Soldiers from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, representing 44 different states, stand in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 family members and friends during an official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

Members of the color guard pass a formation of soldiers from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade during an official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006.U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

Members of the color guard stand at attention during an official send-off ceremony for the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

A formation of UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters passes overhead during an official send-off ceremony for the soldiers of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, commander of the 1st U.S. Army, speaks to the soldiers of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade and their family members and friends during an official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

U.S. Army Col. Vernon A. Sevier Jr., left, commander of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Command Sgt. Maj. Bradley Brandt, right, fold the brigade’s flag to prepare it for deployment to Iraq during an official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

A soldier from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade greets a family member, who is a World War II veteran, after the completion of the official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

A soldier from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade holds her daughter after the completion of the official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

Curious about today's Day-By-Day strip, featuring Hez's business cards?

Inoperable Terran has them, but notes that they originally came from LGF.

And (ain't technology grand) you can now make your own:

Just download and photoshop away - my efforts coming later.

MEDEVAC MISSION — U.S. Army UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter pilots deployed to the 1st Forward Support Medical Team prepare for a medical evacuation mission near Tal Afar, Iraq, July 30, 2006. The pilots are assigned to the 542nd Medical Company (Air Ambulance) out of Fort Campbell, Ky. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey

News of Note
Israel at War
House-to-House Fighting in Tyre
U.S. Sees Challenges to Cease-Fire
Israel warns residents of Sidon
Israel kills 5 in Gaza: medics
British marchers urge end to Lebanon war
Lebanese families torn apart by war
Missiles neutralizing Israeli tanks
U.S., France OK U.N. Mideast truce pact
Israel Renews Attacks on Beirut Suburbs

Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq Bomb Blasts Wound 8
U.S. enforcements arrive in Baghdad

Operation Enduring Freedom
NATO Soldier Killed, 3 Hurt in Afghanistan

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Radioisotope treatment can trigger airport alarms
No evidence commanders lied over 9/11: report
Book: Sept. 11 panel doubted Pentagon
9/11 demolition work suspended for 1 day

Troops on Trial
Marine accused in Haditha may expand libel suit

Other Military News
Park brings kids, disabled GIs together

Worldwide Wackos
Fearing U.S. attack, Cuba readies troops (Can you say, "delusions of grandeur"?)
Rice Urges Cubans Not to Flee
Cuba dismisses US call for democracy - Video

Politics / Government
Senator pins Lieberman hope on primary

Mother Nature
Chicago Church Wants Katrina Victim, Kids Out of Parsonage
New evacuations ordered for El Paso
Philippine officials: Volcano may erupt

News from My Neck of the Woods
Romney: Tunnel to reopen after review

Oddities
Abusing their power by abusing their power...
Charity wants people to lend a hand...
Miami Cemetery Sued Over 5,460 'Lost' Bodies
Calif. Teacher Admits Molesting 100-Plus Pupils
Youth Soccer Coach Arrested For Alleged Rape of Teen

Other News of Note
Arizona police arrest two in serial shooter case
Ariz. Cops Tied Map, Shells to Serial Killings
Video: Suspects Arrested

Fox News
2 Brothers Arrested in New Orleans Quadruple Shooting
Jobless Rate at 5-Month High
Police Stun-Gun Pistons Center Dale Davis
Man Charged With Running Over, Killing Niece
Landis Fails Backup Test
No. 2 sample confirms adverse results

Reuters: Top News
Sri Lankan rebels halt offensive
Ethiopian delegation arrives in Somalia
Darfur rebels halt peace work
Arizona police arrest two in serial shooter case
US, France close to deal on UN Mideast resolution
Closer study of H5N1 strains needed, expert says
Tropical Storm Chris downgraded to depression
Record labels sue LimeWire
ABC prime-time Webcasts here to stay: Disney
"Hungry Ghost" month deals double blow to Asian business
Alcohol contributes substantially to cancer burden
Gibson arrest brings new lawyer to team
"Four Weddings" star MacDowell happy as mother-hen
Investors want Fed to pause - now
Emmis CEO withdraws going-private offer
Stocks fall on slowdown fears - Video
Apple shares fall on more options irregularities
DreamWorks shares rally on earnings
XM, Sirius in tune on ads
The Reuters Select wrap-up
Employees unionize Chinese Wal-Mart
Little summer savings that add up
Get ready for the Medicare crunch
Milberg Weiss files fewer cases after indictment
Deals continue despite stock options probes
Airlines face fare headwinds as demand stalls
Scottish Re shares rise after earnings, call
Jean Coutu profit sags
SanDisk to buy Msystems for $1.55 bln
Three billionaires seek to buy L.A. Times

AP World News
Gov't adding fruits, veggies to WIC list
Delta seeks to end pilots' pension plan
Academy: '44 Oscar up for auction a fake
Leno to sub for film critic Roger Ebert
Bonds ejected; Rockies clear field
Beams reveal Archimedes' hidden writings
Utley's streak ends, but Phillies win
Colon probably done for the season
Proposals abound for Mel Gibson healing
Red Sox get Javy Lopez from Orioles
Ex-officer sues L.A. police chief
Obituaries in the news

Military.com
National Guard Stiffs Soldiers (Massachusetts)
Vietnam Vets Center Wins Approval
Senate Opposes Military Hunting Plan
McCain: Major DoD Budget Crunch Looms

CENTCOM: News Releases
MEDICAL TEAMS EDUCATE AND TREAT PANJAB AND WARAS VILLAGERS

COALITION FORCES CAPTURE 6 TERRORIST SUSPECTS

COALITION FORCES WOUND 1 SUSPECTED TERRORIST, CAPTURE 8 OTHERS

COALITION FORCE CAPTURE 3 TERRORISTS AND 10 OTHER SUSPECTS

COALITION FORCES CONDUCT STRIKES IN BAGHDAD

AFGHAN, COALITION FORCES KILL 25 TALIBAN EXTREMISTS IN COUNTER-TERRORISM MISSION

INSURGENT MORTAR ATTACK NEAR IRAQ-SYRIA BORDER TOWN KILLS THREE IRAQI CIVILIANS; INJURIES NINE OTHERS

COALITION FORCES PROVIDE OPERATION MOUNTAIN THRUST SUMMARY

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Insurgent Attack Kills Iraqis - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Aviation Brigade Called for Duty in Iraq - Story - Photos
Djiboutian Military Police Visit Camp - Story
Iraqi Police Focus on Security in Doura - Story

IN IRAQ
Iraqis, Marines Work to Improve Security
New Hospital to Treat Detainees, Soldiers

IN AFGHANISTAN
Munitions, Weapons Airmen Secure Bombs
Air Force Specialists Keep Planes in Flight

IN DJIBOUTI
Exercise Focuses on Crisis Response
U.S., French Marines Train in Desert

IN KENYA
Volunteers Help Task Force with Health Visit

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
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

Gitmo

Today in History
1264 - Anti-Jewish riots break out in Arnstadt, Germany.
1861 - The U.S. Army abolishes flogging.
1861 - The U.S. levies its first Income Tax (3% on income over $800)
1864 - During the Battle of Mobile Bay, AL, Admiral David Farragut gives the order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
1884 - The cornerstone for Statue of Liberty is laid.
1914 - In Cleveland, the first traffic light is installed; The U.S. and Nicaragua sign a treaty granting canal rights to U.S.
1923 - Henry Sullivan becomes the first American to swim the English Channel.
1924 - The "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip debuts.
1936 - In Berlin, Jesse Owens wins his third Olympic medal.
1937 - The U.S. Ranger beats England's Endeavour II in the 17th America's Cup.
1945 - The Atom Bomb is dropped on Hiroshima (Aug 6th in Japan).
1953 - In Operation "Big Switch" Korean War prisoners are exchanged at Panmunjom.
1960 - Upper Volta gains independence from France.
1962 - Nelson Mandela is arrested for incitement and illegally leaving South Africa.
1963 - The U.S., Britain, and the U.S.S.R. sign a nuclear test ban treaty.
1964 - The U.S. begins bombing North Vietnam.
1966 - Martin Luther King Jr is pelted with stones during a Chicago march.
1969 - Mariner 7 flies past Mars.
1973 - The U.S.S.R. launches Mars 6.
1981 - President Regan fires 11,500 air traffic controllers, two days into their strike.
1985 - Larry Tudor sets a flexible-wing glider altitude record (214,250').
1988 - Mario Biaggi (Rep-NY) resigns his seat after his conviction for racketeering

Holidays
Iran - Constitution Day

Birthdays
1749 - Thomas Lynch, signer of the Declaration of Independence
1860 - Joseph Carey Merrick, the "Elephant Man"
1908 - Harold Holt, PM of Australia (1966-67), supporter of U.S. efforts in Vietnam
1923 - Richard Kleindienst, attorney general (1972)
1930 - Neil Armstrong, X-15 pilot, first Moonwalker (Gemini 8, Apollo 11)
1941 - Leonid D. Kizim, cosmonaut (Soyuz T-3, T-10, T-15)

Passings
1959 - Edgar Guest, newspaperman
1961 - Sir Sidney Holland, PM of New Zealand (1949-57)
1962 - Marilyn Monroe, movie star, found dead of apparent self-inflicted drug overdose

Reported Missing in Action
1964
Alvarez, Everett, USN (CA); A4C shot down, released by DRV February, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998 - first USN aviator POW in Vietnam

Sather, Richard C., USN (CA); A1H shot down, remains returned August, 1985 - first USN aviator KIA in Vietnam