday that the coming U.S-Iraqi security sweep in Baghdad would not be the last battle against militants...
[He] did not reveal the details of the plan, which he dubbed for the first time "Operation Imposing Law," or say when it would begin... But he promised to go after those behind Baghdad's rampant violence no matter where they tried to hide... "We are full of hope. We have no other choice but to use force and any place where we receive fire will not be safe even if it is a school, a mosque, a political party office or home," he said...
Read this story in full at ChinaPost.com
Now if this will just turn into action... not words... we will soon be able to get this mess under control over there. I think we will see not only action... but a strong hold on taken ground afterwards.
I for one think this is a major turning point in this war... No matter which way it turns.
I know our enemies will try to push us out of the country and win... Win by using all the mass murder they can muster.
I just hope America can stomach what is surely to be coming to their TV sets in the weeks to come. They are going to have to... for failure is not an option.
God’s speed to the fighting men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
AubreyJ.........
[He] did not reveal the details of the plan, which he dubbed for the first time "Operation Imposing Law," or say when it would begin... But he promised to go after those behind Baghdad's rampant violence no matter where they tried to hide... "We are full of hope. We have no other choice but to use force and any place where we receive fire will not be safe even if it is a school, a mosque, a political party office or home," he said...
Read this story in full at ChinaPost.com
Now if this will just turn into action... not words... we will soon be able to get this mess under control over there. I think we will see not only action... but a strong hold on taken ground afterwards.
I for one think this is a major turning point in this war... No matter which way it turns.
I know our enemies will try to push us out of the country and win... Win by using all the mass murder they can muster.
I just hope America can stomach what is surely to be coming to their TV sets in the weeks to come. They are going to have to... for failure is not an option.
God’s speed to the fighting men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
AubreyJ.........
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Troubling Story Out Of Iraq
I’m sorry but this story just flat out upsets me. I for one just couldn’t believe the story to be overall true. But if so... we sure the heck got to fix the problem and fast.
Here are a couple of questions I have about this story...
* Are these two reporters embedded with the troops in Baghdad or are they just 2nd... 3rd hand reporting from the green zone???
* If embedded with the troops... just how much fact is being reported???
The story in question was run yesterday on The New York Times website.
The story title and link is below...
In a New Joint U.S.-Iraqi Patrol, the Americans Go First
I’m really surprised the MSM hasn’t been all over this story these last two days...
More to come...
AubreyJ.........
Here are a couple of questions I have about this story...
* Are these two reporters embedded with the troops in Baghdad or are they just 2nd... 3rd hand reporting from the green zone???
* If embedded with the troops... just how much fact is being reported???
The story in question was run yesterday on The New York Times website.
The story title and link is below...
In a New Joint U.S.-Iraqi Patrol, the Americans Go First
I’m really surprised the MSM hasn’t been all over this story these last two days...
More to come...
AubreyJ.........
43 Insurgents Detained, Weapons Found, Captives Freed
This story from DoD goes in part like this... Coalition forces discovered a building with blood-stained walls southeast of Fallujah on Jan. 22 and rescued three Iraqis found shackled inside. One of the victims was badly beaten and had broken limbs. He was examined and quickly evacuated by coalition forces to receive life-saving medical care. During their patrol, soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment, discovered multiple weapons caches in other nearby houses. The discovery included a mortar targeting system and a sniper rifle with scope, as well as a Bongo truck with a mounted anti-aircraft gun and another vehicle rigged as a car bomb. Once the hostages were rescued from the house, the suspected "torture house" was destroyed by coalition forces...
Read this story in full at DoD
Read this story in full at DoD
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 094-07 January 25, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Keith A. Callahan, 31, of McClure, Pa., died January 24th of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was conducting a combat patrol south of Baghdad, Iraq. Callahan was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Bragg public affairs office at (910) 396-5620.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 093-07January 25, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Hector Leija, 27, of Houston, Texas, died January 24th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered during combat operations. Leija was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at (253) 967-0152.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 092-07 January 25, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Jamie D. Wilson, 34, of San Diego, Calif., died January 22nd in Fallujah, Iraq, from wounds suffered while conducting security operations in Karmah, Iraq. Wilson was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Richardson public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 091-07 January 25, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Brandon L. Stout, 23, of Grand Rapids, Mich., died January 22nd in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an explosively formed projectile detonated near his vehicle. Stout was assigned to the 46th Military Police Company, Michigan Army National Guard, Kingsford, Mich.
For further information in regard to this release the media contact the Michigan National Guard public affairs office at (517) 481-8140.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 090-07 January 25, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Nicholas P. Brown, 24, of Huber Heights, Ohio, died January 22nd in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Brown was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
For more information about this soldier the media can contact the Fort Bliss public affairs office at (915) 568-4505.
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
No. 089-07 January 25, 2007DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush, 24, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, died January 23rd from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Kashkoush was assigned to 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Okinawa public affairs office at 011-81-611-745-0790.
The Fall of Lebanon – Update 1
The Fall of Lebanon – Update 1
Ongoing Story: Updated Thursday, January 25, 2007
In my first post titled, “The Fall of Lebanon Begins” I wrote this… I hardly saw any news on this fast destruction of a free Lebanon... even being mentioned in the MSM today. I guess it hasn’t got bloody enough for them... YET!
Well… I guess it has gotten bloody enough for them today... for it has been reported hard a heavy all morning on all the Cable News Channels.
***********************************
Ongoing Story: Updated Thursday, January 25, 2007
In my first post titled, “The Fall of Lebanon Begins” I wrote this… I hardly saw any news on this fast destruction of a free Lebanon... even being mentioned in the MSM today. I guess it hasn’t got bloody enough for them... YET!
Well… I guess it has gotten bloody enough for them today... for it has been reported hard a heavy all morning on all the Cable News Channels.
***********************************
>>> The World Socialist Web Site has this report today…
The media focused attention on sectarian aspects of the conflict—with crowds of mainly Shia oppositionists facing off against supporters of Siniora’s government, which is composed of Sunni, Druze and Christian parties. Sharp tensions were apparent in the armed clashes, fistfights and stone-throwing that took place. But sole blame for this was routinely placed on Hezbollah, which was accused of acting as a proxy of Iran and Syria against a supposedly democratic government. Siniora told Japan’s Kyodo News that Lebanon has “been paying the price of imposed decisions coming from outside countries, like Iran and Syria... The decisions made by the opposition in Lebanon are decisions coming from outside, like Iran and Syria.”
“What is happening is a revolution and a coup attempt,” Christian leader and former warlord Samir Geagea told Al Jazeera. US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack made similar claims...
Read the story in full at link below...
Western powers accuse Iran and Syria of masterminding Lebanese general strike
>>> SKYnews.com is reporting... At least four people are reported to have died in clashes between political groups at Beirut Arab University... Pro and anti-government students hurled rocks and furniture at each other in running battles on the campus... The riot is the latest incident to ratchet up tension in Lebanon and will raise fears the country is once again slipping into civil war after a month of anti-government protests...
Read this story in full at link below...
Four Dead In University Clash
>>> FOXnews has this story and video at link below...
Lebanon Students Rampage
More to come...
AubreyJ.........
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Iraq: What the MSM never shows the American People
Here is some of what the MSM will never show the American People.
I ask... Why!!!?
If we are to win the war on terror... we got to get all Americans behind the war. If the MSM continues to show nothing but BLOOD... and never reports on the work the troops are doing daily... we soon could lose this war on terror to the MSM... This is just the way our enemies our playing us too.
Below are things you will never read or see in the MSM today. I ask you all to take the time and watch the video below...
Here’s a little about who put it together...
Freedom Journal Iraq is a daily program produced by American Forces Network Iraq. This program focuses on military missions, operations and U.S. military forces in Iraq.
Click the connection best for your viewing below...
Windows Media (fast connection, more than 200 kbps)
Windows Media (slow connection, less than 56 kbps)
You can watch daily reports at the Pentagon Channel HERE
Keep up the good work troops.
More Americans are behind you than the MSM might lead you to believe.
God bless you all and stay safe...
AubreyJ.........
I ask... Why!!!?
If we are to win the war on terror... we got to get all Americans behind the war. If the MSM continues to show nothing but BLOOD... and never reports on the work the troops are doing daily... we soon could lose this war on terror to the MSM... This is just the way our enemies our playing us too.
Below are things you will never read or see in the MSM today. I ask you all to take the time and watch the video below...
Here’s a little about who put it together...
Freedom Journal Iraq is a daily program produced by American Forces Network Iraq. This program focuses on military missions, operations and U.S. military forces in Iraq.
Click the connection best for your viewing below...
Windows Media (fast connection, more than 200 kbps)
Windows Media (slow connection, less than 56 kbps)
You can watch daily reports at the Pentagon Channel HERE
Keep up the good work troops.
More Americans are behind you than the MSM might lead you to believe.
God bless you all and stay safe...
AubreyJ.........
Operations in Somalia Continue - Update Six
Operations in Somalia Continue - Update Six
Ongoing Story: Updated Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Ongoing Story: Updated Wednesday, January 24, 2007
>>> CBC.ca is reporting this afternoon... For at least the second time this month, the U.S. has sent one of its heavily armed AC-130 gunships to strike what are described as suspected terrorist targets in southern Somalia...
Read the rest of the story below...
“U.S. flying gunship shoots up Somali targets again”
>>> Here’s a News Article by DoD - American Forces Press Service that was written by Kathleen T. Rhem. It goes as follows...
U.S. Working with Countries in Horn of Africa to go after al Qaeda
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The United States will track down al Qaeda operatives wherever they try to find safe haven, including in the Horn of Africa, a senior Defense Department official said today.
“We have, for some time, been concerned about al Qaeda operating in that region, and that’s why we’re working with countries throughout that (area of responsibility) to identify track, seek, capture and, if necessary, kill al Qaeda working, taking safe haven, operating in that region,” Bryan Whitman, deputy assistant defense secretary for media relations, told reporters today.
He did not, however, confirm media reports that the United States this week carried out an air strike on an al Qaeda target in Somalia, on Africa’s eastern coast.
“The nature of some of our operations are such that I just won’t be able to provide you much information (on every occasion),” he said.
A strike by a U.S. AC-130 gunship on Jan. 7 targeted a senior terrorist leader in Somalia. Officials have not yet released information on that mission’s success.
A senior defense official, speaking on background, stressed that some operations are better left unpublicized. “There are operations that we conduct that are of the nature that don’t lend themselves to public discourse,” the official said. “But I think we all understand that the success of some of these operations is predicated on our ability to conduct them in the ways in which we have to.”
The official noted that many military operations are never discussed in public. “The very nature of our special operations, for example, when we do special operations, are not something that lend themselves to being able to be discussed in a public kind of way, because their success is predicated on their ability to be carried out in a fashion that is not on the front page of every newspaper,” he said.
The official also stressed that operations in the Horn of Africa are conducted in cooperation with governments in the region. “We are working very closely with countries in the region because of the fact that there are known terrorists that are seeking to try to take harbor, to plan, and to conduct operations in that region,” he said.
My take...
LIGHT ‘EM UP BOYS!!!!!!
AubreyJ.........
Photo for the Day – January 24, 2007
U.S. Army Pfc. Pedro Rangel provides security with an M240B machine gun from a rooftop while fellow soldiers begin work on building the new combat out post in Ghazaliya, Iraq, January 14, 2007. Rangel is with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Martin K. Newton
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 086-07 January 24, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Jonathan P. C. Kingman, 21, of Nankin, Ohio, died January 20 near Baji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 41st Engineer Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
For further information on this soldier, contact the Fort Riley public affairs office at (785) 239-3410.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 085-07 January 24, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Michael J. Wiggins, 26, of Cleveland, Ohio, died January 23 in Balad, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury. He was assigned to the 79th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The incident is under investigation.
For further information on this soldier, contact the Fort Sam Houston public affairs office at (210) 221-1151.
Dod Identifies Marine Casualties
No. 084-07 January 24, 2007Dod Identifies Marine Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Killed were:
Lance Cpl. Andrew G. Matus, 19, of Chetek, Wis. Matus died January 21st from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Matus was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Sgt. Gary S. Johnston, 21, of Windthorst, Texas. Johnston died January 23rd while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Johnston was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force Okinawa, Japan.
Media with questions about Matus can call Camp Pendleton public affairs office at (760) 725-5044. Media with questions about Johnston can call the Okinawa public affairs office at 011-81-611-745-0790.
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
No. 083-07 January 24, 2007DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Emilian D. Sanchez, 20, of Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M., died January 21st from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Media with questions about this Marine can call Camp Pendleton public affairs office at (760) 725-5044.
Four of the Five Americans Killed in U.S. Security Company's Copter Crash Shot Execution Style
Four of the five Americans killed when a U.S. security company's helicopter crashed in a dangerous Sunni neighborhood in central Baghdad were shot execution style in the back the head, Iraqi and U.S. officials said Wednesday... A senior Iraqi military official said a machine gunner downed the helicopter, but a U.S. military official in Washington said there were no indications that the aircraft, owned by Blackwater USA, had been shot out of the sky. Two Sunni Insurgent Groups, separately, claimed responsibility for the crash...
Read the rest of this story at Guardian.co.uk
Below is a Press Statement by:
U.S. Department of State
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
Released on January 24, 2007
Deaths of U.S. Department of State Contractors in Iraq
The Department of State is deeply saddened by the deaths of five employees of Blackwater Security Consulting during attacks on security details in Baghdad on January 23.
These men assisted the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in protecting American diplomats and missions in Iraq. They played an important role in helping our effort to bring a better way of life to the people of Iraq. We honor their courage, commitment, and sacrifice.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.
2007/049
Read the rest of this story at Guardian.co.uk
Below is a Press Statement by:
U.S. Department of State
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
Released on January 24, 2007
Deaths of U.S. Department of State Contractors in Iraq
The Department of State is deeply saddened by the deaths of five employees of Blackwater Security Consulting during attacks on security details in Baghdad on January 23.
These men assisted the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in protecting American diplomats and missions in Iraq. They played an important role in helping our effort to bring a better way of life to the people of Iraq. We honor their courage, commitment, and sacrifice.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.
2007/049
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
No. 082-07 January 24, 2007DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Darrel J. Morris, 21, of Spokane, Wash., died January 21st while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Morris was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the 2nd Marine Division public affairs office at (910) 450-6575.
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
No. 081-07 January 24, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of 12 soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Baghdad, Iraq, on January 20th, when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter they were in crashed.
Killed were:
Col. Brian D. Allgood, 46, of Oklahoma, who was assigned to the 30th Medical Brigade, European Regional Medical Command, Heidelberg, Germany.
Staff Sgt. Darryl D. Booker, 37, of Midlothian, Va., who was assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, Virginia Army National Guard, Sandston, Va.
Sgt. 1st Class John G. Brown, 43, of Little Rock, Ark., who was assigned to the Arkansas Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment (Air Assault), 77th Aviation Brigade, Camp Robinson, Ark.
Lt. Col. David C. Canegata, 50, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, who was assigned to the Virgin Islands Army National Guard, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Command Sgt. Maj. Marilyn L. Gabbard, 46, of Polk City, Iowa, who was assigned to Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa Army National Guard, Camp Dodge, Johnston, Iowa.
Command Sgt. Maj. Roger W. Haller, 49, of Davidsonville, Md., who was assigned to the 70th Regiment, Regional Training Institute - Maryland, Maryland Army National Guard, Reisterstown, Md.
Col. Paul M. Kelly, 45, of Stafford, Va., who was assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters of the Virginia Army National Guard in Blackstone, Va.
Staff Sgt. Floyd E. Lake, 43, of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, who was assigned to the Virgin Islands Army National Guard, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Cpl. Victor M. Langarica, 29, of Decatur, Ga., who was assigned to the 86th Signal Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
Capt. Sean E. Lyerly, 31, of Pflugerville, Texas., who was assigned to the Texas Army National Guard's 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, 36th Infantry Division, Austin, Texas.
Maj. Michael V. Taylor, 40, of North Little Rock, Ark., who was assigned to the Arkansas Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment (Air Assault), 77th Aviation Brigade, Camp Robinson, Ark.
1st Sgt. William T. Warren, 48, of North Little Rock, Ark., who was assigned to the Arkansas Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment (Air Assault), 77th Aviation Brigade, Camp Robinson, Ark.
The incident is under investigation.
For information on Allgood, the media can contact the European Regional Medical Command public affairs office at 011-49-6221-17-3317.
For information on Booker and Kelly, the media can contact the Virginia National Guard public affairs office at (434) 298-6107.
For information on Brown, Taylor and Warren, the media can contact the Arkansas National Guard public affairs office at (501) 212-5020.
For information on Canegata and Lake, the media can contact the Virgin Islands National Guard public affairs office at (340) 712-7750.
For information on Gabbard, the media can contact the Iowa National Guard public affairs office at (515) 252-4582.
For information on Haller, the media can contact the Maryland National Guard public affairs office at (410) 576-6179.
For information on Langarica, the media can contact the Fort Huachuca public affairs office at (520) 533-2752.For information on Lyerly, the media can contact the Texas National Guard public affairs office at (512) 782-1034.
Saddam Hussein's Cousin "Chemical Ali" says he does not regret any decision he made while crushing Kurdish Uprising
Saddam Hussein's cousin, ["Chemical Ali"] Ali Hassan al-Majid told the court Wednesday that he does not regret any decision he made while crushing a Kurdish uprising nearly two decades ago, adding that the government's campaign was not targeting Kurds because of their ethnicity...
Read the story in full at International Herald Tribune
Read the story in full at International Herald Tribune
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The Fall of Lebanon Begins
Tuesday’s anti-government strike campaign by Hezbollah has reached paralyzing proportions... and Lebanon’s Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s Western-supported government is at the beginning of falling from power.
I predict that the Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah... will be turning Lebanon into another Puppet State of Iran most likely within the next few months... if not sooner. And we sit back and do nothing.
I hardly saw any news on this fast destruction of a free Lebanon... even being mentioned in the MSM today. . I guess it hasn’t got bloody enough for them... YET!
More to come, I’m sure, on this story in the days to come...
AubreyJ.........
I predict that the Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah... will be turning Lebanon into another Puppet State of Iran most likely within the next few months... if not sooner. And we sit back and do nothing.
I hardly saw any news on this fast destruction of a free Lebanon... even being mentioned in the MSM today. . I guess it hasn’t got bloody enough for them... YET!
More to come, I’m sure, on this story in the days to come...
AubreyJ.........
President Bush Delivers Annual State of the Union Address
President Bush delivered the annual State of the Union Address tonight...Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 8pm CST.
(White House photo by David Bohrer)
...
My Take:
Well... The State of the Union Address is now over and I for one thought it was a very moving... a very persuasive speech. I’m not going to say much more because these next few sentences say it all... If you really wanted to know who believes in winning this war... all you had to do was look at who stood up and applauded when the President said these words... “On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. Let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory.” (Hint: Most all the Dems stayed seated and most of them didn’t even clap their hands.)
Well... The State of the Union Address is now over and I for one thought it was a very moving... a very persuasive speech. I’m not going to say much more because these next few sentences say it all... If you really wanted to know who believes in winning this war... all you had to do was look at who stood up and applauded when the President said these words... “On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. Let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory.” (Hint: Most all the Dems stayed seated and most of them didn’t even clap their hands.)
No other words needed...
AubreyJ.........
AubreyJ.........
.
.
What other Bloggers have to say:
Photo for the Day – January 23, 2007
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Sarah Rosnick gives deworming medicine to a goat during a veterinary assistance mission in Panjshir, Afghanistan, Jan. 16, 2007. Rosnick is assigned to the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team.DoD photo by Staff Sgt Marcus J Quarterman USA
United States Condemns Violence in Lebanon
Press Statement by
U.S. Department of State
Sean McCormack
Washington, DC
January 23, 2007
United States Condemns Violence in Lebanon
The United States is deeply concerned about developments today in Lebanon. Lebanese factions allied with Syria are blocking roads, preventing people from reaching their jobs and schools, and obstructing the work of the security services. These factions are trying to use violence, threats, and intimidation to impose their political will on Lebanon. They also seek to distract attention from the Paris III conference to be held later this week, where international donors will demonstrate their strong support for the people and government of Lebanon. Especially given the dangers of sectarian clashes, the United States calls on all parties to use peaceful and constitutional means to debate the political issues before them, and to exercise restraint. Lebanon is a democracy with a strong parliamentary system and a tradition of national dialogue. TheUnited States hopes that Lebanon's leaders will return immediately to the Parliament, or resume a national dialogue, in order to resolve political differences peacefully.
2007/044
U.S. Department of State
Sean McCormack
Washington, DC
January 23, 2007
United States Condemns Violence in Lebanon
The United States is deeply concerned about developments today in Lebanon. Lebanese factions allied with Syria are blocking roads, preventing people from reaching their jobs and schools, and obstructing the work of the security services. These factions are trying to use violence, threats, and intimidation to impose their political will on Lebanon. They also seek to distract attention from the Paris III conference to be held later this week, where international donors will demonstrate their strong support for the people and government of Lebanon. Especially given the dangers of sectarian clashes, the United States calls on all parties to use peaceful and constitutional means to debate the political issues before them, and to exercise restraint. Lebanon is a democracy with a strong parliamentary system and a tradition of national dialogue. TheUnited States hopes that Lebanon's leaders will return immediately to the Parliament, or resume a national dialogue, in order to resolve political differences peacefully.
2007/044
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
No. 076-07 January 23, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died January 20th in Karbala, Iraq, from wounds sustained when their patrol was ambushed while conducting dismounted operations. The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
Killed were:
1st Lt. Jacob N. Fritz, 25, of Verdon, Neb.
Spc. Johnathan B. Chism, 22, of Gonzales, La.
Pfc. Shawn P. Falter, 25, of Cortland, N.Y.
Pvt. Johnathon M. Millican, 20, of Trafford, Ala.
For more information about these soldiers, contact the Fort Richardson public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
No. 075-07 January 23, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died January 20th in Karma, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their Humvee. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
Killed were:
Sgt. Sean P. Fennerty, 25, of Corvallis, Ore.
Sgt. Phillip D. McNeill, 22, of Sunrise, Fla.
Spc. Jeffrey D. Bisson, 22, of Vista, Calif.
Spc. Toby R. Olsen, 28, of Manchester, N.H.
For more information about these soldiers, contact the Fort Richardson public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.
In Memory of our Fallen Heroes
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
(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. 074-07 January 23, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Ryan J. Hill, 20, of Keizer, Ore., died January 20th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee. Hill was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.
For further information on this soldier, contact the 1st Armored Division public affairs office at 011-611-705-4859.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
No. 071-07 January 23, 2007DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Capt. Brian S. Freeman, 31, of Temecula, Calif., died January 20th in Karbala, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his meeting area came under attack by mortar and smalls arms fire. Freeman was assigned to the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion, Whitehall, Ohio.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) public affairs office at (910) 432-2035.
100 Terrorists Killed, 50 Detained in Operation Turki Bowl
Jan. 23, 2007
U.S. and Iraqi forces killed 100 terrorists, detained 50, and dismantled a large terrorist group in January during Operation Turki Bowl, the senior U.S. Army officer in Iraq's Diyala province said yesterday.
The operation, conducted from January 4 to 13, occurred south of Balad Ruz in the Turki Village, Tuwilla and 30 Tamuz areas of the province. During the operation, U.S. Army and Iraqi soldiers isolated and defeated a terrorist group known as "The Council," Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, told reporters via satellite connection from a news conference in Iraq.
"The group, made up of former Baath Regime members, al Qaeda and Sunni extremists, refused to participate in any political dialogue and preferred attacking innocent civilians in the Diyala province," Sutherland said.
The council killed as many as 39 civilians in one kidnapping and mass murder in November, he added.
"The fear of the people and the weapons used by these individuals are used to attack the core of Iraqi values and beliefs," Sutherland said. "They are interested in preventing individual human rights and freedoms that the people of this region want so much."
Leading up to the large-scale operation, coalition forces discovered a large weapons cache in November in the area, resulting in "major combat operations with several large organizations" of terrorists, Sutherland said.
"Upon defeating them, we intentionally moved back to our base of operations so that we could exploit the intelligence that we would ... gather over the next several months," he said. While developing plans for Operation Turki Bowl, U.S. military leaders, with the 5th Iraqi Army Division, studied the enemy's early warning systems, their actions, and "how they reacted to our initial contact with them," Sutherland said.
Coalition forces conducted smaller-scale raids in the area prior to Operation Turki Bowl, to give civilians a perceived safe-haven and encourage their cooperation with troops, he said. Through tips and phone calls to coalition forces, civilians provided invaluable information about the enemy, Sutherland added.
"What we wanted to do was isolate (terrorists) from the population so they could not blend in," Sutherland said. "It (was) a counterinsurgency operation, but the difference is we were able separate the terrorists from the people they were living off of.
"Since I've been here, we have not conducted an operation where we have been able to bring to bear against a group of this size that was willing to fight us out in the open," Sutherland said. In addition to defeating the council, troops found 25 weapons caches containing more than 1,150 Katusha rockets and 1,000 rocket-propelled grenades, 170 anti-tank missiles, anti-tank mines, small- and heavy-arms ammunition and sensitive terrorist documents.
Soldiers are now focused on interacting with the local populous and reinforcing the security and stability of the region, according to a Multinational Force Iraq news release. The Iraqi army will maintain a permanent presence, while coalition forces are focusing on reconstructing roads, essential services and other basic services to help the people of Turki, the release stated.
"This operation clearly was a significant tactical success for (coalition forces), (Iraq army), and most importantly, the citizens of Turki and surrounding areas," Sutherland said. "The long-term affects we hope to achieve are stability for economic growth, increased political action for all parties and self-reliance for the Iraqi government and security forces."
(Taken from News Article by DoD - American Forces Press Service and was written by John J. Kruzel)
U.S. and Iraqi forces killed 100 terrorists, detained 50, and dismantled a large terrorist group in January during Operation Turki Bowl, the senior U.S. Army officer in Iraq's Diyala province said yesterday.
The operation, conducted from January 4 to 13, occurred south of Balad Ruz in the Turki Village, Tuwilla and 30 Tamuz areas of the province. During the operation, U.S. Army and Iraqi soldiers isolated and defeated a terrorist group known as "The Council," Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, told reporters via satellite connection from a news conference in Iraq.
"The group, made up of former Baath Regime members, al Qaeda and Sunni extremists, refused to participate in any political dialogue and preferred attacking innocent civilians in the Diyala province," Sutherland said.
The council killed as many as 39 civilians in one kidnapping and mass murder in November, he added.
"The fear of the people and the weapons used by these individuals are used to attack the core of Iraqi values and beliefs," Sutherland said. "They are interested in preventing individual human rights and freedoms that the people of this region want so much."
Leading up to the large-scale operation, coalition forces discovered a large weapons cache in November in the area, resulting in "major combat operations with several large organizations" of terrorists, Sutherland said.
"Upon defeating them, we intentionally moved back to our base of operations so that we could exploit the intelligence that we would ... gather over the next several months," he said. While developing plans for Operation Turki Bowl, U.S. military leaders, with the 5th Iraqi Army Division, studied the enemy's early warning systems, their actions, and "how they reacted to our initial contact with them," Sutherland said.
Coalition forces conducted smaller-scale raids in the area prior to Operation Turki Bowl, to give civilians a perceived safe-haven and encourage their cooperation with troops, he said. Through tips and phone calls to coalition forces, civilians provided invaluable information about the enemy, Sutherland added.
"What we wanted to do was isolate (terrorists) from the population so they could not blend in," Sutherland said. "It (was) a counterinsurgency operation, but the difference is we were able separate the terrorists from the people they were living off of.
"Since I've been here, we have not conducted an operation where we have been able to bring to bear against a group of this size that was willing to fight us out in the open," Sutherland said. In addition to defeating the council, troops found 25 weapons caches containing more than 1,150 Katusha rockets and 1,000 rocket-propelled grenades, 170 anti-tank missiles, anti-tank mines, small- and heavy-arms ammunition and sensitive terrorist documents.
Soldiers are now focused on interacting with the local populous and reinforcing the security and stability of the region, according to a Multinational Force Iraq news release. The Iraqi army will maintain a permanent presence, while coalition forces are focusing on reconstructing roads, essential services and other basic services to help the people of Turki, the release stated.
"This operation clearly was a significant tactical success for (coalition forces), (Iraq army), and most importantly, the citizens of Turki and surrounding areas," Sutherland said. "The long-term affects we hope to achieve are stability for economic growth, increased political action for all parties and self-reliance for the Iraqi government and security forces."
(Taken from News Article by DoD - American Forces Press Service and was written by John J. Kruzel)
Monday, January 22, 2007
Ayman al-Zawahiri Addresses U.S. President Bush’s Baghdad Security Plan in Video Speech
In his video speech, Ayman al-Zawahiri said in part “...Why send 20,000 only - why not send 50 or 100 thousand? Aren't you aware that the dogs of Iraq are pining for your troops' dead bodies...?”
Read the full story at SiteInstitute.org
FoxNews.com has this take...
Al Qaeda's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, taunted President Bush in a new video that surfaced Monday on the Web, ridiculing his new Iraq policy and daring the U.S. to "send the entire American Army" to Iraq...
Read the rest HERE (Has video)
Read the full story at SiteInstitute.org
FoxNews.com has this take...
Al Qaeda's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, taunted President Bush in a new video that surfaced Monday on the Web, ridiculing his new Iraq policy and daring the U.S. to "send the entire American Army" to Iraq...
Read the rest HERE (Has video)
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