The FReeper Foxhole - Military Related News in Review - June 16th, 2003

various

[snippy_about_it]

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

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FReepers from the The Foxhole
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

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Coalition Efforts and Iraq's Recovery June 13, 2003 CAMP DOHA, Kuwait – Coalition Forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq through the following activities. NORTHERN AND CENTRAL IRAQ Coalition Forces recently: Reported conditions in Kirkuk continue to improve on a daily basis. Long lines for benzene no longer exist. Traffic into the city and activity in the market place has increased significantly. Basic services are being provided. Reported Kirkuk citizens have accepted the interim government, which continues to make positive strides under the mentorship and guidance of Coalition Forces. Soldiers are working with the Iraqis in formulating the new structure of city government and working to hire department heads, developing of a long-range security and economic plan, and developing a city budget. Completed payments to 500 additional Iraqi government ministry personnel. Also met with Ministry contractors and obtained a written contract for reconstruction of main Ministry building and 4 additional buildings. Delivered 843,300 liters of fuel, and 3,940 cylinders of propane in Western Baghdad. Facilitated the establishment of 84 of 88 Neighborhood Advisory Councils in Baghdad. Obtained preliminary estimates for water infrastructure improvement projects in Adhamiyah that will establish new services to 650 homes, and restore service to thousands of civilians. Also purchased repair parts for two pump trucks in the city that will allow their maintenance team to conduct repairs of the sewage system. Reported the situation at most gas stations; schools and hospitals in the Mosul area continue to improve. The average wait time for gasoline continues to diminish, school attendance continues to increase, and Coalition efforts to obtain supplies for upcoming school exams have been highly successful. Continued sewage and garbage removal project in the Al Farat area. Conducted "Task Force Neighborhood" mission in Baghdad that renovated a soccer field and a school / clinic. Conducted a second mission in Al Fallujah that repaired three other soccer fields. Assessed clinics and hospitals in the Mosul area for medical supply shortages, and delivered medical supplies. Conducted a women’s clinic mission near Hadithah that treated 50 Iraqi women and numerous children. Assessed the Fallujah Brick and Cement Factory for serviceability and assisted in efforts to reopen the facility. Received 78 benzene and 59 propane trucks in Baghdad from Turkey this morning. The high volume of trucks carrying supplies from Syria to Iraq continued Thursday, with 227 truckloads of humanitarian and commercial supplies crossing into Iraq. SOUTHERN IRAQ Coordinated the barley and wheat subsidy plan in Al Hillah with agricultural officials. Escorted fuel trucks as they distributed 560,000 gallons of fuel in As Samawah, Ar Rumaythah, and Al Khidr. Assisted the Ad Diwaniyah water director in locating 10 tons of chlorine for water purification, alleviating the current shortage of this critical water purification chemical. Participated in a grand opening of the Al-Rifah school in An Najaf, which was rehabilitated by U.S. Navy Seabees. Delivered $25,500 to the Karbala Minister of Health for renovation of the Al Hussein Hospital’s emergency room and general infrastructure, and to requisition a 2-month supply of sanitation and pollution testing chemicals. Reported Karbala sanitation workers began the cleaning of the aeration tanks at the water treatment plant in preparation for the final power washing. Reported that Karbala received and began distribution of 60 tons of propane cooking fuel to residents. Monitored and provided security for the distribution of bonuses to the Headmasters of the Al Kut schools. An estimated 6,574 teachers received their $30 bonuses Thursday, for a total of $197,000. June 13, 2003 COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE CAMP DOHA, Kuwait - Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol Iraq to eliminate crimes against people and property, rid populated areas of weapons, ammunition and explosives, and stop the black market trade in fuel and other commodities. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq. Coalition Continues to Seek and Destroy Subversive Elements A Coalition raid was conducted 150 kilometers Northwest of Baghdad Wednesday as part of the continued effort to eradicate Ba' ath Party loyalists, paramilitary groups and other subversive elements. Coalition forces collected seventy to eighty Surface to Air Missiles (SA7's), 75-78 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), and approximately 20 AK47's. Any information or intelligence gathered at the site of the raid by specially trained soldiers would assist coalition forces in providing a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people. Weapons Turn-In Program: Iraqi citizens voluntarily turned in a variety of weapons under the Weapons Turn-In Program that began June 1. As of today, Iraqi citizens have delivered to Weapons Collection Points a total of 115 pistols, 75 semi-automatic rifles or shotguns, 406 automatic rifles, 45 machine guns, 152 anti-tank weapons (i.e., rocket-propelled grenade launchers), 11 anti-air weapons, and 266 grenades and other explosive devices. The amnesty period for the Weapons Turn-In Program will run through June 14. Coalition Activity: The 173d Airborne Brigade conducted a raid Thursday near Kirkuk after receiving intelligence information about alleged anti-Coalition elements. They apprehended 74 suspected Al-Qaida sympathizers. An organized group of attackers fired RPGs at a 4th Infantry Division tank patrol in Balad on Friday. The tanks returned fire, killing four of the attackers, and forcing the remainder to flee. Tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles reinforced with AH-64 Apache helicopters pursued the enemy personnel killing 23 of the attackers. The occupants of two vehicles with AK47 rifles fired upon a 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment vehicle patrol Thursday west of Samarrah. Soldiers returned fire and the vehicles fled. The vehicles were pursued but lost in traffic. Soldiers in a nearby unit were notified of the engagement and given the description of the vehicles involved. Coalition forces located a car that may have been used in the attack, and detained two individuals. There were no injuries or equipment damage. Two individuals on a motorized cart fired at 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) checkpoint and then fled on Thursday. An Army helicopter tracked the vehicle to a building, where it disabled two fleeing vehicles, while soldiers on the ground detained three individuals for questioning. Three individuals fired upon a 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) patrol in Mosul with AK47 rifles on Friday. Two individuals fled, one surrendered. Coalition forces confiscated a hand grenade. 4ID Conducted raid on Police Station in Khaneqin that seized a sizeable weapons cache. A raid was also conducted on illegal arms traffickers in Bayji. Two illegal weapons dealers were detained. Dealers may have information pertaining to a June 5 attack on US forces. An Iraqi gunman with an AK47 was detained by the 4th Infantry Division patrol for questioning after a search of his residence produced 63 flares and 10 automatic weapon magazines. Fifteen individuals driving vehicles towards Iran with blackout lights were apprehended by the 1st Marine Division for questioning. A joint raid was conducted to capture suspected Ba'ath party members in Al Hillah. Iraqi police and Marines from the 4th Marine Regiment detained six individuals. Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours: Coalition Forces conducted 10 raids and a total of 2,648 patrols throughout Iraq. Of those patrols, they conducted 322 joint Iraqi and Coalition patrols. They also detained or arrested 351 individuals for a variety of criminal activities including looting, curfew violations, weapons violations, theft, larceny and dealing drugs. Recent Police Activity: Army MPs and Marines continued the five-day police-training program for 499 students in As Samawah. 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division continued to conduct police academy training in Qayyarah and As Shurah, and plans to graduate 80 new policemen in late June. They also conducted joint small arms training in Dahuk with the New Iraqi Security Force. The 1st Marine Division graduated 280 new Iraqi policemen from the Ad Diwaniyah police academy. An Iraqi citizen was shot at in South Baghdad by five unidentified males. Iraqi police transported the victim to the Al Yarmuk hosptial for treatment. An investigation is being conducted by the Iraqi police. A car jacking occurred in North Baghdad. A local Iraqi citizen was on his way from Mosul to purchase horses in Baghdad. The victim reported that eight individuals in two vehicles armed with AK-47's and two pistols pulled him from his vehicle and drove it away. Victim reports that there was 19 million Dinar in his vehicle intended for horse purchase(s). A family dispute erupted in West Baghdad, killing one civilian and wounding three others. Iraqi police continue to investigate this incident.

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OPERATION DESERT SCORPION BEGINS COMBINED COMBAT AND HUMANITARIAN ACTION

June 15, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-56

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION DESERT SCORPION BEGINS COMBINED COMBAT AND HUMANITARIAN ACTION

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (15 JUNE, 2003) – In order to isolate and defeat remaining pockets of resistance seeking to delay the transition to a peaceful and stable Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force 7 initiated Operation Desert Scorpion today.

This operation, which follows Operation Peninsula Strike, is designed to identify and defeat selected Ba’ath party loyalists, terrorist organizations and criminal elements while delivering humanitarian aid simultaneously.

Combat operations will be followed by synchronized stability and humanitarian operations designed to assist a transition to Iraqi self-rule. These include engineer and civil affairs initiatives to repair damaged infrastructure, support the growth of police forces and local government and improve the lives of Iraq’s citizens.

The goal of Operation Desert Scorpion, in keeping with our ultimate mission, will be to help establish a permissive and secure environment and to facilitate a rapid transition to Iraqi self-sufficiency.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-55

4th Infantry Division and Task Force "Ironhorse" Conclude Operation Peninsula Strike

Tikrit, Iraq – In a textbook-style, joint operation, the 4th Infantry Division and supporting units from Task Force Ironhorse, concluded an extensive raid on June 12, 2003. The raid, named Operation Peninsula Strike, involved thousands of soldiers from 4th Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade; the 173rd Airborne Brigade; and 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment.

The operation took place in two major stages. The first stage of the operation involved moving soldiers and equipment into strike positions, intelligence gathering, and coordination with local police. During the second stage, soldiers conducted coordinated raids within the target area via land, air and water to capture or destroy terrorist elements. Air assault teams, ground attack forces, raid teams, river patrol boats and local security combined forces to block off escape routes and operate check points and systematically sweep the areas suspected of housing terrorists.

Operation Peninsula Strike incorporated a variety of units, utilizing the overwhelming firepower and effects of a joint and combined arms team. Army infantry, armor, artillery, aviation, and engineers, along with Air Force elements worked together to accomplish the mission. Coalition forces have been trained to aggressively pursue and capture suspected hostile forces, protect themselves and follow all procedures in association with the apprehension of detainees. During the operation, coalition forces took care to protect innocent civilians and respect the culture and customs of the Iraqi people.

Operation Peninsula Strike resulted in the capture of approximately 400 detainees and the seizure of numerous weapon systems and ammunition. The 4th Infantry Division and coalition forces continue to seize illegal weapons in support of the National Weapons Policy implemented on June 1, 2003. All but 30 detainees have been released since the beginning of the operation. There were two hostile civilians wounded during the operation. All of the wounded were treated and sent to appropriate medical facilities. Four soldiers wounded during the operation were evacuated and listed in stable condition.

Currently, specially trained soldiers are screening the detainees to determine who will be released or retained for further questioning. These soldiers are also collecting information, which may lead to the apprehension of hostile groups who plan or who may commit acts of violence against coalition forces and innocent Iraqis. The information gathered will also help coalition forces provide a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people. Two former Iraqi generals turned themselves in during the raids. Maj. Gen. Abul Ali Jasmin, Secretary of Defense Ministry, and Brig. Gen. Abdullah Ali Jasmin, Head of the Iraqi Military Academy, are both being detained for questioning.

Coalition soldiers who are engaged by hostile, non-compliant forces will use all necessary force to protect themselves and others. The 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse remain resolute and committed to working with coalition forces and the local citizens to stop terrorists who try to hinder rebuilding efforts. The success of Operation Peninsula Strike is a significant step forward in the ongoing journey toward a safe, secure and free Iraqi.

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Casuality Identification List for the past week from the DoD

June 11, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Pfc. Gavin L. Neighbor, 20, of Somerset, Ohio, was killed on June 10, in Baghdad, Iraq. Neighbor was off work from guard duty resting in a bus when a rocket propelled grenade round was fired from a nearby house. Neighbor died as a result of his wounds.

Neighbor was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

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June 10, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the identities of two soldiers who were killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Michael E. Dooley, 23, of Pulaski, Va., was killed on June 8 in Al Asad, Iraq. Dooley was manning a traffic control point when a vehicle came up to the checkpoint and two individuals got out requesting a medic for their sick friend. Immediately following the request for help, they opened fire on Dooley which resulted in his death.

Dooley was assigned to 1st Squadron, 3rd Armor Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Sgt. Travis L. Burkhardt, 26, of Edina, Mo., was killed on June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq. Burkhardt was part of an escort mission when the vehicle he was in hit a curb along the road and rolled over.

Burkhardt was assigned to 170th Military Police Company, Fort Lewis, Wash. The incident is under investigation.

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June 9, 2003

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Pvt. Jesse M. Halling, 19, of Indianapolis, Ind., was killed on June 7, 2003, in Tikrit, Iraq. Halling was at a military police station when his section received rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire. The soldier received a fatal gunshot wound.

Halling was assigned to 401st Military Police Company, Fort Hood, Texas.

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Pics of the Week

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[snippy_about_it]

Profile

Bulk Fueler Brings Bulk of Experience to Iraq


Chief Warrant Officer 4, Tom Cierley, 55, Bulk Fuel Alpha Co operations officer from Bakersfield, Calif., stands in front of 50,000 gal. fuel bladders at a Marine Corps fuel farm in Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeff Hawk

U.S. Marine Corps
Chief Warrant Officer 4
Tom Cierley

Bulk Fueler Brings Bulk of Experience to Iraq

By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeff Hawk - 1st Force Service Support Group

LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA VIPER, Iraq — More than three decades ago, Marine Pvt. Tom Cierley pumped fuel for trucks and helos heading off to fight enemy forces in Vietnam. Today, the 55-year-old bulk fuel chief warrant officer 4 finds himself engaged in another conflict, far in time and place from the jungles of Southeast Asia.

"The sand here is so fine," said the Bakersfield, Calif., reservist as he surveys the lunar-like terrain surrounding him. Cierley works as the operations officer for Tucson, Ariz.,-based Bulk Fuel Alpha, a 4th Force Service Support Group asset tasked with providing bulk liquids in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He joined the Marines in 1967 and served 12 months in Vietnam in 1969-70 as a bulk fuel specialist before leaving active duty in 1970. Cierley exited the Marine Corps entirely in 1973, but seven years later, he re-entered the Marine Corps Reserves, picked up meritorious sergeant and was selected as a warrant officer in 1983.

The Iraqi landscape is one of the many contrasts Cierley draws as he harkens back to his days on Hill 55 near Da Nang. Back then, Marine bulk fuelers used 350 gallon-per-minute pumps to draw fuel from 10,000-gallon bladders, the largest in the Corps' inventory. Now, Marines use 600 gpm pumps to draw fuel from 50,000-gallon bladders that, at their largest, composed a 1.8 million-gallon fuel farm here. Cierley says he believes the trend toward larger storage units will continue. "We're getting bigger, better and more efficient. We may go to the Army's (210,000 gallon) bags," he said.

The biggest change Cierley sees in the past 34 years is the means of transporting fuel. In Vietnam, trucks transported fuel to outlying areas. In Iraq, Cierley witnessed the first combat application of the Marine Corps' expeditionary "hose reel system," a 6-inch fire hose-like fuel line deployed from large truck-loaded reels like fishing line from a spool.

Marines from 6th Engineer Support Battalion assembled nearly 90 miles of hose reel, roughly nine times more than ever deployed by Marine forces. "It's a way of transporting fuel without mechanized support," Cierley said. He added that a "permanent pipeline" similar to the U.S. Army's Inland Petroleum Distribution System is a preferable asset.

"You'll always have the necessity for trucking but this permanent pipeline is the way to go." Still, he added, "when you're in a hostile environment, it's not practical."

Sixth ESB Marines assembled the Corps' expeditionary fuel line in days, while the Army's IPDS system was still under construction three weeks into the conflict.

Cierley said he tells his young Marines that while the bulk fuel field may not be glamorous or dynamic, it is essential. "The war effort would not succeed without fuel," he said.

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Status of Iraq's 55 Most Wanted

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MILITARY RELATED NEWS and LINKS FROM THE PAST WEEK

*IN CASE YOU MISSED IT*
6/10/03

US launches patriotic magazine in Iraq

Iraq: U.S. Soldier killed in fake illness ambush

IRAQ: US warns of prolonged Iraqi resistance as violence flares again ( Rumsfeld speaking )

ONE U.S. SOLDIER KILLED, ONE WOUNDED IN BAGHDAD ATTACK (82nd Airborne)

U.S. Rebuilding Iraq: "But who else is going to do this?"

Saddam Said to Pay Bounty for Killings [seen north of Baghdad]

The ever-growing US military footprint

6/11/03

Hand grenade attack at US consulate in Turkey, no casualties

U.S. Military Stages Major Operation in Iraq

Lars Ulrich Blasts Military For Blasting Metallica At Prisoners

U.S. Military Stages Major Operation in Iraq

6/12/03

US Fighter Jet Crashes in S. Iraq; Pilot Ejects Safely

US Troops Raid Iraqi 'Terrorist' Camp, Apache Down

Sen. Craig Clears Air Force Promotions

U.S. Captures Suspected Saddam Loyalists

Bremer Says Sabotage Caused Much Damage in Iraq

IRAQ:U.S. Troops Storm Sunni Muslim Enclave

IRAQ: Biggest U.S. military assault since war targets Saddam loyalists

US Threatens To Pull NATO HQ Out Of Belgium

U.S. says helicopter apparently shot down in Iraq

U.S. troops arrest group in Iraq with al-Qaida link

6/13/03

USS Kearsarge Joins Operation Shining Express [Anticipated Evacuation of American Citizens]

'100 Iraqis Killed' In Clashes With US Troops

AP: U.S. Forces Kill 27 Iraqis in Clash

USS John F. Kennedy repair cost 3 times higher that planned(Clinton Era Military Alert)

Fires blaze on Iraq oil export pipeline

German mayors "push" (BEG) to keep U.S. bases: (75% of troops to Leave!)

U.S. Troops Hunting Saddam Loyalists Kill 97 Iraqis

70 Iraqis killed/1 US Soldier wounded

6/14/036

Afghan Insurgent Attacks Rise, U.S. Says

BBC "In Pictures": US Forces Battle Iraq

Few Iraqis Meet the Deadline for Turning in Their Guns

Intelligence Officer Gets 18 Years for Treason

Saddam's daughter: US bombs nearly killed us

U.S. forces arrest Hamid Raja Shalah al-Tikriti, no. 17 on most wanted list (Reuters)

US marines diverted to Liberia

U.S. Seeks Arms of Iraq Militia Suspects

U.S. troops begin massive search for suspected militia leaders

6/15/03

US Forces Raid Flashpoint Town

U.S. Troops Ambushed in Iraq as New Raids Launched

Soviets depth-charged Navy submarines during Cold War chases

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Top U.S. POW/MIA Official Visits Vietnam - June 13, 2003

The senior U.S. government official responsible for policy oversight of accounting for POWs and MIAs arrived in Vietnam Tuesday for a seven-day visit. Jerry D. Jennings, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs, will end his visit to Vietnam next week in Ho Chi Minh City, after spending several days in Hanoi meeting with the national leadership of Vietnam and senior wartime leaders.

Throughout his meetings with the senior leadership of Vietnam, Jennings stressed President George W. Bush's commitment that resolution of the POW/MIA issue remains one of the most important priorities in our relations with Vietnam.

"One of my primary responsibilities," he said, "is to ensure that everyone understands the strong level of commitment our entire government has to the effort of bringing our missing personnel home. During my visit, I have sought assurances from the government of Vietnam for greater unilateral efforts on their part to help us resolve the fates of the nearly 1,900 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War. I also advocated greater access to archival materials, and increased participation in a program to interview senior wartime leaders who may have information about our missing. Without fail, the government officials with whom I met assured me of their determination to assist us in this noble humanitarian effort."

Since arriving in Hanoi, Jennings has met with Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; Vice Minister of National Defense Lt. Gen. Nguyen Huy Hieu; Vice Minister of Public Security Lt. Gen. Nguyen Khanh Toan; and the Chairman of the National Assembly’s National Defense and Security Commission, Lt. Gen. Nguyen Phuc Thanh. He also held discussions with the leadership and members of the Veterans Association of Vietnam in Hanoi and will also meet with veterans in Ho Chi Minh City.

More than 600 U.S. specialists are at work every day around the world attempting to locate and identify the more than 88,000 Americans still missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the 1991 Gulf War. Since the end of the war in Vietnam, U.S. teams have located and identified the remains of nearly 700 Americans who were once missing as a result of the Vietnam War.

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[snippy_about_it]

Afghanistan Security & Reconstruction Update

June 13, 2003

By U.S. Army Col. Rodney Davis , CJTF-180
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — A U.S. female soldier was medically evacuated from Kabul Military Training Center to Bagram Air Base early this morning with acute appendicitis. She is in surgery at this time.

A Special Operations Forces team destroyed a cache found in the village of Da Ghuluguder, northeast of Kabul Wednesday. The cache included: 248 - rockets, 100 - 82mm mortar rounds, 13 - 14.5mm ammo cans, two - 7.62mm ammo cans and six - anti-tank mines. An Afghan citizen provided information about the cache.

With regards to reports of suspected coalition involvement in the use of herbicides and pesticides, we've checked and double-checked. The bottom line is the coalition has not been involved in the use of herbicides or pesticides. The coalition doesn't have helicopters capable of spraying herbicides or pesticides as some have claimed. That's not what we came here to do and it's not in our plans.

None of our forces are stationed in that region and those who've patrolled through the area did not engage in the use of chemicals for drug or insect control. We don't have the resources or are we inclined to focus on opium eradication or bug control. That kind of activity requires experts and that's not our area of expertise. We know what we're good at and that type of activity is out of our lane. Our soldiers are focused on providing humanitarian assistance and hunting down anti-coalition Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives. That's what we're good at and that's what we're doing.

A Task Force Devil mounted patrol recovered a weapons cache north of the firebase at Shkin, in Paktika province yesterday. The cache included: 450 rifle rounds, 120 - machine gun rounds, 22 AK-47 full magazines, two full pistol magazines, seven grenades, four AK-47s, three rifles and one rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

One rocket impacted in the vicinity of the firebase at Orgun-E, in Paktika province last night. There were no casualties or damage to equipment.

Two rockets impacted in the vicinity of the forward operating base at Salerno, in Khowst province yesterday. There were no casualties or damage to equipment.

June 12, 2003

By U.S. Army Col. Rodney Davis , CJTF-180

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — An 812th Romanian patrol, with Task Force Devil Civil Affairs personnel, distributed 150 humanitarian rations and school notebooks to the children in the villages of Haji Mowladad Kalach, Mohammad Ghaws Kalay and Mullah Koch Kalay, south of Kandahar Tuesday.

A Task Force Devil convoy in route to Orgun-E south of Gayan District in Paktika province came in contact with three to five enemy personnel. The convoy returned fire, broke contact and continued to Orgun-E. There were no injuries to personnel or damage to equipment. No further action was taken and there is no information on enemy casualties.

A Task Force Devil patrol on highway four between Spin Boldak and Kandahar stopped two personnel driving a two-ton truck transporting munitions. The truck carried 500 - 82mm mortar rounds. The individuals had no identification and were taken under control. The truck was turned over to General Gulali at the Afghan Military Forces compound.

One rocket impacted in the vicinity of the firebase at Gardez in Paktia province yesterday evening. There were no casualties or damage to equipment.

June 11, 2003

By: Lt. Col. Douglas Lefforge

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — A U.S. soldier was wounded this morning as a result of a 9mm accidental discharge at Kandahar Air Base. The soldier is in surgery and in stable condition. The accident is under investigation. The name of the wounded soldier is being withheld for privacy.

The Civil-Military Operations team from Herat delivered 800 meters of fabric to the Academy of Educational Development yesterday for sewing training. The students will use the material to make clothing for the youth and development center, and will clothe 280 girls and 120 boys, four to ten years of age.

Special Operations Forces and Afghan Military Forces recovered unexploded ordnance and some former Taliban weapons in a cave near the village of Khawaja Qala, near Mazar-E-Sharif, in Balki province yesterday. The weapons included three artillery pieces, and one 14.5mm machine gun. The ordnance was destroyed and the weapons rendered inoperable by explosives.

One rocket impacted in the vicinity of the firebase at Chapman southeast of Khowst early this morning. There were no injuries or damage to equipment.

[snippy_about_it]

Jennifer Love Hewitt Becomes VA Spokesperson Story

"Uncle Sam Wants You" to Join the Operation Tribute to Freedom Team Story

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning snippy, you up yet???

[snippy_about_it]

June 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-52
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONE U.S. SOLDIER DIED AND EIGHT INJURED IN ARMORED VEHICLOE ROLL OVER ACCIDENT

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- One V Corps soldier died and eight others were injured in an armored vehicle roll over accident 20 kilometers south of Al Asad Air Base, Iraq at approximately 8:00 a.m. today.

The personnel were traveling in an M113 Armored Personnel Carrier on a mission when they encountered a four-foot drop off on the side of the road that caused the vehicle to throw a track and roll over.

One soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were flown by MEDEVAC to Al Asad Air Base for treatment.

One soldier was immediately returned to duty and the remaining five are expected to be returned to duty later today.

Names and units of the dead and injured are being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

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June 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-51
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONE U.S. SOLDIER DROWNS IN FALLUJAH, IRAQ

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- A Coalition soldier was found dead in a lake contained within a military compound near Fallujah this afternoon.

On Thursday at 5 p.m. (local Baghdad time) the soldier was reported missing and had been swimming. Fellow Coalition soldiers found some of the soldier's personal gear and clothing at the edge of the lake. These discoveries then led to a search of the lake and immediate area until it became too dark to continue.

A thorough search of the lake and surrounding areas continued at first light this morning using of helicopters and Army divers.

Name of the deceased and unit will be withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2003
Flag Officer Announcements
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark announced the following flag officer assignments:

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Richard D. Jaskot is being assigned as commandant, National War College, National Defense University, Washington, D.C. Jaskot is currently serving as deputy director for plans and policy, J5, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) James D. Kelly is being assigned as commander, Carrier Group Five, Yokosuka, Japan. Kelly is currently serving as director, Warfare Programs and Readiness, N8, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Va.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Anthony L. Winns is being assigned as deputy director, Air Warfare Division, N78B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Arlington, Va. Winns is currently serving as commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, Pacific, and commander, Task Force Twelve, Pear Harbor, Hawaii.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) (selectee) Kenneth W. Deutsch is being assigned as commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, Pacific, and commander, Task Force Twelve, Misawa, Japan. Deutsch is currently serving as director, Fleet and Allied Requirements Division, N60, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Arlington, Va.

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[snippy_about_it]

Come on out of there!
Have a cup a joe -

Read some Recent News -

Stretch your legs a while and welcome to Monday at The FReeper Foxhole!

Please post any news you'd like to share and send us any ideas you would like to see us cover.

Have a Good Monday and enjoy your day.

[snippy_about_it]

[snippy_about_it]

.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

.......Good Morning Everyone!


If you would like added or removed from our ping list let me know.

[E.G.C.]

Good Morning, Snippy.

Doing some washing right now. Have some lawnmowing planned for today. Weather is nice. Supposed to get into the low 90's today.

[snippy_about_it]

Good Morning. I'm VERY late for work and headed out the door. :)

My lawn needs mowed, too. No rain today! Warm and humid already.

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on June 16:
1834 Wesley Merritt, Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1910
1837 Eli Long, Bvt Major General (Union Army), died in 1903
1858 Gustav V, king of Sweden
1874 Arthur Meighen (C) 9th PM of Canada (1920-21, 1926)
1895 Stan Laurel comedian (Laurel & Hardy)
1899 Nelson Doubleday US, publisher (Doubleday)
1902 Barbara McClintock US, cytogeneticist (Nobel 1983)
1907 Jack Albertson Malden Mass, actor (Thin Man, Chico & the Man)
1910 E.G. Marshall Owatonna Minn, actor (Lawrence-Defenders)
1910 Ilona Massey Budapest Hungary, actress/singer (Ilona Massey Show)
1912 Enoch Powell England, (C), racist
1917 Katharine Graham newspaper publisher (Wash Post)
1920 John Howard Griffin US, photographer/author (Black Like Me)
1922 Frances Rafferty Iowa, actress (Abbott & Costello in Hollywood)
1925 Faith Domergue New Orleans, actress (House of 7 Corpses)
1928 Sergiu Comissiona Buch Romania, conductor (Haifa Symph 1959-64)
1935 Jim Dine Cincinatti Oh, pop artist (St John the Divine)
1937 August Busch III CEO (Anheuser-Busch)
1937 Erich Segal author (Love Story, Oliver's Story)
1938 Joyce Carol Oates US, novelist (Garden of Earthly Delights) (1946)
1938 Mickie Finn Hugo Okla, TV hostess/banjo player (Mickie Finn's)
1940 Billy "Crash" Craddock Greensboro NC, singer
1941 Lamont Dozier Detroit, songwriter (Dozier-Holland-Dozier)
1942 Giacomo Agostini Lovere, Italy, world motorcycle race champion
1943 Joan Van Ark NYC, actress (Valene-Dallas/Knots Landing)
1944 Reg Presley singer (Troggs-Wild Thing)
1944 Takamiyama [Jesse Kuhaulua] Hawaii, 1st non-Japanese sumo champion
1948 Brian Eno rocker (Here Comes the Warm Jets)
1949 Kale Browne San Rafael Calif, actor (Michael Hudson-Another World)
1950 Jesse Dizon Oceanside Calif, actor (Ramon-Operation Petticoat)
1951 Roberto Duran boxer (fists of stone, no m…s)
1951 Sonia Braga Maringa Brazil, actress (Dona Flor & Her 2 Husbands)
1952 Aleksandr Zaitsev USSR, pairs figure skating (Olympic-gold-1976, 80)
1952 Gino Vanelli singer (Living Inside Myself)
1957 Clio Goldsmith Paris France, actress (The Gift, Heat of Desire)
1968 Patrick Stuart Hollywood Cal, actor (Will Cortlandt-All My Children)
1975 Frederick Koehler actress (Kate & Allie)

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Deaths which occurred on June 16:
1686 -BC- Hammurabi the Great dies in Babylon
956 Hugo, the Great, duke of France, dies
1216 Innocent III pope, dies at 54
1361 John Tauler, German mystic (Gottesfreunde) dies at about 61
1671 Stenka Razin Cossack rebel leader, tortured, executed in Moscow
1959 George Reeves actor (Superman, Gone With the Wind), shoots himself
1969 John Scott rocker with the Pretenders, dies at 25
1976 Francis E Meloy Jr US ambassador to Lebanon, kidnapped & killed
1977 Wernher von Braun dies at 65 from smoking
1982 John Honeyman-Scott guitarist of the Pretenders, overdoses on drugs

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Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1965 SCHUMANN JOHN R. COKATO MN.
[PROBABLY DEAD]
1968 BOWMAN FRANK WALTERBORO SC.
1968 CHANDLER ANTHONY GORDON WARNER ROBINS GA.
1968 RUPINSKI BERNARD FRANCIS EDWARDSVILLE PA.
1968 WILBER WALTER EUGENE MILLERTON PA.
[02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV INJURED]
1973 CORNELIUS SAMUEL B. LUBBOCK TX.
[SURVIVAL UNLIKELY PER SAR]
1973 SMALLWOOD JOHN J. MARIETTA GA.
[SURVIVAL UNLIKELY]

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.

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On this day...
632 Origin of Persian [Yezdegird] Era
1567 Mary Queen of Scots thrown into Lochleven Castle prison
1671 Cossack rebel leader Stenka Razin tortured, executed in Moscow
1755 British capture Fort Beaus‚jour, expel the Acadians
1832 Battle of Kellogg's Grove, Ill
1858 Abraham Lincoln says "A house divided against itself cannot stand"
1864 Siege of Petersburg & Richmond begins
1871 Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine founded, NYC
1879 Gilbert & Sullivan's "HMS Pinafore" debuts at Bowery Theatre NYC
1882 17" hailstones weighing 1.75 lbs fall in Dubuque Iowa
1883 1st baseball "Ladies' Day" (NY Gothams beat Cleve Spiders 5-2)
1896 Temperture hits 127øF at Fort Mojave, Calif
1903 1st Highlander (Yankee) shut-out victory 1-0 over White Sox
1903 Ford Motors incorporates
1904 Bloomsday (date of events in James Joyce's Ulysses)
1909 1st US airplane sold commercially, by Glenn Curtiss for $5,000
1916 Boston Brave's Tom Hughes 2nd no-hitter beats Pitts, 2-0
1917 1st Congress of Soviets convene in Russia
1922 Henry Berliner demonstrates his helicopter to US Bureau of Aeronautics
1927 Tommy Armour wins golf's US open
1932 Pres Hoover & VP Charles Curtis renominated by Rep Convention
1933 National Industrial Recovery Act becomes law (later struck down)
1933 US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) created
1937 Marx Brothers' "A Day At The Races" opens in LA
1938 St Louis Browns walk Boston Red Sox Jimmy Foxx 6 times in a row
1940 Commuinist govt installed in Lithuania
1941 1st US federally owned airport opened Wash DC
1943 Race riot in Beaumont Texas (2 die)
1946 Lloyd Mangrum wins golf's US open after 2 playoffs
1947 1st network news-Dumont's "News from Washington"
1947 Pravda denounces Marshall Plan
1949 Gas turbine-electric locomotive demonstrated, Erie Pa
1951 Ben Hogan wins golf's US open for 2nd year in a row
1953 Despite Johnny Mize 2,000th hit, Yanks lose ending 18 game win streak
& also ending St Louis Brown 14 game losing streak
1955 Pope Pius XII ex-communicated Argentine Pres Juan Peron
1957 White Sox reliever Dixie Howell hits 2 HRs to beat Wash Senators 8-6
1961 Dave Garroway is fired as Today Show host
1961 Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defects to West in Paris
1963 Levi Eshkol replaces David Ben-Gurion as Israeli PM
1963 Valentina Tereshkova becomes 1st woman in space, aboard Vostok 6
1964 Quake strikes Niigata Japan
1967 50,000 attend Monterey International Pop Festival
1968 Lee Trevino is 1st to play all 4 rounds of golf's US open under par
1969 Supreme Court rules suspension of Adam Clayton Powell Jr from House
1970 Kenneth A Gibson elected 1st black mayor of Newark, NJ
1970 Race riots in Miami Florida
1971 Racial disturbance in Jacksonville Florida
1975 Bucks trade Kareem Abdul-Jabber & Walt Wesley to LA for 4 players
1975 Randy Farland finds a 14-leaf clover near Sioux Falls, SD
1976 Student uprisings begin in Soweto, South Africa (Soweto Day)
1977 "Beatlemania" opens on Broadway
1977 Leonid Brezhnev named president of USSR
1977 Ron Guidry's 1st complete game, 7-0 over KC Royals
1978 Cin Red Tom Seaver no-hits St Louis Cards, 4-0
1978 Ringo releases "Bad Boy" album; Wings releases "I've Had Enough"
1979 Carl Yastrzemski hits his 1,000th extra base hit
1979 H-E Schuster discovers asteroid #2275
1982 Britain requests Argentina arrange for return of prisoners
1983 Charlos Vieira completes 191 hr "nonstop" cycling in Leiria Portugal
1983 European Space Agency launches European Comm Satellite 1, Oscar 10
1983 Ringo releases "Old Wave" album in West Germany
1984 Edwin Moses wins his 100th consecutive 400-meter hurdles race
1984 Matt de Waal finishes 14,290-mi round trip from Salt Lake City (106d)
1985 T C Chen, ahead by 4 strokes in final round of US Open
1985 Willie Banks of USA sets triple jump record (58'11«") in Indianapolis
quadruple bogies the 5th hole & never recovers
1986 1 day general strike in South Africa
1987 Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, opens
1987 Subway gunman Bernhard Goetz acquitted on all but gun possession
charges after shooting 4 black youths who tried to rob him
1988 Boston Red Sox Barrett steals home
1988 In Santa Barbara, CA, a team of 32 divers begin cycling underwater
on a standard tricycle, to complete 116.66 mi in 75 hrs 20 mins
1989 "Ghostbusters II" premiers
1989 4 golfers shoot a hole-in-one on the same hole at the US Open
are made all on the 6th hole (Weaver, Wiebe, Pate & Price)
Only 17 hole-in-ones recorded since the US open began, today 4 more
1991 Boris Yeltsin elected president of Russian SSR
1991 Minnesota Twins win a team record 15 games in a row
1991 NYC Mayor Dinkins declares "Joseph Doherty Week" (through the 23rd)
1991 Otis Nixon steals NL record 6 bases in 1 day
1991 With 3 runs in the 9th, Balt ends Twins 15 game win streak 6-5

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Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Paraguay : Chaco Peace Day (1935) - - - - - ( Sunday )
US : Father's Day (Remind the guy how much you care) - - - - - ( Sunday )

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Religious Observances
Christian : Feast of St Quiricus (St Cirycus)
RC : Feast of Madonna of Carmine, Italy
Ang : Commemoration of Joseph Butler, bishop of Durham

---

Religious History
1539 German Reformer Martin Luther declared: 'Faith justifies not as a work, nor as a quality, nor as knowledge, but as assent of the will and firm confidence in the mercy of God.'
1654 Queen Christina, a convert to Roman Catholicism, abdicated her Swedish throne to devote the remainder of her life to religion and art.
1752 Death of Joseph Butler, Anglican theologian. His 1736 'Analogy of Religion' demonstrated the strong probability for the existence of a caring God over against that of a disinterested Creator Deity.
1804 Anglican missionary to Persia, Henry Martyn wrote in his journal: 'My soul, alas, needs these uneasinesses in outward things, to be driven to take refuge in God.'
1833 Anglican-turned-Catholic Cardinal John Henry Newman, while traveling on a ship from Italy to France, penned the words to the hymn, 'Lead, Kindly Light, Amid the Encircling Gloom.'

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

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Thought for the day :
"Selfishness is that vice we see in others, never in ourselves."

[HiJinx]

Morning, Ms. Snippy!
We are doing some great things in Iraq, no?
Thanks for putting it all together for us!

[manna]

Present!

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning, Snippy

[SAMWolf]

1933 US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) created

Another program the government has no business running

[SAMWolf]

Our Military Today
Operation Desert Scorpion

U.S. troops raid a house at Khaldiyah, 70 kms west of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday June 16, 2003. Hundreds of U.S. troops backed by tanks and helicopters raided several cities and villages on the second day of 'Operation Desert Scorpion', arresting suspected militia leaders and seizing illegal weapons. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

[Valin]

Indeed!

One of the things I love to do is hand a copy to someone of the constitution and ask them to show me "where does it say the federal government is supposed to do that?"

[SAMWolf]

Yeah. We could cut the government in half if they stopped doig things they're not supposed to be doing.

[Valin]

RADICAL! :-)

[Darksheare]

Back from hiding.
I know I hide good, No-one saw me sitting behind the couch either...