All Assets Engaged to Find U.S. Soldiers Missing in Iraq

American Forces Press Service ^ | Gerry J. Gilmore

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2007 – All available assets are being engaged to find three missing U.S. soldiers who apparently were captured by enemy forces during a May 12 ambush near Mahmoudiya, Iraq, a senior U.S. military officer told reporters yesterday at a Baghdad news conference.

Aircraft, intelligence units and thousands of U.S. troops have been scouring an area about 20 miles south of Baghdad where the attack occurred, Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told reporters.

“We have an ongoing effort, obviously, to find our three soldiers that have a duty status of whereabouts unknown,” Caldwell said. About 4,000 U.S. forces, he said, are “directly associated” with search efforts.

“Everybody is fully engaged” in the search for the soldiers, Caldwell pointed out, noting “every asset we have, from national (other U.S. government) assets to tactical assets” are being employed.

A convoy-conveyed squad of eight soldiers, seven Americans and one Iraqi army interpreter was attacked by insurgent forces about 12 miles west of Mahmoudiya on May 12, according to U.S. military officials.

An al Qaeda-affiliated terror group that operates in Iraq has since claimed responsibility for the attack and says it is holding the missing U.S. soldiers.

Five soldiers were reported killed in the engagement, Caldwell said, adding the U.S. military sends its thoughts and prayers to the families of the soldiers who were killed or are missing.

Officials have identified four of the five soldiers killed in the attack as being three American and an Iraqi army interpreter, Caldwell said. Efforts continue to identify the remaining deceased U.S. soldier, Caldwell said.

“We have not released even the unit identification to which those soldiers are assigned, because we don’t know who the fifth soldier is yet,” Caldwell said, noting identification of the fifth deceased soldier should be completed soon.

Caldwell pointed to the “Soldier’s Creed,” which says soldiers are not to leave fallen comrades on the field of battle.

“To every man and woman out there serving in uniform here in Iraq from the United States, we believe in this deeply,” Caldwell said. “And, therefore, we will make every effort available to find our three missing soldiers.”

Biographies:
Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, USA

Related Sites:
Multinational Force Iraq

Related Articles:
Five Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Three Missing

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News at Home and Abroad You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

All the News the MSM refuses to use!

Or if they do report it, without the anti-War Agenda Spin!

[blam]

It hurts to think of what these animals could be doing to our guys. PRAY.

[SandRat]

Lord, I bring before you now our soldiers who have been captured, and ask that You would uphold them with Your right hand.Be their rock in the midst of uncertainty and their light in the midst of darkness. Guard their hearts from fear and strengthen them according to Your Word. Cause them Lord, to lie down and sleep in peace for You alone are their safety.

Surround them Lord with Your favor as a shield. Soften the hearts of those who watch over them and cause them to show compassion and mercy. Keep the hearts of our soldiers filled with hope, and guard them from despair.Be near to them Lord, for Your nearness is their good, and bring them back safely to their families. In Jesus mighty name, Amen.

[alpha-8-25-02]

AMEN AND AMEN!

[kinoxi]

Sincere bump.

[cliff630]

Remember what Hitler did to those
inhabitants of Lidice in WW2 when rhey
killed the SS oficer. (Reynard?? help)

[blam]

The Liquidation Of Lidice

[caisson71]

Dig up every stump, turn over every rock, gut every possible hiding place, check out every lead, milk every resource and pay any amount to get our guys back - alive. Put out the word that hell will be a pleasant place for anyone who hurts or mistreats them because sooner or later we will find them and payday will follow.

[unkus]

AMEN!!!!!

[gotribe]

Time to remove the town of Mahmoudiya.

[SevenMinusOne]

We'll find them -

My gut and experience tells me it is extremely unlikely that three U.S. warriors could be taken alive....

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Nothing in the past 5 years suggests that there will be a good end to this. These people are insane by Western standards, fanatics who will not respond to any imaginable incentive.

[Graybeard58]

Remember and pray for SSgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04

[The Citizen Soldier]

The silence of “moderate” Islamic voices is deafening.

[cookcounty]

They shouldn’t talk about it too much, makes me worry about how the enemy might learn from this that a few kidnappings can completely disrupt our activities. Asymetric at its best (or worst).

[Son House]

Praying the Iraqi’s can help out and rid their country of
Al Qeda, and that our Troops can be saved.

[NJJ]

It might be a good time to ask the Red Cross to look after those prisoners. It might waken the media see to who we are fighting.

[SandRat]

Don’t get me started on the Red Cross.

[Volunteer]

Praying..... they find our troops alive & safe.