Friday, December 29, 2006

Six Terrorists Killed, 32 Captured; Insurgents Kill Iraqi Civilian

American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2006 – Coalition and Iraqi forces killed six
terrorists and captured 32 suspected terrorists today, military officials reported. Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained two others during a raid against al Qaeda terrorists today in Baghdad. While moving toward the targeted building, coalition forces encountered two armed men who had exited nearby buildings. Coalition forces assessed the two armed men as an immediate threat and engaged them. Both men were wounded.

Coalition forces immediately rendered first aid and transported the two men to a nearby medical facility. Upon further investigation, coalition forces determined the men were local nationals. The men are in stable condition.

Additional forces performing security outside the targeted building were confronted by two armed terrorists during the raid. The terrorists began maneuvering toward coalition forces despite the ground troops' repeated attempts to halt the men. The terrorists were noncompliant and continued to maneuver toward the coalition forces who engaged, killing the two armed terrorists.

Ground forces entered the targeted building and found a weapons cache consisting of AK-47s, which was seized. Two suspected terrorists were also detained during the raid.

Elsewhere, coalition forces killed four terrorists and destroyed two buildings along with nearby cache sites containing improvised explosive device equipment during a raid today in Thar Thar.

Intelligence reports indicated roadside bombs were being produced in the targeted buildings. Upon entering the first building, coalition forces were engaged by armed terrorists. Coalition forces returned fire, killing four terrorists.

While searching the targeted buildings and surrounding area, ground forces found a significant cache consisting a large amount of IED-making material, including 16 pounds of homemade explosives, one 60-pound and one 80-pound bomb.

Also found on the site were multiple batteries, blasting caps, a rocket-propelled grenade,100 feet of detonation cord, suicide vests, grenades and machine guns.

Coalition forces coordinated an air strike that destroyed the buildings containing the weapons cache.

In another operation, special Iraqi
police forces, with coalition advisers, captured two suspected insurgent cell leaders during operations today in Bahbahani, near Iskandariyah. The suspected insurgents are allegedly responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi civilians in the area.

The insurgent cell leaders, who are tied to al Qaeda in Iraq, are also implicated in numerous roadside bomb attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces in the Babil and Karbala provinces.

In other developments, coalition forces detained two suspects during operations today in the Ad Dawrah area of southern Baghdad to capture a suspected member of al Qaeda in Iraq who allegedly plans and participates in the kidnapping of Iraqi civilians. He is also alleged to advise on and facilitates violent activities, kidnappings and murders perpetuated by other insurgents.

Additionally, special Iraqi army forces detained 13 suspects during operations today in Salman Pak, southeast of Baghdad, to capture the alleged commander of illegal armed group elements responsible for sectarian violence and attacks against Iraqi civilians in the area.

The Iraqi-led operation, with coalition advisers, involved entry into the Salman Pak mosque. The mosque was reportedly used as a base of operations for planning and conducting attacks, kidnappings and murder. Credible intelligence also indicated the mosque was being used by illegal armed groups as a place to store and traffic weapons.

Iraqi forces entered the mosque and confiscated a large weapons cache consisting of 21 armored vests, two rocket-propelled-grenade launchers, three heavy machine guns, 10 assault rifles and 12 grenades.

Twenty RPG rounds were also found, but destroyed near the objective after explosive ordnance disposal personnel determined their condition prevented transport. The rounds were destroyed in a location that minimized any damage to the mosque.

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National Guard Responds to Second Colorado Storm

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 29, 2006 – About 165 members of the Colorado National Guard have been activated since yesterday in the wake of the state's second blizzard in 10 days, the state adjutant general said today. This latest storm dumped up to 28 inches of snow in some parts of the state, and Guard troops are ready to perform many of the same missions they did when the first blizzard. So far, they only had one mission -- to re-supply two Red Cross shelters this morning, said
Air Force Maj. Gen. Mason C. Whitney.

"There's a lot of ice, a lot of snow pack, so it's still dangerous out here, but we haven't seen the requirement for the National Guard to be called out in the numbers we had last week," Whitney said.

During the first storm, which hit Dec. 20,
Army National Guardsmen rescued stranded motorists, cleared roadways for emergency vehicles and delivered American Red Cross supplies to emergency shelters.

The Guard has been preparing for the past two days for this second storm, and about 70 vehicles are ready to respond if they are needed for relief operations, Whitney said.

The storm last week kept the Guard much busier, because it hit quickly in the middle of the work week, and in the middle of rush hour, stranding many motorists. This week's blizzard is slower-moving and has less wind, which has made it easier for snow plows to clear the roads, Whitney said.

Whitney said the Guard today is going to reduce the number of activated soldiers to 105, but will be ready to provide additional troops if the storm worsens over the weekend, Whitney said. The storm is expected to last through tomorrow and into the morning of Dec. 31.

"Right now, we're just kind of standing by," he said. "We're kind of in an insurance policy this time."

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Michigan Guard Members Prepare for President Ford's Burial

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 29, 2006 – Hundreds of Michigan National Guardsmen are preparing to welcome home President Gerald R. Ford, who died Dec. 26 at age 93 at his residence in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will be buried on the grounds of his presidential museum there Jan. 3, after being honored in Washington.

Between 400 and 500 Michigan
Army National Guard and Air Guard members are getting ready to man information desks, escort VIPs and reporters, chauffer visitors and officials, provide medical support, augment security, and perform other duties associated with providing a final farewell to the fallen president, said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Penny Carroll, spokeswoman for the military's Joint Information Bureau set up in Grand Rapids for Ford's funeral events.

The 126th Band, made up of Army National Guard musicians, will perform in the Ford Museum as Ford's body lies in repose there prior to a private funeral service to be held at a local church before his burial.

"It's very interesting and an honor to us, because this is the first time that the Guard has gotten to participate and really take a lead in an event like this," said Carroll, who normally serves as a public affairs officer for the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mount Clemens, Mich.

"Most of the time it's active duty that gets to do that," she said.

Michigan state and military authorities have trained and prepared to honor Ford for some time, Carroll said, noting the Michigan National Guard is proud to participate in the final goodbyes to a fallen commander in chief.

"We're honored to do it, and we're working hard," she said.

Ford served as a
U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. After the war, he was elected to Congress as a Republican and he represented Michigan for 24 years in the House of Representatives. In 1973, Ford became vice president in the administration of President Richard M. Nixon, and he assumed the presidency when Nixon resigned in August 1974.

A national day of mourning will be observed Jan. 2. Most federal offices will be closed.

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Elite Air Force Unit Transports Former President's Body

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 29, 2006 – The
U.S. Air Force 89th Airlift Wing, based on Andrews Air Force Base, Md., will transport the body of former President Gerald R. Ford, a U.S. Navy veteran, as his remains are flown between points in California, Washington and Michigan, Air Force military officers based here said. Ford, the nation's 38th president, died Dec. 26 at age 93 at his residence in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will be buried on the grounds of his presidential museum there Jan. 3, after being honored in California and Washington.

A blue-and-white painted
military VC-25, a 747-model jet like those used to transport President Bush, will fly Ford's casket from California to various honor ceremonies, said Air Force Capt. Herbert McConnell, spokesman for the 89th Airlift Wing.

Activated in 1951 and located at Andrews since 1966, the 89th is a special Air Force unit that supports the president, vice president and other senior civilian and military leaders, according to the organization's Web page.

"The 89th Airlift Wing has a long and well-established reputation for professional excellence in support of our nation's senior leaders," Air Force Brig. Gen. John I. Pray Jr., the 89th's commander, said in a statement provided to American Forces Press Service.

"We take great pride in being able to be part of the team that has been called upon to represent the U.S. military and help care for our 38th president and his family during this difficult time," Pray wrote.

Ford's body is to be flown tomorrow from California to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., arriving there in the afternoon. He will be taken to the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda, where he'll lie in state until the morning of Jan. 2, when he will be transported to the National Cathedral for a state funeral service. President Bush will speak at the service.

After the funeral service here, Ford's body will be flown to Grand Rapids for burial Jan. 3.

"The passing of a former president provides all Americans, not just the military, an opportunity to reflect upon how that individual served us all and the tremendous impact they had on our growth as a nation, our way of life and the freedoms we hold dear," Pray said in his statement.

Ford served as a U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific theater of operations during World War II. After the war, Ford was elected as a Republican member of Congress where he represented Michigan for 24 years in the House of Representatives. In 1973, Ford became vice president in the administration of President Richard M. Nixon. Ford assumed the presidency when Nixon resigned in August 1974.

"While President Ford's passing is a loss for our nation, the celebration of his life should serve to inspire current generations as we continue, 'To support and defend the Constitution of the United States." Pray wrote.

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Marines Support California Ford Funeral Activities

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 29, 2006 – More than 500 servicemembers are on the ground in California supporting the funeral activities for former president Gerald R. Ford today. Ford's remains will be received with
military ceremony at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif., this afternoon.

After the arrival ceremony and a private family prayer service and visitation, the remains will lie in repose with a military Guard of Honor at the church until tomorrow morning. At that time they will be flown to Andrews
Air Force Base, Md., for the Washington, D.C., portion of the state funeral.

The support troops for the California funeral activities include more than 400 Marines from nearby
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., and surrounding bases, along with augmentees from the other military services, said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Cox, public affairs officer for Twentynine Palms.

"In spite of the hard work -- and everyone's working as hard as you would expect -- we're all really proud and really happy to offer this salute to a great man and a great president," Cox said.

The troops are handling every support aspect for the ceremony, including public affairs, food service, transportation, medical care and logistics, he said.

Two
Marine Corps bands are playing at the ceremony, and an artillery salute battery from the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, will provide the salute when Ford's body leaves California tomorrow, Cox said.

The ceremonial units actually involved in the funeral are from the Military District of Washington, and the rest of the Marines on the ground are supporting them, he said.

About 100 members of a joint service honor guard from throughout the National Capital arrived Dec. 27 in Palm Desert, Calif., where Ford will lie in repose today and tomorrow morning. A military honor guard will accompany Ford's remains as they are flown to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., tomorrow. There, a joint service honor cordon and color guard will meet them for a 5:30 p.m. arrival ceremony.

Ford's remains will be taken in a motorcade through Washington, D.C., en route to the U.S. Capitol. The motorcade will pause in front of the World War II Memorial, a tribute to Ford's service in the
U.S. Navy during World War II.

Ford will lie in state in the chambers of the House and Senate until Jan. 2, when his remains will be taken to the Washington National Cathedral for a state funeral.

Following the state funeral, Ford's body will be flown to Grand Rapids, Mich., for burial on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in the former president's hometown. There, he will lie in repose before being moved at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 for a private funeral service at Grace Episcopal Church. Following the ceremony, the casket will be returned to the presidential museum for burial.

The nation will observe a day of mourning Jan. 2. Most federal offices will be closed.

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U.S., Afghan NCOs Exchange Ideas, Strengthen Ties With Pakistani Troops

By Tech Sgt. Christopher DeWitt, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service


Dec. 29, 2006 – U.S. and Afghan noncommissioned officers toured the Pakistan
Army's Junior Leader Academy in Shinkiari, Pakistan, Dec. 28 during the second day of an exchange program tour. Pakistan officers and NCOs briefed the team on training procedures and processes in an effort to strengthen the ties between the Afghan National Army and the Pakistan military.

"We came to learn," said Sgt. Maj. Mahmodi Shamsudine, the command sergeant major of the ANA's 201st Corps, after asking several questions about the training curriculum and format.

He was one of three Afghan senior NCOs who traveled to Pakistan hoping to take back information that will help them develop their four-year-old army.

"This was very good for (the Afghans) because they discussed training strategies, schools, doctrines, techniques and procedures that can be shared between the two armies," said
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Wood, command sergeant major for Combined Forces Command Afghanistan.

Staff members from the JLA took the team to a field training area and watched students conduct mission planning. They were also shown classrooms and sat in on a class discussing tactics.

"This visit was very good for our countries," said Sgt. Usman, JLA instructor. "Our door is open, and we want to help the Afghan army because we want peace in Afghanistan."

Wood called the meeting a "very successful engagement with the
military of Pakistan." He contributed the success to the "non-threatening and non-political environment" among the NCOs.

"The (Afghans) are very excited about the information they heard," Wood added. "They are excited to hear about the focus on counterterrorism and the amount of effort and attention that they are putting on training. They want to go back and try to put more of a counterterrorism focus in their own training."

The visit also gave the U.S. and Afghan NCOs an opportunity to share information about the progress and accomplishments of the ANA.

"People from the Pakistan military and Frontier Corps did not realize how far ahead the ANA were. They were very surprised, and it made them feel more secure," Wood said.

During a meeting with Col. Rehman, the JLA deputy commandant, he explained that Pakistani soldiers were "giving (their) life to help Afghanistan."

"The world is a global village, and the sooner we have peace, the better it is for the world," he said.

Sgt. Maj. Ahmad Fazel, the command sergeant major for the ANA's 203rd Corps, agreed. "If we work together we will be successful because we have the same goal and the same enemy," he said.

Plans are under way for the next program to take place at Fort Benning, Ga.

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