IRAQ WAR TODAY
Keep Your Helmet On!




Be A Part of a Tribute to Fallen Heroes - Help Build the Fallen Soldiers' Bike
Help support the families of our deployed Heroes - Visit Soldiers' Angels' Operation Outreach
Help Our Heroes Help Others - Click Here to visit SOS: KIDS
Nominate your Hero for IWT's "Hero of the Month" - click here for details!
Search Iraq War Today only

Monday, October 08, 2007

Marines Enforce River Curfew

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Garrick A. Bowles and an interpreter warn local fishermen on Sept. 9, 2007, about a planned 24-hour curfew on the Euphrates River near the Hadithah Dam during Ramadan. Bowles is lead petty officer for Maritime Interdiction Operations Team, Detachment 3, Riverine Squadron 1, Riverine Group 1, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, in support of Regimental Combat Team 2. The regiment declared the temporary curfew on the waterway to stem an anticipated increase in enemy activity on the river during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. U.S. Navy photo Petty Officer 2nd Class Marcos T. Hernandez


Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jesse D. Mitchell, right, explains the curfew to local fishermen on the Euphrates River near the Hadithah Dam, Sept. 16, 2007. Mitchell is assigned to Maritime Interdiction Operations Team, Detachment 3, Riverine Squadron 1, Riverine Group 1, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, in support of Regimental Combat Team 2. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser


Iraqi fishermen pull in their nets after being warned by sailors with Riverine Squadron 1, Riverine Group 1, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, in support of Regimental Combat Team 2, about the temporary 24-hour curfew on the Euphrates River near the Hadithah Dam, Sept. 16, 2007. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser


An Iraqi civilian’s boat sits on the shore of Hadithah Dam, Iraq, Sept. 16, 2007, as sailors with Riverine Squadron 1, Riverine Group 1, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, in support of Regimental Combat Team 2, prepare to leave on a patrol to enforce the temporary 24-hour curfew on the waterway. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser


Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael E. Bennett uses binoculars to scan the horizon for boats while on a curfew enforcement patrol, Sept. 5, 2007. Bennett is a boat captain with Detachment 3, Riverine Squadron 1, Riverine Group 1, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, in support of Regimental Combat Team 2. U.S. Navy photo Petty Officer 2nd Class Marcos T. Hernandez


Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua L. Jackson scans the water during a curfew enforcement patrol on the Euphrates River near the Hadithah Dam, Sept. 16, 2007. Jackson is an aft (rear) gunner with Detachment 3, Riverine Squadron 1, Riverine Group 1, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, in support of Regimental Combat Team 2. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser


A Riverine Patrol Boat with Riverine Squadron 1, Riverine Group 1, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, in support of Regimental Combat Team 2, tows several boats seized while enforcing a 24-hour curfew on the waterway near the Hadithah Dam, Sept. 12, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Marcos T. Hernandez




More photo essays at DefenseLink

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

This Week in Terrorism - the Achille Lauro



On October 7, 1985, in Egyptian waters, four heavily-armed PLF terrorists hijacked the Achille Lauro, an Italian cruise ship with mostly elderly passengers on board.

Their demands included the freeing of 50 Palestinian prisoners from Israel. In order to make their point, they shot and killed 69-year-old American tourist Leon Klinghoffer, who was wheelchair-bound. After they murdered him, they threw his body - still in the wheelchair - overboard.

After two days, the Egyptian government provided them with safe passage in exchange for freeing the passengers and ship. They were at that time unaware of Klinghoffer's murder.

Upon discovery of the fate of Mr. Klinghoffer, however, U.S. Navy F-14 fighters intercepted the Egypt Air 737 flying the hijackers to Tunisia, forcing it to set down in Sicily. The terrorists were taken into custody by Italian authorities, tried, convicted, and sentenced to prison.

Of the hijackers and their accomplices:

Bassam al-Asker was paroled in 1991.

Ahmad Marrouf al-Assadi disappeared in 1991 while on parole.

Youssef al Molqi was sentenced to 30 years, fled to Spain while on furlough, and was recaptured and returned to Italy.

Abu Abbas, the mastermind, was convicted in absentia, remaining at large for years. As of 1998, Abbas was openly residing in Arafat-controlled Palestinian territory. Asked at that time why Klinghoffer was murdered, Abbas stated that "He created troubles. He was handicapped but he was inciting and provoking the other passengers. So the decision was made to kill him."

The U.S. has a long memory when it comes to terrorists - Abu Abbas was captured by U.S. Special Forces near Baghdad, Iraq on April 15, 2003. He died while in U.S. custody.

The PLO, for its part, was sued over the hijacking, but the suit was dropped after the PLO paid an undisclosed sum to Mr. Klinghoffer's daughters. They used the funds to establish the Leon and Marilyn Klinghoffer Memorial Foundation of the Anti-Defamation League, which works to combat terrorism through legal, political and educational methods.

The Achille Lauro continued service after the hijacking - until December 2nd, 1994, when she sank off the coast of Somalia as a result of catching fire a few days earlier.

Labels: , , ,



Friends share a laugh and some food
Chaplain (Capt.) Chad Bellamy plays with a young Honduran girl during a break Sept. 29 while delivering supplies to families living in the mountains near Comayagua, Honduras. The Joint Task Force-Bravo chaplain organized the trip so JTF-B people could deliver food to the village of Mata De Platano. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Austin M. May)

Labels: , , , , , ,

In Today's News - Monday, October 8, 2007

Quote of the Day
"Security against defeat implies defensive tactics;
ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive."

-- Sun Tzu

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iran Reopens Five Crossings on Northern Iraq Border
Knowing the enemy difficult in Iraq
Iraqis provide crucial help in terrorist fight

Operation Enduring Freedom
U.S. and Afghan officials meet on aerial opium spray

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Report says war on terror is fuelling al Qaeda (Well, maybe we should just ask them nicely not to kill us - or try free donuts and hugs for the murdering scum, then...)
Interpol in rare global appeal for Web pedophile
Sudan to host Palestinians stranded on Iraq border(Oh, brother)
Olmert deputy urges talks on future of Jerusalem

Fallen Heroes
Slain soldier told kin to investigate if she died
Soldier’s spirit, kin persevere

Supporting Our Heroes
Gun down a terrorist, face ‘friendly’ fire

Other Military News
Runner Dies in Army Race, Collapses Near Pentagon
U.S. and Japan at odds over rising military base costs

Worldwide Wackos
Utah Men Accused of Trying to Export Fighter Jet Parts for Plane Flown in Iran
Beauty business thrives in Iran
Report: N. Korea May Disable Nuclear Facilities This Month
S.Korea sure of early nuclear settlement (Everyone else, not so much)

Politics / Government
Clinton Takes Lead in Iowa Poll
Obama Preaches to Faithful at Packed Megachurch
State Dept. Blog Reveals Diplomatic Thought
Atlantic City Mayor to Resign After Disappearing From Sight
Costa Rica Grants Free Trade With U.S., Opponents Balk
Turkey may cut support to U.S. over Armenia bill: MP
Democrats positioned to widen majority in Senate
Bush honors fallen firefighters
Leavitt seeks deal on children's health
Democrats focus on youth in Iowa

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Wisconsin Residents in Shock After Shooting Rampage - VIDEO
Locals Question How Shooting Rampage Deputy Became Officer
Intruders Damage Renowned Claude Monet Painting in French Museum
Police use of Tasers causes few injuries: study
Members vote to retain pastor
Fla. prosecutors build foster child case

U.N. News
Myanmar suggests Suu Kyi release a long way off
Raids, Resistance Continue in Myanmar - PHOTOS
IAEA chief arrives in India as nuclear row rages
No country immune from animal disease: U.N.
Rebel says Sudanese army kills 105 in Darfur town
Darfur town razed after peacekeeper raid (Well, thank goodness the U.N. is there to protect them, eh?)

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
MSNBC.com Acquires Social News Web Site, Newsvine
Black Employees to Accuse MSG of Discrimination in Suit
Politkovskaya killer known to police: investigator - Video
Activists mark Russia journalist's death

Science / Medicine / Technology
Green fuels will save the earth - or not
Two Americans Win Nobel Prize in Medicine - Briton also awarded for stem cell discoveries
Shuttle crew lands in Florida for launch practice
Zune plays new tune with social networking
Pro gamers spurn geek stereotype as go mainstream
Program launched to counter TB drug shortfalls
Los Angeles clinic shows flaws in diabetes care
Small scanners find hidden heart disease

Mother Nature
Marathon Meltdown
Following Honeybee Disappearance, Bumblebees Begin Vanishing Act
Tasmanian Devil falling prey to cancer

Oddities
Teen Rubik's Cube Champion Solves Puzzle 5 times in About 12 Seconds Each
Man Faces 30-Year Sentence for Stealing 52¢ Doughnut
Smells can inspire, arouse -- and drive you mad

Fox News
Helicopter Escorting Musharraf Crashes, 4 Killed
Boston Red Sox Sweep Anaheim; Yanks Stay Alive

Reuters: Top News
Lady luck turns on Las Vegas' once-hot home market
Pamela Anderson weds: media reports
"Kite Runner" flies high in faithful adaptation
Stocks seen opening lower, thin trade likely
Dollar firms as economic outlook improves - Video
Worries about U.S. downturn ease - Video
Northern Rock climbs on report of further suitors
Sniffing a buying opportunity
JPM and BAC to write down $3 billion in loans: report
Boeing says 787 on track for May 2008 delivery
UBP exec says turmoil prompts fund shakeout
Julius Baer has high targets for Asia - Video
CORRECTION: Buffett sells PetroChina shrs, 5th time since July
RBS trio to seal ABN win, big integration task now

AP World News
Stiller finds heartbreak at box office
Damon HR keeps Yankee season alive
UAW, Chrysler make progress on talks
UK probe of Diana's death going to Paris
Curt Schilling pitches Red Sox into ALCS
Mortgage slump hits home decor industry
Dana Carvey goes for laughs online
Brady's 3 TDs lead Patriots past Browns

CENTCOM: News Releases
STATEMENT FROM MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE – IRAQ: COALITION FORCES ENGAGED TERRORISTS NEAR BAQUBAH

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
Iraqi firefighters respond to fire at Coalition outpost
New chairman re-enlists 31 Soldiers in Baghdad
Soldiers bring needed supplies to schools
Doura residents evacuated for their protection, then returned
Nasiriyah Maternity and Pediatric Hospital rehabilitation project nearly finished
Local citizens assist Soldiers in decreasing violence
Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Operations Forces dismantle terrorist cells, kill one insurgent
Coalition forces target Special Groups member; five killed, three detained

DefenseLink
TOP NEWS
Gates Travels to Five Latin American Countries - Story

IRAQ
Citizens Groups Help Tamp Down Insurgency
Troops Kill Insurgents, Capture Suspects
Iraqis Provide Crucial Help in Terrorist Fight
Surge Continues to Help Government Progress

MILITARY NEWS
New Chairman Re-enlists 31 Soldiers in Baghdad - Story
Africa Command Works to Become Effective - Story
AFRICOM Commander Affirms Commitment

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

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

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
SemperComm Accepts Award Nominations - Story
Opry Sends Large Package
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

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

National Hurricane Center

Today in History
1604 - The supernova called "Kepler's Nova" is first sighted.
1775 - Officers decide to bar slaves and freed Blacks from the Continental Army.
1818 - Two English boxers are the first to use padded gloves.
1840 - The first Hawaiian constitution is proclaimed.
1860 - A telegraph line between Los Angeles and San Francisco opens.
1862 - At the Battle of Perryville (KY), a Confederate invasion is halted.
1871 - The Great Fire of Chicago kills 200, destroying miles of Chicago's buildings, along with the original Emancipation Proclamation.
1896 - Dow Jones starts reporting an average of industrial stocks.
1912 - The First Balkan War begins.
1918 - Sgt. Alvin York reportedly single-handedly kills 25 Germans, and captures 132.
1933 - In San Francisco, Coit Tower is dedicated as a monument to firefighters.
1934 - Bruno Hauptmann is indicted for the murder of Charles Lindbergh's infant son.
1939 - Germany annexes Western Poland.
1944 - "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" debuts on CBS radio (on Ozzie and Harriet's ninth wedding anniversary).
1945 - President Truman announces that atomic bomb technology has been shared with Britain and Canada.
1955 - The World's most powerful aircraft carrier, the USS Saratoga, is launched.
1957 - The Brooklyn Dodgers announce they are moving to Los Angeles; Turkish and Syrian border guards exchange fire.
1962 - Algeria is admitted as the 109th member of the U.N.; North Korea reports a 100% election turnout, and a 100% vote for the Workers' (Communist) Party.
1963 - The Sultan of Zanzibar cedes his mainland possessions to Kenya.
1964 - Gilroy Roberts becomes the first U.S. chief engraver to retire (the others died in office).
1970 - Soviet author Alexander Solzhenitsyn wins the Nobel Prize for Literature.
1978 - Kenneth Warby sets the world water speed record at 319.627 mph (514 kph).
1981 - President Reagan greets predecessors Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and Richard Nixon before sending them to Egypt for Anwar Sadat's funeral.
1982 - Poland bans Solidarity.
1988 - A fire in Seattle's Space Needle causes evacuation, and causes $2,000 in damage.
1990 - Israeli police kill 17 Palestinian rioters.

Birthdays
1869 - J. Frank Duryea, inventor (first auto built and operated in the U.S.)
1890 - Eddie Rickenbacker, aviator - the "Ace of Aces" (WWI)
1895 - Juan Peron, Argentine President (1946-55, 1973-74)
1895 - King Zog I of Albania (1928-1939)
1916 - Spark Matsunaga (Sen-HI)
1920 - Frank Herbert, sci-fi writer (Dune)
1936 - David Carradine, actor (Kung-Fu, Boxcar Bertha, Young Guns)
1941 - Jesse Jackson, clergyman/presidential candidate
1943 - Chevy Chase, comedian/actor (SNL, Vacation, Fletch, Caddyshack)
1949 - Sigourney (Susan Alexandra) Weaver, actress (Alien, Working Girl)

Passings
1869 - Franklin Pierce 14th president of US, dies in Concord, NH
1944 - Wendell Lewis Willkie Republican politician, dies
1982 - Fernando Lamas actor/director, dies at 67 of cancer
1985 - Leon Klinghoffer, American tourist; hijackers of the Achille Lauro murder him and throw him overboard.

Reported Missing in Action
1963
Denton, Manuel R., USN (TX); UH34D crashed (crewman, w/Ritchey), possible aircraft collision, Killed, body not recovered

Ritchey, Luther E., Jr., USMC (OH); UH34D crashed (pilot, w/Denton), possible aircraft collision, Killed, body not recovered

Wadsworth, Dean Amick, USAF (TX); T28 shot down, emains identified April, 1999

1966
Feldhaus, John Anthony, USN (TN); A1H crashed, presumed Killed

Womack, Sammie N., US Army (VA); released February, 1967 - retired as a Staff Sgt - alive as of 1998

1967
The following lost in the crash of an E1B on Monkey Mountain near Da Nang; bodies not recovered
Guerra, Raul A., USN (CA); journalist / passenger
Pineau, Roland R., USN (MI); crew
Roggow, Norman L., USN (IA); crew
Wolfe, Donald F., USN (MT); crew
Zissu, Andrew G., USN (NY); pilot

1969
Altizer, Albert H., US Army (WV); Killed after the boat he was on overturned while crossing river, body not recovered

Watkins, Robert J., Jr., US Army (MD); AH1G crashed while returning from a mission (co-pilot); rescued on 10/13

1970
Ott, William A., USAF (CA); RF4C shot down (pilot, w/Shay)

Shay, Donald E., Jr., USAF (MD);RF4C shot down (WSO, w/Ott)

Labels: ,

nocashfortrash.org