Saturday, June 23, 2007

Combat Camera: From Holloman to Hollywood, Transformers Make Movie Magic

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Airmen filling the roles of movie extras run on the set of the movie "Transformers" during filming at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The movie, scheduled for release July 4, will feature 300 Airmen and Soldiers alongside military aircraft, including the CV-22 Osprey, F-117 Nighthawk and F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Airmen filling the roles of extras on the set of the movie "Transformers" run for cover during filming May 31 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The movie, scheduled for release July 4, will feature 300 Airmen and Soldiers alongside military aircraft, including the CV-22 Osprey, F-117 Nighthawk and F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Movie director Michael Bay films an Airman on the set of the movie "Transformers" May 31 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Several Airmen had the opportunity to fill roles as extras during filming. The movie, scheduled for release July 4, will feature 300 Airmen and Soldiers alongside military aircraft, including CV-22 Osprey, F-117 Nighthawk and F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Airmen filling the roles of extras on the set of the movie "Transformers" run for cover while a camera crew on a four-wheeler captures the action during filming at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on May 31. The movie is scheduled for release in July 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Airmen fill the roles of extras on the set of the movie "Transformers" during filming at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on May 30. The movie is scheduled for release in July 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
An Airman fills the role of a movie extra on the set of "Transformers" during filming at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on May 30. The movie is scheduled for release in July 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Airmen filling the roles of movie extras on the set of "Transformers" at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on May 30. The movie is scheduled for release in July 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Airmen fill the roles of movie extras on the set of "Transformers" at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on May 30. The movie is scheduled for release in July 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Movie director Michael Bay films an Airman on the set of the movie "Transformers" at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on May 30. Several Airmen filled roles as movie extras. The movie is scheduled for release in July 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Makeup artist Linda Vallejo applies makeup and sunscreen to Airman 1st Class Joshua Clanton on the set of the movie "Transformers" at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on Tuesday, May 30, 2006. The movie is scheduled for release in June 2007. Airman Clanton is with the 49th Mission Support Squadron at Holloman AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Movie director Michael Bay instructs Airmen filling the roles of extras on the set of the movie "Transformers" at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on Tuesday, May 30, 2006. The movie is scheduled for release in June 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Makeup artist Robin Beauchesne glues a mustache on Capt. Brian Reece on the set of the movie "Transformers" at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on Wednesday, May 31, 2006. The movie is scheduled for release in June 2007. Captain Reece is with the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)

From Holloman to Hollywood, Transformers make movie magic
by Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons
Air Force Print News


SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) 7/11/2006 -- Lights, camera, action! Airmen at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., home to the Air Force's only operational F-117 wing, got to experience a new kind of rush as Hollywood invaded their base.

The DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures live-action film "Transformers," set to release in July 2007, will feature several different aircraft including the F-117 Nighthawk from Holloman and the CV-22 Osprey from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. More than 300 Airmen participated as extras in the movie and providing logistical support during the filming.

"It's a thrill to know my face will be seen in a movie. It outweighs the long hours," said Airman 1st Class Mehtar Sullivan, an emergency management technician with the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron at Holloman.

While participating as extras in the movie, Airmen had to be on leave and available all day for shooting scenes. Some Airmen have speaking roles in the film. The days were long and sometimes lasted until early morning the next day.

"This was a great way to highlight what our mission is, what our people do and what our equipment does at no expense to the taxpayer," said Capt. Trisha Raynoha of the 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office.

The production crew sent scouts to seven different Air Force bases and several Army installations before deciding on Holloman and the F-117 wing.

F-117s and the CV-22 Osprey are featured prominently in the movie as both static background and taxiing aircraft. Also featured will be the A-10 Thunderbolt II, C-17 Globemaster III, MH-53 Pave Low, HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant, AC-130 Gunship, C-130 Hercules, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and Air Force One.

"The CV-22 Osprey is scheduled to make its feature film debut in this movie, along with the F-22 Raptor," said 1st Lt. Christian Hodge, chief, industry relations, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs entertainment liaison.

With the movie set in full swing, it gave Airmen a peek into Hollywood life and a moment in the spotlight.

"It has been a wonderful experience seeing how they actually make a movie and all the work that goes into it. It has been fun," said Airman 1st Class Toby Schultz from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

This is the largest movie project since "Black Hawk Down" to receive Department of Defense approval as selection is based on how accurately forces are portrayed. With Michael Bay as the director, known for his special effects-driven movies like "The Rock" and "Pearl Harbor," the approval was easy.

"We've worked with Michael Bay before; we like the way he operates. He understands how the military operates," said Army Lt. Col. Paul Sinor, lead public affairs representative for DOD.
COMBAT CAMERA More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Global Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,

Labels: , ,

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Coalition Forces Continue Surge Operations in Iraq

News in balance

News in balance:

In Saturday's headlines out of Iraq, the mainstream U.S. media leads with continued pessimism, highlighting casualties over success.

The Associated Press reports roadside bombs killed seven American troops in Iraq on Saturday, including four in a single strike outside Baghdad, the military said, as U.S. and Iraqi troops captured two senior al-Qaida militants in Diyala province.

Reuters reported events differently, stating four U.S. soldiers were killed on Saturday when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle northwest of Baghdad.

The Washington Post criticized the size of forces involved in operations and The New York Times re-ran Friday's headline, reporting 80 percent of the top Qaeda leaders in the city fled before the American-led offensive began earlier this week.

Other major news outlets simply did not lead with news out of Iraq.

However, the Pentagon released detailed news of ongoing success, stating that Coalition forces continue to kill and detain suspected terrorists and discover weapons caches during ongoing missions within Operation Phantom Thunder, a large-scale operation targeting al Qaeda strongholds in and around Baghdad.


LTG Ray Odierno, Commander of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, speaks with reporters at the Pentagon via satellite, providing an update on ongoing security operations in Iraq.
Link:
Iraq Briefing 22 June 2007

Video: Lt. Gen. Odierno, Part 1
Video: Lt. Gen. Odierno, Part 2
Video: Lt. Gen. Odierno, Part 3
The general briefs the media in Baghdad on operation Phantom Thunder, the increase in sectarian violence, attacks on coalition forces, U.S. forces conducting offensive operations to secure important structures and expanding operations to force terrorists out of Baghdad. He then answers some questions from the media.

Two coordinated operations in Mosul today targeted a Kurdish extremist known for helping al Qaeda in Iraq facilitate foreign fighters and conduct financial and media operations, military officials reported.

While troops maneuvered through a targeted building, an armed man engaged them with small-arms fire, endangering the force and the innocent family members. Coalition forces defended themselves, the women and the children by killing the armed terrorist.

Troops identified the terrorist as a member of the al Qaeda in Iraq network who recruited and transported foreign fighters into Iraq to participate in suicide bombings and other terrorist activities, officials said. Coalition forces detained seven other suspected terrorists during the raids for their alleged involvement in the network.

In Baghdad, coalition forces conducted an operation to capture an al Qaeda in Iraq senior leader in the area. As forces entered the building, a man continuously made hostile attempts to evade the ground forces and ignored the translator’s instructions to comply with the forces’ orders. Reacting appropriately to the perceived hostile threat, officials said, coalition forces shot and killed him.

Inside the building, coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists, including two who have alleged close ties to al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. Coalition forces also destroyed a vehicle used in transporting weapons and personnel for terrorist activity, officials reported.

West of Tarmiyah, coalition forces targeted an individual suspected of helping foreign fighters enter Iraq. The ground force captured the individual and three more suspected terrorists allegedly tied to the al Qaeda in Iraq foreign fighter network.

Coalition forces raided a building northeast of Habbaniyah in search of an al Qaeda senior leader there. The ground force detained eight suspected terrorists for their alleged involvement with the senior leader.

“Al Qaeda in Iraq members continue to threaten the safety of Iraqis with indiscriminant violence, even deliberately endangering their own family members,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. “Al Qaeda’s operatives, many of them foreigners to Iraq, do not represent the will or the desires of the Iraq people.”

In other operations today, officials reported that attack helicopters from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade engaged and killed 17 al Qaeda gunmen after ground forces from the 1st Cavalry Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team saw the men attempting to circumvent Iraqi police who were conducting security operations southwest of Khalis.

During Operation Sledgehammer today, transition team paratroopers from the 25th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team and Iraqi security forces found 10 82mm mortar rounds, 10 102mm mortar rounds and two improvised explosive devices while searching offices of a cleric’s organization.

Eight individuals were detained during the combined search operation conducted by the Iraqi army, the Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics Team, and coalition forces in Jabella. The operation is designed to disrupt militia influence and violence.

Three operations conducted northwest of Baghdad today by 1st Cavalry Division troops resulted in the detention of seven suspected insurgents.

"We are tightening the noose on the IED cell members in our area of operations, and disrupting their operations," said Lt. Col. Peter Andrysiak, deputy commanding officer of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team. "We have been able to increase our troop presence in the more remote areas of our sector because of the increased number of 'surge troops.’"

In the early morning hours today, scouts from the 8th Cavalry Regiment raided a suspected insurgent location in an isolated farm house in the Taji area. All seven suspected insurgents were captured in the house. The cell is believed to be responsible for planting bombs on Highway 1 and other locations area.

In a village in Abu Ghraib, 5th Cavalry Regiment soldiers conducted an air assault operation to conduct cordon-and-search operations at several homes suspected of housing insurgents.

A resident questioned at the scene claimed his home had been taken over by insurgents, but that they left when they heard the aircraft. At the home, a small cache was found, including a hand grenade and a pistol.

During operations conducted yesterday by troops attached to the 1st Infantry Division, two caches were discovered during clearing operations in the eastern portion of the Rashid district of the Iraqi capital.

Troops from the 38th Infantry Regiment seized a cache consisting of 12 AK-47 assault rifles, 15 AK-47 magazines, 12 60mm mortar rounds, four 82mm mortars, 60 anti-personnel mines, a mortar tube, a machine gun with 150 rounds, 12 motorcycle batteries, switches, wires, black powder, fuses and rocket-propelled-grenade boosters.

Meanwhile, soldiers from another company within the regiment located a cache nearby that contained 15 RPG rounds. Coalition explosive ordnance disposal units destroyed both caches.

Early morning raids yesterday by 1st Cavalry Division troops in northwestern Baghdad targeted terrorist cells believed to be responsible for improvised explosive attacks within the region. Multiple suspects, as well as weapons and equipment, were detained during the raids.

In other news, 37th Field Artillery soldiers conducted an air assault raid on a residence determined by intelligence sources to be an insurgent safe house near the town of Shammar Jarba. Four suspects were detained for questioning, including those suspected to be responsible for attacks on Highway 1, as well as assisting in IED attacks in the Taji area.

Near the village of Awad, scouts from the 8th Cavalry Regiment conducted a dismounted raid on a suspected insurgent safe house. Inside the home, the soldiers detained five suspects, including one suspect believed to be responsible for coordinating car bomb attacks against coalition forces in an area west of Taji. The troops also seized a high-powered rifle with a scope, a pistol, a rocket-propelled grenade scope and a flare gun.

West of Kem village, soldiers from the regiment conducted a dismounted raid on another suspected safe house. Nine suspects were detained in this operation.

Also yesterday, 2nd Infantry Division soldiers recovered a cache and detained three suspects during a security operation in eastern Baghdad. The soldiers recovered 11 AK-47 rifles, an Enfield rifle, a 9mm pistol, two pellet guns, a knife, a bayonet, a weapon sight and an undisclosed amount of money.

Residents in the area were complaining about an increase in militia activity and an increase in small-arms fire within the sparsely populated area. Coalition forces, based on tips from residents, conducted the operation to impair the ability of militia members to target innocent civilians.

"This is a great example of U.S. forces helping the Iraqi people and trying to quell violence in areas that have seen increased security and are trying to return to normalcy,” said Maj. Sean Ryan, a 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team spokesman.

Operation Arrowhead Ripper continued yesterday as Iraqi security forces teamed with Task Force Lightning units to clear Baqubah and surrounding areas.

"We are shoulder-to-shoulder with Iraqi Security Forces in this fight," said Army Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek, commander of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. "The weeks ahead are absolutely key in not only holding and retaining the ground that is cleared in partnership with coalition forces, but also in building trust and confidence with the citizens of Diyala."

In support of the operation, attack helicopters from 82nd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion provided assistance to Iraqi and coalition ground forces, killing at least 13 al Qaeda operatives and destroying an al Qaeda compound during the second day of the operation.

In a separate engagement during the operation yesterday, soldiers discovered an empty school complex rigged with explosives in Baqubah, the capital city of Diyala province. An investigation of the area determined the school and surrounding buildings had been abandoned.

Coalition forces destroyed the school due to risk to the community, but were unable to disable the explosives because of instability. Ground forces effectively coordinated a precision-guided munitions strike and destroyed the school.

After a search of a house yesterday, soldiers from 37th Field Artillery Regiment seized two suspected insurgents after finding $1,500 in U.S. $100 bills and multiple forged identification cards in the home.

The house had been targeted for search because of its alleged involvement as a lookout point for IED attacks on coalition and Iraqi security forces. Coalition forces demolished the home today to prevent its further use by insurgents.

Coalition forces intercepted an ambulance carrying seven suspected al Qaeda operatives attempting to circumvent security elements operating in Baqubah on June 19. The ambulance was stopped by soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division’s 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, who are conducting missions in the area as part of Operation Arrowhead Ripper.

Soldiers checked the ambulance and found a driver and six men, who appeared to be in their 20s and 30s. Two of the men were injured.

"Using emergency service vehicles to move fighters and equipment is a common tactic of al Qaeda in Iraq," said Col. Steve Townsend, commander of 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. "We are controlling ambulances and other service vehicles in the city to ensure they are being used legitimately."

Also on June 19, Iraqi and coalition forces discovered pipe bombs, artillery shells, and 200 to 400 pounds of explosives during a raid at a house in west Mosul.

Gunmen engaged the soldiers with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire but were turned away by coalition attack helicopters armed with rockets.

Four hours later and 50 miles to the south, Iraqi soldiers raided a suspected explosives storage house in the village of Heschel. The soldiers detained one suspect and discovered more than 200 pounds of TNT, as well as other bomb-making materials.

Shortly after midnight, soldiers detained a key suspected al Qaeda financier who had been operating in Mosul.
In other news, CENTCOM reports:

  • Coalition Forces killed seven terrorists and detained 10 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and operatives Friday and Saturday.
  • Coalition Forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader during a Saturday raid in Tikrit. While the ground force was securing the target building, a vehicle approached on the road at a high rate of speed. Source.
  • Coalition Forces detained three suspects during operations before dawn on Saturday in Sadr City as part of an effort to deny Iranian influence in Iraq. Source.
  • Iraqi Special Operations Forces conducted an early morning operation June 22 and detained a key rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi insurgent leader in Sadr City. The key insurgent leader is allegedly responsible for coordinating and conducting kidnappings, death squad killings and improvised explosive device attacks against innocent civilians and Iraqi and Coalition Forces. He is also suspected of smuggling weapons into Iraq. Source.
  • Iraqi Army Soldiers killed 11 al-Qaeda gunmen and an IED emplacer during an attack on an Iraqi Army checkpoint near Khalis June 20. Source.

NOTE:
Operation Phantom Thunder is a large-scale operation targeting al Qaeda strongholds in and around Baghdad.

Operation Arrowhead Ripper is one operation in a drive to take on insurgents in the towns and villages ringing Baghdad.

Operation Marne Torch, southeast of Baghdad, and offensives in Anbar province, the Sunni-dominated region west of Baghdad, are also targeting militants living in villages there.


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Global Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,

Maintain THE TENSION, visit the online store:
THE TENSION EXCHANGE

Shop Today's Deals at Amazon.com and Save!
Buy.com's Deal of the Day! A Different Product Every Day.

Labels:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Friday, June 22, 2007

Surge Success in Baqouba

News in balance

News in balance:

If you read or listened to the major headlines out of Iraq today, you would be informed by AP and Reuters that hundreds of fierce al Qaeda militants are fighting to death while making a stand in their Baquba bastion.

"It is house to house, block to block, street to street, sewer to sewer," said Brigadier-General Mick Bednarek, commander of Operation Arrowhead Ripper in Iraq's Diyala province.

"They're clearly in hiding, no question about it. But they're a hardline group of fighters who have no intention of leaving, and they want to kill as many coalition and Iraqi security forces as they possibly can," the general said in an interview with The Associated Press and another news agency.
However, as CNN and The Associated Press also report, the insurgents can hide but they cannot run. American attack helicopters fired on al-Qaida militants trying to slip past an Iraqi checkpoint in Baqouba on Friday, killing 17 of them. That brings to 68 the number of militants killed so far in the operation.

The Wall Street Journal notes U.S. raids are now specifically targeting roadside bombers in the Baghdad area. About operations around Baqouba, the Journal reports:

The military began another major campaign against Sunni insurgents Monday in the area surrounding Baqouba, the capital of Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad, but an American commander there said a key difference was a new Iraqi commitment to the effort. "It's different than Fallujah in the fall of '04, because of the Iraqi commitment here. They're side by side with us, and locals have finally realized here that al Qaeda has no future here," said Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek, assistant commander for operations with the 25th Infantry Division.
Troops also made a gruesome discovery:

U.S. soldiers, acting on a tip, raided a house in the area late Thursday and found what was believed to be a torture chamber, with blood trails, saws, drills and knives as well as explosives embedded in the walls. The building was destroyed in a controlled detonation, he said, adding that remnants of human remains but no bodies had been found inside.
UPI reports that Iran has responded to the U.S. surge in Iraq with its own surge.

Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno told journalists increased Iranian backing for Iraqi militants apparently started in March.

"I think as we talked about surging forces ... I think maybe Iran decided to surge more money, conduct a bit more training and surge a few more weapons into Iraq at the same time," Odierno said.
In other areas of Iraq, two more insurgents were killed and 37 others were detained Friday during coalition and Iraqi operations against al Qaeda in Iraq and Shiite militia groups, the U.S. military said.

From the Pentagon:

‘Arrowhead Ripper’ Continues to Pressure al Qaeda
Operation combines Iraqi and Coalition resources.
By Multi-National Division -- North Public Affairs Office


BAQOUBA, Iraq, June 22, 2007 -- Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) teamed with Task Force Lightning units, Thursday, to clear Baqouba and surrounding areas as Operation Arrowhead Ripper continued.

“We are shoulder-to-shoulder with Iraqi Security Forces in this fight,” said Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek, deputy commanding general, operations, and commander of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. “Specifically the 5th Iraqi Army Division led by Maj. Gen. Saleem Kariem Ali Alotbei, along with the provincial director of police, Maj. Gen. Ganim, have provided the Iraqi security forces to the fight.

"Jointly with ISF, and the citizens of Baqouba, we are beginning to root out al- Qaida operatives and safely neutralize their traps."
--Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek
The weeks ahead are absolutely key in not only holding and retaining the ground that is cleared in partnership with Coalition Forces (CF), but also in building trust and confidence with the citizens of Diyala.”

In support of the operation, attack helicopters from 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Squadron, 82nd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion provided assistance to Iraqi and Coalition ground forces, killing at least 13 al-Qaida operatives and destroying an al Qaeda compound during the second day of the operation.

“Over the last three days, the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade has provided Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition infantrybrigade combat teams, attack, scout and transportation helicopters. These assets give Coalition and Iraqi ground forces the added support they need to eliminate or contain al Qaeda during operation Arrowhead Ripper in Baqouba,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Baker, deputy commanding officer, 25th CAB.

In a separate engagement, CF soldiers discovered an empty school complex rigged with explosives in Baqouba, the capital city of Diyala province, Thursday, during Operation Arrowhead Ripper.

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment discovered the booby-trapped school complex. An investigation of the area determined the school and surrounding buildings had been abandoned.

CF had to destroy the school due to risk to the community. CF were unable to disable the explosives because of instability. Ground forces effectively coordinated a precisions guided munitions strike and successfully destroyed the school-borne IED.
There were no civilian injuries or deaths as a result of this action.

“Jointly with ISF, and the citizens of Baqouba, we are beginning to root out al- Qaida operatives and safely neutralize their traps,” said Bednarek.

As Arrowhead Ripper continued through June 21, at least 51 al Qaeda operatives have been killed, with 20 al Qaeda operatives detained, seven weapons caches discovered, 21 improvised explosive devices destroyed and nine booby-trapped structures destroyed.
Note: Arrowhead Ripper is one operation in a drive to take on insurgents in the towns and villages ringing Baghdad. Operation Marne Torch, southeast of Baghdad, and offensives in Anbar province, the Sunni-dominated region west of Baghdad, are also targeting militants living in villages there.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Global Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,

Maintain THE TENSION, visit the online store:
THE TENSION EXCHANGE

Shop Today's Deals at Amazon.com and Save!
Buy.com's Deal of the Day! A Different Product Every Day.

Labels:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Combat Camera: Operation Commando Eagle

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Col. Ali Jassem, commander of the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division (forth from right) expresses his guidance to his commanders and staff as well as the advisors of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) during the rehearsal for Operation Commando Eagle June 19, 2007. The operation was a combined air assault and ground attack into a known al-Qaida safe haven, south west of Baghdad, in Radwaniyah. Upon completion of the operation, the IA and coalition forces had detained 32 individuals and confiscated multiple caches of weapons and bomb making materials. Photographer: Maj. Webster Wright, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Col. Ali Jassem, commander of the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division (forth from right) Listens intently as his staff and the advisors of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) conduct the rehearsal of Operation Commando Eagle June 19, 2007. The operation was a combined air assault and ground attack into a known al-Qaida safe haven, south west of Baghdad, in Radwaniyah. Upon completion of the operation, the IA and coalition forces had detained 32 individuals and confiscated multiple caches of weapons and bomb making materials. Photographer: Maj. Webster Wright, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
A staff officer from 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division briefs the operational plan to his brigade and advisors of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) during the rehearsal for Operation Commando Eagle June 19, 2007. The operation was a combined air assault and ground attack into a known al Qaida safe haven, south west of Baghdad, in Radwaniyah. Upon completion of the operation, the IA and coalition forces had detained 32 individuals and confiscated multiple caches of weapons and bomb making materials. Photographer: Maj. Webster Wright, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Col. Ali Jassem, commander of the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division (forth from right) expresses his guidance to his commanders, staff and jundis of his brigade as during the rehearsal for Operation Commando Eagle June 19, 2007. The operation was a combined air assault and ground attack into a known al-Qaida safe haven, south west of Baghdad, in Radwaniyah. Upon completion of the operation, the IA and coalition forces had detained 32 individuals and confiscated multiple caches of weapons and bomb making materials. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Bill Warner, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div.)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
Col. Ali Jassem, commander of the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division (forth from right) expresses his guidance to his commanders, staff and jundis of his brigade as during the rehearsal for Operation Commando Eagle June 19, 2007. The operation was a combined air assault and ground attack into a known al-Qaida safe haven, south west of Baghdad, in Radwaniyah. Upon completion of the operation, the IA and coalition forces had detained 32 individuals and confiscated multiple caches of weapons and bomb making materials. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Bill Warner, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div.)

MULTIMEDIA

Video: Commando Eagle
B-roll of Operation Commando Eagle, a joint U.S.-Iraqi operation geared toward curbing terrorist activity southwest of Baghdad. Scenes include U.S. and Iraqi soldiers getting briefed on their mission, approaching houses which local citizens indicated were by used by Al Qaeda cells and searching the houses. Produced by Pvt. Jon Cano.

OPERATION COMMANDO EAGLE STARTS OFF STRONG
6/21/2007

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq (CENTCOM) -- A joint operation geared toward curbing terrorist activity southwest of Baghdad is yielding results almost immediately.

Operation Commando Eagle, a mix of helicopter-borne air assaults and Humvee-mounted movements, included Soldiers from several battalions of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., and the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.

The operation, which began today, targeted a series of houses which local citizens indicated were being used by al-Qaeda cells to intimidate them and launch attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

Troops of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, detained three men when their truck was found to contain documents requesting rockets as well as a spool of copper wire, commonly used to build improvised explosive devices.

Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, IA Division found a cache containing four AK-47s, a 60mm mortar tube with three rounds, an SKS rigged with sniper optics, three bolt-action rifles, a camcorder with tapes, a roll of copper wire, 20 homemade grenades, four ski masks, 75 CDs of propaganda and terror techniques instructing methods to commit kidnappings and to shoot down coalition helicopters, and various other IED-making materials.

Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd BCT discovered multiple series of caches during the operation.

The first cache complex contained five AK-47s with three magazines, a roll of IED wire and a shotgun.

A second cache included seven AK-47s.

The third complex included an anti-tank mine, an anti-personnel mine, two rocket propelled grenade rounds, an RPG launcher and multiple pounds of TNT.

Task Force 2-15 detained 16 individuals.

Company A, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment detained nine men and Troop B, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment detained four, all wanted for terrorist attacks or for possessing illegal weapons.

Commando Eagle was named after the 2nd BCT, known as the Commandos, and the 4th Bde, 6th IA, called the Baghdad Eagles.

The caches were seized and disposed of.

The individuals are being held for questioning.
More Combat Camera Images on THE TENSION

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Global Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,

Maintain THE TENSION, visit the online store:
THE TENSION EXCHANGE

Shop Today's Deals at Amazon.com and Save!
Buy.com's Deal of the Day! A Different Product Every Day.

Labels:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Video: Arrowhead Ripper Continues

VIDEO EXPIRED


Gates, Pace Discuss Spike in Iraq Violence
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, June 21, 2007 -- The spike in violence and the increase in the number of U.S. servicemembers killed in Iraq is tied to the new strategy that involves rooting insurgents out from their hiding places, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today.

"The reason for the spike in violence is that ... our troops and the Iraqi troops are going into areas where they haven't been for some time, and they anticipated that there would be a high level of combat as they did that," Gates said during Pentagon news conference with Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The two men, speaking at a Pentagon news conference, said with the final U.S. brigade now in place in Baghdad, that U.S. and Iraqi security personnel now have the numbers needed to hold a neighborhood that has been cleared.

The offensive in Baghdad has been underway only a few days, Gates said. He said Army Gen. David Petraeus told him there would be tough fighting at the beginning of operations.

"We certainly hope and pray that that level of casualties will not be sustained, it will not continue, but they are in the middle of a battle, and we just will have to deal with that," the secretary said.

Pace said that the operations in Baghdad are providing the time the Iraqi government will need to pass laws that benefit all Iraqis and provide economic incentives to all.

"This is the right thing to do," Pace said. "Later on this summer we'll get some input or some feedback from both General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker and be able to make recommendations to the president."

Gates addressed a question dealing with the 15-month deployment for soldiers. He said that if the current manning level is needed for an extended period of time, then the Army may have to break the 15-month deployment for active duty personnel.

"That's a worst-case scenario, and I don't anticipate having to move to that," Gates said. "Our policy is 15 months. We extended beyond 12 months reluctantly and only to ensure that every soldier ... got at least a year at home.

The secretary hopes the Army can move back to 12 months deployed, 12 months at home, and "then to our eventual goal, which is 12 months deployed and two years at home."

Both Gates and Pace deferred to the experience of those on the ground in Iraq as far as negotiating with Sunni groups to become part of the political process in the country. "Trying to get more of the people who have been shooting to stop shooting and work with us I think is really the pathway forward in terms of accomplishing our objective and getting them to work with the Iraqi government," Gates said.

Bringing sheikhs, tribal leaders and former insurgents in to the process has worked well in Anbar province, Pace said, adding that in addition to Al Anbar, there are about 130 sheikhs in the Tikrit area who have banded together to fight against al Qaeda.

"Is there risk involved with arming groups with whom you've been fighting before? Yes. But I think the greater risk is in not seizing the opportunities as they become available, and as individuals and groups determine that they are willing to team with the Iraqi central government, that they no longer want to be cowered by the al Qaeda, for example, that we should seize those opportunities and work with them and try to get the Iraqi family to pull together," Pace said.

The general said that the number of contacts with the enemy has remained relatively constant - between five and seven contacts per day per brigade. He said the enemy is reaching out to launch attacks on American troops, and improvised explosive device attacks that killed 12 U.S. troops are the type of attacks the enemy wants to inflict.

"When you look at the trend of June compared to May, it's not as high in June as it was in May," Pace said. "However, every death is significant to us, and our enemy knows that it's significant to us."

Pace predicted the enemy will continue to launch more attacks.

"We can expect that our enemy is going to want to impact the psyche here in the United States with regard to the number of significant incidents that they're able to pull off and the total numbers of casualties that they're able to produce," he said. "So it is an expectation that this surge is going to result in more contact and therefore more casualties."
More Combat Camera Images on THE TENSION

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Global Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,

Maintain THE TENSION, visit the online store:
THE TENSION EXCHANGE

Shop Today's Deals at Amazon.com and Save!
Buy.com's Deal of the Day! A Different Product Every Day.

Labels:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Combat Camera: US, Iraqi Soldiers Search for Contraband

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
U.S. Army Spc. Jason DeTeso of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division works with an Iraqi soldier to find contraband during a joint mission with the Iraq army on a mission in south Baqubah, Iraq on June 11, 2007. Photographer: Senior Airman Steve Czyz, Joint Combat Camera Center

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
U.S. Army Sgt. Antwon Monroe of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division works with an interpreter to question local nationals during a joint mission with the Iraq army on a mission in south Baqubah, Iraq on June 11, 2007. Photographer: Senior Airman Steve Czyz, Joint Combat Camera Center

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ric Ortega of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division looks at his map during a joint mission with the Iraq Army on a mission in south Baqubah, Iraq on June 11, 2007. Photographer: Senior Airman Steve Czyz, Joint Combat Camera Center

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
U.S. Army Soldiers of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division search and talk with local nationals during a joint mission with the Iraq Army on a mission in south Baqubah, Iraq on June 11, 2007. Photographer: Senior Airman Steve Czyz, Joint Combat Camera Center

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Luke Conway of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division keeps an eye out for anything suspicious while on a mission in south Baqubah, Iraq on June 11, 2007. Photographer: Senior Airman Steve Czyz, Joint Combat Camera Center

More Combat Camera Images on THE TENSION

Maintain THE TENSION, visit the online store:
THE TENSION EXCHANGE

Shop Today's Deals at Amazon.com and Save!
Buy.com's Deal of the Day! A Different Product Every Day.

Labels:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Video: Arrowhead Ripper


It's day two of Operation Arrowhead Ripper in northern Iraq.
Link: Arrowhead Ripper

Video: No One In, No One Out
B-roll of U.S. Soldiers during a lock-down of Baqubah as part of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. Scenes include Soldiers burning reeds to uncover weapons caches, searching homes at night and Soldiers searching Iraqi civilians. A Soldier is briefly interviewed at the end. Produced by Spc. Justin Puetz.

More Combat Camera Images on THE TENSION

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Global Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,

Maintain THE TENSION, visit the online store:
THE TENSION EXCHANGE

Shop Today's Deals at Amazon.com and Save!
Buy.com's Deal of the Day! A Different Product Every Day.

Labels:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Combat Camera: More From Talisman Saber 07 (Pg. 3)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (June 21, 2007) - Marines keep watch for "non-friendly forces" as part of exercise Talisman Saber 2007. This biennial exercise, designed to enhance the combat readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Australian military forces, is conducted in Australia and focuses on crisis action planning and execution of contingency response operations. It is the largest joint/combined training exercise in the region consisting of more than 20,000 U.S. and 7,500 Australian personnel conducting land, sea and air operations. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (June 21, 2007) - A Marine keeps watch for "non-friendly forces" as part of exercise Talisman Saber 2007. This biennial exercise, designed to enhance the combat readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Australian military forces, is conducted in Australia and focuses on crisis action planning and execution of contingency response operations. It is the largest joint/combined training exercise in the region consisting of more than 20,000 U.S. and 7,500 Australian personnel conducting land, sea and air operations. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
CORAL SEA (June 20, 2007) - Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Jose J. Camacho, left, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling Airman Johnathan W. Rush release the chalks off of an AH-1 Cobra during deck landing qualifications aboard amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD 10). Juneau is participating in Exercise Talisman Saber 07 (TS07), a U.S. and Australian lead Joint Task Force operation to prepare our militaries for crisis action planning and execution of contingency operations. TS07 is designed to maintain a high level of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces demonstrating the U.S. and Australian commitment to our military alliance and regional security. Juneau is homeported in Sasebo, Japan. Juneau is homeported in Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Gomez (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
CORAL SEA (June 20, 2007) - Sailors practice baton striking skills using a "red man" training gear, aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Twelve Kitty Hawk Sailors are undergoing a three-week training course to become members of the ship's force protection team. Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group is participating in exercise Talisman Saber 2007 in the Coral Sea near the coast of Australia. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
CORAL SEA (June 20, 2007) - Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1651 transits 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) personnel to amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD 10) during the recovery of the LCU. Juneau is participating in Exercise Talisman Saber 07 (TS07), a U.S. and Australian lead Joint Task Force operation to prepare our militaries for crisis action planning and execution of contingency operations. TS07 is designed to maintain a high level of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces demonstrating the U.S. and Australian commitment to our military alliance and regional security. Juneau is homeported in Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Gomez (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (June 20, 2007) - Australian army paratroopers assigned to the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, kick off exercise Talisman Saber 2007 (TS07) as they descend upon Kapyong airfield inside the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area. TS07, designed to enhance the combat readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Australian military forces, is conducted in Australia and focuses on crisis action planning and execution of contingency response operations. This biennial event is the largest-ever joint/combined training exercise in the region consisting of more than 20,000 U.S. and 7,500 Australian personnel conducting land, sea and air evolutions. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mark A. Rankin (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
CORAL SEA (June 20, 2007) - Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Francis Falguera practices knee-kicking techniques on a target shield held by Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Charles Gibbs aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Twelve Kitty Hawk Sailors are undergoing a three-week training course to become members of the ship's force protection team. The USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group is participating in exercise Talisman Saber 2007 in the Coral Sea near the coast of Australia. Kitty Hawk left Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, May 23 on its summer deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (June 20, 2007) - Medics assigned to the Australian Defense Force, 1st Health Support Battalion, simulate treatment for a gunshot wound at the field hospital in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area Training Area, during exercise Talisman Saber 2007 (TS07). TS07 is a biennial field training exercise held between U.S. and Australian forces to demonstrates the U.S. and Australian commitment to our military alliance and to regional security while maintaining a high level of interoperability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (June 20, 2007) - Soldiers assigned to the Australian Defense Force, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, maneuver from Sabina Point at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, following an amphibious beach landing exercise during exercise Talisman Saber 2007 (TS07). TS07 is a biennial field training exercise held between U.S. and Australian forces to demonstrates the U.S. and Australian commitment to our military alliance and to regional security while maintaining a high level of interoperability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
PACIFIC OCEAN (June 20, 2007) - Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) load retrograde onto pallets during a night time connected replenishment with Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199). Stethem is operating with the Kitty Hawk Strike Group participating in Talisman Saber 07, an exercise designed to maintain a high level of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces and demonstrate the U.S. and Australian commitment to our military alliance and regional security. Stethem is part of the Forward Deployed Naval Force stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Danny Ewing Jr. (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (June 19, 2007) - Cpl. Eugene Sampson, assigned to the Australian Defense Force, 176th Air Dispatch Squadron, radios to their command and control center using a satellite phone prior to an air insertion exercise for 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, during exercise Talisman Saber 2007 (TS07). TS07 is a biennial U.S. and Australian-led Joint Task Force exercise designed to prepare both nations for crisis action planning and execution of contingency operations. TS07 maintains a high level of interoperability between both forces, demonstrating commitment to regional security and the U.S. and Australian military alliance. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE
CORAL SEA (June 19, 2007) - Marines assigned to 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade prepare to load into a CH-53E Super Stallion, attached to the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 265, on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The onload kicked off the field training phase of exercise Talisman Saber 2007 (TS 07). TS07 is a biennial U.S. and Australian-led Joint Task Force exercise designed to prepare both nations for crisis action planning and execution of contingency operations. TS07 maintains a high level of interoperability between both forces, demonstrating commitment to regional security and the U.S. and Australian military alliance. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ty Swartz (RELEASED)

ALSO SEE
Talisman Saber 07
More From Talisman Saber 07
More From Talisman Saber 07 (Pg. 2)

More Combat Camera Images on THE TENSION

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Global Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,

Maintain THE TENSION, visit the online store:
THE TENSION EXCHANGE

Shop Today's Deals at Amazon.com and Save!
Buy.com's Deal of the Day! A Different Product Every Day.

Labels:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button