Posted on 06/09/2003 9:05:35 PM PDT by null and void
Good Morning.
Welcome to the daily thread of Operation Infinite Freedom - Situation Room.
It is designed for general conversation about the ongoing war on terror, and the related events of the day. Im addition to the ongoing conversations related to terrorism and our place in it's ultimate defeat, this thread is a clearinghouse of links to War On Terrorism threads. This allows us to stay abreast of the situation in general, while also providing a means of obtaining specific information and mutual support.
I'm sorry, Kat. Does this help?
That they want more cookies and snacks ... more CARE packages. Other than that, little else. They aren't even complaining about the heat, as it's not that much different than here at Fort Hood.
As always, soldiers raise the art of griping and complaining to a fine art. So it's hard for someone who has not been in the military to differentiate between normal grousing and b*tching and honest heartfelt complaints that actually refer to a problem. But the guys I've been "hanging out" with from 4ID, the 82nd, and the 101st .. (I don't know anyone in the 3rd ID) .. haven't said anything serious yet in regards to complaints about the situation there.
Also, anyone who makes an "anonymous" complaint deserves the derision that results. If someone .. particularly an NCO or an officer .. isn't willing to tie their name and reputation to an official complaint, then what they're complaining about ain't serious enough and they've simply shown themselves to be moral cowards.
54 posted on 06/03/2003 12:44 PM EDT by BlueLancer (Der Elite Møøsenspåånkængruppen ØberKømmååndø (EMØØK))
I have to agree...no complaints from my hubby or his men....he just wants more baby powder and foot cream....when he called Sunday night he told me that there hasn't been a day where a Kuwaiti or Iraqi hasn't thanked him and the US for what they are doing...he is proud to be a part of the liberation of Iraq.
61 posted on 06/03/2003 12:56 PM EDT by mystery-ak (The War is not over for me until my hubby's boots hit U.S. soil.)
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| Navy Brother, Army Sister Reunite in Kuwait |
| ABOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) — For most servicemembers, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom has meant long separations from family and friends. However, the massive deployment of U.S. forces to the region has reunited one brother and sister after years of long and numerous separations. Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class (AW) Gary Warner, deployed with USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) from San Diego since Jan. 17, met his sister, Army Pfc. Amy Doele, deployed to Kuwait with Headquarters and Headquarters detachment 110th Medical Battalion from Hastings, Neb., for dinner in Kuwait May 4. The two had a chance to share a meal, catch up on each other’s lives and share “sea stories” from their respective deployments. “Being able to see each other face to face meant a lot to both of us,” Warner said. “It was unexpected, and we both enjoyed the time we had.” For Warner, separations from home have become routine, as he has spent eight of his 14 years in the Navy overseas or on deployment. His last meeting with his sister was more than 2 years ago, Warner said. More |
AN Australian family of 10 has been evacuated from the Liberian capital Monrovia as violence erupts throughout the besieged city.
French commandos have evacuated hundreds of foreigners - mostly Americans and Europeans - as battles raged between rebels and government forces amid a lightning truce mission by west African mediators.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokeswoman said an Australian family of 10, who were working as missionaries in Liberia, had been evacuated onto a ship and were being taken to the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan.
"The Australian High Commission in Lagos has confirmed that they were evacuated onto a ship and it's due to arrive in Abidjan on the Ivory Coast sometime today," she said.
Part IV - B: 160th SOAR
"These are guys that are putting their lives on the line, taking on some very serious bad guys. The less anyone knows about the unit, the better." — Former Delta Force soldier quoted in Stars and Stripes.
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Rumsfeld Discusses NATO Membership With Albanians
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| By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service |
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| TIRANA, Albania, June 10, 2003 – American and Albanian defense officials discussed the Balkan nation's desire to become a full-fledged member of NATO and the war on terrorism during meetings here today. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld also thanked Albanian Defense Minister Pandeli Majko and the rest of his government for their help in Afghanistan and Iraq. "The whole Albanian population in the region considers the United States of America a strategic ally," Majko said through a translator during a press conference at the Tirana airport. "In hot areas of the globe where (the war on terror) is being fought for peace and democracy, Albania is carrying its duty there." More |
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LOL
By Casie Vinall
Special to American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 9, 2003 - It's not every day that Vietnam veteran Paul C. Rock gets a call from the mayor. But then again, June 8 was a special all-around day for Rock and the town of Longmont, Colo.
Julia Pirnack, mayor of Longmont, called Rock and his wife, Valerie, about an event that almost didn't happen.
It all started last week with an unexpected early homecoming of some troops from Iraq. Rock is the proud father of Marine Lance Cpl. Zachary Rock, a 19-year-old who had just returned from four months of service in Iraq. Rock decided to organize a parade to honor his son and 12 service members from Colorado who were killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. With permit in hand, Rock began planning a parade to remember.
However, with such short notice, and despite numerous attempts to muster support and participants in the parade scheduled for Sunday, June 8, Rock was without a band, color guard and any news coverage for the event. But that all changed June 4.
Rock read about Operation Tribute to Freedom on www.defendamerica.mil, the Defense Department's official Web site on the global war on terrorism. He sent an e-mail to the Pentagon, and the ball started rolling.
Brent Krueger, community relations director at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, received Rock's e-mail and promptly set out to find a solution to Rock's problem.
"I was touched by Mr. and Mrs. Rock's excitement about this parade and how they wanted to make a profound difference in their community," he said. "They are so very proud of their son and want the world to know it."
Krueger acted quickly to see if the department could help. "We immediately began working at the staff level here at the Pentagon and with our folks in Colorado to locate a band or color guard to participate in the Sunday parade. On Friday, we got word that the U.S. Air Force Band of the Rockies would participate in Mr. Rock's parade."
When Rock received a call from Senior Master Sgt. Larry Hill from the band, he said he could hardly contain himself. "My wife and I had grown skeptical that we'd be able to have the kind of tribute that we had hoped for," Rock said.
Getting the Air Force band, he said, meant the event would be "a real, honest to goodness, legitimate parade. Valerie gave me a big hug and said, 'It's really going to happen!'"
Beginning at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, 13-year-old Samantha Pineda started the Longmont event by singing the national anthem. Rock said the audience "responded with applause and 'hoorahs.'" The parade began following a rifle salute from the Veterans of Foreign War. The Air Force band led the way, marching down Main Street.
Rock estimates about 250 people marched in the parade. The Longmont Times-Call and the Boulder Daily Camera were on the scene. Radio Colorado Network on KLMO, 1060 AM, was slated to broadcast the parade coverage. Longmont police provided an escort and the town's public works department helped set up the route.
All eight of the banners Rock and his Vietnam veteran's group had gathered signatures for were displayed. Rock rode down Main Street with a group of motorcyclists led by the Vietnam Survivors group.
The response from the crowd was overwhelming, according to the self-proclaimed neophyte parade planner. Rock said numerous volunteers wanted to carry the red, white and blue flower bouquets to honor the 12 fallen Colorado troops.
"At the end of the procession, people spontaneously came up to ask if they could add their signatures to the 'Thank You' banners," he said.
"Several people I'd never met before sought me out to shake my hand and thank me for organizing this tribute," Rock said. "With only a couple of weeks of planning and couple of days of exposure, we were overwhelmed with the number of people who showed, not only to be in the parade, but also to line Main Street to watch."
Rock thanked the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Operation Tribute to Freedom and www.DefendAmerica.mil for "transforming this parade from an amateur event into what some people thought was months in the planning."
"Those who knew how little time we had to organize this were quite impressed with the outcome," Rock said. "We've been overwhelmed with the commitment, support and energy of all the people who have worked so diligently to help us with this tribute."
Rock was surprised by what was accomplished in so little time. "I found that people sincerely want to show their support to our service men and women, and this was a great opportunity to do it," he said.
What was the response from Rock's son, who was the primary reason for this parade? Zachary said he took part in the parade mainly to show his support for the troops that are still over there. He was surprised by show of support from the community.
"Honestly, I expected no one to turn out," he said. "I was amazed at how well it went."
The Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran said he got to meet Vietnam, Korean War and World War II vets. Humbled by the presence of these veterans who'd spent far longer in combat, he said, "I don't think I rank in the same category."
For Rock, the parade that almost wasn't turned into "a day that none of us will forget." For Valerie, the parade was an emotional tribute that brought tears to her eyes. For Zachary, it was a way to honor his brothers in arms and to join the ranks of the nation's honored war veterans.
(Casie Vinall is an intern working in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.)
Blix Defends Inspectors' Credibility
UNITED NATIONS - Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix on Tuesday said his inspectors' failure to turn up weapons of mass destruction in Iraq may have been nothing but a reflection of the truth, and he called American criticism of the prewar search off target.
"I would say that I think the criticism that was directed to us was misdirected," Blix told The Associated Press in an interview, He retires June 30 after three years of leading the U.N. search for banned weapons.
While defending the U.N. inspections program, Blix welcomed the U.S.-led ouster of Saddam Hussein.
"He was an ancient type ruler who got control of a country with an oil income and could use 21st century weapons. That was a very dangerous combination, and I think we all feel a great relief that he is put out of action," Blix said.
UNITED NATIONS - The United States has warned the European Union that its promotion of the International Criminal Court is putting more strains on trans-Atlantic relations.
"It would be very unfortunate if this issue were to create discord and disharmony" at the upcoming summit between the United States and the European Union on June 25, a confidential note to sent to EU governments last week said.
In the memorandum, the Bush administration accused the Europeans of trying to subvert U.S. efforts to protect Americans from prosecution by the court and said such interference must stop.
That's why they're troopers. Ducking. (^;
Iraq's former parliament speaker held by US troops: relative
Add Mideast - AFP to My Yahoo! BAGHDAD (AFP) - Coalition troops arrested Iraq's former parliament speaker Saadun Hammadi at his home here on May 29, one his relatives told AFP.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that the former Iraqi health minister was recently freed by coalition troops.
"Iraqi policemen came to see him on May 29 in the morning asking if he was home. Their visit was shortly followed by that of US military police," said the man, asking to remain anonymous.
Yeah, you guys must think we have already advanced to robot soldiers.
French commandos have evacuated hundreds of foreigners - mostly Americans
Ouch. I'd prefer: 
(^;
Kat, did you read #133? I should have highlighted this major operation. I posted it as a separate thread on the main forum. Our very HUMAN and courageous adults have been hitting back - hard. 397 suspects taken in in the first day.
Night, Kat. Night, nully.
U.S. Monkeypox Cases Rise to 48
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A search for the source of monkeypox -- a smallpox-like illness not seen before in the Americas -- stretched from the Great Lakes to Texas on Tuesday as the number of suspected and confirmed cases rose to 48.
"Close contact with sick prairie dogs, Gambian rats and other exotic animals should be minimized immediately," warned Robert Teclaw, state epidemiologist for Indiana where 10 new cases were reported. "Owners of such animals should contact a veterinarian and consult with them on the situation."
Public health workers were trying to track down dozens of prairie dogs possibly infected with the smallpox family virus and sold as pets during the past two months in Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. While the monkeypox illness is not as harmful as smallpox, officials feared the virus could leap into native wildlife such as squirrels and become endemic, creating a new health hazard in the hemisphere.
The Texas Department of Health said federal agricultural officials had ordered two dealers in that state not to buy or sell any animals until the health of those now in their possession had been checked out.
That action came after a Chicago-area exotic pet dealer said he bought from a Texas breeder Gambian giant rats apparently carrying the virus that then spread to his prairie dogs.
Doug McBride, a spokesman for the department, said: "It appears that there was a shipment of Gambian rats and maybe some other animals from Africa to a Texas dealer. We and other agencies are involved in tracking down those animals to see what health they are in and if there have been any human illnesses."
So far, no suspect animal or human cases had been found in Texas, he said. McBride also said investigators had not been able to place the Gambian rats at the same location with any prairie dogs in Texas, leading them to conclude the infection spread after the animals left the state.
Prairie dogs, a member of the squirrel family, are shipped by the thousands from the Plains states every year for use as pets. Ranchers consider them nuisances because of the holes they dig to house their colonies.
The disease is not fatal in all cases in prairie dogs. It causes an eye infection and nose lesions in the animals, which can be spread to humans when they handle them.
There are 20 confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox in Wisconsin, 23 in Indiana and five in Illinois.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's right-wing government has come under rare fire from the White House for an attempted assassination of a high-profile Palestinian militant leader that could endanger a fragile U.S.-backed peace plan.
Tuesday's helicopter attack that wounded Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi of Hamas raised the specter of another welter of tit-for-tat bloodshed undermining the new moderate Palestinian premier's bid to sideline militants hostile to negotiated peace.
Another violent spree by militants, as Hamas gunmen swiftly threatened in response to the attempt on Rantissi, could also halt Israel's evacuation of settler outposts on occupied land required by a peace plan it accepted only under U.S. pressure.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - In a landmark ruling, Mexico's highest court on Tuesday ordered the extradition of an Argentine ex-Navy officer to Spain on charges of genocide and terrorism connected to Argentina's "dirty war."
A majority of Supreme Court judges voted to extradite Ricardo Cavallo, who was arrested in Mexico in 2000 and is accused by Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon of human rights crimes during Argentina's 1976-1983 military dictatorship.
A Supreme Court official said it would only be a question of days before Cavallo was sent to Spain.
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PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- As one of four Pacific fleet submarines to participate in Tomahawk strikes in Operation Iraqi Freedom, USS Columbia returned to its homeport of Pearl Harbor June 6.
