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!
Additional Pages

Gung Ho!
And The Cost of War!


Cost of the War.Com
(JavaScript Error)

Gung Ho!
And The Cost of War In Lives!


Saturday, February 25, 2006

SHS grad, Marine to become a citizen

By Jennifer Klein Journal-Advocate staff

STERLING - Artyom Dutchak may define the characteristics of a United States citizen but he isn't one - yet.

He's lived in America since his early teens. He graduated from an American high school. He's served in the U. S. Marine Corps for three years and been deployed to Iraq twice. Dutchak says he's always felt like a U.S. citizen but just hasn't been one officially.

On Monday that will change. Dutchak, 20, will be naturalized and will officially gain the only thing missing from his citizenship - the documentation.


Semper Fi


Marine Gets Silver Star in City Hall Ceremony

LAT-From Times Staff and Wire Reports

El Sereno resident and Wilson High School graduate Mario Atrian of the Marine Corps was awarded a Silver Star at City Hall on Friday for extraordinary heroism during a battle in Iraq in 2004.

Atrian, 22, was wounded in both arms during an ambush of his unit that left his driver dead. But Atrian continued to return fire so the rest of his unit could escape, according to the military.


Semper Fi


Marine earns Navy Cross

 Megan Lovett/Gazette<br />Staff Sgt. Anthony Viggiani, right, receives the Navy Cross medal from Brigadier General Richard Tryon at the Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot graduation Friday. By LORI YOUNT - The Beaufort Gazette

A Parris Island drill instructor received the Navy Cross on Friday, the second-highest award in the Marine Corps.

But Staff Sgt. Anthony Viggiani's parents didn't know the details about the day almost two years ago that earned their son the award until Friday's ceremony, when they received a sheet describing the events.


Semper Fi


Iraq government warns of "endless civil war"

BAGHDAD (Reuters) -
Iraq's defense minister warned on Saturday of a "civil war" that "will never end" and said he was ready to put tanks on the streets as sectarian violence flared despite a second day of curfew in Baghdad.

Extending a traffic ban in the capital to Monday after battles around Sunni mosques and a car bomb in a holy Shi'ite city, leaders scrambled to break a round of reprisals sparked by a suspected al Qaeda bombing of a Shi'ite shrine on Wednesday.

The gravest crisis since the U.S. invasion in 2003 threatens Washington's hopes of withdrawing its 136,000 troops from Iraq.

"If there is a civil war in this country it will never end," Defense Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi, a minority Sunni Muslim in the Shi'ite-led interim government, told a news conference.

"We are ready to fill the streets with armored vehicles."


Semper Fi


Iraqi Police Find Bodies of 14 Commandos

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The bodies of 14 Iraqi police commandos were found Saturday near a Sunni mosque in southern Baghdad, a police official said.

The bodies were found with their three burned vehicles near Findi al-Kubaisi mosque in Baghdad's southwestern Shurta neighborhood, said Maj. Falah al-Mohammedawi. U.S. forces sealed the area, he said.

The circumstances of their deaths were not immediately clear.


I bet you, they died from gunshot wounds.

Semper Fi


Attacks Surge in Iraq Despite Curfew

By ALEXANDRA ZAVIS, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A car bomb exploded in a Shiite holy city and 13 members of one Shiite family were gunned down northeast of the capital Saturday in a surge of attacks that killed at least 30 people despite heightened security aimed at curbing sectarian violence following the bombing of a revered Shiite shrine.

At least one more Sunni mosque was attacked in Baghdad on Saturday after two rockets were fired at a Shiite mosque in Tuz Khormato, north of the capital, the previous night. Shooting also broke out near the home of a prominent Sunni cleric as the funeral procession for an Al-Arabiya TV correspondent slain in sectarian violence was passing by. Police believed the procession was the target.


Semper Fi


U.S. Report on Iraqi Troops Is Mixed

By Robert Burns Associated Press

The number of Iraqi army battalions judged by their American trainers to be capable of fighting insurgents without U.S. help has fallen from one to none since September, Pentagon officials said yesterday.

But the number of Iraqi battalions capable of leading the battle, with U.S. troops in a support role, has grown by nearly 50 percent. And the number of battalions engaged in combat has increased by 11 percent.


Chris from AmericaBlog has this post: Pentagon report on Iraqi troops is not good


The Iraqi forces, I believe, will never be able to fight at the same level, the U.S. forces do. First,they are shooting and killing their own people (the Iraqis). Second, during the first and second gulf wars, Saddam had troops trained and placed behind the regular Iraqi army forces. If the regular Iraqi army forces begin to run, Saddams troops would open fire and kill the regular Iraqi troops. The only difference today is that the U.S. forces won't fire upon the Iraqi troops (hopefully) unless fired upon themselves.
Semper Fi


Staff Sgt. Gregson G. Gourley
Sgt. Rickey E. Jones
Pfc. Christopher L. Marion
Pfc. Allan A. Morr



02/24/2006 - DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Al Hawijah, Iraq, on Feb. 22, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during patrol operations. All four soldiers were assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Gregson G. Gourley, 38, of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sgt. Rickey E. Jones, 21, of Kokomo, Ind.

Pfc. Christopher L. Marion, 20, of Pineville, Mo.

Pfc. Allan A. Morr, 21, of Shiawassee County, Mich.


Semper Fi


Friday, February 24, 2006

US troops poised for quick reaction to Iraq tumult

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iraqi forces are taking the lead security role amid a spike in violence in Iraq but the U.S. military has moved troops into the field for quick backup if the situation worsens, a U.S. commander said on Friday.

Army Col. Jeffrey Snow said the U.S. military had moved some troops from bases into the field to form a rapid-reaction force, but they have not been called in yet to help Iraqi security forces.


Semper Fi


al-Qaida in Iraq Chief Said Killed in Raid

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Al-Qaida in Iraq's leader in northern Baghdad was killed in a raid Friday, the U.S. military said.

The military identified Abu Asma, also known as Abu Anas and Akram Mahmud al-Mushhadani, as an explosives expert with close ties to important car bomb manufacturers in Baghdad.

He died in a northern Baghdad raid conducted by coalition forces with the help of Iraqi police, a military statement said.


Semper Fi


Curfew helps stem Iraq violence

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An emergency curfew for Friday's Muslim day of prayer helped quell sectarian violence that has killed some 200 people around Baghdad, keeping much of the Iraqi capital deserted as leaders work to avert civil war.

In a critical test for the Shi'ite-led government and its U.S.-trained forces after two days of killings between Sunnis and Shi'ites, police and Iraqi soldiers were deployed in force, turning back motorists unaware of the ban announced overnight.

But in the sprawling Shi'ite slum of Sadr City, the streets teemed with people who defied the curfew after radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on his Mehdi Army militia to attend Friday prayers but banned attacks on Sunni Muslims.


Semper Fi


Thursday, February 23, 2006

2nd Lt. Almar L. Fitzgerald

02/23/2006 - DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

2nd Lt. Almar L. Fitzgerald, 23, of Lexington, S.C., died Feb. 21 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany from wounds received Feb. 18 as a result of an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Semper Fi


THREE SOLDIERS KILLED BY IED-CENTCOM

TIKRIT, Iraq – Three Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division were killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device northeast of Balad Feb. 22.

The names of the Soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.


Semper Fi


River Bend- Tensions...

Things are not good in Baghdad.

There was an explosion this morning in a mosque in Samarra, a largely Sunni town. While the mosque is sacred to both Sunnis and Shia, it is considered one of the most important Shia visiting places in Iraq. Samarra is considered a sacred city by many Muslims and historians because it was made the capital of the Abassid Empire, after Baghdad, by the Abassid Caliph Al-Mu’tasim.

[...]

No one went to work today as the streets were mostly closed. The situation isn’t good at all. I don’t think I remember things being this tense- everyone is just watching and waiting quietly. There’s so much talk of civil war and yet, with the people I know- Sunnis and Shia alike- I can hardly believe it is a possibility. Educated, sophisticated Iraqis are horrified with the idea of turning against each other, and even not-so-educated Iraqis seem very aware that this is a small part of a bigger, more ominous plan…

Several mosques have been taken over by the Mahdi militia and the Badir people seem to be everywhere. Tomorrow no one is going to work or college or anywhere.

People are scared and watchful. We can only pray.


Go read Baghdad Burning (River Bend).

And River Bend, Please be safe.

Semper Fi


Tiananmen protester released after 17 years-USA Today



On Deadline-A man who was jailed for throwing paint on Mao Zedong's portrait in Beijing's Tiananmen Square during pro-democracy protests in 1989 has been released after nearly 17 years in prison, the Associated Press reports from Beijing. His family confirmed the news.

AP notes that Yu Dongyue's release early Wednesday came ahead of a U.S. visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao in April. But, according to the AP,

t, wit did not appear to be meant as a gesture to Washington: Yu served his full sentence, unlike other prisoners who have released early in connection with diplomatic trips.

Reporters without Borders says Yu, now 38, "left jail a broken man." The Globe and Mail says he suffered "beatings, torture and solitary confinement" and "is reported to be incoherent and unable to communicate."

"His health is OK, but mentally he is traumatized," his brother, Yu Xiyue, said to the AP by phone from Shegang.


Maybe the future for the Gitmo detainees if the rethugs stay in power!

Semper Fi


US military denies Iraq on brink of civil war

BAGHDAD (AFP) - The US military rejected the idea that a civil war is brewing in Iraq, saying it had confirmed only seven major attacks on mosques across the country.

Major General Rick Lynch, spokesman for the coalition forces in Iraq, said the military had recorded attacks on seven Sunni mosques since the bombing of the revered Shiite shrine in Samarra on Wednesday.

"As of now seven attacks on mosques across Iraq have taken place that resulted in damage to mosques. Two Sunni imams (prayer leaders) and one Sunni sheikh were murdered," Lynch told reporters, playing down the sectarian strife.

"Some drive-by shootings against mosques have been reported ... that's where we are. So we are not seeing civil war igniting in Iraq. We are not seeing 77, 80, 100 mosques damaged in Iraq. We are not seeing death on the streets."

More than 80 bodies of people who had been shot dead were brought to Baghdad's morgue between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, according to its deputy director.

In addition, 47 workers from a brick factory were murdered Thursday on the outskirts of the capital, police said.


How blind do you need to be!

Semper Fi


SOLDIERS KILLED NEAR HAWIJAH-CENTCOM

TIKRIT, Iraq – Four Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division were killed near Hawijah Feb. 22 when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

The Soldiers were on a combat patrol at the time of the incident.


Semper Fi


Gunmen Kill 47 Iraqi Factory Workers

BAQOUBA, Iraq - Gunmen pulled factory workers off buses northeast of Baghdad and killed 47 of them, a provincial council member said.
ADVERTISEMENT

The victims were traveling in three buses when they were stopped at a checkpoint in the Nahrawan area, about 12 miles south of Baqouba, said Dhari Thuban, a member of the Diyala Provincial Council. The buses were burned and their passengers killed, he said.

The motive for the killing was not immediately clear.

Residents told police that the bullet-riddled bodies were found around midday behind a brick factory, the Interior Ministry said.

The victims, who ranged in age between about 20 and 50, were dressed in civilian clothes and their deaths appeared recent, the ministry's Maj. Falah al-Mohamadawi told the Associated Press.

Thuban said the victims were brick factory workers, but al-Mohamadawi said no identification documents were found on them


Semper Fi


Over 120 shot dead in Iraq sectarian bloodshed

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) - Gunmen have killed at least 127 people in
Iraq in sectarian violence that flared after the bombing of a revered Shiite shrine and reprisal attacks on Sunni mosques.
ADVERTISEMENT

Amid warnings that sectarian violence could spiral further out of control, Iraqi political leaders went into an emergency meeting with President Jalal Talabani.

The bloodshed is likely to complicate the task of Shiite and Sunni political leaders who have pledged to set up a government of national unity in the wake of the December elections which illustrated a deep sectarian split in Iraq.

Eighty bullet-ridden corpses were brought to the Baghdad morgue between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, the deputy director of the morgue, Doctor Kais Mohammed, told AFP.

"I've only been able to carry out autopsies on 25 of them," he said, adding that all had been shot. The bodies, which had been dumped in Baghdad and its suburbs, could not immediately be identified.

Another 47 bodies of men shot to death were discovered along with 10 burned out cars alongside a road near Nahrawan, southeast of Baghdad, police said.

The corpses were found near a brick factory and it was not immediately known if the victims were workers from the factory.

Iraq has already placed its security forces on high alert and cancelled all leave. The night curfew in Baghdad was brought forward from 11:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday.

The upsurge in killings came after suspected Al-Qaeda linked militants Wednesday morning bombed the 1,000-year-old Imam Ali al-Hadi mausoleum, one of the countries' main Shiite shrines, in the town of Samarra, north of Baghdad.


It's only going to get worse. The US will not be able to stop this, not enough troops in Iraq.

Semper Fi


Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Staff Sgt. Jay T. Collado

2/22/06-DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

Staff Sgt. Jay T. Collado, 31, of Columbia, S.C., died Feb. 20 from an improvised explosive device near Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron-267, Marine Aircraft Group-39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was attached to the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division.


Semper Fi


NATO Convoy Bombed in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - A bomb exploded near a NATO peacekeeping convoy in northern Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing one Afghan civilian and wounding 12 people, including a German peacekeeper, officials said.

A powerful bomb planted on a bicycle went off around 1:30 p.m. in the northern city of Kunduz near a bazaar, said Mutalib Beg, the provincial police chief. He said one Afghan man was killed and 11 other Afghans wounded.

In Germany, military spokesman Carsten Spiering said one German soldier was lightly injured in the attack on three German military vehicles.


Semper Fi


Iraq shrine bombing fuels protests

SAMARRA, Iraq (Reuters) - A dawn bomb attack wrecked a major Shi'ite Muslim shrine in the Iraqi city of Samarra on Wednesday, sparking protests, some of them violent, and forcing an urgent government appeal to avoid sectarian reprisals.

Some Sunni mosques were damaged in revenge attacks, Shi'ite militiamen posted themselves on streets and Iraq's senior Shi'ite cleric called for peaceful protests.

The Iraqi president said the attackers wanted to derail efforts to form a national unity government. Iraq's national security adviser accused al Qaeda-inspired Sunni militants of blasting the Shi'ite shrine to foment civil war.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Gunmen burst into Samarra's Golden Mosque, one of Iraq's four holiest Shi'ite sites, and used explosives to bring down its 100-year-old gilded dome, among the biggest in the Muslim world, senior officials said. No casualties were reported.

An aerial photograph released by the U.S. military showed the 20-meter (33-foot) wide dome reduced to a shell of brown masonry and twisted iron, with nearby buildings also wrecked.


Semper Fi


Philippines seen set to call off mudslide search

By Roli Ng and Bobby Ranoco

GUINSAUGON, Philippines (Reuters) - Rescue workers kept digging on Wednesday for survivors from a deadly Philippines mudslide, but some officials said the time to call off the search was fast approaching as hopes faded of finding anyone alive.


We still haven't made contact with my sister-in-law. Though my wife and I feel that they are okay.

Semper Fi


Nearly 100 dead in US custody in Iraq, Afghanistan: Rights group

LONDON (AFP) - Nearly 100 prisoners have died in US custody in Iraq and Afghanistan since August 2002, the Human Rights First organisation said ahead of the publication of their report.

At least 98 deaths occurred, with at least 34 of them suspected or confirmed homicides -- deliberate or reckless killing -- the group of US lawyers told BBC television Tuesday.

Their dossier claims that 11 more deaths are deemed suspicious and that between eight and 12 prisoners were tortured to death.

However, charges are rare and sentences are light, the report said.

The report comes a week after new photographs of alleged prisoner abuse at Baghdad's notorious US-run Abu Ghraib prison emerged.

The report alleged that one person was made to jump off a bridge into the Tigris river in Iraq and another was forced inside a sleeping bag and suffocated.


Just amazing!

Semper Fi


Daniel J. Kuhlmeier

2/21/06-DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty

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

Daniel J. Kuhlmeier, 30, of Omaha, Neb., died Feb. 20 in Baghdad, Iraq when the convoy he was traveling in was struck by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to Detachment 204, 2nd Field Investigations Region, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.


Semper Fi


Sgt. Charles E. Matheny, IV

2/21/06-DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

Sgt. Charles E. Matheny, IV, 23 of Stanwood, Wash., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 18, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Matheny was assigned to the Army's 704th Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.


Semper Fi


Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Cpl. Matthew D. Conley

02/21/2006 - DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

Cpl. Matthew D. Conley, 21, of Killen, Ala., died Feb. 18, when his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).


Semper Fi


Former SoCal Marine Corps volunteer allegedly bilked Marines

HUNTINGTON BEACH – A former U.S. Marine Corps volunteer was arrested for investigation of bilking millions of dollars from aspiring home buyers, including some Marines, officials said.

Evelyn Corina Oberhuber, 36, allegedly forged quitclaim deeds and falsified bills of sale on homes that were in the foreclosure process, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

At least a dozen alleged victims are Marines stationed in Iraq or at Camp Pendleton north of San Diego, where Oberhuber's husband is a staff sergeant, investigators said.



Semper Fi


Rumsfeld Watch

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff,Gen. Peter Pace will conduct a DoD news briefing at 1:15 p.m. EST in the DoD Briefing Room, Pentagon 2E579.

Semper Fi


Democrat Libre

by digby

Snip

The grassroots of the Democratic Party see something that all the establishment politicians have not yet realized: bipartisanship is dead for the moment and there is no margin in making deals. The rules have changed. When you capitulate to the Republicans for promises of something down the road you are being a fool. When you make a deal with them for personal reasons, you are selling out your party. When you use Republican talking points to make your argument you are helping the other side. When you kiss the president on the lips at the state of the union you are telling the Democratic base that we are of no interest or concern to you. This hyper-partisanship is ugly and it's brutal, but it is the way it is.


I hope somebody in the DNC reads digby! He nail it on the head!

Semper Fi


CENTCOM-SOLDIER KILLED IN IED ATTACK

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A Coalition Forces Soldier was killed when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb while conducting a combat patrol southeast of Karbala, Iraq Feb. 20.


Semper Fi


Lab Jobs Restored Ahead of Bush Speech

AP-ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - President Bush says he wants to diversify the nation's energy mix to end America's dependence on foreign oil, yet some critics are wary of his commitment and point to cutbacks at a government energy laboratory here.

Two weeks ago, 32 workers, including eight researchers, were laid off at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden. The lab helps develop the very renewable energy technologies the president is promoting.

Then, over the weekend, just before Bush's planned visit to the lab on Tuesday, the government restored the jobs. His trip to the renewable energy laboratory is part of a two-day, three-state trip to promote the energy proposals he outlined in his State of the Union address.

At the direction of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, $5 million was transferred to the Midwest Research Institute, the operating contractor for the lab, to get the workers back on the job, the Energy Department announced Monday.


This no surprise to me. As soon as Bush leaves, the Energy Secretary will get his money back. This is just another photo op for Bushco.

Semper Fi


Monday, February 20, 2006

Philippines Rescuers Hear 'Signs of Life'

AP-GUINSAUGON, Philippines - Rescue workers refused to give up hope of finding survivors in an elementary school buried by up to 100 feet of mud, digging into the night Monday after detecting what the provincial governor called "signs of life."

Sounds of scratching and a rhythmic tapping were picked up by seismic sensors and sound-detection gear brought in by U.S. and Malaysian forces.

"To me, that's more than enough reason to smile and be happy," South Leyte Gov. Rosette Lerias said. "The adrenaline is high ... now that we have seen increasing signs of life."


Semper Fi


Iraqi Province Cuts Off U.S. Forces

KARBALA, Iraq - The governing council of Karbala province said Monday it was suspending contact with U.S. forces over the behavior of soldiers during a visit to the governor's office two days ago.

The decision followed similar moves by leaders of Maysan and Basra provinces, which have frozen ties with British forces in southern
Iraq.

Karbala provincial spokesman Abdel Amir Hanoun complained that U.S. soldiers brought dogs inside the building when their commander visited provincial Gov. Aqeel al-Khazraji, considered an insult by the council.

They also blocked roads leading to the governor's office, preventing council members and the governor from parking cars outside the building, Hanoun said. The governor instructed the council to suspend contacts until U.S. forces apologize, he said.


Winning their hearts and minds? And Rumsfeld thinks we're losing the propaganda war.

Semper Fi


Sgt. 1st Class Amos C. Edwards, Jr.

2/20/06-DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

Sgt. 1st Class Amos C. Edwards, Jr., 41, of Savannah, Ga., died in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, on Feb. 17, from a non-combat related cause. Edwards was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team, Savannah, Ga.


Semper Fi


Cpt. Anthony R. Garcia

2/20/06-DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

Cpt. Anthony R. Garcia, 48, of Fort Worth, Texas, died in Tikrit, Iraq, on Feb. 17, from a gun shot wound. Garcia was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.


Semper Fi


1st Lt. Brandon R. Dronet
Sgt. James F. Fordyce
Lance Cpl. Samuel W. Large
Sgt. Donnie Leo F. Levens
Cpl. Matthieu Marcellus
Sgt. Jonathan E. McColley
Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Sovie
Capt. Bryan D. Willard
SrA. Alecia S. Good
Staff Sgt. Luis M. Melendez Sanchez



2/19/06-DoD Identifies Marine and Air Force Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of eight Marines and two airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. All 10 died Feb. 17, when two CH-53 helicopters crashed into the Gulf of Aden in the vicinity of Ras Siyyan, northern Djibouti, while flying a training mission in the Godoria Range area. The Marines and airmen were deployed to Djibouti as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

The Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Air Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, New River, N.C.

1st Lt. Brandon R. Dronet, 33, of Erath, La.

Sgt. James F. Fordyce, 22, of Newton Square, Pa.

Lance Cpl. Samuel W. Large, Jr., 21, of Villa Rica, Ga.

Sgt. Donnie Leo F. Levens, 25, of Long Beach, Miss.

Cpl. Matthieu Marcellus, 31, of Gainesville, Fla.

Sgt. Jonathan E. McColley, 23, of Gettysburg, Pa.

Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Sovie, 20, of Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Capt. Bryan D. Willard, 33, of Hummelstown, Pa.

The airmen were:

SrA. Alecia S. Good, 23, of Broadview Heights, Ohio. Good was assigned to the 92nd Communications Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base,Wash.

Staff Sgt. Luis M. Melendez Sanchez, 33, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Sanchez was assigned to the 1st Communications Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Va.


Semper Fi


BSU prof named to 'most dangerous' list

By GAIL KOCH
gkoch@muncie.gannett.com


Joining Wolfe in the book, released last week, are two other professors with Hoosier ties: Harry Targ, a political science professor from Purdue University and Caroline Higgins, director of the peace and global studies program at Earlham College.

Wolfe first came under fire from Horowitz in 2004, after a student who had taken Wolfe's peace and conflict studies course accused the professor of liberal bias in the classroom.

Horowitz accused Ball State's program of "indoctrinating students and recruiting them to agendas that are anti-American, anti-military and friendly to the terrorist enemy intent on destroying us."


Semper Fi


Sunday, February 19, 2006

Ten crew died in U.S. helicopter crash off Djibouti

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ten out of a total of 12 crew members died when two U.S. Marine Corps helicopters crashed off the coast of Djibouti on Friday, the U.S. military in the Horn of Africa country said on Sunday.

Eight of them were Marines and two were Air Force Airmen, a statement said. The small Red Sea state of Djibouti is a hub of U.S. counterterrorism operations in the region.


Semper Fi