Iraq war

June 16, 2008 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings remain at half-staff in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who died June 12 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Sgt. John D. Aragon, 22, of Antioch, Calif., died in Kadamiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of the funeral, for which arrangements are pending.    » read more »

15 June 2008 -- "Omar, a 69-year-old refugee from Baghdad, said he will die a 'slow death' if assistance is stopped. He and his family have depended on food and medical assistance since they fled to Syria in 2006." – UNHCR, May 2008.

Iraq remains one of the most dangerous places in the world. Its refugee crisis is worsening. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), since the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, an estimated 4.7 million have been displaced both within and outside Iraq and for many the situation is desperate.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. John D. Aragon, 22, of Antioch, California, died June 12 in Kadamiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

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June 13, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Steve A. McCoy, 23, of Moultrie, Georgia, died June 10 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of wounds suffered on March 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.    » read more »

6/15/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s and 38s to destroy anti-Afghan forces in caves in the vicinity of Nangalam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the missions successful.

An F-15E dropped a GBU-31 to destroy anti-Afghan forces with rocket launchers in the vicinity of Orgun-E. A JTAC reported the mission successful.    » read more »

June 12, 2008 -- John McCain claims he has a plan for Iraq and that "[w]hen Iraqi forces can safeguard their own country, American troops can return home." But the reality is, Senator McCain doesn't have a plan to bring our troops home from Iraq--he doesn't even think it's important to have one. Yesterday when asked on the Today Show if he had an idea of when troops in Iraq could come home, John McCain said "No, but that's not too important." [johnmccain.com, accessed 6/11/08; NBC's Today Show, 6/11/08]    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on State government buildings across New York be flown at half-staff on June 16, 2008, in honor of a 10th Mountain Division Soldier who was killed in action in Kirkuk Province, Iraq on June 8.

Staff Sergeant Tyler E. Pickett, who resided in Antwerp, Jefferson County, was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. He was killed when his unit was attacked by an improvised explosive device. His hometown is Saratoga, Wyoming.    » read more »

06/13/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. John D. Aragon of Antioch, CA:

"Sergeant John Aragon served with bravery and loyalty to his country and fellow soldiers. His devotion to service is an inspiration for all Americans and his sacrifice will not be forgotten. Maria and I offer our condolences to John's family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one."

Aragon, 22, died June 12 in Kadamiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Aragon was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), United States Army, Fort Campbell, KY.    » read more »

15 June 2008 -- A spokesman for Iraq's radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr says his movement will not directly participate in provincial elections scheduled for October 1.

Sadr's spokesman said Sunday that the movement instead will support "technocrats and independent politicians" in the polls.

He said the movement will not directly contest the elections because it does not want to be part of sectarian divisions.

Iraq's 18 provinces will choose governing councils in the elections, which Washington says will help to stabilize the country by giving more power to local leaders.

Unresolved debate over a draft election law could postpone the vote. The law is expected to ban parties with militias from contesting elections.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2008 – The number of U.S. troops in Iraq is slated to decrease from 20 to 15 brigades by the end of July, but it is too soon now to predict additional reductions, the U.S. military’s top officer said here today.

The Iraq redeployment involves about 30,000 U.S. troops who were sent there last year to support the surge of forces, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted at a Government Executive Magazine-hosted breakfast at the National Press Club.

Army MWR Provides "Fitness Anywhere" Kits for Deployed Soldiers: Photo by Tim Hipps

Their departure by the end of July, Mullen said, will bring the total number of U.S. troops in Iraq to about 140,000.    » read more »

June 11, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Tyler E. Pickett, 28, of Saratoga, Wyoming, died June 8 in Kirkuk Province, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using improvised explosive devices.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.    » read more »

June 11, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Thomas F. Duncan, III, 21, of Rowlett, Texas, died June 9 in Sinjar, Iraq, of wounds suffered during combat operations.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash. The incident is under investigation.

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June 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC- Speaking on the Senate floor today U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) urged President Bush to work with Congress on any future long-term security agreements with Iraq.

“Unfortunately, the Administration is handling these negotiations in the same manner that has characterized its entire approach to Iraq since 2003: with unnecessary secrecy, a disdain for Congressional input and an arrogant insistence that its course of action is the only reasonable option,” said Casey.    » read more »

11 June 2008 -- Turkey has stepped up military operations this year against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq's Kurdistan region. These operations include frequent cross-border shelling campaigns. The Kurdistan government is again condemning Turkish military action in Iraq.

Kurdish village, Dohuk, Kurdistan: US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) photograph by ACoE photographer Jim Gordon

Kurdistan officials say Turkey's military frequently shells unpopulated mountain areas not far from the Turkish border. Turkey says it is targeting rebels of the Kurdistan Worker's Party, the PKK, which has been fighting for independence in southeastern Turkey for nearly 25 years.    » read more »

12 June 2008 -- Iraqi officials say insurgents carried out several bombings in Baghdad Thursday, killing four people, including a U.S. soldier.

In the deadliest attack, a car bomb struck a patrol of Iraqi police commandos in the Allawi district of central Baghdad, killing one commando and two civilians. Another 15 people were wounded.

The U.S. military says a roadside bomb in western Baghdad killed an American soldier.

Elsewhere, the U.S. military says coalition forces killed four militants and detained nine others in operations against al-Qaida in central and northern Iraq since Wednesday.    » read more »