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Tuesday, June 27, 2006

War Tapes Update

Hello again!
The War Tapes opened in Manchester and Concord, New Hampshire last week (we received an unforgetable standing ovation a the Concord premiere!), and it is set to open in Washington, D.C., Boston, San Francisco and Berkley this weekend. We are adding new theatres and opening dates every day, so please check back on our Screening Page frequently to see if it is scheduled in your neck of the woods...

New York City:
The War Tapes has left NYC, but we wanted to quickly tell about another event in the city that you shouldn't miss, featuring IAVA founder Paul Rieckhoff, who was instrumental in making The War Tapes into a reality: On Tuesday, June 27 at 7PM Housing Works Bookstore Cafe proudly presents Paul Rieckhoff in conversation with Patrick Healy. The discussion will be followed by audience Q&A and book signing.

The founder of Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans of America and author of Chasing Ghosts: A Soldier's Fight for America from Baghdad to Washington, Paul Rieckhoff provides an uncensored and unrehearsed view of the harrowing, bloody battles on the streets of Baghdad-and a patriot's vision of where America has gone wrong and how it can reset its path. He will discuss his book with Patrick Healy, chief political reporter for the New York Times, who has also covered the war in Iraq.

Boston:
Come to Flat Top Jonny's after the 7PM screening of The War Tapes at the Kendall Square Cinema (
http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?F_xzvdOC3mj6olCQbzvHNQ) and meet soldier/cameramen Steve Pink and Mike Moriarty, as well as Mike's wife Randy and Steve's girlfriend Lindsay! If you go to the 7pm screening, save your ticket stub and your first beer is on the house! The Kendall Square Cinema is located at 1 Kendall Square, in Cambridge, and is one block from the Lechmere and Kendell Square stops of the T. Map - http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?DeylcO_ktkHlzbUIkTrPBQ

We hope to see you at one of these events!

Deborah and the entire War Tapes team
SenArt Films
Fifth Floor, 133 West Broadway
New York NY 10013

Badlands Express
Senior Airman Ryan McGlocklin directs a bomb loader into position underneath a training bomb at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., on Monday, June 26. The base is conducting Exercise Badlands Express 06-04 to prepare for an operational readiness inspection in July. Airman McGlocklin is assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael B. Keller)
Full Story

A Hero's Heart...

Sent by Maurice, a Soldiers' Angels adoptee:

I am currently stationed in Iraq...I have been deployed for 6 months so far and I want to thank every single Angel out there that watches over all of us Soldiers out here in Iraq and all over the world. You all have done so much for us and made our deployments so much easier through emails, letters and mail. So i wrote a poem to show my appreciation. I really do hope you can make sure it gets to everyone some way some how, because I am really greatful. It's called An Angel's Sigh. Please enjoy and smile because all of your hard work and efforts have been seen by God and he has carried your blessings to me and every Soldier in the world.


An Angel's Sigh

I look from the heavens, my place of safety,
God's place which He protects.
I watch to see which life is ended,
And which life is reborn.
But today I have seen something different.
I have seen a life that will never end.
It cannot be reborn.

I have seen the life of a Soldier.

For the path he walks is full of mystery.
He knows not of what will happen today.
But I know, I can see where it leads.
It leads to heartbreak and anger,
Things he has never experienced before.
Then how will he react?
Will they stop him from reaching his goal?
His goal to return home to his loved ones,
His goal to save a country's freedom.
Yet he does not know his joys,
He does not know he will return home,
He does not know he is being watched and protected.
He is a son of God, the God I follow.

I give him thanks.

Thanks for standing up every morning unknowing,
Unknowing of his destiny,
Unknowing of his fate,
Unknowing of his immortal state.
For he is not immortal in body
But immortal in soul.
A soul that cannot be broken or torn,
A soul which rises into the heavens,
A soul in God's mind and creation.
Therefore I sigh,
I sigh because he is a warrior,
I sigh because he is true,
I sigh for he has been chosen,
Chosen by God to do his bidding,
I sigh because he has no choice,
No choice in fate or destiny.

And then I cry.

I cry because he is a hero,
I cry because he never gives up,
I cry because he never cries.
For that I smile,
I smile because he smiles,
I smile because he is immortal,
I smile because I am his Guardian Angel.




Maurice, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us Angels, and thank you for everything you do for all of us at home. Keep your Helmet On - Take care, and stay safe.

Coronado Bay, Calif. (June 22, 2006) – Construction Mechanic Constructionman Shawn Berry gets underway for the first time aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), as part of of Seabee Days. This year's celebration will mark the 20th annual Seabee Days where the community is invited aboard for a first-hand look at the Navy's construction engineers. Seabee Days highlights the mission and accomplishments of the men and women of the Naval Construction Force, affectionately known as the Seabees. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman James Seward

Soldiers Find, Save Abandoned Baby

Senior Airman Christine Noldee, native of Palmdale, Calif., aerospace medical technician, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operations Group from Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, feeds a baby who was found on a patrol.


Story by Pfc. Paul J. Harris
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

BALAD, Iraq – Soldiers from Logistical Support Area Anaconda in Balad saved the life of an abandoned, near-death baby June 9.

Staff Sgt. Donald White, patrol leader 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, and his team came across a box on the side of the road while on patrol.

Initially, he thought it was an improvised explosive device until he heard crying coming from the box. White made sure there were no wires protruding from the box and made sure it was not booby trapped. Then he picked it up.

“I ran as fast as I could, snatched the box off the ground and kept on running, thankfully nothing blew up,” White said.

White then asked Spc. John Sullivan, healthcare specialist, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, to evaluate the child and assess its medical needs.

The skin was literally hanging off the child and we could see it was massively dehydrated and malnourished. Sullivan told me we needed to get the child to a hospital right away and we jumped into the trucks and drove to the hospital as fast as we could, Smith said.

In transit to Balad Air Base hospital, Sullivan turned the air conditioning vents in the baby’s direction so the air would cool the child.

I was nervous because I have never had to professionally treat a sick child before, Sullivan said. “(He) did not cry at all in the vehicle but his eyes rolled in the back of his head and I thought ‘oh my goodness he is starting to die on me.’”

By the time the patrol made its way to the Balad Air Base hospital the staff was already waiting for them when the vehicles pulled up. The Air Force medical staff treated the child by putting a feeding tube into him to replenish lost fluids. After a while the baby regained its strength and was in stable enough condition to be released. A civilian liaison with the Iraqi hospital in Balad was called and the child was released to hospital care.

White credits the success of the rescue to the members of his patrol, not just himself and Sullivan.

In all this mess of arresting people, killing people and getting blown up, finally something good has come out of it, Smith said. Hopefully as a result, God will bless us for the next few months we are here.

The baby was reunited with his mother June 19. The mother of the child told Iraqi Police she left the child in her daughter’s care. The daughter was carrying the baby on the road near the LSA when she was chased by wild dogs and left the baby so she could run faster, according to reports given to Capt. Lance Awbrey, commander, Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery.

A Soldier from the 230th Military Police Company secures the runway area of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, during Exercise Vigilant Star. Photo by Senior Airman Chris Willis.

Hunting Murderers

COALITION FORCES TRACK DOWN TERRORISTS RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING MND-B SOLDIERS

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894;
FAX: (813) 827-2211;

Release Date: 6/26/2006
Release Number: 06-06-02PE
Description: Editor’s note – this provides additional information beyond that which was provided in press release 20060620-01. A clarification to that release – the one KIA mentioned during the search was Spec. Babineau. No other Soldiers died during the search efforts. The information in this release will be briefed in detail by MG Thurman at the press conference tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq – While military medical examiners officially confirmed the identities of two Soldiers found dead near Yusufiaya Thursday, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces intensified efforts to track down and bring to justice the terrorists responsible for murdering three Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops June 16.

Spec. David J. Babineau was killed during an attack on a three-man security team manning a checkpoint before the terrorists overwhelmed the position, taking Pfc. Kristian Menchaca and Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker to an unknown location and later killing them.

The attack occurred south of Yusufiyah where the Soldiers were guarding a canal crossing next to the Euphrates River.

Within one hour of the attack, the immediate area was cordoned off by both air and ground forces and search operations began.

A combined and joint force of more than 8,000 Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces assembled to take part in the search. The force included three MND-B brigade combat teams, Iraqi army, national and local police, adjacent units from Multi-National Force – West, Navy and Air Force aircraft and other Coalition Forces.

The Coalition and ISF used all available resources including, air, ground and water to locate the Soldiers. While Air Force para-rescue dive teams searched the canals, engineers patrolled the Euphrates River and Coalition unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters patrolled from the sky.

Twenty-five military operations were conducted, including 11 air assault missions. More than 12 villages and an old power plant were searched. In the massive effort to locate the missing Soldiers, 12 CF Soldiers were wounded.

Six caches were discovered. Two of the weapons caches were found in the power plant. Some of the contraband found in the caches included a suicide vest, gun powder, plastic explosives with detonation cord, grenades, AK-47s, and homemade rocket launchers with several rockets.

Throughout the process, Iraqi citizens from across Baghdad provided almost 80 tips, which were all investigated. Coalition Soldiers engaged local religious, community and political leaders to maintain support and gain information.

In an attempt to thwart the search effort, the enemy conducted a series of harassing attacks with improvised-explosive devices and indirect fire, all of which failed to stop the search. Ten IEDs detonated and 17 were found by searchers before detonation.

Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces detained 36 suspected anti-Iraqi forces involved in the murders and killed two enemy fighters. Coalition Forces surged interrogation operations around-the-clock for three days while the search for the Soldiers continued.

Acting on a tip from a local Iraqi tribal leader and another one from a detainee, MND-B Soldiers discovered the two sets of remains June 19 at approximately 7:50 p.m. next to a road near the village of Mufaraji, northwest of Yusufiyah. The local Iraqi also informed the Soldiers to watch for explosives.

To ensure the safety of the Soldiers, the commander established security and cordoned the area to wait until daylight to approach the bodies. An explosive ordnance disposal team arrived on site to clear the route.

At first light, the engineers cleared the route up to the site of the bodies, fighting their way through three roadside bombs in the process.

The two bodies, severely traumatized, were found bound together with an IED between one of the Soldiers' legs. The engineers successfully cleared the IED and the surrounding area to allow recovery of the remains.

The remains were airlifted to a Coalition morgue near Baghdad International Airport by 8:25 a.m. Tuesday before they were sent to Dover Air Force Base, Del.

A formal investigation has been directed by Maj. Gen. James
D. Thurman, the commanding general of MND-B, to determine the facts surrounding the attack on the Soldiers.

Two Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists were killed in this operation, to include a senior AQI lieutenant.

The search continues for additional terrorists responsible for the barbaric attack. Forty detainees from previous operations have been interrogated about their connection with individuals linked to the murder of the Soldiers. Of the 36 detainees taken during the search, 13 are providing intelligence of value to the Coalition. Military specialists have conducted more than 92 interrogations. Two of the detainees have admitted to being Al Qaeda members and were captured in the vicinity of the remains.

"Precision direct action operations will continue as a result of the intelligence gleaned from those detained and the information gained from increased operations south of Baghdad," said Thurman. "MND-B, with the ISF, will continue to actively target terrorists and criminals who operate outside of the rule of law."


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS NCO IN CHARGE, MASTER SGT ERIC LOBSINGER

PREFLIGHT CHECKS — U.S. Air Force Capt. Matthew Polus conducts preflight checks on a U.S. Navy EA-6B Prowler aircraft before taking off from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 15, 2006. Polus is an electronic countermeasures officer with the "Wizards" of Electronic Attack Squadron 133. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Ferguson

In Today's News - Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Quote of the Day
"We are quite confident that the Iranians, through their covert special operations forces, are providing weapons, [improvised explosives device] technology, and training to Shiia extremists groups in Iraq. They are using surrogates to conduct terrorist operations in Iraq, both against us and against the Iraqi people. It is decidedly unhelpful."
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq,
in a June 22, 2006 interview.


News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Sunnis Endorse Iraqi Amnesty Plan
Tribunal: 2nd Saddam trial to open Aug. 21

Homeland Security / War on Terror
U.S. official: Tough to shut Guantanamo
Possible terror threat closes Calif. port
Hamas, Fatah Plan Recognizes Israel
Militants Acknowledge Israeli Kidnap
Israel masses forces for threatened Gaza offensive - Video
Israeli soldier held in a 'secure place'
Miami plot suspects entrapped: lawyers

Other Military News
Fighter Jets Collide
War Equipment Costs Expected to Triple Next Year

Worldwide Wackos
Iran's Supreme Leader Shoots Down Nuke Talks With U.S.
Khamenei dismisses Iran-US talks - Video
South Korea urges China to sway North Korea - Video

Politics / Government
Bush ignores laws he inks, vexing Congress
Bush slams leak of terror financing info
Study shows US electronic voting machines vulnerable
Rice in Pakistan on anti-Taliban mission

In the Courts
Court hears gay marriage challenge

U.N. News
Iraq violence displaces 150,000: UN

Oddities
Teen burns down house over test grades
Americans' circle of close friends shrinking
Twinkie Burritos? Twinkie Lasagna?
Half-ton Mexican man loses 200 pounds

Other News of Note
Limbaugh Detained for Improperly Prescribed Viagra
Rescued From the Rubble - Nine saved, one killed in building fall
Top Internet Providers Hope To Combat Child Porn

Fox News
Lightning Sparks New Nev. Fires; Ariz. Blaze Spreads
D.C. Braces for More Rains
Lawyers for 'Railroad Killer' Seek Halt to Execution
Consortium to Buy Univision
World Cup: 2nd Round to End
Photo Essay: World Cup Fever
FULL CUP COVERAGE
Rowling Says Two Characters Will Die in Final 'Harry Potter'
Stocks to Watch: GM- 35,000 Workers Take Buyouts

Reuters: Top News
Computers break down less often: survey
Google's online pay service to test this week: report
Sex, lies, videotape and death in the West Bank
Europe has much riding aboard US space shuttle
Coffee drinking may lower diabetes risk
Sexual orientation of men determined before birth
Campbell named in second assault case in NY
Guns n' Roses frontman held in Stockholm over brawl
GM says overall auto sales weaker than projected
Consumer confidence edges higher in June
Takeda gets global rights to Affymax anaemia drug
Matav says shareholders approve cable acquisitions
Univision accepts $12.3 bln Saban-led bid
Stocks inch higher
DuPont shares fall on Inet
Palm shares rise on Inet
Tribune shares rise on Inet
Univision shares rise on Inet
Real estate terror insurance
On the Radar: Coach sales

AP World News
Hingis, Henin-Hardenne win at Wimbledon
Snake on Borneo island can change color
2nd round to conclude at World Cup today
Indians start series with win over Cards
Oregon State wins College World Series
Ukraine advances to soccer quarterfinals
Mid-Atlantic region braces for more rain

Military.com
VA Asks for More Money
Senate Vote on Flag Burning may be Close
Better-Armored Humvees Saving Lives
Future Combat System May Gain Weight

CENTCOM: News Releases
AFGHAN, COLAITION FORCES CONDUCT RAID IN URUZGAN

ANP, COALITIOIN FORCES RECOVER IED

COALITION SOLDIER KILLED IN KUNAR PROVINCE

JUNE 27 DETAINEE RELEASE

CCCI CONVICTS 10 INSURGENTS

CFC-A DISCUSSES 'AFGHAN FIRST' PROGRAM

SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS SELF, INJURES INNOCENT CIVILIANS

SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS SELF, INJURIES INNOCENT CIVILIANS

COALITION FORCES DETAIN 14 TERRORISTS

COALITION FORCES DETAIN 11 TERRORISTS

COALITION FORCES KILL ONE TERRORIST, DETAIN FIVE OTHERS

COALITION FORCES KILL TWO TERRORISTS

TALIBAN MAKES SECOND FALSE CLAIM OF DOWNING U.S. HELICOPTER

TWO SOLDIERS CHARGED

IRAQI FORCES CAPTURE IED CELL MEMBERS IN BAGHDAD

EXTREMISTS' EXPLOSION DEVASTATES MOSQUE, YOUNG LIVES

AFGHAN, COALITION FORCES CONDUCT ATTACKS

COALITION FORCES DETAIN FIVE SUSPECTED TERRORISTS NEAR TIKRIT, JUNE 24

IRAQI FORCES CAPTURE INSURGENT LEADER IN AD DIWANIYAH

AFGHAN, COALITION FORCES CONDUCT ATTACKS, KILL AN ESTIMATED 65 EXTREMISTS

Department of Defense
Water Treatment Plant Opens - Story

ON THE GROUND
Soldiers Train to Exit Overturned Humvee - Story
84th Engineers Improve Camp Bucca Security - Story
Balad Air Base Paves Way to the Future
Medical Assistance Team Visits Afghan Villages - Story

IN IRAQ
Medics Always On Call, Ready to Provide Aid
Marines Nab Insurgents, Train Iraqi Troops
New Fire Department Opens in Husseniya
Marines, Insurgents Clash in Recent Firefights
Airmen Train Soldiers for Protection Mission
Iraqis Take Lead in Northern Baghdad Region

IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Soldiers Train as Medics
Agriculture Day in Afghan Province Brings Hope
C-130 Crew Evacuates Wounded Afghan Girl
Uruzgan Governor Visits District

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (PDF)
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

CASUALTIES
Defense 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

Gitmo

Today in History
1847
- NYC and Boston are first linked by telegraph wires.
1862 - Day 3 of the 7 Days - Battle of Gaines' Mill.
1864 - Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
1929 - NYC sees the first demonstration of a color TV.
1934 - Federal Savings & Loan Association is created.
1942 - The FBI captures eight Nazi saboteurs from a sub off the coast of Long Island.
1944 - The Allies capture Cherbourg, France.
1950 - The UN Security Council calls on members to send troops to aid South Korea; President Truman orders the Air Force and Navy into Korea; the U.S. sends 35 military advisors to South Vietnam.
1954 - Near Moscow, the first atomic power station opens; CIA-sponsored rebels overthrow the government of Guatemala.
1962 - NASA civilian pilot Joseph Walker takes the X-15 to 6,606 kph, 37,700 m.
1963 - USAF Major Robert A. Rushworth reaches 86,900 m in the X-15.
1973 - John W. Dean testifies in front of the Watergate Committee.
1977 - A 5-4 Supreme Court decision allows lawyers to advertise.
1978 - Soyuz 30 carries two cosmonauts to the Salyut 6 space station; the first oceanographic satellite, the U.S. Seasat 1, is launched into polar orbit.
1982 - The fourth Space Shuttle Mission (Columbia 4) launches.
1983 - NASA launches the space vehicle S-205; the Soyuz T-9 carries two cosmonauts to the Salyut 7 space station.
1984 - The Supreme Court ends the NCAA monopoly on college football telecasts.
1986 - The U.S. informs New Zealand it will not defend it against attack; the World Court rules U.S. aid to Nicaraguan contras illegal.
1987 - Supreme Court Justice Powell retires

Birthdays
1462 - King Louis XII (the Just) of France
1550 - King Charles IX of France
1682 - King Charles XII of Sweden
1880 - Helen Keller blind-deaf author/lecturer
1900 - Otto E. Passman (Rep-LA,)
1927 - Bob Keeshan (aka Capt Kangaroo/Clarabelle the Clown)
1937 - Joseph P. Allen IV, Ph. D. /astronaut (STS-5, STS 51A)
1938 - Bruce E. Babbitt (Gov-AL)
1951 - Sidney M. Gutierrez, Major USAF/astronaut (STS 40)

Passings
1829
- James Smithson, whose will established the Smithsonian Institute

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Jackson, Carl E., USAF (LA); C123 shot down; KIA, body not recovered

Roth, Billie L., USAF (IL); C123 shot down; KIA, body not recovered

1966
Smith, Gene A., USN (UT); A4E shot down; remains returned March, 1989

1968
Giammerino, Vincent F., US Army (NY); disappeared while on patrol

1969
Jablonski, Michael J., US Army (IL); drowned in river while on patrol, body not recovered
1972
Baker, David E., USAF (NY); O2A shot down, released by PRG February, 1973, retired as a Brig. General - alive and well as of 1998 - *** Veteran of Desert Storm (F-15E)***

Cerak, John P., USAF (NJ); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998

Dingee, David B., USAF (CT); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973, retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Francis, Richard L., USAF (OK); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973, retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Hanton, Thomas J., USAF (CA); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998 - *** Veteran of Desert Storm (AWACS / EC-130H) ***

McDow, Richard H., USAF (AL); F4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973, retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive and well as of 1998 ***Veteran of Desert Storm (A-10) ***

Sullivan, Farrell J., USAF (TX); F4E shot down, remains returned June, 1983

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