Sunday, July 16, 2006

Sailors, Iraqis Give Aid

U.S. Army soldiers watch as Iraqi patients are searched by U.S. Navy corpsmen, from Regimental Combat Team 5, in Fallujah, Iraq, June 29, 2006, before receiving free medical treatment from the corpsmen and the Iraqi army soldiers. The Iraqi army and U.S. Navy corpsmen conducted the medical exercise. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adaecus G. Brooks

Iraqi patients sign in at the front desk of a schoolhouse in Fallujah, Iraq, June 29, 2006, before receiving free medical treatment from U.S. Navy corpsmen from Regimental Combat Team 5 and the Iraqi army soldiers. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adaecus G. Brooks

An Iraqi army soldier writes out a prescription sheet for a child during a combined medical exercise conducted by U.S. Navy corpsmen of Regimental Combat Team 5 and the Iraqi army at a schoolhouse in Fallujah, Iraq, June 29, 2006. Their goal is to treat as many Iraqi patients in the area as possible. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adaecus G. Brooks

An Iraqi army soldier checks a patient's blood pressure during a combined medical exercise conducted by U.S. Navy corpsmen of Regimental Combat Team 5 and the Iraqi army at a schoolhouse in Fallujah, Iraq, June 29, 2006. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adaecus G. Brooks

An Iraqi army soldier gives medication to a patient during a combined medical exercise in Fallujah, Iraq, June 29, 2006. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adaecus G. Brooks

A U.S. Navy sailor from 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 checks a patient's heartbeat during a combined medical exercise being conducted in Fallujah, Iraq, June 29, 2006. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adaecus G. Brooks

An Iraqi army soldier stands with a patient and his child during a combined medical exercise in Fallujah, Iraq, June 29, 2006. The exercise was conducted by U.S. Navy sailors with Regimental Combat Team 5 and the Iraqi army. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adaecus G. Brooks

posted by Pam @ 9:09 AM |

Know the Enemy - What the Taliban's Been Up To

GHAZNI OFFICIALS HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON MURDERED WOMAN

Release Date: 7/16/2006
Release Number: 06-07-01PE

COMBINED FORCES COMMAND – AFGHANISTAN COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

http://www.cfc-a.centcom.mil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Ghazni Minister of Information and police chief hosted a news conference July 15 to discuss the murder of Zahra Madadi. Madadi was kidnapped by Taliban extremists July 11. Her body was found dumped near the Village of Nougai , south of Ghazni city July 13.

A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the murder, falsely accusing her of misconduct by associating with Coalition forces at the Ghazni PRT, said Chief of Police General Tasfir Khan Khogiani.

Two days ago, police recovered the body of Madadi in the Village of Nougai , said Tasfir. The police took the body to the Ghazni Hospital . Following the investigation into the cause of death, the body was returned to the family.

Zahra’s sister, Arifa Madadi is a provincial counsel member and the Taliban’s attempt to discredit Arifa and her family may have been the motive in the murder, said Col. Thomas Collins, Combined Forces Command – Afghanistan spokesman.

Ghazni police continue their investigation into the murder. Zarha, 23 years old, worked with the Refugees and Returnee Affairs Department and attended school at night.

Zahra Madadi had no contact with Americans, added Tasfir.

“The Ghazni PRT and I regret the death of Zahra Madadi,” said Salim, the PRT Cultural Specialist. “As Gen. Tafseer has stated, she has never had any contact with members of the PRT.”

Anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of Zahra’s murders should contact the Ghazni Police.

*********************************************

MEN WEARING BURKAS SHOOT AFGHAN CIVILIANS
Release Date: 7/16/2006
Release Number: 06-07-01PE

COMBINED FORCES COMMAND – AFGHANISTAN COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

http://www.cfc-a.centcom.mil/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KABUL , Afghanistan - Two Afghan civilians were killed and one civilian injured in a drive-by shooting July 15 in Zambar in Khowst Province .

The attack was conducted by three individuals disguised as women who were wearing burkas and driving in a Toyota Corolla.

The Afghan civilians were from the village of Aber Khel and acquaintances of the Zambar Afghan National Police chief.

“This was a senseless attack on Afghan civilians,” said Col. Thomas Collins, Coalition spokesperson. “For extremists to dress like women and kill innocent civilians, shows the lengths the extremists will go to threaten the safety of the Afghan people. The Coalition remains committed to putting an end to such senseless violence and those who would commit these atrocities.”

posted by Pam @ 9:05 AM |

FALLEN HEROES RUN — U.S. Army soldiers run in formation during the Fallen Heroes 5K run at Forward Operating Base Duke, Iraq, July 5, 2006. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Katrina Beeler

posted by Pam @ 9:01 AM |

In Today's News - Sunday, July 16, 2006

Quote of the Day
"When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them."
-- The Qur'an [8:12]
(Doesn't strike me as very peaceful - how about you? -- P.)

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Hostage released unharmed in Baghdad
Civil Affairs Helps 29th FA Soldiers Complete Mission

Operation Enduring Freedom
40 Afghan Militants Killed
Coalition Spokesperson to Discuss Operations in Southern Afghanistan
Afghan, Coalition Forces Intensify Offensive in Uruzgan
Coalition Responds to Media Reports of Civilian Casualties in Nowzad District
Afghan, Coalition Forces Attack Key Taliban Targets in Sangin
Coalition Confirms No Civilian Non-combatants Killed

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Israel, Hezbollah Trade Attacks
Rice tells Israel US concerned about casualties
U.S., Europe urge Israel to show restraint
Lebanon: U.S. blocking call for cease-fire
Lebanon reports 106 killed so far in 4-day assault; Israel reports 15
Israel hits Beirut suburb, no signs of conflict end
Lebanese Guerillas Fire Rockets Into Israel
Photo Essay: War Erupts in Mideast
Photo Essay: Lebanon Offensive Rages
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
Video: Israel Targets Tripoli
Video: Beirut Pounded
Video: Gaza Crisis Continues
Israeli Tanks, Troops in Gaza
Fighting Deepens Lebanese Divisions Over Hezbollah
Peace Process Called 'Dead'
U.S. Embassy to Evacuate Americans From Lebanon
Israel Intel: Iranian Troops Helped Hezbollah Attack
Iran: No Troops in Lebanon
Israel: Missile Struck Warship
Putin: Israel After More Than Just Captured Soldier
Bush Blames Hezbollah, Syria
G8 Leaders Tear Up Agenda
Video: Bush, Putin on Mideast
Protesting Pakistani Youths Set Pizza Hut on Fire
9/11 families want more thorough search

Immigration / Border Control
Elite unit focuses on rescue of immigrants

Worldwide Wackos
Security Council Unanimously Adopts N. Korea Resolution
UN sanctions vote prompts North Korea rejection
Rice: UN resolution to get N.Korea back to talks

Politics / Government
Bush backs away from spat with Putin
US and Russia plan nuclear deal
Russian WTO entry bid talks falter
Battles for Senate seats fierce, costly
Abortion backers, foes square off in Miss.

In the Courts
New York panel OKs pistol-packing judges

Hurricane Season / Wild Weather / Mother Nature
Two Massive Wildfires Merge
California wildfire moves from town, one dead

News from My Neck of the Woods
Pastor at victim's funeral: Fix Big Dig

Oddities
Berlin Love Parade back after three-year absence
Beer baron Coors loses license for DUI

Other News of Note
Shuttle Discovery sails away from space station - Video
Shuttle's Last Day in Space

Fox News
NY Building Collapse Doc Dies
Sex Offender Kills Teen, Self After Florida Standoff

Reuters: Top News
India puts off peace talks with Pakistan
Local tests show Indonesian man died of bird flu
Rocker Avril Lavigne wed in California: report
Mideast, oil and earnings to roil stocks
Stocks sink as Mideast violence escalates - Video
Defense stocks attract as global conflicts heat up
Home-builder shares fall after Horton warns
Lula: 'No reason to change' policies
FactBox: What's at stake in Brazil election
Gerstein: No comfort on radio valuations

AP World News
Va. man gets 150 years for child porn
Frank Sinatra's pianist dies at 91
Mosley stops Vargas in 6th round
'Amazing Race' moves to new night, time
Danica says she's still gunning for Indy
Would CBS wrap up a canceled serial drama?
Bryant likely out of worlds after surgery
Column: Wie's critics just don't get it
Everest remains deadly draw for climbers
Parents jailed in starving of 3 S.C. kids

Department of Defense
For More Top News Visit DefenseLink

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

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 (PDF)
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
622 - Origin of the Islamic Era (Muharram 1, 1 AH)
1439 - England bans kissing.
1775 - U.S. founding father John Adams graduates from Harvard.
1790 - Congress establishes the District of Columbia.
1798 - The U.S. Public Health Service is established; the U.S. Marine Hospital is authorized.
1862 - David G. Farragut becomes the U.S. Navy's first Rear Admiral.
1904 - Samoan chiefs cede the islands of the Manu'a group to the U.S.
1912 - B.A. Fiske patents the airplane-launched naval torpedo.
1927 - Augusto Sandino begins his five-year war against U.S. occupation of Nicaragua.
1941 - Seattle, WA records a record-high temperature of 100˚ F.
1945 - The first atomic bomb is detonated at the Trinity Site in Alamagordo, NM.
1956 - Barnum & Baily Circus is held in a canvas tent for the last time.
1957 - Marine Major John Glenn sets a transcontinental speed record (03:28:08).
1962 - NASA civilian test pilot Joseph A. Walker takes the X-15 to 32,600 m.
1969 - Apollo 11, carrying the first men to land on the Moon, is launched.
1973 - During the Watergate hearings, Alexander Butterfield reveals the existence of tapes.
1980 - Ronald Reagan is nominated for President.
1982 - NASA launches Landsat-4; its job is to create a thematic map of the Earth.
1983 - Britain's worst helicopter accident kills 20.
1985 - The F-86 Sabre sets a world aircraft speed record of 1716 m.p.h. (152 k.p.h.)
1990 - In New York City, the Empire State Building catches fire; there are no fatalities.

Holidays
Today is "District of Columbia Day"

Birthdays
1746 - Giuseppe Piazzi, discovered the first asteroid (Ceres)
1821 - Mary Baker Eddy, founded Christian Science
1872 - Roald Amundsen, Norwegian explorer, discovered South Pole
1887 - "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, baseball great
1888 - Frits Zernike, inventor of the phase-contrast microscope, Nobel Prize winner
1896 - Trygve Lie, first UN Secretary-General
1907 - Orville Redenbacher, popcorn king
1932 - Richard L. Thornburgh, U.S. Attorney General

Passings
1918 - Czar Nicholas II of Russia and his family, executed
1991 - Frank Rizzo (Mayor-Philadelphia)

Reported Missing in Action
1968
Neco-Quinones, Felix V., US Army (PR); released by PRG February, 1973

1969
Dawson, James V., USAF (KY); F100D shot down, KIA, body not recovered

posted by Pam @ 9:00 AM |

Iraq War Today is...
...News and photos of Heroes deployed to the Middle East and elsewhere. IWT is dedicated to all of our military Heroes - past, present and future.