July 4, 1776: Birth of a Nation

Commentary:

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., July 4, 2008 -- As we celebrate our nation's 232nd birthday, it's humbling to look back and imagine the difficulties faced by those leaders who were "eyes on" the formation of a new republic.

In 1776, the idea of a new world colony gaining independence from the world's most powerful country appeared a bit far-fetched, and in some circles of European society, an amusing and deadly venture. Yet despite the daunting challenges, there was enough creative energy among our very different colonial state leaders to organize a new government and fight for survival.

The key to success was leadership; both in the planning stages of a new government and directly on the battlefield. Our founding fathers understood the power of leading from the front.

In the planning stage for a new republic, the Continental Congress was wise enough to select five successful leaders to write and publish the Declaration of Independence. This ultimate working group included Thomas Jefferson, age 33; John Adams, age 41; and Benjamin Franklin, the senior mentor at age 70.

Their finished product brazenly told the world the United States of America was open for business. The signers of the Declaration of Independence publicly put their relatively cozy lives and fortunes on the line for a new form of government.

More importantly, the Declaration of Independence helped Gen. George Washington rally his troops by putting on paper the ideals and freedoms they were fighting to establish, preserve and protect. General Washington faced incredible manpower and resource shortfalls on the battlefield in 1776. He persevered by keeping our fighting forces intact, picking his battles wisely, and understanding that as long as we had a military we had a nation.

General Washington's art of the long view is something we all need to remember the next time we complain about resource shortfalls or the direction of our own organizations.

So a hearty "Happy birthday" to the United States of America! As a nation we have both sputtered and soared through the centuries and decades. We were, and still are, imperfect at times. Yet during other periods we seem blessed with providence. And while fate certainly is a factor in any nation's success, I believe leadership and just plain hard work generated our own good fortune.

In the end, we have survived every challenge and we remain this world's best example of what Abraham Lincoln called a nation of the people, by the people and for the people.

(Commentary by Col. Steve DePalmer, 53rd Wing.)

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10,000th MRAP Delivered to U.S. Military

Focus on Defense:

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2008 -- The rapid response by the Department of Defense to protect the warfighters reached a major milestone today when the 10,000th Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle rolled off the assembly line and into government hands.

In February 2008 the MRAP program office, headed by Marine Corps Systems Command, recorded its 5,000th MRAP vehicle acceptance. That milestone was reached less than a year after the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates made MRAPs the DoD's top acquisition priority. Since then, the program has advanced at near-unprecedented speed, doubling production of the life-saving vehicle in just over four months.

Gates said, "This is a significant achievement. This program has gone from zero to ten thousand in just about a year and a half. These vehicles have proven themselves on the battlefield and are saving lives"

"The many successes of the joint MRAP vehicle program are the result of an overwhelming team effort by the many players in this program," said Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Michael Brogan, MCSC commander. "From production to integration, from transportation to fielding, many commands and organizations have played major roles in this program."

Within weeks this 10,000th truck, which is built to help withstand close-up impact of an improvised explosive device while protecting people inside, will join its predecessors on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., is the designated joint program office and manages the overall program for DoD. Before being shipped overseas, the MRAP will be installed with weapons, radios and other equipment by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command center at Charleston, S.C. From that point U.S. Transportation Command takes over and moves the vehicles by air and sea to the combat zone.

The final contract order for MRAP vehicles is expected later in the summer, bringing the overall total more than 15,000 vehicles in the current build-up.

(From a U.S. Defense Department press release.)

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Pentagon Announces Guantanamo Detainee Transfer

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced yesterday the transfer of two detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Algeria. These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes.

The transfer is a demonstration of the United States' desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary. It also underscores the processes put in place to assess each individual and make a determination about their detention while hostilities are ongoing -- an unprecedented step in the history of warfare.

The Department of Defense has determined -- through its comprehensive review processes -- that more than 65 detainees at Guantanamo are eligible for transfer or release. Departure of these detainees is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.

Since 2002, more than 500 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Algeria, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and Yemen.

There are approximately 265 detainees currently at Guantanamo.

(From a U.S. Defense Department press release.)

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Pentagon Grants NATO Request to Extend Tour of Marines in Afghanistan

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has approved a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force request that the 2,200 Marines of 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit remain in Afghanistan a month longer than planned.

Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Dave Nevers said the Marines “have been doing an effective job” in Regional Command South.

NATO officials said the ISAF commander, Army Gen. David McKiernan, requested the one-month extension.

“The extension will allow these Marines to reinforce the success they have had on the ground,” a Defense Department official speaking on background said.

The unit is part of a one-time deployment to Afghanistan that began in March. The original orders called for the Marines to be back at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in October. The extension will move their return into November. Families began receiving notification of the extension yesterday.

There are still no plans to replace the Marines once their tour in the volatile area is complete. A total of 12 Marines have been killed fighting the Taliban and their al-Qaida allies since the deployment began.

(Story by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service.)

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More Than 1,100 U.S. Troops in Iraq to Re-enlist in Independence Day Ceremony

News in Balance:

EDITORS NOTE: This Independence Day story brings to mind the difference between those who give holiday speeches because they feel the need to defend their patriotism and patriots who celebrate our nation's birthday with their desire to defend our liberty.
--SM

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2008 -- More than 1,100 servicemembers stationed in Iraq will celebrate the nation’s birthday tomorrow by re-enlisting, the senior enlisted leader for Multinational Force Iraq said today.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill said 1,157 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines will re-enlist at the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, in Baghdad. This may be the largest re-enlistment ceremony since the all-volunteer force began in 1973, Hill said via phone from Baghdad.

This is becoming an annual blockbuster event for the command. Last year, 588 servicemembers re-enlisted.

“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments we have made in security on the ground as well as proud of all of our great warriors for the work they are doing since they arrived in theater,” Hill said. “We recognize the sacrifices they make and the sacrifices their families and communities make as they serve in Iraq.”

These servicemembers know the cost of war and they are still re-enlisting, Hill said. Some serve in “the most austere conditions -- meaning they are in patrol bases and combat outposts,” he noted. Some of the re-enlisting servicemembers are in places where the troops “hot-bunk it” -- that is, they take turns using limited sleeping space -- and burn human waste because they lack plumbing. Others are based in more comfortable surroundings.

The vast majority of the servicemembers tell Hill and others that they are re-enlisting because “they are doing what they joined the military to do,” he said.

“If they joined to be a rifleman, they’re doing it in combat,” the sergeant major said. “If they joined to fix helicopters, they’re doing it and doing it in combat.”

Often in years past, he said, some warriors probably felt they weren’t doing what they joined the military to do, he said.

“Now, since we’ve been fighting this global war on terrorism … these warriors are doing what they joined to do,” he explained. “They can see the fruit of their labor and see the fruit of the sacrifices of those who have gone before them. It makes them feel good about what they are doing.”

The ceremony will be broadcast on the Pentagon Channel, Hill said. Multinational Force Iraq Commander Army Gen. David H. Petraeus will preside. Hill and Petraeus will speak at the ceremony, then Petraeus will administer the oath of enlistment.

A 50-gun salute will honor of the nation’s birthday, and then all will sing “God Bless America.” The ceremony will end with a medley of service songs.

All components of the military are represented in the ceremony. Officials said 738 active-duty soldiers, 188 National Guard soldiers, and 122 Army Reserve soldiers are re-enlisting, along with 54 Marines, 39 sailors and 16 airmen.

(Story by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service.)

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Colombian Military Rescues Hostages, Including U.S. Contractors

Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters assigned to the Texas Army National Guard wait with their engines running as the U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft with the three former hostages arrives on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2, 2008. The hostages were rescued by Colombian forces after being held captive by guerillas for more than five years. U.S. Air Force photo Lance Cheung.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft with the three former hostages inside arrives on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2, 2008. The defense contract employees were rescued rescued by Colombian forces after more than five years' captivity in Colombia. They were captured by Colombian guerillas when their plane crashed in the jungle. U.S. Air Force photo Lance Cheung.

Keith Stansell, left, Marc Gonsalves, center, and Thomas Howes prepare to walk off a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III as they arrive on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2, 2008. The three were held as hostages in Colombia for more than five years, after their plane crashed in the jungle in February 2003. U.S. Air Force photo Lance Cheung.

Keith Stansell, a hostage returned safely to the United States after more than five years' captivity in Colombia, hugs one of the people who helped him as he arrives on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Lance Cheung.

Mark Gonsalves, left, and Thomas Howes step off an U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2, 2008. Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes both U.S. defense contractor employees were captured by Colombian guerillas after their plane crashed in the jungle in February 2003. U.S. Air Force photo by Lance Cheung.

Keith Stansell asteps off the back ramp of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globmaster III as he arrives on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2, 2008. Stansell was one of three U.S. defense contractor employees captured by Colombian guerillas after their plane crashed in the jungle in February 2003. U.S. Air Force photo by Lance Cheung.

Keith Stansell, a hostage returned safely to the United States after more than five years captivity in Colombia, gives a thumbs up as he arrives on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Lance Cheung.

The U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and crew that brought three former hostages to U.S. soil on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Lance Cheung.

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2008 -- Colombia's military yesterday rescued 15 hostages, including three U.S. government contractors, from leftist revolutionary captors who had imprisoned the group in jungle camps since 2003.

The contractors returned to the United States aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport jet, which delivered them to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, shortly before midnight.

They then traveled by helicopter to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio for treatment.

Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell -- all employees of the Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman Corp. -- were captured in February 2003 after their drug-surveillance plane went down in the jungles of southern Colombia. They spent five years in captivity, the longest period of captivity for any American hostages.

“We are delighted with the safe recovery of these Americans after more than five years of captivity,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement yesterday.

“We commend the government of Colombia for its sustained efforts to secure the safe return of all FARC hostages,” Rice said, using the Spanish acronym for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia captors. The United States has considered FARC a terrorist organization since November 2001.

"The United States calls on the FARC to release immediately all remaining hostages so they may be returned safely to their families," she said. "We hold the FARC responsible for the health and well-being of all hostages. Our thoughts and prayers remain with those still held by the FARC and their loved ones."

The rescue mission took place in Guaviare province, a jungle region in south-central Colombia, where commandos deceived a rebel unit into handing over the hostages, according to news reports.

By late afternoon, the prisoners, who included former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, were flown to the main military air base in the Colombian capital of Bogota.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the operation was planned, led and executed by Colombia.

Asked today if the United States played a role in the mission, Whitman said only that the two countries’ militaries have a strong relationship that includes “a certain amount of cooperation and information sharing.”

(Story by John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

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Troops in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Enemy Fighters

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2008 -- Coalition forces in Afghanistan killed several enemy fighters and detained eight others in recent days, military officials said.

Yesterday in Afghanistan:

• An Afghan noncombatant was killed and several were wounded when a militant mortar attack directed at a coalition base in Konar province missed and struck near a group of local citizens. The militants, 300 meters inside Pakistan, repeatedly fired mortars at a coalition base and missed, officials said. Coalition forces returned artillery fire, and the militants retreated, officials added.

• Three Taliban militants were detained in Ghazni province, where coalition forces were targeting a Taliban militant in the area.

• Coalition forces detained five militants while targeting a senior Taliban leader and homemade-bomb facilitator in Helmand province. During the search, forces discovered assault rifles and a cache of opium. The weapons and drugs were destroyed to prevent possible militant use.

In an operation June 30, several militants were killed during a reconnaissance patrol by Afghan national security forces and coalition forces in the Maywand district of Kandahar province. The militants attacked the patrol using rockets. The militants were pursued and were later killed with precision air strikes, officials said.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases.)

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Troops in Iraq Kill Enemy Fighters, Detain Suspects, Seize Weapons

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2008 -- Coalition forces in Iraq killed enemy fighters, detained terrorism suspects and found illegal weapons stockpiles in operations over the last three days, military officials reported.

Coalition forces conducted operations spanning central and northwestern Iraq today, killing two enemy fighters and detaining eight suspected terrorists while targeting al-Qaida networks.

In Mosul, coalition forces netted an alleged terrorist leader and a suspected associate. The alleged leader is believed to oversee kidnappings, assassinations and extortion operations in the city, officials said.

Coalition forces also targeted a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq foreign terrorist facilitator near Ribat, a town along the Euphrates River near the Iraq-Syria border. The man barricaded himself in a room with a weapon. Perceiving hostile intent, coalition forces engaged and killed him. Three associates were detained.

Also today, coalition forces targeted the alleged leader of an al-Qaida in Iraq cell in Shargat. Two people complied when the force called for occupants of a building to surrender, but one man refused to follow coalition forces' instructions. Perceiving hostile intent from the man, coalition forces engaged and killed him. Coalition forces later found a suicide vest on the roof and an underground tunnel outside the building.

In operations yesterday:

• A precision operation in Baghdad led coalition forces to capture a man suspected of being a leader of several al-Qaida in Iraq cells in the southern area of the city. The suspect is believed to be responsible for bombings, kidnappings and attacks against coalition forces.

• Coalition forces in Baghdad detained a man suspected of involvement in the al-Qaida propaganda network.

• Soldiers working with Iraqi security forces detained seven suspected criminals during a search in Baghdad’s Rashid district.

• In two operations, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered a rocket rigged as a roadside bomb, as well as a rocket-propelled grenade round and an artillery round. An explosive ordnance disposal team responded to handle the explosive device.

• Soldiers detained a suspected criminal in the Hadar community. The patrol returned with the suspect to a combat outpost for further questioning.

• In three separate operations, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers seized rocket-propelled grenades, a machine gun, two containers of propellant, various rounds, command wires, anti-tank mines, rockets and mortar rounds.

In operations July 1:

• While on patrol near the city of Karmah, an Iraqi quick-reaction force discovered a substantial weapons cache that contained various sized mortars, rounds, projectiles, rocket-propelled grenades, rockets, mortar fillings, mortar stabilizing fins, and a hand grenade.

• Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers seized eight weapons caches in separate operations. The caches contained 80 cans of anti-aircraft rounds, rockets, rocket tubes and several tubes of various sizes, a rocket-propelled-grenade round, mortar rounds, a machine gun, AK-47 assault rifle magazines, a pistol belt, a bayonet, bomb-making materials, grenades, artillery rounds, a primer connected to a power sources, and a license plate.

• Iraqi National Police seized a cache inside a mosque in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad. They found artillery rounds, TNT, a license plate, and two steel barriers in the Al-Sadrayn Mosque. No coalition forces were present inside the mosque, officials said.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

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Families Gather on Anniversary of Afghanistan Battle

Photo Illustration commemorating the Medal of Honor presented posthumously to Lt. Michael P. Murphy (Sea, Air, Land). (U.S. Navy Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay Chu.)

News in Balance:

SAN DIEGO, July 2, 2008 -- More than 60 family members who shared the loss of Navy and Army special operations personnel, during Operation Redwings in Afghanistan three years ago, met in San Diego, June 27, at Naval Special Warfare Command.

It marked the first time families from both military services involved in Redwings reunited since the fateful battle June 28, 2005. Navy SEALs -- 11 in all -- and eight Army soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers, were killed in action against overwhelming Taliban forces in the Hindu Kush mountains.

"It makes the day a little bit easier just being with people that truly understand what our husbands, sons and loved ones did," said Leslie Ponder, widow of Master Sgt. James W. Ponder III.

High in the mountains of Afghanistan, four SEALs were on a reconnaissance mission when their position was compromised and they came under heavy gunfire from nearly 200 Taliban militia.

As the fighting escalated and each SEAL received numerous wounds, Lt. Michael Murphy exposed himself to enemy fire to call for reinforcements to save his beleaguered team. A joint group of 16 SEALs and Army Night Stalkers rushing to join the battle were killed when their helicopter was shot down before they had a chance to land. The only SEAL of Murphy's team to survive the battle, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell, fought and evaded the enemy for several days before he was rescued.

Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery under fire. President George W. Bush presented the medal to Murphy's parents at the White House last year.

The family members of the fallen viewed the Redwings memorial at the NSW headquarters building and toured some of the local Naval Special Warfare facilities.

"This experience gave us an opportunity to look forward," Ponder said. "Me and my girls have been excited being here."

The next day was filled with events commemorating the anniversary of Operation Redwings. A private celebration was held for Redwings families aboard the USS Midway Museum in downtown San Diego, where Luttrell remembered his brothers-in-arms and spoke about the importance of families.

"We will always remember the guys we lost in combat," Luttrell said. "Also, we must always remember the families. The family members make it all possible for our guys out in the field."

After the Midway tour, the families attended a Major League Baseball game at San Diego's Petco Park. As part of the pregame events, the families stood before the crowd on the first and third baselines as the stadium announcer honored the lost men of Operation Redwings.

The Navy's parachute team, known as the "Leap Frogs," made a precision jump onto the field; four F-18 Hornet fighter jets flew over the stadium, and Luttrell threw the ceremonial first pitch.

"Everybody always remembers the ultimate sacrifice these men gave but sometimes as a family member, I feel that our daily sacrifice has been forgotten," Ponder said. "What the Navy has shown is that we aren't forgotten and we are loved and still a part of this military community."

Those who perished during Operation Redwings are:

• Lt. Michael P. Murphy
• Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson
• Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Eric S. Patton
• Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy
• Quartermaster 2nd Class (SEAL) James Suh,
• Gunner's Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny P. Dietz
• Chief Fire Controlman (SEAL) Jacques J. Fontan
• Lt. Cmdr. Erik S. Kristensen
• Electronics Technician 1st Class (SEAL) Jeffery A. Lucas
• Lt. Michael M. McGreevy Jr.
• Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SEAL) Jeffrey S. Taylor
• Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare
• Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature
• Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby
• Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles
• Maj. Stephen C. Reich
• Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell
• Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach
• Master Sgt. James W. Ponder III

(Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Menzie, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs.)

Related: Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy Awarded Medal of Honor

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