Women and children from a Shia neighborhood in Baqubah file past a Stryker vehicle of Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., March 22. Soldiers of Company A visited a sheik in the neighborhood and met with area residents. The unit arrived in Baqubah on March 13 to reinforce recent successes by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)


A schoolgirl in a Shia neighborhood in Baqubah stares at a Stryker vehicle of Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., March 22. Soldiers of Company A visited a sheik in the neighborhood and met with area residents. The unit arrived in Baqubah on March 13 to reinforce recent successes by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)


Schoolgirls in a Shia neighborhood in Baqubah file past a Stryker vehicle of Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., March 22. Soldiers of Company A visited a sheik in the neighborhood and met with area residents. The unit arrived in Baqubah on March 13 to reinforce recent successes by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)


A Soldier with Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., walks by a bullet-ridden window in a building in Baqubah March 22. Soldiers of Company A visited a sheik in the neighborhood and met with area residents. The unit arrived in Baqubah on March 13 to reinforce recent successes by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)


A Soldier with Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., pulls security from a rooftop in Baqubah March 22. Soldiers of Company A visited a sheik in the neighborhood and met with area residents. The unit arrived in Baqubah on March 13 to reinforce recent successes by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 3SBCT, 5-20 Infantry, Baqubah, Iraq

By Spc. Carl N. Hudson
Combined Press Information Center

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, March 26, 2007 — The 615th “Cold Steel” Aviation Support Battalion hosted a Women’s History Month celebration here March 19.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Holly Cook, 1st Cavalry Division staff judge advocate, and “Suzan,” an Iraqi woman and lawyer whose full identity was withheld for security reasons, served as guest speakers for the celebration in support of the “Generations of Women Moving History Forward” theme.

The celebration observed American women who struggled for equality throughout history and their accomplishments, which were compared to the same struggles today’s Iraqi women face.

“Although circumstances may be getting better, there is still a battle raging, pushing through hundreds of years of tradition,” said Suzan.

“No one in the military accomplishes anything because we are women or men, black or white or Hispanic,” Cook said. “We make things happen because we are soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.”

Today, many women are serving next to men who are all fighting for democracy in Iraq.

There are more than 350,000 women serving in the U.S. military which is 15 percent of active duty personnel. One in

every seven troops serving in Iraq is a woman, said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Hirschinger, commander of 615th ASB. Suzan’s speech, the highlight of the celebration, talked about hardships the Iraqi women face each day.

“Traditions and customs have the essential role of controlling the Iraqi woman’s personality and have caused the loss of her identity,” she said. “She was torn between accepting those traditions and customs or rejecting them.”

While the current way of life has kept Iraqi women out of sight, a new hope of equality was slowly rising.

Under the Coalition Provincial Authority, the new Iraqi military hired the first squad of 20 female soldiers in July 2003.

“This is the reality; we need female (Iraqi) soldiers,” said Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Jaleel Khalaf, an early commander of Iraqi Army 1st Brigade. “If I had the power of hiring, I’d have a female battalion.”

According to Suzan, the top reason Iraqi women were losing freedoms was because of terrorism and its ideals which limit the role of women in Iraqi society.

While progress to bring freedom to Iraq continues, the mission is not over, said Suzan. There should not be any rest until it is completed.

Labels: Iraqi Army, Iraqi women, women in the military

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Republican sees Iraq pullout passing then vetoed
Rocket hits Baghdad Green Zone, shakes U.S. embassy - Video
Outgoing envoy cautious about Iraq peace
Military.com Poll: Deal With Anti-al Qaida Insurgents?

Operation Enduring Freedom
Military.com - Def Tech: Afghan Sitrep
Best of the MilBlogs Daily

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Australian faces U.S. military judge in Guantanamo - Video
Israelis, Palestinians to resume talks
Woman Caught With 3 Crocodiles Strapped to Body at Gaza Border Crossing
Victim wears Mohammad bomb cartoon to Madrid trial

Fallen Heroes
Pentagon: Nothing Criminal About Pat Tillman's Death
But top brass made critical errors in reporting it
Military.com - Read the Entire Tillman Report

Other Military News
Japanese Prime Minister Apologizes to World War II-Era Sex Slaves

Worldwide Wackos
Iran softens stance on British sailors
Iran Floats Threat of Trying Captured British Troops
Iran: Detained British Troops Being Interrogated
Gitmo Detainee Considers Plea
Russia, China to Iran: Comply With U.N.
China, Russia leaders reject force on Iran, N.Korea
EU, Iran seek common ground on nukes

Homegrown Moonbats
Sean Penn Leads California Town Hall Against Iraq War

Politics / Government
Ex-Reagan budget director charged with fraud
Bush, automakers avoid talk on fuel economy - Video
Support for Gonzales Eroding
Bush urged to allow top aides to testify under oath
VIDEO: Republican, Democratic Senators Debate Firings Flap
Clinton opens up about attorney firings
Gonzales Aide Pleads the Fifth
Aide Nabbed Carrying Senator's Gun
Hillary Clinton's $2.6 Million Hollywood Hit
Rice, U.N. chief try to revive Mideast peace process - Video
Iowa's Vilsack endorses Hillary Clinton for 2008

Illegal Immigration / Border Control
Border Agent Jailed for Taking Bribes

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Six Off-Duty Chicago Police Officers Accused of Beating Four Men in a Bar
Ex-Boyfriend Accused of Murdering Texas A&M Student and Burning Body on Patio Grill
DVD Pirates Place Bounty on Bootleg-Sniffing Dogs' Heads
Michigan Man Sentenced to Jail After Sex Pact With Girlfriend, 15-Year-Old Daughter
Defense Attorney in Duke Sexual Assault Case Dies of Heart Attack
Amber Alert in Washington for 2 Children
Supreme Court to Hear Fla. Child Porn Case
Gays arrested at Ky. seminary sit-in
Man accused of killing wife dies

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
YouTube Reveals Winners of First Awards

Science / Medicine / Technology
Aspirin May Lower Risk of Death in Women
Trans fats linked to greater heart disease risk
Study describes new type of "semi-identical" twins
French scientists rebut U.S., Muslim creationism
Drugs for 'good' cholesterol fail tests
Most angioplasties unneeded, study finds

News from My Neck of the Woods
Massachusetts Man Dives into Freezing Harbor to Save 5-Year-Old Girl
Captain fined in sunken NY tourboat that killed 20

Oddities
Golf Team Wedgie Hazing Sends Georgia Student to the Emergency Room (YIKES!)
Pakistani Woman Hands Over Teenage Daughter for Poker Debt
Wanted in Ohio: two pizzas and a deadbeat parent
Rev isn't always short for reverend

Other News of Note
NY lab doing further pet food testing
UNC Mascot Dies After Car Hits Him

Fox News
Probe Opened After 2 Fall Off Cruise Ship
Anna Nicole Smith's Death Due to Accidental Overdose
Sister of Dying Man Refuses to Donate Bone Marrow to Save His Life
Study Links Child Care and Bad Behavior

Reuters: Top News
N. Ireland parties seal power-sharing deal - Video
Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers bomb base in first air raid - Video
Trickle of Egyptians vote in referendum
Napster, AT&T in wireless music tie-up
Microsoft says Vista sales doubling Windows XP pace
With Wal-Mart unionized in China, now what?
Singapore woos immigrants to boost population
Elton John celebrates 60th birthday in concert - Video
"Potter" stars set for more wizardry
Tech edges up, but oil and housing hit Dow
Oil hits 2007 high at $63 on Iran tensions
Dell shares rise on upgrade
Boston Scientific shrs off as Abbott stent shines
Dollar slips on disappointing new-home sales data
Reuters Summit: Middle East Investment
Video: Global: $10b in Assets Soon
Tyco's value in question
Asterisk marked Conrad Black's payment: witness
Citigroup may cut 15,000 jobs: papers
New home sales fall; some see Fed rate cuts
Merck, Schering to develop combo pill with Lipitor
Oracle suit may prompt criminal action against SAP
Wal-Mart's Asda mulls Sainsbury bid -sources

AP World News
Eminem, ex-wife, agree to be agreeable
'Pacman' Jones could face felony charges
Stocks end mixed after trimming losses
Durant, Oden on AP All-America team
Weiland's wife arrested in clothes torch
Sales of new homes fall sharply
Saints to stay in Louisiana through 2010
Georgetown upsets N.C. to make Final 4
No empty Garden for Elton John, now 60
Viewers pick Broadway's 'Grease' stars
Intel plans $2.5B chip factory in China

Military.com
Podcast: Sniper Who Trained Mark Wahlberg
Polmar's Spy Corner is Here!
NASCAR

USJFCOM
"Jointness matters" -- USJFCOM commander speaks before Senate Armed Services Committee - podcast
Marine Corps commandant visits U.S. Joint Forces Command - podcast
USJFCOM signs cooperative research and development agreement with Alion - podcast
More about cooperative research and development agreements

DefenseLink
Keating Takes Command of U.S. Pacific Command - Story
Officials Say Tillman's Death Was Accidental - Story
Marines to Alert 1,800 Reservists for Reactivation - Story
Hearings Begin for the 'Australian Taliban' - Story
Top Official: Iraq ‘Headed in the Right Direction’ - Story
Navy Names New Destroyer After Marine Hero - Story (The U.S.S. Jason Dunham)

More Headline News
Bush Requests Spending Bill Without Deadlines
Pace Visit Paves Way for Better Relations
Early U.S. Troop Withdrawal Would Be Mistake

Military News
Pace Surprises Deploying Marines in Hawaii
Military Burn Patients Tour Center for Intrepid
Marine Receives Distinguished Flying Cross

War on Terror
Suspect Transferred to Gitmo - Story
Five Soldiers Killed in Iraq
Forces Begin Ramadi Operation
Forces Capture, Kill Terrorists

America Supports You
Sewing Group Draws Accolades - Story
‘First Response’ Helps Wounded
Group Helps Military Families
Circus Honors Servicemembers

Transformation
Army Tests Parachute System - Story
Soldiers Bring Chow to Outpost
Soldiers Armor Up Vehicles
Command Welcomes C-130J

Face of Defense
Pilot Flies Rescue Missions - Story
Mechanic Takes Pride in Her Job
Marine Balances Career, Life
Injured Soldier Inspires Troops

DefendAmerica
NEWS UPDATES
Coalition Troops Begin Clearing Operation in Ramadi - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Battalion Doesn’t Lack Experienced Soldiers - Story
Refulers Keep Aircraft in Fight 24-7 - Story
Combat Engineers Turn Dwellings into Homes - Story

IN IRAQ
Eagles and Commandos Find Weapons
Soldiers Rely on Efficient Transport of Supplies
Army Brigade Begins Work With Baghdad Zoo

IN AFGHANISTAN
Med Evac Flies First Non-stop to Germany
Afghan, U.S. Troops Discuss Future with Elders

IN DJIBOUTI
Forecasts, Updates Assist in Naval Planning
Well-drilling Team Helps Save Girl’s Arm, Life

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
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
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
1668 - Britain takes control of Bombay, India
1790 - The US Congress passes the Naturalization Act
1793 - Pro-royalists riot in Vendée region of France
1799 - Napolean captures Jaffa, Palestine
1804 - The US Congress orders the removal of Indians east of Mississippi to Louisiana; The Territory of Orleans is organized in the Louisiana Purchase
1862 - Battle of La Glorieta Pass, New Mexico Territory
1863 - West Virginia votes to approve gradual emancipation of slaves
1910 - US forbid immigration to criminals, anarchists, paupers & the sick
1913 - Bulgaria captures Adrianople, ending the 1st Balkan War
1931 - Iraq & Trans-Jordan sign a peace treaty
1935 - "RvJ" Mitchell & Major Sorley discuss the armament of the Spitfire
1942 - The 1st "Eichmann transport" to the Auschwitz & Birkenau Camps
1942 - Colonel-General Rommel launches a German offensive in North Africa
1943 - Army Nurse Elsie S. Ott becomes the first woman to receive an air medal; Battle of Komandorski Islands, Pacific theater
1944 - 705 British bombers attack Essen
1945 - Churchill looks over at the Rhine, near Ginsberg; Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, and Patton attack at Remagen; Japanese resistance ends on Iwo Jima; Kamikazes attack the US battle fleet near Kerama Retto; The US 7th Army crosses the Rhine at Worms
1954 - The US performs an atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island
1958 - 30th Academy Awards-"Bridge on the River Kwai", Alec Guinness & Joanne Woodward win; The US Army launches America's third successful satellite, "Explorer III"
1960 - Iraq executes 30 after an attack on President Kassem
1971 - Bangladesh declares independence
1974 - The Romanian communist party names Nicolae Ceausescu President
1979 - Israel and Egypt sign the Camp David peace treaty
1982 - In Washington DC, ground is broken for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
1989 - 190 million votes are cast in the first free elections in the USSR; Boris Yeltsin wins

Birthdays
1479 - Vasili III, great prince of Moscow, son of Ivan III
1813 - Thomas West Sherman, Union Brevet Major General
1817 - Herman Haupt, Union Brigadier General
1868 - Fuad I, King of Egypt
1875 - Syngman Rhee, President, South Korea
1893 - Palmiro Togliatti, founder of the Communist Party of Italy
1914 - Ian McGeoch, Vice-Admiral
1914 - William Westmoreland, US Army General (Vietnam)
1920 - George E. Brown, Jr. (Representative, CA)
1930 - Sandra Day O'Connor, 1st female Supreme Court Justice
1940 - Nancy Pelosi (Representative, CA)
1962 - Yuri Pavlovich Gidzenko, Russian Lt. Colonel/cosmonaut

Passings
0752 - Pope Stephen II, dies only 4 days after his election
1258 - Floris the Guardian, count-regent of Holland, dies
1350 - Alfonso XI, King of Castile & León
1546 - Thomas Elyot British diplomat, dies
1649 - John Winthrop, Puritan & 1st Governor (Massachusetts)
1827 - Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer (Appassionata), dies in Wien (Vienna) at 56
1902 - Cecil Rhodes, Prime Minister of Cape Colony (1890-96) dies at 48
1926 - Konstantin Fehrenbach German reichs chancellor (1920-21), dies at 74
1945 - David Lloyd George British (L) premier (1916-22), dies at 82; Isaack Stouten, resistance fighter, shot to death at 29
1948 - Helen Ernst German poster artist/resistance fighter, dies at about 43
1975 - Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz, King of Saudi-Arabia (1964-75), murdered at 68
1983 - Anthony F. Blunt, British art historian/spy for USSR, dies at 75
1993 - Roy Riegels University of California football player who ran wrong way, dies at 84
1994 - Constantine Koukouchkine, Russian diplomat, murdered in Algeria at 41
1996 - Edmund S. Muskie, Vice Presidential candidate/(Governor-ME), dies at 81

Reported Missing in Action
1964
Thompson, Floyd J., US Army SF; L19 shot down (w/Whitesides), released March, 1973 - alive as of 1998

Whitesides, Richard L., USAF (CA); L19 shot down (w/Thompson), NVA told Thompson he was Killed

1967
Crow, Frederick A., Jr., USAF (VA); F4C shot down (w/Fowler), released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Fowler, Henry P., USAF (MD); F4C shot down (w/Crow), released by DRV February, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive as of 1998

1968
The following USMC personnel reported MIA when their UH34D crashed while evacuating wounded; all listed as Killed, body not recovered:
Allgood, Frankie E. (KS); passenger

Evancho, Richard (PA); passenger

Green, Larry E. (MI); crew chief

Kerr, Ernest C., Jr. (OH); gunner

Lomax, Richard E. (OH);

Mowrey, Glenn W. (OH); passenger

1970
Allen, Henry L., USAF (FL); O1 shot down (w/Elzinga)

Elzinga, Richard G., USAF (OR); O1 shot down (w/Allen)

Labels: Headlines, History

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