Posted on 06/13/2005 10:44:24 PM PDT by TexKat
Iraqi troops exit a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for a reconnaissance mission in Momadia. Photo by Ronald Shaw Jr.
C-130 UPGRADE — A stretch version C-130J Hercules from the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Squadron taxis on a ramp at a forward-deployed location here while supporting missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. The C-130J-30 is the latest upgrade to the C-130 cargo plane series. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Randy Mallard
Is Iraq getting an Air Force soon?
I can't answer that one yet. I did not stay atuned to what was going on in that part of the world today. I was distracted to the Natalee Holloway and Michael Jackson cases on Monday.
I will see if I can find info on what is going on with this.
Members of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division rush toward a UH-60 Black Hawk from B. Co., 4-3 AHB, as they prepare to depart the pick-up zone after a successful mission. Brian P. Henretta
Iraqi Army conducts first air assault mission
By Spc. Brian Henretta
BAGHDAD (Army News Service, June 13, 2005) – Iraqi soldiers, working with Coalition aviation assets, conducted the Iraqi Army’s first air assault June 1.
Approximately 35 soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division were inserted into a landing zone near several small towns and villages outside of Baghdad to conduct raids and door-to-door searches for bomb and vehicle-born, IED-making materials, as well as specific persons of interest, said Capt. Jennifer Reynolds, commander of B Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter Battalion).
The Iraqi Soldiers were trained, supported and transported by pilots and crew chiefs from B Co., 4-3 AHB. The mission was viewed as a large success by everyone involved.
The process of teaching the Iraqi soldiers how to conduct an air assault mission began with hours of training the previous day.
“We trained them the same way we train U.S. Soldiers. We practiced entering and exiting the aircraft, what to do during the approach to a landing zone and establishing a perimeter,” said Spc. John Carrico, a crew chief with B Co., 4-3 AHB from Indian Mound, Tenn.
Staff Sgt. Mark Bilon, a native of Dededo, Guam, and a crew chief with B Co., 4-3 AHB, said the Iraqi soldiers were fast learners and their training went very smooth. The only challenge, he added, was the language barrier, which would eventually be overcome with the use of interpreters.
“The Iraqis were very motivated and excited during the entire process,” said Carrico.
The excitement was evident on the day of their mission. After the Black Hawks touched down in the pickup zone, the Iraqi forces hurried inside and many cheered during the aircraft’s takeoff.
The Iraqi Army soldiers were flown to a landing zone secured by Coalition and Iraqi Forces. From there, Reynolds said, they joined U.S. Soldiers from K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment to perform the raids and searches of nearby villages.
The mission was a resounding success for the members of 4-3 AHB and the U.S. Soldiers were proud to be a part of history for the Iraqi Army.
“I’m all about helping Iraqis and help facilitate their training,” said Bilon. “These are my favorite types of missions and I hope we can do more of them. I’ll do anything to help a buddy.”
These thoughts are echoed by Reynolds. She prefers flying assault missions and feels very good about helping train Iraqi forces to be able to take over their country’s security, she said.
(Spc. Brian Henretta is a member of the Aviation Brigade PAO.)
A line-up of weapons and munitions from a cache Iraqi Police uncovered south of Mosul Tuesday morning is being accounted for before destruction. U.S. Army
Soldiers in Mosul detain insurgents, rescue hostage, find caches
MOSUL, Iraq (Army News Service, June 13, 2005) -- Coalition forces detained 36 suspected terrorists in Mosul, Iraq this past week, rescued a hostage and found seven weapons caches.
A cordon and search operation in southeastern Mosul June 9, conducted because of a lead provided by an Iraqi citizen, led to the rescue of a local reporter who was being held hostage.
To rescue the hostage, the Iraqi Intervention Force overcame a small-arms fire attack from terrorists leaving the house. The IIF also detained an individual suspected of being involved in the kidnapping. The hostage was treated for minor injuries sustained during the kidnapping. The IIF confiscated a number of weapons and other material from the kidnappers’ house.
Coalition forces detained the leader of the Mosul-based Ansar Al-Sunnah terror cell, Mullah Mahdi, and four of his associates during cordon and search operations in Mosul June 7.
Mahdi is wanted in connection with multiple terror attacks in Mosul including kidnappings, attacks on polling stations, mortar attacks on Multi-National Forces and the suspected murder of local government officials.
Three individuals were detained as terrorist suspects by U.S. Soldiers and Iraqi troops during a cordon and search operation in eastern Mosul June 7.
Others suspected of terrorism were detained June 7 by U.S. Soldiers and Iraqi troops. They include an individual detained during a cordon and search operation south of Qayyarah, two suspects detained during a cordon and search operation in southeastern Mosul, five individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation west of Mosul, two suspects found during a raid in Tal Afar and one individual detained at a checkpoint in eastern Mosul.
Five suspected of terrorism were detained June 9 during a raid in southern Mosul, and four 4 individuals were detained at a checkpoint south of Tal Afar.
Local Sheiks turned in a terrorist suspect to U.S. forces June 11. This was the second time that sheiks have banded together to turn in terror suspects to security forces.
That same day, U.S. Soldiers detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation south of Qayyarah. The suspects are in custody.
Five individuals suspected of terrorist activity were taken into custody June 13 during separate operations in western Mosul.
Iraqi Police seized a large weapons cache during a search operation in southern Mosul June 7. The cache included several rocket-propelled grenades, artillery rounds, mortar rounds and rockets, RPG launchers and other firing systems, artillery fuses, 1,000 mortar charges, and 1,000 rounds of small arms ammunition. The confiscated weapons will be destroyed, officials said.
A weapons cache -- including artillery shells, rockets, and a number of 5,000-pound bombs -- was seized June 8 in northeastern Mosul by U.S. Soldiers. The weapons were confiscated for future destruction.
U.S. Soldiers and Iraqi forces seized a weapons cache June 11 during a cordon and search operation in western Mosul, and U.S. Soldiers seized a weapons cache while on patrol south of Mosul. The weapons were confiscated for future destruction.
Tips from concerned Iraqi citizens have led to the seizure of a number of weapons caches. Iraqi troops seized a cache June 13 during a search operation northeast of Tal Afar based on a citizen’s tip, and another tip from a Tal Afar resident led to the seizure of a weapons cache, which included a rigged car bomb. The weapons were confiscated for future destruction, officials said.
(Editor's note: Information from a number of news releases was combined by ARNEWS correspondent Carrie David for this article.)
By Staff Sgt. Christopher Williams
BALAD, Iraq (Army News Service, June 13, 2005) – Soldiers from various units across Iraq came to Logistics Support Area Anaconda in May to complete the first course in theater to transition medics and practical nurses to the new 91W healthcare occupational specialty.
The Army Medical Department implemented the transition program in 2001, seeking to transform all 91B (medics) and 91C (practical nurses) into 91Ws. About 20,000 Soldiers worldwide have transitioned to the new military occupational specialty, according to the Army Medical Command.
Eight Soldiers completed the 23-day transition course in Iraq offered by the Combat Medical Training Center, 44th Medical Command.
The course challenged them with grueling coursework and hands-on practical applications. The Soldiers were given 15 examinations over the course of the program which included modules in basic life support, the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support and Trauma AIMS, short for Advanced airway, Intravenous therapy, Medications and pharmacology and Shock management.
Under the AMEDD’s new program, medics and practical nurses must complete the 91W transition by the year 2007, said Col. Dennis Driscoll, program director for CMTC, 44th MEDCOM. Those who fail to complete the transition will be considered non-MOS-qualified and forced to reclassify at the needs of the Army.
The 91W transition program is a long and comprehensive series of training blocks that gives medics and practical nurses the necessary skills to function on and off the battlefield.
“There weren’t enough medics to fill combat positions and there weren’t enough nurses to fill the clinical positions,” said Staff Sgt. Randall L. Scales, lead instructor, CMTC, 44th MEDCOM. “AMEDD came up with a solution to create one MOS that encompasses both the battlefield and clinical settings.”
The 44th MEDCOM’s Combat Medical Training Center at LSA Anaconda is the first and only medical training center of its kind in theater. Frequent and longer deployments have made the CMTC a valuable asset to the Army and the Soldiers it trains.
“We are the first to offer the transition training to medics while in theater,” said Driscoll. “In doing so, we’ve given Soldiers the opportunity to enhance their skills as well as continue to support their unit’s mission while deployed.”
Although a slightly different MOS, medics and practical nurses will still be able to specialize in other medical disciplines and can be recognized for doing so.
“The 91Cs will still be practical nurses,” Scales said. “Except now they’ll be a 91W with an M6 additional skill identifier and also have the skill sets to perform on the battlefield.”
The transition can be a lengthy process and varies from skill level to skill level. Some medical NCOs only have to complete certain portions of the 91W transition, while most need to go through the entire course.
“Back in the states, the training can take as long as six months to complete whereas here we get the Soldiers through it in about three weeks,” said Scales.
As impossible as it may seem, said Scales, the Soldiers had no trouble getting through the intense training. With little or no distractions due to work or personal issues, he added, the Soldiers were able to focus on the training and the training alone.
During the graduation ceremony leaders and supporters of the eight graduates filled the auditorium seats.
Driscoll thanked the commanders and NCOs in attendance for supporting the CMTC’s program and commended them for fostering the development of their own Soldiers.
“This training is something that the medics must do in order to remain MOS qualified and we appreciate the commanders for supporting this requirement,” said Driscoll.
Driscoll said that there’s more to this program than just fulfilling professional development requirements.
“The real reason behind this program is to put the best medics in the Army out on the battlefield,” he said. “With these eight Soldiers, I think we’ve started to do just that.”
The graduation ceremony for the transition program took place at the LSA Anaconda auditorium on May 28.
Graduating from the 91W-Transition course were: Sgt. 1st Class Michael Priebe, 411th CA Bn.; Sgt. Marquis Arnold, 1-13 Armor; Sgt. Eric Ashmore, 50th MEDEVAC; Sgt. Karolina Loyewska, 443rd CA Bn.; Sgt. Melissa Olson, HSC, 92nd Eng. Bn.; Spc. Frank Goodnight, HHC, 29th BCT; Spc. Jasmine Ocampo, HHC, 29th BCT; Pfc. Thomas Else, 546th ASMB.
(Staff Sgt. Christopher Williams is a member of the 27th Public Affairs Detachment.)
The new Combat Action Badge will be available in clothing sales stores later this summer.
Army announces new Combat Action Badge eligibility
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 10, 2005) -- The Army announced this week the eligibility requirements for its new Combat Action Badge.
The requirements are laid out in a Department of the Army letter published on June 3. The letter also discusses changes to the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medic Badge.
(Click here to read the letter, which is posted on the Military Awards Branch page of the Human Resources Command webpage: Changes to the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge and the Establishment of the Combat Action Badge. Information on processing procedures for the CAB may also be found at the Military Awards Branch page.)
The CAB, whose design features both a bayonet and grenade, may be awarded to any Soldier performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement, according to the specific eligibility requirements.
Award of the CAB is not limited by one’s branch or military occupational specialty; however, to receive the CAB, a Soldier must not be assigned or attached to a unit that would quality the Soldier for the CIB or CMB.
The CAB's creation was approved by Army chief of staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker on May 2, 2005, to provide special recognition to Soldiers who personally engage or are engaged by the enemy.
“Warfare is still a human endeavor,” Schoomaker said. “Our intent is to recognize Soldiers who demonstrate and live the Warrior Ethos.”
"The Global War on Terrorism and its associated operations will be the first era of conflict considered for this award," said Lt. Col. Bill Johnson, Human Resources Command chief of military awards. "September 18, 2001, is the effective date for the new award. That is when President Bush signed Senate Joint Resolution 23, authorizing the use of military force against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States."
The CAB should be available late this summer or early fall through unit supply and military clothing sales stores.
Syria cannot imagine a scenario that would warrant moving its troops back to Lebanon, and will avoid giving the United States any such 'pretext' to attack, Syria's ambassador to Washington said on June 13 2005. Imad Moustapha said Syria welcomed a visit to Lebanon by United Nations officials to confirm whether Damascus had truly withdrawn all its military and intelligence agents, in hopes of reducing the chances of confrontation with the United States. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad speaks at Baath Party congress in Damascus June 9, 2005. (Sana/Reuters)
Syria says won't give U.S. 'pretext' to attack
By Caroline Drees, Security Correspondent
Mon Jun 13, 6:05 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Syria cannot imagine a scenario that would warrant moving its troops back to Lebanon, and will avoid giving the United States any such "pretext" to attack, Syria's ambassador to Washington said on Monday.
Imad Moustapha said Syria welcomed a visit to Lebanon by United Nations officials to confirm whether Damascus had truly withdrawn all its military and intelligence agents, in hopes of reducing the chances of confrontation with the United States.
Long-running tensions between the two states have risen recently over Syria's role in Lebanon and U.S. allegations that Damascus was undermining efforts to stabilize Iraq.
The U.N. team headed for Beirut on Monday.
"Syria is not that foolish to actually leave Lebanon and keep some elements there and (let Washington) use these elements as the pretext to harm Syria," Moustapha said in an interview with Reuters.
Syria pulled its 14,000 troops out of Lebanon in April, bowing to world pressure after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri on Feb. 14 sparked mass street protests and intensified international pressure.
"Our enemies would love to see Syria trapped in a situation (such as civil war in Lebanon) where it considers going back to Lebanon. But we will not do this," he said.
"If we send back our troops, this is a dream, a wish list for the Bush administration. ... We're not going to put ourselves in a confrontation with the tiger."
The White House said on Friday it had information that Damascus had drawn up an assassination list of Lebanese political leaders, a charge also made by a prominent anti-Syrian Lebanese opposition leader.
Moustapha repeated his country's rejection of accusations that it had such a hit list.
Moustapha said Syria had "no problem" with U.N. verification visits to prove its full withdrawal.
OTHER AGENTS
A three-member U.N. team issued a report in May verifying that Syrian forces had pulled out after 29 years. Syrian troops had deployed to Lebanon as part of efforts to stabilize the country during its 1975-1990 civil war.
But they said it was difficult to determine whether plainclothes agents had also left. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan had been reluctant to return the team, but decided to do so on Friday.
"Actually it's better if they keep on coming ... every fortnight. This is the only way to deal with this (Bush) administration," Moustapha said.
The envoy said suggestions that Syria was fomenting instability and violence in Lebanon to legitimize a redeployment were "stupid and preposterous."
He said Syria would work with whatever political power structure emerged from ongoing elections in Lebanon.
The envoy said Damascus was also doing its best to promote stability in Iraq and ensure foreign fighters did not use Syria as a transit route, for fear this could "provoke" Washington.
"We are not that stupid. We understand what are the ulterior motives of this administration," Moustapha said. "We're not going to give them a pretext on a plate of silver and say we 'will do everything possible to provoke you into attacking Syria."'
U.S. officials have repeatedly accused Syria of undermining its efforts in Iraq and allowing militants to funnel fighters and cash through its territory, a charge Syria rejects.
The ambassador said Syria wanted to renew security and other cooperation with the United States, which had petered out in recent months, and assured officials including President Bush himself of Syria's good intentions.
"I'm continuing to repeat the same message but it's falling on deaf ears," he said.
"The day the Americans want to re-engage with Syria, we are more than willing," he said. "We are a small country. The United States is a world superpower. We don't want to put ourselves in a position in which we are considered as candidates for the next target."
(Additional reporting by Carol Giacomo and Saul Hudson)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday she did not know whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was sane, a remark that could anger the unpredictable ruler. In this file photo Rice speaks at a meeting of the Organization of American States at the group's 35th general assembly in Fort Lauderdale, Florida June 5, 2005. (Marc Serota/Reuters)
Rice says does not know if N.Korea's Kim is sane
Mon Jun 13, 8:44 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday she did not know whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was sane, a remark that could anger Pyongyang's unpredictable ruler.
Asked if she thought Kim was sane during an interview with MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews," Rice replied: "I don't know. I've never met the man." The interview was taped on Monday and was to be broadcast on Tuesday.
The United States last week raised expectations North Korea might resume six-way talks seeking to end its suspected nuclear weapons programs. It reported that North Korean officials said they would come back to negotiations but had not said when.
The talks between North and South Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan have been on hold for a year because of the North's boycott. Meanwhile, the poor, reclusive state has boasted it possesses nuclear weapons.
North Korea is acutely sensitive to what U.S. officials say about it. On June 3, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman offered rare praise to President Bush for his having referred to the North's leader as "Mr. Kim Jong-il."
The spokesman suggested the comment might improve the atmosphere for holding the six-party talks.
A senior State Department official said while North Korea had not yet committed to a date, there was optimism about a new round of nuclear talks because "the atmospherics were good" when U.S. and North Korean officials met in New York last week.
"They did not make any demands on us. They did not refuse to come to the talks," he said, briefing reporters anonymously.
He acknowledged that "until we have a date, we don't have talks," but insisted the New York session was "a constructive meeting where they clearly indicated their desire to return."
Pyongyang was "trying to figure out how to get back," he said.
Reflecting U.S. warnings the North may be planning a nuclear weapons test, the official said Washington had had a "lot of very necessary discussions (with its partners) about what to do if there is a test," but he gave no details.
Asked about the North's March 21 statement that six-party talks must deal with U.S. as well as North Korean nuclear weapons, the official said, "We don't have nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula."
He said the statement seemed to suggest that Pyongyang, which in February declared itself a nuclear power, was trying to shift the six-party focus from persuading the North to abandon its nuclear programs to an arms control negotiation involving U.S. weapons.
The official ruled out a demand Washington state its willingness to live in peaceful coexistence with the North.
"We don't want to be reduced to a circus animal doing an act, being told to jump through various hoops or whatever at the behest of the North Koreans," he said.
"We have told them really all they need to know ... which is we have no intention to attack or invade, we do not question their sovereignty," he added.
Bush met for about 40 minutes in the Oval Office on Monday with Kang Chol-Hwan, who spent time in a North Korean prison camp and wrote the book, "The Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten Years In The North Korean Gulag."
"The president read the book, it is a compelling story. The president is very concerned about the human rights situation in North Korea," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
The author is now a journalist in South Korea.
14 Jun 2005 05:48:52 GMT
Source: Reuters
KABUL, June 14 (Reuters) - U.S. and Afghan forces killed two insurgents and detained 12 after a clash in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.
The militants were killed on Sunday in a firefight with U.S. and Afghan soldiers to the north of the main southern city of Kandahar, the military said in a statement. One insurgent was wounded and 12 others were detained for questioning, it said.
The incident came amid stepped up violence linked to Taliban guerrillas in southern and eastern Afghanistan in the run-up to parliamentary elections due to be held in September.
About 150 insurgents have been killed in violence this year, according to U.S. and Afghan government figures. Dozens of government security men have also died in the fighting, as well as 13 U.S. soldiers since March.
On Monday, a suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into a U.S. military vehicle near the city of Kandahar, killing himself and wounding four American soldiers, one seriously.
The United States commands an 18,300-strong international force, most of whom are American, fighting Taliban and al Qaeda militants and hunting their leaders, including Osama bin Laden.
Radical anti-U.S. Shiite cleric Muqtada,right, meets with Sunni tribal leaders from the insurgent hotbeds of Fallujah and Ramadi in Najaf Monday June 13, 2005. The meetings in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, south of the capital, seemed to be a sign of al-Sadr's desire to return to active politics after going into isolation last fall following clashes between his militia - the Imam al-Mahdi Army - and U.S. troops. (AP Photo/Mohammed Hato)
Radical anti-U.S. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and Russia's ambassador to Iraq Vladimir Chamov, right, leave al-Sadr's home in Najaf Monday June 13, 2005. Ambassador Chamov was making the first visit by a Russian envoy to al-Sadr's office since the U.S.-led operation started in Iraq two years ago. (AP Photo/Mohammed Hato)
Russian Ambassador Meets Anti-U.S. Cleric
By ABDUL HUSSEIN AL-OBEIDI, Associated Press Writer
Mon Jun 13, 7:14 PM ET
NAJAF, Iraq - Russia's ambassador to Iraq flew to this southern city Monday for talks with radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the embassy said.
Ambassador Vladimir Chamov was making the first visit by a Russian envoy to al-Sadr's office since the U.S.-led war started in Iraq two years ago, embassy protocol chief Ivan Zhurba said.
Zhurba had no details on the purpose of the talks.
Russia opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq and President Vladimir Putin has said no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq — Washington's major justification for launching the war against Saddam Hussein's regime.
Al-Sadr, who opposes the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq, has recently taken on a higher public profile after emerging from months of hiding following clashes last year between U.S. troops and his militiamen in Baghdad's impoverished Sadr City and Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad.
The talks come amid a raging insurgency that has killed more than 940 people since Iraq's new Shiite-led government was announced April 28.
Sheik Jalil al-Nouri, an al-Sadr aide in Najaf, confirmed the talks had started and that a delegation of Sunni tribal leaders from the volatile Anbar province towns of Ramadi and Fallujah were expected to meet with al-Sadr later.
"The meeting was held to develop the relationship between Russia and Muqtada al-Sadr because the al-Sadr movement is very influential and well known in Iraq," al-Nouri said, without providing further details.
He added that the meeting had nothing to do with al-Sadr's talks with the Anbar delegation.
The fiery cleric has been negotiating between Shiite and Sunni groups who have accused each other of killing clerics from each community.
Things have gotten calmer here (not calm, just calmer) and progress is going forward, so I guess this scum feels it incumbent upon him to stir things up a little.
I would not shed a tear if he were to assume room temperature.
Become metaphysically challenged, so to speak.
A pool of blood is seen at the scene where a roadside bomb blast killed at least 18 people in the northern town of Kirkuk, Iraq, Tuesday June 14, 2005. The roadside bomb exploded near a queue of people waiting outside the Rafidiyan Bank in downtown Kirkuk. (AP Photo/Yahya Ahmed)
23 Killed in Explosion Outside Iraqi Bank
By YEHIA BARZANJI, Associated Press Writer
KIRKUK, Iraq - A man wearing a belt packed with explosives blew himself up outside a bank in northern Iraq Tuesday, killing 23 people and wounding nearly 100, including child street vendors and pensioners waiting for their checks. In Baghdad, the bodies of 24 men killed in ambushes were brought to a hospital.
Iraqi police stand outside the Al-Rafidain bank after a suicide bomber blew himself up in the northern city of Kirkuk. The blast ripped through civil servants waiting outside the bank killing at least 19 people and wounding 53 others(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)
A suicide car bomber also rammed his vehicle into an Iraqi army checkpoint, killing five soldiers and wounding two others in Kan'an, 30 miles north of Baghdad, Iraqi army Col. Ismael Ibrahim said. Two civilians also were wounded in the attack claimed in an Internet posting by the Ansar al-Sunnah Army — affiliated with al-Qaida in Iraq.
Firefighters extinguish a car bomb in the town of Kan'an, 45 kilometers (about 30 miles) north of Baghdad Tuesday June 14, 2005 after a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into an Iraqi army checkpoint killing five soldiers and wounding two others. (AP Photo/Mohammed Adnan)
The U.S. Army marked its 230th birthday Tuesday on a somber note with the killing of an American soldier in a roadside bombing targeting a U.S. convoy in southern Baghdad. The military also said two soldiers assigned to a Marine unit were killed in a similar attack Monday in the western city of Ramadi.
"Today is a day when we reflect on the heritage of the army and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and the latest death in Baghdad is obviously a sad event on our birthday," military spokesman Sgt. David Abrams said.
At least 1,704 U.S. military members have died since the war began in 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The Ansar al-Sunnah Army also claimed responsibility for the attack in Kirkuk, which coincided with the swearing in of veteran guerrilla leader Massoud Barzani as the first president of Iraq's northern Kurdistan region in the nearby city of Irbil.
Jalal Talabani, left, the first Kurdish President of Iraq laughs with Massoud Barzani, right, president of Kurdish region at the opening session of new Kurdish parliament, in Irbil, Saturday, Jun 4. 2005. Kurdistan's 111-member regional assembly Saturday opened its inaugural session since the Jan. 30 national elections that swept long-oppressed Shiites and Kurds to power. (AP Photo/Sasa Kralj)
An Iraqi soldier stands guard at the scene where a roadside bomb killed 18 people in the northern town of Kirkuk, Iraq Tuesday June 14, 2005. The roadside bomb exploded near a queue of people waiting outside the Rafidiyan Bank in downtown Kirkuk. (AP Photo/Yahya Ahmed)
Also Tuesday, the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari received a near overwhelming vote of confidence Tuesday in the Iraqi National Assembly on a promise to help restore security to violence-torn Iraq.
Al-Jaafari's 37-member government, announced on April 28, was approved by a show of hands in the 275-member parliament.
Although it has made quashing the insurgency its top priority, his government has been criticized for its seeming inability to stop a wave of attacks that have killed more than 1,000 people since its inception.
Security forces captured a reported key member of Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi's al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist group who is accused of building and selling cars used by suicide bombers, the Iraqi government said Tuesday.
Iraqi Army al-Muhtana brigade members guard suspected militants at their base in Baghdad Monday June 13 2005. At least 943 people, including U.S. military personnel, have been killed since the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari announced his government six weeks ago. (AP Photo/Mohammed Uraibi)
He was identified as Jassim Hazan Hamadi al-Bazi, also known as Abu Ahmed, and was arrested June 7, the government said. It added that he was part of an al-Qaida cell run by a man identified as Hussayn Ibrahim.
The spree of killings comes as lawmakers wrangle over how big a say Sunni Arab Muslims should have drawing up the country's new constitution. The dispute threatens to further alienate Sunni Arabs, who fell from power after their patron, Saddam Hussein, was ousted and detained. Sunni Arabs account for most of the insurgents wreaking havoc across Iraq.
In oil-rich Kirkuk, 180 miles north of Baghdad, a bomb killed 23 people, including child street vendors and retirees waiting for checks outside the Rafidiyan Bank, said police Brig. Sarhad Qadir. He said another 97 people were injured.
Police chief Gen. Sherko Shakir said the man was wearing a belt packed with explosives.
"It was the biggest awful crime in Kirkuk since the fall of Saddam's regime," Shakir said.
The explosion occurred close to a pedestrian bridge crossing the road in front of the bank. Children and other vendors selling products from sugar to kitchen utensils on both the bridge and the road underneath were among those killed.
"I came here to get my wages and I brought my grandson with me who insisted on accompanying me," said Hussein Mohammed, a 70-year old retired employee of the Northern Oil Co., his head swathed in bandages. "The bomb exploded as we queued outside the bank and we were injured and rushed to hospital." The child survived.
The pavement outside the bank was strewn with rubble and glass from the building, while several bodies were seen lying underneath wreckage. At least two cars parked nearby were set ablaze.
Iraqi policeman removes debris at the scene where a roadside bomb killed at least 18 people in the northern town of Kirkuk Iraq , Tuesday June 14, 2005. The roadside bomb exploded near a queue of people waiting outside the Rafidiyan Bank in downtown Kirkuk. (AP Photo/Yahya Ahmed)
Kirkuk is an ethnically mixed oil-rich city where insurgents have routinely launched deadly attacks apparently seeking to foment ethnic tension.
In Baghdad, the bodies of 24 men — some beheaded — were brought to a hospital, morgue official Ali Chijan said. The men had been killed in recent ambushes on convoys in western Iraq.
A father of one of the victims walks by corpses in Baghdad's Yarmouk hospital Tuesday June 14, 2005. The bodies of 24 men, some beheaded, killed in recent ambushes on convoys in western Iraq have been brought to a Baghdad hospital, Monday night, morgue official said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mohammed Uraibi)
He said two groups of bodies were brought to Yarmouk Hospital late Monday.
Seventeen of the bodies, believed to be all Iraqis, were found near Khaldiyah, 75 miles west of Baghdad, Chijan said.
Some of the bodies had been decapitated and others had been shot in the head, said Dr. Mohammed Jawad.
Jawad said the bodies might belong to men who have been missing since their convoy delivering supplies for the U.S. military was ambushed Thursday near Khaldiyah.
A brother of a truck driver, crouching right, weeps by his body at Baghdad's Yarmouk hospital Tuesday June 14, 2005. His brother was killed in a recent ambush at Khaldiyah, a town 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of Baghdad last week. The bodies of 24 men, some beheaded, killed in recent ambushes on convoys in western Iraq have been brought to a Baghdad hospital, Monday night, morgue official said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mohammed Uraibi)
Two were identified as an Iraqi policeman and an interpreter, but it was not immediately clear who they worked for.
An Iraqi looks at bodies as he tries to identify them in the grounds of the morgue at the Yarmuk hospital in Baghdad 14 June 2005. Baghdad's Yarmuk hospital has taken in the bodies of 23 Iraqis and one Nepalese killed in two western Iraqi attacks, the director of its morgue said.(AFP/Ahmad Al-Rubaye)
Chijan said the badly decomposed bodies of another seven men, including one Iraqi and six believed to be "Asians," were brought to the hospital after being killed in a convoy ambush several days ago. Most had been shot in the face.
The slain Iraqi was identified as Ahmed Adnan, said his cousin, Hussein Ali.
Ali told the AP his cousin worked for the U.S.-owned American-Iraqi Solutions Group, a large company dealing in Iraqi reconstruction projects, with its headquarters in Carson City, Nev.
The company later sent the AP a statement saying 11 of its employees were killed Sunday when one of its five-vehicle supply convoys was ambushed east of Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, by up to 20 heavily armed bandits firing from an overpass.
"The attackers used light and heavy machine-guns as well as rocket propelled grenades to disable three of the five vehicles," the statement said.
The last two vehicles in the convoy escaped the attack, which the company said was "believed to be the work of bandits operating in the Anbar region and is not thought to be a terrorist operation."
The highway linking Baghdad to Jordan in the west cuts through volatile Anbar province, a region notorious for kidnappings, ambushes and bombings.
In announcing the arrest of al-Bazi, the government said he built and sold remote-controlled bombs used in roadside attacks from an electronic repair shop in Balad, 50 miles north of Baghdad.
He sold the bombs for about $18,000 each "and was involved in building suicide vehicle" bombs and land mines that were used in Balad and Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, the statement said.
Al-Qaida in Iraq and other extremist Islamic groups have been blamed for many suicide car bombings, beheadings and attacks.
French President Jacques Chirac, right, listens to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan during a conference devoted to the so-called Global Compact, a voluntary charter of rules of ethics for businesses, Tuesday June 14, 2005 in Paris. (AP/Michel Euler)
Memo Suggests Annan Oil-For-Food Link
By NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press Writer
UNITED NATIONS - Investigators of the U.N. oil-for-food program said Tuesday they are "urgently reviewing" new information that suggests U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan may have known more than he revealed about a contract that was awarded to the company that employed his son.
The December 1998 memo from Michael Wilson, then a vice president of Cotecna Inspections S.A., mentions brief discussions with Annan "and his entourage" at a summit in Paris in 1998 about Cotecna's bid for a $10 million-a-year contract under oil-for-food.
If accurate, the memo could contradict a major finding of the Independent Inquiry Committee — that there wasn't enough evidence to show that Annan knew about efforts by Cotecna, which employed his son, Kojo, to win the contract. Cotecna learned it won the contract on Dec. 11, 1998, days after the meeting.
The statement from the Independent Inquiry Committee, led by former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, said it would "conduct additional investigation regarding this new information."
U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard said U.N. officials reviewed the final records of the Paris trip that note every meeting that took place, "and there is no metion in that trip record of any exchange with Michael Wilson."
"We spoke to the secretary-general who is in Paris today, and he has no recollection of any such exchange," Eckhard said.
In a statement released earlier Tuesday, Cotecna said it had found the memo as part of its "continued efforts to assist investigators." The Geneva-based firm again denied that it committed any wrongdoing in obtaining the contract.
The memo "may result in speculation about the procurement of its oil-for-food authentication contract," Cotecna said. "Cotecna once again confirms that it acted at all times appropriately and ethically in its bidding for, winning and performing that contract."
Both Annans also deny any link between Kojo Annan's employment and the awarding of the U.N. contract to the company.
The internal Cotecna memo from Wilson, a childhood friend of Kojo Annan, was first reported Tuesday by The New York Times.
In the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, Wilson said he "had brief discussions with (Kofi Annan) and his entourage" about Cotecna's effort to win the contract.
Cotecna "could count on their support," Wilson wrote.
The memo, dated Dec. 4, 1998, was written a week before the company won the U.N. contract.
Eckhard said the views attributed to Annan in Wilson's memo "could not have come from the secretary-general because he had no knowledge that Cotecna was a contender for that contract."
He said the United Nations had turned over the records of the Paris trip to Volcker.
In an interim report in March, Volcker's committee accused Cotecna and Kojo Annan of trying to conceal their relationship after the firm was awarded the contract.
It said Kofi Annan didn't properly investigate possible conflicts of interest surrounding the contract, but cleared him of trying to influence the awarding of Cotecna's contract or violating U.N. rules.
___
Associated Press reporter Sam Cage in Geneva contributed to this story.
June 14, 2005
According to Fire Department spokesman Dave Billig, the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. near South Street. Rescuers were on the scene removing the occupants from the helicopter, he said, but there were no other details available.
Oy-vey. It took me a minute to figure out what I was looking at.
(New) Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) and Iraqi Army Air Corps
One of three ex-USAF C-130E of the new Iraqi Air Force.
Last updated: 25 May 2005
Introduction:
After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, it became evident that Iraq would need to rebuild its air force from scratch. In April 2004, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) announced that the first steps to form a New Iraqi Air Force were taken. The new Iraqi Air Force is required to carry out border patrol and aerial surveillance. Especially a capability in the latter role is needed to secure Iraq's network of oil piping. Iraq is also required to build up its transport capability of both cargo and personnel, including VIPs.
At the same time, the Iraqi Army is being reformed. At this time, it is believed that the Iraqi Army will have its own air component. For ease, we will report about the aircraft and helicopters for both services in this report.
Light Aircraft:
The first aircraft to enter service with the newly formed Iraqi Air Force, were two Seeker SB7L-360 light surveillance aircraft. The contract was awarded after an accelerated tender in June 2004 to Seabird Aviation Jordan, a joint venture between Jordan's King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau and Seabird Aviation Australia. The contract worth 2.3 million USD included training, maintenance and support. The Seabird Seekers were handed over on 29 July 2004 and airlifted by a USAF C-130H to Basrah Air Base on 18 August 2004. The aircraft carry a sand-colored camoflage, the Iraqi flag on the fin, and serials YI-101 and YI-102.
Although initially believed to be destined for Seabird, the follow up order for more light utility aircraft was awarded to a US company offering the SAMA CH2000 built by Jordan Aerospace Industries. The aircraft is based on the Canadian design of the Zenair Zenith 2000. The contract is for eight of the two-seat aircraft with an option for eight more. With a rate of two per month, the initial batch of 8 aircraft will be fully delivered in March 2005, although some delays are expected. Reportedly 70 Squadron will be the first to receive the aircraft at Basrah Air Base. The second batch will go to 2 Squadron at Kirkuk AB. Both squadrons are expected to be fully operational in September 2005.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has donated four Aerocomp Comp Air 7SL turboprop light aircraft. The 6-seat aircraft were delivered on 13 November 2004 and are equipped with a recce sensor suite. But it is believed they will be operated primarily in the utility role, because of its larger passenger capacity.
Transports:
Jordan has donated two C-130B Hercules tactical transport aircraft. The aircraft were formerly in service with the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) but were put into storage in the early 1990s. Prior to delivery, they will be fully overhauled. The CPA announced in April 2004 a requirement of a total of six C-130 Hercules aircraft. Three ex-USAF C-130E Hercules aircraft were handed over in January 2005 by the United States. Prior to delivery the aircraft had been overhauled and although still in USAF transport colors it carries Iraqi Air Force titles and the Iraqi flag on the tail. The C-130 fleet will be operated by 23rd Iraqi Transport Squadron from Al Muthana Air Base in Baghdad, when its facilities are ready.
The 23rd Iraqi Transport Squadron was originally activated on July 14, 1965, at Al Rasheed Air Base. Its primary mission was and will continue to be transporting military personnel and equipment. About 65 Iraqi Air Force personnel, including four crews, have completed a four-month lead-in course in Jordan and will now be trained to fly and maintain the new airplanes.
Helicopters:
Jordan donated 16 ex-RJAF UH-1H utility helicopters. The helicopters are overhauled prior to delivery, the last aircraft to be expected for delivery in February 2006 (some sources report April 2005). Reportedly the first 14 of 48 pilots have completed training and the first six UH-1Hs have been delivered. They will operated from Taji (Tadji?) AB in two squadrons, believed to be 2 and 4 Squadron.
The UAE donated four Bell JetRanger helicopters in December 2004. The aircraft will be based at Basrah AB until Baghdad International Airport is ready. Reportedly, they will be part of 3 Squadron.
On 15 December 2004, the new Iraqi Ministry of Defence signed two contracts for more helicopters with Polish state-owned defence industry consortium BUMAR. The first contract worth about 132 million USD covered 20 PZL Swidnik W-3 Sokol helicopters. The helicopters were destined for the Iraqi Army and would have been delivered in November 2005. The order consisted of four VIP configured, four MEDEVAC configured and twelve armed assault helicopters. The contract included the training of ten Iraqi pilots and 24 maintenance and technical personnel. However BUMAR announced in mid April 2005 that the contract will not proceed as planned. It is believed that the delivery schedule proposed by PZL Swidnik were not acceptable. For the time being, only two W-3s will be delivered in 2005 for testing.
The second contract worth 105 million USD includes among other equipment the delivery of 24 Mil Mi-17 helicopters. BUMAR will deliver reworked second-hand Mi-17 it has already acquired from an undisclosed source. The overhaul work will be carried out at the PZL-1 military helicopters repair plant at Lodz. It is not yet known whether the Mi-17s will be delivered to the Army or Air Force or be split between the services.
The Polish Deputy Defence Minister has stated that some of the equipment used by the Polish troops currently deployed in Iraq, may stay in the country for the new Iraqi armed forces. This equipment will probably include some W-3 helicopters. Also a new order for a number of Sokols is expected and could exceed the initial figure of 20.
Training:
For training of Iraqi Air Force aircrews and personnel, the commander of the Iraqi Air Force has requested support from the Polish Air Force. The Polish Air Force Academy at Deblin was assessed by the Iraqi Air Force and fully meets the requirement. The long-term cooperation includes training for fast jet pilots, helicopter and transport aircraft crews, air traffic controllers, ground intercept controllers and technicians. All training will start with an six-month English course, general military training and physical training.
Awesome! Thanks again TexKat for getting the REAL news out!
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