Search For Missing Soldiers ContinuesFriday, May 18, 2007
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Search efforts continue for three missing U.S. Soldiers whoare believed to have been abducted by I Saturday in Quarghuli Village, Iraq.
Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LightInfantry) from Fort Drum, N.Y., and the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division have been conducting non-stop searches for the missing Soldiers - all assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT - since their abduction.
“The brigade has been constantly searching for the Soldiers since their abduction,” said Col. Michael Kershaw, 2nd BCT commander. “As soon as wewere aware of the incident, we immediately cordoned off the area and started thesearch.”
The brigade, which is made up of about 14 company-sized elements, is usingalmost all of its elements both to search and to provide logistical support toSoldiers on the ground.
“We have been averaging about 20 events a day and we’re providing cots,food and water to those assisting with the search,” Kershaw said.
Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LightInfantry) from Fort Drum, N.Y., and the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division have been conducting non-stop searches for the missing Soldiers - all assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT - since their abduction.
“The brigade has been constantly searching for the Soldiers since their abduction,” said Col. Michael Kershaw, 2nd BCT commander. “As soon as wewere aware of the incident, we immediately cordoned off the area and started thesearch.”
The brigade, which is made up of about 14 company-sized elements, is usingalmost all of its elements both to search and to provide logistical support toSoldiers on the ground.
“We have been averaging about 20 events a day and we’re providing cots,food and water to those assisting with the search,” Kershaw said.
Aside from searching the area, Soldiers have been continually asking Iraqisfor any information they may have in regarding the incident, hoping the tips willlead them closer to the Soldiers.
“Although some tips may not be accurate, it is important for each one to beinvestigated,” said Maj. Rob Griggs, the 4-31 operations officer. “All tips must beconsidered important, because you never know if it is the one that will lead you tothe Soldiers.”
“Everyone is motivated and knows the importance of finding the Soldiers,”Kershaw said. “They all take pride in this brigade and their fellow Soldiers … It isin the Soldiers’ Creed to never leave a fallen comrade.”
Search efforts will continue until the Soldiers are found.
“Although some tips may not be accurate, it is important for each one to beinvestigated,” said Maj. Rob Griggs, the 4-31 operations officer. “All tips must beconsidered important, because you never know if it is the one that will lead you tothe Soldiers.”
“Everyone is motivated and knows the importance of finding the Soldiers,”Kershaw said. “They all take pride in this brigade and their fellow Soldiers … It isin the Soldiers’ Creed to never leave a fallen comrade.”
Search efforts will continue until the Soldiers are found.
“The families back home need to know that we are not going to stop searchingfor the Soldiers until they are found,” Kershaw said. “They (the families) need toknow the Soldiers in this brigade are doing everything they can to find theseSoldiers.”
(Taken from press release #20070518-01 by Multi-National Corps-Iraq - Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory, Iraq - Written by Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie)
Army Works to Determine Identity of Fallen U.S. Soldier
May 17, 2007
Army officials continue work to determine the identity of one of the four U.S. soldiers who were killed during an enemy attack May 12 near Mahmudiyah, Iraq.
The Defense Department yesterday released the names and units of seven U.S. Army soldiers who were killed or reported missing when their squad was ambushed May 12 about 20 miles south of Baghdad. An eighth servicemember, an Iraqi army interpreter, also was reported killed in the attack.
All of the U.S. soldiers belong to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based at Fort Drum, near Watertown, N.Y.
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“It may be sometime today, leaning towards later in the day,” when the identity of the soldier might be confirmed, Fort Drum spokesman Ben Abel said today.
The deceased soldier’s remains are undergoing DNA testing at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Abel said. The unidentified U.S. soldier’s duty status is listed, for now, as whereabouts unknown, he said, along with the three missing soldiers. Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists in Iraq have claimed to be holding the three missing soldiers.
Meanwhile, U.S. and Iraqi security forces continue to scour the area in search of the missing soldiers.
“By God, they’re not going to stop until they find their fallen comrades,” Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said yesterday from Baghdad during a telephone interview with reporters.
A reporter asked for Lynch’s reaction in regard to reports that al Qaeda has placed statements on the Internet telling U.S. forces to cease the search for the missing soldiers.
“I give no credence in what al Qaeda and al Qaeda-associated members decide to put on the Internet or what they decide to announce to the world,” Lynch said. “We’re not going to stop looking for our soldiers until we find those soldiers.
“Whatever they put on the Internet, whatever pronouncements they make, we’re not going to stop. We will not leave our fallen comrades,” the two-star general emphasized.
(Taken from a news article by DoD’s American Forces Press Service that was written by Gerry J. Gilmore)
USN photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael BW Watkins
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UPDATE:
The Department of Defense today announced the name of the previously unidentified soldier, who a few days back was listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN).
His name is: Sgt. Anthony J. Schober, 23, of Reno, Nev.
Our thoughts and prayers go to Sgt. Schober, his family, friends, loved ones... and all of those who fought by his side.
AubreyJ.........
AubreyJ.........
