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Saturday, September 29, 2007
A Message to Osama bin Laden
Here is a message from me to OBL:
سيغزو براغيث من ألف جمل لحيتك
What do you think this says in Arabic?
Click for the answer:
http://www.usafns.com/images/OBLmessage-answer.jpg
~g
Errors Behind Nuclear Flight Unfolding
Nuclear and Nonnuclear Missiles Were Stored in Same Bunker, Lawmaker Says
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I stated in my earlier comment regarding this mishap. I would still like to see a list of those subjected to "personnel action" by the Air Force. Obviously, the decision to store the dummies with the real warheads is the primary reason for this mishap. I am very confident that the person(s) responsible for this will never be subjected to adverse "personnel action" unless Rep. Tauscher and her committee dig into the matter, and insist on those responsible for the decision appear before the subcommittee.
~g
By Walter Pincus
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 28, 2007; A02
An Air Force decision to store nuclear-armed cruise missiles in the same North Dakota bunker as missiles containing dummy warheads played a key role in the unrecognized transport of six nuclear devices from North Dakota to Louisiana last month, according to the head of a congressional oversight committee.
Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on strategic weapons, said the decision "created a mistake waiting to happen."
Tauscher said she has been briefed on the interim conclusions of two Air Force investigations into the troubled Aug. 30 flight of a B-52 bomber over the country with six nuclear-armed, air-launched AGM-129 cruise missiles under its wing. "We still don't know exactly what happened," she added.
It was the first known flight by a nuclear-armed bomber over U.S. airspace without special authorization in nearly 40 years. As previously reported in The Washington Post, the six nuclear warheads, each with the explosive power of more than 10 Hiroshima atomic bombs, were unnoticed -- and without safeguards -- for 36 hours.
Tauscher said her subcommittee will hold hearings in the next two weeks to examine the results of two Air Force investigations now underway. "We are going to be looking into inventory controls of the weapons," she said. She referred to the elaborate nuclear safeguards, requiring require multiple orders and checklists supervised by trained personnel, that have governed any nuclear weapon's movements.
Summing up the briefings to date, Tauscher described as the "antecedent problem" the dismantling of some AGM-129s whose nuclear warheads were replaced with metal dummies of the same size and weight.
"You can't leave them in the same facility [as missiles with nuclear warheads] and expect people to tell the difference, . . . not from five feet away," she said.
One focus of her inquiry will be when and why the Air Force dropped a policy of keeping nuclear weapons separate from nonnuclear ones. Another will be how related security protections "fell apart at two different bases," Tauscher added. "We are going to check the checkers," she said.
She said the committee also plans to look at the process of decommissioning nuclear weapons. In the past, retired nuclear weapons were sent to the Pantex facility in Texas, where the Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) oversees the assembly and the disassembly of warheads.
In this case, the W80 warheads being removed from AGM-129s were stored by the Air Force before they were turned over to the NNSA.
"I want to see NNSA involved in this process," Tauscher said. In addition, she plans to look at why the Air Force turned the delivery of the missiles into a training flight.
The B-52 crew that flew from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to pick up the missiles did not include personnel trained in the handling of nuclear weapons. Tauscher confirmed that one of the crew members performed an inadequate check of the missiles after they were loaded onto the plane, looking only at those without the warheads and skipping the nuclear-armed missiles on the other side.
The most important person in the flight crew, she said, was the one assigned to look through a 5/8th -inch hole in each missile to determine whether the warhead inside was a dummy or a nuclear one.
Referring to the series of errors, Tauscher said: "We are lucky it didn't happen before."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I stated in my earlier comment regarding this mishap. I would still like to see a list of those subjected to "personnel action" by the Air Force. Obviously, the decision to store the dummies with the real warheads is the primary reason for this mishap. I am very confident that the person(s) responsible for this will never be subjected to adverse "personnel action" unless Rep. Tauscher and her committee dig into the matter, and insist on those responsible for the decision appear before the subcommittee.
~g
Labels: AGM-129, B-52, NNSA, Pantex, Rep. Tauscher, Six Nuclear weapons, W80, warhead
Friday, September 28, 2007
The Nuclear Missile Foul-Up
Letters to the Editor
Washington Post
Thursday, September 27, 2007; Page A24
Regarding the Sept. 23 front-page story "The Saga of a Bent Spear," about problems with the handling of six nuclear weapons last month:
The Air Force has acted swiftly since this incident occurred. From the outset, we admitted that we made a mistake with a munitions transfer, and we took immediate personnel actions. We launched an investigation led by a general to determine how this happened. That investigation should be completed within several days.
And we are not waiting on the investigation's results to ensure that our munitions processes are in order. First, we are conducting weapons inspections at all installations similar to Minot and Barksdale Air Force bases, taking a hard look at our munitions procedures. Second, Air Combat Command conducted a command-wide stand-down to review munitions policies, regulations and procedures. Third, we are in constant dialogue with the secretary of defense's staff on the status of our investigation, which is being assisted by representatives from his inspector general's office. Fourth, I have visited Minot and Barksdale to see firsthand the dedicated professionals responsible for working with our munitions. They are committed to ensuring that our weapons remain secure.
We owe America a comprehensive, detailed investigation. And when it's complete, we will provide America with results that are fully transparent and accurate.
MICHAEL W. WYNNE
Secretary of the Air Force
Pentagon
Washington
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SECAF Wynne is to be commended for his swift action is this matter. I am sure that the "personnel actions" were warranted. In my experience, such actions usually do not involve anyone that are field grade or above. I would like to see a list of those that were subjected to personnel actions.
I don't wish to know names, just the action, rank and organizational responsibilities of those disciplined (if that is the right word for "personnel actions" - for all we know, they could have awarded those involved with letters of commendation. Or, possibly transferring from Minot to Florida - after all those constitute personnel action.
Another retired US Army friend and discussed this matter, and both of us are of the opinion that most of these matters are resolved by harsh punishment for those low on the totem pole. Rarely are those that are really responsible punished. They use the regulations as a tool to avoid responsibility. One of the basic principles of military organizations is that one can delegate authority, but cannot delegate responsibility.
If the right thing is done, everyone in the chain of command starting with SECAF Wynne and going down to the enlisted person that actually mounted the weapons on the B-52 and the pilots of the airplane should get at least a letter of reprimand or harsher personnel action.
~g
This comment has been published on the Washington Post - See:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602270_Comments.html
Washington Post
Thursday, September 27, 2007; Page A24
Regarding the Sept. 23 front-page story "The Saga of a Bent Spear," about problems with the handling of six nuclear weapons last month:
The Air Force has acted swiftly since this incident occurred. From the outset, we admitted that we made a mistake with a munitions transfer, and we took immediate personnel actions. We launched an investigation led by a general to determine how this happened. That investigation should be completed within several days.
And we are not waiting on the investigation's results to ensure that our munitions processes are in order. First, we are conducting weapons inspections at all installations similar to Minot and Barksdale Air Force bases, taking a hard look at our munitions procedures. Second, Air Combat Command conducted a command-wide stand-down to review munitions policies, regulations and procedures. Third, we are in constant dialogue with the secretary of defense's staff on the status of our investigation, which is being assisted by representatives from his inspector general's office. Fourth, I have visited Minot and Barksdale to see firsthand the dedicated professionals responsible for working with our munitions. They are committed to ensuring that our weapons remain secure.
We owe America a comprehensive, detailed investigation. And when it's complete, we will provide America with results that are fully transparent and accurate.
MICHAEL W. WYNNE
Secretary of the Air Force
Pentagon
Washington
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SECAF Wynne is to be commended for his swift action is this matter. I am sure that the "personnel actions" were warranted. In my experience, such actions usually do not involve anyone that are field grade or above. I would like to see a list of those that were subjected to personnel actions.
I don't wish to know names, just the action, rank and organizational responsibilities of those disciplined (if that is the right word for "personnel actions" - for all we know, they could have awarded those involved with letters of commendation. Or, possibly transferring from Minot to Florida - after all those constitute personnel action.
Another retired US Army friend and discussed this matter, and both of us are of the opinion that most of these matters are resolved by harsh punishment for those low on the totem pole. Rarely are those that are really responsible punished. They use the regulations as a tool to avoid responsibility. One of the basic principles of military organizations is that one can delegate authority, but cannot delegate responsibility.
If the right thing is done, everyone in the chain of command starting with SECAF Wynne and going down to the enlisted person that actually mounted the weapons on the B-52 and the pilots of the airplane should get at least a letter of reprimand or harsher personnel action.
~g
This comment has been published on the Washington Post - See:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602270_Comments.html
Labels: Barksdale AFB, Broken Spear, Minot AFB, Six Nuclear weapons
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
SILENCE IN SYRIA, PANIC IN IRAN
Written by Dr. Jack Wheeler
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
One of India's top ranking generals assigned to liaise with the Iranian military recently returned to New Delhi from several days in Tehran - in a state of complete amazement.
"Everyone in the government and military can only talk of one thing," he reports. "No matter who I talked to, all they could do was ask me, over and over again, 'Do you think the Americans will attack us?' 'When will the Americans attack us?' 'Will the Americans attack us in a joint operation with the Israelis?' How massive will the attack be?' on and on, endlessly. The Iranians are in a state of total panic."
And that was before September 6. Since then, it's panic-squared in Tehran. The mullahs are freaking out in fear. Why? Because of the silence in Syria.
On September 6, Israeli Air Force F-15 and F-16s conducted a devastating attack on targets deep inside Syria near the city of Dayr az-Zawr. Israel's military censors have muzzled the Israeli media, enforcing an extraordinary silence about the identity of the targets. Massive speculation in the world press has followed, such as Brett Stephens' Osirak II? in yesterday's (9/18) Wall St. Journal.
Stephens and most everyone else have missed the real story. It is not Israel's silence that "speaks volumes" as he claims, but Syria's. Why would the Syrian government be so tight-lipped about an act of war perpetrated on their soil?
The first half of the answer lies in this story that appeared in the Israeli media last month (8/13): Syria's Antiaircraft System Most Advanced In World. Syria has gone on a profligate buying spree, spending vast sums on Russian systems, "considered the cutting edge in aircraft interception technology."
Syria now "possesses the most crowded antiaircraft system in the world," with "more than 200 antiaircraft batteries of different types," some of which are so new that they have been installed in Syria "before being introduced into Russian operation service."
While you're digesting that, take a look at the map of Syria: (see above)
Notice how far away Dayr az-Zawr is from Israel. An F15/16 attack there is not a tiptoe across the border, but a deep, deep penetration of Syrian airspace. And guess what happened with the Russian super-hyper-sophisticated cutting edge antiaircraft missile batteries when that penetration took place on September 6th.
Nothing.
El blanko. Silence. The systems didn't even light up, gave no indication whatever of any detection of enemy aircraft invading Syrian airspace, zip, zero, nada. The Israelis (with a little techie assistance from us) blinded the Russkie antiaircraft systems so completely the Syrians didn't even know they were blinded.
Now you see why the Syrians have been scared speechless. They thought they were protected - at enormous expense - only to discover they are defenseless. As in naked.
Thus the Great Iranian Freak-Out - for this means Iran is just as nakedly defenseless as Syria. I can tell you that there are a lot of folks in the Kirya (IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv) and the Pentagon right now who are really enjoying the mullahs' predicament. Let's face it: scaring the terror masters in Tehran out of their wits is fun.
It's so much fun, in fact, that an attack destroying Iran's nuclear facilities and the Revolutionary Guard command/control centers has been delayed, so that France (under new management) can get in on the fun too.
On Sunday (9/16), Sarkozy's foreign minister Bernard Kouchner announced that "France should prepare for the possibility of war over Iran's nuclear program."
All of this has caused Tehran to respond with maniacal threats. On Monday (9/17), a government website proclaimed that "600 Shihab-3 missiles" will be fired at targets in Israel in response to an attack upon Iran by the US/Israel. This was followed by Iranian deputy air force chief Gen. Mohammad Alavi announcing today (9/19) that "we will attack their (Israeli) territory with our fighter bombers as a response to any attack."
A sure sign of panic is to make a threat that everyone knows is a bluff. So our and Tel Aviv's response to Iranian bluster is a thank-you-for-sharing yawn and a laugh. Few things rattle the mullahs' cages more than a yawn and a laugh.
Yet no matter how much fun this sport with the mullahs is, it is also deadly serious. The pressure build-up on Iran is getting enormous. Something is going to blow and soon. The hope is that the blow-up will be internal, that the regime will implode from within.
But make no mistake: an all-out full regime take-out air assault upon Iran is coming if that hope doesn't materialize within the next 60 to 90 days. The Sept. 6 attack on Syria was the shot across Iran's bow.
So - what was attacked near Dayr az-Zawr? It's possible it was North Korean "nuclear material" recently shipped to Syria, i.e., stuff to make radioactively "dirty" warheads, but nothing to make a real nuke with as the Norks don't have real nukes (see Why North Korea's Nuke Test Is Such Good News, October 2006).
Another possibility is it was to take out a stockpile of long-range Zilzal surface-to-surface missiles recently shipped from Iran for an attack on Israel.
A third is it was a hit on the stockpile of Saddam's chemical/bio weapons snuck out of Iraq and into Syria for safekeeping before the US invasion of April 2003.
But the identity of the target is not the story - for the primary point of the attack was not to destroy that target. It was to shut down Syria's Russian air defense system during the attack. Doing so made the attack an incredible success.
Syria is shamed and silent. Iran is freaking out in panic. Defenseless enemies are fun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had made a mental note that it was odd that Syria didn't go into very loud sabre rattling after the Israli raid into the middle of the country. I recall when we bombed Kadafi's palace, and there wasn't a sound out of him. I remember it well, France wouldn't allow our bombers to fly through their airspace. So, we simply flew around France - it took another refuelling or two to make the round trip, but we did it. Unfortunately, our intel was incorrect, and he wasn't in that palace that night.
Obviously, there is no way to know whether Dr. Wheeler's conclusions are corrrect, but it sure makes interesting reading.
This was published Sept 19, 2007 on Dr. Wheeler's website TTP (http://www.tothepointnews.com/). Since then, it has been published on several other blogs. His website make some very interesting points, and is thought provoking. Check it out! Labels: bluff, F-15, F-16 Dayr az-Zawr, France, Iran, Israel, Panic, Syria, Tehran
~g
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Missteps in the Bunker - Nukes Flown from Minot SD to Barksdale LA
Today's Washington Post had an article entitled "Missteps in the Bunker". Here is a link to the article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/22/AR2007092201447.html?hpid=topnews
This article covers the USAF mishap of flying 6 tactical nuclear warheads from Minot AFB, ND to Barksdale AFB, LA. Nukes have been flown all around the world for over 40 years.
This one scares the hell out of me. Not for the reasons that one might immediately think. But rather, the potential for degrading our strategic and tactical nuclear capability. This has the potential of allowing the Politically Correct (PC) politicians, PC Senior Grade and PC Flag Rank officers to jump into a knee-jerk reaction that will potentially reduce our true capability to nil. Those responsible must be able to maintain, store and transport these weapons to keep them in safe working order, and out of the hands of those that intend to do us great harm.
The vast majority of the Senior Officers today came up during the Clinton years when promotions favored the Politically Correct over the warrior. I personally prefer a savage warrior to a PC wust. I know that some of our warriors had rough edges, but that is part of the price to be paid for maintaining an armed force capable of defending our shores. I am afraid that they will change the program and make it impossible to maintain the weapons in our arsenal.
Over the years, there have been 20+ reported "Broken Arrows". See:
http://www.atomicarchive.com/Almanac/Brokenarrows_static.shtml
In all of that time, over-reaction has not rendered the program ineffective. Let's keep it that way. They don't need to change any of the regulations or procedures, simply adhere to the ones in force at this time. Swiftly punish those that failed, instead of going on a multimillion dollar witch hunt trying to prove someone in DOD or the current administration is to blame.
~g
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/22/AR2007092201447.html?hpid=topnews
This article covers the USAF mishap of flying 6 tactical nuclear warheads from Minot AFB, ND to Barksdale AFB, LA. Nukes have been flown all around the world for over 40 years.
This one scares the hell out of me. Not for the reasons that one might immediately think. But rather, the potential for degrading our strategic and tactical nuclear capability. This has the potential of allowing the Politically Correct (PC) politicians, PC Senior Grade and PC Flag Rank officers to jump into a knee-jerk reaction that will potentially reduce our true capability to nil. Those responsible must be able to maintain, store and transport these weapons to keep them in safe working order, and out of the hands of those that intend to do us great harm.
The vast majority of the Senior Officers today came up during the Clinton years when promotions favored the Politically Correct over the warrior. I personally prefer a savage warrior to a PC wust. I know that some of our warriors had rough edges, but that is part of the price to be paid for maintaining an armed force capable of defending our shores. I am afraid that they will change the program and make it impossible to maintain the weapons in our arsenal.
Over the years, there have been 20+ reported "Broken Arrows". See:
http://www.atomicarchive.com/Almanac/Brokenarrows_static.shtml
In all of that time, over-reaction has not rendered the program ineffective. Let's keep it that way. They don't need to change any of the regulations or procedures, simply adhere to the ones in force at this time. Swiftly punish those that failed, instead of going on a multimillion dollar witch hunt trying to prove someone in DOD or the current administration is to blame.
~g
Labels: Barksdale AFB, Broken Arrow, Minot AFB, Nuclear Weapons, Nukes, Politically Correct, USAF
Saturday, September 22, 2007
American and Iraqi Forces Control Half of Baghdad
New York Times
By DAVID S. CLOUD
Published: September 22, 2007
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 — American and Iraqi forces control a little more than half of Baghdad’s neighborhoods but 8 percent are “free of enemy influence” and are being secured primarily by Iraqi units, according to a senior American commander.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil Jr., the American commander in Baghdad, told reporters in a video briefing at the Pentagon that in around 38 of Baghdad’s 474 neighborhoods American forces were playing mainly a supporting role to Iraqis, and that violence was at minimal levels. That represents only a slight increase in Iraqi control since June.
In another 46 percent of the city’s neighborhoods, he said, American and Iraqi forces were able to prevent the area’s use by insurgent forces and protect the population. That is up from 42 percent in late June and 28 percent in late May. “The level of violence is way, way down,” General Fil said.
In 16 percent of Baghdad neighborhoods, American and Iraqi troops still face problems protecting residents, while in 30 percent operations are under way to “remove all enemy forces and eliminate resistance,” General Fil said.
More than half of the 30,000 additional American troops sent to Iraq this year as part of the “surge” have been operating in Baghdad. President Bush has said that all the additional troops will be withdrawn by next July.
Even after the American reinforcements are sent home, there will still be areas that require continued fighting by the remaining American troops, General Fil said, noting that Iraqi police and army units are not now capable of taking the lead in providing security.
But as American forces draw down over coming months, he said he was “confident” that Iraqi forces would “be sufficiently strong” that they could assume responsibility for security in more neighborhoods.
Critics of the American war effort have long contended that the American military is following a “whack-a-mole” strategy, driving insurgents out of one area only to find them popping up in another. They have also raised doubts about whether the Iraqi Army and police forces, which have been racked by corruption and militia infiltration, will ever be able to provide effective security in the absence of American forces.
A recent assessment of the Iraqi security forces by a Congressional commission concluded that the Iraqi Army and police units would not be able to operate independently for at least 12 to 18 months. The panel, which was led by James L. Jones, a retired general and the former supreme American commander in Europe, also recommended eliminating the Iraqi national police, a 25,000-officer force charged with playing a key role under the current strategy, because it said the force was crippled by public distrust and sectarianism.
General Fil said that despite the small increase in areas where Iraqi units were in the lead, “the ability of the Iraqi security forces to control their own neighborhoods, their own areas, as they stand side by side with American forces and, in fact, as they take the lead, is growing.”
He noted that American forces had gone into only a small corner of Sadr City, a Shiite neighborhood in eastern Baghdad and a stronghold of Moktada al-Sadr, an anti-American Shiite cleric. American commanders have held off trying to clear the area of militia fighters, fearing that it would set off a fierce street-to-street battle.
“We do not plan to actually move into Sadr City for several months, and that will be done as we work with the local government there and the government of Iraq,” General Fil said.
He focused on what he said was a growing number of Iraqis volunteering to protect their own neighborhoods from insurgents and cooperate with American troops. He said that there were almost 8,000 volunteers in and around Baghdad, and that they were gradually being incorporated into the Iraqi security forces as part of a new American policy of giving support to neighborhood militias as long as they agree to eventually integrate with regular police units.
Critics of the policy of working with the largely Sunni volunteer fighters say it could backfire by arming groups that might eventually turn against the government, and the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki has only tepidly backed the idea.
By DAVID S. CLOUD
Published: September 22, 2007
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 — American and Iraqi forces control a little more than half of Baghdad’s neighborhoods but 8 percent are “free of enemy influence” and are being secured primarily by Iraqi units, according to a senior American commander.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil Jr., the American commander in Baghdad, told reporters in a video briefing at the Pentagon that in around 38 of Baghdad’s 474 neighborhoods American forces were playing mainly a supporting role to Iraqis, and that violence was at minimal levels. That represents only a slight increase in Iraqi control since June.
In another 46 percent of the city’s neighborhoods, he said, American and Iraqi forces were able to prevent the area’s use by insurgent forces and protect the population. That is up from 42 percent in late June and 28 percent in late May. “The level of violence is way, way down,” General Fil said.
In 16 percent of Baghdad neighborhoods, American and Iraqi troops still face problems protecting residents, while in 30 percent operations are under way to “remove all enemy forces and eliminate resistance,” General Fil said.
More than half of the 30,000 additional American troops sent to Iraq this year as part of the “surge” have been operating in Baghdad. President Bush has said that all the additional troops will be withdrawn by next July.
Even after the American reinforcements are sent home, there will still be areas that require continued fighting by the remaining American troops, General Fil said, noting that Iraqi police and army units are not now capable of taking the lead in providing security.
But as American forces draw down over coming months, he said he was “confident” that Iraqi forces would “be sufficiently strong” that they could assume responsibility for security in more neighborhoods.
Critics of the American war effort have long contended that the American military is following a “whack-a-mole” strategy, driving insurgents out of one area only to find them popping up in another. They have also raised doubts about whether the Iraqi Army and police forces, which have been racked by corruption and militia infiltration, will ever be able to provide effective security in the absence of American forces.
A recent assessment of the Iraqi security forces by a Congressional commission concluded that the Iraqi Army and police units would not be able to operate independently for at least 12 to 18 months. The panel, which was led by James L. Jones, a retired general and the former supreme American commander in Europe, also recommended eliminating the Iraqi national police, a 25,000-officer force charged with playing a key role under the current strategy, because it said the force was crippled by public distrust and sectarianism.
General Fil said that despite the small increase in areas where Iraqi units were in the lead, “the ability of the Iraqi security forces to control their own neighborhoods, their own areas, as they stand side by side with American forces and, in fact, as they take the lead, is growing.”
He noted that American forces had gone into only a small corner of Sadr City, a Shiite neighborhood in eastern Baghdad and a stronghold of Moktada al-Sadr, an anti-American Shiite cleric. American commanders have held off trying to clear the area of militia fighters, fearing that it would set off a fierce street-to-street battle.
“We do not plan to actually move into Sadr City for several months, and that will be done as we work with the local government there and the government of Iraq,” General Fil said.
He focused on what he said was a growing number of Iraqis volunteering to protect their own neighborhoods from insurgents and cooperate with American troops. He said that there were almost 8,000 volunteers in and around Baghdad, and that they were gradually being incorporated into the Iraqi security forces as part of a new American policy of giving support to neighborhood militias as long as they agree to eventually integrate with regular police units.
Critics of the policy of working with the largely Sunni volunteer fighters say it could backfire by arming groups that might eventually turn against the government, and the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki has only tepidly backed the idea.
Labels: Baghdad, David S. Cloud, General Fil, Joseph Fil Jr, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, Sadr City
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
George S Patton's New Speech-Iraq & modern world
George S Patton's New Speech-Iraq & modern world (6:18)
Labels: America, Clinton, Freedom, George Bush, imitation, impression, Iran, Iraq, Jihad, Parody, Patton, War, World
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Good News From "Over There" by DVIDS 09/17/07
"Project on Taji Brings Donated Medical Books to Iraq..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12374
"Airpower Summary for September 15 "
Can be viewed at...
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http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12382
"BAF MAC Finds Mines to Keep Afghans, Service Members..."
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http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12379
"Congressional Delegates Visit Combat Outpost"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12386
"Black Jack Brigade Meets, Exceeds Retention Goals fo..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12388
"Soldier's Training Put to the Test, Saves Life as Re..."
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http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12389
"Daily 'run' Makes Life at Joint Security Stations Po..."
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http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12391
"Commitment Pays Off for Paratroopers in Adhamiyah"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12392
"Extreme Makeover: Maintenance Bay Edition"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12394
""Run to Remember" Held in Kandahar"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12396
"Chief Selects Serve Community as Rite of Passage"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12399
"3-1 Cavalry Soldiers Welcome New Troop Commander"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12398
"Black Jack Brings Power to the People"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12400
"Airpower Summary for September 14 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12403
"TF Raven Crew Chief Saves a Life in the Desert"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12406
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12374
"Airpower Summary for September 15 "
Can be viewed at...
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12382
"BAF MAC Finds Mines to Keep Afghans, Service Members..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12379
"Congressional Delegates Visit Combat Outpost"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12386
"Black Jack Brigade Meets, Exceeds Retention Goals fo..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12388
"Soldier's Training Put to the Test, Saves Life as Re..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12389
"Daily 'run' Makes Life at Joint Security Stations Po..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12391
"Commitment Pays Off for Paratroopers in Adhamiyah"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12392
"Extreme Makeover: Maintenance Bay Edition"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12394
""Run to Remember" Held in Kandahar"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12396
"Chief Selects Serve Community as Rite of Passage"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12399
"3-1 Cavalry Soldiers Welcome New Troop Commander"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12398
"Black Jack Brings Power to the People"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12400
"Airpower Summary for September 14 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12403
"TF Raven Crew Chief Saves a Life in the Desert"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12406
Labels: 3-1 Cav, Adhamiyah, Airpower, BAF MAC, Black Dragon, Black Jack, IP, Kandahar, Medical Books, TF Raven, Tropic at Taji
Monday, September 17, 2007
Vietnam vets give what they never got
By Edward Colimore
Inquirer Staff Writer
For the last year, they saw the Iraq war up close; some fought gun battles with the enemy, and all were far from home and the comforts of family.
Then, after a marathon flight, the troops were back again yesterday, tired, excited, hungry, and still loaded down with their M-16s and military gear.
They did not expect anyone to notice.
But at the journey's end, Michael Engi and fellow Vietnam veterans were waiting. They are always there for the troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
At 2, 3, 4 o'clock in the morning - any time of the day or night - it does not matter. They drop what they are doing and head to Fort Dix to greet the soldiers and offer warm handshakes.
As 150 troops piled off buses at the Mobilization and Demobilization Briefing Center, more than a dozen Vietnam veterans formed a receiving line to give a welcome they did not receive decades ago. One veteran played the haunting melody of "The Minstrel Boy" on the bagpipes.
"Welcome home! Welcome back!" a beaming Engi said over and over as the soldiers moved past him.
Many lit up with smiles. Some teared up. America's newest veterans - scores of them from Pennsylvania, Delaware and other states - were surprised and touched by the gesture.
One of them took the American flag patch from his uniform and handed it to a Vietnam-era veteran, Dexter Hawkins of Browns Mills, as a way of saying thanks.
"They become overwhelmed with emotion," said Engi, 59, of Bordentown, president of New Jersey Chapter 899 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. "They're just glad to see someone understands. You see handshakes and hugs. They can't thank us enough."
Army Reserve Sgt. Tim Simon, 22, of Franklin, Pa., who just returned from al-Qayyarrah, Iraq, and who serves in the 298th Transportation Company, said: "This means a lot because of what they went through. It feels good."
The Vietnam veterans have been going to Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base for more than three years to offer encouragement and advice. They said they felt an emotional kinship with the troops forged by the shared experience of war.
But something cathartic happened along the way. Engi and his comrades said they got as much from the meetings as the troops did, maybe more.
"By welcoming them home, we were getting welcomed home, too, and we never had that," said Engi, a former Burlington County sheriff's officer who organized the welcome-home events and recruited other veterans. "Every time we go out there, it's the same thing. We get as much from these guys as we give them. It's better than any parade we could have ever had."
Hawkins, who served in the Air Force from 1966 to 1989, added: "If I had a son who went to war, it would tear me up [if he returned without a greeting]. I came home and was treated badly. It just wasn't right."
Curt Anderson, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War who played the bagpipes yesterday, said the welcome-home ceremonies were "a bit like closure for us.
"It's good for both sides," Anderson, 53, of Willingboro said. "It's giving something we never got. It helps make you whole."
Tom Jellick, 75, of Wrightstown, the second vice president of Chapter 899 and the group's chaplain, said he recalled "how lonesome it was when I left for Vietnam and how bad the reception was when I got back."
An Air Force tech sergeant, he also recalled loading aircraft with ammunition and unloading bodies. "That bothered me more than anything else," Jellick said. "Some of the bags had only pieces and the blood was leaking out.
"So when I first started coming out here [to welcome the troops home], I was emotional. I cried. They got their welcome, and I didn't get mine. Some folks would get so emotional they'd have to walk around the corner. Now, we're pros at it. It's like having a treatment at the psychiatrist. I feel I'm doing something, and I'm feeling better."
Moments before the buses arrived yesterday, Engi asked his fellow Vietnam veterans "to raise your hands if you want to reenlist. They're looking for a few good men." Then buses began pulling up. "Here they come," he said.
Engi recruited veterans in Chapter 899 for arrival and departure ceremonies at Fort Dix and McGuire. The veterans also spend hours at the medical hold unit, where soldiers are treated for minor injuries as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. They bring chili and other food and talk and play pool or cards with the troops.
"I wanted them to know someone cares," said Engi, a former sergeant who served with an artillery unit in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 and who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Engi said he and other veterans tell the troops what worked for them, especially those affected by trauma disorder. Each group that arrives is different, depending on the role they had, and the levels of combat they experienced.
"We get standing ovations from the troops all the time," he said. "We don't want them to be forgotten. Somebody has to speak up for them."
Army Sgt. Emmanuel Maxwell, 25, a member of the 24th Quartermaster unit from Fort Lewis, Wash., felt buoyed after the reception.
"It's always good to get a welcome home. I wasn't expecting it."
Army Maj. Marla Seeman, 48, of Harrington, Del., a member of the Delaware National Guard 198th Signal Battalion from New Castle, Del., said she was "honored that they [Vietnam veterans] would do this for us. It was wonderful."
One soldier probably had the best perspective of any. Sgt. Maj. Robert Wilson, 57, of Bear, Del., had fought in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 and remembered "going over and coming back by myself.
"I turned 20 in Vietnam and 57 in Iraq," he said. "It couldn't be any better than to be welcomed by these guys. I hope they get what they want out of this. There is a different feeling today than there was during Vietnam."
Inquirer Staff Writer
For the last year, they saw the Iraq war up close; some fought gun battles with the enemy, and all were far from home and the comforts of family.
Then, after a marathon flight, the troops were back again yesterday, tired, excited, hungry, and still loaded down with their M-16s and military gear.
They did not expect anyone to notice.
But at the journey's end, Michael Engi and fellow Vietnam veterans were waiting. They are always there for the troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
At 2, 3, 4 o'clock in the morning - any time of the day or night - it does not matter. They drop what they are doing and head to Fort Dix to greet the soldiers and offer warm handshakes.
As 150 troops piled off buses at the Mobilization and Demobilization Briefing Center, more than a dozen Vietnam veterans formed a receiving line to give a welcome they did not receive decades ago. One veteran played the haunting melody of "The Minstrel Boy" on the bagpipes.
"Welcome home! Welcome back!" a beaming Engi said over and over as the soldiers moved past him.
Many lit up with smiles. Some teared up. America's newest veterans - scores of them from Pennsylvania, Delaware and other states - were surprised and touched by the gesture.
One of them took the American flag patch from his uniform and handed it to a Vietnam-era veteran, Dexter Hawkins of Browns Mills, as a way of saying thanks.
"They become overwhelmed with emotion," said Engi, 59, of Bordentown, president of New Jersey Chapter 899 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. "They're just glad to see someone understands. You see handshakes and hugs. They can't thank us enough."
Army Reserve Sgt. Tim Simon, 22, of Franklin, Pa., who just returned from al-Qayyarrah, Iraq, and who serves in the 298th Transportation Company, said: "This means a lot because of what they went through. It feels good."
The Vietnam veterans have been going to Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base for more than three years to offer encouragement and advice. They said they felt an emotional kinship with the troops forged by the shared experience of war.
But something cathartic happened along the way. Engi and his comrades said they got as much from the meetings as the troops did, maybe more.
"By welcoming them home, we were getting welcomed home, too, and we never had that," said Engi, a former Burlington County sheriff's officer who organized the welcome-home events and recruited other veterans. "Every time we go out there, it's the same thing. We get as much from these guys as we give them. It's better than any parade we could have ever had."
Hawkins, who served in the Air Force from 1966 to 1989, added: "If I had a son who went to war, it would tear me up [if he returned without a greeting]. I came home and was treated badly. It just wasn't right."
Curt Anderson, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War who played the bagpipes yesterday, said the welcome-home ceremonies were "a bit like closure for us.
"It's good for both sides," Anderson, 53, of Willingboro said. "It's giving something we never got. It helps make you whole."
Tom Jellick, 75, of Wrightstown, the second vice president of Chapter 899 and the group's chaplain, said he recalled "how lonesome it was when I left for Vietnam and how bad the reception was when I got back."
An Air Force tech sergeant, he also recalled loading aircraft with ammunition and unloading bodies. "That bothered me more than anything else," Jellick said. "Some of the bags had only pieces and the blood was leaking out.
"So when I first started coming out here [to welcome the troops home], I was emotional. I cried. They got their welcome, and I didn't get mine. Some folks would get so emotional they'd have to walk around the corner. Now, we're pros at it. It's like having a treatment at the psychiatrist. I feel I'm doing something, and I'm feeling better."
Moments before the buses arrived yesterday, Engi asked his fellow Vietnam veterans "to raise your hands if you want to reenlist. They're looking for a few good men." Then buses began pulling up. "Here they come," he said.
Engi recruited veterans in Chapter 899 for arrival and departure ceremonies at Fort Dix and McGuire. The veterans also spend hours at the medical hold unit, where soldiers are treated for minor injuries as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. They bring chili and other food and talk and play pool or cards with the troops.
"I wanted them to know someone cares," said Engi, a former sergeant who served with an artillery unit in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 and who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Engi said he and other veterans tell the troops what worked for them, especially those affected by trauma disorder. Each group that arrives is different, depending on the role they had, and the levels of combat they experienced.
"We get standing ovations from the troops all the time," he said. "We don't want them to be forgotten. Somebody has to speak up for them."
Army Sgt. Emmanuel Maxwell, 25, a member of the 24th Quartermaster unit from Fort Lewis, Wash., felt buoyed after the reception.
"It's always good to get a welcome home. I wasn't expecting it."
Army Maj. Marla Seeman, 48, of Harrington, Del., a member of the Delaware National Guard 198th Signal Battalion from New Castle, Del., said she was "honored that they [Vietnam veterans] would do this for us. It was wonderful."
One soldier probably had the best perspective of any. Sgt. Maj. Robert Wilson, 57, of Bear, Del., had fought in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 and remembered "going over and coming back by myself.
"I turned 20 in Vietnam and 57 in Iraq," he said. "It couldn't be any better than to be welcomed by these guys. I hope they get what they want out of this. There is a different feeling today than there was during Vietnam."
Labels: Bordentown NJ, Curt Anderson, Dexter Hawkins, Emmanuel Maxwell, Ft Dix, Marla Seeman, McGuire Air Force Base, Michael Engi, Robert Wilson, Tim Simon, Tom Jellick, Vietnam Vets, Wrightstown NJ
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Budweiser Commercial Produced after 9/11
Here is a commercial Budweiser produced after 9/11. They aired it only once so as not to benefit financially from it - they just wanted to acknowledge the tragic event.
Budweiser does have class!!
~g
Budweiser does have class!!
~g
Labels: 9/11, Budweiser, commercial
Friday, September 14, 2007
Good News From "Over There" by DVIDS 09/14/07
"A Slice of Home, a Welcome Sight for Soldiers in Diyala"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12336
"'Dragoons' Unfurl Colors in Baghdad"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12339
"Support for Soldiers Doesn't Go Unnoticed, Unappreci..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12341
"Army Inducts Newly Promoted Soldiers Into NCO Corps"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12342
"Airmen in Afghanistan Pay Tribute to Air Force Anniv..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12347
"Refuelers Keep Southwest Border Aviation in the Sky"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12349
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12336
"'Dragoons' Unfurl Colors in Baghdad"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12339
"Support for Soldiers Doesn't Go Unnoticed, Unappreci..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12341
"Army Inducts Newly Promoted Soldiers Into NCO Corps"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12342
"Airmen in Afghanistan Pay Tribute to Air Force Anniv..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12347
"Refuelers Keep Southwest Border Aviation in the Sky"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12349
Labels: Afghanistan, Airmen, Baghdad, Dargoons, Diyala, New NCO's, Refuelers, Support for Soldiers
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Good News From "Over There" by DVIDS 09/13/07
"Soldiers Help Kids Remember 9-11"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12318
"Soldiers Lend Medical Hand to Madhariyah Residents"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12319
"Soldiers, Iraqis Clear Out Al-Qaeda Along Tigris"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12320
"Iraqi Training"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12322
"Soldier Honored for Service"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12323
"Airpower Summary for September 12 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12326
"Aviation Trainers Prepare Soldiers for Deployment"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12327
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12318
"Soldiers Lend Medical Hand to Madhariyah Residents"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12319
"Soldiers, Iraqis Clear Out Al-Qaeda Along Tigris"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12320
"Iraqi Training"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12322
"Soldier Honored for Service"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12323
"Airpower Summary for September 12 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12326
"Aviation Trainers Prepare Soldiers for Deployment"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12327
Labels: 9-11, Airpower Summary, Aviation Trainers, Iraqi Training, Madhariyah, Tigris
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Good News From "Over There" by DVIDS 09/11/07 & 09/12/07
"CSTC-A Commemorates 6th Anniversary of 9-11"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12286
"Believe It Commitment Pays Off for Paratroopers in A..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12287
"Captain Snap Shot-Company Commander Honored in Army-..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12289
"15 Months Later: Red Lions Head for Fort Lewis Home"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12291
"Bagram Airfield Remembers Sept. 11 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12295
"Deployed Soldiers Show Greater Strengths Than Superman"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12308
"American, Afghan Women Join Together for Tea, Discus..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12309
"Air Cavalry Remembers 9/11 at Prayer Breakfast "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12310
"ANA and Coalition Forces Eliminate Insurgents in Oru..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12315
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12286
"Believe It Commitment Pays Off for Paratroopers in A..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12287
"Captain Snap Shot-Company Commander Honored in Army-..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12289
"15 Months Later: Red Lions Head for Fort Lewis Home"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12291
"Bagram Airfield Remembers Sept. 11 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12295
"Deployed Soldiers Show Greater Strengths Than Superman"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12308
"American, Afghan Women Join Together for Tea, Discus..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12309
"Air Cavalry Remembers 9/11 at Prayer Breakfast "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12310
"ANA and Coalition Forces Eliminate Insurgents in Oru..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12315
Labels: Aduzay Village, Air Calvary, American and Afghan Women, Bagram Airfield, CSTC-A, Greater Strengths, Paratroopers, Prayer Breakfast, Red Lions
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Fort Bragg's "Adopt A Soldier" Program
Name Withheld:
Although I do not have a list that tells me what Soldiers have access to computers/email - I am sending you info below on our "Adopt A Soldier" program. If you decide to participate, you can certainly ask the Soldier to correspond via email if he/she has that capability.
Fort Bragg's "Adopt A Soldier" Program gives the civilian community an opportunity to show their support of deployed Soldiers on an individual and personal basis. The "adoption" involves sending letters and care packages for the duration of the Soldier's deployment (12-15 months).
The Soldiers who sign up to participate in the program are from units based here at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Although the majority of the Soldiers participating are younger/lower enlisted; any Soldier interested in receiving support/recognition may participate in the program. We do not maintain any personal information on the Soldiers for this program (i.e. age, race, marital status, etc.).
Most people try to send a letter once a week and a care package once a month. It usually takes at least 7-10 days for a letter to reach them;and 10-14 days for packages. You must fill out a customs form for each care package listing the enclosed items, their weight and their cost.
You can call the Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734 and ask for a priority mail "Military Kit." They will send you boxes,envelopes, tape, customs forms...everything you need! There should be"special" boxes in the kit with a red circle that have "Flat Rate Box"on them. You put as much as you possibly can into these boxes and regardless of the weight, the post office will send them for a flat rate of $8.95.
Attached is a list of items Soldiers have previously requested. You can choose from the list, send what you want, or wait and see if the Soldier wants anything specific. Some of them can buy snack food and hygiene items at little stores the Army has set up...but others are in too remote of areas. In your first correspondence with the Soldier you can ask him to give you suggestions on what he needs/wants.
If you are still interested, let me know and I will be happy to send you
the name/address of the next Soldier on my list.
Vicky
Vicky L. Lee
DIRECTORATE OF PLANS, TRNG & MOB
ATTN: IMSE-BRG-PL-IO (VICKY LEE)
2175 REILLY ROAD, STOP A
FORT BRAGG, NC 28310-5000
Tel: (910) 396-5401/8015
Fax: (910) 396-6871
vicky.lee@us.army.mil
Printed with permission of Ms. Lee.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have had numerous requests for contact information for one (or more) of our troops. Here is your chance. I am sure that you will find the experience very rewarding. Please tell them that Gunner M sent you.
~g
Although I do not have a list that tells me what Soldiers have access to computers/email - I am sending you info below on our "Adopt A Soldier" program. If you decide to participate, you can certainly ask the Soldier to correspond via email if he/she has that capability.
Fort Bragg's "Adopt A Soldier" Program gives the civilian community an opportunity to show their support of deployed Soldiers on an individual and personal basis. The "adoption" involves sending letters and care packages for the duration of the Soldier's deployment (12-15 months).
The Soldiers who sign up to participate in the program are from units based here at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Although the majority of the Soldiers participating are younger/lower enlisted; any Soldier interested in receiving support/recognition may participate in the program. We do not maintain any personal information on the Soldiers for this program (i.e. age, race, marital status, etc.).
Most people try to send a letter once a week and a care package once a month. It usually takes at least 7-10 days for a letter to reach them;and 10-14 days for packages. You must fill out a customs form for each care package listing the enclosed items, their weight and their cost.
You can call the Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734 and ask for a priority mail "Military Kit." They will send you boxes,envelopes, tape, customs forms...everything you need! There should be"special" boxes in the kit with a red circle that have "Flat Rate Box"on them. You put as much as you possibly can into these boxes and regardless of the weight, the post office will send them for a flat rate of $8.95.
Attached is a list of items Soldiers have previously requested. You can choose from the list, send what you want, or wait and see if the Soldier wants anything specific. Some of them can buy snack food and hygiene items at little stores the Army has set up...but others are in too remote of areas. In your first correspondence with the Soldier you can ask him to give you suggestions on what he needs/wants.
If you are still interested, let me know and I will be happy to send you
the name/address of the next Soldier on my list.
Vicky
Vicky L. Lee
DIRECTORATE OF PLANS, TRNG & MOB
ATTN: IMSE-BRG-PL-IO (VICKY LEE)
2175 REILLY ROAD, STOP A
FORT BRAGG, NC 28310-5000
Tel: (910) 396-5401/8015
Fax: (910) 396-6871
vicky.lee@us.army.mil
Printed with permission of Ms. Lee.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have had numerous requests for contact information for one (or more) of our troops. Here is your chance. I am sure that you will find the experience very rewarding. Please tell them that Gunner M sent you.
~g
Labels: 18th Airborne Corps, Adopt A Soldier, Adopt-A-Soldier, Fort Bragg, Ft. Bragg, Vicky Lee
Monday, September 10, 2007
Good News From "Over There" by DVIDS 09/10/07
"New Additions to Djiboutian Schools Help Children's ..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12251
"Kearsarge Lends Helping Hand in Africa"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12252
"Bamberg Soldiers Inducted Into NCO Corps"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12263
"Why I Serve: NCO Climbs to New Heights Supporting Ai..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12264
"Marines and Army Unite-15th MEU and 1-9 Infantry Cle..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12267
"Son of Berlin Airlift Recipient Promoted to Master S..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12268
"Soldier Reaches Out to Deaf Parents"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12273
"'Dragoons' Always Ready-Stryker Regiment Set to Help..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12277
"Troops, Local Council, Work to Improve Markets, Smal..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12279
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12251
"Kearsarge Lends Helping Hand in Africa"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12252
"Bamberg Soldiers Inducted Into NCO Corps"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12263
"Why I Serve: NCO Climbs to New Heights Supporting Ai..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12264
"Marines and Army Unite-15th MEU and 1-9 Infantry Cle..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12267
"Son of Berlin Airlift Recipient Promoted to Master S..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12268
"Soldier Reaches Out to Deaf Parents"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12273
"'Dragoons' Always Ready-Stryker Regiment Set to Help..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12277
"Troops, Local Council, Work to Improve Markets, Smal..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12279
Labels: 15th MEU and 1-9 Inf, Africa, Berlin Airlift, Djiboutian Schools, Dragoons', Improve Markets, Kearsarge, NCO Corps
Sunday, September 09, 2007
IRAQ News Alerts by Google - 09/09/07
Democrats Say They Will Keep Pressing for US Iraq Withdrawal
Bloomberg - USA
A Washington Post/ABC News poll released today shows 53 percent of Americans say they expect Petraeus will try to make the situation in Iraq look better ...
See all stories on this topic
Setbacks outweigh successes in Iraq since surge began
Kansas City Star - MO,USA
Responsibility for security in most of Iraq would be turned over to Iraqi security forces by November, he said. With better security would come the ...
See all stories on this topic
Bin Laden Branded `virtually Impotent'
The Associated Press -
The president responded to bin Laden's tape last week by saying it was a reminder that the world is dangerous and that Iraq is part of the war against ...
See all stories on this topic
Poll: More Think The 'Surge' Is Helping 35% Say Iraq War Strategy ...
CBS News - New York City,NY,USA
Fifty-six percent of Republicans think surge is making things better in Iraq, while only 19 percent of Democrats and 32 percent of Independents do. ...
See all stories on this topic
Iraq Government Defends Security Efforts
ABC News - USA
When things get better and the security situation gets better the Iraqi government will be able to talk about a timetable," al-Dabbagh told reporters.
See all stories on this topic
US tells generals to 'lay off' Britain as Mahdi Army claims it ...
Times Online - UK
The question now is whether this can be maintained for long enough to allow a handover of the whole of southern Iraq to the Iraqi authorities next month. ...
See all stories on this topic
Iraqi Prime Minister Defends Government, Urges Regional Support
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty - Prague,Czech Republic
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari stressed that the better security is not achievable without reconciliation inside the country and good relations with ...
See all stories on this topic
Iraq says fired 14000 Interior Ministry employees
Reuters - USA
"When things get better, then the Iraqi government will be in a position to talk about a timetable" for a US troop withdrawal, he said. ...
See all stories on this topic
Confusion Over Iraq
Hartford Courant - United States
That remains a fond hope at best. The most that can be said at this juncture is that although the security situation in Iraq is getting worse, ...
See all stories on this topic
Bloomberg - USA
A Washington Post/ABC News poll released today shows 53 percent of Americans say they expect Petraeus will try to make the situation in Iraq look better ...
See all stories on this topic
Setbacks outweigh successes in Iraq since surge began
Kansas City Star - MO,USA
Responsibility for security in most of Iraq would be turned over to Iraqi security forces by November, he said. With better security would come the ...
See all stories on this topic
Bin Laden Branded `virtually Impotent'
The Associated Press -
The president responded to bin Laden's tape last week by saying it was a reminder that the world is dangerous and that Iraq is part of the war against ...
See all stories on this topic
Poll: More Think The 'Surge' Is Helping 35% Say Iraq War Strategy ...
CBS News - New York City,NY,USA
Fifty-six percent of Republicans think surge is making things better in Iraq, while only 19 percent of Democrats and 32 percent of Independents do. ...
See all stories on this topic
Iraq Government Defends Security Efforts
ABC News - USA
When things get better and the security situation gets better the Iraqi government will be able to talk about a timetable," al-Dabbagh told reporters.
See all stories on this topic
US tells generals to 'lay off' Britain as Mahdi Army claims it ...
Times Online - UK
The question now is whether this can be maintained for long enough to allow a handover of the whole of southern Iraq to the Iraqi authorities next month. ...
See all stories on this topic
Iraqi Prime Minister Defends Government, Urges Regional Support
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty - Prague,Czech Republic
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari stressed that the better security is not achievable without reconciliation inside the country and good relations with ...
See all stories on this topic
Iraq says fired 14000 Interior Ministry employees
Reuters - USA
"When things get better, then the Iraqi government will be in a position to talk about a timetable" for a US troop withdrawal, he said. ...
See all stories on this topic
Confusion Over Iraq
Hartford Courant - United States
That remains a fond hope at best. The most that can be said at this juncture is that although the security situation in Iraq is getting worse, ...
See all stories on this topic
Labels: 14000 Iraqi's Fired, Bin Laden Impotent, Confusion, Democrats, Surge Helping, withdrawal
Friday, September 07, 2007
Good News From "Over There" by DVIDS 09/07/07
"Small Rewards Program Results in Big Explosion"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12228
"Progress Continues in Parwan, Afghanistan"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12236
"Once Wingmen, Always Wingmen: Bomber, Tanker Colonel..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12237
"Road Safety Debuts in Panjshir"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12240
"Iraqi Recruits Head to Basic Training"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12241
"Charlie Company Re-Trans Mission"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12242
"Neither Rain nor Sleet nor Slow Can Slow This Strike..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12243
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12228
"Progress Continues in Parwan, Afghanistan"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12236
"Once Wingmen, Always Wingmen: Bomber, Tanker Colonel..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12237
"Road Safety Debuts in Panjshir"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12240
"Iraqi Recruits Head to Basic Training"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12241
"Charlie Company Re-Trans Mission"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12242
"Neither Rain nor Sleet nor Slow Can Slow This Strike..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12243
Labels: Charlie Company, Iraqi Recruits, Panjshir, Parwan, Small Rewards Program, Tankers, Wingmen
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Good News From "Over There" by DVIDS 09/06/07
"Japanese Ambassador to Bahrain Visits USS Bonhomme R..."Can be viewed at... http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12207
"Airpower Summary for September 4 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12208
"Small Ships Produce Big Effects in Bahrain"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12210
"State, Federal, DoD Agencies Team Up Against Terrori..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12212
"New Bridge Opens in Musahi Valley"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12213
"Third Army Prayer Breakfast Welcomes Dave Roever"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12214
"Airpower Summary for September 5 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12217
"Airpower Summary for September 4 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12208
"Small Ships Produce Big Effects in Bahrain"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12210
"State, Federal, DoD Agencies Team Up Against Terrori..."
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12212
"New Bridge Opens in Musahi Valley"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12213
"Third Army Prayer Breakfast Welcomes Dave Roever"
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12214
"Airpower Summary for September 5 "
Can be viewed at...
http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=12217
Labels: