Troops assigned to the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Fort Drum, N.Y., conduct a pre-mission brief before going out on a security patrol southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, June 13, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jonathan Doti


Iraqi army soldiers assigned to the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conduct a dismounted security patrol southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, June 13, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jonathan Doti


Soldiers assigned to the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Fort Drum, N.Y., conduct a dismounted security patrol southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, June 13, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jonathan Doti


Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Fort Drum, N.Y., along with Iraqi army soldiers conduct a dismounted patrol southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, June 13, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jonathan Doti


An Iraqi child smiles as soldiers walk by in a small village near the city of Lutifiyah, Iraq, June 13, 2007 during patrol. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jonathan Doti


Troops assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Fort Drum, N.Y., conduct a dismounted security patrol southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, June 13, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jonathan Doti


Iraqi children smile as soldiers walk by in a small village near the city of Lutifiyah, Iraq, June 13, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jonathan Doti



More photo essays at DefendAmerica

Labels: 15th FAR, 2-10 Mountain Division, 6th Iraqi Army Division, Baghdad, Iraq, Iraqi Army, photos, US Army

WHEELCHAIR GAMES
U.S. Air Force veteran Daniel Young masters the slalom course, June 19, 2007, at the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Milwaukee, Wis., held June 19 to 23. More than 500 disabled veterans were at the games, sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America. National Veterans Affairs Office photo - More Photos

Labels: National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Paralyzed Veterans of America, photos, USAF, Veterans Affairs, Wounded Heroes

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
One-Time Insurgents Helping U.S.
7 U.S. Troops Killed by Roadside Bombs in Iraq
U.S. and Iraq forces kill 90 al Qaeda in offensive - Video
U.S. May Reduce Iraq Forces by Spring
Military.com Blog: Inside 'Arrowhead Ripper'

Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghan National Army, Coalition Soldiers Overwhelm Enemy Fighters in Kandahar, Oruzgan Province
Militants Killed, 20 Detained in Ghazni

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Islamist sniper, bomb kill four Lebanese troops - Video
PKK stages suicide attack in E Turkey: sources
Hamas calls for talks with Abbas's Fatah - Video
Lebanese army clashes with gunmen in north Lebanon
Army Officer Says Gitmo Panels Flawed
Judge criticizes warrantless wiretaps

Other Military News
House Rejects Cuts to Army School
Military.com DT: 'Mini Osprey' at Paris Air Show

Religion of Peace??
9 Women Kidnapped in Pakistan Brothel Raid

Worldwide Wackos
Iran still reducing dollar share in reserves
EU's Solana optimistic about atom talks with Iran
Iran warns against nuclear sanctions
U.S. expects North Korea to shut reactor in 3 weeks - Video

Politics / Government
Inhofe Says Boxer, Hillary Clinton Discussed Reining in Conservative Talk Radio Three Years Ago
Bush pick for key Justice Department job withdraws
With or without the Rodham, she's still Hillary - Video
Obama says some have 'hijacked' faith
Edwards defends poverty center's efforts

Illegal Immigration / Border Control
Immigration Sweep Nabs 175 in California
Illegals Given Red Bull for Border Dash
Officials: Arrests not tied to protests
Talk shows influence immigration debate

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Missing Ohio Mom's Body Found, Boyfriend Arrested - PHOTOS
California Bank Takes Possession of Peterson Home
Funeral Set for Murdered Chicago Wife, Three Children
2 Daughters Found Drowned in Bathtub, Man Hanging in New Jersey House
Embattled Duke Rape Case Prosecutor Mike Nifong Could Get Jail Time
Woman Charged After Carcasses of 20 Great Danes Found
Ex-Major League Ballplayer Mel Hall Jr. Accused of Sex Assault
Texas Sex Offender Honored As 'Doctor of the Day'
Young Mother Charged After Her 10-Month-Old Boy Recorded Sipping Gin and Juice
Wisconsin House of Horrors Girlfriend Talks
ATF: S.C. Fire Started at Loading Dock
Chicago Dad Nabbed for Murder of Family
8 cases await rulings by Supreme Court

Adventures in Political Correctness
School Bans Girl for Wearing Chastity Ring

U.N. News
Waldheim, ex-UN leader and Nazi, buried in Austria

Science / Medicine / Technology
Astronauts to Leave Calif. After Shuttle Lands
Shuttle ends mission with California landing - Video
Atlantis crew reunites with families
U.S. company says grows embryo-safe stem cells
Americans making progress managing diabetes: study
U.S. issues new standards for dietary supplements

Mother Nature
Spark from tool ignites big wildfire in Alaska

News from My Neck of the Woods
Plane Makes Scary Landing at Logan Airport

Oddities
Baby in China to Have Surgery to Remove 6 Sewing Needles
New Jersey Dog Crowned World's Ugliest
Possible 'Mile-Wide UFO' Spotted by British Airline Pilot
Where Is America's Best Restroom?
Ferrari: It ain't a sin to buy the car

Other News of Note
Missing Pennsylvania College Student Found Living Among Homeless in Montana
Ring Returned to Widow 38 Years Later
Many in U.S. don't have bank accounts

Fox News
Who Is Smarter? (2 yr old with same IQ as Steven Hawking)
Nine Parks Shut Down Tower Rides After Girl's Feet Severed in Kentucky
Pop Tarts: Paris Books Post-Jail Interview
CDC Releases Report on Sexual Behavior and Drug Use

Reuters: Top News
The Killers make a splash amid Glastonbury mud - Video
Judge milks anti-Musharraf support in central Pakistan
Trotter stuns Richards in women's 400m
Hatton knocks out Castillo
Asia to beat Europe in mobile TV: industry execs
Nokia leads race for next billion mobile users
Youths find time for mobiles rather than watches
Women face discrimination, harassment at work: poll (Oh, here we go again...)
D&G look to military, Versace to versatility for men
Two U.S. networks pass on Paris Hilton interview - Video
Fed, subprime jitters on tap
Blackstone up 13 percent in NYSE debut - Video
Macy's shares rise on takeover talk
Global stocks weaken on U.S. credit concerns
Bonds gain on subprime concerns, stocks fall
Wall Street and risky securities
More subprime mortgage fallout
Encroaching on economy's pain threshold
LSE seals $2.2 billion Borsa Italiana deal
BP to restart 10,000 bpd Alaska oil output Monday
Gazprom, Eni plan big gas pipeline bypassing Turkey
Bear Stearns bails out hedge fund
The little book that says "quit"

AP World News
Winner of buried Belvedere died in 1979
Hard-luck days over for Angels' Escobar
After Lo Duca's tirade, Mets nip A's 1-0
Va. gov. meets with VT victims' families
Families torn by toddler backover deaths
Giants overcome A-Rod's tying home run
'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' singer dies
Tigers tame Braves as Cox nears a record
Mormon church president turns 97
Hong Kong marks decade of Chinese rule
Cubs edge White Sox on suicide squeeze
Critics of 'The Secret' bemoan claims
Phils' 6-game streak in St. Louis ends

Military.com
Movie Review: A Mighty Heart
Op-ed: Allies Question U.S. Resolve
Using Your VA Home Loan Benefit
Shop for Deployment Gear Necessities
Movie Review: Evan Almighty

CENTCOM: News Releases
3 SUSPECTS DETAINED FOR QUESTIONING
7 TERRORISTS KILLED, 10 DETAINED, BOMBS DESTROYED
IRAQI SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES DETAIN INSURGENT LEADER IN SADR CITY
IRAQI ARMY KILL AL-QAEDA GUNMEN DURING CHECKPOINT ATTACK
MND-B SOLDIERS DETAIN 18 IN RAIDS
COALITION FORCES KILL 17 AL-QAEDA GUNMEN NEAR KHALIS
OPERATION SLEDGEHAMMER UNCOVERS MULTIPLE MORTARS
MND-B SOLDIERS TARGET IED CELL MEMBERS NORTHWEST OF BAGHDAD
CF, ISF SEARCHES YIELD TORTURE CHAMBER, BOMB-RIGGED HOUSES IN BAQOUBA
3-1 CAV. MEETS WITH LOCAL YOUTH CENTER LEADERS

USJFCOM
USJFCOM Advanced Concept Development Demonstration named finalist for award - podcast
Exercise puts critical technology on trial
Command helps test new gun shot location system - podcast
Wood addresses joint warfare transformation at Transformation Warfare conference - podcast

Multi-National Force-Iraq
Local citizens join police force in Lutifiyah
Armored vehicle a hit with British troops
‘Combat Salsa’ in Iraq leads to marriage
IP build small arms range
IA, CF discover IED factory after receiving tips
Task Force Lightning Soldier dies in non-combat related incident
Neighborhood watch members lead Iraqi Army to Cache
ISF and CF deliver food and water to people in Baqouba
Small arms fire targets MND-B patrol
Council hosts Micro-Grant Meeting

DefenseLink
Odierno Describes Operation Phantom Thunder
Gates, Pace Discuss Spike in Iraq Violence
Vice Chairman Recaps Recent Trip to Iraq
Vice Chairman Answers Soldiers' Questions
Iraqi Police Rapidly Gain Proficiency, General Says
Odierno: Iraqis Favor Government, Coalition
Army Reserve Now Part of Operational Force
Chiefs Push Reserve Incentives, Integration
Pace Adviser Announces 2008 Retirement
Project Aims to Preserve History With Cards

More Headline News
Pace Will Stay Focused on Supporting Troops
Training System Gets Troops Back to Shooting
Officials Discuss New U.S. Africa Command
Camp Development Rises from Rice Paddies
Pentagon Puts Critical Technology on Trial

Military News
Guardsmen Respond to New York Floods, Alaska Fires
'Red Cross' Scam Targets Military Families
State, Local Responders Handle Texas Flood Relief
Video: Navy Reservist Visits Pen Pals

War on Terror
Coalition Kills Enemy Fighters
Coalition Forces Continue Heightened Ops in Iraq
Troops Rescue Hostages
Iraq Ops Kill, Capture Terrorists
14 Servicemembers Killed
Combined Forces Nab Terrorists

America Supports You
Christmas in July Party Set
Music Hall to Host Salute
N.C. Group Paints Patriotism
Care Package Includes Jeep
Freedom Walk Set for Sept. 9

Transformation
GunShot Location System Ready For Testing in Combat Setting
Gait Lab Helps Amputees
Officials Discuss Alternative Fuel
Air Guard Retires Last F-16A

Face of Defense
Friendship Trumps Sniper Fire
Woman Cadet Prepares for Iraq
Marine Leaves Music for Corps
Soldier Loves Tae Kwon Do

DefendAmerica
ON THE GROUND
Reconstruction Team Launches Dam Project - Story
‘Arrowhead Ripper’ Continues Offensive - Story
Shadow Warriors Focus on Faceless Enemy - Story

IN IRAQ
Iraqi, Coalition Forces Continue Forward
Volunteers Donate Supplies to Iraqi Children
Aviation Battalion Reaches 20,000 Flight Hours
Iraqis Join Ranks of Lutifiyah's Police Force
Sheiks Meet in Baghdad, Discuss Progress

IN DJIBOUTI
Music Strengthens Ties Between Djibouti, U.S.
Well Drillers Increase African Water Supply

IN AFGHANISTAN
Army Battle Company Makes Presence Known
Panjshir Opens Teachers’ Training College

DefendAmerica Week in Review
Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday

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
War on Terror Reconstruction Report
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
1314 - At the Battle of Bannockburn, Scotland regains independence from England.
1322 - Jews are expelled from France
1509 - King Henry VIII of England is crowned.
1540 - Henry VIII divorces his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
1793 - In France, the first republican constitution is adopted.
1813 - Battle of Beaver Dam (War of 1812)
1861 - Tennessee becomes the eleventh, and final, state to secede.
1898 - American troops drive Spanish forces from La Guasimas, Cuba.
1930 - Radar detection of planes is first used in Anacostia NAS, DC.
1932 - In Thailand, a coup ends in the establishment of an absolute monarchy.
1939 - Pan Am Airlines makes its first U.S.-to-England flight.
1940 - France signs an armistice with Italy.
1947 - While searching for the wreckage of a U.S. Marine transport plane, civilian pilot Ken Arnold reports sighting nine unknown objects over Mt. Rainier; reporters term them "flying saucers" - it sticks.
1948 - The Soviet Union begins the Berlin Blockade; the Berlin Airlift begins.
1966 - The period of (relative) peace following WW II exceeds that following WW I.
1968 - The deadline for redeeming silver certificate dollars for silver bullion.
1977 - The IRS reveals that Jimmy Carter paid no taxes in 1976.
1982 - The Equal Rights Amendment is defeated; Soyuz T-16 lifts off.
1983 - Chalenger 2 lands at Edwards AFB after the 7th Space Shuttle mission.
1985 - Discovery 5 returns after the 18th Space Shuttle mission.
1986 - In Alabama, Guy Hunt is elected (the first Republican governor of that state in more than 100 years).

Birthdays
1842 - Ambrose Bierce US, satirist (The Devil's Dictionary)
1946 - Ellison S. Onizuka, Major, USAF/astronaut (STS 51C, 51L-Challenger disaster)

Passings
1908 - Grover Cleveland, 22nd & 24th U.S. President
1922 - Dr. Walter Rathenau, German foreign minister, killed by anti-semites
1971 - Kenneth Washington, actor (Sgt Baker-"Hogan's Heroes')

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Van Campen, Thomas C. , US Army (CA); wounded and separated from unit when it came under enemy sniper fire, believed KIA, body not recovered.

1966
Ellis, William, US Army (SC); disappeared while going to get help for a wounded Soldier.

1967
Sherman, Robert C., USMC (IL); Died in captivity November 1968, remains recovered March, 1985

1968
Carpenter, Nicholas Mallor, USN (OH); A6A shot down, remains returned September, 1990

Mobley, Joseph S., USN (IN); A6A shot down ( ejected), released by DRV March, 1973 - alive as of 1998

1972
Beekman, William D. USAF (OH); F4 shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive as of 1996

Grant, David B., USAF (TN); F4 shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Jackson, Charles A. , USAF (WV); F4D shot down by air-to-air missile, released by DRV February, 1973 (injured) - alive and well as of 1998

McCarty, James L., USAF (TX); F4D shot down by air-to-air missile, remains returned September, 1990 - ID'd June, 1997

Labels: Headlines, History