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MADAIN REGION, Iraq, Aug. 20, 2009 – Undeveloped areas and vast farmlands are some of the key characteristics that make up the southeastern areas outside the Iraqi capital, where Multinational Division Baghdad paratroopers operate. Army Staff Sgt. Richard Grimsley greets an Iraqi girl during a checkpoint in the Madain region outside eastern Baghdad, Aug. 19, 2009. Grimsley is a squad leader with the 82nd Airborne Division’s Troop A, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Jared Gehmann  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. For the paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s Troop...

U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers come bursting out of a CH-47F Chinook helicopter at Forward Operating Base Hammer, July 20. Photo by Spc. Alun Thomas, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. TAJI — As the Iraqi military works toward its goal of taking control of its nation's defense, the ongoing joint training between it and the U.S. Army is more critical than ever. To that end, the U.S. 1st Air Cavalry Brigade is using training and real combat missions to help provide hands-on experience to the Iraqis.Observing from the front row seat of a CH-47F Chinook helicopter was IqAF Lt. Col. Jassim Mohammed,...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2007 – Air cavalry helicopter pilots have had to change their tactics to adapt to newer and higher-tech surface-to-air missile systems that officials believe are coming in from Iran, a senior official in Iraq said today. Crews from 1st Air Cavalry Brigade out of Camp Taji, Iraq, have flown support for operations in and around Baghdad for more than a year. Since their arrival, there has been an increase in the sophistication of attacks and types of weapons, Army Col. Daniel J. Shanahan said in a conference call with military analysts. “In the last several months,...

Lynnwood, Wash., native Spc. Alex Teesdale, a chaplain's assistant for 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, bows his head in prayer during a 9/11 prayer breakfast, Sept. 11, at Camp Taji. Dozens of Soldiers gathered to pay tribute and remember those who lost their lives that somber day in America history and in the war on terror. Photo by Spc. Nathan Hoskins, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs. CAMP TAJI — It isn’t a day of celebration, but of remembrance. It isn’t a day of happiness, but a day of somber...

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Staff Sgt. Joshua Olson called it his "Alive Day," the one-year anniversary of the day he lost his leg in Iraq. He marked the date by traveling from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington back to the Fort Campbell woods where he once instructed men as a squad leader. Instead of camouflage, he wore jeans and a T-shirt, and used crutches to get around on one leg. He wanted to get back to the comrades ---snip---

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. God Bless America...................................................................................... ........................................... . U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. . . Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. God Bless America...................................................................................... ........................................... . U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. . . Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or...

Remember the scene in "Apocalypse Now" where the Air Cav attacks the Vietcong village, and "Ride of the Valkyries" is blaring from a speaker on the lead copter? I was wondering what songs would be apropos for this war? Any good ideas? I thought a good one would be "The End" by The Doors.