Move over McGruff, here comes 'Farid the Crime-Fighting Falcon'

[thedrifter]

Move over McGruff, here comes 'Farid the Crime-Fighting Falcon'
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20049114338
Story by Cpl. Randy L. Bernard



CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq (Aug. 28, 2004) -- The crime-fighting character named McGruff coined the famous phrase "take a bite out of crime" to help educate children across America. In Iraq, the principle will hopefully soon be reproduced with 'Farid the Crime-Fighting Falcon.'

Marines with Military Police Company C here came up with the idea for a crime-fighting mascot to pass along to the Iraqi Police. While this project is still in its introductory phase to the IP, Cpl. Justin Weber, a squad leader for the company, is the brains behind the bird.

"I was the first person to don the costume, and since then I've become known as Farid," said Weber, 25, of Dayton, Ohio.

Weber recounted first introducing the idea to the IP with a smile on his face.

"Two other Marines introduced me to the classroom of 35 Iraqi Police, and I came running in the door squawking and flapping my arms," Weber explained. "They jumped back and were scared. But once they got used to me, they started to understand what it was about."

The company put their heads together when thinking about what they could do to create a character, and they decided on a falcon for the values it represents.

"The original idea was to make the mascot 'Clucko the Crime-Fighting Chicken,'" said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rod Barnes, a platoon commander with the MPs, "But we decided the falcon represented dignity, strength and independence."

"The falcon is to the Iraqis as the eagle is to Americans," said Staff Sgt. Greg Orick, a platoon sergeant with Company C. "Weber has done an excellent job of portraying the falcon. It's almost like an extension of his personality. It gives him a chance to relax and behave more animated and act playful."

It's not all fun and games when it comes to being a crime-fighting bird of prey, though.

"It gets really hot in there," Weber said. "You can only be in there for about five minutes before sweat is running into your eyes."

The biggest challenge that the Marines will face while introducing Farid is explaining its purpose in the police force. Although the IP have been coming to Al Asad to learn from US military policemen, many of them initially found it difficult to grasp where a bird costume fits into their line of work.

However, once the idea of Farid had been explained to the Iraqis as an educational tool for the Iraqi Police to use, they saw past the feathers and beak, explained Orick.

"It has a lot of potential as a liaison between the IP's and citizens of Iraq," said Orick. "They are unfamiliar with the idea of using a mascot to teach about fighting crime, but children will be drawn toward it."

It is this attraction for the children that the Marines hope will benefit the IP in teaching Iraq's youth about crime and danger in the area through visits to schools and other areas.

"It is still early in its development but the Iraqis think it is a good thing," Weber explained.

"He is a 'spokes-bird' of crime-prevention," Weber added. "The Iraqis will have to see it in action for it to really sink in for them. Once we give it to the Iraqis and they understand what it is about, it will do a lot of good."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20049114818/$file/FALCON1lr.jpg

Cpl. Justin Weber, 25, a squad leader with the Military Police company at Al Asad, prepares to introduce Farid the Falcon to the Iraqi Police. The Dayton, Ohio, Marine serves as the model for the costume to be used by Iraqi Police when teaching law enforcement principles to Iraqis.
(USMC Photo by Cpl. Matt R. Jones) Photo by: Cpl. Matt R. Jones

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B282C068DF4111ED85256F02001F7600?opendocument


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Iraqis fortify Syrian border with help of Marines
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20049251033
Story by Cpl. Randy L. Bernard



SYRIAN BORDER, Iraq (Aug. 31, 2004) -- They patrol 890 kilometers of land in Iraq between Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria, looking for smuggled weapons and foreign fighters.

They are the Iraqi Border Police, and they are expanding their ability to control the border with the help of Marines here.

Along the Syrian border, forts are now being constructed to replace those that were destroyed in the war. The forts serve as a base of operations for each Border Police unit.

"The concept is to have professionally trained Border Policemen to patrol the border," said Navy Lt. James N. Vandenberg, a project manager for the Marine Expeditionary Force Engineer Group. "The original forts were manned by 17-to-18-year-olds, given a weapon, and told to 'watch the border.'"

Each of the forts will cost about $235,000.

"Money that was intended for the Iraqis in the first place, but was taken by Saddam Hussein, is now being used to build the first eight forts," added Vandenberg, 43, of Little Rock, Ark.

This seized money not only rebuilt what was lost, but built better forts complete with a few comforts the original forts did not have. The new units will have running water, showers, air conditioning, living quarters, offices and holding cells.

The completed project will consist of 32 total outposts along the border. Each will be complete with fully trained and operational Border Policemen to conduct regular security patrols with new vehicles, according to Vandenberg.

The border policemen will have a tough job ahead of them once the forts are in place.

"Right now they don't have any sort of customs or strict border patrol," said Capt. Sean W. Pascoli, weapons company commander for 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. "We are working joint operations with the border police 24/7 to maintain a presence up here on the border. We have given them the tools they need to be successful, now we just have to turn toward training them."

Often, the Border Police have stopped smugglers from bringing sheep and cigarettes into Iraq during patrols along the border, but these same smugglers could bring weapons or fighters into the country, according to Pascoli.

"Our mission is the same as the Border Police: to protect the sovereignty of Iraq," said Pascoli, 36, of Wheeling, W. Va. "Hopefully, when we are done here, we will have worked ourselves out of a job."

The forts should be completed by February, and the Border Police fully operational. Until then, project is in the hands of Iraqi contractors, who are currently building structures that will aid their country's economy.

"We want to hire contractors who hire Iraqi workers, and put to work as many Iraqis as we can to rebuild their country," Vandenberg said. "The intent is to help Iraqis help themselves. All we did was give them the grease... they need to help the wheels turn."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20049252330/$file/FORTS4lr.jpg

An Iraqi contractor moves materials to the interior of a fort under construction on the Syrian Border. These forts will serve as a base of operations for Border Police to protect Iraq from smugglers.
(USMC Photo by Cpl. Randy L. Bernard) Photo by: Cpl. Randy L. Bernard

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9DA56151D61F1E6285256F0300326783?opendocument


Ellie

[thedrifter]

See more of the world that matters - click here for home delivery of the International Herald Tribune.
< < Back to Start of Article Iran next?
.
William Pfaff ("Neocons have Iran in their sites," Views, Aug. 26) writes that neoconservatives might use Iran's Islamic extremism as a reason to invade Iran. The neocons seem to have forgotten that it was American meddling in Iran that led to the current extremist regime. In 1953, the United States led a coup in Iran that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and replaced him with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi. The Islamic revolution, which placed the clerics in power in Iran, was a popular revolt against the shah's dictatorial rule.
.
Jeremy Koons, Beirut
.
.
William Pfaff does everything to underestimate the danger of Iran possessing nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them into Europe. Iran is a rogue state and a supporter of terrorism.
.
France, Britain and Germany have been trying to persuade Iran through diplomatic means to give up its nuclear ambitions but have had little success.
.
Eli Tabori, Paris
.
.
A nuclear Iran certainly represents a failure of attempts at nonproliferation and will hardly contribute to the well-being or safety of the Middle East and the wider world. But surely the original sin of introducing nuclear weapons to that volatile region lies with Israel.
.
As far as many followers of world events are concerned, Iran's possession of weapons of mass destruction is no more dangerous than Israel's possession of such weapons. The brazen attitude that somehow international law does not apply to Israel, the United States or its chosen allies must change.
.
Paul Wright, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
.
.
.
.
Marines in Iraq
.
William Pfaff ("When the Marines make policy, Iraq burns," Views, Aug. 21) seems to have a sadly distorted view of the facts. Although Marine officers are taught to take initiative, I can say with accuracy that the decisions that resulted in the battles for Falluja and Najaf were not the result of bloodthirsty marines picking fights with the poor defenseless Iraqis.
.
Let's start with Falluja. The fight in Falluja began after marines attempted to form a cordon and search for suspects involved in the death of the four American contractors. This escalated into a running gun battle with Iraqi insurgents. This cordon and search was not ordered by mid-grade Marine officers, as Pffaf seems to believe.
.
As for Najaf, the police station there came under attack by a force of 100 militiamen. The governor of the Najaf Province asked the U.S. military for assistance. When U.S. central command sent a Marine unit to the police station, the militia began systematic ambushes of the units.
.
Marc Alexander, Stuttgart, Germany, major, U.S. Marine Corps
.
.
.
.
.
Turkey and the EU
.
Overlooking the problems of Turkey or wishfully thinking the country's troubles will disappear quickly are mistakes ("EU hopes are raised for Turkey," Aug. 26). Turkey has military leaders involved in politics, religious political parties, a restive Kurdish minority and many people who think political and family life should be governed according to religious law.
.
If the European Union pressures Turkey into speedily changing this state of affairs, the best we can hope for are cosmetic changes in the short term.
.
I am not against Turkey joining the Union - in 20 to 30 years. In that time the country should resolve many of its problems. For the present, we should focus on developing trade between Europe and Turkey, providing money for regional development and pressing for rules protecting workers and consumers.
.
Jean Flicoteaux, Paris Iran next?
.
William Pfaff ("Neocons have Iran in their sites," Views, Aug. 26) writes that neoconservatives might use Iran's Islamic extremism as a reason to invade Iran. The neocons seem to have forgotten that it was American meddling in Iran that led to the current extremist regime. In 1953, the United States led a coup in Iran that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and replaced him with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi. The Islamic revolution, which placed the clerics in power in Iran, was a popular revolt against the shah's dictatorial rule.
.
Jeremy Koons, Beirut
.
.
William Pfaff does everything to underestimate the danger of Iran possessing nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them into Europe. Iran is a rogue state and a supporter of terrorism.
.
France, Britain and Germany have been trying to persuade Iran through diplomatic means to give up its nuclear ambitions but have had little success.
.
Eli Tabori, Paris
.
.
A nuclear Iran certainly represents a failure of attempts at nonproliferation and will hardly contribute to the well-being or safety of the Middle East and the wider world. But surely the original sin of introducing nuclear weapons to that volatile region lies with Israel.
.
As far as many followers of world events are concerned, Iran's possession of weapons of mass destruction is no more dangerous than Israel's possession of such weapons. The brazen attitude that somehow international law does not apply to Israel, the United States or its chosen allies must change.
.
Paul Wright, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
.
.
.
.
Marines in Iraq
.
William Pfaff ("When the Marines make policy, Iraq burns," Views, Aug. 21) seems to have a sadly distorted view of the facts. Although Marine officers are taught to take initiative, I can say with accuracy that the decisions that resulted in the battles for Falluja and Najaf were not the result of bloodthirsty marines picking fights with the poor defenseless Iraqis.
.
Let's start with Falluja. The fight in Falluja began after marines attempted to form a cordon and search for suspects involved in the death of the four American contractors. This escalated into a running gun battle with Iraqi insurgents. This cordon and search was not ordered by mid-grade Marine officers, as Pffaf seems to believe.
.
As for Najaf, the police station there came under attack by a force of 100 militiamen. The governor of the Najaf Province asked the U.S. military for assistance. When U.S. central command sent a Marine unit to the police station, the militia began systematic ambushes of the units.
.
Marc Alexander, Stuttgart, Germany, major, U.S. Marine Corps
.
.
.
.
.
Turkey and the EU
.
Overlooking the problems of Turkey or wishfully thinking the country's troubles will disappear quickly are mistakes ("EU hopes are raised for Turkey," Aug. 26). Turkey has military leaders involved in politics, religious political parties, a restive Kurdish minority and many people who think political and family life should be governed according to religious law.
.
If the European Union pressures Turkey into speedily changing this state of affairs, the best we can hope for are cosmetic changes in the short term.
.
I am not against Turkey joining the Union - in 20 to 30 years. In that time the country should resolve many of its problems. For the present, we should focus on developing trade between Europe and Turkey, providing money for regional development and pressing for rules protecting workers and consumers.
.
Jean Flicoteaux, Paris Iran next?
.
William Pfaff ("Neocons have Iran in their sites," Views, Aug. 26) writes that neoconservatives might use Iran's Islamic extremism as a reason to invade Iran. The neocons seem to have forgotten that it was American meddling in Iran that led to the current extremist regime. In 1953, the United States led a coup in Iran that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and replaced him with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi. The Islamic revolution, which placed the clerics in power in Iran, was a popular revolt against the shah's dictatorial rule.
.
Jeremy Koons, Beirut
.
.
William Pfaff does everything to underestimate the danger of Iran possessing nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them into Europe. Iran is a rogue state and a supporter of terrorism.
.
France, Britain and Germany have been trying to persuade Iran through diplomatic means to give up its nuclear ambitions but have had little success.
.
Eli Tabori, Paris
.
.
A nuclear Iran certainly represents a failure of attempts at nonproliferation and will hardly contribute to the well-being or safety of the Middle East and the wider world. But surely the original sin of introducing nuclear weapons to that volatile region lies with Israel.
.
As far as many followers of world events are concerned, Iran's possession of weapons of mass destruction is no more dangerous than Israel's possession of such weapons. The brazen attitude that somehow international law does not apply to Israel, the United States or its chosen allies must change.
.
Paul Wright, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
.
.
continued............

[thedrifter]

Iran next?
.
William Pfaff ("Neocons have Iran in their sites," Views, Aug. 26) writes that neoconservatives might use Iran's Islamic extremism as a reason to invade Iran. The neocons seem to have forgotten that it was American meddling in Iran that led to the current extremist regime. In 1953, the United States led a coup in Iran that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and replaced him with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi. The Islamic revolution, which placed the clerics in power in Iran, was a popular revolt against the shah's dictatorial rule.
.
Jeremy Koons, Beirut
.
.
William Pfaff does everything to underestimate the danger of Iran possessing nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them into Europe. Iran is a rogue state and a supporter of terrorism.
.
France, Britain and Germany have been trying to persuade Iran through diplomatic means to give up its nuclear ambitions but have had little success.
.
Eli Tabori, Paris
.
.
A nuclear Iran certainly represents a failure of attempts at nonproliferation and will hardly contribute to the well-being or safety of the Middle East and the wider world. But surely the original sin of introducing nuclear weapons to that volatile region lies with Israel.
.
As far as many followers of world events are concerned, Iran's possession of weapons of mass destruction is no more dangerous than Israel's possession of such weapons. The brazen attitude that somehow international law does not apply to Israel, the United States or its chosen allies must change.
.
Paul Wright, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
.
.
.
.
Marines in Iraq
.
William Pfaff ("When the Marines make policy, Iraq burns," Views, Aug. 21) seems to have a sadly distorted view of the facts. Although Marine officers are taught to take initiative, I can say with accuracy that the decisions that resulted in the battles for Falluja and Najaf were not the result of bloodthirsty marines picking fights with the poor defenseless Iraqis.
.
Let's start with Falluja. The fight in Falluja began after marines attempted to form a cordon and search for suspects involved in the death of the four American contractors. This escalated into a running gun battle with Iraqi insurgents. This cordon and search was not ordered by mid-grade Marine officers, as Pffaf seems to believe.
.
As for Najaf, the police station there came under attack by a force of 100 militiamen. The governor of the Najaf Province asked the U.S. military for assistance. When U.S. central command sent a Marine unit to the police station, the militia began systematic ambushes of the units.
.
Marc Alexander, Stuttgart, Germany, major, U.S. Marine Corps
.
.
.
.
.
Turkey and the EU
.
Overlooking the problems of Turkey or wishfully thinking the country's troubles will disappear quickly are mistakes ("EU hopes are raised for Turkey," Aug. 26). Turkey has military leaders involved in politics, religious political parties, a restive Kurdish minority and many people who think political and family life should be governed according to religious law.
.
If the European Union pressures Turkey into speedily changing this state of affairs, the best we can hope for are cosmetic changes in the short term.
.
I am not against Turkey joining the Union - in 20 to 30 years. In that time the country should resolve many of its problems. For the present, we should focus on developing trade between Europe and Turkey, providing money for regional development and pressing for rules protecting workers and consumers.
.
Jean Flicoteaux, Paris Iran next?
.
William Pfaff ("Neocons have Iran in their sites," Views, Aug. 26) writes that neoconservatives might use Iran's Islamic extremism as a reason to invade Iran. The neocons seem to have forgotten that it was American meddling in Iran that led to the current extremist regime. In 1953, the United States led a coup in Iran that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and replaced him with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi. The Islamic revolution, which placed the clerics in power in Iran, was a popular revolt against the shah's dictatorial rule.
.
Jeremy Koons, Beirut
.
.
William Pfaff does everything to underestimate the danger of Iran possessing nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them into Europe. Iran is a rogue state and a supporter of terrorism.
.
France, Britain and Germany have been trying to persuade Iran through diplomatic means to give up its nuclear ambitions but have had little success.
.
Eli Tabori, Paris
.
.
A nuclear Iran certainly represents a failure of attempts at nonproliferation and will hardly contribute to the well-being or safety of the Middle East and the wider world. But surely the original sin of introducing nuclear weapons to that volatile region lies with Israel.
.
As far as many followers of world events are concerned, Iran's possession of weapons of mass destruction is no more dangerous than Israel's possession of such weapons. The brazen attitude that somehow international law does not apply to Israel, the United States or its chosen allies must change.
.
Paul Wright, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
.
.
.
.
Marines in Iraq
.
William Pfaff ("When the Marines make policy, Iraq burns," Views, Aug. 21) seems to have a sadly distorted view of the facts. Although Marine officers are taught to take initiative, I can say with accuracy that the decisions that resulted in the battles for Falluja and Najaf were not the result of bloodthirsty marines picking fights with the poor defenseless Iraqis.
.
Let's start with Falluja. The fight in Falluja began after marines attempted to form a cordon and search for suspects involved in the death of the four American contractors. This escalated into a running gun battle with Iraqi insurgents. This cordon and search was not ordered by mid-grade Marine officers, as Pffaf seems to believe.
.
As for Najaf, the police station there came under attack by a force of 100 militiamen. The governor of the Najaf Province asked the U.S. military for assistance. When U.S. central command sent a Marine unit to the police station, the militia began systematic ambushes of the units.
.
Marc Alexander, Stuttgart, Germany, major, U.S. Marine Corps
.
.
.
.
.
Turkey and the EU
.
Overlooking the problems of Turkey or wishfully thinking the country's troubles will disappear quickly are mistakes ("EU hopes are raised for Turkey," Aug. 26). Turkey has military leaders involved in politics, religious political parties, a restive Kurdish minority and many people who think political and family life should be governed according to religious law.
.
If the European Union pressures Turkey into speedily changing this state of affairs, the best we can hope for are cosmetic changes in the short term.
.
I am not against Turkey joining the Union - in 20 to 30 years. In that time the country should resolve many of its problems. For the present, we should focus on developing trade between Europe and Turkey, providing money for regional development and pressing for rules protecting workers and consumers.
.
Jean Flicoteaux, Paris Iran next?
.
William Pfaff ("Neocons have Iran in their sites," Views, Aug. 26) writes that neoconservatives might use Iran's Islamic extremism as a reason to invade Iran. The neocons seem to have forgotten that it was American meddling in Iran that led to the current extremist regime. In 1953, the United States led a coup in Iran that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and replaced him with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi. The Islamic revolution, which placed the clerics in power in Iran, was a popular revolt against the shah's dictatorial rule.
.
Jeremy Koons, Beirut
.
.
William Pfaff does everything to underestimate the danger of Iran possessing nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them into Europe. Iran is a rogue state and a supporter of terrorism.
.
France, Britain and Germany have been trying to persuade Iran through diplomatic means to give up its nuclear ambitions but have had little success.
.
Eli Tabori, Paris
.
.
A nuclear Iran certainly represents a failure of attempts at nonproliferation and will hardly contribute to the well-being or safety of the Middle East and the wider world. But surely the original sin of introducing nuclear weapons to that volatile region lies with Israel.
.
As far as many followers of world events are concerned, Iran's possession of weapons of mass destruction is no more dangerous than Israel's possession of such weapons. The brazen attitude that somehow international law does not apply to Israel, the United States or its chosen allies must change.
.
Paul Wright, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
.
.
.
.
Marines in Iraq
.
William Pfaff ("When the Marines make policy, Iraq burns," Views, Aug. 21) seems to have a sadly distorted view of the facts. Although Marine officers are taught to take initiative, I can say with accuracy that the decisions that resulted in the battles for Falluja and Najaf were not the result of bloodthirsty marines picking fights with the poor defenseless Iraqis.
.
Let's start with Falluja. The fight in Falluja began after marines attempted to form a cordon and search for suspects involved in the death of the four American contractors. This escalated into a running gun battle with Iraqi insurgents. This cordon and search was not ordered by mid-grade Marine officers, as Pffaf seems to believe.
.
As for Najaf, the police station there came under attack by a force of 100 militiamen. The governor of the Najaf Province asked the U.S. military for assistance. When U.S. central command sent a Marine unit to the police station, the militia began systematic ambushes of the units.
.
Marc Alexander, Stuttgart, Germany, major, U.S. Marine Corps
.
.
.
.
.
Turkey and the EU
.
Overlooking the problems of Turkey or wishfully thinking the country's troubles will disappear quickly are mistakes ("EU hopes are raised for Turkey," Aug. 26). Turkey has military leaders involved in politics, religious political parties, a restive Kurdish minority and many people who think political and family life should be governed according to religious law.
.
If the European Union pressures Turkey into speedily changing this state of affairs, the best we can hope for are cosmetic changes in the short term.
.
I am not against Turkey joining the Union - in 20 to 30 years. In that time the country should resolve many of its problems. For the present, we should focus on developing trade between Europe and Turkey, providing money for regional development and pressing for rules protecting workers and consumers.
.
Jean Flicoteaux, Paris
http://www.iht.com/articles/536105.html


Ellie

[thedrifter]

'We're like the Marines of the church,' says missionary to remotest tribes <br />
<br />
By: Associated Press <br />
<br />
JERSEY SHORE, Pa. -- Seven young adults gather for informal Sunday worship in a rude, two-room...

[thedrifter]

Heart failure caused death of prisoner, witness says <br />
<br />
Defense expert testifies at Marine's court-martial <br />
By Alex Roth <br />
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER <br />
September 1, 2004 <br />
<br />
CAMP PENDLETON – An Iraqi...

[thedrifter]

Combat Box Kickers do more than pass out gear
Submitted by: 24th MEU
Story Identification #: 20049112811
Story by Sgt. Sgt. Zachary A. Bathon



FORWARD OPERATING BASE ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq (Aug. 30, 2004) -- It takes a lot of gear and moving parts to keep an infantry battalion operating at full capacity. Be it parts for the vehicles or gear for the individual Marine, a lot of work is put into acquiring the equipment to keep the battalion ready.

The responsibility of this falls to one section – supply.

On any given day here, Marines from the supply section of Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, can be found doing a great number of things to aid in the battalion’s mission of conducting security and stability operations in the Iraqi Province of Northern Babil.

“People say the infantry is the backbone of the Marine Corps. If that’s, true then we are the backbone of the infantry,” said Lance Cpl. Harold A. Alexis, 21, a Boston native and a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, as he spoke about the importance of the supply section. “Without us they wouldn’t have or get the gear they need to do their job properly.”

Making sure the right people have the right gear sums up simply their not-so-simple job.

“Basically what we do is, if the battalion requests supplies or parts from us, then it is our job to get them what they need,” said Gunnery Sgt. Johnnie M. Hughes, 34, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native and supply chief.”

“We keep the gear moving,” added Cpl. Salvador Lopez, 21, a San Antonio native and a mechanical-allowance-listing clerk. “If something breaks, we get it fixed. If something comes in, we push it out to the companies.” Lopez added, "I know every Marine is a rifleman, but they can’t be a rifleman without gear.”

However, ordering parts and pushing out gear aren't the only tasks these Marines perform here. Standing guard and joining convoys to protect their logistics train is something they do on a regular basis.

“These guys provide security for the convoys,” said Hughes. “I have two [M-240G] machine gunners and two Squad Automatic Weapon gunners. We contribute a lot to protect our log train.”

Just last week, a few of the supply Marines were put to the test when their convoy was attacked in Al-Musayyib. “I had a lieutenant and two corporals out there helping suppress fire,” said Hughes. “They get right in there without missing a beat.”

“After every single attack, we go right back to work and do the same thing we (usually do during the day),” added Lopez.

To prepare the Marines to deal with situations like this, a lot of attention was paid to training prior to the unit's deployment to Iraq.


“We did training at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., and at Camp Dawson, W.Va.,” said Hughes. “We did live-fire convoy [operations], convoy rehearsals and other things like [setting the sights on] our weapons.”

Hughes also took five of his Marines with him to California to train in security and stability operations just before departing for Iraq.

There never seems to be a dull moment around the section.

“We wake up every day and something is happening,” said Hughes. “There is either gear coming in or we are working with our number-one contractor. There are parts constantly flowing around here. The Marines also (serve on the) guard force making sure insurgents don’t cross the wire.”

“We put in a lot of hours,” said Cpl. Anthony W. Jovel, 21, an Inwood, N.Y., native and a warehouseman. “Our average work days are 14 to 16 hours. We are out there on guard, doing convoys and anything to support every company in this battalion.”

One reason for the section's success is that the Marines have learned to trust each other.

“We try to make this like a family atmosphere,” said Alexis. “That makes it easy to trust one another. If we can’t trust each other, then we are bound to fail.”

“We have a pretty damn good section,” said Lopez. “To handle a BLT this size, some units have [a lot] more people to do the same thing we do.”

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20049113226/$file/040829-M-7371B-001lores.jpg

Lance Cpl. Harold A. Alexis, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sorts through a box of supplies for Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, after it arrived via convoy at Forward Operating Base Iskandariyah, Iraq, Aug. 29.
Alexis, 21, is a Boston native and a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, BLT 1/2.
The 24th MEU is currently conducting security and stability operations in the Iraqi province of Northern Babil.
Photo by: Sgt. Zachary A. Bathon

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9DD3C240EEDE00B685256F02001E0BEC?opendocument


Ellie

[thedrifter]

U.S. Strikes Fallujah, 20 Killed
Agence France-Presse
September 2, 2004

FALLUJAH, Iraq - Twenty Iraqis were killed and six wounded in a U.S. air strike overnight on suspected Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi safe houses in Fallujah, medical officials and the U.S. military said Thursday.

Two buildings were destroyed when a U.S. fighter jet fired a pair of missiles or a large bomb around 11:45 pm (1945 GMT) in the residential neighbourhood of Jebel in Fallujah, a hotspot of radical Sunni insurgency 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Baghdad, police and medical officials said.

"We now have 17 dead people and six wounded," Doctor Seifeddin Taha of the Fallujah general hospital told AFP late Wednesday.

Another three bodies were pulled from the rubble Thursday as bulldozers cleared wreckage and a crowd of rescue workers dug through the debris and searched for body parts and bits of flesh, said rescue worker Hossam Ibrahim.

"All the wounded are families. Among the dead, there could be two or three children but the bodies are torn to pieces and it's difficult to tell," Taha told AFP.

Two giant craters gouged the ground, leaving one house completely destroyed and the second badly damaged. The blast knocked down a few palm trees and smashed up furniture and television could be seen in the wreckage.

The U.S. military confirmed the attack, describing it as a "precision" strike on "safe houses and meeting locations" for associates of the Jordanian-born Zarqawi whom U.S. officials blame for dozens of car bomb attacks in Iraq and who has a 25-million-dollar bounty on his head.

Earlier in the day, Zarqawi supporters were observed removing a corpse from a car trunk and burying the body in southern Fallujah, the military said.

The military had no immediate casualty figures from the attack.

Five people were killed and 42 wounded on Saturday when U.S. marines pounded suspected extremist positions in the restive city, a bastion for the country's most violent groups which the U.S. military and Iraqi forces have failed to rein in.

The U.S. military has regularly bombed suspected Zarqawi safe houses in Fallujah since June.

In April, Fallujah was the scene of bitter fighting, leaving hundreds dead as U.S. marines and insurgents clashed in the streets. U.S. forces besieged the city after four American civilian security contractors were killed in Fallujah and two of the bodies mutilated.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Making ‘To Serve and Protect’ the Motto of the Post-Saddam Iraqi Police

By Lisa Burgess,
Stars and Stripes European edition


BAGHDAD — “To serve and protect” is the motto of police departments across the United States. Most police officers take the position as a moral duty, not just a job.

But in the 30 years Saddam Hussein was in power, things were different for Iraqi police. They had the financial outlook of many American waiters: Salary was minimal; the real money was in tips.

Up to now, Iraqis seeking police assistance have been going to the Americans with their complaints, according to a translator for the 1st Cavalry Division. “We tell them to go to the Iraqi police,” he said, “and they say, ‘We do, but they won’t help us, and ask us for money.’”

Capt. Reggie Kornegay, 33, who grew up on the streets of Harlem, N.Y., is not judgmental about the Iraqi police’s former operating techniques. He said he understands why police working under Saddam did what they did.

“If the police were corrupt, it was because the entire system was corrupt,” said Kornegay, a civilian police officer for seven years and now a civil affairs officer with the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion. He is currently attached to the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment in Baghdad.

“You don’t blame individual officers if the leadership did not instill” the service ethic, he said.

But in order to “establish the true legitimacy” of the Iraqi police force, that has to change, he said. And now, “all the tools are present” for a professional force, he said.

The coalition has invested millions of dollars in the new force. In the past year, thousands of Iraqi police officers have undergone coalition-sponsored training in the fundamentals of tactical police work. Most have weapons and uniforms, and most police stations have been rebuilt to provide protection against attack.

But something basic is still missing: “We need to instill the moral, ethical and professional characteristics of a police department,” said Kornegay, who has been assigned to training Iraqi police. “Anyone will tell you it’s not there.

“Hell, the [Iraqi police] leaders will tell you it’s not there.”

That’s why Sunday morning at Forward Operating Base Headhunter, 20 Iraqi police patrol and section leaders sat in a makeshift classroom, listening to trainers explain the curriculum for the new five-day Iraqi Police Leaders Operational Assistance and Development Course.

The sessions will emphasize community policing, ethics and professional standards of behavior.

The original six trainers for the course are Kornegay, two Iraqi interpreters along with Spc. Sean Martin, Sgt. Melvin Slagle and Staff Sgt. Kelsey Groff, all members of Company C, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry, of the Arkansas National Guard.

Kornegay hopes that what the staff is trying to teach the Iraqis will make a big difference to the police force — and to Iraq as a whole.

“When the Iraqi police can effectively operate and protect the community, we will see a drastic change in the sentiments of the people,” Kornegay said. “Professional policing saves lives.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

New vehicles aim to protect Marines in Iraq


By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, September 1, 2004

ARLINGTON, Va. — Marines in Iraq will be getting a new batch of vehicles late this fall that will help protect them against improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, the roadside bombs that have killed and maimed dozens of troops in Iraq over the past year.

The first 14 Cougars, which the Corps will rename Hardened Engineer Vehicle, are slated to go to combat engineers and explosive ordnance disposal teams now in Iraq, arriving in country before Thanksgiving, said Jeff Child, spokesman with the Columbia, S.C.-based Force Protection Inc., which manufactures ballistic and mine protected vehicles through its wholly owned subsidiary Technical Solutions Group.

The Corps bought the vehicles under an expedited “urgent requirement” process because of a great need to protect Marines from the threat of IEDs, said Joe Murgo, team leader for the Corps’ Engineer support Equipment and Counter IED systems branch at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

“We needed a vehicle designed to specifically take mine blasts from the ground up, to give all-around protection … and something that is easily maneuverable,” Murgo said. Tanks and tracked vehicles proved too large and cumbersome for some of the EOD and engineers’ missions, he said.

“The vehicle is designed, with its V-shaped hull, to withstand both AP and AT (anti-personnel and anti-tank) blasts and can protect Marines against IEDs, small arms fire, air bursts, and fragments from [weapons] 155 mm and below,” Murgo said.

The Marine Corps contracted through Force Protection Inc./ Technical Solutions Group Inc. to buy 27 Cougars. However, the service thus far has funds to buy 14, Murgo said.

The Cougar, with an average price of $335,000, is a multipurpose vehicle with a capsule designed to protect the driver and crew from both ballistic and mine blasts. According to the manufacturer’s Web site, the vehicle can be configured to serve as a mine-protected troop transport vehicle, a weapons platform, a law enforcement special response vehicle, or an EOD/range clearance vehicle.

The Cougar and its sister vehicle, the Tempest, are available in 10-seat versions in the 4-by-2 and 4-by-4 models, and as a 16-seater in the 6-by-6 model, though the Marine Corps did not buy any 4-by-2 models, Child said.

Some of the five-man teams of EOD Marines will get the smaller 4-by-4 versions, while some engineer support battalion Marines will get the longer 6x6 vehicles to help carry their personnel and equipment, Murgo said. But because of the vehicles’ versatility, they can be used however ground commanders see fit, he said.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=24120


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Issue Date: September 06, 2004

‘Self-induced internal threat’



Marine Commandant Gen. Mike Hagee sent the following message to his commanders in late July.

The current rate of aviation mishaps is unacceptable. We are losing Marine aircrews and destroying aircraft on training flights in [the continental U.S.], yet our deployed aircraft are safely executing combat missions while flying at twice the rate of our nondeployed units. The majority of this year’s mishaps are occurring during basic, nontactical segments of sorties: landings, takeoffs, in-transit formation flight, etc. Marine aviation’s demonstrated tactical excellence, of which you should all be proud, is effectively countering the enemy threat. However, we are currently taking significant losses from a self-induced internal threat: noncombat mishaps.

Everyone, from our senior leadership to our most junior aircrew, must personally reflect on this situation and recognize its grave operational implication: Our peacetime training mistakes are significantly degrading our ability to prosecute the global war on terrorism.

I have instructed the deputy commandant for aviation to direct all aviation units to conduct a one-day stand-down within the next five days. This stand-down will allow commanders and aircrews to focus on back to basic flight issues, [standard operating procedures], [operational risk management] checklists, and safety enhancement. It is imperative that Marines at all levels of Marine aviation understand the gravity of the current trend.

I will convene an in-person meeting with all wing commanding generals ... on 29 July ... to focus on the current mishap trend and discuss options for effective response. I have directed the deputy commandant for aviation to form a committee to study this issue and develop a plan of action to counter this internal threat. The recommendations of this committee will be discussed and promulgated at the upcoming Marine air board.

The Marine Corps has not, and will not, fail to accomplish its assigned missions. We all must do our utmost to turn the tide on this terrible trend in aviation mishaps; the resultant losses have been personally devastating and operationally consequential to all of us. Our country relies on us, we will not let them down.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-MARINEPAPER-323723.php


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Cherry Point Marines return from Iraqi duty
September 01,2004
Pat Coleman
Sun Journal Staff

CHERRY POINT -- Marines from Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 arrived home from Iraq early Tuesday to the cheers and well-wishes of friends and family members, who celebrated their return with a picnic.

The 125 Marines with MWCS-28 spent six months in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Maj. Dan Morris, executive officer for the returning detachment, said he was not deployed with them, but he credited his Marines with an "outstanding job."

"They have to build a communications system from top to bottom, including power and infrastructure, not only for local communications and data servers, but also the long haul communications that reach out of Iraq into other areas within the CENTCOM (central command) and also back to the United States," he said.

Morris said the Marines worked as a team to provide telephones, radios, and Internet connectivity, as well as the power and maintenance it takes to keep them up and running.

"Communication is critical," he said. "Not only do they, first and foremost, provide command and control communications for operations -- probably just as important to a lot of folks out there is the morale and welfare aspect, which makes it a little easier to stay in touch with the families."

While they were deployed, the MWCS-28 Spartans provided communications support ot the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. They also provided detachments to units, including the 22nd and 24th Marine Expeditionary Units, in support of combat operations throughout Iraq.

Pat Coleman can be reached at 638-8101 ext. 260 or pat_coleman@link.freedom.com.


http://www.newbernsj.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=17211&Section=Local


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Mother worries about her Marine
BY DAVID POLLARD
STAFF WRITER

Since he was 6 years old Adam Simpson, of unincorporated Leyden Township, always wanted to be a Marine.

His mother, Tina, thought it would pass as he grew older, but it hasn't, and now she hopes the realization of her son's dream doesn't become her nightmare.

Simpson, now 20, joined the Marine Corps while still a senior in high school and left for boot camp two weeks after he graduated from West Leyden High School in Northlake. His first tour in Iraq started in March 2003. He is now in Najaf, Iraq, on his second tour of duty.

Najaf has been the site of heavy fighting between U.S. troops and Shiite Muslims loyal to Cleric Motada Sadr.

"He would say, 'I'm going to be a policeman and a Marine' or 'I'm going to be a garbage man and a Marine' or 'I'm going to be a paleontologist and a Marine," Tina Simpson said.

She says sarcastically that she probably spent a million dollars on GI Joe action figures when her son was growing up.

"When they were broken, he wouldn't let me throw them away because they were wounded heroes," Tina Simpson noted.

She said after the World Trade Center tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001, she knew her son was going to join the Marines.

"After 9/11, that was it. After that, he knew what he had to do."

His decision was not something she wanted to hear.

"We spent a week arguing about it," Simpson said.

He is a sniper in a scout-sniper platoon, part of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, called the "One Four" for short.

Adam is Simpson's only child, who she raised herself, and she has spent a lot of stressful days worrying about him. Watching the news on the war in Iraq fills her mind with doubt.

"I spend a lot of panicky days," she said. "I wouldn't know how to explain it to someone who doesn't have a kid there.

"Waiting for the doorbell to ring. A car that drives a little too slow past your house is scary. Seeing the soldiers coming to your house in their dress blues. I pray every time I hear about someone being killed there, 'Don't let it be Adam,' but then if it's somebody else's son or daughter, then I feel guilty."

She finds comfort chatting online with other mothers who have children serving in the One Four. Yahoo sponsors a site for parents and friends of soldiers serving in the military unit.

"I probably get 50 e-mails or more a day," she said. "If anybody heard from their son, they'll post it."

Members of the group share information, comfort each other and send cards or condolences to families who have lost a child or a friend in the One Four.

She says support on the site has helped her get through a lot of rough times.

When her son came home from his first tour in Iraq in September, she could sense a change in him. When he called her after returning to duty in May, he said he missed home, but that it was good to be back with his own kind.

"He will go way out of his way to not make me crazier than I am about this" Simpson said. "He'll say, 'I'm OK. Stop watching the news so much.' I know that is not actually how he's feeling."

Simpson is a nurse who works the night shift and can't say for sure when her son will be coming home this time around. Her uneasiness about the future of her child is like that of other mothers whose children are in dangerous situations because despite the children's age, they are still their babies.

"He hates it when I say it, but he's my baby boy."

She tries to stay strong when talking to her son on the telephone, but sometimes cries when they are done. Overall, she has maintained good spirits, but doesn't know how she does it at times. She said she uses her son as an example.

"Honestly, if he can be this brave and this strong (in his situation), so should I," she said.

David Pollard can be reached at dpollard@pioneerlocal.com or (708) 524-4423.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/fp/09-01-04-368847.html


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marine Guilty of Abusing Iraqi Prisoners <br />
<br />
By SETH HETTENA, Associated Press Writer <br />
<br />
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - A Marine reservist was found guilty Thursday of dereliction of duty and the abuse of...