7.23.2004
Iraqi Freedom Taking Jointness to 'Graduate Level'
From the American Forces Press Service
Kathleen T. Rhem
The degree of multiservice cooperation in Operation Iraqi Freedom is taking the concept of jointness to what the Army's new vice chief called "the graduate level."
Gen. Richard A. Cody, who became the Army's vice chief of staff June 24, said U.S. forces should be very proud of how the services have been working together.
During an interview in the Pentagon on July 15, with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Cody said the recent rotation of forces into and out of Iraq and Afghanistan was a perfect example of how American forces cooperate in operations today.
Read the rest { here }
7.22.2004
Army Announces 94 Allegations of Abuse
Matt Kelley, A P Writer reports that
Thirty-nine prisoners have died in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan since the fall of 2001 and there have been 94 cases of proven or suspected abuse, the Army said Thursday in a broad new report giving a more precise and higher estimate of the scale of the abuse
FederalTimes.com reports
Contracts for private prison interrogators working at Abu Ghraib in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should be discontinued, government investigators recommend.
Read this CYA Press Release from the privately contracted interrogators -- a company called CACI, and, especially this one
Thundering Third - Marines Fight On Through Tragedy To Victory
BLACKFIVE has a great letter from Marine LtCol Willy Buhl in Iraq.
Unfortunately, the Thundering Third was hit with a staggering loss. Even so, they continue to mount successful mission after successful mission. The Thundering Third Rocks!
It's a long letter. So sit down, grab a cup of coffee and read about what our Marines are doing in Iraq.
Unfortunately, the Thundering Third was hit with a staggering loss. Even so, they continue to mount successful mission after successful mission. The Thundering Third Rocks!
It's a long letter. So sit down, grab a cup of coffee and read about what our Marines are doing in Iraq.
7.21.2004
Small Company Hopes Donation Makes Big Connection With GIs
A small Indiana telecommunications company is thanking service members for helping
keep America free by donating thousands of prepaid calling cards to those injured
in the war on terrorism.
Terry Ballantini, chief executive officer for Tellis Long Distance, said he
started "GI Connections" to show his gratitude to service members.
The company recently donated 2,500 prepaid cards, embossed with the words
"Thank You for Our Freedom," to the Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit
organization that helps wounded and sick service members and their families by
providing lodging close to military medical treatment centers.
"I'm just extremely pleased and gratified that we can do something that
makes a difference," he said.
Can I say I am, too?
Army Cadet earns her Wings the hard way
Jennifer Reeger
She didn't panic when she couldn't free herself by kicking.
She didn't panic when her parachute rolled up like a cigar.
She didn't panic when she couldn't pull her way out or drop down to the other jumper below her.
But when her reserve parachute didn't work, she panicked.
For the senses - shattering climax, see here
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Soldiers Preparing to Compete in 2004 Olympics
American Forces Press Service
Paula J. Randall Pagán
When the Olympic torch lights the flame at the 2004 Games in Athens, eight U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit soldiers and four other current and retired service members will be there to see it.
Seven shooters and a gunsmith from the Army Marksmanship Unit will march with the U.S. Olympic Team in the Opening Ceremony Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. Athens time.
USA Shooting conducted Olympic selection matches on Fort Benning's Hook Range, Phillips Range and at the Pool International Shooting Complex Sept. 21 to 29, March 17 to 27, and May 20 to June 3. Seven Fort Benning soldiers won 10 slots on the U.S. Olympic shooting team.
* * *
Formed in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to raise the standards of marksmanship throughout the U.S. Army, the Army Marksmanship Unit is assigned to the Accessions Support Brigade of Fort Knox, Ky., which is under U.S. Army Accessions Command, of Fort Monroe, Va. Accessions Command is charged with overseeing recruiting and training of the Armyss enlisted soldiers and officers
The Marksmanship Unit trains its soldiers to win competitions and enhances combat readiness through train-the-trainer clinics, research and development. The world-class soldier-athletes of the USAMU also promote the Army and assist recruiters in attracting young Americans to enlist in the Army.
Paula J. Randall Pagán
When the Olympic torch lights the flame at the 2004 Games in Athens, eight U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit soldiers and four other current and retired service members will be there to see it.
Seven shooters and a gunsmith from the Army Marksmanship Unit will march with the U.S. Olympic Team in the Opening Ceremony Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. Athens time.
USA Shooting conducted Olympic selection matches on Fort Benning's Hook Range, Phillips Range and at the Pool International Shooting Complex Sept. 21 to 29, March 17 to 27, and May 20 to June 3. Seven Fort Benning soldiers won 10 slots on the U.S. Olympic shooting team.
* * *
Formed in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to raise the standards of marksmanship throughout the U.S. Army, the Army Marksmanship Unit is assigned to the Accessions Support Brigade of Fort Knox, Ky., which is under U.S. Army Accessions Command, of Fort Monroe, Va. Accessions Command is charged with overseeing recruiting and training of the Armyss enlisted soldiers and officers
The Marksmanship Unit trains its soldiers to win competitions and enhances combat readiness through train-the-trainer clinics, research and development. The world-class soldier-athletes of the USAMU also promote the Army and assist recruiters in attracting young Americans to enlist in the Army.
U.S. Commander Mulls Bosnia-Herzegovina Troop Cut
Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
It's likely time to reduce the number of American troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a senior U.S. military officer told members of Congress here today.
"I think that the conditions are right, now, to downsize" the U.S. military presence in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Army Maj. Gen. Virgil Packett, commander of the Stabilization Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.Up to 60,000 U.S. troops were deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the mid-1990s as part of a NATO mission to stabilize the region following a bloody civil war. Today, about 900 American troops, Packett noted, are pulling security duty in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
* * *
Packett didn't offer what numbers of U.S. troops, if any, would remain in Bosnia-Herzegovina after force reductions.
American Forces Press Service
It's likely time to reduce the number of American troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a senior U.S. military officer told members of Congress here today.
"I think that the conditions are right, now, to downsize" the U.S. military presence in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Army Maj. Gen. Virgil Packett, commander of the Stabilization Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.Up to 60,000 U.S. troops were deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the mid-1990s as part of a NATO mission to stabilize the region following a bloody civil war. Today, about 900 American troops, Packett noted, are pulling security duty in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
* * *
Packett didn't offer what numbers of U.S. troops, if any, would remain in Bosnia-Herzegovina after force reductions.
7.16.2004
I wonder if she can sing "Ride of the Valkyries"?
US Air Force Airman (AMN) Vanessa Dobos, assigned to the 58th Training Squadron (TRS), Kirkland Air Force Base, NM, looks out the crew door of a USAF HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, equipped with a 7.62mm M134 Minigun machine gun. AMN Dobos is the first female aerial gunner in the USAF. Dobbs said she follows the philosophy an instructor told her, "A gunner`s a gunner, don`t think youre special because you`re a female."
Photographer: Dennis Carlson
Vanderbilt to Lead Army Nanotech Program
From Nanotech Planet:
The Vanderbilt School of Engineering will lead a new $2.4 million multi-institutional nanotechnology program funded by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to develop radically improved electronics, sensors, energy-conversion devices, and other critical defense systems.
Called the Advanced Carbon Nanotechnology Research Program, it will explore various nanostructures of carbon, including diamond, at the molecular level to develop next-generation materials that can be used in a wide range of defense devices and systems. The Army Research Laboratory funds will support the program's first year of operation.
{ more }7.15.2004
AAFES Works with Charities to Distribute Gifts to GIs
DALLAS, July 14, 2004 -- Since the Army and Air Force Exchange Service began its "Gifts from the Homefront" program last year, people from all walks of life have rallied around America's troops by contributing $406,745 toward the program designed to lift the morale of deployed troops around the world, said officials at AAFES headquarters here.
The certificates, which can be purchased by any individual or civic organization, allow service members to purchase items of necessity and convenience at PX and BX facilities around the world.
"Gifts from the Homefront" certificates can be addressed to "any service member" or individual service members. Officials said AAFES' charitable partners have been key in the distribution of certificates earmarked for "any service member." The USO, American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House have distributed more than 7,000 certificates, totaling more than $120,000, to deployed troops. Friends and family have purchased $283,645 in "Gifts from the Homefront" certificates for individual service members.
{ more }
The certificates, which can be purchased by any individual or civic organization, allow service members to purchase items of necessity and convenience at PX and BX facilities around the world.
"Gifts from the Homefront" certificates can be addressed to "any service member" or individual service members. Officials said AAFES' charitable partners have been key in the distribution of certificates earmarked for "any service member." The USO, American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House have distributed more than 7,000 certificates, totaling more than $120,000, to deployed troops. Friends and family have purchased $283,645 in "Gifts from the Homefront" certificates for individual service members.
{ more }
Helos In The Desert
UH-60 Blackhawks extract members of the Iraq Service Group, testing for possible weapons of mass destruction, outside Mosul. (Photo by Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson)
Female Medical Team Overcomes Cultural Barriers To Help Afghan Women
FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan (July 15, 2004)
Story by Sgt. Matt C. Preston -- Medical personnel supporting the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are building trust and overcoming cultural barriers between the Coalition Forces and people in the Oruzgan province -- once a major stronghold of the Taliban.
Navy Corpsmen and Army Medics saw over 220 women and children during two Medical Civil Affairs Projects (MedCAPs) that featured a team that consisted completely of females. Though the security team was male, all those who had direct contact with the patients were women.
"Due to the cultural sensitivities, females are not seen by male doctors, only by female practitioners and midwives," said Lt. Cmdr. George Semple, 22nd MEU (SOC) surgeon. "We were noticing in our MedCAPs in Tarin Kowt and elsewhere that there was a noticeable difference in the number of males versus females being seen."
Story by Sgt. Matt C. Preston -- Medical personnel supporting the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are building trust and overcoming cultural barriers between the Coalition Forces and people in the Oruzgan province -- once a major stronghold of the Taliban.
Navy Corpsmen and Army Medics saw over 220 women and children during two Medical Civil Affairs Projects (MedCAPs) that featured a team that consisted completely of females. Though the security team was male, all those who had direct contact with the patients were women.
"Due to the cultural sensitivities, females are not seen by male doctors, only by female practitioners and midwives," said Lt. Cmdr. George Semple, 22nd MEU (SOC) surgeon. "We were noticing in our MedCAPs in Tarin Kowt and elsewhere that there was a noticeable difference in the number of males versus females being seen."
7.08.2004
Teen Continues Quest to Support the Troops
K.L. Vantran
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, 2 Jul 2004 - High school freshman Shauna Fleming is a busy young lady.She recently sent thousands of letters to soldiers of the 1st Armored Division in Iraq. In response to feedback from the troops, she's asking for donations of used CDs and DVDs to include in her next mailing.
High school freshman Shauna Fleming (red shirt) hands thank you letters to veterans at the VA Hospital in Westwood, Calif. The teen has spearheaded a program that has collected and distributed more than 800,000 letters to troops and veterans Courtesy photo
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available.
The 15-year-old has collected and distributed hundreds of thousands of letters of support for America's troops and veterans. To get the word out on her letter-writing campaign, "A Million Thanks," she has set up booths at NASCAR events, been a guest on news shows and even has her own radio show.
The student of Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif., said she has been contacted by many service members and their families, who've told her the letters and emails help their morale. "I have had the opportunity to hear from many soldiers overseas who have received our letters," said Shauna. "They've e- mailed me and even called me from Iraq to say thanks." And that was the teen's opportunity to ask the deployed soldiers what else they could use.
Shauna said she hopes people all over the United States will answer her call to send used music and movies along with their letters so she can include them in her next mailing.
Though Shauna and her high school friends had hoped to reach their 1-million- letters goal in June, the teen said she knows they will hit their goal sometime soon.
{more}
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, 2 Jul 2004 - High school freshman Shauna Fleming is a busy young lady.She recently sent thousands of letters to soldiers of the 1st Armored Division in Iraq. In response to feedback from the troops, she's asking for donations of used CDs and DVDs to include in her next mailing.
High school freshman Shauna Fleming (red shirt) hands thank you letters to veterans at the VA Hospital in Westwood, Calif. The teen has spearheaded a program that has collected and distributed more than 800,000 letters to troops and veterans
Courtesy photo
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available.
The 15-year-old has collected and distributed hundreds of thousands of letters of support for America's troops and veterans. To get the word out on her letter-writing campaign, "A Million Thanks," she has set up booths at NASCAR events, been a guest on news shows and even has her own radio show.
The student of Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif., said she has been contacted by many service members and their families, who've told her the letters and emails help their morale. "I have had the opportunity to hear from many soldiers overseas who have received our letters," said Shauna. "They've e- mailed me and even called me from Iraq to say thanks." And that was the teen's opportunity to ask the deployed soldiers what else they could use.
Shauna said she hopes people all over the United States will answer her call to send used music and movies along with their letters so she can include them in her next mailing.
Though Shauna and her high school friends had hoped to reach their 1-million- letters goal in June, the teen said she knows they will hit their goal sometime soon.
{more}
New Booklet Helps Guard, Reserve Kids During Deployment
Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, 7 Jul 2004 Separations can be tough on any child whose parent is deployed overseas -- but particularly for the estimated 500,000 sons and daughters of deployed National Guard and reserve troops, according to an expert on issues involving military families.
Many Guard and reserve families lack the tight-knit support network that helps active-component families during deployments, said Mary Keller, executive director of the Military Child Education Coalition. This can lead to difficulty adjusting to what Keller calls their "suddenly military" status. As a result, she said, they can feel isolated and unsure of where to turn for help.
A new Military Child Education Coalition booklet, called "How Communities Can Support the Children and Families of Those Serving in the National Guard and Reserves," is chock-full of ideas to help communities reach out to reserve and Guard families during their family member's deployment. Keller said the coalition produced the booklet after repeated requests from military-family representatives, educators and community groups.
{More}
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, 7 Jul 2004 Separations can be tough on any child whose parent is deployed overseas -- but particularly for the estimated 500,000 sons and daughters of deployed National Guard and reserve troops, according to an expert on issues involving military families.
Many Guard and reserve families lack the tight-knit support network that helps active-component families during deployments, said Mary Keller, executive director of the Military Child Education Coalition. This can lead to difficulty adjusting to what Keller calls their "suddenly military" status. As a result, she said, they can feel isolated and unsure of where to turn for help.
A new Military Child Education Coalition booklet, called "How Communities Can Support the Children and Families of Those Serving in the National Guard and Reserves," is chock-full of ideas to help communities reach out to reserve and Guard families during their family member's deployment. Keller said the coalition produced the booklet after repeated requests from military-family representatives, educators and community groups.
{More}
Sisters Create Web Site to Help Families of Deployed Troops
K.L. Vantran
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, 7 Jul 2004 -- Twin sisters Jackie and Janice know the challenges military families face. Their father served 31 years in the Navy, and as self- described "military brats," they called several places home.
After the tragic events of Sept. 11 and the ensuing war on terror, Jackie Parris said she felt the need to create a Web site that would help spouses and families of deployed troops. She enlisted the help of her sister, Janice Sydnor-Evans, Army Community Service officer for the Beckley Recruiting Battalion in West Virginia ...
Parris said that between her research and her sister's knowledge of what families of deployed troops need, they created Operation Support.
Operation Support is full of links to organizations designed to assist troops and their families. It includes listings for Veterans Affairs hospitals as well as for Tricare, the American Red Cross, and service aid societies ...
Parris said she works on the page often and will keep the site going "as long as we fight terrorism."
{more}
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, 7 Jul 2004 -- Twin sisters Jackie and Janice know the challenges military families face. Their father served 31 years in the Navy, and as self- described "military brats," they called several places home.
After the tragic events of Sept. 11 and the ensuing war on terror, Jackie Parris said she felt the need to create a Web site that would help spouses and families of deployed troops. She enlisted the help of her sister, Janice Sydnor-Evans, Army Community Service officer for the Beckley Recruiting Battalion in West Virginia ...
Parris said that between her research and her sister's knowledge of what families of deployed troops need, they created Operation Support.
Operation Support is full of links to organizations designed to assist troops and their families. It includes listings for Veterans Affairs hospitals as well as for Tricare, the American Red Cross, and service aid societies ...
Parris said she works on the page often and will keep the site going "as long as we fight terrorism."
{more}
Troops Raise More Than $20K For Families of Wounded Veterans
Master Sgt. Terry Anderson
Combined Joint Task Force 76
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, 7 Jul 2004 ? Troops serving on the front lines in the Global War on Terrorism spend months away from their families and friends, put themselves in harms way, and live in difficult conditions. On July 4, those troops sacrificed a little sweat and money to help the families of wounded veterans.
Soldiers from Logistics Task Force 725, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Green from base operations, organized the ?Freedom Is Never Free? 10-kilometer run, raising more than $20,000 to support the families of wounded veterans staying at the Fisher Houses. The Fisher House foundation donates ?comfort homes? built on the grounds of major military and Veterans Administration medical centers.
The Fisher House homes allow families to stay close to their loved one during their stay in the hospital, which could last days, weeks, or even months.
{continued}
Combined Joint Task Force 76
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, 7 Jul 2004 ? Troops serving on the front lines in the Global War on Terrorism spend months away from their families and friends, put themselves in harms way, and live in difficult conditions. On July 4, those troops sacrificed a little sweat and money to help the families of wounded veterans.
Soldiers from Logistics Task Force 725, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Green from base operations, organized the ?Freedom Is Never Free? 10-kilometer run, raising more than $20,000 to support the families of wounded veterans staying at the Fisher Houses. The Fisher House foundation donates ?comfort homes? built on the grounds of major military and Veterans Administration medical centers.
The Fisher House homes allow families to stay close to their loved one during their stay in the hospital, which could last days, weeks, or even months.
{continued}
