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Thursday, October 13, 2005

This Week in Terrorism - The U.S.S. Cole

U.S. Marine Corps photo


The USS Cole, a Navy guided missile destroyer (DDG-67), was named for U.S. Marine Sergeant Darrell S. Cole, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry at Iwo Jima.

On October 12, 2000, the Cole was on a routine fuel stop in the Yemeni port in Aden. Refueling started at 10:30 a.m. local time; within an hour, the stop would be anything but routine.

At 11:18 a.m., a small craft neared the port side of the ship, and exploded.

The blast blew a 40' x 40' hole in the Cole's port side. It took until evening to manage flooding in the engineering areas.

Responsibility for the attack quickly became clear - the bombers were Ibrahim al-Thawr and Abdullah al-Misawa, and the attack was planned and organized by Al-Qaeda.

Numerous ships responded in the wake of the attack - the USS Hawes and USS Donald Cook assisted with repairs; the USS Catawba, USS Camden, USS Anchorage, USS Tarawa, and USS Duluth assisted with security, damage control, and food service, among other things. The Norwegian salvage vessel MV Blue Marlin transported the Cole back to the U.S. for repairs.

In the aftermath, there were significant changes to Navy procedures. A number of individuals were tried, or otherwise dealt with, for their roles in the attacks:

On November 3, 2002, in Yemen, a Predator UAV fired an AGM-114 Hellfire missile at a vehicle carrying Abu Ali al-Harithi, one of the suspected planners of the attack. Ahmed Hijazi, an American citizen, died with him.

On September 29, 2004, also in Yemen, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri and Jamal al-Badawi were sentenced to death for their roles in the bombing. Al-Nashiri was believed to be the operation's mastermind. And four others were sentenced to prison terms for involvement in the Cole bombing, including a Yemeni who had videotaped it.

Notably, a failed attempt at a bombing of the USS The Sullivans in the year 2000 has been seen to be a trial for the Cole attack. (The attack failed because the boat, overloaded with the explosives, started to sink).

Killed in the attack were:

Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, 21, of Mechanicsville, Virginia

Mess Management Specialist Seaman Lakeina Monique Francis, 19, of Woodleaf, North Carolina

Information Systems Technician Seaman Timothy Lee Gauna, 21, of Rice, Texas

Signalman Seaman Cherone Louis Gunn, 22, of Rex, Georgia

Seaman James Rodrick McDaniels, 19, of Norfolk, Virginia

Engineman 2nd Class Marc Ian Nieto, 24, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Electronics Warfare Technician 2nd Class Ronald Scott Owens, 24, of Vero Beach, Florida

Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer, 22, of San Diego, California

Engineman Fireman Joshua Langdon Parlett, 19, of Churchville, Maryland

Fireman Patrick Howard Roy, 19, of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York

Electronics Warfare Technician 1st Class Kevin Shawn Rux, 30, of Portland, North Dakota

Mess Management Specialist 3rd Class Ronchester Manangan Santiago, 22, Kingsville, Texas

Operations Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Lamont Saunders, 32, of Ringgold, Virginia

Fireman Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr., 26, Rockport, Texas

Ensign Andrew Triplett, 31, of Macon, Mississippi

Seaman Craig Bryan Wibberley, 19, of Williamsport, Maryland

For More Information:
U.S.S. Cole (Navy.mil)
Wikipedia
DoD Press Release
Embassy of Yemen Press Release

Yemen Gateway
Haze Gray and Underway
USS Cole Recovery
NavSource Online
Echo9er (with links to other sites)

Historic 'Band of Brothers' reactivated

10/13/05 08:39 PM, EDT

The 101st Airborne Division on Thursday reactivated a historic unit whose actions during World War II and Vietnam were the subject of the book "Band of Brothers."

FULL STORY - from CNN.com

The Embed - Michael Yon

Michael Yon's latest is up. Ever wonder exactly how one becomes an embedded reporter? And what the experience is like? Look no further.

As always, it's a great read.

Check it out here.
KHARMA, Iraq - Cpl. Ross Casey, from Austin, Texas, with 6th Civil Affairs Group, tries speaking to local children using an Arabic dictionary. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison, 2d Marine Division Combat Camera)

Soldier's Hunch Leads to Large Weapons Cache

Oct. 11, 2005

ABU GHRAIB, Iraq – Soldiers from B Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment discovered a very large weapons cache Oct. 10 in the Abu Ghraib district.
The unit had been conducting cordon-and-search operations in the neighborhood and was just about to leave, but—acting on a hunch—they remained at the site for another two hours, digging for buried munitions.

This is the seventh cache discovered in October by this unit.
The day began with the Soldiers searching a residence suspected of harboring terrorist activity. Using metal detectors, the unit began to get positive detections and, after staying in the area, unearthed a large cache.

The cache included 13 mortar rounds, five rocket-propelled grenade rounds, four rifle grenades, two RPG launchers, a mortar tube, a 55-gallon drum with explosives, six bundles of fuses, 67 RPG propellants, and 110 explosive timers.

“This is an example of how a Soldier’s intuition and experiences have resulted in uncovering another cache,” said Capt. Ryan Keys, B Troop commander. “I am proud of the hard work and dedication that every Soldier has been putting into this mission here,” he said. “The terrorists are learning that it is just a matter of time before we find their next cache.”

from Multi-National Force - Iraq
BOMBING VICTIM — U.S. Army soldiers give first aid to victims after a suicide bomber set off an explosion that killed 33 and injured 50 Iraqis in Tal Afar, Iraq, Oct. 11, 2005. Iraqi Army soldiers with assistance from U.S. Army soldiers of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and 82nd Airborne Unit are providing security for Tal Afar in order to disrupt insurgent safe havens. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Alan D. Monyelle

In Today's News - Thursday, October 13, 2005

Quote of the Day
"Ennoblement is earned by merit in the American Army."
-- Major Josiah Bunting

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq Constitution Deal Approved
Parliament makes compromise
White House Praises Sunni Arab Support for Iraqi Constitution
U.S. SOLDIERS STOP KIDNAPPER
Iraqi constitution being presented to voters Saturday

Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghan Fighting Kills 21

Homeland Security / War on Terror
IRA Implicated in N. Korea Counterfeit Plot
Alleged Al Qaeda Leader Calls for Islamic Rule in Somalia
Bomb Bust at Georgia Tech
Bali protesters: Kill the bombers
Man linked to '02 Bali blasts arrested
British unveil antiterror bill
Disguised Israeli forces capture Hamas militant, army says

Hurricane Season
9,000 Homes for Katrina Victims Stalled in FEMA lot
Official: Military's Katrina Response Slowed
New Orleans hospital staff discussed mercy killings
Pakistan Earthquake
Aid Pours Into Quake Zone
30 countries send donations to Pakistan
Rice Promises Long-Term Support
Photos: Aid Pours In
Aftershock Hits Pakistan As Aid Pours In

U.N. Scandals
Ex-U.N. Adviser in Court

Other News of Note
Was It Suicide?
Army reviews how it notifies families of deaths
Police, gunmen in Russian shootout

Fox News
Consul: Alleged Bush Plotter Not Tortured
DoE: 32 Percent Rise in Average Winter Heating Bill
L.A. Catholic Archdiocese Releases Sex-Abuse Files
Van With 16 Illegal Immigrants Rolls Over, One Killed
U.N.: Armed Men Hijack Food Aid Ship in Somalia
Teacher Denies Slicing Wrist, Molesting Kids in Class
Bridgestone Firestone to Pay Ford $240M for Tire Recall
Bush: Miers Is Religious
More Rain in New England

Reuters: Top News
White House approves plan to bolster CIA
Bush warns Syria over Lebanon, Iraq
Reporter testifies again in CIA case

AP World News
Colombia's Uribe Chastises Military Chiefs
Ballot Counting Begins in Liberia
Fiat Heir's Overdose Transfixes Italy

The Seattle Times
Voter names found twice
Flu virus found in dead birds from Romania
Man opens fire in Chinese school
Gunmen kill businessman in Haiti's capital
Frequent disasters take a toll on American psyche
Choppers are lifeline in devastated region
Religion at forefront in Miers nomination
SEC subpoenas Frist over stock sale
Cooling babies may help protect brains deprived of oxygen during birth
Yahoo! to bar chat rooms that promote sex with minors
Climate data hint at record hot 2005
Heat bills to strain winter budgets
Fossil find highlights bird kin
Military to take lead in disaster response

Chicago Sun-Times
N.Y. officials not sure terror threat was hoax
Iraqis amend constitution to woo support
Blast shuts northern Iraq oil pipeline

Boston Globe: World
Warsaw to keep troops in Iraq through Jan.
Added year seen in halting polio's spread
Rice vows long-term aid for stricken Pakistan
Schroeder bows out, with a few choice jabs

Military.com
Army Has Plan to Boost Signups
Terrorist Notebook
U.S Helos to Help With Relief Efforts
American Freedom Festival, November 11th
Iraq: MP Numbers Down, Duties Increase
The Quiet Giant - the USCG Auxiliary
Baghdad Raids Net Well-Known Terrorists
Journalism in New Iraq
Volkswagen Wins Pentagon Robot Race
Army Tries Water From Vehicle Exhaust Fumes

CENTCOM: News Release
IRAQI, U.S. PATROLS CATCH BOMB SUSPECTS, STOP ATTACKS
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE VISITS KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
LEFEVER NAMED DISASTER ASSISTANCE CENTER COORDINATOR
UPDATED PAKISTANI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF PHOTOGRAPHS

Department of Defense
Bush Slams Syria for Interference in Iraq — Story
Rumsfeld Addresses Terror War Concerns — Story Photos
Accident, IED Claim 4; Kidnap Victim Rescued — Story
Pace Presents Purple Hearts to 8 Soldiers — Story Photos

ON THE GROUND
Sulayminyah School Projects Nearly Complete — Story
Tall Afar Meeting Addresses School Openings
USS Theodore Roosevelt Offers Air Support — Story
Special Police Training Troops Head to Iraq — Story
Marines Teach Radio Skills to Georgian Troops — Story

IN IRAQ
Herculean Effort Builds Shelters for Hercules
Marines, Soldiers Work Together to Win Iraqi Trust

FACE OF DEFENSE
Sailor Volunteers for Second Tour in Iraq — Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Luncheon Pays Tribute to Sailors — Story

TOP NEWS
SPECIAL REPORTS
Hurricane Coverage
Iraq Transition of Power

IRAQ
Saddam Trial: 'Iraqi-Led Process'
'Jewel of Baghdad' Sparkles Again
Iraqi Army Opens New Clinic
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Iraq Daily Update
Multinational Force Iraq
Eye on Iraq Update (pdf)
Iraq Progress Fact Sheet (pdf)
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Rice Thanks Troops in Kyrgyzstan
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Autonomous Vehicles Prove Worth
Assistance Moves Toward Pakistan
Troops Continue Earthquake Relief
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Casualties — Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

National Hurricane Center

Today in History
1775 - The Continental Congress orders construction of a naval fleet.
1792 - Washington lays the cornerstone of the Executive Mansion (White House).
1812 - The Battle of Queenston Heights.
1843 -B'nai B'rith is founded in NY.
1845 - Texas ratifies a state constitution.
1860 - 1st aerial photo taken in US (from a balloon), Boston
1943 - Italy declares war on Germany, its former ally.
1944 - The U.S. 1st Army begins the Battle of Aachen.
1947 - "Kukla, Fran & Ollie" premieres.
1953 - The burglar alarm is patented.
1957 - The German Democratic Republic recalls the East Mark and issues new currency.
1964 - The Voskhod-1 crew returns.
1969 - Soyuz-8 is launched
1972 - An Aeroflot jet crashes in a large pond outside Moscow, killing 176; a plane carrying a team of Uruguayan rugby players crashes on its way from Uruguay to Chile; the survivors are rescued on 12/23.
1978 - Tiros-N, the U.S.'s first third-generation weather satellite, is launched.
1981 - Vice President Hosni Mubarak is elected president of Egypt.
1982 - The IOC restores two gold medals from the 1912 Olympics to Jim Thorpe.
1984 - The STS 41-G mission lands at the Kennedy Space Center.
1987 - In the Persian Gulf, the U.S. Navy makes the first military use of trained dolphins.
1991 - Blue Jay Cito Gaston becomes the first manager ejected in a playoff game.

Birthdays
1769 - Horace H. Hayden, co-founder of the first dental college
1909 - Herblock (Herbert L. Block), political cartoonist
1920 - Nipsey Russell, comedian (Car 54, Barefoot in the Park)
1925 - Margaret Thatcher, British PM (1979-90)
1961 - Jerry Rice, NFL receiver (San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders)

Passings
0054
- Claudius Roman Emperor
1795 - William Prescott, American Revolutionary soldier
1974 - Ed Sullivan, TV host (Ed Sullivan Show)
1979 - Clarence Muse, actor (Sam-Casablanca)
1988 - Mike Venezia, jockey, dies in a 5th-race fall at the Belmont Race Track in NY
1989 - Jay Ward, animator (Rocky & His Friends)

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Borden, Murray L., USAF (NC); F4C shot down (w/Meadows)

Meadows, Eugene T., USAF (NC); F4C shot down (w/Borden) remains returned November, 1994

1967
Miller, Edison Wainright, USMC (IA); F4B shot down (pilot, w/Warner), released by DRV February, 1973 (injured); later accused of collaboration, sued fellow POW's who spoke against him when he was running for office (associated w/ Jane Fonda, Tom Hayden); he lost the suit

Warner, James H., USMC (MI); F4B shot down (Backseater, w/Miller), released by DRV March, 1973

1968
Hunt, James D., USN (MT); A6A shot down (bombardier/navigator, w/Orell)

Masterson, Michael J., USAF (WA); bailed out of A1G after mechanical problems

Orell, Quinlen R., USN (OH); A6A shot down (pilot, w/Hunt)

1969
Getchell, Paul E., USAF (ME); B57 shot down (co-pilot)

1970
Chestnut, Joseph L., USAF (TN); T28 disappeared while on mission, remains returned / ID'd July, 1995

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