From http://www.mnf-iraq.com/Releases/2006-06/060617a.htm
The use of the word 'Soldiers', as opposed to 'soldiers', is current U.S. Army-ese for saying that their ours.
Press Release
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE - IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com 703.270.0320 / 0299
June 17, 2006
Release A060617a
MNF-I spokesman makes statement regarding status of missing Soldiers
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Major Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Multi-National Force - Iraq spokesman, announced that a Coalition forces soldier was killed and two others are listed as duty status and whereabouts unknown in the following statement June 17:
“Good Afternoon.
Last night, a Coalition force Soldier was killed and two others are currently listed as Duty Status and Whereabouts Unknown after their security element came under attack at a traffic control point south of Yusifiyah, Iraq, at approximately
7:55 p.m. local time, Friday, June 16th. The names of the Soldiers are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin.
Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces initiated a search operation within minutes to determine the status of these Soldiers, and we are currently using every means at our disposal on the ground, in the air and in the water to find them.
The specifics of this situation currently available for release are as follows:
Coalition forces at an adjacent traffic control point heard an explosion and small arms fire at approximately 7:55 p.m. last night in the vicinity of the missing Soldier's checkpoint, at a canal crossing near the Euphrates River in the vicinity of Yusifiyah.
After being unable to communicate with the check point, a auick reaction force was launched, arriving on scene within 15 minutes.
The quick reaction force reported finding one Soldier killed in action and two Soldiers duty status and whereabouts unknown.
All traffic control points were notified to stop civilian traffic and increase security.
Helicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle and fixed wing assets provided reconnaissance over and around the site.
A dive team was requested.
Within an hour of the incident, blocking positions were established throughout the area in a concerted effort to focus the search and prevent movement of suspects out of the area.
Three raids were conducted during the night on suspected possible locations, and a fourth operation was conducted this morning.
Coalition Forces engaged with local leaders in the area to enlist the support of civilians in providing any information they could, and these engagements continue.
Dive teams are now on site, working the canals and river.
There is cross coordination among adjacent units to develop actionable intelligence on our Soldiers' whereabouts.
We are using all available assets, Coalition and Iraqi – ground, air and water – to locate and determine the duty status of our Soldiers. We continue today to search for Sgt. Matt Maupin, captured in April of 2004. We continue to search using every means available and will not stop looking until we find the missing Soldiers. Make no mistake: we never stop looking for our service members until their status is definitively determined, and we will continue to pray for their safe return.”