Friday, December 02, 2005

From Fox News

Ten Marines Killed in Bomb Attack
11 others wounded by roadside IED near Fallujah, deadliest attack on U.S. troops in recent months

Iraq Coalition Allies Mull Withdrawal
Operation Shank Launched

Videos:
Fallujah Attack
Joint Chiefs Head

posted by Pam @ 3:12 PM |

Muzaffarabad, Pakistan (Dec. 1, 2005) - U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seven Four (NMCB-74), clear debris at the Ministry of Education Building in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. The U.S. government is participating in a multinational humanitarian assistance and support effort led by the Pakistani government to bring aid to victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the region Oct. 8, 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Eric S. Powell

posted by Pam @ 1:57 PM |

Today in History

1620 – In Amsterdam, the English language newspaper "Namloos" begins publishing.
1682 – The English Earl of Shaftesbury flees to Amsterdam.
1763 - Touro shul of Newport, RI (the oldest existing U.S. synagogue) is dedicated.
1777 - British General Howe plots an attack on Washington's army for December 4.
1790 – The Austrian army occupies Brussels.
1802 – The English sell Suriname to the Dutch.
1804 – In Paris, Pope Pius VII crowns Napoleon Bonaparte the first emperor of France.
1805 - Napoleon defeats the Russians and Austrians at Austerlitz.
1812 - James Madison is re-elected President of the U.S.
1816 - The first savings bank in the U.S. opens (Philadelphia Savings Fund Society).
1822 - In San Salvador, a congress proposes incorporation into the U.S.
1823 - President James Monroe declares his "Monroe Doctrine."
1840 - William H. Harrison is elected President of the U.S.
1848 - Franz Josef I becomes emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.
1852 – The second French empire is established; Louis Napoleon becomes emperor.
1864 - Skirmish at Rocky Creek Church, GA.
1868 – The first British government of Disraeli resigns.
1887 - French President Grévy resigns.
1891 – The 52nd Congress (1891-93) convenes.
1895 – The 54th Congress (1895-97) convenes.
1899 – The U.S. and Germany agree to divide Samoa between them.
1901 - King Camp Gillette begins selling safety razor blades.
1908 – At age 3, Pu Yi (Hsuan-T'ung) becomes China's Last Emperor.
1914 - The Austrian army occupies Belgrade, Serbia.
1924 – A British-German trade agreement is signed.
1927 – The first Model A Fords are sold, for $385 each.
1939 – British Imperial Airways and British Airways merge to form BOAC; New York's La Guardia Airport begins operations as an airliner from Chicago lands, 1 minute after midnight.
1941 – Naval Intelligence ceases bugging Japanese consul; Yamamoto sends his fleet to Pearl Harbor.
1942 – The first controlled nuclear chain reaction occurs under the supervision of Enrico Fermi at the University of Chicago.
1943 – The first RSHA transport out of Vienna reaches the Birkenau camp.
1944 - General De Gaulle arrives in Moscow; German troops seize the Betuwse dikes, the U.S. 95th Infantry Division occupies the bridge at Saar.
1952 – For the first time, a human birth is publicly televised (KOA-TV, Denver, CO).
1954 – The U.S. Senate censures Joe McCarthy (Senator-WI) for "conduct that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute."
1956 - Fidel Castro lands with "Granma" on the coast of Cuba.
1957 – The first U.S. full-scale atomic electric power plant starts generating power at Shippingport, PA.
1958 – The Benelux treaty is signed by Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
1959 – In France, the Malpasset dam collapses, destroying the Riviera town of Frejus.
1961 - Fidel Castro declares he's a Marxist and will lead Cuba to Communism.
1963 – The first Dutch rocket is launched; it reaches a height of 10 km.
1968 - President Nixon names Henry Kissinger as security advisor.
1969 – the Boeing 747 jumbo jet is first previewed to the public (Seattle WA to New York NY).
1970 – The Environmental Protection Agency begins (Director: William Ruckelshaus).
1971 - Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujeira, Sharjah and Umm ak Qiwain form the United Arab Emirates; Abu Dhabi’s Zayid bin Sultan Al Nuhayyah becomes President; the U.S.S.R.’s Mars-3 is the first to soft-land on the red planet.
1972 – The "December Giant" - largest sinkhole in the U.S. - collapses (Alabama).
1974 - Soyuz-16 is launched into Earth orbit for 6 days.
1975- Laos falls to communist forces; King Sisavang Vatthana resigns, the Lao People's Democratic Republic is proclaimed.
1975 - 7 South Moluccans hijack a train at Wijster Drente, killing 3.
1978 - Chanting "Allah is great,” anti-Shah protesters pour through Tehran.
1979 - Crowds attack the U.S. embassy in Tripoli, Libya.
1980 - 4 American Maryknoll nuns are killed by death squads in El Salvador.
1981 – The Spanish government requests membership in NATO.
1982 – At the University of Utah, the first permanent artificial heart (the Jarvic-7) is successfully implanted in retired dentist Barney Clark; he lives 112 days.
1985 - Philipine Chief of staff General Fabian speaks of B. Aquino's murder.
1988 - 5 gunmen who hijacked a Soviet Aeroflot jet surrender in Israel; the STS-27 (Atlantis) is launched on a secret military mission; the U.N. votes to move the PLO debate to Geneva (151-2; the U.S. and Israel voted no, Britain abstains).
1989 - Vishwanath Pratap Singh is sworn in as President of India.
1990 – The first parliamentary election is held in newly reunified Germany; the U.S.’ 69th manned space mission (STS-35 - Columbia 11) launches into orbit.
1991 – Shiite Muslims release American Joseph Cicippio, held hostage in Lebanon.
1993 – The Space Shuttle STS-61 (Endeavor-5) launches.
1994 – The former Achille Lauro, now the Willem Ruys, sinks off the coast of Somalia; a jury finds Heidi Fleiss guilty of running a call girl ring.

Birthdays
1728 - Ferdinando Galiani, Italian economist/philosopher/diplomat
1802 - Melancthon Smith Wade, Union Brigadier-General
1821 - Rufus Barringer, Confederate Brigadier-General
1825 - Pedro II van Alcantara, Emperor of Brazil (1831-89)
1837 - Charles Garrison Harker, Union Brigadier-General
1846 - Pierre M Waldeck-Rousseau, French Minister of Foreign affairs / premier
1885 - George Minot, American physician, worked on anemia (Nobel 1934); Níkos Kazantazakís, writer (Zorba, Last Temptation of Christ)
1902 - Horace A. Hildreth. (Gov-ME, 1945-49)
1906 - Peter Carl Goldmark, developed color TV and LP records
1908 - Robert F Simon, actor (Custer, MASH)
1915 - Randolph Hearst, newspaper publisher
1924 - Alexander Haig, Jr., U.S. Secretary of State (1981-82) / general
1929 - Jaap Boersma, Dutch Minister for Social Affairs (ARP)
1931 - Edwin Meese III, U.S. Attorney General (1985-88)
1946 - Gianni Versace, fashion designer (Versace)
1954 - Stone Phillips, news host (NBC Dateline)
1981 - Britney Jean Spears, singer (Oops I Did It Again)

Passings
0537 – Sylvester, Italian Pope (536-37)
1463 - Albrecht VI, archduke of Habsburg, dies
1515 - Gonzalo de Córdoba, Spanish general/strategist/viceroy of Naples
1592 - Alexander Farnese, land guardian of Netherlands (1579-92)
1723 – Philip, French duke of Orléans /regent (1715-23) / PM (1723)
1814 - Marquis de Sade, writer
1859 - John Brown, U.S. abolitionist, hanged in Charles Town, WV
1864 - Archibald Gracie, Jr., Confederate Brigadier-General, in battle at age 31
1919 - Henry Clay Frick, builder of the largest coke and steel operation
1935 - Albert Kessel, first to die in the California gas chamber
1944 – J.W. Ummels, Dutch resistance fighter (House of Saxon-Nazi)
1967 - Cardinal Francis Spellman, archbishop of New York
1969 - Kliment J Voroshilov, President of U.S.S.R. (1953-60)
1972 - Friedrich Christian Christiansen, German Luftwaffe General
1981 - Nicolaas "Cola" Debrot, Governor of Dutch Antilles (1962-70); Wallace K. Harrison, U.S. architect (U.N.)
1982 - Marty Feldman, comedic actor (Young Frankenstein), of a heart attack at age 49
1986 - Desi Arnaz, actor (Ricky Ricardo-I Love Lucy), of lung cancer
1990 - Aaron Copland, composer (Fanfare for the Common Man)

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Austin, Carl Benjamin, USN (OR); F4B shot down (pilot), KIA, body not recovered

Logan, Jacob Drummond, USN (WA); F4B shot down (aircrew); KIA, body not recovered

Roberts, Gerald Ray, USN (TX); A1H shot down, KIA, remains returned 1993 – 1994, ID’d October, 1996

1966
The following personnel reported MIA in one incident – two from a SF team, and two during an extraction attempt when their UH1H was shot down:

Bott, Russell P., US Army SF (MA)

Dyer, Irby III, US Army SF (TX); KIA in the UH1D (medic)

Stark, Willie E., US Army SF (NE)

Sulander, Daniel A., US Army (MN); KIA in the UH1D (crew)

Also reported MIA this day in 1966:
Berger, James R., USAF (OH); F4C shot down, released by DRV February, 1973 – retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive as of 1998

Burns, Donald R., USAF (TX); F4C shot down (weapons/systems officer, w/Ducat), released by DRV March, 1973 – retired as a Colonel – deceased April, 1996

Cordier, Kenneth W., USAF (OH); F4C shot down (pilot, w/ Lane), released by DRV March, 1973 – retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Ducat, Bruce C., USAF (MD); F4C shot down (pilot, w/Burns), SRV returned remains to PCOM March, 1977

Gregory, Robert R., USAF (MO); RF4C shot down, remains returned March, 1988 – ID’d June, 1988

Lane, Michael C., USAF (FL); F4C shot down (weapons/systems officer, w/Cordier), released by DRV February, 1973 – alive and well as of 1998

McRae, David Edward, USN (GA); F4B shot down (pilot, w/ Rehman), likely KIA

Moorberg, Monte Larue, USAF (NE); F105D shot down, KIA, remains returned August, 1985

Nystrom, Bruce A., USN (OH); A4C shot down (in same incident w/Worrell), likely KIA

Rehmann, David G., USN (CA); F4B shot down (w/McRae), released by DRV February, 1973 – retired as a Lieutenant - alive and well as of 1998

Stutz, Leroy W., USAF (KS); RF4C shot down (w/Gregory), released by DRV March, 1973 – retired as a Colonel alive and well as of 1998

Worrell, Paul L., USN (PA); A4C shot down (in same incident w/Nystrom), remains returned August, 1965

1967
The following US Army personnel reported MIA when their UH1D was shot down:
Crosby, Richard A., (WA); door gunner

Leeper, Wallace W., (CO); aircraft commander

Moreida, Manuel J., (TX); crewchief

Strange, Floyd W., (CA); co-pilot

1969
The following US Army personnel reported MIA when their UH1B was shot down:

Dunlap, William C., (AZ); pilot, remains ID’d February, 1990

Sanderlin, William D., (TX); crewchief, remains ID’d February, 1990

Shanley, Michael H., Jr., (CA); gunner, remains returned March, 1990; mother did not accept ID
Vanden Eykel, Martin D. II, (IL); aircraft commander, ID’d February, 1990 (disputed)

1972
Shine, Anthony C., USAF (NY); A7D shot down, remains returned September, 1996

posted by Pam @ 1:47 PM |

Zafraniyah District Raid, Iraq

from DefendAmerica

U.S. Army Sgt Maj. Tony, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, jumps to another house from the rooftop during a raid in the Zafraniyah District in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade

U.S. Army Pfc. Brandon Lawson provides security during a raid in the Zafraniyah District in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2005. Lawson, a top gunner, is assigned to Bravo Battery, attached to 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Keith Bibbs and his team from 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Battalion Public Order Brigade, 2nd Marine Division, provide security during a raid in the Zafraniyah District in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade

A U.S. soldier motions children to stay back during a raid in the Zafraniyah District in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2005.U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade

An Iraqi police officer searches inside a house during a raid in the Zafraniyah District in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade

An Iraqi mother holds her son while taking a walk outside their house during a raid in the Zafraniyah District in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade

An Iraqi police officer holds a weapon after searching inside a cabinet during a raid in the Zafraniyah District in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade

U.S. Army Spc. James Peters from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, shakes hands with an Iraqi child during a raid in the Zafraniyah District in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Teddy Wade

posted by Pam @ 8:01 AM |

FIRE MISSION — U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brad D. Stinson, ammunition team chief, prepares 155 mm high-explosive artillery rounds prior to a fire mission in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq Nov. 23, 2005. Cpl. Stinson took part in an artillery shoot designed to hone the skills of the Marines, as well as to properly calibrate the M198 Howitzers that will be used in future operations. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.

posted by Pam @ 8:00 AM |

In Today's News - Friday, December 2, 2005

Quote of the Day
"The United States Marine Corps, with its fiercely proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth."

-- Thomas E. Ricks; Making the Corps, 1997

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
US, Iraqi troops launch operation in Ramadi
Iraq Issues Travel Ban for Non-Iraqi Arabs
Fewer Suicide Bombings in Iraq in November
Two U.S. Allies Pulling Out of Iraq
White House wants full story on Iraq articles

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Belgians shocked bomber was local woman

Troops on Trial
Reservist faces graft charges on Iraq

Politics
White House calls Democrats irresponsible on Iraq
Leader of probe, lobbyist Abramoff had some links
Democrat asserts that Army is 'broken'

Supreme Court
Alito abortion memo stirs more controversy

Hurricane Season
Residents Allowed to Return to Lower Ninth Ward
Mortgage bills return, but homes still gone

Oddities
Rowdy teens beware: the Mosquito is coming

Other News of Note
Bush Dedicates Christmas Tree Lighting to Troops
Three Injured in Texas Reserve Base Shooting
Afghan, Pakistani Forces Clash at Border Crossing
Romania to sign US military bases deal next week

Fox News
Pace: War's Not Over
Stowaway Cat Reunited With Family After Trip to France
Stocks to Watch, Dec. 2
Deed is Done - N.C. stages key execution
N.C. Gov. Denies Boyd Clemency
Va. Gov. Grants Clemency
Jury Says Death - Death penalty recommended for killer
Carlie's Mother: 'I Lost Love of My Life'
Prosecutor Asks for Death Sentence
Video: Brucia verdict

Reuters: Top News
Ford likely to close five plants: WSJ
Calpine considering filing for bankruptcy
Savvy guide to holiday spending
Freddie Mac raises quarterly dividend
N.Korea ready to scrap nuclear plans for better ties: envoy
Ballot boxes set on fire in Palestinian election
Greenspan to bid farewell at London G7
Taipei sees more quakes after skyscraper: geologist
Wal-Mart says hot toy list emerging
Annan: 'We must do far, far more' against AIDS
Hormone may help keep pounds off
Asylum Seekers Brave The Cold in France

AP World News
U.N.: Torture Still Widespread in China
Australian Smuggler Executed in Singapore
Report: Secret CIA Flights Went to France
Analysis Casts Doubt on Vietnam War Claims
N.Korea May Be Willing to End Nuke Program
Israel Successfully Tests Missile Program
Laos Marks 30 Years Under Communist Rule
Palestinians Let Militants Back Into Gaza
Thousands Rally for Democracy in Nepal
Lebanon Wants Assassination Probe Extended
300 Lawyers to Probe Honduran Elections
9 Die in Fire at German Homeless Shelter
South African Court Affirms Gay Marriage
Chavez Blames U.S. for Election Boycott
Brazil Arrests 3 Suspects in Cash Heist

The Seattle Times
Possibility of mistake raised in 1993 execution in Texas
$10 bills will be blushing a bit beginning March 2
Potentially deadly germ present nationwide
Boyfriend admits to aiding alleged "cellphone bandit"
50 years later, cities honor Rosa Parks' heroic stand
EU opens door to Ukraine as a free-market economy
Zimbabwe accused of creating "crisis"
Militants find foothold in Balkans
11 agents charged in abductions of 4 men
Nightsticks, tear gas mar Egyptian election
School kids freed from kidnapping in Haiti after ransom paid

Chicago Sun-Times
Rosa Parks statue to stand in Capitol
Man charged in death of ISU student
Busy jewel theft ring eludes FBI
8th-grader accused of dealing OxyContin
Winds give window washers a shake

Boston Globe: World
A fixture in Knesset will retire
Egyptian police, voters clash
Emirates opening political process to voters
Secular, faithful connect at kibbutz
In China, nuns reported beaten protecting land from developer
Russian city, wary residents brace for toxic benzene spill

Military.com
Army, Navy Game has new Significance
3 Sailors Hurt in Suicide Attempt
GOP Wants Secretive Government Agency

CENTCOM: News Releases
NEW IRAQI AIR FORCE MARKS MAJOR MILESTONE
OPERATION SHANK BEGINS IN RAMADI
OPERATION IRON HAMMER PROGRESSES

Department of Defense
Pace Responds to Critics of Iraq Strategy - Story Video
Pace Seeks Future Leaders' Views on Fighting Terror
Joint Chiefs Chairman Defines Victory in Iraq
Bush: Clear Strategy Ensures Victory Video Photos
President's Iraq Strategy Document Available Online
General Pledges Secure Voting Environment - Story Video
Officials: Gitmo Tube Feedings Humane - Story
Must Maintain Momentum in Iraq, Casey Says - Commentary

ON THE GROUND
Sky Soldiers Honored for Actions in Combat - Story Photos

IN SOUTHWEST ASIA
Deployed Wing Transports Its 1 Millionth Passenger

FACE OF DEFENSE
Ramstein Reservist Helps Injured Troops Get Home - Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
N.J. School Sends Homemade Cards - Story
Organization Flies High for Injured

TOP NEWS
IRAQ
4 U.S. Troops Killed in Incidents
Bush: Security Success Critical
Workers Renovate 28 Rail Stations
Commentary: Iraq Democracy
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (pdf)
Multinational Force Iraq
Eye on Iraq Update (pdf)
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (pdf)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Police Prepare Airport for Hajj
Report: Body Burning Not War Crime
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Marines to Train Georgian Soldiers
Terror War Strategy About Ideology
Use of Outdated Images Questioned
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Bush: Americans Support Troops
DoD Announces Insurance Program
Today's Ops Build Future Military
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" post coming later

posted by Pam @ 6:57 AM |

Iraq War Today is...
...News and photos of Heroes deployed to the Middle East and elsewhere. IWT is dedicated to all of our military Heroes - past, present and future.