http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/frwn/ en-us Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:45:15 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419200/posts Friday, 01 January 2010 17:32 BAGHDAD – Multi-National Security Transition Command –Iraq held its final ceremony on Phoenix Base here, Dec 31. Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, the final MNSTC-I commander, recognized the command’s contributions to a safer, more secure Iraq since 2004 to an audience of distinguished Iraqi officials, U.S. servicemembers and civilians. Among the honored guests were Minister of Defense Secretary Salih Sarhan, Mr. Al Husseini, senior advisor to Defense and Security Council Chairman Hadi Al Ameri, and Lt. Gen. Al Awadi, Federal Police commissioner. Army Gen. David Petraeus was the first MNSTC-I commander when it activated June... U.S. Forces Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419200/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:45:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419196/posts Press Release 20100101-01 January 1, 2010 BAGHDAD – December passed without any servicemembers being killed in action. This was the first month in the history of Operation Iraqi Freedom without any U.S. military being killed in combat. Three USF-I troops did die from non-combat related incidents. “We enter the new year with mixed emotions. While we are thankful that no troops were killed in action in December, we are equally mindful of those who have lost their lives while serving our nation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, and all that have lost a loved one in... U.S. Forces Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419196/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:40:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419190/posts WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2010 – Progress in Iraq will continue as American forces draw down in the next year, U.S. commanders in Iraq said today. Army Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of U.S. Forces Iraq, and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, spoke about current conditions in Iraq during a press conference in Baghdad. Odierno said December marked the first month since the war started in 2003 with no U.S. battle casualties. “We had three non-battle deaths, but we had zero battle deaths due to combat operations,” he said. Iraqi forces are doing well in dealing with... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419190/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:31:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419187/posts WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2010 – The new year brought a new command to Iraq as Multinational Forces Iraq furled its colors, replaced by U.S. Forces Iraq during a ceremony at the al-Faw Palace in Baghdad. The new command “represents another important milestone in the drawdown of American forces,” said Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of U.S. Central Command during the ceremony. American forces will draw down by more than half in the next eight months. There are currently 110,000 U.S. servicemembers in Iraq today. By the end of August that number will be below 50,000, Petraeus said. Petraeus... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419187/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:29:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419184/posts WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2010 – The U.S. Central Command chief put the Al-Qaida threat in Yemen in perspective during a news conference in Baghdad today. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus praised the Yemeni government for taking on the al-Qaida threat in the country. “The Yemeni president and parliament take this threat very seriously,” he said. “And that is of enormous significance, especially in a country facing such challenges.” Al-Qaida has moved into the area, because they have sustained defeats in other areas, he said. Al-Qaida had operated in Saudi Arabia, but the Saudis cracked down on the group and forced... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419184/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:25:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419173/posts U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan “are not winning yet, but we are going to win,” Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, told Stars and Stripes in an interview Friday. But the general said it was not possible to say how long it will take to achieve victory, which he defined as a situation where “the insurgency is not an existential threat to the government or the people” of Afghanistan. He added that protecting civilians remains the goal of the allied counterinsurgency strategy. “There’s no way to put an exact timeline on it, because as... Stars and Stripes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419173/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:11:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419035/posts Maj. Matt Ciancarelli (left), the Civil Affairs Group officer for 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, talks to one of the teachers of the Kharko School, Garmsir, Afghanistan, just before the opening ceremony Dec. 27, 2009. The Marines of the CAG, 2/2, helped hold an opening ceremony for the school after 45 days of repairs and five years of closure due to earlier fighting in the area. (U.S. Marines photo by Lance Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson) Ayoub Omar (left), assistant district governor of Garmsir, Afghanistan, hands a key over to and shakes the hand of Habib Omar, the head of the... ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419035/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 17:57:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419026/posts PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – An Afghan National Army Soldier unloads supplies during a combined civil assistance mission Dec. 29, while local citizens look on. The mission was a combined effort between U.S. Army Soldiers and their ANA counterparts to bring blankets, cooking stoves, food items, shoes and winter jackets to local citizens. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew A. Reagan, 304th Public Affairs Detachment) By U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew A. Reagan304th Public Affairs Detachment PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan –  Afghan National Army Soldiers from the 203rd Thunder Corps, their counterparts from the Gardez Provincial Reconstruction team, and U.S. Soldiers assigned to... ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419026/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 17:44:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418709/posts 12/31/2009 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- When the crewmembers of 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight first deployed to Kandahar Airfield in August, they knew they would be transporting many wounded warriors throughout Afghanistan. What they didn't expect was to be transporting some of those patients in nothing but their underwear. Hospitals here just had no clothing available. "These guys are giving their lives, their buddies are dying, some of them are giving their limbs in combat, and I think they deserve to be treated much better than being transported in just their underwear," said Master Sgt. Scott Wilkes, a 451st... Air Force News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418709/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:38:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418704/posts 12/31/2009 - CAMP UR, Iraq (AFNS) -- Firefighters from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are bringing the goal of independent Iraqi operations to reality at Camp Ur, Iraq. In December, Ali Base firefighters assisted their Iraqi counterparts toward self-sufficiency through numerous training sessions and skills tests. With the assistance of Air Force Logistics Military Advisory Team personnel, Airmen from the 407th ECES Fire Department visited firefighters at Camp Ur throughout the month training them in the latest firefighting techniques and proper driving, care and maintenance of a new 46,000 pound fire truck, recently provided to them. The Iraqis are... Air Force News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418704/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:31:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418700/posts 12/31/2009 - CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- A team of Airmen handles thousands of passengers, pallets and vehicles flying into Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. The 'Port Dawgs,' as they liked to be called, proudly proclaim that they move as much cargo here as their unit does back home. But they have approximately 15 people instead of 200 handling the thousands of passengers and tons of cargo arriving monthly at the air field. The team is comprised of aerial porters, vehicle maintainers and leadership primarily deployed from Pope Air Force Base, N.C. They work loading and unloading cargo coming to the U.S.... Air Force News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418700/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:24:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418695/posts KABUL, Dec. 31, 2009 – Afghan and international security forces captured suspected militants and seized weapons in Afghanistan yesterday, military officials reported. A combined force captured suspected militants in Kandahar province while pursuing a Taliban district commander. Also in Kandahar, a combined force detained a suspected militant while searching for a Taliban commander. Meanwhile, a combined force found two 20-pound jugs of explosives in Helmand province’s Garm Ser district. The explosives were destroyed and no one was injured. In Kandahar province’s Panjwa district, a combined force discovered five artillery rounds tied together with wires in a sack. Also in the... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418695/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:11:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418680/posts CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq, Dec. 31, 2009 – Army Staff Sgt. Brain K. Pascual likes to get out and tell soldiers about their re-enlistment options as part of his work as a career counselor in Iraq. Army Staff Sgt. Brian K. Pascual, career counselor, discusses career options with Army Spc. Devin D. Lowder. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Maurice A. Galloway  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Assigned to the 308th Brigade Support Battalion, 17th Fires Brigade, Pascual is one of 70 Army career counselors deployed throughout Multinational Force Iraq. The Waipahu, Hawaii, native has met his retention goals... Face of Defense http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418680/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:53:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418679/posts HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Dec. 31, 2009 – Walking off the loading ramp of a C-17 cargo plane and into vibrant sunlight, members of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment arrived at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Dec. 15. Marines and sailors with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment disembark a C-17 cargo plane at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2009, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. For many of the junior Marines and sailors of 1/6, this is their first deployment, and in many cases their first time outside of the United States. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The Marines... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418679/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:50:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418676/posts WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2009 – Building partnerships and understanding the nature of Afghanistan and its people are keys to achieving success in that country, the commander of NATO’s Joint Command in Kabul said. In an interview with Stars and Stripes reporter Heath Druzin, Army Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez re-emphasized the role that building relationships plays in the new Afghan strategy. U.S. and NATO strategy is to build capabilities in Afghan security forces, Rodriguez said. And, having U.S. and NATO troops serve side by side with Afghan security forces, he said, builds trust and serves as a link to the Afghan... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418676/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:47:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418666/posts JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq, Dec. 31, 2009 – Members of the U.S. Air Force Theater Hospital here are training Iraqi defense ministry medical personnel as part of the new American-Iraqi Air Medical Evacuation and Medical Provider Training Course. The training enables Iraqis to study burn care as well as to observe and practice proper medical evacuation techniques. Classes are scheduled every two weeks. Topics vary to achieve the goal of helping the Iraqi Ministry of Defense strengthen its military medical program. “The ultimate goal of this military-military medical capacity-building program is to help establish an Iraqi military air medical evacuation... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418666/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:35:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418039/posts Four Canadian soldiers and one Canadian reporter killed and five injured in an IED strikeCEFCOM NR - 09.034 - December 30, 2009OTTAWA – Four Canadian soldiers and one Canadian reporter embedded with Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) were killed, while four other Canadian soldiers and one Canadian civilian official were injured in an IED incident in Kandahar province, on Wednesday December 30, 2009. The incident occurred 4 km south of Kandahar City at approximately 4:00 p.m., Kandahar time, Wednesday afternoon as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on an armoured vehicle during a patrol. We will not release... DND/Canadian Forces http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418039/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:54:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418016/posts <Members of the Iraqi Police hand out book bags with school supplies for Iraqi schoolchildren during a combined humanitarian mission in the Faylaq neighborhood of Kirkuk, Dec. 22. Photo by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs, 1st Armored Division. KIRKUK — To help with their education, three hundred Iraqi children near here in the village of Faylaq were treated to a surprise donation of school necessities, Dec. 22. In an effort to improve education here, Iraqi Police and members of the Atyah Women's Organization (AWO), assisted by Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, donated the school supplies for the children.This humanitarian... Multi-National Force-Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418016/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:16:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418012/posts KIRKUK — To better understand the root cause of domestic violence, Iraqi Police, Pena Women's Cultural Center members and U.S forces conducted a meeting on the subject here, Dec. 21. Domestic violence is any form of physical, non-physical or sexual abuse, which takes place either in or outside of the home, according to James, a law-enforcement specialist working with 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment. At this meeting the participants discussed how the IP could better deal with victims reporting domestic violence, causes of domestic violence, the cycle of violence, different support services and the effects of domestic violence on children,... Multi-National Force-Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418012/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:11:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418011/posts Col. Noyat, an officer in the Kirkuk Emergency Services Unit, presents the plans for Operation Lion Dragon Hunt to ESU members, recently. The ESU, with U.S. advisors, conducted the raid that led to the capture of 20 people in the area who did not possess proper identification. Photo by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs, 1st Armored Division. KIRKUK — Brig. Gen. Khatub Umer Aref recently led more than 400 Iraqi Emergency Service Unit “Lions” in Operation Lion Dragon Hunt here, proving the skill, determination and professionalism of his unit.The Lions had assistance from Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry, attached to 1st... Multi-National Force-Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418011/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:08:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418007/posts 12/30/2009 - CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- More than 330 Iraqi air force recruits marched in a parade before beginning their initial basic military course Dec. 28, at Camp Taji, Iraq. Normally recruits attend the 12-week BMT course at the Iraqi Army Regional Training Center prior to reporting to the air force training school on Camp Taji for a course called BMT Top Off. However, the RTC did not have the capacity to house the recruits until January 2010. Instead of sending the recruits home, Master Sgt. Paula Gaffney, a BMT instructor and Air Force advisor, suggested they have the BMT... Air Force News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418007/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:03:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418002/posts 12/30/2009 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Members of the Air Force Theater Hospital took the first step in partnering with members of Iraq's Ministry of Defense Hospital Dec. 22, to form the American-Iraqi Air Medical Evacuation and Medical Provider Training Course here. The first installment of training allowed the Iraqis to study burn care as well as practice proper medical evacuation techniques when transporting patients. Classes are scheduled for every two weeks, and topics will vary to achieve the goal of helping Ministry of Defense officials establish a stronger medical program. "We had to come up with a program... Air Force News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418002/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:58:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417999/posts 12/30/2009 - AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNS) -- A handful of Airmen attached to the base command group work with Sailors to maintain the infrastructure of buildings, feed troops, provide shelter and ensure basic needs are met at this remote Marine base. The BCG comprises servicemembers from varied career fields who oversee the day-to-day upkeep of the base. "Our mission in Al Asad is compared to a city mayor," said Senior Master Sgt. Maria Kraft, the BCG facilities management chief, who is deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Ill. "We are responsible for all the roads, maintaining the infrastructure... Air Force http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417999/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:50:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417991/posts 12/30/2009 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) -- U.S. servicemembers hosted busloads of Iraqi children for a day of fun, games and culture sharing Dec. 19, 2009, as part of the ongoing base effort to directly engage the local populace here. The event marked the fifth of its kind in the last four months, each one focused on educating and entertaining local youths. The engagements began in late August, when medical professionals invited about 30 local kids to the base for a health and wellness fair. In early October, base officials began expanding and standardizing the "Iraqi Kids Day" program,... Air Force http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417991/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:43:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417981/posts WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2009 – Several militants were killed as coalition forces responded to an insurgent attack against Afghan soldiers and police in Afghanistan’s Baghlan Jadid district yesterday, military officials reported. Two Afghan National Service members were killed during the initial insurgent attack. No civilians or international forces were injured or killed. In other news, International Security Assistance Force members patrolling the Reg-e-Khan-Neshin district of Helmand province yesterday detained several suspected insurgents and confiscated weaponry. Seized items included 15 rocket-propelled grenades, three hand grenades, a machine gun with 500 rounds, six handheld radios, a satellite phone and five insurgent manuals.... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417981/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:33:58 GMT