The FReeper Foxhole - Military Related News in Review - July 14th, 2003

Various

[SAMWolf]

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

.

FReepers from the The Foxhole
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

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IRAQ NEWS from Centcom

July 13
COALITION CONTINUES EFFORTS TO REBUILD IRAQ



BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces tested water and provided money for refurbishment of a water treatment facility as part of recent reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

Some of the tasks accomplished in the last 48 hours:

Coalition forces tested water samples in a number of towns across Iraq. They tested water samples in Al Wajihya and Muqadidiyah, in the Ba’qubah area. They also tested water samples in An Nasiriyah. Results showed the water quality is satisfactory at all e locations.

In Samarra, Coalition forces disbursed $10,025 for the refurbishment of the local water treatment facility. The director of the facility said the repairs should take no longer than one month to complete.

In Fallujah, Coalition forces in coordination with an Iraqi trash removal service removed almost 55 truckloads of trash. To date, approximately 1,854 truckloads of trash have been removed from the area.

COALITION SECURITY EFFORTS CONTINUE

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 101st Airborne Division started border guard training for more than 100 border guards in the Chwarta and Halaba districts.

The 1st Armored Division conducted three raids resulting in 85 individuals being detained and 15 pistols, 15 assault rifles and one rocket-propelled grenade confiscated.

Elsewhere, Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 22 raids, 1,166-day patrols and 894 night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 215 day patrols and 170 night patrols.

The total raids and patrols resulted in 330 arrests for various criminal activities including six for murder, one for kidnapping, two for car jacking, three for aggravated assault, 10 for burglary, and 42 looting.

ONE DEAD, TWO WOUNDED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT

BAGHDAD, Iraq – One soldier was killed and two others injured at approximately

6:30 a.m. July 13 when a tractor trailer crashed into their military vehicle, which was parked at a check point outside of a base camp near the city of Ad Diwaniyah.

The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

OPERATION IVY SERPENT

TIKRIT, Iraq– The 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse has launched the fourth series of operations, yesterday, focused on neutralizing paramilitary, Ba’ath Party loyalists and other subversive elements within Iraq. Operation Ivy Serpent is a preemptive strike that aggressively focuses on non-compliant forces and former regime leaders who are planning attacks against coalition forces in an attempt to hinder coalition and Iraqi efforts in building a new Iraq. Much of the effort is concentrated in a region along Highway 1 between the cities of Bayji, Huwayiah and Samarra. Coalition forces will not deter from the objective until these hostiles are located and destroyed.

Intelligence reports gathered from a variety of sources indicate former regime leaders plan attacks against coalition targets during this time frame. Coalition members encourage the local Iraqi leadership to take the initiative and aid in the capture of subversive elements that attempt to hinder the rebuilding of Iraq.

Ivy Serpent, like previous operations Peninsula Strike, Desert Scorpion and Sidewinder, will sweep the task force’s area of operations to root out elements attempting to undermine coalition efforts to restore basic infrastructure and stability in the region.

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News from Afghanistan - various sources



July 10, 2003 By: Lt. Col. Douglas Lefforge
Fresh Water Wells Flow in Balkh Province

Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan — Civil Military operations personnel attended the opening ceremony for the Kartezerhat well project in Mazar-i-Sharif, in Balkh province yesterday. The $15,000 project began in February and provides water to 500 families in surrounding villages. The ceremony was attended by the Director of Rural Reconstruction and Development, Eng Basset, the village elder, the mullah (tribal chief, pastor or chaplain), a representative from the Department of Planning and the head of Balkh Water Supply Department. Balkh television and radio recorded the ceremony. During the speeches the guests talked about the importance of water to the Afghan people and thanked the United States Army for providing this well. A meeting was also set up between the RRD, the water supply department and the Civil Military Operations team to discuss the possibility of the government providing piping for the two water towers recently built by Civil Military Operations personnel.

CMA Treats Local Afghans

Kandahar province, Afghanistan — Task Force Devil medical and civil affairs personnel conducted a cooperative medical assistance visit to the village of Akhundzadal Kalay, south of Kandahar, in Kandahar province yesterday. The team treated approximately 100 patients.

US Soldier Dies of Heart Attack

Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan - A U.S. soldier died of a heart attack last night at Bagram Air Base. His name is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

July 9, 2003 By: Lt. Col. Douglas Lefforge
Washikheil Boys Primary School Opens

Kapisa Province, Afghanistan - The Washikheil Boys Primary School Opened in Kapisa Province Monday. The newly refurbished school in the 2,500-person populated village was used as a fighting position for Taliban fighters last year. It now provides a teaching foundation for 785 Afghan children. The $23,000 project was started by the Army Reserve Civil Affairs Team-A, 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), in February.

Devils and Carpathians Distribute Aid

Kandahar province, Afghanistan -- Task Force Devil Civil Affairs personnel and a 151st Romanian team conducted a village patrol to the medical clinics of Rawanay and Mandi Sar, south of Kandahar in Kandahar province yesterday. The patrol delivered 150 pounds of pharmaceuticals, 50 pounds of multi-vitamins and two cases of baby formula as humanitarian assistance. The doctor of the Mandi Sar clinic, who was injured in a shooting in Herat, is a former patient of Task Force Devil's medical personnel and credits coalition forces with saving his leg after the shooting.

Afghan National Army Recruiting Centers

Kabul, Afghanistan -- The first two Afghan National Army Volunteer Centers are almost ready for operations. These offices, in Jalalabad and Gardez, are scheduled to begin recruiting by the end of July and August respectively. The volunteer centers will allow young Afghans to talk to knowledgeable, professional recruiting officers, get printed materials, watch multi-media videos showing life in the army, and voluntarily join the ranks of the ANA should they choose to do so. The future success of the army depends on recruiting quality volunteers from all ethnic groups in Afghanistan. Four additional offices in Bamian, Kandahar, Konduz and Kabul, are scheduled to open later this year. Each of these six offices will, in the future, oversee operations of up to six smaller offices. When all the offices are established, each of the 32 provinces in Afghanistan will have a fully functional recruiting office. Building an all-volunteer army is a major step in assuring the safety and security of Afghanistan. Not only will the recruiting centers provide access for eligible Afghans to join the ANA, but they will also extend the influence of the Afghan government into the provinces.

Operation Haven Denial Concludes

Paktika Province, Afghanistan -- Coalition forces conducted Operation Haven Denial between July 2-6 in the Paktika and Khowst provinces. The purpose of this operation was to prevent the re-emergence of terrorism and deny anti-coalition fighters sanctuary. The operation was conducted with more than 900 coalition soldiers from the 82d Airborne Division "Blue Devils" from Kandahar and Italian Nibbio forces of the 187th Parachutist Regiment at Forward Operating Base Salerno near Khowst. Approximately 25 aircraft were used. More than 280 vehicles were inspected and 400 people interviewed. Coalition forces conducted an air assault into the Paktika and Khowst provinces, and conducted a ground assault convoy and established blocking positions in the Nibbio area of responsibility. Nibbio forces dismantled one illegal border checkpoint and confiscated a small cache of weapons. No persons were taken under control.

Roadway Security Enforced

Kabul, Afghanistan -- A CJTF180 Military Police patrol took four individuals under control Monday afternoon in Kabul after the individuals' white Toyota Corolla attempted to maneuver into the patrol's convoy on Jalalabad road. After the Toyota caused the trail patrol vehicle to swerve off of the road, a soldier in the trail vehicle signaled the Toyota to move away from the convoy. The MPs then forced the car to stop when it persisted to merge into the convoy. The MPs took the four people in the vehicle under control. There were no injuries to the MPs or damage to their vehicles and no known injuries to the Toyota's passengers.

SOF Reports Taliban Attacked AMF

Kandahar Province, Afghanistan -- Special Operations Forces personnel met with the II Corps Battalion Commander in the vicinity of Sami Ghar, in the Arghestan District of Kandahar province, about a report of approximately 30 Taliban fighters assaulting his home eight days ago. The Taliban assault came during the middle of the night, and they left at sunrise. The battalion commander was able to identify RPGs, PKs and AK-47s used during the attack. One Taliban was reported captured and one wounded. The captured Taliban was taken to Kandahar and turned over to the local police.

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Casuality Identification List for the past week from the DoD

IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 8, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Chad L. Keith, 21, Batesville, Ind., was killed on July 7 in Baghdad, Iraq. Keith was on mounted patrol when his vehicle drove past an object that exploded on the side of the road. Keith was assigned to the 2-325th Infantry, Company D, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. David B. Parson, 30, Kannapolis, N.C., was killed on July 6 in Baghdad, Iraq. Parson was conducting a raid on a house when he was shot and killed. Parson was assigned to the 1-37th Armored Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Friedburg, Germany.

Spc. Jeffrey M. Wershow, 22, Gainesville, Fla., was killed on July 6 in Baghdad, Iraq. Wershow was conducting military operations when he was shot and killed. Wershow was assigned to the 2-124th Infantry, 1st Armored Division, Orlando, Fla.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 9, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the identities of three soldiers who died of non-combat related causes while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Barry Sanford, Sr., 46, of Aurora, Colo., died on July 7 in Balad, Iraq. Sanford was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Support Group, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. 1st Class Craig A. Boling, 38, of Elkhart, Ind., died on July 8 in Camp Wolf, Kuwait. Boling was assigned to Company C, 1-152nd Infantry, Tell City, Ind.

Pvt. Robert L. McKinley, 23, of Kokomo, Ind., died on July 8 in Homberg, Germany. McKinley was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-101st Air Assault, Fort Campbell, Ky.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. Christopher P. Geiger, 38, of Allentown, Pa., died on July 9 in Bagram, Afghanistan. Geiger died of a non-combat related cause while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Geiger was assigned to the 213th Area Support Group, Allentown, Pa.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Dan H. Gabrielson, 39, Spooner, Wis., died on July 9 in Ba Qubah, Iraq. Gabrielson was assigned to the 652nd Engineer Company, Ellsworth, Wis. He was traveling in a convoy that came under attack. He was killed by hostile fire.

Sgt. Melissa Valles, 26, Eagle Pass, Texas, died on July 9 in Balad, Iraq. Valles was assigned to B Company, 64th Forward Support Battalion, Fort Carson, Col. She died as a result of non-combat injuries. The incident is under investigation.

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[SAMWolf]

Yeah, Oregon just buried another one too. Seems we've been losing one a day for a while.

[SAMWolf]

No way! I wore Snippy the flatlander out. Had a full day but pushing Snippy up hills is too much like work. Been having a great time, we keep trying to see who can wear the other one out first. I won today. :-)

[Pukin Dog]

Thanks you guys. I'll stop by in the morning before I shove off. If I see a Frenchman over there, I'll pop him in the mouth for you.

[Soaring Feather]

Snippy did you see what SAM called you? Flatlander? Well, if I were you I would not wash another cooking pot!!! LOL

Glad you two are having a wonderful time. :-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hey Sam, glad to know you are OK.

Good to see ya.

[SAMWolf]

Deal! If you only see one hit him twice, once from each of us. Otherwise try and find two. :-)

[SAMWolf]

Yep! Flatlanders make great pot washers!

We're really enjoying our time together. We've been doing 15 hour days so far and there's still so much to see and do.

Plans for tomorrow are the Evergreen Aircraft Museum in the morning and then just hanging out here the rest of the day, unless we get another case of wanderlust and decide to do something else on the spur of the moment.

[SAMWolf]

A little tired but not as tired as Snippy. :-)

I think she's trying to figure out how to get even for the "mountain climbing" we did today.

[SAMWolf]

SAM's in great shape!

Really, he had to push me up most of the steep grades. lol. Or drag me along. haha. I'm used to flat ground, not all this uphill climbing. And of course he had his Army boots on and I had tennis shoes so the rocks get slippery under the waterfalls but he made sure I didn't fall.

You don't have to worry about him!

I'll be in great shape by the time I get home.

[PhilDragoo]

"I call on the liberal media to get with the program and support our troops!"

"And that means you three, Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, and Tom Brokaw!"

"Who, us?"

"Damn straight, maggots! Who did you think I'm talking to!"

Staff Sgt. Terry L. Brown, with the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion places confiscated money into stacks after a house raid in Baghdad, Iraq, July 7, 2003. The 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion found the money as well as a small weapons cache during a raid to recover stolen artifacts from the Baghdad Museum. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jacob H. Smith) (Released)

Note: The 25,000 liters of anthrax would fit in an eight-foot-ceilinged room ten by eleven feet--one shipping container, one truck, one buried septic tank!

Spc. Rivera with the 3rd Infantry Division and his platoon patrol the streets of Fallujah, Iraq, helping to maintain security and public safety, July 6, 2003. DoD photo by Spc. Derek Gaines, U.S. Army. (Released)

This is a man; this is what a man does for his country and his family.

This is a weasel. This is what a weasel does.

Sgt. Sondra Volles of the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion, plays basketball with young girls during physical education class at a school in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 5, 2003. Members of Coalition Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force deployed to Kabul, went to the school to teach the kids some fundementals on basketball and have a good time playing with the energetic youngsters. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jeremy Colvin) (Released)

These are America's finest, making a better world, now, when it counts.

030213-N-0000N-002 New Orleans, La. (Feb. 13, 2003) -- The amphibious transport dock ship San Antonio (LPD 17) is under construction at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Avondale in New Orleans. San Antonio is scheduled for launching in July of this year and should be commissioned in 2005. U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED) For more on the San Antonia-class LPDs, see our Fact File at www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ships/ship-lpd.html

Charles Taylor

Charles Taylor siezed power in Liberia in a ruthless civil war that left an estimated 250,000 Liberians dead and thousands more serioudly wounded. Once in power Taylor has plundered the country's diamonds and timber resources, to the extent that the UN has imposed a total embargo on Liberian diamonds and timber. Taylor is also infamous for providing aid to RUF leader Foday Sankoh in Sierra Leone, for which the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone has indicted him.

Jesse Jackson was Charles Taylor's paid lobbyist with Bill Clinton's blessing. Be very clear: we are hereby cleaning up another Clinton mess. Despite Democrats shrieking like so many fairies in Act-Up t-shirts in San Francisco, it's their mess. And Bush has established we won't be "blue-helmeted".

Bush, Annan: Possible American troops in Liberia not to be under U.N. control

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2003 – Any large-scale deployment of American troops to Liberia would not be under U.N. control, President George W. Bush said at the White House today.

"We would not be blue-helmeted," he said after meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Instead, Bush continued, "we would be there to facilitate (an international force's entry) and then to leave."

Bush said American involvement would be in the form of assistance to the Economic Community of West African States. "It may require troops, but we don't know how many yet," he said.

The U.S. European Command deployed a Humanitarian Assistance Support Team of 35 military members to Liberia July 7 to assess military and humanitarian support requirements.

A Pentagon spokesman explained this team is comprised of experts in civil affairs, medical treatment, preventive medicine, contracting, civil engineering, public affairs, logistics and water purification. The HAST also includes 15 Marines for security.

[snippy_about_it]

OOPs. I was posting under SAM's sign on, forgot to switch to mine.


The above post of course is from me. :)

[snippy_about_it]

Pukin Dog, don't waste too much time chasing down frenchy to pop him one. lol. I'm sure he'd be running the other way!

Have a good time.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you for your post of news and comment today. I felt bad because I was slacking while on vacation but you made my day posting very appropriate news and comment.

[SAMWolf]

Evening PhilDragoo.

Excellent post today Phil. Loved your opening.

We would not be blue-helmeted

That would be the last straw for me. After signing CFR, tax "refunds" for people who don't pay taxes and doing nada on immigration putting US troops under UN command would be the killer.

[Darksheare]

It was in the article, turns out she 'probably' doesn't know him.
Sounds horrible to say it, but I am relieved it's no-one I know, and no-one she knows.

[snippy_about_it]

That's good. I understand the emotion though and it's normal for sure, you feel good that they are not someone you know but realizing that, you know they are still one of ours and it still hurts.

[Darksheare]

True, but still.
It sounds bad to say it like that.
But how the heck do you say something like that?