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The NHS has begun rationing common surgical procedures such as hip replacements and cataracts removal in an effort to save money, it was revealed yesterday. New figures have found one in three Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England are reducing access to treatment for “non-urgent” operations. Examples of rationing include knee operations only being allowed to go ahead where patients are in severe pain, overweight patients being made to lose weight prior to procedures, and cataract patients being denied treatment until their sight problems seriously affect their ability to work. Chris Naylor, a senior researcher at the health think tank...

Hawaii, USA — Members of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (G Coy, 2 RCR) joined the US Marines for six weeks in a unique training environment. G Coy, which holds the non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) task, came to the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) to participate in Exercise RIMPAC. No Club MedThe PTA is located on the Big Island of Hawaii between Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Hualalai volcanoes. The extremely rough, austere area is made of old lava fields and hills where, even in the heat of the Hawaiian summer, the morning temperature is around 8ËšC...

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2010 – Military officials have provided details on numerous recent operations in Afghanistan. -- An Afghan-international security force detained two suspected insurgents in Helmand province last night while pursuing a Taliban commander with ties to an insurgent network operating in southern Arghandab district of Kandahar province. The force found 5 pounds of heroin during the operation and protected women and children who were present. -- Afghan and international forces detained several suspected insurgents in the Tagab district of Kapisa province last night while pursuing a Taliban commander directly linked to a September 2008 ambush that wounded three...

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2010 – The commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Afghanistan has made changes to improve command and control in the key province of Helmand. Army Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez also spoke about the civil-military cooperation and lessons learned from the Marja campaign in Helmand. A Marine battalion will replace British forces in the strategic town of Sangin along the Helmand River, Rodriguez said during a teleconference with Pentagon reporters today. “The British are committing their theater reserve for the next several months into the central Helmand River valley to increase the security...

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2010 – Afghan and international security forces conducted combined operations in Afghanistan’s Ghazni, Helmand and Logar provinces last night, detaining a Taliban commander and several suspected insurgents, military officials reported. An Afghan-international force detained two suspected insurgents in Ghazni while pursuing a Taliban facilitator responsible for providing money, munitions and guidance to the Taliban and to the Haqqani terrorist organization’s networks in Ghazni and Paktika provinces. The security force went to a compound in the Gelan district, and Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for the occupants to come out of the buildings before the combined...

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2010 – Afghan and international security forces conducted numerous operations last night, capturing a Taliban district chief and killing or capturing numerous other insurgents, military officials reported. A combined Afghan-international force captured the Taliban district chief of Now Zad and killed a large number of insurgents during an operation in Helmand province’s remote Baghran district. Numerous insurgents engaged the combined force with rocket propelled grenades and machine gun fire as the force approached a compound outside the village of Kariz-e Adamkhan. Throughout a four-hour fire fight, insurgent forces tried to use homemade bombs against the security force....

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2010 – Precision air strikes, a pitched battle with insurgents in Kunar province and the killing or capture of key enemy fighters highlight recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials reported. A precision air strike called in by a combined Afghan-international security force killed several insurgents, including a Haqqani terrorist network roadside-bomb cell leader, while the insurgents were planting a roadside bomb in Khost province last night. After international forces confirmed insurgent activity and that no civilians were at risk, they called for the air strike as the terrorist cell members were planting the bomb on a main...

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2010 – Military officials in Afghanistan have provided details of various recent operations that resulted in enemy fighters being killed or captured. -- A combined Afghan-international security force in Khost province’s Sabari district captured several Haqqani terrorism network commanders and other individuals last night and early this morning. The Haqqani network facilitators are believed to be responsible for planning and executing bombing attacks and militant operations against coalition forces, supplying weapons and directing attacks in Khost’s Sabari and Yaqubi districts. -- A separate Afghan-international force detained several individuals suspected of militant activity in Farah province’s Gulistan district...

COB ADDER – As the United States continues to prepare for the eventual withdraw of forces from Iraq, its service members are focused on training Iraqi Security Forces to assume the responsibility of securing their nation. To that end, a group of Iraqi Commandos and members of the Iraqi Tactical Support Unit received training here throughout April, when Soldiers with the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade provided instruction on helicopter insertion techniques. The training, conducted with the help of two U.S. Special Forces Soldiers, was supervised by the 12th CAB's plans section. Capt. Igan O'Reilly, a coordinator for the section, said...

Since 2000 a total of 853 men have gone under the knife to become women while in the same time span 12 women have had an operation to become a man. Back in 2000 there were just 54 sex change operations carried out in the country while last year the figure stood at 143.

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2010 – International Security Assistance Force Joint Command officials in Afghanistan provided details on various operations conducted in Afghanistan in recent days: -- A combined Afghan-international patrol stopped a vehicle and found 1,600 pounds of hashish in Helmand province’s Registan district yesterday. Two people in the vehicle were detained. They admitted their intent was to deliver the drugs to Taliban members in Barham Chah, and that the route the combined forced was traveling was a main drug-smuggling conduit. -- An ISAF patrol found three 82mm mortar rounds in the Garm Ser district of Helmand province today. --...

CORONADO, Calif., March 5, 2010 – Addressing a group of Navy SEALs here yesterday, the nation’s top military officer said history would show the decisive contributions provided by special operations troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses sailors assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group 1 in Coronado, Calif., March 4, 2010. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “I actually believe that when the story is told someday in history that the role of special forces in these wars will...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2010 – Afghan and international forces killed or detained suspected militants and found bomb-making materials, narcotics and weapons in recent operations, military officials reported. A combined Afghan and international security force searched a compound in Kandahar province yesterday after confirmed reports of militant activity and captured a Taliban facilitator and other insurgents suspected of bomb and suicide attacks. In Logar province last night, a force searched a compound, detained suspected insurgents and recovered explosive materials. A combined force killed several insurgents while searching for a terrorist cell commander in a rural house in Paktika province yesterday. The...

Under the shift in strategy, the teams now focus on targeting key Taliban figures rather than mainly hunting Al Qaeda leaders and have increased the number of raids they conduct, officials say. Reporting from Washington - The U.S. military command has quietly shifted and intensified the mission of clandestine special operations forces in Afghanistan, senior officials said, targeting key figures within the Taliban, rather than almost exclusively hunting Al Qaeda leaders.

New York State’s Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund hasn’t been all that dedicated. Since 1991, only 34.9 percent of the money in the fund went directly toward the repair and improvement of the state’s deteriorating roads and bridges. And over the next four years, that will shrink to about one fifth. It’s supposed to be a “locked box,” but apparently the lock wasn’t very strong. If only one-third of the money in the Highway and Bridge Trust Fund has actually been used to pay for highways and bridges, the question, is, where did the money go? The answer is...

9/3/2009 - CAMP UR, Iraq (AFNS) -- Operations continue as normal at Camp Ur. The focus remains the same: keep the base running and the mission on target. Iraqi army soldiers routinely work with their U.S. counterparts, but one important difference now is that the Iraqis have taken command of the controls. "It's a historic time for anyone serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom," said Lt. Col. Steven Ramsay, the Tallil Logistics Military Advisory Team senior adviser. "We have committed to turning over all operations to the Iraqi people and they are committed to taking over and succeeding." Colonel Ramsay and...

On the frontline with British troops in Afghanistan As Afghanistan prepares for an election, award-winning photographer Sean Smith, stationed with British troops during Operation Panther's Claw, finds many soldiers becoming frustrated at the inexperience and lack of discipline of the Afghan National Army. guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 18 August 2009 video at link etc

8/12/2009 - CAMP BUCCA, Iraq (AFNS) -- A ceremony was held to mark the end of Air Force participation in visitation operations at Camp Bucca's theater internment facility as the Army assumed responsibility of the mission Aug. 10 here. More than 120 Airmen from the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron were recognized for bringing detainees and their family members together. Army Lt. Col. Brad Bishop, 168th Military Police Battalion commander, presided over the ceremony, handing out certificates of appreciation and coins to thank the Airmen for their service. "I cannot tell you how much we appreciate the job well done...

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind., June 12, 2009 – Civilian employees representing various federal departments are being trained here alongside their military counterparts in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. Army Sgt. Carlos Velasquez radios for medical assistance while Air Force Senior Airman Ashley Jackson delivers medical aid during a training exercise at Camp Atterbury Ind., June 9, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Robert G. Cooper III  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. As part of a broader focus of operations in Afghanistan designed to include both military and civilian assets, more than 20 civilians from the State Department, the Agriculture...

MOSUL — Iraqi Police gathered with their counterparts from the Iraqi National Police and Iraqi Army at the 3rd Iraqi Police Division’s new operations center for a situational update briefing on the morning of May 26. The IP realized they could leverage significant operational gains with their own operations center to conduct mission planning and tracking, while working with key personnel from the Iraqi Army and Iraqi National Police. "[The Iraqi Police] recognize that they need to work together with the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi National Police. To do that, they needed a functional operations center from which they...

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2009 – Defense leaders are “clearly pleased” to see the Pakistani military take action against increasingly emboldened Taliban forces, and have offered additional support if Pakistan’s government will accept it to promote a sustained effort, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and others have expressed “a very real concern” about the eroding security situation in Pakistan in recent weeks, Morrell told reporters. “They and others in this building were clearly pleased to see the Pakistan military take the initiative over the...

Taleban militants operating in Pakistan's Swat region who agreed a peace deal with the government have expanded operations into nearby Buner. Dozens of militants have been streaming into bordering Buner to take over mosques and government offices. Buner is part of the Malakand region, which has just seen the implementation of Sharia law under the peace deal. But the Taleban have mainly operated in Swat, where they fought the army from August 2007 until this year's deal. Under the deal the Taleban were expected to disarm. Buner district is only about 100km (62 miles) from the capital, Islamabad. Mian Iftikhar...

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 20, 2009 – Special operations troops here delivered gifts from Americans to Afghans that some say are as important as their combat missions. A young Afghan girl proudly stands with her new bag of school supplies, clothing and toys given to her by troops of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan. The troops stopped by a Bagram elementary school to deliver the gifts March 15, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jamey Trigg   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “We are in Afghanistan to rebuild the country and, in my opinion, we need...

Soldiers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division subdue and place flexi-cuffs on Pvt. Tony Steward, a U.S. Military Policeman, during detainee operations training at the division’s headquarters, March 11. Photo by Sgt. Rodney Foliente, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs. CAMP ECHO — U.S. Military Police conducted detainee operations training for Iraqi Army (IA) Soldiers here, March 11.The class, a refresher course for some of the Iraqi Soldiers and initial training for others, was an effort to bring them all to the same level so they can train their fellow troops.“The purpose of today’s training was to provide the Iraqis with...

Iraqi Air Force Maj. Rahman Abd Alkarem, pilot with the Iraqi Air Force Squadron 2, takes a last look outside of a helicopter before closing the door at Al Taji Air Base, Sept. 12, 2008. Photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Villanueva II, U.S. Air Forces Central. TAJI AIR BASE — Iraqi helicopter aircrews are increasingly in demand as Iraqi security forces assume responsibility of their nation's security from their American counterparts. Four Iraqi Air Force squadrons train to conduct helicopter operations here, using UH-1 Hueys and Mi-17 Hips. The Iraqi Air Force's 15th Squadron trains its pilots for special operations,...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2008 – The Coast Guard is testing and compiling initial lessons learned from its ongoing Arctic operations, a senior officer said last week. “It became obvious to me 18 months to two years ago that with the retreat of the multiyear polar sea ice, the Coast Guard was going to have to do more than it had in the past to provide maritime safety and security to northern and western Alaska, the Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort Sea,” Coast Guard Rear Adm. Arthur E. Brooks, commander of the 17th Coast Guard District, told bloggers and online journalists...

...the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School is not even “a pygmy in the lineup of TRADOC schools.” JFKSWCS is missing from the TRADOC listing of branch centers and schools altogether. It is an orphan, with neither guidance nor funding from the U. S. Army organization designed to support it. ***Snip**** ...senior Army leaders have crippled Special Forces doctrine, organization, training, material acquisition, leadership development, personnel management, facilities, and maintenance. “Center and School” is becoming a hollow title; SWCS is being degraded to the equivalent of Ranger School....

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2008 – Coalition forces killed an undetermined number of militants and detained 29 in Afghanistan's Helmand and Khowst provinces over the past two days. In Helmand province, coalition forces were conducing searches of several compounds in the Reg District yesterday when militants engaged them with small-arms fire. Coalition forces returned fire, killing an undetermined number of attackers and later detaining 22 militants accused of conducting anti-government operations. The soldiers also found several AK-47 rifles, ammunition vests, ammunition, mines, artillery shells, bomb-making materials and grenades. They were destroyed or removed. In Khowst, Afghan and coalition forces killed several...

The Romans carried out cataract ops By Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC News An eye stamp: the equivalent of the modern medicine label Think of the Roman legacy to Britain and many things spring to mind - straight roads, under-floor heating, aqueducts and public baths. But they were also pioneers in the health arena - particularly in the area of eye care, with remedies for various eye conditions such as short-sightedness and conjunctivitis. Perhaps most surprisingly of all is that the Romans - and others from ancient times, including the Chinese, Indians and Greeks - were also able also to...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 2007 – Establishing proper maintenance procedures and operations processes is as important as providing power plants, hospitals and other infrastructure in Iraq, a senior U.S. military engineer said today. The United States has contributed almost $14 billion toward Iraq’s rebuilding effort, including nearly 4,000 projects designed to help improve the country’s infrastructure and central services, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey J. Dorko, commanding general for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division, told reporters at a Baghdad news conference. Yet, improving the state of Iraq’s infrastructure isn’t only about providing “brick and mortar” items like roads, bridges,...

BAQUBA — After three months of close mentorship with an advisory team from the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, the Diyala Operations Command has been validated to take the lead on security operations within Diyala province, just north of Baghdad. The Diyala Operations Command (DOC) is a headquarters unit charged with the synchronization of Iraqi Army, Police and other security forces operating in the province. Previously, the DOC received direction from the 25th Infantry Division, which commands Multi-National Division-North, encompassing all of northern Iraq, from the outskirts of Baghdad to the northern Iraqi border with Turkey. With this validation, the...

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals and detained 19 suspected terrorists during operations Wednesday in central and northern parts of Iraq. Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during an operation west of Tikrit who is believed to be an associate of several terrorist leaders operating throughout the Tigris River Valley. The suspect is allegedly responsible for the movement of weapons from outside of Iraq to safe houses in the area. As Coalition forces arrived at the target area, the wanted individual surrendered to the ground force and was detained without incident. In southern Baghdad, Coalition forces captured...

Australian Forces Assume Maritime Security Operations United States turns over Combined Task Force 158 responsibilities. From Combined Task Force 158 Public Affairs NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain, Sept. 28, 2007 — Royal Australian Navy Commodore Allan du Toit relieved Rear Adm. Garry E. Hall as commander of Combined Task Force 158 during a ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sept. 27. "I am honored to have been in command of this task force. The coalition forces have done an excellent job of providing security to the oil platforms and training the Iraqi forces."Rear Adm. Garry E. Hall Command of CTF...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2007 – In recent weeks, Iraqi security forces have been proving their effectiveness and expanded capability in operations that are increasingly yielding results, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said today. (Video) Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner, speaking to reporters in Baghdad, highlighted several recent operations by Iraqi forces, including the discovery of a large weapons cache, the thwarting of several car bombs, and the prevention of a carjacking and kidnapping involving two busloads of Iraqi citizens. Violence has increased in the past few days, but that was expected because, historically, the Islam holy month of Ramadan...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2007 – Coalition forces disrupted al Qaeda operations in Iraq with a series of raids today, killing a terrorist leader and detaining more than 25 other individuals suspected of being al Qaeda members and associates. Coalition forces killed the military emir of Tarmiyah, who officials said was responsible for directing attacks against coalition forces and Iraqi civilians in the area, and another armed man. When ground forces conducting the raid moved toward the target building, they saw an armed man in a neighboring house maneuvering into position to engage the assault force. Responding in defense against the...

SAMARRA — Paratroopers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, have been patrolling and operating in Samarra for more than one year and recently supported the Iraqi security forces in a clearing operation to rid the city of the al-Qaida presence terrorizing Samarra and its citizens. The operation was dubbed “Operation Jalil” in honor of Col. Jalil Nahi Hasoun, Samarra’s former police chief, who was killed May 6, 2007, during a suicide car bomb attack. The operation led Maj. Gen. Rashid al-Helfy, commander of Iraqi security forces in Samarra, his men, and paratroopers of Company C to the...

BAGHDAD — Iraqi and Coalition forces are pursuing extremist leaders in Iraq’s remote areas in coordinated “quick strikes” launched this week, the commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq told Pentagon reporters Saturday. Operation Phantom Strike is a series of joint operations that extend from Operation Phantom Thunder, a corps-level offensive that began in June targeting al-Qaeda, Sunni insurgents and Shiia extremists in, near and around Baghdad, said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno. “With the elimination of safe havens and support zones due to Phantom Thunder, al-Qaeda and Shiite extremists have been forced into ever-shrinking areas. It is my intent to...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2007 – Denying the enemy sanctuary is the major capability brought to bear by surge forces in Iraq, a commander in the region said today. “We do believe the enemy is on the run,” said Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, Multinational Division Central and 3rd Infantry Division commander, as he spoke with “bloggers” and online journalists. “We’ve had a good effect; we’ve killed or captured more than 500 of the enemy in those sanctuaries.” Using combined artillery, aviation and ground forces since major surge operations kicked off in mid-June, Lynch said, his troops have completed operations “Marne...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2007 – Coalition forces detained six men during an operation in Afghanistan’s Paktia province today, military officials reported. Intelligence reports led coalition forces to compounds suspected of housing violent extremist militants, where they found grenades, blasting caps, an ammunition vest and a firing device during a search. “Coalition forces will continue to root out militants whose activities threaten the peace and stability of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokeswoman. In operations yesterday, elements of 1st Brigade, 207th Afghan National Army Corps, advised by coalition forces,...

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2007 – Coalition forces continue to kill and detain suspected terrorists and discover weapons caches during ongoing missions within Operation Phantom Thunder, a large-scale operation targeting al Qaeda strongholds in and around Baghdad. Two coordinated operations in Mosul today targeted a Kurdish extremist known for helping al Qaeda in Iraq facilitate foreign fighters and conduct financial and media operations, military officials reported. While troops maneuvered through a targeted building, an armed man engaged them with small-arms fire, endangering the force and the innocent family members. Coalition forces defended themselves, the women and the children by killing the...

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2007 – Afghan and coalition forces detained 19 suspected militants, killed two dozen enemy fighters and discovered numerous enemy weapons during operations in Afghanistan over the past three days, military officials reported. In operations today, Afghan and coalition forces detained 10 militants in an operation against Taliban forces in the Qalat district of Zabul province. Coalition forces acted on credible intelligence that led them to the suspected Taliban hideout, officials said. As forces began the operation, two men fled the scene with a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher and three grenades. Coalition forces fired warning shots and apprehended the two...

WASHINGTON - President George W Bush has given the CIA approval to launch covert "black" operations to achieve regime change in Iran, intelligence sources have revealed. Mr Bush has signed an official document endorsing CIA plans for a propaganda and disinformation campaign intended to destabilise, and eventually topple, the theocratic rule of the mullahs. Under the plan, pressure will be brought to bear on the Iranian economy by manipulating the country's currency and international financial transactions. Details have also emerged of a covert scheme to sabotage the Iranian nuclear programme. Security officials in Washington have disclosed that Teheran has been...

TEHRAN - A former Iranian ambassador has provided intriguing details about US covert operations inside Iran aimed at destabilizing the country and toppling the regime. "The Iranian government knows and is aware of such infiltration. It means that the Iranian government has identified the covert operatives," said the former diplomat. The ex-Foreign Ministry official said the agents being used by the US "were originally Iranians and not Americans" possibly recruited through US embassies in Dubai and Ankara...

Soldiers in Baqubah use smoke as concealment to move through the neighborhood of Buhriz, Iraq, April 10. Soldiers with Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division took part in a three-day battalion-sized effort to clear the Buhriz neighborhood of terrorists. After the operation, Soldiers along with Iraqi police and Iraqi army continued to maintain a presence in the neighborhood to maintain security for the local people. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. TIKRIT — Iraqi and Coalition forces continued operations in Buhriz, Iraq, Monday, clearing the...

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2007 – The recent security crackdown in Baghdad has not pushed violence into other parts of Iraq, despite various “high-profile attacks” that might indicate the opposite, a senior U.S. military officer said here today. “Our analyses show that, with the exception of some high-profile attacks in Mosul, Tal Afar and Kirkuk, the cycle of violence in Baghdad does not appear to have spread to other areas,” Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, the Joint Staff’s deputy director for regional operations, told reporters during a Pentagon news conference on U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the...

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2007 – U.S. and Iraqi security forces continued clearing operations in Baghdad today, while other coalition and Iraqi security forces discovered and destroyed several enemy weapons caches in the past few days, officials said. Nearly 1,600 U.S. and Iraqi security forces teamed up for a second day of anti-terrorist operations in Baghdad’s Mansour district, officials said. During this sweep, U.S. soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Division’s 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team rescued a kidnap victim. The soldiers also found a weapons cache that yielded several AK-47 rifles, ammunition, mortar rounds and other ordnance. Also today, U.S....

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2007 – Coalition and Afghan forces arrested four people this morning during an operation targeting a known terrorist safe house, military officials reported. The combined force arrested four military-age men with suspected ties to extremist groups believed to be involved in facilitating the movement of anti-government fighters. Official said some were discovered with large amounts of ammunition and currency. Afghan forces, escorted by the local imam, questioned some men who had recently arrived from Pakistan and were staying in the local mosque. Coalition forces remained outside the mosque during the operation. No shots were fired during...

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2007 – Although recent operations to secure Baghdad are off to a good start, Americans must be patient in expecting progress, a senior coalition spokesman said in Baghdad today. It will take several months before all additional coalition forces arrive in the Iraqi capital, Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said. Operation Enforcing the Law will take time to implement, Caldwell said during a news conference with Iraqi Brig. Gen. Kassim Atta al-Moussawi, an Iraqi military spokesman. “Two of the five additional United States brigades have arrived and are currently operating inside Baghdad,” Caldwell said. “The third...

CAMP LIBERTY -- A combined force of Iraqi Police and Multi-National Division-Baghdad troops completed a second day of security operations at the eastern Baghdad district of Sadr City Monday. Members of the 82nd Airborne DivisionÂ’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team and the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division conducted security operations with their Iraqi counterparts and reported no hostile contact for a second day in an area known to be a stronghold of Muqtada al-Sadr, the extremist leader of rogue elements known for extra-judicial killings and attacks against Coalition forces. Some residents seemed genuinely pleased to see the...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2007 – U.S. troops conducted a medical support operation at a school and Polish soldiers handed out humanitarian supplies in two separate operations over the past three days in Iraq. U.S. soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, and the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, both part of the, 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, conducted a medical support operation at the Ahmed Suhel School in Al Taraq, Iraq, Feb. 22. Although the school offered a comfortable atmosphere, terrorists tried to disrupt the day's activities with small arms fire and a rocket-propelled grenade attack. But...