Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Publishing Interruptions

I'll be relocating throughout the week of March 16 - March 22.

The move will impact normal blog publishing for the next few days until I install a network and get situated in my new digs.

Thanks for being a part of THE TENSION!

Respectfully,
Steve Moyer
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President Bush Marks Five-Year Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom

News in Balance
President George W. Bush shakes hands with servicemembers after a delivering a speech March 19, 2008, at the Pentagon concerning his view on the progress of the global war on terrorism on the fifth anniversary of the start of coalition operations in Iraq. (Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess.)

News in Balance:

UPDATED WITH FULL TRANSCRIPT

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2008 (AFPS) -- President Bush reflected on the triumphs and tragedies of the Iraq war today, five years after the U.S. ousted Saddam Hussein and roughly one year after a troop surge helped to tamp down violence there.

In the midst of what he referred to as an “understandable debate” over the merits of war and the prospects of U.S. victory, Bush expressed confidence in Operation Iraqi Freedom during a speech at the Pentagon.

“The answers are clear to me,” he said. “Removing Saddam Hussein from power was the right decision, and this is a fight America can and must win.”

Since tens of thousands of U.S. troops poured across Iraq’s border five years ago, 12 million Iraqis have defied terrorism and cast votes in free Iraqi elections. But meanwhile, progress has been undermined by brutal al Qaeda attacks against innocent civilians, the president said.

“We have watched in horror as al Qaeda beheaded innocent captives and sent suicide bombers to blow up mosques and markets,” he said. “Defeating this enemy in Iraq will make it less likely we’ll face this enemy here at home.”

Bush conceded the war has been costly -- both in terms of its price tag and human casualties. As of January, Operation Iraqi Freedom had cost $416 billion, a Pentagon spokesman said. To date, 3,988 U.S. servicemembers have died in Iraq, and 29,395 have been wounded, according to the latest Defense Department statistics.

“No one would argue that this war has not come at a high cost in lives and treasure,” the president said. “But those costs are necessary when we consider the cost of a strategic victory for our enemies in Iraq.”

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

Related: Transcript

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Forces Kill Enemy Fighters in Khowst Province, Afghanistan

Dispatches from the Front

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, March 19, 2008 (AFPS) -- A coalition military operation in Afghanistan’s Khowst province today resulted in several enemy fighters being killed, but also claimed the lives of two innocent civilians, military officials here reported.

Fighting erupted when coalition forces were searching compounds in the Nadar Shahkot district, targeting a militant named Bismullah, who is known for conducting improvised-explosive-device attacks and weapons facilitation operations.

“Several armed militants, two of whom were barricaded in a building, opened fire on coalition forces after they entered the compound,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a coalition forces spokesman. “Coalition forces returned fire, killing Bismullah, his brother Rahim Jan, as well as several other armed militants.”

Rahim Jan is believed to have conducted IED attacks and weapons facilitation operations along with Bismullah, Belcher added.

After the battle, coalition forces found a dead woman in a building from which one of the barricaded militants had fired on them. They found a dead child in another building where another barricaded militant was killed.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased woman and child,” Belcher said. “Coalition forces take every possible precaution to ensure the safety of noncombatants during the conduct of operations. It is regrettable that militants continue to place innocent lives at risk simply to further their own agendas.”

Coalition forces found and detained two men with suspected ties to IED and weapons facilitation operations while continuing their search.

(From a Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release.)

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Forces in Iraq Kill Two Suspected Terrorists, Detain Dozens

Dispatches from the Front

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2008 (AFPS) -- Coalition forces killed two suspected terrorists and detained dozens of others in recent days during operations to disrupt al Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq, military officials reported.

In today’s operations:
  • In Baghdad, coalition forces captured an alleged al Qaeda operative believed to be part of the network distributing homemade explosives and related products throughout the country. The ground forces detained two additional suspects at the scene.

  • An alleged weapons facilitator and an associate were captured north of Samarra. The targeted individual allegedly has been stockpiling weapons for the last month.

  • Coalition forces targeted alleged associates of al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in Taji and Baqouba, capturing two wanted individuals and detaining six suspected terrorists. In Baqouba, they discovered a building containing homemade explosives, wires, markings and other indications it was being booby-trapped. The ground forces destroyed the building to prevent future use for terrorist activity.

In other recent operations:
  • In Mosul, coalition forces detained four individuals with suspected ties to terrorist leaders in the area in operations yesterday and today.

  • Coalition forces were approaching a targeted al Qaeda in Iraq propaganda network southwest of Samarra yesterday when several occupants refused to follow instructions to come out. Coalition troops perceived hostile intent from the resistors and engaged them, killing two and wounding two others, who were detained, officials said. In addition to the wounded, coalition troops detained 11 other suspected terrorists and seized hidden weapons and media materials at the scene.

  • In Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted suspect believed to be part of a homemade explosives facilitation ring and to have terrorist connections in the region. The ground forces also captured two additional suspected terrorists.

  • Coalition forces continued to target terrorist leaders in the Mosul area, capturing an alleged al Qaeda in Iraq leader for the network operating in eastern Mosul and another suspect.

  • A coalition operation in northwestern Iraq netted three suspected terrorists, including one who allegedly helps to move foreign terrorist fighters into Iraq. Further east, coalition forces targeted a suspected al Qaeda in Iraq operative in the Hamrin Mountains region and detained two suspected terrorists.

  • On March 17, coalition troops apprehended 17 suspected terrorists while targeting al Qaeda in Iraq leaders during operations in the Tigris River Valley.

  • An Iraqi citizen on March 17 led soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team to two weapons caches in the Shaka 3 region. The caches included nearly 100 mortar rounds, more than a dozen mortar fuses, a rocket launcher and four chlorine tanks. An explosive ordnance disposal team from Forward Operating Base Kalsu destroyed the weapons.

  • On March 16, Iraqi soldiers discovered a weapons cache of explosives east of Balad. The cache included ammonium nitrate, more than a dozen mortar shells, several pounds of homemade explosives, several weapons and materials for making improvised explosive devices.

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

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President Bush Marks Five-Year Anniversary in Iraq

News in Balance
U.S. President George W. Bush pauses at the Pentagon in Washington March 19, 2008 during his remarks on the fifth anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2008 (AFPS) -- President Bush reflected on the triumphs and tragedies of the Iraq war today, five years after the U.S. ousted Saddam Hussein and roughly one year after a troop surge helped to tamp down violence there.

In the midst of what he referred to as an “understandable debate” over the merits of war and the prospects of U.S. victory, Bush expressed confidence in Operation Iraqi Freedom during a speech at the Pentagon.

“The answers are clear to me,” he said. “Removing Saddam Hussein from power was the right decision, and this is a fight America can and must win.”

Since tens of thousands of U.S. troops poured across Iraq’s border five years ago, 12 million Iraqis have defied terrorism and cast votes in free Iraqi elections. But meanwhile, progress has been undermined by brutal al Qaeda attacks against innocent civilians, the president said.

“We have watched in horror as al Qaeda beheaded innocent captives and sent suicide bombers to blow up mosques and markets,” he said. “Defeating this enemy in Iraq will make it less likely we’ll face this enemy here at home.”

Bush conceded the war has been costly -- both in terms of its price tag and human casualties. As of January, Operation Iraqi Freedom had cost $416 billion, a Pentagon spokesman said. To date, 3,988 U.S. servicemembers have died in Iraq, and 29,395 have been wounded, according to the latest Defense Department statistics.

“No one would argue that this war has not come at a high cost in lives and treasure,” the president said. “But those costs are necessary when we consider the cost of a strategic victory for our enemies in Iraq.”

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

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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Operation Iraqi Children; Troops Help Kids

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Master Sgt. Steve Veteto, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division and an Iraqi army soldier work together to fix a desk at the Northern Said Abdullah school near Mahmudiyah, March 13. Soldiers from Battery A, 3-320th FA, and 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th IA Division worked to fix up desks and classrooms at the school and delivered 500 school supply packets courtesy of Operation Iraqi Children. (U.S. Army photo/Capt. Brian Murphy.)

Dispatches from the Front:

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq, March 18, 2008 -- With the help of Operation Iraqi Children, Red Knight Rakkasans and their Iraqi army counterparts delivered school supplies to students at a newly-renovated school in Mahmudiyah, March 13.

Soldiers from Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division and 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th IA Division delivered the supplies to the Northern Said Abdullah school.

The Soldiers distributed 500 school supply packets, 200 children’s backpacks and one set of soccer goals and nets, all donated by Operation Iraqi Children.

Operation Iraqi Children was founded in 2004 by actors Gary Sinise of “Forrest Gump” fame and Laura Hillenbrand, who starred in “Seabiscuit: An American Legend.” To date, OIC has donated 83 shipments of school supplies totaling more than 200,000 school supply kits, thousands of backpacks and pairs of shoes, 50 pallets of sports equipment and more than half a million toys to military units in Iraq.

Battery A and their IA counterparts recently led a project to repair the Northern Said Abdullah school, located a few miles northwest of Mahmudiyah. With the help of a local contractor, they drew up a list of priorities, including painting, fixing the bathrooms and repairing desks.

A week prior to the event, the contractor went to work on the school’s plumbing and painting. On the day of the supply distribution, 46 Rakkasans and 21 IA Soldiers spent the morning repairing desks and cleaning up rubble.

Capt. Ryan Mayfield, commander of Battery A, said the students and teachers’ reaction to the project was one of excitement and gratitude. This was the first venture of its kind completed by Soldiers in the area, said Mayfield, adding that education is one of their highest-priority projects.

“This project was successful not only because it addressed a significant need for the local people, but because it was a combined effort,” Mayfield said. “This strengthened the relationship between not just coalition forces and Iraqis, but also between the Iraqi army and the Sunni tribe members. It met a need and improved security in the area.”

The remainder of the six pallets that the Red Knights received from OIC will be distributed over the next several months.

To learn more about OIC, visit the organization’s website at: http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/.

(Story by Capt. Allison Flannigan, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.)

Related Site: Operation Iraqi Children

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U.S., Russians Agree to Strategic Framework Draft

Focus on Defense
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discuss issues at the Kremlin in Moscow, March 17, 2008. (Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison.)

Focus on Defense:

MOSCOW, March 18, 2008 (AFPS) -- After two days of intense talks here, U.S. and Russian officials have agreed to a draft of a “strategic framework” document that will hopefully guide the two sides through dealing with tough issues such as a European missile defense plan.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presented the draft to Russian President Vladimir Putin and their Russian counterparts at the start of their talks yesterday and have since been hammering out its details.

The document contains about a dozen initiatives, many which are already in the works between the two countries, but it also contains missile defense and strategic arms reduction treaty initiatives -- two most contentious points between the two countries.

“We had the opportunity to elaborate on a number of confidence building measures and measures for transparency to provide assurance to the Russian Republic that our missile sites and radars would not constitute a threat to Russia,” Gates said in mid-day press conference with Rice and Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov and Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov.

“I think both President Putin [yesterday] and our Russian colleagues today found these ideas useful and important … and they will be studying them further,” Gates said.

The bulk of the effort the past two days was working through the missile defense and strategic arms reduction treaty topics, said a senior U.S. official later, speaking on background.

Gates was on hand to clarify some points in the initiatives that were thought to be mistaken or misunderstood by the Russian leaders. Officials worked through the document paragraph by paragraph and an edited document derived from the talks will be delivered to the Russians before the secretaries leave tomorrow. Their leaders have promised to have their experts “analyze” it, the official said.

“I think based on the discussions we’ve had in the last 24 hours, we feel like we’ve moved the ball forward here in Moscow,” the official said.

This is not the first time U.S. officials have put their ideas in writing for the Russians. In the first of these talks officials agreed to submit their proposals in writing. Lower-level U.S. and Russian officials have met about a half-dozen times in the past year. But this document is collective, collaborative and aimed at reconstructing a relationship that was sliding downward on tough issues, obscuring in part the issues that the two countries were making progress, the official said.

The official said the United States wanted “to capture those areas where we have made progress and try to frame up those where we have differences in a larger context which includes all the progress.”

Also, with each iteration of the document, levels of detail are added to the complex agreements, the official said.

Russian officials agreed that the United States was working to assuage their fears that the proposed missile defense sites planed for Poland and the Czech Republic will not become a threat to their country. They also agreed that it is important to maintain continuity while both administrations transitioning its top leadership in the next several months.

But, Russia’s Defense Minister finished the talks by reiterating their current stand on the U.S. proposal.

“In principle our positions have not changed,” Serdyukov said. “We can say that we have a lot of work to do but we need to see these proposals to look at them, to understand them, and then, following the work at the expert level, we’ll make a decision on how to move forward.”

The Russian foreign minister also said that the best way to allay their concerns would be to not build the missile defense sites. But he also said that the proposal would be sent to Putin once they are reviewed.

“While not agreeing with us on substantial issues, they [the U.S.] recognize that we have these concerns and they put forward proposals aimed at allaying or making these concerns [minor],” Lavrov said.

Because of the Russians’ concerns about the missile defense plan and a strategic arms treaty, getting them to allow those items into the strategic framework document is in itself progress, a senior U.S. official said.

“No one on either side expected dramatic breakthroughs. But we were pleased by the progress we made. A lot of work remains but it was a productive day-and-a-half of talks,” the senior official said. “This is realistically what we hoped for.”

Secretary Rice said at the news conference that the two countries had good discussions even on the tough issues.

“We have agreed on the elements that will be included in the document and have made considerable progress on a number of them,” Rice said.

“We have work to do but I think it is fair to say that U.S.-Russian relations … [are] proceeding in a way that we are able to go forward in various areas of cooperation and when we have differences we can talk about them in an atmosphere of mutual respect,” Rice said.

Gates, in coming to the talks, was very vocal about expecting the Russians to be responsive to the United States’ efforts to allay their fears about the missile defense system.

“I would say that they listened very carefully. President Putin took extensive notes and obviously there was a lot done during the day today,” Gates said. “… I would expect and hope that we would hear back from them reasonably quickly.”

A senior U.S. official later said that he expected to be back negotiating with the Russians in less than six months.

“There’s grounds for much more rapid follow up work,” he said. “We’ve really set the stage with these talks here.”

(Story by Fred W. Baker III, American Forces Press Service.)

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Troops in Iraq Nab 'High-Value Target' During Night Raid

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A U.S. Army cavalry scout from rushes toward a house during a night raid Narhwan, Iraq, March 16, 2008. During the raid, soldiers of Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, cleared three houses and detained four individuals, including a "high-value target." (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ben Hutto.)

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Capt. Jared Albright, commander of Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, searches a building during a night raid in Narhwan, Iraq, March 16. During the raid, Troop B cleared three houses and detained four individuals, including a man designated as a "high-value target." (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ben Hutto.)

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2008 (AFPS) -- U.S. soldiers captured an individual designated a “high-value target” for his role in several improvised explosive device attacks during a raid in Narhwan, Iraq, March 16.

Coalition forces also suspect the individual of smuggling weapons and explosives to several criminal groups throughout Iraq.

“The target was a really bad guy,” said 1st Lt. James Self, a platoon leader in Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. “It’s a very good thing that he is off the streets. His capture not only makes Narhwan a safer place, it makes Iraq, as a whole, safer.”

During the raid, scouts from the unit, currently attached to 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, cleared three houses during and detained three men for questioning, in addition to the target.

Soldiers uncovered a small cache in the target’s home containing an AK-47 assault rifle, two shotguns, a bayonet and a small quantity of small arms ammunition.

“Everything went perfectly,” said Capt. Jared Albright, Troop B commander. “Our guys did everything according to plan and it went exactly as we rehearsed it.”

The earlier this month, Troop B detained another high-value target in a raid outside of Narhwan.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve done this,” said Staff Sgt. Denis Pettitt, the troop’s operations noncommissioned officer. “On average, we’ve been capturing about one high-value target a month, so our guys know what do.”

Troop B is mainly comprised of scouts serving their first deployment, but the troop’s performance hasn’t suffered due to lack of experience.

“Our new guys have performed well,” Pettitt said. “Part of that has to do with our NCOs. They keep our guys calm and have done a good job getting them ready for those situations. They stay calm and haven’t gotten a big head about our successes.”

(Story by Spc. Ben Hutto, USA, Special to American Forces Press Service.)

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Captured Terrorists Reveal al Qaeda Recruiting Process

Bloggers' Roundtable
FILE PHOTO - Detainees at the coalition detention facility at Camp Cropper in February 2008. More than 4,000 detainees are in the care and custody of coalition forces at Camp Cropper. (Department of Defense photo/Spc. Michael V. May)

Bloggers' Roundtable:

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2008 (AFPS) -- Information culled from 48 foreign fighters in custody of Multinational Force Iraq yields a profile for al Qaeda foreign terrorists, a senior military official said yesterday.

When analyzed, officials found that foreign terrorists had comparable recruitment stories, including why they joined al Qaeda and what they did once they were smuggled into Iraq, said Air Force Col. Donald Bacon, chief of special operations and intelligence information for Multinational Force Iraq. Bacon spoke with online journalists and “bloggers” during a conference call.

All of the captured or surrendered foreign terrorists were single men, and they averaged 22 years of age. Most worked blue-collar jobs and had little-to-no education or military experience, Bacon said.

All the foreign terrorists came from large families, and standing out was a prime motivator for joining al Qaeda. However, Bacon said, interrogators were interested to find that while foreign fighters said they joined al Qaeda to “make their mark,” most were reluctant to tell their families for fear of disapproval.

Multinational Force Iraq interrogators also discovered that al Qaeda misled recruits about the situation in Iraq.

“The overwhelming point from the 48 (foreign terrorists in custody) is they came to Iraq expecting to see Americans get killed, yet what they primarily saw was Iraqis getting killed, and it bothered them,” Bacon said. “They did not come to kill Iraqis.”

He said the foreign fighters were discouraged to find the expectations al Qaeda instilled in them were not reality upon arriving in Iraq. They came to Iraq expecting to see al Qaeda victorious instead of being defeated, he said.

Multinational Force Iraq officials learned from the foreign terrorists that al Qaeda recruiters prey on young men they deem to be impressionable and lonely, Bacon said. They target recruits at mosques or at their jobs.

“In all cases, the recruiter offered friendship and also offered to teach the future foreign terrorist the basics of Islam … and that’s how the relationship started,” he explained.

The foreign fighters revealed that they are usually flown into the airport in Damascus, Syria, and then they are smuggled into Iraq in a process that could take months, he said.

The fighters described their treatment from fellow al Qaeda members and Iraqis as harsh upon their arrival in Iraq. They felt looked down upon by the Iraqis and feared revealing their foreign identity to locals, he said.

Additionally, he said, officials found out that most of the foreign terrorists had signed up to be fighters but were pressured by al Qaeda to become suicide bombers.

“They were told, ‘This is your duty. This is what we need you to do for the Jihad. You could be more useful as a suicide bomber than you could be a fighter. You’ll be a martyr and this is what we need you to do to win,’” he said.

Ninety percent of suicide bombings in Iraq are carried out by foreign terrorists, Bacon said, making them the most lethal of all insurgents.

“They produce the most destruction and cause the most civilian casualties,” he said.

Coalition forces are working with the Iraqi government to tighten border controls, and the number of foreign terrorists entering the country has been reduced to between 40 and 50 a month, compared to an estimated 120 entries in June, he explained.

(Story by Seaman William Selby, New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)

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U.S. Officials Condemn Yesterday's Suicide Bombing in Karbala

Dispatches from the Front
Iraqi security forces stand guard at the site of a suicide attack in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, central Iraq.

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2008 (AFPS) -- The U.S Embassy in Baghdad and Multinational Force Iraq today condemned the attack in Karbala that targeted civilians on their way to worship yesterday.

“We join the Iraqi people in expressing our condolences to the families of the victims in this barbaric attack, which bears all the markings of having been carried out by al Qaeda in Iraq,” a joint statement from the U.S. embassy and Multinational Force Iraq said.

Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces are working closely to ensure medical and humanitarian aid for the victims and to apprehend those responsible for the attack, the statement said.

Forty people were killed and at least 65 were wounded when a suicide bomber detonated a vest in Karbala about 6 p.m. local time, Multinational Corps Iraq reported. The attack took place just before evening prayer services on a busy street that heads toward the Imam Hussayn shrine, officials said.

Karbala police established security around the site, officials said. Iraqi security forces are continuing to investigate, and the identity of the attacker has not been confirmed.

Also in Iraq, Multinational Division Baghdad forces seized a weapons cache in southern Baghdad on March 14.

Soldiers from the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, seized pistols, a machinegun, two bludgeons, a sword, an assault rifle, hand grenades, 1.2 million dinar, $400, various ammunitions, magazines and military equipment while conducting a patrol in the capital's Doura neighborhood.

Explosive ordnance disposal personnel moved the weapons before destroying them to prevent collateral damage.

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

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U.S. Will Complete Mission, Cheney Tells Troops in Iraq

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U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney speaks to uniformed service members at Balad Air Base, Iraq, March 18. The vice president came to the base to visit deployed military men and women serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Photographer: Senior Airman Julianne Showalter, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing.)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2008 (AFPS) -- The United States intends to complete the mission in Iraq, Vice President Richard B. Cheney told troops there today, on the eve of Operation Iraqi Freedom’s fifth anniversary.

On the second day of a 10-day surprise visit to Iraq, the vice president vowed commitment to what he characterized as an ideological fight against violent extremists who prefer tyranny to democracy.

“Understanding all the dangers of this new era, we have no intention of abandoning our friends, or allowing this country of 170,000 square miles to become a staging area for further attacks against Americans,” Cheney told servicemembers at Balad Air Base.

“All Americans can be certain: We intend to complete the mission, so that another generation of Americans doesn't have to come back here and do it again,” he said.

On his second tour of post-Saddam Hussein Iraq, Cheney today noted significant security and governmental progress since his last visit, which came on the heels of a 33,000-troop surge designed to tamp down violence in Iraq and help prepare Iraq’s national forces to maintain security.

The deployment of the five additional combat brigades, which completed this time last year, coupled with an invigorated counterinsurgency effort has been considered by officials to be a largely successful U.S. strategic military shift.

“We made a surge in operations, and the results are now clear: more effective raids to root out enemies; better and more accurate intelligence information from the locals; and higher hopes for the future from the Iraqi people,” Cheney said. “And across this country, the more that Iraqis have gotten to know Americans -- the nature of our intentions, and the character of our soldiers -- the better they've felt about the United States of America.”

The vice president bestowed “greetings from home” and “good wishes” from President Bush, and praised troops for their distinguished work on one of the biggest and busiest U.S. bases in the country.

“I want you to know that we appreciate you and your comrades, that we never take you for granted, that we're inspired by the tremendous work you've done on this deployment,” he said. “On the president's behalf, I want to thank all of you for being part of an extraordinary American team here in Iraq.”

Cheney noted that servicemembers and military families alike -- especially during times of war -- understand the sacrifices that result from placing “service above self.” “So the next time you email your family members, please pass along my thanks to them, as well,” he added.

Tomorrow marks the five-year anniversary of when the U.S. invaded Iraq to “liberate this country from tyranny,” Cheney noted. “And we promised that we would stand by the Iraqi people as they built free institutions and took charge of their own destiny once again,” he said, adding that troops’ efforts provide the best chance for long-term Middle East stability.

“That war is not yet won -- but the day will come when terrorists and terror states are no longer a strategic threat to America,” Cheney continued. “And you, as veterans of this fight, will always be honored and respected for what you did to defend our country, and to defeat freedom's enemies.”

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

Related Posts:
Cheney in Iraq Ahead of Five-Year Anniversary of U.S.Operations
Cheney Says U.S. Must Stay in Iraq Until Job is Done

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Monday, March 17, 2008

Combat Camera: Senator John McCain on Deck, Surveys Iraq Progress

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Arizona Republican Senator John McCain greets local businessmen as he walks through the streets of Haditha City, Iraq. McCain visited Iraq to view the progress that has been made by the Iraqi people and coalition forces. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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The Provincial Governor of Ramadi, Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, tour through Haditha City, Iraq. Rashid and McCain toured the local area to view the progress that has been made. Rashid has worked extensively with the coalition forces to re-build the area's government structure. Area elections are scheduled in October, and Rashid is hopeful that great things will continue to happen in the Haditha Triad. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, toured through Haditha City, Iraq. McCain toured the local area to view the progress that has been made between coalition and Iraqi forces, as well as local government officials. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, tours through Haditha City, Iraq. McCain viewed the progress that has been made by coalition and Iraqi forces. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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The Provincial Governor of Ramadi, Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, speaks to local businessmen during a tour through Haditha City, Iraq. Rashid and McCain toured the local area to view progress that has been made. Rashid has worked extensively with coalition forces to re-build the area's government structure. Area elections are scheduled to be held in October, and Rashid is hopeful that great things will continue to happen in the Haditha Triad. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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The Provincial Governor of Ramadi, Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, speak to local businessmen during a tour through Haditha City, Iraq. Rashid and McCain toured the local area to view progress that has been made. Rashid has worked extensively with coalition forces to re-build the areas government structure. Area elections are scheduled to be held in October, and Rashid is hopeful that great things will continue to happen in the Haditha Triad. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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The Provincial Governor of Ramadi, Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, greet each other in Haditha City, Iraq. Together, they toured the area to see progress that has been made Iraqis and Coalition forces. The delegation, which also included South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, walked casually through the city streets without the aid of personal protective equipment to showcase the vastly improved conditions of the area. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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Arizona Republican Senator John McCain tours through Haditha City, Iraq. McCain toured Iraq to view progress made by coalition and Iraqi forces. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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Provincial Governor of Ramadi Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, greet local businessmen as they walk through streets of Haditha City, Iraq. The purpose of their visit was to view the progress that has been made by Iraqi people and coalition forces. Rashid greeted everyone in the city as area elections are scheduled to be held in October. Rashid has helped to build and strengthen the local governmental bodies of the Haditha Triad. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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Arizona Republican Senator John McCain meets with Amenah Al'a Thabit, 2, her mother Maha Muhamed Bandar and her father Al'a Thabit Fattah during a tour through Haditha City, Iraq. Amenah returned to the city March 7 after receiving a life-saving heart operation at Monroe Carell, Jr., Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

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Arizona Republican Senator John McCain visited with Amenah Al'a Thabit, her mother Maha Muhamed Bandar and her father Ala Thabit Fattah during a tour of Haditha City, Iraq March 16. Amenah returned to the city March 7 after receiving life-saving heart surgery at Monroe Carell, Jr., Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

Dispatches from the Front:

HADITHA CITY, Iraq, March 18, 2008 -- Presidential candidate and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and a delegation arrived March 16 in Haditha City, Iraq, to view the progress that has been made in the area.

The 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 showcased the vast changes that have occurred in recent times to the delegation.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and top coalition force leadership also accompanied McCain on the visit.

"We wanted to show the (delegation) the progress of the economy, structure improvements and the increased confidence of the people," said Master Sgt. Cortez L. Pree, 37, operation chief, 3rd Bn., 23rd Marines, who is from Texarkana, Ark.

Once the delegation arrived, they were escorted to a meeting with Ma'Moun Sami Rashid, the provincial governor, and other local governmental leaders. The group discussed the improvements that have been made in the area.

They spoke on topics concerning how well the coalition force leadership and Iraqi people are working together and on the continued improvement of the Iraqi government.

"Without our (coalition and Iraqi) commanders, we wouldn't have been able to have such a civilized place in Haditha now," said Rashid.

The delegation then boarded a military convoy and headed to the cities market place. A few years ago Haditha was the site of intense battles between coalition forces and insurgents.

"What we're about to see when we walk through the city streets is going to be simply amazing," said Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly, the commanding general of Multi-National Forces - West, to a member of the delegation.

"A year ago you couldn't come out here," said Graham, who visited Haditha last year. "What a turn around."

As the delegation walked through the cities' streets they spoke with Iraqi citizens about how well their leaders were doing and sampled local products.

"We are big supporters of Governor Ma'Moun," said a local businessman to McCain through an interpreter. "He's the reason why we have security now."

During the delegation's visit, words of acknowledgement were given to the Marines.
To each Marine he met, McCain told them, "Thank you for your service."

As the delegation prepared to depart, the members all commented on the vast improvements to Haditha.

"Everything was very impressive," said McCain.

(Story by Cpl. Shawn Coolman, Regimental Combat Team 5, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

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Nimitz and Essex Strike Groups Complete Expeditionary Strike Force Training

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 15, 2008) Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 repel from an HH-60H Seahawk assigned to the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 onto the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a routine training exercise. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is participating in an Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) exercise with the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Wagner (Released)

Focus on Defense:

USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) conducted an Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) exercise with the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) March 14-16.

The ESF training brought together the two strike groups to test their ability to plan and conduct multitask operations across a broad spectrum of naval disciplines.

"This training provided us the opportunity to refresh our skills in executing complex missions that require capabilities broader in scope than those provided by an individual strike group," said Rear Adm. Terry Blake, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11. "Successfully completing these training exercises ensures the ESF is ready to operate effectively as a joint maritime force to satisfy the broad array of 7th Fleet missions."

One of the benefits of ESF training is the preparation that it provides both strike groups.

"This enhances our ability in the future where a situation may come up and we're both deployed to the same area and we've practiced together," said Lt. Ryan Tashma, an operations officer from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, embarked aboard Nimitz. "There are things [the Essex ESG] do differently, and things we do differently from them. The fact that we get to exercise together now gives us the ability to interact in the future more seamlessly."

Participating in ESF training tests the ability of the participating ships to operate in a complex environment and hone their maritime skills. Consistent and continuous training allows the U.S. 7th Fleet to maintain readiness to accomplish assigned missions.

"Whether it's the type of capabilities that a Carrier Strike Group brings or the type of capabilities - which really is our Marines, Harriers, and helicopters - that an Expeditionary Strike Group brings, ESF training enhances our ability to operate effectively as a joint maritime force in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility," said Rear Adm. Carol Pottenger, commander, Amphibious Forces 7th Fleet.

The ESF training event was scheduled many months ago in order to coincide with the Nimitz CSG deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. The Essex ESG is on their spring patrol deployment and recently completed Exercise Balikatan 2008 with the Republic of the Philippines.

The two strike groups took advantage of their time together by practicing basic flight maneuvering, air defense and surface support mission exercises.

"We do close-air support exercises as well that simulate real world scenarios the ship may encounter," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Garcia, Carrier Air Wing 11 strike officer.

Coordinating the large number of ships and aircraft involved in the ESF exercise was a true "team effort," Tashma said.

"There were weeks of planning by the strike group staff, DESRON staff, ship's company, the air wing and [operations officers] from the different ships," Tashma said. "One of the big issues is, you've got our aircraft and you've got their aircraft and not a whole lot of actual air space. You have to really plan to make sure everyone's on the same page."

During Exercise Talisman Saber 2007, the Essex ESG worked with the Kitty Hawk CSG and the Australian navy, improving interoperability between the CSG and ESG as well as between the United States and Australia.

"Training that we do as an ESF is nothing new, it's training that we do each year," said Capt. Anthony Pachuta, commander, Amphibious Squadron 11.

This ESF exercise is the first for the Essex ESG since it began operating under the Navy's new guidelines for expeditionary strike groups, but it is the second multi-strike group training for the Nimitz CSG in less than a year. Last year the Nimitz CSG joined the Bonhomme Richard and the John C. Stennis Strike Groups to conduct ESF training in the Persian Gulf.

The Nimitz CSG is comprised of Commander, CSG 11, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz; its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11; embarked DESRON 23; the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59); the guided-missile destroyers USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), USS Higgins (DDG 76), and USS Chafee (DDG 90); Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 "Scorpions," HSL-37 "Easy Riders"; and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11.

CVW-11's squadrons include the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, the "Black Aces" of VFA-41, the "Sunliners" of VFA-81, the "Wallbangers" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117, the "Red Devils" of Marine Corps Strike Fighter Squadron 232, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Warfare Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6.

The Nimitz CSG departed on a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment Jan. 24.

Essex ESG departed Sasebo, Japan, for its annual spring patrol throughout the Western Pacific region, Jan. 24.

Essex is the lead ship of the only forward deployed U.S. ESG and serves as the flagship for Combined Task Force 76; the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. CTF-76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan with an operating detachment in Sasebo.

(Story by Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Ty Swartz, USS Essex Public Affairs and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexander Ameen, USS Nimitz Public Affairs.)

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