***Operation Infinite Freedom - Situation Room - 18 MAY 03/Day 60 - LIVE THREAD***

Everywhere! | 18 MAY 03 | null and void

[RightWingMama]

Oh Big Deal!!!! If Chris was healthy, we would have whooped your.....excuse me, we would have won the series.:-)

[Lauratealeaf]

‘Now rip it out,’ the teacher said, to the astonishment of her pupils."

I would have loved to witness that first-hand.

[null and void]

Thanks for appreciating this thread.

It will exist as long as needed...

[Soaring Feather]

USS NIMITZ CREW Leave 03/03/03

Tears flow
hearts sad
into the depths
the USS NIMITZ is bade
our brave ones go...
May God protect their souls
gently lift the hearts of all
with happy reunions...
no more tears...
when sea legs are planted
on terra firma sound...
Let Freedom Ring is the sound
echoing our nation round...

bentfeather ©

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

May 18, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-62

COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE (MAY 18, 2003)

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol to make Iraq safer for all Iraqis by eliminating smuggling and trade in weapons and explosives. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police in efforts to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.

Coalition Activity:

A patrol from Third Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment engaged several Iraqis in a truck, who fired at an Iraqi police station in An Numaniya early this morning. They chased it into a neighborhood and were able to track the suspects to a house. They captured two wounded Iraqis, who were then transported to the local hospital. A woman and a third man are being questioned.

A joint patrol consisting of 143d Military Police Company soldiers and Iraqi police observed three Iraqis attempting a robbery in Baghdad on Friday. Iraqi police apprehended one of the robbers, while the other two fled the scene on foot.

The 527th Military Police Company received a complaint of a drunk and disorderly person shooting in Baghdad on Friday. The individual was taken into custody by civilians on the scene and released to the Iraqi Police Force (IPF). The IPF confiscated the weapon and the offender transported to the AL Kazamiyah police station.

The 143rd Military Police Company responded to an attempted robbery and auto theft on Thursday in Baghdad. Two Iraqis attempted to force an Iraqi citizen from his car at gunpoint and tried to run away when the military policemen arrived on the scene. They caught one suspect and turned him over to Iraqi police. The second suspect got away. Iraqi police are investigating.

Iraqi police trainees in As Samawah completed a two-day training program yesterday.

During the last 24 hours, 3d Infantry Division soldiers conducted 95 vehicle searches at traffic control points in Baghdad and confiscated 27 weapons.

The 18th Military Police Brigade units returned eight police stations back into service. Assessments of personnel and facilities at 43 Iraqi Police Force stations began yesterday. Eighty-nine percent of the Baghdad police force returned to work to date.

The Iraqi police force in As Samawah successfully replaced the local militia in the city. The militia will now operate outside the city. Their first key task is to prevent criminal gangs from tapping into the oil pipeline 40 kilometers northeast of the city.

Judges in Ad Diwaniyah now operate 24 hours a day in conjunction with the police.

Governance Support Team representatives from 1st Battalion, 4th Marines and the local police chief in Al Hillah met with local judges recently to discuss the rights and proper treatment of prisoners while in police custody. They will also discuss the development of a process to ensure the proper treatment of prisoners while they are in the criminal justice system. The Marines presented awards to nine police officers at a police substation for bravery in apprehending two wanted men. The event was filmed for the local television station.

Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:

Throughout Iraq, Coalition Forces conducted 33 raids and 1,599 patrols. Of the patrols, 192 were conducted jointly with Iraqi Police. The following are highlights of the patrolling effort:

Baghdad: Coalition Forces conducted one raid and 444 patrols. Nineteen of the patrols were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. These patrols made 431 arrests for various crimes, including looting, curfew violations, weapons violations, theft and robbery. They also seized 38 rifles and four pistols.

Kirkuk: Coalition Forces conducted 84 patrols, nine of which were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. They arrested 21 Iraqis for weapons possession, establishing illegal checkpoints, assault, looting and disorderly conduct. The patrols also seized 20 AK-47 rifles, three pistols and a knife.

Tikrit: Coalition Forces conducted 14 patrols, three of which were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. The patrols seized two 60mm mortars, several rounds of mortar ammunition and two AK-47 rifles. They arrested four suspects for weapons smuggling and illicit arms sales.

Ar Ramadi: Coalition Forces conducted one raid and one patrol. They seized two rifles, a pistol and a bayonet. They also arrested four individuals with Ba'ath Party affiliations.

Al Amarah: Coalition Forces conducted one raid and 21 patrols. Six of the patrols were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. One rocket-propelled grenade launcher and a truck were seized.

Baqubah: Coalition Forces conducted 86 patrols, resulting in 10 arrests for weapons possession, and confiscated 39 AK-47 rifles, as well as seven heavy machine guns.

Al Basrah: Coalition Forces conducted 29 raids and 106 patrols. Twenty-five of the patrols were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. They seized seven AK-47 rifles, a bayonet and about 2,000 rounds of rifle ammunition. Four Iraqis were arrested for crimes including theft, smuggling and making threats to life.

---

Perhaps CENTCOM would consider releasing NY City or LA police logs along with the Iraqi security report daily. Remind the thickheaded wankers at the NY Times that Iraq is a country of ~ 24 million people newly freed from years of real oppression (unlike the 'imagined' and 'pretend' oppression of Dem. special interest groups here in America), and riddled with dead-enders and terrorist wannabes raised on hate.

[NormsRevenge]

Marines return to California from Middle East

Marines return to California from Middle East
BRUCE HARING
Associated Press

TWENTYINE PALMS, Calif. - The first wave of Marines deployed from this desert base to fight in Iraq returned home Saturday night to the tears, hugs and embraces of relieved family and friends.

The 69 troops were met by about 200 well-wishers at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center. They were the vanguard of some 6,000 Marines deployed since January who will return to the base by August.

Eight Marines from the base were killed in combat.

About 300 other Marines also were greeted by relatives and friends as they arrived at the Camp Pendleton Marine base and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, both in San Diego County.

Mike Kanruk, 25, survived a firefight after the tank in which he was riding struck a mine while entering Baghdad and came under attack. Once inside the city, however, he was met with thanks.

"It was amazing. Everywhere we went, people were waving, smiling, cheering," he said. "They were so happy to see us."

He was greeted at Twentynine Palms base by his sister and mother.

"I'm really, really grateful to have him back," said his sister, Missy Kanruk, 21.

Bryan Charles, 25, who was with a supply unit, shyly held hands with his wife, 21-year-old Yoko Samluk, who is more than six months pregnant.

"I can't explain how good it feels to be back here," he said.

His wife said she received only seven letters from her husband in five months and was constantly worried for his safety.

"It was really hard to sleep, eat or watch television," she said.

The Marines arrived at the base, located about 60 miles northeast of Palm Springs, after a 40-hour journey that included flights from Kuwait to Germany to Delaware and then a 2 1/2-hour bus ride.

The 932-square-mile base is the Marines' largest. As many as 12,000 are stationed there.

Another 100 Marines arrived earlier Saturday at Camp Pendleton, the sprawling Marine base in northern San Diego County.

Red, white and blue balloons and bouquets of flowers greeted them. A giant American flag hung from a hangar.

Anxious Marine wife Monique Newton was nothing but relieved.

"I counted the days down on my calendar and prayed every night," Newton told KCAL-TV. "Now I can sleep better, now that he's home safe."

[NormsRevenge]

It's Twenty Nine Palms .. btw ;-)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

May 18, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-59

COALITION FORCES AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY (May 18,2003)

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait - Coalition forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq.

Among recent developments:

BAGHDAD

The Humanitarian Operations Center-Iraq, or “Iraqi Forum," held it’s first open meeting for the Non-Governmental Organizations community at the Convention Center in Baghdad. About 120 people attended this first meeting.

The secure environment created by Coalition forces has enabled several non-governmental organizations who were previously working only in northern Iraq to start operations in Mosul. The UN has announced that Mosul will be the “UN Centre Team” headquarters.

SOUTHERN IRAQ

The 2nd Marine Division obtained 8,000 blackboards, 120 school desks and building materials from a former regime warehouse to support schools throughout their zone of operations.

MOSUL

101st Airborne Assault Division BG Freakley attended an oil meeting with civilian leaders in Mosul yesterday to discuss methods to improve food distribution and oil supplies.

The Office of Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) began $20 payments today to civil service workers. Civil workers from the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Finance, and Higher Education received payments totaling $410,860.00

101st Airborne Assault Division secured 11 payment sites and one bank today in order to ensure the unfettered payment of Mosul's civil work force.All 40 gas stations in Mosul will open tomorrow.

AL HILLAH

4th Marine Regiment Civil Affairs officials coordinated the ORHA stipend payment to the city's civil workers.

KARBALA

Third Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment personnel met with Governance Support Team, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and the local tribal, political, and religious leaders yesterday. They discussed critical security issues that will facilitate the decommissioning of the Karbala Protection Force, the professionalism of the Karbala Police Department (KPD), and the future stability of the region.

Seventh Marine Regiment personnel facilitated the delivery of fuel, and its sale at cost to the local distributor. This effectively eliminated the gasoline black market.

Marine Corps Civil Affairs personnel completed assessments on all three Karbala hospitals, and is coordinating with non-novernmental organizations for assistance with procuring immediate and long-term oxygen supplies, medications, and medical surgical supplies. They also met with the World Food Program to coordinate the distribution of foodstuffs.

AS SAMAWAH

Fifth Marine Regiment Marines and sailors completed a two-day training program for police trainees in Ar Rumaythah and met with the non-governmental organization GOAL to coordinate distribution of medical supplies throughout the Al Muthanna governate. They also are working on a 10-day repairs and improvement project for the Al Amaid primary school.

AD DIWANIYAH

Civil Affairs personnel with the 5th Marine Regiment coordinated the payment of the ORHA stipend to civil workers in Afak. The city received four benzene gasoline tankers from Basra with none more expected to arrive in the near future.

AN NAJAF

Seventh Marine Regiment Marines are facilitating an effort to provide election guidance to assist local officials and recently met with all political leaders and representatives who will potentially submit nominations for the mayoral election. They received 31 diesel tankers which will help avert a possible fuel shortage at the electric power plant. They also transferred a sum of three billion dinars to replenish the city banks and facilitated the arrival of a Kuwaiti food convoy and delivered 12 truckloads of food and medical supplies.

AL KUT

The 23rd Marine Regiment began coordination to develop customs inspectors and border patrols in vicinity of the Iraq/Iran border. They received 8 liquid petroleum gas tankers to help keep up with local weekly requirements and are working with authorities in Baghdad and An Nasiriyah to provide adequate, reliable electrical power through the repair of three of the four main power lines.

AN NASARIYAH

Overnight electrical power has been restored in the city. Marines of the 25th Marine Regiment are working with the non-governmental organization International Medical Community (IMC) on the distribution of 26 tons of food donated by the Romanian government now stored in An Nasiriyah.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Mike Kanruk, 25, survived a firefight after the tank in which he was riding struck a mine while entering Baghdad and came under attack. Once inside the city, however, he was met with thanks.

"It was amazing. Everywhere we went, people were waving, smiling, cheering," he said. "They were so happy to see us."

Thank you for posting the homecomings! Any pics? (^;

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Today's Photo:
*CENTCOM*

The ordnance collected for explosion here Thursday included approximately 10,000 23 and 30 millimeter rounds of ammunition, 300 DK82 high explosive anti-tank rifle rounds and multiple rockets, said Staff Sgt. Shawn Prather, 705th Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, Fort Polk, La. (Pvt. 2 Terri Rorke

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

May 18, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-60

ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE ATTACKS

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait – A Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) destroyed a U.S. Army tanker truck at Iraqi fuel storage depot in Baghdad Saturday evening. There were no Coalition or civilian casualties, though the vehicle was destroyed in the attack.

The vehicle was on a humanitarian assistance fuel mission at the time of the attack. United States Marines apprehended and detained four Iraqis for questioning.

On Saturday, two soldiers were injured when an RPG struck their U.S. Army 5-ton truck near Habbaniyah. They were transported to a field medical hospital for treatment of their injuries, which were not life threatening.

The search for the perpetrators of the attack is ongoing.

[NormsRevenge]

I'm looking even as I watch the end of the Bay to Breakers Race in San Fran on TV.. There are some real nuts running around in the streets of San Fran today. A Kenyan guy and a Russian gal won the top spots :-)

The best shot I have seen so far,, There was a guy with a george bush mask and PARTY BUSH written on his chest and he was wearing a red white and blue flag thong and ran beside the leaders at the start of the race, he petered out after awhile tho. A FReeper maybe 8-? LOL ;-)

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping
& good afternoon

[NormsRevenge]

Thank God we don't live in China.

Sun May 18, 4:30 AM ET

A man stands in front of a poster for an Internet site in China which is strictly policing the web and arresting those that post "subversive" material(AFP/File)

[TexKat]

Chris who? what? what was that? Woulda, shoulda, coulda. LOL

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

PARTY BUSH, lol!
You subversive, you. (^;

---

Navy NewsStand - Sun., May 18, 2003

NAVAIR Photo Reconnaissance System Revolutionizes Network-Centric Warfare
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- Up until few months ago, having the capability of transmitting images to, from and among all aircraft during combat missions was just a vision in the F/A-18 community.

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is bringing this vision to reality with Fast Tactical Imagery (FTI-II), a photo reconnaissance intelligence strike module. FTI-II greatly improves the F/A-18F Super Hornet’s aircraft weapon system by enabling the aircrew to capture, view, send and receive cr ..

USS Harry S. Truman Strike Group Headed Home
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 8,000 Sailors from the ships and squadrons that comprise the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group will return from deployment May 23. Most of the Sailors that deployed were from the Hampton Roads, Va., area.

The Harry S. Truman Strike Group is commanded by Rear Adm. John D. Stufflebeem, units in the Harry S. Truman Strike Group include the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 and Commander, Destroyer Squadron ...

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Kat, did you see the Navy 'Plebe' week pics from Great Lakes Naval Station? I think they were just posted on the Navy website:

030513-N-5319A-006 Annapolis, Md. (May 13,2003) -- Freshmen, known as "Plebes," participate in an 11.5 hour rigorous physical and mental challenge at the United States Naval Academy known as "Sea Trials." This day-long, action-oriented event, modeled after the U.S. Marine Corps’ 54-hour "Crucible" and the Navy’s "Battle Stations" training tests, requires plebes to use skills they have learned during their first year at the Naval Academy. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Brien Aho. (RELEASED)

View Download

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

030513-N-5576W-005 Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill. (May 13, 2003) -- Antwone Fisher speaks to recruits on their in-processing day at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes about the role the Navy played in his life. Fisher, orphaned at birth, served 11-years in the Navy and credits the Navy with being his first family. Fisher spoke to more than 1,500 Sailors at Great Lakes including these 450 during in-processing. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michael A. Worner. (RELEASED)

View Download

[NormsRevenge]

Here's a Camp LeJeune shot.

Mandy Ventimiglia puts up a welcome home bed sheet sign for Pfc. James Creel, Sunday, May 18, 2003, outside the main gate at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Creel and other members of the 24th Marine Expeditonary Unit, who have been deployed since August, are expected home in the next few days. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, Norm. All homecomings should be celebrated on the OIF thread.

More from the United States Naval Academy
  "Sea Trials."