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This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during May 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 June 2011. Of note, Karabala became the first non-Kurdish province to have no US units based in it in May and NATO Training Mission – Iraq is discussing training planned through the end of 2013. Highlights in this update include: * Peshmerga RGB development – 15th and 16th IA Mountain Divisions cancelled. * External Training of IA continues; M198 training in 5th IA Division; BTR4s confirmed in Iraq. * JBB beginning...

Former state treasurer Matt Fong has died. Fong was 57 years old. His wife Paula told the Associated Press that he died in their Pasadena home Wednesday morning after losing a battle with skin cancer. Fong, a Republican, held the state office from 1995 to 1998. He also served as Vice Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization and was a 1998 Republican nominee for the United States Senate. Fong was born in Alameda. He was the son of former Democratic California Secretary of State March Fong Eu. March Fong Eu held that officer for 20 years and was...

List – Killed in Action, Global War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, Puerto Rico born or Puerto Rico HOR SGT Louie Ramos-Velázquez, USA, KIA May 26, 2011, Kandahar, Afghanistan SGT José M. Caraballo-Pietri, USA, KIA April 10, 2011, Badghis, Afghanistan SGT José M. Cintrón-Rosado, USA, KIA January 2, 2011, Taji, Iraq SPC José A. Delgado-Arroyo, USA, KIA January 2, 2011, Taji, Iraq PVT Francheska Velez, USA, KIA, November 5, 2009, Fort Hood, Texas SPC Israel Candelaria Mejías, USA, KIA April 5, 2009, Near Baghdad, Iraq SrA Jonathan Vega Yelner, USAF, KIA...

            Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of...

Thousands of motorcycles poured into the D.C.-area today for Rolling Thunder, an annual event drawing motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country. The massive collection of motorcycle riders is descending on Washington in memory of the thousands of prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action from the Vietnam War.

AIR FORCE SOUGHT SCAPEGOAT - DROVE T/SGT MECHANIC TO TAKE OWN LIFE - THOMAS MUELLER SHOOTS HIMSELF IN HEAD AS SEARCH PARTY CLOSES IN - UNFAIRLY BLAMED FOR BOTCHED CONTROL ROD HOOK-UP - PILOT DIES IN CRASH AT SPANGDAHLEM AFB IN GERMANY BRASS CHARGED MUELLER WITH "DERELICTION OF DUTY" AND "NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE" - BOARD OF CORRECTIONS REVEALED PROSECUTORS HAD WITHHELD EXCULPATORY EVIDENCE - GENERALS WANTED MUELLER COURT-MARTIALED ANYWAY © 2011 MilitaryCorruption.com By MAJ GLENN MacDONALD, USAR (Ret) In the last conscious moments of his life, Air Force T/Sgt. Thomas Mueller agonized over the injustice that had overtaken him. Up in...

Twenty-one religious agencies that provide chaplains to the military have sent a letter to the military’s chiefs of chaplains voicing strong concern over the absence of religious liberty protections under the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The letter, which asks the chiefs for their help in urging Congress and the Department of Defense to adopt such protections, reads, in part: “Chaplains are instructors of conscience. Chaplains have a tremendous moral responsibility to insure that when they preach, teach or counsel, they do so in accordance with their conscience and in harmony with the faith group by which they are...

Is Hawker Beechcraft an American company? By Stephen Trimble Loren Thompson argues in a blog last week there are two competitors for the US Air Force contract for a light attack armed reconnaissance (LAAR) aircraft: "An American plane made by Hawker Beechcraft designated the AT-6, and a Brazilian plane made by Embraer designated the EMB-314." This is a bad thing, according to Thompson. "The fact the Air Force is even entertaining a bid from Brazil tells us that this Pentagon is out of touch with economic realities." I won't argue with his conclusion, but the facts need a little clarity....

MAJ MARGARET WITT OF AIR FORCE RESERVE TO RETIRE WITH FULL BENEFITS - LESBIAN NURSE ACCEPTS DEAL FROM JUSTICE DEPT GIVING HER CREDIT FOR 20 YEARS SERVICE AGREEMENT ENDS FIVE YEAR LEGAL BATTLE DECORATED OFFICER HAD BEEN "OUTED" BY ANGRY EX-GALPAL - AIR FORCE KICKED MUCH RESPECTED FLIGHT NURSE OUT FOR BEING "GAY" ONLY TO LOSE FIGHT IN FEDERAL COURT WHEN JUDGE ORDERED MAJOR RE-INSTATED © 2011 MilitaryCorruption.com Sometimes there are "happy endings," although no one can repay Margaret Witt for the hell the Air Force put her through, starting in 2006, when she was kicked out of the Reserve...

Fla. job growth potential harmed by misinformation By MIKE HARIDOPOLOS Created 05/07/2011 - 12:01am The State of Florida continues to work hard to diminish economic impacts resulting from the end of NASA's space shuttle program, particularly devastating to the Space Coast. It is likely that 1,900 Floridians will lose their jobs as the program comes to a close. Florida Senate President The State of Florida continues to work hard to diminish economic impacts resulting from the end of NASA's space shuttle program, particularly devastating to the Space Coast. It is likely that 1,900 Floridians will lose their jobs as the...

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- During RED FLAG-Alaska, maintaining and clearing impact areas at the range as well as the various surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites is a responsibility that the 353rd Combat Training Squadron range division coordinates to ensure the Joint Pacific Alaskan Range Complex stays fully operational, at least on the ground. As one of the largest aerial combat training exercises, RF-A provides premier training by simulating threats posed by potentially hostile nations. The unique training atmosphere prepares war fighters for total war including enemies with access to advanced weaponry

Meeting the needs of the warfighter from the air By James H. Flatley, IV - 05/04/11 08:59 AM ET Over the past four years much has been written, debated and proposed about the need for a light attack turboprop aircraft that’s ideally suited for irregular warfare in Afghanistan. Yet here we are four years later without a deployable solution. The leading contenders from day one have been the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano and the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6. And, they are today, both vying for the contract to supply aircraft and training for the Air Force’s Light Air Support program in...

GURNEY GETS A BIG BREAK! - AIR FORCE LT GENERAL CUTS 16 MONTHS OFF PRISON TERM FOR "LOVER-BOY" COMMAND CHIEF AND REVERSES "DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE" WILLIAM GURNEY STILL GETS BCD AND NO PENSION BUT NOW WILL GO OUT DOOR AS "AIRMAN BASIC" - TOP-RANKING NCO HAD BEEN CONVICTED ON 15 SEX MISCONDUCT CHARGES © 2011 MilitaryCorruption.com Well, this one was certainly a surprise. Who would have thought former Command Chief Master Sgt. William Gurney, convicted at court-martial earlier this year on numerous sex charges, would get such a big break? But it happened. Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander,...

Music by proud patriot Toby Kieth... [video here] Interestingly, Mr. Kieth -a living Country legend- was widely considered to be a pro-war conservative, largely due to his post-9/11 hit "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue". His father was a soldier, and Toby has long been a staunch supporter of our people in uniform... unapologetically patriotic, too. But the former union oil-rig worker had in the past described himself as a "conservative Democrat" that was "sometimes embarrassed for my party"-. And although he endorsed Bush for re-election in 2004, Keith also endorsed congressional Dems, was known as a friend of...

Obama decided to inform the Defense Department that they needed to make $400 Billion in cuts by announcing this is in a speech without even mentioning it to his Defense Secretary. Therefore it is unsurprising that the NY Times would take this opportunity to anounce their cunning plan to screw the troops and crush our expeditionary fighting capability. I guess this requires at least a partial Fisking. "We in no way minimize the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform." Yeah right. Wait for it...... "But after years of lagging far behind, military pay is now more than...

© 2011 MilitaryCorruption.com Whenever the Air Force decides to enforce the regs on adultery or DUI, a high-flying commander can easily "flame out" and crash into the ground. Unfortunately for super-achiever COL David Hlatky, former commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing at trouble-plagued Eglin AFB in Florida, someone up the chain wanted to pull his, and end his career. The 44 year-old bird colonel - a cinch for stars someday, if he'd just been a bit more discreet - has been fired. All he has left now, is to put in his papers and retire. That's a shame, since not...

The approved Centennial of Naval Aviation video is out: We are the most Aviation-centric military in the world. When people talk about Asymmetric warfare - I laugh. The US Military is Asymmetric to all ather militaries. What other army in the world has an aviation brigade in every division in addition to the corps/army level aviation? If the IA was building to true US standards they would need 17 aviation brigades with 64 squadrons to go with their existing divs. To the rest of the world [incl IA], aviation brigades are corps/army level assets... What other marine corps pairs equal...

This is the general overseeing the American part of the air campaign in Libya. Air Force Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward, commander of the 17th Air Force, based in Germany, seems to be an expert in refueling and mobility, which is probably why she was picked for Africa Command, whose planners likely expected the command mainly to be doing humanitarian relief missions. Instead she is overseeing airstrikes by B-2 bombers, F-15E fighter/bombers, and F-16 CJ jammers. To my knowledge, this is the first time a woman has ever overseen an air campaign.

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, Mediterranean Sea, Mar 22, 2011 — Two crew members ejected from their U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle when the aircraft experienced equipment malfunction over northeast Libya, March 21, 2011 at approximately 10:30 p.m. CET. Both crew members ejected and are safe. The aircraft, based out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, was flying out of Aviano Air Base in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn at the time of the incident. The cause of the incident is under investigation. The identities will be released after the next of kin have been notified. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn...

Six hero pilots return home safe and sound from a bombing mission to Libya which saw them in the cockpit for an incredible 25 hours. Three B-2 Spirit bombers, piloted by two men each, made it back after the 11,418-mile round trip from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri - where they are kept in special hangars - to Libya, where they hit targets on forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi and back again. At $2.1bn, they are the most expensive warplanes in the world and rarely leave their climate-controlled hangars. But when it does, the B-2 bomber makes a...