http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/combat/ en-us Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:59:55 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408483/posts WASHINGTON (AP) - Troops are being sent to war zones without proper training and suitable gear, according to two senior Democratic lawmakers who say they've been told by soldiers about problems ranging from their backpacks to their rifles. In a Dec. 10 letter to the Pentagon's top leaders, Rep. Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Solomon Ortiz, who heads the subcommittee on military readiness, said they are "greatly troubled" by what they learned as the Obama White House begins escalating the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. www.breitbart.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408483/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:59:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407252/posts Nobody wants to buy them a beer. Even near military bases, female veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan aren't often offered a drink on the house as a welcome home. More than 230,000 American women have fought in those recent wars and at least 120 have died doing so, yet the public still doesn't completely understand their contributions on the modern battlefield. For some, it's a lonely transition as they struggle to find their place. AP via Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407252/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:15:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402123/posts “Treachery.” That is the bridge between December 1941 and December 2009. “Treachery” in this new century has not come in the form of a surprise attack on America by a recognized military armada. Treachery is being unleashed on American troops by less than gallant men, well versed in the art of dissimulation. The tragedy is that in too many instances, the word of this enemy, an enemy who is without valor and honor, is taken over the words of American troops. More and more American troops are being charged and put away for long stretches for winning on the battlefield... The New Media Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402123/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 17:35:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387271/posts The U.S. Army Special Forces is equipping 18 A Teams (officially known as ODAs, or Operational Detachment Alpha) with Land Warrior electronic equipment. But the Special Forces gear will have one special addition; satellite communications. Normally, Land Warrior comms use line-of-sight (FM) radio. But in the hilly Afghan terrain, and with the dispersed tactics used by Special Forces, satellite communications makes more sense. This is yet another field test for the cancelled Land Warrior project. Last Summer, the army sent an infantry brigade, equipped with Land Warrior gear, to Afghanistan. All this is happening, in spite of the fact that,... The Strategy Page http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387271/posts#comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:15:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384391/posts I'm not military, but my understanding is that a Purple Heart is for those wounded in action. Do these dead and wounded qualify? If not, would it be proper to lobby for them to receive the medal. vanity question http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384391/posts#comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:07:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2377822/posts KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2009 – Afghan soldiers in armored Humvees led a combined convoy of Afghans and Americans down Highway 1. As dawn broke, they passed an Afghan National Police checkpoint and dismounted by an Afghan army combat outpost. Their objective was Shah Hasan Kheyl, a village about a half mile off the road. Army 1st Lt. Sean Snook emerges from an orchard with his fellow paratroopers Oct. 3, 2009, in Afghanistan’s Zabul province. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Starting in August, small, embedded training teams dispersed throughout Afghanistan started getting... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2377822/posts#comment Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:16:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370480/posts The image of young women in a hot , dusty combat zone toting automatic weapons is still startling to some. But right now there are 10,000 women serving in Iraq, more than 4,000 in Aghanistan. They have been fighting and dying next to their male comrades since the wars began. "I can't help but think most Americans think women aren't in combat," says Specialist Ashley Pullen who was awarded a Bronze Star for valor in 2005 for her heroic action in Iraq where she served with a military police unit. "We're here and we're right up with the guys." Technically... ABC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370480/posts#comment Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:24:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2364685/posts As Col. Allen West said in his recent blog, "it us one year away". And so it is. http://thesilentmajority.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/west’s-tun-tavern-hear-lt-col-ret-allen-b-wests-podcast/#comment-4692 Time to edumacate ourselves on the specific candiates. Sunday 8 pm est! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedom Call in at 646 478 5613 We are honored to welcome back to our show vet Will Breazeale running for the House from North Carolina and Jesse Kelly from Arizona, also running for the House. Time to Clean House! BlogtalkRadio/NiteCap at Freedom Radio http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2364685/posts#comment Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:26:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2347435/posts Female sailors can broaden their role in the Navy by serving on submarines, an activity currently prohibited by the Armed Service, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has advised the Senate Armed Services Committee. According to Defensetech.org, a site run by Military.com, a group boasting a membership of 10 million veterans and active duty forces, Adm. Michael Mullen told senators in a recent survey that he's long been an advocate for improving diversity in the Armed Forces. "I believe we should continue to broaden opportunities for women. One policy I would like to see changed is the one... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2347435/posts#comment Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:38:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2341683/posts Video: Precision Urban Hopper leaps over fences, makes enemies cringe by Darren Murph posted Sep 15th 2009 at 10:46AM It's only been a few months since we heard from the whiz kids over at Boston Dynamics, and honestly, we've been waiting on pins and needles to see what miracle would emerge from its labs next. Said outfit has just been awarded a contract by Sandia to build the next generation of the Precision Urban Hopper, which will be a four-wheeled jumping robot that can navigate autonomously. endgadget http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2341683/posts#comment Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:28:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2307482/posts CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq, Aug. 3, 2009 – Over the past month, soldiers of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, have been learning new skills and taking on new challenges as they adapt to a different mission in Iraq. Rather than combat, the soldiers have been working hand in hand with provincial reconstruction teams that are assisting Iraqis as they build key infrastructures in Dhi Qar, Maysan and Muthanna provinces. The soldiers provide security while reconstruction team members work to improve conditions in this war-torn country. “Working with the [provincial reconstruction team] has been pretty meaningful, just... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2307482/posts#comment Mon, 3 Aug 2009 23:26:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2292649/posts Sgt. Fedra A. Toy instructs Iraqi Soldiers on how to properly administer an intravenous injection during a five-day Combat Life Saver course at Contingency Operating Base Adder, June 17. Photo by Sgt. Crystal Reidy, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). COB ADDER — Two U.S. units partnered to provide Combat Life Saver (CLS) skills to the Iraqi Army (IA) during a recent five-day training course here. Medics from the 287th Sustainment Brigade and 4th Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 1st Armored Division, partnered to provide CLS training to four medics from the IA 10th Special Forces Commando Battalion.The goal was to conduct a... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2292649/posts#comment Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:47:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2290058/posts ]-->Army Sgt. Jennifer Watson, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the Casualty Liaison Team at Joint Base Balad, stands in Hero's Highway. Each patient brought via helicopter to the Air Force Theater Hospital passes through Hero's Highway. Watson, a native of Peru, Ind., is deployed here from Fort Campbell, Ky. Photo by Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. JOINT BASE BALAD — The emergency-room trauma call and the medical staff's immediate action upon his arrival is only a memory to her now; sitting quietly at the bedside of her brother-in-arms, she carefully takes his hand, thanking him for his service and... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2290058/posts#comment Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:11:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2290032/posts BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, July 10, 2009 – Airmen here hit a major milestone July 8 when they completed their 2,000th combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jose Rodriguez, right, assists Air Force Staff Sgt. Andres Jaramillo in securing bolts during a function check on the EC-130 Compass Call at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 6, 2009. Both are members of the 41st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit and are deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. An EC-130H Compass Call... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2290032/posts#comment Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:46:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2289274/posts WASHINGTON, July 9, 2009 – From the use of newspapers and pamphlets to stoke the American Revolution to embedded journalists in the War in Iraq, the media has played a major role in every American conflict. A story often lost in the mix is that of military journalists -- men and women in uniform whose weapon of choice isn’t an M4 carbine with a laser sight, but a D3 with a 17-to-200mm lens. Members of the Air Force’s Combat Camera team spoke in a July 7 “DoDLive” bloggers roundtable about their role in documenting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2289274/posts#comment Thu, 9 Jul 2009 23:46:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2263345/posts Troops in Afghanistan Combat Militants American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 2, 2009 – Coalition and Afghan forces conducted operations against militants and defeated them today in Afghanistan, military officials said. Combined forces killed several militants in a firefight in Paktika province during a mission to capture a Taliban commander operating in the northern region of the province. In the area’s Mata Khan district, forces identified a vehicle carrying the wanted Taliban commander and other suspected militants at a remote location near Abd Ol Kala village. When the combined force approached the militants’ location, the armed combatants began firing on... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2263345/posts#comment Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:00:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2241527/posts British forces have ceased combat operations in Iraq, handing over the role to U.S. troops. In London, Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid special tribute to the British service personnel who lost their lives during the six-year campaign. As buglers played, the British command flag was lowered at their base outside of Basra and power was transferred to U.S. forces. Marking the historic significance, the commander of Britain's 20th Armored Brigade, Brigadier Tom Beckett said goodbye. "We are sad to leave our Iraqi friends but we leave knowing we have done our job, done it well and that we have prepared... VOA News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2241527/posts#comment Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:45:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2231295/posts Note: The following text is a quote: Gates Discusses Tough Decisions, Congressional Oversight By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service CARLISLE BARRACKS, Pa., April 16, 2009 – In his two-and-a-half years as Defense secretary, Robert M. Gates has had many hard decisions to make. But none, he said here today, compare to the difficulty of his part in sending men and women into combat. “The rest of it all pales by comparison,” Gates told students at the Army War College here. “Knowing what I have to do, but knowing the consequences.” Approving combat deployments, Gates said, is not an ethical... AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2231295/posts#comment Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:24:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2217194/posts BAGHDAD — U.S. Soldiers of the 6th Iraqi Army (IA) Division’s Military Transition Team (MiTT) recently hosted a combat lifesaver class intended to help the IA to shoulder more of the load as Coalition forces responsibly withdraw. MiTT members taught a variety of first aid techniques including treatment of head trauma, fractures, impaled objects and controlling bleeding. “Basically [the goal of the] training that we conducted is…to combine the experience of the Iraqi medics along with the American medics,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gary Petty, medical advisor, 6th IA Div. MiTT. “We’re trying to get them trained on trauma-type situations;... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2217194/posts#comment Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:39:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2194936/posts In this file photo, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adrienne Brammer documents a joint patrol between U.S. and Iraqi Army Soldiers in Muhandiseen, Oct. 30, 2008. Photo by Staff Sgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, U.S. Air Forces Central. SATHER AIR BASE — When thinking of the word combat, many have visions of fire fights, violent conflicts and warfare.  For a few Airmen and Soldiers, the word combat means being armed with a camera.For these members of the Multi-National Corps - Iraq C39 Joint Combat Camera (ComCam) team, based out of Baghdad, taking still and motion imagery isn’t just a hobby …... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2194936/posts#comment Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:17:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2193195/posts 2/24/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Airmen with the 43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, a unit that has almost five years of continuous deployment, clocked their 20,000th combat flight hour early Feb. 17. The 43rd EECS aircrews and the EC-130 Compass Call aircraft they fly provide communications jamming support to U.S. and coalition ground forces in Iraq. "The support we provide to the ground forces is unlike anything else in the Air Force," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Weber, a 43rd EECS airborne maintenance technician, or AMT. "I would say hopefully we've done our share in protecting those guys on the... Air Force Link http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2193195/posts#comment Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:36:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2174004/posts HEIDELBERG, Germany, Jan. 28, 2009 – The first of about 8,000 soldiers began cycling through Installation Management Command Europe's high-adventure, adrenaline-pumping Warrior Adventure Quest recreation program earlier this month. Marc Jarvis, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach, Germany, assists soldiers with ski selection during a test run of Installation Management Command Europe's Warrior Adventure Quest program, Jan. 12, 2009. The one-day event took about 30 soldiers and a handful of garrison staff members for a day of Alpine skiing and snowshoeing. U.S. Army photo by Jim Hughes  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The U.S. Army Europe troops recently returned from... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2174004/posts#comment Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:09:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2160797/posts The Pentagon has decided that it will not award the Purple Heart, the hallowed medal given to those wounded or killed by enemy action, to war veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder because it is not a physical wound. The Raleigh News and Observer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2160797/posts#comment Thu, 8 Jan 2009 09:32:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2155833/posts WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2008 – The general who leads what he calls “an engineer fight” in Baghdad credits attention to sanitation and reconstruction of essential services with creating a dramatic turnaround that’s having a ripple effect throughout Iraq. “It doesn’t matter if you are in direct support of lethal operations or on the nonlethal side, it is almost always an engineer leading on both sides of the house right now,” Army Brig Gen. Jeffrey Talley, engineer for Multinational Division Baghdad, told American Forces Press Service by phone from his headquarters. A reservist who in civilian life is an engineering professor... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2155833/posts#comment Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:53:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2134251/posts SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 18, 2008 – One day before the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Army senior leaders put into place a plan to overhaul the service’s combat medic training. Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Haney delivers a review of the combat medics’ performance in the “blood lab” at the Department of Combat Medic Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The medics must work through the lab using a combination of soldier and medic skills administering aid, but watching for hidden dangers such as homemade bombs and enemy weapons. DoD photo by Fred W. Baker III  (Click photo for screen-resolution... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2134251/posts#comment Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:13:15 GMT