Pakistan Makes a Deal With the Taliban?

The Victory Caucus has this post today that you might find troubling. I’ll agree in part with Dave, who wrote the post, that if this report does comes out to be true, Pakistan has truly become far more dangerous than we ever thought before. Now... about becoming the focal point of the War on Terror... I wouldn’t go that far with it but it is one of the several major fronts in which we fight it on.
Be sure to read this Report in full at link below...
Report: Pakistan Makes a Deal With the Taliban

AubreyJ.........

War Is All Hell – A great read by Benning

Here’s a great read I had fall into my email box today that I must share with you. It goes in part like this... Any nation which embarks on the path to War must be prepared to win it - no matter the cost - if that nation is to survive. Britain dithered, and sought Peace by any means, to avoid going to War with Nazi Germany. Their blindness to reality in Continental Europe, their reluctance to arm in preparation for what was coming, cost them dearly, in money, lives, and Empire. They sent out their diplomats to talk Peace with a tyrant. They talked and talked until they had an agreement - a piece of paper - to show the people... And then the Nazis struck. And Havoc enveloped the entire world...
This is a great read that I ask you all to click out...
Read it in full here... War Is All Hell

Gates, Pace Call on Congress to Fund IED Research

About Photo: U.S. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice testify about the additional funding requested for Iraq and Afghanistan before the Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, February 27, 2007.

DoD photo by USAF Staff Sgt D Myles Cullen
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace Call on Congress to Fund IED Research

Defense leaders yesterday called on Congress to approve a further $2.4 billion to defeat the biggest killer of Americans in the Middle East: the improvised explosive device.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the fiscal 2007 emergency supplemental request includes money to fund research into defeating IEDs. The money is in addition to $2 billion Congress already has appropriated this year to deal with the problem.

Gates stressed to the senators that this is an overriding concern in DoD. "The most unpleasant aspect of my job is every night going home and hand-writing notes to the families of those who have been killed in action," Gates said. "And there's a sheet behind every one of those letters that tells me how they died, and about 70 percent of them are the IEDs. So the whole Department of Defense is as highly motivated as an organization can be to try and figure out a way to get around these."

Gates said he has met with retired Army Gen. Montgomery Meigs, the director of the Joint IED Defeat Organization. "I asked General Meigs, ... 'Do you have enough money? Are you pursuing every avenue that makes any sense at all?'" he said. "And he assured me that with the enactment of the request that we have made both for the supplemental and then for (fiscal) '08 that he has the resources that he needs to do this."

Pace said the effort against IEDs is more than simply looking for a technological answer. Experts in Iraq learn from every device that explodes, then they take the information and share it widely "so the troops training right now to go over overseas in the future have the information from the most recent tactics, techniques and procedures of the enemy," Pace said.

Pace said the coalition and Iraqi forces look at the entire IED process, adding that coalition forces have secured 435,000 tons of ammunition from more than 15,000 locations in Iraq. "Just getting at the source of the explosives is part of the problem," he said, "then the factories where they're built, and the individuals who build them, and then the individuals who deliver them, and then the individuals who put them in place. So we go after the entire chain of events."

Pace said coalition and Iraqi security forces find more than half of IEDs that are emplaced. "And then, thanks to the technologies involved, we have fewer and fewer casualties for the explosions that do take place," he said.

There is no easy solution, Gates said, and the United States must keep pushing at the problem. "The reality is we face an agile and a smart adversary, and as soon as we ... find one way of trying to thwart their efforts, they find a new technology or a new way of going about their business," he said. "But I can assure you this is a very high priority for us.
(Taken from a DoD - American Forces Press Service news article that was written by Jim Garamone)

Related article of interest below:
DoD Taps Industry Know-How in Ongoing Counter-IED Efforts

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 230-07 February 28, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. William J. Beardsley, 25, of Coon Rapids, Minn., died February 26th in Diwaniyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Beardsley was assigned to the 260th Quartermaster Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Troop Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at (912) 767-2479.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

No. 228-07 February 28, 2007
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Anthony Aguirre, 20, of Channelview, Texas, died February 26th while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Aguirre was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Hawaii public affairs office at (808) 257-8870.

MSM SPIN - Light

Here’s a perfect example of some MSM SPIN - Light
From ABC NEWS website...
A Brian Ross and Z. Byron Wolf Report
Story Title...
CIA: Bin Laden In Pakistan Establishing New Camps

The report starts off by saying...
In the most definitive statement in years, America's top intelligence official said Tuesday Osama bin laden is in Pakistan actively re-establishing al Qaeda training camps...

Why this report didn’t start off with what the man actually said (below) is beyond me...
... [Director of National Intelligence Jack McConnell] said "to the best of our knowledge that the senior leadership -- No. 1 and No. 2 -- are there and they are attempting to re-establish and rebuild and to establish training camps."

They do this all the time in the MSM. Therefore... always mind what you read my friends and be sure to always read all the way through.

Now I will admit that some true to word facts are usually always there in these reports/stories. But hardly ever up front!!!
AubreyJ.........

Photo for the Day – February 27, 2007

(Photo courtesy of DoD - American Forces Press Service and was taken by Donna Miles)

Retired Army Lt. Col. Bruce Crandall, who was inducted today into the Pentagon Hall of Heroes, said brotherhood and belief in their mission motivated him and his fellow soldiers in Vietnam. Crandall received the Medal of Honor during a February 26 White House Ceremony.

Read the story HERE

Read Monday’s, (2/26/07) Transcript by the White House Office of the Press Secretary at link below...
President Bush Presents the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall
Note: Above link has video and a few photos too

Vice President Dick Cheney Possible Target of Taliban Suicide Bombing At Main U.S. Military Base In Afghanistan

A Taliban suicide bomber killed up to 12 people at the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan on Tuesday in an attack the rebels said was aimed at Dick Cheney, but the visiting U.S. vice president was not hurt... An American and South Korea soldier were killed, as well as a U.S. government contractor whose nationality was unknown, NATO and Korean officials said. NATO said 27 people were wounded...
Read the rest of the story at National Post

Radio Free Afghanistan has this short report...
Suicide Car Bomber Strikes At U.S. Air Base In Afghanistan During Cheney Visit

About Photo: Doctors and nurses at Task Force Med, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, struggle to save the life of an Afghan civilian caught in the blast of a suicide bomber's attack February 27th. The suicide bomber self-detonated outside a Bagram entry control point.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher, USAF

FoxNews.com has this story by AP. It starts out like this... A homicide bomber attacked the entrance to the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan on Tuesday during a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney, killing up to 23 people and wounding 20. Cheney was unhurt in the attack, which was claimed by the Taliban and was the closest that militants have come to a top U.S. official visiting Afghanistan...
Read this story at link below...
Cheney Safe After Homicide Bombing at U.S. Base in Afghanistan, 23 Killed
(Note: Has a video report at link in sidebar)

DoD has this report...
Suicide Bomber Attacks U.S. Base in Afghanistan During Cheney Visit

Update: Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Bostom.com has come out with a report this morning that I am sure you will want to read. It starts out like this... U.S. and Afghan officials are investigating whether Taliban fighters who claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at Bagram Air Force Base were tipped off that Vice President Dick Cheney was visiting the US military headquarters...
Read the story in full at link below
Possible tip to Taliban probed in blast

The good news is Mr. Cheney was not harmed. The bad news is that so many of the innocent had to get killed this way by the acts of a terrorist...
AubreyJ.........

Iraqi Cabinet Approves Oil Draft Legislation

The Australian website has this good read today and it goes in part like this... Iraq’s cabinet signed off yesterday on draft legislation to manage Iraq's vast oil industry and share its wealth among the country's ethnic and sectarian groups... Passing a law to help settle potentially explosive disputes over the world's third-largest oil reserves has been a key demand of the US, which has linked it to continuing support for the Shia-led national unity Government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki... hailed the measures as "another foundation stone" in the building of a new Iraq... The legislation now goes to parliament for approval but it is unclear when the 275-member parliament will vote on the measure...
Read this good news in full at link below...
Iraq deal on law to share oil riches

MonstersAndCritics.com has this take on the story... Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced in a press briefing Tuesday that his cabinet would pass a newly-approved draft law on oil and natural gas to parliament for voting...
Read the rest of the story at link below...
Iraqi Cabinet approves oil draft law; refers it to parliament

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 225-07 February 27, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Ethan J. Biggers, 22, of Beavercreek, Ohio, died February 24th in Indianapolis, Ind., of wounds suffered while on combat patrol in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 5, 2006. Biggers was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at (270) 798-3025.

Rest in peace, son...
AubreyJ.........

More Iranian-made Weapons Found in Iraq Saturday

The US military showed on Monday what it said was further evidence of Iranian-made weapons being used by Iraqi militants, including explosives linked to sophisticated roadside bombs... The US military say such bombs, which it calls EFPs, have killed 170 US soldiers in Iraq since 2004...
Read this story in full at KhaleejTimes.com

B-Roll Video and more info on found Cache:
Below is a video of Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces from the 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovering weapons caches in a palm grove near in the village of Al Jedidah, near Baqubah, Iraq on Saturday, February 24th.

The cache included more advanced materials used in making explosively formed projectiles, (EFPs,) IED-making materials, RPG and anti aircraft weapons, mortar rounds, and rockets.

Scenes in this video include soldiers investigating the area, opening freezers and barrels full of weapons and bomb-making supplies and shots of the discovered weapons.

Here’s a little more info on this video
Unit(s) Involved: 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division
Unit Hometown: Fort Hood
Unit State: Texas
Force(s) Involved: Army, Iraqi Forces
Submitting Unit: 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
Date Taken: 02-24-2007
Video Size: 3.82 MB
Video Length: 2:32
VIEW THE VIDEO HERE

(Some info courtesy of Multi-National Corps-Iraq - Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory / Other info, Photos and Video courtesy of DVIDS)

I’ll end this post by adding... Keep up the good work Troops!!!
AubreyJ.........

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 221-07 February 26, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Jeremy D. Barnett, 27, of Mineral City, Ohio, died February 24th at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained from a landmine detonation in Ad-Dujayl, Iraq, on Feb. 21. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.For more information on this Soldier, contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993.

Three Arab States Willing To Aid Attack On Iran

DailyTimes.com.pk has a good story out today. It goes in part like this... Three Arab states would be willing to allow the Israeli air force to enter their airspace in order to reach Iran in case of an attack on its nuclear facilities... It has been said that... Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates have told the United States that they would not object to Israel using their airspace...
Read this short story in full HERE

Telegraph.co.uk has the main story I believe everyone is writing about. Read the story at the link below...
Israel seeks all clear for Iran air strike

I for one love posting this kind of stuff... Why??? To do my part in helping to keep the other side guessing... and worrying a little bit too!
AubreyJ.........

Does Iran Need A Reverse Or A Stop Button On Its Nuclear Program?

Two good reads today on the topic of Iran and its nuclear program...
>>> Mr. Ahmadinejad said Sunday Iran's development of technology for producing nuclear fuel is like a train with "no brakes and no reverse gear."
Read the story at link below...
Ahmadinejad: No Reverse to Iran's Nuclear Program
>>> Rice said if Tehran did so, [halt weapons-related activities] the United States was prepared to discussed trade and political issues, and she would be willing to meet her Iranian counterpart... "They don't need a reverse gear. They need a stop button," Rice said on "Fox News Sunday."
Read this story in full at this link...
Iran needs 'stop button' on nuclear program -Rice

Today’s War in Iraq - Post One

Changing Gears and Taking a New Direction
Today’s War in Iraq
Post One - February 24, 2007

(Photo courtesy of MNF-I)

The war in Iraq is changing gears and taking a new direction; the battles are now fought by Iraqi forces with Coalition assistance. Coalition forces are working on a daily basis with Iraqi Security Forces on patrols, as well as conducting operations in support of ISF...
.
Read the story at link below...
Iraqi Army takes reins in Fallujah

Iraq Chlorine Bomb Factory Found Near Fallujah Was al-Qaida’s

Al-Qaida militants in Iraq were preparing to make crude chemical weapons using chlorine at a car bomb factory discovered west of Baghdad this week, the U.S. military said on Saturday... The military said the facility in Karma, east of Fallujah, had ties to recent attacks in which chlorine was used to transform explosives into makeshift chemical weapons that released suffocating gas and sickened dozens of people... “This is absolutely a display that al-Qaida is trying to adjust its barbaric tactics. Is this a threat? Yes. Are we prepared to deal with it? Yes,” Keaveny said.
Be sure to read this story in full at MSNBC.msn.com

Be looking for a major attack to go down soon just over the Afghanistan border in Pakistan. The top leaders of al-Qaida have to know -- approve of these chemical weapons and the use of them.

I say take them down... take them out before this way of killing the innocent gets worse than it already has... The gloves must come off now.

This is a very dangerous road the enemy has turned down.

Now is the time to be strong... not weak...
AubreyJ.........

Does President Bush Really Have the Authority

The Conservative Voice has a great read today. It goes in part like this... If the President, in his role as Commander-in-Chief, should determine that the time for a strategic air strike against Iran’s nuclear weapon’s facilities has come, it would be the height of irresponsibility to put the matter before the 535 members of Congress for their consideration. In an operation of this nature, secrecy and surprise would be of the essence for the strikes to be successful...
Click this read out in full at the link below...
President Bush Has the Authority

Vice-President Dick Cheney Hints At Possible Iran Strike

The Herald Sun in Australia has this good read today. It goes in part like this... "You get various estimates of where the point of no return is," Mr. Cheney said, identifying nuclear terrorism as the greatest threat to the world..."Is it when they possess weapons or does it come sooner, when they have mastered the technology but perhaps not yet produced fissile material for weapons...?"
Read the rest of this story at News.com.au

USAToday.com has this take on the story... Here’s a little of it... "We worked with the European community and the United Nations to put together a set of policies to persuade the Iranians to give up their aspirations and resolve the matter peacefully, and that is still our preference," Cheney said... "But I've also made the point, and the president has made the point, that all options are on the table," he said, appearing to leave open the possibility of military action... "We believe it would be a serious mistake if a nation such as Iran became a nuclear power...”
Read this story in full at link below...
Cheney leaves military options open against Iran

I’m surprised this story isn’t getting any press today... Than I guess it is still early yet.
AubreyJ.........

1000 British, 3000 American Troops, Possibly More Australian Troops To Be Sent To Southern Afghanistan

* Extra British troops are to be sent to southern Afghanistan, Defence Secretary Des Browne has confirmed... The move, which the BBC understands involves more than 1,000 personnel, comes as about 1,600 troops are being withdrawn from Iraq...
Read the story at BBC.co.uk

* Australia says coalition forces in Afghanistan are preparing for a do-or-die battle with the Taliban. An Australian military reconnaissance group has been sent to Afghanistan to looking at increasing troops numbers in the south of the country.
Read this story at RadioAustralia.net.au

* And last but not least... NewsMax.com had this story last Thursday, February 15, 2007, that went in part like this... The Pentagon announced Wednesday [Feb. 14th] that about 3,000 soldiers who had been scheduled to go to Iraq would be sent to Afghanistan instead. That puts the U.S. presence there at about 27,000 - the highest of the war - with 15,000 serving as part of the NATO-led force and another 12,000 special operations forces and trainers... Troops from Canada, Britain, the Netherlands and the United States have been doing most of the fighting and leaders of those countries have been lobbying the other 22 allied countries to do more...
Read this story at NewsMax.com

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 218-07 February 23, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Buddy J. Hughie, 25, of Poteau, Okla., died February 19th in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Hughie was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 180th Infantry, Oklahoma Army National Guard, Ada, Okla.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Oklahoma Army National Guard public affairs office at (405) 228-5212.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 217-07 February 23, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Louis G. Kim, 19, of West Covina, Calif., died February 20th in Ramadi, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. Kim was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the 1st Armored Division public affairs office at 011-49-611-705-4859.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 212-07 February 23, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. David R. Berry, 37, of Wichita, Kan., died February 22 in Qasim, Iraq, when the vehicle he was in struck an improvised explosive device. Berry was assigned to 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, Dodge City, Kansas.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Kansas Army National Guard public affairs office at (785) 274-1192.

A World Without America

Courtesy of 18DoughtyStreet.com & BritainandAmerica.com

U.S. Troops Find Chemicals in Car Bomb Factory Raid West of Baghdad

U.S. troops raided a car bomb factory west of Baghdad with five buildings full of propane tanks and ordinary chemicals the military believes were to be used in bombs, a spokesman said Thursday, a day after insurgents blew up a truck carrying chlorine gas canisters... Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said "what we are seeing is a change in the tactics, but their strategy has not changed. And that's to create high-profile attacks to instill fear and division amongst the Iraqi people... It's a real crude attempt to raise the terror level by taking and mixing ordinary chemicals with explosive devices, trying to instill that fear within the Iraqi people..."
Read this troubling story in full at Yahoo News

KWTX.com has this story that goes in part like this... US military officials say troops have found chemical munitions in a raid on a suspected weapons factory west of Baghdad... A top commander says the complex outside Fallujah contained a big weapons stockpile of guns, rockets and anti-aircraft shells...
Read this story in full at link below...
Chemical Munitions Recovered In Iraq Raid

TheSouthern.com has this report...
Insurgent Bomb Factory Found in Baghdad

IAEA Report Said To Say Nuclear Work Still Ongoing In Iran

>>> Report on Iran Safeguards Sent to IAEA Board, Security Council

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei has circulated his latest report to the upcoming meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors on the Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and Relevant Provisions of Security Council Resolution 1737 (2006) in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The report - submitted in parallel to the UN Security Council - covers developments since Dr. ElBaradei’s report of 14 November 2006.

The 35-member Board will consider the report at its next meetings beginning in Vienna 5 March. The report’s circulation is restricted and unless the IAEA Board decides otherwise it cannot be released to the public.

The report is in addition to the one on Iran and IAEA cooperation that the Director General circulated to the Board on 9 February in light of UN Security Council Resolution 1737 adopted 23 December 2006.
(Taken from a Staff Report by IAEA)

>>> Report on Iran Nuclear Safeguards Sent to Agency’s Board & UN Security Council

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei today released his report Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and Relevant Provisions of Security Council Resolution 1737 (2006) in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The report was prepared at the request of the United Nation’s Security Council. Its circulation is restricted, and unless the IAEA Board of Governors and Security Council decide otherwise, the Agency can not authorise its release to the public.

On 23 December 2006 the Security Council requested “within 60 days a report from the Director General of the IAEA on whether Iran has established full and sustained suspension of all activities mentioned in this resolution, as well as on the process of Iranian compliance with all the steps required by the IAEA Board and with the other provisions of this resolution, to the IAEA Board of Governors and in parallel to the Security Council for its consideration.”

The report was simultaneously circulated to the Agency’s Member States and to the Security Council in New York this afternoon.
(Taken from Press Release #2007/04 by IAEA)
IAEA File Photo by D Calma

>>> ABC NEWSONLINE has this report. It goes in part like this... The United Nations nuclear watchdog says Iran had failed to meet a February 21 deadline to suspend enrichment of uranium, exposing Tehran to possible new sanctions over concerns it seeks to produce an atomic bomb... The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a report Iran had installed two cascades, or networks, of 164 centrifuges in its underground Natanz enrichment plant with another two cascades close to completion... This amounted to an effort to escalate research-level enrichment of nuclear fuel into "industrial scale" production...
Read their story in full at link below...
Iran defies deadline to halt atom work: UN watchdog

Iraqi government ready to take over security once Britain pullouts

The Iraqi government said on Thursday it was ready to take over security in southern Iraq once Britain withdraws 1600 troops in the coming months, but insisted that British forces would still be needed for support...
Read the story at IOL.co.za

I agree with the Bush Administration... this is very good news on the progress in Iraq. I just pray that whatever troops the Brits leave behind, after the draw downs, can keep check on Iran and Hizballah by keeping them out of that part of the county.

Last thing in the world we need is another Lebanon in the making. Especially when we can stop it from the get-go.

This is the kind of realities the Dems just can’t, or want, grasp...
AubreyJ.........

Iraq Army and Coalition Forces Detain Iraqi Police Official In Baqubah

5th Iraqi Army Division forces and Coalition Forces detained a senior Iraqi Police official during operations Feb. 21 in Baqubah. Credible intelligence indicates the suspect uses his position to provide cover for his alleged involvement in the murder, torture, kidnapping and sectarian violence of Iraqi citizens in Diyala Province.

The suspect is believed to be a leader within an illegally armed groups operating in Baqubah and Diyala Province and allegedly provides information on Coalition Forces, Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi civilians to illegally armed elements. The suspect was detained in his office building by Iraqi and Coalition Forces without incident. The building is located next to the Government Center in Baqubah and no damage was caused during the course of operations.
(Taken from CENTCOM News Release #07-01-03P)

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 210-07 February 22, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Richard L. Ford, 40, of East Hartford, Conn., died February 20th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered during combat operations. Ford was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 432-0661.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 209-07 February 22, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pfc. Jason D. Johns, 19, of Frankton, Ind., died February 21st in Bagram, Afghanistan, of a non-combat related injury. His death is under investigation. Johns was assigned to the 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 432-0661.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 208-07 February 22, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of one soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Christopher K. Boone, 34, died February 17th in Balad, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury. Boone was assigned to the 121st Infantry (Long Range Surveillance), Georgia Army National Guard, Fort Gillem, Ga. The incident is under investigation.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Georgia National Guard public affairs office at (678) 569-6064.

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 207-07 February 22, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died February 19th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when the vehicle they were in was struck by an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:
Sgt. Shawn M. Dunkin, 25, of Columbia, S.C.
Pfc. Matthew C. Bowe, 19, of Coraopolis, Pa.
Pfc. Adare W. Cleveland, 19, of Anchorage, Alaska

For further information on these soldiers, contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at (315) 772-8286.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

No. 206-07 February 22, 2007
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cpl. Timothy D. Lewis, 20, of Lawrenceburg, Ky., died February 15th as a result of non-hostile action in Jolo, Republic of the Philippines. His death is under investigation. Lewis was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Okinawa public affairs office at 011-81-611-745-0790 or http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/mailto:okinawapao@usmc.mil.

Iraqi Insurgents Use 2nd 'Dirty' Bomb - U.S. Official says Ground Fire Apparently Forced Down Black Hawk Helicopter

Insurgents exploded a truck carrying chlorine gas canisters Wednesday... the second such "dirty" chemical attack in two days. Meanwhile a U.S. official says ground fire apparently forced the downing of a Black Hawk helicopter today.
Read the rest at AuburnPub.com

>>> LATimes.com has this report... For the second time in two days, suspected Sunni Arab insurgents Wednesday targeted civilians with a crude chemical weapon: a bomb attached to chlorine gas canisters that killed two people, sickened 25 and injured eight others...
Read their report at link below...
2 Are Killed By Another Bomb With Chlorine

2nd chemical attack in Iraq in the last two days!!! This is very troubling news... not to mention another Helicopter being shot down.

I wonder how the left is going to play these stories???
AubreyJ.........

Another Helicopter down in Baghdad today - No Serious Injuries

No one was seriously injured today when a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter went down near Baghdad while conducting operations, military officials reported. Thankfully no serious injuries or fatalities occurred. Nine military personnel were on board and all were evacuated successfully, officials said. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
(Info taken from part of a news article by DoD - American Forces Press Service)

Photo for the Day – February 21, 2007

Vice President Dick Cheney visits with military personnel during a visit to the USS Kitty Hawk, Yokosuka, Japan, February 21st.

Cheney is in Japan during a week-long tour of the Pacific.
USN photo by Petty Officer Todd P. Cichonowicz
Read this story HERE

Israeli Undercover Security Officers Kill Senior Islamic Jihad Terrorist, the Mastermind of Tuesday’s Foiled Terror Attach

Here’s some good news out of Israel today. IsraelNationalNews.com reports it this way... Undercover security officers disguised as Border Guard forces killed the senior Islamic Jihad terrorist who masterminded a plot to blow up the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night... Information from the would-be bomber led to Wednesday's elimination of senior terrorist commander Mahmoud Abu Ubayed, who prepared the bomb that was to be used for the operation... Abu Ubayed has been high on the wanted list for more than two years...
Read the story in full at link below...
Undercover Forces Eliminate Mastermind of Foiled Terror Attack

DoD Announces Detainees Transfer from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Detainee Transfer Announced

The Department of Defense announced today that it transferred seven detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Saudi Arabia. These detainees were all recommended for transfer by an administrative review board conducted at Guantanamo Bay.

With today's transfer, approximately 85 detainees remain at Guantanamo who the U.S. government has determined eligible for transfer or release through a comprehensive series of review processes. Departure of these remaining detainees approved for transfer or release is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations. The United States does not desire to hold detainees for any longer than necessary. The department expects that there will continue to be other transfers and releases of detainees.

There are ongoing processes to review the status of detainees held at Guantanamo. A determination about the continued detention or transfer of a detainee is based on the best information and evidence available at the time, both classified and unclassified.

Since 2002, approximately 385 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, and Yemen.

Approximately 390 detainees remain at Guantanamo.
(Taken from news release No. 201-07, February 21, 2007 by DoD)

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 203-07 February 21, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pvt. Kelly D. Youngblood, 19, of Mesa, Ariz., died February 18th in Ramadi, Iraq, of wounds suffered during combat operations. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
For further information on this soldier, contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at (912) 767-2479.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

No. 203-07 February 21, 2007
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

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

Killed were:
Capt. Todd M. Siebert, 34, of Baden, Pa., died February 16th while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Lance Cpl. Brian A. Escalante, 25, of Dodge City, Kan., died February 17th while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Lance Cpl. Blake H. Howey, 20, of Glendora, Calif., died February 18th while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Pfc. Brett A. Witteveen, 20, of Shelby, Mich., died February 19th while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Sgt. Clinton W. Ahlquist, 23, of Creede, Colo., died February 20th while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Media with questions about Siebert can contact the II Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs office at (910) 451-7200. Media with questions about Escalante and Howey can contact the Twentynine Palms public affairs office at (760) 830-5476. Media with questions about Witteveen can contact the Marine Forces Reserves public affairs office at (504) 678-4177.

General Recaps First Week of New Baghdad Security Operation

The Baghdad security operation that began last week has quelled certain violent acts in the Iraqi capital, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad said today.

"There has been a significant reduction in sectarian incidents and in ex-judicial killings in Baghdad," Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told reporters via satellite connection from a news conference in Iraq.

Caldwell acknowledged that new security efforts have been hampered by vehicle-bomb and suicide-vest attacks. But combined forces are beginning to achieve success in "stopping the vehicles from getting into the crowded areas where the Iraqi citizens are," he said.

"Although this effort to improve security in Iraq will take time, this past week we have seen some signs that Iraqi leaders are in fact making the tough decisions needed to demonstrate their commitment to serve all Iraqis," Caldwell said.

The operation, called Fardh al-Qanoon, an Iraqi phrase that means "Enforcing the Law," was announced Feb. 13 by Iraqi Lt. Gen. Abboud Gambar, the officer in charge of the plan. Operation initiatives include splitting Baghdad into 10 districts, creating four new joint security stations and temporarily closing Iran's and Syria's ports of entry into Iraq.

"In each of these 10 districts will be Iraqi police, an Iraqi army brigade and a coalition force battalion," Caldwell said. "They remain there, in a permanent posture, in order to conduct operations within their district.

"Elements of all three additional Iraqi army brigades have arrived and begun operations in the capital," he continued. "They are deploying throughout the city and working also in the joint security stations, where they are living and patrolling jointly with the Iraqi police and with coalition forces."

Officials hope this "permanent posture" will create an environment where coalition troops and Iraqi law enforcers establish relationships with local residents and district advisory councils. Combined forces can approach local challenges more effectively if they learn the nuances of their respective districts through cooperation with citizens, Caldwell said.

"This war will not be won until the Iraqis are able to stand up and find solutions to their own country's problems," Caldwell said. "The intent is to ... have a dialogue ongoing so that when they find areas where there are challenges, where there are problems, (forces) are able to focus their efforts there."
(Taken from a news article by DoD - American Forces Press Service and was written by John J. Kruzel)

Win - Not Lose

Lord
I’m here before you
On bended knee
Let them understand that
To Support Our Troops
They must Help Them Win
Not Lose...

Pass it on
AubreyJ.........

2/21/07

British Troops In Iraq Might Start Withdrawing Soon

It is being reported tonight that Prime Minister Tony Blair will be making a statement at the Commons Wednesday about a possible withdrawal of some of the British troops serving in Iraq. I for one see this as a gotcha story that is not reporting anything new. But... the MSM is going to make as big a deal out of it as they possibly can. So this post will be updated Wednesday after Mr. Blair has his say...
AubreyJ.........

For now thought...
>>> Sky.com has this report...
British Troops Out Of Iraq
>>> BBC News has this take...
Blair 'to confirm Iraq timetable'

Update: Wednesday, February 21, 2007
>>> Guardian Unlimited reports today...
... President George W. Bush views the plan to cut British forces to about 5,000 by the end of the summer as a sign of success, according to a US National Security Council spokesman, Gordon Johndroe... Vice president Dick Cheney, on a visit to Japan, endorsed that view...
Read the rest of the story at link below...
Bush hails UK pullout as 'sign of success'
>>> DoD has this take, which goes in part like this... Over time and depending on the progress of Iraqi security forces, Britain will be able to draw down further, possibly to below 5,000 troops once the base at Basra Palace has been transferred to the Iraqis in late summer, Blair said. “The U.K. military presence will continue into 2008, for as long as we are wanted and have a job to do,” he said. “Increasingly our role will be support and training, and our numbers will be able to reduce accordingly.” At the Pentagon, Bryan Whitman, a Defense Department spokesman, said Blair’s announcement was expected, and that the decrease in British troops has been planned for some months.
Read this story in full at link below...
Blair Announces British Reduction of Forces in Iraq
>>> SMH.com.au has this story in part... Democrats quickly pounced on Blair's announcement as support for their position that a political solution is needed rather than sending more troops into the four-year battle, which has killed 3,148 American soldiers... "At a time when President Bush is asking our troops to shoulder a larger and unsustainable burden policing a civil war, his failed policies have left us increasingly isolated in Iraq and less secure here at home," the Nevada Democrat said...
Read the rest at link below...
US politicians spar over UK troop move

Female Pakistani Minister Shot Dead by an Islamic Extremist for Refusing to Wear Veil

Zilla Huma Usman, the minister for social welfare in Punjab province and an ally of President Pervez Musharraf, was killed as she was about to deliver a speech to dozens of party activists, by a “fanatic”, who believed that she was dressed inappropriately and that women should not be involved in politics, officials said... [She] was wearing the shalwar kameez worn by many professional women in Pakistan, but did not cover her head...
Read the story at FOXNews.com

Are Democrats Kidding that Iraq Vote Was Bipartisan?

Only 17 Republicans - or 8.4% of GOP House members - joined 225 Democrats in voting for the resolution, while over 90% of Republicans opposed passage of the resolution. Republicans constituted just 7% of the 242 House members who supported the resolution. Only two House Democrats voted with 185 Republicans against the resolution... Democrats had enough votes to pass the resolution without any GOP support, and given national polls showing widespread dissatisfaction with the Bush policy, just 17 Republican votes for the resolution is stunningly small, and little or no indication of a bipartisan consensus...
Read story/opinion by Stuart Rothenberg at Yahoo News
I really like this read. Be sure to click it out...
AubreyJ.........

Three American Women Seized in West Bank-Palestinian

Three American women were kidnapped Tuesday in the West Bank city of Nablus, Palestinian security officials said... The security officials said the three women were last seen taking pictures on the outskirts of the Balata refugee camp near Nablus...
Read this short report by YNETNews

UPDATE: The three American women who were kidnapped in the West Bank by a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine were freed around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening. (Above link at YNETNews.com is updated)

Czechs Say Russian Missile Blackmail Won't Work

The Czech Republic said on Tuesday it would not be intimidated by Russia over plans to site parts of a U.S. missile defense system on its territory... Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said threats by Russian officials over the plans, which would involve placing a radar system on Czech land and a missile battery in Poland, would only make Czechs more determined to defend themselves...
Read this story in full at NewsMax.com

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 199-07 February 20, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of seven soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died February 18th in southeastern Afghanistan when the Chinook helicopter they were in crashed. The incident is under investigation.

Killed were:
Chief Warrant Officer Hershel D. McCants Jr., 33, of Ariz. McCants was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Chief Warrant Officer John A. Quinlan, 36, of New Jersey. Quinlan was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Sgt. Adam A. Wilkinson, 23, of Fort Carson, Colo. Wilkinson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Spc. Travis R. Vaughn, 26, of Reinbeck, Iowa. Vaughn was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Spc. Brandon D. Gordon, 21, of Naples, Fla. Gordon was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Pfc. Ryan C. Garbs, 20, of Edwardsville, Ill. Garbs was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Pfc. Kristofer D. S. Thomas, 18, of Roseville, Calif. Thomas was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at (910) 432-6005.

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 197-07 February 20, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died February 19th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their unit came under attack by enemy forces using multiple weapons. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Killed were:
Sgt. Pedro J. Colon, 25, of Cicero, Ill.
Spc. Montrel S. Mcarn, 21, of Raeford, N.C.

For more information on this release the media can contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours call (254) 291-2591.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 196-07 February 20, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Justin T. Paton, 24, of Alanson, Mich., died February 17th in Taramia, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. Paton was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours call (254) 291-2591.

Taking A Moment To Remember 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
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. 195-07 February 20, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Matthew S. Apuan, 27, of Las Cruces, N.M., died February 18th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with the enemy using small arms fire while on combat patrol. Apuan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours call (254) 291-2591.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 194-07 February 20, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Chad E. Marsh, 20, of Wichita, Kan., died February 18th in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when a grenade detonated near him during combat operations. Marsh was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the 1st Armored Division public affairs office at 011-49-611-705-4859.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 193-07 February 20, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class William C. Spillers, 39, of Terry, Miss., died February 17th in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related injury. Spillers was assigned to the 230th Finance Detachment, Jackson, Miss. The incident is under investigation.
For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the Mississippi Army National Guard public affairs office at (601) 313-6184.

Israeli Intelligence Chief says Hizbullah is Stronger than Before War

Brig.-Gen. Yossi Beiditz, head of the IDF's Intelligence Wing Research Division, told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Hizbullah has returned to its pre-war capabilities, and has even become stronger... Beiditz was asked more than once by committee members if he meant that Hizbullah was now stronger, and he responded in the affirmative - until Defense Minister Amir Peretz stepped in...
Read this story in full at IsraelNationalNews.com

Now sadly... I believe this story to hold true... Why...? Because the UN is not doing anything different in Lebanon than they were doing before the “July War” started. As before the war, all they are doing now is watching from the sideline... with no enforcement on anything they agreed to. Well... the UN might do something anytime they think they might have Israel over a barrel over something. Only then do they ever start talking all big and tuff, yet still ending up... doing nothing about it!

The second... MAIN Round is coming... and I’m afraid the U.S. will be pulled into the fight this time around... With the Dems and those from the left of left, kicking and screaming all the way...
AubreyJ.........

Al Qaeda Chiefs Are Seen to Regain Power, The New York Times Reports

Senior leaders of Al Qaeda operating from Pakistan have re-established significant control over their once-battered worldwide terror network... American officials said there was mounting evidence that Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, had been steadily building an operations hub in the mountainous Pakistani tribal area of North Waziristan... Until recently, the Bush administration had described Mr. bin Laden and Mr. Zawahri as detached from their followers and cut off from operational control of Al Qaeda...
Read the story in full at NYTimes.com

Now I just wonder how many times this story is going to be quoted by the Dems during the next few days and weeks to come. I also question how much truth this article has to it...

I’m going to be checking into the overall facts of it... I can promise ya that.
AubreyJ........
(And what’s this Mr. bin Laden, Mr. Zawahri CRAP!!!?)

Follow-up: 7:30pm CDT
CNN.com has this story on topic today titled, “Pakistan denies al Qaeda resurgence report,” and it goes in part like this... Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Mahmud Durrani, said on CNN's "The Situation Room" that the reports were not true... "There may be some elements of al Qaeda," he said, "but not in the force that has been presented." Durrani also said it is "totally and utterly incorrect" that elements of the Pakistani military are sympathetic to al Qaeda. He also denied that bin Laden and others are hiding in Pakistan...
Read their story at CNN.com

FOXNews.com reports... Usama bin Laden and his No. 2 man, Ayman al Zawahiri, are rebuilding the Al Qaeda terror group along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, but the bases are smaller and lieutenants are less experienced... The American official was confirming a story reported in Monday's New York Times that said a band of training camps has popped up in Pakistan along the Afghan border and the leadership chain of command has been re-established despite an "erosion" of leadership after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. "Old hands have been picked off and the new people are less capable and less seasoned," the official said. But "no one suggests Al Qaeda no longer has a command structure or a haven ... though [we] wouldn't call it a safe haven."
Read their report in full at link below...
Al Qaeda Rebuilds Along Afghanistan Border

At least 66 killed in explosion on India train headed for Pakistan

An explosion on a train headed for Pakistan set off a fire that swept through two coaches, killing at least 66 people in an attack that an official said was aimed at undermining the peace process between India and Pakistan... Authorities say two suitcases packed with unexploded bombs and bottles of gasoline were found in train cars not hit in the attack, leading them to believe the fire was set off by an identical explosive device...
Read this story at Guardian.co.uk

DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty

No. 191-07 February 19, 2007
DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Airman who died February 18th when the coalition CH-47 helicopter he was riding in crashed in eastern Afghanistan.
Tech. Sgt. Scott E. Duffman, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C. An investigation will be conducted to verify the cause of the crash.
For more information related to this release media can contact the Air Force Special Operations Command public affairs office at (850) 884-5515.

Helicopter Crashes in Afghanistan - 8 Coalition Troops Killed, 14 Wounded

DoD File Photo by Jim Garamone

8 Coalition Troops Killed in Helicopter Crash
Sunday, February 18, 2007

Eight coalition personnel were killed and 14 others were wounded early today when a coalition CH-47 helicopter had a sudden, unexplained loss of power and control and crashed in eastern Afghanistan, military officials reported.

A search-and-rescue operation was launched immediately to secure the site, recover the passengers and transport wounded personnel to coalition medical facilities for treatment.

The helicopter was transporting a total of 22 people, including aircrew, at the time of the crash.

Recent reporting indicated a Taliban build up for operations against the coalition forces in the region, officials said.

"The loss of these servicemembers is felt by all of us here in Afghanistan, and we offer our deepest sympathy to the families of those who were killed," said Lt. Col. David Accetta, coalition spokesman.

The names of those involved in the incident are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The specific location and details of the incident will not be released until the completion of recovery operations.

An investigation will be conducted to verify the cause of the crash.

(By a DoD - American Forces Press Service news story that was taken from a Combined Joint Task Force 76 news release)

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 190-07 February 18, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died February 14th in Baqubah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Killed were:
Sgt. John D. Rode, 24, of Pineville, N.C.
Sgt. Carl L. Seigart, 32, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Spc. Ronnie G. Madore Jr., 34, of San Diego.

For additional information on these Soldiers, contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours (254) 291-2591.

FOUR FOREIGN TERRORIST FACILITATORS KILLED IN RAIDS

Sunday, February 18, 2007
Coalition Forces killed four foreign terrorist facilitators and detained four other suspected terrorists while conducting operations Sunday southeast of Rutbah.

During the operation, Coalition Forces entered the targeted building and encountered four armed men. Coalition Forces used proper self-defense measures and killed the armed terrorists. Four suspected terrorists surrendered and were detained for questioning. Coalition Forces found three pistols and two AK-47s on the terrorists.

In addition, Coalition Forces found eight women and 23 children inside the building. Ground forces confirmed that none of the civilians were injured during the operation.

Another suspect with ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq was detained in Baquba.
This is another example of foreign terrorist facilitators putting women and children in harms way by hiding and operating among them.

Coalition Forces are making great strides to successfully disrupt foreign fighter activities around Iraq.
(Taken from Press Release #A070218a by MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ - COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER, BAGHDAD, Iraq)

Senate Republicans Block Resolution Vote Opposing Troop Buildup In Iraq

Senate Republicans blocked for the second time a resolution opposing a troop buildup in Iraq after Democrats refused to allow a vote on an alternative measure. In a rare Saturday session, the chamber's Democratic majority failed to muster the 60 votes needed to clear a procedural hurdle and begin formal debate of the measure. The vote was 56-34...
Read the story at Bloomberg.com

A Few takes by our Bloggers friends out there...
Topic: House/Senate Votes on Resolution Opposing Troop Buildup In Iraq

>>> Amy at Bottom Line Up Front has this take… In an insincere display of support, Nancy Pelosi said she prays the troop surge works in Baghdad and the next day voted against it. She then went on to suggest a diplomatic strategy in Iraq... One day before the Congress voted on a non-binding resolution "disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq", House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sat down with PBS’ Jim Lehrer to discuss the troop surge...
Read Amy’s post in full at link below (Has Video and more)
Pelosi 'Prays' Troop Surge Works Before Voting Against It

>>> Some Solder’s Mom has this great rant. It goes in part like this......
...Most importantly, you -- you Pelosi, Murtha, Reid, et al. -- YOU have told those that seek to kill OUR troops -- kill OUR children -- that it is OK to do so because you have told them publicly and emphatically that the more deaths and injuries they cause to our troops, the more likely it is that we will cut and run... YOU will cut and run if you have your way.
Click her post out in full at link below...
So You Voted? So What??

>>> Monday, February 19, 2007
Beth at Blue Star Chronicles has this take... This resolution means nothing in reality. It’s just more whining and verbiage. If the democrats really believed what the resolution says, the natural question would be why don’t they have the courage to follow it up with some sort of plan or action. They aren’t, they won’t and they don’t... And they are downright GLEEFUL about it. They are so gleeful they are GIDDY!!!
Read her post in full at link below...
Nancy Pelosi Smiles While Telling the World America Can Not be Trusted