Purple Hearts: 1st Marines with 3/8 wounded receive awards

[thedrifter]

Purple Hearts: 1st Marines with 3/8 wounded receive awards

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551512339
Story by Lance Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos



CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 8, 2005) -- Four Marines with 4th Platoon, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment were presented Purple Hearts during an afternoon ceremony, May 8.

Captain William G. Rayne, 33, of Boston, Mass., Sgt. Jorge H. Herrera, 24 of Jacksonville, N.C., Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Landis, 24 of Pasadena, Md., and Lance Cpl. Curt L. Smith, 24 of Mount Joy, Pa. received the medals for wounds received during a rocket propelled grenade attack on their observation post near the city of Al Karmah, Jan. 30.

“These Marines were the first to be attacked and take on casualties from our unit,” explained 1st Sgt Edgardo M. Guzman, the company first sergeant for Company I. “They were all fortunate because they were wounded but eventually returned to full duty.”

January 30 was election-day in Iraq and the Marines had successfully assisted in providing security for the elections without taking any casualties. Unfortunately, that changed later in the night for Marines at observation post 2.

Some were sleeping, some were patrolling, while others were awake on watch when an RPG detonated inside the compound. Shrapnel hit a few Marines while others were affected by the fumes. The attack was launched from an old ruined mosque down the road from the OP.

The Marines began getting control of the situation by ensuring everyone was accounted for. Searching through every room, many of the Marines risked their lives running back into the ammonia filled rooms to pull out the wounded and disoriented.

“For three days I couldn’t see anything at all, I thought I was going to stay blind,” Smith said.

Of the six Marines who were wounded in the attack, four have been returned to full duty.

“Breathing was difficult for the first few days, but after a while it got better and I was back to full duty,” explained Landis.

The Purple Heart recipients and their fellow Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines were far from detoured from their mission by the attack in which they were wounded. They continue to push forward in their efforts to eliminate insurgent activity and provide a safe and stable environment for the Iraqi people to prosper.

At the end of the ceremony the Marines were told by their fellow comrades not to get any more of these awards.

“We will always do our job no matter what happens,” explained Landis.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2005515121720/$file/050508-M-5341G-002lowres.jpg

CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ - Captain William G. Rayne, Sgt. Jorge H. Herrera, Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Landis and Lance Cpl. Curt L. Smith all received their Purple Heart Medals in a ceremony here May 8. The Marines were involved in a rocket propelled grenade attack on their building in the middle of the night.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Volunteers clean beach, learn to surf Pacific
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 2005513104228
Story by Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.



MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 13, 2005) -- Marines, sailors and family members recently surfed and cleaned up Pacific Beach during a depot Single Marine Program outing.

Early risers assembled at Crystal Pier, and SMP coordinator Britney O'Connor said 15 volunteers showed up throughout the day.

Carrying large white trash bags and wearing latex gloves, the cleanup crew combed more than 800 yards from the pier to Pacific Beach Surf School. Volunteers stuffed 11 bags and discarded them in the beach's garbage drums.

Petty Officer 1st Class Omar Chavez, a depot hospital corpsmen, brought his 4-year-old daughter Alexi, who threw trash into the bag her father carried.

After the cleanup, Pacific Beach Surf School gave seven Marines two-hour surf lessons, which were discounted to $20 apiece after O'Connor used SMP funds and the school took $30 off a $70 value.

"It was great to see the Marines in the community," said O'Connor. She said it was a beautiful day and everyone had a great time.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Unexpected tour grows on Marines
Engineering battalion learning to appreciate time, culture on mission to Horn of Africa

By BRYAN MITCHELL, mitchellb@knews.com
May 16, 2005


At first, the news hit the Knoxville Marines hard.
The members of 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion got a mission, but not the one they expected.

While their East Tennessee comrades deployed to Iraq to join one of the largest contingents of Marines anywhere in the world in the Al-Anbar province, the 35 Marines of 2nd Platoon were shipped off to the Horn of Africa.

They were tasked with securing a joint military installation on the tiny nation of Djibouti as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The country is rarely in the news, and the chances of discovering a wanted terrorist or facing combat are slim.

But four months into a scheduled 7-month tour, the Marines have learned to relish their time in Djiouti.

Gunnery Sgt. Tim Burke, a West Knox County father of four, is the senior noncommissioned officer among the Marines of 2nd Platoon.

He describes a mission that is a mix of security maneuvers, intense training and humanitarian missions.

"Our mission is to provide security of the base (Camp Lemonier) and, through aggressive patrolling in our area of operation, enhance our security," Burke wrote in an e-mail to the News Sentinel.

Camp Lemonier is a former French military installation the United States has been using since mid-2001, according to Globalsecurity.org, a Virginia-based military information clearinghouse.

Burke also describes better-than-expected food and a predictable climate.

"The living conditions here are more than a Marine could ask for. (W)e get three hot meals a day and a tent to sleep in," Burke wrote. "The temperature ranges from the 80s to well over 100 degrees, and we have not hit the summer weather yet."

But the most satisfying aspect of the tour has been the Marines' interaction with the indigenous population.

East Tennessee families have shipped boxes of goods to the Marines, who in turn distribute the packages to the native Djiboutians. A favorite pastime for many of the Knoxville-area Marines is to volunteer at one of the several area orphanages.

"It's amazing to watch a Marine who was just behind a 240G (machine gun) race to catch a ride to help these children," Burke wrote in an e-mail to the News Sentinel. "The time and effort of such Marines is inspiring to see."

Back in East Tennessee, Burke's family has been motivated by his service. Dena Burke said the family has charity frenzy.

She is organizing an effort to ship soccer balls, cleats and even flip-flops for the Djiboutian children.

Her 10-year-old daughter, Stephanie, got in the act, too.

"She went through her closet the other day and wanted to give everything away," Dena Burke said.

Modern communications allow Burke and the rest of the Knoxville Marines to keep in regular contact with their families back in East Tennessee. The Marines can e-mail regularly and place the occasional phone call.

Dena Burke can't decide whom the tour is tougher on: a Marine with 35 troops under him or a mother with four children younger than 10 to corral.

"The hard part is on him," she said. "Then again, he can go the bed and not get woken up by anybody."



Ellie

[thedrifter]

Appointing Sunni defense minister takes air out of insurgency

By Jack Kelly

http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | More than 400 people have been killed in Iraq in the last two weeks, including at least five U.S. Marines taking part in Operation Matador in western Iraq.


A reader wants to know if, in light of this upsurge in violence, I still believe, as I wrote in a column Feb. 27th, that "the war in Iraq is all but won."


My answer is emphatically yes.


The body count is up because two offensives are under way. The insurgents have launched a suicide bombing campaign in an effort to destabilize the new Iraqi government. The Marines are clearing out the rats' nests in western Iraq to which insurgents fled after they were expelled from their stronghold in Fallujah last November.


The suicide attacks gather ominous headlines, but are failing in their strategic purpose. They have not diminished the willingness of Iraqis to enlist in the army and the police. Between 1,500 and 3,000 more sign up each week. And the Shia and the Kurds have not been goaded into bloody confrontations with the Sunnis.


The insurgents have to be discouraged by the headline which appeared in the Arabic newspaper al Sharq al Awsat Monday: "Iraqi Arab Sunnis head toward army enlisting posts in spite of explosions."


Until recently, Sunni religious leaders discouraged support for the government. But now that a Sunni has been appointed minister of defense, they're encouraging Sunnis to enlist.


"The Sunni involvement in the new government ...is a nightmare scenario for (the insurgents) — it means the loss of their only constituency," said the Australian web logger Arthur Chrenkoff, from whose blog I found I al Sharq al Awsat story.


"When the terrorist bombings began to kill large numbers of civilians back in late 2003, many Iraqis believed the Americans were behind the attacks," noted Jim Dunnigan of StrategyPage. "Iraqis didn't believe al Qaida and the Baath Party terrorists could be so stupid. Now, Iraqis consider al Qaida and the Baath Party terrorists to be depraved and rather clueless butchers."


The insurgency is now dominated by al Qaida. The news media describes this as ominous, as they describe every development in Iraq as ominous. But the opposite is true.


Al Qaida is coming to the fore through subtraction. Many of the"former regime elements" who dominated the insurgency are giving up. "The Baathists are secular-oriented socialists with little truck for the strict religious fundamentalism of al Qaida," noted web logger Donald Sensing, a former Army artillery officer. "They have been working together only because they each hate America and democracy, but at bottom, they hate each other, too."


Because they are Iraqis, all but the most blood-drenched Baathists have the option of quitting. Al Qaida does not.


"If they fail in Iraq, Osama and his whole crew are finished," retired Air Force LtGen. Tom McInerny told the Washington Times in a story published Wednesday.


The Marines say the insurgents they're fighting in Operation Matador are almost all foreigners, and that they're well trained, well armed, and fighting like cornered rats.


That's because they are. One has to go to blogs like Chrenkoff's, Dunnigan's, and Sensing's (One Hand Clapping) to get the information and analysis journalists ought to be providing, but aren't. Bill Roggio (Fourth Rail), Chester (Adventures of Chester), Wretchard (Belmont Club) and Scott Koenig (Indepundit), have done a superb job of describing the goals and progress of Operation Matador, complete with maps.


The Marines have established blocking positions on the escape routes into Syria, and are systematically reducing the pockets of resistance. The terrorists are fighting fiercely, because they've nowhere to run. They're dying in big bunches. The Marines are not.


The mere fact that a major offensive is being mounted in the mostly empty western desert indicates the situation in the cities is well enough in hand to spare the troops.


We don't know for how much longer the fighting will go on, or how many casualties there will be. The bloodiest battle of the Pacific war was Okinawa, the last.


But the insurgency's grave was dug militarily in Fallujah last November, and politically when Iraq went to the polls in January. The appointment of a Sunni defense minister and the success of Operation Matador are nails in the coffin.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Engineers patch Iraqi roadways, make convoys safer
Submitted by: 2nd Force Service Support Group
Story Identification #: 20055141511
Story by Cpl. John E. Lawson Jr.



AL ASAD, Iraq (May 14, 2005) -- The Marines of 6th Engineer Support Battalion, augmenting 8th ESB and supporting Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward), have been hard at work repairing the roadways throughout Western Iraq to make conducting convoy operations safer for their fellow service members.

During one engineer crater repair mission here recently, the ECR team filled two large holes totaling 115 bags or more than 1,800 cubic feet of concrete. The two holes took the team several hours to repair in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. All of the work, including the manual labor, was done while the Marines wore their full protective gear, including Interceptor vest, helmet and ballistics goggles.

Once the holes are identified by the many convoys traversing the roadways in the region, the team assesses the situation and begins their planning.

Once they set out to repair the holes, many of which are often caused by mine explosions, improvised explosive devices or excessive wear on the road itself, they are like any other convoy in the region: a potential target for insurgent activity. A military police security detachment and machineguns mounted on many of their trucks helps to lessen the threat, as does proper uses of armor.

When the convoy reaches the holes they are scheduled to repair, the military police detachment establishes a safe perimeter and diverts all non-military traffic around the site, said Cpl. Brett M. Taylor, construction team leader.

The engineer team then dismounts and the sapper teams begin sweeping the area and the hole for mines, the Hillsboro, Ore., native said.

Once the crater is deemed clear of potential threats, the team uses shovels to clear the loose debris from inside and uses spray paint to mark where the surface needs to be cut with a jackhammer.

Cleaning the edges with a jackhammer helps ensure the concrete will stick to the existing road, as does cutting everything at a 90-degree angle to ensure maximum surface area.

“The patch is supposed to be compatible with the existing road. It has to be able to withstand traffic from tanks,” Taylor said.

Once the cutting and cleaning of the hole is complete, the team lays supports, often utilizing sections of chain-link fence or HESCO wire, and begins to mix the concrete.

They use a mixture of concrete, a quick-setting concrete, locally-acquired aggregate, and water they transport via a tanker truck. Everything is hand-mixed by the Marines on site.

Taking breaks to hydrate and ventilate by loosening their body armor, the Marines watch each other to prevent heat injuries when working in the harsh Iraqi sun.

“We brought four coolers of iced-down Gatorade and water, and each vehicle has an additional two cases of bottled water,” Taylor said.

Once the hole is filled and the concrete is smoothed over, the Marines use a custom-made stamp to inscribe the name of an Oregon town into the patch. This has become a trademark for the unit’s handiwork.

Repairing the roads is one of the many ways Americans work to help better Iraq, but it is also a measure of safety for the troops who traverse the region during their operations. Filling the craters with concrete smoothes the road and removes obstacles which slow convoys, keeping them in harm’s way longer than necessary. It also eliminates potential hiding places for insurgents to plant a mine or IED.

“If we can deny the insurgents an opportunity to do harm, we could be keeping someone alive,” said Sgt. Paul Cook, assistant convoy commander.

With numerous ECR missions under their belt, the Marines of 6th and 8th ESBs continue to do their part to make Iraq a safer place.

“They don’t do it to please anyone; they do it for the mission, mission accomplishment,” said the Grant’s Pass, Ore., native. “They’re an incredibly hard-working bunch of Marines and they take pride in everything they do.”

For questions regarding the service members, units or operations covered in this story, please contact the 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward) Public Affairs Office by email at cssemnfpao@cssemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

Ellie

[thedrifter]

II MEF Marine chooses Corps over college
Submitted by: II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story Identification #: 20055116158
Story by Lance Cpl. Evan M. Eagan



FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 11, 2005) -- After experiencing the college life for a short time while attending a technical school in Winter Park, Fla., a communications Marine, with S-6, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD) chose to take a different path. This path has led him to the Marine Corps and his first deployment to Iraq.

“I joined because I was sick of spending my parents money,” said Lance Cpl. Bryan T. Orwig, a 19-year-old Highland, Md., native. “I dropped out of Full Sail, a tech school in Florida where I was learning C++ programming. I was doing video game design. I went for about six months and was partying a lot and got distracted and eventually ended up going back home.”

After returning home, Orwig realized he needed to do something with his life besides living under his parents roof.

“After the first 15 days at home I decided I didn’t want to stick around there and live off my parents,” he said. “I got in contact with a Marine Corps recruiter and within a week I was at Parris Island recruit depot.”

With a history of military service in his family, choosing to join the Marine Corps was not a tough decision.

“My grandpa was a truck driver in the Army during World War II and my step-dad was in the Air Force,” he said. “My parents were very happy that I joined because they could see I was trying to better myself.”

Orwig, who deployed with S-6, is serving temporary additional duty orders from his original unit, 8th Communication Battalion, where he works as a radio operator.

“I’m working at S-6 with some Marines that got TAD orders also,” said Orwig. “I really enjoy it out here. I got really close with guys that I came out here with and made some really good friends.”

With S-6, Orwig is still working in the field of communications.

“I maintain connection with other radio units and do cryptographic changeovers,” said Orwig during his latest assignment of doing a cryptographic changeover at Pumphouse Barney. “We also do a lot of convoys. We do about three a week. We go to Baghdad on supply runs and drop off tractor trailers and bring some back with us.”

Being in Iraq has helped Orwig become more proficient in his military occupational specialty because of the fast paced environment, he said.

“It’s really hands on out here,” he said. “I learned pretty much everything I know about my MOS by being out here in Iraq.”

When he gets out in 2007, Orwig said he may decide to give technical college another shot or use his Marine Corps training and join the police force.

“When I get out I want to do something in law enforcement,” Orwig said. “If I do then I will try to go SWAT [special weapons and tactics] after serving as a police officer for five years. If I don’t do that then I will go back to school at Full Sail to be a video game programmer.”

EDITOR’S NOTE
For more information about this article, please send an e-mail to cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marine changes lifestyle to join Corps
Submitted by: II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story Identification #: 20055861521
Story by Cpl. Chrisit Prickett



CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 8, 2005) -- Joining the Marine Corps is a major life decision. When a person joins to get out of the environment they are in to better themselves, it proves the point that Marines are a tough breed.

Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Eppinger, G-4 Engineer, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD), has been in the Marine Corps for almost three years.

As an administrative clerk for G-4, Eppinger helps handle any engineer projects within II MEF, Division, Group, the air wing, and any project engineer within this forward operating base. He also keeps track of funding and heavy equipment like trams and forklifts.

Eppinger gets to go outside the camp every month on security missions.

Eppinger graduated from South East High School, Sarasota, Fla. He joined the Corps to get away from the atmosphere he was in.

“I joined because I knew the Marine Corps would be a challenge, and I wanted that,” said Eppinger.

After graduating boot camp in November 2002, Eppinger was attached to III MEF, Okinawa, Japan. While there, he deployed to Korea and Thailand. He was there for 14 months before being stationed at Marine Forces Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.

“I love being stationed in Norfolk,” he said.

When Eppinger found out he would be deploying with II MEF, he didn’t know what to expect.
After being here over a month, Eppinger has found that Iraq is better than he thought it would be.

Eppinger’s mother and father are proud of their son, yet worried as well. He also has two brothers, 23 and 13, and a sister, who is a junior in high school.

“I talk to my parents all the time,” he said. “My mom would be upset if I didn’t keep in touch.”

In his spare time, Eppinger likes to play basketball, read, and go to the beach.

“I grew up near the water, so I used to surf before I joined,” he said. “I like to spend my time at home, near the water.”

After his four year contract is over, Eppinger hopes to attend college at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla. He plans on being an English teacher after he graduates.

“The Marine Corps has been the extra step I needed between high school and college,” he said. “I have learned things in the Marine Corps that I can carry with me throughout life.”

EDITOR’S NOTE
For more information about this article, please send an e-mail to cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marines, Azerbaijani Army dam insurgent activity
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20055852333
Story by Lance Cpl. Marc Fencil



HADITHAH DAM, Iraq (May 8, 2005) -- Nearly two months have passed since the Marines and Sailors of 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment made Hadithah Dam their home. However, America’s warriors are not the only ones calling the dam “Home-Sweet-Home”.

Their fellow residents’ green camouflage uniforms in the middle of the desert and heel-driving march sets them apart from their Marine comrades-in-arms.

The Marines simply call these neighbors the “AZ’s.” The letters “AZ” are not the Greek letters of a new sorority on deck. Rather, it is the nickname of the Azerbaijani soldiers, whose sole responsibility is keeping the walls and waters of Hadithah Dam secure.

“Having the Azerbaijani Army unit at Hadithah Dam, allows the Marines of my battalion to be on the roads and in the Al-Anbar cities and towns. That's where the terrorists are and that's where we have to go to provide security for the innocent Iraqi people,” said Lt. Col. Lionel B. Urquhart, the battalion commander.

Approximately 150 troops from the oil-rich former Soviet satellite state are currently here providing security to one of Iraq’s key infrastructures, freeing the Marines to conduct security and stability operations in the Hit-Hadithah corridor.

Prior to beginning their tour at the dam in January, the Azerbaijanis completed six months of basic training in their native country. Azerbaijani soldiers serve either six months or one year in Iraq, depending on their enlistment.

“Our soldiers received all the training that make them successful here in Iraq; marksmanship, crowd control, communications, and setting up checkpoints,” explained 39-year-old Maj. Elkhan Shalbuzov, the Azerbaijani company commander. The major is from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

Relations between the Marines and Azerbaijani’s are amicable. However, a language barrier exists between the communities.

"We use hand gestures instead of verbal communication to better understand each other,” explained Cpl. Daniel K. Smith, a 23-year-old food service specialist with H&S Company. “I try not to use facial expressions when I talk with them so they don’t wrongly interpret what I’m saying,” added the Cleveland Heights, Ohio native.

The vast majority of Azerbaijanis speak Azeri and a small number have knowledge of Russian and English. Most Azerbaijanis know at least a few simple, everyday English greetings to use with the Marines.

Language isn’t their only barrier though. The two forces live in separate areas of the dam. One wing of the dam is Azerbaijani territory while the Marines occupy the other wing.

The segregation is due to the need for accountability and unit integrity.

There are some things enjoyed by everyone no matter what uniform a soldier puts on in the morning.

Both Marines and AZs alleviate boredom by working out in the dam’s sparsely equipped gym and using Instant Messenger in the Segovia Internet café to talk with friends back home.

“I workout all the time and I notice that the Azerbaijanis will copy some of the exercises that Marines are doing in the gym and vice versa,” observed Lance Cpl. Eric M. Montgomery, a 21-year-old a field radio operator with Company L.

This time that these troops do spend together leave some Marines curious about the AZ’s, who gained their independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Republic and are eager to inquire about their weaponry, customs and home country.

“I’m curious to know how much funding their military receives in comparison to ours,” said Sgt. Carl D. Nelson, H&S Company’s 24-year-old admin chief from Niles, Ohio.

Marines are also perplexed by the Azerbaijani rank structure, which gives the impression of “too many Indians and not enough chiefs.” The Marines are used to a highly structured system of ranks easily discernable by their chevrons. The junior enlisted soldiers who make up the bulk of the Azerbaijani Army don’t wear rank on their utilities.

“It’s hard to tell the enlisted soldiers from the officers since they don’t wear chevrons like we do,” stated Lance Cpl. Sean M. Hathaway, a 21-year-old field radio operator with H&S Company.

Another aspect of the Azerbaijani Army that the Marines find curious it that they are not an all-volunteer force like the Marine Corps. The central Asian nation requires military service from eligible males. Males enrolled in a university serve one year and all others serve a year and a half.

Though members of each country’s military service have their own unique traditions and procedures, their cooperation demonstrates that these two allies work effectively together.

“The Azerbaijani soldiers take their mission of protecting Hadithah Dam very seriously, whether on patrol or guarding an entry control point. Well disciplined and ever vigilant, the Azerbaijanis are a formidable deterrent to would be attackers of this important source of Iraqi electrical power,” stated Urquhart.

“We have a good relationship. The Americans send a military delegation to my country every couple months,” Maj. Shalbuzov said. “They have provided my army with mine detectors, hundreds of radios, and other equipment.”

These young Americans and Azerbaijanis have come together in Hadithah long enough to realize that they are here for the same reason; the common desire for a free and stable Iraq that began as a mutual alliance at the outbreak of Operation Iraq Freedom in March 2003 in support of the global War on Terrorism.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

MCAF Marines tour battlefield, enjoy field mess night
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 2005512141939
Story by Cpl. Susan Smith



MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (May 12, 2005) -- Thick, gray musket smoke hung heavy in the hot, sultry, July air. Inadequately armored, scarcely-trained men fumbled with weapons they’d never fired. Frantically searching for their targets, the opposing sides strained their eyes to differentiate friend from foe.

Manassas National Battlefield Park curator Jim Burgess painted pictures with his words for Quantico Marines during a guided battlefield study May 5.

Approximately 75 Marines from the Marine Corps Air Facility made a trip to Manassas, Va., to walk the Battle of Bull Run battlegrounds.

“We tend to focus on Marine Corps history, but it is good to learn about American history as well,” said Gunnery Sgt. Dwayne Holt, an organizer of the event. “It is beneficial for the Marines to see how some of the tactics have stayed the same and how some have changed.”
Marines of all ranks walked for miles from point to point on some of the same trails used by the Confederate and Union troops to learn about major aspects of the Civil War battle fought over a century ago, July 21, 1861. At each stop, Burgess gave facts and told stories from both sides of the fight. After each of his mini-lessons, a different Marine came out in front of his peers to deliver more information they’d gathered the week leading up to the battle site study.

The Marines took a break along Bull Run River to learn about Farm Ford.

“Here, about 11 a.m., Col. William T. Sherman led his four regiments across Bull Run and joined the Union drive toward Henry Hill. Later that day, the ford was used again, this time by the retreating Union army,” reads a placard marking what is thought to be the location of Farm Ford.

“We have this placard here, but after reading journals and diary entries we have great reason to believe it’s located up another 200 yards where the banks aren’t as steep and the water is shallower,” explained Burgess.

A battlefield landmark and highlight of the tour was the Stone House, once a tavern, turned into a field hospital during the battle.

“Bloody floorboards were hardly unique – most houses in the area became crowded with wounded men – yet in diary after diary, soldiers mention this particular structure. The relatively unscarred walls may have provided an image of peace amid a field of terror,” reads a placard depicting the house as it stood in 1862. Although Manassas NBP restored and furnished the house to closely resemble its battle-time appearance, many of the stone walls, window frames and floor boards are original.

The Marines toured inside of the stone house to picture what it may have looked like over a century ago.

“I think the Marines really enjoyed themselves, even though it was a bit of a hike,” said Holt.

“I learned a lot,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Tote, crash chief. “I’ve studied different battles in different academies that I’ve attended, but I learned some things today that I didn’t learn before.”

Even though the Marines were tired from the long day in the sun, they mustered up some energy to enjoy a field mess night.

“It involved all of the traditional things like the toasting, music, lamp lighting, and cigar smoking,” said Holt. “The only untraditional parts of the mess night were that we were in an outdoor environment and we were in our cammies. We had three (general purpose) tents set up with microphones hooked up so all of the Marines could hear what was going on.”

MCAF Marines had planned on putting on a field mess night since their last mess night, two years ago at The Clubs At Quantico. For various reasons, the field mess night was pushed back time after time.

“Now, three (commanding officers) later, we were finally able to go through with it,” said Holt.

Holt and a fellow Marine presented the idea of taking the MCAF Marines to the battle site study after attending the Advanced Course on base.

“We decided to make it an all-day affair,” he said. “We all had a good time. The whole day was a huge success.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

MCLB Marines use four-legged reinforcements
Submitted by: MCLB Barstow
Story Identification #: 2005512161526
Story by Cpl. Jeremy Gadrow



MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. (May 12, 2005) -- Sometimes they’re at the front gate, sometimes they’re in the barracks, sometimes they’re deployed overseas, but they’re always on the alert and on the job.

Comprised of seven dogs and eight Marines, the K9 unit aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow are a force to be reckoned with. Whether a task involves explosives, narcotics or a fleeing suspect, the K9 unit has a dog that’s right for the job.

Dogs have been used in the military since March 1942 in the Army’s “K9 Corps”. During the earliest installments of dogs on the battlefield, they were used to search for wounded troops, send messages and scout for enemies. In Vietnam, dogs are claimed to have saved the lives of nearly 10,000 service members. Like Marines, before military working dogs can begin their service in the military, they must be taught discipline.

Discipline begins at day one, said Sgt. Jason Dorman, kennel master. “It is essential when dealing with the dogs. We wouldn’t want one of our dogs to bite onto a suspect and not let go.”

To teach discipline, military working dog trainers use a range of techniques including both positive and negative reinforcement.

“When the dog does something good, we give him a toy and plenty of positive feedback, like petting him and talking excitedly to him,” said Cpl. Jason Martinez, MWD handler.

“Which toy they get depends on what they react best to. Some dogs like different toys than other dogs, and we give them the toy they like best.” If a dog is unresponsive, or does not act as instructed, handlers are taught a series of gradually escalating correction techniques.

“We start with a verbal correction, yelling ‘no!’ then move to a louder, harsher verbal correction,” said Martinez. “If the dog is unresponsive, a choke collar may be used to correct him.”

Once discipline is established and training completed, working dogs are ready to begin using their skills to benefit the military.

One of the most useful tasks for the working dog is capturing a suspect, said Martinez. Because dogs run faster than humans, it is hard for them to be outrun.

“The average running speed of a military working dog is 35 miles per hour,” said Martinez. “I don’t know anyone who can run faster than that.”

For a working dog, the capture doesn’t stop when the suspect is on the ground.

Dogs are also used to watch suspects as they are being searched and to guard a suspect against further escape by escorting them.

A working dog’s usefulness does not end with the ability to capture and escort suspects. Their most often used skill is the ability to sniff out illegal substances or explosives.

“In addition to the standard bite and capture techniques, each dog is also trained in either narcotics or explosives detection,” said Dorman.

The number of smell receptors in a dog’s nose is more than 25 times the number found in a human nose, said Dorman.

“When a human walks into a burger restaurant, they just smell burgers,” explained Dorman. “When a dog walks in, they can smell the meat, cheese, lettuce and tomato.”

The dogs not only protect and search MCLB Barstow, but they also provide support for many local and federal law enforcement agencies, said Dorman. “The dogs at MCLB Barstow support organizations such as the Secret Service, Barstow Police Department, Fort Irwin and American Border Patrol among others. Along with that, they also deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

The dogs love their job, said Dorman. They work hard, but they get plenty of love and affection from their handler as well.

Editor’s note: Information for this article was also acquired from the Quartermaster’s War Dog Web site at http://www.qmfound.com/K-9.htm.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

San Diego radio personalities make waves in Al Asad
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200558105050
Story by Sgt. Juan Vara



AL ASAD, Iraq (May 8, 2005) -- Flying from San Diego to this former Iraqi air base has become almost an annual event for some of the Marines and sailors here. For others, not in the armed forces, it’s a new and unforgettable experience.

The jet lag, jam-packed transient tents, uncomfortable cots, cold showers (or no showers at all) and other details of traveling around military installations in Kuwait and Iraq may seem like normal for service members. Those outside of the military see things with a whole different perspective.

Recently, Tony and Kris, radio personalities from US 95.7 in San Diego, were embedded aboard this former Iraqi air base to personally thank service members for their service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.

Accompanied by their technical engineer, Kevin Douglass, the dynamic radio duo left San Diego on April 29 heading for the home of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). After many hours in the air and layovers in Germany and Kuwait, the three adventurers touched down in Baghdad.

While waiting for a flight to Al Asad the DJs had an opportunity to broadcast live from one of Saddam’s palaces. “It was amazing,” said Tony.

The next day, after arriving in Al Asad, the DJs and the handy engineer were welcomed by “Wild Dogs” from the 2nd MAW (Fwd) public affairs cell and were taken to what they would call home for the next few days.

The following morning, they experienced a bit of “hurry up and wait” at the passenger terminal on their way to Forward Operating Base Korean Village. Bad weather didn’t let the trio reach their destination, but they said the whole experience of flying in a CH-53E Super Stallion hauling an external load was worth it.

“I had the best seat,” said Tony. “I got to see the Marines hook up the pallet to the helicopter through the center opening.”

Kris, who had heard a lot of Iraq stories from one of his Marine friends stationed in San Diego, said he never imagined flying over Iraq in a CH-53E Super Stallion.

“I would have bet my life savings saying this was something I would never do,” he said. “Everything since we arrived here has been incredibly amazing.”

The disc jockeys stopped by the work centers of the Forward Deployed Preventive Medicine Unit from San Diego Naval Station; Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, a squadron from Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif.; Marine Attack Squadron 311, from MCAS Yuma, Ariz.; Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2, from MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.; Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Air Traffic Control Detachment Alpha from Camp Pendleton, Calif.; and spent the better part of their last day here with Marines from Marine Wing Support Group 27 and the Provisional Security Battalion, with whom they went out on a patrol in the vicinity of Al Asad.

“I’ll never watch the news in the same way again,” said Tony. “I’ll know the tiny slice of bad things that they show us isn’t representative of what’s going on. I know about the schools being built, the houses being erected, the people being helped and the children laughing and joking with Americans in uniform. When I see shots of young men and women in the desert I’ll be able to say ‘I’ve been there. I saw them doing their job and loving it. I walked the same dust as them.’”

After a week in Iraq, where they broadcasted live every day from places such as one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces to their quarters in Al Asad, the DJs couldn’t leave without cracking a few jokes on the tight security and the “military poetry” they encountered in all the places they visited.

“I had guards asking me for two types of identification, my passport and my social security number,” said Kris jokingly. “And that was just to go in a port-a-john.”

Tony, joking as well, said the guards were not checking them for weapons or explosives.

“They were checking for markers,” he said. “I even had to show them I didn’t have a marker holster.

Two guys very supportive of the military and their technical engineer did what many are not willing to do.

They didn’t come here to increase their number of listeners, they’re already well known in the Country music community (they received the Academy of Country Music Broadcast Personalities of the Year award a few years ago). They came here because they wanted to give service members a chance to share their stories on the air and send messages to family and friends back home.

“This trip was an experience we will never forget,” said Tony. “We met a ton of amazing young men and women and an impressive group of high ranking officers who make every one of us burst with pride knowing they’re here doing this remarkable, and sadly all too often thankless, work.”


- For more information about the events reported on in this story, please contact Sgt. Juan Vara by e-mail at varaj@acemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil -

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Monday, May 16, 2005
Story last updated at 12:57 AM on May 16, 2005
Local Marines Welcomed Home

By: BY TERA SCHMIDT
tera.schmidt@yankton.net


A table adorned with Iraqi currency, photographs of sand and demolished buildings, a lone Purple Heart and an American flag attracted many of those gathered to welcome Cpl. Billy Rueppel and Lance Cpl. Andrew Schmidt back to Yankton Sunday at the VFW. But the real prizes were the men themselves.
The two Yankton marines, dressed in full military attire, hugged those they hadn't seen for a while, shook the hands of other veterans and chatted about their experiences.

Rueppel, a member of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, was deployed to Iraq from August 2004 to March 22. He said his unit's objective was to force insurgents out of hiding.

"We were mainly used in the assault on Fallujah," he said. "Our primary goal was to crush buildings and force insurgents out."

Schmidt, along with the other members of the U.S. Marines 1st Force Service Support Group, had a much different assignment.

"We are a humanitarian unit," he said. "We helped the Iraqi civilians get food, water and monetary reimbursement for lost property. We also did some road construction."

Rueppel and Schmidt both said Iraq was not what they had expected.

"It's not what everybody says. It rained a lot and it was cold," Schmidt said. "At one point, I found myself knee deep in mud, so it is not always dry."

Rueppel said he was most impressed by how different life is in Iraq compared in the United States.

"It is definitely a different place," he said. "Just everything from the towns to the destruction, there are not a lot of nice places to go and the people are very poor."

Rueppel's hardest moments came in the wake of his injury.

"During the fighting in Fallujah, I was hit with RPG (rocket propelled grenade)," Rueppel said. "It hit me and my buddy. I was out for about a day and he was out for four days."

Rueppel took shrapnel in his leg and arm, but said it was only a minor injury.

"I didn't even know it had happened. I was worried about getting my buddy out of there," he said. "When they shined a flashlight on me, then I saw it."

During their deployments, both men said keeping in contact with their families and friends through phone calls, mail and, especially, care packages was important.

"We got to call once every couple of weeks and we always waited for those packages," Schmidt said. "We wanted the food -- anything to not have to eat the chow hall food or another MRE (Meal Ready To Eat). MREs for breakfast, lunch and dinner get old really quick."

In fact, both marines said a good meal was one of the things they missed most.

"We didn't get home cooking for the longest time," Schmidt said. "For Thanksgiving, we had multi-processed turkey, (but) all I really wanted was a home-cooked meal. When I got home, my grandma had a big Thanksgiving feast ready for me. That is all I wanted."

The men have to return to duty soon -- Rueppel is on a 20-day leave and Schmidt will be home for 45 days. They said there is one thing they will miss about Iraq.

"The lifestyle," Schmidt said. "There are no standards of appearance to uphold. We were there focusing on getting our job done, not concentrating on our appearance."

Despite having to look presentable, both soldiers said they are glad to be back on U.S. soil, at least until they are deployed again.

"I expect to go back," Rueppel said.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Medal honors Marine's valor
By Kim Bell
Of the Post-Dispatch

Verlene Wyatt clutched the Bronze Star, wiped away some tears and led the crowd at Mount Evergreen Cemetery in Millstadt Saturday in a final tribute to her son.

She told the 100 or so people how to shout out the Marine Corps' motivational cheer.

"Deep . . . no sopranos," she directed.

Then, in unison, the crowd bellowed with proper inflection, "Ooh-Rah!"

With that, they released dozens of white balloons, each emblazoned with a stamp of the American flag. The balloons sailed to the southeast, into an overcast sky, just barely clearing a line of trees.

This was not a funeral. Marine Cpl. Matthew A. Wyatt was buried in December. But his family chose to return to his grave for a ceremony awarding him posthumously the Bronze Star medal for heroism with a combat "V" for valor.

He earned it by gunning down the driver of a suicide truck bomb Dec. 3 at the Forward Operating Base at Trebil, Iraq. Wyatt's actions prevented the truck from getting into the compound, but he died from the resulting explosion. He was 21.

The truck was packed with about 600 pounds of explosives.

Marine Capt. Chris Curtin, Wyatt's battery commander in Iraq who traveled to Millstadt for the medal presentation, said Wyatt was far enough away from the gate that he easily could have taken cover and saved himself. Instead, Curtin said, Wyatt grabbed his M-16 service rifle, approached the truck and fired a shot, killing the driver. The truck lurched to a stop and exploded, killing Wyatt and another Marine, Cpl. Binh N. Le of Alexandria, Va.

Forty-five to 50 Marines were inside the compound on the afternoon of the explosion. Curtin said the suicide truck "came in very quickly. If he didn't act the way he did, I'm convinced more would've lost their lives."

Matthew Wyatt was Verlene Wyatt's only child. She plans to put the award in a safe deposit box, where she keeps the Purple Heart she received at his funeral in December. She raised him on her own since he was 2, after she and Matt's father were divorced.

Verlene Wyatt said her son was behind the U.S. mission in Iraq. "Matt supported it 100 percent and he was doing whatever it took," she said.

Wyatt's father, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Alan Wyatt, recently retired. "It sort of brings closure," he said of Saturday's ceremony.

Matthew Wyatt was a 2001 graduate of Belleville West High School. He enlisted in the Marines early in his senior year, left Millstadt for basic training in July 2001 and later was posted to Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he served with the 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

His maternal grandmother, Arlene Wickell, 72, of Millstadt, said he had no plans to re-enlist. He wanted to leave the Marines in 2006, after his five years were up.

"He always wanted to be a Marine, and he tried it and it's not for him," Wickell said. "He was going to buy a house, stay in Millstadt and drive a truck for the postal service."



Wyatt had an interest in acting. He even drove to Wilmington, N.C., a few years ago to be an extra in the final episode of the television series "Dawson's Creek." Footage of him was cut out in editing.

"He was a ham all the way," said his uncle Kevin Wyatt.



His grave has no marker yet but was decorated with flowers, a golden angel and a lantern that his former baby sitter put there. His maternal grandparents and mother will one day be buried next to him.

"Matt was not supposed to be here first," Wickell said. "I prayed constantly for God to bring him home safe, but that wasn't in his plan."

As the crowd dispersed, Wickell looked to the sky. "I'm sure he's seeing all this," she said, smiling. "I have to think like that . . . I have pictures of him in Iraq as my screensaver on my computer. I just sit and shake my head. He can't be dead. It seems like such a waste."



Reporter Kim Bell
E-mail: kbell@post-dispatch.com


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Unexpected tour grows on Marines
By BRYAN MITCHELL, mitchellb@knews.com
May 16, 2005

At first, the news hit the Knoxville Marines hard.

The members of 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion got a mission, but not the one they expected.

While their East Tennessee comrades deployed to Iraq to join one of the largest contingents of Marines anywhere in the world in the Al-Anbar province, the 35 Marines of 2nd Platoon were shipped off to the Horn of Africa.

They were tasked with securing a joint military installation on the tiny nation of Djibouti as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The country is rarely in the news, and the chances of discovering a wanted terrorist or facing combat are slim.

But four months into a scheduled 7-month tour, the Marines have learned to relish their time in Djiouti.

Gunnery Sgt. Tim Burke, a West Knox County father of four, is the senior noncommissioned officer among the Marines of 2nd Platoon.

He describes a mission that is a mix of security maneuvers, intense training and humanitarian missions.

"Our mission is to provide security of the base (Camp Lemonier) and, through aggressive patrolling in our area of operation, enhance our security," Burke wrote in an e-mail to the News Sentinel.

Camp Lemonier is a former French military installation the United States has been using since mid-2001, according to Globalsecurity.org, a Virginia-based military information clearinghouse.

Burke also describes better-than-expected food and a predictable climate.

"The living conditions here are more than a Marine could ask for. (W)e get three hot meals a day and a tent to sleep in," Burke wrote. "The temperature ranges from the 80s to well over 100 degrees, and we have not hit the summer weather yet."

But the most satisfying aspect of the tour has been the Marines' interaction with the indigenous population.

East Tennessee families have shipped boxes of goods to the Marines, who in turn distribute the packages to the native Djiboutians. A favorite pastime for many of the Knoxville-area Marines is to volunteer at one of the several area orphanages.

"It's amazing to watch a Marine who was just behind a 240G (machine gun) race to catch a ride to help these children," Burke wrote in an e-mail to the News Sentinel. "The time and effort of such Marines is inspiring to see."

Back in East Tennessee, Burke's family has been motivated by his service. Dena Burke said the family has charity frenzy.

She is organizing an effort to ship soccer balls, cleats and even flip-flops for the Djiboutian children.

Her 10-year-old daughter, Stephanie, got in the act, too.

"She went through her closet the other day and wanted to give everything away," Dena Burke said.

Modern communications allow Burke and the rest of the Knoxville Marines to keep in regular contact with their families back in East Tennessee. The Marines can e-mail regularly and place the occasional phone call.

Dena Burke can't decide whom the tour is tougher on: a Marine with 35 troops under him or a mother with four children younger than 10 to corral.

"The hard part is on him," she said. "Then again, he can go the bed and not get woken up by anybody."


Ellie

[thedrifter]

U.S. officials say Operation Matador a success
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Monday, May 16, 2005

A weeklong offensive targeting suspected insurgents in Iraq near the Syrian border wrapped up Sunday with military officials calling it a success despite heavy resistance.

Operation Matador, which saw some 1,000 Marines and soldiers sweep through towns along the Euphrates River, resulted in more than 125 suspected insurgents killed and 39 captured, the military said. But it also cost the lives of nine Marines, with 40 more wounded.

Six of the Marines were killed when their amphibious assault vehicle hit a mine.

The large-scale operation was aimed at smuggling routes and safe houses for foreign fighters arriving in Iraq through the western desert border area, U.S. military officials said. The cities of Karabilah, Ramana and Ubaydi have been "used as a staging area where terrorists receive weapons and equipment and organize for attacks against the key cities of Ramadi, Falluja[h], Baghdad and Mosul," read a Multi-National Force-Iraq statement issued Sunday.

"Regimental Combat Team-2 started and ended this operation as planned, accomplished its mission and secured all objectives. Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces will return again to this area in the future," Maj. Gen. R.A. Huck, 2nd Marine Division commander, was quoted as saying in the release.

The offensive included armored ground troops, attack helicopters, and Harrier and Hornet fighter bombers. Marines reported encountering some insurgents fighting in organized units and with advanced equipment including body armor.

The operation kicked of May 7, when Marine-led U.S. forces crossed the Euphrates River to clear a series of caves suspected of being used as supply points or safe havens.

More than 70 suspected insurgents were killed in the first 24 hours of the battle, according to the U.S. military. On Saturday, a long convoy of U.S. military vehicles left the area and headed back toward their bases.

But, according to the Associated Press, the insurgents returned just as quickly. In Qaim, near where the operation kicked off, masked insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades "remained in plain sight," set up checkpoints and vowed to "defend the town if U.S. forces return," the AP reported.

In an article published in Sunday's Washington Post, an embedded reporter from the newspaper quoted Marine ground commanders as claiming success but being somewhat frustrated by the enemy after the first few days of the campaign.

"That was the frustrating piece: coming up here for a fight and not finding anyone," Marine Maj. Steve Lawson, of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, was quoted as saying.

Another commander, Lt. Col. Tim Mundy, said many of the fighters fled the area instead of standing to fight.

"The mission was to put on the pressure and show they did not have a safe haven from us. They ran from us," he said.

While the offensive in western Iraq was under way, a wave of suicide attacks struck central and northern Iraq, killing more than 400 people, including security forces and civilians, in one of the worst outbreaks of violence since the 2003 invasion.

U.S. military and political leaders attribute the surge in attacks to attempts to destabilize the recently seated Iraqi cabinet.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

DI saves life during coffee break
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 200551311199
Story by Cpl. Jess Levens



MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 13, 2005) -- An M Company drill instructor became a local hero May 4, when he saved a man's life in a San Diego McDonald's drive-thru line.

Staff Sgt. Jaime Nicholson was on his way to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to join his platoon for the Crucible when he stopped at the McDonald's on Balboa Drive to grab a quick cup of coffee.

"I was about to order when I heard the lady say, 'Oh my God!' over the intercom," said Nicholson. "At first I thought someone burned the fries or something. Then I heard screaming."

The man at the pay window had dropped some change and bent over to pick it up, but he left his foot on the accelerator. The car jolted into the restaurant wall and its door closed on the man's head. The car was at a standstill, grinding against the restaurant wall.

"When I got out to see what happened, I noticed the engine was (racing)," said Nicholson, back at the McDonald's for a burger days after the incident. "I broke the car's back window and put the vehicle in reverse (to back away from the window), then park."

The injured man was unconscious.

"His head was purple and his eyes were bugged out," said Nicholson. "I thought he was going to die."

Medics arrived on the scene, pulled the unidentified man from his sedan and rushed him to Scripps Memorial Hospital. With emergency care, the victim survived.

Nicholson quietly went to Camp Pendleton after the incident.

"When I got there, the chief (dill instructor) asked why I was late," said Nicholson. "When I told him what happened, he was like 'Wow.' I guess that was a good excuse."

Nicholson's deed will likely merit the Navy and Marine Corps Lifesaving Medal.

"It's not what you expect to find at the McDonald's drive-thru, but he's a hero," San Diego Police Department Sgt. Andra Brown told television reporters about Nicholson. "He saved a life today."

Nicholson remained humble about the situation: "I saved a man's life, and that feels good. But I just reacted. I think being a Marine and a drill instructor helped me in this situation. I am used to thinking on my feet."


Ellie

[thedrifter]

The deserters: Awol crisis in the US forces <br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />
By Andrew Buncombe <br />
The Belfast Telegraph <br />
May 16, 2005 <br />
<br />
As the death...

[thedrifter]

Sent to me by mark aka The Fontman


Wounded Marine on the mend
By JASON MCALISTER
Advocate Reporter

NEWARK -- A Marine and Ohio Highway Patrolman from Heath who was injured in Iraq last week arrived in Maryland on Sunday, where he is undergoing surgery.

Staff Sgt. Larry Bowman, 35, suffered a severe leg wound that nearly caused his left foot to be amputated, and was "peppered" with shrapnel on the right side of his body after a grenade blast, he said from his room in the Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Bowman arrived there Sunday after being flown from hospitals in Iraq and Germany.

The fighting took place during Operation Matador, a week-long Marine operation against insurgents near the Syrian border that ended Saturday, said Bowman, who is second in command in his platoon of about 30 Marines.

Nine Marines and more than 100 insurgents were killed during the operation.

About 11 a.m. on Mother's Day, Bowman's platoon entered an insurgent-controlled Iraqi town near the Syrian border, just south of the Euphrates River, he said.

Insurgents with rocket-propelled grenade launchers could be seen scattering to hide as the Marines entered the town, he said. A continuous flow of machine gun fire was coming from unknown locations; the flash of gunfire could be seen, but the exact locations of the enemy couldn't be determined.

Bowman said the Marines began kicking down doors of houses to root out insurgents. Often Marines knock on doors and ask for permission to enter residences, but the situation was dangerous, he said.

Bowman said two of his Marines entered a house surrounded by a walled-in yard with a gate.

"I could tell (the Marines) were heavily engaged (from the) gunfire from inside the house," he said. "I ran down the street toward the house they were in."

Bowman knelt beside another Marine at the gate outside the house and asked him how many Marines were inside, he said. The Marine didn't know.

Bowman said the Marine was in an exposed area, so he grabbed him and pushed him back, behind the wall. Then a blast from the road sprayed dust into the air around him, Bowman said.

"What the heck was that?" Bowman said he asked the other Marine. "Did you get hit?"

"No" was the reply.

Bowman then looked down and saw a 2-inch diameter hole in his left calf, that exposed his leg bone. But he remained calm long enough to get help get all the Marines back to a rendezvous point, he said.

Within an hour, Bowman said, he was transported via Humvee and Blackhawk helicopter to a hospital. After two hours, he might have lost his foot, he said, but he made it to surgery in a Baghdad hospital.

Bowman suffered tendon and ligament damage and lost a secondary blood vessel in his leg. He also suffered minor shrapnel wounds on the right side of his body.

Later, he said he was asked by other Marines how he kept his composure during battle.

"I couldn't let my Marines see me freak out," he said. "They had to remain stable, not go into shock. That's my job."

Two other Marines from his platoon were injured in the fighting that day, he said.

Bowman said he had wanted to be a Marine since he was 13. He joined before he completed high school, and served in the Persian Gulf War.

After returning home, he married and served as an Ohio State Highway Patrolman in Licking County for five years.

Bowman said he doesn't regret going to Iraq.

"I feel an obligation to serve my country," he said. "I want to give something back."

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Veteran's military service a rarity <br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />
BY CHRISTIAN HILL <br />
THE OLYMPIAN <br />
<br />
In his heart, Benton Potter is a Marine. <br />
...

[thedrifter]

Base unit learns history lesson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By PAMELA BATZEL
The Intelligencer
May 16, 2005

Two days after the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base showed up on a list of national military facilities recommended for closure, one of the base's Marine units was deployed to Hatboro to learn about local history.

On Sunday morning, about 70 Marines from the Marine Aircraft Group-49 studied the Battle of Crooked Billet - a May 1, 1778 battle that began at what is today the Crooked Billet Elementary School in the borough.

"We've still got a mission, a valid mission," no matter the fate of the base, said Col. Mark Monroe, commanding officer of MAG-49.

The reservists and full-time Marines met at the school, greeted by historical re-enactors from the Millbrook Society. They told the story of the battle between militia fighting for independence and British troops and loyalists who failed to pull off a planned two-front attack.

"Tactics don't change that much ... There are a lot of immutable laws ... maneuvers ... how you go through an operation," Monroe told troops before David Shannon of Millbrook gave a brief history of the fight. Millbrook is a nonprofit historical commission that serves Hatboro.

The militia, assigned to stop Quakers from selling goods to British troops for cash, was caught off guard and chased from camp by British fighters from the south. But a group of British loyalists - Americans committed to England's interests - to the northeast was unprepared and failed to catch the militia.

By May 2, the militia was back at its camp, although it lost about 65 of its 500 fighters in the battle.

Reservist Gary Hall said it was interesting to see that tactics from revolutionary times are applicable to today's battles. "We're taught that even today," he said of the British groups' plans to use the double-flank attack, or pincers movement.

Lance Cpl. Daniel Nazaire, a reservist from Philadelphia, also said Crooked Billet speaks directly to challenges on today's battlefield. It was a militia sentry who fell asleep, which left his men virtually unprepared for the attack. Today, guards who fall asleep on watch in Iraq are a problem military leaders talk about, he said.

The battle study also spoke to today in another way.

The troops walked 2.8 miles from the school to the former Naval Air Warfare Center in Warminster, which was closed in the mid-1990s at the recommendation of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, which is often referred to as BRAC. That site is also where the second front of British fighters came in and attacked wounded militia left behind.

"It's quite ironic we ended up in a place that got BRACed in 1996," operations officer Maj. Richard Jethon told the troops as they looked toward the empty airstrip and an area near it where the British loyalists entered the scene. The Marine's excursion wasn't planned for that, he said. "It just happened."

Now reservists and active duty service members alike are waiting to learn what will happen to the Willow Grove base.

The Pentagon included Willow Grove on its list of 33 major facilities in 22 states it wants to shutter. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said he wants the nation's military to be more combat ready and affordable, a goal accomplished by making the individual services leaner and more unified.

The commission will give its recommendations on base closings and realignments, based on the Department of Defense's list released Friday, to President Bush by Sept. 8.

Cpl. Wonal Jean, an active duty Marine, said he is prepared if the group is given relocation orders. The Pentagon has recommended the MAG-49 move to McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

"If we're to move, that's our mission," said Jean of Fort Lauderdale. "We train everyday to be flexible, to be prepared for a lot of possible outcomes."

But while reservist Raymond Bisogno said he would go where the U.S. Navy needs him - he is in the Navy but attached to MAG-49 - it would not be without sadness.

"You grow attached to the community, the base and the people you work with," he said.

Hall, the reservist, and who lives in Warminster, said closing Willow Grove would have limited impact for him because he retires in August. But he does use base services, such as the gym and Navy Federal Credit Union. "Those types of things I'll miss, if and when it closes."

While some can at least try to imagine a new base, that is less possible for reservists like Nazaire, from Philadelphia. While there has been speculation about where the Marines will go, for instance, there is no word on where reservists might train - something they do one weekend a month throughout the year and for two weeks each summer.

Some are holding on to the possibility there will be no relocation.

Chief Hospital Corpsman Suzanne Steele said it would be months before the final list is approved and Willow Grove could fall off, she said.

But she too will go where she is sent, should it close, said Steele, who is also with the U.S. Navy.

Pamela Batzel can be reached at (215) 345-3062 or pbatzel@phillyBurbs.com.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Keeping families close during war
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
paula@monroenews.com
By PAULA WETHINGTON
May 15, 2005

While Marine Sgt. Kevin Withrow was deployed in Iraq, the Newport resident had a sense of when his family would want to hear from him.

"If something hit the news that he thought might scare us," said Tereasa Withrow, his wife, "he'd e-mail us."

That e-mail proved to be an important link between Sgt. Withrow and his family, which includes his wife and daughters Brianna, 13; Alexandria, 11, and Katrinna, 10. Military families often rely on e-mails and instant messaging from husbands and fathers, wives and daughters to communicate from the other side of the world.

The Withrows are one example. They were miles away from the services and camaraderie that are available in military communities.

Mrs. Withrow found that civilian friends and neighbors "really don't know what to say" about the military deployment.

That's a common situation reported by reserve and guard families, said Sally Vickery, the Family Support Program Coordinator at the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard at Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Mount Clemens.

"There is a different mindset with civilian and military people. Civilians are caring and want to help, but they don't quite know how," Ms. Vickery said.

It took time and planning for Mrs. Withrow to work around the long distance issues. Monthly trips to Selfridge, along with frequent contacts via telephone, mail and the Internet, kept the military-to-home communication intact.

"Civilians don't necessarily understand what you're going through emotionally," Mrs. Withrow explained. "Military families are more connected to each other."

Local residents who serve in the military could be in any service branch or location. So while Mrs. Withrow learned via word of mouth during the past year about other local families who had loved ones on military duty, she never met them.

"We were surprised," she said about those stories. "I guess you just don't think about it."

Geographically, the closest person connected to Sgt. Withrow's unit was a Marine's mother who lived in Taylor. "She was going through different things than I was," Mrs. Withrow said.

This was a much different situation than what the family experienced during a previous long-term deployment.

The last time the military called Sgt. Withrow away from home for an extended period was for six months at sea during the late 1990s. At that time, he was on active duty and serving at El Toro Air Base near Irvine, Calif. Mrs. Withrow said fellow Marines were their neighbors. It was a common thing for military friends and neighbors to knock on the door for an impromptu chat when someone was away from home.

After his active duty term finished in 1998, the family moved back home to Michigan and he joined the reserves.

When the military deployments related to the war in Iraq began, reserve and National Guard members were among those sent overseas. Sgt. Withrow was called to active duty in June and sent to Iraq in August. He returned to the U.S. in March, spending a few weeks on active duty at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

Now back from Iraq, Sgt. Withrow is returning to his role as a supervisor in baggage handling for Northwest Airlines at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

While he adjusts to his civilian job, the rest of the family is going on with life much the way they did when Sgt. Withrow was deployed. They stayed at their home in Newport Farms. The girls attended Airport Community Schools and participated in cheerleading, karate and soccer. Mrs. Withrow, a homemaker, volunteered in the schools.

"We stayed very, very busy," Mrs. Withrow said.

There were changes with the family budget because the military pay was less than the civilian pay. On that issue, she said, other people understood the circumstances. Newport Farms arranged for a discounted lot rent for their home. The interest was waived on their car payment. The family also was allowed an early cancellation on their truck lease since they didn't need two vehicles during the deployment.

"We had a lot of blessings that way for the difference in pay," Mrs. Withrow said.

There were about 30 people from the unit deployed at the same time. One of the wives, who was dubbed the "key volunteer," kept everybody informed during the month about important dates and details and provided information when a question came up.

"She's a military wife who knows what we're going through," Mrs. Withrow said.

One example of that assistance happened after Mrs. Withrow took the girls to the dentist. The bill was kicked back on the basis that the family wasn't listed on the military dental plan.

Sgt. Withrow was overseas and couldn't straighten out the bureaucracy. So the key volunteer stepped in.

"She helped me take care of that," Mrs. Withrow said.

Another situation when she got help was when Sgt. Withrow's grandmother, Ruby Withrow of Monroe, died in December.

Mrs. Withrow contacted her husband through the Internet to let him know that his grandmother was seriously ill. He did get a chance to talk to her on the phone.

When his grandmother died, Mrs. Withrow couldn't contact her husband directly. However, the key volunteer helped Mrs. Withrow arrange for an emergency message to be delivered by the American Red Cross.

Communication key component

What really helps these days, she said, is the availability of telephone calls and Internet messages with the military person. It's a far cry from her days as a Vietnam wife, when she had to wait five to six weeks for a letter to arrive by mail.

"They're still very emotional when the service member leaves," Ms. Vickery said about families. "But they know in five or six days there will be some communication."

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Derrick Jackson's lost his mind . . . and his heart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the Marine Corps Moms Web site
May 16, 2005

Derrick Jackson, columnist for the Boston Globe, has finally suggested in print that he's lost his heart and his mind. His headline, not mine. That's the logical conclusion from this hateful diatribe against U.S. troops who he denigrates as "pawns of President Bush". The Marine Dad who sent this to me noted:"What follows is Mr. Jackson's op-ed. If you find it sickening, offensive, demeaning, and insulting to our troops, rest assured you are not alone."

Here's a snippet:

If all that soldiers can now accomplish is curse at baffled Iraqi families and berate people in the streets for exercising what we consider the right of free speech to tear up a newspaper, then there is no mission.

In a sign of their morass, the soldiers described themselves in lowly terms far removed from the pre-invasion build-up, when Vice President Dick Cheney said "we will be greeted as liberators." The supervising soldier in Mosul told NPR as his armored vehicle cruised the streets, "If you look on the walls here, you can see all this graffiti. We've really taken to the streets here kind of like a gang unit would in, say, LA. It's a giant gang war, and we've got the biggest gang, so every time we see graffiti, we mark it out, we tag it with 'US Forces,' and we say, 'Hey look, this is our block.' "

Funny, when Bush told us we were liberating the Iraqi people, he said nothing about employing the Crips and Bloods.

Morass my ass. Jackson is basing his blatantly biased editorial on a equally partisan NPR news story. His writing is chock full of false arguments and fallacies. This slash piece doesn't begin to approach what good editorials accomplish - enrich discussion through a critical examination of current issues. Instead, Jackson's overtly political agenda is patently obvious and an embarrasment to the Boston Globe.

Marine Dad concluded:

"And here we thought our young men and women risking life and limb over there were heroes. Silly us. If anyone feels inclined to differ with Mr. Jackson's labeling of our loved ones as nothing more than lowly gang members, his email address is: jackson@globe.com"

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Five Little Angels
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Journal entry 10 May from Hurl's Blog

I'm currently sitting in my post-apocalyptic operations center, listening to Miles Davis and waiting for several urgent casevacs to arrive from a big fight out to the West. We will pick up the escort and take them to surgical hospitals in either Balad or Baghdad. As mentioned in an earlier post, things are getting hot. The 2nd Marine Division is really getting aggressive and going after the scumbags who hide in schools and hospitals.

A few days ago, just after dark, the insurgent slime set up an ambush from a hospital in Hadithah. Howdy and I just arrived to provide overwatch for a company sweeping through that area on both sides of the Euphrates river responding to an earlier attack. Suddenly the night sky lit up with a bright flash just as we happened to be turning away from the city. We turned back immediately and saw an enormous mushroom cloud caused by a suicide slimeball slamming an explosive laden vehicle into a Humvee carrying 3 Marines and 1 Navy corpsman.

A firefight erupted. Insurgents hiding in a hospital and nearby palm grove began shooting at the Marines and firing multiple RPG's. The Marines immediately responded with fire from .50 cal's and a variety of other weapons. The fight was intense with stuff flying in all directions. We were cleared hot to engage the enemy, but there was no way for us to do that since they were too intermingled with the Marines. Our only contact with anybody on-scene was with a very overwhelmed and understandably shook-up fellow fighting for his life and others. Frustration and anger mounted as we watched the firefight progress. Things were much more complex than can really be described here. The weapons on our attack chopper are devastating - if we were to engage, there was a very high probability that we would kill our own Marines. So we were forced to watch the carnage and screen for additional suicide vehicles bringing more death to the scene.

As the long night progressed, a meched-up reinforcement platoon eventually arrived to extract the 7 wounded and 4 angels - our term for KIA's - as well as drag the disabled and destroyed vehicles away. We try not to leave anything behind that could be used for trophy's - certainly not any bodies. While this was going on, the scumbags set the hospital on fire, further endangering the lives of the 40 patients within. Incredibly, the Marines entered the hospital and began clearing it, killing one insurgent and capturing another. Additionally, they rescued all the patients in the wing that was burning.

I'm glossing over most of the details, but eventually the fight died down and we escorted them safely back to their base. The wounded were flown to a field hospital and the angels were flown to a morgue. Unfortunately one of the seriously wounded Marines died on board the medevac chopper…. Five little angels flying away….

This was a great loss, but you can bet it will be avenged. We're smashing these guys, most of whom are not Iraqi at all, they're foreign fighters from Syria, Jordan, Iran, etc. Unfortunately they fight very dirty and casualties are inevitable. Most of their victims are innocent Iraqis - children in school, women at the market, men working hard to build this country….

Five little angels paid the ultimate price for Iraqi freedom this dark night - and freedom in general for all people who prefer life and liberty instead of death and oppression. I hope the significance of that kind of sacrifice will be appreciated…..

Ellie

[thedrifter]

MTACS-28 keeps tactical operations up and running
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 2005512111242
Story by Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis



AL ASAD, Iraq (May 12, 2005) -- The aim of Marine aviation is simple – support the Marines on the ground from the air.

However, the work that goes with supporting that mission is extremely intricate and requires a gamut of Marines and sailors working in extremely technical areas to ensure the job is done.

Behind the scenes of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) lies the heart of operations, the Tactical Aviation Command Center, where missions and operations are planned and tracked.

Responsible for ensuring the command center and commanding general’s staff there have the tools they need to complete their important tasks are the Marines of Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28.

“It’s a complex mission,” said MTACS-28 commanding officer, Lt. Col. Robert C. Schutz, a native of Baltimore, Md. “We are responsible for the maintenance and day to day running of the commanding general’s command post.”

Many things go into ensuring the command center is capable of sustaining combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Marines of MTACS-28 provide everything from electricity and air-conditioning, to computer infrastructure and radio communications.

“We are the senior agency within the Marine control group,” Schutz said. “We pull all the other agencies together and present the information they provide to the commanding general and his battle staff.”

The amazing technology that allows the staff sections of the wing to track and coordinate operations requires the most basic of needs, electricity.

The Marines of the squadron’s utilities section work each day to ensure a constant flow of power to the command center, and to keep the sensitive equipment up and running.

“Without utilities, there would be no power to run the equipment, no air-conditioning to cool the sensitive computers,” said Lance Cpl. Paul D. Popailo, refrigeration mechanic and native of Keansburg, N.J. “We give them the power they need to complete their mission.”

Responsible for operating and maintaining 16 generators and 45 air conditioning units, the utilities Marines provide totally independent tactical power and cooling to the operations center.

“Power and air-conditioning are like oxygen, no one notices them untill they aren’t there,” Schutz said. “The command post cannot exist without them.”

Walking into the command center is like walking into a scene from “The Matrix,” computers and data servers dominate the view. The squadron’s communications and electronics section ensure these systems are capable of providing data.

“We make sure the data feeds are routed properly so they get to the Marines that need to see them,” said Cpl. Ryan S. Robinson, tactical data systems repairman and native of Ormond Beach, Fla. “We run and maintain the servers that provide the data to the command floor.”

The data that flows through the command center is vital to the success of 2nd MAW(Fwd) operations, providing everything from live video feeds from unmanned-aerial vehicles to the location of troops and aircraft.

“It’s an amazing place to be,” Robinson continued. “Seeing everything come together, and know that it’s a direct response to your job. It’s fulfilling to see the fruits of your labor, and how it affects the big picture.”

Because Marine aviation’s soul purpose is to support the war fighter on the ground, communication between ground units and air support is vital.

The squadron’s aviation radio Marines ensure that communication between the wing and subordinate units, as well as Marines on the ground, stays clear and open.

Employing many radio and satellite communications methods, the Marines keep the avenues of communication open throughout the area of operations.

“Our equipment allows us to integrate our command and control data with the data of other agencies,” said Gunnery Sgt. Shayne M. LaCoste, aviation radio technician and native of Morgan City, La. “We can then forward that information to higher headquarters and paint an overall picture of operations throughout the Marine [Corps’] area of responsibility.”

Because infantry Marines, tankers and artillerymen don’t trail miles of fiber optic cable behind them as they operate on the ground, radio communications are vital to providing close air support.

“The high-speed stuff is great,” LaCoste said. “However, the Marines on the ground are going to be on a radio. The capabilities we provide allow the commanding general’s staff to have greater situational awareness of what is happening on the battlefield.”

Tying together all the assets that the squadron provides are the MTACS-28 Marines who work on the floor of the command center. Working in conjunction with Marines and sailors in the commanding general’s staff, the current operations section observes, tracks and oversee almost every function of the 2nd MAW(Fwd)

“We take the plan that future operations puts together and ensure it is executed,” said Maj. William J. McWaters, senior air coordinator and native of Scottsbluff, Neb. “We coordinate aircraft to get where they are needed, as fast as possible, to support the Marines on the ground.”

Although the squadron is responsible for the crucial functions of the tactical aviation command center, teamwork within the command and control community is vital to their success.

“There are Marines and sailors from multiple squadrons and units who work together in the command center to contribute to our overall success,” Schutz said. “It takes each one of us to provide the commanding general and his staff with the information they need to make timely and accurate decisions.”

Arriving in February, the Marines and sailors of MTACS-28 have remained steadfast in their job to support the command center. Through their day-to-day tasks, renovations and improvements, and mission at hand: command and control, the Marines are doing their part to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“They are a small group of dedicated Marines,” Schutz said. “The work they do everyday and the work ethic they possess is outstanding.”

*For more information about the Marines or news reported on in this
story, please contact Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis by e-mail at defilippisrc@acemnf-
wiraq.usmc.mil*


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Sent to by mark aka The Fontman



The Iraq War: Another view

By JOHN BOYCE
Mount Vernon News Staff Writer
May 16, 2005

The international and national media keep everyone informed with up-to-the-minute news of all the attacks, bombings, and other horrors of combat in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

However, there are other facets of the current effort to help the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as of the support provided to our troops in combat, which don’t get the coverage they deserve. That is the purpose of this column, in which information from other sources will be presented.

Today’s column presents an edited version of a May 2 story from U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs that was written by Staff Sergeant Bradley Rhen, CTF Thunder Public Affairs, Afghanistan.

On April 29, led by a U.S. Marine Corps captain who had spent the last six months leading his company of Marines through Khost province, U.S. Army troops from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, got a good look at the region they will be patrolling for the next year.

USMC Capt. Ken Barr, commander, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, took the “White Devils” of Co. A to villages in the northern part of Khost Province, including one where a patrol he had led in January was attacked.

The first stop was Yaqobi, the Sabari District headquarters, where about 20 elders from around the district had gathered. There, Barr bid the Afghani elders farewell and introduced Capt. Edward Hollis, commander, Co. A, 2-504 PIR, as his replacement in the district.

Following that, Barr led the patrol to Zambar, where a patrol he led on Jan. 12 was attacked during the middle of the night with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Barr also introduced Hollis to a couple of village elders there in Zambar.

“Zambar District is kind of a hotter area, so I wanted to get a good recon of the area during daylight hours,” Hollis said. “If there are bad guys out there, we’re here to root them out, so I wasn’t really too worried about the attack. The purpose of this mission was to let the Soldiers see the village in the daylight. It was a good experience for all.”

For some of the soldiers, it was their first time “outside-the-wire” since arriving at Forward Operating Base Salerno about two weeks earlier.

Many of them spent the majority of the day fending off hordes of Afghan youngsters, who swarmed the Americans during every stop in efforts to get an up close and personal look, or perhaps get a pen or some candy.

“I felt kind of sorry for the kids, but I guess there’s not much we can do about that,” said Pfc. James Robinson, a M240B assistant gunner with Co. A, 2-504 PIR.

Robinson, a 23-year-old native of Bartlesville, Okla., had just made his first trip outside-the-wire on his first deployment since joining the Army. He said he was nervous at times, but in the end he thought the mission went smoothly. He said the mission was a good learning experience and he thinks it will be useful when preparing for future missions.

“It went good because nobody got hurt, we didn’t take any fire, we got back here safe, and we’re ready to go back out again and do what we’ve got to do,” he said. “Knowing what I experienced today, I’ll be more prepared in the upcoming missions that we have out there.”

Hollis said he’s worked quite a bit with the Marines since arriving at FOB Salerno about two weeks earlier. Indicating he had never worked with Marines before, Hollis said if the Weapons Company is the standard, the Marines have definitely got an excellent organization.

“Everyone in Weapons Company was extremely professional with all our guys and wanted to pass off as much information as they could to us prior to transferring authority,” Hollis said. “I was really impressed with all the Marines.”

According to Hollis, although the Army and the Marine Corps are two distinct services with many different characteristics, once it comes down to having boots on the ground, soldiers and Marines aren’t that much different.

“Everyone is here to do a job, and I think deep down inside everyone just wants to go home to mom,” he said. “The same jokes I hear the Marines mess around with, our soldiers mess around with, and I didn’t really see a big difference.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (May 13, 2005) -- “A man has to have goals — for a day, for a lifetime — and that was mine, to have people say, ‘There goes Ted Williams, the greatest hitter who ever lived.’”

For one local Marine, the lifetime goal to play professional baseball was all but lost three years ago when he gave up a University of Hawaii scholarship — but now, he may have a second chance.

Akaniao Kozeniewski is an ammunition technician with Headquarters Battalion and a native of Waianae. Known by his baseball teammates and friends as “Ski,” Kozeniewski was selected April 30 to fly to California and try out for the All-Marine Baseball Team.

Kozeniewski was noted as being the best player on the field by All-Marine coach Lloyd Dawson, who was determined to get him on the team.

“The confidence he displayed on the field was unmatched, and it was obvious that he knew what he was doing out there,” said Dawson during his visit. “We’ll get him to rotate his hips when he swings, and if you think he hits the ball far now, he’ll be knocking ‘em into orbit!”

Indeed, Kozeniewski was quite familiar with the game of baseball. Since the age of 6, baseball has been his life.

He began, of course, in the small town of Waianae where he grew up and eventually went to Waianae High School. As a young boy, Ski played for the Continental Amateur Baseball Association and traveled all over the mainland playing other teams in the league as a right fielder for the Hawaii All-Stars.

In September 1996, he won the CABA championship in Illinois, and was voted the most valuable player in the game after hitting the game-winning double. Kozeniewski was also awarded the “Hustler’s Award” by the umpires for the energy he displayed on the field.
Kozeniewski did so well during the season that he was selected to play for the All-Tournament Team.

“I was playing at a high level for my age,” said Kozeniewski. “As a freshman, I was playing varsity, and after playing for the All-Tournament Team and winning the (Oahu Interscholastic Association) championships in my junior year, I was selected to play for the All-State team as well, and that is what got me looked at by University of Hawaii recruiters.”

In his senior year, Kozeniewski attended a professional baseball camp in Fort Myers, Fla., where a lot of professional scouts had a chance to see Kozeniewski in action.

“The level of competition was up there,” said Kozeniewski. “These were the best players in the nation, and we were playing three games a day, using wooden bats. It was a great time though, and I learned a lot there.”

Already a “shoe in” at the University of Hawaii, Kozeniewski’s senior year was his time to get prepared, and to learn anything and everything he could about baseball.

“It’s always been my ultimate goal, to play professional baseball — to get paid to play baseball would be a dream come true — it’s what I always wanted. I knew the college-level competition was going to be tough, but after camp, I was ready for it.”

Awarded a full, four-year scholarship to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kozeniewski was disappointed when the NCAA did not accept his high school communications class as an appropriate-level English course — Kozeniewski was forced to “ride the pine” for 68 regular season games.

“I was still part of the team, but I couldn’t suit up and play,” said Kozeniewski. “It really sucked … I went to college for all the wrong reasons … I just wanted to play baseball. My coach always told me that if I put a quarter of the effort into my education that I did into baseball that I would be building the world’s supercomputers right now.”

Kozeniewski said he was heartbroken when he lost his scholarship.

“I figured, what the heck … I don’t have anything going for me now, might as well sign the dotted line.”

Kozeniewski went to boot camp to be an ammunition technician April 15, 2002, right at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. he was immediately deployed to Kuwait with Combat Service Support Company 117 out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., in January of 2003.

After staying in Kuwait for three months, Kozeniewski participated in the initial assault on Baghdad, earning the Presidential Unit Citation and Combat Action Ribbon. He returned shortly thereafter to California in July of 2003.

Nearly one year later, Kozeniewski was called once more to the Middle East. This time attached to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, with whom Kozeniewski spent seven months in the city of Fallujah.

“We got shot at and mortared every day,” said Kozeniewski. “It was then that I started to rethink my academic career — but still, I never regretted any of the choices I made. My time in Iraq can never be taken away from me, and that is something I wouldn’t trade away for any amount of money.”

Kozeniewski returned from Fallujah in March of 2004, just before the U.S. launched a major offensive on the city. It was then that he received orders to his homeland of Hawaii, scheduled to execute the following year.

“This is my home,” said Kozeniewski. “I’ve been waiting to come here for three years — and trust me, it’s been a long three years. I just got here in March, so you know how much it means to me to be here and what it would take for me to leave.”

After just two months at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and one month playing intramural baseball for Headquarters Battalion, Kozeniewski was selected as Coach Dawson’s number-one pick from the base.

“A second chance at baseball? That’s worth it to me,” said Kozeniewski. “If I get orders to go try out for the All-Marine Team, I’ll be a happy guy — baseball just means that much to me.”

If selected to play as a part of the All-Marine Baseball Team, Kozeniewski will get one more swing at his lifelong goal — to get paid to play baseball.

“This is a huge opportunity for me,” said Kozeniewski. “I feel like I’m being given a second chance, and I don’t want to let this one slip out of my fingers. The way I look at it, though, getting paid to play is getting paid to play — even if it is corporal’s pay.”

Playing their home games at PETCO Park in San Diego immediately following San Diego Padres games, the All-Marine Team will once again expose Kozeniewski to major-league scouts, and with one year left in his Marine Corps contract, he claims that he is absolutely prepared to take the next step.

“Scouts are always on the lookout for talent, and if I’m able to take baseball to the professional level, that would be awesome. I’ve always had it in my head that I would be a pro baseball player, so I’m going to give this opportunity everything I got. As the late Ted Williams said, ‘By the time you know what to do, you’re too old to do it.’”


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Okinawans form human chain... to demand closure of MCAS Futenma

By David Allen and Chiyomi Sumida, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Tuesday, May 17, 2005

GINOWAN, Okinawa - Almost 24,000 people surrounded Marine Corps Air Station Futenma here Sunday, forming a 6.8-mile human chain to demand the air base close.

The event was part of a weekend of peaceful anti-base actions to mark the 33rd anniversary of Okinawa's return to Japan after 27 years of post-World War II U.S. occupation. Also staged Sunday: three protest marches across the island with brief rallies in front several U.S. military bases and a mass afternoon rally at the Ginowan Convention Center.

MCAS Futenma sits in the middle of urban Ginowan. Japan and the United States agreed in 1996 to close the base within seven years once a place for Marine air operations was found elsewhere. A site was found in rural northeast Okinawa but construction has run into protracted delays. An August Marine helicopter crash on a university campus next to Futenma sparked new calls to close it. Last week, a congressional commission studying U.S. military bases overseas recommended the project be abandoned and the Marines move to nearby Kadena Air Base or MCAS Iwakuni near Hiroshima.

Marine officials say they support closing Futenma if an alternate site meets with their operational needs.

The air station gates were closed during Sunday's event. Demonstrators, some representing political parties, unions and neighborhood associations, joined hands and encircled the base at 2:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Keiko Itokazu, an Okinawan member of Japan's House of Councilors, said, "It is abnormal to keep such a dangerous and aging military base in the center of this overpopulated city. ... Futenma air station should be closed as the first step of a visible reduction of the burden shouldered by Okinawa." She said that 60 years after the Battle of Okinawa, World War II's last major Pacific engagement, the U.S. military still occupies a fifth of the island.

Nearby, Hatsu Zukeran, 71, waited to join hands with her husband, son and two grandsons. "I have eight grandchildren," she said. "For them, I want to make Okinawa a peaceful place."

Kozen Gibo, 64, of Yomitan, held his grandson Takumi, 5, as they awaited word to form the chain. "The U.S. military bases have been here since I was a small child," Gibo said. "I brought my grandson with me today so he would see that many people on Okinawa do not want military bases on our island."

Up the line, Mitsuko Tomon, an Okinawan member of Japan's House of Representatives, said she recently returned from her second trip this year to Washington, D.C., to lobby for reducing the U.S. presence on Okinawa. "This encircling demonstrates the wishes of the people of Okinawa," she said. "They are clearly calling out that they want the air station closed and the Japanese government to abandon the project for a new base."

After the rally, Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha called the demonstration - the fourth encircling of the base since 1995 - "a great opportunity to get our message out at a time when both governments are engaging in talks over the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan."

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Counselors Console Families of Ohio Marines Killed in Action
May 15, 2005, 10:07 PM
WTOL News

COLUMBUS (AP) -- Relatives of Ohio Marines in a Reserve unit that has suffered heavy casualties gathered this weekend to support each other and hear about their Marines. The Marines have sent a grief counseling team to meet with people today whose loved ones serve with the Columbus-based Lima Company, Third Battalion, 25th Regiment. The unit suffered four deaths and other injuries in a major U-S offensive this week.

A military spokesman today confirmed the deaths of Private First Class Christopher Dixon and Lance Corporal Nick Erdy in combat Wednesday. Six Marines involved in the operation, including three members of Lima Company, were killed Wednesday night when an explosive detonated near their armored transport vehicle. Another member of Lima company was killed last Sunday.

The Ohio Marines were fighting insurgents as part of Operation Matador near Karabilah, a village close to the Syrian border. Nine U.S. Marines were killed and 40 injured overall during the weeklong operation, according to the Department of Defense.

Bill Brintlinger is one of the lucky ones. Brintlinger learned his son Collin was safe. But that didn't stop the father from attending a meeting Saturday with a Marine grief counseling team sent to Columbus to help people whose loved ones were in Lima Company. "If it's not our Marine, it's other people's Marines," said Bill Brintlinger, of Columbus.

More than 100 family members and friends of Lima Company Marines filed into an auditorium Saturday to listen to the Marines' Critical Incident Stress Management team. They assured parents that counselors are available for Marines dealing with battlefield stress. They also distributed information about counseling available to family members.

Katie Brintlinger, Collin's mother, said he was supposed to be in one of the Humvees that was attacked but dehydration kept him out of battle. "He feels like he should have been there to help. I need someone to be there for him," she said.

Isolde Zierk, whose son is a part of Lima Company, leads a volunteer group in Columbus that supports Marine families. Zierk said she's spoken to more than 100 family members this week, counseling them to be calm and patient and telling to not jump to conclusions. One mother cried nonstop for 45 minutes over the phone.

During Saturday's meeting, Zierk said she had to leave to console the family of Pfc. Christopher Dixon, 18, who learned Friday that their Marine had died. The Marines also informed the family of Lance Cpl. Nick Erdy, 21, that he was killed in the offensive. "We still very much support what is going on over there. There are other Marines in harm's way, and they are Nick's brothers," said Erdy's father, Bill Erdy, in a telephone interview.

Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman's 19-year-old son, Lance Cpl. John David "J.D." Coleman, is a member of Lima Company. He canceled weekend travel plans so he and his wife could be home. Some said the silence was a blessing. "I haven't heard anything so that's always good news," said Chrystina Kreuter, 24, of Cincinnati, whose husband David has been away since January.

Families will sometimes go long stretches without hearing from their loved ones, making news reports of casualties even harder to handle. "You always wonder if someone you know was involved," said Shannon Ritchie, 13, whose brother Jason is Lima Company Marine who was injured in Operation Matador. The Ritchies got a phone call around midnight Wednesday from Jason. It was only the second time he called since being deployed in March. "He said not to worry, it was nothing serious," said Jason's sister Rachel Ritchie, 19, whose voice shook as she described her closeness with her older brother. "You go from seeing him all the time, hanging out with his friends, to not knowing where he is," she said.



Ellie

[thedrifter]

May 13, 2005 <br />
<br />
Airman Convicted for Defrauding Government <br />
<br />
by Press Release <br />
Air Force Print News <br />
<br />
The title of this article could easily read &quot;Marine Convicted for Defrauding Government.&quot; There...

[thedrifter]

Marines with 2nd Marine Division PSD help secure training site
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551665618
Story by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio



CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq (April 28, 2005) -- Marines of the 2nd Marine Division’s Personal Security Detachment helped to secure a work site, April 28, completing a project that will bring the people of Ar Ramadi more jobs.

When the PSD is not performing their normal mission of providing security to the commanding general of the division, they often times lend their expertise to other units.

By securing the work site, they enabled a marksmanship training unit to teach an Iraqi facility protection force on how to correctly employ their AK-47 assault rifles.

The Iraqi facility protection force needed the skills they were learning in order to protect their job site from insurgent attacks.

While the training operation was taking place, PSD Marines positioned their vehicles in a protective posture throughout the facility grounds. Mounds of clay and mangled steel left over from days when the factory saw its demise provided cover for LAR scouts who patrolled the area.

“If we can provide an environment where the Marines can work efficiently, then we’ve done our job,” said 35-year-old Gunnery Sgt. Daniel L. Hutsell, PSD assistant convoy commander and Maryville, Tenn. native.

“We’ve been training together since October of last year and the guys know when something is about to happen,” said the 1988 Heritage High School graduate.

As the Marines patrolled they came across an ominous sight.

Some of the cement walls nearby had graffiti in Arabic that touted such phrases as “Long live the mujihadeen” and “Fallujah and Ramadi will be the Americans’ graveyard.”

Upon further inspection of the area, the Marines’ suspicions were right. Not more than an hour into the operation, Marines radioed in an alert as they witnessed a man planting two large bags along the PSD’s exit route. The man walked away from the area and spied on the packages from a concealed location nearby.

The Marines had no doubt the man planted an improvised explosive device to bomb the PSD when they left the factory grounds.

Two speeding vehicles positioned themselves near the gate at the same time for what seemed like an ambush.

The Marines recognized this type of behavior to be out of the ordinary in a place where citizens usually stay clear when the Marines are working.

The PSD went into action.

The convoy quickly and professionally placed security around where the Iraqis were training while their tactical vehicles pursued the vehicles waiting to ambush. The Marines raced out of the gate in their Humvees and Light Armored Vehicles mounted with machineguns and MK-19 automatic grenade launcher.

They traveled in pursuit of the vehicles, which took off by the time the Marines made it out of the gate. The man suspected of placing the bombs also fled with the packages he tried to plant.

“Sometimes it’s just good to let them know we’re watching,” said Hutsell. “If we can deter them from an attack, we’ve been successful.”

The PSD thwarted another attempt by the insurgency to halt progress for the Iraqi people and helped to further progress in this recovering city.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marine: Attacks make us more determined
By ROBIN FITZGERALD
rfitzgerald@sunherald.com
May 17, 2005

Brushes with death in Iraq have boosted Gulfport Marine reservists' determination to push back insurgents who seek to thwart Iraqi freedom, said Marine Sgt. Dennis Woullard of D'Iberville.

"We're still in the fight," said Woullard, one of the walking wounded, in a phone call to a Sun Herald reporter from western Iraq around dinnertime Monday, still early morning in South Mississippi.

His wounds were minor in two deadly assaults last week, as were those of Cpl. Justin Rishel of Long Beach. Lance Cpl. Terrance Bullock of Hattiesburg is recuperating from injuries to his mouth. The most seriously injured, Lance Cpl. Zachary Schudrowitz of Ocean Springs, is undergoing treatment at an Army burn hospital in San Antonio.

"We're not leaving the battlefield," said Woullard, referring to himself, Rishel and Staff Sgt. Shannon Payne of Mobile. "Freedom in Iraq means a safer world. We keep pushing on. This is what Marines do."

Woullard, a minister, described the harrowing assaults amid assurance that he is in constant prayer.

The Gulfport reservists, whose mission is to transport infantrymen in amphibious assault craft, were helping clear a military complex of insurgents near the Syrian border on May 9. They had one door left to open. They kicked it in and went inside.

"Unknown to us," said Woullard, "it was highly bunkered with four individuals underneath with high-caliber machine guns with armor-piercing rounds firing up at us. I took a gunshot to the head. It hit my Kevlar, went inside my helmet and exited through the top. It caused a minor laceration and struck the rim of my helmet. It kind of knocked me unconscious, but I was able to crawl out.

"Other Marines were injured, laying in the yard, and I realized I took a gunshot wound to the back. It went through my camel back, my drinking gear."

Efforts to reclaim a fallen Marine's body from inside the house stretched 12 hours and included five Marine counterassaults, tank rounds and an air bombing.

"We grenaded the house," Woullard said. "A staff sergeant went left, Gunnery Sgt. Chuck Hurley went right and I went to the middle and grabbed him out of there."

Within two days, danger erupted again as their Amtrac ran over an improvised explosive device.

"Six KIA," said Woullard, confirming the Marine deaths.

Woullard said he was sitting in the rear crewman position as the craft stopped to let out five mortarmen.

"We hit a very powerful IED. The trac caught fire. I saw orange flames and black smoke. I heard rounds cooking off. I opened the troop hatch and bailed out with three or four Marines on top of me, one engulfed in flames."

"We tried rolling him around. It was a diesel fire. We had to throw dirt on him to put out the flames," he said. That burn victim was not Schudrowitz, he said.

Woullard said he took shrapnel in his left shoulder and Rishel took shrapnel in his leg. Bullock was wounded in his mouth. Schudrowitz also took shrapnel, but his burns were serious enough to send him stateside.

"I've seen so many acts of bravery," said Woullard, "so many acts of love for people, Marines surrendering themselves for the greater cause. I'm honored to serve with these guys."

Woullard said the experience has given him a deeper relationship with God.

"I can see His love and mercy, even in these dark days. The IED setup could have been a lot worse."

Paula Rishel, Justin Rishel's mother, said she is relieved her son is with Woullard.

"If my son had to be with anybody over there, I just know God put him with Dennis Woullard," she said. "I'm sure Justin is needing him as a spiritual guidance counselor."

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Sergeant paints operational picture, link from battlefield
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20055842244
Story by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio



CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 8, 2005) -- When Sgt. Wick goes to work, he finds himself surrounded by a myriad of plasma screens, telephones ringing and computer screens glowing with digitized maps. He sorts through it all though to decipher a clear picture of the battlefield for the General and his staff.

Sergeant Jeffrey Allen Wick, a 27-year-old Syracuse, N.Y. native works in the 2nd Marine Division’s combat operations center as the watch chief. He is the main link for information from the battlefield to the officers commanding this unit.

Wick is a reserved individual, who despite the long hours in the COC, always keeps sharp as he constantly walks back and forth in his area monitoring his Marines’ progress.

He and his team of four monitor the C2PC (command and control personal computer), which regulates all information from fighting units to the command post here. The general and his staff use this critical data to counter the insurgency and formulate their battle plans.

“Our system collects information straight from the troops in enemy contact and gives accurate map coordinates for their locations,” said Wick, a former student from Onondoga Community College. “Basically, we build a picture so the officers can become familiar with the area of operations.”

Wick helps to build what is termed as the ‘common operational picture.’ It’s a physical and statistical map of troop movements, equipment and battle reports. It’s the new age version of the map table a 19th century general might have used to contemplate maneuvers using miniature cannons and horseback soldiers.

“What we do here is no different than what the military used many years ago, only we utilize technology to get information fast and accurately,” said Wick.

The billet Wick holds is normally for a Marine well above his rank and experience. His work ethic is what got him the job and it’s what helps him get it done. When a unit needs the C2PC system built into their network Wick is the man who coaches Marines on how to use it. His knowledge makes him the subject matter expert – it’s something he’s quite used to.

As a gunner for the M-220 Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided missile system, Wick was responsible for literally millions of dollars worth of equipment. He also worked at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. as a primary marksmanship instructor, teaching Marines the fundamentals of firing rifles – something Marines have historically prided themselves in.

His ability to interact with people and react quickly under pressure showed his superiors what he was made of. He was transferred to work in operations here with a new military occupational specialty as a small unit operations specialist.

As Wick trained in his new MOS with the division headquarters on their work-up exercises for this operation, he found himself working in the center of all activity in the division.

“I think we were successful here in the three months we’ve been deployed,” said Wick. “Already we’re entirely familiar with the area so when say a firefight occurs, we can show the officers exactly where it is.”

Life isn’t all work for this Marine though. Wick’s wife and five-month-old son are waiting for him to return.

When he’s home he makes every effort to spend time with them. And as he comes up on his eight-year mark in the Marine Corps, he’s doing his best to excel in his field to build a brighter future for them.

His philosophy on life, which is reflected in both his work and home life, paints him as a humble man; it’s what his success is built upon.

“No matter how well we do, we can’t take life for granted,” said Wick. “I’ve learned a lot here already, and I don’t waste time with the small stuff. I intend to make the most of every day.”


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Pickerington community mourns
Family, friends find strength in faith, each other

By CARL BURNETT JR.
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
cburnett@nncogannett.com


PICKERINGTON -Members of the Marine honor guard snapped to attention Monday as the hearse rolled in front of the church.

Two Marines reached into the back, straightening the U.S. flag draped over the coffin. A detachment of Marines carried the body of a fellow soldier to the front of the church.

Photographs of Dustin Derga, carefree, smiling and full of life, rested on a pedestal placed in front of Peace United Methodist Church's doors.

Printed in the middle of the display was a Winston Churchill quote, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

The church's auditorium, with a capacity of 700, was nearly full by 11 a.m. People stood or sat in chairs placed in the back of the church.

They had come to say goodbye to Derga who was killed May 8 during combat operations in Udaydi, Iraq. His division was participating in Operation Matador. The operation, according to military news releases, was designed to clear an area near the Syrian border used as a staging area for foreign fighters.

Derga, 24, is the first casualty from Fairfield County.

His last words to his girlfriend Kristin Earhart arrived Wednesday - three days after Derga died.

"I'm going back out on a mission," Earhart read through tears during the funeral.

"Can't wait until we move to Florida. ... It seems like everything is working out. ... I just wish we could be together."

She was one of several people to share memories of the 1999 Pickerington High School graduate.

Dustin's father, Robert Derga, spoke about his son's passion for the U.S. Marines. He said he hadn't known what the Marine Corps motto - the Few, the Proud, the Marines - really meant.

"I didn't know what it really meant until we went out and talked to him after he completed (the final physical fitness test) at Paris Island," Robert Derga said. "Then, I knew what it meant and what it means now."

Derga said his son wanted to be in the U.S. Army since he was a small child.

"But Dustin got smarter and went with the Marines," his father said, drawing chuckles from those who attended the service.

The Dergas' last Christmas was a wonderful time together, and Robert said he tried to give Dustin everything he thought his son might need in Iraq.

"I gave him a GPS unit so he could find his way home," Robert Derga said. A GPS (Global Positioning Satellite unit) is an electronic tracking system, sometimes installed in vehicles.

And he gave his son a MP3 player so he could listen to his music. Most recently, Robert Derga copied the New Testament onto a MP3 file so Dustin could listen to it.

"I always felt faith was something I didn't give him," Robert Derga said. "But when he was found, his MP3 player had the New Testament in it so I know he was listening when he died."

Marla Derga, Dustin's stepmother, said she was confident Dustin was in heaven. She recounted a story about a sister-in-law who was dying two weeks ago.

One time they thought she died, but she awoke to tell them she had been in a place with clouds and a man wearing a Marines uniform took her hand and led her into the light.

"She has died now, within days of Dustin's death," Marla Derga said. "So I know they are both up there together now."

Pastor Kevin Orr, who officiated the service, closed the funeral with a final prayer. Mourners waited as Marines carried the coffin out of the church.

A hearse leading a two-mile motorcade took Derga's body to Glen Rest Memorial Estates on Main Street in Reynoldsburg.

Mourners traveled along a flag-lined path from their cars to Dustin's final resting spot between two young purple ash trees on the east side of Glen Rest.

Dustin Derga was honored with a 21-gun salute. A lone U.S. Marine Corps bugler in dress uniform played "Taps." Representatives from the veterans organizations flanked the tent-covered gravesite.

Dustin's mother, Stephanie, and his father, Robert, received flags.

And after mourners left, a veteran approached the casket, stood at attention and saluted. He walked away without saying a word.


Originally published May 17, 2005

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Tribal leaders say U.S. offensive near Syria killed friends and foes

By Hannah Allam and Mohammed al-Dulaimy

Knight Ridder

BAGHDAD, Iraq - When foreign fighters poured into villages with jihad on their minds and weapons in their hands, some Iraqi tribesmen in western desert towns fought back.

They set up checkpoints to filter out the foreigners. They burned down suspected insurgent safe houses. They called their fellow tribesmen in Baghdad and other urban areas for backup. And when they still couldn't uproot the terrorists streaming in from Syria, tribal leaders said, they took a most unusual step: They asked the Americans for help.

The U.S. military hails last week's ``Operation Matador'' as a success that killed more than 125 insurgents. But local tribesmen said it was a disaster for their communities that's made them leery of ever again assisting American or Iraqi forces.

The battle, which pitted some Iraqi tribes against each other, underscored the complex tribal politics that compound the religious and ethnic tensions plaguing Iraq.

In interviews, influential tribal leaders and many residents of the remote border towns said the 1,000 U.S. soldiers who swept into their territories in the weeklong campaign that ended over the weekend didn't distinguish between the Iraqis who supported the United States and the fighters battling it.

``The Americans were bombing whole villages and saying they were only after the foreigners,''' said Fasal al-Goud, a former governor of Anbar province who said he asked U.S. forces for help on behalf of the tribes. ``An AK-47 can't distinguish between a terrorist and a tribesman, so how could a missile or tank?''

Goud was the only tribal leader who spoke on the record. Two others reached by phone in western villages expressed similar views, but said they didn't want their names published because the foreign insurgents were still holding some of their tribesmen hostage.

Long before the American offensive, trouble had been brewing in and around the town of Al-Qaim. Two Iraqi tribes, the Albu Mahal and the Albu Nimr, resented the flood of foreign Islamist extremists who were crossing the border and trying to turn their lands into an insurgent fiefdom.

The overwhelmed villagers were at a loss to defeat the better-armed and better-funded foreigners and their allies from Karbala. With nowhere else to turn, tribal leaders decided to call the Iraqi Defense Ministry.

That's when Goud, a sheik of the Albu Nimr, said he called American officials at the Marine base Camp Fallujah to ask for help. Goud had met the officials during the siege of Al-Fallujah, he said.

Bruska Nouri Shaways, Iraq's deputy defense minister, at first couldn't believe the request for help from the traditionally rebellious province. Shaways, who took several calls from tribal sheiks, said he immediately alerted the U.S military about their willingness to share information on followers of Jordanian-born insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Operation Matador began with the Marines sweeping into the Al-Qaim area in armored vehicles, backed up by helicopter gunships. They pummeled suspected insurgent safe houses, flattening parts of the villages and killing armed men. Nine Marines died in combat and 40 were wounded, according to the military.

When the offensive ended, however, angry residents returned to find blocks of destruction. Men who'd stayed behind to help were found dead in shot-up houses. Tribal leaders haven't counted their dead; several families hadn't yet returned to the area.

Capt. Jeff Pool, a Marine spokesman in Iraq, confirmed that Iraqi informants contributed to intelligence-gathering for Matador, but said there was no effort by the U.S. military to incorporate local tribes in its assault plans. He said he couldn't verify that Goud or others had contacted Marine officers at Camp Fallujah.

``We have no knowledge of any local efforts'' to reach out to the military before the operation, he said in an e-mail response to questions.

Pool and other military spokesmen didn't respond to questions about whether U.S. troops had tried to contact any of the feuding forces in the area.
Mohammed al-Dulaimy is a Knight Ridder special correspondent as is Yasser Salihee, who contributed to this story.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Time for U.S. to withdraw By Neil Abercrombie and Dennis J. Kucinich
Op-Ed
USA Today
May 17, 2005

Forty-one months after the United States entered World War II, we had achieved victory in Europe. We've been in Iraq for over half that period. What reasonable person would say we have reached the halfway point in Iraq?

Today's troops are just as brave, patriotic and capable as their WWII predecessors. They have already accomplished much. They deposed and imprisoned a tyrant. They have given ordinary Iraqis the chance to shape their country's destiny.

Nevertheless, the military occupation of Iraq will not turn Iraq into a democratic nation. Longstanding rivalries will do more to shape that country's future than anything American troops can do. Those forces will not be controlled by American boots on Iraqi ground, no matter how many we put there or how long they remain.

In Iraq there are no front lines, no easy way to tell friend from foe, and no clear way to measure success. Iraq is a quagmire. Meantime, it has become a recruiting poster for Osama bin Laden. Are we to keep fighting indefinitely, losing more troops every week, spending billions of dollars, and increasing the strain on our armed forces, especially the reserve and National Guard?

We feel this course, with its echoes of Vietnam, is unsustainable. It has already added $200 billion to our national debt and costs U.S. taxpayers more than $1 billion per month. It jeopardizes the strategic interests of the United States, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. It alienates allies in the Muslim world and elsewhere, hindering efforts to create a united global front against al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

Unlike World War II, where the enemy surrendered and the troops came home, there is no such prospect in Iraq. We must define an endpoint. We will soon introduce legislation to achieve that goal by bringing the occupation of Iraq to a close. The troops have done their job. It's up to Congress and the president to forge a policy worthy of their sacrifices.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii,is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, D-Ohio,is ranking member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Women on the front lines?
By Robert L. Maginnis
The Washington Times
May 17, 2005

"I just don't think America is ready to see a woman without an arm," said Juanita Wilson, an army staff sergeant who lost her hand to an improvised explosive device that destroyed her vehicle while on a mission in Iraq. Despite this statement, it seems that many in the United States have been coarsened to the killing and maiming of young women and are ready for more of the same. Thirty-five women have died and 271 have been wounded in Iraq.

Sgt. Wilson is one of five American military women at Walter Reed hospital who have lost limbs during combat in Iraq.

The sight of young women maimed in combat will become more common unless action is taken. Military bureaucrats, members of Congress and the media seem to be lusting for a more-women-in-combat policy that could lead to conscripting our daughters if a draft becomes necessary.

Rep. Heather Wilson, a 1980s Air Force veteran and New Mexico Republican, suggests the killing and maiming of young women in combat is now accepted by Americans. She told The Washington Post, "We have gotten beyond the point where losing a daughter is somehow worse than losing a son."

But Connie Halfaker, the mother of one of those women at Walter Reed recovering from a lost limb, trusted the Army's promise to keep women out of direct combat and never worried about her daughter going to war, although she told a reporter, "I knew it was a possibility that I would need to give up my son for a war." Lt. Dawn Halfaker, who lost her right arm on a military police patrol last year in Ba'qubah, Iraq, explained, "Women in combat is not really an issue. It is happening."

Although President Bush has said, "No women in combat," the enemy doesn't discriminate. Insurgents target every American, whether male, female, combatant or noncombatant.

The fact is that the war in Iraq is unlike a conventional war. It is a struggle against well-armed insurgents with no clearly defined battle lines. It is a classic example of guerrilla warfare where no participant is safe.

Today, 15 percent of the active army are women. They pepper the ranks of all but direct combat units. Though as of 1994, women were barred from "units and positions required to collocate and remain with direct ground combat units assigned to direct ground combat missions," the Pentagon policy actually increases the danger for servicewomen.

Recently, Army Secretary Francis Harvey told Congress his women-in-combat policy doesn't need to be changed to comply with the 1994 provision. Perhaps, but the Army is assigning women to forward combat companies, which are in direct support of the 3rd Infantry Division's new brigade combat teams now serving in Baghdad. This potentially makes them increasingly vulnerable to attacks by insurgents.

Even though women are not supposed to serve in combat they do fly Army helicopters in hostile areas. Maj. Ladda Duckworth lost both legs when a rocket-propelled grenade downed her Black Hawk helicopter last fall. Women also serve in multiple-launch rocket, reconnaissance and Stryker units. The line defining combat is getting very fuzzy.

The only way the United States can eliminate women from dying or being maimed in direct combat is to remove them from the battlefield. "That would be politically untenable," said a powerful congressman to this writer, and besides, it would force male soldiers to serve more frequent combat tours. The Army is dependent upon the large female force to perform global missions.

That fact sheds light on a hard reality. Our Army is straining for more soldiers to sustain operations across 120 nations with more than 303,000 forward deployed. The global war on terrorism is expected to last many years. Even though no one wants to conscript young people, the seriousness of the threat and the military's faltering recruiting efforts may intersect and lead inevitably to the drafting of women. The legal stage for such a scenario is being set as more and more women become engaged in combat. Conscription has always been an emergency provision to fill the military's ranks with combatants.

The coarsening of the United States on this issue is pitiful. Our young women are no longer valued as the bearers and nurturers of future generations -- they are now interchangeable with men and expendable. I am pessimistic that Congress, which is constitutionally responsible for military personnel issues, will listen.

Congress didn't listen when it was warned that introducing a small number of women into military units would cause disruption, lower morale and damage unit cohesion. Sexual misconduct in mixed-sex units has become the elephant in the living room for the modern military, but don't ask the PC brass.

Congress didn't listen when it was warned that young women have two-thirds the cardiovascular fitness and half the upper body strength of the average man. Our elected representatives allowed the Pentagon to gender norm physical requirements, producing a less ready force.

This nation should be ashamed it has bowed before political correctness and allowed the removal of barriers that protect our young women. There is no compelling national security reason for our daughters to serve in combat. There are many compelling reasons to deny them this deadly "opportunity."

Robert L. Maginnis is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, a national security and foreign affairs analyst for both radio and television networks, and a senior systems analyst with BCP International, Ltd., in Alexandria.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Funerals Begin As Others Hear From Marines

orporal Derga's funeral is the first of four for local members of the Columbus-based Lima Company.

These are the others: Lance Corporal Nick Erdy of Owensville, Private First Class Christopher Dixon of Obetz and Lance Corporal Wesley G. Davids of Dublin.

Many families are just now hearing from loved ones in Lima Company who've been engaged in intense fighting near the Iraq-Syria border.

The firing of the guns to honor a fallen Marine was heard Monday for Corporal Dustin Derga. By the end of the week, the salute will be all too familiar to the families of Lima Company.

There are few words to comfort them other than the words of surviving soldiers, calling home for the first time to let nervous relatives know they're okay.

Mayor Michael Coleman says, "Whenever the phone rings at 2:30 in the morning, we know it's J.D. because of the time frame."

When he wasn't working, Mayor Coleman spent the past week watching the news from Iraq, where his son J.D. is part of Lima Company.

He heard the casualty reports and his Cheart pound each time the phone rang, but he hadn't heard from J.D., until early Monday morning.

Mayor Coleman says, "He didn't tell us where he was, but he said he's fine, he's okay and that's why he called. And all the Marines are now calling their parents and loved ones to tell them what's going on, only that they're okay."

For the families attending Corporal Derga's funeral to show support, the calls home have meant so much.

Melinda Hagans says, "My husband is there and a lot of other Marines that I know are there. I know these guys and they're strong and their tough and they know what their job is."

Hagans got a call from her husband Sunday night saying he's okay. Now, the wait for word begins again. No news is good news until it's time to come home.

Hagans says, "Lima Company is coming through like everyone knew that they would. They're getting a lot of words of encouragement and they're pulling through and doing their mission."

http://onn.static.worldnow.com/images/104671_G.jpg

Ellie

Rest In Peace

[thedrifter]

2 Marines from area wounded in Iraq clash
Unit had little time to react to attackers

By TOM TROY
BLADE STAFF WRITER

In the split second that he had to think about the live grenade that landed a few feet away from him, Marine Lance Cpl. Neil Burkhardt thought to himself: "Oh, this is going to hurt."



It did, causing wounds to his shoulder and foot. The Toledo Marine was one of the lucky ones.

The Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment, 4th Division, based in Columbus, is believed to have suffered eight dead and up to 30 wounded in a furious weeklong offensive in western Iraq that began May 8.

Corporal Burkhardt, 23, a 2000 graduate of Bowsher High School, is one of at least two northwest Ohioans belonging to the company wounded in the fighting.

Lance Cpl. Michael J. Strahle, 20, of Bryan, a member of the same company, was hit in one of his elbows and in the abdominal area, but his injuries do not appear life-threatening, according to his mother, Jody Strahle.

"He's just worried about his guys," she said. "He hasn't been told anything yet" about some of his fellow Marines being killed.

Corporal Burkhardt was injured May 8 in the town of Qaim on the Euphrates River. Corporal Burkhardt is a machine gunner, an anti-tank weapons gunner, and a Humvee driver.

"According to what he told us, an insurgent threw a grenade from across the street and it landed six feet away," said his father, James Burkhardt, an attorney in the city of Toledo's law department. "He thought, 'Oh, this is going to hurt.' There was no time to react. It was instantaneous."

He said his son suffered shrapnel wounds in the shoulder and the foot and may need surgery on the foot. He's being cared for at the Marine base at Qaim.

Mr. Burkhardt and his wife, Diana, talked to their son Saturday. He told them he's fine but is grieving for the loss of his friends.

"As a parent, I'm glad he's out of the fight. My wife and I feel for every soldier over there," Mr. Burkhardt said.

Corporal Burkhardt enlisted in the Marine reserves Sept. 10, 2001, calling home to ensure his mother, "Don't worry, Mom, nothing's going to happen."

He was three credits away from graduation from Miami University of Ohio when his unit was called up in December. Corporal Burkhardt arrived in Iraq March 1.

Corporal Strahle is recovering from his injuries at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

Mrs. Strahle and her husband, Michael, recently flew to Bethesda to be with their son as he recovers in the medical center's intensive care unit. She said doctors think he'll have to be in the hospital for at least a couple of weeks.

She said they've been able to talk to their son and he's in generally good spirits.

Corporal Strahle, a 2003 graduate of Bryan High School, joined the Marines last year and was sent to Iraq on March 2.

The Washington Post reported Sunday that Operation Matador took the lives of nine Marines and wounded 40.

The Department of Defense has identified two Ohio Marines with the 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment who died as Lance Cpl. Wesley G. Davids, 20, of Dublin, and Cpl. Dustin A. Derga, 24, of Columbus.

The operation killed more than 125 foreign and Iraqi insurgents, most of them in fighting May 8.

Blade Staff Writer Luke Shockman contributed to this report.

Contact Tom Troy at:
tomtroy@theblade.com
or 419-724-6058.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

May 17, 2005 <br />
<br />
Marine faces hearing in sailor’s stabbing death <br />
<br />
By Christopher Munsey <br />
Times staff writer <br />
<br />
An Article 32 hearing is scheduled to convene May 18 at Camp Hansen on Okinawa, Japan,...

[thedrifter]

May 17, 2005

Troops, gunships battle insurgents in Mosul

By Paul Garwood
Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. troops backed by attack helicopters clashed with militants in Mosul on Tuesday, the military said. In Baghdad, gunmen killed a Shiite Muslim cleric, and two missing Sunni clerics were found shot dead, police said.

The cleric killings threaten to increase sectarian tensions in Iraq a day after the government vowed to crack down on anyone targeting Shiites and Sunnis. The defense minister said Iraqi troops would no longer be allowed to enter houses of worship or universities.

“I am hearing that Iraqi National Guards are raiding mosques and Shiite town houses,” Defense Minister Saadoun al-Duleimi said Monday. “We have issued orders to all units that say it is strictly prohibited to all members of the defense ministry to raid mosques, Shiite town houses and churches.”

U.S. troops and militants clashed in the northern city of Mosul on Tuesday, with heavy exchanges of machine gun fire heard, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

U.S. forces were seen advancing into the eastern neighborhood of Dhubbat, a known insurgent stronghold in Mosul, 225 miles northwest of Baghdad.

“Forces were attacked and called in helicopters to support them in the battle with insurgents,” said U.S. military spokesman Sgt. John H. Franzen. He did not have further details.

Heavy machine gun exchanges took place in the area between militants and U.S. forces, said the AP reporter who witnessed the clashes.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Scent of a warrior
Marine’s mom makes soap called ‘Leatherneck’

Know any Marines who need a good scrubbing? Apparently, the mother of a leatherneck from North Carolina did, so she created her son’s own brand of soap.

“Leatherneck” soap is among the skin products aesthetician Diane Buono manufactures from the all-natural soap business she runs out of her home in Moravian Falls, N.C.

Buono began making the bars of camouflage-patterned soap four years ago after her son, Cpl. James Michael Buono, now with 7th Communications Battalion on Okinawa, Japan, joined the Corps.

“I wanted to do something creative and different, so I thought I’d make a soap, tint it in camouflage and call it ‘Leatherneck.’”

Buono is looking for a market to sell the soap but meanwhile supplies the Marines she knows.

“Every Marine that comes through my house gets some soap,” she said.

Buono says the soap’s natural ingredients, including lavender and patchouli, provide antiviral, deodorant and anti-fungicidal properties. And she says the leathernecks who have tried it think it’s “the best thing since sliced bread.”

Buono said she created “Leatherneck” with an earthy, musky scent, so that devil dogs won’t have to worry about smelling like a flower in the field.

While Buono has mastered forest-green camouflage patterns, she said the Corps’ current pixel-patterned uniform is beyond her scope.

To order a bar, call Queen Esther’s Soaps and Body Creations at (336) 928-0636.

Each bar costs $6.50, but Marines get a $1.50 discount.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Serving your country: a noble duty
Take 5 column by Ashley Ladwig

BY ASHLEY LADWIG
Times Correspondent

This story ran on nwitimes.com on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 12:52 AM CDT

Last week I mentioned that I've noticed two major changes. I talked about the first one, the rise in high school dropouts.

The other thing I've noticed is that many more high school grads and dropouts have been enlisting in various branches of the military.

I've written before about our troops fighting for Iraqi freedom, but I've never addressed the military pertaining to students. Enlisting in the service has always been something that many people do, but I've never really heard much about it or witnessed it first-hand.

Now I have. At least once or twice a month there are military recruiters in the cafeteria foyer during the lunch periods at my school. You always see them and I believe they actually do get people interested in enlisting by recruiting at schools. Students see the recruiters in uniform and have the chance to ask them questions. It's a very effective and informative recruiting method.

Nowadays, it's not hard to list multiple people you know in some branch of the military. I know people from all walks of life serving our country. It's not just those who can't afford college, but the "rich kids" as well.

Students join the military for many reasons. Some just want to serve their country. Others want to make something out of their not-so-great lives. Still more join to get some of the best education available in the States.

The number of people I know in the service just keeps growing. Almost every one of my friends has considered military service and many of them have followed through and enlisted, but they all have different reasons.

I know many guys and girls who are proud of our country and want to defend their freedoms.

I know dropouts and slackers who want to get their lives together.

I know students who just don't have the money for college or who don't feel college is right for them, but still want a good education.

All these types of young people enlist in the military for their own personal reasons. I think it's a very honorable thing to do. It's not an easy life, but the benefits far exceed the trials.

And with so many branches -- Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, Army National Guard, and Coast Guard -- almost anyone can find a spot for him- or herself.

Serving one's country is one of the most admirable things a person can do. For whatever reason they had to enlist, the men and women serving our country deserve praise.

I'm not sure why there's been such a sudden rise in interest in enlisting, but it surely isn't a bad thing.

Opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. Ashley Ladwig is a junior at Lake Central High School.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Two Ohio Marines Wounded in Iraq

TOLEDO -- An attack that killed several members of a platoon of Marines based in Ohio also wounded two Marines from our area. They serve with the Columbus-based Lima Company, Third Battalion, 25th Regiment, and were hurt during the military's "Operation Matador" near the border between Iraq and Syria.

23-year-old Lance Corporal Neil Burkhardt of Toledo and 20-year-old Lance Corporal Michael Strahle of Bryan were both wounded as the Lima Company moved into a town of Karabilah. Six Marines involved in the operation, including three members of Lima Company, were killed last week when an explosive detonated near their armored transport vehicle. Another member of Lima company was killed the weekend before.

The Marines have sent a Critical Incident Stress Management team to Columbus to meet with family members of the Lima Company. They assured parents that counselors are available for Marines dealing with battlefield stress. They also distributed information about counseling available to family members.last Sunday.

Jim Burkhardt of Toledo learned the news about a week ago that his son Neil was injured by a grenade while serving with Lima Company in Iraq. 23-year-old Lance Corporal Neil Burkhardt suffered shrapnel wounds in the shoulder and the foot. Luckily his injuries are not life-threatening.

Jim Burkhardt tells us his son first enlisted in the Marines on September 10th, 2001 while still going to school full-time at Miami University. Three credits shy of graduation, his reserve unit was called up. Lance Corporal Burkhardt arrived in Iraq in March.

Jim says he talked to his son this morning, and Neil reassured him that he'd be okay. "He believes the work there is important. It's obviously becoming increasingly difficult," said Jim. "This offensive over the course of the past week has shown how difficult that is and how much price we have to pay for others freedom."

Lance Corporal Burkhardt is currently being cared for at the Marine base in Qaim, Iraq.

20-year-old Lance Corporal Michael Strahle of Bryan was also wounded in that operation. Reports indicate he was flown to the naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland over the weekend to be treated for his injuries.

Family members tell News 11 that Strahle was wounded by shrapnel from a grenade. The wounds are mostly to his chest and torso. His mother and father are with him now in Maryland.

Count on News 11 to update this story as more information comes in.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Local soldier distributing packages of hope <br />
<br />
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 <br />
<br />
By Edward Husar <br />
<br />
Herald-Whig Staff Writer <br />
<br />
PHILADELPHIA, Mo. — For the past two years, Caleb Wilson of Philadelphia has...

[thedrifter]

Soldier Apologizes for Abu Ghraib Abuse By T.A. BADGER <br />
Associated Press Writer <br />
<br />
FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) -- Army Spc. Sabrina Harman stood before the jury in the sentencing phase of her...

[thedrifter]

Marines with 2nd Marine Division PSD help secure training site
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551665618
Story by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq (April 28, 2005) -- Marines of the 2nd Marine Division’s Personal Security Detachment helped to secure a work site, April 28, completing a project that will bring the people of Ar Ramadi more jobs.

When the PSD is not performing their normal mission of providing security to the commanding general of the division, they often times lend their expertise to other units.

By securing the work site, they enabled a marksmanship training unit to teach an Iraqi facility protection force on how to correctly employ their AK-47 assault rifles.

The Iraqi facility protection force needed the skills they were learning in order to protect their job site from insurgent attacks.

While the training operation was taking place, PSD Marines positioned their vehicles in a protective posture throughout the facility grounds. Mounds of clay and mangled steel left over from days when the factory saw its demise provided cover for LAR scouts who patrolled the area.

“If we can provide an environment where the Marines can work efficiently, then we’ve done our job,” said 35-year-old Gunnery Sgt. Daniel L. Hutsell, PSD assistant convoy commander and Maryville, Tenn. native.

“We’ve been training together since October of last year and the guys know when something is about to happen,” said the 1988 Heritage High School graduate.

As the Marines patrolled they came across an ominous sight.

Some of the cement walls nearby had graffiti in Arabic that touted such phrases as “Long live the mujihadeen” and “Fallujah and Ramadi will be the Americans’ graveyard.”

Upon further inspection of the area, the Marines’ suspicions were right. Not more than an hour into the operation, Marines radioed in an alert as they witnessed a man planting two large bags along the PSD’s exit route. The man walked away from the area and spied on the packages from a concealed location nearby.

The Marines had no doubt the man planted an improvised explosive device to bomb the PSD when they left the factory grounds.

Two speeding vehicles positioned themselves near the gate at the same time for what seemed like an ambush.

The Marines recognized this type of behavior to be out of the ordinary in a place where citizens usually stay clear when the Marines are working.

The PSD went into action.

The convoy quickly and professionally placed security around where the Iraqis were training while their tactical vehicles pursued the vehicles waiting to ambush. The Marines raced out of the gate in their Humvees and Light Armored Vehicles mounted with machineguns and MK-19 automatic grenade launcher.

They traveled in pursuit of the vehicles, which took off by the time the Marines made it out of the gate. The man suspected of placing the bombs also fled with the packages he tried to plant.

“Sometimes it’s just good to let them know we’re watching,” said Hutsell. “If we can deter them from an attack, we’ve been successful.”

The PSD thwarted another attempt by the insurgency to halt progress for the Iraqi people and helped to further progress in this recovering city.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

N.C. native, fellow Marines help Iraqi children build better future
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551465552
Story by Cpl. Mike Escobar



FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 2, 2005) -- One thing makes the hours Cpl. Dan Plane and his fellow Marines spend toiling under the scorching Iraqi sun worth it; the smiles, waves and cheers kids give them as they patrol by.

Today, those screams of delight were amplified tenfold as the children saw the troops walking through. Perhaps it was also because of the cargo inside their convoy’s trucks and the boxes they carried.

“Today, we’re here trying to help out the locals by giving the school kids better equipment,” stated Plane, a machine gunner with the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based infantry unit, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. “I’m out here providing security, making sure everything stays safe out here.”

The 20-year-old Boone, N.C. native referred to his role during “Operation Blackboard,” a joint civil-military operation during which fellow Marines and Iraqi Security Forces visited local schools to distribute blackboards, furniture, and writing supplies.

On May 2, the first day of the operation, the 2003 Watauga High School graduate’s unit and the Iraqi soldiers patrolled through the city streets and visited seven schools.

At each stop, Marines like Plane provided perimeter security, while Iraqi and Marine leaders spoke to the headmasters and headmistresses to determine what supplies their students needed. Afterward, the Iraqi forces would hang the new blackboards the classrooms had requested.

Elsewhere, troops would hand the faculty boxes of pens, pencils and chalk.

“We tried to hand out enough supplies so every child could at least be able to have one,” explained 1st Lt. Thomas Waller, Company B’s executive officer.

Additionally, the Iraqi forces distributed truckloads worth of school desks.

“All of the Iraqi bases in our AO (area of operation) are in former schools, so there was a certain amount of desks inside there already,” Waller explained. “When we do operations like this today, they bring them along and hand them out.”

At every stop, the school’s faculty expressed their gratitude as they received their new goods.

“Since Iraqi and U.S. forces started coming here, they’ve been helping us out,” stated Ali Jameel Hamen, the assistant headmaster at the Al-Aibid school here. “Before, the schools were in bad condition, because nobody took care of them. Now, I spend less time cleaning up, and have more to give to my kids and teachers.”

By the day’s end, the troops had handed out approximately 28 blackboards, 40 desks, 8,000 pens, 5,000 pencils and 25 boxes of chalk.

All the while, Plane and fellow Company B infantrymen provided area security and interacted with the children.

“I think it’s important that we do things like this to help out the kids,” Plane said. “They’re the ones who are going to have to make the change. The new generation of youngsters are the ones that are going to make a difference in this country.”

These operations are also beneficial in helping recruit future ISF personnel.

“You have a bunch of children who in a few years are going to be fighting-age males,” Waller stated. “When it comes time for them to decide whether they want to be an insurgent or an Iraqi military member, they’ll look back to some of these experiences and say, ‘wow, I remember Iraqi military coming here and hanging chalkboards at my school, and they seemed to be pretty decent guys.’”

Waller added that today was only the beginning of Operation Blackboard. Over the next several months, his Marines and ISF will keep visiting Fallujah’s schools to distribute more supplies and visit with the children.

Plane and fellow Company B personnel also continue conducting counter-insurgency operations alongside ISF as they perform these civil-military missions. Since their arrival here in mid-March, the troops have apprehended several known insurgent supporters and provided security and stability to the city’s residents.

The Marines also help man guard posts at Entry Control Point 2. Here, they search all vehicles and personnel entering Fallujah, looking for insurgents, weapons and anti-Coalition/Iraqi government propaganda.

Despite these numerous tasks, Marines like Plane remain positive as they carry out their mission, hopeful that Iraq will enjoy a prosperous future.

“Overall, this deployment has gone by pretty fast and smooth,” Plane stated. “Things are looking promising.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Support line helps deployed families cope

By LAURA TODE - IR Staff Writer - 05/18/05

Just as the Marines are defined by the motto Semper Fi — always faithful — the Montana National Guard State Family Program lives by their own motto: Semper Gumby, meaning always flexible.

When the Montana National Guard 639th Quartermaster Company, based in Kalispell, returned from Iraq in March, there were 17 changes in their schedule from the time it was announced that they would be returning to the time they landed in Kalispell.

"In the end they came in two hours early," said Dorrie Hagan, National Guard State family program specialist.

In the midst of all the changes, Hagan and the staff at the Kalispell Family Assistance Center fielded dozens of questions and couldn't answer many, other than to say, "That's just the way it is, and we don't know why."

Hagan said she's used to fielding calls from family members who are confused and concerned. Information, she's discovered, is the key to calm.

Hagan gets hundreds of calls and e-mails a week, and, in every instance, she answers questions as quickly as possible, and directs family members of deployed soldiers to resources where they can get the help they need.

Sometimes family members need help deciphering their taxes or help with financial planning. When they call, Hagan directs them to the Montana Society of CPAs, which offers assistance to military families. When a family member calls, wondering how to get word to a service member in an emergency, she directs them to the American Red Cross, which offers communication relay system.

When a distressed husband, wife, or parent calls in need of counseling, Hagan listens.

"We try to handle as many of them as we can over the phone," she said. "A lot of these people just want to vent."

In most cases, Hagan encourages them to call Army OneSource, a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week counseling service for service men and women and their families. Army OneSource can direct families to local counselors, and the National Guard will pay for up to six visits.

"We find that most people are resilient. A lot of what we have to do is with rumor control," Hagan said.

Sometimes families tune into the news, hear of an attack or accident by e-mail, get wind of changes in a unit's orders or hear of another deployment. Hagan always tries to hunt down the answer, and reassure families that their loved ones are OK.

For support and encouragement Hagan said she refers families of soldiers to Family Readiness Groups. There are 13 groups across the state and they are run entirely by volunteers.

The Family Readiness groups coordinate social events, including parades, picnics, holiday gatherings and reunion activities. Through the group, families can network for childcare, and friendship.

The State Family Program coordinates training through the Family Readiness Groups. Husbands, wives, and parents of deployed soldiers can take courses to learn about the benefits for families of deployed National Guard members, how to manage finances and how to plan for the reunion when deployment is over.

According to Hagan, the most difficult transition for families is in a father or mother's return after deployment, and one of the primary reasons it's difficult is because families have been expecting the day for 18 months and when it comes so much is still unknown. The closer a loved one gets to their homecoming, the more strained emotions get. They worry more about injury and loss of life than any other time in deployment, Hagan said.

Before a reunion, families question whether or not their son, daughter, husband or wife will come back carrying residual stress, strung emotions or even physical injuries.

"Who left and who is coming home?" Hagan said describing the worrisome questions of a wife or husband. "That's when you see a surge in those Army OneSource calls."

Hagan said that according to Army OneSource data, Montana families make few calls to the support line. In Montana, friends and neighbors are accustomed to looking out for one another, Hagan said.

When a family is affected by deployment that neighborly assistance continues, and families facing crisis usually have a strong support network already in place.

Above all, Hagan said the best medicine for stressed families is a positive outlook. She reminds families of the boost in income they'll receive during deployment, tells them that it's an opportunity to grow and learn, and encourages families of deployed soldiers to try something they wouldn't ordinarily do if the deployed family member were home. Even surviving deployment is a positive, she added.

"We always say there's one great benefit now — you get to control the remote now," Hagan said.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Self-proclaimed computer geek provides direct link to battlefield <br />
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division <br />
Story Identification #: 200551675252 <br />
Story by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND,...

[thedrifter]

Sending out well trained ISF
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2005590351
Story by Lance Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos



CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 9, 2005) -- At the inception of the Iraqi Security Force, it was unclear what the future would hold for its service members.

Today, with the assistance of the Marines, they are gaining control over insurgent activities here and stabilizing their country.

The soldiers with 2nd Battalion, Muthanna Brigade of the ISF began working with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment in January prior to the Iraqi national elections. The Marines mentored them, helping them to combine the discipline and tactics of the Corps with their knowledge of the area and culture to better protect the country from insurgents and allow for a safe, democratic election.

“When we first started working with them, I had them show us what they knew instead of us telling them what to do. It helped us get off to a good start,” said Capt. Andrew M. Del Gaudio, the senior battalion advisor to 2nd Battalion, Muthanna Brigade. “We were fortunate to have a well disciplined group who saw the election as their own.”

After the successful election, the two groups pushed forward with the joint training, helping to familiarize the Marines with their battalion’s area of operations and giving the ISF a solid foundation of knowledge from which to operate.

The Marines began training the Iraqis in vehicle and personnel check points, mounted and dismounted patrols, and general military skills. Most of the training the ISF received was on-the-job, which enabled them to work hand-and-hand with the Marines learning from their experience and knowledge.

While they learned from the Marines, they also brought a valuable resource to the operations they conducted; knowledge of the culture and language.

They learned by our example. Working hand-and-hand with us in real operations allowed them to learn very quickly, while at the same time bring a lot of their local knowledge to the table,” Del Gaudio stated.

The Muthanna Brigade has been working with the Marines for nearly four months.

“These guys are by far the best I have worked with out of the many groups I have advised,” said Del Gaudio. “With the Muthanna Brigade we gave them a piece of the pie and they just kept on running with it. They want peace in their country.”


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Sergeant paints operational picture, link from battlefield
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20055842244
Story by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio



CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 8, 2005) -- When Sgt. Wick goes to work, he finds himself surrounded by a myriad of plasma screens, telephones ringing and computer screens glowing with digitized maps. He sorts through it all though to decipher a clear picture of the battlefield for the General and his staff.

Sergeant Jeffrey Allen Wick, a 27-year-old Syracuse, N.Y. native works in the 2nd Marine Division’s combat operations center as the watch chief. He is the main link for information from the battlefield to the officers commanding this unit.

Wick is a reserved individual, who despite the long hours in the COC, always keeps sharp as he constantly walks back and forth in his area monitoring his Marines’ progress.

He and his team of four monitor the C2PC (command and control personal computer), which regulates all information from fighting units to the command post here. The general and his staff use this critical data to counter the insurgency and formulate their battle plans.

“Our system collects information straight from the troops in enemy contact and gives accurate map coordinates for their locations,” said Wick, a former student from Onondoga Community College. “Basically, we build a picture so the officers can become familiar with the area of operations.”

Wick helps to build what is termed as the ‘common operational picture.’ It’s a physical and statistical map of troop movements, equipment and battle reports. It’s the new age version of the map table a 19th century general might have used to contemplate maneuvers using miniature cannons and horseback soldiers.

“What we do here is no different than what the military used many years ago, only we utilize technology to get information fast and accurately,” said Wick.

The billet Wick holds is normally for a Marine well above his rank and experience. His work ethic is what got him the job and it’s what helps him get it done. When a unit needs the C2PC system built into their network Wick is the man who coaches Marines on how to use it. His knowledge makes him the subject matter expert – it’s something he’s quite used to.

As a gunner for the M-220 Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided missile system, Wick was responsible for literally millions of dollars worth of equipment. He also worked at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. as a primary marksmanship instructor, teaching Marines the fundamentals of firing rifles – something Marines have historically prided themselves in.

His ability to interact with people and react quickly under pressure showed his superiors what he was made of. He was transferred to work in operations here with a new military occupational specialty as a small unit operations specialist.

As Wick trained in his new MOS with the division headquarters on their work-up exercises for this operation, he found himself working in the center of all activity in the division.

“I think we were successful here in the three months we’ve been deployed,” said Wick. “Already we’re entirely familiar with the area so when say a firefight occurs, we can show the officers exactly where it is.”

Life isn’t all work for this Marine though. Wick’s wife and five-month-old son are waiting for him to return.

When he’s home he makes every effort to spend time with them. And as he comes up on his eight-year mark in the Marine Corps, he’s doing his best to excel in his field to build a brighter future for them.

His philosophy on life, which is reflected in both his work and home life, paints him as a humble man; it’s what his success is built upon.

“No matter how well we do, we can’t take life for granted,” said Wick. “I’ve learned a lot here already, and I don’t waste time with the small stuff. I intend to make the most of every day.”


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Sub-station's positive attitude leads to success <br />
Submitted by: 4th Marine Corps District <br />
Story Identification #: 200551313239 <br />
Story by Sgt. David J. Drafton <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 14, 2005) --...

[thedrifter]

Women at War


Wednesday, May 18, 2005; Page A16

THE HOUSE ARMED Services Committee is expected today to take up the emotional issue of women in combat. Given the large numbers of servicewomen risking their lives in Iraq, in a war with no front lines, this debate has a certain detachment from reality. President Bush has said that his position on the subject is clear -- "No women in combat" -- but such an edict isn't simple to apply. Though theoretically banned from combat, women in today's military routinely find themselves in combat situations. As one female sergeant leading a search team that guards the gates of Baghdad's Green Zone told The Post's Ann Scott Tyson, "If he said no women in combat, then why are there women here in Iraq?"

The narrow question before the committee is whether the Army, in reorganizing to create more flexible, deployable units that combine combat soldiers and support troops, is stealthily violating the ban on women in combat. Existing policy prohibits women from serving in units that are "assigned a primary mission to engage in direct ground combat" or that routinely operate alongside such units. Having women in such forward-support companies, some lawmakers argue, runs afoul of that second category. An amendment to the defense authorization bill -- sponsored by committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and approved by a subcommittee last week -- would bar women from serving in such companies. Proponents of the amendment argue that it would affect only a handful of women, but the Army staff director, Lt. Gen. James L. Campbell, estimated that it would close about 22,000 positions to female soldiers, and the Army considers that a conservative estimate.


The Army may be stretching the limits of the no-combat rule. But the more critical question is whether it makes sense to exclude women from these forward-support positions. Even if the prohibition on women in combat still makes sense -- which isn't clear to us -- why apply that ban in a way that limits the military's flexibility when its ranks are already stretched? Why, when the services are having trouble recruiting, tell women that their options will narrow as the Army modernizes? Since female soldiers aren't being kept out of harm's way in any event, why not let them perform the jobs for which they trained?

At a minimum, lawmakers ought to consider this issue thoughtfully, with hearings and informed debate. Instead, Mr. Hunter's amendment was sprung on the subcommittee last week in a last-minute surprise. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has been silent on the issue, but the Army's leadership vehemently opposes the amendment. Lawmakers should pause to understand why before acting precipitously.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Hagerstown, Md. reservist’s unit continues civil service in Fallujah
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551721144
Story by Cpl. Mike Escobar



CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq (April 1, 2005) -- Ronald Reagan once said, “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.”

For Cpl. Tyler R. Allamong, a combat engineer with 5th Civil Affairs Group, and his fellow team members, this statement seems especially true. Their mission is to help the Iraqi people restore critical infrastructure and assist in economic development and reconstruction.

The 22-year-old Hagerstown, Md. native is a member of Team 3, Detachment 2, 5th CAG. The unit came together in January at Camp Lejeune to train in civil affairs. Allamong’s team is in direct support of 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.

“We’re kind of jacks of all trades in this team,” stated the 2000 Clear Springs High School graduate, whose six man team is comprised of Marine reservists who in the civilian community perform diverse jobs such as policemen, engineers, doctors and public administrators. “It’s kind of cool, because we have a lot of people used to working for the public on the team.”

It’s this experience that served the six-man unit well after starting what Allamong called “a crash course in civil affairs” in January.

“We were told sometime before the holidays that we were going to be activated, so after taking a block of leave (time off) for Christmas, we came to Camp Lejeune to start training for this deployment,” the former Department of Homeland Defense employee said. “We took courses to learn about Iraqi culture, how to contract civilian workers, and conduct Civil Military Operations.”

Allamong said his group also received humvee driver training and combat lifesaver training, a course that teaches Marines how to perform first aid measures in combat.

“We had a good time while we were at Lejeune,” Allamong said. “I came in only knowing one other guy, but by the time we deployed, we’d all meshed together really well.”

Two months later, Team 3 deployed to Fallujah to put their civil affairs training to work.

“A typical day for us here is getting up and leaving Baharia every morning, then heading for the CMOC (Civil Military Operations Center in Fallujah),” Allamong said. “We’ll usually head down to places like Jolan Park and get some face-to-face time with the people there.”

Allamong referred to one ongoing project here. Marines are working in conjunction with Iraqi Security Forces and local officials to issue a total of $100 million in compensation money to Fallujah’s citizens as payment for damages done during the push through the city last year. Civil affairs teams such as Allamong’s frequently travel to these sites and ensure that operations are going smoothly.

“Basically, our job is to help make the people’s lives here a little better,” Allamong said. “You always want the friendships we’ve made with people so far to continue growing.”

To accomplish this, the group also stops by schools throughout Fallujah to survey the area.

“We’ll go in and talk to the headmaster and maybe check the place out to see what the kids might need,” Allamong said. “It’s all about building rapport with the people.”

Additionally, CA Team 3 maintains an ongoing project in one of Fallujah’s judicial buildings.

“The place looks like Swiss cheese,” Allamong said, describing the bullet hole-riddled building. “We’re trying to get them office furniture and supplies to replace stuff they lost during the war.”

These civil-military missions complement the battalion’s combat offensive capabilities.

According to Maj. Chris E. Phelps, the CA team leader, CAG teams “act as a force multiplier to support the tactical missions of an infantry battalion.”

The civil affairs team conducts patrols and missions alongside Iraqi Security Forces to teach them how to interact with Fallujah’s people.

“It’s important for the Iraqi people to gain trust in their forces,” Phelps said. “In the U.S., our military works for the people, but in Iraq, it hasn’t been that way for the longest time.”

Allamong said his CAG team is constantly busy, as there is a never-ending amount of civil affairs missions to perform.

“I’m sure things are going to get even busier in the next couple of months,” he said.

Nonetheless, Allamong and his teammates remain motivated to perform whatever the job demands of them.

"When you’re able to talk to people and help them solve their problems, it gives you an extremely gratifying sensation,” said Phelps, who has spent about 17 years in the Marine Corps and considers this CAG assignment the most challenging and rewarding.

“I’m happier than hell to be here,” said Allamong. “I see things getting better in Iraq because of what we’re doing.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marine's service in Iraq can't tarnish love he has at home By CHANTAL ESCOTO
The Leaf-Chronicle

Cpl. Joseph Smith graduated from Clarksville High School in 2002, when he joined the Marines. This picture was taken May 11 in Al Asad, Iraq, near his squadron hangar. He volunteered to return to Iraq for a second tour.

Despite growing up in an Army town, Marine Cpl. Joseph Smith said he signed on with the Marines because it had the toughest boot camp and more to offer him.

"I joined because I wanted to better myself in a way that not everyone can. I feel it is better to bring the fight over here, rather than wait for it to show up on our doorstep," he said in an e-mail about being deployed in support of operation Iraqi Freedom.

Though the statements sounds similar to what any soldier in Clarksville might say, Smith said serving in the Marines has made him a better man since his graduation from Clarksville High School three years ago.

Smith, 20, grew up in the Sango area and is in Al Asad, Iraq, as a flight equipment technician with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 out of Cherry Point, N.C. It's his second tour in Iraq.

"I am proud to serve my country as much as possible," Smith said in the e-mail.

Smith's story has another Clarksville connection — his wife, Mary Elizabeth, is also a 2002 CHS graduate.

And like so many young military families in their hometown, the Smiths will be first-time parents in October when Mrs. Smith is due to give birth.

Mary Elizabeth, who grew up in a military family, can identify even more with Fort Campbell wives now. She said sometimes she gets lonely without her husband and being away from her family in Clarksville. The couple has been married for more than a year, but they have only been together for two months total.

"We e-mail each other just about every day, and whenever he can, he'll call me on my cell phone, and I'll stop whatever I'm doing to talk to him," Mary Elizabeth said from her Cherry Point home.

After realizing how badly he wanted to be a Marine, she said she supported him all the way, even though she was a little scared at first. "He actually volunteered to go over there (to Iraq) again and asked me if he could do it. He loves his job and loves what he does, and I'll never take that from him. He's my best friend. He's the most amazing person I've ever met in my life, next to my dad (former Clarksville Police Chief Johnny Rosson)."

Cpl. Smith said it's his wife who is remarkable, and she keeps him motivated.

"She is my backbone, and she has been there since before I left Clarksville," he said. "I love her more than anything else in this world."

Cpl. Smith is expected to return to the United States this summer. He added that his accomplishments in the Marines can be attributed to his upbringing.

Jeff Smith, his father, said he couldn't be more proud of his son and all the service members who are serving overseas in a combat zone.

"It takes a special kind to put their life on the line like that," said Jeff Smith, who was born and raised in Clarksville but didn't serve in the military.

Cpl. Smith's mother, Jodi Whitlow-Smith, who runs a cabinet business in town, said she knows a little bit about the military life because she grew up traveling with her Air Force dad until he finally settled down in Clarksville. Although she misses her son immensely, Whitlow-Smith realizes his duty to country was a calling.

"I haven't seen him for a year," she said. "I told him to expect lots of hugs and kisses from me when he returns."

Chantal Escotocovers military affairs and can be reached at 245-0216 or by e-mail at chantalescoto@theleafchronicle.com.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Military mum on fate of Marine commandos By: DARRIN MORTENSON - Staff Writer
May 18, 2005

Even as the two-year trial period for the Marine Corps' new special operations unit winds down, military officials remain tight-lipped about whether Detachment One, as it is known, will join the ranks of America's elite forces alongside the Army's Green Berets and the Navy's SEALs.

The 86-man unit, formed at Camp Pendleton in June of 2003 and which later trained at Coronado Naval Amphibious Base, was deployed in April 2004 to Iraq for a combat trial under the provisional command of the unified U.S. Special Operations Command.

The military has so far refused to comment on how or what the 81 Marines and five Navy Corpsmen of Detachment One performed in the field.

And since the unit returned to San Diego late last year, military officials have refused to say whether Detachment One will survive or ever formally join the world of special operations.

"Nothing is releasable on that yet," the special operations spokesman, Ken McGraw, said in response to a recent request for an update on the Marine detachment.

That was the same terse response recently given by Marine Corps officials and the spokesman for the Navy's special warfare command at Coronado, where Detachment One was trained.

One reason for the secrecy is that the unit's future is at the heart of an emotional debate over who controls what in the military, said Jay Farrar, a former Marine officer and military analyst for the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The debate boils down to whether the Marine Corps should formally join the special operations community or merely continue contributing to joint operations on an ad hoc basis as it has in Afghanistan, Eastern Europe and, most recently, Iraq, Farrar said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

The already lean Corps wants to maintain formal control of its troops and equipment, especially its aircraft for close air support, but continue to lend forces to joint missions, he said

"It's not about capabilities," Farrar said, adding that the Marine Corps has worked well with other special operations forces all over the world. "It's the jurisdiction."

The special operations command, based in Tampa, Fla., was formed in the late 1980s and includes units from every service but the Marine Corps.

The Army provided Special Forces, Delta Force, Rangers, specialized helicopter units, psychological operations and civil affairs teams. The Navy contributed the SEALs and other special maritime units. And the Air Force created its helicopter and AC-130 gunship squadrons equipped for the special operations team.

While the Marine Corps refused to contribute more than a handful of staff officers, it restructured some of its force to fit the special operations mold and participate in joint operations when needed.

Since then, the war on terror and ongoing counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq have put a strain on existing special operations forces, and the Marines have been under increasing pressure to formally contribute to the elite global command.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who has insisted that the military become lighter and more agile to fight non-state forces such as terrorists, has emphasized special operations and joint missions and is pushing Marine officials to join the special operations command, military analysts say.

Recent missions in Iraq have only hardened the Marines insistence that it not relinquish control of its best troops to the joint command, Farrar said.

"In their view, the Marines are saying: 'We can't afford to give these people up. If you take these units now, then we won't have use of them when we get a special mission, as we often do.' "

He said the Marine Corps was not being "obstructionist," but based its position on the need to remain flexible.

While Detachment One may have passed muster in Iraq, Farrar said he still doubts the Marines would want to join the special operations command.

Recent comments by top Marine brass seem to bear him out.

Lt. Gen. Wallace Gregson, commander of all Marine forces in the Pacific, said the debate over including the Marines in the larger group is more about control of budgets and political control than about the capability of the Marines to perform.

"There is a high degree of emotion on all sides of this issue," Gregson said in a recent article in the journal Sea Power.

Gregson, whose command includes Detachment One, said he believed the Marines can integrate with the special operations command without relinquishing control over the Corps' newest elite unit. He said the Corps could provide a unit for the joint mission, on condition that the Corps gets it back.

"They (Detachment One) brought a unique task organization over there, and they showed how, in all aspects of organization, very highly selected and very highly trained units like that can be of great value," Gregson, said, according to the April edition of Sea Power. "That's a mirror to the Marine Corps' approach to warfare in general. ... Tell us what capabilities you want, what kind of unit you want, and we'll provide."

Marine Corps Commandant Michael Hagee, in another article in Sea Power, echoed Gregson and said he prefers the status quo, which he said worked well during the U.S. assault on Fallujah in November.

Our "relationship between SOCOM and the Marine Corps in-theatre ---- Iraq, Afghanistan ---- is really, really good," he said. "It is seamless now; it is essentially an integrated force."

Hagee, according to the journal, hinted that Detachment One would be around for awhile, at least, and would be available for future special operations missions.

"We are going to provide those capabilities that Gen. Brown needs," Hagee said of the special operations commander, Gen. Doug Brown. "If they need a capability such as Detachment One, that capability is going to go to them, and they will use that capability."

Contact staff writer Darrin Mortenson at (760) 740-5442 or dmortenson@nctimes.com.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Wrong turn to hell The Advertiser
15may05

FOR more than a day and much of the night, the M-1 Abrams tank sat disabled in the desert, hobbled by an anti-tank mine. The main battle for the town of Husaybah had pushed to the north, across the Euphrates towards the Syrian border.

A handful of US Marines and another Abrams had stayed behind with the stricken tank with help on the way.

But as the column of armoured vehicles raced towards the scene early on Tuesday, a wrong turn in the darkness and unfamiliar terrain took them into enemy territory - and chaos.

The Marines sent to the rescue needed help themselves - and I was in the middle of it, embedded in an armoured personnel carrier.

The tanks were rolling through the town of Karabilah, on the Euphrates' south bank, about 1am when Lance-Corporal James Sutton, a 20-year-old tank driver, spotted men atop severalbuildings.

They had heard us coming and were ready for a fight.

Lance-Cpl Sutton said he could not pick out the details - his infrared scope, used to give him night vision, showed the men only as silhouettes against the sky.

But then his screen bloomed with black blotches, signalling the heat of muzzle flashes. Tiny black dots - bullets - streamed toward his tank and the armoured Humvees ahead of him.

"It was a big mess," said Lance-Cpl Sutton as he and other Marines from Alpha Company, 1st Marine Tank Battalion, recounted what had happened on return to the main Marine base at Al Qaim.

Elsewhere in the column, Sgt Jeremy Archila, 27, watched from the machinegun turret of his M88-A2 tank-recovery vehicle as the rifles erupted. The buildings along the roadside looked as if sparklers were hanging from almost every window.

"Pretty much everything went to hell," he said.

As the American vehicles screeched to a halt and hurriedly began U-turning in the road, the rebel gunmen began firing rocket-propelled grenades - "big red streams that just shoot down and scream", Sgt Archila said.

And then, out of nowhere, a suicide bomber in a white traytop sped into the column, exploding next to a Humvee in front of Sgt Archila.

The gunfire intensified and then, almost miraculously, slowed as Sgt Archila's crew ran to the burning Humvee and pulled out the four wounded Marines. Three of them wound up inside Sgt Archila's vehicle, along with the five regular crew members. Eight men dressed in full combat gear now were packed into a space the size of a regular mini-van, but with far less headroom.

Sgt Archila said he gave his seat to one of the wounded men. With nowhere else to go, he opened his hatch and crouched behind the big .50-calibre machinegun, hoping it would give him some protection as the rifle fire from the rooftops started again.

The column sped up, threading its way through narrow streets with only metres to spare on either side.

But as they turned down a side street Sgt Archila's recovery vehicle ran over an anti-tank mine.

The explosion knocked him into the armoured cabin and his mechanic tumbled into him - his helmet and goggles had been blown from his head but he staggered to his feet, stuck his torso out of his hatch and began to fire back with his M-16.

The inside of the armoured vehicle reeked of leaking diesel fuel. Someone asked if they should fire anti-tank rockets at the buildings. Archila said no: any spark could ignite the fumes.

Although the vehicle's right track was severely damaged, Sgt Archila shouted over the gunfire: "Floor it." Even though 20-year-old Lance-Cpl Adolfo Castro'sinfrared scope was blinded by smoke, he responded, pushing the damaged vehicle as fast as he could.

"When the smoke cleared I found myself zigzagging in and out of telephone poles," he said.

Somehow, the crippled tank-recovery vehicle cleared the buildings. And then it ground to a halt.

Lance-Cpl Sutton's tank towed the damaged recovery vehicle to a safe zone - coincidentally near the damaged tank they had gone to recover long hours before.

Within minutes Black Hawk helicopters evacuated the wounded Marines. Soon after undamaged tanks towed the broken M88 and Abrams back to base at Al Qaim, about 8km away.

While fellow Marines fought on the north side of the river - part of a continuing offensive aimed at insurgents based in this rugged corner of Iraq's Jazirah Desert - the rescuers congratulated themselves on what Sgt Archila described as a successful mission.

Gun battles have become a regular occurrence in this area, with several soldiers and insurgents killed in the past three weeks. For a change, the soldiers had escaped relatively unscathed.

"At least everybody lived," he said matter-of-factly.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

A life of honor remembered by Marine's family and country By SABRINA BATES
Staff Writer WCP News
May 18, 2005

Famous writer Ernest Hemingway wrote, "Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived, and how he died that distinguishes one man from another."

The details of how one local soldier lived and how he died will be recognized in a distinguished ceremony in Memphis this weekend.

United States Marine Corps Capt. Brent Morel has been posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for Valor for his brave service in battle in Iraq.

Morel was killed during a battle in the Middle East last April. The battle was considered an "ambush of mortars and automatic fire" of Morel and his men.

Morel's commander, Capt. Brad Richardson wrote the narrative describing the "valiant" acts of Morel on that fateful day. "(Capt. Morel) quickly leapt out of his own disabled vehicle ... and led a determined assault through a relentless hail of automatic weapons, RPG and mortar fire into the heart of the enemy's ambush."

"This prompt and courageous action surprised the enemy and stalled the momentum of ambush long enough for the six Marines injured in the lead vehicle to move to relative safety out of the kill zone. Capt. Morel's selfless act undoubtedly enabled his team to break contact, thus saving their lives."

Richardson went on to describe Morel's "extraordinary heroism, indomitable leadership, selfless devotion to duty and bold fighting spirit." Morel's dedication to his country and self sacrifice has earned him national recognition and the second highest award the Navy and Marine Corps bestow.

"Brent was always a guy for the underdog. He was an underdog himself," Morel's father, Mike, said.

The pain the family endures daily is very real. They are proud of the soldier who gave his life to his country. The Morels, however, miss their son with the quiet dignity and raw emotion that comes from losing a child.

"He loved being a Marine; he chose that," Mike Morel added about Morel's decision to join the sniper and reconnaissance division of the Marine Corps.

Morel served five years of active duty and three years in the reserves, according to his father.

Once he graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin as a history major, Morel took the commission that would warrant him a captain with the U.S. Marines.

More than one year after his death, his family describes the recent turn of events as "bittersweet."

"The missing him takes over as the crying slows down," Morel's mother, Molly, stated.

"It seems as if when you take two steps forward, then take one back," his father added. Although neither can "crawl into a shell and pretend as if it never happened," they ex-plained that it helps to stay busy.

With the support of strangers, friends and family, the Morels take it one day at a time.

"He would have chosen this path. Brent was dedicated to his country and his men," Mike said.

"He did what he was trained to do," he added.

His act of heroism goes without saying and his parents say they knew his actions were "the right thing to do" for their 27-year-old son. As a leader, Morel gained the respect of his men and their families.

One of Morel's soldiers lost both of his hands during that battle and according to Morel's parents, the family always recognizes Morel's brave acts with grateful appreciation.

"His (the soldier's) mother always tells us that without Brent, they would not have their son," Morel's mother explained.

"It makes us thankful that his sacrifice is appreciated," she added. According to her, there were "a lot of heroes that day."

There has been a scholarship fund set up in Morel's name and in less than a year, a student has already been awarded with the scholarship.

An organization known as the Soldier's Stewardship Found-ation is scheduled to unveil a bronze bust of Morel Saturday after his family is awarded the Navy Cross. Morel's family has chosen UTM as the final resting place of the statue to be displayed in his memory.

When asked what revelations have been discovered in the last year by the grieving family, they commented on the kindness of strangers.

"We have been overwhelmed by the goodness of people that we don't even know. Their support and sympathy have shown us that overall, there are more good people out there," his mother said as his father nodded in agreement.

In Morel's family eyes, he will always be their hero that fought for the underdog and never stopped trying to make a small difference in a big world.

The family will gather at the Marine Corps Reserve Center in Memphis this Saturday for the presentation of the Naval Cross. Morel is the highest ranking Marine killed in the war in Iraq. He is survived by his wife of almost five years, Amy. His mother and father reside in Martin.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

VMGR-252 pilots "J" model to continued success
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 20055118592
Story by Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis



AL ASAD, Iraq (May 10, 2005) -- In the skies over Western Iraq, 18,000 feet above troops in contact with the enemy, an F/A-18C Hornet pilot comes on the radio during an aerial refueling.

“Sorry guys, I have to go, they need me down there,” he says to the pilots of a
KC-130J Hercules, and he is gone, over the horizon to support the Marines on the
ground.

The above situation happened during an aerial refueling mission May 10,
conducted by Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, and was a perfect example
of the importance of the squadron’s mission.

“We are an airborne asset that allows other aircraft to stay on station longer and
support the troops,” said Capt. John C. Bowes, KC-130J Hercules pilot and native of
Naples, Fla. “Instead of returning to base to refuel, we allow them to stay near the fight.”

Since their arrival here in February, the Marines and sailors of VMGR-252 have
been hard at work supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom by providing aerial refueling,
troop and cargo transport, and radio relay capabilities.

During the past three months, the squadron has logged more than 1,550 combat
flight hours during 785 sorties, dispensed nearly 5,000,000 pounds, or 735,294 gallons, of
fuel to more than 610 aircraft, and moved more than 6,388 passengers and 2,618,060
pounds of cargo.

The accomplishments of the squadron come on the heels of the first ever
deployment of the KC-130J model Hercules to a combat zone. The ‘J’, as it’s
affectionately known, may resemble the legacy model Hercules on the out side, but the
new aircraft is technologically superior and more reliable.

“The J-model is performing outstanding so far,” Bowes said. “A lot of that is due
to the hard work and dedication of the Marines in the maintenance department. Because
of the age of the legacy ‘R’ and ‘F’ models we were seeing average mission capable rates
of 80 percent, with the ‘J’ we are at 100 percent most of the time.”

The biggest advantage the new model brings to the fight is its computerized and
streamlined troubleshooting abilities. While before most components were separately
placed and hard wired throughout the aircraft - the centralized technology in the new
aircraft allows avionics technicians to use computer diagnostics to locate and fix
problems.

“With our operational tempo, things are going to go wrong with the aircraft,” said
Gunnery Sgt. Joseph W. Ward, avionics chief and native of Tampa, Fla. “The Marines
have adapted well to the state-of-the-art technology, and the diagnostic process has
allowed us to cut to the chase and fix what needs to be fixed in as little time as possible.”

Although the ‘J’ is avionics intensive, all the sections of the maintenance
department work to ensure the ‘Hercs’ can carry out their important tasks. From
airframes and powerlines, to ordnance and aircrew, the Marines and sailors of the
squadron work together to accomplish the mission.

“We all work hand in hand,” said Cpl. Brandon K. Hagy, loadmaster and native of
Richmond, Va. “We all have our own jobs, but when it comes down to it we have one
mission, and we do what it takes to get it done.”

“We know that the pilots and the mission depend on us,” said Cpl. Beau J.
Thomson, avionics technician and native of Lena, Wis. “A lot of people depend on the
capabilities of our aircraft, and that motivates us each day.”

At the half way point in their deployment, VMGR-252 is continuing to support
Operation Iraqi Freedom across the skies of Iraq.

“We have extremely talented pilots and enlisted aircrew, and exceptionally
dedicated Marines in the maintenance department,” said SgtMaj. Paul K. Anderson,
VMGR-252 sergeant major and native of Staten Island, N.Y. “The bottom line is that
these Marines are here to support the men on the ground. They understand that
responsibility, and take it very seriously. They know that the end result of their efforts is
helping their fellow Marines.”

*For more information about the Marines or news reported on in this
story, please contact Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis by e-mail at defilippisrc@acemnf-
wiraq.usmc.mil*

Ellie

[thedrifter]

IRAQ IN TRANSITION: CASUALTIES
Father and son reacquainted during war

By Stefanie Dell'Aringa
Special to the Tribune
Published May 18, 2005

A product of a difficult divorce, Jacob D. Martir had limited communication with his father, Jose, while he was growing up. A disabled veteran, Jose found out through the Internet that his son was in Iraq. The two were then reunited through e-mail.

"He said when he got a pass he would visit me in uniform," his father recalled. "I felt so happy that he wrote to me and I told him that I'm proud of him."

Army Spec. Martir, 21, of Norwich, Conn., died Aug. 18, when his patrol came under attack by small-arms fire in the Sadr City section of Baghdad.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, based in Ft. Hood, Texas. Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, he was a young boy when he moved to Connecticut to live with his mother.

He was a very smart young man who knew early on he wanted to enlist in the Army, his father said. "I bought him Army clothes and he went to sleep with them on," he said.

He was a teenager when he made the decision to enlist. During the small arms attack, he pushed his best friend out of harm's way and took the bullets for him, his father said.

For Martir's selfless deed, his picture will be included on a special quilt for national heroes. "I have received letters from the president, the staff sergeant major, all the colonels and generals and his company commander who was very sad," his father said.

"He wrote to me and told me how much he appreciated Jacob because he had a high standard and initiative." Martir was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Loved car, Marines: After he returned from his first tour in Iraq, Lance Corporal Dustin R. Fitzgerald put an expensive car stereo in his 1996 Dodge Stratus. He loved working on his car, the first one he'd ever owned, and, in his memory, his mother, Melody Fitzgerald, now drives it.

The license plate bears his initials, "DRF" and "HERO." Lance Cpl. Fitzgerald, 22, of Huber Heights, Ohio, died Aug. 18, in a non-combat related vehicle accident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

He was assigned to the Battalion Landing Team 1/2, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

A middle child born in Leoti, Kan., "Dusty" as he was affectionately called by his mother, had a sweet smile and always made an effort to keep people around him happy.

"I could be having a really bad day and he could turn it around," his mother said. "That was the kind of personality that he had."

He and his family moved to Ohio during his sophomore year and for the next three years, he was enrolled in the ROTC program at Wayne High School. He graduated in 2000.

His mother said he liked wrestling and baseball and was always interested in staying fit. Initially he set his sights on becoming a fighter pilot, but then changed his mind.

"I think it was his junior year that he came home and said he wanted to be a Marine," she said. Four months before his second deployment, Fitzgerald purchased his dream car--a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse. His older brother, Brandon, now owns the car.

Fitzgerald also leaves behind a younger brother, Shannon.

Because of Fitzgerald's passion for fitness, his family established a fitness award that will be given in May to a Wayne High School student enrolled in the ROTC program.

His future plans were to become a lawyer, his mother said.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

School gives grads OK to wear Marine uniform

By Lolly Bowean
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 18, 2005

The persistence of a Lake Villa mother will be rewarded at next week's Warren Township High School graduation.

Julie Hamil will get a chance to see her son, Brenton Kostner, accept his diploma wearing a newly issued Marine Corps uniform, thanks to a recent decision by the school board.

After a month of meetings, the board agreed to allow students to wear military uniforms during the ceremony. Kostner is one of two December graduates training at a recruit depot in San Diego.

Last month Hamil asked the board to change its graduation dress code, which for years required all graduates to wear light blue caps and gowns.

Hamil said her son is an active member of the military and should be able to show his achievement at the May 28 ceremony.

"He went away thinking he could wear his uniform to the ceremony," she said. "Now when he comes back, he can wear it just like he thought he would. I know it was a tough decision for the board, but I'm glad it worked out."

The board agreed to alter its policy for this year only, said school spokeswoman Mary Olson.

"All along our position was that we needed to research this and get information and make an informed decision," Olson said. "We wanted to make sure whatever happened at the ceremony was aligned with the Marine Corps, but would preserve the dignity of the ceremony."

The students in uniform will not be allowed to carry their firearms.

Typically, the Marines encourage soldiers to wear their uniforms when appropriate, said Sgt. Kimberly Leone, a Marines spokeswoman in Chicago. But they do not ask schools to alter graduation dress codes, she said.

"Wearing the uniform is a way of showing pride," Leone said.

The Marine Corps is pleased that the students will have the option of wearing their uniforms, Leone said. "I'm just glad it worked out and everyone is happy," she said.

----------

lbowean@tribune.com


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Back in Iraq, gunner receives Silver Star medal <br />
CWO lauded for actions in Nasiriyah <br />
<br />
By Laura Bailey <br />
Times staff writer <br />
<br />
Another Marine has joined the ranks of those who will be remembered in...

[thedrifter]

Wonderful story From Mustang23's Blog

Dear Mustang, I have a wonderful story and I wanted to share it with you. This happened yesterday and I am still walking on clouds. I belong to a group called Adoptaplatoon. Not sure if you've heard of us but we are a non-profit soldier support group (www.adoptaplatoon.org)

Anywayyyy, at the moment I support a soldier and a Marine-both in Iraq. I was going to mail out their care packages this past Saturday but the new Star Wars movie ran longer than I thought it would and my regular post office closed before I could get there. Sunday morning found me up and on my way to the post office at the airport(open 7 days a week). The boxes were large and heavy so I could only take one in at a time. I brought one in and the young man behind the counter started to process it so I could go and get the other one.

An older man, who I had never seen working there before, asked me if I needed help. I politely declined and the yonger man proceeded to ask me the standard questions. I rattled off the contents and then said and "lots of powdered drink mix".Young man says "he must work out alot". I told him that no,this young man was in Iraq. Older guy peeks at the front of the box, I go out for box number two. I came back in to find just the younger man. He continued to process the paperwork and the older man came back. He told the younger guy "take it out of here" but I had no idea what he was talking about. When the bill was totalled, the younger man proceeded to take out a $100 bill and count out change. I was floored. I said I can't let him do that. Older guy says "I want to".

I thanked him and he told me just make sure to thank my son. I then had to explain that these young men were not related and I told him what we are involved in. Tears came to his eyes and of course then mine. This man had served in Nam. I thanked him and shook his hand-cried my eyes out as I walked to my car. I rushed home to email my Marine's family with the story.

I wanted them and I want you and all of your buddies to know that YES!! people back here do care. Forget the media and the occasional protests, people back home love you and support you! Stay safe! Karen


Ellie

[thedrifter]

May 18, 2005

Pocket-size war-fighting booklets headed to field

By Laura Bailey
Times staff writer

Marines looking for extra schooling on how to survive Iraq will soon receive lessons straight from the battlefield in pocket-sized booklets.

The first of the series, containing information on tactics and techniques gleaned from recent operations, will debut in June under the direction of Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico, Va.

The individual books, called Marine Corps Warfighting Publication Interims, will fit in a Marine’s cargo pocket and feature up-to-date information in areas relevant to the Marines in Iraq, such as urban operations and convoy tactics.

The idea is to get the latest on enemy tactics and Iraq-specific information into the hands of Marines quickly.

The Doctrine Division usually updates its publications, such as those on urban operations or mountain warfare, every four years, with information gained from experimentation, training and exercises. That’s not frequent enough for a wartime environment, said Col. Len A. Blasiol, director of Concepts and Doctrine divisions at Combat Development Command.

“We want to be more proactive about getting these lessons out,” Blasiol said.

“The mission of Doctrine Division is to provide our Marines in the operating forces with doctrine that is timely, relevant, and compelling. [The] publications, developed and published very quickly using lessons straight from the battlefield, allow us to accomplish that mission in a way that supports the immediate needs of Marines in combat,” he said.

The first publication will cover urban operations, specifically house take-down tactics. After that, Blasiol said, the division will regularly produce the publications as lessons are identified.

“It depends on how the lessons come in. We can publish two or three a month, or maybe just one,” he said.

The topics will originate largely from the Warfighting Lab and the Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned, which collects and analyzes thousands of after-action reports, briefings and observations from the field. Many of the booklets will be focused on the tactical level, Blasiol said.

The publications will also have a Web-based version, making them readily available to Marines all over the world.

“House Take Down” will be available on the Internet before the end of June and printed versions will be available in the next 30 to 60 days, said Maj. Don Han, the infantry doctrine officer who is coordinating the publications.

While the booklets can be used as tools for commanders, they will also be useful for junior Marines too, Han said.

He added that some of the lessons will help Marines keep up with the enemy.

“Obviously the enemy is going to change their tactics. We’re going to, too. But if there’s one TTP [tactic, technique and procedure] that can help a Marine out, I’m all for it,” he said.

The information in the publications will be good for two years before being refreshed.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

May 23, 2005

Baby boomers must counsel children on patriotism, duty to serve in military

Most of the fighting in Iraq is being done by soldiers and Marines — a role that is taking its toll on recruitment.

Potential recruits recognize that by joining one of these services, they may end up risking life and limb in places like Iraq or Afghanistan and, thus, are considering other options.

In a very telling move to encourage military service, the Army has launched a marketing campaign targeting not those it wishes to recruit, but their parents.

Just as during the Vietnam War — when these parents were of age to join the military themselves — there are daily reminders of the ongoing war on television and in newspapers. Parents see and read stories of families who have lost loved ones in Iraq, of children who have returned home maimed and, in at least one case, of a young soldier who remains unaccounted for.

The toll of dead or wounded service members continues to rise with no end in sight. Many parents, fearful their children might add to that tally, discourage them from serving in the military or say nothing about their responsibility to consider such service. Recognizing this, the Army’s recruiting campaign appeals to the parents’ patriotism, hoping they will become catalysts in the recruitment effort.

The generation targeted by the Army is my generation — i.e., the post-World War II baby boomers. Since the Vietnam War ended, we have had to make very little in the way of personal sacrifice for our country.

Clearly, military life is not for everyone. But patriotism among baby boomers has long been lacking. America’s “greatest generation” is credited with snatching victory from the jaws of defeat during World War II, saving democracy. After sacrificing so much during that war, the greatest generation returned home with a newfound zest for life and desire to provide the best possible life for the generation to come.

But they gave birth to a generation of Americans who largely became self-indulgent, understanding little about one’s responsibility to serve in the military, even as national security is threatened.

It is ironic a generation that thoroughly understood this responsibility begat a generation that did not. Baby boomers lack “standing” to preach patriotism to their children, who are faced with a new threat to democracy in a new century.

This month, my son joins the Navy, taking up one of its most dangerous military occupational specialties — explosive ordnance disposal. He will continue a family tradition of military service dating back to the American Revolution. Never pressured to serve, he arrived at the decision to join on his own.

It was a decision met with mixed parental emotions — a father’s pride tempered with concern for my son’s safety. But the decision could not be weighed solely within the vacuum of a father’s love for his son, for an equally important aspect of a young person’s personal growth is recognizing the duty to serve in time of national need.

As a father, I felt a strong emotional pull to think in terms of simply allowing someone else’s son to assume the risk of military service by encouraging my own to pursue other interests; fortunately, the need for my son to understand the sacrifices and challenges demanded of a good citizen-soldier was even stronger.

A parent’s emotional turmoil, torn by patriotism on one side and love for a child placed in harm’s way by military service on the other, is exemplified by the story told of a French mother whose only son went off to fight in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. The French army had just suffered a devastating defeat in a major battle. In a nearby village, the mother anxiously awaited news of her son’s fate. Demoralized French deserters streamed through the village. For hours, she stood on the street, searching the face of every soldier returning home. When, at long last, darkness fell on an empty road and the last deserter had passed her by, she exclaimed, “Thank God! He did not run away!”

The stoicism of this mother is what we, as parents, must take to heart as we counsel our children on their responsibilities — in the interests of a greater common good — to ensure our country defeats the terrorist threat.

The writer is a retired Marine officer who has written extensively on foreign policy and defense issues.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

THE WAR ON TERROR

S.C. firm to supply armored vehicles

Pentagon orders 122 Cougar vehicles to protect troops

By NOELLE PHILLIPS

Staff Writer

A Ladson-based company’s new armored vehicles will protect U.S. troops from roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And the company will receive nearly $90 million in the process.

The Department of Defense has hired Force Protection Inc. to build 122 Cougars, which can survive a blast from an improvised explosive device, said Michael Aldrich, Force Protection’s vice president for sales.

Force Protection must complete the first order of 71 vehicles by May 2006. The company’s 240 employees can build 20 Cougars a month, Aldrich said.

In combat, soldiers who specialize in disarming land mines and improvised explosive devices (called IEDs) will ride in the Cougars, Aldrich said. These soldiers are called on by infantry and other combat units to inspect and defuse possible explosives on the battlefield. About 10 percent of explosive devices detonate while they are being inspected by troops, according to a Defense Department report.

Marines have been using the Cougar in Iraq since October, Aldrich said. The Defense Department watched the Cougar in action and decided to buy some for the other branches of service.

The Cougar looks like a super-sized Hummer. It comes with a V-shaped hull that deflects any explosions away from the cabin. The vehicle’s steel body packs on the weight — 19 tons, or as much as 12 Toyota Camrys — but can travel 70 miles per hour on asphalt, Aldrich said.

“It quickly became known as the Humvee on steroids,” Aldrich said.

Force Protection also makes a big brother to the Cougar.

The 26-ton Buffalo looks similar but comes with a monstrous claw attached to the front. The Army Corps of Engineers uses the Buffalo to clear explosives from routes traveled by the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Troops inside the Buffalo can attach steel wheels and then “trample the IEDs,” Aldrich said.

“We’ve been operating for two years now, and we’ve had one broken wrist in a Buffalo,” he said. “We’ve taken out explosives that would take out an Abrams tank.”

Force Protection’s contract is a result of the Pentagon’s efforts to protect soldiers from roadside bombs, said John Pike, director of Globalsecurity.org, a defense analysis Web site.

The Defense Department has been criticized for its slow pace in outfitting troops with armored vehicles.

In December 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld launched a firestorm of criticism after he answered a soldier’s question about armored vehicles by saying, “As you know, you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want.”

Improvised explosives frequently kill Americans in Iraq. But the military says it is getting better at preventing the death and injury they cause. In the spring of 2004, every explosion caused a casualty, but today one in four explosions kills or wounds a soldier, said Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel, who heads the Pentagon’s task force on defending against the explosives.

In May 5 testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Votel said developing new vehicles with armor, ballistic windows and air conditioning was one step being taken to protect soldiers.

“This protects the soldiers from small-arms fire, many types of mines and IEDs,” Votel said.

Pike said the purchase is a good move for the Army, although the service has been slow in developing armored vehicles to protect its troops. The Army’s bureaucratic size got in the way, Pike said, but it also took time to figure out how to defend against enemy tactics.

“You don’t want to run out and spend money on something you don’t need,” he said.

The contract is good news for Force Protection, which has been losing money as it prepared itself to compete for business with large defense contractors, like General Dynamics.

The S.C. company lost $10.2 million in 2004 and $5.2 million in 2003.

“It’s from trying to do business with the federal government,” Aldrich said. “You have to be big enough to get the contract.”

Reach Phillips at (803) 771-8307 or nophillips@thestate.com.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Fleet Marine Warfare Specialists: Marine Corps knowledge for a combat Navy
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200551583731
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Shannon Arledge



AL ASAD, Iraq (May 15, 2005) -- Three sailors from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, are now Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialists. The sailors were decorated with the Fleet Marine Force Warfare pin May 15.

Petty Officer 1st Class Dennis Self, from Birmingham, Ala., Petty Officer 3rd Class Dale Wolkenhauer, a native of Clearlake, Calif., and Seaman Joseph Tibbits from Saginaw, Mich., stand out among the ranks wearing one of the U.S. Navy’s newest warfare designators.

The sailors endured more than 100 hours of intense written and practical application to qualify for the pin that was adopted into the U.S. Navy enlisted ranks in July 2000. The sailors were required to master 14 core subjects ranging from Marine Corps history and weapons systems to understand the Marine Air Ground Task Force concept of tailoring forces to meet the specific needs of a mission.

“I feel I can better speak the common language of a corpsman with the Marines,” said Self. “It’s like I’m finally part of the Marines I serve. Should I be needed, I will be better equipped to assist the Marines in accomplishing the mission.”

Mastering the subjects was a lengthy process and these shipmates not only passed a written exam, as well as meeting other administrative qualifications, but were required to go before a series of oral boards, totaling four to six hours.

“I have a better understanding of the Fleet Marine Force, the equipment, techniques and procedures and efforts set forth by our Marines,” said Wolkenhauer. “I already have tremendous respect and gratitude for the Marines. Achieving this has encouraged me to strive harder to provide the best medical care possible for our Marines.”

These three sailors are part of the unit’s medical team providing care for more than 1,200 Marines and sailors here. Included in their daily medical routine, they convoy with the unit and also support explosive ordnance disposal on missions to detect improvised explosive devices. Their mission as U.S. Navy corpsmen place them side-by-side their Marine brothers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“These sailors have proven they can acquire essential knowledge inherent to the combat forces we support, increasing their ability to understand and support the mission,” said Chief Petty Officer John M. Westfield, a native of Dallas, Pa., and senior enlisted medical corpsman. “In my opinion there is no more appropriate place than to be in a combat zone and qualify for this device.”

“This is a great accomplishment,” said Tibbits. “I’ve studied hard and feel more prepared to serve alongside the Marines here. I’ve been preparing for this for two years, and now I have a better understanding of the Marine Corps and its components.”

Westfield says this program provides sailors with much needed information and skills. He stated that if these sailors were on a mission and came under fire they could not only serve as corpsmen but step up to the plate and assist the Marines in defeating the enemy.

“Candidates must exhibit extreme proficiency in all subjects, to include demonstration of land navigation essentials, weapons (usually 9mm and M16A2) and put together and operate a field radio,” added Westfield. “It takes a lot of personal commitment and time, often hours and days of studying to become proficient. It makes better sailors all the way around and that's what we want. Simply stated, knowledge is power.”

[thedrifter]

India, 3/2’s stand against insurgency
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2005516103036
Story by Lance Cpl. Lucian Friel



HUSAYBAH, Iraq (April 11, 2005) -- Since arriving at this bunker-enforced, secluded base on the edge of the Iraqi-Syrian boarder, Marines of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-2 have experienced mortar-fire from the insurgency on a regular basis.

But April 11 would turn out to be a different experience for an entire company of Marines. By the end of the day these Marines from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., gained confidence in their abilities to stand against extraordinary odds.

That morning a group of four mortar rounds flew over the base.

Twenty-two-year-old Cpl. Roy Mitros was the sergeant of the guard when this happened.

“It was definitely out of the norm because all of them were within 5 to 10 meters of each other,” he explained.

The Huntsville, Ala., native hurried to the combat operations center (COC) to report the location of the rounds to the watch officer. At that point the base came under heavy mortar and rocket-propelled grenade fire as the COC took three RPG rockets blowing the doors off. Mitros went to get the quick reaction force, finding them all ready with their gear on.

While this was happening, a dump truck and a fire trucks rolled toward the front entrance of the camp and the Marines on post were engaged with small arms fire.

A young lance corporal armed with an M-249 squad automatic weapon, who was also engaged by enemy fire at his post, heard the loud rumble of a diesel engine inching closer toward him.

SUICIDE TRUCKS, BRAVE MARINES

Corporal Anthony Fink, a 21-year-old Columbus, Ohio native and Lance Cpl.s Joe Lampe and Roger Leyton were manning a M-240G medium machinegun when their bunker was hit with an RPG knocking them to the ground. The dust and sand from the busted sandbags clouded their view of the oncoming truck and small arms fire forced them to keep their heads down.

From his post, Lance Cpl. Joshua Butler saw a white dump truck rolling past Fink’s position toward his post and the front entrance.

The 20-year-old Altoona, Pa. native engaged the truck with 20 to 30 5.56 mm rounds as it veered off the road and detonated about 40 meters from his post, creating a crater and sending a wall of smoke into the air.

Butler was thrown into one of the walls of his post as shrapnel and debris landed around him. One piece broke through his goggles that rested on the front of his Kevlar helmet. Getting up to check himself and moving down the wall of his post to gain better cover, he heard another distinct diesel engine rumble.

“When I saw the truck I thought ‘I can’t believe this is happening again,” he said.

A couple of seconds later, a red fire truck cleared the smoke the previous truck left heading toward Butler and his post at about 40 mph.

“It was like nothing I’d ever seen before,” he explained.

Fellow Marine, Lance Cpl. Charles Young, a 19-year-old from Oldsmar, Fla., fired grenades from a corresponding position at the fire truck hitting directly in front and behind the truck, slowing its progress.

As the truck slowed, Butler was able to make out two men inside the truck, their faces covered by black veils. He engaged these men with his SAW, spraying 100 to 150 rounds into the truck causing it to follow the same path its predecessor made exploding 30 meters from his position.

“I knew what they were doing and I just tried to stop them,” he said.

The explosion created an enormous fire ball that ripped into the air. Doors around the base were blown off their hinges, windows shattered and remains of the fire truck rained down on the entire camp.

A third suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated farther out.

Mitros arrived with the quick reaction force as the small arms fire continued and Butler was sent to be seen by the corpsman.

FIRE CONTINUES

As Butler stopped the SVBIED attacks, the assault on Fink’s post continued from multiple directions. Taking fire and returning it, Fink and Leyton began firing 40 mm grenades from a M-203 grenade launcher as 1st Sgt. Donald Brazeal, the company first sergeant, arrived at their position to find out where they were taking the heaviest amount of fire.

“(Fink) told me that it was coming from beyond a wall 300 meters from the post, so we reset the machineguns to suppress the wall,” explained the 40-year-old Council Bluffs, Iowa native.

Brazeal and Fink pulled out two AT-4 anti-tank missiles. Brazeal fired the first of the two from a HESCO barrier, landing a direct hit on the wall. Fink then followed it with another direct hit. With the insurgents’ position suppressed, they were able to resupply the post with ammunition.

As the battle continued, approximately 100 school children ran out of the school across the street from the base. The insurgents sought cover behind them slowing the fighting.

“The Marines displayed extreme discipline in not firing at the children,” Brazeal explained.

THE AFTERMATH

Sgt. Paul Mathis, who helped position Marines throughout the camp during the attacks, described the sight of the fireball caused by the trucks.

“It was pretty amazing,” said the 23-year-old squad leader from Churchville, Pa. “I had never seen an explosion that big in my life. Marines that were sleeping in their racks were knocked out of them.”

Despite what Brazeal says was an obvious preplanned attack, no one was severely injured. Three causalities were medevaced for minor injuries, but returned later.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jessie Beddia, was the primary corpsman during the attacks.

“Most of our causalities were internal injuries from the blast wave of the truck explosions, but miraculously nothing was really serious. A couple of Marines complained about some minor hearing loss, but that is common in that situation,” the 31-year-old from Buytown, Texas explained.

Butler, being the closest Marine to the blasts, escaped with only some hearing loss which he says was fading in and out a week later.

“I really don’t know how I made it off my post that day,” Butler explained.

“I tell you, God must be on India Company’s side. We definitely have angels watching over this camp,” Brazeal said.

After the attacks subsided, Marines discovered the men in the fire truck were protected by a bullet-proof windshield and were wearing old, American-style ballistic flak jackets.

Marines believe the first truck was trying to breach the integrity of the camp and the second truck would then follow its path into the camp, possibly killing Marines, which could have been followed by a ground assault.

“I think what Butler did at his post minimized the second driver’s judgment once he left Lance Cpl. Young’s field of fire. I think that the rounds he put into the front of the truck ruined his judgment,” Brazeal explained.

“It was really exciting to watch us perform and take out the enemy,” Mitros explained.

“Everyday we get to do what we trained to do here,” Mathis explained, as Mitros continued. “When we came here we didn’t want to just sit here and talk about what everyone else is doing. Don’t get me wrong I respect what everyone else is doing at other places. But right now other guys on other bases are sitting there talking about us.”

The India, 3/2 “Mafia,” as the Marines have dubbed their company, is led by Capt. Frank Diorio, the company’s commanding officer and camp commandant, who was left speechless after his company displayed the utmost courage.

“Proud doesn’t really say it, but it’s the only word I can use to describe how I feel. It was inspiring to see a company of Marines fight back like they did. These Marines were calm against a raging storm,” Diorio continued. “I truly am humbled to be amongst them.”

“This whole company is full of Marines who do the right thing at the right time in the right way, and (April 11) is proof of that,” Brazeal concluded.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Operation Matador bulls through insurgency in Western
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20055186230
Story by Capt. Jeffrey S. Pool



CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 15, 2005) -- Marines, Sailors and Soldiers from Regimental Combat Team-2, 2d Marine Division successfully completed Operation Matador today, concluding a seven-day operation securing objectives in and around the Euphrates River cities of Karabilah, Ramana and Ubaydi, near the Syrian border.

The offensive was aimed at eliminating Anti- Iraqi Forces (AIF), neutralizing their sanctuary, disrupting planned attacks, and fracturing existing terrorist networks in the area. The region, an historical smuggling route and known insurgent hiding place, is used as a staging area where insurgents receive weapons and equipment and organize for attacks against the key cities of Ramadi, Fallujah, Baghdad and Mosul.

During Operation Matador, Marines, Sailors and Soldiers neutralized this sanctuary killing more than 125 insurgents, wounding many others, and detaining 39 insurgents of intelligence value.

Offensive action began on the night of 7 May. Marines met with resistance near the village of Ubaydi shortly thereafter. There, heavily armed insurgents and foreign fighters wearing protective flak jackets attempted to repulse the Marine’s attack. Approximately 70 terrorists died in several engagements within the first 24 hour period.

Operation Matador confirmed existing intelligence assessments focused on this region north of the Euphrates River including knowledge of numerous cave complexes in the nearby escarpment. Marines from Regimental Combat Team-2 will continue to monitor this area and are prepared to act on any intelligence indicating the return of insurgents and foreign fighters.

While patrolling through the small towns near the Syrian border, Marines discovered numerous weapons caches containing machine guns, mortar rounds and rockets materials. Six Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED) and material used for making other improvised explosive devices were also found. The Marines were also able to defuse a number of existing improvised explosive devices before they detonated, preventing countless injuries to military and civilian personnel.

Nine Marines were killed during this operation and 40 were wounded.

Throughout the course of the operation, Marines strove to ensure the well-being of the local Iraqi citizens. At no time during the operation were essential services, such as power and water disrupted nor access to medical impeded. All reports indicate Iraqi citizens are not leaving their homes as a result of the Marine operations.

According to commanders in the area, the Marines were greeted with greater hospitality from local villagers than is normally encountered.

During the seven day operation, Marines disrupted the known infiltration routes through the region and disrupted sanctuaries and staging areas.

According to Maj.Gen. R.A. Huck, Commanding General, 2d Marine Division, “Regimental Combat Team-2 started and ended this operation as planned, accomplished its mission and secured all objectives. Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces will return again to this area in the future.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

'Big T's' Mess Deck is essence of blue and green team
Submitted by: 13th MEU
Story Identification #: 200551716521
Story by Staff Sgt. Jesus A. Lora



ABOARD THE USS TARAWA (LHA-1) (May 17, 2005) -- The Marines and Sailors of the USS Tarawa lay silent. The Fighting 13th’s defenders of the red, white and blue rest in their coffin-like racks and dream the early morning away. Meanwhile, a special group of young warriors tiptoe through the darkness of the berthing areas, prepared to tackle an upcoming mission. Their destination: the USS Tarawa mess deck.

“It takes a lot of planning and hard work to feed the Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Tarawa,” said Staff Sgt. Julios Barker, chief cook, command element, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “It’s our goal to keep the Marines and Sailors happy and have them return for each meal.”
Chow starts when the Boatsman’s whistle blows the call to chow. The minute-long whistle blast alerts personnel to stop work and eat. Like a herd of cattle, the array of green- and blue-colored uniforms steers through the main line and on to the salad bar. The mess deck seats approximately 600 Marines and Sailors.

The dining area offers a relaxed atmosphere, boasting televisions sets in each corner, designed to give the grazing herd a taste of the outside world - miles away from their floating feast.

“This chow hall has it all,” said Sgt. Jose Cerca Jr., motor transport mechanic. “There’s great food, and with the ship so close to port, it makes the restocking easy. There is always a different assortment of food and plenty of it.”

The professionalism exhibited by the different services’ mess personnel is clear as day. The blue/green team works hard to produce a positive, rewarding product. Through the night the commitment to quality continues, as the mess hall provides a midnight rations program to serve meals for those who work the night away.

“The green and blue team works hand in hand at this facility,” said Veronica Araujo, Division V-4, air department. This team works well together, respect is always present and both teams acknowledge this ‘24-7’. I am impressed with the Marines on how they work, they give so much of themselves.”

The team includes more than 80 personnel assigned to mess duty. However, the responsibility of each Marine and Sailor can vary.

“My most important mission is to feed the Marines and Sailors aboard the ship,” said Petty Office 1st class, Rommel Reyes, Leading Petty Officer, USS Tarawa. “It’s important to me to make each Marine and Sailor content with his or her meal.”

Making mission requires tons of food. For Reyes, that amount translates to more than 1,900 pounds per day to feed the (roughly) 1,600 personnel aboard. The number will nearly double for the upcoming deployment.

So, as the next sunset closes in on the Tarawa crew, rest assured, these heroes have embarked on a their special mission. The eggs will be boiling; the bread ready for toasting and the sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee awaits another crop of hungry Marines and Sailors.

“Bon Appetit.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marines, sailors take time out to help homeless

By: ALEXANDRA MACE - For the North County Times

OCEANSIDE ---- Sixty Camp Pendleton sailors and Marines spent Wednesday morning in the warehouse of the New Song Community Church on Mission Avenue putting together packages of food for local homeless families. Ý

The effort, organized by the Oceanside-based, nonprofit Brother Benno Foundation, marked the fourth year that the church, the Foundation and local Marines and sailors have joined forces for the event.

The food was donated by the Oceanside branch of the U.S. Post Office, which collected thousands of cans and boxes of nonperishable food last Saturday through its annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Ý

Huge cardboard bins full of food lined the warehouse, grouped by category. Sailors and Marines dressed in civilian clothes dashed from bin to bin filling up packages with food, making sure that each package contained green vegetables, non-green vegetables, fruit, tuna, meat, pasta, tomato sauce, rice and beans, cereal and dessert. Ý

Virginia Sylwestrzak, the purchasing agent for the Brother Benno Foundation, said she believed that about 900 packages would be produced by the end of the day.ÝÝ

"Our mission is that no child goes hungry," Sylwestrzak said. Ý

The packages will be taken to the foundation's headquarters on Production Avenue and handed out to any family who requests one. The packages will also be distributed at the foundation's four satellite offices throughout Oceanside's Barrio neighborhood. Ý

Sylwestrzak said the foundation tries to involve the local military in its operations as much as possible.ÝÝ

"We've had such fabulous help from the Marines and sailors," she said. "They're such willing workers, they're so good and so fast. I think we need to honor them, and I think they feel blessed to be able to help out."Ý

"This is a special event for us," said Chaplain Paul Kim, who is attached to the 1st Force Service Support Group, Alpha Surgical Company's 1st Medical and St. Dental Battalions. "We appreciate what Oceanside has done for us, so this our time to give back."

Navy Lt. Celerina Cornett, the commanding officer of Alpha Surgical Company, said that 41 out of 59 of her sailors volunteered to help put the packages together. Ý

"I was very proud of them," Cornett said. Ý

HM2 Jeffrey Manese said he volunteers every opportunity he gets. He said he particularly wanted to give back to the community as a way of thanking everyone for supporting his unit, which just returned from Iraq. Ý

"We always got a lot of care packages," said Manese. "Even the little things they sent us helped a lot."Ý

HM3 Rany Mab said she enjoyed the teamwork and camaraderie with her fellow sailors, adding that nearly her entire company had volunteered.

Kim said Alpha Surgical Company plans on participating in company-wide volunteer events once a month. Ý

"Before we're sailors and Marines, we're human beings," said Kim. "We want to let the community know that the military is here to help them."

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Caught in the spotlight: Oliver North visits Marines on Iraqi frontlines
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551823589
Story by Cpl. Mike Escobar



SAQLAWIYAH, Iraq (May 09, 2005) -- From a distance, the joint Iraqi-Marine patrol seemed like any other: armed men walking down the city streets, rifles pointed down, eyes scanning the surroundings for any threats.

Although he too wore desert camouflage utilities, it was the gentleman walking in the middle of the formation that made this patrol distinct.

Veteran Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North, retired, now a renowned broadcast journalist and New York Times bestselling author, accompanied the Iraqi soldiers and Civil Affairs Group Marines in direct support of 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, as they walked about Saqlawiyah’s streets. He too was on a mission: ensuring that it would be more than the local citizens watching the troops as they go about their daily mission of helping rebuild the city’s infrastructure.

As they patrolled by run-down businesses and roadside markets, North and his video production crew remained at the troops’ sides, capturing every frame of the action.

“It’s very clear to me that things are much better here than they were a few years ago,” commented North, who has been in Iraq five times before. “Before, you wouldn’t even walk around Camp Fallujah without a flak and Kevlar (anti fragmentation vest and ballistic helmet.)”

North added that Iraq is safer now because of missions such as the one the Iraqi soldiers and their Marine counterparts performed during his visit.

While he observed, Maj. Chris E. Phelps’ CAG team, the Iraqi soldiers, and other U.S. military personnel continued to build a bond of trust with the local citizens by working alongside Iraqi contractors and laborers to rebuild Saqlawiyah.

“Today was a culmination of about two and a half weeks of work,” stated Phelps, a Shawnee, Kan. native.

The 1993 University of Kansas graduate referred to his team’s ongoing projects in Saqlawiyah’s medical clinic and Al-Dahr school. Both projects were started soon after Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment personnel established a base of operations here in April.

Phelps added that his team has also conducted site assessments on numerous schools in the city to see what improvements each one needed.

“The Al-Dahr school was by far the worst school in the entire Saqlawiyah proper,” he continued. “It had two sinks that didn’t work, and three toilets that were literally gurgling human waste. Now, we’ve got the water running, they’ve got a septic tank out back, and 200 kids here have a better bathroom.”

The Marines will continue partnering with local workers to improve the schools.

“Almost all of the schools in the area have the exact same problems … broken windows, doors that don’t lock, and bad plumbing,” Phelps continued. “As we build more relationships with the contractors, we plan to start working on all of the schools at once. We want to put the full press on the schools when they go out of season in June, so when the kids come back in August, they have some unbelievable schools right here in Saqlawiyah.”

This also helps gain the community’s trust, Phelps added.

“Years down the road, these kids are going to remember when 15 Marines came into their school and made a difference. At the same time, it (restoring schools) also employs plumbers, contractors and electricians, so people are going to work. It puts money into the economy.”

North observed as the CAG Marines paid a local contractor for a job well done at the Al-Dahr school. Their next step: Saqlawiyah’s medical clinic.

Here, Navy Seabees and Marine personnel installed three makeshift biohazard waste incinerators, two 55-gallon biohazard material storage barrels for used syringes, and community information read board.

Local doctors posted information on upcoming inoculations, as an Iraqi soldier put up a pro-Iraqi military poster reading ‘Your Country, Your Safety, Your Future.’

Additionally, personnel posted ads encouraging local contractors and truck drivers to see their city council representatives for employment opportunities.

Afterward, North and the troops headed back to Camp Fallujah to conduct a final round of interviews and discuss the day’s successes.

North will continue traveling throughout Iraq, reporting on how Iraqi and Coalition forces are helping Iraq become a stronger nation everyday. For now, the decorated war veteran said he left 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment’s operational area with a bright outlook on Iraq’s future and a renewed faith in the Global War on Terrorism’s success.

“I remind my civilian friends that we’re the only nation in the world that sends its sons and daughters into harm’s way for an ideal, and that ideal is freedom. Our goals are noble. If this country is no longer a haven for terrorists, then we’re safer at home.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Ryan Jerabek Died a Hero May 19, 2005, 04:47 AM
By Jason Allen

The parents of Private First Class Ryan Jerabek died in Iraq while saving the lives of at least eight of his fellow Marines, his parents tell us. For the first time, his parents are talking about the day their son died.

The Pulaski native died in April of 2004 when he was 18 years old. It happened during a firefight in the Iraq city of Ramadi. Jerabek had been a Marine for less than a year when his convoy was attacked by dozens of insurgents.

There is one word Ken and Rita Jerabek use often when talking about their son, and say they've met a lot of people since his death who use it, too: Hero.

The high school face of the boy who signed up for the Marine Corps has a different look, a different feel, than the face of the man who just over a year ago found himself patrolling the streets of Ramadi, Iraq.

"To find out the rest of the fine details of what happened on that day just puts more closure on it that he was a hero," Mr. Jerabek said.

They show us in photographs, "This was the location of the firefight that Ryan was in."

The pictures from the location are from David Swanson, a photojournalist with the Philadelphia Inquirer who visited the Jerabeks to let them see the scene from that day.

"That day he was a machine gunner in the lead Humvee of a convoy that was called to assist for snipers that were under attack," Mrs. Jerabek said.

"It was a well-calculated ambush offensive against our Marines in Ramadi."

"Ryan was shot and knocked out of the Humvee, crawled back into the Humvee, and got back on his machine gun, and he was shot multiple times. He had been knocked down and got back on to his 240 Gulf and kept firing."

After up to two minutes of fighting, he fell.

Jerabek's captain wrote in a letter that the private saved as many as eight lives that day. Another officer fighting with Jerabek backed it up.

"He told me, 'I'm sorry I couldn't bring him home, but be proud of him because he was a great Marine and an American hero.'"

There are awards for his service. There is the potential for more awards for his actions.

His family, though, needs nothing else to know what kind of Marine he was.

"He, I'm sure, knew this is going to be the end for me and I'm going to go out fighting with every ounce of everything I have."

The Jerabeks say Ryan's story has caught the attention of people across the nation, including a documentary filmmaker trying to put together a film largely focused on Ryan and his Echo Company.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

More ground forces Op-Ed
The Washington Times
May 19, 2005

After two years pounding the Bush administration to expand ground forces, Congress in the next week or two will revisit the question of increasing the end-strength of the Army and Marines. The bill in question, S. 530, sponsored by Sens. Chuck Hagel, Nebraska Republican and Jack Reed, Rhode Island Democrat, and which John Kerry and Hillary Clinton have signed onto, calls for an additional 30,000 troops for the Army and 5,000 more for the Marines. House Democrats are advancing a similar bill to boost the Army by 20,000 and the Marines by 12,000, plus more special forces in all four services. Both are reminders that the need to increase our ground forces isn't going away.

Neither bill does much to address the nuts-and-bolts objections the Bush administration and Pentagon have tabled, which emphasize the operational difficulties of expanding amid war and the need to look to military transformation to reap manpower gains. And both bills are useful Democratic cudgels against Mr. Bush. But none of that means increasing ground forces isn't the right step in the long run. With ongoing commitments in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, the earlier we start thinking about how to get to an increase of 100,000 or more troops the better.

A look at the data on long-term American defense spending shows that our troop levels are disconcertingly low given the dramatic new responsibilities being assigned to the military. As the Congressional Budget Office's September 2004 report shows, adjusting for 2004 dollars, the United States spends about half what it did during the Reagan years on ground forces. Back then, the Cold War stayed mostly cold and we didn't have the war on terror, Iraq or Afghanistan to worry about -- not to mention the possibility of looming crises over North Korea, Iran or the Taiwan Strait.

Even in the quietest of peacetime years, the United States has usually had more ground forces than we do now. During the "peace-dividend" period following World War II and preceding Korea, the Army's end strength was about 700,000, compared to a half-million today. Underestimating the numbers we needed in the aftermath of major fighting in Iraq was a misjudgment. But underestimating the long-term numbers for the whole military would be more serious.

It's a fair question what Congress can hope to accomplish by increasing an end-strength number when the Army is missing its recruiting goals and when existing burdens seem formidable enough. The short answer is that at least some S. 530 supporters probably aren't thinking that far ahead and are content to use the bill to bash Mr. Bush over heightened ops tempos. That's how politics works. But the farsighted answer is that S. 530 is nothing if not a prompt for military planners to start thinking about how to make permanent increases a reality.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marines to make good on Ramadi property damage
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551801055
Story by Cpl. Tom Sloan



AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 10, 2005) -- Marines with Team 1, Detachment 3, 5th Civil Affairs Group, supporting 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, took to the city here and conducted a battle damage assessment of two businesses.

The Marines with 5th CAG inspected automotive shops that elements of the battalion damaged during a cordon and search operation the previous day.

The establishments each sustained minor structural damage, along with a few broken windows, doors and locks. The damages were the result of “necessary forced entries,” officials with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, said.

Marines with Company C provided a convoy escort and site security for 5th CAG as they conducted their assessments.

“An important part of civil affairs is the assessment of battle damage to civilian property and the facilitation of immediate reparation payments,” explained Maj. Benjamin B. Busch, team leader for Team 1, Det. 3, 5th CAG. “We want deserving Iraqi citizens to be fairly compensated for damages caused by the necessities of ongoing combat and security operations in the (infantry battalion’s) battle space.”

But Busch would have to hold onto the reimbursement checks a while longer. The auto shops were abandoned, and the entire street they’re on was empty.

“Part of CAG’s mission today was to compensate the owners for the damages and apologize,” explained Sgt. Hector Martinez Jr., the team’s noncommissioned officer. “But we couldn’t because no one is here.”

Busch sited recent insurgent activity in the city for the place’s lack of activity. The Iraqi people have been too afraid to return to work, said the 36-year-old from College Park, Md.

The civil affairs Marines examined the damage and took photographs while being safeguarded by Company C’s quick reaction force.

“I was looking forward to today’s mission,” said Martinez, a 28-year-old from Fontana, Calif. “I wanted to make amends for the damages required for the search. There is potential to show the Iraqi people that they are not our enemy.”

Company C’s executive officer, 1st Lt. Latham E. Fell, accompanied the Marines on the mission.

“Minimal force is always the goal for entries,” he said. “When the owners are not present, we don’t have the option to avoid a break in.”

The auto shops were searched because intelligence analysts with the infantry battalion believed insurgents might be using them to conduct operations against coalition forces. Insurgents were suspected of building vehicle-born improvised explosive devices under the cover of the legitimate businesses, Marine officials said.

According to Martinez though, no evidence linking the shops to insurgents was found. The owners were inconvenienced with the searches and left with their businesses damaged, he said.

Martinez provided them with “on the spot” claim forms to fill out so they could be paid back, he said.

“We’re showing the people that the Marine Corps will step up and take responsibility for the damages we cause,” said Martinez. “Unlike the insurgents who destroy things with no regard, we rectify the situations where we’re at fault.”

The civil affairs Marines collected photographs and took them to the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) in Ramadi so that claims presented by the owners can be paid efficiently based on accurate estimates, Busch explained.

The civil affairs Marines also assessed several other areas on their way back to Company C’s base, Camp Snake Pit.

“We want to leave no evidence of intentional or collateral damage here,” he said. “It is always better to be credited with decency than to be resented for being careless. Today’s mission reinforced mutual respect between Marines and Iraqi citizens.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marine looks forward to law school after Marine Corps
Submitted by: 2nd Force Service Support Group
Story Identification #: 200551832415
Story by Cpl. C.J. Yard



CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 17, 2005) -- For a Marine who has earned two degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, he has no qualms about doing administrative work for his four-year enlistment.

Lance Cpl. Robert Walker, a Peoria, Ill., native, graduated from college at the age of 30 with a degree in radio and television production and another degree in photojournalism. Due to the lack of jobs in the civilian sector, and having crossed off almost everything on his “to do” list, Walker looked into joining the military.

“When I originally talked to the recruiter I wanted to do combat photography,” said the 32-year-old administrative clerk. “Unfortunately the [Military Occupational Specialty] was closed and I wanted to ship out to boot camp as soon as possible. I knew administration like the back of my hand from the years I worked at a hospital.”

Walker was hired full time at a hospital in Illinois right after high school and saw it as a good opportunity to work and save money for college. Once in college he joined the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, boasting the Greek letters on his ankle.

“That’s where I learned to clean so well,” said Walker smiling. “We always had to clean up the house after the weekend of partying.”

According to Walker’s roommates, he’s meticulous about cleaning their room as well.

“It doesn’t matter if we clean it, he’s always going behind us and redoing everything,” said Lance Cpl. Brandon Myers, an administrative clerk and native of Canton, Ill.

Myers and Lance Cpl. Joseph Delicino, a Pacifia, Calif., native, also an administrative clerk in the battalion administration shop claim they even get him to play Microsoft Xbox once in awhile, but he usually quits early to work out.

When not working in the administration shop, Walker can usually be found in the gym, sweat pouring off his clean-shaven head, working out and attending the “Killer Abs” class taught here, citing “I just don’t like to be fat,” for his reason.

“I usually try to work out everyday,” said the former college cheerleader. “You have to be in pretty good shape to do that. Besides, you can’t take your shirt off at the club if you’re fat!”

However, Walker found that being able to do a two-minute floor cheer routine and run were two different types of “in shape.”

“I could do a floor routine and not even be winded,” said Walker. “But I couldn’t run for nothing. My roommate before I joined was in the Army, so he and I would run. Once I got to boot camp all the other recruits were telling me not to beat the drill instructors and I was like, ‘I can’t help it.’ I was just running.”

“Walker also takes his personal time to help Marines to better themselves who aren’t as strong,” said 1st Lt. Lauren Diana, Headquarters Company commander and Westerville, Ohio, native. “He motivates the Marines here. He always keeps the Marines’ spirits high.”

Coming to Iraq with Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward), Walker had an idea of what to expect after working for the sergeant major and his company commander of his current unit while stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

“I had worked with Sergeant Major Ainsworth and Lieutenant Diana before,” said Walker. “I thought, ‘Well, if they’re going, then I should go too.’”

“I hand picked Lance Cpl. Walker because in a deployed environment, you need a strong shop,” said Diana. “I needed somebody who is strong in the administrative and legal aspects of an S-1. He is all the functions of the administration shop. Whatever I task him with, whether he knows how to do it or not, he can get it done because he will figure out how to do it. He catches on very quickly.”

Walker, will use his experience in the Marine Corps to help him with his future plans of attending law school.

“I’m going to have a little edge when I finally get to law school,” he said. “I already know a little bit about it, and the processes of some if it because of the legal side of my job.”

“I know that Lance Cpl. Walker has talked about going through [Officer Candidate School] on a legal contract because he wants to be a lawyer,” said Diana. “I think he would make a great lawyer in the Marine Corps.”

For more information about the Marines or news reported in this story, please contact by e-mail cssemnfpao@cssemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Generals Offer a Sober Outlook on Iraqi War By JOHN F. BURNS and ERIC SCHMITT
The New York Times

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 19 - American military commanders in Baghdad and Washington gave a sobering new assessment on Wednesday of the war in Iraq, adding to the mood of anxiety that prompted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to come to Baghdad last weekend to consult with the new government.

In interviews and briefings this week, some of the generals pulled back from recent suggestions, some by the same officers, that positive trends in Iraq could allow a major drawdown in the 138,000 American troops late this year or early in 2006. One officer suggested Wednesday that American military involvement could last "many years."

Gen. John P. Abizaid, the top American officer in the Middle East, said in a briefing in Washington that one problem was the disappointing progress in developing Iraqi police units cohesive enough to mount an effective challenge to insurgents and allow American forces to begin stepping back from the fighting. General Abizaid, who speaks with President Bush and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld regularly, was in Washington this week for a meeting of regional commanders.

In Baghdad, a senior officer said Wednesday in a background briefing that the 21 car bombings in Baghdad so far this month almost matched the total of 25 in all of last year.

Against this, he said, there has been a lull in insurgents' activity in Baghdad in recent days after months of some of the bloodiest attacks, a trend that suggested that American pressure, including the capture of important bomb makers, had left the insurgents incapable of mounting protracted offensives. But the officer said that despite Americans' recent successes in disrupting insurgent cells, which have resulted in the arrest of 1,100 suspects in Baghdad alone in the past 80 days, the success of American goals in Iraq was not assured.

"I think that this could still fail," the officer said at the briefing, referring to the American enterprise in Iraq. "It's much more likely to succeed, but it could still fail."

The officer said much depended on the new government's success in bolstering public confidence among Iraqis. He said recent polls conducted by Baghdad University had shown confidence flagging sharply, to 45 percent, down from an 85 percent rating immediately after the election. "For the insurgency to be successful, people have to believe the government can't survive," he said. "When you're in the middle of a conflict, you're trying to find pillars of strength to lean on." Another problem cited by the senior officer in Baghdad was the new government's ban on raids on mosques, announced on Monday, which the American officer said he expected to be revised after high-level discussions on Wednesday between American commanders and Iraqi officials.

The officer said the ban appeared to have been announced by the new defense minister, Sadoun al-Dulaimi, without wider government approval, and would be replaced by a "more moderate" policy. To raise the level of public confidence, the officer said, the new government would need success in cutting insurgent attacks and meeting popular impatience for improvements in public services like electricity that are worse, for many Iraqis, than they were last year. But he emphasized the need for caution - and the time it may take to complete the American mission here - notes that recur often in the private conversations of American officers in Iraq.

"I think it's going to succeed in the long run, even if it takes years, many years," he said. On a personal note, he added that he, like many American soldiers, had spent long periods of duty related to Iraq, and he said: "We believe in the mission that we've got. We believe in it because we're in it, and if we let go of the insurgency and take our foot off its throat, then this country could fail and go back into civil war and chaos."

Only weeks ago, in the aftermath of the elections, American generals offered a more upbeat view, one that was tied to a surge of Iraqi confidence that one commander in Baghdad now describes as euphoria. But this week, five high-ranking officers, speaking separately at the Pentagon and in Baghdad, and through an e-mail exchange from Baghdad with a reporter in Washington, ranged with unusual candor and detail over problems confronting the war effort.

By insisting that they not be identified, the three officers based in Baghdad were following a Pentagon policy requiring American commanders in Baghdad to put "an Iraqi face" on the war, meaning that Iraqi commanders should be the ones talking to reporters, not Americans. That policy has been questioned recently by senior Americans in Iraq, who say Iraqi commanders have failed to step forward, leaving a news vacuum that has allowed the insurgents' successful attacks, not their failures, to dominate news coverage.

The generals' remarks, emphasizing the insurgency's resilience but also American and Iraqi successes in disrupting them, suggested that American commanders may have seen an opportunity after Secretary Rice's trip to inject their own note of realism into public debate. In talks with Iraq's new Shiite leaders, she urged a more convincing effort to reach out to the dispossessed Sunni Arab minority, warning that success in the war required a political strategy that encouraged at least some Sunni insurgent groups to turn toward peace.

The generals said the buildup of Iraqi forces has been more disappointing than previously acknowledged, contributing to the absence of any Iraqi forces when a 1,000-member Marine battle group mounted an offensive last week against insurgent strongholds in the northwestern desert, along the border with Syria.

American officers said that 125 insurgents had been killed, with the loss of about 14 Americans, but acknowledged that lack of sufficient troops may have helped many insurgents to flee across the border or back into the interior of Iraq. The border offensive was wrapped up over the weekend, with an air of disappointment that some of wider goals had not been achieved - possibly including the capture of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Islamic militant who is the American forces' most-wanted man in Iraq.

General Abizaid, whose Central Command headquarters exercises oversight of the war, said the Iraqi police - accounting for 65,000 of the 160,000 Iraqis now trained and equipped in the $5.7 billion American effort to build up security forces - are "behind" in their ability to shoulder a major part of the war effort. He blamed a tendency among Iraqi police to operate as individuals rather than in cohesive units, and said this made them more vulnerable to insurgents' intimidation.

Another American officer, in an e-mail message from Baghdad, suggested a wider problem in preparing Iraqi forces capable of taking over much of the fighting, which was the Pentagon's goal when it ordered a top-to-bottom shakeout last year in the retraining effort. He said the numbers of Iraqi troops and police officers graduating from training were only one measure of success.

"Everyone looks at the number of Iraqi forces and scratches their heads, but it is more complex than that," he said. "We certainly don't want to put forces into the fight before they can stand up, as in Falluja," the battle last November that gave American commanders their first experience of Iraqi units, mostly highly trained special forces' units, that could contribute significantly to an American offensive.

One of starkest revelations by the commanders involved the surge in car bombings, the principal insurgent weapon in attacks over the past three weeks that have killed nearly 500 people across central and northern Iraq, about half of them Iraqi soldiers, police officers and recruits.

Last week, Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American trainer in Iraq, defended the Iraqi security forces, saying in an e-mail message, "They are operating effectively with coalition forces - and, in some cases, are operating independently - in the effort to find the locations at which vehicles are rigged with explosives."

The senior officer who met with reporters in Baghdad said there had been 21 car bombings in the capital in May, and 126 in the past 80 days. All last year, he said, there were only about 25 car bombings in Baghdad.

[On Thursday, gunmen shot and killed a former senior Iraqi Oil Ministry official, Ali Hameed, in Baghdad, an Interior Ministry official said.]

The officer said American military intelligence had information that the car-bombing offensive had been ordered by a high-level meeting of insurgents in Syria within the past 30 days, and that reports indicated that one of those at the meeting may have been Mr. Zarqawi, the Jordanian-born militant who was named by Osama bin Laden earlier this year as Al Qaeda's chief in Iraq. In statements on Islamic Web sites, groups loyal to Mr. Zarqawi have claimed responsibility for many of the car bombings.

The officer said that in two of the recent Baghdad bombings, investigators had found indications that the men driving the cars had been bound with duct tape before the attacks. He said the foot of one of the attackers, in a marketplace bombing last week that killed 22 people in south Baghdad, had been found taped to his vehicle's accelerator. In another case, the officer said, the attacker's hands were taped to the vehicle's wheel.

The implication was that those planning the attacks wanted to be sure that the vehicles would continue to their targets even if the drivers were killed by American or Iraqi gunfire as they approached.

Arriving at a lunch with reporters from a meeting with Iraqi cabinet ministers and military commanders, the officer said he expected the government to make an early move to revise the defense minister's announcement of a ban on raids on mosques and religious schools. The revised policy, the American officer implied, would allow Iraqi forces, backed by Americans, to raid mosques when they are used as insurgent strongholds.

John F. Burns reported from Baghdad for this article and Eric Schmitt from Washington. Richard A. Oppel Jr. contributed reporting from Baghdad.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

House passes defense bill - legislation restricts women in combat
Published Thursday, May 19, 2005

WASHINGTON (AP) - The military would need congressional approval before putting women in direct combat roles under a bill in the House, its Republican sponsors say.

But Democrats said it was unclear whom the provision would affect and argued it could drastically affect the way the services operate.

After more than an hour of debate over just what the provision would do, it was included in a bill that sets Department of Defense policy and spending plans for the upcoming budget year. The House Armed Services Committee approved the bill early today on a 61-1 vote.

President George W. Bush requested $442 billion for defense for the budget year that begins Oct. 1, excluding money to pay for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The House bill, like the Senate's version, envisions creating a $50 billion fund for the conflicts for next year - but provides no money for it.

The measure also calls for increasing the military by 10,000 Army soldiers and 1,000 Marines, boosting pay grades for uniformed personnel by 3.1 percent and permanently providing all Reserve and Guard members access to military health-care services.

In a nearly 15-hour committee hearing, the most contentious issue was the role of women in combat.

The language would put into law a Pentagon policy from 1994 that prohibits female troops in all four service branches from serving in units below brigade level whose primary mission is direct ground combat.

"Many Americans feel that women in combat or combat support positions is not a bridge we want to cross at this point," said Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., who sponsored the amendment.

It also allows the Pentagon to further exclude women from units in other instances while requiring defense officials to get congressional approval when opening up positions to women. The amendment replaced language in the bill that applied only to the Army and banned women from some combat support positions.

The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps operate under a 10-year-old policy that prohibits women from "direct combat on the ground" but allows the services discretion to open some jobs to women in combat as needed.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

USO brings taste of U.S. to troops By Dick Benoit
LAS VEGAS SUN CORRESPONDENT
May 19, 2005

The day began with business as usual for hundreds of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deployed to Sather Air Base to wage the war on terrorism, noted Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson with the 447th Air Expeditionary Group in a release Tuesday from Baghdad.

According to Davidson, airmen responded to a rocket attack on the airfield while soldiers set off on operations outside the wire, hunting for insurgents.

But, by evening, there was a different kind of excitement in the air. Though tired and dirty from the day's work, troops gathered for a special opportunity -- an opportunity to attend a performance by country music star Toby Keith.

Brought to Iraq by the USO, Keith has been entertaining the troops across the Operation Iraqi Freedom theater on a whirlwind tour.

"We bring a little taste of home to our servicemembers who are in harm's way in the name of freedom," said Sarah Farnsworth, USO World Headquarters vice president and chief of staff.

"Mr. Keith had a spellbinding effect on the crowd that seemed to melt away, if for only a short while, the stresses of living in a combat zone," Davidson said.

"I've had a chance to see how special you all have to be to get the job done," Keith said as a hush fell over the crowd. "Most Americans only see you on the news -- they only see the flak vest, helmet and sunglasses -- they don't see the mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters you leave behind and the things you are accomplishing."

Many of the troops waved signs, flags and banners throughout the performance while cameras rolled, filming the concert for the American Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, which aired Tuesday night on CBS.

Keith ended the show with "American Soldier," and the crowd joined in. "The song was met with an earsplitting, 'Hoo-ahh!' and standing ovation as the troops picked up their weapons and prepared to rest for another day at war -- with a little higher spirit at Mr. Keith's reminder that some Americans understand and appreciate their sacrifices," said the Air Force journalist.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Military Recruiters Lie About Dangers In Iraq WLWT TV
May 19, 2005

CINCINNATI -- This is the text of WLWT's report exactly as it appeared on the 11 p.m. newscast on May 18, 2005:

Announcer: "An explosive Target 5 investigation. Our hidden cameras catch military recruiters making the Tri-state sound more dangerous than Iraq."

Video: Watch Dave Wagner's Report

Recruiter: "You've got more chance of dying over here than you do over there."

Announcer: "So, why are Tri-state recruits ready to risk their lives not getting honest answers?"

Anchor: "The problem is so bad the military is planning a nationwide stand-down day. That means this Friday the Army won't do any recruiting. Why? ecruiters using outrageous tactics to get your son or daughter to enlist.

"You won't believe how bad the problem is.

"Dave Wagner has the shocking Target 5 investigation."

Dave Wagner: "Each day, thousands of American teenagers consider the merits of military service, young men and women willing to wear a uniform and put their lives on the line. Tonight, a revealing look at what goes on when teenagers go behind closed doors with Tri-state military recruiters. In a startling number of cases, it's high pressure, false statements and 'Conduct Unbecoming.'"

Bill Fisher, retired Army recruiter: "Their job is to call you and try to get your interest sparked."

Recruiter: "I'm not trying to do a sales pitch."

Wagner: "In the world of sale, every pitch has a price."

Fisher: "I think with honesty and integrity you can fill any quota."

Wagner: "In the land of a free-market economy, facts can get in the way of a good prospect."

Recruiter: "You have more chance of dying here in the United States."

Wagner: "Even when the pitchman is in uniform."

Fisher: "It's insane. That's ludicrous. You just don't do that."

Larry Clock: "My name is Larry Clock and I'm a senior."

Wagner: "They are the fresh faces of our future."

Adrienne Morrison. "I'm a senior."

Wagner: "High school seniors in the prime of their lives."

Morrison: "I've received phone calls, letters in the mail."

Wagner: "Kids in the crosshairs of U.S. military recruiters."

Fisher: "In recruiting throughout all the branches, they're looking for the good students, the ones that you consider the good students in high school."

Fisher: "I'm Bill Fisher. I'm a retired master sergeant with the United States Army. I recruited for 13 years. Yea, I'll talk to anybody."

Wagner: "These days, it's a lot easier talking to high school students because military recruiters have easier access to your kids. As part of the No Child Left Behind Act, all schools that receive federal funding, and nearly all of them do, are required to give military recruiters access to your child's name, address and phone number."

Fisher: "From a recruiting standpoint, that's a great thing because a lot of people we couldn't get numbers to actually tell the Army story or the armed forces story we now can."

Recruiter: "I'm not trying to do a sales pitch."

Wagner: "But as Target 5 discovered, those military pitches can turn from fact to fiction in a matter of seconds. Target 5 sent four young men, with hidden cameras, into every Tri-state armed forces recruiting center. The conversations began with talk of job security."

Recruiter: "We guarantee you a job."

Wagner: "Signing bonuses."

Recruiter: "Up to $20,000."

Wagner: "And cash for college."

Recruiter: "Up to $70,000 for college."

Wagner: "But when the questions turn to safety, some Tri-state recruiters make Iraq sound more like a trip to Tahiti than a journey to war."

Recruiter: "You have more chance of dying here in the United States at, what is it, 36-percent die, kill rate here in the United States, people here just dying left and right, you have more chance of dying over here than you do over there."

Wagner: "The U.S. does not have a 36-percent kill rate. If that were true, more than 100 million people, one-third of the U.S. population, would be killed each year."

Fisher: "To just openly not tell the truth, to push it aside, that's just wrong."

Wagner: "Back at the recruiting center."

Recruiter: "The way I am, I'm a no-bull type of guy."

Wagner: "But you'd never know that based upon what he tells our young recruit."

Recruiter: "If you get on the Internet and look up how many deaths are in Columbia, S.C., in the past year, year and a half, and then compare that to how many deaths there are in Iraq, there's more deaths going on in Columbia, S.C., for no reason, none, over a pair of Nikes, over a jacket, people stealing people's wallets, shooting people. There's more deaths going on in Columbia, S.C. -- I know, I just got back from there -- than there was in the whole time when I was in Iraq."

Wagner: "So Target 5 called the Columbia, S.C., police department, and despite the words of our Tri-state recruit, this city is hardly a hotbed for crime."

Sgt. Thomas Thomas of Columbia, S.C., police department: "There were 16 homicides in the city of Columbia in 2004. This year to date we have five in the city."

Wagner: "And if that recruiter thinks Columbia, S.C., listen to what this GI Joe Isuzu says about the danger of driving around Dayton, Ohio."

Recruiter: "Dayton area alone, which is about four or five counties, Dayton area alone, 1,500 people died in two weeks. You know what that was from? Car wrecks. Those numbers that we get, we get from the actual highway patrol. So, I mean, all that stuff's factual. So, you look at that way. We've lost 1,500 soldiers so far over in Iraq. We've been over there for three years. If you add it together, 1,500 people died in five counties alone within two weeks, just from car wrecks."

Wagner: "The truth is, there aren't 1,500 deaths from car wrecks in the entire state of Ohio for an entire year."

Fisher: "Conduct unbecoming a non-commissioned officer is what those statements are. I don't know where he came up with it. It's just insane. Yea, yea, he could be your car salesman of the Isuzu."

Wagner: "The national spokesman for the Army recruiting command at Fort Knox tells Target 5: "I don't know why anybody would even let that phrase even come out of their mouth. For whatever reasons, these recruiters must have found these talking points somewhere on their own. I don't know."

Wagner: "Do you think that in the private conversations they're having with recruits here, that they're thinking, no one will ever check this, no one will ever know?"

Fisher: "I'm sure that anyone who could tell that, I'm sure that's exactly what they're thinking."

Wagner: "Still to come, the pressure to fill quotas, the pressure put on recruits, more tall tales and the immediate action the military has taken in response to our Target 5 investigation.

"Now, more of our Target 5 investigation into Tri-state military recruiters offering big bonuses and tall tales to Tri-state teenagers.

"Since the war began, about 1,500 U.S. servicemen and women have been killed in Iraq. The violence has made military recruiting more difficult, often because parents worry about their kids' safety. But recruiters are tracking down teens when parents aren't around, and the pressure can be immense. As we continue our Target 5 investigation, 'Conduct Unbecoming.'"

Wagner (in Milford High School classroom): "How many of you have been approached by a military recruiter in the past year?"

(Several students raise hands).

Wagner: "In Mr. Jewell's American government class …"

Student: "I think they're really biased."

Wagner: "Students are talking about military recruiters."

Student: "A recruiter called me up and told me they got a new deal going on, $5,000 to enlist now for the Army."

Student: "I was told that if I signed up for the Marines they'd give me a $10,000 signing bonus on the spot. I didn't believe that one."

Wagner: "Signing bonuses and college cash are being used to attract fresh faces to the armed forces. But Army recruiters have missed their quotas for the past three months; the Marines, short of their goal for the past four months. When this high school senior says his parents are concerned about his safety in the military, this recruiter puts on the full-court press."

Recruiter: "Don't hesitate. Don't leave me hanging. Even if they really don't want to talk about it, we can still sit down and talk, all right? Because by you walking in here, that shows that you're interested, and I'd hate for you to be denied this United States Army opportunity. Honestly."

Fisher: "Recruiters are supposed to be at the top of their career field throughout the United States, the best infantry, the best cooks, the best medical technicians, the best, the people you want to represent your service. These are the ones you bring out on recruiting day.

"There are some soldiers who are great soldiers but pitiful salesman."

Recruiter: "Of course, the news media is going to blow it way out of proportion."

Wagner: "While some recruiters blame the media for hyping the danger in Iraq, this recruiter, who served on the front lines, has a more straightforward approach."

Student: "I'm curious about how dangerous it really is over there, because in the news and everything people are dying."

Recruiter: "Yea, it's war, you know?"

Wagner: "This week in the Tri-state the realties of war are tragically clear, another goodbye for two young men who fought and died. early a third of those killed in Iraq are under the age of 22, the vast majority from the Army and Marine Corps, 111 of them from Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. As a country honors their sacrifice, these high school seniors get ready for their military service with a sendoff and straight talk from their local congressman."

Rep. Steve Chabot: "We need to make sure that those kids who are considering a military career get the true facts. They're great young men and women, they're serving their country or will be in the near future, and we ought to be honest with them. We ought to let the kids know the truth and what's really happening. And there's no question, that Iraq can be a dangerous place."

Recruiter: "I was watching the news the other day. In Cincinnati alone, as of April, there were 867 deaths in Cincinnati."

Wagner: "While some recruiters play it loose with the facts."

Recruiter: "Eighty-eight people over there have died from gunshot wounds."

Wagner: "Bill Fisher says it worked for him to play it straight."

Fisher: "We have like the greatest armed forces in the world right now. The kids are just fantastic. And to sit back and say something like this is just silly. You don't need to. You don't have to sway them by innuendos or lies. You just have to search for those who want to join, and there are tons of them."

Recruiter: "I can at least provide you with honest answers. OK? I can be the Honest Abe around the corner."

Wagner: "Tonight the spokesman for the U.S. Army recruiting command at Fort Knox say he believes the recruiters aren't deliberately making false statements.

"This Friday, Army recruiting will be suspended nationwide so recruiters can be retrained, and Target 5 is assured all recruiters will be told to stop making these statements without evidence to back them up."

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Lessons Management System helps Marines learn from past, change future
Submitted by: II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story Identification #: 20055183553
Story by Lance Cpl. Evan M. Eagan



CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 17, 2005) -- The face of war has been constantly changing since the Marine Corps was established in 1775. New threats in different environments have resulted in the development of new equipment, tactics and doctrine to combat these changes. However, with change also comes a long learning process where inexperience can result in the loss of Marines.

Recording knowledge learned through battle-tested situations is more important than ever. To improve Marines combat effectiveness the Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned has created the Lessons Management System to ensure this information will be readily available to keep Marines informed and in the fight.

“By systematically capturing lessons from not only the battlefield, but from everything we do, and making them available to the average Marine, we cannot only save lives and win battles, but make every aspect of our jobs better,” said Col. Danny McDade, senior liaison officer, MCCLL, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD), and reservist from Rockford, Ill.

The MCCLL is part of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and aims “to collect, analyze, manage and disseminate knowledge gained through operational experiences, exercises, and supporting activities in order to enable Marines to achieve higher levels of performance and to provide information and analysis on emerging issues and trends in support of operational commanders,” according to the official MCCLL Web site.

Since the beginning of the Marine Corps, whether it was written down or passed by word of mouth, there has always been some type of lessons learned system in place.

“One of the things we are finding new with the current MCCLL is we are relearning lessons again and again,” said Maj. Kevin Mooney, liaison officer, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) and reservist from Hercules, Calif. “If we go back to World War II and look at an after action report, you can see the repetition over the years. We’re doing the same things wrong now that we were doing back then. We are also doing the same things right that we were doing back then, but the lessons learned usually come hard.”

The Lessons Management System is a web-based system that contains documented experiences from before Operation Desert Storm, to include some from Vietnam.

“With our new web-based system you can pull up those lessons, the databases are all searchable,” said Mooney, a Deputy Sheriff for the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Department. “For instance, if you have a particular area of interest, such as fighting in urban environments, you can search the database for that specific topic.”

The LMS is user friendly and is designed to be accessed by anyone who has valuable information.

“The Web site is geared toward every man’s ability to put into the system,” said McDade, an Emergency Medical Service helicopter pilot for St. Anthony’s Medical Center in his hometown. “It’s the lowest Marine who has the good idea and he can register and put his idea or observation into the system. All of those ideas out there, when they are grouped together become a catalyst for change. For the guys who are actually out there winning the war, it becomes their tool to get the recommended changes into the system to get them what they need.”

With the current operational tempo of Marines in Iraq, it is important to be able to analyze and disseminate the information as quickly as possible.

“We are trying to do a quick turnaround and get them [lessons learned] back down to the Marines who are on the ground by inserting them in the training and operational process,” said Mooney.

To access the MCCLL Lessons Management System visit, http://www.mccll.usmc.mil.

“Often there will be a problem that appears on the battlefield and maybe somebody has already addressed it,” said Mooney. “They can look and see what they came up with and try their solution. It’s a good way to get ideas to solve problems.”

EDITORS NOTE
For more information about this article, please send an e-mail to cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Recruiter rewarded for bravery after saving toddler <br />
Submitted by: 8th Marine Corps District <br />
Story Identification #: 2005517102440 <br />
Story by Gunnery Sgt. James J. Connolly, Jr. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
NEW ORLEANS,...

[thedrifter]

Headquarters Truck Co. rolls out
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551823631
Story by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio



CAMP RAMADI, AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 12, 2005) -- The Marines of Truck Company trained from dawn until dusk, May 12, in an exercise designed specifically to combat insurgents.

The live fire and driving training package is nothing new to the Marines, who have been maintaining a steady curriculum of combat instruction since well before their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom earlier this year.

In the early morning hours, the sonorous Muslim call to prayer echoed outside the Camp Blue Diamond walls, where the Marines of Truck Co. are headquartered with the 2nd Marine Division’s headquarters battalion. They lugged ammunition boxes to their humvees and performed function checks on their machineguns as the morning light filtered through a sandy haze.

At daylight, the convoy left Blue Diamond for the firing ranges here to begin training, intended to combat insurgent activity on the Iraqi roadways.

“This kind of training gives us a better feel for how to engage our enemies and what to look for on the roads,” said Lance Cpl. Michael Whitfield, a 22-year-old Kinston, N.C. native and motor transportation operator.

Whitfield, with the rest of his company, separated into small security teams of three to four Marines who engaged silhouette targets in a sandlot. Each team took turns driving to the lot at full speed and stopping before the targets. Once stopped, a Marine who was posted in the turret fired on the targets with the M2 .50 caliber machinegun. The passenger and driver then stepped out with their M-16 A4 service rifles and fired their weapons in a torrent of firepower.

“This is my second time deployed to Iraq in two years,” said Whitfield, a 2001 Kinston High School graduate. “Becoming more familiar with the weapons systems just makes us more proficient in convoys wherever we go to support units.”

Actually, it is the second tour for many of the Marines with the company who have lived, trained and bonded throughout the long months in the desert here in the Al Anbar Province.

Indicative of Al Anbar’s weather, the desert winds quickly kicked up a sandstorm on the range. It made visibility a challenge for the shooters, but nothing that hindered them from hitting the targets – even at several hundred yards.

Many of Whitfield’s convoys take him and his company to unfriendly territory. His intensity in the training is an indicator of his professionalism on the job.

“It’s fun to be out here firing at targets and we all like a little competition,” said Whitfield. “But really, this is serious business.”

The Marines’ relentless drive throughout the day showed their commitment to operations here and their intensity when put to a test. Whitfield’s team even competed with other teams to brag about which Marines were more accurate shooters.

The Marines who provide transportation and security of troops and equipment for the 2nd Marine Division have a job incomparable to any other aboard the camp. Their dedication to transporting essentials their fellow Marines require to the camp can mean the difference between success and failure in operations.

“We have a good team here,” said Whitfield. “These guys are my best friends. I want to do everything I can to protect them and to support others.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Corps seeking employer help for returning Marines <br />
NMBW Staff <br />
<br />
The U.S. Marine Corps is looking for a few good Albuquerque employers interested in hiring Marines returning to the area after serving...

[thedrifter]

For Midshipmen, A Landmark Week


Thursday, May 19, 2005; Page VA19

Morning Colors

The Marines kick off the Naval Academy's graduation week with the daily presentation of the colors. This is a more elaborate version of the daily raising of the U.S. flag, accompanied by the Naval Academy Band playing such songs as "The Star-Spangled Banner," "Anchors Aweigh" and "The Marines' Hymn." 8 a.m., Saturday through May 27. Tecumseh Court.

The Herndon Hustle

The obelisk stands 21 feet tall and will be covered with 200 pounds of lard. At the blast of a cannon, 1,000 plebes will race from Tecumseh Court to the Herndon Monument and form a noisy, chaotic human stepladder. For more than four decades, midshipmen fourth class have made the transition from plebe to midshipman third class by climbing over one another to get to the top of the monument. And every year a huge crowd gathers around the memorial to watch them try.

According to academy legend, the first to scale the monument, snatch a plebe's white "Dixie cup" hat from Herndon's point and replace it with an upperclassman's hat will be the first member of the class to become an admiral. The slippery ascent has been known to last anywhere from 1 minute 30 seconds (the fastest time, recorded in 1969) to 4 hours 5 minutes and 17 seconds recorded in 1995. 9 a.m. today. Herndon Monument, outside the Naval Academy Chapel.

Dedication Parade

A parade honoring Naval Academy faculty members. The event is open to the public but has reserved seating for Naval Academy midshipmen, their guests and the academy's faculty. 11 a.m. Monday. Worden Field.

Glee Club Concerts

The Naval Academy Men's Glee Club is one of the academy's largest and most active musical organizations. The group has appeared on NBC's "Today Show" and performed for the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. In the past four years, the club has toured in California, Connecticut, Florida, Texas and Virginia. It will perform alone Monday and with the Women's Glee Club on Tuesday. Both performances will be at 8 p.m. in Mahan Hall. $10-$15.

Go Navy! Beat Army!

Twice a year, captains of the Naval Academy's sports teams ring the Enterprise Bell, in Tecumseh Court, to celebrate Navy victories over Army in key games. This semester, midshipmen will ring the bell 12 times. 12:05 p.m. Tuesday. Tecumseh Court.

A Flying Frenzy

At 15,000 feet, six Blue Angels pilots fly up to 450 mph in F/A-18 Hornets and perform four-plane diamond formation and two-plane head-on stunts. Established in 1946, the group performs to enhance Marine Corps recruiting and to represent naval service in the United States and abroad. The pilots will practice and perform on Tuesday and Wednesday and fly over the Naval Academy graduation ceremony on May 27. Among the best places to catch the 45-minute show: Ingram Field, outside Michelson and Chauvenet halls; Farragut Field, which sits at the point where Spa Creek meets the Severn River; and the terraces around Rickover Hall and Nimitz Library. Jonas Green Park and the Veterans Memorial on Route 450 also offer great views but limited parking. Some people climb to the roof of the Noah Hillman Parking Garage, off Main Street, though spectators there can't see the planes when they swoop low. Veterans of past shows arrive at least a half-hour early and bring earplugs. The pilots will practice their routine at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday. The Blue Angels will perform at 2 p.m. Wednesday and fly over the Naval Academy graduation at 10:04 a.m. May 27.

Pipes and Drums

The midshipmen who belong to the USNA Pipes and Drums have quite a repertoire, including "Scotland the Brave," "Amazing Grace" and "Green Hills of Tyrol." The amateur group has performed at the Preakness Parade, the Baltimore Irish Festival and the Royal Military College of Canada. The group works closely with the City of Washington Pipe Band, which teaches the midshipmen basic pipe and drumming skills and helps them with their routines. 1 p.m. Tuesday. Tecumseh Court.

Organ Demonstration

Monte Maxwell, Naval Academy organist, will talk about the chapel organ's design and give audiences a close-up look at the instrument. Maxwell will also perform during the lecture and demonstration. 4 p.m. Wednesday. Naval Academy Chapel.

Gospel Music

The Naval Academy Gospel Choir performs both spirituals and old-fashioned gospel. The choir regularly sings at the academy's Sunday chapel services, special conferences and seasonal concerts. The group also performs at schools and community centers and tours the country twice a year; it has performed in California, Bermuda and Florida. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Mahan Hall. $10.

A Parade of Colors

About 4,000 midshipmen will line Worden Field for one of the academy's oldest dress ceremonies. The annual Color Parade dates to 1867 and is the result of fierce competition among the academy's various companies. The company that has excelled academically, athletically and professionally throughout the year receives the "colors" (company flags) of last year's winners. After the parade, midshipmen traditionally cool off by taking a dip in full uniform. They once jumped into Dorsey Creek but later switched to Lejeune Pool. 11 a.m. next Thursday.

A Vietnam Nurse

Retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Bobbi Hovis will discuss and sign her book "Station Hospital Saigon: A Navy Nurse in Vietnam, 1963-1964." Hovis and four other nurses arrived in Vietnam in 1963 and established the country's first military hospital in a dilapidated apartment building. The book, published in 1992, is available for purchase at the Naval Academy Gift Shop. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. next Thursday. Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. Free. 410-263-6933 or http://www.navyonline.com .

The Jolly Rogers

The Silent Drill Team, as it is formally called, participates in parades and organized drill competitions against other service academies and college ROTC units. 12:15 p.m. next Thursday. Tecumseh Court.

Drums and Bugles

The Naval Academy's Drum and Bugle Corps, founded in 1914, is one of the oldest such corps still active in the country. The group recently released a new CD, drawing on shows from the past three years. The CD contains such songs as "American Salute," "God Bless America," "Con ti Partiro," "Baroque Samba" and "Moondance." The group will perform works from the CD at 1 p.m. next Thursday in Tecumseh Court. The Corps will also participate in the dedication and color parades.

-- Compiled by EILEEN RIVERS

Ellie

[thedrifter]

ISF, Charlie 1/6 leaves insurgency nowhere to hide
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551915459
Story by Cpl. Mike Escobar



FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 19, 2005) -- Iraqi Security Forces and Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment conducted another successful raid here during the early morning hours April 19.

The troops detained nine suspected insurgent supporters and confiscated the largest weapons cache they’ve found since their arrival in Iraq.

“The private residence (we raided) was a suspected safe house, where insurgents could come to eat, sleep and get weapons as well,” explained 1st Lt. Anthony Mercado, Company C’s executive officer.

The 31-year-old Stony Brook, N.Y. native added that terrorists could use the discovered munitions for building improvised explosive devices.

“In the area around the property, we found 10 anti-aircraft rounds, hand grenades, an AK-47 with several magazines, and a 105mm round,” the 1995 graduate of SUNY Brockport College continued. “We also found a few thousand AK-47 rounds.”

Nearby, troops also discovered more than $40,000 (U.S. dollars) worth of Iraqi Dinar.

Additionally, he credited the operation’s success to the ISF personnel’s participation.

“They were awesome. They found most of the stuff we came across last night. They just knew where to look.”

Iraqi forces assisted the Marines with 1st and 2nd platoons dig for the weapons buried underneath rubble and concrete.

“We had to dig up cinder blocks and fight through rebar to actually find some of this stuff,” Mercado said.

Through continued teamwork, Mercado added that ISF and U.S. forces continue to make Fallujah a safer place.

“These bad guys had lots of illegal weapons, stuff that could be used to make IEDs, but now they’re off the street.”

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200551915847/$file/050419-M-3301A-002lowres.jpg

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Marines from Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment prepare to leave their base of operations to conduct a raid here April 19. Company C personnel worked alongside Iraqi Security Forces during this operation, and confiscated illegal munitions and more than $40,000 worth of U.S. dollars in dinar.
Photo by: Cpl. Robert Attebury

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Military's gay policy is absurd <br />
<br />
Joan Ryan <br />
<br />
Thursday, May 19, 2005 <br />
<br />
A few weeks ago in Washington, D.C., I met a 23-year-old Marine. He fought with the 3rd Division, 1st Marines in the...

[thedrifter]

Topeka Marine, his working dog aren’t pawing around
Submitted by: II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story Identification #: 200551821436
Story by Cpl. Christi Prickett



CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 18, 2005) -- Working side-by-side every day, Marines are naturally a tight-knit group. When the Marine beside you is a military working dog, the relationship isn’t any different.

Cpl. Matthew P. Cobb, a Topeka, Kan., native, is a dog handler with 2nd Military Police Battalion, Headquarters Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and is in Iraq for his first deployment.

Cobb and his working dog, Laika, have a close relationship. They have lived, eaten and slept by each other on a daily basis since arriving in Iraq in January.

Cobb said Laika has human characteristics so he considers her his sidekick.

“Laika is just like any 21-year-old girl, that’s three in dog years,” said Cobb with a smile. “I know if she were human, she’d be wild, so I keep her in line. By thinking of her as a human and friend, it helps me to match our personalities.”

Every day, training is the most important part of Laika’s schedule. Cobb said she must build her endurance not only for her missions, but also for the climate here in Iraq.

“She [Laika] doesn’t know it, but all the playing and training is good for her,” Cobb said. “We play fetch every day until she’s tired, and she lets me know when she is tired by laying in the shade or she just gives me that look.”

Along with training comes the daily up-keep of Laika. She has a feeding and grooming schedule, and her weight has to be monitored daily.

“I feed her four cups of dog food a day,” said Cobb. “It changes, just as we change our food intake. If it’s been a long, hard day, I feed her more. If we’re relaxing back at the kennels, I feed her less. I brush her coat three times a day, too.”

When Cobb and Laika are called out on missions in Iraq, they do searches, patrols, and squad movements just as the other Marines. Cobb trains for combat situations at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he is stationed.

“Our main mission while in Iraq, to put it simply, is to find bombs and bad guys,” Cobb said. “The dogs know how to search for every type of explosive out there.”

When at Lejeune, part of the training consists of sending a Marine out in the woods to hide, and often that Marine will carry some sort of drug or explosive paraphernalia, Cobb explained.

“We also search vehicles at the front gates of Lejeune, so that is practice for the vehicle check points here,” he said.

Cobb said as a dog handler, he’s not just looking after himself anymore.

“When Laika is with me, it’s like having to baby-sit,” said the 2002 Washburn Rural
High School graduate. “But Laika is a good friend and I like having her around. She has my back the same way I have hers.”

Before joining the delayed entry program the summer before his senior year, Cobb had no clue his journey would lead him to working with K-9’s but he is thankful for his job now.

“I wouldn’t change my job for anything,” said Cobb. “My job gets stressful just like any other, but Laika is always there to help me relax.”

He went to boot camp in June 2002 shortly after graduating high school. Not only was he honor graduate out of boot camp, which promoted him to private first class, but he recruited two people on recruiters assistance, which promoted him to lance corporal.

“I just did what I was told to the best of my ability,” said Cobb. “That is what has brought me this far in the Marine Corps.”

While attending Military Police School at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., Cobb was one of the top five graduates of his class. Those five were put on a board and Cobb won that as well, which put him in line for Military Working Dog School at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

At MWD School, Cobb and his fellow students were taught the basics of dog obedience and aggression techniques.

“The academics were pretty hard at working dog school,” said Cobb. “If we weren’t working and training with the dogs, we were studying.”

The 12-week course proved successful to Cobb, who graduated the highest of the 10 students, or “Top Dog.” From there, he went to Lejeune to work at the Provost Marshal’s Office.

Cobb, who married his high school sweetheart after boot camp, is expecting a child in three weeks. He said his father, mother and two sisters are proud of his accomplishments and supportive of him during his deployment.

After his four-year contract ends, Cobb plans on getting out of the Marine Corps and using the skills he learned to work in Kansas doing law enforcement.

"I like the Marine Corps,” said Cobb. “I like how we all work as a team. I have wanted to be a Marine since I was young so this is a dream come true.”

EDITOR’S NOTE
For more information about this article, please send an e-mail to cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

Ellie

[thedrifter]

'Ironhorses' volunteer to make lasting impression
Submitted by: MCAS New River
Story Identification #: 2005518115136
Story by Lance Cpl. Jeffrey A. Cosola



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (May 18, 2005) -- Approximately 30 Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-461 volunteered to help a combined 600 children at the Parkwood Elementary School’s kindergarten through fifth grade field day May 16.

The “Ironhorses” helped to oversee several games including the “dizzy izzy,” basketball and sack races, allowing the children to enjoy playing while maintaining the positive image Marines enjoy in and around the city of Jacksonville, said Lt. Col. Robert D. Pridgen, HMH-461 commanding officer.

“They hear us flying around all the time and this helps them put a face to the noise,” said Pridgen. “This is an opportunity. We’re often consumed with work, flying and fixing helicopters. This is a chance to do volunteer work. It’s a good time for the kids and it helps the good relations we have with the community.”

“We all live here in Jacksonville and consider it our home,” added Maj. Archibald M. McLellan, HMH-461 executive officer. “It’s positive to see these Marines laughing with the kids and helping to be role models.”

The plan of bringing in the Marines is a resurrected idea from years past that allows the children to enjoy continuous play without having to wait for a turn, said Jace D. Redick, a Parkwood Elementary School physical education teacher.

“With the Marines helping out, we can custom-make our field day,” said Redick. “All the kids are doing something. The kids can pick a game they like and just go. Without the military, we couldn’t do this.”

Several of the children’s parents were on hand to cheer their sons or daughters on, and were impressed with the Marines participation, said Kevin Featherstone, a father who attended the event.

“I’m glad to see the Marines back, the kids love it,” said Featherstone. “You always see the Marines doing a lot for the community and this is just another example.”

“It’s a blessing; you all are wonderful,” said Diane Jones, a stay-at-home mom and sometimes substitute teacher at Parkwood. “A lot of these kids need a role model and they think it’s so cool to see the Marines.”

The Marines who participated became infected with the children’s contagious smiles, and seemed to enjoy helping out, said Lance Cpl. Brandon Hawke, HMH-461 logistics clerk.

“I heard about this, and said, ‘Put me on,’” said Hawke. “You’ve got to get out there. You always hear about the bad and stupid Marines, and this let’s the community know we’re good guys. I’m having fun with it.”

In addition to the games, hot dogs and soda were served to volunteers, students and their parents.

“We appreciate the extra help and the kids enjoy it more,” said Redick. “I can’t thank the Marines enough for their help. Without them, it wouldn’t be as successful as it is.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marines, sailors take time out to help homeless

By: ALEXANDRA MACE - For the North County Times

OCEANSIDE ---- Sixty Camp Pendleton sailors and Marines spent Wednesday morning in the warehouse of the New Song Community Church on Mission Avenue putting together packages of food for local homeless families. Ý

The effort, organized by the Oceanside-based, nonprofit Brother Benno Foundation, marked the fourth year that the church, the Foundation and local Marines and sailors have joined forces for the event.

The food was donated by the Oceanside branch of the U.S. Post Office, which collected thousands of cans and boxes of nonperishable food last Saturday through its annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Ý

Huge cardboard bins full of food lined the warehouse, grouped by category. Sailors and Marines dressed in civilian clothes dashed from bin to bin filling up packages with food, making sure that each package contained green vegetables, non-green vegetables, fruit, tuna, meat, pasta, tomato sauce, rice and beans, cereal and dessert. Ý

Virginia Sylwestrzak, the purchasing agent for the Brother Benno Foundation, said she believed that about 900 packages would be produced by the end of the day.ÝÝ

"Our mission is that no child goes hungry," Sylwestrzak said. Ý

The packages will be taken to the foundation's headquarters on Production Avenue and handed out to any family who requests one. The packages will also be distributed at the foundation's four satellite offices throughout Oceanside's Barrio neighborhood. Ý

Sylwestrzak said the foundation tries to involve the local military in its operations as much as possible.ÝÝ

"We've had such fabulous help from the Marines and sailors," she said. "They're such willing workers, they're so good and so fast. I think we need to honor them, and I think they feel blessed to be able to help out."Ý

"This is a special event for us," said Chaplain Paul Kim, who is attached to the 1st Force Service Support Group, Alpha Surgical Company's 1st Medical and St. Dental Battalions. "We appreciate what Oceanside has done for us, so this our time to give back."

Navy Lt. Celerina Cornett, the commanding officer of Alpha Surgical Company, said that 41 out of 59 of her sailors volunteered to help put the packages together. Ý

"I was very proud of them," Cornett said. Ý

HM2 Jeffrey Manese said he volunteers every opportunity he gets. He said he particularly wanted to give back to the community as a way of thanking everyone for supporting his unit, which just returned from Iraq. Ý

"We always got a lot of care packages," said Manese. "Even the little things they sent us helped a lot."Ý

HM3 Rany Mab said she enjoyed the teamwork and camaraderie with her fellow sailors, adding that nearly her entire company had volunteered.

Kim said Alpha Surgical Company plans on participating in company-wide volunteer events once a month. Ý

"Before we're sailors and Marines, we're human beings," said Kim. "We want to let the community know that the military is here to help them."

Ellie

[thedrifter]

3rd Platoon, Co. L aid fellow Marines, hit insurgents
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551943653
Story by Cpl. Ken Melton



HAQLANIYAH, Iraq (April 20, 2005) -- Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment recently changed missions mid operation to answer another unit’s last minute call for reinforcements. Third Platoon, Company L was prepared to set out on a routine sweep mission in villages south of Haditha Dam when a Mobile Assault Platoon was attacked by insurgents here.

The Marines with the MAP were patrolling here to gain information for future operations in the area when insurgents attacked.

“We saw some people on motorcycles who were acting suspiciously and we decided to follow them,” said Lance Cpl. Ryan W. English, a mortar man with the unit. “As we approached, our two forward vehicles they found themselves caught in a cross fire of RPGs and small arms fire.”

Returning fire and seeking cover, the Marines informed the battalion of the situation. The decision was quickly made to send out 3rd Platoon.

“They were in place to carry out another mission,” said GySgt. Charles E. Hagans, Jr., a 39-year-old company gunnery sergeant for Company L. “But when we received the call we knew that it would be in everyone’s best interest if we used this unit that was already in place and ready to go to reinforce the engaged Marines.”

As the Marines with the MAP continued to engage the insurgents, they identified key targets and called in air support. Soon after the helicopters’ strafing runs, 3rd Platoon rolled in.

“We had called in air support after we identified a trigger man for an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) that had exploded earlier. Then a line of AAVs (Amphibious Assault Vehicles) began to roll up in a single file line and we knew that help was here in a big way,” said English, a native of Butler, Pa.

Marines from 3rd Platoon were immediately engaged in small firefights upon entering the city and quickly secured a base of operations.

“We pushed through the area and began to set up bases while other units provided security for different sections of the city. The local populace was cooperative, but we couldn’t find the insurgents who had attacked us from there earlier,” said Hagans, a native of Dublin, Ohio.

While Marines continued to enter and secure sections of the city, insurgents launched another mortars and small arms assault against the Marines with the MAP.

“We were providing security for the road between the military housing complex and the city here, when were hit with more RPG rounds and small arms fire,” said the 25-year-old English.

The Marines’ quick response stopped and silenced the newest insurgent threat.

“We hit them with at least 1,000 rounds from our .50 cal and then we leveled the building they were shooting at us from with our missiles,” English said.

The city grew quiet as night fell, but the Marines remained watchful.

“We didn’t want to let our guard down, so we stayed watchful in case they wanted to launch another attack. We would be ready for them,” said Hagans.

The Marines later pulled out of the city here in respect for a local religious holiday, ‘Mohammed’s Birthday’. However, the insurgents didn’t respect the holiday and continued their attacks on coalition forces.

“Even though they attacked again, we left the area a few days later,” Hagans said. “But we will return. This fight is far from over.”


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Ryan Jerabek Died a Hero

By Jason Allen

The parents of Private First Class Ryan Jerabek say he died in Iraq while saving the lives of at least eight of his fellow Marines, his parents tell us. For the first time, his parents are talking about the day their son died.

The Pulaski native died in April of 2004 when he was 18 years old. It happened during a firefight in the Iraq city of Ramadi. Jerabek had been a Marine for less than a year when his convoy was attacked by dozens of insurgents.

There is one word Ken and Rita Jerabek use often when talking about their son, and say they've met a lot of people since his death who use it, too: Hero.

The high school face of the boy who signed up for the Marine Corps has a different look, a different feel, than the face of the man who just over a year ago found himself patrolling the streets of Ramadi, Iraq.

"To find out the rest of the fine details of what happened on that day just puts more closure on it that he was a hero," Mr. Jerabek said.

They show us in photographs, "This was the location of the firefight that Ryan was in."

The pictures from the location are from David Swanson, a photojournalist with the Philadelphia Inquirer who visited the Jerabeks to let them see the scene from that day.

"That day he was a machine gunner in the lead Humvee of a convoy that was called to assist for snipers that were under attack," Mrs. Jerabek said.

"It was a well-calculated ambush offensive against our Marines in Ramadi."

"Ryan was shot and knocked out of the Humvee, crawled back into the Humvee, and got back on his machine gun, and he was shot multiple times. He had been knocked down and got back on to his 240 Gulf and kept firing."

After up to two minutes of fighting, he fell.

Jerabek's captain wrote in a letter that the private saved as many as eight lives that day. Another officer fighting with Jerabek backed it up.

"He told me, 'I'm sorry I couldn't bring him home, but be proud of him because he was a great Marine and an American hero.'"

There are awards for his service. There is the potential for more awards for his actions.

His family, though, needs nothing else to know what kind of Marine he was.

"He, I'm sure, knew this is going to be the end for me and I'm going to go out fighting with every ounce of everything I have."

The Jerabeks say Ryan's story has caught the attention of people across the nation, including a documentary filmmaker trying to put together a film largely focused on Ryan and his Echo Company.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

3/25 discovers weapons, roots out insurgents
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20055196824
Story by Cpl. Ken Melton



HAQLANIYAH, Iraq (May 19, 2005) -- Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment began a house-to-house search in the city here that turned into a game of cat and mouse with insurgents.

The Marines succeeded in finding multiple weapons caches and rooting out insurgents here while conducting operations under fire.

Weapons Platoon, Company L was the first unit to discover a weapons cache filled with small arms, RPGs and IEDs ready to be detonated.

“This was one of the first buildings we cleared,” said Sgt. Robert A. Davis, a squad leader with weapons platoon. “We were hoping to find the weapons cache sometime in the day, but we were fortunate to find these this early in the mission.”

The Marines were able to gain information on where the person who had stashed the weapons was located and set off to detain him for questioning.

As the Marines were nearing the location, an RPG was fired and barely missed the vehicles. The Marines set up security and began questioning people in the area.

“We were disoriented for a few seconds, but then our Marines snapped into action and began to assess the situation with perfection,” said Davis.

A second RPG was launched at the Marines as they began searching houses and damaged the property of innocent civilians.

“We were able to trace the point of origin quicker on the second RPG because our Marines on the ground were more alert for another attack,” Davis said.

While assessing the damage, a Marine noticed suspicious activity in a nearby yard where a buried weapons cache was later found.

“The owner of the house at first wouldn’t dig, saying that there was a water main in the ground,” Davis said. “Later we went back and made him dig deeper and found there was no water main, but two bags of firearms underneath the freshly dug earth.”

At the end of the day, the Marines detained 20 people and confiscated numerous weapons and explosives. To the Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines this was yet another successful operation toward their overall mission of providing the Iraqis with a safe and stable community in which to prosper.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Ohio natives drawn together, support each other in Corps
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551935053
Story by Cpl. Ken Melton



HADITHA DAM, Iraq (May 19, 2005) -- Potential Marines often enter boot camp under the buddy program to help them cope with the stress of recruit training. But for two Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment who didn’t join on the buddy program, its just coincidence that keeps them together.

Lance Cpl. Nenyl K. Nyen from Columbus, Ohio, and Lance Cpl. Jeffery E. Montee from Dublin, Ohio, both 19, are two infantrymen with 3rd battalion, 25th Marines who have been together through the entire span of their short Marine Corps career.

“It’s seems everywhere I go he’s right there,” said Montee jokingly.

“He just can’t seem to get rid of me no matter how hard he tries,” said Nyen smiling.

Nyen is a 2004 graduate of Worthington High School, were he was the senior class president and participated on the school’s track and volleyball team.

Montee graduated in 2004 from Dublin-Coffman High School, Nyen’s rival school, a few minutes away. He was the captain of the school’s football team.

However, their first meeting was not high school related. It was a general interest in the Marine Corps at the recruiter’s office.

“I wanted to give back to my country,” Montee said. “The Marines seemed like the best way to go. I loved their outlook on life and overall appearance.”

“I first came into the country when I was eight years old, and I knew I wanted to join the military,” said Nyen who is originally from Ghana in West Africa. “I chose this service because I wanted the challenge of earning the title of Marine.”

They have been in friendly competition with each other since meeting at the recruiting station.

“When we met I did 20 pull ups and then he did 20 pull ups,” said Montee. “From then we were in competition.”

“I felt like the underdog because I was smaller than him and being that we were from backyard rival schools didn’t help,” Nyen said.

After 11 months in the delayed entry program, Nyen and Montee found themselves at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. and on their way to separate platoons.

“We stayed in the same hotel before we left and we sat near each other on the plane and the bus to the depot,” Montee remembered. “When we got off at the yellow foot prints we said goodbye because they sent us in two different directions.”

A few days later while Montee was settling in to his squad bay at 1st Battalion, Company B, Nyen and some other recruits were reassigned to his platoon.

“I was guide and he was a squad leader,” Montee said. “This had trouble written all over it.”

“The first month had to be the worst because we always got in trouble,” Nyen said. “But it was okay because at the end of the day we gave each other a look like we knew we would get through this together.”

The pair endured recruit training and graduated in September 2004. While on leave they returned home and kept in contact during their break before they began training at the School of Infantry East, Camp Geiger, N.C.

Nyen had few extra days home due to personal problems, while Montee reported to Infantry Training Battalion as scheduled. Once at the school Montee found himself delayed a few weeks.

“I was put on camp guard for a week or so and then I got a chance to start my actual training,” Montee said. “A few days later, lo and behold Nyen shows up in my squad bay. On top of that he’s in my fire team.”

This chance meeting was great news for Nyen.

“I was shocked to see him, but relieved because I knew if we made it through boot camp together we would make it through this,” said Nyen.

Their time during infantry training went by quickly. They pushed one another during the hardest parts and joked with each other during their time off.

When they graduated and went to check in to their reserve unit they found out they would be deploying together.

“We stayed together during all the training before the deployment,” Nyen said. “We knew we would be in the same unit, but we didn’t know if we would be in the same platoon.”

“By this time we had pretty much got the idea that we would be close to one another. Then they put us in the same platoon, but different squads,” Montee said. “I thought this might be the first time we wouldn’t be in the same room until a few days after we had moved in. He showed up and took the rack nearest to me. I realized that we pretty much stuck together; but that isn’t a bad thing.”

Montee and Nyen have been through the hardest parts of their careers in the Marine Corps together, but they will go their separate ways after this deployment with different college plans.

“I plan to attend Ohio State University majoring in international business,” Nyen said. “This will be the first we really have been apart after more than a year.”

“I plan to attend Miami (OH) University with a major in Political Science,” Montee said pausing. “But with our luck we’ll probably end up at either college in the same dorm room, taking some of the same classes.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

1/5’s Weapons Company takes insurgents, weapons off Ramadi streets
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551905121
Story by Cpl. Tom Sloan



AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 12, 2005) -- Marines with 1st Platoon, Company W, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, killed three insurgents and uncovered weapons and ammunition during a mid-day mission in the city here.

The infantry battalion’s quick reaction force (QRF) was responding to a casualty evacuation request from Marines with Company C when they happened upon the enemy, according to 1st Lt. David T. Russell, the platoon commander for 1st Platoon.

Russell, a 24-year-old from Austin, Texas, said he and his warriors encountered five, armed insurgents at an intersection close to where three Marines with Company C, who were wounded when their humvee hit an improvised explosive device (IED) during an earlier mission.

The men were all wearing masks, and one man was armed with a machinegun, he said.

“They were within a kilometer of our (extraction point),” he said. “We engaged them and dropped three. The other two took off running.”

Corporal Bret J. Bell, a machinegunner with 1st Platoon, is partly responsible for permanently taking the insurgents out of commission.

The 22-year-old from Stone Mountain, Ga. was positioned in the turret of a humvee and provided accurate fire against the insurgents with his M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun.

“I saw them as we approached the intersection,” recalled the 2002 Shiloh High School graduate. “I swung my weapon on them and fired off a burst.”

The insurgents, frightened by the gun’s blast and the dust kicking up around them, fled the scene, Bell said.

“They dropped their weapons and started to run,” he said. “I hit one guy as he ran across an alley.”

Sergeant Tim R. Cyparski, a section leader with 1st Platoon, was in the humvee behind Bell and aided in the fight.

“I had my gunner open up also and provide interlocking fire,” said the 27-year-old from Erie, Pa., adding the insurgents looked surprised to see him and his Marines. “They had the deer in the headlights look.”

The 1997 McDowell High School graduate said the one-sided battle lasted less than a minute.

After the fighting, the Marines pickup up their wounded comrades with their medevac vehicle – an up-armored high-back humvee – and conducted a hasty search of the battle site.

Russell said 1st Platoon recovered a Romanian assault rife, a PKM machine gun with more than 100 armor-piercing rounds and a rocket propelled grenade launcher the insurgents dropped on the ground when they fled. Three AK-47 assault rifles and more than 300 rounds of ammunition was found in the trunk of a vehicle nearby, added Russell.

The insurgents’ close location to the site of IED blast where the three Marines were injured led Marines with 1st Platoon to believe they were organizing an attack, Cyparski said.

“It looked like those guys were setting up an ambush to attack the medevac of the Company C Marines,” he said.

First Platoon foiled their plans, though.

“We got there before they had time to set up the ambush,” he said. “We were fortunate to stumble upon them before they could establish and conduct the ambush. They showed us today how they fight. They run away like cowards.”

Cyparski and his fellow 1st Platoon Marines took their wounded comrades to the medical facility at Camp Ramadi for treatment.

Two Marines sustained minor bruising and abrasions and will soon return to duty, according to 2nd Lt. Eldon W. Beck, legal officer and adjutant for 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. The other Marine’s injuries where more severe, he said.

“His left leg has an open fracture and he will be going home,” he said.

Beck said the Marine is currently undergoing surgery at the Field Surgical Unit in Taqaddam.

“His injuries aren’t life threatening,” he said.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

M-1A1 Abrams tank rolls over insurgency in Iraq
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20055187145
Story by Cpl. Ken Melton



HADITHA DAM, Iraq (May 18, 2005) -- As the Global War on Terrorism progresses, the Marine Corps continues to use an intimidating pieces of machinery on the ground …the M-1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank.

The tanks, which weigh up to 70 tons and provide awesome firepower, were introduced into the Marine Corps during the early 1990s and are usually incorporated into initial ground assaults.

“When insurgents see us rolling into town, they may set off an (improvised explosive device),” said Gunnery Sgt. Richard J. Layton, a tank commander with 4th Tank Company, 1st Tank Battalion in support of 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. “But, that doesn’t phase these big guys and we just keep rolling right through it. It dissuades some of the insurgents from attacking us when they see that their best weapon is useless against us.”

While the tanks hardly ever have a chance to use their heavy weaponry, they are always ready to respond to any insurgents’ mortar or RPG fire if the need arises.

“We have a 120 mm main gun, a .50 cal. (heavy machine gun) and an M-240 medium machinegun on each vehicle,” said the 1994 Overbrook Senior High School graduate. “We just sit tight and wait to see if anyone wants to fire on our troops, so we can respond back with deadly accuracy.”

Tanks also provide security for ground troops in cities.

“We set up blocking positions so the infantrymen can patrol without having to worry about (Vehicle-Borne IEDs) and other heavy attacks,” said the 31-year-old.

The tanks also easily breach buildings and walled off sections in towns that the Marines need to enter

“A lot of Marines would be injured or killed if we weren’t there to hit an IED first or enter a heavily fortified section of a city,” Layton said.

It has been said that tanks are becoming a thing of the past. But according to Layton, that is wholly inaccurate.

Some people say the need for tanks is ending.

“My response to that statement is, ‘You can’t win in the air without planes and you can’t win on the ground without tanks,’” Layton said with a huge smile.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

U.S. Army task force teams up with Marines in Kalsu
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200551915254
Story by Sgt. Juan Vara



KALSU, Iraq (May 19, 2005) -- Task Force 1/151st Aviation Attack Battalion, a U.S. Army unit comprised of a flight company and elements of a maintenance company and a headquarters company, arrived here in April to support the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).

After spending the better half of their one-year deployment in Mosul, where the task force served for five months, the “GhostRiders” went from patrolling the air space for the entire northern half of Iraq to patrolling the air space of western Iraq, from south of Baghdad.

While in Mosul, the unit played an important role in reducing insurgency during the January elections.

Flying AH-64A Apaches, they provide convoy security and protection for warfighters on the ground. The unit is unique because their helicopters stand out from any other aircraft in the U.S. Army.

Prior to the unit deploying, the helicopters were flown to Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C., and stripped of their traditional Army green paint. The Apaches now sport the same gray paint as the aircraft of the Marine wing they support, as a measure to minimize surface-to-air attacks.

“It’s worked,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer Ben Hahn, an AH-64A Apache pilot. “That gray color is hard to see. If two Apaches take off, a green and a gray one, the gray one will disappear in the sky at about three miles and you’ll still see the green one for another two miles.”

Hahn, from Winston-Salem, N.C., said the gray color also helps in keeping the helicopters cool because of its ability to reflect heat. “They still get hot, but not as much as the green Apaches,” he said. “Touch a green Apache that has been sitting out in the sun and it will burn your hand.”

While the unit was in Mosul, the soldiers received word that the locals, who had never seen aircraft like that before, called the gray Apaches “blue dragons.”

But while the flight company is the talk of the town because of their unique aircraft and their mission patrolling Marine Corps air space, the work of the other two companies in the task force doesn’t fall short.

The soldiers from the maintenance company keep the Apaches in the air day after day and are forced to perform all maintenance and inspections under the scalding Iraqi sun.

Armament soldiers from the headquarters company handle the ordnance loaded on the Apaches every time they leave Kalsu. This company also has fuel supply specialists, who not only refuel the aircraft in the task force, but take care of all transient aircraft. According to Army Lt. Col. Edward B. McKee, task force commanding officer, the majority of the aircraft refueling here is from the 2nd MAW (Fwd).

“In the month we’ve been here we’ve refueled 535 aircraft,” said McKee.

Soldiers from the headquarters company are also manning Kalsu’s arrival/departure airfield control group, the base’s passenger terminal. According to McKee, more than 1,600 service members and civilians have arrived or departed Kalsu in the month the task force has been here and approximately 5,000 pieces of equipment have been loaded and offloaded from aircraft such as CH-53E Super Stallions, CH-46E Sea Knights, UH-60 Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinooks.

The company also has medical personnel, provides staff for the base operations section and a liaison between the company and the 155th Brigade Combat Team, a U.S. Army unit here serving with the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the “GhostRiders” support the 2nd MAW (Fwd) and the 155th BCT as they conduct security and stability operations. Their efforts are instrumental in improving the economic, political and security conditions of western Iraq and in turn will enable the return of Karbala, Najaf and Bahil provinces to local control.


- For more information on the soldiers reported on in this story, please contact Sgt. Juan Vara by e-mail at varaj@acemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil -


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Houston Marine takes the high road
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551931715
Story by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio



CAMP RAMADI, Iraq (May 19, 2005) -- Macario Ruiz spent most of his teen years doing bodywork on cars. He polished them to perfection and took great pride in his work. It was a hobby that helped to focus his dream of someday driving in a plush, custom-built car. Little did he know then, that the Marine Corps would someday make that dream come true.

Years later, Sgt. Ruiz turned heads as he rolled down the strip in the Floridian getaways of Panama City, Daytona Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He was paid to drive the Marines’ candy red humvee to beachside recruiting events to attract the copper-toned college students on spring break. As a motor transportation operator, Ruiz has been living life in the fast lane.

The 29-year-old Ruiz finally traded that lustrous red humvee in for an olive-drab armored one. And the strip he cruises is one of the most dangerous in Iraq’s infamous Sunni Triangle, festering with insurgent activity. It’s a fair trade though, according to Ruiz, who believes being in the fight is the place to be.

Ruiz deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom earlier this year with his unit, Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. The 1994 Skyline High School graduate heads a platoon of Marines who work day-in and day-out to provide support to units within the division.

His work takes him to some of the most inhospitable areas in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq, his unit’s area of responsibility. But that’s why Ruiz joined the Marines.

Ruiz said, “My unit called me up one day and said, ‘Pack your bags, you’re going to Iraq.’ So, here I am.”

“My junior Marines have been here a lot longer than I have – some of them are on their second tours here. All I know about this place I owe to them. I have a great crew.”

Though it’s his first tour in Iraq, it’s not his first time in a combat zone. Ruiz supported the emergence of East Timor as an independent nation. He participated in the humanitarian assistance mission with his former unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), to bring peace and stability to the nation that rose from the ashes.

“It doesn’t matter where you work,” said Ruiz. “You just have to adapt quickly to whatever environment you’re in. That’s why I’m choosing a new profession. Computers are the wave of the future.”

Ruiz is going from behind the wheel to behind the screen. He realizes opportunity when it shows itself and he’s going to make the best of the college education money the Corps has to offer.

Using the Montgomery G. I. Bill, Ruiz intends to learn as much as he can in the emerging technology sector.

“This is all I know,” said Ruiz, referring to his current responsibilities. “I’ve been doing it all of my life and don’t get me wrong I love it, but I want to explore my options.

“But no matter what job I have, I’ll always take care of my guys. Because that’s what this is all about.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Field radio operators are division’s information foundation

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551933157
Story by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio



AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 19, 2005) -- In the age of information, emerging technology is ever more present in the military’s combat theater. But sometimes it’s old tech that keeps the tempo high – especially for Marines of Radio Platoon, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division where Sgt. Janna Klehm works.

Klehm, a 20-year-old field radio operator from Brenham, Texas, and her platoon of approximately 40 Marines are responsible for the exchange of information between units outside the camp’s wire and the command post here. Their jobs aren’t just limited to speaking over a radio handset though. These Marines are integrated within many of the units working out of Camp Blue Diamond.

The platoon has a main cell that monitors all radio traffic and feeds it to the combat operations center. The transmissions come from all over the division’s area of responsibility in the Al Anbar Province. In turn, the Marines, sailors and soldiers who work in the COC can use the information to shape their battle plans.

“Radio platoon is just a small piece of the communications pie,” said Klehm, a 2002 Brenham High School graduate. “But we’re one of the most needed,” she added.

Her Marines are scattered throughout the camp filling jobs as radio operators for convoys that pick up personnel and equipment from other bases. The journeys take them along dangerous highways often lined with improvised explosive devices and insurgent attackers.

Some of the Marines are trained to venture into that dangerous territory to reestablish communications should the computer network shut down. These Marines are part of a subunit of the platoon simply called the ‘Forward.’ It is comprised of radio operators who set up a provisional communications section wherever the commander needs it on the battlefield.

It may be dangerous, but her Marines are constantly learning. Some of them have even been through combat situations in the past, which makes her unit well suited for the job.

“The MOS (military occupational specialty) has slightly evolved recently,” said Klehm. “We use a system that is half radio, half computer to retrieve and send information – rather than the traditional VHF or UHF radio transmissions that are often fuzzy and slow to use.

“Email is faster and more efficient – and that seems to be where everything is going.”

Despite the need for quickness and efficiency, Klehm believes that radios are the foundation for battlefield communications. When email is out of commission, radios are always operable, according to Klehm.

“Even when people are sleeping, the radios are always up,” said Klehm. “And Marines are always with those radios, whether they’re on a convoy, a quick reaction force or any other company operating from here.”

With the mix of new and old technology, the Marines have been recently cross-training with their counterparts in the data sections, who manage the computer network that connects the entire division.

“We naturally become proficient in different MOSs within the communications field as we work together,” said Klehm. “We also extend that opportunity to all Marines here with weekly classes teaching radio operation. Email is great, but radios are the base for all of the division’s lines of communication.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

3rd Platoon, Co. L aid fellow Marines, hit insurgents
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200551943653
Story by Cpl. Ken Melton



HAQLANIYAH, Iraq (April 20, 2005) -- Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment recently changed missions mid operation to answer another unit’s last minute call for reinforcements. Third Platoon, Company L was prepared to set out on a routine sweep mission in villages south of Haditha Dam when a Mobile Assault Platoon was attacked by insurgents here.

The Marines with the MAP were patrolling here to gain information for future operations in the area when insurgents attacked.

“We saw some people on motorcycles who were acting suspiciously and we decided to follow them,” said Lance Cpl. Ryan W. English, a mortar man with the unit. “As we approached, our two forward vehicles they found themselves caught in a cross fire of RPGs and small arms fire.”

Returning fire and seeking cover, the Marines informed the battalion of the situation. The decision was quickly made to send out 3rd Platoon.

“They were in place to carry out another mission,” said GySgt. Charles E. Hagans, Jr., a 39-year-old company gunnery sergeant for Company L. “But when we received the call we knew that it would be in everyone’s best interest if we used this unit that was already in place and ready to go to reinforce the engaged Marines.”

As the Marines with the MAP continued to engage the insurgents, they identified key targets and called in air support. Soon after the helicopters’ strafing runs, 3rd Platoon rolled in.

“We had called in air support after we identified a trigger man for an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) that had exploded earlier. Then a line of AAVs (Amphibious Assault Vehicles) began to roll up in a single file line and we knew that help was here in a big way,” said English, a native of Butler, Pa.

Marines from 3rd Platoon were immediately engaged in small firefights upon entering the city and quickly secured a base of operations.

“We pushed through the area and began to set up bases while other units provided security for different sections of the city. The local populace was cooperative, but we couldn’t find the insurgents who had attacked us from there earlier,” said Hagans, a native of Dublin, Ohio.

While Marines continued to enter and secure sections of the city, insurgents launched another mortars and small arms assault against the Marines with the MAP.

“We were providing security for the road between the military housing complex and the city here, when were hit with more RPG rounds and small arms fire,” said the 25-year-old English.

The Marines’ quick response stopped and silenced the newest insurgent threat.

“We hit them with at least 1,000 rounds from our .50 cal and then we leveled the building they were shooting at us from with our missiles,” English said.

The city grew quiet as night fell, but the Marines remained watchful.

“We didn’t want to let our guard down, so we stayed watchful in case they wanted to launch another attack. We would be ready for them,” said Hagans.

The Marines later pulled out of the city here in respect for a local religious holiday, ‘Mohammed’s Birthday’. However, the insurgents didn’t respect the holiday and continued their attacks on coalition forces.

“Even though they attacked again, we left the area a few days later,” Hagans said. “But we will return. This fight is far from over.”


Ellie

[thedrifter]

XO’s road show is coming to town
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2005519135820
Story by Cpl. Mike Escobar



FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 19, 2005) -- Marines like Cpl. Daniel K. Jones from the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment’s Headquarters and Service Company travel once a week to the infantry Marines’ bases throughout Fallujah to offer their services.

Upon reaching each base, the small arms technician fixes the infantry companies’ weapons while Marines from several other trades render their services as well.

This is the basic premise behind the (executive officer) ‘XO’s Road Show,’ a convoy comprised of H&S personnel that travel to visit their infantry brethren throughout the city weekly.

“Here on the XO’s Road Show, I inspect weapons and repair whatever’s unserviceable,” explained Jones, a 23-year-old Mt. Gilead, Ohio native.

The 2000 Mt. Gilead High School graduate is only one of the H&S Marines supporting the infantry companies, though. Administrative experts, medical personnel, and operations and intelligence analysts support the convoy as well.

“This is a one-stop shop,” stated Maj. Brian S. Christmas, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment’s executive officer and the person for whom the ‘XO Road Show’ is named. “It provides immediate attention and assistance to just about any existing problem. More importantly, it gives the companies a chance, every five to seven days, to step back for a moment and look at their surroundings.

“Sustaining the force is a necessity,” Christmas continued. “If things like weapons, vehicles, gear and personnel aren’t combat ready, the unit isn’t combat ready. These things can sometimes be easy to overlook when you’re caught up in continuous operations.”

The infantry Marines’ combat readiness remains high however, because H&S Marines like Jones fix their broken optics, radios, and vehicles.

Additionally, Marines in the field can attend a weekly religious service, as the road show brings with it the battalion’s chaplain. The Marines can also speak to the chaplain and receive counsel.

Another road show service field Marines look forward to is the ‘exchange on wheels,’ a mini-store loaded into the back of a seven-ton truck.

“Anything we sell to the Marines back on the main camp, we try to bring out here,” explained Staff Sgt. Brian M. Bonk, an exchange manager with the 2nd Force Service Support Group. “Stuff like non-perishable food, health and hygiene items, and entertainment materials.”

“This service is excellent,” stated Lance Cpl. Jason S. Crowder, an H&S Company radio operator currently working with Company C. “We’re pretty much stuck down here, so it’s nice to have food and essentials brought out to us.”

The infantry Marines can withdraw money to make these purchases by cashing checks or taking directly from their paycheck. This is accomplished by working through a disbursing clerk, another asset on the road show.

Road show personnel also know that conditions in the field can often be less than sanitary. For this reason, medical personnel come along and conduct health and comfort inspections.

“The PMT (Preventive Medicine Technician, a medical specialist who inspects areas such as living quarters and dining facilities) takes a look at their living spaces and does insect control (by spraying insecticide),” explained Chief Petty Officer Nathan Whiddon, the battalion’s medical chief. “We give the companies tips on proper sanitation and disease prevention.”

Whiddon added that H&S medical staff also re-supply their line corpsmen and drop off training materials.

“We’re kind of like their S-1 (administration) shop. If the line corpsmen have any admin, pay or promotion issues, it’s our chance to take care of it.”

Perhaps as important as the unique service each Marine provides, is the new understanding the infantrymen garner about their headquarters counterparts.

“It shows them how much work H&S Marines do and how much support they provide,” Christmas stated. “It’s easy to overlook them and think that because they are not out on patrol that they are just sitting around doing nothing. The road show provides those Marines a firsthand look at what the H&S Company Marines are doing for them.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Military Police alarmed about rampaging cyclists
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification #: 2005519125634
Story by Lance Cpl. Brian J. Reimers



MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.
(May 19, 2005) -- Like lots of Marines who love whizzing past, around and between four-wheel crawlers on their two-wheel speedsters, Lance Cpl. Zach M. Stacy isn't about to let a scrape with the asphalt deter him from riding his motorcycle.

While riding down Highway 76 in Oceanside, Stacy totaled his Yamaha R6 and sustained injuries that left him unable to ride for months.

Nevertheless, he can't wait to mount up again.

"Even though I crashed my bike and got hurt, there is no way that it is going to stop me from riding. Now I just have to save for a new bike," Stacy said.

Many Marines who've recently returned from Iraq are way ahead of Stacy. With pockets full of combat pay and a bulletproof attitude, many Marines with a need for speed figure to be making a beeline for local motorcycle shops.

Moreover, Gunnery Sgt. Donald J. Zerillo, traffic division chief with the Provost Marshal's Office, says he's seeing evidence of motorcycle mania here. Motorcycle accidents and citations are on a pace to eclipse last year's total in only eight months, according to PMO statistics, although an increase in PMO checkpoints and radar sweeps may account for some of the increase.

"I understand wanting to buy and ride the bikes, but they need to do their homework about the different orders on riding and maintaining them on and off base," said Zerillo, who formerly served as a motorcycle safety course instructor at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

But four local Oceanside bike dealers said they hadn't seen a steep rise in bike sales since the most recent wave of Marines began returning from Iraq in February and March.

"We did see a small spike of sales with bikes lately, but that might be because of the weather changing," said Dave C. Fox, store manager of The Motorcycle Gallery on Oceanside Boulevard.

Fox said it's not true that younger Marines overwhelmingly choose "crotch rockets" - high-speed racing bikes that authorities say account for more than their share of accidents. But the younger crowd does tend to opt for speed over style.

"I would say about 50 percent of our sales are to military servicemembers, with most of the younger guys buying street (racers) and the older guys buying cruisers," he said.

Regardless of whether motorcycle sales are surging locally, Zerillo says motorcycle mishaps remain a concern here.

Zerillo recalled a recent case that illustrates the dangers of bravado biking. A Marine riding on base with a beer in his hand took a spill. He wasn't badly hurt - although he did incur the wrath of the law after his blood alcohol measured .16 percent.

The Marine had not attended the base motorcycle safety course, Zerillo said.

Staff Sgt. Corey M. Moore, a career planner with 1st Force Service Support Group, says riders can learn vital skills in the course.

"Ever since I took the course, I have felt a lot more comfortable on my bike," Moore said. "Not only is it mandatory to ride on base, but I also recommend it."

The course is a great way to learn the rules of the road, Zerillo said - adding that many Marines seem ill-informed if not blatantly defiant of the law.

Many Marines are riding their bikes in town with permits - which is legal - but there are restrictions to the permits, Zerillo said. For example, with a learner's permit, riders are not allowed to ride at night or with a passenger, he said.

Zerillo urged commands to take safety violations into their own hands. Commands can administer non-judicial punishment to Marines who neglect base orders, such as speeding or driving under the influence, officials said.

Zerillo says he'd rather see Marines lawful, safe and sound rather than injured or in trouble.

"It just doesn't make any sense to survive seven months of dodging bullets and IEDs to then come back here and die on a weekend," he said.

E-mail Lance Cpl. Reimers at brian.reimers@usmc.mil.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

3/25 discovers weapons, roots out insurgents
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20055196824
Story by Cpl. Ken Melton



HAQLANIYAH, Iraq (May 19, 2005) -- Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment began a house-to-house search in the city here that turned into a game of cat and mouse with insurgents.

The Marines succeeded in finding multiple weapons caches and rooting out insurgents here while conducting operations under fire.

Weapons Platoon, Company L was the first unit to discover a weapons cache filled with small arms, RPGs and IEDs ready to be detonated.

“This was one of the first buildings we cleared,” said Sgt. Robert A. Davis, a squad leader with weapons platoon. “We were hoping to find the weapons cache sometime in the day, but we were fortunate to find these this early in the mission.”

The Marines were able to gain information on where the person who had stashed the weapons was located and set off to detain him for questioning.

As the Marines were nearing the location, an RPG was fired and barely missed the vehicles. The Marines set up security and began questioning people in the area.

“We were disoriented for a few seconds, but then our Marines snapped into action and began to assess the situation with perfection,” said Davis.

A second RPG was launched at the Marines as they began searching houses and damaged the property of innocent civilians.

“We were able to trace the point of origin quicker on the second RPG because our Marines on the ground were more alert for another attack,” Davis said.

While assessing the damage, a Marine noticed suspicious activity in a nearby yard where a buried weapons cache was later found.

“The owner of the house at first wouldn’t dig, saying that there was a water main in the ground,” Davis said. “Later we went back and made him dig deeper and found there was no water main, but two bags of firearms underneath the freshly dug earth.”

At the end of the day, the Marines detained 20 people and confiscated numerous weapons and explosives. To the Marines with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines this was yet another successful operation toward their overall mission of providing the Iraqis with a safe and stable community in which to prosper.


Ellie

[thedrifter]

'Extreme Makeover' Builds Home for Fallen Soldier's Family


By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2005 – ABC's hit TV program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" this weekend will feature the show's design team building and furnishing a new home for the family of a soldier killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The family of Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, a soldier who died during the opening days of the Iraqi war, recently took ownership of a new $500,000 house north of Flagstaff, Ariz., that resulted from the effort.

A team from the Extreme Makeover program designed the sprawling home and furnished it in a southwestern motif. A two-hour season finale, to air May 22, will feature the construction of the home for Terry and Percy Piestewa, Lori's parents, and her two children.

The program staff also arranged the construction of a center for Native American veterans in Tuba City, Ariz, Piestewa's hometown.

Former Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch nominated Lori's family to receive the home, according to Diane Korman, coordinating producer for the Extreme Makeover program.

Lynch and Piestewa served together in the 507th Maintenance Company and were part of a convoy navigating through southern Iraq when it took a wrong turn and got ambushed by Iraqi troops in March 2003. Piestewa died of injuries received in the skirmish; Lynch, also severely injured, was taken as a prisoner of war and later was rescued by special operations forces.

Korman said the staff "was touched" when Lynch contacted them and described her best friend and "the sacrifices Lori made, not only for her country, but also for her family."

Piestewa had dreamed of saving money to build her family a new home near Flagstaff, but never lived to see it through, Korman said Lynch told her. "It touched our hearts and souls," Korman said. "We just couldn't say no."

Army Maj. Ray Garcia, who notified the Piestewa family of their daughter's death and then served as their casualty assistance officer, assembled 21 fellow Arizona National Guard members in mid-April to help the Extreme Makeover staff complete final preparations before giving the Piestewa family the keys to their new house.

"This couldn't have happened to a better family," Garcia said. "It's heartwarming."

The Extreme Makeover staff involved in the effort "have big hearts" and appear committed to their efforts, he said. "You can tell it's not just a job. It's meaningful to them," he said.

Korman said that in helping the Piestewa family, the Extreme Makeover staff hoped to send a message of support to all members of the military. "As we honor them, we honor all veterans who have served in all wars," she said.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marines, soldiers deliver mass meds to Ramadi hospital
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200552072837
Story by Cpl. Tom Sloan



AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 17, 2005) -- A local hospital here running low on medication and other supplies had its healthcare resources fully replenished by Marines and soldiers.

Elements from 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, with help from the Army’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, delivered four sea containers of medical supplies – valued at more than $500,000 – to the Ramadi Maternity and Children’s Hospital.

The supplies ranged from heart monitors and antibiotics to new bed sheets and bandages.

The operation was conducted in an effort to improve medical care for residents of the city, according to Capt. John W. Maloney, commander of Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.

“The hospital was in dire need of the supplies we brought here today,” the 36-year-old from Chicopee, Mass., said while standing in the facility’s parking lot overseeing supplies being offloaded from the trucks. “The mission shows the Iraqi people that the Marines (and coalition forces) mean well.”

The hospital, which is located in the infantry battalion’s area of operations, is the largest specialized infant and maternity care facility in the Al Anbar Province. It delivers an average of 20 newborns each day, a hospital spokesman said.

The commander of Detachment 3, 5th Civil Affairs Group, spearheaded the humanitarian aid mission.

Lieutenant Col. Gary A. Jackson said an official with Iraqi Ministry of Health contacted him a few weeks earlier and requested medical supplies to be delivered to the hospital.

“I felt it was very important to get these supplies to the medical staff so they can provide their patients with proper care,” said the 47-year-old from Oak Creek, Wis.

Through Jackson’s coordination, soldiers with BCT-2 transported the supplies from 5th CAG’s headquarters in Fallujah to Ramadi. They linked up with Marines from 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, at their base, Camp Hurricane Point, and were escorted to the hospital.

Marines with Companies C and W as well as a squad of Iraqi Security Forces protected the site from insurgent interference during the operation.

Marines with Team 1, 5th CAG, which is in direct support of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, assisted the hospital staff in the unloading and organization of supplies for movement into the hospital, keeping patient services from being interrupted.

Maj. Benjamin B. Busch, team leader for Team 1, talked with the hospital’s director and said he was overjoyed by the delivery. It was a much larger shipment than he had ever expected, said the 36-year-old from College Park, Md.

Hospital staff members, Marines, soldiers, and even local residents worked together unloading the supplies. A school across the street let out early after teachers there witnessed what was taking place. More than 40 Iraqi boys rushed over and joined the effort.

The whole process took more than two hours.

“This is positive feedback,” Maloney said while watching smiling Iraqis carry armloads of supplies from the truck containers into the hospital. “Being able to do a mission like this means the conditions in Ramadi are improving. It’s real positive seeing the Iraqi people respond this way and help.”

Corporal Jonathan N. Ota, a rifleman and squad leader for 2nd Squad, 4th Platoon, Company C, and his fellow squad members helped provide security during the mission. The 22-year-old from Worchester, Mass. was optimistic about the mission.

“They need these supplies to help their patients,” said the 2001 Doherty Memorial High School graduate. “It’s a good thing were doing here. It’s rewarding knowing we’re helping the people.”

Jackson, too, shared the same optimism.

“The staff and the local Iraqis seemed very happy with what we did for them today,” he said. “I hope they tell the other people in Ramadi about what we did. We want the Iraqis to know that the Americans are here to help them restore their infrastructure. I think we accomplished that today.”

Ellie

[thedrifter]

A MEMORIAL DAY: Marines, sailors pause to pay tribute to a young warrior taken by cancer
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 200552010564
Story by Cpl. Jess Levens



MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 20, 2005) -- Friends and family members gathered at the depot chapel Tuesday to celebrate the life of Lance Cpl. Timothy Arevalo Jr., a Marine attached to Headquarters and Service Battalion. The 19-year-old died April 18 from Leukemia.

Arevalo, a soft-spoken El Centro, Calif., native who loved video games, was diagnosed with the disease in late 2003 while he served with 3rd Light Armor Reconnaissance Bn., 3rd Marine Division. Gunnery Sgt. Joe Simpson, Arevalo's company first sergeant, called him a brother and an important link in the unit's chain. Arevalo was transferred to a medical holding platoon at Naval Medical Center San Diego Oct. 19, 2004, for medical treatment for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, results from an acquired genetic injury to the DNA of a single cell in the bone marrow, according to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

The chapel was adorned with shrines and candles with Arevalo's photo on the glass casings. Arevalo's personal effects, including his utility uniform and dog tags were also displayed.

Other wounded and sick Marines from his unit attended the memorial service, which the chaplain, Navy Lt. Frank P. Muñoz, conducted entirely in Spanish to suit the Arevalos.

Staff Sgt. Debra Ham, a cancer survivor who attended medical sessions with Arevalo, addressed the service. Daniel Arevalo, Timothy's younger brother, also gave some heartfelt words. Before the final benediction, attendees watched a family photo slide show with pictures of Arevalo, from diapers to dress blues.

Post benediction, a depot ceremonial detail rendered military honors to Arevalo, and H&S Bn. commanding officer Col. Ana R. Smythe presented a folded American flag to Silvia Arevalo, the Marine's mother.

Marines at the chapel entrance handed out yellow bracelets donated from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to preventing and researching cancer. "Live Strong," the foundation's motto, is inscribed on the bracelets.

"It's very sad when any Marines pass away, but especially when such a young man is a victim to cancer," said Staff Sgt. Ernesto A. Gilling-Strickland, H&S Bn. substance abuse counselor. "This should be a sign that we must be more aware. Cancer is a fickle disease, and we must be more mindful."

The hour-long service dismissed, and Gilling-Strickland escorted Silvia Arevalo out past the boots, rifle and helmet surrounding her son's photo.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marines keep eyes in the sky <br />
Submitted by: 2nd Force Service Support Group <br />
Story Identification #: 20055205543 <br />
Story by Sgt. Kristin S. Jochums <br />
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<br />
<br />
CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (May 19, 2005) -- The...

[thedrifter]

Red-Letter Day at Camp Pendleton
By Natasha Lee
LA Times Staff Writer
May 20, 2005

After reaching her goal of 1.4 million letters, the 16-year-old founder of a writing campaign to thank American troops delivered some of them to Camp Pendleton on Thursday and planned to establish writing clubs nationwide to distribute more letters.

Inspired by her father to collect 1 million letters, Shauna Fleming of Orange started A Million Thanks a year ago. Soon, Shauna got her classmates at Lutheran High School on board. By November, the teen presented the millionth letter to President Bush.

On Thursday, Shauna and 33 classmates delivered roughly 1,000 letters to Marines at Camp Pendleton.

"There's just so much support from America, and people were responding so well that I just want to give everyone the chance to write," the sophomore said.

Framed lithographs of the 1.4-millionth letter, written by a 10-year-old Dallas girl, were presented to representatives from several military branches, including the Air Force and the Army. The number is equal to the number of service members currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. The original letter will be sent to Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Shauna said.

During the visit, students talked with the Marines about sports and serving in Iraq.

"It's really cool to be next to a Marine," said freshman Justin Winters, 15, who was talking to Cpl. Steve Martinez, 21. Justin said he planned to join after high school.

Martinez, who was one of 50 Marines from the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division FMF, said, "Just to know someone is out there thinking about us kind of makes you feel good inside."

The event was part of the school's service outreach day, on which students perform community service through nonprofit organizations from Orange County to San Diego.

The high school plans to adopt the Marine unit and keep in touch through letters and care packages of CDs and DVDs.

The e-mails and letters Shauna regularly receives from grateful military men and women motivate her to continue the campaign, she said.

"To be able to see the reaction on their faces … things like this, seeing how much it means to them is what keeps this going. It's what they love," she said.

Disappointed that her father's Valentines for Troops project was postponed last year, Shauna started a campaign of her own. She launched the project in May 2004 during National Military Appreciation Month.

Her organization receives 1,000 to 10,000 letters weekly, which are read and sorted by classmates. Donations from local businesses help pay for shipping the letters to Iraq and elsewhere. The letters arrive from around the globe. Drawings from 2-year-olds have been sent, and World War II veterans have shared war stories. Her efforts have garnered national attention. Last month, her book, "A Million Thanks," chronicling the campaign, was released.

In between schoolwork, letter writing and theater practice, the teen enjoys going to the movies with friends and practicing taekwondo. Shauna said she hadn't thought much about college yet but would like to pursue a career in the media, acting or motivational speaking.

"I love telling people my story and giving other people encouragement," she said.

Shauna said she hoped that by spreading the project to schools nationwide she could encourage others "to make a difference" and reach her new goal of 2 million letters.

High school students in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland have expressed interest through e-mail, she said. She plans to visit a school in Kansas next school year to help set up a letter-writing club like the one at her school.

"This is so near and dear to my heart….It's just something I feel is very important, and we're just going to keep on going," she said.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marine was proud to be a 'Grunt'

By Ron Simon
News Journal
ADVERTISEMENT



Dave Polcyn/News Journal photos


Lee Ann Ivy sings during the funeral service Friday for her husband, Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Ivy II, at Crossway Assembly of God in Galion.



A riderless horse leads the funeral procession of Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Ivy II on Friday through Fairview Cemetery in Galion.




GALION -- Lee Ann Ivy had her own way of saying goodbye to her husband, Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall H. Ivy II, during his funeral Friday morning.

She sang to him.

In front of hundreds of mourners at the CrossWay Assembly of God, she faced her husband's open casket and softly sang "Til I See You Again.''

A family friend said Lee Ann had sung to Kendall at the altar the day they were married.

"He was so devoted,'' Lee Ann told mourners. "We had honesty and love. He was such a great father. All his greatest qualities are in his boys.''

It was his profession as a Marine that led him to his death while serving in Iraq.

"My husband was a Grunt,'' she said. "He wouldn't have it any other way. Grunts are special.''

Kendall H. Ivy II, 28, died May 11 in Iraq. He had served in the Marine Corps for 10 years and it was the Corps that brought him home to Galion this week.

It was Marines, fellow Grunts, who carried his coffin to the Richardson-Davis Funeral Home and then to CrossWay. Marines carried the coffin to a burial plot at Fairview Cemetery, performed Taps, led a riderless horse to the graveside and sent their friend off with a 21-gun salute.

A Marine spokesman told more than 300 mourners at the church that Sgt. Ivy was "a barrel-chested man who hated to lose; read his Bible and loved his kids. A good Marine. The best friend another Marine could have.''

Lt. Col. Giles Kyser, who came with the Marines, said Ivy was a member of the 2nd Marine Regiment, but volunteered to serve as a platoon sergeant with the 25th Marine Regiment to replace a man who had been killed in the line of duty.

Sgt. Ivy left a wife and three children, sons Caleb and Harrison and daughter, Reagan. Another child is due in October.

His uncle, Richard Ivy of Galion, said, "He's leaving a legacy behind in his children. Our family is a large one and we support one another.''

Before he went into the service and before he met his wife, Ivy attended Galion High School. He played football and baseball before his graduation in 1995.

"When it came to sports, he was the first on the field and the last to leave,'' his brother, Kenneth Ivy, said. "He was a good man, as well as a good Marine. He made an impact on everyone he met.''

At the funeral with Lee Ann Ivy, were Sgt. Ivy's parents, Raymond and Venita "Kay'' Duffner Ivy. His brothers, Kenneth, Kevin and Keith, greeted mourners who came to the church.

Among the speakers was the Rev. Gary Hunt, senior pastor of Christian Life Center in Mansfield, who reminded those present "the military life is an uncomfortable one. These are men who love America and spend much of their careers in foreign lands. They love freedom, yet sacrifice their own to serve. His (Ivy's) life was not taken. It was given. Willingly!''

The main message was delivered by the Rev. Mark Meyer Sr., senior pastor of Christian Apostolic Church in Columbus, who said Sgt. Ivy was proof that Americans can place their confidence in his generation.

But there are no simple answers as to why men as young and as needed as Kendall Ivy die, he said. It is, he said, a time for faith.

At the end of the service, mourners filed by the open casket. Then the Marines carried the coffin to a hearse and a long, long line of cars, their lights turned to "bright,'' followed on a path that led through Galion, Heise Park and on to Fairview Cemetery.

Mourners passed through a city where signs of support for the Ivy family filled windows.

And when they returned, there was a huge dinner waiting at the church.

Bertha Martin, a member of the group that did the cooking and preparing, said there was a wealth of food donated by individuals, bakeries and restaurants. A very strong show of support, she said.

"We're expecting somewhere between 300 and 400 people,'' she said.

Many of them Marines.

rsimon@nncogannett.com (419) 521-7230

Originally published May 21, 2005

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marine skates through danger, and is awarded the Purple Heart

Marine Jorge Jerez of Company “C” (Charlie), First Battalion, Third Marines, was back in Loisaida recently, where he lived on Avenue D at 10th St. and was a big skateboarder before joining the military.


Jerez was honored with a Purple Heart after being wounded in Iraq by a grenade explosion in which he was hit by two pieces of shrapnel. He is recovered and doing well.


In another brush with death, Jerez was ordered to go into one helicopter, then told to go into a second one. The two helicopters were flying back to base near Fallujah. Flying conditions were bad because of a sandstorm and they were flying close to the ground in a part of the dessert with elevated electrical lines. Five minutes from base camp, the marines in Jerez’s helicopter saw a bright glowing light behind them, like a flare exploding. It turned out all the marines in that helicopter had been killed. The incident received national news coverage.


Jerez says the weather is very cold in Iraq at this time of year and that, in general, it’s a difficult life for the marines. There really is no place for them to go for rest and relaxation. While the Army gets entertained by the U.S.O., the marines don’t get anything, according to Jerez.


As for the Iraqi people, not all are hostile, Jerez says, but most at least keep their distance and are wary of the American troops. He is disappointed there was no chance to try out different foods or penetrate into society to experience the real Iraq. The marines are basically confined to base and everything is military business.


Jerez said the hardest part of the war for him has been the loss of his close friends and fellow marines.


Because he was wounded and did his year in Iraq and is the only son in the family, Jerez is not being sent back into action. After enjoying his two weeks on the Lower East Side, he was transferred to Kaneole Bay, Hawaii, to train the next group of marines going to Iraq.


Photographer Clayton Patterson said he has photos of Jerez and his friends skateboarding in the neighborhood from over the years.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Decorated British Colonel Faces Iraq War Crimes Charges (Never Agree to the ICC) <br />
Islam Online (IOL) ^ | 22 May 2005 | Islam Online <br />
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CAIRO, May 22, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) - A highly decorated...

[thedrifter]

U.S., Iraq Troops Launch Baghdad Offensive <br />
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Sunday May 22, 2005 8:46 PM <br />
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AP Photo BAG107 <br />
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By PAUL GARWOOD <br />
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Associated Press Writer

[thedrifter]

Marines always faithful

Again, without any surprise, another false and damaging news story about the "evil U.S. Marines" has come and gone without a single news story expressing outrage. Not outrage over the story and the needless riots and deaths resulting from it, but outrage over how the

liberal media have, yet again, been given a pass.

In classic "Clinton era" form, when the liberals get it wrong or get caught telling a pack of lies, simply saying you made a mistake is enough to wash any follow up stories off the pages of the newspapers. While it's clear that the editors at Newsweek felt compelled to pursue an agenda against the Iraq war, through a smear campaign against our Marines, I suggest they display a little respect to those who serve and focus on reporting the news, rather than creating it.

Ellie

Newsweek's reckless decision to print the bogus Quran story is despicable and only damaged the reputation of our honorable Marines serving at Guantanamo Bay. In the Marine Corps there is a motto, "Semper Fi," Latin for "always faithful." Faithful to God, country and the Corps.

As much as it appears that most in the liberal media simply have no idea what this means, they should know that this faith is unbreakable.

Patrick Keating

Surry

Samaritan neighbors

Linda Curtis Brawn (BDN, May 18) wrote about polls revealing that support for gay rights is stronger with young voters than with older voters. Brawn speculates that's because "We older voters were raised with the Bible." Could it be just the opposite?

Maybe younger voters are guided by the words of Jesus when he teaches, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." President Kennedy referenced the Golden Rule in the civil rights debate when he said we should not rest until blacks were treated as we white people would want to be treated. Young people today might be using

the same rule to measure our treatment of gay people.

Maybe young people are guided by the parable of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10, Jesus was reminded that we are taught to love our neighbor as ourselves, and then asked

"but who is our neighbor?" Jesus answered with a story of a man lying half dead beside the road, and two well-respected men, one a priest, just passed by this injured man. Then a Samaritan stops and tends to the man's wounds and nurses him back to health.

The Samaritan was the

neighbor.

The Samaritans were outcasts, the unholy, the epitome of ultimate corruption. Yet Jesus said, "Love them as ourselves." Reading Luke 10 it is not hard to figure out why young people would support a law which prohibits discrimination against gay people when they seek housing or a job.

As Maine debates this issue, let's acknowledge that we are on different sides not because we are, or are not informed by our faith, but because our faith brings us to different points of view as to how we should treat our gay neighbors.

Rep. Barbara Merrill

District 44

Appleton

Many milk concerns

The Bangor Daily News recently ran a full-page story about the benefits of milk. Several letters claimed possible benefits of milk incidentally seen in other studies. A review was just published in the March issue of the respected journal Pediatrics showing there is little hard scientific evidence to support the government's claim that milk helps children grow strong bones.

Our government also recommends more than twice the daily calcium as the World Health Organization, and yet countries like the United States and Finland, with our huge dairy intakes, still have among the highest osteoporosis rates.

What's going on? Take an objective look at the BDN article.

On a giant glass of milk, we read that to get the same calcium as milk, we'd need to eat "21 cups of chopped broccoli." But take a closer look at the picture: at the bottom in smaller print, it says "Source: National Dairy Council." Whether the numbers are true or not, this is disingenuous to the point of being misleading.

The message is clear: No one is going to eat this. You might as well say you need to eat a bushel of brussel sprouts every day.

I would point out that in fact only one cup of cooked kale or turnip greens, one cup of fortified orange juice or rice milk, or Basic4 cereal have the same absorbable calcium as a glass of milk (why count the unabsorbable fraction?). And there are plenty of health concerns about milk besides "allergies."

Again, consider the sources. I would point out that the USDA is in the business of gigantic propaganda with the dairy industry and they have a huge conflict of interest on this and several other fronts. Just look at recent news: the government is in trouble again for hiring a freelance writer to "write articles promoting USDA policies and then try get them published in magazines" (AP, May 11; The Washington Post May 11). The same goes with the whole USDA "Food Pyramid."

The Harvard School of Public Health and others recommend strongly against using the USDA pyramid. So, cow's milk is good for humans, why? Because the government says it is? I'm sorry, that's just not good enough for me.

John Picone

Bangor

Seeing red over GOP

The conservatives will have their way if they have to change every law and court ruling in the country. And what are they using their tiny majority to make us have? Wars that are endless, debts that are eternal, unfunded or nonexistent federal social programs, grasping, insecure Wall Street investors, high energy costs, low wages, illegal abortions, debtors born into debt and the lie that only they know how to fix our problems - which they created in the first place.

If this is the best America can do, if Republicans are the only true Americans (and - of course - Christians), then I pity our ancestors for all the blood, sweat and tears they expended on this country only to have Republican policies run it into the ground.

It's ironic that the Republicans are now called "the Reds."

Cheryl Lovely

Presque Isle



Correction

An Eastport city council budget committee member was misidentified as Janet Battista in Monday's op-ed column, "How do Down East schools measure up?" The correct name is Jacqueline Battista.




Bangornews.com Staff

[thedrifter]

Misfortune haunts `Lucky' Lima GIs

BY MICHAEL MARTINEZ

Chicago Tribune



HADITHA DAM, Iraq - (KRT) - A couple of Marines sleep with the lights on. One takes sleeping pills. Another Marine takes them too, along with antidepressants. Survivor guilt and nightmares are common, they say.

A squad leader who lost 10 of his 11 men, split evenly between killed and seriously wounded in action, has rearranged the beds of the fallen to dispel the ghosts.

When Lima Company returned to base camp here at a towering dam near Haditha, the aftermath of the biggest battle in Iraq so far this year was evident by the voids.

In one barracks, almost half of the 19 bunks belonging to the 1st Platoon were empty - four killed in action and five sent home with severe wounds.

In all, nine Marines died in this month's Operation Matador, fighting an unusually direct battle with insurgents, who are more known for "shoot and scoot." The fighting along the Euphrates River near the town of Al Qaim, close to the Syrian border, killed 125 insurgents.

The casualties and the number of U.S. troops deployed - about 1,000 - made it the biggest battle since a U.S.-led force retook the city of Fallujah in November.

In this month's battle, Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion of the 25th Marines bore the brunt of the U.S. deaths, suffering eight of the nine killed.

Such misfortune wasn't supposed to happen to "Lucky" Lima, so dubbed because the 200-reservist company had seen few injuries and no deaths in prior missions ousting insurgents from river towns in Iraq's Wild West, the far western Anbar province.

The 1,000-man battalion that includes Lima Company was the last Marine reservist battalion to be activated after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The troops say the Iraq experience has changed the way they see the world and their place in it. It's also altered their outlook on such American traditions as the approaching Memorial Day holiday.

Pvt. Joe Martin, 21, of Columbus, Ohio, a machine gunner in Lima Company's 1st Platoon, said his grandfather fought in the Korean War, and Memorial Day is important to his grandparents.

"I looked at senior citizens - I don't want to stereotype - as celebrating it, but now the younger generation takes it just as seriously," Martin said. "It's one of the greatest sacrifices you can make. I used to remember Memorial Day as when they had a golf tournament in Ohio. Now it's an actual remembrance day of brothers I lost."

On Saturday, the battalion held a memorial service for the eight killed near Al Qaim, as well as four more Marines killed in an ambush in and around Haditha Hospital and another killed in a mine explosion, all this month.

"To honor this sacrifice that each one of them has made, we have to let this go," Maj. Steve Lawson, 35, commander of the Columbus, Ohio-based Lima Company, told hundreds of Marines standing in formation on top of the dam for the service.

"If we focus on this every day and you're mourning day after day, they win - these cowardly (insurgents) win, and I'm not going to let this happen. We're going to go find them, and we're going to pay them back for every life lost. We're going to make them pay in blood," Lawson said.

How the Iraq war will alter the character of today's younger generation has yet to be fully realized, but the process is as inevitable as the way World War II, Korea and Vietnam shaped their parents and grandparents, officers say.

"Who knows in what way, but I bet you our Middle Eastern policy is going to be more on target, a little more thoughtful," said Capt. John Kasparian, 38, the battalion adjutant from East Longmeadow, Mass. "I don't think anything but war can give you an understanding of how men really are - all the good things and all the bad things."

"I used to say we were borrowing our uniforms, living off the history of the uniform," said Maj. Steve White, 34, operations officer, who's one of the few career active-duty officers assigned to the battalion. "I think we're earning it. We talk about Iwo Jima, Khe Sahn, Guadalcanal, Tarawa. Now they're talking about the 3/25 and Haqlaniyah, Haditha, Al Qaim," referring to fights in Iraqi towns along the Euphrates.

The loss was high enough that some Marines wondered privately whether the mission was worth the price.

"Was Matador worth it? Unequivocally," said Col. Stephen Davis, 51, of New Rochelle, N.Y., commander of Regimental Combat Team-2 that coordinated the offensive. "Would I rather do Operation Matador without any casualties? Absolutely."

The mission was successful, Davis said, because it established that no corner of Iraq can be regarded as a haven for insurgents, foreign fighters or border smuggling.

Sgt. Samuel E. Balla, 29, squad leader in the 1st Platoon of Lima Company, lost 10 of his 11 men during Operation Matador.

Packing the belongings of the five killed and the five wounded Marines took a full day and was done by several Marines, he said. The painstaking chore had moments of levity when one member recalled a funny line or quirky personality trait of a fallen Marine, Balla said.

Those memories provide the solace and strength to move on, he said.

Balla fought back tears as he recalled in an interview how one Marine who was killed, Lance Cpl. Nicholas Erdy, 21, of Owensville, Ohio, seemed a kindred spirit because they shared similar teenage experiences, such as high school football.

As with others, his storytelling yielded a moment of regret.

During this month's offensive, Balla was the last one to enter an amphibious assault vehicle, called a "trac," before its boarding ramp was raised. He wanted to make sure he was the one manning the emergency release, but when the trac ran over a bomb or mine, he was temporarily blinded by the blast and unable to do so.

He and another Marine escaped through a smaller hatch. Of the 17 Marines inside the vehicle, six were killed, eight were wounded severely enough to be sent home. Only Balla and two others have returned to duty.

"I don't feel guilty to the point of remorse, but I just wish I would have gotten the thing down," Balla said. "It would have made things a lot easier.

"It was an awakening. It was the first for us," he added.

In the barracks, the furniture was rearranged so that every time a Marine walked past the bunks it wouldn't evoke memories of those who were killed or wounded. But before that, and before all the Marines' possessions were collected, there remained signs of how quickly they had left for their mission.

Some writings of Cpl. Dustin Derga, 24, killed in Ubaydi fighting insurgents, lay on his bed next to his shaving kit. His last entry was dated May 3: "When we woke up, we found out we leave tonight for two weeks at the Syrian border. We are supposed to leave at 2100 tonight and go to Al Qaim."

His last sentence began with the word "Around," as if to describe the hour of a turn of events, but it was never finished.

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Ellie