Free Republic

April 30, 2009 Imagine being able to pinpoint an enemy shooter in difficult terrain with such deadly accuracy that you can see whether they are kneeling or standing and not only what kind of weapon they are firing but the caliber too. Well, engineers at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS) have developed such a system by turning soldiers' combat helmets into "smart nodes" in a wireless sensor network. The ISIS location system ISIS has developed the technology with the support of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency and Vanderbilt University has patented the system's key elements. The...

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2006 – Coalition forces in Iraq, acting on intelligence reports, located and killed two al Qaeda associates on May 17, U.S. military officials in Baghdad reported today. The al Qaeda associates were involved in targeting Iraqis, and Iraqi Security and coalition forces. Officials did not indicate where the terrorists were killed. One terrorist, Abu Ahad, managed foreign fighter facilitation, and also provided some command and control between several terrorist cells operating throughout the vicinities of Fallujah, Baghdad, Yusifiyah, Taji and Mahmudiyah. The name of the other al Qaeda member killed in the raid is unknown, but intelligence...

BAGHDAD – After a rocket attack in east Baghdad Oct. 31 killed one Iraqi and wounded three others, U.S. Soldiers arrived at the scene to determine from where the rocket may have been launched. Local Iraqi police evacuated the wounded and secured the site as Iraqi firefighters doused fires caused by the explosions. Task Force Baghdad Soldiers investigated the scene and questioned local residents at the suspected launch site of the rockets. “The Iraqi Police responded very quickly to this terrorist attack,” said Lt. Col. Edward Chesney, deputy commanding officer, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “It is impossible...

Texas Creates DNA Database To Identify Missing Persons Texas' new missing persons DNA database is generating a fresh sense of hope for people involved in the search for missing persons, including families worried about a missing loved one, detectives and medical examiners. The DNA Identity Lab at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth developed the database over the past two years and started accepting DNA samples Jan. 1, 2003. Its staff of forensic geneticists will use a direct link to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to expand the search beyond Texas' borders. The lab's forensic...