Posted on 09/07/2006 3:47:14 PM PDT by Gucho
By Donna Miles - American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2006 Although some people may call the war in Iraq a diversion from the war on terror, terrorists disagree, and they recognize that their long-term success or failure hinges on what happens in Iraq, President Bush said today during an address in Marietta, Ga.
President Bush delivers his remarks on the global war on terror during a visit to Marietta, Ga., Sept. 7. (White House photo by Eric Draper)
Speaking to the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Bush offered his fourth major address within the past week about the terror war, discussing the importance of Iraq and reaffirming his commitment to stay the course until achieving victory there.
Osama bin Laden has proclaimed that the third world war is raging in Iraq, Bush said. Al Qaeda leaders have declared that Baghdad will be the capital of the new caliphate that they wish to establish across the broader Middle East.
One need only consider the terrorists investment in Iraq to know the stakes, Bush said. It's hard to believe that extremists would make large journeys across dangerous borders to endure heavy fighting and to blow themselves up on the streets of Baghdad for a so-called diversion, the president said. The terrorists know that the outcome in the war on terror will depend on the outcome in Iraq. And so, to protect our citizens, the free world must succeed in Iraq.
He cited progress in Iraq as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's unity government fights al Qaeda and the enemies of Iraq's fledging democracy. They're taking increasing responsibility for the security of their free country, he said.
The president acknowledged that the fighting in Iraq has been difficult and it has been bloody, and he praised the servicemembers who are carrying it out.
We see that full measure and the strength of this nation in the men and women in uniform who fight this war and who have given their lives in the cause of liberty and freedom, Bush said.
He recognized Army 1st Lt. Noah Harris, who died June 18 in Baqubah, Iraq, after a roadside bomb hit his Humvee, as an example of those soldiers and their sacrifice. Another Fort Benning, Ga., soldier, Cpl. William A. Long, also died in the attack.
Harris, 23, of Ellijay, Ga., joined the Army's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, after the Sept. 11 attacks. He told his dad that people had an obligation to serve a cause higher than themselves, Bush said.
In Iraq, Lieutenant Harris was an officer known for his toughness and his skill in battle and for the Beanie Babies that he carried with him to hand out to the Iraqi children, the president said.
He was also known for the photo of his parents' home in Ellijay that he used as a screen saver on his computer. When his troops asked why he chose that picture, he explained, That is why I'm here, Bush said.
Lieutenant Harris understood the stakes in Iraq, Bush said. He knew that to protect his loved ones at home, America must defeat our enemies overseas.
Bush said Harris understood the importance of seeing the mission through in Iraq. If America pulls out of Iraq before the Iraqis can defend themselves, the terrorists will follow us here home, the president said.
The best way to honor the memory of brave Americans like Lieutenant Harris is to complete the mission they began, Bush said. So we will stay, we will fight and we will win in Iraq.
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Thursday, 07 September 2006
By Polli Barnes Keller - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region North
KIRKUK Neglected and oppressed during the Saddam era, the citizens of Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk are now rising to rebuild their city and their countrys economy. With operations back on-line in the local oil fields, additional infrastructure preparation for further economic growth is underway.
The rehabilitation of the Tameem Railway Station illustrates just one case of economic initiative in progress. The restoration of the facility is part of a vision for the future of Iraq through the development of basic services and strategic infrastructure. An operating rail system will assist in generating an economic recovery within the region by efficiently transporting people and goods.
After years of neglect of the highways and road network, the construction boom we are seeing today in Kirkuk and the need to transport fuel and oil products by road is straining the transportation system," explainedMaj. Craig Guth, the Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team engineer. "Rail is a much more efficient alternative and is necessary for Kirkuks continued future development.
Renovations to the station - undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Gulf Region North division - included the construction of many out buildings, as well as rehabilitation to the existing main structures. A direct link to the region's high voltage electric grid was constructed and the lower floor of the station was rebuilt.
A view of the rail yard outside Kirkuk's Tameem Rail Station. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region North)
The Corps of Engineers monitored all quality control activities to ensure the requirements of the contract were followed and construction met all quality standards.
In the past, during the Saddam regime, operational readiness and safety lapses were aggravated by a lack of maintenance. In the aftermath of the war, those problems were exacerbated by looting and ancillary damage that contributed to the station's disrepair.
This station previously was an asset to the Kirkuk province for importing and exporting commodities, transporting postal cargo service, oil, gas, etc between Northern and Southern Iraq, said Joe Domingo, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project engineer.
Now, restoring the station and improving its ability to handle increasing demands for freight storage will help fulfill the vision of Iraqs future by laying the foundation for a growth economy.
Thursday, 07 September 2006
By Sgt. Dennis Gravelle - 138th MPAD
JURN Helping the Iraqi people rebuild an infrastructure devastated from years of neglect under Saddam Hussein is the challenge placed before U.S. military Civil Affairs units in Iraq. Restoring essential services and helping the Iraqi people meet their basic needs without having to rely on the Coalition is the ultimate goal of reconstruction efforts.
As part of this overall mission, providing a clean and accessible water supply comes as another step towards the establishment of stable and sanitary living conditions for the people of Iraq.
In the intense heat of an Iraqi summer, the need for clean drinking water is compounded. Yet for many small villages around the country, non-functional wells are a common occurrence.
Thus, when on Aug. 22 U.S. civil affairs personnel in the village of Jurn opened a restored water well to residents, it was cause for celebration. The well will provide a source of clean drinking water to the community, and thus help curb the spread of water-related illnesses.
Money to complete the Jurn restoration came from the Commanders Emergency Relief Fund. Lisa Lawson, a project engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region North, explained:
CERP is a sub category under a funding called Iraqi Reconstruction & Relief Effort ... This is what Congress authorized to help restore Iraq.
Other funds are going to restoration projects throughout Iraq's norther Ninevah province, helping revitalize the region after years of systematic neglect by Saddam.
U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, take a water break while conducting a mission with a civil affairs unit in Jubachi, Aug. 21. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Jonathan F. Doti)
For Jurn, the next phase of the well restoration will be the addition of a reverse osmosis filter. The filtration process reduces concentrations of dissolved solids in water, protecting against ions, metals and heavy particles. The method has been used extensively in other locations to convert brackish water to drinking quality, and to clean up wastewater. The enhancement to the Jurn well will provide a long-term solution to water quality issues that have plagued the community for years.
By Charlie Coon - Stars and Stripes European edition
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Soldiers and employees of U.S. Army Europe have been forbidden to travel to Turkey unless given permission by high-ranking officials within the command, according to an order published Wednesday on the USAREUR Web site.
According to the posting, the order was issued due to a recent string of bombings and State Department warnings of further violence.
Soldiers would require permission from someone ranked lieutenant colonel or above, while civilians employed by USAREUR would require permission from someone ranked General Schedule-14 or higher.
I wouldnt say its unusual, said Bruce Anderson, a spokesman for the Heidelberg, Germany-based command. Our security people make constant evaluations of the situation in and around our theater and where our people are likely to go. We base that on a number of factors, and the State Department message plays a role in those.
Anderson said he did not know when the order would be rescinded or how people within USAREUR would be informed if it is.
Turkey is a popular vacation destination that has many resorts along its Mediterranean and Aegean Sea coasts.
On Tuesday, a percussion bomb exploded next to the ruling AK Partys offices in the western Turkish city of Izmir, but caused no injuries, the state news agency Anatolian reported. The bomb was left in a garbage container and shattered nearby windows in the major port city.
The U.S. Air Force has a base in Izmir.
Seven bombings occurred in the Turkish cities of Istanbul, Adana, Marmaris and Antalya between Aug. 25-28, injuring 60 or more people, including foreign tourists, and killing three Turkish nationals, according to the State Department.
The bombings were thought to have been carried out by allies or members of the Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, which wants to create its own nation within southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq.
Air Force Gen. (Ret.) Joseph W. Ralston, the former commander of the U.S. European Command and supreme allied commander for NATO, was recently appointed by the State Department as a U.S. special envoy for countering the PKK.
Anderson said that soldiers and employees who travel to Turkey must know how to make contact with a U.S. Consulate in case of an emergency, as well as make contact with individual command. Supervisors are also required to be able to make contact with their subordinates who are traveling in Turkey, he said.
Sometimes our soldiers and employees travel to other countries and dont have their own force protection, Anderson said. Their security is the embassy. They need to know who can help them and know how to be able to contact those people and get help if they need it.
Security tips
Here are some security measures travelers can take:
¶ Travel in small groups and vary movements;
¶ Always let someone know where youre going and when you expect to return;
¶ Try to be inconspicuous; dont draw attention to yourself;
¶ Be aware of your surroundings;
¶ Avoid spontaneous gatherings or demonstrations;
¶ If you happen to come upon a demonstration, remain calm and disengage from the situation;
¶ Stay away from high-risk places (Department of State consular information sheets for each country provide information on high risk places);
¶ Know emergency numbers and potential safe areas;
¶ Carry a cell phone if possible;
¶ Keep vehicle in good working order and fuel tank at least half full;
¶ If there is an incident at your destination or any location on your itinerary inform your unit of your status as soon as possible.
Source: U.S. Army Europe Web site
By COMBINED FORCES COMMAND AFGHANISTAN, COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER - KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
Sep 7, 2006
KABUL , Afghanistan Afghan and Coalition forces conducted a counter terrorist operation Sept. 5 on a compound near the village of Pelankhel in the Khowst Province .
The compound was a refuge for al Qaeda facilitators linked to a known terrorist network. The operation successfully detained two terrorists targeted by Afghan and Coalition forces for leading anti-Afghanistan government elements.
Upon arrival, the assault force requested a peaceful surrender of people within the compound and no shots were fired. Several women and children were also present within the compound, but all were unharmed during the operation.
Weapons, night vision equipment and various electronic devices, which are suspected of being used for improvised explosive devices, were collected during a search of the compound.
The purpose of this operation was to capture the two terrorists, who are considered a significant threat to peace and stability in Afghanistan . Credible intelligence linked the targeted terrorists to plotting IED attacks against Afghan and Coalition forces in Khowst Province .
No Afghan or Coalition forces were injured during the operation.
By Donna Miles - American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2006 Five years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the United States is safer because its made sweeping changes to close security gaps revealed that day and has taken the terrorist fight to the enemy, President Bush said today in Marietta, Ga.
Bush, addressing the Georgia Public Policy Foundation during his fourth major speech in the past week about the terror war, provided a progress report on steps taken since Sept. 11 to protect the American people and win the war against extremism.
The past five years have seen an unprecedented campaign that has succeeded in protecting the homeland from another terrorist attack, he said.
Bush outlined gaps in U.S. security exposed through the Sept. 11 attacks -- gaps he said allowed terrorists to plan the attacks, train to carry them out, board U.S. jetliners and kill almost 3,000 people -- and ways the nation has helped close these gaps.
Myriad initiatives within the U.S. government since Sept. 11 have helped make it far more difficult for terrorists to carry out an attack like the one that claimed 3,000 lives that day, he said.
But Bush emphasized that other attacks elsewhere in the world demonstrate that extremists havent given up their dreams of striking out against the United States. Five years later, America still faces determined enemies, and we wont be safe until those enemies are defeated, he said.
The events of Sept. 11 revealed exactly how serious that enemy is and how committed it is to its cause, the president said. 9/11 lifted the veil on a threat that is far broader and more dangerous than we saw that morning: an enemy that was not sated by the destruction inflicted that day and is determined to strike again, the president said.
To answer this threat and to protect our people, we need more than retaliation, we more than a reaction to the last attack, he said. We need to do everything in our power to stop the next attack, and so America has gone on the offense across the world.
Bush cited some of the results of that offensive:
-- Capturing or killing many of the most significant al Qaeda members and associates;
-- Killing Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al Qaeda in Iraq and one of the organizations most visible and aggressive leaders to emerge after 9/11;
-- Helping change governments targeted for overthrow by terrorist groups, such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, to become valuable allies in the war on terror;
-- Helping establish democracies in Afghanistan and Iraq, former sponsors of terrorism;
-- Forming a 90-nation coalition, the largest in the history of warfare, to find terrorists, dry up their funds, stop their plots and bring them to justice;
-- Launching the Proliferation Security Initiative, in which more than 70 nations are cooperating to stop shipments related to weapons of mass destruction;
-- Working with Russia on a new global initiative to combat nuclear terrorism;
-- Cooperating with Great Britain to persuade Libya to give up its nuclear weapons program;
-- Uncovering the A.Q. Khan black market nuclear network, now out of business, that was shipping equipment to Iran and North Korea; and
-- Helping the world unite in urging Iran to end its support of terror and give up its nuclear weapons ambitions.
The president emphasized that despite progress made, challenges remain ahead in defeating terrorism: Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, remain in hiding. Al Qaeda continues its terror campaign with deadly attacks. Terrorists and insurgents in Iraq have killed American troops and thousands of Iraqis. Syria and Iran continue their support for terror and extremism. Hezbollah has taken innocent lives in Israel and succeeded briefly in undermining Lebanon's democratic government. Hamas stands in the way of peace with Israel. All the while, extremists are leading an aggressive propaganda campaign to spread lies about the United States and incite Muslim radicalism.
The enemies of freedom are skilled, and they are sophisticated, and they are waging a long and determined war, the president said. The free world must understand the stakes of this struggle. The free world must support young democracies. The free world must confront the evil of these extremists. The free world must draw the full measure of our strength and resources to prevail.
Bush reminded the audience that, from the first days after Sept. 11, he had warned them they were in for a long, difficult struggle. I told the American people that this would be a long war, a war that would look different from others we have fought, with difficulties and setbacks along the way, he said. The past five years have proven that to be true. The past five years have also shown what we can achieve when our nation acts with confidence and resolve and clear purpose.
As the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks nears, Bush expressed confidence that the United States is on the right track. Five years after Sept. 11, 2001, America is safer and America is winning the war on terror, he said. With vigilance, determination (and) courage, we will defeat the enemies of freedom, and we will leave behind a more peaceful world for our children and our grandchildren.
By Sgt. Brandon LeFlore - 363rd MPAD
Sep 7, 2006
BAGHDAD, Iraq The District Advisory Council of Adhamiyah and Multi-National Division Baghdad Soldiers from the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion provided humanitarian-assistance to Iraqi families in support of Operation Together Forward in Adhamiyah Saturday.
Only days after Iraqi army and MND-B Soldiers cleared the area, the 414th CA Bn. set up a civil military operations center in Adhamiyah to bring local leaders and military officials together to discuss the needs of the people while members of the DAC handed out generators and food.
Were showing the Iraqi people that were here to help them, said Capt. Andrew Corbin, native of Austin, Texas, and civil affairs team leader with 414th CA Bn.
The DAC and Soldiers from the battalion contracted with area vendors to provide more than 15 generators to local leaders, school headmasters and business owners as well as more than 3,000 bags of food to families in the Adhamiyah district.
Were giving out food to those who are in need, said Mohammed, a local resident and member of the DAC through an interpreter. Its good to be able to cooperate with the people of the city.
Soldiers from the 414th CA Bn. said they recognized the need to show support for the citizens of Adhamiyah.
This area has been neglected, and the residents have had problems with electricity, sewage and water, said Corbin. So, we set up the CMOC to bring local leaders together to support their people.
The generators will provide power so that local residents may have lights and hopefully make their futures brighter, added Sgt. Michael Frei, military policeman and personal security detachment, 4th Infantry Division.
Following the humanitarian mission, Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, along with their commander, Col. Michael Shields, went out into the streets of Adhamiyah to meet with residents of the neighborhood to discuss safety, street cleaning and any other needs identified by the community.
All the people Ive talked to in Adhamiyah say they like the security thats been established, said Shields. Wed like to build on that.
Residents of Adhamiyah came out in large numbers, filling the streets for an opportunity to talk to Shields, 172nd SBCT Soldiers, and Command Sgt. Maj. Riling, MND-B, as they walked through the neighborhoods. The Soldiers made it a point to talk to local residents who have been employed as street cleaners for Adhamiyah to ensure the workers are getting paid. A key question posed was whether residents felt safer walking around their neighborhood. Since Coalition Forces came into Adhamiyah, weve seen less violence, said Nomar, a resident of Adhamiyah through an interpreter. I feel safe. The longer Coalition Forces stay, the better it will get.
Theres a lot of good things planned for Adhamiyah, remarked Shields. Were working to fix electricity, sewer and water issues and working to get the hospital back up and running.
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
BAGHDAD An Iraqi woman walks away with a bag of food given by members of the Adhamiyah District Advisory council Saturday. The DAC and Soldiers from the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, Multi-National Division Baghdad, contracted with area vendors to provide more than 15 generators to local leaders, school headmasters and business owners as well as more than 3,000 bags of food to families of Adhamiyah. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon LeFlore, 363rd MPAD)
BAGHDAD Col. Michael Shields, commander, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Multi-National Division Baghdad, listens to the concerns of a resident of Adhamiyah Saturday. Shields, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, 4th Infantry Division, and Soldiers from the 172nd SBCT, walked the streets of Adhamiyah to meet the residents and gauge the needs of the people. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon LeFlore, 363rd MPAD)
BAGHDAD Sgt. Kevin Smith, a New York native and an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Multi-National Division Baghdad, provides perimeter security while Col. Michael Shields, commander, 172nd SBCT; Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, 4th Infantry Division; and Soldiers from the 172nd SBCT, walked the streets of Adhamiyah to meet the residents and gauge the needs of the people. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon LeFlore, 363rd MPAD)
BAGHDAD Sgt. Kendall Phillips, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Multi-National Division Baghdad, peers through a set of binoculars from the turret of an Stryker vehicle Saturday while Col. Michael Shields, commander, 172nd SBCT; Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, 4th Infantry Division; and Soldiers from the 172nd SBCT, walked the streets of Adhamiyah to meet the residents and gauge the needs of the people. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon LeFlore, 363rd MPAD)
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