Vehicle Rollover Kills Two Soldiers; Iraqi Officers Find Munitions

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2005 – Two 1st Corps Support Command soldiers were killed when their vehicle rolled over during a combat logistics patrol near Tal Afar, Iraq, about 11 p.m. Aug. 21, military officials reported. The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

In other developments, Iraqi police officers on patrol discovered 32 mortar rounds and 20 rockets in two separate incidents in Baghdad Aug. 21, according to a Multinational Force report.

The officers noticed a fresh mound of dirt between two houses in the Zohour district. Upon further investigation, they found 32 mortar rounds buried. The rounds were transported to a local police station.

Elsewhere, Iraqi police were inspecting a truck hauling ice in the New Baghdad area when officers uncovered 20 rockets concealed beneath the ice. The rockets were intended for an attack against a government ministry, officials said.

In other news from Iraq, Iraqi security forces continue to respond to reports of suspected improvised explosive devices and insurgent activity in the Baghdad area.

Iraqi police officers received a report of a possible car bomb Aug. 21. Police cordoned a pick-up truck at the specified location and secured the immediate area. Police found one rocket launcher and eight rockets in the truck. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team conducted a controlled detonation of the munitions.

Early this morning, Iraqi soldiers and officers from the Iraqi Public Order Brigade conducted two separate raids in Baghdad, resulting in the detention of seven suspected insurgents.

In air-support activities, coalition aircraft flew 50 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Aug. 21 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Coalition aircraft also supported Iraqi and coalition ground forces in operations to create a secure environment for ongoing Transitional National Assembly meetings.

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18s and a U.S. Air Force Predator provided close air support to coalition troops in the vicinities of Baghdad, Baqubah and Tuz Khurmatu.

Twelve U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft also performed a non-traditional ISR role with electro-optical and infrared sensors.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq, and U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases.)

And they wonder why the American public does not understand what is going on in Iraq today?

Who writes this crap?

How about telling us what is actually happening in Iraq today?

As an example:

August 22, 2005 - I'VE GOT INTERNET IN MY CAN The highlight of today was getting the internet hooked up in my can today. It feels great to lay down on my bunk and type this email instead of being in the internet cafe with a 30 minute time limit. We just purchased enough bandwidth to email and instant message. You can buy more if you want to use Skype and webcams, but we decided to go the cheaper route. I'm sitting here watching a movie and typing. I didn't know the war could be this tough. I guess I'll have to make up some stuff so when Walker gets older and I try to tell him how rough I have it, he will actually believe me. It isn't the fastest internet I've ever been on, but it isn't slow by any means. It doesn't take long to send files and stuff so I'm happy. We have people trying to get on now, but we only have enough for a five people. I think some are talking about buying their own system. The guys with internet in their room have suddenly become real popular.

There really weren't a lot of missions today for me. We went back to the firebase that was built to put some supplies. We were here trying to scrounge up all kinds of stuff to put in the trailers, but when the mail was delivered today, we had freezers, refrigerators, microwaves, chairs, tables, garbage cans and everything else. We were all surprised. We might not get our guys to come back to the FOB if the stuff like this continues to come in. It's always a great day to get mail, but today's delivery was excellent. There was a good bit of mail that came. A lot of boxes and several bags of letters. Everyone was pretty happy.

The chow hall is getting closer, but still don't think it will open on the 24th. We found out today that we have real eggs (in shells) on the way. The only problem is that the groceries were suppose to come to FOB Duke and we were to pick it up, but they went somewhere else and will be a while before we get them back. I guess we will just get MRE's handed out when we walk in the door. I guess that would count as a meal if they wanted it to. They are working on it 24 hours a day so you never know if they will get it done or not.

When I was on the roof of my can today putting up the internet satellite dish, I just looked across the FOB and kind of stood amazed at the change of this FOB. I mean it is like night and day. When the 2/114th gets here it will even change more. You are always glad to get more people to help out with some of the extra duties that are required, but you like the FOB being small and your own little group as well. I know we will survive. We are getting closer and closer to getting down to the double digit days left. I can't wait to hit 99 days left. It is just something about not having that hundred part in the number. I think the group replacing us will be pretty happy at what they have to come into. I've been to other FOB's and since we have done all the improvements, I'll take this one over the ones I've been to. Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind going to Anaconda or somewhere like that in the Baghdad area, but that isn't going to happen.

I am going to take pictures of the cans tomorrow and show you the new neighborhood. I'll send them in tomorrow's email. It's midnight here so I'm going to call it a night and get some rest. I hope everyone had a great Monday. I'll write more tomorrow. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Kevin

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