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Thursday, August 02, 2007

First Sgt. Paul T. Archie, 2nd Medical Battalion sergeant major, shakes the hands of the Marines and sailors of 2nd Medical Battalion after his Bronze Star ceremony here, July 30. Archie was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with the Combat Distinguishing Device for his concerned leadership, intense work ethic and personal fortitude, while deployed with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. Photo taken by Lance Cpl. Aaron Rooks, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

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Female combat medics in the fight every day, earn respect

Photo - Army combat medics, Spc. Aimee Collver (right) and Spc. Vanessa Bolognese (center), both with the 25th Infantry Division’ 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Personal Security Detachment, take a moment to interact with the local population and relax during a mission in Amerli, Iraq, July 11. Photo by Army Spc. Mike Alberts.


1 Aug 07
by Spc. Mike Alberts
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs


KIRKUK, Iraq – Temperatures exceeded 115 degrees during the five-hour mission in Amerli that day. More than 50 Soldiers were on site and tensions were high; Amerli was the scene of a massive suicide truck bombing just four days earlier.

Soldiers kept alert, but visibly struggled under the weight of dozens of pounds of battle gear. Throughout the sun-scorched day, all but two Soldiers limited their movement as much as possible. All but two could afford that luxury.

“Bolo” and “Collver” continuously walked up and down the lines of men. “Drink water,” they repeated. “Are you feeling OK?” they asked. They were the two Soldiers charged with ensuring that each man stayed hydrated and returned safely to base. As usual, they were the mission’s only dedicated medical personnel.

Spc. Vanessa Bolognese and Spc. Aimee Collver, combat medics, Personal Security Detachment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, kept all their male counterparts healthy “outside the wire” that day in Amerli just as they do every day in the Kirkuk Province, Iraq. Neither is doing exactly what she thought she’d be doing in the Army, but neither would trade her job for another.

“Before I enlisted, I was going to school to become a [registered nurse],” said Bolognese. “I wanted a medical job and my [military occupational specialty] is called health care specialist,” said the 21 year-old from Chino Hills, Calif. “In fact, the first time I heard the term ‘combat medic’ was during [advanced individual training] at Fort Sam Houston. They pretty much told us there, ‘You will be deploying. You will be working in Iraq.’” Bolognese’s colleague and roommate had similar motivations.

“I’d been working in a nursing home after high school,” said Collver. “When I walked into the recruiter’s office I knew that I wanted a medical job,” explained the 23 year-old from Puyallup, Wash. “The health care specialist job was available, and I was told that I would be working in a hospital setting,” she said. “Of course, I don’t work in a hospital and nothing out here in Iraq is anything like what I thought.”

What each combat medic is doing in Irag is working as the designated medical asset to the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s Personal Security Detachment (“PSD”). The PSD’s primary mission is to transport certain members of the brigade’s command group around 3IBCT’s area of operation. The PSD also provides personal security for the command group to and from their various destinations and while on site, according to Staff Sgt. Jeremy Brandon, non-commissioned officer-in-charge, PSD, 3IBCT.

Brandon is a native of Jacksonville, Fla., and is serving his third combat deployment. He’s charged with supervising both Bolognese and Collver and explained why each Soldier is vital to mission success.

“We often conduct operations as an independent element,” explained Brandon. “For that reason, we need to have our own dedicated medical support. Bolognese and Collver are that support. We always have one of them with us wherever we go,” he said. And Brandon couldn’t be happier with their performance.

“Both Soldiers are everything that one could ask for in a medic,” he continued. “They have done an outstanding job staying on top of their skills. They’ve constantly taken it upon themselves to retrain and stay certified, and have done an excellent job both outside the wire and back here on the [Forward Operating Base] by taking the initiative to give us various medical classes.”

Brandon’s PSD Soldiers agreed.

“We all respect them for their abilities as medics and as Soldiers,” said Sgt. Brian Tabor, squad leader, PSD, 3IBCT. Tabor is a five-year veteran serving his second combat deployment. “We haven’t had any issues because they’re female,” emphasized the Sacramento, Calif., native. “Bottom line: They’ve been a valuable asset to the PSD and it’s been a good thing having them with us.”

As for Bolognese and Collver, even though neither is working in the comfortable confines of a hospital, each loves her job and wouldn’t choose to do anything else.

“Of course, the job is mentally challenging because of the unknown anytime you leave the wire,” said Collver. “But I love being with this group because there’s so much camaraderie. I take a lot of pride in knowing that they’re well taken care of because I’m there for them,” she said.

“Their well-being depends on me when I’m with them,” echoed Bolognese. “In that sense, it’s wonderful to know that when I look back at my deployment I can say that I did go out there every day and risk my life to take care of other Soldiers,” she said. “That’s a lot more than most people can say.”

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REGROUP — U.S. Army soldiers of Bravo Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, regroup and receive instructions for movement during a mission in Al Haymer, Iraq, July 12, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Steve Czyz

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In Today's News - Thursday, August 2, 2007

Quote of the Day
"I am concerned for the security of our great Nation;
not so much because of any threat from without,
but because of the insidious forces working from within."
-- General Douglas MacArthur

News of Note
Minnesota Bridge Collapse
At least 7 killed, 60 hurt when Minneapolis bridge collapses into Mississippi River; death toll likely to rise
WATCH LIVE ON-SCENE COVERAGE (Fox News)
PHOTOS - VIDEOS: WITNESSES RECOUNT
LAWMAKERS HEAD TO TWIN CITIES
SURVIVORS RECALL COLLAPSE
UREPORT: SEND PHOTOS
BRIDGE PASSED INSPECTION
DR. MANNY ON INJURIES
Mississippi River closed in bridge area
Slideshow: Scenes of the wreckage (Reuters)

Operation Iraqi Freedom
Sunnis Asked to Reconsider Quitting Iraqi Government
Two U.S. soldiers killed, July toll reaches 80
Suicide car bomb kills 13 at Iraq police station
Military.com Shock: Bad Day to Plant IEDs

Operation Enduring Freedom
South Korean Envoy to Meet Taliban Kidnappers
S.Korea, U.S. agree no force to free Afghan hostages - Video

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Al Qaeda Claims 'Big Surprise' in Terror Video Ad
Rice urges deeper Israel-Palestine talks on state
Rice meets with Palestinian Cabinet
Bush, Democrats seek deal on spying bill

Troops on Trial
Soldiers Testify in Rape-Slaying Trial

Other Military News
F-14 Parts Sold Despite Sales Ban
War Deployments Raise Risk of Abuse

Religion of Peace??
Iran Executes Nine in Public Hangings

Worldwide Wackos
North Korea demands more action from U.S., allies

Politics / Government
Obama Slammed for Pakistan Remarks - VIDEO
Senate Set to Vote on Lobbyist, Earmark Reforms
Bush won't let aide Rove testify to Congress
Senate near vote on kids' health bill

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Colorado Mayor Lands Criminal Charges as Bouncer
Florida's Armless Driver Says He'll Turn in Car Keys
Cops: Mom Bathed, Dressed Dead Children
Police Say Former Millionaire Staged His Own Shooting to Frame Son
Few clues in deadly attack on Ga. family

Adventures in Political Correctness
Imams Removed From US Airways Flight Drop Passengers From Lawsuit

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
Reporter Apologizes for Michael Vick Rape Comment

Science / Medicine / Technology
Experts issue new physical exercise guidelines
Chinese herbs can help control eczema: HK study
Microsoft to test ad-supported version of Works
Insects give science clues to anti-social problem
Apple releases security patch for iPhone

Mother Nature
Japan Issues Tsunami Warning After Strong Quake
Typhoon buffets southwestern Japan - Video
Flooded China warns of heat, drought - and snow?

Other News of Note
Nearly 1 Million Toys Recalled Due to Lead - LIST
Russian sub reaches Arctic seabed in North Pole bid

Fox News
Faith Hill Confronts Fan From Stage for Groping Husband Tim McGraw at Louisiana Show

Reuters: Top News
Thailand to probe Thaksin's deadly anti-drug war
Reese Witherspoon heeds Avon call to be spokeswoman
Stevie Wonder to sing at L.A. news conference
Global stocks bounce off lows - Video
Oil below $76, extends decline from record high
Futures flat as earnings calm credit fears
Nokia beats forecasts
Carry unwind continues to support yen, hurt kiwi
Dow Jones will have money, scale, time
M&A Today: Read the latest deal news
Volatility is back and some traders love it
Viacom posts higher profit
Bear Stearns exec sees market fall as healthy
Mattel sees $30 million impact of Chinese recall
CVS Caremark profit jumps
Kodak posts quarterly profit
Credit Suisse Q2 net profit beats forecasts

AP World News
Cubs pull ahead of Brewers in NL Central
Missteps found in awarding Katrina deals
Bonds stuck on 754; Giants lose to L.A.
Paulson: China committed to yuan reform
Ebert's Web site to post movie reviews
Royals beat Twins after bridge collapse
Teixeira homers in Braves' debut, a win
A-Rod stuck on 499 as Yanks top ChiSox
Red Sox may open in Tokyo in 2008

Military.com
Poll: Is the Tillman Case Over?
DT: Foreign Military Sales Games
Ace the ASVAB; Get Your Choice
Game: Try to Win Gettysburg
End the Summer With Travel Discounts
Military.com Career Fair Coming to Washington DC on August 6th

CENTCOM: News Releases
STATEMENT FROM MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ CONDEMNING BAGHDAD CAR-BOMB ATTACKS
BLACK JACK SOLDIERS RESPOND TO CAR BOMB
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES, U.S. SPECIAL FORCES DETAIN FOUR ROGUE JAM SUSPECTS
AL-QAEDA EMIR OF MOSUL SHOT, KILLED BY ISF
HIGH VALUE INDIVIDUAL DETAINED IN AL ANBAR PROVINCE
TWO ALLEGED AL-QAEDA EMIRS, 20 OTHER SUSPECTS CAPTURED; FOUR TERRORISTS KILLED
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES START OPERATIONS IN SAMARRA TO CLEAR CITY OF AL-QAEDA

USJFCOM
Governor of Virginia visits 2007 industry symposium
Liveblogging: Industry Symposium 2007 -- Day 2
Liveblogging: Industry Symposium 2007 Day 1
Visitors get up close and personal with Command and Control Data Pilot initiative - podcast
U.S. Joint Forces Command supports Exercise Talisman Saber 2007 - podcast

Multi-National Force-Iraq
Military, economic progress continues, officials say
Physical therapists teach Iraqi soldiers physical fitness
35th Street Market open for business
MPs mentor their Iraqi counterparts in Baqubah
Two Task Force Marne Soldiers hit with indirect fire
MND-B Soldiers find large weapons cache near Falahat
Tribal members assist in detention of three al-Qaida leaders

DefenseLink
Kuwaiti Officer Recalls 1990 Invasion, Thanks U.S.
Gates Meets With Kuwaiti Leaders, U.S. Troops - Photos
When Ordered, Transition Should be 'Methodical'
Saudi Arabia Pledges to Continue Support to Iraq - Photos
Military Sales Package Aims to Boost Stability
Former Officials: No Cover-up in Tillman Fratricide
Iraq Makes Security, Economic, Political Gains - Video
Army’s Medical Hotline Help Soldiers, Families

More Headline News
Iraq Budget Decisions Depend on Situation
'eKnowledge' Helps Troops with Academic Rigors
Gates, Rice to Reaffirm U.S. Ties to Gulf Region

Military News
Video: Coast Guard Lends Aid After Bridge Collapse
Future NCOs Welcome Top Sergeant Major
Six Ambassadors Visit USNS Comfort, Tour Facilities

War on Terror
Two Soldiers Aid Iraqi Child
Troops Target al Qaeda Leaders
New York Guard Unit To Train Afghan National Security Forces

Transformation
Aerial Porters Help Demonstrate New Transportation Concepts
New Camera Minimizes Danger

Face of Defense
WWI Nurse Earns Silver Star
Tuskegee Legacy Continues
SEAL Recruiter Third in Badwater Ultramarathon
Sergeant Thrilled to Serve
Family of Musicians Rocks

America Supports You
Vets Rebuild Connections
Department Honors ‘Dr. Laura’
Heroes, Employers Connect
Comedians Entertain Troops

DefendAmerica
BLOGGERS' ROUNDTABLE with U.S. ARMY Col. Edward Mason
Medical Hotline Supports Soldiers - Story
Bloggers' Roundtable Web Site

NEWS UPDATES
Troops Target al Qaeda Leaders - Story

ON THE GROUND
CENTAF Band Performs for Servicemembers - Story
Female Soldiers Fight Every Day, Earn Respect - Story
Army Paratrooper Awarded Silver Star in Iraq - Story
Drill Identifies Strengths, Reveals Weakness - Story

IN IRAQ
Troops Provide Dental, Medical Assistance
Iraqis Complete Military Lifesaver Course
Iraqi Community Reopens Kindergarten
Iraq's Prime Minister Visits Diyala for First Time

IN DJIBOUTI
Seabees Drilling Wells, Building Schools in Africa
Task Force Members Survive in Djibouti Desert

IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Children Start Field Trip on Chinook
Engineers Repair Levee for Afghan Villagers
Afghan Soldiers Undergo 'Commando' Training
Ready Reserve Soldiers Respond to Duty

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
1492 - Jews are expelled from Spain.
1776 - The Declaration of Independence is formally signed.
1819 - The first parachute jump in the U.S.
1832 - 1,300 Illinois militiamen defeat the Sac & Fox indians, ending the Black Hawk War. 1858 - The firsst street mailboxes are placed in Boston, MA.
1876 - Wild Bill Hickok is shot dead from behind during a poker game - his hand was a pair of Aces and a pair of 8's.
1877 - The San Francisco Public Library opens.
1909 - The first Lincoln pennies are minted; the Army Air Corps is formed as the Army takes its first delivery from the Wright Brothers.
1934 - In the first airplane train, a plane tows three mail gliders.
1939 - The Hatch Act prohibits political activity by Federal workers.
1941 - Jews are expelled from Hungarian Ruthenia.
1943 - PT-109 (on which John F. Kennedy serves) is rammed and sunk.
1962 - NASA civilian test pilot Joseph A. Walker takes the X-15 to 32,600 m.
1964 - In the Gulf of Tonkin, North Vietnam fires on a U.S. destroyer.
1965 - Morley Safer sends the first Vietnam report indicating the U.S. is losing.
1985 - NASA launches the space vehicle S-209.
1989 - NASA confirms Voyager 2's discovery of three more Neptune moons.
1990 - Iraq invades Kuwait.
1991 - The Space Shuttle STS 43 (Atlantis 9) is launched.

Birthdays
1696 - Mahmud I, Ottoman sultan
1754 - Pierre Charles L'Enfant, the architect who laid out Washington, DC.
1878 - Princess Ingeborg of Sweden
1922 - Paul Laxalt (Sen-NV)
1932 - Peter O'Toole, actor (Lord Jim, Beckett, Lawrence of Arabia)
1934 - Albert W. Hall actor (Apocalypse Now)
1934 - Valery Bykovsky, cosmonaut (Vostok 5, Soyuz 22, 31)
1949 - Bertalan Farkas, first Hungarian in space (Soyuz 36)

Passings
1876 - Wild Bill Hickok, shot
1923 - President Warren G. Harding
1934 - Paul Von Hindenburg; Hitler takes over the presidency

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Daughtrey, Robert Nolan, USAF (TX); F105 shot down, released (injured) by DRV February, 1973 - retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Hail, William Warren, USAF (CA); A1H disappeared ten minutes after takeoff

1967
Cunningham, Carey A., USAF (AL); RF4C crashed while attacking convoy (radar navigator), remains returned 1989, ID'd April, 1998

Hynds, Wallace G., Jr., USAF (SC);RF4C crashed while attacking convoy (pilot)

1969
Talken, George Francis, USN (CA); A7A shot down, KIA, body not recovered

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