I might have a new item to look for on Ebay.
[Link to Full Article] (Photo included)
By Luke Baker
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqis used to dance to his tune, but in Baghdad toy shops a chubby, gun-toting Saddam Hussein doll now wiggles his hips to the "Hippy Hippy Shake."
Toy stores around Baghdad are doing a quick trade in dancing Saddam dolls -- foot-high battery-powered puppets of the former president, kitted out in full insurgent regalia, who swing their hips to cheesy pop music at the flick of a switch.
Dog Sitter linked to an article last weekend that mentioned the upcoming effort to collect donations at a local Safeway supermarket. The items collected will be included in care packages for Jake Herring's 5-20 INF platoon. If you recall, Jake was killed on April 28. Susan Sutter, Jake's mom, came up with the idea as a way to recognize the soldiers in his platoon.
I provided additional details on the bulletin board, but thought it would be useful to include them here as well. If you live in the Puget Sound region you can visit the Rose Hill Safeway (map & driving directions) this Saturday, July 3rd from 9 AM to 5 PM and make a donation. If you don't live in the area, but would like to help out, Susan has agreed to accept monetary donations via snail mail. Monetary donations will purchase Safeway gift cards for families to use for parties or BBQs when the platoon returns. Send me an email (todd at strykernews.com) and I can provide you with a mailing address.
We missed this one originally. Thanks to Kathy for the link.
[Link to Full Article]
By Christopher Munsey, Army Times
LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq First light illuminates the 60 or so 18-wheelers sitting bumper to bumper in a line that stretches long across this Army outpost, about 50 miles north of Baghdad.
The convoy’s objective is Combat Support Center Scania, about 160 miles away, south of Baghdad, near the town of Ash Shawmali.
TNT reporter Adam Lynn has an interesting article describing the living conditions at LSA Anaconda. You can read an archive of his articles regarding the 81st BCT here.
[Link to Full Article]
ADAM LYNN; The News Tribune
BALAD, Iraq - The heat is bad. The bugs are bad. The dust is just plain awful.
But the men and women of the U.S. military assigned to Logistical Support Area Anaconda, including about 1,400 members of the Washington National Guard's 81st Brigade Combat Team, are doing what they can to make themselves comfortable during their deployment.
Amy Ridenour occasionally posts emails she receives from Joe Roche, a soldier with the 16th Engineers (1st Armored Division). The unit was directly involved in the battles against Muqtada Al-Sadr. His most recent correspondence is worth reading in full, as it describes the conflict with a level of detail I haven't seen elsewhere. An archive of his emails can be found here.
From the Christian Science Monitor.
When correspondent Ann Scott Tyson returned to Iraq this week for the first time since last August, she was immediately struck by how much less freely US forces were moving about and interacting with Iraqis. In a city such as Mosul, where soldiers once made frequent foot patrols and even dined in local restaurants, today almost all patrols are by vehicle, with only brief stops. Along with an escalation of violence, the distance is due to a shrinking in the size of the US force here as well as a conscious decision to pull back from the city and hand off duties to Iraqi forces.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 30, 2004) – Soldiers of the Iraqi National Guard prevented a improvised explosive device attack Tuesday and soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division detained three individuals in the past 24 hours suspected of criminal and terrorist activity.
Iraqi national guardsmen identified an IED located on the railroad tracks between Hammam Al Allil and Qayyarah Tuesday. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team responded to the site and removed the explosive from the tracks without causing damage to the tracks. No guardsmen were injured during the operation.
Albertsons Brings 4th of July Closer to Home for Thousands of Deployed Americans
185 Computers Sent to Camp Anaconda Improves Troops' Access to Email
BOISE, Idaho, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Albertson's, Inc.
announced today that it is shipping 185 computers to Camp Anaconda in Central
Iraq to connect family and friends with deployed loved ones in a contribution
linked to celebration of 4th of July weekend. The donation comes in response
to the US Army's concern that too few computers were available at Camp
Anaconda, the main Army base camp in Iraq. This situation has resulting in
limited Internet access and hundreds of troops in line, at any given time,
waiting to communicate home.
Hopefully CSM will publish a few more articles about the brigade's activities while its correspondent is in Mosul.
[Link to Full Article]
By Ann Scott Tyson, Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
MOSUL, IRAQ – With its 15-month occupation now history, the 138,000-strong US military force in Iraq is attempting to sharply lower its profile, scaling back offensive operations and narrowing target lists while encouraging Iraq's fledgling forces to take the lead.
Top US commanders have acted immediately to minimize the visibility of their forces. In a very public statement that Iraqis are now in charge, they have ordered US Army convoys as well as low-flying helicopters to move at night whenever possible. And symbolically, in a break with the occupation, the military "coalition" became "multinational forces" upon the June 28 transfer of power.
Joe Katzman has a good summary of reactions from Iraqi bloggers regarding the transfer of power to the interim government.
[Link to Full Article]
By NADIA ABOU EL-MAGD; Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Saddam Hussein will be transferred to Iraqi legal custody and face charges in an Iraqi court this week -- but he won’t go on trial for months and he will stay in a U.S.-run jail because the country doesn’t have a suitable prison, the prime minister said Tuesday.
Prime Minister Iyad Allawi promised an open proceeding when Saddam faces war crimes charges, including genocide.
Here's another story about a Task Force Olympia soldier home on R&R.
[Link to Full Article]
By MICHELE BESSO, Staff reporter
Staff Sgt. Adam Colby, in tan fatigues and military boots, walked out of the gate at Philadelphia International Airport and did a double take at his waiting wife.
"My God, are you pregnant?" he said, putting his hand on her stomach and pulling her into a kiss. "You sure there's only one baby in there?"
Lt. Gen. Metz describes what the transition will mean for U.S. troops in Iraq.
[Link to Full Article]
By Master Sgt. Karen Petitt
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, June 28, 2004) – Leading more than 127,000 U.S. troops through a transition of authority from Coalition forces to the Interim Iraqi Government is more of an art than a science says the commanding general for Multinational Corps-Iraq.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 29, 2004) – Iraqi police officers prevented a improvised explosive device attack Monday and soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained two individuals today wanted for anti-Iraqi forces activities.
Mosul police discovered an improvised explosive device 500 meters west of Ninevah Bridge Monday. Officers secured the scene and the department’s explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the explosive. No officers were injured during the operation.
CNN provides a summary of today's transer of power.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq's interim government was sworn in Monday after the United States returned sovereignty to the nation two days ahead of schedule.
The official handover of sovereignty occurred at 10:26 a.m. (2:26 a.m. ET), when former coalition civil administrator L. Paul Bremer gave interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi a leather-bound transfer document. [...]
Winds of Change has published its most recent Iraq Report, with links to news and analysis of recent events.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (May 27, 2004) – The first International government donation since the June 24 attacks in Iraq, comes in the form of 10 fully equipped Toyota Ambulances from Japan. The ambulances will help facilitate Mosul’s left bank Emergency Medical System (EMS).
“Mosul currently has a total of 160 primary healthcare and hospital facilities with less then 80 working ambulances to facilitate emergency and patient transfer needs,” said Ameem Hosiin, the assistant director general of health in Mosul. “These 10 brand new ambulances will help us have a reliable resource for transferring patients in need of medical care.”
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 28, 2004) – Iraqi Security Forces and soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained 27 individuals wanted for anti-Iraqi forces activities and collected numerous weapons and munitions in the past 24 hours.
Iraqi police and Coalition soldiers stopped and searched two vehicles yesterday in the neighborhood of Al Aktissdyeen. Iraqi police searched the vehicles and collected one machine gun, a pistol, two AK-47s, three hand grenades, assorted fuses and various ID cards. The suspects are in custody and no officers or soldiers were injured during the search.
[Link to Full Article]
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Before the first cup of coffee, there were signs the news conference suddenly convened Monday morning was more than advertised - a simple briefing by U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer.
Journalists were caught by surprise when they finally realized what was up - the formal handover of sovereignty from the U.S.-run occupation to the Iraqis two days earlier than expected.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 28, 2004) – Iraqi police from the Mosul area received 2,000 vests with protective plates Friday. The vests were given to them by Coalition forces as part of a contract with the Office of Security Cooperation to ensure the safety of Iraqi security forces while they are protecting the local citizens.
There are approximately 8,870 police working in the Mosul area. Previously, Coalition forces donated almost 700 vests to the Mosul police. The 2,000 additional vests are part of an ongoing plan to provide the area security forces with the protection they need to do their jobs safely.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 28, 2004) – The final donation of care packages to the families of Iraqi police officers killed in action took place June 26 at One West police station in Mosul. Boxes containing toothbrushes, soap, detergent, candy, food and clothing items were given to local families who have lost loved ones fighting terrorists in Iraq.
Sgt. 1st Class Dana Lockhart, the non-commissioned officer in charge of Task Force Olympia’s Provost Marshall’s Office, handed out the boxes of donations sent from police officers and their families in California, Canada, Washington and New York.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 27, 2004) – Members of the local Iraqi security forces destroyed two more improvised explosive devices yesterday in the Mosul area, helping to make the streets safer for all citizens.
One suspected roadside bomb was found by Iraqi police at a major intersection on the east side of Mosul and another was found by Iraqi National Guard soldiers southwest of Mosul. In both incidents they were able to secure the site and destroy the device with no injuries or damage to property.
The membership of the John B. Handte American Legion Post 89 of Vestal thanks all of the students, parents, teachers and staff of the Vestal/Apalachin schools, businesses, people and communities of this valley for their overwhelming and generous donations in support of the Iraqi children and the soldiers of the 37th Field Artillery Battalion, Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
The DOD has confirmed the indentity of the Task Force Olympia soldier killed yesterday as Staff Sgt. Charles Kiser of the Army Reserve’s 330th Military Police Detachment. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. We will add any subsequent articles we find to this entry.
(TFO press release from Thursday morning. I forgot to post this item yesterday.)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – Ambassador Paul Bremer visited Mosul Wednesday to say farewell to the citizens of Ninevah Province and to assure them that the partnership between the Iraqi people and the Coalition forces will carry on after the transfer of sovereignty June 30.
The most recent edition of The Coalition Scimitar is available online. There were a few articles about Task Force Olympia included.
Yesterday's events prevented me from posting a few other links of interest. Here they are in bullet form:
Iraq Report 6/25 - Winds of Change publishes it's latest collection of news links.
Good News From Iraq, Part 4 - Chrenkoff publishes his fourth collection of good news stories from Iraq. Keep in mind that this was written before yesterday.
Sgt. Hook has two great entries, Thanks for the Help and Tight. He knows how to tell a good story.
"Army unit claims victory over sheik" - Published in the Washington Times, this article examines how the coalition effectively neutralized Muqtada al-Sadr. While many observers are unhappy with how the situation in Fallujah was resolved, there's little doubt that Operation Iron Saber was a success.
Speaking of Fallujah, The Atlantic Monthly's correspondent, Robert Kaplan, was embedded with the Marines during the intial battles in the city. You need to purchase the magazine for his full report, but this interview with the author provides some good insight into his experience.
Finally, on a lighter note, the Army is developing some new versions of the Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). 24 new menus are currently being "tested". One tester concluded, "It looked good when I first saw it, but everything tastes the same, honestly...Tabasco helped." Oh well.
[Link to Full Article]
By Fred Zimmerman, Stars and Stripes
QATAR — For troops throughout Central Command’s area of operations, staying in touch with loved ones can be tough. Often there are no phones to pick up or computers with Internet access to fire off e-mails.
[Link to Full Article]
JOHN HENDREN; Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has asked the Army to consider shorter tours of duty for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, while his choice for a new commander in Iraq acknowledged Thursday that the military might seek 25,000 additional troops there.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 25, 2004) – The Iraqi Security Forces in the Ninevah Province increased their ability to protect Iraqi citizens and to react to emergencies, when they opened the first Joint Coordination Center in northern Iraq June 23. All security operations will operate from the Mosul JCC where a representative from every security force element will be stationed to facilitate coordination.
Representatives from the Iraqi National Guard, Iraqi Police, Facility Protection Services and Iraqi Armed Forces will be stationed at the JCC to efficiently fight crime and terrorism.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 25, 2004) – A series of attacks in Mosul on June 24, that included four or five car bomb explosions and a rocket-propelled grenade attack resulted in a “hardening of wills” by many senior Iraqi government and security force leaders, according to Brig. Gen. Carter Ham, commander of Task Force Olympia.
“The response to these attacks was almost entirely Iraqi – Iraqi Police, Iraqi National Guard, explosive ordnance disposal, ambulances, fire stations and medical teams,” said Ham. “The first responders did a great job. I am very happy with their performance under very dire circumstances” Ham added.
This article by Michael Gilbert details a little more about yesterday's events.
[Link to Full Article]
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Mosul, where 4,200 Fort Lewis soldiers are headquartered, bore the brunt of Thursday's wave of bombings and ambushes across Iraq that killed more than 100 Iraqis and wounded another 300, officials said.
At least 62 were killed, including one U.S. soldier, and more than 220 wounded in a series of car and truck bombings Thursday morning at police facilities and at a hospital in the northern city.
[Link to Full Article]
172nd Stryker Brigade US Army Alaska web site
It looks like we may need to add another category.
By Elictia Hammond
Its been a long time coming, a year to be exact. But finally part of the US Army Alaska's Stryker Family of vehicles have arrived. Its low hum when cranked up gives off a deceiving air. The vehicle is just shy of 20-tons, it's 24 feet long and over 10 feet tall, it can cross an opening gap or ditch that is 6-feet long, and the most amazing thing it can hit speed of up to 60 mph. The Stryker has finally made it to the last frontier,...
While the DOD has yet to identify the TFO soldier killed today, The Associated Press has confirmed his name - Sgt. Charles Kiser of the 330th MP Division. The news organization received confirmation from his relatives late today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
[Link to Full Article]
TERRY KINNEY, Associated Press
CINCINNATI - A U.S. soldier who was a champion high school sprinter while growing up in southwest Ohio has been killed in Iraq, his family said Thursday.
Army Sgt. Charles Kiser, 37, was killed outside Mosul, his family said.
"We received word this afternoon," said Kiser's brother-in-law, Bill Grannen.
As we struggle to make sense of the news today from Iraq, and Mosul in particular, our first thoughts are for the soldiers that were killed or injured and their families. The death toll continued to rise throughout the day and now stands at 100 plus, with 300 plus injured. The majority of those fatalities - 62 as of this afternoon - occurred in Mosul. One Task Force Olympia soldier was among those killed, and three more were injured. Terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which appear to have been concentrated on government and police facilities in six separate cities.
What does all this mean? Is this a prelude to additional attacks as June 30 approaches or is it a last gasp? I certainly don't know, but The Belmont Club and Lt. Smash both attempt to put recent events in perspective, concentrating on Zarqawi and his organization.
In the midst of the difficult news from Iraq today comes this story.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday to celebrate the completion of renovations to the Ibn Alathyr Hospital in eastern Mosul.
The hospital, which specializes in maternity and pediatric care, treats approximately 600 patients each day and has about 300 beds for inpatient care. Recent renovations include improvements to the laboratories and teaching facilities and the installation of air-conditioning for the comfort of the patients.
[Link to Full Article]
(Capitol Hill-AP) June 24, 2004
The Senate has given late-night approval to a $447 billion defense spending bill for the next fiscal year. It's similar to one that cleared the House a month ago, including a 3.5-percent pay hike for military personnel.
Provided below are additional articles from local papers outlining the transition from one Stryker Brigade to the other.
"More Stryker troops going to Iraq" - Seattle P-I
"Second Stryker brigade ordered to Iraq" - The Olympian
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – At 11:20 a.m., in response to reports of terrorists taking over the Sheikh Fatih police station in southwestern Mosul, Iraqi Security Forces moved to secure the site and were fired upon by Anti-Iraqi forces who were shooting from the Mohammed [Al Noory] Mosque across the street from the police station. Coalition forces moved to the site to support the Iraqi Security Forces and were fired upon from the Mohammed Al [Noory] Mosque as well.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – Two Iraqi citizens were killed and one Iraqi police officer was wounded in two separate incidents last night, while Iraqi Police Services and Coalition forces continued to search for those who threaten the safety and security of the Mosul area.
Anti-Iraqi forces conducted a drive-by shooting in the Al Dawasa neighborhood, wounding one Iraqi police officer who was taken to Mosul General Hospital and later released. Iraqi Police Services detained one individual in connection with this incident.
CNN has an article describing the events throughout Iraq today. Mosul was definitely one of the cities hardest hit. More news to follow.
UPDATE: Army Times also carries an article from The Associated Press that has additional information on Mosul.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – At 9:05 a.m., three car bomb explosions occurred at different locations in western Mosul. The explosions occurred at the Iraqi Police Academy, at the Al Wakas Iraqi Police substation, and near the Al Jamhori Hospital. One Task Force Olympia Soldier was killed, three Task Force Olympia Soldiers were injured, and five Iraqi Police officers were wounded in this series of attacks.
At 10:10 a.m., a private security company came under small arms fire in west Mosul. One security guard was killed and another was injured. The injured guard is at the Army Hospital in Mosul.
At 10:15 a.m., an explosion of unknown type occurred in the vicinity of the Sheik Fatih Iraqi Police Station. No casualties are noted at this time.
The following is an expanded version of the article we posted yesterday by Michael Gilbert.
[Link to Full Article]
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
The Army's second Stryker brigade is bound for Iraq later this year, but it will leave its namesake vehicles home at Fort Lewis.
Instead, soldiers will fall in on the 310 or so Strykers and hundreds of Humvees and trucks their Fort Lewis comrades from the first Stryker brigade are using now across northern Iraq, officials said.
In anticipation of increased news coverage of the upcoming deployment of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (1-25), we have added a new category called 1-25 Brigade News (how original!). Additionally, all of the stories regarding the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division can still be found in the 3-2 Brigade News category.
Finally, if the demand is there this site will support the 1-25 during its deployment.
News Tribune reporter Adam Lynn and photographer Peter Haley have landed in Kuwait and will meet up with the 81st Brigade Combat Team in Iraq in the next few days. They are the first journalists to embed with this Washington National Guard unit, and they'll be on the ground for six weeks - including when control is returned to Iraqis next week.
The full archive of stories will be located here. Additionally, Lynn will be maintaining a weblog ("blog") while he's in Iraq. Well add both to our Links Page.
This should make the logistics of deployment and re-deployment a bit easier.
[Link to Full Article]
Michael Gilbert; The News Tribune
Soldiers from the Army's second Stryker brigade will replace their Fort Lewis comrades from the first when they deploy to Iraq in October, the Army announced Wednesday.
One more 416th CAB article.
[Link to Full Article]
By Spc. Blair Larson
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq (USASOC News Service, June 21, 2004) — Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army reserve unit from Norristown, Pa., are using their civilian skills to train and outfit Iraqi firemen.
The Battalion’s public safety team is made up of Soldiers who are paramedics, emergency medical technicians and vehicle rescue technicians in the civilian world.
Another article about the 416th CAB.
[Link to Full Article]
By Spc. Aaron Ritter
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
DAHUK, Iraq (USASOC News Service, June 21, 2004) — Coalition Soldiers of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion provided police officers in the Dahuk Governorate much needed equipment May 5 to better prepare the police department to protect its citizens from crime and to continue the rebuilding of Iraq’s infrastructure.
It looks like there is a public affairs detachment visiting the 416th CAB right now.
[Link to Full Article]
By Spc. Blair Larson
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq (USASOC News Service, June 21, 2004) — When the second wave of troops came to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, there was concern over how so few people would be able to take the place of so many. For 20 Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion, replacing 200 Soldiers has been a challenging, but rewarding task.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 23, 2004) – One Iraqi National Guard (ING) soldier was killed today when a roadside bomb exploded on an ING patrol in southern Mosul at approximately 11:55 a.m. Reports confirm that at least four other soldiers wounded in the attack have been evacuated to a military hospital in Mosul, while an unconfirmed number of ING soldiers have been taken to a local hospital.
Iraqi National Guard soldiers assist other local security forces in Mosul in maintaining peace in and around the city. This is yet another example of Anti-Iraq forces attacking Iraqi security forces who are working to improve conditions in Iraq and facilitate the transfer of sovereignty on June 30. The terrorists have no regard for the lives of those who are helping to maintain security in the country as they continue to directly oppose the success of a democratic and free Iraq.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 23, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained another suspected weapons dealer and destroyed an improvised explosive device over the past 24 hours in northern Iraq.
Early this morning, soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment conducted a cordon and search operation in Mosul’s 7 Nissan neighborhood and detained one individual positively identified as a suspected weapons dealer. The individual is in custody and no soldiers were injured during the search.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 23, 2004) – Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of Multinational Force-Iraq, visited Mosul Monday to discuss the upcoming transfer of sovereignty on June 30 with Iraqi security officials from throughout Iraq’s three northern provinces – Ninevah, Irbil and Dahuk.
Leaders and officials of the Iraqi Security Forces to include the Iraqi National Guard, the Iraqi Police, the Iraqi Border Police, the Iraqi Armed Forces, Facilities Protective Services, and other civil defense leaders came from Dahuk, Irbil and other cities to discuss security needs and concerns with Sanchez at the new Joint Coordination Center in northern Mosul.
The following story describes the homecoming of two soldiers on R&R. One is the son of a regular visitor to this site. Here is a photo too.
[Link to Full Article]
By PATRICK SULLIVAN, Record-Eagle staff writer
TRAVERSE CITY - Angela Rapmund tried to look calm as she held her 5-day-old daughter at the arrivals section of Cherry Capital Airport, but her hand quivered slightly when she lifted it.
Angela, 20, had learned earlier Tuesday that her husband, Jeremiah, had been given a two-week leave after his deployment with the Army in Iraq eight months ago.
The following is a Letter to the Editor written by a Captain with the SBCT regarding the incident involving Jed Berman.
I recently read your article on U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jed Berman. I was stationed in the same squadron as Sgt. Berman and knew him quite well. I pray daily that he recovers and am thankful that he wasn't killed. There were some issues brought up in your article that I would like to address. One issue was that he was traveling in a FOX armored vehicle and not a Stryker. He did have the protected body armor that has proven itself extremely effective. [...]
Some good news.
[Link to Full Article]
By Patricia Henley Assistant News Editor
6.22.04 - Army Staff Sgt. Jed Berman, a former Sonoma Valley resident who was seriously wounded in Mosul, Iraq, on May 29, has been moved out of intensive care and into a standard ward at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
"He is out of the woods and now begins the long road to recovery," said his father, Jon Berman.
Great story. There's a photo of Logan in our gallery.
by Sgt. Fred Minnick
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq – If the Army had an adopt-a-child program, Logan Omar Sahle would be the poster child. For more than a year, the 13-year-old boy, who contends he’s 13 and a half, has lived and worked with Coalition forces Soldiers at a forward operating base in Mosul. The boy speaks four languages and his official title at the FOB is translator and supervisor, but he is a Coalition forces Soldier at heart.
by Sgt. Fred Minnick
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
QAYARRAH, Iraq – Sgt. Jessy Johnston is rebuilding the Iraqi army one soldier at a time. In Qayarrah, Iraq, south of Mosul, the 2000 Merriville High School graduate is a primary instructor for soldiers in the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.
“Part of rebuilding Iraq is rebuilding Iraq’s military,” said Johnston, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team).
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed recently, but we haven't linked to a CPA briefing lately - there haven't been any. The organization obviously wanted to lower it's profile after the interim Iraqi leaders were chosen. The following article provides a few parting thoughts by Paul Bremer.
[Link to Full Article]
By Kathleen T. Rhem, American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 21, 2004 – As he prepares to leave Iraq after the handover of sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government, the American who has led the country since the end of major offensive operations looked back and detailed what he believes are the three greatest accomplishment there to date.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 22, 2004) – The Dean of Law at Mosul University, Dr. Layla Abdullah Saeed, was found assassinated outside her home this morning, in the Kuwait neighborhood in southern Mosul. Her husband, Moneer Yahya Ali Al-Khairo, was also killed in the attack. Mosul police discovered the bodies and are currently investigating.
