GOOD NEWS FROM THIS PAST WEEK

As I havent' posted much this past week I wanted to give you some of the better news I have seen.....hope you read them.

A War We Just Might Win
By MICHAEL E. O’HANLON and KENNETH M. POLLACK
Published: July 30, 2007

VIEWED from Iraq, where we just spent eight days meeting with American and Iraqi military and civilian personnel, the political debate in Washington is surreal. The Bush administration has over four years lost essentially all credibility. Yet now the administration’s critics, in part as a result, seem unaware of the significant changes taking place.

Here is the most important thing Americans need to understand: We are finally getting somewhere in Iraq, at least in military terms. As two analysts who have harshly criticized the Bush administration’s miserable handling of Iraq, we were surprised by the gains we saw and the potential to produce not necessarily “victory” but a sustainable stability that both we and the Iraqis could live with. (PLEASE READ MORE)

General recognizes pilots for daring rescue mission
Monday, 30 July 2007


BAGHDAD — The top U.S. general in Iraq presented awards to four Apache pilots for their part in the July 2 rescue of two other pilots downed by enemy fire during ceremony Friday in the Victory Base Complex .
U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq, honored the four pilots of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, and eight others who helped rescue the pilots. (read more)

Coalition Raids Detain 17 Suspected Terrorists in Iraq
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2007 – Coalition forces in Iraq detained 17 suspected terrorists during raids targeting al Qaeda operations in the Tigris River Valley today, military officials reported.

During a precision raid in Baghdad, coalition forces captured an al Qaeda operative allegedly involved in weapons trafficking and supplying terrorist groups with improvised-explosive-device materials. One other suspected terrorist was detained during the operation.

In other operations today: (read more)


IA, Stryker leaders assess progress in Baqubah
Friday, 03 August 2007

BAQUBAH — Leaders from the 5th Iraqi Army Division and the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, traveled together to assess progress in several neighborhoods of Baqubah, Iraq, July 31.

As Operation Arrowhead Ripper continues, the effort has shifted from combat operations to reconstruction and humanitarian missions. The Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and provincial council members are leading the majority of the projects. Many residents have joined in to do their part to improve their city. (read more)

Female combat medics in the fight daily; earn respect
Friday, 03 August 2007
Story by Spc. Mike Alberts

3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs


KIRKUK — Temperatures exceeded 115 degrees during the five-hour mission in Amerli that day. More than 50 Soldiers were on site and tensions were high; Amerli was the scene of a massive suicide truck bombing just four days earlier.
Soldiers kept alert, but visibly struggled under the weight of dozens of pounds of battle gear. Throughout the sun-scorched day, all but two Soldiers limited their movement as much as possible. All but two could afford that luxury.

“Bolo” and “Collver” continuously walked up and down the lines of men. “Drink water,” they repeated. “Are you feeling OK?” they asked. They were the two Soldiers charged with ensuring that each man stayed hydrated and returned safely to base. As usual, they were the mission’s only dedicated medical personnel.

Spc. Vanessa Bolognese and Spc. Aimee Collver, combat medics, Personal Security Detachment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, kept all their male counterparts healthy “outside the wire” that day in Amerli just as they do every day in the Kirkuk Province, Iraq. Neither is doing exactly what she thought she’d be doing in the Army, but neither would trade her job for another. (read more)


And here's a blog posting I have to share.......those who know me will know why this post caught my eye.

CURSE OF THE FLAMINGOS

MND-B Soldiers uncover three caches in southern Baghdad
Saturday, 04 August 2007

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers found three weapons caches in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital August 1-2.

The “Warriors” from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment discovered 100 55-gallon barrels containing various chemicals that could be used in the making of improvised explosive devices in a house in Doura August 1.

Also that night, the “Tomahawks,” from the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment discovered an AK-47 assault rifle, five grenades, five full AK-47 magazines, seven ammunition pouches and a radio in a truck parked near the site of a recent attack on Coalition Forces.

Early on the morning of August 2, Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment discovered a weapons cache inside a house consisting of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, six anti-tank mines, a recoilless rifle with 120 rounds of ammunition and a tripod, 1,400 AK-47 rounds, five demolition charges, six shaped charges and 19 RPG boosters. Four men were also detained at the scene of this cache find.

Explosive ordnance disposal teams conducted controlled detonations to destroy the caches

Air assault south of Baqouba destroys four VBIEDs
Saturday, 04 August 2007

BAQOUBA, Iraq -- Soldiers attached to 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, located and destroyed four vehicles to be used as vehicle-borne improvised explosives devices during an air assault operation south of Baqouba, Iraq, that began August 1.

Soldiers from 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion located two vehicles laden with explosives while searching the area August 2. Later that afternoon, Soldiers found two vehicles that had wires and trigger mechanisms installed but had not yet been loaded with explosives.

The purpose of the two-day air assault, called Operation Wickersham, was to clear an area used by al-Qaeda in Iraq to launch mortars into Baqouba.

“In the opening hours, we captured two complete mortar systems and a heavy machine gun in excellent condition,” said Col. Stephen Townsend, commander of 3rd SBCT. “The machine gun was in position and ready to fire.”

Soldiers from 1-12 CAB also located and destroyed seven IEDs and 12 caches containing weapons and IED-making material.

As I catch up with my reading I may post more later........have a great Saturday!!