Posted on 06/16/2005 7:39:11 PM PDT by TexKat
Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, vehicle commander, 617th Military Police Company, Richmond, Ky., stands at attention before receiving the Silver Star at an awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq, June 16. Hester is the first woman soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star. Photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp, USA
An Iraqi sailor armed with a 50 Caliber machine gun joins U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Myers for security duty aboard Al Basrah oil terminal in Iraq, June 13, 2005. The Iraqi Marine force is preparing to take over security duties for their country's only operational offshore terminals from Mobile Security Detachment 25. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Ebalo.
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 16, 2005 – For the first time since World War II, a woman soldier was awarded the Silver Star Medal today in Iraq.
Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester of the 617th Military Police Company, a National Guard unit out of Richmond, Ky., received the Silver Star, along with two other members of her unit, Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein and Spc. Jason Mike, for their actions during an enemy ambush on their convoy. Other members of the unit also received awards.
Hester's squad was shadowing a supply convoy March 20 when anti-Iraqi fighters ambushed the convoy. The squad moved to the side of the road, flanking the insurgents and cutting off their escape route. Hester led her team through the "kill zone" and into a flanking position, where she assaulted a trench line with grenades and M203 grenade-launcher rounds. She and Nein, her squad leader, then cleared two trenches, at which time she killed three insurgents with her rifle.
When the fight was over, 27 insurgents were dead, six were wounded, and one was captured.
Hester, 23, who was born in Bowling Green, Ky., and later moved to Nashville, Tenn., said she was surprised when she heard she was being considered for the Silver Star.
"I'm honored to even be considered, much less awarded, the medal," she said.
Being the first woman soldier since World War II to receive the medal is significant to Hester. But, she said, she doesn't dwell on the fact. "It really doesn't have anything to do with being a female," she said. "It's about the duties I performed that day as a soldier."
Hester, who has been in the National Guard since April 2001, said she didn't have time to be scared when the fight started, and she didn't realize the impact of what had happened until much later.
"Your training kicks in and the soldier kicks in," she said. "It's your life or theirs. ... You've got a job to do -- protecting yourself and your fellow comrades."
Nein, who is on his second deployment to Iraq, praised Hester and his other soldiers for their actions that day. "It's due to their dedication and their ability to stay there and back me up that we were able to do what we did that day," he said.
Hester and her fellow soldiers were awarded their medals at Camp Liberty, Iraq, by Army Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, Multinational Corps Iraq commanding general. In his speech, Vines commended the soldiers for their bravery and their contribution to the international war on terror.
"My heroes don't play in the (National Basketball Association) and don't play in the U.S. Open (golf tournament) at Pinehurst," Vines said. "They're standing in front of me today. These are American heroes."
Three soldiers of the 617th were wounded in the ambush. Hester said she and the other squad members are thinking about them, and she is very thankful to have made it through unscathed. The firefight, along with the entire deployment, has had a lasting effect on her, Hester said.
"I think about it every day, and probably will for the rest of my life," she said.
The Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminals are significant sources of revenue for the Iraqi people - revenue that is important to the rebuilding of Iraq.
By U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Ebalo U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet
ABOARD AL BASRAH OIL TERMINAL, Iraq, June 16, 2005 — An Iraqi Marine, working with U.S. security forces, said he and his fellow Iraqis look forward to taking full responsibility for the security of the Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminals.
“It’s my duty to defend [the oil terminal]. It belongs to my country. It belongs to my people. Our economy is based on it. I take pride in doing so,” said the Iraqi Marine.
“It is my duty to protect the future of my people and its economy. My people are so grateful that the United States, Great Britain, Australia and other coalition countries have reached out to help us,” Iraqi Marine officer
Forward deployed U.S. sailors attached to Mobile Security Detachment 25, the unit currently assigned to protect Iraq’s two critical oil platforms, train Iraqi Naval Marine Force personnel to take over all close-in point defense operations aboard the Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminals.
“We are not just helping the Iraqis with the safekeeping of their oil terminals, we are teaching them how to soon takeover the protection of their country’s major asset,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Jacobsen, officer-in-charge of Mobile Security Detachment 25.
The Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminals are significant sources of revenue for the Iraqi people - revenue that is important to the rebuilding of Iraq.
“It’s very important to the way ahead and future of Iraq because it represents about 90 percent of the income for the country of Iraq at this point,” said Nichols. “That economic activity and the continued growth of economic activity is key to the way ahead for Iraqis determining their future and continuing the political process.”
U.S. forces have provided security for the oil terminals since April 2004, after insurgents attempted to attack the oil platforms with an explosives-filled fishing dhow.
Mobile Security Detachment 25 arrived on station May 23 relieving Mobile Security Detachment 22 after that detachment’s six-month tour aboard the oil platforms. Mobile Security Detachment 25 and coalition forces in the area surrounding the Iraqi oil terminals conduct maritime security operations to set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment.
The maritime security operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations as well as deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material.
Coalition forces from the United Kingdom and Australia joined the United States in providing Iraqi sailors and Marines with instruction on basic military procedures and techniques.
“We train on how to stand a proper watch, how to work as a team and how to deal with manning,” said U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Myers an Mobile Security Detachment 25 training team member.
Mobile Security Detachment 25 Sailors drill with Iraqi personnel three to four times a day, stand under-instruction watches and give one-on-one feedback.
“The common goal that we’re trying to reach is to get them on their feet and be able to eventually stand the watch themselves,” said Myers.
The Iraqi’s appear eager to master their new role and take on the responsibility.
“It is my duty to protect the future of my people and its economy,” said an Iraqi Marine officer aboard the Al Basrah Oil Terminal. “My people are so grateful that the United States, Great Britain, Australia and other coalition countries have reached out to help us.”
I want to just grab her and hold her very tight like a dad hold his daughter, kiss her on her forehead then stand back and stand at attention and salute her.
Tis that simple. She serves her country with honor and commitment. She gets a big Semper Fi from me.
And what a rule model she would make for both girls and boys laying on their frigen fat hunches sucking down chips, sodas, an whining how tought they got it, as they stare at the moron box!
First thing she would do is probably tell them to get up and do ten before she kicked em in their ass!
She earned the medal period. And as we all know there are thousands of soldiers, airman, Navy Corpsmen, and Marines that deserve a like awared for valent fighting in tons of battles in Iraq and Afghansistan. The more I see, the more I say they are our best!
Marine Lt. Gen. James Conway, Joint Staff operations chief, and Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita take questions during a DoD news briefing June 16. Photo by Helene Stikkel
Pentagon Does Not Favor Deadline for Troop Withdrawal
By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 16, 2005 – A deadline on pulling out U.S. troops from Iraq would simply encourage the enemy, defense leaders said today.
Nothing would make terrorists happier than a U.S. deadline on pulling troops from the country, said Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita and Joint Staff Operations Chief Marine Lt. Gen. James Conway.
The men spoke at a Pentagon press conference.
Conway said U.S. commanders in Iraq would not welcome an artificially imposed deadline. "They have their plan; it's a plan for victory," he said. "And forces will be withdrawn when victory is accomplished between U.S. and Iraqi forces."
Since the start of the global war on terrorism, U.S. officials maintained that troop withdrawals will be event driven and not dependent on a deadline. Di Rita pointed out that U.S. troops in Bosnia were supposed to be withdrawn after one year in country. There are still some 200 U.S. servicemembers there.
Conway said the enemy studies the U. S. just as it studies them. "They see where we have withdrawn previously -- in Vietnam, in Beirut, in Somalia," he said. "Nothing would make them happier, I suppose, than to think that there is a deadline out there, there's a time and distance factor associated with it, and then ... they simply are able to wait us out."
The insurgents' tactics keep changing, Conway said. They first launched attacks against coalition bases, but that tactic failed, he said. They next targeted Iraqi security forces and had some success, but the ISF now can defend itself. "They are, unfortunately, able to succeed in even greater rates against defenseless women and children forming in lines at the bank or in the marketplace," he said.
The insurgents succeed when they commit a spectacular attack, but the tactic is backfiring. More and more Iraqis are appalled at the carnage the insurgents commit and are turning in the insurgents. "We have seen some evidence of that," Conway said. "The issue is ... that people are getting fed up with the attacks on civilians, and even the insurgent groups are warring amongst themselves over this continuous slaughter of Iraqis. So there is some fragmentation that we're seeing."
Amen Marine_Uncle.
And thanks once again for your time spent posting "worthwhile info" on our splendid military. Now imagine if I had served in the Marine Corps, and had my nephew in now. I probably would be banned from this site for over exuberance. Keep those nice incoming our way!
"Nothing would make terrorists happier than a U.S. deadline on pulling troops from the country, said Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita and Joint Staff Operations Chief Marine Lt. Gen. James Conway."
This obviouse to most of us, is why it is essential that the damn fool often traitorous, whether intentional or not, demos
want to piss and moan about a pull out date. Damn fools!
Perhaps our dear sargeant just awarded a silver star should be allowed to meet up with Nancy airhead Pelosi and tell the stupid fool a thing or two.
Better yet, the Pelosi's within our house and senate should be banned to RED CHINA where surely they would feel more comfortable. Being amoung true friends.
My prayers and condolences go out to the Jones family.
RIP Sgt. Anthony G. Jones. Thank you and your family for your service.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty No. 611-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2005
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Anthony G. Jones, 25, of Greenville, S.C., died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Sgt. Jones was assigned to the 104th Transportation Company, 36th Engineer Group, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Benning, Ga.
An U.S. army lorry is ablaze after being attacked by a roadside bomb in southern Baghdad June 14, 2005. Attacks in various parts of the country left over 20 people dead and over 70 injured today. (Ali Jasim/Reuters)
Oh TexKat this is horrible. I will keep his family in my prayers.
I will also continue to pray for your son and send extra prayer for him to be comforted following the loss of his friend.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty No. 609-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2005
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Michael R. Hayes, 29, of Morgantown, Ky., died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, where a rocket-propelled grenade hit his HMMWV while he was providing security cordon for an improvised explosive device found earlier. Hayes was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 617th Military Police Company, Richmond, Ky.
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty No. 613-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2005
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Cesar O. Baez, 37, of Pomona, Calif., died June 15, as a result of enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations in al-Anbar province, Iraq. Baez was a Hospital Corpsman assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
May God be with those who mourn..Prayers for your son, TexKat.
Please do texasflower. Khevin called me around 5 a.m. Tuesday morning very hurt about Sgt. Jones. Please continue to pray for all of them that are in harms way.
Thank you MEG33
Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Richard A. Cody, in Manhattan's Times Square, reenlists eight Soldiers and administers an “oath of reaffirmation” to recruiters stationed in New York during a celebration ceremony of the Army's 230th birthday. Photo by Staff Sgt. Reeba Critser.
NYC spotlight on recruiters for Army birthday
By Staff Sgt. Reeba Critser
Gen. Richard A. Cody, vice chief of staff of the Army, pins the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals to New York recruiters who recently returned from fighting in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom as part of the celebration of the Army’s 230th birthday in Times Square, New York. Staff Sgt. Reeba Critser NEW YORK (Army News Service, June 15, 2005) – America’s call to duty and those that sound the call were spotlighted by the Army’s second-ranking general June 14 in New York City during the Army’s birthday festivities.
Talking to more than a 100 recruiters from the New York Recruiting Battalion in Times Square, Gen. Richard A. Cody, vice chief of staff of the Army, said he is proud of the work they do.
“You’ve earned the respect of your fellow Soldiers and more importantly, your fellow Americans,” he said. “You’ve sworn an oath to our nation. Day in and day out, you accept that challenging mission -- and with your fellow Soldiers beside you and the American people behind you -- accomplish that mission and make a difference in this world.”
Before the cake-cutting ceremony, Cody pinned Afghanistan and Iraq campaign medals on the recruiters who served in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. After that he re-enlisted eight Soldiers and re-affirmed the Oath of Enlistment to the remaining recruiters.
“Coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq you look at everything the Army accomplished in the past few years, and it is something to be proud of,” said Sgt. Joshua Grant, New York Recruiting Battalion. “If you look at the invasion in Normandy, Panama, Somalia, the first and second Iraqi wars and Afghanistan, you see our mission is helping the people. They don’t show it much in the news, but we help people, build schools and hospitals and provide health care.”
After the Army birthday cake was cut, Keni Thomas, rising country music star and former Ranger, performed songs from his CD “Flags of Our Fathers: a Soldier's Story” for those who attended.
“Anybody who’s ever worn a uniform – your grandfather in Normandy, your dad in Korea, the guys in Iraq and Afghanistan – for them it’s always the same thing – tremendous pride for people you work with,” Thomas said. “Even back in (George) Washington’s days, I’ll bet everyone had stories of the guys next to them. The beauty is in the service itself – knowing you served.”
Later in the afternoon, Cody attended a dedication ceremony for the Freedom Circle in Staten Island with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The circle exists to honor military service members. It features a ring of seven American flags honoring different moments in history from the 1775 “Grand Union Flag” to the present “Stars and Stripes.”
“Every New Yorker has seen the (American) flag wave over scenes of loss and scenes of hope,” Bloomberg said. “These flags here today and the sacrifices of Soldiers remind us that freedom isn’t free.”
To help maintain that freedom, Cody said Americans need to be more involved.
“To sustain this great all volunteer force, America needs to rise up and talk about the value of service to this nation.”
Sgt. Zachary Quick, New York Recruiting Battalion, said he’s honest with the people they’re trying to recruit. As a combat veteran he said recruiting is the most rewarding job out there.
“It’s intangible,” Quick said. “All you have to do is look at it (the military) and ask yourself ‘Do I want to be a part of something greater than myself or coast through?’”
Cody said retention numbers within the Army are over 100 percent, and acknowledged that the recruiting mission is one of the toughest and most important missions in the Army today.
“What you do, who you are and how you accomplish the mission is critical because you aren’t peddling a product or signing folks up for a job,” Cody said.
“Being a Soldier is something different. Our Army Flag says it, ‘This we will defend.’ That’s a special mission that takes special people – like you – to accomplish it. Never forget that.”
“Your Army trusts you,” Cody told the recruiters. “You can’t separate the Army values from your recruiting mission. As long as you can look yourself in the mirror and be proud of what you’re doing, that’s all we care about. Go out there and do a great job and America will answer our call.”
For more photos on Army birthday celebrations worldwide, see the special Army.mil Birthday Web site.
An image handed out by the Coalition Press Information Centre shows Mohammed Khalif Shaiker, whose capture was announced June 16, 2005 is seen in this handout. U.S. forces have detained Shaiker, a senior associate of Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a U.S. general in Iraq said on Thursday, calling the arrest a major blow to the insurgency in the northern city of Mosul. Shaiker, also known as Abu Talha or the emir of Mosul, was captured on Tuesday in a quiet neighbourhood of Iraq's third largest city, the U.S. military spokesman said. He said Shaiker had put up little resistance, but gave few other details about the circumstances of his arrest. QUALITY FROM SOURCE REUTERS/Handout
Leading Insurgency Figure Captured
The insurgency in Iraq has suffered a significant blow after one of the leading figures in the movement was arrested.Mohammed Khalif Shaiker, also known as Abu Talha or the emir of Mosul, was captured in the city by US troops.He is a senior associate of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the man who is leading the insurgency in Iraq.
"This is a major defeat for the al Qaeda organisation in Iraq," said Brigadier General Donald Alston.
"He gave up without a fight despite having been quoted as saying he would never surrender."
Tips from local people and months of constant pressure had led to Shaiker's capture, Brig Gen Alson said.
Zarqawi's group, al Qaeda In Iraq, is one of the most feared militant organisations in the country.
It has Claimed responsibility for several of the deadliest bombings over the past 18 months.
In December last year, US forces in Mosul announced the capture of one of Shaiker's deputies, Abdul Aziz Sa'dun Ahmed
The next day they seized another deputy, tightening the net on Shaiker.
Brig Gen Alson said Zarqawi was to blame for the "fantastic rise" in the number of civilian deaths in Iraq.
Nearly 1,100 people have been killed since April 28 when the Shi'ite-led government took office.
Soldiers from Company A, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, squeeze in some training time near Bagram, Afghanistan. Photo by Spc. Harold Fields.
Kentucky Army National Guardsman Sgt. Dustin T. Morris, team leader, 617th Military Police Company, stands behind the windshield of the vehicle he was driving when his unit responded to an ambush by insurgents on a route southeast of Baghdad, March 20. The reinforced windshield deflected the small arms rounds, allowing him to escape uninjured. Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp
A "good news" picture!
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