U.S. Army 2nd Lt. James Cleary, Spc. Mark Pascual and Capt. Victor Satturlund, assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division provide overwatch and coordination for U.S. and Iraqi forces at the start of Operation Rock Hammer south of Baqouba, Iraq, Sept. 7, 2007. Operation Rock Hammer, conducted in farmland and palm groves on the Diyala River, resulted in the discovery of 11 al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons caches. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Richard Ybarra


U.S. Army Spc. Mark Pascual, assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division pulls security during Operation Rock Hammer south of Baqouba, Iraq, Sept. 7, 2007. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Richard Ybarra


U.S. Army Sgt. Armando Gonzalez, assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, assists a fellow soldier out of a ravine during Operation Rock Hammer, Sept. 7, 2007. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Richard Ybarra


A 60mm mortar team, Spc. Carl Snow, Sgt. Matthew Gosselin and Sgt. Armando Gonzalez, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, in action during Operation Rock Hammer south of Baqouba, Iraq, Sept. 7, 2007. Operation Rock Hammer, conducted in farmland and palm groves on the Diyala River, resulted in the discovery of 11 al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons caches. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Richard Ybarra


A soldier, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, destroys an insurgent cave containing a cache, with an AT-4 during Operation Rock Hammer, Sept. 7, 2007. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Richard Ybarra


Soldiers, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, move past a burning weapons cache on the opposite bank of the Diyala River, Sept. 7, 2007. Operation Rock Hammer, conducted in farmland and palm groves on the Diyala River, resulted in the discovery of 11 al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons caches. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Richard Ybarra




More photo essays at DefendAmerica

Labels: 2nd ID, Diyala Province, Iraq, Operation Rock Hammer, photo essays, photos, US Army

"What was it that kept us going under such adverse conditions? I would say that it was a deep sense of responsibility to America and all that it stands for. Perhaps it could be summed up in that phrase that I have seen on a bumper sticker depicting the American Flag with these words: 'These colors don't run.' This may sound trite but I believe if we all would take a few moments and consider the benefits and privileges we have as Americans, then we can also ask ourselves, 'What can I do to deserve and keep these blessings?' The answer, if you will, is perhaps a return to more patriotism and honor amongst ourselves. I don't feel the image of America has fallen as so many have been heard to say, but we can certainly move forward and, hopefully, our example will be the impetus to start that movement."

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Arrest in Murder of U.S.-Allied Sunni
Greenspan: Oil the Prime Motive for Iraq War
Gates rejects Greenspan claim war is about oil
Militants step up Iraq attacks, kill 30 - Video
Gates: Iraq Withdrawals Depend on Success - 'FNS'
Al Qaeda Steps Up Violence, Kills 41 in Iraq Attacks
Sadr movement says won't challenge Maliki for now - Video
U.S. expands Anbar model to Iraq Shiites
Al-Qaida fighters raid Iraq villages
Gates calls ‘getting next part right’ in Iraq critical to America

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Report: Israeli Jets Destroyed Syrian Nuke Cache
Olmert seeks to lower expectations for Mideast talks

Other Military News
Missile defense strains U.S.-Russia ties
Gates urges veto of troop-rest measure

Religion of Peace??
Iranian Salon Owner Brutalized in N.Y. Anti-Muslim Attack

Worldwide Wackos
France says must prepare for possible war with Iran
Gates: U.S. pursuing diplomacy with Iran

Homegrown Moonbats
Thousands Protest Iraq War Outside White House - VIDEO

Politics / Government
Report: Ex-Fed Judge Expected to Be Next AG
Suspect in Russia Spy's Death to Run for Parliament
Civil U.S. presidential race not so good for voters
Retired Gen. Clark backs Clinton
Senate housing panel to vote on FHA
McCain: Bush was unrealistic about war
Clinton pushes civil rights agenda
Fed interest rate cut seen this week

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
O.J. Taken Into Custody - O.J.'s Run-Ins - VIDEO
Missing Michigan Newborn Girl Found Alive in South Carolina
Louisiana Court Overturns Conviction of Black Teen in 'Jena Six' Racial Fight Case
Could New Photos Be FBI Most Wanted Fugitive Whitey Bulger?
Football Game Cancelled When Thieves Steal Wiring for Lights
Burglar Who Learned From TV Show Sentenced to 12 Years
Police Find Live Chicken in Wisconsin Man's Trunk at Traffic Stop
Cops: 3 Found Killed in Dallas Home, 2 More Found Gagged in Closet
Richard Branson Pledges $200K to Help McCanns
Polygamy leader told rape victim to repent - Video
Alaska corruption prosecutors criticized
Trial set in text message abduction case

Science / Medicine and Health / Technology
China Recalls Tainted Leukemia Drugs
Stinky? It's not his sweat, it's your nose
Arctic sea route opens - Video
Sick? Lonely? Genes tell the tale

Mother Nature
Wildfires Force Evacuations Across Southern California
Indonesia quake toll rises to 23 dead - Video
Six dead, four missing as typhoon hits S.Korea: official
Downgraded Ingrid moves through Atlantic

News from My Neck of the Woods
Carriage Horse Dies in Accident in New York City's Central Park

Oddities
"Mr. Skin" cashes in on obsession with naked women
And it seemed like such a good idea..
Sick man fined for going to work
New Yorker pushes limits of the "locavore" life

Other News of Note
Bhutto: Musharraf Backers Pushing Pakistan Into Anarchy
A Holocaust mystery finds some answers

Fox News
Thai Tourist-Filled Plane Crashes - PHOTOS
Barry Bonds' Record-Breaking Baseballs Auctioned

Reuters: Top News
GM, union talks resume second day after deadline
Greek conservatives head for election win - Video
Opposition to resign over Musharraf re-election bid
Navigation devices set to take mass market route
Toshiba says subpoenaed over flash memory
EvansLondon gives NY Fashion Week big picture
Stocks may rise on expected interest rate cut
Oil falls below $80 after supply concerns spur new record
Market edges up; rate outlook offsets credit worry - Video
Macy's shares up; analyst cites takeover rumors
RadioShack to sell video games: Citigroup analyst
Solar industry sees boom in sunny Italy
Market edges up; rate outlook offsets credit worry
Fed set to cut interest rates
Altria to benefit from company split: Barron's
Leap Wireless board rejects MetroPCS bid
EU antitrust power in balance on Microsoft decision
Qatar to win LSE stake with $5.6 billion bid: paper
Nokia shares seen extending gains: report

AP World News
'The Brave One' is No. 1 at box office
Cities cracking down on saggy pants
Favre rallies Pack, sets record for wins
Saban takes Alabama back into AP Top 25
Cancer society ads push health reform
'Sopranos' takes aim at its last Emmys
Russia beats Italy for 3rd Fed Cup title
No. 1 USC runs past Nebraska 49-31
Nominees celebrate on eve of Emmy Awards
Bonds' 756th homer ball fetches $752,467
3 dead in duplex fire in western Ohio

CENTCOM: News Releases
U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTER WRANGELL ASSISTS ILL IRANIAN FISHERMAN
COALITION FORCES TARGET FOREIGN TERRORIST FACILITATORS; 5 KILLED, 21 DETAINED
JOINT STATEMENT BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, A.I. PATRICIA A. BUTENIS AND LIEUTENANT GENERAL RAYMOND T. ODIERNO REGARDING THE ASSASSINATION OF SHEIKH ABDUL SATTAR BEZIA AL-RISHAWI
SHEIK IN ANBAR KILLED IN ATTACK
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE
UPDATE: VEHICLE ACCIDENT CLAIMS 7 SOLDIERS

USJFCOM
Liveblogging: Bold Quest 07
Track this liveblog via a RSS feed
Bold Quest 07 begins to test Coalition Combat ID
More about Bold Quest 07
Command profiles modeling and simulation usage at MODSIM World Conference and Expo 2007
President nominates Marine general as new commander

Multi-National Force-Iraq
2nd SCR's Iron Company arrives in Baghdad
U.S. and British Troops bridge medical gap
'Dragoons' unfurl colors in Baghdad
Clearing continues: Dragons & Dragoons begin Operation Dragon Talon II in Rashid
Iraqi National Police find cache in Rusafa District
Insurgent rocket attack kills 2 eastern Baghdad residents, wounds 2 others
Iraqi Special Operations Forces, U.S. Special Forces in Diwaniyah Engage Extremist Insurgents
Iraqi Army thwarts suicide bomber
Khadra NAC Distributes Humanitarian Aid

DefenseLink
TOP NEWS
Bush Supports Petraeus’ Recommendations
Failure Could Have ‘Enormous’ Consequences
Iraq Surge Creates Opportunities, Gates Says
Gates Discusses Improved Iraq Security
Military Advisers Stand Behind Petraeus Report

IRAQ
Forces Capture Sattar Assassination Suspect
Coalition Forces Catch Key Extremist Leaders
Coalition Forces Detain 21 Suspected Terrorists
Assassination Bolsters Resolve Against al Qaeda
Petraeus Explains Iraq’s Link to U.S. Security

AFGHANISTAN
Forces Kill Insurgents, Capture Suspects

MILITARY NEWS
'Top Doc' Praises Advances at Walter Reed
Top Army Reserve NCO Cites Challenges
Center Makes Good on Commitment to Wounded
New Amputee Care Center Opens at Walter Reed

SALUTING THE CHAIRMAN
Today's Troops Reassure Pace
Troops Praise Chairman
Photos: Pace Visits SOUTHCOM
Colombia Honors Chairman
Photos: Pace in Colombia

ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ
Security, Economy, Services Improving for Iraqi Citizens
Baghdad Gets Renovated School
Iraqis to Run Water Plant
Soldiers Build Aid Station
Baghdad Businesses Improve

INSIDE AFGHANISTAN
Soldiers, Sailors Aid Community
Locals Turn in Munitions
Photos: Airmen Detonate Munitions

WHY WE SERVE
Helping Iraqis Achieve Freedom

FACE OF DEFENSE
New Sailor Finds Focus in Navy
Pilot Lauded for Actions in Iraq
Troop Uses Heimlich Maneuver
Sailor Serves in Cambodia

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Gala Honors Leadership
Troops Asked to Submit Songs
NCO Shares His View on Service - Story - Special

DefendAmerica
NEWS UPDATES
Bush Emphasizes Iraq’s Importance - Story

ON THE GROUND
U.S. Marines Move In on Insurgent Territory - Story
School Renovations Include 11 New Classrooms - Story
Navy Program Helps Women Learn Life Skills - Story

IN IRAQ
Families, Friends Welcome Marines, Sailors
Soldiers Build Six-Room, Portable Aid Station
Iraqis Assume Responsibility for Water Plant
Troops, Local Council Work to Improve Business
Workforce Learns How to Manage Warehouse
Marine Engineers Wrap Up Deployment in Anbar

IN AFGHANISTAN
U.S. Soldiers, Sailors Aid Afghan Community
Troops Hold Sept. 11 Memorial Ceremony

IN DJIBOUTI
Marines Deliver School Supplies to Children
Children to Benefit from New Classrooms

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


Today in History
1630 - The Massachusetts village of Shawmut changes its name to Boston.
1662 - Flamsteed sees makes the first astronomical observation of a solar eclipse.
1782 - The Great Seal of the U.S. is used for the first time.
1795 - The British capture Capetown.
1862 - General Bragg's army surrounds 4000 federals at Munfordville, KY.
1908 - William C. Durant founds General Motors.
1915 - The U.S. takes control of Haitian customs and finances - it will last 10 years.
1919 - An act of Congress incorporates the American Legion.
1940 - Samuel T. Rayburn is elected Speaker of the House.
1945 - A barometric pressure of 856 mb (25.55") is recorded off Okinawa - a record low.
1947 - John Cobb sets a world auto speed record at 394.2 MPH.
1968 - Richard Nixon appears on "Laugh-in"
1971 - Six Klansmen are arrested in connection with the bombing of 10 school buses.
1974 - President Ford announces conditional amnesty for American Vietnam War deserters.
1977 - A 90-minute pilot of "Logan's Run" premiers on TV.
1982 - The massacre of 1000+ Palestinian refugees at Chatila & Sabra begins.
1983 - Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes a U.S. citizen.
1984 - "Miami Vice" premiers on TV.
1987 - NASA launches the S-209 space vehicle.
1990 - Iraq televises an 8-minute uncensored speech by George H.W. Bush.
1991 - The U.S. trial of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega begins.
1995 - I got married! Happy Anniversary, honey!

Birthdays
1387 - King Henry V of England (1413-22)
1638 - King Louis XIV (the Sun King) of France (1643-1715)
1822 - Charles S. Crocker, President of Central & South Pacific Railroad
1823 - Francis Parkman, American historian/author (Oregon Trail)
1858 - A. Bonar Law, British PM (1922-23)
1875 - James Cash Penney, department store founder (J.C. Penney)
1877 - James J. Jeans, cosmologist/astrophysicist (Mysterious Universe)
1888 - Frans Sillanpaa, Finnish writer, Nobel Prize winner (Meek Heritage-1939)
1893 - Albert Szent-Gyoergyi Hungary, biochemist, Nobel Prize winner (1937)
1895 - Charles W. Bidwill Sr., NFL hall of famer (Chicago Cardinals)
1914 - Allen Funt, TV host & creator (Candid Camera)
1925 - B(lues) B(oy) King, blues singer, guitarist (The Thrill is Gone)
1956 - Kevin R. Kregel, pilot/astronaut
1962 - Kimberly McArthur, Playboy playmate (January, 1982)

Passings
1498 - Tomas de Torquemada, inquisitor responsible for burning 10,000 people to death
1672 - Anne Bradstreet, American poet
1946 - Sir James Jeans
1977 - Maria Callas, American-born prima donna

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

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Merritt, Raymond J., USAF (OR); F105 shot down (pilot), released by DRV February, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998
*NOTE: Also flew 100 missions in the F-84 during the Korean War

Risner, Robinsin, USAF (OK); F105D shot down, released by DRV February, 1973 - retired as a Brigadier General - alive and well as of 1998
*NOTE: Also was a Korean War "Ace" flying 110 missions in the F-86

1966
Buchanan, Hubert E., USAF (IN); F4C shot down (systems operator, w/Robertson), released by DRV March, 1973 - alive as of 1998

Robertson, John L., USAF (WA); F4C shot down (pilot, w/Buchanan), reportedly DIC

1967
Bagley, Bobby R., USAF (GA); RF101 shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - deceased as of December, 1997

1969
Trampski, Donald J., US Army (IN); fell into river while crossing a bridge

1975
Biagini, Frederick J., Civilian; released, date unknown

Labels: Headlines, History