IRAQ WAR TODAY
Keep Your Helmet On!




Be A Part of a Tribute to Fallen Heroes - Help Build the Fallen Soldiers' Bike
Help support the families of our deployed Heroes - Visit Soldiers' Angels' Operation Outreach
Help Our Heroes Help Others - Click Here to visit SOS: KIDS
Nominate your Hero for IWT's "Hero of the Month" - click here for details!
Search Iraq War Today only

Friday, May 18, 2007


Lt. Gen. James Mattis, the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, speaks to Marines from Marine Wing Support Group 27 at Al Asad, May 6. The visit was one of many stops for Mattis during his stay aboard Al Asad. Photo by: Cpl. Zachary Dyer, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD), 05/18/2007



Read the story associated with this photo

Labels: , , , , ,

Tribal leaders continue to unite across Diyala

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070517-01

May 17, 2007

Multinational Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – As Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces continue to provide security and stability throughout Diyala Province, Iraq, many tribal leaders are also uniting to bring peace and stand up against al-Qaida in Iraq.

After a peace agreement was signed between the paramount sheiks of the Karki and Shimouri tribes April 30, other tribal leaders have gathered throughout the region to do the same – provide peace and protection for their people and their lands.

At the Al Abarrah Iraq Army compound, local leaders gathered May 10 to pave a way ahead for peace between some of the rival villages and gain a commitment toward a unified stand against al-Qaida while supporting the government. The leaders also focused on the establishment of a police force in Zaganiyah.

“We’re beginning to have real success in the area,” said Capt. Michael Few, A Company, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment commander, who is attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “As long as we can continue these talks, there is hope for the people of Diyala.”

Sheik Ahmed Azziz, Sistan’s representative in Diyala, led the meeting and clearly stated success will not be achievable unless the tribes unite against terrorist groups throughout Diyala. He encouraged the leaders to push their past aside and talk about how they will secure the city for themselves.

The meeting resulted in five Sunni and five Shia volunteering for an Iraqi police hiring committee to work on the recruiting of local police.

Ahmed also encouraged the leaders to agree upon eight key points to include returning displaced families to the area, opening an IP station in Zaganiyah, securing the area under government supervision, turning to the ISF for assistance, protecting government institutions, committing to fight terrorists without sectarianism and be honest with one another.

“The key message is that issues must be resolved in the political realm, not with acts of violence and intimidation,” Few added.

The leaders will continue to meet to work out grievances and agree upon a peace agreement.

“I am anxious to see this region enjoy a future free of sectarian strife,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Poppas, 5-73 Cav. commander, “These positive engagements where each element openly discuss issues which effect the community as a whole and where their issues are received in a manner of understanding provides great promise.”

Also in Diyala, tribal leaders from the Ambugiya and Ubadie tribes have also begun a series of tribal meetings designed to resolve conflicts between villages from Khalis to Dali Abbas.

The leaders have been meeting with provincial and security force leaders to determine how to resolve their differences, stating terrorists must be eliminated from the province and are pledging to eliminate terrorist activity from their lands.

Further meetings are also planned between the Amugiya and Ubadie tribes to reconcile differences and sign an official peace agreement.


FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH AT: tflightning.pao-AT-us.army.mil

Labels: , , , , , ,

Nations at Combined Endeavor combat cyberspace security
Tech. Sgt. Wendee Marshall observes Scott Thomas (sitting) and Quintin Quinn as they build a tool to share data among nations during the Combined Endeavor 2007 exercise held in Baumholder, Germany. Combined Endeavor is the largest security cooperation and communications and information systems military exercise in the world, with more than 1,200 military and civilian personnel from 42 countries and two multinational organizations. Sergeant Marshall is assigned to the 1st Combat Communications Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Labels: , , , ,

Now, This is a Surprise...

Apparently, my leadership style resembles...



Robert E. Lee!
Photo: Robert E. Lee
National Archives

Biography:
Robert E. Lee was the legendary commander of the Confederate forces in the Civil War. Against overwhelming odds, Lee scored victory after victory against the Union forces led by seven different generals. Famous battles include: 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, and — possibly his greatest performance — Chancellorsville. Outnumbered two to one, Lee broke with convention and divided his forces not once but twice — ultimately driving the Federal army under Joseph Hooker from the field.

Leadership Attributes:
Personally, General Lee was reserved and seemed enigmatic to his men. But on the battlefield he was daring and audacious, as at Chancellorsville, where he divided his troops in the face of greater opposing forces. His diplomatic skills were as well-honed as his generalship. For example, in his early role as presidential adviser to Jefferson Davis, he tried to ease the difficult personalities of Confederacy President Jefferson Davis and General Joseph E. Johnston.


So Which Historical Military Leader Are You Most Like?

Take the quiz at Military.com

Labels: , ,


SUPPLY MISSION — U.S. Army soldiers from Task Force Chosen, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and Afghan National police officers walk to a village outside of the Paruns District Center to conduct a medical capabilities program and hand out humanitarian assistance supplies in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, May 4, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Isaac A. Graham

Labels: , , , , , , ,

In Today's News - Friday, May 18, 2007

Quote of the Day
"If [America] forgets where she came from,
if the people lose sight of what brought them along,
if she listens to the deniers and mockers,
then will begin the rot and dissolution."

-- Carl Sandburg

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iranian, U.S. officials meet in Iraq on May 28
Dems meet with Bush staff on war measure
U.S. maintains hope for 3 missing GIs
Stolen Dog Tags Hinder Search for GIs
2 Iraqi Journalists Working for ABC News Killed in Ambush

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Islamophobia: Terror at Its Worst? (I'm not sure if I should laugh, scream, or throw up...)
U.K. in Talks With Bin Laden Aide to Win Reporter's Freedom
Israeli Strikes on Hamas Kill 4 - PHOTOS - VIDEO
"Web site" baffles Internet terrorism trial judge - Video (Houston, we have a problem...)
House demands plan for Guantanamo detainees (I've got a plan...most of it involves moving the troops off of the base, and sinking Gitmo, complete with murdering terrorist thugs, into the sea...any takers?)
New Jersey suspect in army attack plot denied bail
Senators want CIA to release 9/11 report
Expert: 7 Padilla prints found on form

Other Military News
Pentagon defends move to block Web sites
Military.com Op-ed: Our Youngest Hero
White House Fights Proposed Pay Raise (NOT cool)
Alert: Military Pay Improvement Act
Navy Sued Over Sonar Drills
Pentagon Redeploys Troops With PTSD
Veterans Center Opens in San Marcos

Homegrown Moonbats
'God Hates the World': New Outrage From Group That Pickets GI Funerals
SPEAKOUT! (Fox News) (These people are just getting to be so insane they're laughable)
A Taste of His Own Medicine? (Al Sharpton)

Politics / Government
In Farewell Visit, Blair Defends Iraq Action
Dems Plan No-Confidence Vote on Gonzales
Bush-Blair summit yields no regrets over Iraq tie - Video
Al Gore says he's out of love with politics
Sarkozy to unveil new French government
Blair, Clinton enter fray of tense Irish election
White House: Myanmar "brutal," wants Suu Kyi freed
Congress passes $2.9 trillion 2008 budget
Focus on Family leader says 'no' to Rudy
House backs ban on F-14 parts for Iran (Another good call.)
Giuliani, Edwards have Sudan holdings

Illegal Immigration / Border Control
Immigration Deal Reached - VIDEO
Proposal Seeks to Legalize Immigrant Farm Workers
Illegals Arrange for Child Care If Parents Get Detained
Tears, caution on news of immigration deal

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
'Secret Chamber' in Maddie Case - PHOTOS
Missing girl saga prompts fear, debate
Missing Mom Had Been Trying to Oust Hubby
Missing Cop Mystery: Clues Found in Rags
Spector Denies Killing Actress in Video - VIDEO
'Cookie-Spat Vanishing' Father Indicted
Two Texas Sheriff's Deputies Killed
Cyclist's Trial Veers Into Blackmail
N.Y. attorney general sues Dell

U.N. News
U.S., UK, France distribute UN draft on Lebanon court

Science / Medicine / Technology
Toddler survives smallpox vaccine reaction

Mother Nature
West Nile killing off beloved U.S. birds: study
Mexican baby killer whale in tug of love
U.S. says no shift in climate change stance
Dog nurses Tiger triplets at China zoo

Oddities
Spring Thaw Brings Out Nudity in Small Vermont Town
Lotto Rejects $500,000 Payment After Misprint
Pub in Trouble Over Bathroom Sign Deception
Label law set to put "Italian" back in olive oil
X-rated nude car wash gets police all-clear - Video
Man in deep doo-doo over ticket protest

Other News of Note
Wolfowitz Ends Battle, Will Quit World Bank
129,000 Pounds of Beef Recalled Over E. Coli
Deadly Collision
'Bloomberg Gun Giveaway' draws hundreds

Fox News
NEWS IN PICTURES: The Day in Photos
Melinda Eliminated From 'American Idol' in Shocking Twist
Avril Lavigne Strips and Still Slams Britney Spears
Seinfeld 'Buzz'es Cannes 'Bee-ch'
Paris Hilton Drops Her Appeal After Jail Sentence Cut in Half

Reuters: Top News
Reaction to Wolfowitz's resignation
Iraq legacy dogged Wolfowitz
Wolfowitz's turbulent career
April video game sales rose 20 percent
Video games giant sees battle in Europe
Topless Britney Spears thanks fans for prayers
Stroke leaves Bo Diddley struggling to communicate
Indexes dip as rate-cut hopes fade - Video
Dollar near 3-month high vs. yen
Oil surges to $70 on U.S. gasoline concerns
Intuit shares rise after results
Autodesk shares rise after revs beat estimates
OPEC happy with $60-$65 crude
Global funds to be big winners in China
Kohl's, Nordstrom, Penney net tops estimates
GE close to finalizing plastics sale: report
Wall St. scrambles as court bans fee-based accounts
Blackstone to buy Alliance Data for $6.76 billion
Music, video phones may ride iPhone wave
Manufacturing, claims data support steady rates

AP World News
Red Sox sweep doubleheader with Tigers
Mets rally for 5 in the 9th to stun Cubs
LA DA: Lohan won't be charged with theft
Stocks retreat after mixed economic data
Economy may slow this summer, data show
Series set in post-Katrina New Orleans
Carmona blanks Twins for his 1st shutout

Military.com
Play Trivia, Win an iPod
New Must-Have Benefits Guide
Podcast: Colby Buzzell's War
SpouseBUZZ: The Grass Isn't Greener
Def Tech: They Used to Shoot at Us
President to Commission ROTC Cadets
Rank, Experience Not Mutually Exclusive
Ugly Angels Celebrate Their History
Op-Ed Turkey on the Table
Veterans Eagle Parks Pass Act
Military Report: Benefits Updates

CENTCOM: News Releases
IRAQI SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES DETAIN SUSPECTED TERRORIST LEADER IN BASRAH MULTI-NATIONAL CORPS
SEARCH FOR MISSING SOLDIERS CONTINUES
SOLDIERS CONDUCTING SEARCH OPERATIONS - B ROLL TROOPS LOOK FOR MISSING COMRADES SOUTH OF BAGHDAD
AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR MAY 14
AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR MAY 15
FOUR TERRORISTS KILLED, 30 SUSPECTS DETAINED IN OVERNIGHT RAIDS
IRAQI AIR FORCE PERFORMS DOUBLE PATIENT TRANSFER
RASHID CLEARING CONTINUES: COMBINED FORCE SEIZES CACHES, DETAINS INSURGENTS
COALITION FORCES PURSUE INSURGENTS IN SANGIN DISTRICT

USJFCOM
Unmanned vehicle management system capability under evaluation - podcast
USJFCOM and Microsoft announce cooperative research and development agreement - podcast
More about CRADAS
U.S. Joint Forces Command modeling and simulation division wins award - podcast
Liveblogging: Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Conference 2007

DefenseLink
U.S.-U.K. Relationship Key to World Peace
Gates Commissions Cadets at White House
Photo Essay: White House Commissioning Ceremony
Video: White House Commissioning Ceremony
Gates Cites Troops’ Tenacity in Message
Security Cooperation Critical to Stability
Iraq Industrial Revitalization Continues to Grow
Officials to Implement Guard, Reserve Changes
‘Surge’ Moves Forward, Search Efforts Continue
Forces Detain Suspects in Search for Missing Troops

More Headline News
Officials ID Dead, Missing Soldiers from Ambush
U.S. Military in Busy, Challenging Time
Lute to Coordinate Efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan
Oklahoma Guard Arrives for Humanitarian Mission

Military News
National Guardsmen Help Battle Wildfires
23 Officers to Join Army at White House Ceremony
Airmen Strengthen Kyrgyzstan Ties with Project
National Guard Units Respond to U.S. Wildfires
USNS Shasta Rescues Five After Fire Strikes Cargo Ship

War on Terror
Army Works to Identify Soldier
Al Qaeda Chief Foe of Anbar
Troops Detain Suspects
Coalition Detains 30 Suspects
Residents Receive Medical Care

America Supports You
Military Golf Program
DVD Drive for Troops
Group Shows Gratitude
Packages Provide Comfort

Transformation
New Tactical Vehicle Rolls Out
Navy Names New Destroyers
Hangar Aids Painters' Capabilities
Newest Fighters Arrive at Langley
Channel Focuses on Technology

Face of Defense
Doc to Join Medical Corps
Sailor Shares Iraq Experiences
Doc Receives Honor
Engineer With ‘Can Do’ Spirit

DefendAmerica
NEWS UPDATES
Official: Iraq Industrial Revitalization Continues to Grow - Story

ON THE GROUND
Air Cavalry Offers 24-hour Support During Search - Story
Tribal Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Unity - Story
Task Force Showers Orphans With Supplies - Story
Coalition Forces Diffuse Soviet–era Bomb - Story

IN IRAQ
Army Brigade Readys Helo for Medical Missions
Troops Test Their Chemical Training in Iraq
Injured Iraqis Recover With Aid from U.S. Military
Iraqi Air Force Performs Double-Patient Transfer
Baghdad Residents Get Free Medical Care
An Nasiriyah Prison Supports Iraqi Security
Romanian Soldiers Unite with Americans in Iraq
Unit Works to Secure Baghdad’s Haifa Street

IN DJIBOUTI
Liaison Officer Builds Cohesive Relationship
Djiboutian Institute of Arts Embraces Americans

IN AFGHANISTAN
U.S. Airmen Mentor Afghan Depot Personnel
Anthrax Vaccine Becomes Mandatory for Some

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
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report
'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: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

Weather
Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Germany
Ansbach Aschaffenburg Berlin Berlin-Tempelhof Berlin/Schonefeld Bremerhaven
Darmstadt Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Freiburg/Breisgau Garmisch
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Geilenkirchen Gelnhausen Giessen Kitzingen
Hanau Am Main Heidelberg Mainz Mannheim Nurnberg Stuttgart Trier
Wiesbaden Wurzburg

Gitmo

Guam
Agana Agana Heights Agat Andersen AFB Asan Barrigada

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

Japan
Kadena Air Base Okinawa Tokyo Yokohama

Today in History
1096 - Crusaders massacre Jews at Worm.
1631 - John Winthrop is elected as the first governor of Massachusetts.
1652 - Rhode Island enacts the first law declaring slavery illegal.
1756 - England declares war on France.
1803 - England declares war on France...again.
1804 - Napoleon Bonaparte is proclaimed Emperor of France.
1830 - Edwin Budding signs an agreement for manufacture of his invention, the lawn mower.
1860 - The Republican Party nominates Abraham Lincoln for presiden.
1861 - Battle of Sewall's Point, VA (The first Federal offense against the CSA).
1863 - Siege of Vicksburg, MS.
1864 - Battle of Yellow Bayou, LA (Bayou de Glaize / Old Oaks).
1896 - The U.S. Supreme court affirms the "separate but equal" policy (Plessy v. Ferguson).
1910 - The passage of Earth through the tail of Halley's Comet causes near-panic .
1916 - U.S. pilot Kiffin Rockwell shoots down a German aircraft.
1917 - The U.S. passes the Selective Service Act.
1934 - Congress approves the "Lindbergh Act", making kidnapping a capital offense.
1940 - German troops conquer Brussels.
1941 - The Italian army surrenders to Britain in Ethiopia; Jewish veterans honor their dead. 1942 - New York City ends night baseball games for the rest of WWII.
1943 - Allied bombers attack Pantelleria.
1944 - The USSR begins the expulsion of more than 200,000 accused of collaborating with the Germans; the Polish 2nd Army corps captures Monte Cassino.
1948 - The Arab Legion captures the fort on Mount Scopus; Saudi Arabia joins the invasion of Israel.
1951 - The United Nations moves its headquarters to New York City.
1953 - American Jacqueline Cochrane becomes the first woman to break the sound barrier.
1954 - The European Convention on Human Rights goes into effect.
1964 - The Supreme Court rules it unconstitutional to deprive naturalized citizens of citizenship if they return to their home country for more than 3 years.
1967 - Tennessee Governor Ellington repeals the "Monkey Law", upheld in the 1925 Scopes Trial.
1969 - Apollo 10 is launched.
1974 - India becomes the sixth nation to explode an atomic bomb.
1977 - Menachem Begin becomes Israel's Prime Minister.
1980 - China launches its first intercontinental rocket; Mount Saint Helens erupts, kiling 60. 1983 - The Senate revises immigration laws, giving millions of illegal aliens legal status under an amnesty program.
1986 - South African troops occupy Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
1991 - The USSR launches two cosmonauts to MIR.

Birthdays
1798 - Ethan Allen Hitchcock, Union Major General
1817 - James William Denver, Union Brigadier General
1850 - Oliver Heaviside, physicist; predicted the existence of the ionosphere
1868 - Nicholas II, last Czar of Russia
1901 - Vincent du Vigneaud, U.S. biochemist
1907 - Robley D. Evans, nuclear physicist
1917 - Charles Wintour, journalist
1929 - Johan N. Block, aviation pioneer
1930 - Don Leslie Lind, astronaut (STS 51-B), Warren B. Rudman (Senator-NH)
1952 - Martin R. Hoke (Representative-OH)
1954 - Martyn Wiley, writer / broadcaster

Passings
0323 - Alexander III (the Great), King of Macedonia /conqueror
1862 - William H. Keim, Union Brigadier General, in battle
1864 - James Byron Gordon Confederate Brigadier General
1949 - James T. Adams, US historian, Pulitzer prize winner
1967 - Andy Clyde, Hopalong Cassidy's sidekick
1973 - Jeannette Rankin, first Congresswoman
1987 - Wilbur J Cohen, first employee of the Social Security System

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Hrdlicka, David L., USAF (CO); photo published July, 1966

Tavares, John R., Civilian - merchant seaman; Last seen in Da Nang bar

1966
Guillet, Andre R., USAF (CT)

Harley, Lee D., USAF (VA)

Moore, William J., USAF (IL)

Wall, Jerry M., USAF (TX)

1967
Cameron, Kenneth R., USAF (CA); Died in captivity October, 1970; Remains returned March, 1974

DeLong, Joe L. US Army (TN); reportedly died in captivity November, 1967

Naughton, Robert J., USN (IA); Released by DRV March, 1973

1968
Gist, Tommy Emerson, USAF (OK)

James, Charlie N. , USN (CA); Released by DRV March, 1973

Monroe, Vincent D., USN (NJ); Remains returned August, 1978

Padilla, David E., USMC (TX)

Uyeyama, Terry J., USAF (NJ); Released by DRV March, 1973

1969
Cudlike, Charles J., US Army (MI)

1971
Entrican, Danny D., US Army SF (MS)

1972
Bednarek, Johnathan B., USAF (NY); Remains returned May, 1989

Ratzel, Wesley D., USAF (PA); No-show at POW camp; Remains returned May, 1989

Labels: ,

nocashfortrash.org