Free Republic

KABUL (Reuters) -- At least 23 people were killed when Taliban insurgents ambushed a U.S. security firm convoy in southwestern Afghanistan on September 12, provincial officials said, in the second attack on the firm in as many days. Farah provincial police chief Khalilullah Rahmani said 15 of the dead were Taliban militants killed in the fighting that broke out following the ambush. Rahmani said U.S. Protection and Investigations, a firm involved in escorting supplies for coalition forces, also suffered casualties, but he had no details. "The Taliban militants attacked the convoy with heavy machine guns; four vehicles were set on...

Russia played a trump card in its strategic poker game with the West yesterday by threatening to suspend an agreement allowing Nato (sic) to take supplies and equipment to Afghanistan through Russia and Central Asia. The agreement was struck at a Nato (sic) summit in April to provide an alternative supply route to the road between the Afghan capital and the Pakistani border, which has come under attack from militants on both sides of the frontier this year. ... Mr Kabulov also suggested that the stand-off over Georgia could lead Russia to review agreements allowing Nato (sic) members to use...

<p>June 17, 2008 (Computerworld) An aerospace company has built a prototype of a driverless aircraft designed to shuttle hundreds of pounds of supplies to soldiers in war zones.</p> <p>Dubbed a flying Humvee by Ryan Wood, CEO of Broomfield Colo.-based Frontline Aerospace, Inc., the robotic vehicle can fly 600 to 1,000 miles carrying a full cargo of 400 pounds. Code named V-STAR, the autonomous aircraft, which can execute vertical take-offs and landings, is about the size of a large SUV, weighing in at 2,400 pounds and measuring 21 feet long and up to 26 feet wide.</p>

The Salvadoran Cuscatlán Battalion delivered $4 million in medical supplies to the al Kut Director General of Health Warehouse April 1. The supplies, donated by the International Red Cross, are for Iraqis affected by the recent upsurge in violence by criminals. The donated supplies will replenish what was used during the civil unrest in the city and will increase supplies on hand. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles. FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA — The Salvadoran Cuscatlán Battalion delivered $4 million in medical supplies to the al Kut Director General of Health Warehouse April 1.“It is very important...

Cpl. Eric S. Lewis, a team leader with the 511th Military Police Company, loads a box of Halal meals on an Iraqi Police vehicle at Forward Operating Base Delta March 28. The IPs received a total of 2,400 meals and 1,440 bottles of water from the 214th Fires Brigade. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Carlos J. Lazo. AL KUT — Coalition forces provided more than 2,000 meals and 1,000 bottles of water to al Kut Iraqi policemen March 28-29.Because of the security situation and an imposed curfew, grocery stores and other food outlets were closed, said Sgt. 1st Class...

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2008 – U.S. 5th Fleet officials today expressed regret for the death of an Egyptian citizen who died the night of March 24, an apparent result of warning shots fired at a small boat approaching a ship chartered by the U.S. Navy. “We express our deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased,” Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff, 5th Fleet commander. “We are greatly saddened by events that apparently resulted in this accidental death. This situation is tragic, and we will do our utmost to help take care of the family of the deceased.” The U.S. Navy’s...

FOB BASE KALSU, Iraq: A Phalanx Gatling gun, most often used by naval ships to defend against incoming missiles and rockets, has been installed at Forward Operating Base Kalsu in Iraq to add a little extra punch to the base's defense system. The gun, modified to be land-based, was installed in late February. It looks like an R2 unit from Star Wars, but unlike the little astromech droid, this gun packs a punch. Although very complex -- having the ability to destroy incoming artillery, rocket and mortar rounds in the air before they hit their targets on the ground --...

Dozens of tankers carrying oil for NATO forces have been destroyed in a bomb blast targeting a Pakistani border crossing where they awaited clearance to enter Afghanistan, officials say. "The explosion took place this evening when the oil tankers were parked in the parking lot of Torkham border in the tribal town of Landi Kotal. More than 60 tankers caught fire and 35 of these were completely destroyed," government official Bismillah Khan told Deutsche Presse-Agentur. At least two people were killed and more than 50 injured in the attack, and the government officials deployed at the border crossing vacated the...

The US Marine Corps has placed two follow-on delivery orders worth a total of $715m with BAE Systems for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Under the new contracts, BAE Systems will build and deliver 1,024 Caiman-based Category I vehicles and 447 RG33 Category I and II vehicles (bringing the total to 3,150 Category 1 and 1,927 Category II vehicles respectively). BAE Systems anticipates that the Caiman award, worth $481.8m, will include spares and increased contractor logistic support. The RG33 order, worth $234m, involves the production of three special forces command vehicles, 51 ambulance variants and 393 RG33 Category II...

Messman with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit tested their Field Food Service System with a chicken lunch here. 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Marines set up their portable food preparation system here Mar. 21. The system is powered by tactical vehicles and can provide food for up to 500 Marines at one time, regardless of location. A BLT 1/6 Marine enjoys his freshly prepared lunch while sitting on a makeshift stool. Cpl. Oates shows off his enticing meal courtsey of the Field Food Service System. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (BLT 1/6), 24th Marine...

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - In honour of the crouching, naked blonde painted on its nose, its pilot had named his bomber the "Hot as Hell". But it was a freezing and stormy day as the American B-24 Liberator made its way across the Himalayas on Jan 25, 1944, flying what was known as "the Hump", perhaps the most dangerous route in air transport history. It was one of nine American planes that went down that day as they tried to resupply China's besieged army in the city of Kunming, desperately trying to hold out against the invading Japanese during World...

Dozens of U.S. troops in Iraq fell sick at bases using "unmonitored and potentially unsafe" water supplied by the military and a contractor once owned by Vice President Dick Cheney's former company, the Pentagon's internal watchdog says. A report obtained by The Associated Press said soldiers experienced skin abscesses, cellulitis, skin infections, diarrhea and other illnesses after using discolored, smelly water for personal hygiene and laundry at five U.S. military sites in Iraq. The Defense Department's inspector general's report, which could be released as early as Monday, found water quality problems between March 2004 and February 2006 at three sites...

OBAMA: You know, I’ve heard from an Army captain who was the head of a rifle platoon — supposed to have 39 men in a rifle platoon. Ended up being sent to Afghanistan with 24 because 15 of those soldiers had been sent to Iraq. And as a consequence, they didn’t have enough ammunition, they didn’t have enough Humvees. They were actually capturing Taliban weapons, because it was easier to get Taliban weapons than it was for them to get properly equipped by our current commander in chief. First of all, and correct me if I’m wrong on this...

"They were actually capturing Taliban weapons because it was easier getting Taliban weapons than it was for them to get properly equipped by our current Commander in Chief."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kda4_5lFkZM

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2008 – Regardless of what job Air Force members have, being an airman comes first. And in today’s Air Force, being an airman sometimes means doing a job normally performed by soldiers. Air Force Senior Airman Vanessa Velez, a convoy driver with the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan, poses for a photo in front of her Humvee before a mission, Feb. 10, 2008. Velez, a vehicle maintenance controller with 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., has driven more than 120 convoys during her deployment. Photo by Master Sgt....

THE Army has run out of machine guns, The Sun can reveal. The crisis is unlikely to be solved before JUNE, a leaked report reveals. British troops “desperately” need 400 of the jumbo 0.5in calibre heavy machine guns – the weapon most acutely missed. The Army has also run out of the 7.62mm GPMG and Minimis. Supply has collapsed partly because of a dispute with the manufacturers, Manroy – which also provides weapons to Saudi Arabia. The leaked report – prepared for the Army’s command centre in Wilton, Wilts – reveals that generals have urged the Ministry of Defence “to...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq, Dec. 21, 2007 – While most soldiers are tucked in their beds for the night, a mail handler with 461st Human Resource Battalion, out of Decatur, Ga., is waiting for the mail to arrive. Army Pfc. Cassie Durkin, from Whitewater, Wis., a human resource specialist for 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, sorts packages at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq, Dec. 14, 2007. Photo by Spc. Ben Hutto, USA  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “We started getting a spike in mail at the end of October,” explained Army Spc. Tony Rogers,...

KABUL, Afghanistan - Maj. Paul Anderson has probably seen more of Afghanistan than most people in the country, although he usually sees it from 6,400 metres above the ground. "That is the main and only highway between Kandahar and Kabul," he says, pointing at the tiny line of cars and trucks barely visible from the cockpit of his Hercules C-130 transport plane. The view out the window closely resembles a giant, coloured three-dimensional map. There is little to break up the monotony of sand and mountains except patches of green in some of the deeper valleys, the occasional silver thread...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2007 – Army Sgt. Janeice Capers, said the Army changed practically overnight while she was in advanced individual training. The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks occurred two days before she graduated. Army Sgt. Janeice Capers, a Property Book Office clerk for 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, is serving her third tour at Camp Taji, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rick Emert, USA   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “I was in the (post exchange) getting my uniform done for graduation when I heard the news,” said Capers, a clerk in the 1st...

This article was reported by Eric Schmitt, Ginger Thompson, Margot Williams and James Glanz, and was written by Mr. Schmitt and Ms. Thompson. WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 — As the insurgency in Iraq escalated in the spring of 2004, American officials entrusted an Iraqi businessman with issuing weapons to Iraqi police cadets training to help quell the violence. By all accounts, the businessman, Kassim al-Saffar, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, did well at distributing the Pentagon-supplied weapons from the Baghdad Police Academy armory he managed for a military contractor. But, co-workers say, he also turned the armory into his own...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Oct. 12, 2007) -- Minutes away from the armed gates that lead into the villages and cities of Iraq’s Al Anbar Province, Marines work long hours, supplying units with everyday essentials and gear needed for combat. Without their hard work and tireless dedication, war efforts would slow, transition would start to backslide and progress would halt. Without them, units would struggle to get by, and though this job does not come with many purple hearts or combat action ribbons, those who work here know they are the bloodline to the mission in Iraq. The Marines of Multi...

SAIC Inc. began work on supply management of chemicals, packaged petroleum, oils and lubricants for the Defense Department under a contract valued at as much as $6.2 billion after a protest of the award was denied. SAIC said yesterday that it was informed Aug. 15 that work may continue following a ruling on the challenge by the Government Accountability Office. The order was awarded May 2, and a protest was lodged by PWC Logistics Services Inc., a Kuwait-based global logistics company, GAO attorney Michael Golden said today. SAIC, a military contractor specializing in computer services, has had the contract with...

It wasn’t too far into the Afghanistan mission that the CF realized soldiers on the ground needed more protection than what was afforded by the G-Wagon, and a LAV III could not be assigned to all tasks. Early in 2006, the CF purchased 50 armoured patrol vehicles (APV), with the option to buy 25 more from Land Systems OMC (Olifant Manufacturing Company) in South Africa. They were quickly deployed to Afghanistan to help reduce the threat of mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). So fast in fact, they literally went from the bidding process to the battlefield in five months....

ARLINGTON, Va. Fewer than half the projected number of blast-resistant vehicles that the Defense Department hoped would be downrange by the end of this year are now expected to be there, a Defense official said. The vehicles are known as MRAPs, short for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, which are heavily armored trucks with V-shaped hulls that deflect blasts from underneath.

There is nothing in Wagga to compare to this place; in fact it makes Wagga Beach look like heaven on earth. Welcome to summer in the Middle East . Corporal Darren Abercrombie, 37, is an Army cargo specialist serving his second tour of duty at the main Australian Defence Force logistic base in the Middle East Area of Operations. Raised in Wagga Wagga, he is again enduring the harsh desert environment that surrounds the remote base. “The toughest things about this place are the heat and sand,” he said. “Some days it gets up to about 48 degrees, which can...

When Spc. Matthew Curll left basic training for Iraq nearly a year ago, he traded a bland diet of MREs for burgers, pie and Fudgsicles. "You go from a lot of MREs and crappy stuff at the mess hall to prime rib on Sundays," said Curll, 21, of Lancaster, Mass., over a dinner of baked chicken followed by ice cream in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. "I wasn't expecting it at all," added Spc. Joe Reen, 23, of Norwood, Mass., finishing a turkey wrap and green salad. "You wanted to try everything." The two indulged at first, but said they learned...

Support Group Fills Unsung But Vital Role In Iraq By MIKE MARSHALL   Tom Ray, command sergeant major of the 226th and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam war, stands in front of a reservoir created in Iraq by the Alabama National Guard unit. (Photo by Mike Marshall)     AL ASAD AIRBASE, Iraq — Nobody's going to make a movie about the 226th.The 226th Area Support Group is responsible for taking care of front-line soldiers and pilots, the ones kicking in doors, flying supersonic jets or rolling down the streets looking for roadside bombs.The 133 members of the 226th...

WASHINGTON (AFP) - In the dusty battlegrounds of Iraq where open-air food shopping poses a security threat, new technology is allowing US troops to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables, even in remote desert locations. "Scientists have shown a direct link between mood, morale and performance when based on the impact of what you eat," said Gerald Darsch, director of the US Army's "combat feeding" program at the Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Natick, Massachusetts. And "fresh fruits and vegetables clearly is a request." Darsch this week gave Congress a rundown on the latest scientific developments to help an...

I cannot post. Here is the link. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MARINES_CRITICAL_GEAR?SITE=CAANR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron (NCWRON) 34 from Naval Coastal Warfare Group (NCWG) 1 deployed to Kuwait Aug. 22 and 24 to provide harbor and port security. They are tasked to protect ships carrying supplies for allied forces in Iraq. “This is my second time going over there, and it feels really good to help our troops get what they need to accomplish their mission,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Martin Garcia of NCWRON 34. NCW squadrons use sensor platforms to provide a technical picture of the ports and harbors as they patrol the harbors for...

A legal bid to stop US planes carrying bombs to Israel from refuelling at UK airports was thrown out by the High Court today. Mr Justice Ouseley said the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC,) which sought permission for a judicial review and an injunction against the Government, had "failed to establish an arguable case by a very long way". Peter Carter, QC, representing the IHRC, urged the judge to rule that the UK was guilty of aiding and abetting breaches of international law by allowing US aircraft carrying bombs and detonators to Israel to stop at UK airports. He told...

by Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs 8/15/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- It may be surprising to hear that the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing has a Vietnam era Purple Heart recipient working at the wing. It is even more surprising to hear that the combat veteran is actually a C-130 Hercules deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. On the flight deck of aircraft 63-7865 is a plaque telling the story of one of the hardest working aircraft in the Air Force inventory. According to the certificate, on June 1, 1972, the aircraft was assigned to the 21st Tactical...

8/11/2006 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- A C-130 unit assigned here is carrying a fairly conventional piece of equipment throughout the skies over the Central Command area of responsibility in an unconventional way. Instead of hauling people and cargo, the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron is carrying an airborne command and control communications suite, helping convoy commanders communicate on the ground. The Joint Airborne Command and Control Command Post, what the unit calls Jackpot, fits nicely into the back of a Hercules, said Lt. Col. Mark Czelusta, 777th EAS commander. "It's a way to use airlift other than from...

A.J. Strata informs us that Sidney Blumenthal has leaked the fact that NSA is assisting Israel in tracking weapons shipments from Iran and Syria to Hezbollah, gaining him anti-Israel supporters and (one hopes) a chance to talk to the grand jury investigating NSA leaks: Why would Sydney Blumenthal risk everything to publicize the fact he has been leaked – and is publicizing – classified information? The leftwing, anti-Israel sites are lapping this up. But my guess is Sidney just won himself an invite to a Grand Jury looking into leaks at the NSA:

Jul. 27, 2006 14:46 | Updated Jul. 27, 2006 14:54 US bomb shipment stops at UK airport By NATHAN GUTTMAN AND JPOST STAFF British Foreign Minister Margaret Becket criticized the United States on Thursday for failing to follow procedures for international arms shipments after a US plane carrying a shipment of "smart bombs" for Israel stopped for refueling at Scotland's Prestwick Airport, Sky News reported. The foreign secretary said that it appeared that safety regulations had not been observed. Becket said that she had "already let the US know that this is an issue that appears to be seriously at...

US military flights carrying bombs to Israel will no longer use any civilian airports in the UK, the BBC has learnt. The decision follows criticism of the use of Prestwick Airport, near Glasgow, to refuel flights suspected of carrying bombs to Israel. It has emerged that in future only military airfields will be used. The decision was reached after protests at the airport and discussions between various government departments, led by the Foreign Office. US flights to Israel used RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk rather than Prestwick airport last weekend, prompting protests from about 30 peace campaigners at the military base....

News blackout imposed on American arms flights refuelling at British bases By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent (Filed: 02/08/2006) The Government refused last night to give details of the flights entering Britain containing American arms destined for Israel. There was also a suggestion that all arms flights via Prestwick airport, near Glasgow, were suspended following pressure from Scottish Labour MPs afraid of the political impact in their constituencies. An Atlas Air Boeing 747 cargo jet at Prestwick Airport Although Government officials have admitted that two flights, carrying GBU28 bunker-busting bombs, arrived at Prestwick the weekend before last and several others came...

7/26/2006 - TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- When people deployed to Afghanistan say a location is "hot," it could mean one of two things. Either it feels like the sun is closer than the moon, or the enemy is lurking about. Here, both meanings apply. For pilots, that equates to making quick pit stops here so they can get in and out of this danger zone as quickly as possible. For Tech. Sgt. Philip Lester, deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., that means enduring a 140-degree heat blast from behind C-130 Hercules engines as he unloads cargo and passengers...

UK airport used to fly bombs to Israel By Thomas Harding Defence Correspondent and Anil Dawar (Filed: 26/07/2006) Britain has been used as a staging post for major shipments of bunker-busting bombs from America to Israel. The Israelis want the 5,000lb smart bombs to attack the bunkers being used by Hizbollah leaders in Lebanon. Two chartered Airbus A310 cargo planes filled with GBU 28 laser-guided bombs landed at Prestwick airport, near Glasgow, for refuelling and crew rests after flying across the Atlantic at the weekend, defence sources confirmed. The airport has also been used by the CIA for rendition flights...

7/19/2006 - KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Fifty-eight Air Force engineers filling a shortage of Soldiers in Iraq have completed more than a dozen construction projects, often under fire, throughout a 10,000-square-mile zone for the Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team. After six months, the Airmen of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Detachment 10 have maintained and repaired six convoy routes and seven forward-operating bases. "It's been very strenuous, and sometimes extremely dangerous. I'm ready to get home, see my family and unwind," said Master Sgt. Ken Dunbar, Det. 10 superintendent of operations and acting first sergeant. "We have...

HIT, Iraq, June 4, 2006 – The infantry isn't going to move far without help from a bunch of oil-stained soldiers. Just 11 soldiers are responsible for keeping the vehicles of Task Force 1-36 here running. Army Pfc. Guillermo Armendariz and Pfc. James Vail work to change an engine in a Bradley fighting vehicle in Hit, Iraq, June 3. Photo by Jim Garamone  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. In this environment, it's a particularly tough job. Sand and dust clog intakes and contaminate oil. The infantrymen are driving the vehicles as much in a month as they used...

ABOARD AL BASRAH OIL TERMINAL, Iraq-- Culinary specialists assigned to the amphibious transport dock USS Ogden (LPD 5) are cooking four daily meals aboard Iraq 's Al Basrah (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya (KAAOT) Oil Terminals for the Sailors assigned to Mobile Security Detachment (MSD) 71. While serving as an afloat forward staging base (AFSB) for Commander, Task Group (CTG) 158.1 in the Northern Arabian Gulf, Ogden sent the cooks to live aboard the oil terminals to supplement MSD 71's previous daily routine of “meals on keels.” Previously, nearby coalition ships in CTG 158.1 would cook food aboard ship and...

May 25, 2006 US ANNOUNCES AIRLIFT SUPPORT TO AUSTRALIA CAMP SMITH, Hawaii - At the request of the Government of Australia, the United States is providing military airlift to assist in positioning Australian Defence Force personnel and equipment in support of peace operations in East Timor. The rapid positioning of these forces will enable the Australian Defence Forces to better respond to the situation in East Timor. There continues to be unrest between East Timorese military forces and breakaway groups of police and military. The political situation in Dili remains fragile and violence is ongoing. East Timor has asked for...

US sets up £215m deal for Afghan arms - from Russia By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent (Filed: 22/05/2006) American defence officials have secretly requested a "prodigious quantity" of ammunition from Russia to supply the Afghan army in case a Democrat president takes over in Washington and pulls out US troops. The Daily Telegraph can disclose that Pentagon chiefs have asked arms suppliers for a quote on a vast amount of ordnance, including more than 78 million rounds of AK47 ammunition, 100,000 rocket-propelled grenades and 12,000 tank shells - equivalent to about 15 times the British Army's annual requirements. The Bush...

5/17/2006 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Aircraft pack the flightline here and operations are non-stop and intense. C-130 Hercules, MQ-1 Predators, F-16 Fighting Falcons and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters all call this busy base home. The men and women who support the aircraft say Balad has the busiest single-runway airfield in the Department of Defense. One look and anyone can see this is probably true. “The benefits of this forward operating airfield are immeasurable,” said Capt. Brian Chandler, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron airfield operations flight commander. “Without this airfield, it would be much more difficult to be...

ABOARD USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Mothers aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) received a warm embrace from Sailors from the Supply Department as a special luncheon celebration was prepared for them on the aft mess decks May 10. The ceremony was designed to celebrate Mother’s Day for the hundreds of mothers assigned to Ronald Reagan, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, who will be away from their children on the special day. Culinary Specialists, food service attendants and members of the ship's 3 & 2 Association provided the...

NEAR THE SYRIAN BORDER, Iraq (April 29, 2006) -- The Marines watch impatiently as a KC-130J Hercules flies to the target area and six pallets come falling down in its wake. The parachutes open and the cargo slowly descends to the ground. The Marines run out to detach the parachutes and load the palettes onto a flatbed truck - mission accomplished. The Marines of the 1st Air Delivery Platoon, Combat Logistics Company 117, Combat Logistics Battalion 7, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, successfully delivered about 800 cases of Halal meals to Iraqi border patrol forces along the...

4/28/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Fighters are in the air 24 hours a day, providing constant support to ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Without midair refueling, that coverage would be lost. The 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron provides fuel to those thirsty fighters as they keep troops on the ground safe, said Lt. Col. Brou Gautier, 340th EARS commander. “Our mission is simply to refuel the various aircraft supporting coalition ground forces,” Colonel Gautier said. “The fuel we provide to the close-air-support team increases loiter times, which in turn, allows a smaller force to be more effective over...

4/17/2006 - WHEELER ARMY AIR FIELD, Hawaii (AFPN) -- Tactical air controllers from the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron are practicing basic close-combat skills to prepare themselves for an upcoming deployment in support of the war on terrorism. “Not only is the training fun and keeps you physically active, but it is very practical for (Tactical Air Control Party) members because of the missions that we undertake,” said Staff Sgt. George Earhart, a tactical air controller from the 25th ASOS. Although TACPs are in the Air Force, they spend a lot of time with the Army. The need to be...

4/14/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- No one wishes for an aircraft to break -- especially flying crew chiefs. But, that’s when the mobile C-130 Hercules maintainers receive the most attention -- when something is wrong with the plane and they are far away from home. “Fortunately, C-130s are extremely reliable,” said Senior Master Sgt. Edward Rife, production supervisor for the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron. “They seldom break to the point where the aircraft can’t return to base. But, if that happens, the flying crew chiefs come to the rescue.” Sergeant Rife said most of the C-130s used in Southwest...