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Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Not All the Heroes in Iraq are Troops...

...take this one, for instance:



CITIZEN SACRIFICES LIFE TO THWART SUICIDE BOMBER


Release Date: 8/21/2007
Release Number: 07-01-03P

Description: FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - An Iraqi man saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians when he intercepted a suicide bomber during a Concerned Citizens meeting in the town of al-Arafia Aug.
18.

The incident occurred while Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, were talking with members of the al-Arafia Concerned Citizens, a volunteer community group, at a member's house.

"I was about 12 feet away when the bomber came around the corner," said Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, of Los Altos, Calif., acting platoon sergeant of Troop B, 3-1 Cav. "I was about to engage when he jumped in front of us and intercepted the bomber as he ran toward us. As he pushed him away, the bomb went off."

The citizen's actions saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians.

Kane felt the loss personally because he had met and interacted with his rescuer many times before the incident.

"He was high-spirited and really believed what the group (Concerned Citizens) was doing," Kane said. "I have no doubt the bomber was trying to kill American Soldiers. It was very calculated the way the bomber tried to do it. If he hadn't intercepted him, there is no telling how bad it could have been."

Kane believes the citizen is a hero.

"He could have run behind us or away from us, but he made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone. Having talked with his father, I was told that even if he would have known the outcome before hand, he wouldn't have acted differently."

Capt. Brian Gilbert, of Boise, Idaho, the commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 3-1 Cavalry, echoed Kane's sentiment.

"I spoke with the father," Gilbert said. "He said he has no remorse in his son's death because he died saving American Soldiers."

Later that night, the Concerned Citizens group contacted the local National Police director, Lt. Col. Samir, with the location of the al-Qaeda cell believed to be responsible for the attack. The National Police immediately conducted a raid that resulted in four arrests.

Despite the citizen's death, Gilbert is encouraged by the cooperation between citizens and the Iraqi National Police.

"The effort of the Concerned Citizens group has made the area much safer," he said. "They are proud of who they are and their area, and want to get rid of the terrorists in their area."

Gilbert also praised the Iraqi National Police's role in eliminating insurgents in the area.

"The cooperation between them and the Concerned Citizens has been key," Gilbert said. "The NP has done a great job of responding to the tips they have been given by the group."

Gilbert said he believes the area is improving because of the efforts of local citizens. The death, while unfortunate, demonstrated how close many in the area have become with the American Soldiers operating there.

"I consider many in the town friends, and I know they feel the same," Gilbert said. "This is a tough situation, but we'll move on and try to prevent things like this from happening again. I've talked with his family and told them how brave their son was. This is a huge loss for everyone involved."

FOR QUERIES, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT MND-CENTER_PAO-AT-IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL OR BY PHONE AT DSN 318-822-7482 OR COMMERCIAL 912-767-4114.

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MAKING FRIENDS — U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brandon Whitis, from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, greets a local girl in the Diyala River Valley region of Iraq, Aug. 14, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert C. Brogan

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In Today's News - Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Quote of the Day
“We believe that a continued, aggressive offensive operation
to seek out and destroy these extremist networks
will prove to be the most effective way
to continue to protect the citizens of Iraq.”

-- U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James E. Simmons,
deputy commander for support, Multi-National Corps-Iraq

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Bush: Iraqis Will Democratically Choose Their Leaders
U.S. envoy says Iraq making poor political progress
Another trial for Iraq's `Chemical Ali'
Bush: History Will Prove War in Iraq Was Worth It
Commando Air Assault Detains Suspected Insurgent Disguised as Pregnant Woman
Citizen Sacrifices Life to Thwart Suicide Bomber
Iraqis Return to Seized Homes (Seized by Saddam, that is)

Operation Enduring Freedom
AFGHANS CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Watchdog Blames CIA for Failing to Stop 9/11 Attacks
NY police investigating white powder reports
Rival Gaza children's camps mix fun with politics
Colombia would let U.S. extradite drug lord

Fallen Heroes
Black Hawk Down - Chopper crash kills 14 U.S. soldiers in Iraq
FAST FACTS: Deadliest Helicopter Crashes in Iraq
Backpackers Find Remains Thought to Belong to WWII Airman on Glacier

Other Military News
Russia Flexes Military Muscle
British Jets Intercept Russian Bomber Over North Atlantic
First to the Rhine: The 6th Army Group in World War II
Utah National Guard Aircraft Grounded

Worldwide Wackos
Iran, IAEA agree ways to defuse atom suspicions
Iran releases jailed Iranian-American

Politics / Government
Obama Wants to Ease Cuba Family Travel
Congressional Approval Sinks to New Low - RAW DATA
Bush aims at closer ties with Canada and Mexico - Video
Obama takes anti-war stance to U.S. war veterans
Bloomberg says won't run for president

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Judge Faults White House On Climate Change Docs
'What's in a Name?'
'Pedophile' Blogger Freed - L.A. Prosecutors Blame Judge's Error
Report: Skulls, Animal Bones and Organs Discovered in Sex Offender's Basement
Roommate, Grocery Bag Help Nab Suspects in Florida Decapitated Woman Case
Grrr! Michael Vick's Bogus Plea
Goodell likely to delay decision on Vick

Lohan's cocaine charges may be dropped: report
S.C. prisons leader backs pink penalty

U.N. News
EXCLUSIVE: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Faces Crucial Test in Ethics Case Confidential U.N. Letter (pdf)

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
Hackers Hold Monster.com Users' Files Hostage

Science / Medicine / Technology
Shuttle Endeavour Makes Perfect Landing - PHOTOS
Wal-Mart Quietly Pulled Dog Treats Off Shelves After Pets Reportedly Fell Ill
Study: Men Who Wash After Sex Increase Chances of Getting HIV
Scientists Drug Test Whole Cities Using Sewer Water
Weight Loss Linked to Dementia
Scientist Figures Out How Time Machine Might Work
High blood pressure often undiagnosed in U.S. kids
African Americans with diabetes risk vision loss
Study finds key markers for bird flu change
China's quality watchdog warns on U.S. soybeans
Scientists drug-test whole cities
NASA looks ahead to more risky launches

Mother Nature
Deadly Storm Flooding Soaks Ohio - PHOTOS - VIDEO
Officials Scramble to Rescue Ohio Flood Victims - PHOTOS
Deadly Storm Flooding Soaks Ohio After Drenching Upper Midwest
Death Toll From Midwest Floods Hits 22 - PHOTOS
Hurricane Dean Heads Into Gulf Oil Installations - PHOTOS
China storm death toll rises to 36
Escaped bulls cause chaos at Calif. fair
Woman Escapes Pit Bull Attack

Oddities
Florida Fugitive Nabbed Skinny Dipping in Hudson River
Grave injury for drunk driver
Court tries 18 for cross-dressing

Other News of Note
Remains of Last Missing Person in Minneapolis Bridge Collapse Found
Family, Friends of Missing Utah Miners Vent Frustration

Fox News
Barnes & Noble Won't Stock O.J. Simpson Book in Stores
West Virginia University Tops 2007 List of Party Schools
California Mansion Goes On Sale for Record $76 Million
Pop Tarts: Jaime Pressly's Yummy Mummy Body Secret

Reuters: Top News
Ball for Bonds's 756th homer going to auction
Mexico town booms as "Wal-Mart for migrants"
T-rex versus Beckham? Sorry, David, you're lunch
Turkish PM calls on army to stay out of politics
T-rex versus Beckham? Sorry, David, you're lunch
DreamWorks Animation, Paramount choose HD DVD
Apple iPhone sales could top 800,000: UBS
Big Mac creator stars in a museum for the hamburger
Careless drivers, your kids are watching you: survey
Brad Pitt aims to keep focus on Katrina recovery
Stocks creep up on U.S. rate cut hopes
Yen holds gains, weak Nikkei trims risk demand - Video
Oil rebounds after weaker Dean, hovers below $70
Gold dips , palladium hits 9-month low
Nasdaq up on rate-cut speculation as Dow dips - Video
Fed cash not reaching players who need it
US STOCKS-S&P, Nasdaq up on rate-cut speculation; Dow dips
FTSE edges up; drugmakers outweigh weak retailers
U.S. money funds seen safe from subprime problems
Nicaragua embargoes Esso assets in tax dispute
GM sees steady growth in emerging markets revenue
Nymex says it has held merger talks
Delta names Richard Anderson CEO
Archstone-Smith shareholders approve buyout

AP World News
Venezuela Congress OKs Chavez's reforms
Obama: No military solution in Iraq
Pit bulls break into home, maul woman
Janeane Garofalo joining Fox's '24'
Bird grilled, but lives to tell tale
Vick may still face charges in Virginia
One in four read no books last year
Amy Winehouse scraps North American tour
Barnes & Noble not stocking O.J. book
Stocks end erratic session mostly higher
Feud developing between Tiki, Eli
July foreclosures up 9 percent from June
West calls Timberlake his `inspiration'
Miami Hurricanes leaving Orange Bowl
Poll: Young people conflicted over money

Military.com
Poll: Woman as Commander-in-Chief?
Daily Shock: A Sergeant Gets KO'd
Blog: A Close Call in the Green Zone
Def Tech: F-35 Worth the Cash?
Op-ed: Death by a Thousand Cuts

CENTCOM: News Releases
IRAQI TIPS AID COALITION FORCES; OPERATIONS KILL 5 TERRORISTS, DETAIN 11 SUSPECTS
MND-N COMMANDER, LOCAL LEADERS MEET TO DISCUSS SECURITY TRANSITION IN DIYALA
THREE TERRORISTS KILLED, 28 DETAINED IN OPERATIONS AGAINST FACILITATORS
RESIDENTS CAPTURE, TURN OVER 11 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS
CITIZENS TURN IN 4 CACHES
IRAQI FORCES, U.S. SPECIAL FORCES DISMANTLE SNIPER CELL, DETAIN THREE, KILL ONE IN BAGHDAD
COALITION FORCES TARGET AL-QAEDA IN IRAQ; 3 TERRORISTS KILLED, 21 SUSPECTS DETAINED
COALITION FORCES KILL EIGHT, DETAIN THREE, CAPTURING A SPECIAL GROUPS LEADER AND SMUGGLER OF IRANIAN WEAPONS
THREE KILLED, 22 WOUNDED IN KHALIS MARKET ATTACK
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES, U.S. SPECIAL FORCES DETAIN 31 AT AL-QAEDA IN IRAQ MEETING
IRAQI FORCES, U.S. SPECIAL FORCES BATTLE INSURGENTS, KILL 8 TERRORISTS
COALITION TREATS 1,304 PATIENTS IN PAKTIKA PROVINCE
ANSF DISCOVERS MASSIVE CACHE IN KAPISA PROVINCE
COALITION TREATS 1,304 PATIENTS IN PAKTIKA PROVINCE
BOMB PRODUCTION FACILITY DESTROYED
TWO TERRORISTS KILLED, 16 DETAINED IN OPERATIONS AGAINST AL-QAEDA IN IRAQ
IRAQI ARMY FORCES PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID, MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO SINJAR BOMBING VICTIMS
TIP LEADS TO LARGEST CACHE UNCOVERED IN WESTERN BAGHDAD NEIGHBORHOOD
MND-B AIRCREWS RESPOND TO CHECKPOINT ATTACK, KILL FOUR INSURGENTS
THIRD FAILED ATTACK IN AS MANY DAYS YIELDS NEARLY A DOZEN DEAD INSURGENTS IN HELMAND
EXTREMISTS DESTROY ONE SCHOOL, RIG A SECOND
VIDEO AVAILABLE: SOLDIERS AID RESIDENTS
DESPITE REPORTS, NO COALITION AIRCRAFT DOWNED

USJFCOM
Noble Resolve 07-2 kicks off - podcast
Noble Resolve 07-2 aims at making communication easier
Monti relieves Bryan as Joint Systems Integration Command Commander - podcast
Bold Quest 07 to examine friendly force tracking capabilities - podcast
More about Bold Quest 07

Multi-National Force-Iraq
Operation Phantom Strike continues to put pressure on extremists
149th Infantry delivers food, supplies to locals in need
Paratroopers check up on Shiite, Sunni neighborhood
Troops deliver food, water to poorest residents of Al Kindi
Tip leads to insurgent cache site
Dragons find car bomb, three caches
Helicopter downed, results in 14 non-battle deaths
Four caches discovered in the Diyala River Valley during Operation Lightning Hammer
Marne Soldiers coordinate air support, kills 5 insurgents

DefenseLink
MILITARY NEWS
Former Hercules Unit Ramps Up for C-17s

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
Joint Task Force Bravo Treats 1,300 in Peru

HURRICANE WATCH
NORTHCOM Set for Hurricane Dean Response

IRAQ
Coalition Troops Capture 11 Suspects
Phantom Strike Puts Pressure on Extremists

ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ
Vehicle Aids Communication
Medics Hold Free Health Clinic
Troops Care for Citizens
Engineers Improve Power Grid
Coalition Forces Train Iraqi Marines

INSIDE AFGHANISTAN
Conference Keys on Challenges
No Mountain Too High for PRT
Photo Essay: Panjshir PRT
Video: Freedom Watch Afghanistan
FACE OF DEFENSE
Troop Returns to a New Iraq
Father, Son Serve Together
‘Biggest Losers’ Strut Their Stuff
Twin Sisters Support Brother

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
‘Operation Education’ Launched
Wounded Troops Get Help
Foundation Supports Vets

WHY WE SERVE
U.S. Marine Shares His Story - Story - Special
Afghans, Iraqis Appreciate Troops - Story - Special

DefendAmerica
NEWS UPDATES
Three Operations Net 11 Suspects - Story

ON THE GROUND
Soldiers Bring Mobile Communications to Battle - Story
Civil Affairs Team Delivers Medical Supplies - Story

IN IRAQ
Strike Group Begins Operations in Persian Gulf
U.S. Infantry Medics Hold Free Health Clinic
Substation Expansion Provides More Power
U.S., Iraqi Troops Provide Medical Assistance

IN AFGHANISTAN
No Mountain Too High for Reconstruction Team
Army Engineers Work to Connect Afghanistan

IN SOUTHWEST ASIA
Commander Thanks Airmen for Dedication
Airmen Ensure Troops in the Field Get Supplies

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
565 - St. Columba reports seeing a monster in Loch Ness.
1454 - Jews are expelled from Brunn Moravia on the order of King Ladislaus.
1485 - Richard III, last of the Plantagenet kings, is slain at Bosworth Field.
1775 - King George III proclaims the American colonies to be in open rebellion.
1791 - The Haitian Revolution begins.
1846 - The U.S. annexes New Mexico.
1864 - Twelve nations sign the Geneva Convention.
1902 - President Teddy Roosevelt becomes the first U.S. chief executive to ride in a car.
1910 - Japan annexes Korea.
1911 - The "Mona Lisa" is stolen from the Louvre.
1963 - NASA civilian test pilot Joe Walker reaches an altitude of 67 miles (106 km) in the X-15.
1969 - Hurricane Camille strikes the U.S. Gulf Coast, killing over 250.
1982 - General Ariel Sharon urges the Palestinians to discuss a peaceful coexistence with Israel.
1989 - The first complete ring around Neptune is discovered.
1990 - President George H.W. Bush calls up military reservists.

Birthdays
1836
- Archibald M Willard US, artist (Spirit of '76)
1862 - Claude Debussy St Germain-en-Laye, composer (La Mer, Clair de lune)
1904 - Deng Xiaoping Chinese leader (1976-1983)
1917 - John Lee Hooker Mississippi, blues musician (Canned Heat)
1920 - Dr Denton Cooley heart surgeon (1st artifical heart transplant); Ray Bradbury, science-fiction author ("Fahrenheit 451")
1932 - Gerald P. Carr, Colonel USMC/astronaut (Skylab 4)
1934 - Norman Schwartzkopf, U.S. General (Desert Storm)

Passings
1818
- Warren Hastings, first governor-general of India (1773-84)
1922 - Michael Collins, Sinn Fein leader, killed by rebels
1978 - Jomo Kenyatta, president of Kenya

Reported Missing in Action
1967
Kerr, John C., USAF (FL); A26A disappeared during mission over Laos (pilot) ; Killed, body not recovered

Morgan, Burke H., USAF (CO); A26A disappeared during mission over Laos (navigator) ; Killed, body not recovered

1968
Acosta-Rosario, Humberto, US Army (P.R.); separated from his unit when they withdrew under heavy attack

1972
Crockett, William J., USAF (NM); F4E shot down (w/Tigner), KIA, body not recovered

Tigner, Lee M., USAF (Washington, D.C.); F4E shot down (w/Tigner), KIA, body not recovered

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