Free Republic

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2006 — The morning of Feb. 20 was like any other for Air Force Office of Special Investigations Special Agent Adele Loar, who was assigned to the Strategic Counterintelligence Directorate in Baghdad, Iraq. Her mission, along with the joint team assembled there, was to gather information from Iraqi civilian sources to ascertain current threats to coalition forces. Performing a mission for which she is trained and one that she loves, Loar said it did not matter when or where she worked or the dangers she might face. She especially reveled in the opportunity to be working on...

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Matthew Pielmeier Marine Overcomes Adversity with Heart, Determination By Lance Cpl. Scott M. Biscuiti, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler OKINAWA, Japan, July 17, 2006 -- “My friends said I couldn't do it - that I was too short, and the Marine Corps would tear me apart,” said Pfc. Matthew Pielmeier. The 4-foot-9-inch native of Altoona, Pa., might appear diminutive in stature, but his spirit and resilience abound. “I was in seventh grade when I found out that I had a growth hormone deficiency, and I would be short for the rest of my life,” said...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 30, 2006) -- Many reservists volunteer to join the military knowing that at anytime they can be activated. No matter what, they are trained and ready to join the fight at a moment’s notice. For one dentist with 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, joining the fight meant giving up his private dental practice, but serving a nation he felt indebted to was more important to him. Lieutenant Cmdr. Chat Pongsugree, born in Bangkok, Thailand, came to America in 1980 in search of a better future. “This country is the greatest country...

3/8/2006 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFPN) -- In 2005, he ran the New York City Marathon and skied down the Rockies. The fact he has one leg isn’t slowing him down. Tech. Sgt. Matthew Profitt is an active sportsman -- the 38-year-old reservist plays racquetball, bobsleds, canoes, cycles and runs. But, three years ago the 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron guidance and control section technician wasn’t sure he’d be alive today. Deadly Diagnosis In June 2003, while activated a second year to support the war on terrorism, Sergeant Profitt said he noticed an ulcer on his right shin. “It...

U.S. Air Force Capt. LeeAnn Roberts instructs Iraqi trainees and a coalition soldier on proper firing techniques at the Al Kasik Training Base firing range, Iraq, Jan. 30, 2006. She is the first female coalition military assistance training team instructor assigned to the base, and the only female out of 8,000 assigned personnel. U.S. Air Force photo U.S. Air Force Capt. LeeAnn Roberts Female Officer Overcomes Cultural Challenge to Train Iraqis By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq Public Affairs AL KASIK, Iraq, Feb. 13, 2006 — For one U.S. Air Force captain, breaking...

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The Palestinians' ruling Fatah Party overcame a split Wednesday that threatened to hand victory to Hamas militants in parliamentary elections next month, submitting a unified list of candidates. But chaos reigned in Gaza, undermining efforts by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to show that he has taken control after Israel's summer pullout. Israel began enforcing a no-go zone in northern Gaza, firing shells and threatening to shoot anyone who approaches the border — an attempt to stop Palestinian rocket fire. A 14-year-old Palestinian boy was slightly wounded by a shell fragment, Palestinian doctors said. Fatah-affiliated gunmen...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Dec. 21, 2005) -- Marines are known for their ability to adapt and overcome any challenge. A Marine from Reydon, Okla. is living up to that ability while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental Combat Team 8. Lance Cpl. Steven L. Bentley, a 20-year-old radio operator, is proving he is flexible in his job. He is not working in his primary military occupational specialty. Instead, he is developing critical skills in another MOS -- 0861, fire support man. “As a fire support man, I am part of a team that coordinates all indirect fire...