Chuck Simmins | June 29, 2009 |
“Their anthem is relatively new,” Bushera said. “Many of them don’t even know it. I felt it was extremely important for the Iraqi people to hear their anthem and have pride in it. This was a good way for them to have pride in their freedom.”
“It builds nationalism,” Skaar added. “You can see the emotion on their faces when they hear the song. When we did it at the Romanian ceremony at Adder, some of them actually broke into applause when it was finished!”
Category: Iraq, Military, Our Best: Military Women, Rebuilding, War on Terror |
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Tags: 34th Red Bull Infantry Band, american sings the Iraqi national anthem, Iraqi national anthem, Sgt. Brenda Bushera
Chuck Simmins | June 29, 2009 |
Nearing the end of the meeting, a young Soldier stood up and asked them, with everything they’ve experienced, if they would be willing to return for another tour in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Every one of the Soldiers nodded.
“Sure, we’d go back,” one of them said. “We’re here with you right now, aren’t we?”
Category: Iraq, Medicine, Military, War on Terror |
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Tags: Operation Proper Exit, purple heart, Sgt. Christopher A. Burrell, Sgt. Robert Brown, Staff Sgt. Jamal Hogan, Wounded warriors
Chuck Simmins | June 28, 2009 |
The local United Service Organizations (USO) office and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) coordinator for 34th Red Bull Infantry Division are teaming up to create an oasis in the middle of the Basrah desert for servicemembers and civilians to escape the pressure of operations.
Sarah McConnell, USO director here, said the center, housed in a former dining hall, already has undergone a “soft opening,” meaning there are some services already available.
“We have 13 Internet stations set up already, along with 18 phone lines for people to call home,” McConnell said. “Both services are free of charge to anyone who uses them.
“We wanted to get something started for the troops here right away,” she continued. “We’re not fully functional yet, but we got the computers and phones set up so we could at least offer some services.”
Category: Iraq, Military, War on Terror |
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Tags: 34th Infantry Division, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, Morale, United Service Organizations, USO, Welfare and Recreation
Chuck Simmins | June 26, 2009 |
Soldiers with the 120th Combined Arms Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, and a family of Iraqi dairy farmers are spearheading a program to increase milk and cheese production in this community, the first dairy initiative the North Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers have started with the Iraqis.
Capt. Sara Woods, Civil Affairs Team 31, said the intent is to revitalize the area’s dairy industry.
Using microgrants, the pilot farm will be used to build a well and buy cheese-making equipment. The farmers’ part of the program begins with them logging their dairy production.
Category: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror |
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Tags: dairy production in iraq, dairy products produced in iraq, iraqi dairies, Iraqi dairy industry, milking cows in iraq
Chuck Simmins | June 25, 2009 |
A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated in the Iraqi city of Taza in Kirkuk province, killing at least 82 Iraqi civilians and wounding approximately 200, June 20.
Taza Police and Iraqi emergency services responded quickly by securing the area, beginning rescue efforts and transporting the wounded to a local hospital for medical care. Residents from several neighboring villages also arrived to assist in the rescue.
Category: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror |
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Tags: 1st Cavalry Division, Kirkuk Province Iraq, Taza Iraq, Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
Chuck Simmins | June 24, 2009 |
Francey presented Col. Cornel Pavel, FOB Delta Romanian contingent commander, with a Rail Gunner Certificate of Appreciation. Certificates were given to the entire contingent.
The Romanians have provided intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicle support to FOB Delta since 2003. They are scheduled to depart in late July.
Category: Iraq, Our Allies, War on Terror |
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Tags: allies in Iraq, colalition partner in iraq, romanian army in iraq
Chuck Simmins | June 23, 2009 |
It was a study in contrasts. Where FOB Adder was sprawling, FOB Kalsu was snug, and the two units were at wholly different points in their deployment. While the Soldiers at FOB Adder were new, fresh off their transfer of authority ceremony, the Soldiers of the 172nd Inf. Bde. were more than halfway done with their deployment and were getting ready to do end of tour awards. “I’m pretty set in my ways,” said Maj. John Lawrence, a Madison, Maine., native and battalion personnel officer for the 172nd Inf. Bde.
Category: Iraq, War on Terror |
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Tags: 34th Infantry Division, FOB Adder, FOB Kalsu, Minnisota's Red Bulls, Red Bulls, Staff Sgt. Angela Amundsen
Chuck Simmins | June 22, 2009 |
Because of frequent power outages while running on Iraq’s power grid, surgical procedures were interrupted, vaccines were ruined due to the lack of refrigeration, and the limited supply of fuel resulted in patients being turned away.
“The green energy power supply eliminates all need for generators,” said Mahdi Jonny, bilingual and bicultural adviser, 2nd BCT. “With this great accomplishment we will give services for generations to come.”
Category: Green, Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror |
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Tags: baghdad iraq, Dahkel Clinic, Hurriyah neighborhood in Baghdad, solar panels at Iraqi clinic, solar power in iraq
Chuck Simmins | June 19, 2009 |
“He stepped up to the occasion, and exhibited some incredible bravery that day,” said Lt. Col. John John Orille, who worked with Crosby in Iraq. “He intuitively thinks on his feet and executes with confidence. His judgment is spot-on at the snap of a finger. No matter what you throw at him, he’s able to assess the situation and take action.”
Category: Heroes, Iraq, Marines, Military, WOT Heroes, War on Terror |
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Tags: 2nd Marine Division, Bodija Iraq, Bronze Star with V, hero, Marine hero, military hero, Staff Sgt. Philip Crosby
Chuck Simmins | June 19, 2009 |
At the end of the day, the DoI expressed their concerns to listening ears. Just a few years ago these women walked behind their men carrying loads. Now as DoI, they stand behind their country by seizing weapons and helping to keep their streets safer.
Category: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror |
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Tags: daughters of iraq, Sgt. Frankie Hibberd, women's rights in Iraq, Yusifiyah Iraq
Chuck Simmins | June 18, 2009 |
Ten years ago, Shatt Al Arab sports club in Al Tanoma city in east Basra was an old building.
“Shatt Al Arab sports club was a really unusable building, all the walls and ceilings were in very bad condition, but now everything looks new thanks to the U.S. Army Engineers efforts,” said Lateef Khalf, the sports club administrator.
Category: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror |
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Tags: Al Tanoma city, basra iraq, renovated sports facility in Iraq, Shatt Al Arab Sports Club, sports in Iraq, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Chuck Simmins | June 17, 2009 |
Nestled away in the sandy dunes of northern Iraq is the small village of Zalla Al Sabaee. With a population of approximately 500 people, it is one of thousands of small Iraqi villages that most people have probably never heard of.
However, this village and many others play a vital role in the overall stability of the country, which is why a platoon of Soldiers accompanied by the Daquq, Iraq Police travelled there May 31.
Category: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror |
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Tags: 1st Cavalry Division, FOB Warrior, Iraq Police, terrorist recruitment, Zalla Al Sabaee Iraq
