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.  

Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USAAmerican 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."   

Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

Jerry J. GilmoreAmerican 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.  

Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican 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.  

Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USAAmerican 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. 

Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

By Tech Sgt. Christopher DeWitt, USAFSpecial 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.

Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

By John J. KruzelAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 28, 2006 – Military tradition will be evident throughout the events associated with the Dec. 26 death of former President Gerald R. Ford, as the services join the nation in bidding farewell to their former commander in chief. Ford's three-stage state funeral will begin tomorrow with the former president's remains lying in repose at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif. He will then be honored in the nation's capital, and finally in his home state of Michigan, where he will be buried. Ford's casket will arrive Dec. 30 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. A motorcade will travel through Alexandria, Va., where Ford resided while serving as a congressman and vice president. After a pause at the World War II Memorial -- Ford served in the Navy during the war -- the motorcade will proceed to the U.S. Capitol, where the former president will lie in state. Ford's coffin will be draped in a U.S. flag, with the blue field over his left shoulder. The custom began in the Napoleonic Wars of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when a flag was used to cover the dead as they were taken from the battlefield on a caisson. Graveside military honors in Michigan will include the firing of three volleys each by seven servicemembers. This commonly is confused with an entirely separate honor, the 21-gun salute. But the number of individual gun firings in both honors evolved the same way. The three volleys came from an old battlefield custom. The two warring sides would cease hostilities to clear their dead from the battlefield, and the firing of three volleys meant that the dead had been properly cared for and the side was ready to resume the battle. The 21-gun salute traces its roots to the Anglo-Saxon empire, when seven guns constituted a recognized naval salute, as most naval vessels had seven guns. Because gunpowder in those days could be more easily stored on land than at sea, guns on land could fire three rounds for every one that could be fired by a ship at sea. Later, as gunpowder and storage methods improved, salutes at sea also began using 21 guns. The United States at first used one round for each state, attaining the 21-gun salute by 1818. The nation reduced its salute to 21 guns in 1841, and formally adopted the 21-gun salute at the suggestion of the British in 1875. An "order of arms" protocol determines the number of guns to be used in a salute. A president, ex-president or foreign head of state is saluted with 21 guns. A vice president, prime minister, secretary of defense or secretary of the Army receives a 19-gun salute. Flag officers receive salutes of 11 to 17 guns, depending on their rank. The rounds are fired one at a time. A U.S. presidential death also involves other ceremonial gun salutes and military traditions. On the day after the death of the president, a former president or president-elect -- unless this day falls on a Sunday or holiday, in which case the honor will rendered the following day -- the commanders of Army installations with the necessary personnel and material traditionally order that one gun be fired every half hour, beginning at reveille and ending at retreat. On the day of burial, a 21-minute gun salute traditionally is fired starting at noon at all military installations with the necessary personnel and material. Guns will be fired at one-minute intervals. Also on the day of burial, those installations will fire a 50-gun salute -- one round for each state -- at five- second intervals immediately following lowering of the flag. The playing of "Ruffles and Flourishes" announces the arrival of a flag officer or other dignitary of honor. Drums play the ruffles, and bugles play the flourishes - one flourish for each star of the flag officer's rank or as appropriate for the honoree's position or title. Four flourishes is the highest honor. When played for a president, "Ruffles and Flourishes" is followed by "Hail to the Chief," which is believed to have been written in England in 1810 or 1811 by James Sanderson for a play by Sir Walter Scott called "The Lady of the Lake." The play began to be performed in the United States in 1812, the song became popular, and it became a favorite of bands at festive events. It evolved to be used as a greeting for important visitors, and eventually for the president, though no record exists of when it was first put to that use. The bugle call "Taps" originated in the Civil War with the Army of the Potomac. Union Army Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield didn't like the bugle call that signaled soldiers in the camp to put out the lights and go to sleep, and worked out the melody of "Taps" with his brigade bugler, Pvt. Oliver Wilcox Norton. The call later came into another use as a figurative call to the sleep of death for soldiers. Ford will be buried with full military honors at his presidential museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 3. 

Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 28, 2006 – Almost 4,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard members are gearing up to support the national farewell to former President Gerald R. Ford that will span a seven-day period with events in California, Maryland, the nation's capital and Michigan.  "This is DoD's way of showing respect and honor to a former commander in chief and president, so it's very important to us," said Army Col. Jim Yonts, public affairs officer for the Military District of Washington.  Yonts told American Forces Press Service the military's experience in planning, attention to detail and execution makes it ideally suited to conducting state funerals honoring former presidents.  "It ensures the synchronization of many, many moving parts, with ground assets, air assets, intelligence assets and all kinds of other assets coming together to ensure a safe and secure state funeral that properly honors a former commander in chief and president," he said.  MDW, operating as the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, will serve as the Defense Department's command and control headquarters for the funeral activities, and is coordinating military support that ranges from color guards and honorary pallbearers to airlift and other transportation to logistics, Yonts said.  About 100 members of a joint service honor guard from throughout the National Capital arrived yesterday in Palm Desert, Calif., where Ford will lie in repose tomorrow through Saturday, he said.  Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., will coordinate events in California, and the Michigan National Guard will coordinate events in Michigan, he said.  The U.S. Marine Corps Twentynine Palms Band will play a military arrival ceremony and private family prayer service at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Palm Desert's St. Margaret's Episcopal Church.  After the service, Ford's remains will lie in repose through early Dec. 30. Members of the Washington-based 3rd U.S. Army Infantry Regiment, "the Old Guard"; the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard Company; the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard; the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard will attend the casket, Yonts said.  A military honor guard will accompany Ford's remains as they are flown to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Dec. 30.  There, a joint service honor cordon and color guard will meet them for a 5:30 p.m. arrival ceremony. The U.S. Air Force Band will provide music, and The Old Guard's Presidential Salute Battery will render a 21-gun salute, Yonts said.  Joint-service pallbearers will carry the casket to a hearse, which will lead 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.  Once at the east side of the Capitol, the pallbearers will carry Ford's casket into the House chambers, where he will lie in state to commemorate his many years as a U.S. congressman. From there, the pallbearers will carry the casket to the rotunda to lie in state, before moving it again to the Senate chambers to honor Ford's time as vice president, and therefore, president of the Senate.  On Jan. 2, the pallbearers will carry the casket down the Senate steps to the awaiting hearse. His motorcade will proceed to a 10:30 a.m. state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Bush will speak.  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, Yonts said. Following the ceremony, the casket will be returned to the presidential museum for burial.  Throughout the funeral events, every branch of the armed forces and the U.S. Coast Guard will provide personnel, support and ceremonial units to the Joint Task Force National Capital Region, Yonts said. These ceremonial units have participated in state funerals for Presidents Eisenhower, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Reagan.  President Ronald Reagan was the last former president to receive a state funeral, in June 2004.  

Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 28, 2006 – After a three-hour meeting with his national security team today, President Bush noted progress in defining the way forward in Iraq and praised servicemembers and their families for their sacrifices.  Bush said input provided by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace are important parts in his deliberations in making a new strategy for Iraq.  Gates and Pace, the U.S. military's most senior civilian and military officials, respectively, traveled together during a recent trip to Iraq and provided their impressions to the president last weekend.  "They reported firsthand what they saw, what they found," Bush said. "It's an important part of coming to closure on a way forward in Iraq that'll help us achieve our objective, which is a country that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself."  Other members of the National Security Council who attended the meeting in Crawford, Texas, today included Vice President Richard B. Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, and his deputy, J.D. Crouch II.  Bush told reporters that he had more consultations to make before he announces his decision on a new strategy for Iraq sometime in January. The president also said he'll continue to work with the Iraqi government, noting the key to success in Iraq is for that government to be willing to confront extremists that want to tear it down.  "The key to success in Iraq is to have a government that's willing to deal with the elements there that are trying to prevent this young democracy from succeeding," he said.  The president said he'd also consult on Iraq with both sides of the aisle in the U.S. Congress.  "Not only will I continue to reach out to Congress, but members of my team will do so as well," Bush said. "I fully understand it's important to have both Republicans and Democrats understanding the importance of this mission." It's important that Americans know that success in Iraq is vital to the nation's security interests, Bush said.  "If we were to not succeed in Iraq, the enemy, the extremists, the radicals would have safe haven from which to launch further attacks," Bush said. "They would be emboldened. They would be in a position to threaten the United States of America."  Iraq, therefore, "is an important part of the war on terror," the president said.  Bush said he's making good progress formulating a new strategy that will help the United States and its allies achieve desired goals in Iraq.  The commander in chief praised the thousands of men and women in the U.S. military who are deployed far from home during the holidays to defend America.  "There's nobody more important in this global war on terror than the men and women who wear the uniform and their families," Bush said. "As we head into a new year, my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are with the families who have just gone through a holiday season with their loved ones overseas."  The troops' welfare is always on his mind, the president said. And, the safety of U.S. servicemembers and success in Iraq, he said, are among his wishes for the coming year.  "My thoughts are with the troops as we head into 2007," Bush said, noting his New Year's resolution "is that they'll be safe and that we'll come closer to our objective, that we'll be able to help this young democracy survive and thrive, and therefore we'll be writing a chapter of peace."  "I can't thank our families enough for supporting their loved one who wears the uniform," Bush said, adding he also can't thank enough the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen who wear the uniform.  "May God continue to bless them," Bush said.  

Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

American Forces Press Service Dec. 28, 2006 – Combined forces captured 60 suspected insurgents and killed one cell leader over the past four days in Iraq.  -- Soldiers from the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, detained 30 suspected insurgents Dec. 26 southwest of Mahmudiayh. The detainees are being held for questioning.  -- 5th Iraqi Army Division forces, with coalition advisors, raided a suspected terrorist training camp today during operations near Baqubah. Combined forces detained 13 insurgents suspected of attacks against coalition forces and civilians.  -- Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, killed one suspected insurgent and captured 13 more during a four-day operation in Baghdad that ended today.  -- 7th Iraqi Army Division forces, with coalition advisors, detained three suspected insurgents today during operations near Tameem. The detained are responsible for multiple roadside-bomb and car-bomb attacks against coalition forces, Iraqi security forces and civilians.  -- Special Iraqi army forces, with coalition advisors, captured an al Qaeda in Iraqi terror cell leader Dec. 26 during operations in Yusufiyah, south of Baghdad. The terrorist is believed responsible for the June kidnapping two U.S. Army soldiers who were later found tortured and murdered.  -- Iraqi soldiers responded to a car-bomb detonation yesterday in northeastern Baghdad that killed 15 people and wounded 20 others. Iraqi soldiers transported the injured to a hospital for medical treatment.  -- U.S. Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, rescued two kidnapping victims yesterday who were being held captive by insurgents in Hit, Iraq.  

Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

Screaming Eagle Poker has a saying, “you have to be willing to die in order to live.” For America’s service members and members of the Screaming Eagle Poker (SEP) Association, is not just a saying, but a reality. These veterans, in addition to their daily commitment to America, are committed to helping their fellow Americans and veterans by sponsoring poker tournaments.  According to the Army Soldier and president of SEP, Felix Gutierrez, “In 2006, in addition to the morale boosting competitions, Screaming Eagle Poker raised $180,000 for wounded veterans.”

During 2006, SEP sponsored poker tournaments throughout Iraq.  As an example, SEP sponsored has sponsored tournaments in Contingency Operating Base (CO Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq. According to SEP, “The events build Esprit De Corp and help soldiers get a mental escape from the anguish of living in a combat zone.”  The growing popularity of SEP tournaments is reflected in the growth and direction of the organization.  SEP envisions building a tournament pitting the various branches of service into an all out poker slugfest to find out which branch has the best poker players.

Taking a step toward the ultimate slugfest, in partnership with OffTheRail, the Screaming Eagle Poker Association is providing online poker events for all current and former Armed Forces, Law Enforcement, Fire personnel as well as their friends and family members.  You can visit their website at www.screamingeaglepoker.com for more information.

Article sponsored by Criminal Justice Leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 27, 2006 – Iraqi military and police forces are eager to help find solutions for the challenges facing their country, and they are becoming more capable of assuming increased responsibility for security, a senior U.S. military officer said in Baghdad today. As President Bush deliberates the way ahead in Iraq, the Iraqi people and their security forces will ultimately have the responsibility to quell violence and effect peace across the country, Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told reporters.  "Ultimately, Iraqis have to step up and develop solutions to their country's problems," Caldwell said. "Yet, in the face of persistently high levels of violence, the Iraqi people are demonstrating that they are eager to do just that."  More than 1,100 Iraqis recently signed up for the police forces in troubled Anbar province, , Caldwell said, a place where there'd been no previous demonstration of such civic resolve.  More Iraqi citizens are also stepping forward to provide information about extremist and criminal activities to authorities, Caldwell said. From January to September 2006, he said, Iraqis provided an average of 4,500 tips monthly to authorities about possible terrorist or criminal activity in their areas.  Between October and November, such citizen-supplied tips increased by 66 percent to more than 7,600 tips per month. As of Dec. 22, the pace of tips received was anticipated to yield more than 8,700 this month, Caldwell said.  "This would indicate to us that the Iraqi people are tired of the violence perpetrated upon them by terrorist and criminal elements, and they want to be part of the solution," Caldwell said.  Consequently, U.S. and coalition officials are accelerating plans to transfer more security responsibilities to the government of Iraq and its security forces, Caldwell said.  The Iraqi army and police now have overall responsibility for all security and law enforcement activities in Najaf province. It is the third Iraqi province, he said, that provides for its own security and law enforcement.  "This transfer of responsibility comes as the Iraqi security forces continue to demonstrate increasingly tactical capabilities," Caldwell said, noting that 87 percent of operations conducted so far this month have been conducted by Iraqi security forces operating either independently or jointly with coalition forces.  Recent Iraqi-conducted operations in Baghdad, he said, uncovered 18 significant enemy weapons caches.  The situation still isn't perfect, however. Iraqi security forces still have to improve their logistics systems and leadership, and some soldiers and police have proven disloyal to the government, Caldwell said.  "That is why the multinational force is consistently and continuously reassessing and strengthening how we train, advise and assist the Iraqi forces," Caldwell said. "We are seeing signs that the Iraqi forces are beginning to address some of these problems themselves."  For example, Iraqi police and British forces two days ago raided a rogue Iraqi police unit in Basra that had been infiltrated by extremists, Caldwell said. That operation rescued more than 120 hostages, most of whom had been tortured.  "While infiltration of some (Iraqi) units persists, this operation demonstrates that the government of Iraq takes it seriously and understands and is initiating steps to mitigate this infiltration within the police units," Caldwell said.  Although significant challenges remain in Iraq and violence there is likely to remain high in the near term, Caldwell said there's hope for the future.  "Iraqi forces are making progress to provide their own security and the Iraqi people are demonstrating great resolve to defeat these terrorists and criminals plaguing Iraq," he said.  

Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have become writers.