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| PRESIDENT BUSH |
Saddam Tape Will Not Deter
U.S. From Finishing Job in Iraq |
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| By John D. Banusiewicz / American Forces Press
Service |
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WASHINGTON,
Nov. 17, 2003 — Saddam Hussein's "same old stuff" and "propaganda" won't
keep the United States from completing its mission in Iraq, President
Bush said here Nov. 16.
Speaking with reporters on the South Lawn of the White
House, the president said he didn't yet have all the details of an audiotape
broadcast on the Arabic-language news network Al Arabiya. On the tape, purportedly
from Saddam, the speaker urges Iraqis to resist and fight the coalition until
it leaves the country. More |
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Rumsfeld
in Asia 2
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| Defense
Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld shakes
hands with Air Force Security Forces
airmen while visiting Yokota Air Base,
Japan, on Nov. 15, 2003. Rumsfeld was
traveling to Guam, Japan and South Korea
to meet with U.S. military forces and
the local military and civilian leadership. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, U.S. Air Force |
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| Commentary:
Pentagon Reflections |
| By
1st Lt. Steve Alvarez, USA /
Special to American Forces Press Service |
WASHINGTON,
Nov. 18, 2003 — As a young enlisted man
nearly 20 years ago, I held the Pentagon
in high regard — serving at the military's
corporate headquarters was something to
aim for, a goal to reach.
Since then, I have served at the nation's
military headquarters several times, and
now I'm back yet again, albeit but briefly,
as a reservist. But things have changed,
and my beloved old building is no longer
just a place that houses great professional
and personal memories. It is now hallowed
ground — it is now also a battlefield. More |
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| U.S. Soldiers Foil Illegal Border
Crossing in Iraq, Kill Attackers |
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| American Forces Press Service |
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WASHINGTON,
Nov. 17, 2003 — U.S. soldiers prevented an illegal border
crossing and killed or captured attackers in three weekend incidents,
officials at Combined Joint Task Force 7 in Iraq reported today.
Soldiers from the Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
detained six suspected foreign fighters who were trying to flee from Iraq into
Syria the night of Nov. 16. One suspect attacked a soldier with a knife, and
was shot and killed. Officials confiscated passports, airline tickets and a large
sum of money from the captured men, and are holding them for questioning. More |
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| U.S. Soldiers Capture Brothers Linked
to Attacks on Coalition |
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| American Forces Press Service |
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WASHINGTON,
Nov. 17, 2003 — With Operation Iron Hammer in full swing
around Baghdad and Operation Ivy Cyclone II under way around
Tikrit, Baquba, Kirkuk and Balad, U.S. and coalition forces continue
to crack down on insurgents in Iraq.
Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry
Regiment on Nov. 16 captured two brothers linked to attacks on U.S. and coalition
forces, U.S. Central Command officials said. More |
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Iraqi's Graduate from
Civil Defense
Course
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By K.L. Vantran / American Forces Press
Service
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WASHINGTON,
Nov. 16, 2003 — U.S.
military forces may remain in Iraq when full sovereignty
is given to the Iraqi people in June and the Coalition
Provisional Authority dissolves, Ambassado2r L. Paul
Bremer III, CPA administrator,
said in an interview from Baghdad, Iraq, today.
"Every indication we have in our discussions with
the governing council (and) with the ministers suggests a strong desire from
the majority of the Iraqi people to have the coalition forces stay until the
situation is stabilized," he said on Fox News Sunday. "We're in
a war against terrorism here, and a low- intensity conflict against former
Baathists.
We want to help the Iraqis win both of these wars." More
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International
Partners
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Polish Task Force Celebrates
Independence Day with Exhibition
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 BAGRAM,
Afghanistan — Celebrating their 75th Independence Day,
the Polish Task Force held an open-house exhibition at the
Polish Compound on Bagram Air Base Nov. 11.
The hour-long
exhibition gave coalition partners, who attended the event,
a chance to get an in depth look at
the weaponry and equipment the Polish Task Force uses in
supporting operations in Afghanistan. More |
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82nd Airborne Division
Helps Refurbish Mosques in Iraqi
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| By U.S. Air Force Capt. Monica M. Bland / 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing |
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BALAD SOUTHEAST AIRFIELD, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2003 (AFPN) — The first C-5 Galaxy arrived here Nov. 12, from Dover Air Force Base, Del., increasing the Air Force presence at the Army's Logistical Support Area. A 14-person crew and about 21 truckloads of war materiel were on board the aircraft.
"This event is a significant
milestone in support of the global war on terrorism and continuing
joint operations in this region," said Col. Frank Padilla,
commander of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s Detachment
1. More |
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Iraqi Police Graduate
At Camp Junction City
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By Jamie Bender / 350th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
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RAMADI, Iraq —The Al Anbar Security College at Camp
Junction City graduated its first class of about 45 local
police officers Nov. 6.
Students of the college are taught by soldiers from the
855th Military Police Company, a National Guard unit from Arizona and the 94th
Military Police, a reserve unit from New Hampshire.
Subjects taught at the academy include ethics,
self-defense, religious tolerance and Iraqi law. In the third week of their training,
the students are taught basic rifle marksmanship.
“We teach them the same way privates are
taught at basic training,” said Spc. Arron Medlock, 855th MP Co. More |
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| Iraqi Freedom 'Lessons Learned' Being
Gathered Online, Explored |
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| By Janet Wray / Army News Service |
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FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan., Nov. 14, 2003 — The Center for Army Lessons Learned at Fort Leavenworth is hosting an Operation Iraqi Freedom Lessons Learned conference in an online collaborative mode that will culminate by bringing soldiers together at Fort Leavenworth in December.
The online worksites started in early November and will conclude when attendees come together at Fort Leavenworth in December to finalize the OIF observations, lessons, and implications that have been explored. More
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Part
Two
10th
Mtn. Div. Shows its
Mettle In Operation
Mountain Resolve |
| By
U.S. Army Sgt. Greg Heath / 4th Public Affairs
Detachment |
NURISTAN
PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Four days had
passed since the beginning of Operation
Mountain Resolve when Company B, 2nd
Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, which
led the operation's main ground effort,
had reached a small village just a few
kilometers from their main objective.
Coalition forces had received information about
anti-coalition militia activity throughout the Darrahe Waygal valley. During
the first three nights of the operation, elements of the 10th Mountain Division
Warrior Brigade had traveled along the mountainsides of the valley along the
Fawerikhwar River with the main purpose of disrupting any ACM operations and
denying them sanctuary in a province coalition forces hadn't entered since the
beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, according to Co. B Commander Capt. Toby
Moore. More |
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| Part
1 of 10th Mountain Division Series |
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| U.S. Army Engineers Repair Runway |
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| By U.S. Army Pfc. J. H. French 82nd Airborne
Division Public Affairs Office |
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One of the 82nd Airborne Division’s
specialties is airfield seizures, but what happens when the
airfield is damaged beyond usability? That is where the engineers
of the 618th Engineer Company, 307 Engineer Battalion, 82nd
Airborne Division brings its expertise in to play.
Coalition forces took over the airfield at Forward Operation
Base Ridgeway and had an airfield left nearly, completely unusable
from bombing.
According to 1st Lt. Betsy A. Hove, 2nd Platoon Leader with
the 618th, the Division did not want to repair the runways
for use, but the 618th were adamant about getting it repaired. “We
can do it,” she said. “Whatever the conditions,
we can fix the problem in an expedient manner.” More |
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| On Iraq |
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Defense Officials
Identify Army Casualties |
WASHINGTON,
Nov. 17, 2003 — Defense Department officials have announced
the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
Three soldiers were killed on Nov. 15 when two
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters went down
in Mosul, Iraq.
Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Bolor, 37, of Whittier, Calif.,
was assigned to the 137th Quartermaster Company, U.S. Army Reserve, based in
South El Monte, Calif.
Sgt. John W. Russell, 26, of Portland, Texas, was
assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
(Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Ky.
Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) Scott A. Saboe, 33,
of Willow Lake, S.D., was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment,
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Ky.
There are five additional fatalities from this
incident pending next of kin notification.
Sgt. Timothy L. Hayslett, 26, of Newville, Pa.,
was killed on Nov. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq. Hayslett was conducting a patrol when
struck by an improvised explosive device. He died of his injuries. Hayslett was
assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 37th Armored
Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based in Friedberg, Germany. The incident is
under investigation. |
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| U.S. Soldiers Continue
to Find Weapons, Build Relations |
AR
RAMADI, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2003 — U.S. soldiers from the
82nd Airborne Division conducted missions in order to stop
violence and violent intentions from insurgents who oppose
the peace process Nov. 15, according to U.S. Central Command
officials.
Soldiers of the “All-American” Division,
as the 82nd Airborne Division are known, went on 182 patrols, nine of which were
joint patrols with members of the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi policemen. One
cordon and search mission and an air assault raid were also conducted over the
last 24 hours. More |
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Deadline Nears to
Send
Packages to Deployed Soldiers |
WASHINGTON,
Army News Service, Nov. 14, 2003 — Christmas is a month
away, but individuals only have half that time to get their
packages to deployed troops in time for the holidays.
The deadline to get packages to the Central Command
area in time for Christmas is Dec. 4 by First Class or Priority Mail, according
to the United States Postal Service. More |
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Army Theater Group
To Perform in Iraq, Afghanistan |
| FORT
BELVOIR, Va., Nov. 13, 2003 (Army News Service) — BRAVO!
Army Theatre Touring Company will present “Farley Family
Reunion” during the holiday season to lighten spirits
of Soldiers deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom
and Enduring Freedom. More |
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Artist
Turns Iowa Graffiti
Rock into Military Tribute |
 WASHINGTON,
Nov. 17, 2003 – Something about a 12-foot-high,
56-ton rock north of Greenfield, Iowa, must scream "Paint
me!" to the artistically inclined. For years,
it played host to teenagers' graffiti as it stood
sentry next to Highway 25, about a mile south of
the Greenfield exit off Interstate 80 in Iowa.
Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II, 24, now of Des
Moines, Iowa, grew up in Greenfield and had seen the rock countless times. Until
1999, if the rock was calling him to paint it, he wasn't listening. But then
he saw the Tom Hanks film "Saving Private Ryan," and soon he answered
the call. More |
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Operation
Military Pride
Supports Deployed Troops |
WASHINGTON,
Nov. 17, 2003 — Once the children are off
to school, Arlyn McCoaughry logs onto the computer
in her Arizona home and begins reading e-mails
from service members deployed throughout the world.
As chairperson for Operation Military Pride, a
non-profit organization that sends letters and care packages to troops deployed
overseas, McCoaughry said the items most often requested include baby wipes,
junk food, gum, foot powder, gel insoles, magazines and books. More |
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| USO
Gears Up Holiday Support |
WASHINGTON,
Nov. 17, 2003 — The United Service Organizations
recently announced it has teamed up with Armed
Forces Entertainment and Reader's Digest to help
support U.S. troops during the 2003 holiday season.
The USO, a nonprofit charitable corporation that
extends a touch of home to military members, will soon send entertainer Wayne
Newton, actor/director Gary Sinise, singer/television star Chris Isaak, country
music star Neal McCoy and members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to entertain
troops stationed in the Persian Gulf. More |
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| Profile |
| U.S.
Army Capt. Jan Guy |
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TIKRIT,
Iraq — As battalion medical officer for the
124th Signal Battalion in Tikrit, Iraq, U.S. Army
Capt. Jan Guy and her medics keep their hands full
caring for 4th Infantry Division troops.
In addition to basic aches and pains and injuries from
vehicle and other accidents, they treat serious wounds received during raids
and patrols in the community, located in the heart of the Sunni Triangle. More |
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Champion
Base
Soliders Study Arabic |
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 AR
RAMADI, Iraq – “Repeat
after me,” said
1st Lt. Mikal Shabazz,
a reservist with
the 304th Civil Affairs
Brigade. “As-
saleem alaikam. Again,
as-saleem alaikam.
One more time, but
speak a little slower
and enunciate; As-saleem
alaikam. Good.”
The Arabic phrase
translated in English
literally means:
May (God’s)
peace be upon you,
according to Shabazz.
The soldiers repeating
Shabazz’s words
are learning Arabic
in one of the nightly
classes he teaches.
Located at the Division
Chapel, the course
is open to all soldiers
at Champion Base. More |
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U.S.
Forces Prepare All
American Thanksgiving in Iraq |
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RAMADI, Iraq – A
turkey gobbles in
the fields of Elletsville,
Indiana, an area
known for its contribution
to the Thanksgiving
holiday. A turkey
translator interprets
the gobble. “I
wish to be part of
the All-American
Thanksgiving this
year in Iraq.” Excitement
for this year’s
Thanksgiving feast
is not limited to
the turkeys in the
field.
“
This year’s
All-American Thanksgiving
will be a festive
atmosphere,” says
food service supervisor
Master Sgt. Mack
E. Sumler, “as
well as a tribute
to the 82nd Airborne
and all of the soldiers
who are serving here.” More |
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