Afghanistan Pakistan: On Ground Updates - January 31, 2010

Afghanistan/Pakistan:
On Ground Updates
Reportedly... Taliban Commander in Pakistan Hakimullah Mehsud Reported Wounded in Drone Attack this Month, and Has Died
Sunday, January 31, 2010
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USAF Courtesy Photo
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* CNN.com brings us the following... and possible GREAT NEWS... and their report starts off like this... The Pakistani military on Sunday was looking into a local report that the region's Taliban leader had died, officials said... State broadcaster PTV reported that Hakimullah Mehsud, the Taliban commander in Pakistan, was wounded in a drone attack this month, and that he died and was buried last week. PTV cited local sources and its correspondent in North Waziristan...
Read the full report at link below...
Report: Pakistani Taliban leader killed
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* FoxNews.com has this take on the news out of Pakistan today... The head of the Taliban in Pakistan, Hakimullah Mehsud, was killed in a U.S. drone attack, Pakistan state television reported Sunday... The report stated Mehsud had been injured in a drone attack in the Shaktoi area January 14 and died three days later. He reportedly was buried in the village of Mamuzai in the North Waziristan region... But a Taliban spokesman denied the report on Sunday, calling it a "total lie" in an interview with Reuters... The Pakistani army said it is investigating the reports...
Read the rest of this lengthy report at link below...
Pakistan Taliban Chief Reportedly Killed in U.S. Drone Strike
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* Aljazeera.net has this report...
Profile: Hakimullah Mehsud
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* SKY News has a Great read and News Video posted up on their website HERE

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We will know the truth, one way or another... on this matter soon enough. In my opinion... this attack was a response for the killing of our CIA Agents in the Afghanistan suicide bombing a few months ago... and I for one SOOOO hope they killed him... deader than dead.
AubreyJ.........

Iraq: On Ground Updates - January 30, 2010

Iraq: On Ground Updates
Fixed-wing flights get Troops home faster
Saturday, January 30, 2010 14:51
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More than 3,000 U.S. Soldiers here took advantage of a new program offering fixed-wing flights off this Camp, Jan. 27, significantly decreasing their travel time back home to the States.
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Traditionally, Soldiers are transported via helicopter to Joint Base Balad or Baghdad International Airport before they departed to Ali Al Salim Air Base in Kuwait, said Staff Sgt. Rufus Brumfield, senior enlisted adviser with the 384th Movement Control Team, 49th Transportation Battalion (Movement Control), 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).
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"We are able to move numerous [passengers] straight from here and they don't have to stop at another installation like BIAP," said Brumfield, a New Orleans native. "They can fly from [Camp Taji] straight to Ali Al Salim and then to the States. We can cut out a lot of travel time and moving back and forth."
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This major redeployment of troops involved the movement of more than 3,000 Soldiers in roughly two weeks, said Capt. William Bailey, commander of the 384th MCT.
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"Soldiers get to Kuwait faster by offering a fixed-wing solution out of Taji, as opposed to having to connect somewhere else," said Bailey, a Huntsville, Miss., native.
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Roughly 200 to 300 Soldiers were moved each night, he said.
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The Soldiers are moved in a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III or a Lockheed C-130 Hercules out of Camp Taji, said Bailey. Their gear is palletized and loaded onto the plane, he said.
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The operation had been in the initial planning stages since August, said Maj. Richard Michaels, division transportation officer with the 1st Cavalry Division.
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The 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. and the 30th HBCT redeployed at the same time, said Michaels, a Jefferson City, Tenn., native. With two HBCTs being redeployed at once, BIAP would have had more than 800 Soldiers a day bound to Ali Al Salim, said Michaels.
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This would have caused heavy congestion in the terminal and complicated the redeployment process, he said.
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To mitigate travel flow congestion, they decided to use the flight line at Camp Taji to conduct a mass redeployment of 1st Cav. Div., he said. The 30th HBCT would leave the Baghdad area through BIAP, said Michaels.
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"Redeploying the 30th and 1st Cav. was 8,000 Soldiers leaving Iraq at the same time," said Michaels.
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The operation out of Camp Taji reduced the units' overall travel time by four days, said Michaels. With two to three flights flying out a night, the operation took roughly 16 days, he said.
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"This allowed us to keep the Soldiers in the battle space doing [transition training] with the incoming unit for two days longer," said Michaels. "This gained them a little more efficiency with their [relief in place] and their efficiency of getting out of Iraq."
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Several units assisted in the process, Michaels said. The MCT, the Air Force logistics teams on the flight line and the senior airfield authority combined with expertise from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade made for quick and efficient operation execution, said Michaels.
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"The ease and smoothness of this operation is about 10 times better than any brigade redeployment or deployment we've experienced out of BIAP," said Michaels. "Having a whole C-17 dedicated to a redeployment has been huge to the mission's success."
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The operation was a major success due to cooperation with the different military branches and groups that played a role, said Michaels. The success at Camp Taji was a testament to what can be accomplished when the branches come together in the aid and support of one another, he said.
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"Being able to leverage all the joint capabilities that reside within this theater to redeploy Soldiers and get them out on time is certainly what we have to work for even as the drawdown approaches," said Michaels.

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Taken from a USF-Iraq News Article - Written by Spc. Michael Camacho, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

Photo for the Day - January 30, 2010

* Photo for the Day * Never Forget
The 278th Tennessee Armored Cavalry Regiment, preparing for Iraq in Hattiesburg, Miss., honored 14 of their fallen comrades during a ceremony, January 28, 2010.
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Klika

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 082-10 January 29, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Scott G. Barnett, 24, of Concord, Calif., died January 28th in Tallil, Iraq, of injuries sustained while supporting combat operations. He was assigned to the 412th Aviation Support Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Katterbach, Germany.
For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army public affairs office at 011-49-6221-57-8694, or via e-mail at ocpa.pi@eur.army.mil.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 081-10 January 29, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Carlos E. Gill, 25, of Fayetteville, N.C., died January 26 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center of an illness. He was evacuated from Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, December 19, 2009, where he was supporting combat operations. Gill was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
For more information media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at 253-967-0152 or 253-967-0147.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

President Obama Gives State of the Union Address - January 27, 2010

Note: This post moved on top from its orginal post date - Scroll below for updates

President Obama Gives His First State of the Union Address
Original Post Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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President Barack Obama shakes hands with Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at the conclusion of his State of the Union Address

Tonight President Obama said...
“I’VE NEVER BEEN MORE HOPEFULL FOR THE NATION”...
Mr. President... I’ve never been more worried!
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In case you missed it -- Here it is again...
The 2010 State of the Union Address



About above video: President Obama speaks about restoring security for middle class families after a lost decade of declining wages, eroding retirement security and escalating health care and tuition costs.
Read the Transcript HERE
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VA Governor Bob McDonnell Delivers the Republican Response to the State of the Union
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This video posted on YouTube by JohnBoehner
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AubreyJ.........
Above official White House photo by Pete Souza

President Obama to Recast Presidency Wednesday Night

President Obama to Recast Presidency Wednesday Night during State of the Union Speech
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
. White House file photo by Pete Souza
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President Obama is going to recast his Presidency Wednesday night during his State of the Union speech but I say it’s a little too late for all of that. Weak is weak and dangerous is dangerous and you Mr. President have shown nothing but BOTH!
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Your first year in office has been nothing but one major blunder after another along with lies... and most of America has awakened to this fact.
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The only CHANGE in the making this year is taking the Dems out of control and giving Power back to the PEOPLE... as our Country’s Founding Fathers so wanted.
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AubreyJ.........

DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

No. 070-10 January 26, 2010
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
The following Marines died January 24th while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan...

Killed were:
Sgt. Daniel M. Angus, 28, of Thonotosassa, Fla.
Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Poole, 22, of Bowling Green, Ky.
Lance Cpl. Zachary D. Smith, 19, of Hornell, N.Y.

Angus and Smith were assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Poole was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
For additional background information on Angus and Smith, news media representatives may contact the II Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs office at910-451-7200.
For additional background information on Poole, news media representatives may contact Marine Corps Base Hawaii public affairs office at 808-257-8838.


No. 069-10 January 26, 2010
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Jeremy M. Kane, 22, of Towson, Md., died January 23rd while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Forces Reserve public affairs office at 504-678-6539.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Iraq: On Ground Updates - January 25, 2010

Iraq: On Ground Updates
Hang-em High!
King of Spades on Famous Deck of Caeds

Ali Hassan al-Majid, (Chemical Ali)

Executed by Hanging Today
Monday, January 25, 2010
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Cropped USAF file photo
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* CSMonitor.com brings us the following report out of Iraq today and it starts off like this... Ali Hassan al-Majid, the cousin of Saddam Hussein and regime enforcer who cast almost as fearsome a shadow across Iraq as the former dictator, was executed by hanging on Monday in Baghdad, Iraq... Mr. Majid, who served as Hussein's internal security chief, came to be known as "Chemical Ali" after he ordered the use of poison gas in a ferocious counterinsurgency campaign against the Kurds in the late 1980s. In one incident, 5,000 men, women, and children were killed with nerve gas in the village of Halabja in 1988. He was the fifth most-wanted regime official and the king of spades on the famous deck of cards that the US military issued after its 2003 invasion...
Read the full report at link below...
Seven years after the fall of Baghdad, Chemical Ali is executed
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AubreyJ.........

Photo for the Day - January 25, 2010

* Photo for the Day * - Haiti Relief -
A Haitian boy watches a helicopter from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson perform a medical evacuation outside the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Several U.S. and international military units and civilian aid agencies are supporting Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince, January 12th.
From the DVIDS website - Photo by Candice Villarreal, Navy Visual News Service

DoD Identifies Navy Casualty

No. 064-10 January 24, 2010
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Xin Qi, 25, of Cordova, Tenn. died January 23rd while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan. Qi was assigned to Fourth Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Afghanistan. For further information related to this release, contact Marine Forces Reserve Public Affairs at 504-235-6128.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Photo for the Day - January 22-23, 2010

* Photo for the Day *
I believe in...
- Miracles -
An 18-day-old Haitian girl rests in a field hospital in Jacmel, Haiti, January 20, 2010, after spending eight days trapped in her home before being rescued by relief workers. U.S. and international military units and civilian aid agencies are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince January 12, 2010.
DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker, U.S. Navy

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

No. 063-10 January 23, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt, 19, of Yonkers, N.Y., died January 20th, in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related accident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 214th Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Sill, Okla. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact the Fort Sill Public Affairs Office at 580-917-2663 or 580-917-7960.


No. 058-10/No. 062-10 January 22, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Thaddeus S. Montgomery, 29, of West Yellowstone, Mont., died January 20th at Lorengal Outpost, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information media may contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at 719-526-7525.


No. 059-10/No. 061-10 January 22, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Capt. Paul Pena, 27, of San Marcos, Texas, died January 19th in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
For more information the media may contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at 910-432-0661.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Photo for the Day - January 21, 2010

* Photo for the Day * An Aircrewman assigned to the Chargers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 drops humanitarian aid in support of earthquake relief efforts in Port-au-Prince January 17th.
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Stumberg

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 054-10 January 21, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon, 52, of Canadensis, Pa., died January 17th, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to Headquarters, 7th Army and U.S. Army Europe, Heidelberg, Germany. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact U.S. Army Human Resources Command, St. Louis, at 314-592-0726.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Video: Hurt and Pain

There’s a lot of HURT, Pain, Evil, Unrest, Conflict, Starvation and Massacres in the world today all caused by a few Cruel and Heartless People. Most of these cruel... heartless people do not need to be lawyered up, Mr. President. They need to be hunted down... KILLED... or tried if need be... by our military and others from around the World...
The following Video is from my YouTube Favorite Section-- Powerful Video --

. -- This Video removed by me due to Google Ad Policies -- 

This video posted on YouTube by herzin

....................AubreyJ..........

DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty

No. 048-10 January 20, 2010
DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett, 29, of Knightdale, N.C., died January 19th near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy.
For more information related to this release, please contact the Aviano Air Base public affairs office at 011-39-0434-30-7555.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Photo for the Day - January 20, 2010

* Photo for the Day * HAITI AIRPORT
Airplanes wait to be unloaded in support of earthquake relief efforts at the Port-au-Prince, Haiti, airport, Jan. 17, 2010. Port-au-Prince was hit by a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010.
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Stumberg

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No wonder they are having a hard time getting anything in or out of Haiti!!!
AubreyJ.........

Will Republican Scott Brown Win Massachusetts Senate Race Tonight?

Republican Scott Brown Ahead in most Polls coming into today’s Massachusetts Senate Race
Will Republican Scott Brown Win Tonight’s Massachusetts Senate Race?
With fingers crossed and prayers made... all we can do now is wait!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010

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Wishing Mr. Brown the best of luck on pulling off a Massachusetts Miracle/WIN Tonight!
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8:22pm CST

With 73% of the vote NOW in:
BROWN (R) 53%
COAKLEY (D) 46%

It is being projected that Scott Brown WINS MA Senate Race
Senator-elect Scott Brown has already received phone call from Martha Coakley conceding race...
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Congratulations Senator-elect Brown!!!
Your State Won, the COUNTRY WON tonight along with you and your family! We all have a lot to be thankful for...

Good night my friends... I'm sure there will be much more in the News on tonight’s Election results tomorrow.
AubreyJ.........

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 042-10 January 19, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Anton R. Phillips, 31, of Inglewood, Calif., died December 31, 2009, at Forward Operating Base Methar Lam, Afghanistan. He was assigned to G Forward Support Company, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Task Force Wildhorse, Forward Operating Base Methar Lam, Afghanistan. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact the 21st Theater Support Command public affairs office at 011-49-413-8184 or via e-mail to anna.friederichmaggard@eur.army.mil

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Republican Scott Brown Leads Polls in Massachusetts Senate Race

Republican Scott Brown Leads Polls in Massachusetts Senate Race
Latest Public Policy Poll in Massachusetts Senate Race shows Republican Scott Brown leading Democratic Candidate Martha Coakley by 51% to 46% -- Brown Also Leading by Wide Margin, 64% to 32%, among Critical Independent Voting Bloc that Makes Up About Half of Massachusetts Voters
Fox News reports White House aides quietly expressed fear that the Race Is Lost!
Monday, January 18, 2010
. MA State Senator official photo
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Wishing Mr. Brown the best of luck in getting out the VOTE and pulling off a Massachusetts Miracle/WIN Tuesday!
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* NOW... I for one have come to love following Politics over the last 9 years or so and I find myself never surprised at what the minds of the Dems can come up with next. The following article I found today at the Washington Examiner’s website is a good example of just how far a Dem will go with nothing more than PURE speculative BS! This FUN read by Bryon York starts off like this... Frantic over the possibility that a Democrat might lose the race to replace Sen. Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts, the Democratic National Committee has sent its top spinner, Hari Sevugan, to the aid of Democratic candidate Martha Coakley, who appears to be rapidly losing ground to Republican Scott Brown. But what can Sevugan do to shore up Coakley's struggling campaign? Well, he spent his first day on the job trying to tie Brown to Sarah Palin...
Read the rest at link below...
Desperate Dems try to Palinize Massachusetts Senate race
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(-Repost-)
During the Senatorial Debate Last week in Massachusetts, moderator David Gergen asked Scott Brown a question, mentioning the Kennedy Seat... in which Brown immediately shot back with one of the best ‘all-time’ answers... EVER!!!
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“It’s The People's Seat.”



"With all due respect, it's not the Kennedy's seat, it's not the Democrats' seat, it's the people's seat."
This video posted on YouTube by AmericanGlob
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AubreyJ.........

Iraq: On Ground Updates - January 17, 2010

Iraq: On Ground Updates
Hang-em High!
Ali Hassan al-Majid, (Chemical Ali), will be hanged within days
Sunday, January 17, 2010
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Cropped USAF file photo
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* Guardian.co.uk brings us this bite of good news out of Iraq today and their report starts off like this... One of Saddam Hussein's most loathed henchman, Ali Hassan al-Majid, otherwise known as Chemical Ali, will be hanged within days, a senior official said tonight, setting the scene for Iraq's highest profile execution since Saddam himself was put to death more than three years ago... The former spy chief and first cousin of Saddam was today sentenced to death for ordering the slaughter of more than 5,000 Kurds in the northern Iraqi town of Halabja with chemical weapons in 1988... It was the fourth death sentence the 68-year-old has received for atrocities committed during the brutal three-decade reign of the Ba'athists. Iraq's deputy justice minister, Busho Ibrahim, said Majid's execution was now imminent... "We will receive Chemical Ali from the Americans in the next few days and he will be executed very soon afterwards," said Ibrahim. Majid was sentenced by Iraq's high criminal court. All remaining prosecutions he faces are now expected to be set aside...
Read the rest at link below...
'Chemical Ali' to be hanged within days
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AubreyJ........

Photo for the Day - January 16, 2010

* Photo for the Day * A young boy shows off his new pair of shoes he received at a Kuchi camp near Hutal, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2010. U.S. Soldiers from 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and members of the Afghan national police provided medical assistance and humanitarian aid to the Kuchi people living here.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dayton Mitchell

Taking a Moment to Honor our Fallen Heroes

Today... I would like to

Take a Moment to Honor our Fallen HeroesSince that tragic day on 9-11-2001… many of our bravest have given their all while fighting for this great country of ours. Please take a moment to thank them, in your own way, for all they have done and were willing to do for you -- me and this great country of ours. May God bless each and every one of these fallen Heroes, all of those who have been wounded, all of their families, friends, loved ones and their comrades in arms who were at their side.
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Never forget those that protect us -- Each and every day...

Here at home and overseas.
AubreyJ.........

DoD Identifies Marine, Army Casualties

No. 037-10 January 16, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died January 13th at Combat Outpost McClain, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to the 118th Military Police Company (Airborne), 503rd Military Police Battalion (Airborne), 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Daniel D. Merriweather, 25, of Collierville Tenn.
Pfc. Geoffrey A. Whitsitt, 21, of Taylors, S.C.

For more information the media may contact the XVIII Airborne Corps public affairs office at 910-309-2843.


No. 035-10 January 15, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Lucas T. Beachnaw, 23, of Lowell, Mich., died January 13th in Darya Ya, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Camp Ederle, Italy.
For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army public affairs office at 011-49-6221-57-8694, or via e-mail at ocpa.pi@eur.army.mil


No. 034-10 January 15, 2010
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Christopher R. Hrbek, 25, of Westwood, N.J., died January 14th while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the II Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs office at 910-451-7200.


No. 033-10 January 15, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Kyle J. Wright, 22, of Romeoville, Ill., died January 13th at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered earlier that day when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
For more information media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at 253-967-0152, 253-967-0147.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Fair Chance Scott Brown Will Win Massachusetts Senate Seat Tuesday

“Massachusetts Miracle”
Potential Disaster Coming for Obama/Democrats Tuesday in Massachusetts Special Election for Ted Kennedy’s Senate Seat
Friday, January 15, 2010
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With just a few days to go before Tuesday’s election... a new Poll out today shows Republican Scott Brown has pulled ahead of Democrat Martha Coakley in the Massachusetts Senate race. Brown 50% - Coakley 46% with Brown getting 65% of the Independents.
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* WashingtonPost.com brings us the following article this Friday afternoon and it starts off like this... His health care bill at stake, President Barack Obama plans a weekend trip to Massachusetts to campaign for endangered Senate candidate Martha Coakley after a poll showed an edge for Republicans in the race for a seat Democrats have held for over a half-century... The White House said he will travel there Sunday... "If Scott Brown wins, it'll kill the health bill," Democrat Barney Frank, D-Mass., said, underscoring the stakes of Tuesday's special election...
Read the rest at link below...
APNewsBreak: Obama to Massachusetts
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* FoxNews.com has the following report posted up on their website late this Friday afternoon and it starts off like this... GOP Senate candidate Scott Brown and his supporters are firing back at Democratic senators for accusing him of being a "far-right" politician backed by "right-wing radicals" by virtue of his ties to the conservative tea party movement...
Read the full report at link below...
Democrats Accuse Brown of 'Radical' Ties as Senate Election Nears
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About this News Video: A New Poll in the Massachusetts Senate race shows a shift in favor of the Republican Party and a potential disaster for President Barack Obama and his Democratic political agenda in Tuesday's Special Election.
This video posted on YouTube by wwlp
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Again I say....
Folks -- The man just MIGHT pull off a win!!!
AubreyJ.........

#28- AubreyJ’s Energy Update Report - January 14, 2010

AubreyJ’s Latest Energy Update Report
Latest from Mr. T. Boone Pickens
Thursday, January 14, 2010
. Image credit: Chesapeake Energy Corporation
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From the desk of T. Boone Pickens
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Army,
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I’m going to get straight to the point of this email.
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We imported 4.35 billion barrels of oil in 2009 at a cost of over half a million dollars per minute.
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Yes, you read that correctly.
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4.35 BILLION barrels imported in 2009.
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Over $500,000 dollars spent per MINUTE on foreign oil.
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That’s another $265 BILLION siphoned out of America’s struggling economy, and we still haven’t adopted a real energy plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
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For this reason I’m going back on the airwaves with a new television advertisement this week. In the ad, I encourage Americans to contact their Members of Congress immediately in support of the NAT GAS Act. You can view the new ad below...
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If you haven’t already signed the Energy Independence NOW petition, I encourage you to click here and sign it as soon as possible. ... This is important... 55,000 people have signed the petition in the past week. Let’s keep sending the message to Congress over and over and over again until they finally hear us and pass legislation to end our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
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We WILL get this done...
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-Boone

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P.S. Please share this email [post] with your friends and family...
(And again... Sign the Petition HERE)
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Pickens Plan TV Spot - January 2010

This video posted on YouTube by pickensplan
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Mr. Pickens... Keep up the GREAT work you're do for all of us!
AubreyJ.........

Photo for the Day - January 13, 2010

* Photo for the Day * Iraqi Police provide security for a group of detainees newly released into the public during a Detainee Release Ceremony near Ramadi, Jan. 10, 2010.
U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Sharp

DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

No. 027-10 January 13, 2010
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The following Marines died January 11th while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan:

Staff Sgt. Matthew N. Ingham, 25, of Altoona, Pa

Cpl. Jamie R. Lowe, 21, of Johnsonville, Ill

Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski, 21, of Tomball, Texas

Ingham, Lowe and Uzenski were assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

For additional background information on these Marines, news media representatives may contact the III Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Corps Bases Japan public affairs office at 011-81-611-745-0790 or e-mail them at okinawapao@usmc.mil

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Iraq: On Ground Updates - January 13, 2010

Iraq: On Ground Updates
Northern Iraq Remains Complex, General Says
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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The complexity of the situation in northern Iraq means that more U.S. troops will remain in the region than elsewhere in the country after the March 7 elections, the commander of U.S. forces in the region said today.
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Army Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo, commander of U.S. Division North, said he expects more U.S. troops will be needed in Iraq's seven Northern Provinces than elsewhere in the country.
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Cucolo commands the 21,000-member division that covers the area from the Baghdad suburbs to Iraq's borders with Syria, Turkey and Iran. He spoke via teleconference with Pentagon reporters from his headquarters near Tikrit.
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American forces do nothing without partnering with Iraqi security forces, the general said. "That means all types of operations, from combat when necessary to stability operations -- the full spectrum, partnered," he said. "We don't do anything unilaterally. It's all with our Iraqi partners, in probably the most demographically complex battle space in Iraq."
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The area contains the "fault line" between Kurds and Arabs. The oil-rich province and city of Kirkuk remain possible flashpoints, Cucolo said, but he added that leaders on both sides of the divide pause whenever an incident takes place.
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Overall, he said, the mission of U.S. forces in the region is to support provincial reconstruction teams, to move toward police primacy in the cities, and to establish capacity in Iraqi forces so they can assume U.S. battle space as American forces withdraw.
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U.S. focus has been on "tamping down" violent extremist networks such as al-Qaida in Iraq, the general said. "They still exist," he told reporters. "They've been knocked back pretty hard lately, but still, because they're cellular in nature, still can pack a punch with a high-profile attack."
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Mosul – Iraq's third-largest city – remains a problem. Mosul is a microcosm of Iraq, with all the ethnic and sectarian groups present in the nation. "We do not have ... Iraqi police primacy in Mosul yet, because the Iraqi police strength is not sufficient," Cucolo said. Iraqi soldiers maintain peace in the city.
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Al-Qaida in Iraq is trying to stay relevant in Mosul, the general said, but Iraqi and U.S. forces have "knocked back" the group's access to weapons, explosives and financing.
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"We know this because the ... elements are now resorting to extortion and kidnapping to get their funds," he said. "We know this because the IEDs they're using are much smaller than we've seen in the past. They're trying to rustle up what they can."
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Everything is colored by the upcoming elections, Cucolo said. American troops essentially will stand by and be available if the Iraqis encounter something they cannot handle, he said, but he added that he does not expect them to be needed.
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Iraqis have a positive attitude, the general said. "Since I've been here, I've been impressed by many things," he said. "I've been impressed by the quality of the Iraqi security forces, particularly the Iraqi army, ... but I'm very impressed with the desire for unity." He said he could see the Kurdish security force in northern Iraq merging with the Iraqi military.
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Cucolo said his concerns are the Kurd-Arab tension, any desire to interrupt the seating of the government, and the ability of the Iraqi security forces to assume the battle space.
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"Right now, I have Iraqi units that are capable of independent operations at low level – at brigade and below," he said. "Some Iraqi divisions are capable of independent operations, but the institution that gets them spare parts, that gets them bullets, that gets them the things they need to sustain routine operations -- that is still growing. All the right folks are working on it. It's happening. It's just not there yet."

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Taken from DoD’s American Forces Press Service News Article - Written by Jim Garamone

Political Videos: Scott Brown at the Massachusetts Senate Debate

During the Senatorial Debate yesterday in Massachusetts, moderator David Gergen asked Scott Brown a question mentioning the Kennedy seat... in which Brown immediately shot back with one of the best ‘all-time’ answers... EVER!!!

“It’s The People's Seat.”


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"With all due respect, it's not the Kennedy's seat, it's not the Democrats' seat, it's the people's seat."
This video posted on YouTube by AmericanGlob
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Folks -- The man just MIGHT pull off a win!!!
AubreyJ.........

Cobra Gold 2010, Worlds Largest Multinational Military Exercise Begins February 1st

Six Nations Gear Up for Cobra Gold 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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Cobra Gold, the largest multinational military exercise in the world, begins its 29th year of joint training and cooperation among six countries in the Asia-Pacific Theater in Thailand on February 1st.
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Cobra Gold 2010 marks the first time South Korea will participate in the exercise.
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“Thailand is one of our closest friends and partners in Asia, as well as being our oldest ally in Asia,” said Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander, U.S. Army Pacific. “The Cobra Gold exercise is the largest multilateral joint military exercise in the world.”
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Sponsored by U.S. Pacific Command and the Royal Thai Supreme Command, the three-week exercise includes a command-post exercise, a series of medical and engineering civic-action projects and joint and combined field training. The exercise continues to serve as a venue to build interoperability between the United States and its Asia-Pacific regional partners.
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The command-post exercise focuses on training a Thai, U.S., Singaporean, Indonesian, and South Korean coalition task force. The exercise also includes Japan participating within a United Nations Force staff. A team composed of representatives from Brunei, Chile, China, Germany, Laos, Mongolia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Vietnam will observe the command-post exercise at the invitation of the Thai government.
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Among Cobra Gold 2010’s objectives is Pacom’s rapid deployment of a joint task force and subsequent coordination with U.N. forces, with the aim of improving Pacom’s ability to conduct multinational operations and increase interoperability with partner nations, officials said.
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In addition, officials noted, the military-to-military relationships developed during Cobra Gold exercises underscore a combined capability to face myriad issues in the Asia-Pacific theater, including terrorism, transnational threats, and humanitarian-assistance and disaster-relief efforts.

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By DoD’s American Forces Press Service - Taken from a U.S. Army Pacific News Release
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AubreyJ.........

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

No. 023-10 January 12, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Michael R. Jarrett, 20, of North Platte, Neb., died January 6th in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Illesheim, Germany. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army Europe public affairs office at 011-49-6221-57-9194, or via e-mail at ocpa.pi@eur.army.mill

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Republicans Just Might Win Massachusetts Senate Seat

“Massachusetts Miracle”
Republican Candidate has Strong Chance of Defeating Democratic Opponent in Race for Ted Kennedy’s Seat in Senate
Monday, January 11, 2010
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Here’s an interesting read I found today at NewsMax.com and it starts off like this... With the election only nine days away in what Politico is calling a possible “Massachusetts miracle,” the Republican candidate now has a strong chance of defeating his Democratic opponent in the race for Ted Kennedy’s seat in the Senate... A poll by Public Policy Polling (PPP), a Democratic survey firm, shows Republican Scott Brown has overtaken Democrat Martha Coakley, and holds a 48 percent to 47 percent lead as the Jan. 19 special election approaches... State Sen. Brown leads 63-to-31 percent among independents, and is winning 17 percent of the Democratic vote, while Attorney General Coakley receives only 6 percent support from Republican voters, according to the poll completed on Jan. 9... The survey also found that 66 percent of Republicans are “very excited” about turning out to vote, while only 48 percent of Democrats feel that way...
Read the rest at link below...
Poll Shows Republican Can Win Mass. Senate Seat

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Now wouldn’t THAT be something!!!?
AubreyJ.........

Photo for the Day - January 11, 2010

* Photo for the Day * A village elder from Deh Yak listens as the Provincial chief of police speaks during a shura held at the District Center. The group met to discuss the security issues in the district as well as relationships between the villagers and the Afghan national police who protect them...
Read the story behind the photo at link below...
Afghan Leaders and Coalition Forces Unite to Face Villagers' Problems and Improve Security
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Photo by Capt. Angela Webb, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO - Taken from the DVIDS website

DoD Identifies Army, Marine Casualties

No. 019-10 January 11, 2010
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Meinert, 20, of Fort Atkinson, Wis., died January 10th while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Corps Base Hawaii public affairs office at 808-257-8838.


No. 018-10 January 11, 2010
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Mark A. Juarez, 22, of Bakersfield, Calif., died January 9th while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Corps Base Hawaii public affairs office at 808-257-8838.

No. 017-10 January 11, 2010
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason O. B. Hickman, 35, of Kingsport, Tenn., died January 7th at Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered earlier that day at Combat Outpost Bowri Tana, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army, Alaska, public affairs office at 907-384-2072.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)