Gung Ho!

Main Entry: gung ho Pronunciation: 'g&[ng]-'hOFunction: adjective Etymology: Gung ho!, motto (interpreted as meaning "work together") adopted by certain U.S. marines, from Chinese (Beijing) gOnghé, short for ZhOngguó GOngyè Hézuò Shè Chinese Industrial Cooperative Society: extremely or overly zealous or enthusiastic

Gung Ho!
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Gung Ho!
And The Cost of War!


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Gung Ho!
And The Cost of War In Lives!


Friday, September 02, 2005

US Marine gets family to safety, volunteers for duty at Superdome (AFP)

NEW ORLEANS, United States (AFP) - A metal barrier and a sea of desperate, angry people separate Lance Corporal Anthony Roberts from his father.

But Roberts -- one of about 40 servicemen guarding the evacuation route at the Superdome in New Orleans, which houses more than 10,000 people made homeless by Hurricane Katrina -- will not help his father get out.

"I don't want to do the pick-and-choose thing, because that would only make the people more stressed out," he said over the shouts of the hot, frustrated crowd.

"It wouldn't be right," the 20-year-old said. "Everyone else has to wait."

The marine's father had been separated from the rest of his family about two hours earlier in the mad crush on the plaza outside the Superdome where evacuees were slowly being filtered into a shopping center that had buses waiting outside in ankle-deep water.

"I'm just hoping he can push his way through," Roberts said Thursday afternoon, on the first full day of evacuation.

The family of 10 -- Roberts, his parents, his younger brother, his cousin, his sister and her four children -- arrived at the shelter on Monday after Katrina flooded their neighborhood.

Roberts went home to help his family when they told him they did not have enough vehicles to get out of town. They got caught in the storm and had to wait for the floodwaters to drop before they could wade out.


AFP Photo: Marine Lance Corpral Anthony Roberts helps a young boy find his way to buses that...

Semper Fi


US 'understands' Italy's reasons for cutting troops in Iraq (AFP)

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States "understands" Italy's reasons for withdrawing troops from
Iraq, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

"We understand that this is a long-planned, phased withdrawal," he told reporters.

"It's a decision taken by the Italian government, and certainly we understand the reasons behind it."

"Certainly, we would encourage those states who are making contributions to the security forces to maintain those contributions.

"But, again, we respect the decision of sovereign countries to make the best decisions for them and for their people," he said.


Oops, better make that 2.

Semper Fi


Anti-War Activists Plan Massive D.C. Rally (AP)

WASHINGTON - Organizers are planning what they say will be the largest anti-war demonstration in the nation's capital since the
Iraq war began in March 2003.

The ANSWER Coalition and United for Peace and Justice detailed their plans Thursday for the Sept. 24 protest. They plan to bus in people from across the country for a march past the White House. Other major protests are planned that day in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Cindy Sheehan, whose 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed last year in Iraq, is on a 25-state bus tour that will end at the protest in Washington.


Semper Fi


Two Bombs Rock Central Baghdad (AP)

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two bombs rocked central Baghdad early Friday, including a blast at a hotel used mainly by foreign contractors. One person was injured, police said.

The bomb exploded as a convoy of vehicles was entering the hotel compound. One driver was injured and his vehicle was destroyed, said police Maj. Abbas Mohammed.

Two Apache attack helicopters circled the area.

Another bomb targeted a U.S. military convoy, witnesses said. There were no reports of casualties in that incident


Semper Fi


Bulgaria Begins Plans for Iraq Pullout (AP)

SOFIA, Bulgaria - Bulgaria has begun preparations to withdraw its 400 troops from Iraq, the prime minister announced Friday.

Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said his government intends to consult this month with its coalition partners about the military pullout and Bulgaria's future participation in humanitarian activities in Iraq.


Looks like the coaltion is getting smaller by one.

Semper Fi


AP: Two US Soldiers killed by roadside bomb

Three dead in Baghdad clashes

Three U.S. soldiers were killed in action in clashes in Baghdad and a city south of the capital, the military said Friday.

Two of the victims died Thursday after their patrol was struck by a roadside bomb. Another soldier was shot dead in the city of Iskandariyah in central Iraq, a statement said.


Semper Fi


Maj. Gregory J. Fester

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Maj. Gregory J. Fester, 41, of Grand Rapids, Mich., died on Aug. 30, 2005, in Iskandariyah, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol. Fester was a reservist assigned to the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.




Semper Fi


Thursday, September 01, 2005

BuffaloNews: Seven Marines from unit based in Buffalo are wounded

2 from India Company badly hurt by bomb

By JAY REY
News Staff Reporter

Seven Marines from a Buffalo-based unit were wounded last week while serving in Iraq.

A device exploded while the Marines were on patrol Friday, injuring six members of India Company of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Reginment, based at the Marine Corps Reserve Center on Porter Avenue. A seventh was shot last Tuesday on patrol.

Lance Cpl. Mark Beyers, 26, of Elma, was the most seriously wounded. His right arm and leg were amputated, according to his mother and a Marine spokesman.

He was in critical, but stable condition, Wednesday in a hospital in Germany.

Beyers is in an induced coma and expected to be transported to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., this weekend, said his mother, Tricia Hess Beyers.

Beyers, who grew up in Alden, and five others from the unit were patroling in the al-Anbar province Friday when an improvised explosive device went off, said Master Sgt. Thomas Whelan.

Beyers suffered shrapnel wounds, as did Lance Cpl. Matthew Schilling, of West Virginia. Schilling's right foot was amputated and he also is now in a hospital in Germany, Whelan said.

The others injured were:

Cpl. William Maher of Hamburg, who suffered an inner-ear injury from the explosion and may have fractured his right wrist.

Lance Cpl. Nathan Timblin of North Tonawanda, who suffered a concussion and inner-ear injury.

Pvt. Timothy Condello of Fairport, who suffered a concussion and ear injury, as well.

Lance Cpl. Justin Howard of Great Valley, who suffered a back sprain and ear injury.

All four were treated and were expected to return to duty, Whelan said.

In a separate incident last Tuesday, Lance Cpl. James E. Caflisch II, 23, of Lakewood, was wounded when a bullet ricocheted off a building and hit him in the upper right leg. He is expected to make a full recovery, said his father, James E. Caflisch.


Semper Fi


2nd Lt. Charles R. Rubado

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2nd Lt. Charles R. Rubado, 23, of Clearwater, Fla., died on Aug. 29, 2005, in Tal Afar, Iraq, when his M1A2 Abrams tank came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Rubado was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo




Semper Fi


Chief Warrant Officer Dennis P. Hay

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Chief Warrant Officer Dennis P. Hay, 32, of Valdosta, Ga., died on Aug. 29, 2005, in Tal Afar, Iraq, where his OH-58D Kiowa helicopter came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Hay was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.


Semper Fi


Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Cindy Sheehan: My Last Post From Crawford

From Huffington Post

"If Zarqawi and bin Laden gain control of Iraq, they would create a new training ground for future terrorist attacks," Bush said. "They'd seize oil fields to fund their ambitions. They could recruit more terrorists by claiming an historic victory over the United States and our coalition."(George Bush, August 30, 2005 in San Diego.)

So it is official, Casey had his blood shed in Iraq for Oil.

He died so we could pay over $3.00/gallon for gas. Like I suspected all along, my dear, sweet son: almost 1900 others; and tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis died so the oil fields wouldn't "fall into the hands of terrorists" and so George and his immoral band of greedy robber barons could become wealthier. Like I have said all along: how can these people sleep at night and how can they choke down their food knowing it is purchased off of the flesh and blood of others? We have found our "Noble Cause." And it is Oil. This man and his handlers need to be stopped.

Well, George and I are leaving Crawford today. George is finished playing golf and telling his fables in San Diego, so he will be heading to Louisiana to see the devastation that his environmental policies and his killing policies have caused. Recovery would be easier and much quicker if almost ½ of the three states involved National Guard were not in Iraq. All of the National Guard's equipment is in Iraq, also. Plus, with the 2 billion dollars a week that the private contractors are siphoning from our treasury, how are we going to pay for helping our own citizens in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama? And, should I dare say "global warming?" and be branded as a "conspiracy theorist" on top of everything else the right-wingers say about me.

We are now packing up Camp Casey and leaving Crawford and heading to George's place of employment. He wouldn't talk to us, his employers, while we were here to give him his "job evaluation," so we must go to him to have our little chat.

I just want to thank a few people and groups for their support, help, and love while we have been here in Crawford. So many people made the Camp Casey experience possible and so successful. If I miss someone, I am so sorry: that is the difficult thing about thanking people. I love you all, even if I don't remember to thank you!!

My sister: Dede Miller: My kids' second mom who is always by my side and supports me 100% in whatever I do. My cause is her cause, and I couldn't do what I do without her.

Carly, Andy, and Janey: Who would love to see more of their mom, but who understand that we are trying to save their future by what we do. I love you guys, and I will see you very, very soon (yea!!) I couldn't do what I do without their love and support.

The Crawford Peace House: I got an email from Hadi Jawad the day that I decided to come and camp in Crawford and he pledged the help and support of the Peace House. At that time, they only had a few bucks in their checking account and the phone was turned off. Now, thanks to America, they have been able to keep Camp Casey going and they will be able to continue their good works indefinitely. Thanks to John Wolf who had the vision for peace in Crawford and I think that Camp Casey was a fulfillment of his vision. They are going to make a garden and call it "The Casey Sheehan Memorial Peace Garden." What a tribute to my son.

Code Pink: Jodie Evans and Tiffany and Alicia were the first ones here on Monday 08/08 to jump in and save me from going crazy and hopping on one of the trains that runs past the Peace House and pulling an "Agatha Christie." Code Pink also worked tirelessly (and I mean tirelessly) outside of Camp Casey.

MoveOn: For organizing the highly successful candlelight vigils.

Lisa Fithian: For all the organizing work she did behind the scenes.

GSFP, IVAW, MFSO, AND VFP: Our organizations with "skin in the game" for all of their support, presence, love, and help.

Bill Mitchell: Bill's son Mike, was KIA in the same battle as Casey and he was the first GSFP member to come to Camp Casey and take some of the heat off of me. He found a new love at Camp Casey (one of our miracles) and I am sooo happy about that. Plus, Bill is one of my most ardent supporters and he just gets in the middle of things, digs in, and helps wherever. I love him and he and his family will be parts of our family forever.

Fred Mattlage: For donating the amazing piece of land for our use that allowed Camp Casey to expand to include thousands.

Air America: The Morning Sedition, Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy, and Laura Flanders. Thank you for your support . Ed Schultz belongs there, too, although he is not affiliated with Air America Radio. Amy Goodman was here, too!

The bloggers on The Daily Kos (and most bloggers in general): I would read their comments everyday after I posted my diary and I was always heartened and encouraged by their remarks. After all of the negativity, their positivity gave me strength to go on. In addition, the first night we were in Crawford, and being harassed, they were posting things and getting the word out that we were there alone and defenseless, which may have saved our lives, or saved us from being injured, or harassed out of there.

So many other people: The Camp Casey volunteers…literally hundreds. The more than 10,000 people who came through CC. Ann Wright who kept CC going. Arianna Huffington for her advice and support. Joan Baez who kept CC's spirits alive while I was in California attending to my sick mother. George Bush for not meeting with me on August 6th. Martin Sheen for his support and presence. A.I.M for Dennis Banks and Russell Means. Gary Hart, John Conyers, Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, Sheila Jackson Lee, Jan Schakowsky, Dennis Kucinich, Frank Pallone, Lynn Woolsey, Chuck Hagel, Ralph Nader, Jim McDermott, Walter Jones, Charlie Rangel and the other politicos who either came to CC, or called me to offer their support and love. I know I am forgetting some, but thanks to you all. Joe Wilson and his family for paving the way for me to be able to ignore and dismiss the right-wing smear machine who always tried to marginalize and discredit me by exaggerating or twisting my words and lying about me. The clergy who were there with their love and support: Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Rabbi Dennis Shulman; Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Bob Edgars, Rev. Jesse Jackson (who prayed bed time prayers with me), Rita Brock, etc.

There were so many good people who donated money, goods, or services who want to be kept anonymous.

But especially to Americans who resonated with Camp Casey and gave us prayers, support, money, love and most of all hope for the future.

We will take our country back. And it will be a country that we want back.

God Bless America!!!!


Cindy Sheehan speaks for me!

Semper Fi


Iraq war tests resolve of a patriotic U.S. soldier (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sergeant James Connolly volunteered for the U.S. army on the afternoon of September 11, 2001. He served a year in
Iraq and took part in the operation that killed
Saddam Hussein's sons in July 2003.

Now, facing a second lengthy deployment by the end of the year, Connolly wants out. He says he will do his duty to the best of his ability, but he feels he has fulfilled his commitment to the military and the nation and he does not believe the Iraq operation is worth dying for.

"I feel terrible. I'd like to get out. I'm done with the army. I want to move on. My commitment was up last December but they extended the whole division until January 31, 2007," Connolly said in a telephone interview.


Semper Fi


The George W. Bush National Yellow Elephant Sanctuary

Go and look!
Semper Fi


US forces in Iraq suffered more combat deaths in August than any month this year (WTNH)

(Washington-AP, Aug. 31, 2005 1:06 PM) _ U.S. forces in Iraq suffered at least 74 combat deaths in August -- more than in any month since last November and the third-highest total for any month of the war, according to Pentagon figures.

The total number of U.S. military deaths in August, including those deemed non-hostile, was at least 83, according to figures available Wednesday. That was the highest since 107 in January, when there was an extraordinary 53 accidental deaths for the month, including 30 Marines and a sailor who died in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash.

The U.S. military death toll had been declining in recent months, from 80 in May (67 hostile and 13 non-hostile) and 78 in June (69 hostile and nine non-hostile), to 54 in July (45 hostile and nine non-hostile). U.S. officials have said they expect insurgent violence to intensify further with the approach of an October referendum in Iraq on the new constitution.

The 74 troops killed in action in August was the third-highest monthly total of the war, behind 126 in April 2004 and 125 last November, when the Marines led a bloody assault on the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.

There are about 138,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and U.S. officials say they probably will increase that temporarily to about 160,000 to provide extra security during the October referendum and a Dec. 15 national election.


Semper Fi


Anti-U.S. resistance in Iraq will strengthen - militant source

MOSCOW. Aug 31 (Interfax) - Representatives of the anti-U.S. armed resistance in Iraq declared that they will keep on fighting the international coalition, which, in their opinion, has occupied the country.

"With the help of the peace-loving forces of the whole world, we will free our country from the grasp of the U.S.," said Abbas al-Rubai, a representative of the so-called Mahdi Army movement.

"We are the militia. The bravery and courage of our brothers shocked the U.S. command. U.S. soldiers were tricked into believing they would get a welcome with flowers here. We destroyed this myth when we drove the occupants out of the holy city of Najaf," al-Rubai said.

Muhtada as-Sadr is considered to be the leader of this movement, Russia's NTV channel reported that the man believes he is a military opponent of the U.S. rather than a terrorist.


Semper Fi


Rumsfeld Visits Navy SEALs at California Base

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2005 – Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld visited Navy SEALs at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado here Aug. 30, presenting awards and receiving a briefing about current operations.

Rumsfeld presented several Bronze Star Medals and one Purple Heart to Navy SEALs who had recently returned from Iraq and also recognized two prior Purple Heart recipients. He addressed Naval Special Warfare Group 1, a part of the force stationed on the base, and then was briefed on secret missions going on all over the world.


Semper Fi


One US soldier killed, three wounded in Iraq (Khaleej Times Online)

BAGHDAD - One US soldier was killed on Wednesday in a roadside bomb explosion near the city of Samarra, north of Baghdad, the US military said in a statement.

“One Task Force Liberty Soldier was killed and three were wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated on their combat patrol southeast of Samarra at about 12:35 pm on August 31,” the statement said. The wounded, it added, were taken to “a Coalition Forces medical treatment facility”.


Update: 12:57 Pm

CentCom-TASK FORCE LIBERTY SOLDIER KILLED BY IED NEAR SAMARRA

TIKRIT, Iraq -- One Task Force Liberty Soldier was killed and three were wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated on their combat patrol southeast of Samarra at about 12:35 p.m. Aug. 31.

The wounded Soldiers were taken to a Coalition Forces medical treatment facility.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.


Semper Fi


Families Say Goodbye as Alaskan Units Deploy to Middle East

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska, Aug. 30, 2005 – About 100 servicemembers from the Air Force and the Alaska Army National Guard deployed from here, headed for the Middle East, early this morning.


Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Raanes, his wife, Jessie, and daughter, Ashley, 1, share a few moments before Raanes leaves for Kuwait Aug. 30. Raanes is part of the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. His son, Dillan, 3, was also there to see Dad off. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley

Semper Fi


Spc. Joseph L. Martinez, 21

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Joseph L. Martinez, 21, of Las Vegas, Nev., died on Aug. 27, 2005, in Tal Afar, Iraq, where his dismounted patrol was engaged by enemy forces using small arms fire. Martinez was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.


Cpl. Joseph L. Martinez
Was a member of the swim team and the Junior ROTC's color guard at Durango High

Cynthia Martinez, mother of Cpl. Joseph L. Martinez, talks about her son at her home Tuesday.
Photo by K.M. Cannon.

Semper Fi


II MEF Soldier killed in action (MNF-I)

CAMP FALLUJAH , Iraq – A Soldier assigned to 155th Brigade Combat Team, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), was killed in action Aug. 30th when he was struck by an improvised explosive device. The incident occurred during combat operations near Iskandariyah , Iraq .


Semper Fi


Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Cindy Sheehan: "We Are Taking Camp Casey to Congress"...

The Huffington Post

Since I began my vigil in Crawford, an average of 2.69 per day of our nation's brave and noble troops died in Iraq for George's cowardly and ignoble war. 2.69 families per day have been devastated for no reason except that: we have to continue killing American soldiers because so many have been killed already. My heart and soul go out to these families who had a loved one killed so needlessly and avoidably.

How many more are we as Americans going to tolerate before we force the reckless commander in chief to bring our kids home? How much more blood are we going to allow congress to wash their hands in before we force them to force George to bring our children home?


AP/LM Otero

Semper Fi


Sgt. 1st Class Obediah J. Kolath

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Obediah J. Kolath, 32, of Louisburg, Mo., died on Aug. 28, 2005, in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained on Aug. 25, 2005, in Husaybah, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his position. The incident involved three other soldiers whose deaths were announced on Aug. 27, 2005. Kolath was assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.




Semper Fi


AP: U.S. Copter Under Fire in Iraq; GI Killed

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. Army helicopter made a forced landing Monday night under hostile fire in northern Iraq, and one soldier was killed and another injured, the U.S. military said.

The incident occurred in Tal Afar, an insurgent-ridden city 260 miles northwest of Baghdad, the military said.


Semper Fi


AP: U.S. Marine shot, killed while visiting Mexican border city

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — A U.S. Marine who had served two tours in Iraq was shot and killed Monday in this border city after an altercation with a motorist, authorities said.

Relatives identified the Marine as Sgt. Heber Villagran, of El Paso. He was a recruiter in El Paso who had joined the Marines after graduating from high school, said his brother-in-law, Gilbert Gay.

The 23-year-old got into a heated argument with the driver of a white sport utility vehicle who pulled out a gun and shot him, said Claudia Banuelos, a spokeswoman for state investigators in Chihuahua state, which includes Juarez.

A spokeswoman with the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, confirmed a U.S. Marine had been killed Monday.

The Marine was accompanied by three other men who told authorities they were also Marines visiting Juarez for the day, Banuelos said.


Semper Fi


Staff Sgt. Damion G. Campbell

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Damion G. Campbell, 23, of Baltimore, Md., died on August 26, 2005, in Khayr Kot, Afghanistan, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during a combat patrol. Campbell was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, Vicenza, Italy.




Semper Fi


Monday, August 29, 2005

3 U.S. Soldiers Wounded in Kabul Attack (AP)

KABUL, Afghanistan - Suspected Taliban rebels on Sunday killed a candidate running in next month's legislative elections, while an attack on a U.S. military convoy wounded three American troops, authorities said.

Militants attacked the U.S. service members as they were patrolling Friday about 25 miles east of Kabul, a U.S. military statement said. An attack helicopter rushed to the site, but the rebels had fled.

The wounded were in stable condition after being evacuated to Bagram, the main U.S. base in
Afghanistan, about an hour drive north of Kabul, the statement said.

Attacks on the U.S. military so close to Kabul are rare and Friday's assault occurred less than a week after a roadside bomb in the capital blew up near a convoy of U.S. Embassy vehicles, wounding two American staff members.


Semper Fi


U.S. Doing All It Can to Find Bin Laden (AP)

KABUL, Afghanistan - The U.S. military is doing all it can in
Afghanistan to locate
Osama bin Laden but cannot say when he will be captured, a spokesman said Monday.

Col. James Yonts also said the United States was cooperating with neighboring countries such as Pakistan in the hunt for the al-Qaida leader.


Bin Laden who? Oh, him, the one that was really behind 9/11 and al-Qaida.

Semper Fi


Army official who questioned Halliburton deal reported demoted (AFP)

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A top US Army contracting official who criticized a large, noncompetitive contract with the Halliburton Company for work in Iraq has been demoted for what the Army called poor job performance, The New York Times reported.

The newspaper said Bunnatine Greenhouse has worked in military procurement for 20 years and for the past several years had been the chief overseer of contracts at the Army Corps of Engineers, the agency that has managed much of the reconstruction work in Iraq.

The demotion removes her from the elite Senior Executive Service and reassigns her to a lesser job in the corps' civil works division, the report said.


Semper Fi


Sgt. 1st Class Trevor J. Diesing
Master Sgt. Ivica Jerak
Cpl. Timothy M. Shea, 22

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on August 25, 2005, in Husaybah, Iraq, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their position.

Killed were:

Sgt. 1st Class Trevor J. Diesing, 30, of Plum City, Wis. Diesing was assigned the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Master Sgt. Ivica Jerak, 42, of Houston, Texas. Jerak was assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Cpl. Timothy M. Shea, 22, of Sonoma, Calif. Shea was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.


Semper Fi


Master Sgt. Chris S. Chapin

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier, who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Master Sgt. Chris S. Chapin, 39, of Proctor, Vt., died on Aug. 23, 2005, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq during combat operations when he was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Chapin was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion (General Studies), 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), Colchester,


Semper Fi


Spc. Hatim S. Kathiria

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier, who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Hatim S. Kathiria, 23, of Fort Worth, Texas, died on Aug. 22, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, where an enemy rocket impacted near his position. Kathiria was assigned to the 703rd Forward Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.


Semper Fi


CentCom Newsletter

Iraqi, AF C-130 Crew Flies boy to Receive Heart Surgery

By TSgt Melissa Phillips 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

Ali Base, Iraq -- Although Baher, 8, looks like a happy, healthy boy on the outside, the joint Iraqi and U.S. Air Force C-130 aircrew, who gave him the ride of his life Aug. 22, knows he isn’t healthy - at least for now.

Baher and his mother, Afaf, are headed to New Orleans, La., to repair a hole in his heart via a new program called Operation Mend a Heart.

“I was very happy to (be a part of the aircrew to) help him,” said Iraqi Air Force Navigator Atiya, Squadron 23 (Transport), whose name is protected.

Atiya was one the C-130 crewmembers who flew Baher from Baghdad International Airport to Basrah Air Station on the first leg of his journey.




Semper Fi