Free Republic

FALLUJAH -- The war in Iraq is changing gears and taking a new direction; the battles are now fought by Iraqi forces with Coalition assistance. Coalition forces are working on a daily basis with Iraqi Security Forces on patrols, as well as conducting operations in support of ISF. The Iraqi Army’s 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, patrolled its area of operation recently to gather intelligence for future operations. The IA was supported by a fire team of Marines from a Military Transition Team during the patrol. “We did a dismounted patrol and headed south to one of...

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2006 -- Under the clear, morning skies of a promising new day in Baghdad, the 1st Cavalry Division took the reins for Multinational Division Baghdad from the 4th Infantry Division during a transfer of authority ceremony here today. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., left, commanding general of 1st Cavalry Division; Army Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, center, commanding general of Multinational Corps Iraq; and Army Maj. Gen. James D. Thurman, commanding general of 4th Infantry Division, salute the American flag during the national anthem at a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp...

DENVER - Colorado should not wait for the federal government to stop illegal immigration but should implement its own plans, Gov. Bill Owens said Wednesday. The Republican governor told the Joint Budget Committee, which held hearings Wednesday to discuss the cost of illegal immigration, that Colorado spends about $560 million a year educating illegal immigrants and their U.S.-born children, who are legal citizens. He said that the cost falls most heavily on local governments and that the federal government is doing little to help. "I wish the federal government were a better ally," said Owens, who has strongly supported President...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan, March 13, 2006 – The 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division - known as the Spartans - assumed authority for the coalition's Regional Command East from the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in a ceremony here today. Army Col. John W. Nicholson Jr. of Task Force Spartan took responsibility for coalition forces in the region's 11 eastern provinces from Army Col. Patrick J. Donahue of Task Force Devil. Civil and military leaders, servicemembers, base employees, contractors and visitors attended the ceremony. Gov. Marijadeen Patan of Khowst province, Afghan National Army Gen. Mohammad Achram...

AL ANBAR, Iraq (Oct. 5, 2005) -- The 6th Civil Affairs Group has taken over operations from 5th CAG and has constructed additional plans for the future of Iraq's economic development. Health care, education, electricity and water works, and many other facets essential to the infrastructure of the country are already under way. "The work done by 5th CAG was a great stepping stone to further governance in Al Anbar," said Col. Miles Burdine, government suport team commanding officer. "We are taking some of their initiatives and adding our own to help rebuild the government and encourage Iraqi leadership to...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's political team is moving to take over his special election campaign after last week's court ruling that allows politicians to raise unlimited money for ballot measure efforts at the same time they fully control them. Before a Sacramento court judge ruled in Schwarzenegger's favor, his political committee was limited to how much it could raise from individual donors. A business committee with close ties to the Republican governor could raise unlimited funds as long as Schwarzenegger didn't direct its activities. "Any advantage the Democrats thought they'd have because of the bifurcated nature of the campaign has evaporated,"...

SACRAMENTO – The state budget battle could be affected by an initiative aimed at next year's March ballot that would allow Democratic legislators to pass a state budget and tax increases without Republican votes. A coalition of public-interest groups and labor unions is sponsoring the initiative, which would lower the requirement for approving a state budget and related tax increases from two-thirds to a 55-percent vote of the Legislature. The "Budget Accountability Act" also would cut the pay of legislators if the budget is late, give voters access to budget votes by legislators and create a budget reserve. Some legislators...