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HRH The Duke of Edinburgh meets troops from The Queen’s Royal Hussars during a surprise visit to Basra, Iraq on Oct. 22. BASRA -- His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh made a surprise visit to the British Army in Iraq Sunday. He was visiting The Queen’s Royal Hussars (QRH) in Basra in his role as the Regiment’s Colonel in Chief. He offered his praise to the cavalry soldiers, who are only a few weeks away from the end of their six-and-a-half month tour of Iraq. “It’s a great pleasure to see you here. Everyone at home has been following...

Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Peter Schoomaker pins a Purple Heart on Spc. Rebecca Macintyre, a motor transport operator with the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, during a ceremony at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michael Pfaff Chief of Staff Visits Soldiers at Speicher By U.S. Army Spc. Michael Pfaff TIKRIT, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2006 -- Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Peter Schoomaker visited troops at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Aug. 16. Schoomaker met with troops during several reenlistment, award, and “coin” ceremonies, in which Schoomaker personally...

CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq (Aug. 8, 2006) -- When Army Maj. John W. Penree decided to pay his nephew, Marine Sgt. Peter A. Penree Jr., a visit in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, the timing couldn’t have been better. The circumstances, however, probably could have. Both men are currently deployed to Iraq – Penree Jr., serves with the Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in western Al Anbar Province; Maj. Penree with the Wiesbaden, Germany-based 3rd Corps Support Command in Balad, Iraq. Penree Jr., a 23-year-old Marine infantryman from Frankfort, N.Y., was wounded recently when a suicide bomber drove a truck...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Michael O. Johanns, left, and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zawbai sign an agreement Tuesday August 1, 2006 to keep working together to help Iraq's agricultural future. BAGHDAD -- U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns arrived in Iraq Tuesday to meet with high-level Iraqi officials, as well as Iraqi agricultural producers. Johanns was joined by representatives from the private sector, academia and the press. "Many people are surprised to learn how important the agriculture sector is in Iraq and how much potential it holds," said Johanns. "I am eager to meet face to face with Iraqi...

WASHINGTON - The Secret Service on Friday revealed four more visits to the White House in 2001 by disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, including one to see a domestic policy aide to Vice President Dick Cheney. The newly released records of Abramoff's access to the White House bring the total number of his known visits to seven. One Abramoff White House visit, according to Secret Service logs, was on April 20, 2001, to see Cesar Conda, at the time Cheney's assistant for domestic policy. Five days after the Conda meeting, one of Abramoff's former lobbying colleagues, Patrick Pizzella, was nominated by...

U.S. Army Capt. Frank Cerfogli (right) and Spc. Heather Kikulski treat Afghan villagersÂ’ sheep and goats with deworming medicine in Ander Key Bay, Afghanistan, June 13, 2006. Cerfogli and Kikulski, assigned to the 7/19 Medical Detachment, were part of a Cooperative Medical Assistance team, that provided much needed medical assistance to the remote villages of Hazarbez and Ander Key, June 9 to 13, 2006. Cerfogli, from Boone, Iowa, is a field veterinary officer. Kikulski, from Lake Geneva, Wis., is an animal specialist. U.S. Army photo by Army Sgt Nina J. Ramon Medical Assistance Team Visits Afghan Villages Despite the...

SINGAPORE, June 4, 2006 – On the 64th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today met with sailors in another South Pacific port and lauded them for recent service in the Persian Gulf. Rumsfeld was in Singapore for a meeting of defense ministers from Asian and Pacific countries. The USS McCampbell was in Singapore for a liberty call. Four other Navy ships and a Coast Guard cutter were also in port here as part of Exercise CARAT, for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. Sailors from each of the other ships and several Coast Guardsmen were...

SHINAHOTA, Bolivia - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who often accuses the U.S. of plotting to overthrow him, warned Bolivia's president Friday he could be facing the same prospect. Chavez spoke during a visit to the heart of Bolivia's coca-growing region with Bolivian leader Evo Morales and Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage — a trip designed to bolster trade ties among three leftist governments. Chavez responded to President Bush's comment Monday that he was "concerned about the erosion of democracy" in Bolivia and Venezuela. "If the U.S. president says he's worried the democracy is eroding in Bolivia, this simply means that...

Mexican President Vicente Fox began wrapping up a U.S. visit Friday that anti-illegal immigration groups slammed as an attempt to influence congressional debate and immigrant supporters praised for recognizing Mexico's responsibility in a binational issue. Fox's afternoon agenda in a city heavily influenced by Mexican culture included meetings with two fellow proponents of immigration reform, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Both have been high-profile supporters of marches that brought hundreds of thousands of immigrants to the streets. Fox was also met by about 50 noisy protesters as he arrived downtown at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. "We...

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (NNS) -- More than 1,000 Sailors and 600 Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) arrived in New York May 24 for Fleet Week 2006. Kearsarge, along with seven other U.S. naval ships will visit Manhattan and Staten Island for the annual celebration from May 24-31. “Fleet Week allows us to show the character of our Sailors and Marines and the quality of the Kearsarge’s, equipment, technology and capabilities,” said Capt. Joseph Sensi, Kearsarge’s commanding officer. “We thank New York for showing such appreciation and support for those of us who serve.” During their visit,...

Mexican President Vicente Fox arrived in California Thursday amid intense debate over immigration and as the U.S. Senate approved sweeping reforms that include tighter border security and a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. Fox was to address a joint session of the state Legislature and meet privately with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, their first meeting since the movie star became governor. On Wednesday, Schwarzenegger said he would stress Mexico's responsibility for illegal immigration in his meeting with Fox. "Mexico is our friend," Schwarzenegger said at a Capitol news conference. "I am going to have an open discussion with...

U.S. Army Col. John Nicholson (second from left), Task Force Spartan commander, illustrates friendly and enemy positions for U.S. Army Gen. John P. Abizaid (second from right), U.S. Central Command commander, as U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John M. Custer, U.S. Central Command commander director of intelligence, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, Combined Joint Task Force-76 commander, look on May 2, 2006, at Provincial Reconstruction Team Asadabad headquarters. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Pintagro CENTCOM Commander Visits 'Mountain Lion' Battlefields General Abizaid also met with U.S. Marines of Task Force Lava, wrapping up his...

JALALABAD, Afghanistan (May 12, 2006) -- One character's name kept coming up during actor Gary Sinise's recent trip to Jalalabad Airfield in eastern Afghanistan where he paid a visit to the troops who were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sinise may be arguably one of the greatest and most versatile actors of our generation, having played in award-winning movie roles that range from George in "Of Mice and Men" - which he also directed - to his Broadway role as Randall P. McMurphy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" to his current television role as Detective Mac...

MARINE BARRACKS, WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 5, 2006) -- George W. Bush, president of the United States, attended a Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., May 5. The president enjoyed the ceremony alongside Gen. Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps and Col. Terry M. Lockard, commanding officer of Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Bush last visited the “Oldest Post of the Marine Corps” May 18, 2001.

5/8/2006 - VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFPN) -- The U.S. commander in chief stopped here May 6 en route to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater to give the commencement address. President George W. Bush was greeted by more than 300 servicemembers, civilians and their families. While the event was special for the base, it was the "best 17th birthday present in the world" for Betsy Kriner, daughter of Col. Kevin Kriner, 71st Operations Group commander, and his wife, Mary. “It was a once in a lifetime experience,” said the Enid High School junior, who received a hug and had...

WASHINGTON - The Secret Service has agreed to turn over White House visitor logs that will show how often convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff met with Bush administration officials — and with whom he met. U.S. District Judge John Garrett Penn last Tuesday approved an agreement between the Secret Service and Judicial Watch, a public interest group, that requires the agency to produce records of Abramoff's visits from Jan. 1, 2001, to the present. Judicial Watch filed suit in February after the Secret Service failed to respond to its request under the federal Freedom of Information Act. Abramoff, who represented Indian...

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for the warm welcome. Sergeant Major, thanks for the introduction. It's an honor to be here. I've been really looking forward to coming to Twentynine Palms. The General told me that I'm the first President ever to have come. It's an honor to be the first President, but he also reminded me that my mother beat me to the punch. (Laughter.) I want to share some thoughts with you right quick. One, I'm incredibly proud of the United States Marine Corps. (Applause.) You bring honor to our country. You represent the very best of America. You represent...

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker (left) receives a guided tour of the Iraqi army's armored vehicles at Camp Taji, Iraq, April 19, 2006, from Iraqi army Maj. Gen. Ayoub Bashar (right), commanding general, 9th Iraqi Army Division, as U.S. Army Col. John Hort, senior advisor to the 9th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, observes. U.S. Army photo by Maj. David Olson U.S. Army Chief of Staff Visits Iraqi Soldiers Iraqi soldiers from the 9th Iraqi Army Division displayed their armored vehicles for inspection during the visit. By U.S. Army Maj. David Olson 1st Brigade Combat...

CANCUN, Mexico - On a neighborly sightseeing jaunt Thursday with the leaders of Mexico and Canada, President Bush said the three were working to improve vital relationships that can better the lives of all their people. Mexican President Vicente Fox treated Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to an hour-long tour of the ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza before they began two days of talks amid spring breakers in this Caribbean resort city. "This is a good start to a very important series of discussions," Bush said, standing alongside the other two with the massive pyramid called "El...

3/28/2006 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- "I wanna be on something that shoots," said retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey. That's exactly what the host of the History Channel's "'Mail Call" got when he and his crew spent two days at Hurlburt Field filming for an upcoming show. Best known for movie roles such as the hard-as-nails basic training drill instructor in "Full Metal Jacket," "Gunny" Ermey attracted a crowd wherever he and the film crew went. The Airmen of the 16th Special Operations Squadron got a kick out of having a bona fide movie star...