Graphic courtesy of Iggy

Labels: holidays, Honoring Heroes

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Behrens, from Alpha Company, 13th Psychological Operations Battalion, provides security from the turret of a Humvee in the village of Kapisa, Afghanistan, May 15, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dilia DeGrego


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brooks Jones and Aio, a military working dog, clear a construction site of unexploded ordnance in the village of Kapisa, Afghanistan, May 15, 2007. Brooks and Aio are both assigned to the 125th Military Police Company. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael L. Casteel



U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division test an audio speaker in the village of Kapisa, Afghanistan, May 15, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael L. Casteel


U.S. Army Maj. Lance Baker, commander of Alpha Company, 13th Psychological Operations Battalion, moves an audio speaker in the village of Kapisa, Afghanistan, May 15, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael L. Casteel


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Behrens, from Alpha Company, 13th Psychological Operations Battalion, provides security from the turret of a Humvee in the village of Kapisa, Afghanistan, May 15, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael L. Casteel


More photo essays at Defend America

Labels: 13th Psyops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Afghanistan, Kapisa, Kapisa Province, military working dog, photos, US Army

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Search for Missing Soldiers Widens
Bush to Name New U.S. Military Leadership for Iraq
Bush Rejects Dems' War-Funding Offer - 5 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Violence in Iraq
U.S. forces kill 6 insurgents in Iraq
Two ABC News journalists killed in Iraq - Video
Mortar Barrage Greets Blair
British prime minister makes final visit to Iraq
9 Detained in Search for Missing GIs
Bush Rejects Dem Plan to Fund Troops in Iraq

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Nine killed in India mosque bomb, 3 die in protests
Chaos Follows India Blast
Hamas, Fatah Agree to Cease-Fire - PHOTOS
Gaza Gunbattle Outside School - PHOTOS
Israel strikes Hamas in Gaza, threatens more action - Video

Other Military News
Canadian Air Force Jet Crashes in Montana
Military.com Poll: Was DoD Right to Block Sites?
Army Refutes Dragon Skin Claims

Homegrown Moonbats
Al Sharpton to Meet With Mormon Leaders After Slighting Religiosity in Debate

Politics / Government
Republicans Wither Under Weight of Democratic Investigations
Tony Blair as World Bank Chief?
Retirement, health reform may be delayed: senator
Third-party White House bid could shake up race
House seeks tighter U.S.-Israeli missile defenses
Take firmer G8 climate stance, Democrats urge Bush
Senate panel urges China action on yuan, piracy
U.S. has tough task to heal rift over Wolfowitz - Video
U.S. immigration bill attacked from left and right
Ex-S. Dakota lawmaker charged with rape
Conference ponders Lincoln's survival
GOP target Murtha over spending exchange

Illegal Immigration / Border Control
7 Dead in Oklahoma Crash - Police believe victims were illegal immigrants
Migrants Say Immigration Plan Unfair to Legal Workers
Missouri Lawmakers OK English-Only Ballot Measure
Immigration Agreement Between White House, Senate Faces Tough Road Ahead
Workers caught daydreaming on immigration deal
Mexicans fear U.S. immigration plan

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Bittersweet Birthday
Two Texas Sheriff's Deputies Killed Responding to Domestic Disturbance Call
New York Judge Tentatively Approves Refunds for Buyers of James Frey's Fabricated Memoir
O.J.'s 'Not Guilty' Suit Up for Auction
Pa. Police Hunt Hospital Homicide Suspect
Manhunt for Gunman in Shooting Spree
Cops Arrest Church-Attack Suspect - VIDEO
Allstate gets subpoena from U.S. grand jury
Son Gets 'Green' Punishment
R.I. man charged in extortion plot

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
Yahoo Shutting Down Online-Auction Site
Will Imus Lawsuit Get Him Back on the Air?
Clear Channel agrees to raised $19.6 bln bid

Science / Medicine / Technology
A Pill to Provide Relief... Period! (This just can't be a good idea....)
Live Long and Prosper
James 'Scotty' Doohan's Ashes Found in New Mexico Mountains
Deep-Sea Explorers Discover Possible Richest Shipwreck Treasure in History
Vitamin D needs more calcium to lower hip fracture
Drinking farm milk may cut asthma risk
New fuel for 21st century -- aluminum pellets?
NASA probes sinkhole as proxy for icy moon

Mother Nature
2 Climbers Fall to Death on Mt. McKinley
Mother Fights Off Shark to Save Her Kids
Ill health raises concerns for Alaska's only elephant
N.J. wildfire nearly contained
Scientists try again to lure whales
Gorilla escapes at Dutch zoo, injures 4

Oddities
Make Mine a Half-Naked Double-D
Woman held for trying to smuggle heroin via DHL
College forces pregnancy tests on students

Other News of Note
Colombia orders hunt for hostages held by rebels

Fox News
NEWS IN PICTURES: The Day in Photos
Paparazzi Boo Pamela Anderson After She's Late for Cannes Photo Shoot

Reuters: Top News
Donald Trump to NBC: "You can't fire me, I quit"
Sarkozy names slimline, cross-party government
Merkel tackles Putin on democracy at frosty summit - Video
NY subway station upgrades may be "gold-plated"
PluggedIn: Kimono retailers go digital
Music, video phones may ride iPhone wave - Video
Spreading the New Orleans experience - by golf cart
George Michael says may quit Britain
De Niro, Pacino pair up for new film - Video
Stocks to fly on M&A; oil lurks
Yen steady after China widens yuan band
Stocks rally on M&A, consumer data; Dow at record
EnerNOC Inc. jumps nearly 25 pct in debut
Oil stocks rise - M&A or sector back in favor?
Signs point to good news on economy
China deja vu, but investors stay calm
Alcoa plans Alcan aerospace and auto sales: source
AQuantive deal spurs debate on Microsoft and Yahoo
When success is a company's biggest threat
U.S. gives final approval for Virgin America

AP World News
La. homeowner aid program cash-strapped
Rep: Washington remaining on 'Grey's'
Spurs close out Suns to avoid a Game 7
Cavs earn 1st Eastern final in 15 years
Clemens looks good in minor league start
Williams unlikely to return to Dolphins
Stocks surge on corporate takeovers
Heche's husband claims she's a bad mom
Rockets fire head coach Jeff Van Gundy
Putin, EU leaders trade barbs at summit
Jackson drops bid to block Vegas auction
Microsoft pays $6B for online ad company

Military.com
Get What You Got Coming
PGA Helps Wounded Vets Hit 'Em Long
You Don't Have to Hate Civilians
Test: Are You Special Ops Material?
The Baddest Knife Ever
The New Warfighter's Forum

CENTCOM: News Releases
AFGHANISTAN TAKES GOVERNMENT TO ITS PEOPLE
ANP, COALITION FORCES FEND OFF ENEMY ATTACK NEAR SARKONI
ANP, COALITION FORCES WORK HAND-IN-HAND TO RENDER SAFE SOVIET-ERA BOMB
HELMAND OPERATION TARGETS TALIBAN
AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR MAY 17
TRIBAL ELDERS SURROUND INSURGENTS
SIX SECRET CELL TERRORISTS DETAINED
IRAQI ARMY, EOD PREVENT CAR BOMB TRAGECY IN BAYAA
COALITION FORCES DISCOVER EFP CACHE, TIP LEADS TO SECOND EFP CACHE SITE
U.S. FORCES NOT INVOLVED IN KANDAHAR SHOOTINGS
IRAQI SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES DETAIN SUSPECTED TERRORIST LEADER IN BASRAH MULTI-NATIONAL CORPS
APACHE CREW DESTROYS INSURGENT TARGETS
IRAQ SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES DETAIN SIXTEEN SUSPECTS IN SEARCH FOR MISSING SOLDIERS
AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR MAY 16

USJFCOM
U.S. Joint Forces Command, Marines begin Joint Urban Warrior 07 - podcast
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
Chairman Still Motivated, Inspired by Troops
‘Surge’ Progress Will Be Evident by September
U.S., Iraqi Units Continue Search for Soldiers
Pace Speaks on Leadership at Grad School
Impatience in Iraq Troubles Commandant
Council Checks Out Mine-Resistant Vehicles
Fallujah Success Attributed to Troop Surge
Troops: Armed Forces Day Really Does Matter

More Headline News
Resources, Not Content, Drive Web Decisions
DoD Calls for Service Reports on Reserve Needs
Open House Previews Flight-Themed Stamps

Military News
'Time' Magazine Honors Army Ranger
'American Idol' Contestant Returns to Navy Base
Army Officers Earn Leadership Awards
National Guardsmen Help Battle Wildfires
Airmen Strengthen Kyrgyzstan Ties with Project

War on Terror
Two Car Bombs Prevented
Insurgents Killed, Detained
Three Soldiers Killed in Iraq
Al Qaeda Chief Foe of Anbar

America Supports You
Bookseller Makes Donation
Military Golf Program
DVD Drive for Troops
Group Shows Gratitude

Transformation
Thinking Lean, a Must for Force
Navy Launches USNS Byrd
New Tactical Vehicle Rolls Out
Navy Names New Destroyers
Hangar Aids Painters' Capabilities

Face of Defense
TV Brings Family Together
Doc to Join Medical Corps
Sailor Shares Iraq Experiences
Doc Receives Honor

DefendAmerica
BLOGGERS' ROUNDTABLE with U.S. NAVY Rear Adm. Elizabeth Hight
Resources, Not Content, Drive Web-Use Decisions - Story - Audio

ON THE GROUND
Marine Cooks Up Morale, Troop Welfare in Iraq - Story
Instructors Spend Free Time Helping Troops - Story
Iraqi Security Forces Show Mettle Under Fire - Story
Marines, Sailor Make Post More Comfortable - Story
Band of Sisters Plays Key Role in Iraq Security - Story

IN IRAQ
Air Cavalry Offers 24-hour Support During Search
Tribal Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Unity
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

IN DJIBOUTI
Task Force Showers Orphans With Supplies
Liaison Officer Builds Cohesive Relationship
Djiboutian Institute of Arts Embraces Americans

IN AFGHANISTAN
Coalition Forces Diffuse Soviet–era Bomb
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
1568 - Queen Elizabeth I of England arrests Scottish queen Mary.
1585 - Spain confiscates English ships.
1588 - The Spanish Armada sets sail for Lisbon, bound for England.
1635 - France declares war on Spain
1643 - The French destroy the Spanish army at the Battle of Rocroi / Allersheim; Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Harbor form the United Colonies of New England.
1848 - Mexico gives Texas to the U.S., ending the war.
1862 - The Homestead Act goes into effect, providing cheap land for settlement of the West.
1864 - Battle of Port Walthall Junction, VA; last engagement in the Spotsylvania series of battles.
1884 - The Ringling Brothers circus premieres.
1898 - The Post Office authorizes the use of postcards.
1913 - In California, the Webb Alien Land-Holding Bill passes, prohibiting the Japanese from owning land.
1923 - Communists revolt in German Ruhr cities occupied by the Allies.
1926 - The French air force bombs Damascus, Syria.
1929 - China’s General Feng Yu-Xiang of China declares war on Chiang Kai-Shek’s government.
1930 - White women win voting rights in South Africa.
1931 - The Ironclad cruiser Germany is launched in Kiel.
1939 - Churchill signs the British-Russian anti-Nazi pact.
1941 - German occupiers in Holland forbid bicycle taxis; the Nazi battleship Bismarck leaves Gdynia, Poland.
1943 - Berlin is declared free of Jews - "Judenrien"; Churchill pledges England's full support to the U.S. against Japan.
1944 - More than 200 gypsies are transported to Auschwitz from the Netherlands; the German defense line in Italy collapses.
1951 - The U.N. begins a counter-offensive in Korea.
1954 - Postmaster General Summerfield approves the CIA’s mail-opening project.
1958 - The U.S. and Canada form the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD)
1960 - USAF Major Robert M. White takes the X-15 to 33,222 mph.
1964 - U.S. diplomats find at least 40 secret microphones in the Moscow embassy.
1965 - Patricia R. Harris is named the first American black female ambassador – to Luxembourg.
1967 - The U.S. bombs Hanoi; the U.S.S.R. ratifies a treaty with England and the U.S. banning nuclear weapons in space.
1971 - The U.S.S.R. launches Mars 2, the first spacecraft to crash land on Mars.
1976 - The Senate establishes a permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
1983 - NASA launches Intelsat V.
1992 - The 27th Amendment is ratified, prohibiting Congress from raising its salary.

Birthdays
1808 - Confederate Brigadier General Samuel Jameson Gholson
1812 - Confederate Brigadier General Felix Kirk
1815 - Union Brevet Major General John Gross Barnard
1828 - Union Brevet Major General Adin Ballou
1890 - Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese leader
1915 - Pol Pot, dictator / mass murderer
1925 - Malcolm X (Little), black muslim leader
1935 - David Hartman, TV personality (Good Morning America)
1938 - James H. Bilbray (Representative-NV)
1939 - Francis R. Scobee, USAF / astronaut (STS 41C, 51L-Chal disaster)
1941 - Jimmy Hoffa, Jr., son of Jimmy Hoffa / Teamster union leader
1948 - Jean-Pierre Haignere, cosmonaut (Soyuz TM-17)

Passings
1536 - Anne Boleyn Queen of England / wife of Henry VIII, beheaded; Lord Rochford English, brother of Anna Boleyn, beheaded
1795 - Josiah Bartlett, physician / judge, signer of Declaration of Independence
1864 - Nathaniel Hawthorne, writer (Scarlet Letter)
1935 - Thomas E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), motorcycle crash
1966 - Tortoise reportedly given to Tonga's king by Captain Cook in 1773
1994 - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady
1997 - Millie, dog of President Bush

Reported Missing in Action:
1965
Donovan, Leroy M., US Army (CO); O1F overdue (observer, w/Harper) - presumed Killed / BNR

Harper, Richard K. , US Army (MA); OIF overdue (pilot, w/Donovan) - presumed Killed / BNR

1967
Anderson, Gareth L., US Navy (MA); F4B shot down (RIO, w/Plumb), released by DRV March, 1973, died in a military training flight in 1974

Griffin, James Lloyd, US Navy (TN); RA5C shot down (w/Walters), DIC - remains returned March 1974

Hellbach, Harold J., USMC (LA); F8E shot down - remains returned 1997, ID'd May, 1998

Knight, Roy A., Jr., USAF (TX); A1E shot down

McDaniel, Eugene B., USN (NC); A6A shot down (backseater, w/Patterson), released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Captain - alive and well 1998 - founder of the American Defense Institute

Metzger, William J., USN (WI); F8C shot down (Russell shot down a short distance away), released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Captain - alive and well as of 1998

Patterson, James K., USN (CA); A6A shot down (pilot, w/McDaniel), probably captured with broken leg

Plumb, Joseph C., USN (KS); F4B shot down (pilot, w/Anderson), released by DRV February, 1973 - alive and well 1998

Rich, Richard, USN (CT); F4B shot down (pilot, w/Stark)

Russell, Kay, USN (TX); F8E shot down (Metzger shot down a short distance away), released by DRV March, 1973 - deceased, 1995

Stark, William R., USN (CA); F4B shot down (w/Rich), released by DRV March, 1973 - received 2 Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit with Combat V, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with Combat V, DMSM, 2 Air Medals, Navy Commendation with Combat V (2nd Award) and 2 Purple Hearts - retired as a Captain - alive and well as of 1998

Walters, Jack, Jr., USN (NC); RA5C shot down (w/Griffin), DIC - remains returned March, 1974

1968
Davies, Joseph E., USAF (VA); F4D shot down (w/McCubbin)

McCubbin, Glenn D., USAF (KS); F4D shot down (w/Davies)

1972
Mott, David P. , USAF (ND); OV10A shot down (w/Thomas), released by PRG March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Nichols, Aubrey A., USN (TX); A7B shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Commnander - alive and well as of 1998

Thomas, William E., USMC (PA); OV10A shot down (w/Mott), released by PRG March, 1973 - retired as a CWO-4 - alive and well as of 1998

Labels: Headlines, History