Iraq war

6/9/2008 -- In a new report from The Century Foundation, former National Intelligence Council vice-chair Ellen Laipson argues that the United States needs to move quickly to reset its Iraq policy goals, arguing that U.S. strategic goals in the Middle East region require a change in Iraq policy regardless of how Iraq’s internal political scenario plays out.

“The time for social engineering is over,” Laipson writes in her report, America and the Emerging Iraqi Reality: New Goals, No Illusions, which The Century Foundation released on Monday, June 9. “Events in Iraq will be determined by powerful currents within Iraqi society and politics that are less and less susceptible to outside manipulation or influence.”    » read more »

June 09, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class David R. Hurst, 31, of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, died June 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.    » read more »

09 June 2008 -- The Pentagon says U.S. forces in Iraq will not be used to launch attacks on any of the country's neighbors. The comment was made as U.S. and Iraqi negotiators work on an agreement to cover the future U.S. troop presence in Iraq, and as Iraq's prime minister visits Iran.

Fast food franchises at Balad air base, Iraq: Photo by Nutloaf (CC)

Spokesman Bryan Whitman says the United States wants an agreement that would allow its forces to stay in Iraq temporarily, and would protect the troops like agreements with other countries do. And he went one step further to try to reassure Iran and other Iraq neighbors.    » read more »

June 7, 2008 -- New York Governor David Paterson has directed that flags on State government buildings across New York be flown at half-staff on June 11, 2008 in honor of three members of the 10th Mountain Division who were killed in action in Iraq on June 4, 2008.

Army Sgt. Shane P. Duffy, of Tauton, Massachusetts; Army Specialist Jonathan D. Emard, of Mesquite, Texas; and Amy Sgt. Cody R. Legg, of Escondido, California, died when their unit came under attack in Sharqat, Iraq.

The soldiers were conducting search operations. All three were members of the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum., N.Y.    » read more »

06/06/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Cody R. Legg, of Escondido, CA:

"Maria and I extend our sympathies to the family of Sergeant Cody Legg, who fought with pride, honor and an unrelenting commitment to democracy. Californians are forever indebted to his service and sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cody's family and friends during this difficult time."

Legg, 23, died June 4 in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered in Sharqat, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire and hand grenades. Legg was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), U.S. Army, Fort Drum, NY.    » read more »

06/09/2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sens. John Kerry, Bob Menendez, Byron Dorgan, and Frank Lautenberg today introduced legislation that will prohibit the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) from using appropriated funds for propaganda and will require the DoD Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to deliver reports to Congress within 90 days.    » read more »

June 06, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died June 5 at Kandahar Army Airfield, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when the Kiowa helicopter they were in went down during a test flight.

They were assigned to the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer James Carter, 42, of Alabama.

Pfc. Andre D. McNair, Jr., 20, of Fort Pierce, Florida.

The incident is under investigation.    » read more »

June 06, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died June 4 in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered in Sharqat, Iraq, when their unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire and hand grenades.

They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:

Sgt. Shane P. Duffy, 22, of Taunton, Massachusetts.

Spc. Jonathan D. A. Emard, 20, of Mesquite, Texas.

Sgt. Cody R. Legg, 23, of Escondido, California.    » read more »

June 05, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died June 3 in Zormat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Maj. Scott A. Hagerty, 41, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, who was assigned to the 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, Pasadena, Texas.

Pfc. Derek D. Holland, 20, of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, who was assigned to the 228th Brigade Support Battalion, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Bethlehem, Pa.    » read more »

June 05, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Joshua E. Waltenbaugh, 19, of Ford City, Pennsylvania, died June 3 in Taji, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident.

He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

This incident is under investigation.

Source: DOD

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2008 – Negotiations continue on the strategic framework agreement between the United States and Iraq that will allow military operations in Iraq to continue after the United Nations mandate runs out Dec. 31, U.S. officials said today.

U.S. Army Soldiers and Air Force Airmen participate in a combative tournament in Kirkuk, Iraq: Feb. 24, 2008. Soldiers with 10th Mountain Division hosted the event at Forward Operating Base Warrior for Soldiers and Air Force Airmen. The Army won in all three weight classes. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Bendet.    » read more »

09 June 2008 .-- Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has told Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that the presence of the U.S. military is Iraq's main problem.

Iranian state media report the two leaders met Monday in Tehran as part of Mr. Maliki's visit to Iran, his third since he became prime minister.

The Iranian reports quote the ayatollah as saying he is certain the Iraqi people will get through these difficult times and that the American dreams for Iraq will not materialize.

U.S. and Iraqi officials are negotiating a security deal that would allow American forces to remain in Iraq beyond December 31, when their U.N. mandate expires.    » read more »

08 June 2008 -- U.S. and Iraqi officials say a suicide truck bomber has killed an American soldier and wounded 18 others at a military base in northern Iraq.

The bomber blew up his vehicle Sunday near the patrol base in the town of Rashad in Kirkuk province. Two Iraqi contractors also were wounded in the attack. Gunmen killed three U.S. soldiers in the same province last Wednesday.

Iraqi officials say attacks elsewhere in the country killed at least 12 Iraqis on Sunday. In one incident, five shepherds were shot dead east of the capital, Baghdad.

In another incident, a bomb exploded outside a police center in western Baghdad, killing four police recruits and wounding 23 other people.    » read more »

June 03, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Christopher D. McCarthy, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died 1 June 2008 at Forward Operating Base Ramadi, Iraq.

His death is under investigation. He was assigned to the U.S. Joint Forces Command, Joint Reserve Unit, Norfolk, Va.

   » read more »

06/02/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. 1st Class David Nunez, of Los Angeles, CA:

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Sergeant First Class David Nunez, who fought with pride and honor to preserve the liberties of his fellow citizens. We will forever remember his service and sacrifice given in the name freedom. Maria and I send our thoughts and prayers to David's family and friends as they mourn this extraordinary loss."

Nunez, 27, died May 29 in Shewan, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered small arms fire while conducting combat operations. Nunez was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, United States Army, Fort Bragg, NC.    » read more »