Banners of appreciation from the community adorn the front entrance of the Tisin Playground, located in the ethnically mixed northwest neighborhood of Kirkuk, Iraq. The project is part of a larger plan that will include gardens, lighted walkways and 24-hour security. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Alberts


Lt. Col. James D. Hess (far rear), battalion commander, 325th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Command Sgt. Maj. Randy Varner (back right), 325th command sergeant major, pose for a photo with neighborhood children during the grand opening of the Tisin Playground in Kirkuk, Iraq, Sept. 24, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Alberts


Two small girls are among the first children to enjoy one of several swings at the Tisin Playground in Kirkuk, Iraq. Local government officials and military leadership with the 25th Infantry Division's 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the Iraqi Army's 4th Division commemorated the grand opening of the playground with a ribbon cutting, Sept. 24, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Alberts


Maj. Zyad Junade, civil affairs officer, 2nd Brigade, Iraqi Army's 4th Division and U.S. Army Lt. Col. James D. Hess, commander, 325th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, pose for a photo at the new playground in Kirkuk, Iraq, Sept. 24, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Alberts


U.S. Army Lt. Col. James D. Hess (right), commander, 325th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, watches a young Iraqi boy enjoy one of four large slides during the grand opening of the Tisin Playground in Kirkuk, Iraq, Sept. 24, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Alberts


A small girl enjoys one of four slides at the new Tisin Playground in Kirkuk, Iraq, Sept. 24, 2007. Local government officials as well as U.S. and Iraqi army leadership commemorated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mike Alberts




More photo essays at DefendAmerica

Labels: 2-4 Iraqi Army, 25th Infantry Division, 325th BSB, 4th Iraqi Army Division, children, Good News, Iraq, Iraqi Army, photo essays, photos, US Army

BARRIER
U.S. Army Pfc. Damien Montgomery,1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, attaches chains to a barrier to be moved into position at a state operated gas station in Mansur, Iraq, Oct. 1, 2007. The barriers will provide added security and traffic control at the gas station. Photo By: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Charles W. Gill

Labels: 1-64th Armor Regiment, Iraq, Mansur, US Army

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Report: Syria-to-Iraq Homicide Bomb Trail
Powerful Shiite Leaders Agree to End Bitter Rivalry
Obama: Private Security Making Iraq More Dangerous For Troops
Petraeus puts heat on Iran over Iraq violence
After the bombs, lingering car wrecks haunt Iraqis
Surge continues to help Iraqi government make progress

Operation Enduring Freedom
6 years later, US expands Afghan base
Japan may cut support of Afghan mission

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Prominent Palestinian Christian killed in Gaza

Other Military News
U.S. hospital ship aims to grow goodwill in Americas

Worldwide Wackos
Iran holds more talks with U.N. over nuclear work

Politics / Government
Virginia Republican Rep. Jo Ann Davis Dies After Breast Cancer Fight
City Councilman Considers Quitting After Man Kills Himself at Meeting
GOP Presidential Hopefuls Blast Congress For Spending
Embattled Sen. Larry Craig to Join Idaho Hall of Fame
Analysis: Clinton extending her lead
Analysis: Giuliani lead no guarantee
Democrats woo voters at Iowa barbecue
Bush talks of compromise on health bill

Illegal Immigration / Border Control
Bush to Challenge Texas (This is just unbelievable)

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Police Arrest Sex Offender Who Ran Off With 15-Year-Old Florida Girl
California Mother Convicted in Plot to Kill Couple for Yacht Sentenced to Life Terms
11-Year-Old Boy Leads Louisiana Police on High-Speed Chase
Amber Alert Issued for Missing New Orleans 16-Year-Old Girl
Suspect Charged in Philadelphia Armored Car Robbery

U.N. News
Monks Take Democracy Protests Global
Mynamar junta takes soldiers off streets
Analysis: Crackdown may haunt junta

Science / Medicine and Health / Technology
Follow in 385,000 yr-old human footsteps
Pro gamers spurn geek stereotype as go mainstream
FCC won't probe disclosure of phone records

Mother Nature
Typhoon Ashore in China, 1 Million Evacuated - PHOTOS
Melting ice pack displaces Alaska walrus

News from My Neck of the Woods
Gas Explosion at Harlem Apartment Building Injures 20

Oddities
'Naked Lunch' may be banned in Maine

Other News of Note
British Adventurer Completes 13-Year, 46,000-Mile Human-Powered Circumnavigation of the Globe
Powerful Explosion Rocks Tacoma, Wash., Knocking Out Power, Hospitalizing 4
Costa Ricans vote on free trade with the U.S.

Fox News
Rockies Win First Playoff Series in Team History
28 Killed, Scores Injured in Train, Bus Crash in Cuba
Al Sharpton Vows to Protest Unless Isiah Thomas Apologizes to Women

Reuters: Top News
Court unlikely to annul Musharraf victory
Diana inquest jury to visit Paris crash site
Syrian plane crashes near Damascus, 2 killed
Security tight as slain Kremlin critic remembered
Jones "one of biggest frauds" in sport, says Diack
Radiohead album bets on fast release - Video
Birds sing for Kenzo, models dance for Galliano
Pamela Anderson weds: media reports
Britney Spears names new album "Blackout"
RIM's push into retail starts to bite
RBS team has 85 pct acceptances from ABN investors: report
Jobs data shows economy slowing, not stalling
Merrill and Wamu join lengthening list of warnings
Movie Gallery to file for Chap. 11 protection: report
Sprint needs marketing, turnaround expert as CEO

AP World News
Report: Lindsay Lohan leaves rehab
Lights out! Rockies roar into NLCS
Stanford shocks No. 2 USC 24-23
Chrysler, UAW continue contract talks
Boom, bust in area beset by foreclosures
'Diddy' sued over B.I.G. music rights
Illini end nation's longest win streak
Weak dollar hurts at Paris fashion shows
Deck stacked against Philly casino foes

CENTCOM: News Releases
CIVILIANS FOUND DEAD, INJURED AFTER BATTLE BETWEEN MILITANTS, AFGHAN, COALITION FORCES
SEVERAL MILITANTS KILLED IN PAKTIKA PROVINCE

USJFCOM
Joint Knowledge Online now available to wider audience- podcast
More about Joint Knowledge Online
Unified Endeavor 08-1 prepares soldiers for Afghanistan deployment
Senate confirms next commander
Nominee to be the next USJFCOM commander testifies before Senate Armed Services Committee
President nominates Marine general as new commander

Multi-National Force-Iraq
Supply mission provides Iraqi students school basics
Iraqi Soldiers discover weapons caches
Coalition forces give humanitarian aid to village
Georgian Brigade to uncase colors in Iraq
Mosul tips lead to cache
Soldiers in eastern Baghdad capture 3 insurgents, discover and destroy deadly EFPs
Iraqi Police detain policeman responsible for Mayor’s death
Coalition airpower supports ground forces

DefenseLink
TOP NEWS
Gates to Increase Humanitarian Missions - Story
Gates Discusses Security Issues in Peru - Story
Troops Kill Insurgents, Capture Suspects
Iraqis Provide Crucial Help in Terrorist Fight
Surge Continues to Help Government Progress

MILITARY NEWS
Amputees Find Greater Opportunities to Serve - Story
Africa Command Works to Become Effective - Story
AFRICOM Commander Affirms Commitment
Marine Corps Exceeds Recruiting Goals

ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ
New Volunteer Force Takes Stand for Security - Story
Iraqi Firefighters Respond to Fire at Outpost
Troops Discover Weapons Caches
Terrorist Recruiting Center Becomes Schoolhouse

INSIDE AFGHANISTAN
New Flightline Ramps Increase Capacity - Story

FACE OF DEFENSE
Sudan Refugee Seeks Home, Serves New Country - Story
Marine Follows in Great Uncle’s Steps
Lance Corporal Fills Sergeant's Billet

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Grand Ole Opry Sends Largest Care Package - Story
SemperComm Accepts Award Nominations - Story
Group Helps Families Cope

DefendAmerica
BLOGGERS' ROUNDTABLE with Air Force Col. Donald Bacon
More Evidence Shows Iran Directly Supports Iraq Insurgents - Story

NEWS UPDATES
Troops Kill Insurgents, Catch Four - Story

ON THE GROUND
Residents Stand up for Security - Story
Firefighters Respond to Outpost Fire - Story
Iraqi Soldiers Discover Weapons Caches - Story
Terrorist Center Converted to Schoolhouse - Story
Raid Routs Insurgents from Hadithah Triad - Story

IN IRAQ
Troops Hone Skills on Clearing Buildings
Center Will Re-connect Baghdad to World
Sailors, Marines Support Ground Troops
Navy Customs Battalion TANGO Deploys
Marine Mechanics Help Keep Comrades Safe
Residents Celebrate New Fresh-water Well
Iraqi Hospital Project Provides Jobs
Soldiers of 45th Medical Company Head Home

IN AFGHANISTAN
New Ramps Increase Bagram Capacity
Two New Ramps Give Airfield More Capacity
Troops Get Taste of Home with Post Exchange
Airfield Recycling Project Creates Jobs

IN HORN OF AFRICA
Teamwork Gives Children Space for Learning

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

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

National Hurricane Center

Today in History
1571 - The Spanish and Italians defeat the Turkish fleet in the Battle of Lepanto.
1737 - 40 foot waves sink 20,000 small craft and kill 300,000 in Bengal, India.
1765 - The Stamp Act Congress convenes in NY.
1777 - Americans beat the British the Second Battle of Saratoga and the Battle of Bemis Heights.
1780 - American militia defeat the British near Kings Mountain, SC.
1826 - The Granite Railway (first chartered railway in the U.S.) begins operations.
1868 - Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) opens.
1871 - A 16-hour fire injures 30 of Chicago's 185 firefighters.
1886 - Spain abolishes slavery in Cuba.
1908 - Crete revolts against Turkey, aligning with Greece.
1919 - The first London-to-Amsterdam airline service begins (British Aerial Transport).
1924 - Marble Bar, Australia, sees the first of 160 consecutive days of 100-degree heat.
1931 - Rochester, NY, is the site of the first infra-red photograph.
1938 - Germany demands that all Jewish passports be stamped with the letter J.
1949 - The German Democratic Republic forms from the Russian occupation zone.
1950 - U.S. forces invade Korea, crossing the 38th parallel.
1957 - "American Bandstand" premieres on TV.
1958 - Potter Stewart is appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court; the U.S. manned space-flight project is renamed Project Mercury.
1963 - Bobby Baker resigns as Senate Democratic secretary; Hurricane Flora hits Haiti and the Dominican Republic, killing 7,190.
1965 - A 50-mph wind gust carries Robert Mitera's tee shot 447 yards to score the world's longest straight hole-in-one - at the 10th hole in Miracle Hills, Omaha, NE.
1968 - The Motion Picture Association of America adopts the film rating system.
1985 - The 21st Space Shuttle Mission (51-J; Atlantis-1) lands at Edwards AFB; PLO terrorists seize the Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro.
1988 - The Latvian flag is raised in Riga for the first time since annexation by the U.S.S.R.
1990 - Israel begins handing out gas masks to its citizens.

Birthdays
1728 - Caesar Rodney, patriot, signer of the Declaration of Independence
1885 - Niels Bohr, physicist, expanded quantum physics / Nobel Prize Winner (1922)
1888 - Henry A. Wallace, 33rd U.S. Vice President / Progressive presidential candidate
1906 - James E. Webb, head of NASA (1961-68)
1931 - Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop of South Africa / Nobel Prize winner (1982)
1943 - Oliver North, Col., USMC / author / inventor / radio show host, (figure in Iran-Contra hearings
1951 - John Cougar Mellencamp, rocker (Jack & Diane)
1955 - Yo-Yo Ma, world famous Chinese cellist
1958 - Kim Morris, Playboy playmate (Mar, 1986)

Passings
1849 - Edgar Allen Poe, poet / author
1959 - Mario Lanza, singer

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Gilchrist, Robert M., USAF (CO); RF4C shot down (pilot)

Knight, Larry Dale, USAF (OR); RF4C crashed offshore (pilot)

Pabst, Eugene M., USAF (NY); RF4C shot down (backseater to Gilchrist)

Treece, James A., USAF (TN); RF4C shot down (pilot); status later changed to "Died while missing"

1967
Appleby, Ivan D., USAF (CA); F4D shot down (pilot, w/Austin), remains returned January, 1995 - ID'd October, 1995

Austin, William R. II, USAF (SC); F4D shot down (backseater, w/Appleby), released by DRV March, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998

Fullam, Wane E., USAF (TN); F105D shot down (pilot), remains returned September, 1987

Hodges, David L., USN (MD); A4E shot down (pilot), KIA, remains ID'd April, 1999

Labels: Headlines, History