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WASHINGTON, May 19, 2006 – Coalition forces destroyed an abandoned hotel yesterday in Haqlaniyah, Iraq, using precision munitions to deny its use as an insurgent support base, military officials in Baghdad reported today. Officials said the hotel was a known location of insurgent activity, and that coalition forces have targeted it multiple times since May 7 in response to repeated insurgent activity. In other Iraq news, coalition forces responded yesterday to multiple insurgent attacks in central Ramadi. Insurgents attacked Marines from 2/28 Brigade Combat Team multiple times with homemade bombs, medium and heavy machine-gun fire, and small-arms fire from several...

BAGHDAD, May 19, 2006 – Traumatic injuries are a tragic fact of life in war. But thanks to the efforts of military medical personnel here, wounded servicemembers have the best chance of surviving their injuries than in any previous conflict. Army Capt. Virginia Griffin monitors instruments used to treat a patient in the intensive care unit at Ibn Sina Hospital, where the 10th Combat Support Hospital is based, in Baghdad's International Zone. Photo by Jim Garamone   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. "It's like the TV show 'Survivor,'" said Army Dr. (Lt. Col.) Mark Smith. "The characters change...

PORT HARDY - Are you seeing red? That might be because a campaign is afoot to wear red on Fridays to show support for Canadian troops in Afghanistan. The 101 Squadron in Port Hardy has brought the idea to the North Island, but it was initiated by a number of Canadian military family support groups, says Robert Hemphill, who is president of 101 Squadron, which is part of 888 Wing (Comox) of the Air Force Association of Canada. "This is not necessarily to show support for the political reasoning behind Canadian Forces being there, but to show our men and...

5/17/2006 - Fort Sam Houston, Texas (AFPN) -- Brooke Army Medical Center hosted a military amputee advance skills training workshop for Veterans Affairs’ prosthetists and therapists. Nearly 100 VA rehabilitation team members from 15 medical centers attended the workshop May 10 through 12 to learn the patient care methods used at Department of Defense facilities to help injured servicemembers recover, adjust to using prosthetics, and return to duty or to a full civilian life. “We are learning what the military is doing so that when a Soldier comes to their local VA it is a seamless transition,” said Bob Gailey,...

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2006 – President Bush's proposal to temporarily boost the National Guard's contribution to U.S. border security stands as a testament to the Guard's flexibility but in no way signals a new, long-term Guard mission, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told Congress today. Under Bush's plan, announced May 15, up to 6,000 National Guard members will provide mobile communications, transportation, logistics, training, and construction support to the U.S. Border Patrol, the secretary said in testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee. Rumsfeld emphasized that the National Guard will not provide law enforcement support. "Military forces will not...

BALI, Indonesia - Iran's president, emboldened by the support of Muslim nations, said Saturday he was willing to hold talks over Tehran's disputed nuclear agenda but not with Israel or countries that hold "bombs over our head." President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he has cooperated fully with the U.N. nuclear agency and the world has nothing to fear from his program to enrich uranium, which can be used for generating electricity or in making atomic weapons. The hardline leader spoke after meeting with heads of state and prime ministers from Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Turkey and Malaysia and government ministers from Egypt...

FAIRFIELD, Ohio - A soft-spoken suburban real-estate broker, John Prazynski didn't consider himself political and never expected to become a public figure, much less a pro-war activist. But in the year since his son Taylor, a Marine, died in Iraq, Prazynski has devoted much of his time to supporting the troops through fundraisers, two trips to Camp Lejeune, N.C., and interviews backing the war effort. "I could easily have gone the other way," Prazynski said. He says his activism is a tribute to his son, trying to "make something positive happen out of something so negative. That's what Taylor would...

Why do people dislike Wal-Mart if it sells things at a reasonable price

U.S. Army Warrant Officer Clifford Merrill, supply system technician, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, highlights numerous shelving units that will be filled with supplies to support members of the 9th Iraqi Army Division on Camp Taji, Iraq. The 589th Brigade Support Battalion soldiers support a Military Transition Team mission by helping Iraqis set up five warehouses, which will soon be under their control. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Malec U.S. Soldiers Build Iraqi Army Supply, Support Capacity A small team of U.S. soldiers work diligently to train their Iraqi counterparts on the...

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2006 – The defense secretary and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today they endorse President Bush's nomination of Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden as CIA director. Bush nominated Hayden to the post yesterday to replace Peter Goss. "In my view, Mike Hayden is a true professional, and he'll do an excellent job for the country," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in response to a reporter's question at today's Pentagon news briefing. "I've known him for about 17 years, and he is just a superb officer who is a tremendous professional," agreed Navy Adm....

BAGHDAD, May 9, 2006 — May 14, 2006 marks the second anniversary of Multinational Force-Iraq. This past year, MNF-I soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have made great strides toward our strategic objectives in Iraq: preventing terrorists from creating a safe haven that threatens Iraq and other nations; partnering with Iraq’s increasingly effective security forces; fostering conditions for Iraqi’s democracy to develop; and helping Iraq create institutions that encourage the free exchange of ideas and respect the fundamental rights of all citizens. Coalition and Iraqi Security Force partnerships advance all these goals. This cooperation increases operational effectiveness against the terrorists and...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 5, 2006 – The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve honored eight Florida employers here yesterday for exceptional support of their military employees. Eight Florida employers sign 5-Star Statements of Support for the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The signing was part of an awards breakfast held to honor the employers with ESGR's Above and Beyond award. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. ESGR, established in 1972, is a Defense Department organization created to provide education, consultation and, if necessary, mediation...

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (May 4, 2006) -- Lieutenant Colonels Jay A. Van Der Werff and Thomas R. McCarthy received Bronze Stars at an award ceremony April 24. Both gentlemen were awarded for their efforts during a six-month Iraq deployment. “I feel I just did my job,” said Van Der Werff, Marine Aircraft Group-26 executive officer. “The Marines that worked for me, both officers and enlisted, did a great job while we were in Iraq. This is a reflection on the work that they did as well.” During the deployment, Van Der Werff served as an operations...

ABOARD THE USS RONALD REAGAN, April 27, 2006 – All the sailors aboard this floating city understand that what they do helps their brothers and sisters in arms in Iraq and Afghanistan. F-18s stand ready on the USS Ronald Reagan. The ship epitomizes the 40th president's motto of "peace through strength." Photo by Sgt. Maj. Richard Puckett, USA    A visit to the Navy's newest aircraft carrier shows that the sailors aboard believe they are the living embodiment of President Reagan's motto of "peace through strength." The carrier, which is on its first extended deployment from its home base...

Hey all,My best friend is a doctor in the military who just arrived in Iraq a few weeks ago. I told him to contact me if there was anything he needed, and it took about one week.He has told me that they are in need of Afrin or other types of nose sprays for the pilots. He said it was difficult to come by. He said sinus problems are causing pilots to be grounded, and that is something that they can't afford to do. He asked me to contact pharm reps that I knew and other contacts I have. I've...

Folks, I just received some bad news and I wanted to share it with those of you who particiapte on the forum. FReeper SoFarRight, BlackbirdSST's wife of 27 years was diagnosed with advanced cancer earlier today. BlackbirdSST asked that I place this post on the forum and request prayers for SoFarRight and him. He would also appreciate it if you would include prayers for their family. I would suggest their friends could use them as well. He was headed back to the hospital to be with her and try to come to grips with what is taking place. He states...

4/21/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Imagine being pinned down by enemy forces, with no relief in sight. Now, imagine picking up a phone and calling your friendly local fighter pilot, flying overhead only miles away, for help. With the new Fighter Aircraft Communication Enhancement, or FACE, pod, ground units in combat are now able to do just that. Fielded for the first time in late 2004, the FACE pod is a solution to communication problems often experienced by aircraft in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan. Used effectively in several theaters, the FACE pod allows ground units to communicate with...

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2006 – The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve has lauded first lady Laura Bush's chief of staff for outstanding support of military reservists. ESGR, an agency of the Department of Defense, announced yesterday that Anita McBride, deputy assistant to the president and chief of staff to the first lady, was honored with an ESGR Patriot Award in recognition of her extraordinary support of a staff employee who serves in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Maria Miller, deputy director of projects in the Office of the First Lady, is a Naval Reservist who nominated...

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2006 – Vice President Dick Cheney told servicemembers gathered at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., yesterday they're playing a key role in the global war on terror and that their countrymen believe in them and their mission. Vice President Dick Cheney addresses a crowd of more than 600 airmen and residents of Spokane, Wash., during an April 17 visit to Fairchild Air Force Base. The vice president pointed out the role Fairchild plays in the war on terrorism and thanked the troops for their contributions and sacrifice. Photo by Staff Sgt. Laura K. Smith, USAF  (Click photo...

4/17/2006 - WHEELER ARMY AIR FIELD, Hawaii (AFPN) -- Tactical air controllers from the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron are practicing basic close-combat skills to prepare themselves for an upcoming deployment in support of the war on terrorism. “Not only is the training fun and keeps you physically active, but it is very practical for (Tactical Air Control Party) members because of the missions that we undertake,” said Staff Sgt. George Earhart, a tactical air controller from the 25th ASOS. Although TACPs are in the Air Force, they spend a lot of time with the Army. The need to be...